Sunlight and Storms

Hi! This is my very first attempt at writing, but with quarantine and my job not starting for another month, I decided to give it a shot! Hopefully there aren't too many typos and please feel free to leave any constructive criticism.

This is based on a video I saw on Tumblr of Lauren signing this song while Joey was in the audience. It's completely fiction, and the timeline is probably not correct. I hope you enjoy!

I lay on the couch, snuggled between my two loves. Joey was rubbing my arm while Diane scratched at my stomach, wanting attention. I smiled at her, giving in to her demands. I reveled in the feeling, the feeling of being loved and wanted and at home. It would be some time before I felt this way again. I closed my eyes and forced myself to memorize this moment, the feeling of Joey's deep breaths, in sync with mine, and Diane's soft body curled on me.

The alarm on my phone went off and I audibly groaned. I felt Joey tense behind me. I reached over to turn it off and shifted my body so I was facing Joey. I laid a soft kiss on his lips, and felt him sigh, his warm breath on my face.

"I have to go," I whispered quietly.

"I know," he whispered back.

I reluctantly stood up. Diane began scratching at my legs as if she knew what was happening. I reached down and scooped her into my arms.

"I love you Diane. I'll miss you," I cooed in my voice reserved only for dogs. She licked at my face to say her own goodbye.

I set her down and grabbed my bag from the coffee table. Tears began to prick at my eyes. Joey and I had been together so long, and we were used to having to spend time away. Long distance was not an unfamiliar concept, as I fell in love with Joey over phone calls and video chats separated by 2,000 miles. However, ever since I moved to LA, it became harder to spend time away. I was just so used to falling asleep and waking up to the face I loved more than anything else. I was used to eating almost every meal with him, where he made me laugh everytime I finally took a bite. I was used to snuggling on the couch watching television shows, me forcing him to watch The Real Housewives and him chuckling at my strange obsessions. No matter how many times we waved goodbye across the airport or stood outside the apartment staring at the back of an Uber, it was still hard.

Joey grabbed his keys and wallet and grabbed my suitcase from beside the front door. He assured Diane he would be back soon as he opened the front door and dragged my suitcase outside. I followed him, blowing one last kiss to my sweet baby before I shut the door.

Most of the ride to the airport was spent in comfortable silence. Joey and I held hands as he sang quietly along with the radio. I stared at him, smiling at the crooked jaw that made me weak in the knees, his dark unruly hair that was desperately in need of a haircut, and his brown eyes that always seemed to shine with happiness, but were a little dull right now. He sensed me looking and lifted his mouth into a crooked smile.

"What are you thinking about, Lo?"

"Just how I'm going to miss you."

"It's only a few weeks. And you'll be so busy with rehearsals and performances you'll barely have time to miss me," he said as he stroked my hand.

"You know that's not true," I smiled sadly. I flinched as I saw the airport come into view. "Are you sure you can't join me at some point?" I pleaded.

His smile disappeared. "You know I would if I could. Brian, Corey, and I have got to sit down and plan some things, and I promised my parents I would come down for the mini family reunion," he explained while he pulled into a 'drop-off only' spot.

I removed my hand from his and began to push open the door. "I know, just thought I'd ask one more time." I stepped out of the car onto the sidewalk and walked to the back to grab my suitcase. Joey had beat me to it, already pulling it out of the trunk. I reached out to grab it from him. As my hand went to wrap around the handle, his hand reached out to grab my wrist, pulling me towards him. I stepped forward until I was against his chest, and his long arms encased me into a hug.