"you have five minutes."

"thank you."

brrrrr... brrrrrr...
brrrrr... brr-

"hello?"

patrick isn't sure if it's really gerard there or if they changed their number. but patrick can tell that somebody picked up.

"hey, who is this?" but that's their voice and that's that warm sound that patrick remembers from sleepless nights.

"patrick, it's uh. it's been a while." patrick fumbles with the handcuffs on his wrists as he feels guilt crawling into his heart. there's silence for a moment on gerard's end but patrick soon hears them clear their throat.

"i called you so many times, patrick. and you never once answered. they said you didn't want to talk. it's been seven fucking months without any fucking contact. are you okay? what happened?"

"nothing happened, i'm just." patrick chuckles emptily, "it's christmas. and i felt bad. and i still have a long way to go before i'm out."

"no shit, i was worried sick. i thought you'd been killed or something, or you'd... killed yourself."

"i didn't. i'm here. and i'm okay. i just miss you is all. it's been forever, and i thought. it could be a little christmas present or something, you know?"

gerard sighs, and it takes a moment before they respond, "i love you. i miss you a lot more than i thought i would. and i appreciate you calling me-

"two minutes."

"-i just really hope things are going alright there."

"they are. i'm okay. i have to go soon."

"oh, okay, already?," gerard sniffles and patrick can tell they're crying. it makes patrick's heart ache, "well, i hope your christmas is going okay."

"it would be better if you were here."

"are you gonna answer my calls?"

"maybe," patrick replies quietly, "i'll try to."

"just nine more months."

"nine more months."

"goodb-"

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