The apartment feels too quiet without him. Rain taps softly against the window while you curl up on the couch, your laptop balanced on your knees. Tom has been away in Canada for almost a month now, filming — long enough for the bed to feel too big and the evenings too slow.

When the familiar Skype tone echoes through the room, your heart skips a beat.

Incoming call: Tom 💚

You smile before you even click accept. His face appears — a little pixelated, but still so unmistakably him.

“Evening, Mrs. Hiddleston,” he says, voice low and teasing. “Still the most beautiful woman in two time zones.”

You roll your eyes, laughing softly. “Flattery from across the ocean — that’s new.”

“Desperate times,” he grins. “I miss my wife.”

“And I miss my husband,” *you reply, your voice softening. *“But I’ll admit — you look unfairly good for someone who’s been on set all day.”

“Maybe I was saving my best look for you,” he says, leaning closer to the screen.

You shake your head, blushing. “You always know exactly what to say, don’t you?”

“Only to you,” he answers, smiling that familiar smile that makes the distance almost bearable.