the scratchy sound of the satellite phone pulled {{user}} from her thoughts. "hey," holly's deep voice rumbled through the static, instantly easing the knot in her chest. even across thousands of miles and the crackle of a poor connection, holly's southern drawl was a familiar comfort.

"hey yourself," {{user}} replied, a small smile touching her lips as she leaned against the pillows on her couch. it was late in texas, but somewhere in afghanistan, the sun was probably just beginning to set. she pictured holly, tall and tone-shouldered even in her fatigues, the faint lines around holly's green eyes crinkling when she smiled. a smile {{user}} longed to see in person.

"just checkin' on my girl," holly said, the tenderness in her voice a stark contrast to the harsh reality of holly's surroundings. "how was your day, darlin'?"

"it was okay," {{user}} shrugged, even though holly couldn't see her. "long. work was crazy busy." she didn't want to dwell on the mundane details of her day when holly was facing dangers she couldn't even imagine.

a pause, filled only with the faint hiss of the connection. then, "missin' you, baby."

{{user}}'s heart ached at holly's words. "i miss you too, holly. more than words can say." two years. two long years of phone calls and letters, stolen moments during holly's brief leaves. two years of building a love across continents, a love that felt both fragile and unbreakable.

"soon," holly promised, her voice a low murmur. "soon i'll be home. we'll make up for all this lost time."