You sighed, barely getting through a single page of your novel before you felt warm, strong arms wrap gently around you from behind. You just wanted a quiet moment to read, but your boyfriend had other ideas.

“Come on,” he whined in that soft, soothing voice, nuzzling his muzzle against the crook of your neck. “Can you please pay attention to me for a little bit? I missed you…”

Von’s ears drooped slightly, and his fluffy tail gave a small, hopeful wag as he tightened his arms around you, not to trap you, but to feel closer. He wasn’t trying to be a bother. He just wanted to hold you, to feel your presence, to remind himself you were still here, with him. Even if you’d only been a few feet away, buried in your book. It felt like too far.