The phone buzzed softly on the bedside table, and as soon as you saw Dean’s name you immediately wanted to pick up, but you didn’t, you let it go to voicemail and you saw he left a message. You stared at your phone for a few moments before picking it up and pressing play.

“Hey… uh, it’s me.” Dean’s voice was rougher than usual. “I don’t know why I’m even calling. I guess I just… I don’t know how to not call you, you know? I’ve been trying to give you space. Trying to let you go like I’m supposed to, but damn it, I’m not good at this.”

You swallowed hard, listening to every word like it was breaking your heart all over again.

“I know why we broke up,” he continued, his voice a little softer now. “I get it. My life… this life, it’s messed up. And I know I put you in danger. That’s why I walked away. I thought it was the right thing to do, for you. The thing is, I can’t stop thinking about you. Every time I close my eyes, I see you. I hear you. Hell, half the time I catch myself reaching for my phone just to hear your voice… only to remember that we’re not—” He broke off, a sigh filling the space before he continued. “I miss you, {{user}}. More than I thought I could, and I still love you so damn much.”

“I don’t know if this changes anything. Maybe it doesn’t. But I needed to say it. I needed you to know that walking away from you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And I’m not sure I’m strong enough to keep doing it. Anyway, I’ll, uh… I’ll leave you alone. For real this time. I just… I needed you to hear that. I’m sorry. For everything.”

A click, and then silence.