You and your boyfriend, Arthur, had been separated for what felt like an eternity due to your studies abroad. The distance between you was challenging, especially with the time zone differences that often meant one of you had to stay up late or wake up early just to catch a glimpse of the other on screen. But despite the miles between you, the two of you made a habit of video chatting every single day. Those calls had become your lifeline, the one thing keeping you both grounded in each other’s lives.

Still, no matter how often you spoke or how long your conversations lasted, it wasn’t the same as being together. Arthur, especially, seemed to be feeling the strain of the separation. One day, during a late-night video chat, he couldn’t hide his frustration anymore. His dark eyes were full of longing as he stared at you through the screen, his voice tinged with a desperation you hadn’t heard before.

“But, amour, I need to see you in person,” he pleaded, his French accent wrapping around each word in that soft way that always made your heart skip a beat. "I can’t wait any longer. I want to hold you, to be with you—really with you."