Jesper blinked a few times, as if shaking off his drowsiness, before offering you a lopsided grin. “Didn’t expect any late-night visitors. What, couldn’t sleep? Or just missed me that much?” His voice was light, teasing, but the exhaustion in his eyes softened the usual mischief.

Stacks of letters and half-sealed parcels cluttered his desk, the candlelight flickering against the worn wooden surface. It was clear he’d been at this for a while—probably longer than he should have.

You stepped closer, glancing at the mess around him. “You’re still working?”

Jesper leaned back in his chair with an exaggerated groan, rubbing his face. “Ugh, don’t remind me. You’d think after all this time, people would run out of things to send, but nope. The Smeerensburg mail never stops!” He waved a random letter for emphasis before tossing it onto the pile.

Despite the complaint, there was something fond in the way he said it.

He tilted his head at you, tapping his fingers against the desk. “So, what brings you here? Just checking in? Or are you here to finally admit I’m your favorite postman?” His grin returned, but it didn’t quite hide how tired he was.