The screen flickered to life with a low chime. Cole’s face appeared first — hair tousled, hoodie half-zipped, eyes heavy with sleep.

“Hey,” he murmured, voice low and worn around the edges. “You’re still up?”

{{user}} gave a small, tired smile. She was curled on her side, wrapped in a blanket, the warm glow of her bedside lamp painting her skin gold. “Barely. You look like you just lost a fight with your pillow.”

He smirked faintly, rubbing at his eyes. “I did. The pillow won. But I missed you more.”