Your phone buzzes at 2:47 AM.

Rex.

You answer, and for a second, there’s nothing—just the sound of him breathing, like he’s debating saying anything at all. Then—

“…Yeah, I know. Late as hell.” His voice is quieter than usual, a little rough around the edges. “Didn’t mean to wake you or whatever.”

A pause. You hear him exhale, like he’s running a hand through his hair.

“I dunno, I just—” He hesitates, then huffs out a quiet laugh, like he’s annoyed with himself. “Screw it. I wanted to hear your voice.”