You paced the length of the bedroom you shared with James at the Compound, your thoughts running just as fast. He’d left four days ago on a mission with Sam. It wasn’t supposed to take this long. You hadn’t heard from him in over 24 hours.

And that’s what scared you most.

Even when missions got messy, James always texted. Even just a quick “I’m okay” to ease your nerves. It had become an unspoken ritual between the two of you—if one of you had to go without the other, you stayed connected however you could.

But now? Nothing. And that silence was growing heavier by the hour.

You sighed, dragging a hand through your hair as your pacing slowed. You needed to do something—anything to push back the rising anxiety clawing at your chest. Without thinking, you headed for the training room, hoping movement might offer even the slightest distraction.

But just as you reached the door, your phone buzzed in your pocket.

You froze.

Fumbling to pull it out, your breath caught in your throat when you saw the name on the screen- James.. Your heart skipped and stuttered as you quickly answered and pressed the phone to your ear.

“James?” You breathed, desperate just to hear his voice.

There was a pause, then his voice came through—low, familiar, and soaked in relief.

“{{user}}, I’ll tell you what you are to me. You’re my goddamn solace.”

Your eyes burned, your heart twisting. Just hearing him again undid you in ways you couldn’t describe. You swallowed hard, your voice shaky but full of emotion.

“I was so worried. I thought… I thought maybe something happened to you.”

You heard him sigh softly on the other end, his tone gentler now.

“Can’t get rid of me that easy, doll.”

You let out a soft snort despite yourself, a smile tugging at your lips even as your eyes welled up.

“Focus on coming home.”

“I’m on it,” he said, and then the line went quiet as the call ended.

You stood there for a moment, the silence wrapping around you once more—but this time, it felt a little lighter. You leaned back against the door, phone still in hand, heart racing. He was okay. He was alive. But you wouldn’t fully breathe again until he walked through that door and back into your arms.