Chapter 50

Your apartment felt too quiet. The hum of the heater filled the silence, but it didn’t mask the emptiness of the bed beside you. Normally Dani would be curled up against you, her warmth pressed into your side, her hair tickling your cheek as she whispered nonsense before sleep. Tonight though, she was at the Katseye house, needing to crash there for an early call time in the morning.

You tossed and turned, the sheets cool, the space beside you cold. Every time you rolled over, you reached instinctively for her – only to find nothing but pillows. You sighed, staring at the ceiling, scrolling aimlessly on your phone, debating whether to text her. The apartment felt hollow without her laughter bouncing off the walls, without her perfume lingering in the air.

You closed your eyes, trying to imagine her beside you. The weight of her arm draped across your waist. The way she always stole the blanket, leaving you to tug it back. The soft rhythm of her breathing, steady and reassuring. But imagination wasn’t enough.

Then your phone buzzed, Dani’s name lighting up the screen.

*

You answered instantly. Dani’s face appeared, framed by the dim glow of her room. She was lying in bed, hair messy, hoodie pulled tight around her, her smile sleepy but soft.

“Hey,” she whispered.

“Hey,” you replied, smiling despite yourself. “Can’t sleep?”

She groaned, burying her face in the pillow. “No. It’s weird without you here. The bed feels too big.”

You laughed softly. “Same. I keep reaching for you and finding nothing but empty sheets. It’s depressing.”

Her pout was exaggerated, but her eyes were serious. “I hate it. I miss your cuddles. I miss your stupid blanket stealing.”

You smirked. “You miss me hogging the pillows too, admit it.”

“Never,” she teased, rolling her eyes. “But I do miss your warmth. You’re basically my personal heater.”

“And you’re mine,” you said, voice softer now.

For a moment, you both just stared at each other through the screen, the silence comfortable. Dani shifted, propping her phone against the pillow so her hands were free. She reached out instinctively, fingers brushing the air as if she could touch you through the glass.

“Remember last night?” she asked, smirking. “You fell asleep on my chest, and I woke up with your hair all over my face.”

You laughed. “You loved it.”

“Obviously,” she said, grinning. “I love everything about sleeping next to you. Even when you snore.”

“I don’t snore,” you protested.

“You do,” she teased. “But it’s cute. Like… my own little soundtrack.”

You rolled your eyes, but your smile betrayed you. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you love it,” she shot back, her grin wicked.

Her voice dropped, softer now. “It feels wrong not being able to touch you right now.”

Your chest tightened. “I know. I keep thinking about how good it feels when you wrap around me. How safe it feels.”

Her grin turned cheeky. “And how good it feels when I do more than just cuddle.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What exactly are you missing?”

Dani bit her lip, eyes sparkling. “The way you always pull me close when I’m teasing you. The way your hands wander when you think I’m asleep.”

You laughed, cheeks pink. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you love it,” she whispered, her voice dropping lower.

You leaned closer to the screen, lowering your voice. “I’m thinking about how I’d be kissing down your neck right now if you were here. How I’d make you squirm before I even touched you properly.”

Her breath caught, her grin wicked. “You’re evil.”

You smirked back.

She giggled, hiding her face in the pillow. “Stop, you’re making me blush.”

“Good,” you whispered. “I want you restless. I want you imagining exactly what I’d be doing if I was in your bed.”

Her voice softened, playful. “I already do. Every night.”

You smirked. “I’d be sliding my hands under that hoodie right now, tracing every inch of you, just to hear you gasp.”

Dani groaned, covering her face. “You’re not helping me sleep.”

“Just giving you something to dream about,” you teased.

She peeked out from behind the pillow, cheeks flushed. “You’re dangerous.”

“And you love it,” you whispered again, making her laugh.

She whispered back, voice low, “If you were here, I wouldn’t let you sleep either. I’d keep you up all night.”

Your grin widened. “Promise?”

Her eyes sparkled. “Promise.”

*

The laughter faded into softer smiles. Dani’s eyes grew heavier, her voice sleepy but warm.

“Stay with me,” she whispered. “Even if it’s just on FaceTime.”

“Always,” you replied.

You both shifted, settling into your pillows, phones propped beside you. Dani’s breathing slowed, her eyes fluttering shut.

“Goodnight, baby,” she murmured.

“Goodnight, mi amor,” you whispered back.

*

The screens glowed faintly, your faces still visible. You watched her drift off, her lips parted slightly, her hair falling across her cheek.

Your own eyes grew heavy, comforted by the sound of her breathing, the sight of her face.

And though miles apart separated you, it felt like you were together – two hearts, two breaths, falling asleep side by side.

———-

I can’t sleep without you either dani… 🙁

WHO SAID THAT???????