“Babe?” His voice was different over the phone, his extended stay away from home making it the only voice you could remember. “I really miss you.” He was tired, overworked, upset by some of his fans, and at the moment wishing he’d chosen any career path but the one in which he was working.

“I know,” you assured him. “I miss you too. But you come home soon!” Your eyes glanced across the room to your calendar, where his return day was circled in bright green highlighter. “Like a week!” You could hear him chuckle softly on the other end, crackling in your ear.

“I can’t wait to get back. This tour is killing me. Did you hear about the fans at our last venue?”

“Didn’t someone get trampled?” you asked. He exhaled unhappily.

“Almost.  It was insanity. Hopefully the rest of this tour doesn’t kill me.”

“You only have three more shows, right?”

“Yeah.” Even without having him in front of you, you could see him nodding.

Eventually, the two of you ran out of words to say, overcome with sleepiness. He needed to rest,  but selfishly you wanted to keep him on the phone. It was difficult to have him away for months at a time. Even with modern technology, with video chats and texting, picture messages and phone calls, nothing could equate to being able to reach forward and touch his cheek. You missed his hair and his eyes, his voice and his kindness.

“I love you,” he reminded you, saying goodnight.

“I love you too.” You hung up the phone, fingers lingering over the screen as you lay in your bed. It still felt empty without him next to you, but he would be home soon. With thoughts of his ringing laughter on your mind, you fell asleep with a smile.