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Having to spend so much time away from him took a huge toll at first. After becoming accustomed to always being around at the drop of a hat, the distance really hit hard. It took some working on, but the two of you found multiple ways of enjoying each other’s company without physically being in each other’s company. You looked forward to your weekly plans, whether that was meeting him remotely for coffee, or having a movie night over the computer, sometimes even doing something that resembled a get ready with me. If you could see his face, and hear his voice, for the most part that was good enough for you and you would take what you could get.

So, you moseyed to your room and set your steaming mug against the table while you finessed the cozy blanket he’d set you over your shoulders and settled into your chair. The time was ticking closer and closer, so you took a couple of deep breathes to compose yourself before noticing the ringing icon in the bottom corner of your screen. It really could only be one person, so you smiled at it affectionately before clicking to accept the call.

The camera lagged for a second, but once Juyeon popped up in pixelated glory on your screen, you were as content as could be. He spent a few quick seconds shaking out his hair before making eye-contact with the camera, and on the other end, your smiling face.

“Hi,” he cooed first.

“Hello,” you replied sweetly.

“It’s a little brisk out today, I hope you’re staying warm. What did you decide on today?” he asked, speaking about your coffee. You reached over to raise your mug.

“You know I never change,” you reminded him and took a small sip.

He chuckled, breaking gaze with the camera for a moment to reach for his coffee, displaying a nice homemade Americano in his favorite insulated cup that you sent him as a return care-package.

“And I can see that you don’t, either,” you laughed.

“Never,” he replied, “how’s your blanket?”

You snuggled in to it a bit, pulling it more closed over the front of your body. It was warm, uniquely you.

“It smells like you, which I know was the point, but sometimes it makes all this a little harder,” you replied.  

Juyeon frowned. It was never his intention, but he should have known. He didn’t have a good reply, and when he didn’t have a good reply, or a reply that he thought would satiate you in any way, he blew you a kiss.

“We’ll be together again before you know it,” he reminded you. The end was near, and when it was, the two of you planned to move in together. That meant if coffee dates had to be at home, at least they would still be presently with each other. Just to make you laugh, he maneuvered up to directly kiss the camera—it worked every single time.  “And, mine still smells like you, so even though we’re far apart, we’re still somewhat together. I go to bed every night with you right here with me.”

It was sweet, albeit mildly reassuring. You were the same. Even if you couldn’t cuddle into his back like you had the times you’d spent the night with each other, it was a close second, even if it was manufactured warmth it was warmth enough that reminded you of him.  

There was a lingering silence that he let you have while you marinated in the reality of the situation, knowing you were getting existential by the look on your face. He was ready to purposefully interrupt you and bring you back to him.

“I miss you, baby,” he said, a little quietly.

“I miss you, too, Jujube,” you replied with a smile, looking back up at him.

“The sweetest candy, just for you,” he returned, reaching forward to the camera and you knew that if he was in your presence, that was him playfully pinching your cheek. He did his best to make it seem like you weren’t so far apart.