Dimitri and I talked on the phone every single day – no exceptions allowed.

Not even when I had two research papers due and a module exam to study for, or when he was knee deep in research with Sonya back in Palm Springs. Every day, we found the time.

Sometimes we spoke about serious things, sometimes we rambled about nothing in particular, both content to just sit and listen to each other's' voices.

Tonight, our topic was especially deep.

"Yeah, and then it just scurried away! I swear that squirrel was possessed!"

I could hear his rumbling laughter through the phone pressed against my ear, now warm after over an hour of talking.

"I guess we'll have to send in some additional guardians immediately, to protect the queen from dangerous rodents," Dimitri replied with traces of laughter still in his voice. "Just to be safe."

"Mock me all you want," I replied, joining in his laughter now. "These things are out for blood."

For a long moment, there was silence at the other end.

"Comrade? You still there?" I asked, wondering if we had a faulty connection.

"I miss you so much, Roza," he finally replied, and my breath caught at this sudden change in tone.

"Because I'm paranoid about killer squirrels?" I asked jokingly, but then replied in a quiet voice. "I miss you, too. So much." It really wasn't fair that they took him away from me when I had just gotten him back. "When am I going to get to see you in person?"

He sighed. "Soon, I hope. Everything is kind of crazy around here right now, but I might be able to get away for a day."

I brightened up a bit at that. One day with Dimitri was better than nothing. "How soon is soon? Soon like tomorrow? Or soon as in, 'Oh, yeah, we'll fix the air-conditioning in your dorm really soon,' soon?"

"Soon, as in, 'as soon as I possibly can,' soon. Maybe next week? I can't promise anything yet." An irritating beeping sound suddenly came from the phone at my ear, covering up the end of his words.

"What is that?"

"My phone's dying. Hold on, let me grab the cord." I hopped off the couch that Liss and I had somehow managed to squeeze into our dorm, reaching out to grab the charger cord plugged in by my bed.

Or at least, usually plugged in by my bed. I swore under my breath and pulled the phone back to my ear.

"I think I left it in the car," I admitted. "But maybe we have a few more mi-"

More stupid beeping cut me off.

Dimitri chuckled. "I'm guessing we're going to have to call it a night?"

I signed. "It seems so." The beeping got faster. "OkaygoodnightImissyouIloveyouokayvisitmesoonbye!

"What was that?" he laughed. "I love you, too, Roza. I'll come and see you soo-"

The phone let out one last beep before the screen went black. I tossed the traitorous device onto my bed, with the trace of a smile still on my lips.