Day 34: In Which It Rains

Elsa peeked through the curtain and watched as it poured outside. It was hard to see the raindrops in the dark, but the pitter-patter against the building still soothed her, especially on a chilly night like that one.

"This weather is making me sleepy as fuck," Jack said in her ear.

"What's stopping you from going to bed?" she asked as she made her way back to the couch.

"I'm talking to you."

She chuckled, pulling her legs up and throwing a blanket over her body. "Don't let me get between you and your sleeping schedule, Jack."

"You can get between me and my sleeping schedule any time you want, Elsa."

Her cheeks hurt from trying to stop her smile from broadening. His voice had a surprisingly soothing effect on her, and she held the phone closer to her ear so she could hear him better.

"Go to sleep, you idiot," she said, lowering her voice to a little more than a whisper.

"Come with me."

She shook her head, finding amusement in his suggestion. She had told herself that she would keep a tab on his drinking, and it seemed like he had had one too many beers already. Perhaps it was time she made him retire for the night. "Sure. Why not?"

There was a pause far too long in which she wondered if she had lost him. Concern slowly rose up to her chest.

"Elsa," he called with a heavy exhale, and another pause followed.

"... Yes?" she answered cautiously when he said nothing more.

"You can't say stuff like that right now—"

"Stuff like what? I just agreed with you."

"—And it doesn't help that you still have bedroom voice."

Her hand defensively ran to cover her neck. "What does that even mean?"

"It means that you saying stuff like that makes me wanna do stupid things."

Her mind blanked for a moment, and she had to bite her lip to stop an anguished sob from leaving her throat. Elsa shook her head, letting out the breath she had been holding, in hopes to find her voice again.

Elsa shut her eyes tightly. "Should we hang up, then? I'd rather not see you doing anything reckless."

"Well, that ain't no fun either!" His voice slurred a little, making her chuckle.

"Ah. What an impossible situation you have in your hands, Jack."

"Understatement of the decade!"