This me attempting to make up for no chapter this week, a pretty short scene that I came up with relating to the events I have planned for the future. This may or may not be official, but it's some Lukesse fluff so whatever. Enjoy

***

"You're quiet."

I am. But I'm just so glad to hear her voice that I want to cherish it.

"I just wanna listen to you. You being there is enough."

There's a silence on the other line. The brightness of my phone screen stares me in my face through the darkness. I bury myself under the covers.

"Do you mind keeping me company?"

"Of course I don't. I'm here. Just...worried, that's all."

I can hear her uncertainty through the pitch of her voice. My heart clenches, I ache. There's a part of me that just wants to shut down.

"Hey," she says this softly, almost enough to whisk my worries away. "You're strong, you know. Sometimes you're too strong. It's okay to be like this. It's okay."

"I'm not strong Jesse." I can't help but reply. "I'm not like you."

"Of course you're not like me Booke. You're better. I know to you it seems like I can handle anything, but you know more than that. You're the one that faces things head on, you're always so determined and confident..."

"You know, I wasn't like that until I met you." I smile a bit.

"Nah, I doubt it." Her voice is light and firm, sure of herself. "You were always like that, you were just too shy to show it. I only helped a bit."

I close my eyes, and I imagine for a long moment, my hand holding hers. I imagine an embrace, a smile, a laugh. I imagine the warmth in my chest, another feeling. Light.

"Stay here with me."

"Always."

I listen to her quiet hums, a familiar tune, my mind closing shut on the pillow.