It was a quiet evening for Lili. She had just finished her homework and sprawled on her bed, hair tied back in a messy bun, earbuds in, phone propped up beside her. Dewdrop's face popped up on the screen with a grin that made her chest flutter.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey," she replied, smirking. "You look like you just woke up."
"I did," he admitted. "Morning here. But I didn't want to miss you."
"Big sacrifice," she teased. "I should hit you with a hair tie for that."
Dewdrop narrowed his eyes playfully. "A hair tie? From here to there? You think I'd feel it?"
"I'll make it count," she said, flicking one gently at the screen. "Watch out!"
He leaned back, pretending to dodge. "Too slow! I felt that one!"
"Liar!" She flicked another, giggling. "Take that!"
He leaned toward the camera dramatically, pretending the second one had just grazed his cheek. "Ow! The cruelty! The betrayal!"
"You asked for it!" she said, tossing a third one.
He leaned forward, "Intercepted!" and held up his hand like he'd caught it midair. "I'm too fast for you, Lili."
"Too fast? You mean too lucky," she laughed, tossing another tie. "Okay, that's it — final round!"
He laughed so hard she could hear it clear across the screen. "Fine, final round. But I'm taking no prisoners."
They spent the next five minutes flinging hair ties at each other through the camera, laughing until her stomach hurt. Even the neighbors probably heard her soft, breathless giggles.
Finally, they collapsed into virtual exhaustion, both leaning back from the screen.
"Okay," Dewdrop said, grinning. "I surrender. But only because I love you."
"Good," Lili said, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "And only because I love you too."
There was a quiet pause — the kind that was comfortable, soft, and full of everything words couldn't capture.
"Even when we're ridiculous?" Dewdrop asked.
"Especially when we're ridiculous," she replied, smiling.
Outside, the sun had set, leaving the sky dark and peaceful. Across the oceans, the world was quiet, but their little world was loud with laughter, hair ties, and love.
And for a moment, nothing else mattered — just the two of them, teasing, laughing, and feeling impossibly close despite the miles between them.