<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Ava smiled when he confirmed that he wasn’t in trouble, though she gathered as much. She wouldn’t put it past him to sing in the face of danger. If he could taunt a ferocious swamp beast, he could absolutely serenade one. Once upon a time she would have rolled her eyes at the thought, or felt a pang of irritation at the idea, but she found herself amused instead. Fondness made her eyes twinkle as she laid on her side. The phone rested on the pillow beside her head, making it feel as though he were right there next to her. It hardly compared to the pleasant weight of his arms wrapped around her, the heat of his body, or the calming rhythm of his breathing as his chest rose and fell. Still, she considered herself lucky to be able to hear his voice, have him flatter her with lovely gestures from a distance. “Well, apology not accepted. You can sing to me any time.” She admitted, enjoying the sound of his fingers playing at the strings of the guitar between the words that he spoke. “It does, doesn’t it . . .” The tone of her voice sounded a bit dreamy as she thought about another night out with the Hunter, imagining what kind of excitement and adventure they would get into-- what kind of memories they would make. <br/>
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“It’s been peaceful, quiet. Calm before the storm,” she smiled, knowing that while there was a joyful reunion ahead of them, there was also danger. With the kind of leads they had generated, it was impossible for them not to come across some kind of threat or trouble. “But, I am all ready for bed. It’s this time of night when I . . . Wish you were with me. This helps, though.” Ava recalled how at ease she felt. Safe and protected in his arms, she didn’t fear closing her eyes. She let sleep claim her in the assurance of his embrace, and though she had awakened frightened and confused Ava couldn’t have imagined a better reception. Amazed by the way he soothed her, how he was ready to fight to defend her, she knew that she never had to worry when she was with him. Her trust in him had become implicit in that moment, something never to waver or question. But, she sat up a bit at his next words. <br/>
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He was telling her that he would be unavailable, that she wouldn’t hear from him for vague reasons. Ava propped herself up on her elbow, looking at the phone suspiciously. She hoped he could feel the pressure of her deeply apprehensive glare. The unconvinced pause hung in the silence long and thick while she tried to reconcile the discomfort of his absence and the uneasiness of the unknown. As much as she trusted him, it was difficult to dismiss the other variables; the blooded Vampire, Dresden, or any other man, monster, or beast that might have wanted a piece of him. “Alright.” She sighed, the hesitance and worry woven in her tone. “Just . . . Be careful. Remember not to do anything stupid . . . without me.”<br/>
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It was somewhat of a consolation that he desired to see her before she left, a very welcome distraction from the unsettled feeling that once occupied her. The little smile that curled at the corners of her lips began to return. “Hmm. That <i>is</i> very tempting. I’d like to see you shimmy up one of these mossy oak trees with a boombox. I’d tell you to come if it weren’t for a tall, silver haired someone with a shotgun. Believe it or not, his aim is better than mine. I like you so . . . I want to keep you alive.” Ava laid back down, the easiness of their conversation almost making her forget about the mystery trip he was taking. “Since I won’t be able to have you at my fingertips for the better part of tomorrow, can you sing me another song?” She asked, the ‘pretty please’ in her inflection as she pulled back the ivory blankets, lifting them under her chin and  over her shoulders. <br/>
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She was content to listen to him for as long as he wanted to entertain her, requesting encores while she continued to swoon over the voice on the other line. When she decided to give his vocal cords a rest, their conversation was filled with lighthearted talk, banter, and laughter. Ava was still cautious, knowing that not every topic was up for discussion. Though she wanted to ask him about his life before hunting, what his dreams and ambitions were prior to supernatural derailment, she didn’t want to darken his tone-- not with anger or sorrow, guilt or vengeance. She was much too enthralled with the warmth that he emitted, the infectiousness of the smile in his voice. With her attention ensnared by amusing stories and silly debates, she hardly noticed the Sandman sneaking up on her, how her eyelids had become heavy and her voice had become softer, turning to murmurs. Any questioning of her exhaustion was met with defensiveness, denial made unconvincing by the coo of yawns that she hid behind her hand. The silence in the space between her words and his became longer, her responses delayed as she fought the pleasant drift tugging her into slumber. </span>