Rafayel always keeps his favorite pencil close, tucked between deep purple strands, holding up his long hair in a messy bun.
After all, inspiration often comes unpredictably. Sometimes it's a specific shell on his long walks by the beach or a cloud mirrored in the water. Most of the time, it's the sound of your laugh and the way the sunset paints your face in vivid rays of pinks and purples. Whenever he is struck by a random bolt of inspiration, he grabs the pencil, hair falling majestically like waves over his shoulders.
Rafayel pulls out his sketchbook and takes your hand, guiding you to sit down with him in the sand. Your eyes drift across the shoreline, following a seagull soaring overhead.
"Cutie, turn your head a little. Yeah. Just hold still for a bit." He directs, getting you into a pose that allows the light to hit your face just right.
Ocean waves lap at your feet as you watch Rafayel carefully capture your expression. Making eye contact with you multiple times, he makes a few marks before erasing them and looking back up at you. The sunset reflects in his irises as he studies your facial features. His gaze is so intense that it takes your breath away.
"Hm. Nervous? You're blushing."
"What? No I'm not."
"Yes you are cutie~ Don't worry. I'm almost done." Deeply concentrated, his tongue pokes out a little, just past his lips. The adorable way he furrows his brows causes you to giggle.
"Wait- don't move! No! Stop that!" You can't help it. His frustration causes you to crack and burst out laughing.
You're very grateful for Rafayel’s stupid pencil.
I started thinking about rafayel in a man bun and it turned into whatever this is. Idk there’s something about long haired guys that do it for me (˵ ᓀ ‸ᓀ ˵)
inspired by this song! I just felt like it fit their vibe so well
summary: in the week leading up to his birthday, caleb is called for an urgent mission. with patchy cell service in the deepspace tunnel, all you can do is send him voice notes and hope they go through.
tags: voicemails, voicenotes, fluff, long distance relationship
wc: 1036
[📻RADIO BROADCAST INITIALIZING...]
[CHANNEL: LINKON NEWS NETWORK]
Good Morning Linkon City! Breaking News!
Today's top story comes with some good news, as the missing unit of the Farspace Fleet has been found and is on its way back to Skyhaven. Last night at 10:20, the Farspace Fleet reported that they mysteriously lost contact with the recent crew sent into the Deepspace Tunnel. Military personnel briefly flagged the aircraft as MIA, causing great concern. In charge of the operation is Caleb Xia, the youngest Colonel in the Fleet's history. Given his rapid rise through the ranks, many were doubtful of his ability to handle the crisis. However, officials confirmed that Colonel Xia dealt with the anomalous Wanderers head on and quickly stabilized the vessel, ensuring a smooth return for the crew-
*Click.*
☎️➠ Your call has been forwarded to an automatic voice messaging system. The person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. At the tone, please record your message. Beep!
[🍏 Voicemail|Pipsqueak|June 13|8:34 AM]
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။၊|• 1:32
Caleb you dummy!
How dare you scare me like that, huh? Why didn't you tell me how dangerous it was going to be? And why did I have to find out from a stupid news report!? God Caleb… I was so scared! Never do that again, you hear me? You're so lucky I love you because the stress from last night is enough to age me three times faster! Now you definitely owe me a plushie. No excuses this time, we're getting that sunny apple.
You should have heard how the radio announcer was talking about you! They were talking you up, saying what an amazing colonel you are and how well you handled the situation. Saying stuff like "With quick thinking, he was able to stabilize the aircraft and rescue all the crew members from the dangerous Wanderers." It felt like they were talking about a superhero rather than you, Caleb. They complimented you so much it almost made me jealous! But luckily, the brave and courageous Colonel Xia happens to be my boyfriend, so I don't have to worry.
I'm just so glad you didn't go missing on me all over again. Everything is set up and ready for you at the apartment. Let me know the second you're leaving Skyhaven. I'll meet you right at the platform to pick you up from the Coelum Express. You've got to be absolutely exhausted after such a crazy week.
I'll see you soon, okay Lebbie? Bye! Muah!
☎️➠ Click! Message sent.
[🍎 Voicemail|Caleb|June 13|9:26 AM]
▶︎ •၊၊|။၊|၊|။||။၊|• 1:39
Heh. Sorry pips. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m finally back in range so I kinda got all your voicemails at once. I've been meaning to call ya but the Fleet took up all my time updating mission logs and writin' reports of how it went.
On the bright side, I'm completely fine. There's no need to worry about me. Just a couple bruises and two small cuts. It'll take two days to heal tops. Got released from the med bay about an hour ago. After some bandages, they gave me the all clear to head home.
As for the reporter on the radio, I think it's cuz they recognize talent when they see it. Seems like they appreciate my efforts more than you do. Looks like you've got some competition. I do like the title of superhero though. You should take some notes. Maybe if ya greeted me like: "Oh Caleb! You're so strong and handsome! I can't believe how talented you are! You're the best pilot ever!" I might consider bein' nicer to ya.
Actually, since I managed to stand by my word, I think I deserve a little reward. How 'bout a hint? What kinda cake did you get me? Or better yet… what's my birthday present? Was it that toolkit I was lookin' at for my model planes? I saw the way you were glancin' at me when I mentioned it last month. You might as well tell me now. I'll find out in a few hours anyway.
☎️➠ Click! Message sent.
[📍Linkon City-Coelum Express Platform | 11:45 AM]
You stand at at the station, pacing back and forth waiting for the train from Skyhaven to reach Linkon. You look up once again to check the train schedule projected onto a giant hologram on the far wall, The minutes tick by sooo slowly. You frown and check the last minute poster you threw together with big words traced across proclaiming: "WELCOME HOME CALEB! ❤️"
Nothing seems to be out of place, so you check your messages with him for the eighth time just to make sure you got the arrival time right. Suddenly, the overhead indicator starts blinking to announce the train's arrival.
Wind whooshes down the tunnel, blowing your hair around your face as the sleek train pulls into the station. You peer through the windows, trying to figure out exactly where on the platform Caleb will be stepping off, but each car flies past your face faster than you're able to scan the passengers inside. Finally, the train slows to a stop, and with a mechanical hiss, the doors open.
People immediately pour out, quickly crowding the narrow platform. Holding up your makeshift sign, you stand up on your tiptoes, desperately trying to look over the sea of heads for a familiar, brown-haired, six-foot-two pilot.
"Boo." A warm breath ghosts over your neck.
You jump, spinning around, to face the man who startled you. You look up to face sparkling violet eyes and a comforting laugh.
"Hey pipsqueak. I'm back."
"Caleb!" You put down the sign and jump into his broad arms.
"You're here." You can feel the ridiculous grin stretch across your face as you reach towards him.
He pulls you in close, enveloping you in warmth. One hand presses into your back while the other cradles the back of your head, pressing your face into his neck. Sinking into his embrace, the sterile scent of the med bay lingers on his jacket but is quickly replaced by the comforting, woody scent of his cologne. Relief floods through you as you realize he's home.
"'course. I made a promise didn't I?"
an: Yayyyy! I'm done! I did end up a day behind schedule because I was super busy yesterday.
thank you so much for the support as this was my first time writing a multi chapter fic. you can probably tell (,; ⩌ ;,) I hope everyone who was following enjoyed my little series :D
“I'm not that scared little meimei anymore, Caleb. I've grown up, horror movies don't scare me now.” You had a feeling you would regret saying that.
“Hmm, is that so, pipsqueak?”
You regret it immensely as you grip his sleeves with both hands, trying not to tear the fabric off when a jumpscare makes your heart leap out of your chest.
“I wonder what happened to the scared widdle meimei of mine.”
“Shut up, Caleb.” Your nails are now digging his bicep.
"She was very cute by the way, so tiny and so terrified. She used to hide inside my jacket during the scary parts." He tilts his head toward you. "Now look at you. So brave, so grown~”
"I will bite you."
He laughs and continues to watch the movie. Then someone on screen mentions ‘dark shadows’ and you scoot closer to Caleb, your grip tightening. "It's not true right? There's no such thing as dark or faint shadows. Not having a dark shadow doesn't mean you get possessed by ghosts easily, right?"
Caleb hums thoughtfully. "I don't know but I do remember your shadows being faint ever since we were kids.”
"You're lying."
He shrugs. "I'm just saying what i observed-” he goes silent without finishing his sentence. You take that as a win and exhale, but something doesn't feel right. He's too still, frighteningly still.
Then you notice his eyes, fixed on something behind your head and goosebumps start to erupt in your entire body. "What is it, Caleb?”
He says nothing. "Caleb, what are you looking at?” your voice quavers.
"Don't look back, pips."
Your blood goes cold. "What is it?” your head starts to turn.
"I said don't look back.”
Your head snaps back forward, eyes filling up embarrassingly fast as you ram your face in his chest, gripping his shirt in both fists. "Caleb I swear if it's something bad I'll-”
He starts laughing. “I’m sorry, I'm sorry, I was just playing with you, pips,” he says, stroking your hair to calm you down.
You hit him. “Caleb, you dummy. It's not funny.” He’s still laughing as he catches your wrists, so you use your forehead to hit his sternum instead. “Ow- pips,” he groans. The impact rattled your teeth but the satisfaction overpowered. This stupid idiot deserved it.
"I'm not sleeping with you tonight as your punishment.”
"What if a real ghost comes into your room?"
You practically shudder at the thought. "While you're all alone in the dark~” he continued, voice dropping lower and slower.
"Stop!”
"And no gege to protect you~" You jump on him fast, arms around his neck, legs around his waist and bury your face in his shoulder. “Gege, I'm scared.”
inspired by this song! I just felt like it fit their vibe so well
summary: in the week leading up to his birthday, caleb is called for an urgent mission. with patchy cell service in the deepspace tunnel, all you can do is send him voice notes and hope they go through.
tags: voicemails, voicenotes, fluff, angst, long distance relationship
wc: 458
☎️➠ Your call has been forwarded to an automatic voice messaging system. The person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. At the tone, please record your message. Beep!
[🍏 Voicemail|Pipsqueak|June 12|7:23 PM]
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။၊|• 1:45
*crinkling of a plastic shopping bag*
Hey Caleb, I just got back from the store with all the decorations! They're even in your favorite colors. And I spent the whole day cleaning up the apartment for tomorrow. Hold on. Let me check the list again to make sure I didn't forget anything.
*tapping on phone screen*
Okay… Balloons, banners, snacks— wait. Wait where's your gift? I literally just had it. Where is it? Oh. Thank god. It's right on the counter.
Ugh. It's so stupid. I'm stressing about where your gift is, but I have no idea if you’re even gonna make it home in time to open it.
*annoyed sigh*
I'll be honest, you’re scaring me Caleb. I haven’t heard back from you in a while. Are you alright? Did something happen? I've called you over and over again, but you're not picking up. I know you said the signal would be inconsistent, but I’m worried. I tried checking the fleet's logs, but yours was marked as classified. Classified! Everything was blacked out. I couldn't even see the name of the mission! You told me it was just a routine flight!
I swear, if you’re not back by tomorrow morning, I'm going all the way up to Skyhaven myself and demanding to speak to one of the Generals. I don’t care if they try to stop me. I don't care if I get in trouble either. I can't believe you lied to me!
☎️➠ Click! Message sent.
[🍎 Voicemail|Caleb|June 12|10:12 PM]
▶︎ •၊၊|။၊|၊|။||။၊|• 1:07
*heavy panting*
Pipsqueak, I have no idea what happened, but the ship is a mess. Side of the aircraft took a pretty bad hit and one of the wings isn't lookin' too hot. Engine's busted and smoking which can't be good. We can't fly straight in these conditions. Those Wanderers really did a number on us. They were brutal today. It's like something's gotten into them.
*steam hissing*
I'll be honest, we're stranded here 'till all this gets sorted out. I'm doing what I can to get the ship back up, but…
Pips, I don't think I'll be able to make it back on time.
*alarms blare, distorting the audio*
"Colonel Xia! There are more Wanderers approaching starboard! We need to act immediately!"
Shit. We can't take another fight right now. Get the defenses up right now. It'll be a miracle if we get through this unscathed.
Listen pips, I gotta—
*CRASH!*
"Colonel!"
Beep! Beep! Beep!
⛔️ERROR! Device not found. Voicemail cannot be saved.⛔️
an: so uhhhh… this was supposed to be posted last night but I was really tired and kinda passed out.
