Tommy slowly blinked his eyes, trying to resist slumber. The call had gone quiet and Tommy couldn't help smiling to himself, imagining Shayne slumped over at his desk and dozing off.
"Did you fall asleep?" Tommy whispered.
"No," Shayne answered, his voice coming through Tommy's headphones. "Just thinking is all."
Tommy quietly laughed. "I've heard that's dangerous. Be careful."
The call went silent again.
"Can I ask what you're thinking about at least?" Tommy tried to sound teasing, but he realized as he said it that he was coming off a bit petulant.
He heard Shayne sigh. "A lot. But mostly how I can sit in a call with you and not say anything at all, and I don't really mind it. Just knowing you're there is enough."
Tommy quickly muted himself and inhaled sharply, trying to fight off the sudden emotional plunge. He took another deep breath, trying and failing to return to steady and casual; he unmuted anyway.
"I...know what you mean. It's almost like having you in the room with me while we each do our own thing."
Tommy internally screamed at himself. What was he doing?
"Why'd you mute, Tommy?" Shayne's voice sounded thinner and more strained now.
"Because it feels like we're suddenly being super honest, and that's a little scary for me." The words came rushing out of him, voice on the edge of mumbling. He wondered if Shayne had even understood what he said. Tommy cleared his throat. "I just...needed a second."
Neither of them spoke again for a few beats.
"I get it," Shayne finally began, "it is scary. But right now, I think it's scarier for me to feel this way and not say anything at all."