introspection

Your breathing was heavy as you laid on the common room couch. A wet towel was placed over your head as you sniffled. "Can't believe you two got sick." Sebek scowls as he walked past you. "You should be up in your room, you'll get everyone else sick if you stay down here." You rolled your eyes at the taller male.

"That's not a way to speak to a superior now is it Sebek? But it is probably best that you and Malleus be in the same room, just to keep the germs from spreading." Lilia commented as he swung over the couch, his arms dangling by your head. "Alright, alright. I'll go to his dorm." You huffed as you took the rag of your head.

You sighed and held in a cough as you went towards the kitchen. Grabbing an apple you made your way towards the dorms. Knocking on Malleus's door you opened it after a moment, knowing he wouldn't respond.

The both of you had gotten sick a few days after the both of you laid down on wet grass. You're immune system was handling the cold pretty well as you had done the same thing multiple times, but Malleus was a different case. It seemed as if it was his first time ever getting sick.

His fever was rampant and his limbs felt like jelly. All he was capable of doing was sleeping, and when he awoke it would be only for a moment before he succumbed to the fever once more. Sitting on his desk you played with your phone for a moment before there was another knock.

"Come in!" You called out, sniffling and looking for some tissues. "Lilia told me to bring this up here. How's he looking?" Silver asked as he placed the tray down on the desk. "He's doing better than yesterday. I should be ready to get back to classes by tomorrow but he's going to take a while to be back at one hundred percent." You sighed and let your eyes roam towards the floor.

You felt guilty for putting Malleus in this position. Not only is he experiencing the worst cold ever, he'd probably have a load of homework to make up once he's better. "Just focus on getting yourself better. I have to get to class now, make sure to take your meds and wake Malleus up for his." You simply nodded and turned towards the desk.

"Yo, Mal. Wake up."

"Wakey, wakey buddy..." You mumbled as you moved some of the blankets off his body. His groans of disapproval vibrated through his chest. His eyes seemed bloodshot as he slowly opened them. "I'm sorry I had to wake you, but Silver brought us lunch. Eat up, I'll give you your medicine after you're done eating."

Malleus yawned and slowly nodded at your words. "How are you feeling? Better?" Malleus shrugged at your questions, he wasn't really in the mood to do anything and it showed. "I suppose I feel a bit better than yesterday." You bit your lip as a pang of guilt slapped you right across the face. "Yeah... I'm sorry. It's kind of my fault we're both sick right now."

"No need to apologize... It's a great memory to look at." You grinned as you remembered something. "Hey, um... You remember that picture I took while you were sleeping. I wanted to ask before doing it, but could I make it my wallpaper?" You pulled out your phone and showed him the picture.

Malleus chuckled and nodded his head. "I don't mind..."

"Fuck yeah!" You exclaimed and quickly changed your wallpaper. "In return I gift you this..." You mumbled as you reached for his phone. Opening up the camera you stuck your tongue out and held up a peace sign while Malleus awkwardly held up a peace sign.

"Why do I need a picture of us for?" Malleus questioned. "Technically it's called a selfie, but I like pictures cause they capture moments, moments that we can look back on. That's why I have so many of my sister." You sighed as you thought on your family.

There was a moment of silence as Malleus finished his soup. "I grew up with my grandmother so I didn't really understand technology. I got my first phone when I got here." You paused as you thought.

"Malleus... What made you interested in me?" Your sudden question made Malleus look at you in confusion. "I'm not quite sure. It was a small interaction, and it made me feel like a normal student. I suppose it's the fact that you treat everyone the same dispite background or status."

Malleus finished with a smile that made your heart thump. "I had a question the other day and I haven't been able to ask it, but... How exactly do you feel about me? Is it mutual attraction?" You swallowed a lump in your throat as he stared into your eyes.

"I mean, how can I not be? You're physically attractive but that's not all. You're the smartest person I know, and you've been letting me in, you're sharing things with me I'm almost sure you haven't shared with anyone else. That's all I could really ask for in a relationship." You shrugged as you returned to his gaze.

You weren't sure if it was the fever or your words that made him lean forward, but in an instant he had you by the mouth. The tray had fallen as Malleus shifted closer to you. "Can I... Can I kiss you again?" You hummed as you placed a hand on his cheek, running your thumb over his warm pale skin.

"You don't even have to ask." You chuckled as you leaned back in.

His forehead connecting with yours.

Your hands roaming to run through his hair.

His hands shaking as he fidgeted with your shirt.

And then a knock followed by a gasp.

"I can't really say I'm surprised... But I'm surprised." Lilia joked as the two of you scrambled away from each other. "Oh don't act shy now." Lilia shook his head as he picked up the tray that was on the ground. "I should go..." You cleared your throat as you grabbed your phone. "I'll text you or something." You mumbled as you closed the door behind you.