All That's Wrong With Us

A quiet morning settled over the dorm room, warm sunlight creeping in through the gaps in the curtains. The world outside was waking up, birds chirping, the distant hum of students moving through the hallways, the occasional muffled yawn of someone just barely dragging themselves out of bed. Peaceful. Still.

"AAAHHHH!" Easter shot up from bed, heart slamming against ribs, eyes wide with sheer terror.

Sitting right in front of him, unmoving like some sleep-deprived demon, was North. Slouched in the chair, dark circles under eyes so deep it looked like he hadn't slept in a century. He stared, unblinking, borderline haunted.

Still gasping, Easter clutched at his chest. "What the actual hell!?" Without saying a word, North chucked a pillow straight into his face. The force sent Ter sprawling backward. "What was that for!?"

Disheveled hair flopped into face when North huffed, rubbing forehead with a palm. "'Cause I'm scared!"

Still trying to process why he had been woken up like this, Easter groaned. "Of what!? My reaction? That was terrifying, man. You looked like a horror movie ghost!"

North groaned, running both hands through already-messy hair, voice strained from exhaustion. "Not that! I'm scared because..." He sat up straighter, gripping another pillow in frustration. "What condition was he talking about?! And why is he not responding?! What is wrong with Phi Johan!?"

Easter blinked. Then, very slowly, a wide grin spread across his face.

"So... you spent the whole night thinking about him?" His voice practically dripped with amusement. "Kinda sus, North."

Glowering instantly, North held the pillow like he was seconds away from committing a crime.

"Shut up," he muttered, but the damage was already done.

Easter, positively gleeful, leaned forward with hands under his chin. "Ohhh, this is interesting. Are you telling me that the first thing you did after escaping Johan's evil clutches was..."

North cut him off with a glare. "I was not 'thinking' about him. I was thinking about my survival."

"Uh-huh," Easter drawled. "Survival from what? Because last I checked, he literally lowered your interest. He saved you from getting beat up worse. And now, you're here, sleepless, suffering, spiraling about him?" A dramatic gasp followed. "What if this is fate? What if Johan likes you? What if..."

Mid-rant, a soft noise reached Easter's ears. He froze. Glancing, he found North, completely slumped over, cheek resting against the armrest, breathing deep and even. The audacity.

"You motherfu..." Rage filled every inch of Easter's being.

With zero hesitation, he grabbed the same pillow North had thrown at him earlier and smacked him in the face.

"Ow!" North flailed awake, groggy and confused.

A second later, still half-asleep, he muttered, "No, P'Johan, don't take my computer set! I will pay..."

Silence. Easter wheezed.

"No way," he cackled. "You're dreaming about him now, too? This is the best day of my life!"

North groaned, rubbing temples, still half-trapped in sleep. A dull ache pulsed in his belly and face, reminders of the night before.

Easter sighed, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. Just lie down and actually sleep, you idiot. I'll take care of your notes. Nao will help, for sure."

Already dozing off again, North mumbled something under his breath. "Forget about him? How? He owns my ass with this debt."

Unable to help himself, Ter giggled. This was way too good.