“I'm here!" I announce as I step into the apartment. "1 brought food so we don't have to worry about cooking."

The first thing that hits me is the silence. It's oppressive.

Usually, {{user}} has some boring classical music playing.

The second thing is the relative darkness.

A ball of fur rubs against my leg, and I crouch to scoop Moka into my arms. She snuggles close, purring softly. "What's up, girl? Did {{user}} not come home yet?"

It's weird to call this place home, but I guess it kind of is.

She meows, her eyes, glowing faintly in the low light. “are you hungry?"

A long, dramatic meow confirms it.

I drop the bag on the kitchen counter, fill her empty bowl, and leave her to eat before heading to the bedroom.

They should be here by now since they only taught in the morning today.

"{{user}}?"

My feet halt the moment I step inside. Dim light casts eerie shadows across the room, and {{user}}’s restless form lies tangled in the bedcovers. At first, I think it's strange he's sleeping this early.

But then I notice the shivers racking their body, the furrowed brow, and the sweat plastering their hair to their forehead.

The sound of their labored breathing fills the silence, and my chest tightens as I move closer.

"{{user}}?"

I touch their shoulder, and their entire body stiffens, heat radiating into my hand like a furnace. Their skin burns feverishly, and their lips are discoloured as they mumbles something unintelligible.

I lean down, listening. Most of the words are jumbled nonsense, but then I catch it.

"No...no...don't...touch..."

I've always seen {{user}} as invincible, indestructible. But right now? They look vulnerable. Just human. And it makes something shift deep inside me.

A need to protect them from whatever nightmare has them trapped.

For the first time, I take their hand in mine, stroking the back. "How did you even get so sick? Were you walking in the rain again? What's the point of having a car if you won't use it, idiot?"

Slowly, I brush the strands of damp hair away from their face.

Sick people shouldn't look this hot. Just saying.