You were sitting at your desk in the infirmary, finishing up another report. The day had been busy, as usual: bandages, examinations, a couple of bruises after the morning training. There was something familiar in this routine, but it still required concentration.

When the door quietly opened, you didn’t even look up - you were used to someone always appearing in the infirmary. But as soon as you heard his voice, everything inside you tensed up.

“Doctor,” Makarov said shortly, walking inside.

You looked up. As always, he stood with an inscrutable expression on his face, his arms crossed over his chest, as if not a minute had passed between the training and this visit.

“What is it this time?” you asked, glancing at his uniform. No visible injuries.

“Not with me,” he chuckled, shaking his head slightly. “I just decided to check how you were doing.”

These words caught you off guard. Makarov was known for his toughness and almost complete detachment. But at that moment, there was something strange in his tone - not a mockery, not an order, but rather interest.

"This is the first time I've heard you take an interest in someone outside of training," you answered with a slight smile, returning to the papers, but feeling his gaze on you.

He came closer, stopping at your desk, and leaned slightly.

"And it turns out that you not only know how to heal, but also tease with words," he noted with a barely noticeable smile.