i don't want to have a soulmate

You feel a fever brewing, but your priority is getting sushi from that sushi place near the campus dorms you like. You’re supposed to go there with your boyfriend, but he’s also wrapping up a few of his exams, so the two of you agreed to meet up later in an off-campus apartment that you share with two of your closest friends.

Sushi in hand, you sniffle as you start walking, and you hate how congested you suddenly feel. Your body is heavy, and you ignore that slight sway in your step when you exit the campus gates and walk for five minutes until you reach your apartment.

By then, there’s a certain warmth to your skin, a flushed heat that you hate, because you’ve planned a movie night with Leon to make up for all the nights you both spent away from each other because you both made a schedule for studying that left no possible gaps for you to hang out for more than forty-five minutes.

So when you arrive inside, you toe off your shoes and place them in the rack, and immediately make a beeline for your bedroom. Your two friends are out, and they’ll be back later at night after their own post-midterm blowout.

You refuse to accept the fact that you’re not feeling well, because one, you’ve been terribly missing your boyfriend, and two, you want to spend time with him without anything holding you back. But it seemed the universe (and your body) had different plans, because when you change out of your clothes and wear something comfier—one of Leon’s university sweatshirts and cotton shorts—you know that the heat you feel isn’t just because of the weather.

Coughing, you fumble towards your dresser, searching for the thermometer you haphazardly placed somewhere in one of the compartments. Leon’s arriving soon, and you want to make sure he doesn’t suspect much, or else he’ll postpone your movie night and instead tell you to get some rest.

After using the thermometer, the small screen read: 37.9 degrees celsius.

It’s official—you’re sporting a fever.

But just as the temperature dawns on you, you hear knocking on the front door, so you toss the thermometer on the bed and rush outside, even if the quick motion is making you feel nauseated.

When you open the door, you’re coughing, your hair slightly all over the place, but you look presentable enough for your boyfriend not to mind your sickly appearance.

“Hi,” you greet Leon. “Come in, you’re just in time. I was just setting up the projector.”

Leon smiles, though he can immediately tell something’s amiss.

He steps in and presses a kiss to your lips, before pulling away. He’s carrying a plastic bag filled with your favorite mozzarella sticks and chicken tenders, and even a small pizza box for you to share. He’s holding your favorite drink as well as his own on the other hand in a to-go cup-holder.

“Hey…” he murmured softly, pecking your mouth again, as if he just can’t get enough of your lips. His ears turn slightly pink, but you don’t notice. “So what are we watching tonight?”

You lead him inside, closing and locking the door behind you. Seeing Leon does make you feel a bit better, but the throbbing of your head and the heaviness in your body just make it difficult to think about anything apart from the fact that you’re going to be sniffling and coughing all night.

When you reach your dimly-lit bedroom, you tug him a bit, before closing the door. Leon stands by your bed, and you spread a cloth over your comforter where he can place the food and drinks.

“I was thinking about that new chick flick you mentioned last week? 10 Things I Hate About You?” you tell him before you start coughing. “Sorry. My throat’s just dry.” You smile wryly.

Leon’s just watching you. Despite the facade you put up, he can see right through you, despite the fact that you’ve only been dating for eight months. He sets down the food and starts unpacking it, before he takes off his shoes and climbs onto your bed, sitting cross legged while you finish setting up the projector, angling it so it projects the movie onto the blank wall in front of your bed.

Once it’s up and running, you play the movie from your laptop and it starts streaming. You sit next to him, your shoulders brushing, and you have the instinct to lean into his shoulder and fall asleep.

Not wanting to ruin your movie night, you push through, even though your body feels like it’s made of lead, and your throat is itchy. Your voice is sounding more congested, which is why you’ve kept quiet when you’re usually chattering to Leon about your midterms.

You snuggle close to him thirty minutes after the movie starts, inhaling his scent, something like fresh laundry, warm and clean, and his own cologne. Leon, in turn, wraps his arm around your shoulders and pecks your cheek, but he feels the warmth of your skin, and he pauses.

“Y/N… you’re burning up.” He mutters, his brows furrowing together. Before you could deny, his hand is already coming up to feel the skin of your neck. “You have a fever, why didn’t you tell me?”

The words die down your throat, because you sneeze, and then you start coughing, to which Leon responds immediately, his hand rubbing circles over your back.

“Hey… hey… it’s okay, you’re okay,” he whispers in your ear reassuringly. He starts to push you gently over the pillows. “Come on, you should lie down.”

You shake your head, your stomach twisting uncomfortably. “I don’t wanna—”

“Y/N, now’s not the time to be stubborn,” Leon tells you, almost as if talking to a child. “You’re sick, and you should’ve told me. I could’ve gotten medicine on the way here.”

His tone makes you feel almost guilty. You don’t want to worry him because tonight is supposed to be date night for the two of you, and you ruined it by omitting the fact that you’re actually feeling worse right now.

“I just didn’t want to ruin our night together, we’ve barely hung out the past few days…” you answer him, lips curling into a pout. “I’m sorry, I just want to spend time with you.”

It’s not an excuse, and you know it. He could’ve caught what you’re going down with too. He could’ve gotten sick because of you.

The movie is left forgotten in the background, the dialogue becoming indiscernible murmurs. Leon reaches for your warm cheek, thumb brushing circles over the smooth skin. “I know… I know, it’s okay, I’m not mad at you. I’m just worried.”

“You know we can still enjoy a night together even though you’re not feeling well, right?” He asks softly, searching your gaze. “I miss you these days, and I want to spend time with you, but not at the expense of your health.”

You feel slightly chastised, and you meet Leon’s gaze with your hesitant eyes. “I know, I just thought it’s a small cold… Leon, I’m sorry.”

“Shhh… it’s okay,” he leans in, planting a soft kiss on your temple. “You have nothing to apologize for. Just let me take care of you, okay? And you’re not drinking anything cold right now. It’ll hurt your throat.”

That makes you pout even more. “Leeeeon,” you whine as he denies you your favorite cold drink. “But I waited all week!”

“I know,” he murmurs, leaning down to peck your lips again, which you recoil a bit, mindful not to infect him with your cold. Leon notices this and he pauses, looking like a lost puppy. “Wait… did you not like my kiss?”

“What? No,” you answer immediately, reaching up to squeeze his cheek. You can’t miss the way his lips almost turn into a pout. “I just don’t want you to catch my cold, babe.”

Leon flushes a little when you use a term of endearment on him. Though, he just shakes his head then plants another kiss at the corner of your lips. You don’t move away this time, though a part of you tells you that you should, for his health and yours.

“I don’t mind,” he says, “I’d rather catch your cold than not be able to kiss you.”

As much as you try to deny it, his answer is sweet—and it makes your heart ache in a good way. Even in the face of your cold, Leon is still just thinking of your sweet lips on his, apart from your well-being.

Pausing the movie, you climb onto his lap, and Leon wraps his arms around your waist, gazing at you with those blue eyes that make you shiver. You’re hot to the touch, a telltale sign of your fever already starting its course in your body. “I still want our movie night.” You insist, pouting at him.

“And you will get our movie night,” he reassures you. “I just need to take care of you first, okay? No more cold drinks first. I’ll put your smoothie in the fridge so you can drink it when you’re feeling better.”

He leans in to peck your forehead. “Stay here, I’ll just get you some medicine for that fever and cold. Where’s your medicine cabinet?”

“In the bathroom.”

“Okay. Just… stay put for a sec, okay?” Leon looks at you with those puppy eyes of his that you just can’t resist, so you nod. “I’ll be back.”

He disengages from you for a while, and you wait in bed while he takes away your favorite drink. You’re disappointed, but not enough to not listen to your boyfriend right now. Somehow, being all sick and feverish makes you a little more pliant towards him.

You snack on the food he brought while waiting. Leon returns after a couple of minutes with a glass of water in one hand, and a small box of medicine on the other. He sits on the edge of the bed and places the glass of water on your bedside table.

”Okay, what are you feeling right now?” He asks you, his gaze focused on the pill box, rummaging through its contents. “Wait, let’s check your temperature first.”

Finding the thermometer near your pillows, he uses it on you. You oblige, sitting next to him while he takes your temperature and asks you all sorts of questions about how you’re feeling.

”Sore throat?” Leon looks at you, his gaze filled with love and worry.

”Not really,” you say before coughing.

He hums, brows furrowing when you cough. “Headache?” You say yes. “Runny nose? Congestion?” You nod at him.

The thermometer beeps. It reads, 38.1 degrees celsius.

“That’s a low to moderate-grade fever,” Leon murmurs, holding the thermometer, before setting it aside. “I’m giving you ibuprofen, and then lots of water. We’re resting afterwards—”

“—But—”

“—Though we’re still watching movies,” he interjects quickly, wanting to reassure you that he isn’t going to postpone your movie night. “I just want you resting beside me, is that alright?”

There’s something in you that wants to object. That this fever isn’t anything bad, and that you can handle it because you’re a grown adult now, and you don’t need anyone taking care of you like you’re a little kid.

But when it comes to Leon, you’re listening to his every word, not because you want to appease him, but because he’s clearly showing you just how much he cares for your well-being and you want to receive that love and care with open arms. You don’t have to be so hyperindependent around him, not when he takes it upon himself to make sure you’re well taken care of no matter the circumstance.

You finally nod. “Okay, if that’ll help.” He hands you your tissue box when you sniffle, along with the glass of water and ibuprofen. “But you’re not taking my mozza sticks away from me,” you tell him.

Leon laughs softly, watching as you drink the medicine, your throat working as you swallow. “Wouldn’t dream of it, pumpkin.”

Pumpkin?

How cute.

Leon always tries different terms of endearment with you, and he doesn’t settle on just one pet name. No—it’s as if he’s just discovered all these words and wants to try them out on you. Pumpkin, baby, sweetie, baby girl, love—the list goes on.

Not that you minded anyway—you found it endearing.

With his help you guys place the food on a foldable table next to your bed so you can stretch your legs. You hold the box of mozzarella sticks on your lap, the duvet pulled onto your waist by Leon himself. He settles right next to you, one arm around your shoulders while he continues playing the movie.

He would pepper your cheek with soft, feather-like kisses, just shying away from your lips. Leon always does this—showering your face with affectionate pecks and smooches, especially now that you’re not feeling well. He wants to give you as much comfort as he can, and that especially manifests through his touch.

“Comfy?” he asks you after a while, the bucket of mozzarella sticks on your lap empty so he takes it and sets it on the floor. “You really love these mozza sticks, huh?” Leon chuckles softly.

You hum in contentment, resting your head on his shoulder as you cuddle closer to him. “Yeah, they’re my favorite.” You tell him with a soft smile. “Thank you for getting them for me.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” Leon answers you gently. He nuzzles into your hair, before smooching it. “It’s always my pleasure to get you anything your heart wants. And if my girl wants mozza sticks, then she’s getting mozza sticks.”

That makes you laugh a little. With the medicine taking effect in your system, you can feel yourself getting drowsy, but you’re less feverish than you were a while ago. Even then, your body is sluggish, almost heavy in its nature, so you’re slumping against Leon, cuddling the side of his body while he adjusts the duvet over you.

Slowly, you relax against him, inhaling his scent, taking in his warmth and his strength. While you’ve always felt a sense of peace and comfort around Leon, that feeling intensifies right now.

Even though you’re sick, this moment has never felt more… perfect.

Leon’s arm is around you, holding you close against him. He’s kissing your hair and asking you if you’re okay every now and then. Beneath the duvet, your legs are nearly tangled in no particular shape or form. The air conditioning system is at the perfect temperature, and the movie doesn’t need too much mental gymnastics which relieves your exhausted brain from all that studying.

“I think I did well on my midterm exams,” you murmur by his jaw.

Leon gazes at you, a twinkle in his blue eyes. Something proud and amazed. “Really? That’s my girl,” he kisses you fondly.

“You keep kissing me like that and you’re going to catch my cold.”

He laughs, a low rumble in his throat. “I don’t mind. I’d compromise my immune system any time for you, baby.”

The way he says it, all smooth and low and in that husky voice of his… it has your tummy fluttering, and your heart racing in your chest. You don’t know if it’s because of the fever, but you feel warm all over, especially around your face.

“Shut up and kiss me again.”

Leon blinks at you, surprised by your straightforwardness. But you’re grabbing at the fabric of his shirt, tugging him down towards you, and then you’re slotting your mouth against his own in a kiss that has you feeling breathless already.

To hell with your cold being contagious.

Leon’s lips move against yours after he’s mildly startled by you, his hand coming up to hold your cheek as he kisses you. He doesn’t push you nor prod you further, even though you sort of want him to.

When you deepen the kiss, he groans, a low sound in his throat that spurs you on even more. You encourage him to kiss you more and more, until the movie just becomes background noise and you and him are heavily making out in your bed.

When you reach for the hem of his shirt, however, Leon’s hand wraps around your wrist gently, stopping your movements. Pulling away, you gaze at him, seeing his dilated pupils and his kiss-swollen lips. He’s so… adorable.

“I don’t want to push you into anything you’re not well enough to handle,” Leon murmurs, his voice raspy and almost hoarse. “You need to rest, Y/N…”

“But I want to kiss you,” you almost whine at him.

He just smiles, fond and affectionate. “Then you can kiss me. But anything further will have to wait until you’re all feeling better, okay?”

You know that he’s making a compromise you can’t resist. Because one, he gets to take care of you for the entire evening, and two, you get your fair share of kisses from him without any complaint whatsoever.

So you nod.

“Well then, you better nurse me back to health so we can get on with it.” You say almost jokingly.

But with the heat in Leon’s gaze, you know he’s about to take you up on that offer.

“With pleasure.”

Then, he dives right back in, claiming your lips with his own in a kiss that speaks of a tender love and affection that is more than enough to make you feel all better.

Leon isn’t just your boyfriend.

He’s also your best friend, your confidant, and your nurse off duty for when you aren’t feeling your best. And rest assured he’s there to take good care of you when you aren’t feeling your best. That’s just how he is, especially towards you.

i've been feeling a little under the weather since a few days ago so i thought i'd write this, and also because i can't stop thinking about re2r leon kenney lately, he's just so precious 🫡

anyway, thank you so much for reading and i sincerely appreciate all the notes on all of my other fics 🤍 thank you so much as well for 300+ followers, you guys are the best!

that's that for now! have a lovely day, wherever you are (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡

if you're interested in sending a request or just stopping by to chat or send a message, feel free to do so! i love reading your requests and messages 🫶

also i might hit a pause on posting because i'm currently down with an infection, but i have something to post by the end of this week!

— aali 𑣲

note: dividers are from @/cursed-carmine.