#soft heart

"So, you think that hiding in that room of yours will help anything?"

You sigh, a slow throbbing headache coming along. Despite him saying he doesn't care what you do, it's a blatant lie of course.

"In case you forgot, you actually need sleep. You need rest - I can practically see your brain pouring over from here." Wanderer crosses his arms, now leaning back with an unimpressed face.

He's always been fussy about your human limits but it doesn't help when you truly just want to be done with this thesis. You've dedicated a year to it already and doubt has been creeping up slowly but surely.

And for archon's sake, he's a star student. Hat Guy. He's a walking celebrity with students kissing the ground he walks. You're maybe a bit dramatic but it certainly feels like it.

Maybe envy and doubt caused you to lose your temper with him more than once. Maybe-

He snaps his fingers in front of your face. "You see what I mean? Can't even focus on the conversation." He scoffs, pausing as someone brings the drinks.

"I'm not here to scold you like some motherbird but-" He watches, face mildly taken aback as the waiter returns and places a small tart next to you. The crust is firm and glowing with sweet honey as its filled with cream and then blueberry jam on top. But that's not the problem - no.

The jam was in the shape of a very obvious heart.

Wanderer grows quiet, eyes scanning the waiters intent. You're just as taken aback, blinking at the treat before awkwardly smiling. "Oh... Sorry, I didn't order anything."

"Oh that's fine. It's on the house." The waiter winks, cheeks flushed but eyes full of interest. You grow stiff as you feel Wanderers eyes dart from between you and the waiter. You already know what he's going to say.

You clear your throat before nodding. "Ah, I see thank you." You try to wave the waiter off but they linger for a moment before awkwardly walking off.

His face is unimpressed. His eyebrow raised and you swear you saw his tongue dragging against the inside of his cheek. "So?"

"... So?" You answer back, holding a back a grin. He was honestly being cute, not that he was likely trying. But you know of his past.

And you know, laughing at him might hurt him more than he'd admit. You reach out to gently grasp at his hands. "My eyes are only for you."

He scoffs again, rolling his eyes and looking away. "Whatever you say."

Your head tilts and you stare at him for a moment longer. The sudden sunlight and fresh air had done your brain some good and before you know it, you're lifting his hand to place a kiss on his knuckles.

"Thank you... For looking after me. Thank you for caring."

Oh, he looks back at you and he melts. His eyes catch more light than before and his cold finger twitch in your palm. His mouth opens and closes slowly before he stares down at his tea. "Whatever."

He clears his throat and almost hesitantly pulls away. And you smile. Because you know, behind that big hat he's hiding behind, he's flustered.