"Nothing you care about," Mortimus grumbled, already shifting back under the covers. "Just had a terrible evening with someone who couldn't give two shits about me. At some point, you'd think I would realize that everyone is just fucking with me and no one really cares but I don't, do I? I never realize."

"No, you don't, because it's not true."

In response, Mortimus did nothing but give him a look and it wasn't the look he was hoping for. Magnus was trying to encourage him in his own way, he just had no idea how to do it. He had no idea how to tell Mortimus the truth because after so many years, it felt like it was impossible. Like it was something he wouldn't want to hear.

"It's definitely true." Of course, Mortimus was already flopping his face back into the pillows, apparently planning to suffocate himself to keep from having to deal with it anymore. "If it wasn't true, I'd have actual friends. But I don't. I just have you lot hating on me all the time because I'm such a loser."

"You're not a loser."

"You're the one who calls me a loser the most."

The fact that Magnus couldn't argue with that made it all the more difficult to proceed. The biggest problem with him his entire life was that he didn't know how to be social. He didn't know how to be compassionate. He cared so much but he couldn't show it and every time he needed to, he chickened out.

"I think I'm just going to quit," Mortimus went on, letting out a sigh as he slid his face out of the pillows. "I'm obviously never going to find love so why should I keep trying? What's even the point? Nobody believes in me, nobody likes me, nobody is ever going to love me."

"Well, what if somebody already loves you?" asked Magnus, unable to say anything else without saying too much. He didn't know how to elaborate. How to explain everything. "You know, you have the whole Deca. It's not like we all hate you, or we would've had you kicked out and replaced decades ago."

"Yeah, maybe, or maybe you keep me because you think I'm smart. Wait, no, that doesn't make sense because you all think I'm an idiot. Never mind. You're on the right track there. All you guys do hate me, you just keep me around so that you can come to me instead of an actual therapist. Which, by the way, I really think you could all benefit from some good--"

"Mortimus, please. Stop. That has nothing to do with what we're talking about, you're just trying to get me to change the subject but I'm not stupid and I'm not falling for it. You think I haven't known you long enough to figure out all your tricks?"

"I think you've known me long enough to understand just how stupid I am," said Mortimus, narrowing his eyes. He crossed his arms against his chest, slowly shaking his head. "You know exactly how to upset me and exactly how to turn this around. I get it. I know you too. I know all about your arrogance and your cockiness and the way you only give a shit about yourself."

"Are you sure about that?" Magnus raised a brow challengingly.

"Yeah. I am."

"Are you really, really sure about that?"

"I am absolutely positive of that."

Magnus wet his lips, searching for the right thing to say. It wasn't true. Magnus cared about more than himself and people out there cared about Mortimus because he cared about Mortimus. If nobody else did, he'd beat the shit out of them until they changed their minds because Mortimus deserved better.

"There are people who care about you, Mortimus," said Magnus quietly, unable to raise his voice without letting his tone become more aggressive. "I know that. And I know you don't believe it, but it's true. Our friends care about you. Your professors care about you. I care about you."

"You?" The way Mortimus laughed in his face almost hurt. Magnus knew that he was a dick but having Mortimus confirm it was the worst. All his horrible fears bubbling to the surface. "If there are really people out there who care about me, then fucking prove it."

For several seconds, Magnus said nothing. He just stared at Mortimus in silence, before placing his hands on either side of his face and pulling their lips together. Mortimus's eyes went wide, his hands flailing around awkwardly, and Magnus almost laughed because that must've been why people were breaking up with him. Not just because he was creepy, but because he was awkward as fuck.

Not that Magnus minded. He thought it was cute.

"That's your proof?" said Mortimus quietly, when they finally pulled apart.

"That's my proof."

He nodded. "Think you're going to have to do show me again."