Leigh

“What’re you doing here...?” The man asked feverishly, squinting at me in the doorway as I hastily removed my fingers from my mouth.

“I... came to deliver the documents you asked for.” I uttered sheepishly, my eyes unconsciously trailing downwards before I caught myself and snapped my gaze back up.

Vaughn soon wore a look of relief and a slight smile graced his face. Although, his addled brain reminded him that this situation was not normal and he stared at me in confusion.

“Wait... why do you have it...? I told Zoe to—“ As he spoke he made a feeble attempt to grab the folder, though he cut himself off as I held it away from his hands and grinned cheekily.

“Why do I have it, indeed! How irresponsible of you two... and if I were to read it...”

“No...” The raven-haired man whined almost pitifully as he made another grab for it, however, I ducked and swiveled past him in the doorway.

“...Hey...!” He declared tiredly and turned on his heels just in time for me to clap a hand to his overtly warm forehead.

“The real question is, why are you trying to work while sick with a fever! You need bed rest!” I asserted, my brow furrowed with concern as I lifted my hand from his bangs.

“M’fine... you can just... leave the folder.” He murmured out between shallow breaths. I frowned at his disposition.

His breathing is slightly strained and he’s getting tired easily. His face is red and his skin is hot as all hell.

However....

I slipped further into his house and just barely eluded his grasp as he tried to reclaim his work folder. He tottered after me into the hallway of his home, albeit sluggishly.

It can’t be that serious if he’s got this much energy to chase me. This is kinda fun, like revenge for the sharing journal!

I snickered at his futile efforts to grab the documents as I skittered towards the open door to his bedroom and lead him to his mattress. It was almost as if I was being pursued by a sleepy toddler, which was what I found so amusing as finally I held the folder over his bed.

“I’m staying to take care of you, so get into bed and rest.”

Vaughn somehow found the energy to groan as he took several breaths and propped himself up against the wall.

“Can’t you... just go home...? I’ll be fine.” He complained in a small desperate voice.

“I’ll read it.” I threatened and opened the folder.

“Noo...” He lethargically collapsed onto the soft surface of his bed, panting lightly as he continued.

“Patients aren’t s’posed to... read the files...” he trailed off into a mumble and shut his eyes momentarily, clearly too weak to continue fighting back. Getting up and chasing me through the house must've took a lot out of him as he remained like that for a while.  

“That settles it. I’m staying.” I announced triumphantly, my hands on my hips as I tossed the oh-so-important folder into his desk drawer.

“....Fine...” He acquiesced the argument in a soft voice and I watched his chest rise and fall subtly with each shaky breath. I swallowed thickly, my face reddening as I scuttled off to his bathroom.

“Getting you a wet towel!” I called out and rushed down the hall.

Agh. God, I’ve never seen him look so exposed! He was usually so prim and proper, covering every inch of himself in those tailored suits. Now look at him, all vulnerable and comfy in his pajamas! I firmly believe that a disheveled Vaughn is the best thing since sliced bread.

Lost in my inner ramblings, I hadn’t realized my brain was set to auto pilot. I only just registered the cool stream of water coming from the tap onto my hands as I just grabbed any random towel I could find in the bathroom.

Come to think of it... I was so caught up in... Vaughn. I hadn’t taken the time to actually look around the place! When would I ever get the chance again to snoop?

I gazed around at the creamy marble tiles I was standing on, the ivory and gold decor of his bathroom accentuating it nicely. The man had good taste, and it reflected all over the house. Although, I could look around in closer detail later, for now I should really help him break his fever. After wringing the cloth out, I began to walk back to the bedroom. My eyes just casually scanned the walls, checking out the fine art and photos of who I assume to be his mother and father. My eyes were drawn to the black haired woman with shoulder length locks who looked like just like Vaughn, and a taller brunet man with a mustache. The frames were hung over small glass tables with vases decorating the hallway.

Not a single photo of Vaughn himself though... weird. Don’t most people have an awkward family picture or baby photo displayed on a shelf or something?

As I returned to the bedroom, the other was just slightly curled up in the fetal position. His breathing was steadier and he turned on his back once he saw me enter.

“I’m back with the dampened cloth, let me just... check to make sure you’re sweating.” I announced nervously as I cupped his burning forehead again, his face turning slightly to look up at me with half lidded eyes. I offered him a reassuring but awkward grin as I placed the cloth across his forehead, my gaze drifting further down his body as I tried to prepare myself for the task at hand.

“R-Right so. Your... clothes... I need to change them if they become wet, so...” I mumbled to myself bashfully and reached forward with a shaky hand, though stopped just above the other’s warm skin.

“—Wait I forgot, the medicine!” I piped up nervously and reached for the now crinkled white paper bag. I took out a bottle of Nyquil and held out the small plastic cup to Vaughn. Just as I did that, a feverish hand grasped my own and I just about froze.

“Nn... don’t want that... it’ll make me sleepy.” He protested, giving me this innocent look like a concerned child.

Fuck. I never thought I’d have the urge to call a grown man cute, but here I am!

Swiftly I dragged the cloth down over his eyes, a wet smack sound followed by his soft distressed groan filled the room. I could physically feel my face heat up at that point as I turned my head away from him, forever burning this moment into my memory.

Dammit! I just- he's being so....

“-Can’t I have just one...? Let me take a picture...”

“...Huh...?” Vaughn blinked up at me wearily and my eyes widened in horror.

“Just one of wha'...? What are you talkin’ about?”

Shit! I said that out loud. Can I just walk out right now? Like, right off this 4th floor balcony? Thanks.

“Nothing.” I replied stone-faced and watched him rouse from his laying position.

“You said something... ’bout a picture.” He slurred and sat up as I laughed nervously.

“What? No— I... Oh yeah, why don’t you have any pictures of yourself around your house? Haha.” I tried desperately, happy that in this state of mind he wasn’t thinking clearly enough to catch my odd behavior.

The raven-haired man made a face, lowering his gaze to the bedsheets in insecurity. He went silent for a moment and I tensed up nervously at this weird role reversal. I wiped my suddenly sweaty palms on the sides of my jeans before watching him shake his head briefly.

“Ah... It doesn’t matter if I tell you either way.” He finally murmured before offering me a quaint smile.

“I guess i’m just not really fond of pictures. I always get told that I look too stiff, and I’ve been told by others that I come across as fake.”

My jaw dropped at this and I furrowed my brow, “what? That’s pretty rude to say, even to me! What jerk said that?!”

“My parents.”

“Oh.” I rubbed the back of my head awkwardly and kept my gaze firmly averted. 

Open mouth, insert foot. 

“It’s okay, that’s why Zoe was chosen to be the front page of our website. She’s a better choice anyway, I’d probably end up looking too strict or phony.” He continued and placed his hands in his lap like an errant child. “She’s perfect, cheery, and confident enough to represent us. Besides, I never thought myself to be the most photogenic.”

A scoff left my lips almost immediately. “Oh shut your whore mouth, you’re literally everything single woman’s dream.” I muttered almost bitterly, to which Vaughn lifted his head in surprise.

I watched as he laughed softly but genuinely, “you really think that? You’re silly.”

My face quickly grew hot again, whipping my head away from the man so he wouldn’t see me so clearly enthralled in his presence. A pout soon formed on my lips as I studied the situation.

How unfair! This was supposed to be my revenge for all the teasing and prodding during therapy sessions. I need to pull myself together.

I let out a small sigh of distress as I glanced around the room, eager to find something to distract myself. However, that didn’t stop me from daring another glance at the man. To my surprise, he looked somewhat melancholy. He somehow was keeping himself in an upright position but his hands were still in his lap timidly and he looked dispirited. It made me wonder if despite my joking... 

No way... did he seriously feel that way about himself? Could someone as attractive as him really have such low self esteem? This coming from a seventeen year old high school boy, hilarious.  

I huffed at this thought process before my eyes fell upon my backpack lying in the corner. I did a double-take while scanning the room before an idea popped into my head and I broke the awkward silence.

“Hm. You know, maybe your problem is that you freeze up while being in front of a lens.” I explained casually, an underlying tone of excitement in my voice as I made my way over to my bag.

“...You think so?” Vaughn murmured and followed me with his gaze, curiosity visible even with his dazed expression. I dug through my bag, hunting for my cellphone and pulling up my photos once I found it.

“Aha. See, here, remember when I snuck a photo of you before?” I swiped until I found the snapshot of him at his desk, an amateur photo at best but still of decent quality.

“You look fine and natural to me here... so I’m guessing you’re just camera shy.” I stated matter-of-factly before a wicked grin crossed my face.

 “So.... ta-da!”

I yanked my sketchbook out of my bag along with a graphite pencil, holding it out to the other who just stared at me dumbfounded.

“I could give drawing you a try!”