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The only time when receiving an expected package is more exciting, is when it is for someone you greatly admire and have deep feelings for. So, when I saw the notification on my phone that a package had been delivered to the office of the apartment building I live in, I quickly dressed and hurried down a hand full of floors to pick it up before leaving for Starless.
It wasn't any special occasion like a birthday or an anniversary - Qu had just mentioned interest in a new color pallet from his favorite makeup manufacturer and, before I realized it, it was ordered and on its way to my home.
"It's because he's been such a good friend to me since I came to Starless," I told myself, clutching the thin package close to my chest. Not because I'm hoping to catch his attention because I've grown to have deep feelings for him.
I scoffed at myself. It's bad when I don't even believe what I'm telling myself.
With a shake of my head, I headed to the train station to go to, what had quickly become, my second home.
Inside the shop, I received many greetings - some joyful, some reluctant - all seemingly genuine. However, the one person I was hoping to see the most, was suspiciously missing. As I looked around for the shining white head of the one I adored, Mokuren and Zakuro walked past and saw me searching for their teammate.
"Qu is resting in the lounge right now." Mokuren explained, with no small amount of disapproval in their tone. That told me that Qu wasn't part of Team C's training today, which caused no small amount of worry to build in my chest.
"No, he was feeling sluggish, so when he kept stumbling on dancing sets he knew, Mokuren sent him away. I did everything I could not to laugh." A smug curl formed on Zakuro's lips at his comment. Mokuren gently slapped their teammate with the back of their hand and rolled their maroon eyes at Zakuro's antics.
I just shook my head, thanked them and left to go to where other cast members took their break behind the stage. I didn't even want to give thought to the fact that Mokuren knew who it was I was looking for and what it meant.
Casting my gaze around, I found Qu sitting on a plush couch, both legs tucked up under him as he leaned against the armrest while slowly paging through a magazine. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something felt off in the way he propped his cheek up with his closed fist as he looked down at the periodical with disinterest. I could also see that his winter jacket was wrapped around him tightly as if he was fighting off a chill that the building didn't seem to have with anyone else.
Concern for his health drove me to his side and I sat on the edge of the couch, in front of his curled legs. I could feel his eyes on me from the moment I got close until I had sat down, setting the package down next to me. "Qu? Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine!" He gave me one of his beatific smiles that always caused my heart to flutter, but when I saw it didn't meet his golden gaze, I couldn't return it.
"It doesn't feel like it to me. Mokuren and Zakuro said you were struggling during practice, so they kicked you out. What's going on?" I frowned. I held out the back of my hand up towards his forehead, asking for silent permission to check his temperature. With a nod of approval from him, I laid it on his forehead and felt that it was quite warm. "Qu! You have a fever, you shouldn't be here. You should be in bed resting!"
"No, I couldn't miss today. It's one of the final practices before a performance. I couldn't afford to miss it."
I looked at Qu with different eyes. I could see slight lines of exhaustion under his eyes, the golden glow that usually was there in his gaze, was dulled slightly. His hair didn't have quite the shine it usually did, nor did it look as kept. He didn't feel good at all and was pushing himself.
"Qu, Mokuren has already made you rest by removing you from the training session. You need to go home and rest!"
He let out a disappointed sigh. "I know, but I just need to take some medication and I'll be fine."
I watched him give me a soft smile and I reached down to pick up the hand holding his magazine, giving it a little squeeze. "I still would like for you to take care of yourself, Qu." I paused to weigh my next words. "Your health is important to me."
Before he could respond, however, I turned away and picked up the small box that I had brought with me and handed it to him. His eyes grew wide and I noticed some life come back to them as he looked at what I was handing to him. "What's this?"
"A present."
"What is it for?"
"Do you have to have a reason to give a friend a gift?"
With that, I left him there with the box in his graceful hands to go to the kitchen, hoping that Kongou was in there planning the meals for tonight. Luckily, he was and he helped me put some warm broth together in a mug to take to Qu.
When I got back to where Qu was lounging, I found him looking at the makeup pallet and stroking the cover of the case, deep in thought. "Do you like it?"
His head shot up towards me at the sound of my voice. I clutched the mug of broth tight as I awaited his words. When he gave me a smile that was almost back to his usual, familiar smile.
It felt as if a weight had lifted from my chest at the sight and I exhaled before sitting down next to him to hand the cup to him. He took the proffered cup, took a sip and sighed happily. Qu set the cup on his leg, supporting with his hand, to look at the makeup in the other. "How did you even get it so fast? It just came out the other day."
I could tell him that I had an alert on it because it was something he wanted and I wanted to give him something for no reason, but I didn't want to come off as creepy. So, I just shrugged as if it was no big deal and said, "Right place, right time."
Qu side-eyed me before shrugging himself and looking back down at the gift with a soft smile. "Well, regardless of how it happened, I appreciate what you've given me. I will find a way to make it up to you, no matter what you say."
I was about to say he didn't need to do that but stopped when he showed determination. "Very well. I look forward to it!"