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For the longest time, Mary pushed aside any thoughts of university and college. Not because she didn't want to go, but because the thought of having to figure everything out and know what she wanted to do for the rest of her life freaked her out and made her anxious. However, now that she was actually in University, it was a lot different than she had expected. She had always been a sociable person, and University only opened up new opportunities to meet a lot of really cool people that shared her interests.
That being said, her life wasn't without stress. Though, at the moment, she was far more concerned for her girlfriend, Lily.
Why, you might ask?
Exams.
They were still a month away, and while Mary had been studying and finishing up projects, Lily had been working herself to the bone. Mary understood why, of course. Lily has always been the kind of person that knew she could achieve great things, and would always, always, always do whatever needed to be done to put her best foot forward, even if it lead to burn-out. The other girl had been that way for as long as Mary had known her.
That didn't mean she worried any less each time it happened. Actually, it was the opposite, if anything. But could you blame her? Watching your girlfriend all but self-destruct each time she had a test was more than worrying. Don't get her wrong, she loved Lily more than life itself, but she wished that sometimes, the girl would prioritise her health, rather than getting top marks.
Hence, why Mary ended her study session with Dorcas and Remus early today. She couldn't focus.
With a sigh, she opened the door, and like clockwork, there was a mumbled 'hello' from Lily, who, without even seeing her, Mary knew was glued to textbooks and notes.
So she wandered further into the small flat—the place a smattering of pictures and art and potted plants in varying states of health—until she reached the living room and leaned against the wall, watching Lily as she worked. Once, Mary had stood there for three minutes before her girlfriend noticed she was there. Today, it was two minutes before the redhead glanced up absently, smiling when she noticed Mary.
"Mary, darling, I didn't hear you come in. How are you?"
Mary hummed, sitting next to Lily on the couch. "I'm alright." She bit the inside of her cheek, thinking for a moment. "How long have you been at this, Lils?" she asked gently, gesturing to the study setup her girlfriend had going on. Lily frowned a bit, as if she already knew where the conversation was heading.
It wouldn't surprise Mary if she did. They've had it thousands of times before.
"Not too long," her girlfriend answered eventually. Vaguely. On purpose.
Mary sighed. "Lily, you need to take breaks—"
"I am."
"—that last longer than three minutes, love."
Lily huffed, shaking her head. "Mary, I need to work. I won't let my grades drop because I started slacking off."
A moment passed in tense silence before Mary stood. "Have you eaten today?" she asked.
Her girlfriend's pause and slightly guilty expression was all she needed. She sighed, but just nodded. "I'll make us something, but we're eating together. No school work."
"Mary—"
"Lily," she retorted, catching her girlfriend's gaze. "Please," she added.
A moment.
Then two.
Then...
"Fine."
Mary smiled, turning and wandering into the kitchen, feeling content at the small victory.
* * *
The next day came, and went, and when Mary entered Lily and her's flat, no small hello was heard. But really, she didn't think much about it. Lily could have gotten too deep into her work spiral, and not noticed Mary had come home, or a million other, perfectly reasonable things.
Her optimism faltered when she walked into the living room. Not only was Lily missing from her usual spot, but her laptop was closed and her notes were nowhere to be found. She frowned.
"Lily? Are you home, love?"
When no answer came, she started walking to their room, opening the door and—
Well, there she was. Sprawled out across the bed, curled up in a mess of blankets, still in her pyjamas. Mary would have found the sight adorable if she wasn't so worried.
Quietly, she closed the door, leaving her girlfriend to her much needed rest, deciding to lounge on the couch and wait for her to wake on her own time.
* * *
It was just over an hour later that Lily emerged from the room, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders like a cape, her hair a messy halo around her head, eyes looking far too tired for someone who had only just woken up.
"Oh, Mary, you're home," she said, voice sounding a bit rough around the edges. And then she sat down, and didn't even look at her computer, and Mary knew.
"You're sick, love," she said, wrapping an arm around Lily and gently tugging her closer.
"I'm no—"
"No. Sorry sweetness, but you aren't getting away with saying you're fine. Not today." She fixed her girlfriend with a stern look, to which Lily huffed, but nestled closer.
"I can still work, though."
"You could," she agreed. "But you won't. Your health is so much more important than any grade, Lils. I know you strive for the best, and always want to give one hundred percent—and I admire that about you, I really do—but sometimes, you need to see that one hundred percent doesn't mean giving everything. It means giving the best you can within your bounds. And Lily? Right now, you've so far surpassed that, that you're making yourself sick, and that worries me."
She glanced down at her girlfriend, who wore a guilty expression as she traced the patterns on the blanket.
"Lily?" she pressed, a hand going to the other girl's hair. "Talk to me, love."
With a heavy sigh, Lily laid her head in Mary's lap, staring up at her. "I push myself too hard," she mumbled, as if coming to the realisation for the first time.
"You do," she agreed.
They sat in silence for a moment, and Mary could see the gears turning in the other girl's head. Until, eventually, she glanced back at Mary. "You're right," she said, sounding just a bit reluctant. "I should have listened to you sooner."
Mary hummed. "I don't care about who's right or who's wrong, Lils. I just want you to be okay, okay?"
Lily smiled. "Okay."
She reciprocated the smile, leaning down to kiss Lily, who chuckled, halfheartedly leaning away.
"I'll get you sick," she protested.
Mary grinned. "Hm, worth it."
"You're impossible."
"You're perfect."
So, in the end, it turned out alright. The two spent the night watching cosy movies and drinking hot chocolate. Which, in Mary's opinion, was a wonderful way to spend an evening.