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"…vina. Corvina?"
The back of a hand presses against Corvina's forehead to feel for her temperature, knuckles brushing over her skin gently. Who…? Corvina's eyes slowly open, and the sight in front of her jumpstarts her heart more than any ghost ever could.
"Silver…!" Corvina exclaims, sitting up straight as a board. Silver retracts her hand, eyes widening slightly before returning to normal. Corvina looks away, holding her clammy hands to her cheeks in an attempt to hide her face. She felt oddly warm. "What are… Why in the Seven are you here?" she asks quietly, stuttering slightly in her fluster.
"Did I surprise you? … Sorry." Silver furrows her brows and shakes her head, exhaling a sigh through her nostrils. "Riddle told me you were sick, so I came to check on you."
"Riddle did?" Corvina murmurs, turning her head back towards the other girl. Her eyes linger on Silver, before tearing away. "I see…" Silver watches her, studying Corvina's mannerisms.
"What's wrong? You're not acting like you usually do," Silver comments. She reaches out, brushing Corvina's hair away from her damp forehead and letting her touch linger on her skin. "You're burning up. I told you that you shouldn't have went out in the rain…" There's a strange, unfamiliar look in Corvina's eyes as her gaze meets Silver's. What was she thinking? "Corvina."
Corvina stirs, brows furrowing and cheeks flushing with color. "… I did not want you to see me like this," she says quietly, bringing her hand up to rest over Silver's. It was cold and slightly clammy, fingertips trembling. Silver pauses, her lips parting as if she wanted to say something—but, she couldn't find the words to.
"… Why not?" she finally asks.
"What?" Corvina blurts out, "I mean, I…"
A small smile spreads over Silver's lips. "You're so strange," she murmurs, "Did you really think a small thing like a cold would make me see you differently?"
"It's not that," Corvina is quick to say, "I am just… embarrassed. I am embarrassed, alright? I haven't gotten sick like this since gradeschool…" Silver's smile widens, much to Corvina's dismay. The dark-haired girl sighs softly, intertwining her fingers with Silver's and bringing the latter's hand to her lap. Corvina hangs her head, swallowing thickly as a bead of sweat runs down her neck. "Silver. Will you stay with me…?" she pleads quietly, casting a sidelong glance at the other girl. "Just for a little bit. Until I fall asleep again?" Silver pauses, her eyes widening in surprise.
"… Mn. Alright. I'll stay," Silver agrees, her expression softening. Corvina squeezes her hand, laying back down before turning to the other girl.
"Thank you," Corvina mumbles, voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes flutter shut, and pretty soon, she fell asleep at a speed that almost rivaled Silver, holding her hand all the while.
When Corvina awoke once more, her fingers were still tightly intertwined with Silver's. The latter had fallen asleep as well, kneeling on the floor and resting her head on the bed. Corvina watches Silver's sleeping face, unblinking. "You foolish girl," Corvina whispers, expression twisting painfully. She lifts their joined hands, lips gently pressing to Silver's knuckles. "Why are you so nice to me?" Corvina's dark eyes well with hot tears, stinging as they rolled down her cheeks.
Corvina shuts her eyes tightly, bottom lip trembling. "… I don't deserve it. Or you."