IT WASN'T JUST a temporary headache. As it turned out, I had a fever. A raging fever. I stared at the thermometer for a long second before a loud sigh left my mouth. Fucking hell. Thirty eight point three degrees celsius. No wonder my head was throbbing like a bitch. I was sick. I'd probably caught a cold from not wearing enough, or maybe I caught it from someone else. I wasn't sure.

Being sick in the UK was always a painful experience. Even more so in university. Back at Arrington College, I could thrust myself into the care of the school health centre. There was none of that here. I wasn't living in school either. And I had no parents to take care of me, no one to watch over me, no one to cook food or help with chores or make me more comfortable. I was alone. In a foreign country. And most definitely sick. But it was hardly the first time something like this had happened.

Medicine. I probably had some medicine stuffed in a drawer somewhere that could help with the fever. And I'll have to scrap the ideas for any oily food I'd planned to cook tonight—had I planned to cook any oily food tonight? Swap that out with congee. Congee would be good. With some simple dishes. A bit of steamed vegetable and a tiny bit of meat.

No point going to the hospital over a fever. If it got worse, I would throw myself onto a taxi to the nearest hospital in an instant, but so far it was still very manageable. And I didn't think it was anything too bad. My nose had become runny and I'd randomly start shivering and sweating and I definitely had a bad headache, but that was all standard fever symptoms.

It was after I'd searched all the places I might have put medicine but failed to find any that I realised I was in slight trouble.

The nearest supermarket was a couple streets away. The nearest pharmacy even further. I was not in the mood to go out in the darkening streets for medicine.

I picked up my phone, considering messaging Camille to grab me some medicine and maybe come and help me out if she had the time, but then I remembered that she had a project meeting tonight—she'd told me a few days ago, and I didn't want to bother her.

Maybe it was time for Orion Ip to finally do his duty. In a way that I wanted him to.

Letting out a sigh, I grabbed my keys and my phone and crossed the corridor to knock on his door, praying that he was in tonight.

He was. He opened the door, looking slightly surprised to see me. Pushing up his glasses, he started, "Hey, Salome... Oh Jesus, you look pale as a ghost. You good?"

I shook my head, wincing, placing my hand against the wall outside his door for support. "Pretty bad fever. Umm, you should probably take a couple steps away from me. I might be contagious, I'm not sure. I'm out of medicine, and I was wondering if you could help me out and get some?"

"Oh of course." He glanced around. "Uh, I'll grab a mask. Prevent infection just in case, don't worry about that. Go and get some rest, yeah? I'll grab some Paracetamol for you, yeah? I'll be back as soon as I can. You feeling alright?"

"It's not that bad," I told him truthfully. "My head just really hurts. Thank you. I'll... I'll head back now. Thank you."

"Hey, no worries. I promised your parents, remember? You sure you don't need to go to the hospital or anything?"

"No, no, I'm good. A bit of Paracetamol should do the job." I forced a grin. "Thanks again."

And then, without another word because I was too tired for it, I turned back towards my apartment, unlocking the door and sliding back inside.

I'd made myself cosy on my bed, having changed into my pyjamas when Orion knocked on my door. I got out, tossing a jacket over myself and headed out to get it. He'd grabbed a surgical blue mask on his way, carefully strapped on his face, revealing only concerned dark eyes that took me in. "You feeling any better?"

"Worse," I admitted. "Been shivering like crazy." As if to make my point, my teeth was clattering too.

"Go get in bed. You shouldn't be moving about. I have no plans tonight anyways, I can help you out. Do you have anything for dinner?"

"I just made congee. It'll take an hour."

"Okay. That's good, that's good. Get back in bed for fuck's sake, Salome Lam. I'll fetch you some hot water and you can have the Paracetemol. Don't worry, I know my way around, I'm not an idiot." He half-shooed, half-scolded me back into my bedroom and I climbed back between my blankets. I wanted to wrap myself up tightly, but that was probably a bad idea, so instead, despite what my body was begging me to do, I stuck my legs out.

I wanted to get better as soon as possible. I didn't want to miss school or anything like that.

He came in, holding a thermal flask and the pack of Paracetemol in his other hand. "Careful with the water, it's quite hot. I poured it from your big flask and added a bit of cold water. Let me look at this Paracetemol... okay, you should have two now and two later tonight, yeah? It's six now... you can have it again at around ten, if you're still up by then." He unwrapped the packaging, putting two in his hands before handing it to me. "Take that first. I'll get your entire flask here so you don't have to walk around if you need it and I'm not here."

I flashed him a weak smile. "Thanks a lot. And, uh, can you not tell my parents? Or yours? I don't want them to worry."

"I get that." He adjusted my blanket. "I know it's cold, but don't wrap yourself up too much. Is the heater okay? Need me to adjust the temperature?"

"It's just right," I told him. "I can't have it be too hot anyways."

"You want any food?"

"The idea of food is making me nauseous."

"Alright. I'll just get you more water then." He disappeared again.

My bedroom was always neat and tidy, so there wasn't anything too embarrassing about him being in here. But at the same time, seeing him feel so comfortable moving around my apartment felt... weird.

His hoodie laid at the bottom of my wardrobe. I hadn't been able to bring myself to wear it ever since that night, even though it was the perfect temperature for it now. It remained there, waiting. I stared at my white-painted wooden wardrobe for a long moment before tearing my gaze away.

No. He was here because I was sick and he was being a responsible friend.

It meant nothing else. He was concerned because I was having a fucking fever.

The fever must be making me delirious.

Or maybe it was just him, since I couldn't have been feverish for the past thirteen years of my life.

He came in with my massive flask in hand. Hot water was standard for anyone Chinese. I wasn't sure if it actually had any benefits on health or whatever, but that was what my parents and everyone else had always said, and it was handy always having hot water nearby. "Do you have any cooling patches? That might help."

I shook my head. "Didn't bring any from home. Do they even sell those here? I've never seen them."

"I have no idea," he admitted. "But you probably don't need one anyways. I can dip a towel in cold water if you need it."

"I think I'm good for now."

"Okay." He paused for a moment. "I don't feel safe leaving you here by yourself. Are you okay with me camping it out on your sofa tonight? It's easier for me to check up on you that way, even if I live right across the corridor."

"Oh, you don't need to," I told him. "You really don't need to."

"I insist." He scratched his head, a small tuff of black hair falling down to cover his eyes. He pushed that back and adjusted his surgical mask. "I have a small blanket and stuff that I can just carry over, don't worry about it. I can manage. Is it okay if I take your key for now? Don't want you moving around."

I nodded. "It's on the table besides the door. You can leave it there once you're done with it."

"Okay. Okay. Is there anyone you need to tell about you being sick? People who have interacted with you really recently or like, just people you want to know?"

"Shit. I need to tell Camille. Oh. And Jeremiah. I was with him just before I started feeling really shit." I pushed myself upwards, grabbing my phone. "I'll just text them."

"You were with Jeremiah this afternoon?"

"I bumped into him at a cafe."

"Oh." There was some confusion in his voice, but when I looked at him he looked as determined as ever. "Okay. I'll just go back and grab a bit of stuff to make myself comfortable. I'll be back really soon, so just get some rest, yeah? Go to sleep if you want. I'll watch the congee and keep it warm for you whenever you want it."

"Thank you, Orion."

"It's what I'm meant to do, Salome."

I wish he wouldn't say that. It always killed me a little bit when he said things like that, even if I knew it was true in his own mind. But for me, even friendship was excruciatingly painful sometimes, and I couldn't show that.

As he left the room, I fell back onto my pillow.

By the time he'd gotten back, I'd already fallen headfirst into slumber.

—

I WOKE UP early the next morning. When I checked the clock, it was seven and I had a killer headache. Pushing myself up, I drank from the thermal flask besides me. The water was hot. Someone must have filled in some more water for me.

No, not just someone. Orion.

I was just slightly embarrassed that I'd asked him to take care of me, but well, what was there to be embarrassed about? It was him finally exercising his duty in a way I wanted him to. Nothing to worry about. I felt a little guilty for bothering him, but I pushed those thoughts away.

If I'd gone to buy Paracetemol by myself, I'd probably have fainted in the streets.

I didn't feel nearly as bad as I did before, and when I checked my temperature with the thermometer on my bedstand, it was normal.

"Salome?"

Orion's head poked in at the door, and he glanced around before his eyes settled on me. "You're awake." He was still wearing a blue surgical mask—probably a new one. It felt slightly disconcerting, seeing him with half his face covered, but I didn't want to risk transmission so it was probably the smartest choice.

"Yeah. Uh, sorry about yesterday."

"It's good. Feeling better?"

"My temperature's normal now, but I think I'm still going to stay home and rest today."

"I agree." He hummed. "Well, brush your teeth, I think. We can skip medicine for now since you're not having a temperature. I made you some congee."

"Congee?"

"I may have woken at five this morning. I couldn't sleep very well, so I thought I might make some food. I've texted Livia since I think she has some zha cai in her apartment, but she might not be awake just yet."

"Jesus. Get some more sleep, Orion."

He shook his head. "It's already morning. I'm skipping my lesson this morning, but I should be fine for my afternoon lessons with a few cups of coffee."

Guilt trickled through me again, and I said apologetically, "I'm really sorry for the bother."

He flashed a brilliant smile in response. "It's no bother. Really. It's what I should do. Okay, I'll leave you to it now, I'll be in the kitchen getting your congee out if you need me."

"Okay. Okay. Thanks again, Orion."

"Don't worry about it. Really." He was gone again, and I quickly made my bed before heading to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. I felt like an absolute mess, but whatever. I was sick. No one was going to blame me.

No lessons for me today, so I could happily stay home in my bed. I'd probably spend most of the day sleeping, but I might just curl up and watch some shows on Netflix instead, if I couldn't get myself to fall asleep.

I was in the living room right as someone knocked. Orion walked out of the kitchen, glanced at me and opened the door. Livia Wong stood at the door, brows creased. She smiled when she looked at me. "Hey Salome! Are you feeling better?"

"My temperature's gone for now," I told her, "but I'm still not fully myself again yet."

She nodded understandingly. "Well, I have the zha cai here." She handed it to Orion. "Are you heading to lessons, then? Or are you just staying here?"

"I'll go to class this afternoon," he replied. "Didn't get much sleep last night, so I'm skipping for the morning."

"You need notes? Who's in your morning class?"

"Amphion, actually. We both take that class. Ask him to send me his notes later? Thanks, Liv."

"You're welcome." Livia stood on her tippy toes to glance at me from behind Orion, beaming. "Get well soon, Salome! If you need any Chinese medicine, give me a text. I got plenty up in my place."

"Thanks Livia," I said with a bright grin back. "I'll keep that in mind!"

Orion closed the door, turning to face me, the packet of zha cai in hand. "You want this in your congee?"

I nodded and sat down at the dining table, and a few minutes later Orion walked out with a bowl of hot congee in hand, placing it before me. "I'll make some toast for myself, if you don't mind. Not a fan of white congee."

I told him to make himself at home before tearing apart the packet and adding it into the bowl. With the spoon he'd given me, I took a big bite.

Normal congee. He'd have that much survival skill, having been studying here himself for so many years. It would be impressive for a Chinese international student to not know how to make congee. Actually, it would be surprising for any Chinese person not to make congee.

He emerged with a plate of toast, sitting down opposite me. "How's the congee?"

"Pretty good," I told him. "I mean, I don't think my taste buds are working properly right now, so it just tastes like bland white congee."

He laughed. He'd taken off his mask in the kitchen, and now I could finally see his face again. "I mean, it's white congee. I don't think a professional cook could have done any better than I did."

"That's true," I agreed. "It always feels shit, though, needing to eat congee when I'm sick."

"Better stick with it than risk anything else," he murmured. "We don't want to make you any worse. Your friends all know, yeah?"

"Eileen tells me she'll make notes for me at lessons. We share a lot of classes anyways, same major and all."

He nodded. "I'll go to class in the afternoon, I think, if you're feeling better."

"I am, I am. I don't want you missing too many classes over me."

"It's fine. It's just one day. No one will blame me for it, and it won't affect me all that much either."

Absent-mindedly, I nodded.

—

ORION STAYED WITH me all morning. My temperature rose to feverous degrees a few hours after breakfast, but it was low enough that it wasn't much cause for concern, and after making lunch (also congee, though this time around he also steamed some vegetable), he headed off to class while I sat on my bed, watching Netflix.

It was relaxing, if I had to be honest. I'd been busy all the past two months, and between academics, my ever confusing feelings for Orion and trying to keep my social life alive, there hadn't been much time for me to really sit down and chill, all just by myself. Camille was always around, and while I loved her with all my heart, I was the type of person who needed my own alone time to recharge.

Though, there was also the fact that the only reason I got this time to relax was because I was sick.

Lying there on my bed, I allowed myself to think about some things. Plan the next few months. I leave for Hong Kong in early December, so I had around a month left to get everything ready. That was more than enough time. I wasn't living in a dorm anymore, so I didn't need to pack up the entire room before I left.

I'd start packing that week, probably. No need to overprepare for it.

There were a couple things I needed to buy for my family and friends since a lot of cosmetic brands and perfumes were far cheaper in the UK than back home, but I could pick that all up on a weekend trip to the Boot's in town centre. Simple enough.

Oh, I needed to get a taxi to the airport. Camille and I had gotten separate flights—she'd gotten the same flight as Dean, if I remembered, and they were going to get a taxi to head to the airport together. I needed to see if anyone was taking my flight so that I could share a taxi, or I'd have to go there myself, and taxi fee was expensive. Transport fee was all crazy expensive in the UK, from taxis to ordinary buses.

I liked being organised. Jeremiah had observed as much yesterday at the cafe—damn, was it only yesterday? It felt like ages ago. I liked to know what I needed to do, have everything in a nice little list that I could turn back to when I wasn't sure what I was meant to do.

I'd told Camille that once, and it had freaked her out. She wasn't messy by any means, and she was still a fairly organised person, but nowhere to my level.

So it had felt nice yesterday, when Jeremiah had pointed out so many things about myself that I thought no one else ever noticed. And he hadn't been judgemental about it either. He'd been nice about it.

That was new.

I'd told Camille not to come over, but she sent me a couple texts making sure I was okay. Jeremiah texted to tell me that I had, thankfully, not passed anything onto him, and he was feeling perfectly fine. Eileen sent over my notes, and Orion came by after his lessons had ended, asking me if I wanted him to stay over again to make sure I was alright.

I refused his offer. I was already feeling much better, and it felt weird to ask him to stay over twice in a row. Yesterday was because I was genuinely feeling terrible, and it could be ignored. It happening twice?

That might raise a couple eyebrows. And I didn't want any trouble for either of us.

So I assured him I was okay and that I could make food for myself that night, and I sent him back to his apartment with a few more thank yous. He hadn't seem absolutely certain I was alright, and he knocked on my door at nine again to make sure I was feeling okay.

I was, and he went back to his own apartment again for some rest. He deserved it.

I shut my door and turned away.

there's an orion!perspective extra chapter i wrote for this but??? do you guys want me to release it immediately after this as the next update??? or when the entire story is over.