Arcana Twilight: When The Star Falls (retelling)

13- The heart you give

"Geez.... It's been raining a lot.."

A storm came in last night and it was still raining. Stupid monsoon season.... 

Gloria leans back in her chair. The dorm room already had a desk setup for her. Since there wasn't much for her to do at the moment other than watching tv, she sat at the desk and tried to read, but she kept looking out the window every so often. It's gonna feel hotter from the humanity... I am not looking forward to that!

As she leaned back in her chair to stretch, her Stella Tab started to ring on the deck. Gloria picks it up and looks at the caller ID. Alpheratz? She quickly picks it up.

"Hello?"

"Hey...."

Gloria blinked. He sounds.... Like he may be sick...!

"How are you feeling?" Gloria actually had to think for a moment before answering, "I'm... fine... why? Are you ok?" Alpheratz sighed on the other end of the call, "Don't go outside for a while. I wasn't sure how long you and Pollux were out yesterday when making your banquet dress, so I didn't want to assume you were ok from the rain."

He weakly sighed again, "Even if no one else knows, you came from Mid Eartheim. It's a big deal if you get sick even more."

"Thank you for worrying~!"

Alpheratz went quiet at that, slightly flustered. Gloria speaks up again, "So... you did get sick from the monsoon rains, huh?"

"Yeah.... I was out on a mission yesterday.... It was a very long one, so I was still out on it when it started to downpour. I didn't have an umbrella or get to shelter quickly..."

Coughing can be heard over the call. Gloria quietly chuckled, "And here you are, trying to see if I'm sick after you failed to not~!" She can tell that Alpheratz rolled his eyes at that, "Well yeah.... Spica would get mad at all of us if you were sick. Especially Pollux, since he was the one last with you yesterday, he'd get more of an earful." Gloria's eyes widened, "Oh wait! Is Pollux feeling ok?" Alpheratz nods, "He is fine... I checked up on the little boy before calling you. He's still annoying as ever." Thank goodness! Gloria went quiet for a moment.

"Are.... you ok...?"

The other end was quiet before he responded, "I can stand this. It's ok, it's not even that serious-"

Coughing was heard from the other end.

Gloria sighed, "Did you take any medicine since you discovered you were sick..?" Alpheratz shook his head again over the call, "I don't have any, so I am just lying down. I'm sure I'll get better soon. Just worry about your own health, symptoms may appear later for some, so be careful." Gloria couldn't help but pout, "You expect me to not worry when you called me sick! Geez..."

There was a weak chuckle over the call, "It's been a while since I've felt this sick, ok? So I couldn't help but check up on you and little boy!" It was quiet for a moment before he muttered to himself, "... I don't know what to do...."

Is he really ok...? Gloria's eyes widened from his words, "Alpheratz...."

"Don't tell the others. I will get better soon...!"

She sighed. Doesn't sound like it....! "Are you alone, Alpheratz?" There was some silence before he responded, "It... would be worse if it was nosy..."

Figured...

Gloria looked out the window. Sure she didn't have an umbrella or jacket yet, but it's easy to stay out of the rain due to the dorm buildings providing shelters when connecting to each building, even if you have to go outside. "Alpheratz, how about I come over to make sure you get better? That way it's a guarantee you'll get better faster!"

"... I'm afraid you might catch this... I really don't want that to happen." Gloria's eyes widened to how vulnerable he started to sound. "But... I don't want to stop you from coming... P-please don't come if you don't want to..."

Aw~! Why is he so vulnerable now?! Gloria quietly giggled, "It's ok Alphy... I'm offering to come over because I want to help take care of you. You have done a lot of nice things for me ever since I came here, I would like to give back that kindness."

There was more silence on the other end, Alpheratz was a bit flustered from her words for reasons he didn't understand. He weakly sighed, his voice being weak, "I... don't know... you'll be seeing me in a very weak state.... but... I don't know about the others.... but I kinda miss you...?" Gloria's eyes widened, "You miss me?" Alpheratz stuttered a bit, "You... you aren't as annoying as the others... I... had fun the other day... talking to you... and every time we've talked... you... aren't too bad to be around I guess... N-never mind, don't worry about it...! Forget I said anything!" Gloria quietly chuckled, she couldn't help but find this adorable. He seems really shy when sick. Gloria softly spoke, "Well... then I miss you too~... I expected to see you again training outside my window shirtless~!" Alpheratz weakly laughed before muttering, "... Ah..... I strangely feel shy..."

Now you feel shy!? Or are you just admitting to it now? 

When the laughter died down, Alpheratz weakly spoke, "You sure... it's ok that you come over?" Gloria nodded, "I want to Alpheratz... let me repay your damn kindness!" Alpheratz chuckled, "Don't be in a rush, come over slowly, Gloria. I... kinda feel better just hearing that you will be coming..."

Gloria chuckled, "Ok, I'll be there soon~!"

".... I will wait patiently..."