Jane poured the hot water into the bowl and stirred slowly.
The quiet bubbling of the kettle faded, replaced by the soft clink of the spoon against porcelain.
Sophia was still on the couch, blanket around her shoulders, watching.
"Soup will be ready in a minute," Jane said.
Sophia nodded, but her eyes stayed on Jane.
"You're very efficient in my kitchen."
Jane glanced back with a grin. "I'm adaptable."
"You didn't even ask where anything was."
"I have instincts."
Sophia hummed skeptically.
Jane brought the bowl over, setting it carefully on the coffee table.
"Careful. It's hot."
Sophia leaned forward slightly, the blanket sliding off one shoulder.
Jane immediately noticed.
"Blanket," she said, pulling it back up.
Sophia blinked at her.
"You're very bossy."
"You're sick."
"That is becoming your excuse for everything."
Jane picked up the spoon and handed it to her.
"Eat."
Sophia obeyed, taking a small sip. The warmth clearly helped—her shoulders relaxed a little.
Jane sat beside her again, stretching her legs out.
For a few minutes, the only sound was Sophia quietly eating.
Then she said, almost casually, "You should probably head back soon."
Jane tilted her head. "Why?"
Sophia looked mildly confused. "Your dorm."
Jane leaned back against the couch.
"Mm."
Sophia waited.
Jane didn't move.
Sophia frowned slightly. "Jane."
"Yes?"
"Aren't you going back?"
Jane looked at her like the idea hadn't even occurred to her.
"Why would I?"
Sophia blinked.
"Because… you live there."
Jane shrugged. "Tonight I live here."
Sophia stared at her.
"You're staying?"
Jane reached over and gently took the spoon from her before she spilled soup on herself.
"You're sick."
Sophia watched her place the bowl down.
"I can take care of myself."
"I know," Jane said easily. "But I want to stay."
Sophia didn't answer right away.
Jane studied her expression.
"You don't want me to?"
Sophia shook her head quickly. "That's not it."
Jane smiled a little.
"Good then."
Sophia looked suddenly uncertain again.
"You don't have clothes here."
Jane stood.
"I'll manage."
Before Sophia could ask what that meant, Jane walked down the hallway.
Sophia straightened slightly on the couch.
"Jane?"
"Hmm?"
"You're wandering through my apartment."
Jane's voice floated back from the hallway.
"I'm exploring."
Sophia pressed her lips together, trying not to smile.
A moment later, the bathroom door clicked shut.
Water started running.
Sophia blinked.
"…Did she just—"
The shower continued.
Sophia leaned her head back against the couch, staring at the ceiling.
Her girlfriend had just casually taken over her apartment.
Somehow.
Twenty minutes later the bathroom door opened again.
Sophia turned her head.
And immediately froze.
Jane walked out barefoot, hair slightly damp from the shower.
She was wearing one of Sophia's pajama shirts—soft cotton, a little oversized on her—and the matching pants rolled once at the ankles.
Jane looked comfortable.
Very comfortable.
Sophia stared.
Jane caught the look immediately.
"What?"
Sophia gestured vaguely at her.
"You are wearing my pajamas."
Jane looked down at herself.
"Yep."
"You didn't ask."
Jane shrugged. "You were busy with soup."
Sophia tried to keep a straight face.
"They're… clean, at least."
"Of course they are."
Jane walked over and sat beside her again like it was the most normal thing in the world.
Sophia was still staring.
Jane noticed.
"What now?"
Sophia hesitated.
Then admitted quietly, "You look… good."
Jane's mouth curved.
"In your clothes?"
Sophia immediately looked embarrassed.
"That's not what I meant."
Jane leaned a little closer.
"So what did you mean?"
Sophia cleared her throat, suddenly very interested in the blanket again.
"I meant they fit you."
Jane laughed softly.
Sophia's ears turned faintly pink.
Jane bumped her shoulder gently.
"Relax."
Sophia glanced at her.
"You're very comfortable here."
Jane tucked her legs under herself on the couch.
"I told you. Tonight I live here."
Sophia studied her for a moment.
Then something softened in her expression.
"You really are staying."
Jane nodded once.
"Yes."
Sophia leaned back slowly, pulling the blanket around both of them this time without really thinking.
Jane noticed.
She smiled quietly but didn't comment.
Instead she settled closer.
The apartment fell quiet again.
After a moment, Sophia murmured,
"Jane?"
"Hmm?"
"…Thank you."
Jane turned slightly.
"For what?"
Sophia looked at her.
"For staying."
Jane squeezed her hand gently under the blanket.
"Get used to it."
Sophia raised a brow.
"Oh?"
Jane's grin returned.
"Your girlfriend is very stubborn."
Sophia's lips curved.
"I'm beginning to realize that."
Jane rested her head lightly against Sophia's shoulder.
"Good."
Sophia didn't move away.
Instead, after a moment, she rested her cheek gently against Jane's hair.
And for a long while, neither of them said anything.
Jane shifted comfortably under the blanket, leaning back against the couch while Sophia rested beside her.
For a moment everything was quiet again.
Then Jane suddenly straightened.
"Oh."
Sophia blinked. "What?"
"I forgot something."
Jane grabbed her phone from the coffee table.
Sophia watched curiously. "What did you forget?"
Jane unlocked the screen. "Mia."
Sophia's brows lifted slightly.
Jane tapped the call button.
It rang once.
Twice.
Then Mia picked up immediately.
"Jane?"
Jane smiled. "Hey."
There was a beat of silence.
Then Mia's voice sharpened instantly with suspicion.
"…Why do you sound comfortable?"
Jane rolled her eyes.
"I'm calling to tell you I won't be coming back tonight."
Another pause.
Then—
"WOW."
Jane winced slightly, holding the phone a little away from her ear.
Sophia raised a brow.
Mia's voice exploded through the speaker.
"Already?!"
Jane groaned. "Mia."
"You went out for coffee and now you're staying the night? Jane Chen, I raised you better than this."
"You did not raise me."
"Details," Mia said quickly. "Wait—hold on."
Jane sighed.
"What?"
Mia lowered her voice dramatically.
"…Did you do it already?"
Sophia nearly choked on air beside her.
Jane covered her face with one hand.
"Oh my God."
"So that's a yes."
"That is absolutely not a yes."
Mia laughed loudly.
"I leave you alone for one day and suddenly you have a girlfriend and a sleepover."
Jane glanced at Sophia, who looked extremely embarrassed.
"Relax," Jane said. "She's sick."
Mia paused.
"…You're staying to nurse your hot doctor girlfriend?"
Jane rubbed her temple.
"Yes."
Mia whistled softly.
"Wow. That's even more romantic."
Sophia muttered under her breath, "I regret everything."
Jane tried not to laugh.
"Go to sleep, Mia."
"Oh I will," Mia replied cheerfully. "But tomorrow I want every detail."
"You're getting zero details."
"We'll see."
Jane ended the call before Mia could continue.
The apartment fell quiet again.
Sophia stared at her.
Jane sighed and tossed the phone back onto the table.
"She's dramatic."
Sophia blinked slowly.
"…Did she just ask if we—"
"Yes."
Sophia covered part of her face with her hand.
"I cannot believe this is happening."
Jane laughed softly.
"Relax."
Sophia looked at her.
"You seemed very calm while your friend interrogated you."
"I'm used to her."
Sophia shook her head, still slightly stunned.
Jane stretched her arms overhead.
Then she stood.
"Well."
Sophia frowned. "Well what?"
Jane pointed toward the hallway.
"We should go to bed."
Sophia blinked.
"Bed?"
"Yes."
Sophia slowly stood as well, still wrapped in the blanket.
"I have a guest room."
Jane paused.
Then looked at her.
"…Why?"
Sophia hesitated. "Because… we are sleeping."
Jane stared at her like the answer made no sense.
"Sophia."
"Yes?"
"We're girlfriends."
Sophia's ears turned faintly pink again.
"I am aware."
Jane crossed her arms.
"Then why would we sleep separately?"
Sophia opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Jane waited patiently.
"…Because I am sick," Sophia finally said.
Jane waved a hand dismissively.
"That's not contagious."
"That's not how illness works."
Jane walked past her toward the bedroom.
Sophia stared after her.
"Jane."
"Yes?"
"You cannot just decide this."
Jane looked over her shoulder with a grin.
"I can. I'm very stubborn."
Sophia sighed softly and followed her.
Jane stopped halfway down the hallway and turned suddenly.
"Oh, one more thing."
Sophia blinked.
"What?"
Jane pointed toward the bathroom.
"Go shower."
Sophia frowned immediately.
"I already showered today."
"Yes," Jane said calmly. "But you had a fever."
"I'm not showering again."
Jane tilted her head.
"Yes, you are."
Sophia crossed her arms.
"No."
Jane stepped closer.
"You'll feel better."
"I'm perfectly fine."
"You were half unconscious two hours ago."
Sophia lifted her chin stubbornly.
"I refuse."
Jane stared at her for a moment.
Then she turned and walked straight into the bathroom.
Sophia watched, confused.
A second later Jane returned holding a clean bath towel.
She placed it directly into Sophia's hands.
Sophia looked down at it.
Then back at Jane.
"…You're serious."
"Very."
"I said no."
Jane smiled sweetly.
"And I ignored you."
Sophia stared at her.
"You are extremely bold."
Jane gently nudged her toward the bathroom door.
"You're sick. Warm shower. Ten minutes."
Sophia tried to stand her ground.
Jane nudged her again.
"Sophia."
"What?"
"Shower."
Sophia sighed.
"You're impossible."
Jane leaned closer, lowering her voice.
"But I'm your impossible girlfriend."
Sophia's resistance faltered immediately.
Jane saw it.
Her grin widened.
Sophia looked at the towel again.
Then finally muttered,
"…Ten minutes."
Jane clapped her hands once, satisfied.
"Perfect."
Sophia walked into the bathroom, still shaking her head.
Right before she closed the door, she glanced back.
Jane was leaning against the wall, clearly pleased with herself.
Sophia narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You're enjoying this."
Jane didn't even try to deny it.
"Very much."
The bathroom door closed.
And Jane laughed quietly to herself.