wizardmanor | Floor 2, Room 4

The title given to the most powerful and skilled mirrist in the kingdom.

[Allow him one tiny moment of pride! He worked his entire life and devoted everything he was to earn that title, so he will cling to it as hard as he can even though it was also part of what led to all of the terrible things he was responsible for...]

[ He assumes "mirrist" is something like a sorcerer, based on what he's been able to glean through context. ]

...You look better when you're proud. [ Day finds himself saying this an observation. It's a better look on him than how meek Phil often comes across as. ]

[The urge to hide his face is back, largely because this time he knows he's turning bright red. Being complimented about his ability where mirristry is concerned is one thing-- he's more than used to that by now as it comes with the title, and while it's true that he's proud of his skills, it's far easier to dismiss that kind of compliment as being merely perfunctory.

Hearing Day tell him that he looks better this way, though? Somehow that hits in a way he wasn't expecting, and the only thing he can think of to do in response is to put his free hand over his face as though that will somehow hide the luminescent shade he's currently turning.]

Th-thank you...

[ Day laughs again, a low, pleased sound of serenity. Cute, he thinks. His seniors were right that age has little to do with cuteness; anyone can be cute.

He wants to reach over and brush that hand away, so he can enjoy a full view of how flustered Phil is, but he knows that would be overstepping his bounds. You knows despite the fact they're in the same bed and holding hands. ]

Hehe, you don't gotta hide your face, Phil.

You say that, but...

[But he's still blushing and it's embarrassing!

Still, once he's certain enough that he's not going to spontaneously combust if he looks over at Day, he will in fact lower his hand. And yes, he's still pink, and yes, he's trying to pretend that he's not.]

You just like seeing me like that.

[Turning the tables right back around! Or trying, at least.]

[ Oho? Is Phil...trying to banter? New and exciting development. ]

And what if I do?

[ Without a speck of hesitation or shame. And without realising what he's implying either, or possibly not quite caring. ]

[He was indeed trying until he got bantered back at and he realizes the error of his ways. Phil is so out of his depth here that it's just hilarious...]

And here I thought you were the sort of person to enjoy a challenge, not something that doesn't take any effort to speak of.

[He can dunk on himself because he knows it's the truth!]

Hehe, it's a skill as much as any other. Gotta practice 'fore you get good at it.

[He indeed enjoys a challenge and an easy mark too, but... In this instance, he's probably enjoying it because it's Phil, specifically. Not that he'd say that. ]

So you're keeping your skills sharp on me, in other words...

[...]

... mmm. I don't mind.

[If it were anyone else, he absolutely would mind. But when it's Day? It reminds him of the way...

... perhaps he should stop that train of thought there.]

[ Day, blissfully unaware of who he might be reminding Phil of: ]

It's a chance for you to practice too, y'know.

On you? I couldn't possibly--

[But then he thinks back to just a few moments ago, where Day had in fact offered to allow Phil to practice speaking with him, and realizes that the offer is in fact genuine.]

... well. I suppose all of this counts as practice in and of itself, even if it's more you teasing me than the other way around.

You'll get there some day ♪

[ In a slight lilting tone, as if to say "I believe in you." Up to Phil to decide if that's teasing too. ]

[The rush of heat that seems to start somewhere in his stomach and bloom into his cheeks definitely can't be attributed to the fever this time, and that only serves to make the sudden thought of "He couldn't keep talking if I kissed him" that springs unbidden to his mind that much worse when he can't even blame it on his thoughts being addled due to illness.

So he promptly rolls over to face the opposite direction, which will definitely solve this problem.]

[ And that nets Phil another amused laugh from Day. Funny how he seems to be hearing it a lot, huh?

(Day tries to not be disappointed that Phil has let go of his hand in favour of rolling over, because, well, even if it's not a dire context this time, shouldn't he already be used to his hand being let go of?

So he won't try and ask for more than what he's already got, as much as he wants to grab hold of Phil's hand again. Even if he wants to be selfish, there's a limit to such things.)

Instead Day settles into quiet humming. It a soft, mellow tune, not unlike many of the songs he practises on the erhu. ]

[Slowly but surely, Phil finds himself relaxing as he listens to the quiet tune. It's like a lullaby in a way, gentle and soothing, and it's not long before he can feel sleep beckoning to him once again.

He still can't quite turn back to face Day after that stray thought (that was not entirely unwelcome and that's a whole other thing to be thinking about, but not right now), but what he can do is reach back with one hand, a wordless offer if Day wants to take it. Because, unexpected thoughts about wanting to kiss him aside, Day's presence is like an anchor keeping Phil's thoughts from drifting to dark places as he closes his eyes.

The mission is still on the forefront of his mind, the pain still fresh and raw. But if this simple touch can keep the memories of it at bay for the time being? Then surely it's all right to be just a little selfish this one time.]

[ Oh, this is...

...Phil somehow manages to keep being adorable, huh. Day reaches over to take the offered hand, and after a moment's hesitation, laces their fingers together while he's still humming. He won't be going anywhere else for a while.

It's a good thing Phil can't see how red his own face is right now. ]

[The intimacy of that particular gesture isn't lost on Phil; he finds himself glad that he's facing the other way so that he doesn't have to try to read whatever expression might be on Day's face as he entwines their fingers, nor let Day see the soft, sad smile that creeps onto his own.

As long as they can stay like this for now, then it's fine. He'll nod off, the warmth of Day's hand the last thing he's conscious of before sleep finally claims him.]

Floor 2, Room 4

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