Red Eyes

The Voice of Demons

"Li?" I called his name quietly as I peeked into his hospital room. I found him sitting up in bed, a book perched on his lap. His eyes found mine as I spoke and a smile lit up his face. He gave me a little wave then used the same hand to beckon me closer. Without needing any more of an invite, I slipped into the room, closing the door behind me and quickly bounding to his side. His room was cold on my still sweaty skin and my body shivered.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing," I explained, stopping a few feet from his bed. Li gave me another wave, asking me to come closer.

"... I still have to shower," I admitted meekly. Li gave me a look of irritation. If he could talk I was sure he would've told me 'just get over here'. I sighed and gave in. Though I felt self-conscious, I stepped right up to Li's side. He gave me a sweet, beaming smile in response.

"I'm assuming you're doing well if you're being this sassy," I teased, giving his nose a gentle boop. I hadn't seen him since I'd left for school this morning and he'd been fast asleep at the time. My face heated up as I recalled that our hands had still been clasped together when I'd woken up. That same boy was looking at me like a puppy who's owner just got home from a long day. I couldn't help the affectionate smile that rose to my face.

"How was it?" Li signed, clearly meaning the training.

"It was... good? I think?" I said. Li raised an eyebrow, asking me to elaborate without words. 

"Callum showed up and kind of distracted everyone for a while," I explained. Li's brows furrowed in irritation and I immediately jumped in to clarify.

"It was fine! It was actually pretty cool. He showed us more about his ability, but it did take up a good amount of our training time... Before that, though, I think things were going well. Everyone is already pretty capable... Well, um, most everyone... Sevita could use some help... but I think she's trying her best," I told him. I didn't realize it, but soon I was totally absorbed in discussing my teammates. I couldn't help but want to tell Li everything about Abby's hidden talent with a sword and Nimue's impressive work on the swinging obstacle course and Kifah's impressive sprint times and Sevita's dedication to learning.

Li sat quietly and listened the whole time, his expression ever interested. He nodded along, engaging with a soft smile. After I was out of things to talk about an awkward silence filled the room. The quiet suddenly hit me and I realized how much talking I'd just done. My mouth had practically had a mind of its own.

"Sorry... That was a lot," I admitted with a blush. "I'm not sure what came over me."

Li was just smiling at me, not seeming bothered in the slightest at the amount of information I'd just dumped on him.

"What? Why are you grinning like that?" I asked. Li reached for his whiteboard and wrote on it "sounds like you're a good leader". I rolled my eyes, hoping the cocky behavior would cancel out my obvious embarrassment.

"That's not it... It's just... I'm back in my element, I guess. Fighting and strategy are things I'm very familiar with, that's all."

"those sound like leader traits to me"

"Alright, I'm gonna go shower now," I abruptly told him, ruffling his hair.  His grin widened in response but his eyes got mopey when I moved away from him.

"I'll be right back," I told him with a laugh. I paused as I reached the door, turning back to him before I left.

"Li?" I called. He was looking at me, his eyes not having left me yet. 

"Thanks." He simply grinned, a light red rising to his cheeks in response. The reaction was so adorable that I couldn't help smiling myself as I left.