#yknow what im claiming roverfi as the ship name 💃

[scarletwritesshit]

🩺Mortefi x F!Rover 🩺Lovesick

Mortefi and Rover parted ways for the day. He had made absolutely no headways on his research, and it pained him greatly to deliver the same repetitive news of no conclusive results to her time and time again. It was causing him quite a bit of anxiety as of late, which was strange for him, considering how he has dealt with far more annoying research projects before.

It is also something that he almost exclusively experiences around her. Most peculiar. Something Mortefi had yet to rule out was Rover’s unusual characteristics causing side effects in those around her. However, Baizhi and the others seemed perfectly fine, though there was the off chance that he was another one-off case, just like her. Then again, if nothing out of the ordinary was showing up on her tests, then it was more likely than not that Mortefi’s results would turn up normal for himself, should he decide to perform similar investigations.

He was feeling a bit warmer than usual. That was not completely unusual, given the characteristics of his Resonance Ability. Although, he was feeling a bit warmer even for someone like himself. It could be early onset of the flu, or some other pathogen-borne illness. The combination of a heightened heart rate, fever, and the occasional bodily weakness does seem to add up.

Outside of the occasional onset of symptoms, Mortefi felt completely fine otherwise. The symptoms weren’t even persistent. A flu that could topple him in even the most carefully sanitized conditions was not to be taken lightly, and it would be wise to rule out any possibility of illness before the problem escalated. Mortefi walked out of his lab and locked the door behind him, seeking out Baizhi, who happened to be engaging in idle chatter with passerby just outside.

"Baizhi," he said, "I apologize for interrupting, but when you have a moment, there is something that I would like to discuss with you."

"Oh? Making any headways?" Baizhi said, tilting her head with a hopeful smile.

"No, unfortunately. This matter is more of a problem on my end. I believe I may be falling ill, and I wish to rectify matters before my illness becomes too serious and spreads throughout the entirety of the Academy."

"Ill?” Baizhi said, briefly exchanging glances with You’tan. “At first glance, you do appear to be relatively normal. It could be possible that the lack of fresh air has been affecting you negatively, and your body is protesting your extended negligence."

"It cannot be that. I have been experiencing recurring fevers and increases in heart rate."

Baizhi sighed. "If you insist, then I’ll take you back for a checkup. I suppose you wouldn’t be using my time if you didn’t believe that you had a genuine reason to worry.”

Baizhi guided Mortefi back to her department, where she could properly conduct a thorough examination on his symptoms. Though she had been preoccupied with assisting in the preparation of medical aids for General Jiyan and his troops, Baizhi could spare a moment to assess Mortefi’s condition. Having one of their top researchers missing in action would be a huge setback. She sat him down and did the simplest of examinations, including checking his temperature and vitals.

"Odd. Everything is reading at relatively normal levels for you."

"Don’t tell me that my situation is going to end up exactly like that of my dear Rover," Mortefi said, shaking his head.

"Well, she doesn’t claim to be sick. The main difference here is that you’ve been experiencing symptoms of sickness," Baizhi noted. "Though, I have to ask, do you perhaps have an idea of what triggers these symptoms in you?"

"I haven’t the slightest idea, yet it often happens at the most inconvenient of times. For example, I would be performing routine assessments on Rover’s characteristics when I would get struck with anxious tremors out of nowhere."

Baizhi thought for a moment, then raised her eyebrow at Mortefi.

"Rover, you say?"

"Y-yes," Mortefi said with a nod, feeling his anxiety heighten.

"Hmmm... Mortefi, what are your thoughts on her? Just, as a whole?"

"About Rover? She’s just like any other Resonator, albeit with a few curious features. Why do you inquire?” Mortefi said quickly as his “fever” started to return.

Baizhi silently thought for a moment, rubbing the nose of You’tan as it nudged against her hand. Mortefi kept his hands politely rested on his knees, though he could feel his left hand becoming sweaty inside the glove. Baizhi squinted her eyes, closely eyeing him up from top to bottom. You’tan further nudged its head into Baizhi’s hamd, as if it had something to say on the matter.

“…See what I mean? Horribly inconvenient,” Mortefi said.

Baizhi had great doubts about one thing, but she was almost certain of another. To humor Mortefi, she placed her hand against his forehead to get a feel for just how warm he was becoming. It was normal for him to feel a bit warmer than the average human, but even for a Fusion Resonator, he was feeling quite hot. To put things plainly, Mortefi didn’t have a fever; he was flustered. Very flustered.

“That makes complete sense,” Baizhi said to herself, taking her hand off of his forehead.

“Well? Have you figured out what’s wrong?”

“Mortefi, let me ask you this. Do you always feel that way when working with Rover?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say always, but I have noticed that symptoms typically arise during our usual researching and examination.”

Both Baizhi and You’tan shook their head. “Mortefi, with all due respect, you’re utterly hopeless.”

“Hopeless? Whatever do you mean?”

“By chance, have you realized that what you’re experiencing almost exclusively involves Rover?” she asked, tilting her head with a sly smirk.

“Now that you mention it, I cannot name a single time where symptoms have arisen in idle conversation with another. It’s… also happened when the mere thought of Rover crosses my mind.”

Baizhi sighed shook her head. Even You’tan had become visibly pained by Mortefi’s nonsensical words and excuses, shaking its head along with her. The worst part was that Baizhi didn’t think that Mortefi was deliberately coming up with excuses. For a gifted researcher, he sure can be just a little stupid at times.

“You couldn’t even figure it out if I spelled it out for you,” Baizhi said, with You’tan looping through the air in agreement.

“…Are you saying that it’s all in my head?” Mortefi asked, in denial of how nervous he truly was.

“You’ve got a crush. A big one, if that.”

“…Oh.”