Oliver returned about an hour later to find Mai fast asleep. Netflix had paused with 'are you still watching?' plastered across the screen. Luna had curled up at the end of Mai's bed.
He left her sleeping and put away the groceries as best he could. He then made himself another cup of tea. Mai's flat had no living room. Her kitchen spread into a dining area. So Oliver sat at her little table and began reading one of his course textbooks on his phone.
Mai woke up a few hours later. Oliver had been impervious to the passing of time. She came shuffling out of her room with a feline guardian dancing around her feet.
"You're still here?"
Oliver looked up.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"You had yet to wake up. I need to relay the pharmacist's instructions regarding the medicine I bought you."
"Can't I just read the package?"
"I was also advised to make you dinner, by said pharmacist. So I will be listening to their advice. As you're now awake, I'll begin. I will make bolognese, if that's acceptable."
"Uh… Okay?" Mai held a hand to her head to check her temperature. "Aren't you like a busy business man?"
"Only when I have work," Oliver said, pocketing his phone and taking his jacket off. He hung it over the back of a chair and rolled up his shirt sleeves. "But as we take individual jobs, I can be as busy as I want to be. We've been reducing our workload lately as well as we have a longer term project coming up. So I've recently been taking a lot of short jobs."
"You don't have a steady paycheck? Isn't that—" Mai laughed. "I was about to ask if that was really scary that you don't have guaranteed work, but I suppose you're rich enough that you don't need to worry about that."
"No, we haven't had to worry about that for a while now," Oliver stated. "Where is your chopping board?"
Mai answered by locating various items of kitchenware Oliver might need to cook. She also flicked on the kettle to make herself a drink.
"Do you want one?"
"Yes," Oliver said as he began cutting onions and crushing garlic. "Do you have containers?"
"Huh?"
"I plan on making more than is suitable for just us, do you have something you can store the leftovers in?"
"Yes, somewhere in these cupboards I will do. Really, you don't have to do this."
"I want to. I don't often have the opportunity to do this sort of thing. Also, you're ill, so whatever I cook will taste pretty average to you. So even if I mess up, you will not criticise me."
Mai laughed. Then sneezed.
"Tissues are on the table."
Mai located the tissues and blew her nose properly.
"Thanks. How much do I owe you?"
"You don't. Your company is payment enough."
"I've been asleep for the last few hours," Mai pointed out.
"Exactly, the perfect company."
"You prefer your friends unconscious?" she asked.
"Sometimes."
Mai laughed again, though she was not entirely sure whether or not she should be concerned. She made them both tea, took her medicine at Oliver's recited instructions and took a seat at the table.
"So where does this big job take you?"
"Uh… All over the UK, actually. Near Watford, over to Reading, then up north to Derbyshire. A few other places no doubt, but that's the most of it."
"What are you selling this time? Or is it confidential?"
"Hmm, it is confidential. Or rather the details are, but…" He bit his lip for a moment, a bad habit he had picked up from his brother. "I am selling a story, I suppose."
"A story?"
"Yes, I cannot tell you more than that until it's complete."
Mai nodded and sipped her tea.
"Do you often sell stories?"
"No, this is my first time. It'll be interesting."
"Well if you prove proficient at it, can I have mate's rates on you selling my book?"
Oliver chuckled and tipped the mince into a large pan.
"I do not know if you can afford me."
"That's why I asked for mate's rates…"
"I'll consider it. I'd want to read it first."
Mai lowered her head.
"On the other hand, nope. It can stay in the dark recesses of my Google Drive and never see the public eye."
"You have that little confidence in your own work?"
"I'm still developing as a writer and looking back at anything I wrote even a few months ago is so cringeworthy."
"I cannot judge if you do not let me read it."
"That's fair. One of my friends who reads it says I've improved since the earlier chapters, but I dread going back and revising it. But I'm not sure if that's just Yasuhara being kind."
Oliver frowned for a moment, unseen by Mai. He stirred in passata into the mince.
"Do you object to me staying the night?" he asked. "I am concerned for your health."
Mai winced.
"I have nowhere for you to sleep but the floor. I mean I might have a blow-up mattress somewhere but—"
"That will do just fine. I will ask Lin to drop off some fresh clothing."
"Oliver, really, I'm fine. I just need rest and I'm awful company right now."
"Do you want me to leave?"
"Well no, but I feel horribly indebted to you."
"Why? I assure you, if I did not want to do something, I would not do it."
Mai smiled.
"I trust you when you say that," she said. "Like, that you really mean it, rather than just saying it to make me feel better." She sighed. "Fine, if you really want to sleep on my floor, then I'll go find you a blow-up bed. But if you wake up with a bad back, I'm taking no responsibility."
Oliver smiled at the statement.
"Could you help me for a moment?" he asked. "Can you measure out some pasta?"
"Sure. The water will boil off my germs so I think that's safe."
Mai jumped up from her chair and sorted the pasta out while Oliver seasoned the bolognese.
Twenty minutes later, they sat down to eat.
"You were right, I can barely taste this," Mai said after a few mouthfuls. "How is it?"
"I think it's passable, considering my lack of consistent experience in the kitchen."
"I look forward to being well enough to taste it."
"Once the rest has cooled, I'll put it in containers and clean up. You should probably go back to bed after we've eaten."
"I have to find you bedding first," Mai said. "Besides, we could always watch something together if you want."
"These chairs aren't—"
"I mean we could sit on my bed," she mumbled, her cheeks flaring red. "Fully clothed," she added.
Oliver raised an eyebrow at her.
"You felt the need to add that last part?"
"I didn't want you to think I was trying to come on to you or anything!"
"You're ill, even if you were, I would rebuke said advances."
He took another bite of the bolognese.
"Just because I was ill?" Mai asked.
"Of course, your mental faculties are not optimum when ill. I would not want you to make a decision you might regret."
"And if I wasn't ill, would you rebuke my advances? I don't think I would regret it, you're smoking hot and I haven't even kissed anyone in years."
Mai stuffed her mouth with food before she could say another word. Oliver swallowed and tried not to look too bemused by her openness.
"Perhaps when your mental faculties are back in working order, we can have this conversation again," he said calmly.
Mai just shrugged.
They finished eating. Oliver washed up while Mai made a bed for him on the floor. They then retreated to her bedroom and continued to watch The Good Place until Mai once again fell asleep.
Oliver shut her laptop down and slipped out of the room. He passed the time until Lin arrived with his overnight bag by reading once again. Lin did not question the request, but dropped off the bag with little conversation.
Oliver changed into his pyjamas, climbed into the blow up bed and slept.
Mai woke up and groaned. Slowly, memories from the previous night came back to her. She felt hungover, though had not drunk any alcohol.
She stretched and sat up and was hit in the face with words she had most definitely said.
'I don't think I would regret it, you're smoking hot and I haven't even kissed anyone in years.'
"Oh no…"
Mai turned over and stuffed her face into a pillow. Then regretted the action as her nose began to run. She darted out of her bed and into the living area where she spotted a box of tissues. She had to half climb over Oliver's sleeping form to get to the tissues, but that was a small price to pay.
She blew her nose and sighed in relief.
Then Oliver cleared his throat.
She looked down, alarmed.
Not only were her legs straddling him — and the blow up bed — but he was topless. The blankets she had given him had pooled about his waist.
"Well I was right, you are smoking hot."
She slapped her hand over her mouth and ran back to her room. She dove under the covers and pulled them up over her head.
"Mai?"
She groaned.
"Mai can't come to the phone right now, please leave a message," she called out.
"I thought you might like the tissues," Oliver said. "I'll leave them on the end of your bed."
"Uh, right, thanks."
"I'm going to cook breakfast, I'll shout when it's ready."
"Did you… Did you hear what I said?" Mai asked quietly, hoping he would not hear her.
"Which bit?" Oliver asked.
"Uh—"
"But yes, I have heard every word both this morning and last night. I have a remarkable memory."
"That's great. I'm just going to die here, okay?"
"Okay."
Mai groaned again. She remained under the covers so long that she began to feel hot from the lack of oxygen. When it became unbearable, she pushed them back and sucked in fresh air.
She blew her nose again, then looked up at the sound of a knock on the door. Her mouth fell open. A half-naked adonis stood, leant against the door frame, one hand carefully ruffling his hair and the other holding a plate of smoked salmon and avocado on toast in the other.
Mai swallowed. Hard.
"You're doing this on purpose now," Mai accused, attempting for some bravado.
"Well when you react like that, can you blame me?"
"Go and put a shirt on."
"Once I've showered, I will."
Mai scowled and accepted the plate he offered her.
"Damn, you can tell you're rich. Who can afford avocados at our age…"
Oliver retrieved his own breakfast and then sat on the end of her bed.
They ate in relative silence, bar the occasional sneeze and subsequent nose blowing from Mai.
Oliver finished first.
"I presume you would like to remain in bed?"
"Well if you're going to insist on walking around half-naked then yes."
Oliver rolled his eyes.
"Is my body that's hideous?"
Mai scowled.
"That's not the problem and you know it," she muttered darkly.
"I mean, if you just kept your eyes on my face rather than ogling me like a piece of meat then perhaps you'd be having less trouble."
Mai scowled again, pushed her plate further down the bed and then flopped backwards.
"I give up."
"I'll get you a drink, seeing as you are so thirsty."
Mai made a strangled noise and Oliver chuckled.
He did make her a drink and provided her with more medicine.
"I'm going to shower and then I plan to do some of my university work. Lin dropped it off with some spare clothes."
"Oh, so you do have clothes?"
Oliver ignored her.
"If you want anything, just shout and I will retrieve it." He turned to leave, then thought better of it. "Actually, do you mind if I take a picture to send to my brother, so I have proof that I didn't just avoid him for the night?"
"What?"
"Do you mind if I take—"
"No, I heard you, I just don't understand why you want to take a picture now? You're not wearing anything and I am a mess! It's going to look—"
"You look fine."
Mai raised an eyebrow at him and he clarified.
"Well, considering you're ill." Oliver shrugged. "But he won't care. He'll be too shocked that I am actually taking care of a friend, I imagine."
"Are you just doing this, helping me I mean, just to prove something to your brother?" Mai asked.
"No, but it is fun to prove to him that I'm not a robot upon occasion… It makes him happy."
Mai sighed.
"Fine, take the damn photo."
Oliver moved around the bed and perched on the edge nearest Mai. She looked around to see him hold the camera selfie-style. She stuck her tongue out at it while he took the photo.
"Perfect," he said. "Do you want to check it?"
"No."
"I will send you a copy."
"Thanks," she deadpanned. Her phone buzzed a second later. She reached for it and unlocked it. "I look awful."
"You're ill, forgive yourself."
Mai grumbled and flicked through a few of her other messages. Oliver stood up and made to leave.
"Shout if you need anything."
Oliver showered, enjoying Mai's lavender body wash and strawberry shampoo and conditioner. He dressed in casual clothing, thoroughly aware that his choices all cost more than Mai's entire wardrobe.
He then proceeded to work on Mai's table, while she dozed in her bedroom. She appeared once or twice to use the toilet, but did not stop for conversation.
She properly woke up mid afternoon.
"Hey."
Oliver looked up from his workbook to see her standing in her bedroom doorway with bed hair and crumpled pyjamas.
"Hey."
"I'm starving, there's bolognese leftover right?" she asked.
"Yes, but I'll need to cook some pas—"
"It's okay, I'll do it," she insisted. "I'm feeling better for some sleep."
Oliver smiled and closed his textbook. He wiped his eyes and stretched upwards.
"Have you been sat there all morning?"
"Yes," he answered. "I've been quite productive. Usually I have my brother interrupting me every two minutes. I've enjoyed the peace and quiet."
"Well I'm glad my illness has provided some benefit."
Mai poured water into the kettle and flicked it on. As she measured out two portions of pasta and found a clean pan, she spoke up again.
"Look, I'm sorry about before. You're right, I shouldn't have ogled and—"
"It's fine."
"No, it's not. Staring is rude and my mother brought me up better than that," she insisted. "And as much as I want to stand here and blame you for being so damn attractive but I think that's classified as victim blaming and I won't stand for that."
Oliver smirked and stood up. He strode towards into the kitchen.
The kettle boiled, Mai tipped the water into the pan and dumped the pasta in after. She turned around and almost walked into Oliver's chest.
"Sorry!"
"So you think I'm attractive?"
Mai's cheeks flushed red.
"You know I do," she muttered with a scowl, pushing past him. "And you're just being mean now."
"Well, if you didn't react…"
"Now who's victim blaming."
Oliver chuckled.
"Do you plan on staying tonight as well?" Mai asked, plonking down into a chair.
"Well, if you have no objections. I will have to leave tomorrow as I have to work on Monday."
Mai sighed.
"I can't believe you genuinely prefer to stay here with a sick person and crappy internet and—"
"And peace and quiet and no one hassling me and amusement in the form of you…"
"Oi!" Mai pouted. "I'm sick, you're supposed to be nice to me."
Oliver shrugged.
"I cooked for you. I decided not to sue you for sexual harassment."
Mai just rolled her eyes.
"I know a lawyer," she said. "Who is very good at his job and would definitely win so…"
"Oh really. And you can afford his services?"
"He'd give them to me for free."
"Oh really, close friend, is he?"
Mai narrowed her eyes at Oliver.
"Yes," she said carefully. "Yes he is. Very close. Why? Are you jealous?"
Oliver scoffed.
"No."
"Oh really? Because you answered that question quite quickly…"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Mai laughed.
"You're a good actor huh," she said, standing up and returning to the hob to stir the pasta.
"Well I should hope so. It would be hard to sell things if I was not a good actor."
"Fair point," Mai conceded. "I think my customer service face is too obvious, but I'm not sure I care."
"Your customers move on so quickly, I'm not sure many will notice or care," Oliver said. "Besides, the reviews of your cafe are excellent."
Mai laughed.
"Yeah, because people check out google reviews for airport cafes… We're a chain. People come because they're familiar with the chain."
Oliver had no argument for that, but luckily, the pasta was almost done. He retrieved the tub of bolognese from the fridge and shoved it in the microwave.
"I can leave if you're uncomfortable with me being here."
"No, no, it's quite nice just having someone else here," Mai said with a sad smile. "You know, last time I was sick I just suffered alone. And I know it's a bit dramatic but if I had taken a turn for the worse… Well…" She shrugged.
"Why don't you live with other friends?"
"I did, but then they had to move because of work or they got boyfriends… I considered getting a bigger place and subletting but honestly the stress of finding someone that isn't a scumbag was just…"
"More effort than it's worth."
"Yeah, and I already struggle because I have a cat so…"
"Where is Luna? I haven't seen her all morning."
"Probably sleeping in my wardrobe," Mai said in an offhand manner. "She does that a lot…"
A faint vibration caught their attention.
"That'll be my phone," Mai mumbled. "Can you check the pasta? Drain it if it's ready."
She retreated into her room and returned a moment later reading something on her phone.
"Oh damn…"
"What is it?" Oliver asked as he began to portion out the food.
"Sarah just texted me, apparently Masako Hara just visited the cafe."
Oliver feigned ignorance.
"Who?"
"She's an actress. She did an interview a while back and hinted she's going to be in the Disgrace and Deception film! She wouldn't say any more than that, but I am so excited for it. She's such a great actress. Have you not heard of her? She was that film about people going to Mars…"
"The one that came out last year? Yes, I think I might have seen that," Oliver said with a slight frown. "My brother enjoys sci-fi films. Well, he enjoys most films."
"But yeah, she went into my cafe! And I missed it!"
Oliver brought the two plates of food to the table.
"You would like to meet her?"
"Well, yeah."
"What if she was a bitch?" Oliver asked, curious.
"She can be a bitch and still an amazing actress. I would still like to express to her my gratitude for her skill. Like, she's been in some other things I've watched and she makes me feel things, you know?"
"Fair enough. I've often found meeting your heroes is a mistake."
"Which hero of yours have you met?"
"An author of a textbook that I had enjoyed," Oliver revealed. "He had inspired me in his book, but in person… It was obvious he was jaded. He had lost enthusiasm for his subject. He disappointed me."
Mai nodded.
"Yeah. Sometimes it's hard to remember that these people we admire are humans too."
For the afternoon, Oliver continued working through maths problems, while Mai joined him at the table to edit her latest chapter. They were interrupted only by the occasional sneeze from Mai, and once or twice by Luna demanding attention.
By the evening, Mai was feeling a lot better. She insisted on cooking and Oliver had no objections. After dinner, they watched a film together.
"It's weird," Mai began as the credits rolled.
"What is?"
"Realistically, I think I've not known you all that long, and yet here I am, letting you stay over and watch films and… I don't know, it feels like I've known you ages. I guess I'm just comfortable around you."
"Yes, strictly speaking, letting some random man into your apartment might not have been the brightest idea you've had…"
"You're not some random man though."
Oliver looked around so fast he cricked his neck.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you know, it's like we discussed before. You've been seen on camera at the airport with me so often that I'm sure someone would figure it out if you kidnapped me or something. Besides, my friends all know that I met you."
"They do?"
"Yes, one of them even made fun of the fact that I put your name in as Oliver Gold-Dust…"
Oliver chuckled.
"I didn't know your real surname!" Mai protested.
"That's fair. I have you down as Mai Tea."
"How did you know my surname began with a T?"
Oliver frowned.
"I didn't," he said. "I mean Tea as in the drink."
"Oh… That makes more sense. Do you want to watch another film or head to sleep?"
"It's getting late," Oliver said. "I think we should sleep. I know you said you're feeling better, but you should still rest."
Mai rolled her eyes, but smiled nonetheless.
"Okay, I suppose you're right."
Author's note: EXTRA LONG CHAPTER because I'm so late! Sorry, I've been looking at apartments because I'm moving and life is hectic and I'm starting therapy and all the rest of it. So enjoy this and please review! I'm also thinking about what to write for NaNoWriMo... I might write something that is *not* an AU... #wild.
