I know these are short and aren't even close to being my best work, but reviews/comments would still be greatly appreciated! Otherwise this'll probably just end up being a personal project/Tumblr or AO3 'exclusive' kind of thing.

Malinger

"To pretend or exaggerate incapacity or illness (as to avoid duty or work)."

Putting her earrings in and checking her makeup in the mirror one last time, Lucy finally turned away and switched off the light in the bathroom, ducking back into her shared bedroom. "Ready to go?" she asked, expecting to see her partner all dressed up and waiting for her to finish getting ready. Instead, she found her maroon-haired boyfriend curled up in bed with the comforter up to his chin. "Seriously?" she dead-panned.

Erik coughed. "I'm sick," he said, feigning weakness. "I can't go. Sorry."

Lucy sighed, setting her clutch back down on the dresser and making her way over to the bed. She knew Erik, probably a little more than he thought, and Lucy knew that Erik didn't get sick. She also knew that he hated her friends, and that he absolutely detested going to her office Christmas parties. Lucy wasn't really that fond of them either, but she was expected to be there, and by extension, so was her boyfriend. He also hated that.

She sat down on the edge of the mattress, gingerly laying her palm across Erik's forehead. "Oh, wow. You're really burning up," she murmured.

"Huh?"

She didn't answer before quickly ducking back into the bathroom to get her small medicine kit, pulling out the thermometer within. "Open up." She shoved the thermometer under his tongue when he went to no doubt question what she was doing or if it was necessary, then stared down at her watch while holding it there. After a minute, she pulled it back out and read the gauge, frowning down at it while Erik made an attempt to sit up and peer over her shoulder at it. "Hmm, running a little warm, too," Lucy mumbled. He wasn't, of course.

Erik sank back down under the covers, trying to pull them up higher despite Lucy keeping them in place. He really wasn't sure what was happening. He'd felt a little off that day, but really, he'd mostly just been wanting to try and trick Lucy into letting him stay home that year. He certainly hadn't expected his body to go along with it.

"I better call Erza and tell her we can't make it. I'm sure she'll understand."

"What? No," Erik spluttered, his voice cracking embarrassingly. He couldn't have Lucy stay home. Oh no. She was bound to find out it was a lie then. "No, you should… You should go," he said, watching as Lucy fished her phone out of her clutch. "I'll be fine. I'll just, y'know, sleep and shit."

Lucy shook her head. "No, that wouldn't be fair. I'd rather stay home and keep you company, make sure you're okay."

Erik grimaced. Lucy was too nice for him. He wasn't sure why she put up with him, but even if he was just a little glad that he'd be able to skip the party for that year, he was feeling guiltier by the second. Lying wasn't his favourite thing in the world, at least not when it involved his girlfriend.

Putting her phone away, Lucy sighed and smiled back at Erik before returning to his side. She had him, she knew she did. "Well, I guess that's that!"

"Yeah…" Erik mumbled.

"Do you want me to make you something to eat? Or do you just want to rest."

"Uh, I think… maybe I'll just rest…" If he was asleep, he couldn't be caught out. Lucy nodded and then leant down, and Erik went to turn away at the last second when he realised she'd been trying to kiss him. "Oh, no, don't—I don't want you to get—"

"I'll give you fifteen minutes to get out of bed and get dressed," Lucy murmured against his cheek. Erik's eye went wide, and Lucy couldn't help the slight chuckle that came from her lips as she pressed a kiss to his cheek before sitting back up. "Nice try, hun. You can't get out of socialising that easily."