Void zone, time warp?

"Yes." Li Mei answered.

With no other way to check, Derek took a step forward and placed his palm on Li Mei's smooth forehead.

Her eyes widened as she glanced at him, only to see his eyes closed. They stood so close that she could inhale his scent.

"What are you doing?" she queried softly.

"Checking if you have a fever because I have not seen anyone as stupid as you," Derek scowled, but he wasn't about to go unfettered.

"Oh, I'm stupid huh, where did I see a man who almost died because he couldn't judge his strength and went to rescue his cat from a building guarded by rank two Protectors?" 

Li Mei's words shot straight into his heart, causing Derek to cough in embarrassment. "Why does this conversation seem weird?" He mused.

They both stood really close, and he knew that with one more step, he would feel the soft marshmallows that defied gravity.