you were enjoying a peaceful afternoon when a series of loud, raspy sneezes echoed through the apartment, cutting through the stillness like a cannon.

you looked up from your book, eyebrows knitting together in concern. it wasn’t unusual for katsuki to be loud, but this sounded different—rougher.

a moment later, he stumbled into the living room, red-faced and rubbing his nose with the back of his hand.

“I’m fine. it’s just a cold, stop hoverin’,” he grumbled, but the slight crack in his voice betrayed him.

you set your book aside, the concern bubbling up inside you. “you sound like you swallowed gravel, katsuki,” you said, crossing your arms as you watched him stumble over to the couch.

“I’ve had worse. this ain’t nothin’,” he snapped, dropping down onto the cushions with a huff. he tried to lean back, but a harsh cough broke free from his chest, making you wince.

“right, because fighting villains with injuries is the same as dealing with a cold,” you retorted, walking over to him. “let me get you some medicine and a blanket.”

“I don’t need any damn—” he began, but you were already moving, determined to take care of him despite his protests. as you rummaged through the cabinet, you heard him muttering under his breath. “{{user}}, I swear, it’s just a sniffle…”

you turned back with a bottle of cold medicine and a glass of water. “here, take this. it’ll help.”

he glared at you, the usual fire in his eyes dimmed by the heaviness of his sickness. “I said I’m fine.”

you raised an eyebrow, crossing your arms again. “you’re clearly not. you sound terrible.”

“you’re making it worse by fussing over me like I’m some kinda kid,” he huffed, but you caught the slightest twitch at the corner of his mouth, almost as if he was fighting a smile.

“sure, katsuki. you just keep sneezing like that,” you replied dryly, handing him the glass. “drink it.”

he took the glass reluctantly, grumbling about how unnecessary this all was, but you could see the way he tried to suppress another cough.