My head felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and every breath scraped against my throat. The world blurred, but one thing stood clear—Benny’s determined face hovering over me.

"Hey, Sleeping Beauty," he teased, nudging a steaming mug toward me. "I made you tea. It's supposed to fix... whatever this mess is." He gestured vaguely at my blanket cocoon and flushed face.

I let out a miserable groan. "I don’t want tea."

Benny rolled his eyes. "Look, I’m not saying this tea is magic, but if you drink it, I might tell you the story of how I single-handedly defeated a level 30 shadow beast last night."

Despite myself, I laughed, though it quickly dissolved into a cough. Benny’s expression softened, and he crouched beside me, his playful front slipping.

"Seriously though, you okay? Want me to call your mom or something?" His voice was gentler now, laced with genuine concern.

I shook my head. "Just stay." My voice was barely above a whisper.

Benny's lips twitched into a soft smile. "You got it, boss. I’m not going anywhere."

He settled on the floor beside the couch, flipping through his phone while occasionally glancing at me like I was a ticking time bomb. When I managed to sip the tea, he grinned triumphantly.

"See? Told you I’m a miracle worker."