sevika sighs loudly. the kind of sigh meant to be heard, meant to let you know she’s suffering.

“you’re pathetic,” she mutters, standing over your bed with her arms crossed. “absolutely pathetic.”

you sniffle, looking up at her with bleary eyes. “you brought me soup.”

“yeah, and i already regret it,” she huffs, setting the bowl down on the nightstand with a clatter. “d’you know how many things i could be doing instead of playing nurse? shit that actually matters?”

you smirk weakly. “and yet, here you are.”

her jaw tightens, but she doesn’t leave. instead, she sits down on the edge of the bed, grumbling under her breath as she reaches for the damp cloth she placed on your forehead earlier. she peels it off and replaces it with a fresh one, fingers lingering against your skin for a second too long.

you don’t miss the way her brows furrow when she feels the heat of your forehead.

“you’re burning up,” she mutters, almost to herself. then, louder, “didn’t i tell you not to go out last night? but no, you just had to be stubborn.”

you roll your eyes. “yeah, excuse me for wanting to have fun.”

sevika glares. “my point is, i don’t get sick.”

“sure.” you let your head sink further into the pillow, your voice coming out quieter now. “that’s why you were coughing all last week, huh?”

“tch.” she looks away, annoyed—probably more at the fact that you caught her in a lie than anything else.

silence settles between you for a moment. then, unexpectedly, she shifts closer. her hand, the real one, hesitantly brushes your cheek, checking your temperature again. the touch is rough, calloused—meant for throwing punches, not for this. and yet, she’s gentle.

you blink at her, caught off guard. “sevika…”

she immediately pulls back, scowling. “what?”

“you’re worried.”

her expression hardens. “no, i’m annoyed.”