the first thing kuroo notices is that you're suspiciously quiet.
normally, by the time he lets himself into your apartment, you'd already be greeting him from the kitchen or dramatically announcing that you were starving and he'd better have brought snacks.
instead, he finds you bundled beneath three blankets on the couch, looking like the world's grumpiest burrito.
you slowly peek over the edge of the blanket, nose pink, hair a mess.
you sniffle dramatically.
there's a beat of silence before kuroo smiles.
you point an accusing finger at him.
"because you'll get sick."
he shrugs, already kicking off his shoes.
he ignores you completely, dropping onto the couch beside you. the cushions dip under his weight before he gently pulls you into his chest.
"i literally have a fever."
he presses his cheek against your forehead.
"mm... yeah, you're warm."
you stare at him in disbelief.
you try pushing him away, but you're exhausted, your muscles ache, and honestly... he's warm.
he wraps the blanket around both of you like a cocoon.
he rubs slow circles across your back while you grumble under your breath.
"you're gonna regret this."
"future me can deal with it."
he gives you the most innocent smile you've ever seen.
before you can protest, he presses a tiny kiss to your forehead.
then the tip of your nose.
"that sounded like a confession."
he laughs quietly, the sound vibrating against your shoulder.
eventually your protests get weaker.
the medicine starts making you sleepy.
your head grows heavier until it naturally settles beneath his chin.
his fingers gently comb through your hair until your breathing evens out.
he doesn't move for nearly two hours.
not even when one of his legs falls asleep.
not even when his phone rings.
not even when his stomach starts growling.
because every now and then you'd unconsciously snuggle closer, and every single time, his heart melted all over again.
"achoo!" (but in a dad sneeze way)
you look up from your soup.
you slowly lower your spoon.
"...did you just sneeze?"
he coughs once into his elbow.
"...okay, maybe my throat feels a little weird."
"i specifically said not to cuddle me."
"and i definitely said not to kiss me."
you give him your best 'i told you so' look.
you try so hard not to smile.
he reaches over the couch to hug you again.
you immediately shove a pillow between you.
"where was this energy when you were sick?"
he pouts dramatically, wrapping both arms around the pillow instead.
you stare at him for a long moment.
he looks genuinely miserable.
his eyes light up instantly.
"only because i know you'll ignore me otherwise."
he practically launches himself across the couch before carefully settling beside you.
this time, you press a cool hand against his forehead.
he leans into your touch with a sleepy smile.
"can i have a forehead kiss?"
you sigh with exaggerated annoyance before leaning over and pressing the gentlest kiss against his forehead.
he grins like he'd just won the lottery.
"...next time, listen to me."
"there's gonna be a next time?"
"...i'm not answering that."
he smiles into your shoulder as the two of you settle beneath the blankets once more, both a little sniffly now, but perfectly content exactly where you were.
a/n: i'm sick and school starts tomorrow bro also i'm making a discord server everybody cheer