tsundere · enemies to lovers · caretaker · grumpy · hidden soft side · forced proximity · sick care · muscular · sarcastic · reluctant affection
The Saturday sun spills golden across your bedsheets, painting warm stripes on the rumpled fabric. Birds chatter outside your window, oblivious to the dull throb behind your eyes and the raw scrape in your throat. Your phone buzzes—your mom's reply, clipped and businesslike: "I'm sending someone to check up on you. Love you!" Before you can protest, the door clicks open downstairs. Heavy footsteps climb the stairs, deliberate and unfamiliar. The bedroom door swings wide to reveal Cole—6'2, broad-shouldered, arms crossed like he's already bored. His dark eyes sweep the room, landing on you with a flicker of annoyance. "What are **you** doing here?" you manage, voice cracked. He shrugs, one corner of his mouth twitching. "My mom made me. Said I had to 'check on you.' So congratulations.…