"Yes, fine." Even he doesn't know if that's a lie or not. It's just one sneeze, but one sneeze could be harmless dander or the beginning of one of his bouts of illness.

There's no comment on the pet-name. Used to it. So many people he grew up with that all somehow have pet-name rights.

He follows once more, wrinkling his nose to hopefully stifle whatever sneeze might want to follow. Past that, he awaits direction.