"I need cough syrup"

Last week you had a pretty annoying nighttime cough. You would be coughing for 20-30 minutes non-stop in your sleep. We started giving you cough syrup during the day and within a few days,  the cough was gone. And so we stopped giving you cough syrup. 

Here's the conversation you and I had in the bathroom yesterday. 

Zac: I need cough syrup. Could I have cough syrup, please?

Me: No, you don't. 

Zac: I do. Yes, yes, I do need cough syrup. 

Me: You don't need cough syrup, Zachary. You're not coughing. 

Zac: (not missing a beat) *cough cough* I coughing now. I do need cough syrup. 

Fantastic.