The start of a fic inspired by my current circumstances...
Really, It's Just Allergies
I said yes to the park. It had been rainy recently and allergies had been tolerable, almost non-existent on rainy days. I still took my allergy meds before we left, but the 'doctor prescribed' ones stayed on the counter since cedar season had ended.
It was a nice park, lake, wildlife, jogging path with benches. As I got in the car I rubbed my nose, surprised at how itchy it was. Still, Im sure it would be fine with allergy meds. As we got driving I automatically switched the air to recirculate in the car instead of introducing more from outside. The ride was nice, holding hands, only occasionally having to bring up my other hand to rub my nose. I could feel you watching me, which was fine, I liked that... as long as you kept your eyes mainly on the road, obviously.
As soon as we arrive I see the leaves blowing in the wind and my nose gives an involuntary twitch. It can't be that bad. I step out of the car and immediately change my mind on that assumption. A pair of sneezes bend me double. I feel your hand rub my back.
As I look up you can see my eyes already watering, the tip of my nose pink, and I have a finger pressed under my nose covering how wet the sneezes were.
"Oh baby, maybe we should just go home"
You take a tissue from your pocket and move my hand so you can wipe my nose.
"Really, it's okay. Im sure meds will kick in soon."
For the moment I actually believe what I say. You hand me the tissue so I can quietly blow my nose and throw it in the trash as we walk. It really is beautiful here. We sit down on our favorite bench by the track. A perfect view of the lake and willow trees surrounding it. I see the wind steadily blow the long branches over the lake and I can tell my nose is definitely not satisfied. Thankfully no joggers are running past as I cup my hands over my nose.
"Heh' H'TSHOOO eHTSCIEW!" I keep my hands tightly cupped around my nose as my breath hitches more, "heh' eh' eH' ASHIEWW heh AT'CHSHOOOOooo!"
"Goodness! Blesss you baby!"
I feel you dab a tissue gently under my eyes before hugging me close and pressing the tissue into my steepled palms.
I use the tissue to mainly clean my hands and dab at my nose as I lower my head onto your shoulder.
"Poor girl", you take a hand and place it gently on my forehead.
"It's just allergies babe. Everything itches. My nose, by eyes, by throadt, by ears." Congestion builds with almost every word.
"You're a little warm I think. I dont want to keep you out here too long in case you're coming down with something."
You place another tissue into my hand. I give in to blowing my nose. A steady stream of mucous gurgles out causing me to blush.
"I'b snffff, ugh, okay really"
Your eyes still show concern, but your arm wraps gently around my shoulder as you say," Okay. But if you start feeling too bad or want to go home, then we leave."
You try to make conversation but can tell my mind is elsewhere. Really, Im trying to listen and respond but this buzz in my nose is driving me insane. I try quietly sniffing and rubbing as the itch moves down the bridge of my nose. Then it hits just inside the rim of my nostrils and I realize Im going to sneeze and it's going to be big. A jogger is about to round right in front of us, unaware they will be directly in the blast radius. I take a huge breath in, my head tilts back. And just as Im about to let everything loose you pull me in, directing my body to face you.
"HAH'AAAAT'CHUUUU eH'TSHIEW eh eHTSCIEW 'TCHIEW eh' heh' hEH'HSHIEWWW ah' ahhh' AHHH' AHHH'TCHOOOooo!"
"Oh sweetie, blesss you!" You say it with such care in your voice. Another person walking in our direction also says, "Wow, bless you!"
I nod my thanks and then sniffle hiding my head under your neck.
Im a little surprised when you push me back some. Oh goodness, I was so focused on the relief that I had forgotten what we must look like. I view your shirt, which was once a solid color. Now it has dark spots of varying sizes all over it. You tilt my head up but Im not ready to meet your eyes after that spectacular showcase from my nose. Your thumb gently swipes away tears from my eyes before pulling my head close again for a slow and tender forehead kiss. Your kindness just about breaks me for some reason. Suddenly Im pulled into your lap with my head protected under yours.
"Its okay baby, I got you. Just sneeze if you need to".
My brain hadn't caught up to my twitching flaring nostrils. The relief had been short lived and that pollen was determined to wreak havoc on my nose. You keep my head pressed into your collar bone as I let out a smaller series of sneezes, my head bending with every sneeze. You bless each of the first few sneezes and then just hold me as you try and wrestle another tissue from your pocket. I had given up on my drippiness and it feels so good as you cup a tissue to my nose. At this point I've forgotten everything around us, solely focused on the itch that just will not leave my poor nose alone. I hear you whisper in my ear to blow, but that immediately triggers another couple sneezes. However, then the itchiness finally recedes. I sigh and collapse against you as you quietly whisper the sweetest 'bless you' into my hair.
I chuckle which starts me coughing before I give a congested. "Yes blease."
In the car you hand me tissues as I sneeze and sneeze and sneeze some more, trying not to spray all over your car. Id like to think Im partially successful in this mission but your dashboard suggests otherwise. As you bless me, I feel your hand on my forehead again.
"I told you I'b nod sigk." I know I sound less than convincing, but allergies do like to emerge at the least convenient of times.
"Your fever says otherwise."
"Baybe your hand is jusd cold." You roll your eyes and hand me a tissue that I empty my nose into. But there it is again- that sharp prickling sensation inside along the bridge of my nose.
"ehh eHHH HEHH HAH'AAAAT'CHUUUUuuu HEH' HA'AA'SHIEWWWWWwww!"
How could I have just blown my nose and still made such a mess of the crumpled up tissue and my hands.
"Bless you baby." Another clean tissue appears in my hand and I wonder how many you have stashed in places for me.
"Thags. Sorry." I feel bad for ruining your plans but your hand softly caresses my leg.
"There's nothing to apologize for love. We get sick, it's not your fault. Now, let's get you home and into bed and see if we can get that fever down." I nod and settle my head against the window. It feels so cool and amazing. So maybe I do have a cold... but Im sure it's just a small one.