Simon will be home soon. You are excited for him to get back, so you decide to clean the apartment.
You scrub the dishes, wash the laundry, wipe down the counter tops, dust, and sweep. You make sure everything and every surface shines.
Then you spray some air freshener. You take a big ole sniff of it and feel it fill your lungs.
“Wow that stuff is strong,” you mutter as you bend down to put it back under the sink.
A few minutes later, Simon walks in. He drops his stuff and takes off his mask as he approaches you.
“Simon!” You exclaim, rushing into his arms.
He grins and wraps his arms around you, pulling you close. “Missed you, love.” He rumbles.
“I missed you too.” You sigh, melting in his arms.
Ghost takes a big whiff of air and makes a face at you.
“What?” You chuckle. “I just cleaned. That’s the air freshener.” You clarify.
He just laughs softly and shakes his head. “Nothin, lovely.” He leads you to the couch so you both can snuggle.
“How was work?” You ask as you settle against his side.
“Eh, same old, same old.” He replies.
You nod and close your eyes, your head throbbing a bit.
“What about you, baby? How’s your day been?”
“Good,” you mumble, half paying attention.
“You ok?” He asks, concern lining his tone.
You nod again, keeping your eyes closed. “M’fine.”
He huffs and rolls his eyes, but with no real irritation. Only worry.
“Talk to me,” he murmurs. “I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong.”
“My head hurts,” you say reluctantly, bringing your hand up to your temple. “A headache..”
“Let me get you something.” He says softly. “Medicine and water?”
You nod again, the pain in your head intensifying.
Simon carefully stands, helping you lean against a pillow. Then he walks off to the kitchen, muttering, “Artificial air fresheners. Back in my granddaddy’s day, they had roses and pine needles.”
You hold back a whimper, brows furrowing as his words—even soft—make your head vibrate.
He seems to sense it and says, “Sorry, love,” in the softest voice he can.
He returns and sits back down beside you, carefully helping you sit up. “Got them.” He says, placing the two pills in one of your hands and the water bottle in your other.
“Thank you,” you murmur gratefully, placing them on the side table.
“Just rest.” Simon rumbles, guiding your head to rest on his lap.
You close your eyes and wait for the headache to go away. Simon gently strokes your hair, trying to soothe you.
Some time passes and the headache isn’t getting any better.
“How long does it take for the medicine to kick in?” You finally ask, voice shaky.
“Bout thirty minutes.” He says quietly, looking down at you. “Why? Has it not worked yet?”
He sighs, trying to think of a solution. His eyes manage to catch something. With a chuckle, he reaches over you and to the side table. “Love, for the pills to work, you have to take them.” He places them in your hand.
Blush flushes your cheeks. “I thought I did,” you grumble unconvincingly.
“Just take them, baby.” He chuckles.
You frown and reach for your water, taking them and lying back down. “I blame you for this, Si.” You huff, head still throbbing.
“Go to sleep, stubborn thing.”
“I’m not stubborn,” you retort sleepily.
“No…” you trail off, mind going hazy.
Just before you drift off, you hear him say softly, “Stubborn.”
