Marilyn takes a chance

[Glory]

This is my first fiction ever and in turn my first time writing a female on female pairing. I'm a straight female who has my own questioning moments regarding my sexuality. But anyway TMI! Oh and I'm a long time lurker but not a first time poster.

This story has some bad language. Also I'm not from Boston and I don't know anything much about Boston but I set this story in Boston. Pretty, pretty, pretty dumb.

Part 1

Marilyn had never hooked up with a girl before. She’d thought about it more than a few times but had never had the opportunity. In her twenty-four years on this earth she’d been in three long-term relationships that had spanned the majority of her adult life. The most recent relationship had ended four weeks ago. Or well, they’d decided to “take a break” whatever that meant. It probably meant that Greg was bored of her. Hell she was bored of him, too.

She had decided she was through with men. She was though with feeling neglected. She was through with emotional detachment. Maybe she was just really bad at picking mates. It seemed like every guys she dated would slowly but surely turn into the type of boyfriend she didn’t want after approximately 2 years. She’d then hang on for another year hoping things would get better. They never did.

So maybe, she thought, it isn’t the guys I’m picking. It’s just the fact that they are male. Men, Guys, Boys. Children! Babies! Men are immature insensitive scum. Women are soft. Supple and voluptuous. Opposite of scum.

Did she dare to try? It was something she'd always wanted but could never have due to a string of overlapping relationships and a strict "no cheating" mantra.

It really just seemed so daring. Would a chick be able to tell that it was her first time hitting on another chick? For a split second she felt like she’d be an awkward mess. Like she may as wear a big sign that said “Hello My Name Is: Virgin.” It was almost enough to dissuade her. Almost. “Oh so what” she said aloud “If I hit on a girl and it goes badly I never have to see her again. It will be a funny story for her to tell her friends and something I take to my grave. Big deal.” She sat at her vanity and gazed into her own blue-grey eyes. Her heart shaped face was framed with a roof of dark chocolate colored bangs which she finger-combed and fluffed along with the rest of her straight waist length hair. Her skin was smooth and creamy with a natural blush in her slighty chubby cheeks. She rarely wore make-up simply because she didn’t need it. “But for serious what broad wouldn’t want to get with this?” she mused.

After much thought into what one might wear when picking up a woman for the first time, she settled on a plum colored a-line mini dress with a wide collar and a deep v neck. She clasped a wide black belt with a circular buckle just below her bust. She finished up the look with black cropped leggings and black ballet flats. She looked fabulous if she did say so. The dress showed off her curvy shape. She grabbed a black clutch bag and threw essentials into it. “One last thing” she muttered as she grabbed for her laptop. She googled ‘Gay bars near Boston’. After reading a couple of reviews she scribbled down and address and reached for her phone. “Hello I need a taxi” she said, and proceeded to rattle off her address and her destination.

Thirty minutes later she stood in front of the bar.

Go in. Go in. Go in. Take a chance! Be ballsy! You can do this.

With a deep breath and a silent affirmation of her value she grabbed the door handle. The bar was mostly empty which was to be expected on a Tuesday night. She wanted to go on a night when she knew the scene would be beat.

In Marilyn’s mind the only people in the bar at that moment were either: A. regulars having an after work drink, B. lonely and/or depressed or C. people who don’t have to work tomorrow aka college students. Any of these types were acceptable for a first time pick up run in her book. Regulars will be used to being hit on. Lonely people will just be happy for some conversation. College students are young, fun and rowdy.

She walked up to the bar and took a seat while casually casing the joint. There was a small group of three girls sitting at one of the many tables in the back. There was a skinny redhead sipping wine two stools away from her. The bored looking bartender was playing with her phone. The tiny blonde eventually peeked over her phone. “Shit! How long you been sittin’ there doll?” she drawled “I’m awful sorry honey what can I get you?”.

Marilyn smirked “shot of J&B and a Yeungling, please. And not long. Not sitting here long I mean”. In about thirty seconds the shot was poured and the beer bottle popped and slid onto the bar. “You’re fast” the brunette said dumbly and cursed herself for talking.

God can you be a little more boring?

The 5 foot bartender seemed not to notice. She gave a crooked smile “I’m fast in a lotta ways boo if you catch my drift. So what brings you here on such a slow night?” she asked. Marilyn couldn’t answer right away.

What brings me here tonight? She thought. Sexual confusion? Hatred of men? Boredom with the male species?

“Just needed to get out of the house.” She answered honestly. “Where are you from? You don’t sound like a ‘Yankee’” She joked. “Nah I reckon I don’t” the blonde giggled “I’m from Hot-lanta. Came up here for love and that didn’t work out. I kinda found a new love in Boston. Ya know just for the city and stuff” she said. “I’m not from around here myself” Marilyn admitted “I went to Umass and stayed for the ambiance, same as you”. Marilyn had been sipping her beer during this conversation without touching her shot. “Bottoms up” she said, mostly to herself and downed the whisky. The tiny blonde was down at the other end of the bar leaning in and flirting with the cute redhead.

Marilyn was thinking to herself that maybe this all was a bad idea when the barmaid returned and said “The young lady over there would like to buy you another round. By the way my name’s Casey so we don’t be all informal, ‘kay?” Marilyn blinked.

A woman just bought me a drink. Fan-fucking-tastic!

She shyly glanced down the bar. “Thank you. You know we could try each moving over one stool and maybe get a little closer to one another?” she said tentatively. The ginger haired lady smirked and stood, moving over two stools. “I’m more chivalrous than all that” she stated firmly. She extended her small hand “I’m Stevie. And before you ask, no it’s not short for anything. Just Stevie.” Marilyn couldn’t help smiling as she shook this bold girls hand. “Parents big Fleetwood Mac fans?” the brunette guessed. Stevie laughed out loud “Yeah. I was this close to being named ‘Gypsy’ or ‘Rhiannon’” she joked.

Marilyn and Stevie got to know each other but kept the conversation light. Casey the bartender made occasional chit-chat with them while getting their drinks. Stevie was a regular and a master pick-up artist and Casey knew to back off this new brunette slice. The red head was on her third glass of red wine and Marilyn had done three shots before settling on nursing her beers. “You seem new at this. Talking to girls in a romantic sense I mean” the redhead said frankly “Are you a convert?” she said with laughing eyes. Marilyn flushed.

She can tell shit shit shit.

“Is it that obvious?” she groaned and laid her head on her arm. Stevie smirked and started to answer but was side tracked. Her bright green eyes stared straight in front of her, seemingly at the row of liquor bottles. Marilyn’s gaze went from the wall where Stevie stared and back to her first lesbian flirting partner.

Could it be? Could I be so lucky? Is she going to… Oh good lord she is.

Stevie was completely encompassed by the building sneeze taking over her entire body. Marilyn took the opportunity to really check the girl out. She was wearing a gauzy cream colored off-the-shoulder dress with a black corseted leather vest tightly laced over her bosom. The dress just brushed the tops of her knees. Low black gladiator sandals were strapped to her feet. Marilyn could tell she had about four inches and thirty pounds on her companion. Not that Mar was big or even chunky; Stevie was just very short and slender. Her long red hair was all one length with a natural wave. Her bare slender shoulders raised and lowered with the gentlest of hitches. Her small chest slowly filled with air. Her thin ginger colored eyebrows knitted together. There was a spray of freckles over her twitching turned up nose. A very breathy “huuuuhhh” escaped. Her tiny hand was stuck at half-mast between the bar top and her face. “huh-APT-choooo *blink blink* huh-APPPPT-chooo ohhhh excuse me.” Marilyn could have melted into a puddle of goo on that stool. She was awestruck.

Say something idiot.

“Um Bless You…” she mumbled.

“Sorry” Stevie sniffled, reaching into her bag for a pocket pack of Kleenex “After three glasses of red wine my allergies start to bother me, which is why I usually only drink red wine here on dead nights like this where I don’t anticipate meeting anyone new or interesting. Why-oh-why did you have to show up here when I would be a mess?” She giggled and batted her eyelashes while covering her nose with a few tissues. She gave her nose a dainty blow. The brunette didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t exactly comfortable with talking about sneezing. She was uncomfortable even blessing people.

So what, she thought. I’m a new person tonight. A person who takes chances. A girl who picks up girls. Bless her idiot. Every single sneeze. This is a dream come true.

“So why do you drink red wine if it makes you sneeze?” Marilyn asked, smiling shyly.

“Well because I like it damn it!” The red head said in a forceful yet good natured tone. “Truthfully a little sneezing doesn’t get me down. I have 2 cats and guess what? Allergic.” Marilyn couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

Oh I am most definitely Bi. Why did I wait so long to explore this? Never mind this existential crisis crap; there is a beautiful allergic girl in front of you. Don’t think so much Mar, jeez.

“That’s cool” Marilyn said, because she didn’t know what else to say “Not that you have allergies or anything because that sucks but I mean that you like cats that much to suffer for them.. I mean.. Yeah it’s cool. I like cats too.”

Stevie burst out laughing at the brunette’s awkward rambling display. “Aw hun you’re such a cute nervous dyke newbie” she giggled.

Marilyn sighed “I’m sorry. I..” She trailed off because she could tell Stevie was winding up for another sneeze or two.

She is so beautiful. Maybe it never worked out with any of the boys because none of them had allergies. Or boobs. Well Greg kind of had boobs but those were moobs.

Stevie had long build-ups with lots of tortured facial expressions. Marilyn was transfixed. The red head brought the back of her hand up to her face and attempted to half-stifle three sneezes “huh-NNGT-chooo huh-NNNGXT-chooo HA-ATCCCH-choo” but the last one got away from her. Stevie must have anticipated the force of the third sneeze because she quickly moved her face from her hand into the crook of her elbow for that one only. “Bless you times three. You know you shouldn’t do that, it’s bad for you. Hold them in I mean” Marilyn felt heat in her face. This was more than she’d ever spoken out loud about sneezing. Ever. Sneezing was just an awkward topic for her. You’d think something that fascinated her and made her feel good would be a favorite topic of conversation.

Why do I have to be so god-damned repressed? I like this. This chick readily engages in activities that cause her to sneeze so she’d most likely be into the idea of someone being into her sneezes.

“I know it’s not the best way to sneeze. Sometimes when I drink wine they just get so intense I feel like I should hold them in rather than be all loud and obnoxious. Especially while flirting with an adorable new friend” she winked and paused to lightly blow her nose “I’m sure right now I’m less than adorable but I’d like to think that I’m interesting enough to hold your interest despite being a snot factory”

Oh darlin’ if you only knew how interesting I find everything about you…

“You are way more than adorable sweetheart. I may be new at this but I am really glad that I decided to come into this bar tonight.” Marilyn admitted “I’ve never tried this before. I’ve always had an interest in women but I never acted on it until tonight.” She glanced over and saw that Stevie was winding up again.

“I’m li-listen.. huh-HASCH-oooo listening HISSSH-oooo I pruh-promise.. Etttchoo Jeez” the slender girl blew her newly pink nose a little more harshly this time and rubbed upwards with the heel of her palm. “Aw bless you hun” Marilyn cooed, “Are you feeling bad? If you feel like going home, don’t let me keep you” honest concern showed in her stormy blue-gray eyes. Stevie smiled bashfully. “I’m probably going to head home and take some benedryl and knock out in a bit” she stated truthfully “But I’d love to get your number so we can have a proper date. With less sneezing and more getting to know you, getting to know all about you” she sing-songed.

“Honey you can sneeze all you want as long as you want to get to know me” Marilyn giggled, shocked that she could even say that sentence aloud.

I am talking about sneezing. I am setting up a date and joking about sneezing with a gorgeous girl. Is this real life?

Stevie took Marilyn’s phone off the bar and punched in her own number. “Text me so I’ll have yours” she said, smiling shyly “Not ah-again…. Hhuuuuh Oh red wine, how y-you hate me haaaaa-ATCH-uh huh-iiiiiishoooo *sniff sniff*” The red head’s phone buzzed.

Unknown Number: Bless You <3

“You know what? The night is still premature at best. Would you like to come back to my apartment and watch a movie? I live just a couple blocks from here. I assume you don’t have to get up early tomorrow considering you came into a bar on a Tuesday night” Stevie said with a smile. The brunette thought about it.

Just because I’m going back to her place doesn’t mean anything will happen. She’s not a DUDE obviously. I doubt she will try to get into my pants this early. Honestly I’m not ready for all that. And for the record, I would want to go back to her house and watch a movie with her, sneezing or not.

“I’d love to, if you’re feeling up to it” Marilyn said eagerly, she hoped not too eagerly. She didn’t want to seem desperate.

Stevie didn’t notice “Oh I’ll take some non-drowsy benedryl, although it still makes me sleepy” she admitted, “Non-drowsy my ass!”

Marilyn giggled and made eye contact with Casey. The little blonde had been messaging on her phone and waiting on the only other group in the bar for the past couple of hours. She looked utterly bored and sprang over to settle out their check.

“How’s everything dolls? Y’all gonna head out?” she gave them a knowing glance and winked.

“Get your mind out of the gutter Blondie, we’re just a couple of new friends, got it?” Stevie said, though she was half joking.

Stevie knew that her new brunette friend was new to dating women. She was going to take it slow and see where things went. She wasn’t going to get her hopes up. She wouldn’t be making any moves especially not with her nose’s current defiant status. Watching a movie and taking benedryl and having a chat with a new friend were the only activities she had planned for that evening. They settled out the tab and left Casey a generous tip. The walk to Stevie’s apartment was pleasant. The air was slightly cool and they chatted about the neighborhood. Stevie peppered the conversation with 5 sneezes, 3 of them stifled, to which Marilyn clucked her tongue with half joking disapproval.

“This is it” Stevie stopped in front of a three story brick building. It was a strong, old three family house with several stained glass windows and a tall stoop. Marilyn gripped the wrought iron railing and admired the front garden as Stevie dug into her giant hobo bag for her keys. The jingling stopped abruptly and Marilyn already knew why before hearing or seeing any evidence. Stevie had a hazy concentrated expression on her childlike face.

I’m just now realizing that I decided to go home with a woman and I don’t even know how old she is. Or what she does for a living. What did we even talk about for nearly 2 hours? God I am so easily distracted by a couple of sneezes I would have followed her into a meat grinder.

“huhetchhhoooo hhuuuuh… haa-ETCH-shoooo”

The brunette smiled “Bless you”

“Thanks. There’s unfortunately not going to be a break in the allergy show for a bit I’m afraid” Stevie said, looking sheepish “The benedryl probably won’t kick in for a half hour. I’m allergic to my cats but only lightly. But I’m sure my wine-tastic evening will kick the kitty sneezin’ up a few notches” she joked as she unlocked the door. The brunette smiled “Don’t worry about it hun, you don’t have to keep putting yourself down about having allergies.”

I LIKE IT! Keep it up forever. FOR-EV-ER. Okay Sandlot quoter hush. Stop thinking so much. Enjoy this evening. Ask her questions. Find out more about her.

They walked up to the second floor and Stevie unlocked another door. They walked into a museum of an apartment. “Oh wow” Marilyn said softly. All of the furniture looked antique. There were paintings everywhere and knick-knacks and sculptures and buddahs. The place was a mix of hippie chic, artsy and vintage/antique. It was awesome. “You are waaaaay cooler than me” Marilyn said, awed by the place. Stevie blushed “I doubt that. My mom has always been really into antiques and weird stuff and it kind of rubbed off on me”

“Hey I don’t want to be rude or anything but I never asked, how old are you?” the brunette tried to guess while waiting for her answer. She pegged the red head at twenty-two.

“I’m twenty-seven” Stevie said grudgingly. “I hate to even say that number out loud it sounds so old to me”

Marilyn laughed “First of all twenty-seven is not old, second I guessed you at twenty-two on looks alone so if I were you I wouldn’t worry. How old do you think I am?”

The red head cocked her head and scrunched up her face “mmmmmmmm twentyyyy…. Four?”

“Impressive, right on the nose. Although I’m sad that I don’t look younger than I am” Marilyn pretended to pout.

“Oh you look gorgeous sweetie, hush. Now, make yourself at home. I’m going to take my drugs and make us some tea.” With that the little red head disappeared behind a beaded curtain and into what Mar assumed was the bedroom. ‘Making herself at home’ the brunette filled the teapot and set it on the stove.

She sat down at the kitchen table and admired the Tiffany inspired hanging lamp above the little dinette set. She heard three stifled sneezes “nnngxt, nnngxst, nnngxt” followed by a honking blow and running tap water. Stevie came into the room and Marilyn noticed for the first time that night that her green eyes looked puffy and weary. She was wearing a pair of yellow shorts and a plain white tee. She had pulled her hair into a messy bun and she had bright pink knee high socks on. “Sorry that I’m all comfy. If you’d like to change too I can get you some sweats” she said sheepishly “Honestly after all that wine I’m incredibly itchy and just had to get into something less binding. If it was just sneezing I could handle it but eventually I turn into a big itch-ball”

Why does she have to be so cute? Why did it take so long for me to try dating women?

“Don’t worry about me. I’m comfy enough. I also put up the water for tea. Where do you keep your mugs?” Marilyn rose. Stevie started to protest but Mar put her hands on her dainty shoulders and gently pushed her back in her seat. “You just sit and let your medicine start working. I want you to feel better.” Stevie gave a small smile and pointed at the cabinet above the stove. “And the tea and sugar?” More pointing.

They sat bobbing their teabags in and out of the steaming water when an awkward silence hit them for the first time since meeting at the bar. “So” Marilyn broke the spell “What do you do for a living” A boring, generic question in the grand scheme of things but it was something to talk about. Stevie sighed “I work a shitty boring office job to pay the bills. But my passion has always been in the arts. I’ve studied ballet for sixteen years but I’ll never be good enough to be a professional d-dancer. Huuuh huh-etch! *sniff* I play guitar and sing and write my own songs but I’ll never do anything with that either. Sorry if this answer was T-M-I” the smaller girl looked embarrassed.

“Of course not doofus” Marilyn said, not unkindly “I asked you because I want to know you. And bless you”

Stevie grinned and said “I’m glad you came into the bar tonight. What do you do for a living and, keeping theme with my TMI answer, if it’s not your passion then what is?”

Marilyn thought for a few seconds “Well I also work a shitty boring office job to pay the bills. As far as passions go? I love animals and would have loved to become a vet or even a vet tech. I have 4 cats that are like my children. I ride horses for fun but I used to ride competitively. I also sing but I’ll never do anything with it either.” Stevie was smiling shyly. “What?” Marilyn asked, hopefully she didn’t sound defensive.

“You are just adorable, that’s all. Can I ask you, are you really interested in girls? I mean I can tell you’re a rookie. I just don’t want to be barking up the wrong tree, you know? I don’t want to fall for you and then find out you are ‘confused’ or ‘don’t know what you want’. I’m sorry if I’m being too blunt, I’ve just had that happen to me before and it hurts” the smaller girl looked down as she said the last part. Marilyn felt warm inside “Well if it helps, I want to punch whomever it was that hurt you. I know I don’t have any lesbo street cred. But honestly? I am interested in you. I don't know anything if we're speaking long-term but I wouldn't know that even if you were a dude. I do want to take things slow, if that’s okay.”

Stevie had a familiar foggy expression on her face. Her normally pale alabaster skin was becoming quite flushed as the evening wore on. “huuuuh huh-APPPT-chooo haaa-attchoooo *sniffle* “Bless you”

“Ugh sorry. Of course it’s okay to take things slow!” Stevie beamed despite her obvious discomfort. “So how would you like to head into the living room and watch a movie?”

To Be Continued

[Pearlised]

This is very sweet

[Rolling Rebel]

This is really good, interesting idea for a story too. Please continue!

[foreverajerseygirl]

Gulp...yes...please continue!!!

[Guest dancingcolors]

Ohhhh this is AMAZING!! More, more!!!

[Chanel_no5]

Ohh, can't believe I missed this! It's great, please do continue!!

[Skiffy]

This is a great story

[Butch]

Glory - I LOVE this! Wonderful. Please continue!

[Glory]

Hey guys! I know this is a ridiculously long time between updates, but I’ve recently felt like continuing the adventure for these characters, so here’s part 2. This is kind of short, and there isn’t a whole lot of sneezing, but I've mapped out what I'd like to see happen so I know there will be more to come and it isn't going to take 4 years this time.

Oh, and the line about “the most adorable creature on this earth” is actually a quote from an interview with Joss Whedon. He was referring to Alyson Hannigan. Obviously, I don't own that. Or Rent for that matter.

Part 2

____________________________________________________________________________________

Marilyn was definitely ready to settle down on the couch and watch a movie. Though first, she wanted to find the bathroom to check her face and maybe give herself a pep talk. Stevie was perhaps the most adorable creature ever placed on this earth. Marilyn was reminded of the line from that Rent song..

“Ever since puberty, everybody stares at me – boys, girls, I can’t help it baby.”

She imagined that was an probably an accurate description of Stevie’s life thus far, although the little red head seemed far less arrogant than Maureen, the bisexual singer of that song. The idea of sitting in a darkened room and stealing glances at this lovely girl who was sleepy from antihistamines made her stomach flipflop.

“I’ll tell you what, why don’t you pick out a movie, while I hit the rest room? By the way… where *do* you keep your bathroom?”

Stevie smiled and pointed, “through the curtains, first door on the right.”

Marilyn separated the hanging beads with her hands and walked down a dim hallway that was covered with paintings and several large carved wooden panels with candle holders on them – wall sconces. Straight back, she could see Stevie’s bedroom and a large bed with a velvet tufted headboard and a patchwork quilt. Two orange tabby cats were snuggled up together at the foot.

Stepping into the bathroom, she gave herself a once-over in the mirror. The alcohol had given her pale cheeks a natural flush, as it always did. Her shoulder-length chestnut brown hair was growing out of a shaggy summer bob, which left her bangs long and slightly in her eyes. She was trying to train her hair into a side-part and fall naturally over to the left, to show off her grown out eyebrows – Model eyebrows, her friends called them - but her hair seemed to have its own agenda.

She rarely wore makeup, and the mascara and eyeliner she’d applied earlier was still in place and was doing its job - her eyes seemed larger and bluer than normal. She backed up as far as she could in the small room. She was wearing dark wash skinny jeans, a white tank top and a coral cardigan with a large pendant necklace. At 5’6”, she was of average height but felt practically like a giant next to Stevie, who couldn’t have been much over 5’. Marilyn’s body type would best be described as “voluptuous,” with full breasts and so-called “child bearing” hips.

Not bad, I suppose. This is less scary now. I feel a lot calmer. I feel… emboldened.

Mar finished up and walked back through the kitchen to find the overhead light shut off, and only the light from the living room shown through the cutout wall over the counter bar separating the two rooms. Stevie was in the living room, seated on the couch. Scrolling through Netflix with a PS3 controller, she was fighting off a sneeze. Marilyn had shed her battered flower-print chucks upon entering the apartment, and her socks made her into a silent ninja. She was treated to an impossibly long and breathy buildup that was clearly going to go nowhere.

“ihh.. haaah *snf snnrf* for Christ’s…s-saa huh huh ahhhh…. “ Scrunching up her nose and staring up into the lamp on the end table, Stevie looked incredibly itchy and frustrated, and Marilyn felt guilty for creeping.

“Stuck?” She offered, as she walked through the small open archway.

“I’d albost rather *notd* take bednedryl and just letd the allergy attack figure itdself outd. All itd’s good for is stduck sdeezes and a head full of cemednt.” Stevie made a face at the sound of her own voice and blew her nose. “*Sniff-Sniff* Tesding, tesding… haha, fail. Sdtill bad.”

Marilyn felt a swell of affection, pity and attraction all melded together into one emotion. To be fair, her insides felt like they were made of hot syrup. She sat down on the olive green leather couch. “I’m sorry you don’t feel well, but you sound and look beautiful. I think it may be impossible for you to be anything else.” Stevie smirked shyly and put her attention back to the task at hand – a movie had yet to be picked, and it was already creeping close to midnight.

Stevie kept her eyes on the netflix que. “So, wha.. hehh.. whatd kind of bovies do you like?”

“Umm.. Lots of stuff.. horror, dark comedies, regular comedies, psychological thrillers, art house indie flicks…”

“Quick – tdop five favorids – GO”

“Shit, top 20 is easier for me to narrow down. Okay.... Big Lebowski, True Romance, Goodfellas, Cabin Fever and Bully – the Larry Clark one, not the documentary.”

“Ndice. Okay, top five guiltdy pleasure bovies – GO.”

Marilyn was prepared to be laughed at but obliged. “Um, Sweet Home Alabama, Shallow Hal, Jingle All the Way, A Walk to Remember, and Never Back Down.”

Stevie giggled. “The kickboxing movie?”

“It’s MMA, thank-you-very-much. That movie is basically ‘The Karate Kid’ only Mr. Miyagi is an African dude.”

“I’ve seend it. Abber Heard is perfectiond.”

Marilyn shifted the conversation. “Well, what about you? Same questions. Top five favorite movies?”

Stevie scrubbed at her nose in a circular motion with the heel of her hand. She blew her nose before speaking and lifted some congestion. “Well, 2 of your top five are in my top five. Big Lebowski and Bully – how weird. Rounding it out are The Breakfast Club, Adventures in Babysitting and a different Tarantino.. Deathproof. True Romance is good and all, just can’t say no to hot chicks, fast cars and revenge.”

“Maybe we’re the same person. The other three you mentioned are in my top *ten*. So, anyway, let’s have that guilty pleasure top five, not fair for me to be embarrassed and not you.”

Stevie looked incredulous. “Embarrassed!? I’m the one with the leaking face.” As if on cue, her nose chose that moment to tickle.

A-iitcheeew-itchoo hah… HAA-itchhhoo-ishoo

Her head bobbed into the crook of her elbow for each double sneeze. “Great, if I can breathe, I can sneeze. Okay, guilty pleasures.. Overboard, Nightmare on Elm Street 2, Home Alone 3, Black Knight… and..” She cringed and shrugged her shoulders, as if bracing herself for a blow. “…the Notebook”

Marilyn burst out laughing and practically squeaked out “The Notebook?!”

“Hey man, true love. It gets me right here.” She pounded her chest twice with her fist as she said the last 2 words. Then she rolled her eyes

“Whatever, one of your movies was a Nicolas Sparks, hypocrite.” Both girls cracked up. When they were winding down, they looked at one another, quietly appraising.

Marilyn practically whispered. “I think we’re having a moment.”

Her head was slightly bowed, and Stevie shyly peeked from under her lashes with smiling eyes. Her lips parted slowly, and her eyes suddenly changed from cutsey to far away. She rolled her eyes in pure frustration and Marilyn could see how wet they were. Tears lubricated the bright green orbs, making them shine. Plain irritation spread through her delicate facial features. “I’m about to ruin the moment.. o-of course.. huuuh aaaaht-CHOO-ishho *sniff* hup-chyyuhh HUP-cheeeeew uuuuhhhh.” Her face was much redder than it had been when they had met just a few short hours ago. She seemed very tired, the area under her eyes had become puffy.

“Hey, you didn’t ruin anything. And don’t feel bad. Overboard is a really good movie.” Marilyn said it very solemnly and Stevie broke off giggling again, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

Marilyn wanted to stay and watch her sneeze all night, but it felt sort of sadistic to keep her up. Allergic to wine, cats, who knows what else. This probably wouldn’t be the last opportunity she would have to see the girl sneeze. “How about you get some rest, put a cold cloth over your eyes and lay down? Let’s make a date to get dinner and a movie sometime this week.”

“You're sweet. I’m pretty used to this, so it’s no biggie for me, but I guess I could use a cool shower and some Z’s. I’ll walk you out.”

After a warm hug, they made rough plans for Thursday after work and promised to text each other.

[SneezeloveronGirls]

thanks for finally getting around to updating this story.

[Snz.]

So glad this is back up and running. Really great story.

[NoV]

Stevie was just very short and slender. Her long red hair was all one length with a natural wave. Her bare slender shoulders raised and lowered with the gentlest of hitches. Her small chest slowly filled with air. Her thin ginger colored eyebrows knitted together. There was a spray of freckles over her twitching turned up nose. A very breathy “huuuuhhh” escaped. Her tiny hand was stuck at half-mast between the bar top and her face. “huh-APT-choooo *blink blink* huh-APPPPT-chooo ohhhh excuse me.”

Great description - you have really captured the elements of what makes a building sneeze so mesmerizing It seems I missed this first time round, but thanks for updating

[Glory]

Thanks for the responses, guys. Still doing it to it, here's part 3 - Mostly inspired from the terrible cold I have right now. I'm pretty into character development, so just bear with me, there will be more sneezing, I promise.

Stevie glanced down at the bottom right corner of her computer screen for what seemed like the 4,000^th time that day. The day was dragging like no other. It was still only 2:10 PM, a time which was approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes before she could leave work, and 4 hours and 20 minutes before her reserved dinner with Marilyn. They were going to a relatively fancy steakhouse and planned to see “whatever movie moved they agreed upon and coincided with the time they’d arrive at the theater.” This was at Marilyn’s request, as she hated rushing through dinner to make it to a movie on time.

Stevie sat at her desk, attempting to be inconspicuous, which is difficult for a receptionist to do. When you’re front and center in the middle of the office in a position that is basically “jack of all trades” – Administrative assistant, supply purchaser, office decorator, candy and coffee stocker, and unofficially the only HR rep in the building, you tend to become popular. It didn’t help that she was also sweet and personable with a good sense of humor. She often joked that her whole job was just “to be everyone’s friend and order food.” Not the worst gig in the world.

She was developing a mild headache and she wasn’t sure if it was caused by the 4 cups of coffee she’d drank since 8 AM or the building anxiety and anticipation of the night ahead. What would she wear? What would they talk about? Would she be a mess like she was last time? Hopefully not. It was still a month away from her worst allergy season: mid October till first frost.

She wasn’t sure why, but she had a feeling that Marilyn was more tolerant to her allergic condition than most girls she’d dated. It seemed as though she almost found it cute, or possibly endearing. That was a refreshing change, as quite a few of Stevie’s exes had been turned off or just plain annoyed by her displays in the past. One particular time, she’d suffered a very harsh, loud and messy sneezing fit at a wedding. The bride was very fond of orchids, a flower that was Stevie’s kryptonite. Her ex-girlfriend was embarrassed and even went so far as to say “You ruined their wedding.” Not much of a loss when she dumped that one.

“Oh hey bud-dy, what’s the what?” Jim, Stevie’s favorite work friend, sidled up to the reception counter and began digging through the candy bowl.

“Hey buddy. How’s the how?” This was their usual greeting to one another. Jim nodded “Going about as terrible as you’d expect, but hey, it’s halfway to the weekend.” He said this in a way that managed to be both jovial and miserable at the same time. “I heard you have a date tonight. Who’s the lucky lady?”

“God, people have nothing better to do than gossip.. Her name is Marilyn. I met her 2 nights ago, rando bar hook-up. Wait, scratch that, before that makes it through the grapevine. We haven’t even kissed, we just met randomly.”

“No need to be defensive, my dear. Chris told me about your date, and it was only because he’s happy you’re getting back out there. A dollface such as yourself remaining celibate is a travesty for gay women everywhere.” Jim gave her a cheese-eating grin, plucked 2 reeces cups from the bowl and headed towards the coffee machine.

Stevie couldn’t help smiling. Jim had originally had a massive crush on her. After about 4 months working there, she’d decided to come out. When he realized he’d been barking up the wrong tree, they’d become fast friends. He was very protective over her. While his coffee was brewing he mosied back over. “B.T. Dub, you look kind of tired. Are you even up for a late night?”

“Thanks, Jim. That’s exactly what every woman wants to hear.”

Stevie was tired, but she had managed to stop marathon-watching Orange is the New Black at 11 PM, which had afforded her a decent 7 hours sleep. She didn’t want to jinx herself, or assume the worst, but she felt not altogether “right.” You know that feeling that your lungs get when you’ve been swimming for an extended period of time, like any deep breath is thick and tickly? That itchy feeling in your ears the day before you realize you have a cold? She also had a headache, which wasn’t uncommon for a caffeine addict such as herself, but still.. She was pretty terrific at not realizing that she was sick until someone else pointed it out.

Stevie sighed. Less than 2 hours until I can leave. She thought. I refuse to assume the worst. I’m fine.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Marilyn was putting the finishing touches on her makeup and nervously worrying about the night to come. She was also feeling rather guilty because she found herself hoping that Stevie would be as sneezy as she had been the first time they hung out. She wasn’t the type to beat around the bush, so in the past she had typically disclosed her fetish to anyone she felt strongly about. Not right away, but as soon as it became evident that there was a spark. If things went well with Stevie, she would become the 5^th person in the whole world who knew Marilyn’s secret.

But honestly, she’d never dated someone with spectacular allergies. All of her previous partners had been male, and were all single sneezers without allergies. None had made her feel like a creepy weirdo for being a fetishist, in fact, they were generally all too eager to induce sneezing. Typically though, this eventually became boring. The contained and controlled nature of pointy tissues and paint brush bristles and q-tips loses its appeal. It’s exciting at first, but what made sneezing sexy in the first place – the loss of control, the desperation – it was hard to recreate it. Everything about Stevie was exciting and new. Marilyn wanted to seize that excitement and bottle it up.

Giving herself a once over, she fluffed up her hair and headed out.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Stevie arrived at the restaurant 15 minutes before the time they’d agreed upon. Despite the late august heat, she was wearing a creamy oversized sweater with black skinny jeans and booties. Her sleek long hair was pulled into a pony-tail. Heads turned as she made her way to the bar.

“Sapphire and tonic, please?”

She rummaged in her purse for the pack of Sudafed she’d picked up on the way there. Her headache had turned into a tightness in her sinuses that was all too familiar. Mixing alcohol and medicine probably wasn’t the best choice, but hey.. I’m a rebel she thought, sarcastically. Scanning the sparsely seated dining room, she people-watched and tried to spot first dates.

HETCH

It had come out of nowhere, fierce and violent. Immediately, she began to sniffle and attempted to squelch her leaky nose with the teeny tiny bar napkin that was already wet with condensation from her drink that had been seated on top of it.

“Bless you.” The bartender smiled as he pushed 3 or 4 more napkins across the bar.

“Thanks.” Slightly embarrassed, Stevie gave her nose a hard blow, hoping Marilyn would be fashionably late. “Would you mind watching my drink? I need to visit the ladies room.”

Making a beeline to the back of the room, she ducked into the bathroom. There were 2 stalls, one was occupied. She grabbed a fistful of paper towels and she stared at herself in the mirror, watching her features contort as the tickle built.

Hehhh huh *snnrf* A-ATCHooo *sniff* HETCHOO HIH-HIRTCHOOO

She blew her nose hard and did her best to clean herself up. Her face was bare save a bit of eyeliner and pressed powder. She looked paler than usual and her nose was beginning to turn pink.

Great. You’re sick, dummy. You’re going to get her sick, she’s going to think you’re gross. This is going to be a nightmare.

As she was washing her hands, the occupied stall opened and Marilyn stepped out.

“I should have known.” Marilyn smirked, “Bless you.”

Stevie’s jaw dropped. “Um, hey! Thanks. Sorry, I’m always a mess, I guess. I was waiting at the bar, I’m always too early.. But, I didn’t see you come in? You look great.” Rambling, humble, self-deprecating and with the slightest hint of congestion, she was positively adorable.

Marilyn moved to wash her hands. “You’re far from a mess. You’re lovely. Why don’t we go grab a table before the place fills up?”

The ladies walked out together, stopping at the bar to get Stevie’s drink and went to the hostess’s podium to be seated.

Edited October 25, 2015 by Glory

[Glory]

The ladies had been seated and their meal orders were taken. They made light conversation, about their workdays, current TV obsessions, their pets and their excitement for the upcoming fall weather.

“You seem to be ready, already.” Marilyn nodded towards Stevie’s ensemble.

“Everyone’s AC crazy this time of year. You’re going to wish you had a sweater once we get to the movie theater, so there.” Stevie teased. The medicine she had taken seemed to abate the congestion she’d felt when she’d first gotten to the restaurant but Stevie didn’t have the best track record when it came to medicine working as promised. Talking about freezing air conditioning made her realize how cold she was. She tucked her slim arms down into her lap, elbows pressed against her middle, trying to keep warm. She was cold and her ears were still itchy inside.

Two hours in a meat freezer, AKA a movie theater sounds like the worst idea ever right now. Besides the fact that Sudafed has a 4 hour window of relief. Allergies are different, people seem less grossed when they know they can’t catch it.

Stevie didn’t want to embarrass herself or gross out the pretty brunette, who seemed to be a picture of health. Marilyn was entirely comfortable with the restaurant temperature. She was wearing a cap sleeved charcoal colored skater dress with no tights and cute cut out flats.

“Are you okay? I seem to have lost you for a minute.” Marilyn gave her a small and vulnerable smile.

“I’m here. I was just wondering about the movie later on. I mean, what we want to see, and all that.”

The last time they’d been together, the smaller girl had a healthy flush to her cheeks and twinkling in her eyes that was not making an appearance this time. I’m onto you, honey, Marilyn thought. That ragged, desperate sneezing fit in the bathroom, the fact that Stevie was basically cocooning herself in a sweater when it was nearly 75 degrees in the restaurant, the fact that she’d ordered soup for dinner at a steakhouse, her alabaster complexion with the beginning of a hot flush forming at the top of her cheek bones, and her eyes - They were an example of some “sick” eyes if she’d ever seen one.

“Well, if you’d rather not go to a movie, I’m open to whatever. We could always go back to your place, or my place and watch something on neflix.”

Is this broad psychic? Or am I that obvious? Stevie began to speak, but was cut off by an intense tickle that gave her no warning.

Hih-NGGXT-NGGXXTT

The double sneeze was harsh, yet quiet. It hurt to stifle, and she felt her nose quickly fill and threaten to drip.

“Shit. *snnff* Sorry. You had to pick a fancy place, hmm Ms. Fancy Pants. I always feel like a scumbag wiping my nose on cloth napkins.” Stevie said this amiably but was only half joking. Luckily, she had stashed some paper towels in her purse when she’d gone to the bathroom earlier.

“Bless you. Are you sick?” Marilyn said it gently, with sympathy. Thinking about it made her belly go gooey.

She is sick. And she came out anyway, pretending to be fine so she wouldn’t disappoint me. I haven’t felt butterflies like this in about a million years. Just admit it. We can get this food to go and get cozy on your couch.

“Umb, I dond’t think so? Mbaybe someonde dear us is wearingk sdrong berfumbe?”

Marilyn didn’t believe her for a second, but obliged her stoicism. “Okay. Just looking out for you, that’s all.”

The waiter came over with their meals. A hanger steak –rare- with scalloped potatoes for the brunette and a crock of french onion soup for the red-head. Marilyn was starving. She didn’t want to tear into her food like an animal, but she hadn’t eaten in several hours. Stevie, on the other hand, was not at all hungry. Her date pointing out that she was probably ill had almost made her feel worse. Or maybe it just gave her the go-ahead to drop the act and admit it. The steaming crock of soup looked delicious, but she couldn’t smell it at all.

4 hours relief, my ass. She thought, wishing she’d picked up a medicine that had a fever reducer. Undoubtedly feverish, she leaned forward and pretended to smell her soup. The hot steam felt nice on her face, but her nose protested, the thick congestion all at once going thin. She grabbed the paper towels she had on reserve and put them up to her face.

“Egxcuse bme.” She hurried off to the bathroom.

Alone in the restroom, Stevie blew and blew her nose, hoping to magically, somehow, stop all of this from happening. She knew well enough that the congestion was partially due to swollen nasal passages, so blowing wouldn’t do much but irritate and redden her face. The rough paper towels were beginning to hurt and the vibration of her blows set off an impossible itch.

Huhhh ihh-ITCH-uhhh *snf* Hah-ATCHOOoo huhh Goddambit IHHH-Chooo Ihh-CHOOO

She blew her nose again, but it was a lost cause at that point. She dampened a paper towel and cleaned up her eyes and attempted to power her reddening nose.

Okay, I’ll go back, and tell her she’s right, and we can do this another time. No need for her to hang out with me. If I got her sick I would be the worst first date in the history of first dates.

Stevie walked back to the table, prepared to be honest with Marilyn, and saw that their plates had been transferred into to-go boxes. Marilyn was signing for the check. Crestfallen, the red-head couldn’t stop the pout that appeared on her pretty lips.

Marilyn took one look at her and cracked up laughing. “Oh, angel. Don’t be sad. Look, you’re not fooling anybody with this ‘I’m fidne’ routine” she said, mimicking Stevie’s congestion. “It’s either your place or my place from here, but either way we’re getting you into some jammies and doing something about that fever.” She stood and gently placed the back of her hand against the smaller girl’s forehead. “Yikes. Are you nuts?” she said, not unkindly.

“I know I’m pretty cool, but I’m not worth suffering over. And I’m actually really good at taking care of sick people.” The last sentence was said shyly, as though it was hard for Marilyn to get it out.

Stevie was floored, and although she barely knew this girl, she felt.. loved? Her face went slack and she fanned in front of her face.

NNGGXT hiiiNGGGXTTT-choo Ihhh-ITCH huh hhhhhh-Essssshhh

The last sneeze melded into a harsh blow. A couple of diners turned to look, irritated. Marilyn’s death stare was enough to snap their heads back to their own business.

“Bless you.”

“Thangks.. But… I don’dt want to give this to you. I feel pretty crummby.” She admitted, looking down.

“Listen I’m no germ-phobe. If you'd prefer to be alone when you're sick and would rather just go home and be by yourself, I completely understand, but don’t think it would be my preference to abandon you. So what do you think?”

Stevie gave a small smile. It had been a long time since she felt so protected. “My place is okay. I have a stock-pile of medicine and jammies there. I walked here, though...”

Marilyn picked up their doggie-bags. “I’ll drive.”

Edited October 25, 2015 by Glory

[Glory]

Holy a million updates in one day. I was feeling in a writing mood today.

Less than a half hour later, they were back at Stevie’s apartment and the sick girl was changed into flannel PJ pants and a pullover sweatshirt. Curled up on the couch under a fleece throw, she wiped her whole face with a make-up removing towlette while Marilyn collected necessities from the bathroom. Daytime and nighttime cold medicine, throat spray, cough drops, cough suppressant – Stevie hadn’t been kidding about having a stock-pile of medicine.

“Preparing for the plague?” Marilyn smiled as she carried in the Nyquil, throat spray, a bowl and a thermometer.

“dNo. I just get sick a lodt, and I ab used to just takingk care of byself. I don’t have eddy fambily here add the idsurance fromb by job sucks. Mbaybe I shouldn’td be revealingk all this so soond.” Stevie attempted to blow her nose discreetly but it was a loud gurgle.

“Maybe you should start taking zinc and vitamin c.” Marilyn said sweetly. “I don’t have any family here either. Couple’a independent women over here. Open up the hang-er” She held the thermometer like it was an airplane.

The sick girl rolled her eyes and giggled, but opened up to receive it. Holding it under her tongue was like torture. What is it about getting your temperature taken that makes you have to sneeze?

NNGXT-NnnGGxxt

She stifled the double without disrupting the thermometer or touching her face.

Impressive.Marilyn thought.

Beep-beep-beep

“101.6. Not the worst, but definitely not great.” Marilyn declared. “Liquid Nyquil, what do you love pain? You know they put this crap into gelcaps, now right?” She poured out a shot into the little cup and handed it over.

Stevie put the cup down on the table so she could blow her nose again. “I secretly like it” she said picking up the cup and downing it without making a face, and then settled down against the cushions with a sigh, her weakness finally showing a little bit. She was gorgeous, so it was almost impossible for her to look bad, but she had dark patches under her eyes and she looked very tired.

Marilyn reached into the bowl and pulled out a cloth, ringing it out. “You like it? Okay, you and your ‘constant illness’ confession, not an issue, but that, that might be a dealbreaker.” Marilyn teased as she gently placed the cool rag on the other girl’s forehead. “So do you need anything else? And what are we watching? Remember, I’m a picture of health and I’m basically starving to death right now. The sooner I can get that steak into my face, the better. Would you like some tea?”

Stevie half sighed-half giggled as she let the cool compress sink into her face.

Where has she been all my life? “Yes, tea, please. Umb, wanda watch a bmovie?”

“Okay, you decide on the entertainment, I’m going to set us up with refreshments. Am I allowed to eat in your living room?”

“Psshh, yes.” Stevie said as she scrolled through her Netflix que. Her suggestions were telling. Gritty art-house dramas, Violent horror movies, Black comedies. I’m a pretentious, violent person who laughs at inappropriate things.

Hih..hiihh.. ITCH … hnnnnnNGXT-NGXT-ESHOO

She sniffled and giggled a little crazily, and blew her nose ferociously, clearing a lot of her congestion. Or maybe it was the Nyquil taking effect. “Liquid gold” she whispered.

She heard the kettle whistle and Marilyn made 2 trips, one with her cold dinner and another with 2 steaming mugs of tea made with lemon and honey.

“What did I do to deserve you? You could have turned tail and ran as soon as you figured out that I was a germ factory. I know, I know, you’re not a germ-phobe, but.. still. I’m just some broad, and honestly not that great.. You hardly know me.” The Nyquil was definitely starting to take effect, she seemed almost drunk and very lucid.

Marilyn felt a little stupid. “Would you prefer I leave?” she said it a little coldly. Sure she was a little more sensitive to the needs of sick people than most, but she was doing this because she *liked* this girl.

Stevie looked confused. “Marilyn, no. I just don’t understand why you’d go to all this trouble over me. I get sick all the time, I can take care of myself. I appreciate what you’re doing, but I’m not used to it. I’m sorry if that came out wrong. I feel a little woozy.”

“Apology accepted. I know you’re a big girl, but I like you. I want to spend time with you. I want you to feel better.” Kind of. She thought. I want her to feel better but I also want her to sneeze forever. I’m pretty sure if she knew about me, she would whistle a different tune. I’m here because I want to see, I don’t want to miss a sneeze. God, so conflicted.

Marilyn gobbled up her steak in record time, and it was worth the wait, even cold. Stevie felt bad for what she had said and silently scrolled through the available choices. “Have you seen ‘Gone Girl’?”

“Yeah, it was awesome. I wouldn’t mind watching it again, if that’s what you want.”

“What about ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin.’” Stevie asked. Showing people movies that they would like that they’d never seen was her MO.

Marilyn tilted her head. “No, who’s in that?”

“Tilda Swinton. It’s a psychological thriller about a sociopathic kid. Pretty rough stuff.”

“Totally, sure.” Marilyn agreed. “Um hey would it be okay if I borrowed a pair of sweat pants and a teeshirt or something?”

“Sure, there’s a white dresser in my bedroom. You’ll find bed type stuff in the 4^th drawer down.”

While Marilyn was picking something out, she heard 5 loud sneezes, each simultaneously making her heart skip a beat while sending a lightning bolt of heat to her midsection. She looked over to the bed, where Stevie’s cats were snuggled in a love-nest. “You guys are pretty lazy, huh? You were in the same spot last time I came over.” She rubbed one under the chin, letting the purr massage her fingers.

She returned shortly, wearing a tattered oversized Pixies shirt and the largest pair of sweatpants Stevie probably owned. “I love the Pixies, too.”

The red-head smiled. “They’re not the same without Kim. But it’s pretty cool they’re still touring.” She yawned widely and sleepily, put on the movie and nearly immediately fell asleep without touching her tea.

Marilyn took the cloth from Stevie’s head and returned it to the bowl. She gingerly placed her hands on the smaller girl’s temples and she didn’t stir. Her head felt warm but not hot. Comfortable and fed, she settled down on the couch and watched the movie alone, her trust in Stevie’s taste evident. If it had been anyone else, she probably would have changed it.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Marilyn woke with a start. She blinked around at the unfamiliar room.

Where am I? What was that noise?

ihhITCHooo Huh ATTTChoooo hurtch-oooo ETCH ETCH Eh-ETCH Eh-ETCH ihh hhhhh’shhhhhhh

Stevie blew her nose roughly, blinking over at Marilyn.

“Ugh, I’mb sorry, I didn’t bead.. bea.. ihh to wake huhhh you upb. ATCH-Ngg NGXT-NGXT IHH-Chihhh ihh You godda… huh.. be kiddingk beee… HURTCHEW eh-ETCH eh-Essssshhhhh

The way she sneezed into a blow was almost too much for Marilyn to handle. She was a pile of jelly, unable to speak.

Stevie seemed to be winding down, blowing out as much congestion as she could.

“I’mb so sorry.”

Marilyn found her voice. “Don’t be sorry. Are you okay? Do you need a drink of water?” She glanced at the time. It was near 3 AM. They both had fallen asleep on the couch relatively early, and the medicine Stevie took was a 7-8 hour dose. Rocking up onto her knees, she placed her hand on the sick girl’s forehead. The heat was harsh and her hair was soaked with sweat.

“Sweetie, let’s take your temperature again, okay?”

Stevie just nodded and threw her head back into her sleeping position, propped against the couch cushions.

Beep-beep-beep

103.1

“Oh fuck, that’s not good.” She snapped up and poured out another dose of Nyquil. “Hey, Steve? I need you to drink this.”

“Steve? Like Steve Sanders? Did you see Sharkdnado?”

Marilyn placed the filled cup on the coffee table and took the bowl of water to the kitchen, dumping it out and refilling it with cold water, adding ice cubes this time. When she returned Stevie was in the same spot, snoring slightly. She dunked and wrung out the wash cloth, and held it in one hand, while she gently placed her cold hand on the other girl’s forehead. Stevie woke with a start and broke into a harsh coughing fit. Marilyn winced. “I’m so sorry, babe. Listen, this will make you feel better, I promise. Just calm down.”

Stevie’s coughing subsided and she allowed Marilyn to place the cloth on her face, wincing only slightly.

“Now look, you’re not done okay? I need you to drink this.”

“dNoooo”

“Hey, don’t be a brat. I thought you *liked* Nyquil, hmm? Come on Stevie, please. I really need you to drink this.” Marilyn was trying to keep the mood light, but she was a little scared. Stevie’s condition had gone far downhill in a really short period of time. She needed the sick girl to take the medicine. A fever that high had to be brought down, fast.

Stevie seemed to sense the urgency in the brunette’s voice and reached out her hand without opening her eyes.

“Here, be careful.”

She downed the medicine and blindly waved the empty cup back at Marilyn.

“Good girl.”

“mmmmm. You are too. The best girl. A keeper.”

Marilyn bent forward and kissed her cheek. It was a first kiss. One Stevie probably wouldn’t remember, but still.

I should probably get her into her bed. She can’t be comfortable here. And I need somewhere to sleep. I can’t leave her alone like this. What would she have done if I hadn’t been here? This whole ‘I can take care of myself’ business is a big bunch of bravado.

“Hey, Stevie. Do you want to go to bed?”

“Width you? Of course.”

Marilyn chuckled. “Maybe someday, but right now, no. Not with me. You need to rest.”

“I’mb restingk.”

“Yes, but, you’re going to wake up with a stiff neck. And I need somewhere to rest, too. I’m not going to leave you like this.”

Stevie began snoring again.

“Okay.. I got this.”

Marilyn stood up, put the washcloth back in the bowl and hefted the red-head into her arms. She was barely a hundred pounds.

“bmy hero” Stevie whispered.

She managed to make it to the bedroom. “Beat it guys.” Marilyn said to the cats, who were instantly terrified by the sight of a human carrying another human and booked it out of there. She placed the sick girl down gingerly and adjusted the blankets, coaxing her into the right spot. Feeling her head one last time, she was confident that Stevie would be okay for the night. She left the door slightly ajar and headed back to the couch to get some sleep of her own.

[SexyGodlikeHair]

YO AND NOW I AM IN A READING MOOD TODAY HOLY CRAP

For real tho? I love this story. So much. I mean, I already did, but this new addition is like...be still my heart!!!!

Great work, please keep it up!

[SexyGodlikeHair]

Did I mention that this is one of the most memorable stories on here? To me, at least. I totally love it, and you should totally continue!!! When you get the chance of course, I know how that goes--but just know that when you do post smth, it will be appreciated!!

[ringsofsaturn]

Oh this is so cute, I hoe you continue!

[Heven]

This is fantabulous. You're a seriously gifted writer!

[doglover111]

I love it so far, please continue

[Glory]

Hey all, sorry again for the long break, but I still have a direction where this story is eventually going, so it's not over.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

 

 I'm a little bummed that the forum update messed up all the paragraph breaks in the previous parts of this story.

 

I'm hoping that when I post this it will have the breaks I've inserted because it seems like I can no longer edit my old posts to fix the paragraphs and it's making me seriously OCD-out over it.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The next time Marilyn woke, she didn’t have to wonder where she was. There was something heavy pressing on her collar bones and something soft tickling her face. She opened her eyes to see two large green eyes staring into her own. 

 

 

Mroow? 

 

 

“Hey, buddy. Are you hungry?” She gently pushed the cat’s shoulder and he gracefully hopped to the floor and made a beeline for the kitchen where his twin was waiting more patiently. Marilyn fumbled for her phone on the coffee table. “Ugh, 5:45? You guys suck.” 

 

 

It was probably better that they woke her up. Technically, she would have been getting up at about 6:30 to get ready for work anyway. Work. Should I call out? Is that absurd? I don’t think I should assume that this girl needs me to stay with her all day. Stevie had made it abundantly clear that she didn’t need anyone to take care of her, “this happens all the time,” she very well may have been intending to go to work sick. Marilyn made her way to the kitchen and after a quick search located the cat food and gave each orange tabby a generous helping. She felt a twinge of guilt, realizing that her own cats were probably wondering where she was and doing a similar “hungry dance” in her own kitchen. Tiptoeing down the hall, she could see Stevie in her bed, framed in the doorway. She’d shed her hoodie and was lying sideways with the covers kicked down to the foot, dead to the world. Marilyn came closer and laid a hand on the sick girl’s forehead. Cool and clammy. Her fever had broken from the medicine she’d been dosed with only 3 hours ago. She was breathing loud, but not snoring.

 

 

Marilyn made a quick decision. She would head home, feed the cats, shower and change, then pick up some stuff for Stevie: OJ, maybe breakfast…, well at least something for myself to eat, Stevie didn’t even touch her dinner last night. She gathered up the quilt and covered the tiny patient up to her neck.

 

 

Scribbling a quick note, she gathered a few things to leave on the bedside table. A glass of water, a blister pack of daytime cold medicine, tissues, the throat spray, thermometer and a few cough drops.

 

 

 

Good Morning!

 

 

Cats are fed, I am running home to freshen up, feed my own monsters and grab some breakfast for us. You should probably call in to work and take a sick day, I know you are the strongest most independent woman in the world, but a sick receptionist is a recipe for an outbreak of epic proportions J Take your temperature, but you probably should wait until after 7 to take that medicine – your last dose was at 3 AM.

 

 

 Hopefully you will sleep through my absence and I can trash this dorky mom-like note before you see it.

 

 

See you in a few,

 

 

Mar

 

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

When Stevie opened her eyes it was bright. Too bright. She groaned and shivered, snuggling into the blanket. Her head was foggy and stuffy. She sat straight up with a start as she remembered what had happened the night before. The fast motion of her movement coupled with the bright sunlight caused her nose to protest. 

 

 

hhhhKshh-ksssh-kssssh huuuhh eh eeeeeee-SHOOO eeeeeeeeSHHHHOOOO-ahh 

 

 

Those sneezes immediately filled her sinuses with congestion. “bMarilynd?” she called out, making a face at the sound of her own voice. “dNice. Sexy. Wait, shit, what time is it?!” her phone wasn’t in the bedroom. She squinted at the digital clock on the cable box. 6:34. Stevie sighed in relief. Still early enough to make it to work on time, or to call in sick if she went that route. That’s when she noticed the arsenal of supplies on her night table as well as the note. She grinned as she read Marilyn’s loopy handwriting. Looks like the decision’s kind of been made for me. Marilyn was coming back, which Stevie assumed meant she was calling in “sick” to her own job. All the warm fuzzies she had felt the previous night came back.

 

 

Obediently, she took her temperature. 99.2 Not so bad. Is this even call-out-of-work-level illness? I guess I probably sound terrible enough to get away with the call not being suspect.

 

 

Stevie had to admit, she’d gone in to work in worse shape than this, only to be sent home halfway through the day. It was only the 8^th month of the year and she’d already racked up 6 call outs for illness. Her company had an open policy for salaried employees – unlimited sick time so long as the privilege wasn’t abused. Everyone at work knew she was sick all the time, sneezing all the time – it was kind of her thing. She chugged the glass of water and her empty stomach growled as the cool liquid hit her insides. “I hope she getds some bagels.”

 

 

She pulled her giant hoodie back on and shuffled into the living room, searching for her phone. She dialed her boss’s cell. He was the travelling sales manager and was rarely in the office anyway. It rang thrice and went to his voicemail. “dNice.” 

 

 

“Hi Jeff, Itd’s Stevie. I’mb sick and ndot cobming ind today. Sorry. If andyone ndeeds bme they cand… HUH-ATCH ehhh apptchooo essshoo *snnrff* sorry, cand call bmy cell.” 

 

 

Easy enough, and not really a lie. She was sick, but in her opinion, not sick enough to warrant staying home. It was also Friday, which meant she just gave herself a 3-day weekend when mostly everyone knew she had a date last night. In the world of office politics, that was a big no-no and the type of thing that set the rumor mill churning. Whatever. Marilyn’s right, no one wants me to get them sick. Putting out supplies, candy, distributing mail and faxes with germ-hands. This is the right move.

 

 

She headed to the bathroom to shower and make herself look more reasonable for when Marilyn came back.

 

 

 

 

It was about 7:30 when Marilyn pulled into a parking space around the corner from Stevie’s building. She was armed with several bagels of differing flavors, 2 types of cream cheese, a large container of OJ, a couple muffins, 2 black coffees with various cream and sugar/fake sugar options, that nose spray stuff that’s supposed to shorten the duration of a cold, and a couple dvds. She had stopped home, showered and changed into a pair of cropped black yoga pants that accentuated her backside, a couple of layered tunic tank-tops and lavender t-strap sandals. She had also already called herself into work, feigning illness, which was a rare occurrence on her part. Marilyn hardly ever got sick and had an exemplary attendance record.  The freedom of the whole weekend was in front of her, and while she wanted to spend the entire time with Stevie, she felt somewhat awkward.

 

 

 

Maybe this chick is sick of me already. Maybe she realizes that I have some other weird invested interest in her because she’s a living breathing sneeze-machine. No, that’s stupid. “Normal” people don’t assume anyone likes sneezing.

 

 

 

Making the short walk to the building, she realized that she’d have to ring the bell to get back in. What if she was still sleeping? As she approached the stoop, the front door opened. Stevie appeared, wearing an old, faded-black, loose-fitting band t-shirt with tight black pants nearly identical to pair Mar was wearing. She was pale but her nose was noticeably pink. Her feet were bare and her ginger hair was damp and tousled.

 

 

“Stalker. Were you watching for me?” Marilyn asked with a shy grin which conveyed that she was both joking and flattered.

 

Stevie reached out and took the tray holding the coffees from the brunette. “I was. Is that weird? I just figured you’d be carrying stuff and it would be easier if I was just here ready to let you in.”  Stevie’s congestion had abated in the shower and she seemed altogether well. Marilyn felt somewhat stupid for assuming she’d need to be cared for.

 

 

Marilyn came through the door and they headed up the stairs. “Not weird. Cute. Sweet. How are you feeling?”

 

 

“Um, okay I guess. I took the super-strong decongestants so I guess I sound better, right? I’m still super sneezy. You were right, though. No one needs a germy receptionist touching all their shit all day.”

 

 

Placing the bag of food on the kitchen table, Marilyn began to dose her coffee with half and half. “I didn’t know what you’d like, so I got I bunch of stuff. You should definitely have some of that orange juice.” When Stevie didn’t respond, Mar looked up to find her caught in a long build-up. With her mouth open and her tongue slightly out, Stevie fanned her face while her eyelids fluttered. She hitched 3 times and stopped. False start. Marilyn felt tingling heat spread from her stomach and down.

 

 

“Are you okay?” This sort of exchange was massively awkward for Marilyn. Asking about sneezing, basically coaxing Stevie into describing what she was feeling, it both excited her and made her feel like a massive creep. Why does this fetish have to come with such guilt? This was the reason she’d usually disclosed her freak-status early on in previous relationships – prior to seeing them sneeze even once. She didn’t make a habit of telling a lot of people, only her most intimate partners, all who had been male. Guys are more forgiving with sex-type stuff. They mostly just want to get laid and will do whatever to please. So, it was never met with negativity, but then no one she’d ever been with was this sneezy, or a female and she’d already missed the opportunity to tell Stevie prior to seeing her sneeze. If I tell her now, will she think I am only interested in her because she’s allergic to everything and has a terrible immune system? 

 

 

Oblivious to Marilyn’s internal struggle, Stevie endured her own struggle with the sneeze that continued to plague her. “Yuh.. Yeah. I’m okay. Just.. huh.. dneed to sdneeze and.. hih iiihhh ugh. Won’td combe outd.” She rubbed her nose in a circle with the palm of her hand. “So bmuch for decondgestdantd.” Stevie went into the bathroom and blew her nose ferociously. Marilyn attempted to collect herself, setting the bagels, muffins and spreads on the table along with the paper plates and plastic utensils provided by the cafe. 

 

 

“That’s better I guess.” Stevie came back into the kitchen and hugged Marilyn from behind. Six inches shorter, she had to stand on tip toe to hook her chin over the taller girl’s shoulder. “Thanks for doing this.” She pulled away and sat down at the table and began cutting a sesame bagel. 

 

 

“You’re welcome. But, well… thanks for doing what?” 

 

 

“Bringing me food. Encouraging me to take care of myself. Feeding my cats. Being the best. Spending time with a germ-carnival. Continuing to be interested in me even though I basically ruined our date.” Stevie rattled off a list of praise that made Mar feel warm inside again, this time for unfetishy reasons. 

 

 

“Well… I’m doing this because you’re the best, not me. You’re fun, interesting, beautiful… and you didn’t ruin anything. My expectations for the date only went as far as being able to spend time with you and that’s what we did.”

 

 

Stevie smiled into her bagel. Please let this not be too good to be true. I need this in my life right now.

 

 

She wanted to say something equally sweet back to Marilyn, about how safe she felt, how glad she was that they could spend time together for the whole day… But her nose, as usual, had other plans. She tucked her whole face down into the oversized neck-hole of her shirt.

 

Huuh huhhP-tchoooo hhuh huh-APT-choooo HAAACHOO snnrff* “Ugh, sorry.” 

 

 

“Bless you. You don’t have to be sorry. You’re sick.” 

 

 

“Yeah, but you’re eatindg and I’bm totally gross. I kndow, I kndow! ‘You’re not gross’ blah, blah. I feel gross, okay? I just worry about everything, like you’ll bmaybe belatedly realize that I abm gross and that you bmade a mistake. Just typical indsecurity that is a condstant ind bmy life. You’re the first girl I’ve ever bmet who doesn’t bmake a big deal out of this. I say this, because this” she pointed to her red nose “is bme. bMe forever, and you say it’s okay ndow, but sobmetime it wondt be okay. It always causes a problebm evendtually. Alright, I’ll just shut up ndow. I’m ndot like, fishing for you to reassure bme, I’bm just verbalizing bmy indterndal feelings. I thindk bmy fever is cobming back.”

 

 

Stevie stood abruptly and walked to her bedroom.  Floored by the honesty she just witnessed and stunned silent, Marilyn busied herself with putting veggie cream cheese on her everything bagel. She could her the sick girl blowing her nose again. Stevie returned with the daytime cold medicine in hand and the thermometer in her mouth.

 

 

“100.5, yep, knew it.” She downed the pills with chug of OJ. “Look I didn’t want to be a downer and I didn’t mean to be negative about you or anything… I’ve just been fucked over enough times to understand that the best way to protect myself is to assume the worst.” 

 

 

Marilyn smirked at the tiny girl and just went ahead and bit into her bagel. She knew that time would show Stevie that she wouldn’t turn her back on her because of illness or sneezing and it had nothing to do with her fetish. Well maybe it had something to do with it, but it wasn’t that she was a giant horn-dog who only cared about people if they sneezed. After swallowing she said “anyone who’s fucked you over because you sneeze more than most people is lacking in compassion and empathy, and basically an idiot not worth your time or attention anyway.” Sipping her coffee, she looked Stevie right in her green eyes. “You can be negative and assume the worst, that’s your right as a human who’s lived long enough to know what most people are like. I’m not most people. Want to move breakfast into the living room? I brought some movies.”

 

Edited February 19, 2016 by Glory
attempting to fix paragraph breaks...

[M214186]

Please keep going.