Looking after Dustin

[MyOwnPrivateSFC]

6 hours ago, fieldofflowers said:

:)))) it’s back

This!!!

[aggedy_ann]

Just a snippet, but an important one

 

Dustin stood up and slipped off to the guest room while Ethan escorted Tim the master bedroom.

 

Ethan pulled down the covers on his bed, giving Tim a look that indicated he should lay down.  Tim hesitated.

 

“Sheets are clean, I promise.”

 

“It’s not that.  It’s just…I can’t steal your bed.  You’re doing enough already.”

 

“Yes, you can,” came Ethan’s firm response.   “You’ll sleep better here than on the couch.”  

 

He had to admit Ethan was right.  He was too tall to properly fit on the couch.

 

“Trust me.  I sleep in the chair all the time.   This way, I won’t disturb you when I get up and sneeze my way through breakfast.  Or if Dustin can’t sleep and wants to watch tv.  I can keep a better eye on the two of you, especially at night…it mostly just gives you a quiet place to rest.”

 

Tim nodded.  He couldn’t argue with Ethan on this.  At least, he wasn’t gonna win if he did.   He slipped into the bed and pulled the covers over him.    “Thanks.”

 

“You’ve got tissues.  Cough drops are in the drawer.  Anything else you might need?”

 

Tim cleared his throat.  “Can you get me another glass of water, please?  I should have grabbed it when we were out there.”

 

“I’ll fill a bottle.  Be right back.”

 

True to his word, Ethan return less than a minute later with a water bottle, setting it next to Tim.

 

“Thanks.”  Tim smiled.

 

“I should let you rest now.”  Ethan turned to leave.

 

“Can you stay for a little bit?”

 

“Just a little.  Can’t let Dustin think I’m giving you special treatment.” He grinned.  “Just because we’re dating.”  He sat on the edge of the bed as Tim schooched over.

 

Tim felt his heart leap and swallowed hard.  “Is that official now?”  He kept his tone light.  “It’s only been 4 dates…”

 

“And 4 days here. And I don’t know how many phone calls and text chats.  And now, you’re here.  I figured if you wanted to run screaming, you would have when I wanted you in the ER.”

 

“I didn’t.”  Tim said, softly.   “Truthfully, I was scared to death until I got there and as you were mostly ok.”

 

“I…” Ethan trailed off, then started again.  “I don’t know why, but you were all I wanted that day.”

 

He looked to Tim for an answer to see Tim’s hazy eyes.   Recognizing the look, he snatched a tissue from the box, pressing it into Tim’s hand.   Tim rolled to the side, pressing the tissue to his nose.   “HuhhRuhhshoo…Ruhhshoo!  Ughh…excuse me.  Bad timing for that.”

 

“Bless you.” Ethan laughed.  “Anyway, I guess, if you want to be together…”

 

Tim rolled to the side again.  “Chushoo…HahhhChushoo. Ughhh…goddammit!  Sorry.”  He took a quick second to blow his nose, then straightened up and deposited the tissues in the trash can Ethan held up for him.

 

“Bless you.  You sure you didn’t leave out the fact that you’re allergic to relationships?” He teased.

 

Tim shook his head.  “Nope.  Just serious conversations.” He bantered back.

 

Ethan laughed, handing him another tissue.  “Blow your nose again.”  He paused and waited.  “Dustin sneezed like crazy at the beginning, too.  You just can’t tease him about it though.  At least not when he’s sick.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“Answer the question first, then I’ll warn you about Dustin.”

 

“I mean, if you want to be together,” he scanned Ethan’s face for any sign of a tell, the noticed that the man appeared to be holding his breath.  His heart leapt again.  “Then I do.”

 

Ethan smiled.  “I want that, too.”  He squeezed Tim’s arm.  

 

“Now, Dustin.”  Tim reminded Ethan.  

 

Ethan chuckled.  “As you’ve seen, he can be an absolute moody, irritable bear when he’s sick…to put it lightly.  So you can’t tease him.  He self conscious about his asthma, too, since he got picked on for it as a kid.   So like, right now, he’s not as much fun as usual; he doesn’t like being teased when he doesn’t feel well.   You can pick on him for his allergies though.  He’s used to them; they’re year round, and we all give him hell about them.   Even his 3 year old has started.”

 

“Even his kid is picking on him? Ouch.”

 

“She can be a handful.   She doesn’t know the difference between ‘sick’ and ‘allergies’ though, but he can’t get mad at her, so he just says ‘daddy’s sick, princess,’ and she’ll let him be.  She’s probably missing him.  She’s daddy’s girl.”

 

Tim grinned.  “That was my sister.  Of course, she was the only girl with six boys.”

 

Ethan laughed, then bent forward, directing a sneeze into his lap.  “Ahtchoo!”

 

“Bless you.”  Tim gave him a concerned glance.  “Your sneezing’s picking up a bit.”

 

Ethan waved away his concerns.  “I’m fine.  The worry is about you and Dustin.”

 

“Just don’t relapse yourself taking care of us.”

 

“Really,” Ethan gave a reassuring smile.  “They were ready to send me back to work tomorrow if it weren’t for all the exposure to Dustin.   My ear feels fine and I’ve just got a cough.”

 

“And some lingering sneezes, apparently.”

 

A shrug.  “Maybe a few more than normal.   You’ll get used to my sneezing…won’t even notice after awhile…or at least that’s what my friends say.”

 

“Something that loud?”  Tim gave a teasing grin, and Ethan blushed.   “Sorry, I know I’m not much quieter.”

 

“I should be figuring out what I’m going to feed you two the next couple days.  The soup you made will last for tonight.”  

 

“Yeah…I wasn’t figuring on three when I made it. I can always make more.”

 

Ethan shook his head. “You wont want to after today.  I bought a bunch of canned soup.”

 

Tim looked at him in mock horror.  “Canned soup?!  Just kill me now, Ethan O’Connell.”  He managed before collapsing on the bed in laughter.  Ethan followed suit.

 

A few seconds later, Dustin appeared in the doorway.   “Shouldn’t you both be resting?”

 

Ethan straightened up, serious nurse face appearing once again.  “Him, yes; me, no.”

 

“E, I can hear you sneezing.   It’s picking up.  Time to lay down for a bit.”   

 

Ethan meant to argue, but Dustin wasn’t wrong.   He ducked down into his elbow.  “Ahtschoo!”

 

“Bless you.” Tim cleared his throat.  “I think Dustin’s got a point.   Go lay down for little bit.”

 

“Fine.”  Ethan mock-huffed.  “I’ll see you two in an hour.” He coughed.   

[fieldofflowers]

hope tim doesn’t get worse 😏

[Wow Really?]

4 hours ago, fieldofflowers said:

hope tim doesn’t get worse 😏

Hope Dustin doesn’t get worse 😛

[ID2006]

Mmmm, love seeing how Ethan handles Tim being sick 

[aggedy_ann]

Update:

It was just over an hour later when Ethan stopped dozing on the couch.   He had slept with one ear open, so to speak.   Not hearing much noise out of either Tim or Dustin, he went and quickly ate his snack before waking Dustin for his neb.    Dustin was, typically, grumpy at being woken, but went to the kitchen for his breathing treatment.   

 

Following that, he went to check on Tim.   Tim was restless and coughing when he went in, and he stood there a moment, until the coughing ceased before laying a hand on Tim’s arm.

 

Tim’s eyes opened immediately, and a look of confusion crossed his face before his eyes found Ethan and realization set in.    

 

“Hi.”

 

“Hey.”

 

“How are you doing?”

 

Tim coughed roughly into his sleeve, took a drink of water and sat up.  “Achy.  Headache.  Chills.  Think I got some sleep though.”

 

Ethan reached out with the thermometer he had brought with him.  “99.8.  Inching closer to a fever.”

 

Tim nodded.  

 

“Hungry?” 

 

Tim shook his head.  “Not really hungry, but…”

 

“But, what?  Just let me know what you need…or want.”

 

“Tea sounds really good.   I think it would warm me up a bit.”

 

“Tea is something I can make.” Ethan grinned.  “Honey? Lemon?”

 

Tim coughed again.  “Plenty of both, please.  I brought more honey.”

 

 “You didn’t have to…”

 

“If I’m coughing bad, it’s the only thing that stops it,” Tim explained, snatching up tissues and wrenching away.  “HeyyYehhShoo, YehhShoo!…uhhshoo! UhhYuhhshoo!”   He gave a strong, forceful blow, followed by several wracking coughs.

 

“Bless you.”  Ethan handed him the water.

 

“Thanks.” Tim responded, voice starting to roughen.  “The coughing and sneezing is starting to tear up my throat.”

 

Ethan offered a gentle smile.  “Tea will be good then.  You want to come out or have it here?”

 

“Out there.  Too many bad experiences with being sick and having hot liquids in bed.”

 

Ethan laughed.  “Same.  Come on.  Dustin will be finishing his neb up, and I’m sure he’ll want some tea too.” 

 

Dustin and Tim watched as Ethan whipped up a pot of tea; Tim surprised that the man who, by his own admission, did not cook, owned a traditional tea kettle.

 

“Better for tea, especially when there’s more than just me.” Ethan explained to Tim’s surprised expression.

 

“The microwave doesn’t heat it to his liking.” Dustin whispered, stuffily.

 

“Well, it doesn’t.”  Ethan huffed.  “It’s too hot in some places, cold in others.”   

 

Dustin shook his head, then picked up a napkin, pressing it to his nose.  “HahKishoo-kishoo-kshoo-kshoo-shoo-shoo…HahKishoo.”

 

“Bless you.” 

 

“Thanks.” Dustin responded to Tim.  “I think the nebs make me sneeze more.”

 

“They do it to me.”  Ethan chipped in.  “At least that burst was short.”

 

“Which means there’s probably a longer one coming later.” Dustin grumped.

 

Ethan poured water over the tea bags, adding lemon to Dustin’s with a small squeeze of honey and a slight squeeze of lemon with just the tiniest amount of honey to his.   He set Tim’s in front of him with the lemon and honey.  “I’ll watch you make yours so I get it right next time.”  He said, setting his and Dustin’s on the table.

 

Tim turned away.  “S-second.  HuhhSchoo…uhhhYuhhshoo.  Excuse me.”

 

“Bless you.”  Ethan waited while he blew his nose and got up to wash his hands.  Tim sat back down, and Ethan watched as Tim added a squeeze of lemon and a large amount of honey to his tea.   “Got it.  I’ll have that down for next time.”

 

“He honestly will.” Dustin laughed.  “He honestly will.”

 

Following tea, Ethan sent them both back to bed, which, Tim had to admit, wasn’t a bad idea.  He was definitely more fatigued than he had been that morning.   He wrapped the blankets tight around him in an effort to warm up and fell asleep before that happened.  The next thing he was aware of was Dustin waking him.

 

“Hey, Ethan’s dishing up dinner.” Dustin said as Tim opened his eyes.

 

Tim nodded, sitting up and taking a drink of water before following Dustin to the kitchen.   After a quick dinner, Ethan allowed a movie before sending them both to bed.

 

Ethan reminded Tim he could have more NyQuil at 1:30, then tucked him in with a quick kiss to the temple.  “You’re really warm,” he sighed.   “I’ll be right back.”

 

Tim nodded, pulling the covers tight around him.  Despite what Ethan had said about him being warm, he was chilled.  He gave Ethan a small smile when he came back and scanned his forehead.   

 

“99.9. Not creeping up too much. That’s good, at least.”

 

Tim nodded, bringing his hands up to his face.  “HeyyyYesshoo, ehssshoo!”

 

“Bless you.”

 

Tim kept his hands in place, sniffling.  “Can I have a tihhh hihhhYyyihshoo, yyihhzshoo…tissue, please?”

 

“Knew there were gonna be more, huh?” Ethan laughed, handing over a couple.

 

Tim nodded, blowing his nose.   “Always sneeze my damn head off with a cold, guess this isn’t any different.”

 

“Probably not.”  Ethan paused as Tim was wracked with a series of harsh coughs.   “Those definitely didn’t sound good.”

 

Tim shook his head.  “Never do.  I always sound worse than I am.  Honest.”

 

Not reassured, Ethan urged him to lay down.  “Get some rest.  I’ll check on you before I go to bed.  I better go look in on Dustin now.”

 

Tim nodded.  “Thanks…good night, Ethan.”

 

Ethan lingered by the door.  “Good night Tim.”

 

Tim heard him sneeze as he crossed over to the guest room and knocked on the door.

 

“Bless you.” Dustin said as he opened the door, brow furrowed in concern.  

 

“Thank you.  Just came to check this.”  He held up the thermometer.  

 

Dustin nodded, letting him in and bending down so Ethan could scan his temple.  “Verdict?”

 

“Holding steady at 102.1.”

 

“And yours?”  Ethan looked at him.  “Seriously, E, you’ve been sneezing a lot today.  Just wanna make sure we’re not too much for you and you’re not heading for a relapse.”

 

“I’m fine.  I sneeze. A lot.  You’ve been around me how long?”

 

“It’s a lot for you.” Dustin clarified, taking the thermometer and scanning Ethan’s forehead.  “97.8.  Ok.  I’m satisfied.  Must just be leftovers.”

 

Ethan laughed.  “Probably.  Need anything before I go to bed?  Got enough tissues?”

 

“Just grabbed a full box.”  Dustin smiled.  “And…” He trailed off, stepping over to the bed for the aforementioned tissues, clasping one to his nose.  “HahKishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kshoo-kshoo-shoo-shoo-shoo…HahKishoo!”  He blew his nose, and handed Ethan the empty box.  “Wonder what the neighbors will think of your recycling?” He joked.

 

Ethan laughed.  “Go call Beth and get some sleep.”

 

Ethan made his way back to the living room and debated couch or oversized chair.   True, he napped in the chair all the time, but he had a feeling that sleeping overnight in it would do a number on his neck.   Stretching out on the couch, he draped a blanket over him.  Once his head was down on the pillow, he was asleep.

 

The next thing Tim was aware of the next morning was Ethan sneezing.  Fully opening his eyes, he went to stand up, immediately sitting back down on the bed.  “Ok,’ he thought, ‘little weak, go slow.’   He carefully made his way to the kitchen and sat down as Ethan sneezed again.  

 

“Bless you.”

 

“Oh!  Hey.  How are you doing?”  Ethan pressed a hand to Tim’s forehead.  “Still pretty warm.”

 

“You’re fussing.  Same as yesterday.  Chills, headache, achy, coughing, sneezing…little wobbly today, though.  But if I’m careful, I’m ok.”

 

Ethan frowned, picking up the thermometer from where he had set it last night.  “100.5.”  His frown deepened.

 

Tim looked baffled.  “I never run fevers.” Came the explanation.   “Even last year when I had pneumonia, I never topped 100.”

 

“Explains the wobbly.”  Ethan sighed.  “Hatshoo! Ugh.”  He looked over at Tim.  “Can’t stop this morning.  You’d think with the pneumonia gone, I’d be back to sneezes as normal.”

 

Tim chuckled but looked concerned.   

“HahKishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kshoo-kshoo-Kshoo-shoo-shoo-shoo-shoo.”  Dustin, sniffling, sat down at the table and rubbed his eyes.  “I can’t stop either.  Allergies have kicked in again.  Explains your sneezes yesterday, too.”

 

Ethan looked at him, raising an eyebrow, and Dustin handed over his phone.   

 

Tim looked over and saw the yellow lines and nodded.  He was familiar enough from Alex and Jamie with how to read the rising pollen counts.  “You gonna be ok?” He asked, thinking back to their first meeting.  “If it’s too much, I can go home…”

 

Ethan laughed.  “I’ll be fine.  It’s not too high.  Just enough to kick my allergies in.   Fall does that; they wax and wane.”  He paused, turning away.  “Ahchoo!”

 

“Just means we have to listen to more of that.”  Dustin explained, teasing Ethan.

 

Ethan nodded, blowing his nose.  “At least it explains why I’m sneezing so much.”

 

“Worried you were relapsing?”

 

“No!”  Ethan protested, “just found it strange, is all.” He was defensive.

 

“Yahhehhsshoo, heeyyyshoo!”  Tim interrupted before that conversation could continue, snatching a napkin off the table.

 

“Bless you.”  Ethan shot him a concerned glance before picking up the thermometer to check Dustin’s temperature.

 

“Those don’t sound good.”  Dustin commented.

 

“Never do.”  Tim shrugged.  “I have the world’s worst sneeze, I’ve been told.”  

 

Dustin laughed as Ethan viewed the thermometer screen.  “101.9.  Slowly coming down.”

 

“I think my allergies are gonna be the bigger problem today.” Griped Dustin, wiping his nose.

 

“I’ll move the air purifier from the bedroom into your room.  Tim doesn’t need it.”

 

“Lucky.” Came Dustin’s mutter.

 

“We can get me a feather pillow if you want me to join you.” Tim joked.   

 

Dustin laughed.

 

“Seriously, though.  I’m already sneezing, like 500% more than normal.  Doesn’t that count for something?”

 

Dustin laughed again as Ethan sneezed.

 

“How many are you up to?” 

 

“1 when I woke up, 2 in the shower, 2 getting ready and 4 so far in here, so um…”

 

“9.”  Tim chipped in.

 

“Yeah,” Ethan sighed.  “And there’s about 20 minutes of this bullshit left to go.”

 

“Hey, I’ve seen you worse.”  Dustin turned to Tim.  “I’ve seen him break 20.”

 

“Let’s not.”  Ethan sighed, turning to the stove.   “Who wants breakfast?”

 

After breakfast, (15 sneezes for Ethan), Dustin went to lie down, with the air purifier while Tim wrapped in a blanket on the couch.  Ethan switched on the TV, grumbling.   “I hate daytime TV,” he complained.  “There’s never anything on.”

 

“Just go for the news.” Tim coughed.  “It’s not like we’ll really focus on it.”

 

“We’re not making out.” Ethan reminded him.

 

Tim rolled his eyes.  “Figured wehehh…heehhhyyeschoo, ehhtzschoo…hehhtesschoo,,hhaayyzzsschoo!  Urghh. Bless me.   Figured we’d talk or something.”  Strong gurgling nose blows followed, and he deposited the tissues he had hastily snatched in the plastic bag Ethan handed him.

 

“You’re right.  You really do have the worst sounding sneeze.   And I thought mine scared small children.”

 

“Just one more thing we have in common.” Tim laughed.  “So…3 weeks ago, did you think we’d find ourselves here?”

 

Ethan laughed.  “I certainly didn’t think that was how I’d get you into my bed.  I mean, I’d hoped when that happened, I’d be in it with you.”

 

It was Tim’s turn to laugh.  

 

“Hahchoo!  And I kinda hoped that we’d have been together for awhile before you saw me knocked on my ass by something.”

 

“Same.  Be nice if we had one date where one of use wasn’t sick or if I wasn’t having an allergy attack.”

 

“Or if I wasn’t.”   Ethan referenced their first meeting.  

 

“You were cute.  I wasn’t.”

 

“I was not.”

 

“Wouldn’t have come over if you weren’t.   All I saw was this hot guy who just so happened to be sneezing every five minutes.   Gave me an excuse to approach you.”

 

“Ugh…those coffee shop napkins.  You were my night in shining armor with tissues to slay my runny nose.”

 

Tim laughed.  “My darling in distress.”

 

“Thanks for not calling me a damsel.”  He said as Tim shivered.  “Get some rest.  I’ll wake you at 10 if you want to try to Zoom into work.

[2SHY222]

Soooooooo adorable 🥰

[aggedy_ann]

Sorry for the delay.  School and work took over and now I’m on the process of moving, so time has been scarce.   ☹️
 

Tim nodded, yawning as he pulled the blanket tighter around him, resting his head on the arm of the couch.   Ethan tucked his legs under him, picked up his tablet and switched between reading his book and working on his continuing education.   

 

At 9:45, he gently shook Tim awake.   “You up to working?” He asked, gently.

 

Tim looked at him blearily, then rubbed his eyes.   “10 already?”

 

“Well, 9:45.  Figured you’d need some time to get set up.”

 

Tim nodded.  “Yeah.   I should probably text Alex.  Give him time to set up a link.  Get my laptop hooked into your WiFi.  Get my laptop.”  He chuckled.   “And my phone.”  A few rough coughs escaped following his laugh.    

 

“You want more tea?”  

 

“You read my mind.  I don’t know how my throat’s gonna hold up for this.”  He tried bring his elbow up to his face but the sneezes struck when he’d only hastily managed to cover them with his forearm.   “Hh’hhuhhRrruhhshooo! Yuuhhshoo! Ughh.  Especially if I keep doing that.”  He went for his laptop and phone, returning and setting the laptop on the coffee table.   He shot Alex a quick text before booting up the laptop.   Ethan hooked him into the WiFi while Tim read the return text from Alex.   “Freddie’s gonna send me a link.” He commented.   

 

Ethan nodded, turning away.  “Hatchoo!  I’ll hang out in the kitchen while you work.   I don’t want to disturb you too much, especially with my sneezing.”

 

“I haven’t heard you sneeze too much.” 

 

“You were sleeping pretty deep.  I’m gonna go get your tea while you get set up.”

 

Ethan returned with a mug of tea just as Tim was logging into his zoom call.   He slid the steaming mug onto the coffee table.  “Text if you need anything.” He whispered and slipped out of the room.

 

Dustin was making his way into the kitchen when Ethan entered.  “Feeling better?”

 

Dustin nodded, heading for the fridge and pouring a glass of orange juice.  “Yeah.  The spike in allergies caught me off guard.” He sniffed. “Especially on top of this.”

 

“Caught me by surprise.  But it’s always like that this part of fall.”

 

“Tim go back to bed?”

 

“Living room.  He zoomed into work.  Says he’s up to it.”

 

Dustin shrugged.  “Might be the only day he is.” 

 

Ethan nodded, rubbing his hand under his nose.  “Hungry at all?”

 

Dustin shook his head, pulling a tissue from the box.  “Appetite still isn’t great.”  He toyed with the tissue, sniffling.

 

“Stuck?”

 

“Yeah.”  Dustin sounded distant.

 

“Sorry.”

 

Dustin gave another deep sniffle and stared up at the kitchen light, sighing.  

 

“You know that never works.”

 

“It’s supposed to.” Dustin grumbled.

 

“Not foryou.” Ethan rushed to finish and turned away.  “Ahshoo!”

 

“Seriously?”  Dustin sighed.   He rubbed his nose and sniffed again.  “You have no idea what this is like.”

 

“Sorry, no.  I don’t think I’ve ever not been able to sneeze.  Or been able to not sneeze.”

 

“It’s right there.” Dustin complained, congestion increasing.   

 

“I can tell.  Usually doesn’t take this long.  Want me to open a window?”

 

A glare met him.  Followed by a shaky inhale.  “HahhKishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kshoo-shoo-shoo-shoo-shoo…HahKishoo!”

 

“Bless you.  Better?”

 

Dustin shook his head, pitching forward into his tissue again.  “HahKishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kshoo-kshoo-shoo-shoo-shoo…HahKishoo.”  He grabbed a fresh tissue and blew his running nose.   

 

“Bless you again.”  Ethan grinned.  “Better now?”

 

Dustin nodded, coughing, then catching his breath, still winded easily.   

 

Another spell of coughing, this time from the living room, caught Ethan’s attention.   He watched Tim reach for his water, then resume talking, voice sounding rougher than it had an hour ago.   

“I’m gonna get him some more tea.” Ethan stood up and crossed over to the cupboard for a mug.   He began fixing the tea to Tim’s liking.  He was carrying the the tea into the living room when Tim’s head snapped forward with the first sneeze.   

 

“EhShoo! HahEhggshoo!”  Tim fumbled for the tissues with one hand as his opposite arm blocked the powerful explosions.  “HehhEckshoo, Ehhrgshoo!”

 

Ethan set the tea down on the coffee table and tilted Tim’s laptop away from him as Tim geared up for another set of sneezes.  “Hehhrahhtchoo, Rahhhszzhoo!”

 

Ethan managed to find the mute button on Tim’s zoom call as Tim’s coworkers continued talking, acting as if nothing was happening.  

 

“Yahhzhoo! HehhTahhszhoo! Ehhrchahhh, EhhhChhahhshehh!  Ahhhsheshhh! Hehhhhyahhszhhoo!”  Sniffling, Tim lifted his head up from his sodden tissues.

 

“Bless you.”  Ethan handed him a fresh pile of tissues, and Tim began clearing his sinuses.

 

After a few blows, Tim looked up at Ethan, nose running.  “I never sneeze like this.” He whimpered.

 

“It’s part of this.”  Dustin said from the doorway.  “You’ve seen what it did to me.”

 

Tim resumed blowing his nose for a few seconds.  “I thought that was just your allergies.”

 

Ethan shook his head.  “I think it’s just this strain of influenza.”

 

Tim nodded after he finished clearing out his nose.   “I should go back to work now.”  He said, flushing.   “After they’ve heard all this.”

 

“I muted you, moved you off screen.”  Ethan reassured.

 

Tim nodded, looking, for a second, exhausted, then he straightened his laptop and unmuted.  “Sorry about that.”

 

“You ok?”  Freddie asked.

 

Tim shrugged, taking a sip of the fresh tea.  “Yeah.”

 

“We’re gonna break for lunch.”  Alex was decisive.  “I think you’re done for the day.”

 

“I’m fine!”  Tim protested.

 

An audible sigh was heard from Alex. “You know there’s not much you’ll be able to do after lunch when we move to the set.   Go get some rest.”

 

Tim glared.  

 

Alex looked stern.  “You look like you could use it.”  He said as the others logged off the call.   “Don’t be stubborn.”

 

“I want to work.  One sneezing fit doesn’t mean I can’t.”

 

“Your sneezing’s getting worse.  Your cough is worse.  Go to bed.   And put Ethan on.”

 

Another glare from Tim.

 

“I’m right here.”  Ethan said quietly.   To Tim, “and, he’s right.”

 

Tim’s glare at Ethan was ruined by several harsh coughs.   

 

Ethan glanced at his watch.   “I think you’re due for more cold medicine.”  He said pointedly.   

 

Grumbling, Tim stood up.  “Fine.  Talk about me when I’m not here.”  He stalked into the kitchen.

 

Ethan took the seat Tim had vacated, trying to hide his nerves at talking one on one with Alex Johnston.  “What’s up?”

 

“His cough is pretty bad.” Alex stated the obvious.  

 

Ethan nodded. 

 

“Just keep an eye on him.   With his asthma, when he gets coughing like that, he gets pretty bad secondary respiratory infections pretty easily.  I know you haven’t been around him that long, so I thought you should know.”

 

Ethan smiled.   “Thanks.”

 

“Don’t let him overdo it.  He will.  He can work a bit tomorrow if he’s up to it, but if he sounds like this, I’m cutting it short again.”

 

“I’ll keep pushing him to rest.  The Tamiflu should keep him from getting as sick.”

 

“Good.   Thanks.  Just have him call if you guys needs anything.  I’m sure you’ve got your hands full.”

 

“Will do.  Thanks.”

 

“Thank you.”  Alex looked relieved as he ended the call.

 

Ethan looked up as Tim came back into the room, giving him an expectant look.  “He just wanted me to make sure I watch you for a respiratory infection.  That’s all.”

 

“He worries too much.”  Tim groused, shutting down his computer.

 

“He cares.  Come on, let’s go eat lunch.”

 

“Not really hungry.”

 

“Try.  Gotta keep your strength up.”

 

Tim followed him to the kitchen and took a seat next to Dustin while Ethan dished up soup and made a sandwich for himself.   

 

“Hatchoo!”  Ethan sat down at the table, and immediately turned to the left, burying a sneeze in his elbow.  

 

“Bless you.  Planning to get us all started?”  Dustin chirped, rubbing his nose.

 

“Hope not.”  Tim sniffed, taking a bite of his soup.

 

“So, naps after lunch?”

 

Ethan’s suggestion was met with a sigh from Dustin and a groan from Tim.

 

“Movie?”  Dustin suggested.  “And maybe we fall asleep there?”  He rubbed his nose again and reached for a tissue as Tim turned away from the table.

 

“Heyyyuhhhshoo, yyuhhshoo!”  He picked up his napkin and blew his nose.

 

“Bless you.”

 

“You stole my sneezes.”  Dustin grumbled, finishing his soup.

 

Ethan chuckled.  “You’re having a hell of a time with sneezes today.  And yes, a movie is an acceptable alternative to naps.”  He picked up the dishes, heading for the sink.  “You two go get comfortable.”

 

 

[Kolen]

Oh hey lookie there I've stumbled upon a wild update. Thanks for updating, and please continue with your fantastic writing!! 😋🙃😀😃😀😃😀

[Wow Really?]

Oh yay! I had almost given up hope that there’d be more of this one. Thank you! I love Dustin so much. 

[EveP]

Oh, I've been longing for an update and now I logged in and there it was. *jumps for joy*

[aggedy_ann]

Here’s a little more.   Like I said, life is finally stabilizing for me, which gives me more time with these bots.  🥰

 

They had sat down to dinner when a frustrated Dustin finally found release.   He had just taken a few bites of his soup when he suddenly wrenched to the side, doubling over.   “HahKishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kshoo-kshoo-Kshoo-shoo-shoo-shoo…HahKishoo!”  He paused for a deep breath, fumbling for his napkin. “HahKishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kshoo-shoo-shoo-shoo-shoo-shoo…HahKishoo!”  Straightening up, he picked his napkin up off the table and blew his nose as Tim slid the tissue box closer to him.   

 

“Bless you.”  Ethan grinned.  “Feel better?”

 

Dustin nodded.   “Helped.” He sniffled, turning back to the table.   “Nose still tickles though.”

 

“Well, hopefully you got it started.” Ethan chuckled.  

 

“I hope so.  Although I hope I’m not sneezing all night now.”

 

“I think you can save that for me.  I haven’t let up all day.”  Tim commented.

 

“Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”  Ethan commented.

 

Tim sighed and glanced over at Dustin.  “Does nothing get by him?”

 

“Hasn’t gotten past me either.   You’ve got two nurses here with you.”

 

Tim groaned, resting his face in his hands.  “Not catching a break here.”

 

“Nope.” Ethan laughed.   “Finish your soup.”

 

Tim swirled his spoon in his bowl.   “I’m sick of soup.” He grumbled, ducking down.  “Huhhh’Rrruuusshehhh,  yyuuhhshehhh!”

 

Dustin slid the tissues back, blessing him.  “I’m getting tired of soup, too.” He admitted.

 

“I’ll make sandwiches?”  Was Ethan’s offer.  “I’ll work on something more for tomorrow.”

 

Tim and Dustin were agreeable, and Ethan’s watchful eye observed Tim eat half a sandwich before pronouncing himself done.   

 

“I should send you to bed.”

 

“Because I didn’t finish my dinner?” Tim teased.

 

“Because you’ve barely slept all day.”

 

“Have too.  I slept during the movie.”

 

“For like half an hour.”

 

“It was more-“

 

Their disagreement was interrupted by Dustin, or rather his nose.

 

“HahKishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kshoo-kshoo-Kshoo-shoo-shoo-shoo-shoo-shoo-sho…HahKishoo!”  Dustin looked dazed for a second, then coughed several times before catching his breath.

 

“Bless you!  That was a long one.”  Ethan forget about forcing Tim to bed.   

 

Dustin nodded.  “This thing sucks.”

 

Tim offered a sympathetic smile.  “I’m sure having your allergies kick in doesn’t help.”

 

Dustin shook his head.  “Not really.”  He blew his nose loudly.   “I think I’m only good for another hour or so.” He admitted.

 

Ethan shot him a concerned look.   

 

“Just tired and achy.  Head is killing me, and if I’m going to keep sneezing…”

 

Tim nodded in commiseration.   “To be honest, I’ve probably only got a couple hours in me.”

 

Dustin smiled.  “Gives you two some time alone after I go to bed.” He pointed out.

 

Ethan smiled, then briefly buried his face in his elbow.  “Ahshoo!”

 

Tim laughed at this.  “So we can sit there and sneeze?”

 

“Probably.”  Ethan said through his tissue as he carefully wiped his nose.  “Allergies have been wearing me down today.”

 

“Nights are always worse with his allergies.  Pretty sure it just builds on him throughout the day.”  Dustin informed Tim.

 

Tim nodded, filing away that tidbit of information.  Coughing harshly, he stood up.  “I’ll be right back.”   He slipped off to the bathroom, noticing once again that he was somewhat jelly legged and wobbly on his feet.   He used his inhaler, then slowly returned to the table, gripping the wall as he stopped to sneeze.   “Yyuurrshoo,  huuhhyyyyushhooo!”

 

“Bless you.” Both men looked concerned to see him holding onto the wall.   

 

“You ok?”

 

“A little wobbly.  Maybe I’ve been sitting too…”. His face scrunched and he grabbed for the wall again.  “Heyyyahhtchoo, ahhhtcheshh!”  “Sitting too long.”  He finished stuffily, making his way to the table and the tissues.

 

Ethan got up from the table as Tim slipped back into his seat and blew his nose.   

 

“Bless you again.”  Dustin looked concerned.  “You’re a little pale.”

 

Ethan returned with the thermometer.  “Should’ve done this before dinner.   On both of you.”  He swiped Dustin’s forehead.  “100, even.”  Then, turned to Tim.  “101.7.” He frowned.  “You ok, other than wobbly?”

 

Tim nodded.   

 

“We’ll watch it.  But if it goes up, then I’ll get more aggressive with it.”

 

Tim nodded again.  “I wish you could get more aggressive with stopping the sneezing.”  He complained.

 

“Don’t we ahh…HahKishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kshoo-kshoo-kshoo-shoo-shoo…HahKishoo!  Don’t we all?”  

 

“Sorry.  Trust me.  If I could stop it, I would.”  Dustin’s rapid fire fits always left him gasping for air at the end, and Tim’s sneezes just sounded rough, occasionally painful.  By this point in the illness, both were hard to watch or listen to.  As much as he tired of his own sneezing, right now, theirs was worse.  

 

Ethan allowed TV again after dinner, and true to his word, Dustin was done for the night after an hour, leaving Tim and Ethan to have some time together.   

 

Ethan flipped to a streaming service and found the show they had been watching.  “Ready to pickup…Hatchoo!…start where we left off?”

 

Tim grinned. “You know it.”   He picked up the tissues and placed them on his lap, snuggling closer to Ethan.    “I think this show may not have held up the best in all areas.”

 

Ethan laughed.   “Definitely not.  But where it did…”

 

Tim nodded, fumbling with the tissues.   “Hhhh’rrrhhhiishhahhh…rhhisshahhh.  Ugh.”  He shook his head and quickly blew his nose.   

 

“Bless you.”  Ethan said, gently.  

 

“Thanks.”  Tim scrubbed at his nose again.   “Ugh.   I’ve been at it all day.   You’d think it’d wear down by now.”

 

Ethan chuckled, rubbing Tim’s back.  “I’m afraid sneezes don’t work that way.”

 

A grin from Tim.  “They teach you that in nursing school?” He leaned against Ethan.  

 

Ethan pulled away, coiling forward with a forceful sneeze of his own.  “Ah-Hatchoo!  Sorry.   Bless me.”  He apologized.   

 

Tim fought back a laugh.   “It seems our noses have their own ideas about our time together.   Mine won’t give me a break…”

 

“And mine is starting to ramp things up, if that sneeze was any indication.”  He flopped back on the couch.   “We can try cuddling, but I think any sustained length is a lost cause.”

 

Tim laughed again, his laughter quickly turning into harsh, barky coughs.    Ethan sat there, ready with the water until he regained control of his breathing.    “You sure you’re ok?”

 

Tim sipped the water.  “It’s just sneezing and a nasty cough.   I’m ok, Ethan.”

 

“Why do I get the feeling ‘I’m ok’ is going to be etched on your tombstone?”

 

“Because it’s also going to be etched on yours.” Came Dustin’s voice from behind them.   “Sorry to interrupt; just happened to overhear.   Passing through for more water.”  He paused to cough.   “Are you sure you’re ok Tim?  Or was I interrupting…something?”

 

Quizzical looks from both.

 

“You’re awfully sweaty for a guy ‘just watching tv.’” Dustin pointed out.

 

“You are sweating.”  Ethan noted.  

 

“I’m actually kinda chilly.”   Tim pointed out.   

 

Dustin grabbed the thermometer from the kitchen.  “102.1.”   

 

Ethan sighed.   “Getting higher.”  He sighed.

 

“Mine hung out there for a few days,” Dustin pointed out.    

 

Ethan frowned but nodded.   “I know.”  He turned to Tim.  “How do you feel?”

 

“Chilly.”  He paused as Ethan indicated for him to wait.

 

“HahShoo!  Sorry.”

 

“Bless you.   Still a bit wobbly.  That’s it.   I’m ok.”  

 

Ethan scrutinized him as Dustin slipped out to get his water and head back to bed.

 

“Let’s just try to finish this episode.   We’ve had so little time together.”

 

Ethan nodded.  “This episode.   Then you’re going to bed.”

 

It was Tim’s turn to nod, as he reached for a tissue.   “Hahhrayyshoo…rayysheshhh.  I mean, depending on what our noses decide to let us do.”

 

Ethan sat back down, looking less relaxed than he had five minutes ago.   Tim sighed and slid closer to him, wrapping an arm around him.  Ethan smiled and leaned into him.   “We can try it.   Which on of us do you think sneezes first?”

 

Tim chuckled.   “I would say you, since I just sneezed, but yours space out, and I’m so unpredictable.  Let’s just enjoy the moment while we have it.”   

 

It was Tim who sneezed first, followed in quick succession by Ethan, just as the program was ending.    Ethan made the executive decision of bed over a second episode, sending them both to get ready.   

 

“Atchoo!”  Ethan returned to the living room with a sneeze and a sniffle.

 

“Bless you.”  Tim told him.  “Going to bed now…while my nose is quiet.”  He headed into the bedroom, followed by Ethan.   “Coming to make sure I get in bed ok?”

 

Ethan blushed, caught.  “Just making sure you have everything.” He shrugged as Tim crawled under the covers.  “Tissues? Water?”

 

“I’m alright.  You go to bed.”   

 

“As long as you have everything…inhaler?”

 

“Right on the nightstand.”

 

“Ahshoo!”

 

Tim passed Ethan a tissue.  “Bless.  Got enough of those.”  He grinned, tapping his own nose.

 

Ethan laughed.  “Goodnight.”   He made his way back to the couch.   20 minutes…and another 3 sneezes (god, he hated his allergies)…he was asleep.

 

The next time he woke, it was just past 11 pm, and there was moaning coming from Tim in the bedroom.  

 

 

[EveP]

Oh, how I've been longing for this. I love those guys. 🙂 I'm glad your life is getting back to normal.

[MyOwnPrivateSFC]

The next time he woke, it was just past 11 pm, and there was moaning coming from Tim in the bedroom.
 

Damn you, aggedy! *shakes fist while going back to reread*

Edited September 26, 2021 by MyOwnPrivateSFC
Messed up HTML tags

[NotWho]

I absolutely love your stories aggedy! 

[2SHY222]

Another cliffhanger 😱 I gotta know what happens 

[Kolen]

-sad potato noises- nuuuuu need moarrrrr 

[aggedy_ann]

Thanks for letting me end with the cliffhanger, guys

 

He was quickly at Tim’s bedside, noticing him sweaty and restless.   He managed to rest the back of a hand on Tim’s face and nodded.   Tim’s fever had spiked.  A harsh, wheezy, prolonged bout of coughing caught his attention.   Tim needed two things first, his temperature and to see if he could use his inhaler.     He headed back out to the kitchen room where he thought Dustin had left the thermometer.   It wasn’t there.  He grabbed his stethoscope out of his work bag.  He didn’t use it, but habit…and went to wake Dustin.  

 

“Do you have the thermometer?” He demanded, starting to get rattled.

 

Dustin looked at him blearily.  “I put it in the bathroom.  Why do you…”

 

As Ethan ran off, he got out of bed and followed him.  “What’s going on, E?  Is it Tim?”  

 

Ethan nodded, grabbing the thermometer and dashing to the bedroom to scan Tim’s forehead.   “103.9.” He muttered, looking at Dustin as Tim coughed again.   

 

“Help him sit up, and ask him if he can use his inhaler.”  Dustin instructed, reaching for Ethan’s stethoscope.   “No offense, but my assessment skills are a more in practice than yours.”

 

Fixing Dustin with a Look, Ethan assisted Tim to a sitting position as Tim wrenched away.   

 

“Heh’jihhhszhoo! Hiittszzhoo!”  He sneezed in the direction of the blankets.  

 

“Bless you.”

 

“Tryn not get you.” Tim mumbled, sniffling.   

 

“Appreciate that.   When did you use your inhaler?”

 

“Bed.”

 

“Before you went to bed?”

 

Tim nodded, coughing again.

 

“Dustin’s going to listen to your lungs.   You’re wheezing pretty bad, and your temp spiked.”  He helped Tim sit up further so Dustin could listen.    

 

Dustin cued Tim to breathe, then had Ethan help him lay him back down.    

 

“ER?” Ethan asked anxiously.

 

“Honestly, his lungs aren’t horrible.   They can wait until morning.   It’s his temp we need to deal with.”   

 

Ethan nodded, rubbing his nose.

 

“Sleepy sneezes are starting in.”  Dustin chuckled.  “And it’s gonna be a long night.    Get him stripped down while I get the compresses, ok.  You didn’t move your washcloths ,did you?”

 

Ethan shook his head quickly, wrapping his arm up over his face.   “Hatchoo!”   He assumed the task of getting the feverish Tim down to his boxers and t-shirt until Dustin came in to drape Tim is lukewarm washcloths.    

 

“If he doesn’t start coming down in the next hour or so, your gonna have to take him in.” Dustin explained.   “His temp needs to be rechecked within an hour.   You can check it sooner, and knowing you, you will.   But don’t track progress until an hour.”  He placed his hand on Tim’s arm.   “Tim?”

At Tim’s response he continued, “think you can take some ibuprofen for me?”   

 

At Tim’s nod, Ethan helped Tim sit up as Dustin gave the pills, then got Tim comfortable again.   

 

“You can go back to sleep…just set an alarm to recheck.”

 

“I won’t sleep.”  Ethan grabbed a tissue.

 

“Ok.  Want-

 

“AhShoo!”

 

“Bless you.  Want me to stay with you, keep you company?”

 

Ethan rubbed at his nose with the tissue.   “Go sleep.  You need it.”

 

“Get me if his temp gets higher or he has an asthma attack, ok.”   

 

Ethan nodded, following Dustin out of the bedroom to grab a chair from the kitchen.   He set up camp next to the bed and watched Tim.

 

It was slow, but around 4, Tim’s temperature finally dropped to 102.   Sneezing wearily, Ethan made his way back to the couch and slept until 7.

 

“Hatchoo!”

 

Dustin heard Ethan sneezing tiredly in the kitchen early the next morning  There was also the smell of coffee permeating the air.   

 

“Bless you.  Sounded like you got a few hours sleep.”   He said when he made his way out, catching a third sneeze from Ethan.

 

Ethan nodded.   He dropped around 3.   Started sleeping peacefully.   So I went to sleep.   Got a break from between the sleepy sneezing and the morning sneezing.”

 

“How do you think I know you were asleep?” Dustin teased, grabbing a cup of coffee.    He hastily set the mug on the table, reaching for the tissues Ethan had haphazardly tossed there.    Failing to reach them in time, he pressed his wrist against his nose.  “HahKishoo-kishoo-kishoo-kshoo-Kshoo-shoo-shoo-shoo-shoo…HahKishoo!”   He grabbed a tissue, coughed, dried off his wrist, and blew his nose.

 

“Bless you.  I’ll wake Tim when my sneezing is done.”

 

Dustin cleared his throat.   “I, uh, changed the sheets on my bed.   I think you should get some sleep first.   I peeked in on him; I think he can wait a few hours to be seen.”

 

“AhShoo!”  Ethan tried to protest.

 

“Look, I know it’s hard for you to sleep once this start, but I’ve seen you do it.   And I’ll keep an eye on Tim.  Wake you if I need to.”

 

Ethan nodded, hesitantly.

 

“Now, go.”  He chased Ethan out of the kitchen to go get his pillow, then into the guest room.

 

Dustin took another sip of his coffee, then headed into the master bedroom, where Tim was resting quietly in Ethan’s bed.  He placed a hand on Tim’s arm and waited for him to wake up.   “Hey.”  He picked up the thermometer.   “101.7. Much better.   Remember anything about last night.”  He took the chair Ethan had left in there.

 

“Trying not to sneeze on Ethan, you giving me something horrible to eat, said it was pills, trying to use my inhaler…

 

“It was ibuprofen and applesauce.”  Dustin laughed.  “Not the best combo, I know.  How are you feeling?”

 

“Tired.   Lungs are tight.”

 

“Can I listen again?”  Tim nodded, and Dustin pressed his stethoscope up against Tim’s back.   “Deep breath.” He coached, and Tim did his best to breathe deeply without coughing.   “They’re about the same as last night.   You need to go in, but it can wait a little bit.   I sent Ethan to get some sleep.”

 

“He was here a lot.  I remember him sneezing.”

 

“Til around 3.  He’ll sleep for a few hours, then take you.  You can get some good sleep too.”

 

Tim yawned.  “I am tired. Didn’t sleehhrrshhoo, hehhehherrshesshh!  Uhhhrrrruhhhhshuhhh, Rrruhhshooo!  Ughh.”

 

“Bless you. Get some sleep.  Got everything you need?”

 

Tim nodded.  “Yeah.  Thanks.”

 

 

[EveP]

I'm so happy you're back to writing. I hope that means your life is getting back to normal. ☺️

[MyOwnPrivateSFC]

Oh, I enjoyed this one! Lots of mixed caretaking and concern.

[aggedy_ann]

And here’s the end of it; 

Dustin went out, curled on the couch and switched on the TV, calling his wife before she went to work.   Neither had gotten sick, which was relieving; she was just ready for him to come home and give her a hand with the kid.   “Two more days,” he had reassured her, “then he’d be off the Tamiflu and considered ‘better.’”  He had punctuated this statement with a fit of seven sneezes, which did not reassure her.   She’d urged him to rest, so he’d curled up in front of the TV dozing.   

 

Ethan was back out a few hours later, waking him.   “I gotta get Tim seen.”   

 

Dustin nodded, knowing Ethan wouldn’t be able to rest until Tim was taken care of.  “Go.”   He checked his watch.  “On second thought, eat your snack.   I’ll make sure he doesn’t need help getting ready.   Don’t need you dropping there, too.”

 

Ethan glared, but went in to the kitchen for a snack while Dustin went into the master bedroom.    “Tim?”

 

Tim turned and looked at him.

 

“Ready to go get checked out?   Ethan’s raring to go.”

 

Tim chuckled at that, which quickly turned into a harsh coughing spell.  Dustin winced at the sound of the forced air movement.    “Need any help getting ready?”

 

Tim shook his head, standing up, then immediately sitting down.  “Maybe if you just want to hang out…”

 

“Just in case?  After last night, you might be pretty wiped out.   You were fighting off quite the fever.”  He handed Tim his t-shirt.

 

“Wobbly, again.”

 

Dustin nodded as Tim knocked the tissue box on the floor.   “Shit.”  He muttered, turning away towards the bed.   “HeyyYuucchhshoo,  yuuucckshoo….uhhhghhshoo, huhhruhhghhshoo!”  He sneezed into the t-shirt, sniffled, straightened up, sighed and looked at Dustin.

 

Dustin offered out the tissue box.  “Bless you.   Need a different shirt?”  He reached for it.

 

Tim inspected his t-shirt.  “Think it’s ok,” he said, hoarsely.   He finished dressing, finished getting ready under Dustin’s watchful eye.

 

“I think he’s almost ready.”  Dustin alerted Ethan while Tim was brushing his teeth.   

 

Ethan nodded, rubbing his nose.   

 

“It’s another day for allergies.  Supposed to drop tomorrow.”  Ethan nodded again, grabbing his things. “He’s a little weak. Think you’ll need help?”  

 

Ethan watched Tim carefully make his way back from the bathroom.   “I don’t know.”  To Tim, “how are you doing?”

 

“I’m ok.  Slow but ok.”

 

“Think it’s ok for just the two of use to go?  Do you want Dustin to at least help us to the car?”

 

“I think we’re ok.” Tim was hesitant.

 

“Why don’t you go get the car; I’ll walk him down in a minute.” Dustin suggested.

 

“Good idea.”  Ethan headed down followed a few minutes later by Dustin and Tim.   Dustin helped Tim get his lanky form into the car, then headed back upstairs.

 

Ethan pulled into the urgent care, who’s ER he had been at just a week prior, finding close parking.   Walking in the door, he handed Tim a mask, sliding one on himself.  Tim gave him a confused look, and Ethan  pointed to the sign.  “You likely have influenza.   You need a mask.”

 

Tim nodded, slipping it on.  “Don’t end up in here like this too often.   Last urgent care visit was a sprained knee.”

 

He checked in and took a seat next to Ethan, waiting for his name to be called.   After a few minutes, Ethan noticed him fidgeting with his mask and reminded him to leave it it in place.   

 

“Sneeze.”  Tim mumbled.

 

“Yeah…you leave the mask in place.  Just cover like normal and sneeze.   Don’t fight it though; you’ll sneeze three times as much.”

 

“I knohh..uhhShuhshh…uhhhShhhushhhooo!”  He gave a wet sniffle and looked at Ethan.   “Gross.  Can I blow my nose?”

 

Ethan nodded.  

 

“And then I put this back on?”  He made a face.

 

“Do you need a new one?”  Ethan bit back a laugh as Tim nodded.  “I’ll be right back.”  He returned with a stack of masks, handing Ethan a new one.   “Here you go.”

 

“Thanks.  Expecting this to happen again?”

 

“Better to be prepa…Atchoo! Prepared.”  Ethan muffled the sneeze in his wrist.

 

“It didn’t happen to you.” Tim pouted.

 

Again, Ethan tried not to laugh.   “I’m not as congested as you are.”  He pointed out as Tim’s name was called.  “I’ll wait here.”

 

“No.” Protested Tim.  “I don’t remember a lot of last night.   I’m sure you kept a logbook.”

 

Ethan laughed, following him into the exam room.

 

After an exam…steroids for Tim and a reminder to keep up on that inhaler, a trip to the pharmacy, and a stop for Chinese food, they were back at the apartment.

 

Tim set the Chinese on the table as Ethan reminded him to take his new pill.   Dustin poked his head in.  “How’d it go?  I see you stopped for Chinese.”  He watched as Tim opened a pill bottle. “Steroids?”

 

“Prednisone burst.”  Tim nodded, popping the pills into his mouth.   

 

“And he wanted wonton soup.”  Ethan laughed.  “For someone who was so sick of soup last night.  I got Kung pao chicken for you.”

 

“Sweet and sour chicken for you?”  To Tim, “He always gets that.”

 

“I know what I like.” Ethan was defensive.  “Besides, you’re 50-50 between Kung Pao and Mongolian beef.”

 

“Not true.  Sometimes I get beef and broccoli.”

 

“Just sit down and eat.  And he never does.”  Ethan whispered to Tim.  “He likes the spicy because it gets rid of the stuffiness from his allergies.”

 

“You would too if you’d try it.”  Dustin grabbed plates and silverware.

 

 “Don’t forget extra napkins.”

 

Dustin shot him a look, then grabbed the tissue box from the living room.  Sitting down, he began dishing out his food as Ethan and Tim followed suit.  Turning to Tim, he offered over his chicken.

 

“Thanks.”  Tim took a few pieces, and the trio began eating.

 

Dustin tried to start conversation, but it was clear Tim and Ethan were just too tired to carry on their ends.    Besides, after a few minutes of eating, he was too busy with his nose running, and simply gave up.

 

“Naps after lunch.”  Ethan ordered with a yawn.   Tim did not protest.

 

Dustin sighed.  He wasn’t tired, was tired of being told to nap all the time, and really had nothing to do.  He’d brought a book and some things to study with him, but those had outlived their entertainment usefulness.  He doubled over with his first set of sneezes from the spicy chicken.   “HahKishoo-kishoo-kishoo-Kishoo-kshoo-shoo-shoo-shoo-shoo…HahKishoo!”

 

“Bless you.” Ethan sighed.  He looked at Tim.  “He’ll be going for awhile now.”

 

“But I’ll be able to breathe.”  Dustin pointed out.  

 

“AhhhIhhtzzhoo, jjiihhttzshoo!”  Tim interjected into their potential squabble.  He took the tissue box from Dustin and carefully tended to his sore nose.

 

“I suppose you’re gonna start now, too.”

 

“Did I ever stop?”  Tim had sneezed through the urgent care visit, the pharmacy, and the wait in the care while Ethan got the Chinese food.   

 

Ethan laughed.  “You have a valid point.”

 

They finished the meal in silence, punctuated by sneezes.

 

After lunch, Ethan got Tim settled in bed, then prepared to settle himself in his chair.   Dustin remained on the couch.  “Dustin, naps.” He reminded.

 

“I’m not tired.  Just let me watch TV.  I doubt it will keep you awake.”

 

Ethan gave him a long suffering look.   “Borrow a book.”

 

“We don’t like the same books.”

 

Ethan sighed.  “How do I get you to go and let me sleep?”  He paused.  “HatShoo!”

 

“Bless you.  Can I get my school work?  Can Beth bring it over?”

 

“You still have to stay away from her.”

 

“I know, but you can get it from her.”

 

Ethan nodded.  Dustin must be at the part of the illness where he was going stir crazy.  “Call her.”

 

Instead of picking up his phone, Dustin instead reached for the tissues, wrapping one around his nose.  “HahKishoo-kishoo-kshoo-kshoo-kshoo-shoo-shoo-shoo…HahKishoo!  Thanks.”  Blowing his nose, he called his wife, requesting a stack of textbooks and notebooks.

 

“She’ll be here in an hour.”  He sniffled.  “I’ll go sneeze in the bedroom.  I think that chicken really got things going.”

 

“Always does.”  Ethan rolled his eyes, hearing Tim sneeze half a dozen times from the bedroom.  “You’ve got him going too.”

 

“He needs it. You know, you probably wouldn’t get sinus infections if you’d try it.”

 

Ethan looked at him, wearily.  “Dustin…”

 

“Ok, ok, not the time; you’re –“

 

“HahShoo.”

 

“Too tired.” Dustin finished.  “Thank you for getting stuff from Beth for me.”  With that, he slipped off to the guest room.

 

Ethan dozed on the couch, waiting for Beth.  Just over an hour later, she was standing in the foyer, holding a tote bag with Dustin’s books in one hand and AdaLyn in the other arm.  

 

“How is he?” She asked.

 

“He’s better, from the influenza, at least.  Allergies have been getting to him the last few days.”

 

“You sure it’s allergies?” she questioned.

 

Ethan nodded.  “Mine have been bad.  According to the allergy tracker, ragweed’s high, and you know how that can do him in.”  He waved at AdaLyn.  “Hi Ada, I liked the card, and thanks for sending a Steve.   I’ll wash him and send him back with your daddy, ok.”

 

She nodded.  “Are you better, Uncle Ethan?  Hugs?”

 

He shook his head.  “I feel better, but no hugs yet.  I might have what your daddy has.”  He said, unable to figure out how to explain possibly being a carrier of germs to a 3 year old.  Her face fell into a pout, so he blew her a kiss instead, bringing back her smile.  He turned to Beth.

 

“H-How…HahChoo!  Sorry.  I’m really tired; up most of the night with Tim.” He explained.  “How are you doing?”

 

“I could use him back.  My parents helped as much as they could, but they left for Arizona this morning.”

 

He gave her a small smile.  “If I could help, I would.” He sighed.

 

“You are.” She reassured him.  “Imagine if I had to take care of both of them, keep them separate, try not to get it myself…”

 

He smiled.  “Two more days.”  

 

“You doing ok?”

 

“Yeah.  He’s at the point where he’s helping out.  I’ve had a helper through most of this.” He laughed. 

She laughed.  “As sick as you were, you’re lucky.   I’m struggling with her, with both of us healthy.”

 

“Well, Dustin is a little bit better at doing what he’s told than a toddler.”

 

“But she’s typically in a better mood than I’m sure he has been.”

 

Ethan shrugged.  “Used to dealing with thatAthshoo!”

 

“Bless you.  You do look like you need some rest.”

 

“I think my nose is trying to send that message as well.  This has been going in little spurts all day.”

 

“Get some rest.  Hopefully this will keep Dustin occupied.”  She handed over the bag.   

 

“Thanks Beth.  I’ll see you soon.”

 

“Thanks for everything, Ethan.”

 

Ethan delivered the bag to Dustin (I can’t believe I want to study, he had muttered,) and flopped down on the couch.  After burying another sneeze in the couch cushions, he was asleep.

 

Tim spent the day in bed, an exhausted Ethan allowing Dustin to fuss over him until supper time.  

After supper, Dustin curled up in the living room in front of the TV, while Ethan joined Tim in the bedroom.

 

“How’re you feeling?” He asked, straddling the chair that had been left in there from last night.

 

“Surprisingly tired.” Tim laughed.  “Usually steroids have the opposite effect.”

 

“Probably tomorrow.  Once they’re in your system.”

 

“Yeah,” Tim coughed.  “Breathing easier though.”

 

“Temp has stayed down, too.”  Ethan had checked, just prior to dinner, and Tim was holding at 101.5, much better than the 103.9 of last night.

 

“Sit with me.”  Tim patted the edge of the bed on the other side of him.  “It’s gotta be more comfortable than the chair.”

 

Smiling, Ethan got up, and sat next to Tim, back against the headboard.

 

“Thanks for this morning.”  He paused, and added softly, “and last night.  You didn’t have to sit there the whole time.”

 

“You knew I was there?”

 

“I remember hearing you sneeze.  A lot.”

 

Ethan shrugged.  “I was tired.  And worried.”

 

“You sneeze when you’re worried?  Any physical or mental state that doesn’t make you sneeze?” Tim teased.

 

“I stayed because I was worried.” Ethan clarified, defensively.

 

Tim started to laugh, then pressed a tissue to his nose.  “Hihhjiihhshoo, hihhyyihhshh!” A deep sniffle.  “I remember almost sneezing on you, too.”

 

“Thanks for missing me.” This came with a wide grin.  He rubbed Tim’s arm.   “Man, we’ve had a rough start.”

 

Tim laughed.  “Think it made us closer?  Made things move faster?”

 

Ethan shrugged.  “Maybe.”

 

“I think we’d still be feeling each other out.  This much time together…was gonna make us or break us.”  He paused, recognizing the expression on Ethan’s face.  “Sneeze.”  He teased.

 

“Atshoo!”

 

“Bless you.”

 

“We did have time to get to know each other…”

 

“When we were vulnerable.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“I think we’d still be sixth date, seventh date, feeling each other out.”

 

Ethan nodded.  “We’ve certainly sped up that timeline.”

 

Tim didn’t answer.  Ethan looked over to see the tissues clutched in his fist.   “It’s there.” He said, by way of answer.

 

Ethan looked at him, quizzically, about to as what was there when his question was answered.

 

“HuhhhShehshh, uhhhyessshoo…heyyyyahhshoo, ahhhrshhehhh.” Tim pitched forward, shaking the bed.

 

“Bless you.”

 

“Hate that, when they just sit, right down in your nose and don’t come out.”

 

Ethan laughed.  “I wouldn’t know.   I have to sneeze, it comes out, whether I want it to or not.”

 

“Usually signals more than two sneezes for me.  The longer it tickles, the more I’ll sneeze.” He groaned.

 

Ethan rubbed his back.  “It’s just the way you are.  Wouldn’t trade you.”

 

“Wouldn’t trade you either.  Watch TV?  I mean, I’m gonna sneeze through it…”

 

“Used to it.  Besides as bad as the ragweed’s been today and as worn out as I am, I will, too.”

 

“That’s ok.  I’ve gotten used to yours, too.”

 

Ethan laughed.  “The guy who questioned how that could happen…”

 

Tim shrugged; “it happened.”   He went to wrap his arm around Ethan, then pulled away for a harsh double that left him coughing until he was winded.   “I’m guessing snuggling tonight isn’t in the cards again.” He sighed.

 

“There’s plenty of time to come.” Ethan reminded him.  “Plenty of time to come.

 

Tim turned the corner that night, and by the time they all had finished the Tamiflu, he and Dustin were ready to go back to their respective homes.   But, there was a date schedule for Monday for the two of them, and a phone call that night, and text messages in between.   As scared as they were to try something new, this relationship was most certainly not “doomed.”

[MyOwnPrivateSFC]

😍

[ID2006]

Awww, very sweet

[Kolen]

Aww!! 😍😍🤗 such precious babies!!