oneofyou

“I haven’t said anything,” Sevika notes, coming over to Mel’s desk. She leans against the side of it, crosses her arms. She looks down at Mel’s washed-out complexion, her nose that’s going red around the nostrils, and frowns. 

“I know what you’re going to say,” Mel sighs, setting aside her pen. She brushes her wrist under her nose, an unconscious gesture giving her away, and tips her face up to meet Sevika’s gaze. Something constricts in Sevika’s chest when she takes in the dull gleam to Mel’s eyes, the purplish bags underneath contrasting with the green of them. 

“And I’m fine,” Mel adds, leaning back in her chair, and glaring at Sevika with a ferocity that has been known to make grown men cower. Sevika doesn’t blink. “So you can stop hovering, or worrying, or suggesting I stop working, or whatever it is you came to fuss about.” 

If Sevika didn’t know that Mel is on the edge of a headcold, and that colds always make her lover cranky, she might be more irritated at the callousness of her tone. 

As it is, she just reaches out, tucks a wayward wisp of a curl behind Mel’s ear. Lets her fingers linger a moment against Mel’s cheek, trying – perhaps not so subtly – to check her temperature. 

“You’ve been sniffling and sneezing all morning,” Sevika says, raising an eyebrow. “I could hear you even down the hall.” 

“It’s drafty in here,” Mel retorts, briefly bringing a hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose. A headache too then, Sevika notes, filing away the information for later. “And dusty, perhaps. I’ll have to speak to the staff. Get it cleaned properly.” 

“Right,” Sevika says slowly, disbelief dripping in every syllable. “Dusty.” She looks around at the gleaming office that doesn’t have so much as a paperclip out of place and gives Mel a dry look. 

Mel doesn’t back down. “Don’t look at me like that,” she snaps. “I know when it’s dusty in here. Some of us actually pay attention to such things.” 

Sevika raises both her eyebrows at the dig, smirking a little. “Careful, princess. You start getting snippy with me and I’m going to think you need a nap.” 

“Don’t patronize me.” 

“Don’t be rude to me just because you’re not feeling well,” Sevika retorts, matching Mel’s stubbornness. “It’s not gonna work, baby. You’re getting sick, and you need someone to tell you to rest. And I will, even if you decide to be a little shit about it.” 

“I am not sick!” Mel protests, although Sevika has a feeling she’s fighting herself more than Sevika at this point. 

Sevika watches quietly as Mel’s reddened nostrils flare and her expression pinches, an itch clearly blooming in her nose. 

“Right. That’s why you definitely don’t need to sneeze right now,” Sevika smirks, watching Mel furiously try to fight her own reflexes. 

Mel rubs her nose hard against the underside of her wrist and sniffles, producing a wet noise that makes Sevika wince slightly in sympathy. But the action obviously does nothing to abate the tickle, and Mel’s dark, kohl-accented eyelashes flutter despite herself, her eyes narrowing to slits and her lips parting as the sneeze builds. 

“I’m not going to-uuhh…to…hhihh–” Mel tries to say, but her words dissolve into hitching breaths, her chest heaving with tiny “hih–hihh–!” of breaths that she is obviously trying to suppress. 

“For fuck’s sake, just sneeze, baby,” Sevika groans, a little concern slipping into her voice as she continues to watch Mel painfully fight her own body. She leans forward and runs her thumb down the straight, shapely bridge of Mel’s nose, tracing around her nostrils at the tip and thumbing away the few drops of moisture that have accumulated underneath. 

The touch sends Mel over the edge immediately. Sevika hasn’t even pulled her hand away before Mel is pitching forward with an explosive, urgent “hiiIITSCHHiew!!”. 

The spray lands damply on Sevika’s hand but she doesn’t mind, just grins approvingly at Mel finally giving into the urge. Sevika scoots closer, rubbing circles between Mel’s shoulderblades as she shudders through the rest of the fit. 

“Hhh–ih'YISHhew! ‘iiscchh! iiTSCHHhh! huh…hhuhhh’ESCHHuu!...sNF…ihh’yyshhiuu!...ugh.” 

Mel manages to get her hands up for the sneezes that follow, bending over into her cupped palms as she releases each itchy-sounding explosion. She groans into her hands when she finishes, her urgent, wet sniffles giving Sevika enough indication that she desperately needs a handkerchief. 

Sevika fishes the bandana out of her back pocket that she habitually carries now, more for Mel’s sake than her own, and hands it over. 

“Bless you, sweetheart,” Sevika says, her voice tender now, still rubbing slow, soothing circles on Mel’s back. “You needed that.” 

Mel gives a stuffy sigh into the cloth pressed to her face, sniffling again and giving a polite, quiet blow that obviously does nothing to clear her nose. 

“Excuse m’be,” Mel mutters, wiping her nose again and setting the bandana aside. When she pulls the cloth away, Sevika can see that Mel’s nose is a flushed, angry red now, and she leans down and gently kisses the tip of it. 

“You still want to argue that you’re perfectly healthy or can we stop with the theatrics?” Sevika murmurs, brushing a hand over Mel’s hair and pressing her lips to the crown of her head. “Because I’d really like to get you in bed with some tea, and I think you’d like that too.” 

Mel sighs again, rubbing her temples and leaning into Sevika, maybe without realizing it. “I can’t be ill right now,” Mel says, all the fight drained from her now, replaced with a quiet desperation. “I just had a cold two weeks ago. I have seven meetings lined up for tomorrow, three trade proposals pending my review, and a whole host of paperwork that I’m already behind on.” 

Sevika hums in sympathy, her heart aching slightly at the look of pure exhaustion on Mel’s face. “I know, baby,” Sevika murmurs, running a hand down her lover’s arm. “But your body is asking for rest, and I don’t think you ever really recovered from that last cold. Work can wait, the other councilors can handle things until you’re better, I promise.” 

Mel sniffles miserably, then her breath hitches again and her nose flares. Sevika reaches for the bandana before Mel can grab it, folds it over to a dry section and gently cups it over Mel’s nose and mouth for her. She waits patiently as Mel’s breath stutters and she gradually builds up to a sneeze, the all-consuming itch driving her to close her eyes and her mouth to drop open. 

“Hihhh-ihh–? hhh…hiiyySCHHh! uhh’SCHHieww! hihh-hhihhscchh! hiiSCHH’iiu!!” Mel pitches forward into Sevika’s waiting hand, and Sevika can feel the sneezes bursting warmly against the fabric. She waits for a few seconds to make sure Mel’s finished, then pinches the cloth over her nose and gently wipes away the remaining mess. She folds the makeshift handkerchief over to the last remaining dry spot and tucks it around Mel’s nose again.  

“Blow,” she commands. Mel glances up at her, a cross between irritation and embarrassment in her eyes, but she’s sniffling too desperately to put up much of a fight. She releases a long blow into the cloth, and Sevika patiently catches the moisture, cleaning up Mel’s nose for her. 

“Bless you again,” Sevika murmurs, tucking the now-damp bandana away into her own pocket and kissing Mel’s forehead. “You are so stuffy, doll. Maybe we can try some menthol rub, yeah? Or a warm shower.” 

“Vika…” Mel mutters, her cheeks darkening with a blush. “You don’t have to do all this. You were already sweet enough when I was sick last time, I’ll be fine.” 

“I know you’ll be fine,” Sevika says calmly, smoothing her fingers over the baby hairs curling against Mel’s forehead. “But I want to take care of you anyway. So let me.” 

“I’m sorry,” Mel sighs, blinking quickly. Sevika spots the over-bright gleam in her eyes before she turns her head away. “I’ve been…gods. I hate being like this. I’m sorry,” she repeats. 

“You don’t need to apologize for being sick, baby,” Sevika murmurs, pressing the back of her hand against Mel’s cheek. It’s warm, as she thought it would be. The tears are enough indication of Mel’s rising temperature on their own. “It’s not your fault.” 

“I was being snotty,” Mel sniffles, then laughs thickly. “In more ways than one.” 

Sevika leans in and kisses away the tears slowly running down Mel’s cheeks. “I love you.” Her breath is a low, warm rumble. “Nothing’s going to change that. I know how you get when you’re sick. It’s fine. Let me take you to bed?” 

Mel nods, sniffling again. Sevika takes that as an invitation to scoop Mel up out of her chair and into her arms, which elicits a gasp from Mel. 

“Vika–!” Mel chastizes, then immediately sneezes, too fast to cover. “HiiTSCHhiew!” 

Sevika chuckles, adjusting her hold on Mel so she’s more secure in her arms. “Bless you, doll. Bed it is.” 

“This is undignified,” Mel complains, but she relaxes into Sevika’s arms, burying her face in her shoulder. 

“But wiping your nose on my shirt isn’t?” Sevika grins, carrying Mel out of the office and down the hall. 

“I’m not wiping my –” Mel starts, but her breath hitches again, and then she shudders against Sevika with another quick, half stifled, “hITSChh!” 

Sevika bites down another laugh, feeling the warm burst of Mel’s breath against her shoulder. A decidedly wet sniffle follows the outburst. “And bless you again,” she says instead, kicking open their bedroom door and striding over to the massive bed. “You’re so cute when you get all sneezy like this.” 

“Snf!...Ndot cudte,” Mel mutters sullenly, rubbing her nose against her wrist with another stuffy, thick sniffle. “Disgusti’g.” 

“Nah, it’s cute,” Sevika grins, carefully settling Mel on the bed. She pulls the covers over Mel, tucking her in. Then she opens the nightstand drawer and pulls out a handkerchief, handing it over. Mel takes it gratefully and blows her nose, no longer trying to keep the sound quiet and polite. 

Sevika sits down on the edge of the bed, tracing her eyes over Mel. Mel is wilted against the pillows, nose red and runny, her eyes watery and tired, her makeup smudged. For as much as Sevika loves seeing Mel put together in her finest, commanding entire rooms in her heels and slinky dresses, there’s something so special about the fact that she’s the one that Mel trusts enough to let her see like this. Undone. Messy. In need of care. 

And Sevika is more than happy to give it. 

“I’m going to make you some tea and find the cold meds,” Sevika murmurs, pressing her lips to Mel’s warm forehead. “And the thermometer. I want you to just stay here and rest, got it?” 

“Bossy,” Mel complains, but there’s a hint of smile on her lips. 

“You need it,” Sevika grins, brushing a chaste kiss over her mouth. “Now sit back and let me dote on you. I know you secretly love it” 

“Oh do I?” Mel raises an eyebrow, affection shining in her emerald eyes. 

“You do,” Sevika affirms, getting up from the bed. She shoots her a wink, then strides out of the room, calling over her shoulder, “And I do too, baby.” 

Mel sinks back against the pillows, smiling. She supposes there are worse ways to spend a day. 

8:53AM

She moved around the kitchen in her usual routine, except today it was slightly different as she suffered through an unruly head cold. A congested sigh broke through the silence as she sluggishly set the coffee machine. Her sniffles filled the air as the water heated and bubbled and coffee began to drip.

While she waited she pulled out the eggs and a frying pan. A familiar tingle buzzed to life in her congested nose and she hurriedly put the pan down on the stove. She could feel her nose running as the prickling enhanced. She turned to snatch a paper towel from the holder, letting out a desperate, wet, messy sneeze. Snot shot from her sinuses and they burned with another sneeze. Not a second late she sneezed again—just as messy as the first. She pinched her nostrils, wiping away the warm mess sitting between her nose and upper lip. She pulled the paper towel down, cringing at the thoroughly soaked paper. She could see wetness on her fingers as she mindlessly set the soiled paper on the counter, ripping another sheet from the holder. She wiped her fingers then lifted the paper towel to her shiny, red nose. She pressed down on one nostril, blowing gently for a moment, her sensitive nostril buzzed in reaction to the gurgling congestion— her face crumbled.

“Hehhhh???”

“EISHMPH!!”

A gurgly, congested sneeze muffled the paper towel, it was harsh against her cold-ridden nostrils. She held the napkin in place panting again for a moment, she let out a stuffy sigh then cleared her throat. She lowered the napkins after the tickle had finally disappeared.

She kept the napkin balled safely in her hand as she started to carefully whisk the eggs with the other. She sniffled again, a congested sound that made her nostrils tingle.

Oh no..

Not again..

Her nostrils flared and her breath hitched. She couldn’t hold back, the urge to sneeze too strong, the cold completely taking over her sinuses. She turned her head and raised the balled napkins to her nose.

“heh hih AH MMNPHuh! hih AH EHMMNPHHuh! AH KNCH!!” she pinched the mess that released from her nostrils. The skin beneath her nose red and raw from all the wiping and blowing. She pulled the napkins away, a thin string of snot breaking and falling against her upper lip. She sighed, letting the whisk in her left hand fall to the side of the bowl. She turned towards the paper towels again, setting her used napkin on the counter with the ones from before. She sped up her movements as she felt another sneeze approaching, the snot sitting on the raw skin tickling more and more. She snatched another napkin from its holder, pushing it to her face just in time—

“HEEIISH! ESHUH! UHTSCHIEW!”

She blew her nose. Then rubbed it thoroughly through the napkin. She pulled the napkin away and set it next to the pile growing on the kitchen counter. Her head was too foggy to think about the blatant lack of hygiene.

“Ughhh mby dose, sndrrf.. coff coff”

She rubbed her nose, a thick squelching sound producing. She sniffled again and wiped her nose with the back of her hand.

She turned back to her eggs and poured them in the heated pan. She turned towards the cutlery drawar closet to the stove. Opening and sifting through to find a spatula. Before she could find one she felt another sneeze approaching— coming so quick she knew she couldn’t do anything to cover so she stifled it hard.

“HAHKINXT uhhhhh.”

The tickled flared back to life almost immediately. She turned her head, away from the open drawer, “uhh AHTCHIEW TSHIEW sndrrrff” spray burst into the air. She sniffled again, relieved they weren’t messy. She turned back to the drawer, locating the spatula and mixed the eggs so they could cook evenly.

She reached towards the cabinet over the microwave, her shirt slight going up to reveal her soft skin. She pulled out the salt and pepper and sprinkled a dash of salt.

She set the pepper down on the counter then stumbled out of the kitchen. You looked up at her as she entered the living room, it was an open layout she didn’t need to actually leave the kitchen, you could see her fine from the couch. But she came in, nose bright red with a tickling cold. She wore a fitted gray v-neck top with no bra and loose pajama pants that hung on her hips.

She spoke, or tried to—

“Do youhh hih? Hehhh?”

Her face crumbled and she held a fist precariously under her flaring nostrils. She stared out into the distance, her face from in preparation for another cold-ridden explosion.

You couldn’t turn away, stuck in a trance as you watch a sneeze blast out of her cold-ridden nostrils.

“Bless you!”

“Ugh thangk you… snrdddff do you wand snddrrrff cheese ind your eggs? Snddrrff”

“Umm yes please.” You said quietly as she stared at you, her nose twitching again.

“Okay!” She went to turn around,

“Are you sure you should be cooking right now? You sound really sick…” You ask. She rolled her eyes.

“Imb fined! Snndrrff ive ondly sdeezed like twice and you’re act'ng like i just sdeezed all over the food! Snddrrf.”

“I-im not i just dont want you to overdo yourself if you're not feeling great.” You said, thinking about how she practically did sneeze all over the food… and the kitchen.

“I prombise i feel fined, plus i wandted to bake breakfast cause you cand cook for shit!” She chuckled, coughing slightly. “A’d whend imb findished we cad contidue bindging scooby doo!” She turned around, walking towards the kitchen.

“Okay!” You chirped, butterflies erupting in your stomach as she teased you. You watched her walk away, then slow her pace and lift her hand to her face. Her head bobbed down 4 times, silently stifling more sneezes. She sniffled wetly then went back into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator and grabbing the cheddar cheese. You watched her untie the bread, grabbing both of you a slice. You watched her scrub her nose before pouring coffee.

She brought both of your plates out, and the closer she got the more you could see her contorted expression. She had to sneeze.

She quickly handed you the plate, her voice breathy and airy, “h-here.” then pinched her nose shut and bobbed forward,

“Eh MNNNKT ahh.”

“Bless you!”