Convo

Tim and Ethan lay, tangled up in each other, exhausted from their exploration of each other, just enjoying the sound of one another’s breathing.   

“HahShoo!” 

Ethan broke the silence a few minutes later. 

“Bless you.”  Tim was laughing.    

Ethan turned self conscious, rubbing at his nose.  “What’s funny? 

Tim saw the look on his face and bit back his giggle.  “You always sneeze after sex or just with me?” 

“What?”  Ethan made an attempt at looking confused.   “I don’t…” 

“Every time.” 

“I sneeze all the time.   It’s coincidence.” 

“Every time.   Within 5 minutes.   And it’s way too often to be coincidence.   Is it just some quirk of yours or is it something about me?” 

Ethan bit his lip.  “You’re the first one to notice…” 

“Every time?” 

“If I…yeah” 

“Happen if you” 

Ethan gave a definitive nod before Tim could finish.  “Now I guess you’ll know…” 

“With the frequency you sneeze, probably not.”  Tim reassured him. 

“It’s embarrassing.” 

“I think it’s cute.” 

“No one has ever called my sneeze cute.” 

“No.  No one has ever called my sneeze cute.  I guess it’s…there’s something about the moment and being vulnerable.   And you’re cute when you sneeze.” 

“Nobody’s cute when they sneeze.   My face gets a scrunchy.  And it’s loud.” 

“And the way your hair falls forward.   And how you bite your lip and look apologetic, even if it’s just me and you…” 

“I’d swear you were trying to tell me you’re into this.”  Ethan squirmed.    

Tim laughed again.   “I’m not.   I promise.   I’m just jealous of your sneeze.” 

“Why? It’s so lo-.  Well, I guess you’re loud, too.” 

A nod from Tim.   “Yours are quick.  And crisp.  And predictable.”   A sigh.  “Mine are chaotic, and messy, and unpredictable.” 

Ethan’s turn to laugh.  “Which you hate because you are none of those things.  But, I think, out of all the sneezes I’ve heard out of you in the past year, no two have sounded the same.   That’s kinda nice.   Mine all sound similar.” 

“Sometimes, they sound horrible though.  Remember last week, from the sun…” 

Ethan laughed.  That had been truly an awful sounding pair of sneezes.    

“At least you only get one.”  Tim pointed out. “Not two to who knows.” 

“At least when you have an allergy attack, you’re done in a couple minutes.    Not sneezing every minute or two for 30.” 

“You don’t sneeze about 2 dozen times when your body’s letting you know you’ve got a cold.” 

“You’re only allergic to dust.” 

“You can walk outside into the sun without sneezing.” 

“And I think that’s cute.” 

It was Tim’s turn for a skeptical glance. 

A pause from Ethan, followed by his elbow brought to his face.  “AhtShoo!  Yeah.  You’re big and strong, especially compared to me.   And it takes going from dark to light to temporarily disable you.   It’s…” 

“Pathetic.” 

“Cute.” Ethan countered again.    

“No one has ever referred to my sneezing as cute.” 

Ethan leaned toward him, as Tim simultaneously pulled back.    Tim opened his mouth to respond to Ethan’s confused look, thought better of it, turning away. 

“AyyYehhsxchoo! HehhtSchoo!” 

“Bless you.” 

“Must be this conversation.”  He sniffled.  “Been building for awhile.”     

Ethan’s turn to laugh.   “And yet it didn’t get to me.” 

“Think it would be the other way around.”     

“Hah-AhShoo!”  Ethan blew his nose and sighed. 

“Allergies getting to you?” 

“All day.” Was Ethan’s admission. 

“Want a Benadryl?” 

Ethan shook his head, snuggling up to Tim.  “It’s just annoying. Besides, I’d hate to rob you of my cuteness.” 

Tim laughed.  “Go to sleep.”  He felt Ethan nodding against him.    

“That’s my plan.”