Tim managed to slip into the dark bedroom and slip his suit jacket off before his nose betrayed him, waking Ethan. “Hatsheshh, Ehhtchesshoo!
Ethan switched on the lamp on his side of the bed, rolling towards Tim.
Tim snatched a couple tissues from the box on his nightstand. “Ehhtshegghhh, Heyyehhggshehh!” Blowing his nose, he slumped down on the bed and began removing his shoes.
“Bless you, babe. You look tired.” Ethan coughed.
“Well, I’ve been out all night instead of sleeping.” Came Tim’s comment. It was quarter to one, and Tim was wiped, despite an afternoon nap to prepare for the late night.
“How was it?”
Tim shrugged. “Typical. Made it through my bit without sneezing.” He tugged off his socks and tossed them towards the closet, then began fumbling with the buttons on his cuffs. He paused to cough into his forearm and sighed.
“Want help?” Ethan slipped out of bed and over to Tim.
“You mean, do I want you to undress me?” Tim smiled. “And,” he closed his eyes, shoulders slumping, “that would be yes.”
Ethan bent in front of him, deftly unbuttoning his cuffs. Loosening his tie, he slipped the collar out from underneath, and Tim shrugged his way out of the shirt. Leaving the tie in place, he looked at Tim. “Undershirt?”
“Sleep in it.”
Ethan nodded, reaching for a tissue. “Hahshoo!” He turned away from Tim.
“Bless you.” Tim reached for his tie.
Ethan swatted his hand. “Leave it.” He tightened it back to the pristine knot he had tied for Tim hours ago.
“Hate it.” But he left it in place, not wanting to get his hand slapped again.
Ethan began working on his belt buckle and the buttons on his slacks. “So am I stealing you from somebody?” Tim gave him a blank look. “Was there a bid for you that I need to top?”
“$1500. Not sure how. I had to leave the stage after I sneezed half a dozen times so I could blow my nose. Sure that made me attractive. Anyway, I’ll be setting up a date later. Would have chatted with her more, but I told her I have the worst cold and didn’t want to give it to her. She agreed. Left shortly after that.”
“I’d have bid more.” Ethan rubbed his nose. “Ok, stand up.”
Tim shook his head, hastily grabbing his tissues off the bed, then sighing.
“Sneak away on you?” Ethan teased before doubling over himself. “Atshoo!” He followed the sneeze with several sharp coughs.
A glare, then a sharp inhale. “Yyehhshiihhh! Heyyyehhshoo! Ihhshehhscheshh! Hehhschehh!” Three crackling sounds followed as Tim cleared his nose.
“Bless you. Good?” At Tim’s nod, “alright, pants off.” He offered Tim his hands, helping Tim stand before sliding Tim’s pants off his hips to his knees. When Tim sat back down, he gently pulled them off. “Seriously?” He sighed. “Fancy event, Looney Toons boxers?”
Tim shrugged, coughing.
“Alright, into bed.” Ethan planted a kiss on Tim’s forehead.
“Tie.”
“Leave it.” This time Ethan gave him a long deep kiss until Tim had to pull away for more air than he could get through his congested sinuses.
“Get in bed,” Tim sighed.
Ethan crawled in bed and immediately was next to Tim, arms around him, playing with the tie.
“What are you doing?”
Ethan pulled away to sneeze, then was back at Tim’s side. “You look so hot in that tie.” He whispered, kissing Tim again.
And Tim saw where Ethan was headed. “No.” He sighed. “Oh, no. E, no.”
Ethan gave him a pleading look. “Please.”
“I’m sick. I’m tired. You’re sick. One or both of us is going to be sneezing the entire time. I feel like I’m being strangled right now; that’s not sexy. I’m just not up for it.” He tugged at the tie, slipping it over his head, and tossing it over in the corner with his socks.
Ethan gave him a pouty look.
Tim sighed. “Once I can breathe again, I promise I’ll wear the tieehhSchahh, hehhrahhshehhh, haahhrshhooo, hhahhhrahhhshooo, yahhhshheshhh, ehhhshhahhhshehhh! Ughhh. NyQuil, do your thing.” He moaned, coughing harshly.
“Bless you. And, ok, not tonight.” He snuggled into Tim’s side. “But once we’re better…”
“You can do what you want with the tie.” Tim promised, kissing Ethan’s temple and wrapping an arm over him.
Aggedy Ann 