In Sickness and In Health
You push open your front door with a sigh of contentment and drop your purse next to a pile of flip flops.
“Honey I’m home!” You call out before letting your body fall on the couch and kicking your shoes on the ground.
Striker happily jumps on the couch next to you, plopping his head on your lap and wagging his tail.
“Hey there big boy.” You chuckle. “I think you’ll never understand that you’re not allowed to jump here.” You scrunch your nose while scratching his ears.
“Striker, down buddy.”
Lifting your head you discover Tobin walking towards you, a finger pointing to the ground, and before you can react your dog is jumping off the couch to go greet her excitedly.
“You know, we could let him lie on the couch. I think he’ll never stop jumping on it anyway.”
“I know he will. But for now I’m going to take his place, if you don’t mind.” Tobin says before plopping down on the couch and resting her head on your lap. “Hi.”
Grinning from ear to ear you lean forward to drop a kiss on her waiting lips.
“Hi babe.” You murmur against her mouth before straightening up and letting your fingers get lost in her hair. “How was your day?”
“Good. Training wasn’t bad, Mark went easy on us. Yours?” Tobin purrs, her eyes closed as she relaxes into your massage of her scalp.
“Good too; Ashlyn called me during my lunch break.”
“How is she? I feel like it’s been forever since we saw her and Ali.” Tobin lifts herself on her elbow to be at your eye-level.
“She’s good. She actually asked me if it was okay for them to visit us next week.” You smile happily when a grin stretches Tobin’s lips.
“Cool! I really miss them.”
“Hm, I miss them too.” You agree before pecking her lips gently. Straightening up you notice her outfit. “Are you going out for a run?”
“Yep! Gotta stay fit for my girl.” Tobin smirks as she stands up.
You roll your eyes and glance at your window.
“But you’ve already had training this morning… And it’s raining…” You pout.
“I know, but I’m not back to my best shape, so I need to work on that before the season begins. And this is not raining Al’.” She chuckles while pointing at the window. “This is just some drizzle. It’ll go away in a few minutes. Believe me; I know how Portland’s weather works.”
“You’re going to get sick. Put a jacket at least.” You frown, hopping she’ll eventually decide to stay with you.
“No I’m not, I’m a tough cookie. You know I’m never sick. And I’m going to be too hot with a jacket.” Tobin replies while she goes to the hallway to grab her running shoes.
Still frowning, you pat the couch next to you, silently asking Striker to jump on it, and cuddle closely to him when he happily complies.
Tobin softly laughs when she returns to the room, her shoes tightly laced up.
“Don’t pout Lex. I’ll be back in an hour.” She tells you before kissing your temple.
“But I wanted to spend some time with you…” You whine, perfectly aware of how clingy you’re being.
“You can come with me if you want.” Tobin smirks.
Snuggling closer to your dog you send her a death glare.
“See you in an hour.” You groan, earning a loud laugh from your girlfriend.
“That’s what I thought.” She winks as she heads to the front door, not without shouting a “love you!” before closing it.
**
As she told you it would, the drizzle eventually stops even though the clouds are still dark.
You busy yourself with some essay grading with Striker peacefully sleeping next to you.
Looking at him you consider taking a nap too, but shake your head, opting to start diner instead.
You just have the time to open your fridge’s door when a loud thunder clap resonates into your apartment. Worryingly glancing at your window you see the clouds break, discharging torrents of water on the city. You approach the window, hoping to find Tobin’s silhouette somewhere in the street. Looking at the time on your phone you confirm that she's been gone for more than an hour.
“Where is she?” You murmur to yourself as you swiftly type a text and send it to her.
You’re so getting an ‘I told you so’ when you get home. Please tell me you’re almost here.
The more minutes past the more tensed you become, standing close to your window and jumping every time lighting illuminates your face.
Several minutes and ten bitten finger nails later, you finally spot her running up the street and let out a long sigh of relief.
You head for the front door and open it just in time to see her reaching the last stair.
“Hey love.” She grins at you, feigning to go for a hug.
You stretch your arm to keep her at distance.
“Why are you smiling? I told you not to go.” You frown.
“Oh come on babe. It’s just a little water.” She rolls her eyes, stepping in your apartment while stripping off her damped clothes.
“Are you kidding me? You’re soaked Tobin. Do you know how worried I was?”
“You’re making a big deal out of nothing Al.” She groans, struggling to step off her shorts.
“Am I? You know it’s dangerous to run when there’s a thunderstorm…” You whine.
Tobin sighs, wrapping her arms around your waist, and you blush at the sight of her body only covered by her underwear.
“I’m okay Lex. I’m sorry you worried.” She tenderly kisses your cheek. “I swear I didn’t know there was going to be a storm.”
“Next time you’ll stay to cuddle with me?” You whisper, earning a wide smile from your lover.
“Next time I’ll stay.” She grins, stroking your sides before pecking your lips.
“Good. Now go take a shower before you catch a cold.” You playfully push her away from you and she rolls her eyes.
“I told you I’m never sick Al’. A little rain isn’t going to change that.” She says, nevertheless walking backwards towards the bathroom.
“Maybe, but you smell like a wet dog so you better take a shower anyway.” You wink as her jaw hits the floor.
“You’re so mean to me.” She pouts and you quickly walk towards her to kiss it away.
“But I love you. Go clean up, I’ll make diner.”
**
You groan, half-asleep, kicking one leg out of bed to try and escape the warmth of the bed clothes. You shift, desperately seeking for a cooler spot in bed and whine when you can’t find any, feeling yourself waken up more and more as the seconds pass.
You decide to try and move your legs towards Tobin’s side, hoping to finally find a cold area.
However, your eyes snap open when your foot touches burning hot skin. You sit up, a deep frown on your face, as you reach to touch Tobin’s back.
You become aware of the little whines escaping her mouth and the chills shaking her body as sleep abandons your body for good.
“Shit.” You whisper when you feel her sweaty, burning skin against your palm.
You carefully slide your hand on her forehead, only to snap it away as the touch burns you.
“Baby… Tobin, wake up.” You shake her awake as gently as you can.
“Alex?” She groggily rasps as she turns to lie on her back, her voice hoarse with sleep.
“I’m here love.” You murmur, caressing her hair in a soothing gesture.
“I’m cold Al… Everything hurts.” She moans, grabbing a fistful of your shirt as a particularly big shiver goes through her body.
“I know babe, you’re burning hot. We need to get you out of these clothes and give you some medication against fever.” You rub the base of her neck, trying not to flinch every time a cry of pain escapes her. “Come on, I’ll help you get up.” You whisper.
“I don’t want to move.” She whines, trying to bury her body deep under the cover.
“It’ll be better after baby I swear. I wouldn’t ask you to do it if it wasn’t worth it.” Getting out of bed you walk to her side. “Come here.” You slide one arm under her legs and one under her back.
She doesn’t fight you, too weak to even lift her arms to circle your neck. Tobin buries her face in your neck, her skin and uneven breaths warming you immediately as you carry her to the bathroom.
You carefully sit her on your bathtub before turning on the water.
As the water fills the bathtub you take off her soaked shirt and shorts before helping her to get into hot water.
“Here.” You roll a towel and slide it under her neck for her to be comfortable. “I’m going to get you some medication real quick. I’ll be right back.”
In the little time it takes you to go to the kitchen and come back, Tobin has fallen asleep, her chest rising unevenly and a frown of pain darkening her usual peaceful face.
Kneeling down next to the bathtub you squeeze some soap in your hand and start to wash the cold sweat off her trembling body. When you’re finished you gently shake her awake.
“Let’s get you to bed Tobs.” You murmur, helping her stand up.
You wrap a big towel around her body and rub your hands up and down on her arms, trying to calm her shivers. Her eyes are heavy with sleep and exhaustion, and the sight makes you hurry to change her into fresh pajamas.
“Take that and we can go back to sleep.” You whisper, handing her the medication and a glass of water.
Tobin gulps the medication without a word, having just enough strength to open her mouth and drink.
As you did previously, you slide your arms around her and carry her to bed, gently laying her down.
The second her head touches her pillow she’s out again, her breathing calmer but still shaky.
You carefully slide next to her, lying on your side to watch her. There is still a slight frown on her face and you unconsciously reach out to massage her forehead and temple with your thumb.
She lets out a little sight against your touch and shifts closer to you, tucking her head under your chin.
Despise the overwhelming warmth radiating from her body you wrap your arm around her, tracing soothing patterns on her back. Tobin seems to relax into you and you kiss the crown of her head before closing your eyes.
**
“Here.”
Tobin gratefully takes the hot cup of tea you hand her as you sit next to her on your shared bed.
“Thanks Lex’.” She gravelly rasps, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Feeling any better?” You ask, sliding your hand on her forehead to check her body temperature.
“Not really… I feel awful.” She groans after taking a sip of her beverage. “Come on… I know you’ve been dying to say it since I woke up.” She leans back on the headboards of your bed with a tired eye roll.
“Say what?” You frown, trailing soothing patterns on her legs over the cover.
“Your famous ‘I told you so’.” She sighs, before letting out a small whimper when a shiver shakes her body.
“I don’t really feel like saying it.” You respond with a sad smile. “I would have preferred to be wrong for once.”
“It’s just a little cold Al’, I’m not going to die.” She weakly chuckles, putting down her almost full cup of tea on her nightstand.
“I know that.” You roll your eyes at her antics. “But you’re burning hot, you can’t even stand up on your own, and apparently you can’t even stomach a cup of tea. It’s not just a little cold babe.”
“Well… First of all I can stomach it; it’s just too hot for now.” She clarifies with a small smile. “And I’m a little feverish. Nothing too bad, don’t worry.” She takes you hand and kiss it gently.
“I don’t like seeing you like this…” You pout, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I like when I’m healthy better too.” She lets out a weak laugh. “Did you call Mark?”
“Yes, he’s going to call you this afternoon. And you don’t have to show for practice of course.”
“Great, I’m going to nap all day.” She mumbles, lowering herself under the cover until there is just the top of her head visible.
“Maybe I should call school and tell them I won’t come today.” You ponder out loud and Tobin eyes peek over the cover.
“Absolutely not.”
“But Tobs you’r-” You start to argue but she cuts you.
“I’m not letting you take me as an excuse to play hooky.” She smirks. “Seriously though, go to work babe. I’ll be just fine.”
“You’re sure? Because I can totally stay to take care of you.” You offer, hoping she’ll let you stay.
“I know you can and want to, I really appreciate it. But I’m going to sleep all day babe, I don’t need you to do that.” She winks. “Your students need you though. Think about how sad they’re going to be if they tell them their hottest teacher isn’t going to show up.”
“You’re a dork.”
“I know.” She grins through her tiredness, her eyes playful even when a veil of exhaustion is covering them.
“You’ll call me if there is anything wrong, right?” You ask while standing up.
“I will. But I doubt there will be anything, I have a good companion here to take care of me.” Tobin nods towards Striker who has taken place at her feet, sleeping peacefully.
Leaning in you drop a kiss between your dog’s eyes.
“I trust you to look after her buddy.” You state and he lifts his head while looking at you before standing up to lie next to Tobin, plopping his head on her lap and making you chuckle. “Good boy, you’re so smart.”
“Go now or you’ll be late.” Tobin whispers, hiding herself under the cover.
“So eager to get rid of me…” You huff, feigning offense.
You hear Tobin’s weak laugh under the cover and push it aside to kiss her feverish lips.
“Al’ you’re going to be sick.” She protests.
“Your germs are all over the place and I’ve been next to you all night. If I have to be sick I will, not kissing me isn’t going to change that.” You snort, leaning in for another peck. “I’ll see you tonight love. Get some rest.”
“Love you.” You hear her sleepily mumble as you leave the room and wish you could stay with her.
**
Opening your front door you carefully tip toe into your apartment, dropping your shoes, purse and coat as you walk to your bedroom.
You softly crack the door open to see if your girlfriend is sleeping and enter when you hear the TV and your girlfriend cheering.
“Come on Messi that was an easy shot!” She groans.
“I see you’re feeling better.” You chuckle, walking to lie next to her and petting Striker when he happily greets you.
“Hey babe.” She smiles and you notice that her face seems a little less fatigued and pained. “You’re here early.”
“Yeah… I wanted to be with you as soon as possible.” You confess, lying on bed next to her. “And I got a little worried when you didn’t answer my text earlier.”
“Oh I totally forgot I’m so sorry.” Tobin’s eyes widen. “Allie came by to give me some chicken soup and I fell asleep after. I’m sorry love.” She leans in to kiss your temple and you notice her lips are still hotter than usual.
“It’s okay, don’t worry.” You chuckle. “So you’re feeling a little better?”
“Yeah kind of. I slept a lot so I guess it helped. And I guess the medication is doing its thing too.” She shrugs. “I told you it wasn’t too bad. I’ll be good to go tomorrow.”
“Wow let’s not get too crazy.” You laugh, passing your hand on her forehead. “You’re still feverish. You’ll have to rest tomorrow too.”
“But we have a game in two days…”She groans. “I have to practice if I want to play.”
“Well you’ll sit this one out if you’re not totally recovered.” You state firmly and Tobin pouts.
“But I wanna plaaaay. I don’t like sitting around all day.” She whines before yawning.
“You should have thought about it when you went running outside without a jacket. Now you get what you asked for, and don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Tobin grins widely, before letting out a small laugh.
“What?” You frown.
“I was wondering how long it would take you to throw the ‘I told you so’ at me. You honestly impressed me; you managed to hold it back for quite some time.” She slyly smirks.
“You’re the worst.” You pout and Tobin leans in to kiss it away.
“I know I probably won’t be able to play. I was just messing with you.” She yawns before shivering slightly.
“You're still tired?” You worryingly ask.
“Yeah… No matter how much I sleep I’m still tired.” She gravelly complains.
“Well being sick does that to you…” You state, adjusting the cover on her. “I’m going to take a quick shower. You should take a nap, and I’ll make you some soup for diner.”
“Okay…” She agrees without fighting, her eyelashes already heavy.
You just have time to kiss her forehead before she’s already drifting away.
**
When you enter your room to grab a pair of fresh sweat pants and a tee-shirt you smile at Tobin’s silhouette, buried deep under the cover.
In front of your closet you drop the towel wrapped around your body, bending down to grab your panties.
“Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy? God, why are you doing this to me?!”
You jump, letting a small gasp escape you and dropping your underwear before turning around to see Tobin’s arms being thrown in the air.
“You scared the shit out of me Tobin!” You sigh, a hand over your pounding heart.
“Life is so unfair… I’m suffering…” She whines, sitting up and looking sadly at you as you quickly put on your bra and panties.
In two long steps you’re next to her, sliding a hand on her forehead with a concern expression coloring your face.
“What is it? Where does it hurt?” You worryingly ask.
“It hurts to look at you…” She cries again while pouting and you frown, straightening up.
“What are you talking about?”
“Look at you!” She gestures to your body. “I woke up to your naked ass and now you’re standing there looking so sexy and I’m here wanting to do all sort of things to you but I’m too weak to even stand up and I hate life!” She rambles quickly, not even stopping to take a breath, and you can’t help but laugh at her sad puppy eyes.
“You’re right… Life is pretty unfair.” You chuckle, leaning to kiss her forehead.
“Why didn’t I put a fucking jacket? Stupid Tobin…” She whines, letting her body fall against the mattress while pouting exaggeratedly and closing her eyes.
“Because you’re stubborn and you never listen to your amazing girlfriend.” You tease her as you slip on your sweat pants and one of her UNC tee-shirt.
Letting a long sigh, Tobin sits up and opens her eyes. When her gaze meets your outfit her jaw hits the floor.
“You traitor… Now you’re doing it on purpose.” She narrows her eyes, pointing an accusing finger at you before falling back on the bed, eyes tightly closed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” You feign ignorance as you walk towards her, jumping on the bed and straddling her legs.
“You know what it does to me when you wear my shirts.” She groans, doing her best to keep her eyes closed.
“I do…” You smile, tracing her jaw with your fingers.
“You’re so mean to me…” She complains, risking opening one eye only to close it right after with a grunt.
“Consider this your punishment for not listening to me.” You laugh, leaning in to kiss her pouting lips before getting out of bed. “Do you want to take a bath before we eat?” You ask.
“Are you going to tease me again?” She wonders with a frown and you chuckle.
“No, I’m just going to help you walk to the bathroom and I’ll leave you alone.”
“Good… Because my sick body can’t handle more of this.” She vaguely gestures to your body with a grimace.
“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up big dork.”
**
Two days, numerous soups, back rubs, cuddles sessions, more medication and complains later, you find yourself cheering for the Thorns with Tobin next to you for the first time.
“Feels weird not to see you there…” You admit while looking at the TV where her teammates fight for the win.
“I wish I was with them.” She mumbles against your lap.
“You’ll play next week babe. You’re almost all better now.”
She only hums in response, her full attention on the game.
You relax against your couch, your fingers lazily going through her hair as she’s lying with her head on your lap.
“Can you do the thing I like please?” She whispers, her voice still a little gravelly with sickness.
You don’t need any clarification and let your hand slips under her loose shirt, slowly caressing her back. She lets out a sigh of contentment as your fingers lazily graze along her spine and sides.
“You’re going to fall asleep on me again?” You lightly joke and Tobin’s chuckle makes her body vibrate.
“I still can’t believe you stayed up all night drawing patterns on my back for me.” She rolls on her back, tiredly rubbing her eyes.
“You were having some trouble to breath; it was the only thing making you relax. I only helped you have a peaceful night.” You lovingly look down at her, too happy to finally have your healthy lover back.
“You’re too good to me.”
“You would do the same for me.” You modestly shrug, focusing on the TV again.
“Still, thank you Al. I think I would’ve died without your help.” Tobin lifts herself on her elbow to drop a thankful kiss on your lips.
“You don’t need to thank me babe. I’m happy to be here for you when you need me.” You kiss her again, earning a big smile.
“Well, you better be prepared to stay around for quite some time because I think I’ll always need you. You ready for that?” She grins.
You take a few seconds before replying and tap your chin, pretending to think about it.
“I think so…”
“Even when I’m all gross, feverish, sneezing and coughing every second, puking all around the house and complaining like a baby?” Tobin asks, narrowing her eyes as if she’s asking you to really think about it because there is no turning back once you answer.
Still smiling at her antics you lean in to kiss her lips.
“In sickness and in health babe… I’m ready.” You rasp against her mouth and she leans back with an eyebrow raised.
“Is that a proposal?” She teasingly wonders and you scrunch your nose.
“Nah, you still have to wait a little for that.”
“I see… I’m a pretty patient girl so I can wait.” She nods before lying back down. “In the meantime keep doing your thing.” She takes your hand and slips it under her shirt.
“So demanding…” You feign annoyance, happy that she can’t see your giant smile.
“You said you were ready for me.” Tobin argues and you feel her growing smirk against your legs.
“I am love.” You lean to drop a kiss on the back of her neck.
“Good.”