Prompt 3 – Alt. Prompt: "I didn't mean to wake you up."/Prompt 18 – "My body is one big ache."

Vanora placed a mark between the pages of her book before setting it on her nightstand and pulling the small chain on her lamp. She settled down in bed, turning to face her already sleeping husband. Moffitt's breathing was usually soft, even somewhat soothing to listen to, but his allergies meant that she would have to put up with him snoring for a little while. That was alright. It happened every spring and every autumn.

It had been a very warm spring day, with equally warm nights, so Vanora opened some of the windows to keep the house cool and refreshed. The breeze and the song of crickets outside were soothing as well. She closed her eyes, lulled asleep by the sweet sounds of night.

Vanora didn't feel like much time had passed when she awoke to hear Moffitt coughing, sneezing, and blowing his nose. When his fit ended, he lay back down with a sigh and groan. Vanora had shifted at some point in the night, so she had to sit up to look at him. Moffitt's face was red and wet from the streaks of tears. He hadn't been crying; his eyes were just very watery from his allergies, but Vanora hated seeing them anyway. She hoped that would be the worst of it for the night, and tried to go back to sleep.

She managed to doze off, but was woken up again by Moffitt's coughing. He first tried to suppress it, but that proved hard to do. He was soon sitting up, coughing hard into a bundle of tissues, which did nothing to muffle it. Vanora sat up when it seemed like the coughing wouldn't stop, but fortunately, it did. "Are you alright, love?" she asked.

Moffitt nodded. "I'm sorry," he said after taking a moment to breathe. "I didn't mean to wake you up. I tried not to, but it's—"

"Jack, don't apologize. It's not your fault you're not feeling well." Vanora looked at the windows. "Do you want me to close those?"

"No. I thought about it. The house will be stuffy in the morning if we close the windows, and that'll make things worse. Besides—" Moffitt had to stop to blow his nose, "—there's going to be pollen everywhere no matter what we do."

Vanora touched his shoulder. "That doesn't mean you can't find relief, Jack."

Moffitt tossed the wad of tissues into a small trash can by his nightstand before laying back down. "I've tried everything this season. Nothing works."

Vanora lay next to him, and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Do you really want to do that? I feel quite disgusting, darling."

"I do, because I love you and you're in need of some comforting right now."

"What I need is sleep."

"Well, you can't sleep if you're uncomfortable, can you?"

"Oh, stop making sense," Moffitt grumbled. He stared up at the ceiling while his wife cuddled up to him. "I still feel bad for keeping you awake."

"I told you, it's alright." Vanora gently hugged him. She kissed his warm cheek, and put her hand on his chest, feeling the gentle pulsing of his heart. Things became quiet again, apart from Moffitt's sniffling and coughing. Vanora began stroking Moffitt's chest, doubting it would do much to make him feel better. She shifted to get into a more comfortable position, slowly dozing off after a while passed without sound.

"That feels good," Moffitt whispered.

"Hm? What I'm doing?" Vanora whispered back.

"Yes. It actually… helps. Your touch in general. Seems a bit strange to say, but it helps."

Vanora continued gently running her hand up and down Moffitt's torso until his breathing suggested he had finally fallen asleep. Granted, he was still snoring, but he was sleeping, and that was all that mattered.

In the morning, Vanora was able to hear the birds chirping over Moffitt's allergy-induced snoring. She was quiet while getting out of bed, and looked over her husband to see that Anah had left the nightstand at one point to curl up on Moffitt's pillow, right by his head. Her darkened eyes suggested that she was still asleep as well. Vanora smiled at both of them before going over to her dresser and their shared closet to get her clothes for the day.

After getting dressed, Vanora went out into the kitchen, and looked out the window to see Jules heading back from the stable. She went to the door to let him in, whispering, "Your father's still asleep, so try to keep things quiet, alright?"

"No problem, Mum," Jules said. "Been quiet since I got up."

"How long have you been up? You're usually just heading to the stables by now."

"Oh, Dad's coughing and sneezing woke me up last night. Had trouble falling back asleep."

Vanora sighed. "Has that been happening every night?"

"No. The night before was okay. I just… feel bad, that's all. Wish there was more we could do."

"So do I. It shouldn't last for more than another few days. Just like all the other springs and autumns."

"It's just sad seeing him so bloody miserable."

"He'll be alright, though. Like I said—a few more days." Vanora smiled a little. "Tea and breakfast?"

"Sure. I'll get the tea started. Should I make Dad's as well?"

"Don't bother unless he—" Vanora turned when she saw the bedroom door open, and a very groggy, red-faced Moffitt shuffled out. What wasn't red was ashen gray. The dark circles under his eyes had gotten more prominent, and there was overall an air of misery surrounding him.

"Good morning, Dad," Jules said.

Vanora half-expected Moffitt to respond very grumpily, but instead, he slumped down into his usual spot at the table.

Jules gave his father a sympathetic look. "This time of year is rotten, isn't it?"

"It certainly is, Jules," Moffitt said. He rubbed his face, groaning. "My body is one big ache. Of course, my head is bearing the brunt of it." He put his head in his hands, remaining quiet for a long minute before softly saying, "I'm glad you, your mother, and Anah have been patient with me, even if I don't deserve it sometimes."

"Jack." Vanora hugged him. "Don't start, alright?"

"Yeah." Jules joined in the hug.

Moffitt sighed. "Thanks. Where's Anah?"

"You are having a family hug without me?!" Anah climbed up to the table. "Shame on all of you!"

"Oh, stop, it's not like there's a time limit," Moffitt said. "Come here." He pulled the snake over to have her join in the hug.

Vanora kissed the top of Moffitt's head. Dealing with his allergies could be tough at times, but she wouldn't trade him for the world.