Sneezing Fits and Tender Moments

As the minutes ticked by, Courtney began to feel a familiar tickle in the back of her throat. At first, it was just a slight irritation, but she could sense it growing, spreading through her sinuses like a slow-moving storm. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her brow furrowing in concentration as she tried to stave off the impending sneeze. Mark, sensing her tension, looked at her with concern, his eyes scanning her face for any sign of what was to come. Courtney's lips pursed, her nostrils flaring slightly as she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. But it was no use. A faint twitch in the corner of her mouth was the first indication that another sneeze was on its way. Her eyes began to water, and her face scrunched up in a mixture of discomfort and concentration. Mark's expression softened, his eyes filled with empathy as he watched her struggle to hold it in. The twitch in her mouth grew more pronounced, and her nose began to wrinkle, her eyebrows drawing together in a subtle, anticipatory grimace. Her chest began to rise and fall with rapid, shallow breaths, and Mark's hand instinctively reached out to offer her another tissue. Courtney's face contorted, her eyes squeezing shut as she fought to suppress the sneeze. But it was too late. "Ah..." The first, tentative sound was barely audible, but Mark's eyes locked onto hers, his expression gentle and reassuring. The sound grew in intensity, Courtney's face elongating as she strained to hold it in. Her cheeks flushed, and her lips curled back, revealing a glimpse of her teeth. Mark's hand tightened around hers, his voice a soothing whisper in her ear. "...CHOO!" The sneeze burst forth, loud and nasal, and Courtney's face relaxed, her features releasing their tension as she blew her nose. Mark handed her a tissue, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "You're doing great," he said, his voice low and soothing. Courtney smiled back, her eyes still shining with tears. But the reprieve was short-lived. Another tickle began to build in the back of her throat, and Courtney's face began to tighten once more. Her eyes flicked towards Mark, a hint of apology in their depths, and Mark's expression softened in response. The sneeze built slowly, Courtney's face contorting in a series of tiny, involuntary movements. Her nose twitched, her lips pursed, and her eyebrows drew together in a faint, furrowed line. "Ah..." The sound began to build once more, Courtney's face set in a determined grimace as she steeled herself for the impending sneeze. "...CHOO!" The second sneeze was just as loud as the first, and Courtney's face relaxed, her features releasing their tension once more. Mark's arms wrapped around her, holding her close as she sneezed, his voice a gentle whisper in her ear. "I'm here for you," he said, his words a soothing balm to Courtney's frazzled nerves. And as she looked up at him, her eyes shining with gratitude, Courtney knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be.