Page 48 of Where the River Meets the Skye

River

Finally, after another week straight of endless migraines, River woke up and found himself migraine free. He was confused more than anything, because he hadn’t done anything differently, but he wasn’t going to complain, because the pain was gone, and it felt like he could breathe again.

He rolled over to see that Skye was already out of bed, and climbed out of bed himself. He brushed his teeth and made his way into the kitchen, taking the cup of coffee out of Skye’s hand and setting it aside, then placed both hands on his boyfriend's cheeks and kissed him tenderly.

“Wow,” Skye said, when River pulled away. He slid his arms around his waist and smiled. “What was that for? You feeling better?”

“Yeah, I have no idea how, or why, but I am,” River said, beaming. “And it’s Saturday, so let’s do something. I’ve missed you.” He started to place sweet kisses all over Skye’s neck and jawline.

Skye smiled and squirmed a little, sliding his hands up River’s back. “I’ve missed you too,” he said. He nudged the side of River’s face with his nose, causing River to look at his boyfriend and give him another kiss. “I have an idea.” River rested his hands on Skye’s chest as Skye held him close.

“What?” he said, staring into those gorgeous green eyes. He knew he probably looked like a lovesick puppy the way he was gazing at his boyfriend with so much fondness, but he couldn’t help it.

“I found a movie theater with reclining seats, so maybe that means you could sit without it hurting your tailbone,” Skye said, hopefully.

River’s face lit up at the idea. “Really?”

“But, it’s a twenty-five minute drive to get there,” Skye said, grimacing slightly. “Can you handle that?”

“I think so. I’d like to try.”

“Or we could try to do something that doesn’t require sitting, but if your heart acts up…” Skye said.

“I like the movie idea, Skye,” River interrupted, smiling. “If it doesn’t pan out we can just go for a walk somewhere and get some lunch. Also, my heart’s doing okay. I haven’t had an episode in a while.”

“Okay,” Skye said, smiling. They kissed once more and then pulled apart to shower and get ready.

“Have we ever actually been on a date?” Skye said as they drove to the movie theater.

River was holding Skye’s hand and beaming, despite the discomfort to his tailbone. It was tolerable, and he was just happy to be migraine free and out of the house with Skye, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. “No,” he said. “I don’t think we have. Unless you call our Valentine’s dinner a date.”

“Not technically, since we weren’t out, but still probably the best memory ever,” Skye said, and they both smiled and blushed. “Have you had an erection since then?”

River shook his head, frowning slightly. “No, I haven’t. But we haven’t exactly had the opportunity, either, my migraines were so bad.”

“I’m happy to try again.” Skye grinned. “Practice makes perfect, you know.”

River blushed. He raised Skye’s hand to his lips and kissed it, then brushed it along the stubble of his jawline, closing his eyes.

“Okay, stop it,” Skye said, “‘Cause now I’ve got one, and I can’t walk into the theater like that.” He shifted in his seat.

River smiled. He kissed Skye’s hand once more and then let go.

His hand was back in Skye’s as they walked inside. Neither one of them really remembered much about the movie because they spent most of it with their faces angled towards each other and their lips pressed together. When they weren’t kissing, River was resting his head on Skye’s shoulder, sighing contentedly, because this did seem to work, this reclining seat thing, which meant they could keep doing this, having dates here, and because once again, he was hard, and it was because of Skye.

CHAPTER 23

Skye

THREE WEEKS LATER

Overwhelmed didn’t even begin to cover how Skye was feeling. The worry, grief and confusion. River had had a week of relief from his migraines, but they had been back in full force for several more weeks, now, with no explanation. He’d taken two days off of work to start out with, but when the pain hadn’t subsided he’d struggled through the remaining weeks again. He’d seen a chiropractor to see if that would help, but it hadn’t. He’d tried acupuncture and even botox injections. Neither one was covered by insurance and both had been in vain.

“I can’t keep doing this, Skye,” River cried as they lay in bed one evening. He was hugging Skye and Skye was rubbing circles on his back.

“I know, River,” Skye said. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could fix it.”

River sniffled. “I’m having a hard time,” he said after a moment of silence. He pulled away, his breath hitching.

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