Hi

Like nothing serious, just simply Not Feeling Too Hot and some comfort from Leo

This comes after a fic that still hasn't been published, so you'll be confused for a second, but... Trust the process! The muse is fickle like that.

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He had offered to drive Wendy home, but the woman had shaken her head, rubbing at her eyes and sniffling, told him she'd just go lie down in the doctor's headquarters until she felt more put together.

Worry ate at him and Jonah had promised himself he'd go check on Wendy as soon as they took Angie back home, crossing his fingers that his sister wasn't as shaken up as he expected her to be from what Wendy had told him about the morning encounter.

Once Wen was gone, Jonah rubbed a hand over his face, texting Leo to figure out where he was.

Leo: Upstairs, at the nurses' station. They have donuts 😋

Jonah smiled at his phone, pocketing it and moving towards the elevators.

Leo was sitting down on the nurse's lounge as if he belonged there, a box of 24 donuts in front of him, one perched on his hand, as he chatted with two nurses excitedly.

He glanced up, then smiled, a sugar mustache on, "speak of the devil," he sounded amused, "hi, angel."

Jonah felt his cheeks heating up at the petname being used in his workplace, but he didn't correct Leo, smiling at the nurses and sidestepping his husband so he could plant a hand on his shoulder, instead of kissing him.

"Let's go home?"

"Yeah," Leo got up, holding a donut still and smiling around. Jon bit down a smile as he watched the nurses gawking on his husband, Leo completely unaware of how nice he looked at the moment, even with a sugar mustache. Jon wanted to kiss it away, "where's Angie?"

"Upstairs, I'll go collect her and you get the car?" Jonah asked, waving his goodbye to his coworkers and taking Leo's hand in his as they stepped outside of the lounge. It would always be weird for him, being in the hospital but not as a doctor.

Angie was already in the hallway, before Sophia's room, hands intertwined behind her back as she stared vacantly at a wall. Or maybe it was pensively, Jonah wasn't really sure.

"Are you alright, darling?" He stepped closer, considered reaching in and touching her shoulder, then thought better of it. Angie nodded, slowly, chewing her bottom lip.

He expected some sort of answer, but since he got any, Jonah tried again, "are you ready to go back home?"

“my tummy hurts” (classic)

“something isnt agreeing with me”

“i need to lay down”

“something bad is going on in there”

“look at how bloated i am”

“my stomach is upset”

“it wont stop gurgling” or “can you hear that?”

“im too full to move”

“do you think they can tell?”

“my shirt/pants are too tight”

“i dont know if i can walk right now”

“can you rub my belly?” (another classic)

“that didnt sound too good”

“i dont think it’s very happy with me”

“it wont stop cramping”

“i need to sit down for a second”

“i can feel it churning inside me”

(or really describing anything as “inside me”)

“i feel so heavy” or “my belly is so heavy”

“i just couldnt stop eating”

“i think im just gonna sleep it off”

AND

moaning when theyre stuffed

WHINING when theyre stuffed

shy apologies after they hiccup or burp

getting embarrased when their stomach gurgles

describing how it feels like if it bubbling or sloshing or if “there’s gas trapped in there”

leaning back while resting their hands on the sides of their belly

trying to pull their shirt back down over their tum

describing where it is like, “its all sitting up here”, “everything’s moved down here now”, or “i can feel it on this side”

Can’t puke? Nothing your bf’s fingers can’t fix 💕 (continuation of this doodle)

“Do you want me to cancel?” he asked, “I don’t think you’re in a state to be going out.”

Austyn shook his head, pondering the question deeply. Coming to a decision was incredibly difficult, as his mind was preoccupied with the gnawing ache that was growing quickly in his belly. He knew going out was not going to end well- his belly had been bothering him all day, and had kept him lying on the couch for most of it. Austyn’s typically flat stomach had ballooned to nearly double in size, and the bloat pushed against the waistband of his sweatpants like never before. He truly was miserable. 

“I think I can make it,” he replied, “it’s just a stomach ache, I’ll be totally fine.”

Hayes chuckled a little, before resting his hand on Austyn’s forehead. He wasn’t very warm, but for coming up with a thought like that, he had to be at least a little bit delusional. 

“Yeah, right,” he giggled, “Aust, I didn’t really want to go in the first place. I can stay home with you if you want, and we can watch your shitty reality shows or whatever.”

“Using reality TV to make me stay home,” he replied, “I would, but Z has been planning this party since July. Two months of planning is a lot to miss out on!”

“Whatever,” Hayes sighed, “You’d better get dressed, though. We’ve got to leave in ten minutes, and I don’t think Zora would like it if you showed up in what you’re wearing now.”

Austyn laughed, pretending to be insulted by his boyfriend’s comment. He slowly rose from the couch, one hand instinctively placed over his aching belly. Padding towards the bedroom, his stomach flipped and he groaned quietly. Going to this party definitely was not a good idea, but he couldn’t let Zora down. 

His dress pants hardly fit over his tight tummy, and Austyn struggled to find a shirt loose enough to not accentuate his gut. He settled for a silky long sleeved button down and his biggest dress pants, pairing the outfit with his shiniest pair of chelsea boots. He forced down another swig of Pepto before running a pick through his hair, trying to make himself look presentable. His belly bubbled angrily as he stepped out of the bedroom, making his way towards the door. 

“Let’s go,” he sighed, “can you drive?”

“Sure,” Hayes agreed, “I need you to make a deal with me, though.”

“What is it?” Austyn asked hesitantly, not knowing how much more responsibility should be put on him that night.

“If you start to feel worse, or just get sick of not feeling good and being there, you have to tell me. We don’t have to immediately go home if you don’t want to, but I need you to tell me.” 

“I’ll be fine,” Austyn insisted, lying through his teeth, “I promise I will tell you.”

The boys climbed into the car after Austyn tossed Hayes the keys, and settled in for the twenty minute trip to the club. Austyn laid his jacket over his lap to cover just the smallest portion of his lower belly, and slid a hand under his shirt to gently rub at his aching gut. He didn’t feel like he would be sick- sick enough to throw up, at least, but his lower belly felt full and angry. His hips and sides ached, and all he wanted to do was lay down and let Hayes massage his tummy in bed. 

“How’s your belly feeling, love?” Hayes asked, sliding his free hand onto Austyn’s upper thigh. 

“Still have a tummy ache,” he sighed, “but I’m alright. I’m being so brave about it.” 

“You are,” Hayes laughed, “lean your seat back, I’ll rub your tummy a little.”

Austyn obliged, pulling the lever on the side of his seat and leaning back towards the back seat. Hayes slid his hand under his boyfriend’s shirt and ran his fingers over the tight skin, the tips swirling around his bellybutton. Austyn let out a strained sigh, pushing his belly further into his boyfriend’s touch. His stomach was known to be sensitive, protesting when something he ate was too spicy or greasy. He began to fear that eating that breakfast sandwich early this morning was a bad mistake. 

“I don’t think my tummy agreed with that breakfast sandwich I made,” he complained, “it wasn’t even that greasy!”

“You’ve got such a sensitive belly, Aust, I wouldn't be surprised if you’ve got a tummy ache because you drank water that was a degree too cold or something.”

Austyn laughed in agreement, his belly bubbling harshly under Hayes’ firm hand. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, desperately trying to find a position that didn’t make his belly feel like it was in a washing machine. There was only a few minutes left of their drive, but Austyn couldn’t hardly wait to stand up and allow his stomach to stretch out a little. 

“Did you sign the card for Z I left on the counter?” Hayes asked nonchalantly, “I stuck a fifty in it, do you think that’s enough?”

“I did,” Austyn nodded, “fifty is fine, I’m sure. Watch, she’ll spend it on Rowan.”

“That little boy is one of the cutest, most spoiled children I have ever met. There’s no doubt he’s going to profit big off of this event.”

“Honestly,” Austyn chuckled, “they’re going to have to build him a second toy room soon!”

Hayes giggled before rambling about the latest gadget Zora had gotten her son, and how excited he was when Hayes put it together for him. Austyn tuned out- he sprinkled the occasional giggle and ‘aww, how cute’ throughout the conversation, but he was truly focused on the storm brewing in his belly. The bubbles had turned grown to what felt like the size of golf balls, and were breaking roughly against the inside of his tummy. He squirmed and Hayes adjusted his hand over the lower portion of Austyn’s belly, replacing his story with concern. 

“I can feel how angry your poor belly is through your skin,” he frowned, bouncing his eyes between his boyfriend and the road. 

“Nothing a few shots can’t fix,” Austyn lied, “it’s really upset, but I’ll be alright.”

“I don’t know if drinking is going to help your case, love,” Hayes suggested, “why don’t I take you home, set you up with a heating pad and some medicine?”

“No,” Austyn insisted, “I’m fine, I just need to stand up. My belly doesn’t like being all crunched up like this.”

“Do you want me to pull over so you can get out for a second, or can you make it to the event? We’ve got about four minutes.”

“You know, maybe pull over for a second. I’ll adjust my pants and stretch out a little, and I’ll be fine.”

The older boy nodded, pulling into a CVS parking lot and finding a spot further from the door to park. Austyn half-assed a smile as he got out, locking eyes with Hayes as he stood and slid his pants further down on his hips. He stood for a minute, rubbing his lower belly lightly while trying to make light conversation with his boyfriend. He hesitantly got back into the car once he thought he could sit back down, and the pair continued driving to the event. 

“Are you sure we shouldn’t just go home, Aust? You obviously don’t feel good,” Hayes questioned, “I really do think Zora would understand.”

“Baby, I’m fine,” Austyn insisted, his fingers pressing roughly on his belly to get him through one of the worst cramps of the night, “my stomach is always upset, I can deal without being babied just this once.”

“You remember our deal though, right?” Hayes quizzed, “You have to tell me if you start to feel worse- even though I’m pretty sure that’s already happened.”

“I promise, love. I will be fine.”

The couple pulled into the event’s parking lot a short few minutes later, and both boys got out to spruce themselves up in the reflection of the car windows. Austyn knew he looked like shit, but the club would be dark, so he wasn’t too worried about it. Hayes was trying to conduct a plan and reached for his phone, texting Zora the details of their arrival. 

Hayes: Just pulled in, A has a bad upset belly, if he looks worse throughout the night I’m taking him home. Xoxo 

Zora: Poor belly :( get ur asses in here 

Hayes chuckled. He knew Zora would be a little upset if the boys were to leave prematurely into the night, but he did his best to warn her. Zora was one of the kindest people he had ever met, but when she has been drinking and things don’t go her way, she can become quite an overdramatic mess. The boys locked hands and made their way into the venue. 

“AUSTYN AND HAYES ARE HERE!” Zora yelled from her place at the bar, the group of friends around her all turning to stare at the door. 

“Happy birthday, you crazy bitch!” Austyn smiled, “how have you been, darling?”

“Great!” she responded, “Zeke, can we get a round of Titos ginger shots, please! Ginger will help that poor tummy of yours!”

Zora was noticeably intoxicated already, her eyes slumping from the blunt hits she’d taken in the parking lot and her speech had raised about two octaves from normal. Hayes sighed as Austyn gave him the ‘come on, you told her?’ look, shrugging his frustration off. The bartender poured the shots and they all lined up. 

“To Austyn and Hayes!” Zora called, and they all clinked their shot glasses together. 

“To me and Hayes!” Austyn giggled, hesitantly throwing back the shot. 

The second the alcohol hit his belly a cramp struck, leaving Austyn to subtly rub his belly. Hayes kept eyes on him as he continued to pretend to be okay, taking more and more shots with the group in hopes to numb the pain. Hayes was getting anxious, knowing Austyn was just setting himself up to feel worse. 

Hayes stuck by Austyn’s side as he wandered around greeting people, watching as he sat slowly as to not jostle his belly more. He caught him rubbing his stomach under the table a few times, and replaced his boyfriend’s hand with his own when he could. Zora pulled Austyn up to dance a few times, but he started pulling away quicker and quicker as the night went on, making up excuses as to why he needed to go up to the bar or find Hayes so he didn’t put any more strain on his already aching belly. 

“Honey, you look like you don’t feel good,” Zora said after a while, poking his bloated tummy through his shirt, “Is your tummy still upset?”

“Z, it’s your birthday, don’t worry about me! I’m just going to go sit down for a minute, I’ll be right back.”

“Austyn,” she called after him, “it’s okay if you need to go home, love. We can come back here some other time to celebrate.”

He must have really looked bad for Zora to give him permission to go home. He shook his head hesitantly before assuring her he was fine. She embraced him in a hug before sending him back to the booth Hayes was waiting at, signaling to Hayes that he needed to go home after Austyn turned his back. Hayes nodded in agreement as Austyn sat down. 

“I’m really tired,” Hayes exclaimed,  “and the loud music gave me a fucking headache.”

“I’m so sorry, honey,” Austyn cooed, “I really don’t feel good either. Maybe it’s time to call it.”

Hayes’ eyes perked up, concern lacing his breath. Austyn always admitted to not feeling good, but had never suggested to leave like this before. His boyfriend agreed and grabbed their jackets from the back room, before saying goodbye to all of their friends. Austyn hung back at the booth for a few minutes longer, hoping to settle his belly a little more before having to walk out to the car.

“I think we’re going to head out,” Hayes sighed, “he really doesn’t feel good and I’m starting to get a wicked fucking headache.”

“No problem, babe. How about I call you in the next few days and we can schedule something when you both are feeling better?” Zora responded, and Hayes nodded.

“Austyn looks like shit,” their other friend spoke, “is he okay?”

“His stomach is really bothering him,” Hayes spoke as soft as he could, “he’ll be alright, I just want to get him home.”

“Understood, man,” his friend nodded, “take care of your boy, I hope he feels better soon!”

Hayes nodded a thank you before turning to find the booth Austyn once sat at empty, and his heart sunk. He looked around to try and find him, but he was nowhere to be seen. Hayes figured he may have left to go to the bathroom, so he made his way to the back of the club. 

“Austyn?” Hayes called, “you in here, honey?” 

“Last stall,” he heard from the back of the bathroom, “my belly feels sick.”

Hayes’ heart dropped as he made his way down the bathroom hallway, passing the other stalls slowly. He pushed open the last door to see Austyn on the floor across from the toilet, sitting with his legs crossed and leaning against the stall wall. He was far enough from the toilet that Hayes didn’t think throwing up was an imminent threat, but he couldn’t be for sure. 

“Explain to me what you feel, sweet boy,” Hayes asked, “are you going to be sick? Still just a belly ache?” 

“A little queasy," he whined through tears, “but I almost wish I was really nauseous. My belly hurts so bad, it’s so upset.”

“Oh, love,” Hayes cooed, bringing the back of his hand to Austyn’s forehead, “you don’t feel warm, it must have been something you ate. Maybe a little bit of the alcohol?”

“Can’t even think about that stuff,” he cried, “My belly hurts so much, Hayzee, and I want to go home.”

Hayes nodded as he brushed the back of his hand over the side of his boyfriend’s face. He brainstormed ways to get Austyn out of the building without causing a scene, or bringing the attention away from Zora. Austyn picked his head up and rested it on Hayes’ shoulder, closing his eyes and taking in his boyfriend’s cologne. 

“Alright, how about this,” Hayes suggested, “I will go through the bar and grab the car. There’s an emergency exit on the back of the building that doesn’t have an alarm attached, so we can sneak out of it without people seeing you. I can say goodbye to everyone while you make your way to the back of the building, and I’ll come pick you up on the other side.”

“Okay,” Austyn nodded, “I don’t know how long I can stand up before my belly sends me back to the floor, H, can you help me out there?” 

“Absolutely,” he agreed, “whenever you’re ready, we can move towards that door and get you outside.”

The boys waited a few minutes before deciding to stand up. It was incredibly difficult for Austyn to stand up straight, and Hayes worried about Austyn’s ability to walk towards the back door. Quickly, Hayes rested Austyn’s body down on top of the toilet, and made a change to their plans. 

“Alright, how about this,” he began, “you stay here, and I’ll go say goodbye to everyone and get the car. When I get the car to the back, I’ll come back in here and help you to the car. You’re in no condition to be walking by yourself or staying out back by yourself either.”

Austyn nodded in defeat. His elbows were perched on his knees, one hand holding his head up, and the other wrapped tightly around his belly. Hayes planted a kiss on his forehead and asked if he would be okay alone for a couple of minutes. Austyn produced a hesitant nod and Hayes jumped into action. He left the bathroom to find Zora, just to let her know they were leaving. She’d seen him head towards the bathroom to collect Austyn, but seemed to get distracted by others wanting to buy her birthday drinks. 

“Z!” Hayes called through the bar, and she turned around in the crowd, “hey, we’re finally going home. Gotta get the sicky into bed.”

“I thought you guys left!” she hollered drunkenly, “Where’s Austyn, I want to give him a kiss goodbye!”

“You don’t want to kiss him now, love,” Hayes laughed, “you’ve got to stay healthy so you can keep partying on all night!” 

“You’re so right,” she agreed seriously, “get Austyn home for me. Keep me updated on him, yeah?” 

“Of course, love. We’ll see you as soon as he feels better to celebrate your day!”

She nodded and yelled to the blaring music, and Hayes made a beeline for the door. The car wasn’t far from the door, as he’d tried to make it an easy walk for Austyn when they arrived, but the panic in Hayes’ chest made the car feel a million miles away. He sprinted towards the grey Bronco, quickly unlocked the doors and pulled out of his parking space. 

With cars scattered all over the parking lot, Hayes had a bit of trouble finding where he could access the back door of the building, but after a few minutes of careful searching he pulled the car as close as he could. Luckily the door was open from the outside, and he slipped in and down the hallway towards the men’s bathroom. 

“Aust?” Hayes called, “I’m back, love, can I come in?”

“Hmm,” he heard from the other side of the door, “mhm”. 

He pushed open the door to see Austyn’s head in his knees, pants pulled down to his ankles and on the toilet. A cramp wracked through Austyn’s body and he expelled the contents of his lower belly slowly.Hayes took no time to kneel down in front of his love, sliding his hands under his shirt and lightly massaging Austyn’s seizing belly muscles. The slight pressure sent a gag rolling up Austyn’s throat, but he managed to keep everything down. Hayes continued rubbing the younger boy’s tummy gently, each cramp pushing another spurt of sick belly contents. 

“You’re doing so good, my love,” Hayes reassured softly, “get it all out. Your poor tummy is going to feel so much better once the yucky stuff is out.”

“Fuck,” Austyn gasped in between cramps, “my tummy baby, mmm.”

“I know, honey,” Hayes sighed, “it’ll feel better soon, you’re doing so good.”

Austyn’s body attempted to fight another cramp, but yet again lost the fight to his lower belly. He moaned and let out a pained breath, and Hayes dug his fingers a bit deeper into his lower belly. Austyn gasped and loudly moaned, but quickly silenced himself after hearing people walk into the restroom. 

“Dude, I told Josh he needed to try that bourbon from Indiana and he hasn’t drank another bourbon since. I’m telling you, man, you need to try it!” one voice pushed, seemingly using the urinal. 

“What’s it called again? Penelope something?” the other man stated. 

Austyn and Hayes remained as quiet as possible as to not draw attention to themselves, but could tell the other men had smelled the sickness that had taken place. Austyn leaned back slowly and deeply massaged the lowest part of his belly, and let out a slightly relieved sigh. 

“Penelope Founders Reserve,” he said, “aged for 13 years. I’ve had like three since I got here. Easiest to get down, I’ll order you one!”

The boys remained silent in the large stall, hoping the men would leave sooner rather than later. The men stuck around to fix their hair and mustaches before going back out into the club, but left after a little while. It was beginning to become difficult for Austyn to keep his volume down, and knew he still had something left in his belly that he needed to expel. The second the bathroom door closed Austyn let out a strained moan before his body cleaned itself out for the final time- for now. 

“I want to go home,” Austyn whined through quick breaths, “I don’t feel good.”

“I know baby,” Hayes reassured, “do you think you are going to be okay for the drive? There’s only that one CVS that we stopped at between here and home that has a bathroom- can you make it the 10 minutes to the CVS?”

Austyn nodded as tears streamed down his cheeks, collecting in a puddle on his bare legs. Together the boys cleaned everything up, and Hayes helped the sick boy put his dress pants back on. His belly had become so round and hard that his pants wouldn’t button, so Hayes wrapped his jacket around him to cover him from others’ eyes. Quickly and quietly, Hayes swept Austyn into a bridal-style hold and carried him gently towards the back door. 

The second he was placed into the Bronco, Austyn laid the seat back as far as it would go. He cradled his churning belly in his arms and curled the rest of his body around him in a horizontal fetal-position. Hayes quickly hopped into the driver’s seat and made sure Austyn was alright before gently pulling out of the parking lot. He tried his best to avoid potholes and speed bumps, but in their city it was pretty hard to miss every single one. Austyn groaned off and on but remained stuck in the same position for the entire drive. He didn’t speak, even when Hayes asked him how he was feeling, just answered with a slew of whines and moans. When the finally got home, Austyn didn’t move a muscle. 

“My love,” Hayes spoke softly, “can I carry you inside? I think getting you into bed would help you get a little more comfortable.” 

“Not yet,” Austyn whimpered, “I finally feel like I can breathe, and I don’t want it to stop yet.”

“Is your belly feeling a little better?” Hayes questioned hopefully. 

“Eh,” he sighed, “something shifted just enough for me to get some deep breaths in. I still really don’t feel good.” 

“I’m so sorry, honey,” Hayes frowned, “I wish I could trade places with you so you could get relief and some rest. You look and sound miserable.”

Austyn nodded briefly, moving as little as he could. He didn’t want the pain below his lungs to return, but Hayes was right, the car seat was getting uncomfortable. He soaked in a few more minutes of deep breathing before turning his head slightly towards Hayes and letting him know it was time. 

“I’m going to put my left hand under your neck and on your back, and I’ll get your legs with my right. Is it okay if I do it all in one motion, or should I go slow?” 

“Slow, please,” Austyn begged, “just try to be as gentle as possible.”

“Ready?” Hayes questioned, and Austyn nodded. 

The older boy slid his arms into position and slowly lifted his love from the car. Using his foot he slammed the door shut behind them, and began towards the lobby of their building. Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, the two swooped into the back hallway quickly to find the south elevator. Austyn softly moaned and strongly protected his upset belly with his arms as they walked through the bottom floor of the building. 

Austyn felt he could vocalize his pain for the first time since entering the building once in the elevator; the short six-floor ride felt obnoxiously long and he wasn’t sure how much more pain he could bear while in Hayes’ arms. He felt terrible. 

“I just have to tap the key card and put in my code, okay love?” Hayes asked, “it’ll only take a second.” 

Austyn groaned back in response, and Hayes began his battle with the front door. The card wouldn't reach the reader if he held Austyn in the same position he had been, and he absent-mindedly tossed Austyn up to shift the height of his hands. Austyn gasped and yelped, scaring Hayes into flinching again. His heart pounded as he had realized what he had done to his love, and he felt the color drain from his body. He quickly tapped the card and entered the passcode while apologizing profusely over Austyn’s cries. 

“Baby, I am so sorry! I didn’t even think about it, I had to shift my hand to unlock the door and I didn’t have time to think about it!” he teared up, “I am so sorry, we’re home, honey. Let’s get you to bed.”

“Mmm,” Austyn groaned, “I don’t feel gooooood.”

Hayes gently placed him into the bed and pulled the blankets over his legs. He helped strip his sweat-drenched shirt from his clammy skin and wriggled his pants off softly and slowly. Even the band of his underwear was bothering his belly. At first he thought maybe the egg in his breakfast sandwich had caused his belly to freak, as his IBS can rarely be triggered by eggs. He thought back to the previous night’s consumption, and although he hadn’t had much, he definitely could have eaten better quality and nutritious food. His sub-par meal from the night before mixed with a processed egg was becoming the number one suspects for his IBS flare. 

“Alright, I got the heating pad, some of the good tummy medicine, and a glass of water with electrolytes to keep you hydrated. How’s your belly feeling, baby?” 

“Sore,” he admitted, “still crampy but I don’t think there’s anything left in there.”

“Do you think you would be able to nap? Maybe you can sleep some of it off,” he suggested, “here, these are the meds from Dr. Varelli. I think this definitely counts as an IBS flare.” 

“Yeah,” Austyn sighed softly, “thank you. Could I lie on my side to take it? Sitting up isn’t an option.”

Hayes nodded and guided the straw of the glass towards Austyn’s mouth, quickly popping the pill into his mouth before he took a sip. He swallowed thickly before lying his head back onto the pillow. Hayes worked quickly to plug in the heating pad and drape it over his boyfriend’s aching tummy. 

“Would you like to watch Schitt’s Creek? Or is this a Friends kind of day?” Hayes partially smiled, and Austyn’s breathing slowed slightly. He could see the heating pad work magic on his boyfriend’s belly, and Austyn’s overall demeanor was beginning to shift. 

“Mmm,” he hummed, “laughing hurts, can it be like true crime or something?”

“Criminal Minds is not true crime,” Hayes laughed, “it’s fake true crime.”

“Pleeeeeeeease,” Austyn begged, “my belly hurts!”

“Oh, we’re ALREADY playing the bellyache card!” Hayes announced dramatically, “you little goober. I love you.”

Austyn pursed his lips in Hayes’ direction, sending him a pitiful air kiss. Hayes followed the sick boy’s requests and found the tv show for him to watch. Austyn shifted slowly into Hayes’ arms and rested his head on his chest, feeling the older boy’s toned pecs under his cold cheek. 

“Baby?” Austyn spoke quietly, “could you do me a favor?”

“Anything, love,” Hayes smiled, “what can I do?”

“Can you rub my tummy until I fall asleep?” he asked sheepishly, “just don’t take the heat off, maybe like put your hands under it?”

You’ve heard of Novemetober now get ready for I have never once been able to complete any of these challenges on time 😎

Hope you enjoy anyway ! :’D

***

19. Sick in the middle of the night.

Samir muffles a whimper into the crook of his elbow. He can hear Casey sleeping soundly beside him, letting out cute little snores that Samir can’t bear to interrupt. And yet, the temptation is there all the same. The poor guy had woken up no more than ten minutes ago with his guts writhing around like a colony of worms.

Worms.

The image makes Samir’s stomach lurch, and he scrambles to sit up. His heart races, his breathing is heavy and getting faster with each passing second. He doesn’t feel good. Oh, God, he doesn’t feel good.

Samir cups his hands over his face and burps. His whimpering gets a little louder, a little more urgent. Just a few hours ago he was wrapped up in the throes of passion and adoration for the man beside him, feeling absolutely perfect. Now, his entire body feels wrong, wrong in only the way someone can feel when they’re about to be sick. And Samir can keep denying it and trying to push it down, hold it back, but as he breaks out in a cold sweat and lets out a series of acrid burps in rapid succession, he knows it’ll all be in vain.

His stomach cramps, and he gasps. Time’s up. Guilt having been pushed to the back of his mind, Samir shakes Casey’s shoulder. Tears start welling in his eyes.

“Casey… My tummy…” His voice is whiny but thickened with nausea. The three words alone make his esophagus spasm, and he has to swallow back a gag. “Casey!”

“Mmf…” Casey finally stirs, his eyes still closed and his back still facing Samir. “Jeez… Jesus, what? Fuck, man, it’s like… 3am…” Casey’s complaints quickly silence when he hears Samir’s shaky, rapid breaths… and the ominous gurgling coming from his abdomen. He sits up and fumbles to turn on the lamp on Samir’s desk. Dim yellow light floods the room, enough for Casey to see that Samir’s got his hands firmly clamped over his mouth, and that his tank top is soaked with sweat.

“Mmghh… Case, my belly really hurts, I don’t—agh—f-feel good… I don’t feel g—!”

Samir is cut off by a wet belch, prompting a gush of hot vomit to spill out from between his fingers. Samir barely has time to inhale before he burps again, and again, he vomits all over his hands and all over the sheets.

“Oh, fuck, shit, fuck—!” Casey is properly awake now, though not by choice. He scrambles out from under the covers, which are rapidly being soaked by viscous puke. Once the initial shock wears off, though, he puts his hand on Samir’s back as the poor guy pants and moans.

“Casey, I don’t… mmmhhh…” Both of Samir’s hands are clutched firmly over his stomach now. He shudders, tears rolling down his cheeks, face bright red from both embarrassment and exertion. “I’m sorry, I don’t… urRRP!” Another sick burp sends vomit flying out of Samir’s nose and mouth.

“Hey, hey…” Casey rubs steady (if not slightly frantic) circles on Samir’s back. “It’s fine, just let it all out, okay?”

Samir hiccups and shakes his head, although he doesn’t have much of a choice. The next hiccup turns into a loud belch, which turns into a retch, and then he’s spilling his guts out again. The torrent is thicker, and it floods his nostrils and tastebuds with the bitter remnants of last night’s dinner and protein shake. The blankets over his legs are heavy with vomit, but Samir just feels like he can’t stop. He swallows a burp, full-on shivering and sobbing now. He wants to cling onto Casey and beg to be held, but he’s already made enough of a mess, well, everywhere else.

“The sheets…” he pants in between sobs and heaves.

“Shh… sheets can be washed.” To his credit, Casey is doing a hell of a job staying calm. The circles he’s rubbing into Samir’s back have slowed, even as Samir gags and burps and sprays more of his stomach contents onto the bed. “Don’t try and hold it in, babe, don’t worry about the sheets,” he whispers. His other hand slides under Samir’s soiled tank and lays over his bloated belly. He can feel an undercurrent of discomfort and illness under his palm, further emphasized as Samir’s abdominal muscles clench and he burps up another round of sick.

Samir feels the smallest semblance of comfort by having Casey’s hands on him. Part of him wants to push his boyfriend away, spare him from the displeasure of watching him cry and gag and vomit profusely, but he feels so bad, and Casey’s proximity feels… so good.

“It hurts, Case,” Samir mumbles pitifully. The discomfort grips him from head to toe; his head pounds, his muscles ache, his skin is crawling with sweat and goosebumps. He’s burping and belching and heaving, but the old food and bile just keeps coming up, and he’s still nauseous, so nauseous that he can barely get a sentence out without gagging.

“I know, babe.” Casey had slowly been leaning further into Samir. Now, in complete disregard of the absolute mess that Samir and the sheets around him are covered in, Casey gently kisses his boyfriend’s neck and massages his belly. “You’ll be okay,” he assures him. “Just breathe for a minute… I’m right here.”

And for now, Casey’s hand on his stomach and his lips on his neck and his soothing voice in his ear are all just enough for Samir. The seemingly endless burping and puking slow under Casey’s attentive support, and finally, Samir can take a deep breath.

“Little better?” asks Casey

Samir sniffles, wipes his eyes and mouth with the back of his hand, and sinks back into Casey’s arms, where he rides out the chilly aftershocks of vomiting. “Little better,” he confirms weakly. Then he starts tearing up again; not out of pain or discomfort or exertion or misery, but rather out of relief. “I… I love you,” is all he can say to try and communicate gratitude. “I love you, Casey…”

Casey wipes away Samir’s tears himself and allows him to rest on his chest, just for a few minutes, just to let him catch his breath. Casey buries his face into Samir’s sweaty hair and kisses his head.

“I love you, too.”

***