"Hey, c'mere," Bella yawned, a hand poking out of the blanket, just as Luke walked to their bedroom door. He raised his eyebrows, surprised she was awake so early in the morning and then felt a wash of guilt.
"Did I wake you up?" He kept his voice low, walking closer, "I'm sorry, I was trying to be quiet-"
Bell let out a huff, annoyed and sleepy, her hand gesturing impatiently for him and as soon as Lucas was within reach, she grabbed the fabric of his pants and tugged on it for him to sit on the bed.
He snorted at her antics, reaching in and brushing her messy curls back. Once in a blue moon she wore a bonnet to bed, but more often than not she just slept without it and woke up with her hair all tangled.
"Vin's taking Soph to Doveport today, isn't he?" Her voice was raspy from sleep, eyes heavy.
"I think so, yeah?" Luke frowned, confused by the sudden change of topic, "why?"
"He comes back tomorrow?" Bella yawned, dropped her head back to the pillow and Lucas was half convinced she was still asleep. He tugged on the blankets, tucking her further in.
"I think so, he's pretty beat, I don't think he can drive eight hours straight. He'll probably spend the night," he answered and Bella nodded, eyes slipping shut.
"So we got the house to ourselves tonight?"
Luke snorted, "has this ever stopped you from jumping me before?" he asked, teasingly, tackling her and causing Bella to let out a squeal, her eyes jumping open at the sudden attack.
"LUke!" She whisper-yelled, muffling her tone in her hand, blushing, "that's not the reason- You totally forgot, uh?"
"What did I forget, baby?" Luke bumped his nose with hers, peppering her face with kisses. Clearly his mind was already in the gutter.
"Our wedding anniversary?" Bella raised an eyebrow, judgingly and Lucas pulled back, appalled.
"That was a month ago," he mumbled, defensively, "I didn't forget- We don't- We don't celebrate those things, we didn't celebrate it last year... We never even celebrated our dating anniversaries..."
"Well, dating anniversaries are cringy," Bella rolled her eyes, then squirmed under him so she could sit against the headboard, "that's fine, I totally forgot it too, but I kinda wanna celebrate it..."
"Oh yeah?" Luke closed the space between with a kiss and then fell right between her legs, resting his chin on her knee, "what do you wanna do?"
Bella snorted at the silly position, as if he was a lap dog, and combed her fingers through his hair, careful not to make him look like a mad scientist right before work, "nothing big," she shrugged, "just... Let's go out for dinner? Or uhm- I don't know, you're the planner, Luke."
He hid a smile against the blankets covering her lap, "I'll think of something," then he pulled back with a groan, "this is why I like leaving when you're asleep, now I don't wanna goooo-"
Bella giggled, rolling her eyes at his antics, "gooo-" she shoved him by the forehead, then changed her mind last minute, lurching up on her knees to grab him by the collar of his button up and pull him down for a kiss, "just give me one last kiss before you leave."
"I'll give you two."
-------------------
Lucas knew, objectively, that he should not be feeling guilty for forgetting their wedding anniversary, since Bell had forgotten it too. Not that he had actually forgotten, he just had overlooked it. They had been in New Mexico and he was pretty sure the actual date of, he had been in a hospital bed with a severe fennel allergy.
Which just made him feel even more guilty, because how shitty was it that Bell had spent their anniversary night sitting in some uncomfortable hospital chair and fearing for his life?
He was a failure of a husband, Luke decided by the time 10 AM rolled on.
Sylvie was rushing in and out of their shared office, clearly busy, and he had a pile of paperwork to finalize, because charity was a whole lot less glamorous once you had to do taxes about it and fill in permits. Luke's mind was racing and he was struggling to pay attention.
"What's gotten into you?" Sylvie asked, walking back into the office and he hurriedly clicked out of the article he was reading on Idea To Celebrate Your Wedding Anniversary, forcing his attention back to the actual task at hand he should be doing.
"Nothing, why do you ask?" He asked, innocently, and the older woman squinted at him, stopping right in front of his desk.
"You seem sparse today..." She scrutinized his face, "everything alright?"
"Yeah, uh-" He toyed with his pen, looking up to his boss. She was a tiny woman, but he was sitting down while she stood, "it's my wedding anniversary and I forgot to make us plans."
Her wrinkly, suspicious face cleared up, a fond look taking its place, "oh Luke," she seemed amused, "how many years are you guys celebrating?"
"Two years," he fiddled with his wedding band, "I googled and it apparently is Cotton? The theme? Not helpful at all."
Syl snorted, circling his desk so she could get to hers and sitting down on the big presidential chair, "can never go wrong with jewelry, Luke."
"I know, but Bella is very particular about that," he pouted, turning his chair around to face her and kept speaking as if there was no work to be done, "she likes antiques and Victorian inspired pieces. I called her favorite jewelry place, but they only work with commissioned pieces and would take at the very least a couple weeks... I considered a hot air balloon ride, but she gets airsick sometimes and I don't wanna risk it-"
"Wow," Sylvie grinned, eyes sparkling, "you're doing the most, son. Take her to a nice restaurant and get her her favorite flowers, it'll be fine."
Lucas pouted. Realistically, he was aware his boss was right, but he hated it. Not because Bella wouldn't like it, hell, she probably would like celebrating in the privacy of their own home, with candles and take out, but because it made him feel like he didn't put enough effort into it. He knew he could do better than that and Bella deserved his maximum... Take that, Kit Howard, that's how you treat the love of your life.
He shook his head, rolling his shoulders to try and release the tension, "you're probably right," Luke relented, "do you have any restaurant recommendations? I was thinking we could go to Portland, we've been everywhere here in Welton already."
"Oh, do I," Sylvie smiled at him, fishing her notebook to scribble down some names for him.
----------------------------
Lucas: I've decided where we're gonna have dinner, it's not that fancy, dw.
Bella frowned as the text came in halfway through her day, as she holed up in the office, trying to get as much done as she could, to clear tomorrow's morning. She knew they didn't have any plans or reservation, but she also knew Luke, so Bella wouldn't have been surprised if he went all out. Part of her was even eagerly expecting him to.
Bell: Not fancy? Do you hate me?
She bit down her lip, staring at her husband's contact, imagining the way his face would scrunch up with defensiveness at her text, offense even.
Lucas: you don't LIKE fancy places, Isabella.
Lucas: But I can get us a reservation if you want to do fancy tonight!!
Lucas: Talk to me, what's on your mind?
Anxiety personified, Bella thought with a snort, smiling despite herself. Before she could even type an answer, her phone switched to call mode and Luke's face flashed across the screen.
"Hi-"
"Of course I don't hate you, Bell," Luke talked over her, sounding distraught, "you're gonna like my plan, trust me-"
"I do trust you," she chuckled, "I was mostly joking. Can I wear heels?"
"Yeah, of course," he sounded just a smidge relieved, "if you really wanna do fancy, I can change our reservations-"
"No," Bella leaned back on her chair, playing with the frayed edges of her ratty gym pants, "I just don't wanna stay in tonight that's all."
"We're not," he reassured her, "I have to get back to work. Love you."
"Okay, bye" Bella smiled, hanging up the phone, only for it to ring again, five seconds later. She frowned, "what?"
"You didn't say I love you back," Luke downright whined and Bella couldn't help but cackle. She rolled her eyes at his antics.
"I love youuuu, go work," she giggled, hanging up once more.
Around 5 PM, she wrapped up work and went ahead to get ready for their date, since her hair always took forever to dry.
Once she stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a robe, Lucas was already home. He pecked her cheek as she walked past him to their closet, following her like a lost puppy.
"What should I wear? Can I get a hint of what we're doing?" Bell asked, hands busy as she combed cream through her hair and inspected her clothes.
"It's nothing big, I didn't have much notice," Luke sounded so terribly apologetic, that she rushed to reassure him, but he talked over her, "just dinner."
"Okay, uhm- dress or pants?" Bell walked around, fishing out a couple pieces.
"Pants," he gestured to her favorite pair, that was black and low waist, baggy and covered in silver zippers, "and a top to match this-"
He fished out a little box from behind his back and Bella grinned so much her cheeks hurt, "oh, you didn't."
"Of course I did," he scoffed, rolling his eyes, "my wife says she wants to do romantic shit for once in her life and I'm supposed to not give it my all?"
He opened the box, causing Bella to gasp.
"Jesus Christ, Luke-" She reached in with grabby hands. It was a golden bracelet, with two rubies perched on the top of it, edges jagged and organic, like her own wedding band, "how did you-"
"It's not custom or anything," he pouted, "but I got lucky to find this in a jewelry store."
"It's gorgeous," Bella sighed, immediately putting it on, "now I feel bad, I didn't get you anything..."
"You don't have to give me anything," he rolled his eyes, then let out a chuckle as she jumped in his arms, cupping his face with both hands and kissing him, "I'll take it that you like it?" He asked cheekily.
Bella let out a huff, giving him another peck, "I love it. I love it so much," she squished his cheeks between her hands, one on either side of his face, "thank you."
"It's my pleasure," he turned his face to kiss he inside of her palm, "now let me go so I can shower- Bella!" Lucas let out a yelp as she moved a hand to his nape and grabbed him by the hair, pulling him closer so she could sniff his neck.
"You smell great to me," she said, while he trembled with giggles.
"Because you're a weirdo," he pushed her back by the hip, "let me shower, or we'll be late. It's all the way in Portland."
"Portland?!"
----------------
"Oh the place is beautiful," Bella whispered, her hand intertwined with Luke's as he pulled them inside the restaurant.
It was a place named Toca, with a moody atmosphere, dark walls and candles lit, Mexico's flag framed in a glass case, as well as a sombrero were the only thing telling her it was a Mexican restaurant. There was a duo of a cellist and a pianist playing, which caused her to let out a squeal and lean into Luke's side.
"Live music?"
"That's your favorite, isn't it?" Luke's smile was so wide, she could see his molars and there was a dimple forming in his cheek. Bella wanted to jump him.
He pulled the chair for her, despite the maître who had been guiding them moving to do it, and Bella rolled her eyes at the performance, smiling so much her cheeks hurt, "I feel like we're at our first date again."
"That was the plan," Luke sat in front of her, looking very proud with himself, "though this restaurant is a bit more gringo friendly than the one we went that time."
Bella snorted at the memory, "you were so funny, running out on me."
"Yeah, funny now," Luke's voice turned sour, "I really thought I had wrecked it all."
"You think I'd pass up a hottie like that because of an upset tummy?" Bella teased him, eyes running up and down his face, lingering on his mouth, "not in a million years, baby."
She felt victorious when his cheeks turned slightly pink. Making Lucas fluster was a feat and Bella tried really hard to excel at it.
"So what are we having tonight, captain?" Bell asked, leaning on the table to look at the menu. She wanted to push their chairs together, but it was a fancy enough place that she refrained from doing it... At least for now, no promises after they got some alcohol into her.
"I was thinking a wedge salad for starters," Luke pointed at an item in the menu and she glanced at her own. Wagyu bacon, cherry tomato, pickled red onion, pepitas, queso fresco, creamy buttermilk dressing. Sounded amazing, and most importantly, harmless.
"Did you check with them about fennel?"
"Yes, I let them know," he nodded, "what do you think?"
"I think it's delicious," Bella beamed, "and for main dish we get something separate?"
"Yeah, I'm going no spice tonight," he crossed his heart in an exaggerate scout impression.
Bella let out a huff at his mannerisms, "and nothing for dessert because we both know it's gonna be you."
He didn't blush this time, much to her dismay, eyes darkening, smile getting a little cheekier, "you're talking big game tonight, Bella."
"I mean every word," she batted her eyelashes at him, leaning over the tealight candles to whisper, "unless you don't think you can handle me?"
His smile flickered, competitive and hungry, and Bella felt her own cheeks burning as his eyes dragged down her face, to her mouth, neck, cleavage, "let's just leave right now."
She chuckled, pulled back and shook her head, "after dinner."
After that conversation went easy, although they were still flirting, heavily. Bell was drinking, Luke wasn't, because he was driving, and two cocktails in and she pushed her chair so their knees were touching, a lazy hand resting on his thigh for the rest of their meal.
Once the salad was gone, they ordered another round of drinks and the main dish. Luke ordered oysters, dipped in a chipotle cocktail that he knew he could handle because he got chipotle in his sandwiches and didn't suffer from it, and Bella got a complicated dish of chicken al pastor, with pineapple salsa that looked so delicious Luke nearly took a bite despite knowing better.
They chatted and ate and ordered a complicated lava cake to share as dessert, Luke taking her by the hand to slow dance as they waited for their order to get done. Bella threw her arms around his neck, body flushing against his, eyes shining, circled by the dark kajal that made the blue of her gaze pop.
"This was amazing," she whispered, sweet and spicy breath tickling his mouth and Luke barely held back from kissing her. He squeezed her waist, fingers curling on her top as they swayed from side to side lazily as the cello kept playing, "thank you."
"No," he leaned in, pressed his mouth to her brow and inhaled her woody perfume, "thank you for marrying me."
"Don't go all sappy on me now," Bella huffed out, her voice coming out muffled by his neck, and he could just feel the way her heart was beating, that's how pressed together they were.
Luke rolled his eyes at her being so uncomfortable at the romantic stuff, kissing her temple and squeezing her hand in his as Bella removed an arm from around his neck, so they could properly waltz.
They had dessert and paid, arms looped together as they walked back to the car. Bell was slightly tipsy, he could tell by how giggly she was, laughing like a teenage girl at every minor thing he said. It was absurdly endearing.
"C'mere," she smiled, once he opened the passenger door for her and she climbed inside, turning on the seat so her legs were dangling out of the door and she could grab his shirt, kissing him, "hmm, c'mere-"
He kissed her back, she tasted like the chocolate and blackberries sauce their lava cake had, and then Luke pulled back, planting a kiss on the tip of her nose, "we gotta go home, baby."
"Nooo," Bella scrunched up her face, undoing the top button of his shirt, "home is too far away, I want you now..." her mouth latched to his neck and he grinned, caught her lips in his again.
"We're not hooking up in the parking lot, sorry," he rolled his eyes at her dramatic pout, grabbing her by the chin, "not gonna happen."
"Boo," Bell sighed, moving her face in his hand and taking his thumb in her mouth, sucking on it, eyes on his, and causing Luke to squirm. He closed his eyes, pulled back and she whined.
"Nope, not gonna happen."
"Home?" Bella asked hopefully and Luke already knew he was lying when he nodded and said "home."
In truth, his energy didn't match hers after a whole day of stressing. Their night had been amazing, but now that he was fully relaxed, he felt tired and wanted nothing more than to curl up together. Besides, there was still a full hour drive back home and they worked in the morning...
And he wasn't sure the fancy combo of foods was agreeing with him.
Bella beamed at his promise and let go off him, finally putting the seatbelt on and allowing Luke to circle the car and do the same. She went boneless on her seat, sighing heavily.
"I'm in heaven," she declared, removing her heels and leaning back the seat, just enough she could bury a hand in his hair and start scratching at his scalp.
He agreed with a humm, poking her side and then grinning when his finger met a bit too much belly, "oooh hehe," he poked her tummy again, "you got a food baby, Bell."
"Hmm, I know," she was, as usual, unashamed, poking the slight swell of her belly, "the food was just so good..."
Luke smiled, although it felt a little false because his stomach wasn't so sure about the so called great meal, and he remembered why he had poked her in the first place, "put on some music."
Bella perked up, fiddling with his car's radio and her phone, and Luke let out a little relieved sigh when the song came on. Both because now it'd mask the noises coming from his stomach and because for once Bell hadn't picked metal, in tune with the mood for the night.
"What's playing?"
"Finger-" She squirmed slightly on her seat, undoing her pants with a happy sigh, "finger eleven," Bell resumed back to her original position of petting his hair, fingers occasionally drumming on his nape.
"This is nice," Luke wasn't sure if he meant the song or the hair pets. Either one.
"Of course it is," Bell's nails scratched his nape and he stole a glance her way. She was watching him intensely, and Luke snorted.
"Stop looking at me as if you're gonna eat me alive, creep," he poked her belly again and Bell grinned, hand latching around his wrist and nails tracing the veins in his forearm.
"I'm gonna," she promised, lowering his hand to her inner thigh and Lucas let out a brisk breath.
"I'm driving-"
"Road head never killed anyone-"
"I'm pretty sure it has killed a lot of people, Isabella," he glared at her when her hand sneaked to his shirt, shooing it away, "behave."
"Or you're gonna put me over your knee?" Bella's voice was all teasing, her smile not diminishing even a bit, as she once again moved her hand to try and undo the buckles of his belt- The back of her hand pressed with a little too much force against his stomach and Luke grimaced, holding a fist to his mouth the muffle a thick enough belch that was heard even over the sensual chorus of Deftones' Change (In the house of flies).
Bell pulled back then, watching him gulp down with a grimace, "Luke?"
"Sorry," he rolled his window down further, "excuse me."
"Uh-huh," she squinted at him, "is the food messing with you?"
He blushed, furiously. This was such a bad way to end their lovely night.
"No-"
"It totally is," she had moved her hand, which was resting limply on the handbrake, to touch his belly, prodding around, "how dare you say I have a food baby, when you got this?" Bella snorted, sliding her fingers right where his stomach was being pressed on by his belt. The pressure didn't feel great, caused a watery gurgle to go through his gut and Luke groaned, pushing her hand away.
"Don't do this, Bell," he frowned and her face softened up.
"Wanna switch? I can drive..."
"You are drunk," he rolled his eyes, "and I'm fine, I just ate a weird combo and my stomach needs to figure it out. It's not that bad."
"I'm not drunk," Bella defended herself, pouting, "just tipsy... Okay, but promise me you'll pull over if you feel worse? We can crash a side of the road motel, baby, you don't have to drive if you feel like crap."
"I don't, really," he reassured her, "just... Bloated," Luke grimaced again as another burp rolled up, barely giving him any time to hide it in his hand, "not that bad."
"Okay," she leaned back on her seat with a sigh and he counted exactly thirty seconds before grabbing her hand and planting it back on his nape, causing Bella to smile and roll her eyes, continuing scratching his scalp.
"You're like a puppy," she said after a minute, then turned her head and he watched from the corner of her eye as she gulped down air.
"Bell?"
"Got a burpstuck-" her voice was distorted by the gulping and he removed a hand from the steering wheel to thump on her back.
"Ow, go easy-" Bella hiccupped at his thumps and Luke cringed, diminishing his force.
"Sorry..."
A large, gross belch followed and her cheeks dusted pink, both hands clasping over her mouth as Bella giggled, "ooops..."
He snorted, "did that feel good?"
"Ooh, so much," Bell melted back in the seat, poking her tummy that was now poking out of her black top, red nails sinking on the soft flesh, "I look super cute like this."
He rolled his eyes, "humble too, baby."
"I doooo," she grinned to him, "you know you think so- Oh no, not this song," attention dispersed, she went through her phone, passing several songs.
Luke groaned as he heard the start of twelve songs in a row, the riffs starting to give him a headache on top of his unsettled stomach. He wasn't feeling so great, bloated and gassy, yes, but also... Clammy. A bad combo, the taste of salty seawater flooding his mouth.
"Hey," Bell's cupped his chin, "are you okay? You're looking a little like spoiled milk, Atwood."
"Yeah, uhm-" he dug a hand against his stomach, "oysters weren't a smart choice."
"You don't think its food poisoning, do you?" She sounded concerned and upset, "that place was so stupidly expensive, we should actually sue if they gave you food poi-"
"No," he shook his head, bringing up a thick, watery burp in his hand, "I don't think so, just indigestion. I just wanna get home."
"Okay," Bella nodded, then started fumbling with his belt again. He let her, then let out a big relieved sigh as his pants came undone.
"Ooh, that feels better."
"You bet," Bella tugged on the elastic band of his boxer briefs and let it slap against his skin, grinning when he yelped, "we're almost home, baby."
-------------------------------
Vince was tired, vision blurry, safety hazard tired. Cars and streetlights blurring together tired. He had been forced to pull over forty minutes away from the Atwood's house, to rub his eyes and dump some water on his face, because his sight had been so blurry.
Eventually he got to Welton, regretting his decision to drive back to back. It had been a bad call, but staying at his parents when they could tell he was not okay with just one glance was not an option. Telling them that him and Wen had broken up might actually kill him, so Vince had done his typical conflict avoidant bullshit and bailed.
Stupid, but hey, he was back and he hadn't hit the car and everything was fine. In Shakespeare words, all's well that ends well.
He parked wonkily in front of the house, noticing that Luke's car was also parked all wrong... Weird, but Vin was much too tired to pay attention to it.
He unlocked the front door and stepped inside.
Obviously the Atwoods were still up, judging by the living room lights being turned on, so Vince walked towards it, rubbing his eye and muffling a yawn, ready to say "guys, I'm beat-"
The words never made it past his lips.
Luke was sprawled on the couch, a bowl resting against his left side, his head thrown back, eyes closed and face pale. Bella had her legs draped over his lap and was digging into her own stomach and- She was wearing one of Luke's oversized shirts and socks, although Vin could see there were boxers under the shirt, peeking out just a bit.
"What the fuck-" he mumbled, cheeks turning red as he saw Bella stop touching her own belly and gingerly pressing around her husband's, nails tracing patterns on it.
Luke was shirtless and fuck, was he bloated, Vin's eyebrows climbed all the way to his hairline. His brain went silent, tiredness vanishing for a second, as Luke brought up a hand and muffled a gross belch in it.
"Oh hi," Bella smiled at him, "didn't think you'd be back tonight," she clearly didn't see anything wrong with the scene, "come sit with us. How was Doveport?"
"What- What happened with-" Vin mumbled, feeling like there were a thousand little ants walking on his skin. Bell's curls were pinned up by a claw clip, some of them falling around her face and fuck, he had always known she was pretty, but she was really fucking hot when cupping her belly with a grimace and leaning forward so much that her forehead touched Luke's stomach and she groaned, "you both?"
"We ate- too much," Luke had opened his eyes, green and hazy, little pained lines around them. He moved a hand to Bell's back, thumping on it softly, "gassy."
Jesus fucking Christ, what was wrong with these two??
Didn't they have a room where they could- Oh yeah, this was their house and he was the intruder- Vince walked straight into the armchair near the fireplace, almost falling and stumbling on the little table next to it, nearly sending one of the vintage lamps Bella loved so much to the ground. He dove to grab it, heart racing and looking around with a spooked expression on.
Luke snorted, "you okay there, buddy?"
"Yeah!" His voice was shrill. Vince grimaced, cleared his throat, "yeah, uh- What did-" don't ask, you fool, "what did you eat to mess up both of you...?"
Against his best instincts, he sat down on the armchair.
Bella let out a gross, frothy burp that had her paling and gulping down, letting out a whine. Luke's free hand jerked for the still empty, put aside bowl, "Bell? Bowl?"
"No," she straightened up, wiping at her face, "not that nauseous, just a little queasy. What about you?"
"Oh, I'm absolutely gonna hurl," Luke scoffed, as if that was all normal. Perfectly normal sentence to be said, "stupid oysters," he gagged at the mere mention of the word, burping over the bowl and putting it aside with a shudder, then raising his eyes to meet Vin's, "we were out celebrating our anniversary and we overdid it."
"I still think it's the restaurant's fault," Bella grumbled, moving on the couch so she could rest her head on Luke's lap and throw her legs over the opposite couch arm, "there's no way we both have indigestion..."
"I really don't think it's food poisoning, baby," Luke stroked her cheek, then thumped on his chest, trying to work up a burp. Vince's mind was racing and he knew he ought to say something.
Anything.
"I- uh- Do you guys-uhm, need anything...?" He asked, keeping his eyes pointedly up and in the big poster behind the couch, a big blurry photography of a guitarist leaning back and holding a guitar, stage lights exploding in gold behind him.
"Water?" Luke groaned, squirming and grabbing the bowl again, tilting his body slightly so Bella didn't have to remove her head from his lap.
She let out a sigh, "your belly is making all sorts of noises," Bella commented, causing Vin to blink at her, trying to understand how was that a thing to be said in the company of other people. He clutched his imaginary pearls.
"Shit, Bell-" Luke clumsily reached to pat her off his lap, back arching with an empty gag, "move, I'm gon'be sick-"
"No, you're not," Bella yawned, but moved her head and sat back up, planting a hand on his back as he gagged and thumping rhythmically, "it's gas, baby."
Vince was going to die. He looked around, then remembered Luke's request and jumped to his feet, "I'm gonna grab you some- Some water," he mumbled, then all but bolted from the room.
His heart was racing as he entered the kitchen. Vince turned on the tap, splashing some cold water on his face, feeling more awake now than he had been for the past five hours.
He needed to get the hell away from them.
True to his word, he returned with two water bottles, just in time to see Luke pitch forward and aim a disgusting belch in the bowl, Bella cooing over him and patting his belly in a weirdly approving way, "there you go. Feel better?"
"Fuck yeah," he wiped at his mouth, then lifted his head and saw Vin there, frozen, hand in the air clutching the water bottle, "oh, thanks- Dude, was the trip okay? You're looking-"
"Feverish," Bella completed, sounding concerned. Much to Vin's horror, she jumped to her feet and walked to him, hands coming to cup his cheeks, "you're really warm, are you sick? Again?!"
"No, uhm- Was just warm..." Vin pushed her hands away from his cheeks, forcing the second water bottle onto her and keeping his eyes on her forehead, not down, not even as she wrapped an arm around her stomach and walked back to the couch, collapsing on it with a groan.
"Crampy?" Luke asked her, gulping down the water with a satisfied sigh. Bella shook her head no.
"Gurgling," she made a face, shuddering, and grabbing his hand, planting on top of her domed tummy, "see? Gross."
"Okay, uh-" Vince was going to have a panic attack, "I'm uhm- I'm gonna go to bed, unless-"
"You sure?" Luke yawned, his hand moving lazily over his wife's stomach, rubbing in circles, "we're gonna be up for a bit more, gotta wait until the reflux dies down."
"It's not that late," Bella corroborated his point and Vince snapped out of his kink induced panic, because it absolutely was that late. He glared at the ginger.
"Girl, it's like eleven PM," Vince scoffed, "I'm going to sleep."
There, convincing enough. No one needed to know that for the first time in his whole life he was feeling horny over his best friends. That was not a thing.
"Oka-ay," Bella yawned, resting her cheek on Luke's shoulder and curling up around him, "g'night, Vin."
"Night..." he walked around the coffee table, ruffled Luke's hair as he passed him by and received a soft squeeze to his wrist as a goodnight farewell.
As Vince walked up the stairs he overheard them talking in a low voice.
"Really fucking weird, uh?"
"Leave him alone, the guy was so tired he was walking into walls," Luke defended him, then groaned, "god, my stomach is killing me."
"Hey, you're fine?" Alec slightly raised brows and leaned slightly forward, almost completely half-irritated sigh from Vince. Well, Alec usually truly tried to respect his boyfriend's strong desire to appear stoic, calm and confident even when Vince was pretty clearly unwell, but had no intention of showing it. He guessed, it was sort of a game where they both trusted each other, but still were too new and awkward in their relationship to act and feel absolutely comfortable and both felt not quite sure that they should insist on getting closer.
But tonight Vince definitely felt worse than usual, tossing his pasta around the plate and hardly eating even half of it while usually it was his favourite position in his favourite restraunt. And that was odd.
"Yeah, sunshine" Vince's lip corners raised a bit - weekly and not too convincing, but clearly asking not to dwelve into this topic "I'm just lost in my thoughts a bit, nothing to worry about. Sorry for acting distracted with how carefully you planed this date"
"You sure you don't want to go? If you feel unwell or anything, we can head home and spent time there..... Together or separated, surely. If you kinda want to be alone.... Okay, I'm not asking"
"No, it's fine, I swear. I shouldn't ruin the night you wanted so much. How's the book I've gifted you? I hope you liked it, I'm still not too aware of your literature tastes" Vince smiled brighter and warmer for a few seconds, then slightly shifting and shoving another fork of pasta into his mouth.
"Oh, it's fantastic, you must read it, or I'll never forgive you for committing that sin!" Alec bit his lip, immediately starting chattering about characters ("Allan is so close to me, you can even imagine? That's absolutely fantastic, like the author knew me!), language and how Vince was obliged now to read that book too so Alec was able to associate them with the main couple. And Vince laughed with him, and promised to read (even if they knew he unlikely will) and asked more and more, and Alec completely melted, shifting his chair closer to lean on Vince's shoulder and murmur something like "what a miracle you are in my life" and "I love youuuuu so much". Vince shifted, for a second closing eyes, but only shook head at Alec's confused gaze - a silent plea not to ask more. Surely, Alec didn't, just ordered ice cream for himself. Surely, more than half of his portion was fed to Vince.
"My heart, you're pale" another ten minutes later, Alec confirmed, slightly frowning as well, and pulling Vince's hand "I don't care what you say, we're heading home" he lowered voice to almost whisper "You don't feel good, right? Sure you can walk on your own? We could take taxi or I could carry you there. Maybe you have some sort of fever or cold or..." That sentence was interrupted by a wet, clearly upset gurgle as Vince immediately blushed
"Don't pamper me" he almost scoffed "I can handle minor stomach ache, I don't.... I mean I can get home, okay? It's a shame to act like that in front of everyone, I'm not a baby to be that sensitive" even with such words, Vince's hands slightly and almost unnoticeably wrapped around his distended - goddess, and how Alec could be so blind?! - stomach in half soothing, half protecting gesture "it's fine. Just something's not sitting right, not that much of a deal, I swear" he flinched as Alec's hand rested on top of his stomach "Just don't touch me" Vince almost exhaled - and Alec heard familiar tones of close tears.
"Shhh, my heart" the smile was as reassuring as Alec could manage, melting over how cute Vince was again and again. He planted a soft kiss on Vince's lips, wrapping both arms around his neck and resting forehead against other's "How you feel? You see, everyone else will just think that we're whispering some romantic things, okay? It's not too much to sit in an embrace on a date, right?"
Vince moved his head, burying face in Alec's shoulder and slightly, almost impossibly to feel, nodded. He still was shy and tried to act like nothing ever bothered him, Alec perfectly got it, not used to being all touchy with someone else, but right now Vince looked miserable and that mattered much more. "I'll touch you, okay?" another nod, letting Alec's hand rest on top of Vince's stomach - and even to such light and soft touch it answered with a deep, wet and unwell gurgle, followed by a stiffled burp that escaped Vince's lips
"I'm so sorry, I know it's gross, I just, I couldn't help myself" Vince murmured softly and almost whiney, even his ears burning with shame "I didn't want to ruin our date"
"It's fine" Alec pressed his lips to his boyfriend's temple, softly patting his stomach and smiling a bit "Wait for me in the toilet room, okay? I'll just pay and then find you there. And take care of that sensitive tummy of yours" he lovingly teased with a chuckle "It's fine. You're not gross, you're even a bit cute"
"What a pervert you are, Al" Vince leaned back, still holding his stomach, but nodded "I can handle that, you don't need to... But still thanks" he swallowed another burp "I hate how attentive you sometimes are, you know?"
"I know. And you know that you're pretty adorable like that?"
"Shut up" Vince sharply (at least as he could) turned back, heading to the toilets with the same unreadable expression he always had when felt vulnerable - Alec had already learned that one. Maybe, one day his heart would stop because of sheer amount of love he felt towards his absolutely best partner. And he wouldn't even mind such death if Vince understood the reason, really.
Vince was standing in front of the sink and the mirror, eyes shut, teeth clenched and face, hands and even shirt on his chest wet. As Alec's arms wrapped around his frame from behind, Vince flinched and tried to straighten his back. All his efforts to appear fine died as the slightest pressure on his middle made him moan and grab Alec's hands, stopping from any other motions.
"Please, don't. It hurts" he leaned back on Alec, deeply breathing "You really don't feel disgusted, sunshine? You don't have to..."
"No, I don't feel disgusted" Alec smiled, almost dying on the inside from the mere thought of Vince ever thinking this way "I could never be disgusted by you, I swear. Come here" he planted another soft kiss on Vincent's shoulder, softly pulling him towards the nearest cabin and locking the door behind them both. Now they stood like that, Vince's back pressed against the door, Alec's hands on his stomach and they both flushed and almost unable to look at each other. They still never were that close. Alec didn't feel completely comfortable at being touched and Vince just wasn't a touchy person at all. Maybe, they also fell awkward to touch the person who, as they thought, would never even look at them.
"You're bloated" Alec finally whispered, leaning to kiss Vince once more, but stopping and just breathing out into his lips "I guess that belt and shirt must feel pretty uncomfortable, you know? I just...." He blushed again "Can I..? Please. I'll be careful not to touch you harshly"
"Yes, please. My sunshine. I'm sorry"
"Don't be. It's fine, remember?" his stomach was firm to touch and almost doubled in size, what made undoing all clothes harder than Alec initially thought - at least when he tried to be careful and still made Vince flinch and bite lower lip for several times. For each Alec apologized with a soft kiss and a few seconds of simply holding palms over his skin and even like that feeling and hearing churning underneath. Each button was a struggle to undo; clothes that usually perfectly fitted Vince's slim figure were too small now and Alec's hands were shaking every time Vince showed the slightest sign of pain.
"Better?" he finally undone the buttonnon jeans, pulling them lower on Vince's hips. After a nod, his fingers softly traced aggressively red marks on the other man's stomach, left by all that too tight clothes and pressure. It was still taut and round, and Alec softly patted it, which was immediately followed by another burp, that Vince didn't succeed in suppressing "I can feel all that food being churned in there. It must hurt pretty bad, I'm sure, your poor tummy doesn't sound good even a slightest bit. I guess it's so, so angry at you, right? Why did you not call me to cancel the date? Or at least spend this day at home, where you could take meds and wear something comfortable?"
"You wanted that date. I couldn't say no and I thought it wouldn't be that much of a trouble for you. I didn't want to upset you, you were so happy about it" he groaned once more, as he tried to clench stomach, but was stopped by Alec's hands "I'm gross, disgusting and weak right now. Why you're doing all that?"
"Because I love you. Please, show me where it hurts, okay?" Vince all stiffened and turned his face away, but hesistantly grabbed Alec's palm and softly placed it right under his ribs "Here? Okay. I'll try to make it better, I promise, my heart. I love you so, so damn much. Can you tell me how you feel? No need to vomit? Or like anything that you can imagine?"
"No, not like that. It's all just doesn't sit right. From the morning. And I think the food I ate recently didn't help that at all. It hurts awfully, sunshine. It's unbearable now, I wanted to make you happy, but we ended like that and it's... That's not what I wanted. It hurts, like its stretched too much and churning and spasming and I just... It doesn't feel like it's properly digesting, but I don't think I could make it come out either" he almost whined, embracing Alec and pressing himself closer, as close as he could, leaning heavily and with face wet from tears "I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. Sorry, sorry, I just want it to stop" he breathed out, pressing his belly into Alec's palms "Could you... Rub it a bit? Maybe it'll help... And your hands. They are warm, you know? It's pleasant and it all just hurts so much"
"Sure, my heart. You're so, so strong and brave, okay? Thanks for trying to make me happy. And let all that air out. Please. Your tummy is stretched and you both are not enjoying that" he pressed slightly, moving hands in slow round motions, firmer rubs followed by gentle caressing or light pats. Maybe, he only imagined, but it almost felt like everything inside Vince slowly started to move a bit, his breath and standing becoming more relaxed as Alec softly worked on all sore spots "You feel any better, honey?"
"A bit. It's more bearable, but all I want now is taking off all that clothes and cuddling with you for the whole night. Can we go home?"
"I'll call for the taxi, don't worry. Can you handle a short drive home? And I promise there I'll bring you some warm tea and won't take hands off untill you feel fine again" Vince nodded, trying to breathe deeper and steadier and still not letting Alec's neck
"Just a few more minutes like that, okay? I'll walk on my own, just a bit later. And I love you"
(My first attempt at writing something like that, hope you like both it and my sweet boys!! They have their lore, so if you want I may answer questions about them or make a post with general information.
I suffer from tummy aches constantly and always need a hot water bottle to make me feel better. It’s always painful, but I always manage to survive 🥺😢 this badge goes out to anyone else who often suffers from tummy aches 😞💕
I was made to drink prune juice and take fiber gummies and ohhhh my god my belly won't shut up it's so full and i need to poop or at least just fart, something!!
