South Park: Dragging Me Down

The Start

"Good morning, Pip. How are you doing today?"

Pip flinched on hearing the staccato voice cut through the quiet monotony of the hospital room, interrupting the soft beeping of the monitors surrounding his bed. He looked up at the intruder and attempted to smile, trying to suppress his nervousness.

"F-Fine thank you, sir." he squeaked, struggling to sit up to address his new company.

Doctor Thomas smiled at the boy and grabbed the chart at the foot of the bed, looking over his notes. Pip watched him carefully as Liam lowered the notepad.

"Nurse Cole told me you refused to eat again this morning." the doctor started, trying to keep his voice low as not to panic the anxious teenager. He looked directly at his patient. "I know it's a little difficult for you to understand right now, but you... are allowed to eat the food that you're given, Pip. Nobody's going to deny you it."

Pip held himself. "I-I know..."

"I understand that your eating habits were a little... different before this, but you need to teach yourself that it's okay to eat now. Do you understand?"

The teenager sank. "I... just... I don't deserve it. I-I haven't done anything to e-earn it." he explained nervously. "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize for that." a saddened Liam reassured him, strolling around the bed to check on his monitors. Pip noticeably flinched as he got nearer.

"I-I'm okay. Honest I am, sir."

Pip's stomach chose that moment to let out a strangled gurgle. Pip's cheeks went red and he hugged his midriff.

A few minutes later, a nurse opened the ward door and wheeled in a food tray for lunch. She dumped the tray on Pip's bedside table then left in a hurry, leaving the doctor glaring at her from behind. Liam approached the bedside table and saw Pip uncomfortably looking at the food, obviously not wanting it.

Knowing that his patient needed to eat something to gain his strength back, Liam lifted the tray off the bedside table. He placed it on another table further away from the boy to stop the heavy smell of the dinner from making him more nauseous. The doctor then took the cup of tapioca pudding from the tray and a spoon and handed them to Pip.

"What is-?"

"This is tapioca pudding. It's quite light but I think you might just be able to stomach it." he smiled reassuringly at the boy.

"B-But I'm not hungry..."

The doctor knelt beside his bed. "Pip, it's okay to eat it. Honestly, I'd feel so much better if you did. You don't have to eat any of the dinner if you don't want to, or if you feel it's going to make you sick, but if you ate this I think you'd start feeling a little better."

"I..." Pip started, not sure what to do. His shaking hand almost dropped the spoon.

"Please." Liam stared at the teenager with a serious expression, willing him to eat it.

Pip slowly scooped the spoon into his tapioca pudding and then into his mouth, watching as a smile grew on the doctor's face. This worried Pip at first, assuming the man had poisoned it or something, but he found the pudding actually tasted really good and his stomach sang out for more.

"You're doing great." the doctor smiled.

Pip tried to detect the sarcasm in his voice, but found it clear. Surrendering to his hunger, Pip ate more and more of the pudding. After a few more mouthfuls Pip had completely finished, feeling a little guilty. He placed his spoon in the empty cup and turned to the doctor.

"Thank you." he whispered.

"Thank you, Pip." Liam replied, removing the cup. "Would you like something to drink?"

"I'm allowed that, too?" Pip's mouth dropped open in surprise.

Liam nodded, his heart stinging. "I suggest something light, like water, or-"

"C-Could I have a cup of tea please? I-If you have that?" Pip stuttered suddenly, rubbing his hands together. "I-I mean, if you don't t-then water is fine. O-Or I can just have water i-if that's easier!" he nervously backtracked, forgetting his place.

The doctor stared at him, his heart warm. He felt as though he'd just met a spark of the real Pip for the first time. "The hospital doesn't offer or serve tea but I actually have a secret stash of teabags that I use during my shifts. Would you... like one of those?"

"I wouldn't want to put you out or anything..."

"No, it's fine!" the doctor said as he reached into his top coat pocket and pulled out a few bags. "I infuse my own tea at home. You know, testing out the flavours and stuff? It's something I've always done since I was little. I'm just really interested in the brewing processes."

"That's cool." Pip gave him a small smile. "I'd love to try one of your blends, i-if that's okay?"

The doctor beamed excitedly. "I have, um..." his eyes glanced over the sachets. "Rose infused bags, watermelon ones aaand-" he paused for a moment, reading the last bag. "Elderflower."

"M-May I try a rose one, please?"

Liam nodded and went to fetch the portable kettle which was lurking across the room. He soon plugged it in and got it boiling for the boy, pouring out the water into the cup and letting it rest for a few moments.

"That smells lovely, sir." Pip nodded, enjoying the floral aroma. He waited for the doctor to finish making the tea and once it was ready, Liam gave him the mug. Pip took a small sip and couldn't help but smile at the taste.

"Do you... like it?"

"I-I love it, sir! You made this blend yourself? It's wonderful and really tasty!"

"Well thank you very much!"

"I'll have to tell Michael about it." he murmured. As soon as the words spilt from his lips, Pip seized up, completely capitulating.

The doctor noticed this. "Is something wrong?"

"N-No sir."

"Would you like to talk to me about it?"

"I-It's nothing, it's just this p-person I know. His mother owns a little tea shop. I think this flavour w-would be a good blend to have there."

The young doctor found himself blushing at the compliment. "Oh, well, um, thank you for saying so, Pip. I'm glad you think so highly of my blend."

Pip gave him a small smile and leant back against the headboard, his exhaustion setting in. Before he knew it, he'd fallen asleep, the cup threatening to spill in his lap.

Liam took the cup and put it back down on the bedside table, watching his patient for a few moments. He noted how peaceful he looked, despite the ugly bruises marring his pale skin.

The doctor sighed.