You Said It, Not Me!

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"I mean-" He began, voice eager. "It's a free sample. I'd be stupid to say no, right?"

"Right." Alex snickered, "Because saying yes to eating a suspicious Italian candy is totally a smart move."

Everything is fine and well for Alex and John on their Italian vacation, until John eats something he shouldn't.

For the August All Time Low Microfic Challenge: Drip

Intossicazione alimentare

(Food Poisoning)

The words on the medical brochure in Alex's hands haunted him, their connotation reminding him of where he currently was.

Stuck at 2:31 AM in an international urgent care center in Rome, watching his boyfriend receive intravenous fluids for severe food poisoning.

Its cause?

A lime green jelly candy taken by John earlier in the day from a suspicious kiosk.

A treat, really, that Alex now loathed with every fiber of his being.

Because just the mere mention of it would forever remind him of the scene John caused hours before.

An unintentional one, of course, but nonetheless, a scene.

                                                                                          __________

Less than two days his first international trip as a couple with John, and Alex already found himself arguing with his boyfriend.

Over a platter labeled "Degustazione" containing several wrapped green jelly candies.

Which John was currently bringing one of up to eye level in contemplation.

"I mean-" He began, voice eager. "It's a free sample. I'd be stupid to say no, right?"

"Right." Alex snickered, "Because saying yes to eating a suspicious Italian candy is totally a smart move."

"It's candy, Alex." John retorted in irritation. "What's so suspicious about it?"

"Seriously?"

"What?" John feigned innocence. "I don't see anything wrong with this."

Irritated by both his boyfriend's lack of logic, as well as being taken away from the day's initial plans of sightseeing, Alex huffed at John in anger.

"That candy has red flags all over it! Or do you not see them?"

Instantly hurt at being talked back at, John shot a glare at Alex.

"No, I don't." He spat. "How about you enlighten me then, Gaskarth?"

"Okay. "Alex breathed deeply, ready to take off the challenge. "First off, who knows how long this candy has been out in the sun? And second, did you notice that despite there being thousands of people around us, not one person has taken a look at it?"

Though Alex's observation did indeed ring true in John's ears, he refused to believe it. More so, was too afraid to admit fault.

"Yeah, well, whatever." John dismissed him. "I'll take my chances."

"Okay. "Alex accepted, but just as quickly warned the younger. "But don't come complaining to me if you feel sick."

In lieu of a verbal response, John swiftly undid the wrapping, then eagerly popped the jelly candy into his mouth.

Seconds after chewing on it, though, came an absolute air of surprise on John. Both on his facial and verbal expressions.

"That really tasted like lemons. Like really sour lemons."

"O-k-ay?" Alex raised his eyebrows, not sure exactly what to make of John's words. "Is that a good or a bad thing?"

Considering the flow of their conversation so far, Alex was expecting a witty remark from John.

But instead got a different, much, much, much different response instead.

That is, John's mouth suddenly bulging to immediately expel its contents on the ancient cobblestone in a horrible retching.

Immediately followed by him becoming even paler than usual, and his green eyes rolling in the back of his head.

All signs of an impending faint-

"John!"

Catching John just in just time to prevent a hard fall to the pavement, Alex laid him down on the pavement, one hand cushioned to the back of his neck.

With his utterly spent boyfriend in his arms, Alex then realized the urgency of their predicament.

Here he was with John passed out in his arms, who had a possible, no, definite case of food poisoning.

In the streets of Rome.

With little to no knowledge of the Italian language.

In that moment, Alex completely forgot about he and John's earlier argument about red flags. No, too focused on helping his partner, Alex could only think of one thing.

The F word.

Because even it wasn't an Italian word, surely it was a universal cry for help, no?

And even if it wasn't, it was their only hope.

"Help! Someone fucking help!"

                                                                                      __________

The moment they hit the hospital's exit, Alex started with the taunting.

"So, was I right, or was I right?"

The words ringing like an alarm to him, John rolled his eyes in annoyance. Because how could Alex have felt the need to be self-righteous at a time like this?

So, John, exhausted beyond belief after the days's events gave in.

Finally accepted defeat. If only to get this nightmare finally over and done with already.

"I had to admit it, but for once in your life, Alexander William Gaskarth, you were right."

"Hey," Alex shrugged, the tracing of a smug smile across his lips. "You said it, not me!"  

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