Pointdexter: A Swooning Over Stan-fiction

Chapter Forty: Seasick

Alice wretched into the bucket Ford had brought her an hour after the Stan O' War set sail. The tossing waves and cracking ship had turned her stomach inside out, and Alice didn't feel like she'd ever be able to recover. She felt sweaty, despite the chill that consistently rolled over her body, and she felt like she had a headache coming on.

Her fingers clenched around the bucked as she lifted her head, her hair pasted to her face.

She was a mess.

Ford crouched next to her, worry written across his face as he rubbed her back.

"Are you feeling any better?" He asked, his voice gentle and soothing. His free hand reached up, cupping her face, his thumb brushing her hair away from her eyes. 

"No," She groaned, closing her eyes as another wave of nausea hit her. 

She bowed her hand over the bucket, her white-knuckled grip holding on for dear life as the remains of her breakfast made a reappearance. If she hadn't felt so miserable, Alice would have been embarrassed for Ford to see her like this.

"You don't have to stay with me," She offered when she resurfaced from the bucket, wiping her mouth with the back of her sleeve. 

"I'm not going anywhere," Fod assured her, his hand still rubbing circles on her back. He shifted, grabbing a towel and dabbing at her forehead with one corner.

Alice would have been grateful if she could speak without her head spinning.

"You're doing great, considering how you've been feeling. You've still got some color in your cheeks," Ford commented, setting the towel on the end of the bunk. "Just a bit of green."

A dry laugh escaped Alice, and she winced as the action sent a flare of pain into her temple. There was the headache.

"You're cute," She grumbled, closing her eyes and trying not to focus on the rocking of the ship. "The humor doesn't escape me."

"At least your wit hasn't been affected by your seasickness," He replied with a light chuckle, picking up the towel once more. "You always find a way to make me smile, no matter how miserable you feel."

"I'm glad I can provide entertainment," She offered, leaning into the towel and meeting his gaze. "I'm jealous you still look handsome while I'm a mess."

"Trust me, you're no less beautiful, even with a bit of seasickness," He chuckled, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Besides, I find a certain charm in your disheveled state."

"You're a terrible liar, bee," Alice chuckled, her grip on the bucket relaxing as her stomach slowly began to settle. It was by no means done with whatever madness the sea had placed on it, but Alice was sure she could relax for a moment.

Shifting, Alice set the bucket on the floor, resting on her side as Ford continued to dab the sweat from her forehead.

"Maybe I'm not such a terrible liar," He teased lightly, a smile crossing his face. "I genuinely find our current state quite endearing."

"Because I'm not challenging your notes on the strange birds in Gravity Falls?" Alice mused, sucking in a breath, her hand flitting over her agitated stomach.

"Well, perhaps there's a little truth to that," He admitted, his expression amused as his hands stilled. "But it's not just that. There's a certain vulnerability and authenticity to you right now that I find incredibly attractive."

"Flatter will get you nowhere while I'm sick," Alice teased groggily, letting her eyes slip close for a moment.

"I don't need flattery," He said, and Alice could hear the mock offense filling his voice. "I have my endless wealth of knowledge, my endless charm, and devastatingly handsome good looks to win you over."

"You already have me," Alice muttered, lazily opening one eye to look at him. "What other challenge are you expecting?"

"No challenges," He replied, his voice laced with affection. "Only the satisfaction of knowing I have the most captivating and amazing woman as my partner."

"A scientist," Alice listed, holding up one hand and ticking off items. "A sailor, a romantic, and a poet."

"You forgot 'handsome genius'," He added, chucking.

"I'm counting that as 'scientist'," Alice laughed breathily, shifting back on the bunk so her back was pressed against the wall. She patted the blankets, rumpled by her tossing and shifting. Ford set the towel to the side, standing and settling next to her on the bunk, careful not to jostle her.

"Comfortable?" He asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

"You're not going to break me," She told him, closing her eyes and adjusting the pillow under her head. "We're going to be sharing the bunk, might as well get used to it."

Her fingers moved down the pillow until she found his hand, linking her fingers with his. His chuckle vibrated through her bones as he gave her hand a squeeze, his thumb tracing small circles over the back of her hand.

"I know I'm not going to break you," He reassured her. "I just don't want to make you any dizzier than you already are."

Alice let out a breathy exhale, relaxing as his comforting presence settled next to her.

"Are you nervous?" She asked quietly, the tips of her fingers running over his knuckles. A moment of silence passed, and he let out a small sigh.

"I am," He admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is uncharted territory for me, both literally and figuratively. It's... A little daunting."

Alice hummed, opening her eyes at taking in his nervous expression. Her hand gently squeezed his, her fingertips gently sweeping over the back of his hand.

"I just want you to hold me," She muttered and her face felt warmer at the confession. "It doesn't have to be more than that if you're not ready."

Ford's expression softened even further, his nerves slowly easing. He shifted, bringing her hand to his lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.

"I want to hold you," He murmured, his voice a low rumble. "It's just... I'm not used to the intimacy of a physical relationship. It's a little nerve-wracking."

"I know," Alice assured him, slowly propping herself up on her free arm. Her stomach twisted, but she sucked in a breath, waiting for the feeling to fade. "I'm not used to it either... Not after Carson... But I want to know it with you."

"I want to know it with you too," Ford confessed, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and vulnerability. He gently tightened his grip on her hand, his thumb continuing lazy circles against her hand. "But I don't want to rush things, not if it might make you uncomfortable."

"Slow then," Alice agreed, shifting closer to him. Her free hand crossed his chest and wrapped around his torso as she rested her head against his chest, breathing in the scent of sea air on his shirt. She could hear his heartbeat quicken in his chest as his free arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her snugly against his frame as they leaned back on the bunk.

"Slow," He repeated, his voice a whisper. "I can do slow."

Drawing small patterns into his sweater with the tips of her fingers, Alice closed her eyes again. His heart in her ear was relaxing as it slowed, listening to his breaths calmed her in ways she hadn't felt in a long time. She sighed, nuzzling her nose into his sweater and letting her body relax from the tension caused by vomiting.

Ford's hand moved up and down her back, his fingers mimicking the patterns she drew into him. She heard him take a deep breath and felt him press a kiss to the top of her head, his arms securing her against his chest.

"Hey, Bee?" Alice whispered, her words muffled by his sweater.

"Yes, Dove?" He asked quietly, his hand moving to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I love you."

"I love you too."