At the restaurant, Olivia grinned across the table at Harper, playfully nervous as she faced down a mountain of food that would be a challenge for anyone. But Harper, leaning back with a playful smirk, dared her, and Olivia's competitive streak lit up. One loaded plate at a time, she made her way through pasta, fries, a giant burger, and more lemonade than she'd ever think to drink in one sitting. At first, Harper's cheers spurred her on, but about halfway through dessert, Olivia felt the strain settling heavily in her stomach. Her jeans dug into her sides as her shirt started to feel tight, the fullness pressing insistently against her waistband.
"Alright, I think I'm tapping out..." Olivia said with a weak chuckle, leaning back in her seat as her hand covered her distended belly. Harper noticed her face, flushed and worn from the effort, and quickly took her hand."Let's get you home, Liv," Harper murmured, eyes soft with concern. Olivia's only answer was a slow, embarrassed nod, her hand still rubbing at her aching belly as they headed back to Harper's place.When they finally settled in Harper's room, Olivia changed into loose shorts and a soft sports bra, feeling the relief as her stomach finally had room to expand without restriction. She sank back onto Harper's bed with a deep sigh, but as soon as she did, the ache flared up again. A little moan escaped her as she wrapped her arms around her middle, trying to ignore the bloat that seemed to press harder with every moment. Harper sat down beside her and brushed back a strand of Olivia's hair. "Lie back," she suggested softly. "I'll help."Olivia looked at her, surprised and flustered, but grateful. She let herself recline against the pillows as Harper rested a gentle hand on her stomach. Slowly, she began to rub in smooth, comforting circles, and Olivia closed her eyes, her chest rising and falling in deep, even breaths as she tried to relax.But the tension was hard to ignore. Her belly felt tight and sore, and with every press of Harper's hand, it seemed to push something up her chest, making her throat tingle. She tried to stifle it, her face reddening as she felt a small bubble of gas rise. Harper caught the subtle wince in her face, and leaned down."Don't hold it in," she whispered, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "Let it out; you'll feel better."Olivia's cheeks burned, but Harper's words made her feel safe. She relaxed her chest slightly, and a soft, restrained burp slipped out. She exhaled in relief, though the tingling feeling persisted, and Harper continued rubbing her belly, soothing the ache. A few moments later, a bigger bubble forced its way up, and Olivia couldn't help the burp that followed. It was louder, unrestrained, echoing through the quiet room as Olivia pressed a hand to her mouth, mortified."Sorry..." she muttered, but Harper only chuckled, looking at her with warm, understanding eyes. "Nothing to be sorry for," she replied, her fingers pressing a bit more firmly against Olivia's stomach, encouraging the release. "Better out than in."Relieved by her gentle reassurance, Olivia tried to let go a little more, though each release still felt embarrassing. As Harper massaged, another rumble rose, this one deeper, and Olivia squeezed her eyes shut as she let out a full, hearty belch, unable to hold it back. The room was filled with a faint, warm scent of the food she'd consumed, and her face flushed. She turned to apologize again, but Harper shook her head, laughing softly."Seriously, Liv. It's okay. I kind of expected this after that dare," she teased, continuing her massage, her voice soothing. With every touch, Olivia felt her stomach relaxing more, the ache easing as Harper's fingers moved in slow circles. But her chest continued to swell with pressure, and more burps escaped, each one surprising her with its volume and strength. Sometimes they were quiet, almost like soft hiccups, but others rolled up from her belly in loud, thunderous belches that left her cheeks red with embarrassment. She began to press her hands against her stomach, trying to help Harper massage out the tension. She winced with each sound, but each one also brought a strange, undeniable relief.Her eyelids grew heavy, and she sighed, feeling herself melt into the bed as Harper's hands continued their soothing work. The two of them watched a movie, but Olivia barely paid attention, too consumed by the relief of Harper's care and the slow, gentle rhythm that eased her discomfort.Eventually, with her stomach no longer painfully tight, Olivia leaned her head against Harper's shoulder, letting out one last, quiet burp as sleep overtook her. Harper only smiled, wrapping her arms around her, content to hold her close through the night.
