Shorts (Literally. Maybe Even Coming Off.)

Sam Gillespie + Ben Killinger (2)

Being up so late didn't seem to affect Sam's schedule. He was up at five, studying for a test in Care of Magical Creatures. After doing his morning calisthenics, he took a shower, then went back to studying until classes began. He came back to the dorm around lunchtime to check on Ben.

This wasn't a regular episode, he was sure. That amount of swelling wasn't typical for food poisoning and the food in the great hall was never bad. though he didn't have much experience eating it, he knew that much. Maybe Ben had contracted some disease. Sam wasn't sure, but as Ben was his patient it was his duty to take care of him.

Ben was still sleeping and Sam hated to wake him but it was necessary. He shook Ben gently.

"Come on, Sleepyhead."

Ben rolled over and snuffled into the pillows. "Five more minutes. Please?"

"Nope. I need to assess your condition. You don't even have to get out of bed, just sit up."

"Fine," Ben muttered. He pulled himself into a sitting position, wincing at the movement. His messy brown curls were in disarray, and the creases of the sheets were imprinted on his cheek.

"How are you feeling?" Sam asked him.

"Sleepy." Ben yawned grumpily.

"And your stomach?"

"It still hurts but I'm not feeling nauseous or throwing up anymore so that's a plus."

Sam put a glass of pumpkin juice on the bedside table. "Speaking of throwing up..."

Ben groaned. "I can't drink anything right now. It'll make me sick again."

"You need to replenish your fluids. Do you have any idea how much you actually threw up?"

"I don't want to think about it"

Sam ignored him. "A gallon and a half. How did you even fit that much in your stomach to begin with?"

"It wasn't easy."

"Wait, were you trying to?"

Ben looked away. "Maybe."

"Why would you do that?"

Ben looked like he was going to say something but then he just shook his head. "No reason. Probably a dare. There was the trip to Hogsmeade yesterday, and a big dinner, and then the elves brought me a snack and... I don't remember after that."

"Anything?"

"Just feeling really awful and you bringing me up here and making me puke my guts out. Thank you by the way."

"You're welcome. Now drink."

"Damn. I was hoping you'd forget about that."

"I have an exceedingly good memory."

Ben downed the drink far faster than Sam had intended him to, then wrapped his arms around his tortured middle, a pained expression on his face. "I told you it would make me sick." His stomach gurgled unhappily.

"You weren't supposed to chug it, Ben."

"How was I supposed to know that?"

"I assumed it was common knowledge. When feeding an upset stomach, do it slowly, with light food and drink, or you may have a relapse of the previous episode."

"You're telling me," Ben replied, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth. It was obvious the pain was at least as bad as last time, if not worse.

Sam climbed onto the bed and reached for Ben's belly but Ben pulled away. "I'm done puking for the day. Don't do what you did last time."

"This time it should have a different effect. Hopefully the motion of my hand will sooth your pain."

Ben sighed and let Sam massage his stomach. At first it hurt more but after a few minutes the pain began to subside and the feeling became more enjoyable. Ben didn't tell him to stop so Sam didn't even though he could feel Ben's muscles relaxing as the tension eased. Eventually, the signal came that lunch hour was over and Sam had to go to class. Ben whined as Sam removed his hands. "Don't stop. That feels so good."

"I have to go to Potions now but I'll come back around dinner. You should go back to sleep."

Ben pouted but stayed in the bed, curling up inside the blankets like a caterpillar in a cocoon. Some part of him wanted to cuddle with the cute, chubby boy.Sam blushed at his thoughts. Ben drifted into a fitful slumber.