Work Text:
It was lunchtime on a completely normal Thursday. One moment Benjamin was happily talking to Julia who was sitting to his right. And then, the next moment he went completely quiet and still, only to then quickly get up on his feet and run out of the break room. Julia, who immediately started to feel worried, also stood up and followed Benjamin out of the room.
Benjamin knew he had no hope of actually making it to the bathroom as it was too far. His second best option was running out to the deck and leaning over the side of the ship to empty his stomach. Thankfully he was alone and no passenger had to see this pathetic display. As he was staring at the water down below, his eyes unfortunately caught a fleeting glance of some of his lunch which now decorated the side of the ship. That was enough for him to be hit in the face with a second wave of nausea as well, forcing him to lean over once more.
"Oh, god.."
he groaned, eyes shut tightly.
That was when he heard quiet footsteps approaching him from behind while he was still slumped forward, his body trembling. His forehead was damp with sweat as he clutched onto the side of the ship, knuckles having turned white. He cursed in his mind; he really would have preferred to suffer without an audience.
"Benjamin? Are you okay?"
He heard a familiar voice ask, and slowly shook his head.
"No.. This is disgusting.. I'm sorry you had to see me like this. It's not exactly attractive or anything.. And not how I want you to remember me."
He squeezed his eyes shut once more.
"I didn't know you get seasick,"
Julia then commented, voice filled with compassion, as she stopped by his side.
"I didn't, either.. I never have, before. I blame the food for whatever this is.. At least I made it here instead of throwing up all over everything, myself included."
"Did you get it all out?"
"I don't know.. I think s—"
Benjamin was about to step away from the side, but had to get right back to his position. At least his hair was up on the usual manbun and couldn't be getting in the way, even though a few strands had broken free.
"Julia.. You can go back. Really. I'll be fine.. I just need a few minutes to get over this,"
he said weakly once he was again able to speak and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
Still, despite Benjamin's words, Julia chose to stay with him. She rubbed his back soothingly.
"Why do you think it is that people always rub the back of whoever's throwing up..?"
Benjamin wondered when he felt at least a little better.
"Do you want me to stop?"
Julia asked, kindness in her voice, and Benjamin shook his head.
"No.. Please, don't. It does feel nice."
Benjamin was, of course, thankful for the help, but he just wished she didn't have to see him like that.. Even though it could have happened to anyone.
Once they reached the cabin, Julia helped him sit down on the lower bunk and handed him a water bottle.
"Drink a little bit at a time, at least to begin with,"
she said with a little smile. Benjamin simply nodded as he went on to open the bottle and took that first tiny sip.
"And, in case you still need to throw up, let me show you something you can use."
Julia picked something up from the corner of the room and turned around so Benjamin could see.
"A Svante bucket, seriously?"
He asked as he looked at the mascot's familiar face staring back at him.
"Do you think I could keep that and take it home? At least.. if I don't end up having to use it."
Julia laughed.
"You can have it, I'll just look the other way and pretend I don't know where the bucket went,"
she promised and earned a genuine smile from Benjamin.
But, he did unfortunately need to rely on the cool Svante bucket only moments later. Afterwards, as they both were sitting on the bed and Julia wiped the corner of Benjamin's mouth with a paper towel, he sighed:
"Never mind, I don't want the bucket anymore.. Don't tell anyone if I end up tossing it into the ocean. That's where it belongs."
"You can count on me. I never showed you any bucket and you don't even know it exists. Or, existed."
Julia's words brought a weary smile on his face.
"Tack.."
he mumbled. A few stray strands of hair were sticking to his sweat-damp forehead, and Julia noticed just how pale he was.
"Hey.. How do you feel now? Any better?"
She asked in a worried tone of voice. Benjamin, knowing that he had to be honest, shook his head.
"Not exactly.. I just feel really sick,"
he admitted.
"Will I lose my job if I sue whoever's in charge of the food?"
And so, Julia stayed in the cabin with Benjamin, taking care of him. In not too long the couple had already settled down in a way that was familiar and natural to them; Julia sitting on the bed and Benjamin lying down, with his head resting on her lap. Julia's fingers carefully moved aside the few strands of hair from Benjamin's forehead. The man had closed his eyes as he felt a little better and not like he was in constant danger of throwing up, any longer.
"Thank you.. for staying. I know this isn't pleasant to witness,"
he mumbled, his voice only a little more than a whisper.
"It's not pleasant for you, either.. And honestly, you had to deal with the worst of it,"
Julia reminded him.
"I can handle it."