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Jesse had been eyeing up the tin that was in Eden’s arms from the moment he’d stepped over the threshold. He’d heard from Cain on numerous occasions how good Eden’s baking was, so the bringing of a tin when Eden visited for his brother’s birthday had sent thrills of excitement through Jesse.
He had not been disappointed, as Eden revealed a large square mirror glazed chocolate cake. Jesse had hardly been able to contain his excitement when he knew he was going to get a bit.
Initially he felt that Eden was being rather stingy with his portion size as the square on the plate he was handed was considerably smaller than he would have liked. Then he tried it, and understood exactly why Eden had dished out such small portions – it was incredibly, mouth-wateringly rich. Jesse couldn’t quite figure out how Eden had made it so chocolatey without it being overly sweet as well. In the end Jesse decided that Eden was a wizard when it came to baking – and that was how he managed it.
And when he left the tin with three quarters of a chocolate cake in it, Jesse could have kissed him. He knew he’d get at least a few more portions out of it, and that made him very happy.
But today all of that happiness from Cain’s birthday had popped like a balloon. He’d entirely forgotten about the group projects his video gaming lecturer had been threatening them with for weeks – and it seemed he’d decided today was the day. It wasn’t even one of the good group projects where they were allowed to pick their own groups; they were assigned into groups for this one.
Jesse had ended up in the worst group he could possibly have been put in. He had two of the loudest, most obnoxious guys, and the quietest girl, all in his group. Teamwork was going to be a major issue.
By the time Jesse left campus to head home, he was in a foul mood and quite ready to strangle someone – potentially himself. Both other boys seemed to think their ideas were the pinnacles of greatness, and wouldn’t even consider anyone else’s; Jesse became increasingly frustrated as he tried to incorporate all ideas into a plan, all the while trying to coax more than two syllables out of Helen. He’d written everything down, but he noticed as they left that they seemed to be the only group without a clear, actionable plan.
He’d been so busy thinking about what on earth he was going to do during his skate home, that he’ stumbled – sending his board off in one direction and grazing both his knees as he went the other. Cursing, he’d picked up his board and practically stomped the rest of the way home, able to feel blood from his knees running down his shins and hot tears stinging in his eyes.
He was trying to decide whether he should email his lecturer and ask to move groups – but would that make him seem like the quitter if he wasn’t prepared to work with the group he’d been assigned to? But if he stayed he had no idea how he was going to negotiate any kind of sensible project.
Jesse dug in the communal first aid kit, trying to find antiseptic wipes to clean his knees with, and he spotted the tin on the kitchen table. Surely a day as bad as this one warranted a treat, Jesse told himself, as he lifted the lid and cut himself a generous slice.
He settled in one of the armchairs in their living room, balancing his chocolate cake on one of the arms, and his first aid supplies on the other. Jesse took a bite of the cake, savouring its rich chocolatey flavour. He was convinced that chocolate must have medicinal purposes, because he always felt better after eating it.
He rolled his trouser leg up and began to tackle cleaning the bloody graze before he could put a plaster over it. He winced as the wipe stung at the cut, and took another mouthful of cake to distract himself while he cleaned his knees. When he’d done patching himself up, the cake he’d brought through was gone. He’d used all of it as a pacifier.
Jesse sagged slightly; he felt like he hadn’t properly got to enjoy it. He could have another little slice – surely another small bit wouldn’t hurt. He went back through to the kitchen and cut another, not so small, piece.
He wanted Cain to come back, he needed to complain about this project – and discuss what his options were surrounding the group. Cain was always good at giving advice about this sort of thing. All of it was swirling and battling for dominance in his head.
Maybe if he went to their next group meeting with a plan of action set out, then he might have half a chance of getting them to listen and work together. That’s what he was going to do. He grabbed a notebook and pen, and started to make himself a cup of coffee.
Jesse didn’t normally work in the kitchen, so he felt a bit odd sitting at the table waiting for the kettle to boil, but the best thing now was that he was in reaching distance of the chocolate cake.
‘Just another little bit,’ he thought, taking a fine sliver from the edge. ‘And another tiny bit…’ He took another, chewing quickly as he poured water into his mug and carried his coffee over to the table to start working.
He’d managed to draw up a list of tasks they needed to do before they could start any programming – and colour coding them according to person. He was just beginning to plan out a frame of reference for that coding when the front door opened. Jesse knew it should be Cain – as he was the first one to finish lectures after Jesse, and he jumped.
Realising suddenly that he’d eaten two thirds of the cake that was meant to be Cain’s birthday cake, he replaced the lid of the tin, covering up his crime, and took a glug of his coffee just as his boyfriend came into the kitchen.
“Afternoon!” Cain greeted him, placing his hands on Jesse’s shoulders and kissing his cheek.
“Hiya,” Jesse replied, smiling as his heart fluttered as Cain kissed him. “How’re you?”
“I’m alright,” Cain said, filling the kettle with water so he could make a cup of tea. “You’re working awful early – is everything alright?” Jesse looked at his notebook and sighed heavily. “What’s up?”
“Nah, it’s just we got put into groups for a project today,” Jesse explained, sighing ahead.
“Uh no…” Cain made a face, “is it bad?”
“Yeah,” Jesse agreed, “I got the shittiest group.”
‘Hnnnngggrrrrrllluuuuuurrrgggn….’
Jesse’s stomach chose the quietest moment to make the loudest upset gurgle it possibly could, and Jesse felt his cheeks go a little pink. He probably shouldn’t have eaten so much chocolate cake; he felt a little guilty now as his stomach felt uncomfortably full of sweet stuff, and it wasn’t processing it well.
“Oh that’s pants,” Cain said, blatantly ignoring the groaning of Jesse’s gut, as he filled his tea cup and carried it to the table to join Jesse. “Are you gonna have lots to do?”
“I’m not sure,” Jesse sighed. “I was going to ask your advice on what I should – hic!- do.”
“In what way?” Cain asked; Jesse swallowed, the hiccup had sent a slick of acid up the back of his throat, forcing him to swallow repeatedly.
“I don’t know whether I should ask to change groups, or whether that just makes me look like I’m giving up…” Jesse replied.
‘Rrrrllluuuurrrlllgggllluuurrr…’ A squelching gurgle issued again from Jesse, and he felt a rising of chocolate in his throat.
“I mean… it’d be best for you if you try to stay,” Cain frowned slightly. “If it’s an absolutely impossible group, I’d go and speak to your lecturer in person to explain your concerns – rather than just send an email…”
“See, you’re so wise,” Jesse nodded, “you’re good at this sort of thing…”
‘Hnngggllluuurrrrnnnnnnrrrnnnr…’ Jesse couldn’t hide the way his stomach made an enormous noise, bringing with it a churning, cramping sensation.
“Are you alright Jesse?” Cain questioned, looking at his boyfriend in slight alarm at the noises issuing from him.
“Mmm…” Now the pretence was gone, Jesse rubbed a hand across his stomach, admitting: “I’ve got – hic! – a bit of a stomach ache.”
‘Nyyyylllllluuuuuugggggguuuggguuuggguuuggrrrrrllllll!’ His stomach let out a whine of protest and he tasted chocolate again, suddenly feeling incredibly queasy.
“How much chocolate cake did you eat?” Cain’s question was so direct that Jesse could feel himself getting shifty.
“What? No, I-” Jesse spluttered. Embarrassed that he’d been found out so soon, but the smile on Cain’s face said it all. Jesse looked down at his lap and mumbled: “Quite a bit…”
“I kinda suspected that…” Cain told him, and Jesse wished he could shrink down and disappear.
“How did you know?” Jesse asked, and Cain gave a little chuckle.
“One, you love chocolate in any form, so any available chocolate is a risk,” Cain began, counting on his fingers. “Two the lid on the tin isn’t on right – I cut a piece to take for my lunch, I was the last to leave, and you’re the only one back before me.” Jesse nodded, he should have been more careful in covering his tracks. “And lastly,” Cain reached over and touched Jesse’s chin, “you’ve got a smudge of chocolate on your face.”
“Oh…” That had probably given him away from the start.
‘Hhhrrrrrlllluuuuggguuuuurrrlllllggllleeeeee.’ His stomach gave another piteous groan, and the contents churned more vigorously.
“That really doesn’t sound good Jesse…” Cain commented, but Jesse was taking deep breaths in through his nose, feeling much worse than he had thirty seconds ago.
“I kinda… don’t feel well,” Jesse said, his mouth filling rapidly with overly wet saliva. He stood up suddenly, wobbling slightly.
“Jesse?” Cain asked, concerned.
“I’m maybe going to throw up…” Jesse muttered honestly.
“Right, bathroom then, come on,” Cain sprang to his feet and grabbed Jesse’s hand, almost pulling him through to the nearest bathroom.
“Oh man, I am so stupid…” Jesse mumbled as he lifted the lid of the toilet and knelt down, wincing as he leant on his grazed knees.
“I think you’ve got a definite case of ‘eyes bigger than belly’.” Cain commented from behind him; Jesse nodded, now he was in front of the toilet he felt worse, like the anticipation was pressing down on him. “And Eden’s chocolate cake is like the richest thing you could possibly eat…”
“Uuuurrrggnn…” Jesse groaned, leaning forward to allow a trickle of spit to fall into the toilet; his saliva already marred by the presence of chocolate in his mouth.
“Oh sorry,” Cain muttered, sitting on the edge of the bath as Jesse leant over the bowl.
“Uuurrh God…” He could feel everything tossing about in his stomach, pushing up into his oesophagus, but it stopped just short of making him gag. It was incredibly uncomfortable, and Jesse tried to help the process by opening his mouth, but nothing but spit came out.
“Oh Jesse…” Despite it being of his own making, Cain couldn’t stand to see Jesse so pitiful and miserable looking.
‘Nnnnngggrrrlllrrrrrrgggglllleeeee.’ Jesse’s belly let out another whine, and he whimpered.
“I can’t… Can’t get it started,” his voice was thick and he sounded close to tears. Cain looked at him, then slipped off the edge of the bath and positioned himself behind Jesse.
“When I say so, I want you to take a really deep breath, okay?” Cain instructed, and he could see Jesse nodding. He carefully snaked his arm around Jesse’s middle, placing his hand gently across his stomach. “On the count of three… One, two three.”
“Hiiiiinnnnggg’kkkkuuuhhuuuurrrlll!” Cain had pressed his hand firmly into Jesse’s stomach, and the disruption from him taking a deep breath sent a large wave of dark brown goop rushing into the toilet.
“Well done,” Cain said, patting him on the back. But now Jesse had started, he didn’t seem able to stop.
“Blaaaahhhhhhurrrggg!” Jesse heaved, bringing up another amount of chocolate based puke, and he only had seconds to pant for air before he was retching again. “Hlllk! Hrrreeuuuuuugggghh!” Jesse was leaning so far forward that his forehead was resting on the back of the toilet seat.
“Man, Jesse…” Cain muttered, rubbing his boyfriend’s back as he continued to quake and heave.
“Oooh-uuuurrgghh…” He groaned, spitting into the water. “Brrruuuaaapp!” He belched emptily and closed his eyes, resting on his arm.
“Do you think you’re done?” Cain asked him gently.
“Uh huh, think so...” He whispered, not moving at all.
“Shall I flush the toilet now?” Cain offered.
“Please,” he said weakly; Cain reached up and flushed away the evidence of Jesse’s overindulgence away.
“It’s all gone,” Cain assured him, and Jesse slowly opened his eyes.
“I’m such an idiot…” Jesse said, pushing away from the toilet.
“No you’re not,” Cain stroked the back of his head fondly. “You just got a little bit carried away.”
“A little?” Jesse snorted.
“How’d you like a glass of water?” Cain suggested.
“Oh yes, please,” Jesse agreed, “that’d be amazing…”