Prompt: Bannana, Stew, Teddy

douglasrichardsonskitkat answered:martin/douglas banana, stew, teddy

It was all the banana's fault.

Or, to be more exact, the banana fun-facts that Arthur had found on the internet telling him that bananas were better before they were ripe…or long after…he couldn't remember.

That was the mantra that Douglas had clung to, throughout the second leg of the flight, during the ride to the hotel, and all the way up to their hotel room as he grew queasier. It was that or turn on Arthur, which Douglas had steadfastly refused to do...once he had calmed down.

"How does one ruin banoffee pie? You chop up the bananas, you put them on the base, bang on some cream-"

"I know, Douglas," Martin had sighed as he had slid his First-Officer's arm over his shoulder. "You've said that three times."

"Oh…have I?" Douglas had murmured. "The nausea must be making me dizzy."

Now, Martin slid into the darkened hotel room, cheap but medicinal stew in one hand, spontaneous gift in the other. He kicked the door shut and crossed the room.

Douglas was huddled in bed, covers bundled around him as a faint breeze blew in through the open window – he couldn't decide whether he was hot or cold.

Gently nudging the lump that was Douglas' shoulder, in order to check that he was awake and alert him to his presence, Martin lowered himself onto the mattress beside him. He kicked off his shoes and placed the stew on the bedside table, then turned and waited for Douglas to stop grumbling.

"What…go to sleep, Martin…"

Douglas rolled over onto his back, kicking the covers down. Even in the weak light from outside, his skin was clammy and the lines around his eyes were severe.

"I brought you something," Martin announced, but Douglas cut him off with a hand thrown up and curled around his wrist.

"I'm not hungry…I won't be hungry until the end of time. Arthur's killed me."

"Well, as your Captain, I have to insist that you eat some of the stew. If not now, then later," Martin replied softly. Douglas only grunted, so Martin brushed a hand over his sweaty brow and leant down a press a small kiss to his unusually rumpled hair. "As your partner, I've brought you something to cheer you up."

From behind his back, Martin revealed the small teddy-bear that he had found in the airport gift-shop. He had nearly walked past the shop, until the bear, in its quaint Captain's uniform, had caught his eye.

Douglas' brow furrowed, but in his sluggish state, he reached out and took it.

"He wears your uniform better than you do."

"He's to keep you company while I go and finish the paperwork," Martin informed him, ignoring the prod as he squeezed Douglas' shoulder. "Do you want him?"

"No," Douglas grumbled, but he rolled onto his side, taking the bear with him.

Smiling to himself, Martin left Douglas with his phone within reach, bear tucked under his elbow, snoring before the door had even closed.