Flying Apart (Ben/Joey)

  Info: Again no shape-shifting and this time also no spanking as well as unbeta'd. Hopefully it's still fun to read. :)

Flying Apart

Joey writhed on the bed, his hands tangling in Ben's short hair. Immediately, Ben disentangled Joey's hands and gently but firmly pushed them above Joey's head.

A whine escaped Joey's throat. “Ben!”

“Shh, it's okay,” Ben murmured.

Joey swallowed, closed his eyes and focused on Ben's tongue laving his cock and balls. Joey's breath came in short, desperate gasps, the sensations too much to bear. Still, Ben didn't relent. The older man pushed Joey's legs up, with that gaining access between Joey's ass cheeks.

Shaking from the sheer intensity of all of Ben's attention on him, from being the center of Ben's world, had Joey grappling for Ben's hair, shoulders—anything to hold on because he was flying apart. Flying apart in a good sense, wonderful sense even, but it was still too much. He didn't care about the whimpers, the pleas spilling from his mouth; everything inside him screamed for an anchor.

Ben stopped licking around the base of Joey's cock and nipped at the tender flesh of Joey's inner thigh. In a low, hoarse voice, he demanded, “Leave your hands up. Don't touch me.”

“I can't! You have to restrain me!”

“I will do no such thing. Obey me,” he said softly.

Joey brought his hands up over his head, the soft command anchoring him in a way impossible to explain. Even if he was flying apart, Ben would catch him, piece him together again later. Just like he always did; just like always.

The Color Question (Ben/Joey)

Info: No shape-shifting this time. This little story is probably best described as an erotic spanking scene.

Many thanks to Dizzy for the beta!

The Color Question

“Joey? Sweetheart, do you have a second to come over to me?” Ben called from the bedroom, where he sat staring at the content of the basket with the freshly washed clothes.

Joey peered around the door frame, an innocent expression plastered on his face. It immediately set all of Ben's alarms off. Leveling a finger at Joey, Ben said, “You already know why I called you, don't you?”

“I take it you found your new shirt?” Joey could barely hold back the laughter.

Ben closed his eyes for a moment. “Did you put my white shirt in with the red clothes on purpose?”

“You wouldn't buy the pink shirt. What else was there to do for me?” Joey asked, his hands spread out in a what-can-you-do gesture.

Ben stared at Joey, taking in the relaxed pose, the smile and twinkling eyes. Oh, all right, he knew what his brat wanted!

Ben erupted into motion, startling Joey who only had time to whirl around and attempt to flee the scene. Ben was quicker, and wrapped his arms around Joey's waist, pulling him flush against his body. Nipping sharply at Joey's ear, he growled, “Someone's in for it.”

Joey shivered, tilted his head back and kissed Ben firmly on the mouth. He didn't resist when Ben walked them toward the bed, pushing the basket of clothes aside. Joey stood in front of him, anticipation pouring from him.

Ben pulled Joey's shirt off him, drinking in the sight of his gorgeous lover. There were moments like this when his heart soared with the knowledge of just how much they loved each other.

“Don't go all gooey on me now,” Joey quipped.

“Way to kill the mood,” Ben replied while at the same time bringing his hand down hard on Joey's ass.

Joey gasped and steadied himself with putting both hands against Ben's chest. “Love you.”

“I thought we weren't supposed to go all gooey?”

Joey shrugged, then pushed closer to Ben. “Please, Ben.”

“Sweetheart, you don't have to beg me. Step out of the rest of your clothes, I need to get some supplies.”

Joey had his clothes off by the time Ben emerged from the bathroom with some towels and a cooling lotion in his hands. Ben smirked upon seeing Joey's already erect cock. “Horny, aren't we?”

“I don't know about you but yes, I am.”

Ben laid his supplies on the bed, retrieved a bottle with lube and two paddles from his bedside drawer, and undressed quickly. He seated himself on the bed, his back leaning against the headboard. Spreading out a large towel over his lap, he beckoned for Joey to come closer.

Joey crawled onto the bed. His face was already flushed as he positioned himself comfortably over Ben's lap. Ben adjusted Joey's cock between his thighs, knowing Joey loved the constant friction as much as the spankings to come.

Ben's hands slid up and down Joey's back, ass and thighs, relishing in the familiar feeling of the beloved body of his brat. Swiftly, he brought his hand down for the first time. Ben started slowly, alternating between Joey's ass cheeks. As he picked up the pace, Joey's breathing quickened and he wiggled under the onslaught.

When Joey's ass was a bright pink Ben stopped and applied some of the cooling lotion on Joey's stinging flesh, taking his time to massage it into the skin. Sliding one of his hands between Joey's legs, he found Joey's cock and gave it a few long strokes. Joey groaned. “Ben, more.”

“Pushy today, aren't we?”

“Please, Ben.”

“Hmm, I know I said you don't have to beg but I sure like hearing you beg for more,” Ben chuckled.

Joey wiggled his ass enticingly, causing Ben to shift to relieve some of the pressure on his own cock.

Ben slapped his hand down again, this time harder than before. He set a fast rhythm but with no obvious pattern for Joey so the younger man was constantly surprised from the next slap. Ben delivered spanks to Joey's ass, and took some time to redden the flesh on Joey's thighs as well. He listened carefully to Joey's gasps, hisses and sometimes squeals. As long as Joey kept humping away on his lap, Ben knew everything was fine. From time to time Joey craved this, and Ben was only too happy to indulge him.

When Joey's cries became more urgent, Ben slowed down until he stopped completely. He repeated his earlier motion, applied more cooling lotion on the now deeply red skin and also gave Joey's cock a few more lazy strokes.

Joey relaxed over his lap, and sighed in contentment as Ben rubbed the lotion into the abused skin.

“Keep the lexan for the end, okay?” Joey muttered.

“All right.”

Ben lulled Joey into a sedate state, then picked up the small wooden paddle. It was a light one, which always left Joey with a stinging bottom. Ben tapped the paddle against Joey's ass and was rewarded with a breathy moan, accompanied by a heavy shiver.

Ben snapped the paddle down on Joey's ass, at first using a clear pattern to help Joey accommodate and push his ass toward the slap if he wanted. After a while he changed the pattern to a more unpredictable one, coaxing the first whimpers out of Joey.

The skin of Joey's ass now had a scarlet tone, and still Joey's hips canted back and forth forcefully, searching and begging for more. Ben could feel pre-come leaking from Joey's cock, soaking the towel.

Again he stopped the spanking, laid the paddle aside and rubbed the lotion into Joey's hot skin. He spent more time pumping Joey's cock, smearing pre-come all over it. Joey was beyond speech, only unintelligible words spilled from his mouth. Ben smiled—he loved to drive Joey crazy even if it mean that he had to neglect his own cock for a while.

“Ready for the finish, sweetheart?”

Joey nodded his head frantically. Ben took the lexan paddle in one hand while the other one kept hold of Joey's cock. He brought the paddle down on Joey's sit-spot in rhythm to his strokes on Joey's cock. Joey thrashed around, every part of his body moved, eliciting a groan of pleasure from Ben.

When Joey started keening, Ben threw the paddle aside and pumped Joey's cock fiercely. Seconds later, Joey's body stiffened as he came with a scream.

Ben smiled as he watched Joey writhing over his lap, riding the waves of his climax. He rubbed his hands along Joey's sweaty back and sore ass, eliciting a garbled response from Joey.

“My good boy,” Ben praised in a soft voice. He didn't use the term boy often but every time after such a session it felt right.

Joey let out a deep breath. “Thank you.”

Ben helped Joey to shift from his lap to lie on his side next to Ben. The older man pulled the wet towel off, and wrapped a hand around his own cock. He asked, “Want to help or look?”

“Look.”

“'kay.”

Joey scooted closer, rested his head next to Ben's thigh so he could watch. Ben laid one hand on Joey's head, carding his fingers through his hair, and used the other one to stroke himself to completion. It only took a few fast pulls before he shot his seed over his hand.

A soft gasp when he climaxed told Ben that Joey had enjoyed what he'd seen. When he could breathe freely again, Ben bent over to kiss Joey.

Contentedly Joey said, “See, it was a good thing I washed your white shirt with the red ones.”

“You could have just asked for this.”

“But where would have been the fun in that?”

“Point taken,” Ben admitted.

Before Ben could slide down on the bed to cuddle with his brat however, Joey asked, “Aren't you going to wear it?”

Ben raised an eyebrow at his cheekily grinning lover, then shrugged. “I guess I could, huh?”

He retrieved the pink shirt, pulled it over his head and grinned at Joey. “Well?”

“Pink so isn't your color.”

“Oh, you damn brat! Come here!”

Joey squealed when Ben pulled him into a rough hug. After their laughter subsided, both sighed. 

“You are allowed to go all gooey on me now.”

Ben chuckled. “Thanks, sweetheart. And yeah, I think we're pretty perfect for each other.”

“That we are.”

END

Never Again (Ben/Joey)

Another Ben/Joey story - I hope you enjoy reading it. Various implements (hand, strap, hairbrush) are used or threatened to be used.

With many thanks to Dizzy for the beta!

 

Never Again

There was something to be said about kneeling on the bed, bare body supported by pillows and ass sticking out in the air, Joey thought. He clutched the pillow under his chest tightly as he willed his breathing to slow down to a normal pattern instead of the panicked little puffs he emitted.

“Sweetheart, breathe. I'm not going to kill you,” Ben said.

Joey jumped when the bed dipped and one of Ben's hands squeezed his neck lightly. Said hand wandered down, rubbing and stroking gently, taking special care of the skin on Joey's already sore butt.

Joey squeezed his eyes shut in a vain attempt to prevent the tears from spilling over. Shuddering, he pleaded weakly, “Ben, I won't do it again. Never. I promise. Please not the strap.”

“This is not up for discussion, Joey.”

Joey swallowed. He knew that. Still, he couldn't help but beg Ben not to use the evil strap. They didn't use many implements. Ben was a firm advocate of hand spankings, and only occasionally used a wooden spoon or hairbrush. Joey didn't like either of these implements but the strap... that was the one thing to turn Joey's legs into jelly, and not in the good kind of way.

“You'll count the licks for me,” Ben announced before he got up from the bed.

Joey shoved his face deeper into the pillow, hiding it. He couldn't hide how much he feared the strap though. His body trembled, goose bumps arose all over his skin and his heart thudded painfully in his ribcage.

The younger man jerked slightly when Ben positioned the pillows differently, raising Joey's ass even higher in the air. The strap scared Joey, yes, but what really got to him was the lack of physical connection to Ben. This was punishment.

Over-the-knee-spankings were punishment too, of course, and Joey had never felt anything but thoroughly punished after a trip over Ben's knees—but he hated this particular position. He had no chance at sensing the next blow and to prepare himself for it. But the worst of all was he didn't feel loved. Even when Ben spanked Joey until the younger man knew he wouldn't sit comfortably for the next couple of days, Joey never questioned Ben's affection for him. Only in this position.

A distressed whimper tumbled from his lips, most of the sound suffocated by the pillow. Joey's body was taut; every muscle tensed so sharply it hurt. Expecting the loud whack of strap on bare flesh, Joey choked on his own saliva when Ben wound one arm under his ribcage and lifted him off the pillow.

Within seconds Joey was settled on Ben's lap, his sore behind carefully cradled in the free space between Ben's thighs. Ben's arms wrapped securely around Joey's frame, caging him in, anchoring him.

Joey leaned his head against Ben's chest, curling up as much as possible, and tried his best to stop the shivering fit.

“Sweetheart, what's going on?”

“What's going on?”

“Yes, what's going on? I thought you'd faint. I know you're afraid of the strap, which is why we very rarely use it, but that was outright panic.”

Joey rubbed his stinging eyes, then dared to look up at his lover. In a thick voice he rambled, “I am sorry. I apologized for what I did. I didn't endanger your life. I knew it was safe. You said we'd only ever use the strap if I endanger my own or someone else's life. I only did that twice and never the life of someone else, much less yours, and that was only because I didn't see the risk. I don't believe what I did this time warrants the strap.”

“Joey, you gave me some kind of magic tea. Minutes after drinking it, I shifted into a huge Bernese mountain dog, for Christ's sake! You couldn't possibly know how I'd react to this tea!” Ben took a calming breath before he went on, “And we talked about how wrong it was to give me this tea without my consent. In our relationship we don't do anything without consent.”

Joey sniffed, pointed at the comforter and threw a pleading glance at Ben. The older man grabbed the comforter and covered his partner with it. “You are not in your pup form at the moment, so how about you talk to me about what you want instead of just turning your puppy dog look on full power?”

A tiny smile appeared on Joey's face. “Why should I? It's working just fine.”

In one swift move Ben captured Joey's right earlobe with his teeth and gave it a sharp nip. Growling, he said, “Behave.”

“You were cool in your dog form, and if you're honest you could just admit you had fun.”

“I did, I told you that much. I also told you that is not the issue. Do we seriously need to have the same talk again?”

“No.” Joey shook his head, his hair whirling around his face wildly, leaving some stray strands on his forehead.

Ben cupped Joey's chin, dipped his thumb into the cleft there, and locked eyes with him. “Joey, something went horribly wrong a few minutes ago. You were panicking. What's wrong? Oh, and no evasion tactics, okay?”

Joey was held captive by Ben's intense gaze. Swallowing convulsively he pondered what he should say. Unfortunately nothing but the truth came to his mind. Dark brown eyes filling rapidly with tears, Joey stared at Ben silently.

Ben applied light pressure on Joey's chin, tilting Joey's head back a tad with this action. Raising an eyebrow, he scrutinized Joey for a long time. Eventually, he pulled the comforter off his lover and set him on his feet.

“Ben!”

“Calm down, sweetheart. How about you shift and tell me then what got you so upset?”

Stunned, Joey needed a minute to absorb Ben's suggestion. When it finally clicked, and after a reassuring nod and smile from Ben, Joey shifted without hesitation.

Seconds later Joey stood between Ben's feet in his dark-furred puppy form. Tentatively he wagged his tail, and gazed up at his lover. Ben smiled down at him, then patted his lap. “Jump up.”

Joey did as he was told. On Ben's lap, he crawled up his lover's chest, nuzzling Ben's face and collarbone. When Ben laughed but didn't do anything to discourage Joey's playful show of affection, Joey crawled up further and rubbed his face against Ben's.

Ben indulged his partner for a while before he gently pried him off his face, cradled him in his arms and scooted up on the bed till he could lean with his back against the headboard. There he slouched down a bit, then positioned Joey on his belly with one hand supporting his butt.

“Can you tell me now?” Ben asked softly.

Joey sighed heavily but replied, Yes.

“Go on then.”

I... I don't know... it's hard to explain.

“Try anyway.”

I'm scared of the strap. Really scared, Joey offered.

“I know that. I want the whole truth, please. I love you, and I'll only punish you if you agree to what we're doing and using.”

I do agree. It's just... just...

Ben gently turned the little puppy on his back, his arm and belly supporting the small form. With his other hand he began creating a soothing stroking pattern on Joey's softly furred belly. As always, Ben was amazed about the fine, silky fur. He enjoyed comforting his partner, no matter which form he took.

Joey stared up at Ben, every muscle still tense. Ben didn't pressure Joey into talking, merely petted until he felt Joey's body yield under his ministrations. Almost half an hour later, Joey said, I'm afraid of you when you use the strap.

Ben's mouth fell open in shock. “What? Why?”

You are... different. Or maybe it's me. I don't know. I... you... I don't know where you are. I can't anticipate the next slap and..., Joey swallowed, and a small yip became audible, there's no connection between you and me. Physically, I mean. I don't like that. I feel... kinda lost, I think?

Ben's frown smoothed out as soon as Joey finished his explanation. Thoughtfully, he replied, “That makes sense to me.”

It does?

“Yes, and I'm sorry I scared you so much. I don't ever want you to be afraid of me. I need to think about this for awhile, but I promise you we won't use the strap for the time being. I can't stand to think of you being scared of me, sweetheart. That just breaks my heart,” Ben answered, emotions clear in his voice.

Joey snatched one of Ben's fingers in his mouth and playfully tugged it closer. I'm sorry I didn't tell you.

“I'm sorry I didn't realize how you felt.”

You're not a mind-reader.

“No, I'm not,” Ben sighed. “We should work on our communication again.”

Ben's finger slipped from Joey's mouth as the pup groaned, which sounded like a peeved growl. Oh God! You're not re-establishing the nightly thirty minute talks, right?

The corners of Ben's mouth twitched in amusement. “Actually, I thought about doing the weekly one hour talk on Saturday but your suggestion sounds better to me.”

Noooooooooooo! Joey wailed. He squirmed in Ben's grip, who conviently had tightened his hold on Joey.

“Joseph!”

Joey stilled immediately. For Ben to use his full name, this must be dead serious and nothing he wanted to hear jokes or moans about. Darting a wary glance up, he saw Ben gazing down at him with love but also with sternness. Something inside Joey responded to Ben's words instantly, and Joey had long learned to listen to his gut feeling, specifically when Ben was the cause of it.

Okay. Nightly talks it is again. What... what about the rest of my punishment? Or we could just say we're done, Joey added hopefully.

“Would the spanking I gave you be enough for you?”

Joey's first reaction was to yell that the spanking had been more than enough for him. Not acting on his first impulse, he really thought about Ben's question and with a bone-deep sigh admitted reluctantly, No. I'd probably have a major tantrum within the next two hours.

“What would you believe to be appropriate?”

Joey cringed, then wriggled until Ben let him go. He jumped from the bed, ran out of the bedroom and into the living room. There he walked to the coffee table and stood up on his hind paws. His hairbrush lay where he'd left it earlier. He never combed his hair in the bathroom, a fact that had driven Ben nuts in the beginning of their relationship. Now, he didn't bat an eyelash about the brush in the living room, kitchen or wherever Joey forgot it.

Stretching himself long, Joey snatched the handle of the brush and carried it back to Ben. Ben took the hairbrush from the puppy's mouth, and sat on the edge of the bed expectantly. Joey eyed the brush for a few long seconds before he plucked up his courage and shifted back into his human form. Ben drew him in for a kiss, then helped him settle over his lap.

Even though Joey knew how much the spanking applied with the brush would hurt, he wasn't afraid of what was coming. Neither was he scared to death of it. It was simply a part of their relationship.

“Ready?” Ben asked.

“Just a second,” Joey replied. He braced his toes on the carpet, wrapped his left hand around Ben's ankle and put his right hand onto his back, wiggling his fingers for Ben to grab hold of them. Ben complied at once, then slapped the brush down for the first time. Joey's body jolted forward and he gasped at the first blow.

“You'll count to fifteen,” Ben demanded.

Joey nodded and counted aloud. The first blows weren't too bad, and Joey managed to breathe through the stinging pain. By the tenth slap, he was profusely sweating and whimpering. His voice turned higher at each slap, the last two smacks racketing his voice up to a falsetto. “Fifteen! OW!”

Ben threw the brush onto the bed, released Joey's hand and stroked with both hands over Joey's heaving and quivering back. “All done, sweetheart.”

“How bad is my ass looking?” Joey gritted out.

“It has a nice shiny red hue with two very dark red blotched areas shaped like an oval.”

“Very funny!”

Ben chuckled as he gave Joey a very light tap on his butt. “Want to sit up?”

Joey nodded and Ben helped him to upright himself. Instead of settling on Ben's lap, Joey slid between Ben's thighs, kneeling in front of his lover. He wrapped his arms around Ben's waist and pressed his head firmly against Ben's belly.

“We're really okay now, right?” Joey asked.

“You still have to ask? Maybe fifteen slaps weren't enough,” Ben mused.

“They were! They were! Really!” Joey hastily exclaimed.

“Good. What do you need now?”

Joey thought for a moment, then lifted his head, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “You.”

Both of Ben's eyebrows rose up as he smiled at his gorgeous lover. “You sure you're up for that?”

“Only one way to find out. Think you're adventurous enough to give it a try?”

“Oh hell, yes.”

END

Contest for "Seizing It"

To celebrate the release day of “Seizing It” on April 4th, I'll give away a copy of “Seizing It”. All you have to do is to comment on this entry at my livejournal. I'll choose one winner using Random.org on Thursday, April 5^th. I'll notify you by replying to your comment. Good luck!

One Sick Puppy (Ben/Joey)

And another Ben / Joey story. Be warned for a really sick puppy, er, brat.

Many thanks to Dizzy for the beta. All remaining mistakes are mine.

One Sick Puppy

Ben almost ran a red light in his haste to drive home from the airport.

Joey hadn't felt well when Ben left for the linguist conference three days ago but had assured Ben—with an eye roll to emphasize what he thought about Ben's attitude—he was fine. Surely, he was able to survive a runny nose without Ben's supervision. Grumpily, Ben had conceded defeat. Now, he wished he hadn't listened to Joey.

Dora had called him late last night, her voice sounding brittle and very upset. “Ben,” she had said, “You better come home earlier. Joey isn't doing well.”

“Why? What is going on?”

“He came over in the afternoon. He... he was in his pup form and he merely scratched at my door. He won't shift back, he won't drink or eat and I think he's burning up. I don't know what to do! I can't take him to a vet but I can't get him to shift back and he's mostly sleeping, curled up on my lap and... and...,” Dora broke off.

“Dora, try to talk him into shifting back, okay? I'll call the airport; see when the next available plane to get out. I'll call you when I know more.”

“Okay. Just... hurry, Ben. I'm really worried.”

Ben called the airport, managed to get a flight four hours later and called Dora back. She promised to take care of Joey until Ben was back. That had been twelve hours ago. Damn those international flights, which seemed to take forever.

Of course, Ben hadn't been able to sleep on the plane. Neither the worry about Joey nor the plain disapproval of his boss about canceling the rest of the conference was helpful for sleep. Ben decided he'd deal with Marsters, his boss, later. The good thing was that Marsters needed him and couldn't afford to lose Ben in his department. Every other university would offer Ben a chair if he so much as raised his finger.

Which left the task of worrying about Joey. Ben had stared out of the small window, and wondered. Joey didn't become ill easily, maybe that was due to his shape-shifter physiology. Joey barely ever caught a cold. Even when there were cold epidemics on the campus, Joey would stay on his feet and be well.

Ben frowned; actually he had never seen Joey get sick at all. Yes, he had broken his left arm once and also suffered from bruises in various sizes when he lost control over his bike but he had never been sick.

What if Joey couldn't shift back because he was too sick? What would happen then? Dora was right, they couldn't bring him to a vet.

So Ben was mostly on autopilot—and the support of a large cup of coffee—on his way home when he almost ran the red light. He stopped the car with screeching brakes, cringing when the driver behind him honked and shook his fist.

“Yeah, yeah, get over yourself,” Ben muttered.

However, Ben drove more carefully the rest of the way. Not for the first time he cursed about the distance between the airport and home. Usually, Joey picked him up when he came home from a long flight. It was freaky how bereft Ben felt without Joey sitting behind the wheel, chattering about anything and everything.

Eventually, Ben pulled the car into the parking spot, and got out of the car. He decided to leave his suitcase in the trunk for now. Taking two steps at once, he bounded up the stairs. The closer he came to Joey, the more energized he felt. It was weird, but not an unknown feeling for Ben. No matter how tired, frustrated or whatever Ben was, his mood always brightened the closer he got to Joey.

As he reached their floor, Dora's door opened. She looked like a ghost. Her face was probably as white as her hair, and the crinkles in her face were more pronounced than ever. Joey lay on her lap, his little chest heaving up and down in a rhythm way too fast.

Ben rushed to them, crouched in front of Dora and gently scratched behind Joey's ears. Joey's eyes opened to a slit and a high-pitched whine escaped his mouth. Laboriously, he lifted his head and sniffed Ben's hand. Obviously pleased with the smell, Joey closed his eyes again.

“Is that all I get? No puppy kisses? Not even a tail wagging?” Ben tried.

Joey lifted his tail and wagged it once before he told Ben telepathically, I'm glad you're here. Tell Dora thanks for taking care of me?

“Joey says thank you for taking care of him.”

Dora's eyes widened in surprise. She looked from the small puppy in her lap to Ben, then asked, “How did he speak to you?”

Ben's head swiveled upward. “He... er, what?”

She suspected anyway, Joey threw in.

Ben sighed. “And we just have to drop that particular bomb now?” To Dora he said, “This will probably sound strange but--”

“Stranger than the shape-shifting?” Dora whispered conspiratorially.

Ben smiled up at the old woman, who kept stroking the puppy's flank. “No, I guess not. He's able to talk telepathically to me.”

“I thought there was something special going on between you. Well, more special than what's going on anyway. You go to your apartment and unlock the door and I'll carry him over for you,” Dora commanded.

Ben marveled at the fact how stoic this woman took everything. He got up from his crouch, squeezed Dora's shoulder and said, “Thank you, Dora.”

Ben led the way to the apartment and unlocked the door. When he turned, he saw Dora carefully cradling Joey in her arms, rubbing her nose into his fur, murmuring something to him. Joey wagged his tail twice in acknowledgment.

Ben shifted the limp puppy from Dora's arms into his own arms. Joey was sprawled on Ben's forearm, his paws dangling loosely in the air. Joey's obvious weakness scared Ben more than he liked to admit. He bid his goodbye to Dora, promising her to let her know how Joey was the next morning and yes, he'd shout for her if he got worse during the night.

Ben carried Joey around as he opened windows to air out the rooms. When he entered their bedroom he stopped on the threshold, gazing around wide-eyed. “Joey? What exactly happened here?”

Joey opened one eye and squinted at his surroundings. I am sick.

“Why does our bedroom look as if a bomb exploded in it? You can't have worn all these clothes.”

I was freezing, and then I was too hot, and then I was freezing again, and some of the stuff itched on my skin, and... and oh my God, are you going to spank me? Now? Beeeen, I'm really sick! I swear!

Joey gazed up at Ben, his eyes shining wetly. A shiver surged through the tiny body, forcing Ben to tighten his hold on the puppy. Ben pushed some clothes on the floor aside so he could walk to the bed. He laid down on it and gently lowered Joey next to him. Joey whined and tried to crawl back on Ben's chest. Realizing he was too weak to accomplish his goal, Joey ordered, Beeen! Up!

“Joey, wouldn't it be b--”

I want uuuuuuuuup! Joey screeched.

Wincing, Ben picked Joey up and placed him on his chest. He curled one arm around the shivering form of his partner and shook his head. “Sweetheart, I'm sure you're running a high fever. You probably had shivering fits the other night. Didn't you ever have one before?”

No! Make it go away.

“We should take you to a doctor but you have to shift for that.”

Why? You're my Top, make it go away.

“Sweets, I'm no miracle healer. You need to see a doctor. Maybe you have an infection and need antibiotics.”

I've never needed antibiotics before. Fever-glazed eyes stared at Ben accusingly.

“Joey, please, can you shift? So we can take your temperature to get an idea if you're running a high fever that needs medical assistance or not?”

I wanna sleep.

“You don't want to shift?”

No.

“All right. I can take your temperature in this form too.” Ben cradled the puppy securely in his arms before he got up and walked to the bathroom.

How's this going to work? You can't stick the thermometer under my armpit.

Ben rummaged in a drawer, retrieved a thermometer and shook it down. He held it in front of Joey and said calmly, “Do I have to explain where I'm going to stick this?”

Joey's eyes widened in shocked comprehension. You... you can't do that! I don't want that! You're mean!

Ben carried the weakly struggling puppy back to their bedroom and laid Joey on the comforter. “So, how are we going to do this?”

I doooooon't want this!

“One more time, Joey. How. Are. We. Going. To. Do. This.”

I should've stayed with Dora.

With a sigh, Ben rolled Joey on his side and lifted his tail. Joey's screech of indignation had Ben gritting his teeth, and he closed his eyes for a second. When he re-opened them, Joey muttered, I'll shift. You won. Meanie.

“Joey,” Ben warned. “I know you're not used to be sick. This is still no excuse to call me names.”

But--

“No. I haven't slept in more than 24 hours. I was, no, I still am, very worried about you, and I want you to shift so I know whether I should take you to a doctor or not.”

But I don't hurt so much when I'm a puppy, Joey wailed.

“What hurts, sweetheart?” Ben rubbed Joey's belly soothingly.

My throat. It hurts really bad. I couldn't swallow anything although I was thirsty.

“That sounds like a throat infection to me or maybe tonsillitis,” Ben replied, never ceasing in his gentle ministrations. “Please shift so we can have a look, okay?”

Joey sniffed. I'd rather--

“Joey, please,” Ben sighed. He lay down next to Joey, nudged the pup's nose with a finger and waited.

Joey huffed, rolled onto his belly and stretched out his limbs. Usually, Joey shifted so fast, Ben often thought it happened in a blink of an eye. Today was different though. The shift happened in slow motion. Joey's limbs elongated, then the fur receded. At first it seemed as if a young boy lay in Joey's place, eliciting a flabbergasted “oh my god!” from Ben.

Joey turned his head toward Ben, grimacing slightly. Ben gasped. Yes, this was still Joey but he looked about ten years old.

“Joey?”

“Just a second,” Joey replied, his voice sounding higher than normal.

Ben watched Joey's features shift slowly until the proportions were right and his young lover lay panting beside him. Swallowing hard, Ben reached out with a shaking hand. Joey's skin felt hot to the touch and Ben swallowed again. In a whisper he asked, “What was that?”

I'm sorry you had to saw this. Shifting while being sick is not so easy. My mom usually allowed me to keep my pup form the few times I was ill. I haven't been sick for... I think almost 9 years. I didn't remember the shifting being so difficult.

“Why are you still talking in my head?”

Because my throat hurts really bad. It hurts to talk. Um, Ben? Can you pull the comforter up? I'm cold.

“Oh. Yes, of course.”

Ben pulled the comforter up to Joey's neck, covering the shivering form of his lover. Pulling himself together, Ben waved the thermometer in front of Joey's face and asked him to open his mouth. Obediently, Joey opened.

While they waited for the thermometer to beep, Ben carded his hands through Joey's sweat-soaked hair. Joey nuzzled his head against Ben's thigh, and repeated his earlier heartfelt declaration, I'm glad you're home.

Ben smiled and replied, “Me too.”

When Ben looked at the display of the thermometer it showed a temperature of almost 104. “Shit! Sweetheart, we have to get you dressed and to the doctor. Ah damn, it's Friday evening, we probably should go to the emergency room.”

Emergency room? Noooooo. Can't you go to the pharmacy and get me something against the pain?

“Let me have a look at your throat.”

You're not a doctor.

Ben raised an eyebrow.

Not that kind of doctor, Joey clarified.

“Open up anyway.”

Reluctantly, Joey did as he was told. Ben peered inside and sighed again. “Joey, even I can see your throat is red and swollen. There are also white patches on your tonsils. Come on, I'll help you dress.”

Tears welled up in Joey's eyes and his lower lip slipped out in a pout. Beeeeen!

Ben ignored Joey's protest and efficiently dressed him within a few minutes. He got their jackets, his car keys and wallet before he helped Joey to a standing position. Joey leaned heavily against Ben, trembling from the sheer effort of standing.

If you'd allowed me to stay a pup you could carry me, Joey whined.

Ben rubbed his tired eyes and prayed for patience.

Hours later they were back from the hospital with a bag full of antibiotics and painkillers, as well as some advice. Ben coaxed Joey into taking the prescribed medication with a well-aimed slap to Joey's butt.

Ben was about to tuck a crying Joey into bed, when they heard a knock on the door. Ben frowned, kissed Joey's cheek and said, “Stay put.”

Riiiiight, as if I'd do anything else. You're a--

“Ah! Don't say it. I know you're sick and I know swallowing the pills hurt but I'm not letting you get away with calling me names. Is that understood?”

You'd spank me? Now? I'm really sick!

“You're not too sick to behave like a brat and no, I wouldn't spank you now. I'd do that later.”

Joey huddled further under the blanket, his fever-glazed eyes staring up at Ben in disbelief. Another, more insistent knock at the door interrupted the strained silence. Uh, you should probably get that.

Wordlessly, Ben got up and walked toward the door. After looking through the peephole Ben opened the door. “Dora. Shouldn't you be asleep? It's the middle of the night.”

“How is Joey?”

“He has tonsillitis. We got some meds to treat it, and now we're getting some sleep. You should get some sleep too,” Ben concluded softly.

“You're right. I just wanted to know how he is. I've never seen him so out of it before. He really scared me.”

Ben bent down to hug Dora. “He scared me too. You're welcome to come over tomorrow and see him.”

“How about lunch time? I'll bring some soup and pudding. He should be able to swallow that kind of food.”

“You don't have to--”

“Benjamin Riker! I will be here at twelve hundred sharp. You better have the table set by that time.”

Ben smiled and saluted. “Yes, ma'am!”

Contentedly, Dora smiled back, turned her wheelchair and rolled back to her apartment. Ben waited until he heard her locking the door before he did the same. He chucked his clothes on the way to the bedroom and swiftly slid under the covers. Joey was already asleep but even in his sleep he snuggled back into Ben's embrace. Ben barely remembered to switch of the light before sleep claimed him as well.

For the next two days Joey slept most of the time. When he didn't sleep, he whined about anything and everything. Getting him to eat was a nerve-wracking matter, even though Dora and Ben made sure the food was either liquid or very soft.

At lunchtime on the third day Ben had enough. “All right, that's it.”

Joey looked at him, his eyes wide in alarm. Ben crooked a finger and beckoned Joey to get up from the kitchen chair. After a moment of hesitation, Joey obliged. Nervously, he shuffled over to Ben who drew him between his legs.

“Okay, sweetheart. Your fever is down, your throat is still sore but can't hurt as horrible as you're making it out and you need to eat. You have two options now. One—you go back to your chair, sit down, and eat the soup. Or, two—you go over my knee and afterward I'll feed you. What's it going to be?”

Joey, who normally was so very mild-mannered, if a bit too mischievous and playful for his own good, snapped. He glared down at Ben, and said very slowly and clearly, “One—you're an asshole and two—you're--”

Ben interrupted Joey by unceremoniously pulling him over his lap. Within seconds he had divested Joey of his sweatpants and underwear and administered the first smack.

“No! I'm sick! You can't do that!”

“I believe I can,” Ben replied. He swiftly covered Joey's butt with a round of well-aimed slaps, turning the skin pink.

“Ow! Ouch, Ben! I'll eat!”

“Of course you will,” Ben said calmly while he started his roundabout circle on Joey's butt again.

“Ben!”

“Joey.”

“Ow! Okay, okay, I'm sorry, all right? I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I'm sorry!”

Immediately, Ben put Joey on his feet, re-arranged his clothes, and pulled a sniffling Joey on his lap. Joey's head sagged on Ben's shoulder while Ben held him tightly.

“I'm sorry. I'm not good at being sick, I guess.”

Ben snorted. “No, you're not.”

“I'm sorry,” Joey sobbed.

“It's okay, sweets. I'm not mad at you.” Ben pulled Joey's bowl with soup over to him, stirred it with the spoon, blew on it and held it out for Joey.

Joey darted a glance between the spoon and Ben. Blushing furiously, he squeaked, “Ben? You're not serious, right?”

Ben looked steadily at Joey, and then said, “Joey, I believe your smarting butt should be answer enough to your question.”

A tear spilled over and rolled down Joey's left cheek as he kept staring incredulously at Ben. “I'll eat, I promise.”

“You had your chance, now you do as I say.” Upon seeing Joey's reluctance and the obvious shame lurking in those large dark eyes, Ben had to gather up all his willpower to stay firm. “Joey, now, please.”

“Ben, please!”

Ben brought the spoon to Joey's lips, nudging them with it. Saucer-like eyes looked at Ben but eventually Joey opened his mouth. Joey swallowed the first spoonful of soup and watched Ben dipping the spoon into the bowl again.

“But Ben!” Joey protested. “I learned my lesson. Please, can I hold the spoon?”

“No. Open your mouth.”

Reluctantly, Joey did as he was told. After swallowing the next spoonful Joey darted a beseeching glance at Ben but kept his mouth shut. Ben's eyes softened. With a sigh, he hugged Joey closer to him. He pressed a kiss to Joey's temple before saying, “Don't ask me again. You do as you're told and that's it. I'm not doing this to humiliate you. Think about it—isn't it nice to sit on my lap, completely relaxed and getting fed?”

Joey snorted and rubbed the trickling tears from his face. “My bum is burning.”

Ben adjusted Joey's position, kissed him on the lips and smiled at him. “And?”

“And nothing.”

“Joey?”

“It's weird and I'm not sure how I feel about it.”

“Okay, that's an honest statement. Now, let's get you fed.”

This time, Joey stopped fussing and pleading and simply allowed Ben to feed him spoon after spoon of soup until the bowl was empty. Afterward, Joey curled up on Ben's lap and hid his face against Ben's chest. In a small voice he said, “I'll eat, you don't have to feed me again.”

“Okay. How about you lie down for a nap while I clean the kitchen and do some stuff around the apartment. We really need to wash some clothes.”

“I don't want to nap. Or at least not alone. Can't I just sit with you? Or... or I could shift and you could carry me around?” Joey looked at Ben hopefully.

“Joey, how am I supposed to do the dishes one-handedly? Come on, sweetheart, get some rest; I promise to hurry and lay down with you, okay?”

Joey pouted but went to the bedroom after Ben patted his butt encouragingly. Ben had just cleared the table when he heard the unmistakable noises of soft paws padding toward him.

“Joeeeeey!”

Joey whimpered and Ben looked down at his feet. Joey in his pup form leaned against his leg, holding a long piece of fabric in his snout. Frowning, Ben bent down, scratched Joey behind his ears and asked, “What is this?”

It's a sling. My mother used it when I was small. I... I still have it because... Anyway, you only have to tie it and then you can carry me around and have both hands free.

“Joey,” Ben sighed.

Pleeeeease.

“God damn it, brat.”

Please, please, please, Joey begged.

“I don't know how to tie it!”

I can tell you. Please?

Ben stared hard at the yipping puppy. Joey pushed himself up on his hind paws, wagged his tail tentatively, and nudged Ben's nose with his own cold puppy nose. Please, Ben.

“Okay, tell me.”

Joey explained to Ben how to tie the sling, and barked in appreciation when Ben lifted him into it. Joey licked Ben's hand before he fell asleep, cradled close to the person he felt safest with in the world. Ben peered down at the slumbering puppy in astonishment from time to time while he did some chores.

Later, Ben sat down on the sofa, intent on untying the sling because it was getting really warm under it. Ben aborted his attempt when he discovered Joey keeping a piece of Ben's shirt in his mouth while his forepaws kneaded Ben's stomach slightly.

“Oh sweets, what am I going to do with you?”

Joey slept on, leaving Ben only the choice of shaking his head in fond amusement. Ben slouched back against the backrest of the sofa and switched on the TV. Before he concentrated on a documentary he muttered, “Don't you dare to pee on me.”

END