|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 4:59 pm
Through his date, and all through the rest of the night, Benji couldn't take his mind off of Caleb. It was hard to ignore the fact that while they had been having fun, it all suddenly went sour, and the other boy just left without another word.
How badly Benji wished he had followed him! How could he have been such a shitty friend to just leave him behind like that? By the time the date was over, the sky had gone dark and there was no sign of Caleb anywhere. It made sense though, hours had passed... There was no way he'd still be here... Hell, Benji would have left himself if that was the case!
The walk home had him way too worried to just go in quiet as he normally did. He was anxious, and while part of him wanted to power out, he knew that was a horrible idea to try to stay out any later. There was no way the Negaverse wasn't out and about tonight, and quite frankly, he had no desire in the least to deal with any of them...
So there he sad, waiting at the bus stop and ever so anxiously tapping his foot, scrolling through name after name but always landing on Pretty eyed Caleb... Ah, ******** it, he could at least try to reach out to him. If things had ended up as horribly as he thought, he'd want someone to talk to. And honestly, even if Caleb came off strong, he deserved the same.
Hey, It's Benji. You Okay? You need anything? It's late but I'm still out and about.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 6:55 pm
Caleb hadn’t noticed that his phone was dead until late the next morning. He had slept on the floor near the door, his back against the wall, curled up around the discarded key. It was one of the only things he could think of to keep him close to Xi. Not that he wanted to be close to Xi but.
But.
He hurt.
It was nearly noon when the male finally was able to pull himself to his feet. He walked slowly to the kitchen feeling unwelcome and unhappy in his own house. For a moment he had the urge just to leave. To move into the lab at school and just be done with all of this...but…
But this was his home. He wasn’t going to abandon it just because.
Well. Just because of some bad memories.
It took a few minutes for the phone to get enough power to turn itself back on, and when it did the brunette stared at the message in confusion for a few moments. Pookie? Who was Pookie? Slowly, as though his thoughts were iced molasses, the answer came to him and he picked the phone up and sighed, typing back a response.
‘Hey. Sorry for the wait. My phone died and I guess I didn’t realize. Hope your night went well.’
Caleb raked his eyes across the living room again and slowly moved back to his spot against the wall by the door.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 7:46 pm
When no reply came last night, Benji gave up, figuring that maybe Caleb had just gone to bed. What was the point of waiting up al night for a text that was never going to come?
Day came again, and Benji was just leaving class when he finally got a reasponse. At first his eyes lit up, a little excited to get a response and confirmation that his friend had made it home safe, yet it didn't take long for that smile he had to fade as even the text seemed to feel off.
Naw, everything was alright for sure. He was just being paranoid.
Naw, man, it's fine. Last night was meh. Wanna go grab lunch or something? If you're not feeling too hot, I can bring something over. I guess it's a little weird though, asking to come over when you just met me. sweatdrop Whatever though. If you need me, call me. Okay? Last night seemed pretty shitty so if I can make it better, I got your back.
Did that come off too pushy? Benji's thumb hovered over the send button for a few seconds before just sighing and pushing it. When he was depressed over Ptolemaeus, he knew things would have been better if someone had worried about him. After that being as depressing as it was, he truly didn't want to see Caleb as miserable as he had been.
If not, I can order a pizza or something to go to your house. My work owes me a favor and can get you a free one, no sweat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 8:45 pm
When the phone buzzed, Caleb glanced at it and wasn’t quite sure what to reply. Did he want someone to come over? Did he want food?
No, he didn’t want food, and that in itself was a strange and unusual thing. Caleb loved food. Lived for it, most of the time…but right now.
He kind of just wanted to sit here and wither away to nothing.
Finally he sighed and shrugged to himself. ‘Thanks for the offer…I’m not really hungry. I’m not sure if I want company or not…we broke up last night and…I’m not really…’
Caleb sent the message without really thinking about it, then just slumped again, swallowing. ‘He didn’t even apologize. I told him he could have a week to get his stuff together and find somewhere else to live…and he just threw his stuff into bags and left last night…I’m…kind of just in a ball right now. Not that you needed to know that but…there we are.’
He was pathetic. He knew that he was pathetic, but he didn’t feel that he could do anything to change that fact.
‘I feel like…I ******** up.’
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:55 pm
Hungry or not dude, you need to eat something. I'm not asking you to go out and party, but you still need to take care of yourself. As Benji typed, he felt himself scoffing lightly at himself more than anyone else. Back then he didn't even take his own advice, so in his mind it was kinda shitty to be a hypocrite... This wasn't about him in the least though, so he kept his thoughts to himself.
It took a second for him to check his phone, shifting bags and books around so he could finally leave the classroom, but when he did, he only sighed. Damn... Poor Caleb..
Dude, seriously, let me come over atleast for a bit. This is the time when you cry and moan and b***h with your friends, venting about how this isn't your fault. And I'm pretty damned sure you have a good reason as to why it's not so... Yeah. Where do you live? I can be there in an hour or so.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 5:52 pm
Caleb really didn’t want to have Benji over...but at the same time he just didn’t have the energy to argue, so with a sigh he texted the other male his address. ‘Just...let yourself in, I guess. I’ll leave the door unlocked. I’ll be somewhere, I’m sure.’
He just wasn’t sure where. Right now the whole apartment felt like some messed up game of “The Floor Is Lava”, with images of himself and Xi-Wang invading his mind everywhere he looked. This was stupid. This was his home...and he shouldn’t be unhappy to be there. But...he was.
With a sigh the brunette pushed himself up and made his way to the bathroom, fully intending to take a shower before Benji got there, also fully intending to clean up a little...but that didn’t end up happening. The shower took almost a full hour, involving more zoning out than Caleb would have ever admitted, and only stopping when the water suddenly ran cold.
Well. Damn. So it really was possible to run out of hot water...interesting.
He got himself dressed and made his way back to the couch, flopping down, his wet hair hanging limply against his face, eyes on the door.
Benji would be there soon...but at the same time, he hoped that perhaps Xi would end up walking through, and that this could be fixed...but…
That was a pipe dream. Nothing more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 8:37 am
"Oh thank ******** god..." Benji muttered under his breath as Caleb gave into his suggestion. He didn't know Caleb very well in the least, so for a bit his mind went to the darkest places possible, imagining what Caleb would have done with a broken heart. And while he didn't want to think he was like that, if freaked him the ******** out until he received the address.
Okay, cool, I'll be there soon. Hope you have room for lava cake, cuz we're getting some ******** lava cake. With that, he finally made it to his motorcycle in all of it's raggedy glory, and put his helmet on, managing a smile. Maybe that would be a great idea too. Eat, then go for a ride. Going fast and breaking the speed limit was always distressing, and if not, then Caleb could forget all about whoever the ******** his boyfriend was by being scared out of his mind by Benji's insane driving.
Yeah... That sounded like an excellent plan. A quick rev of the engine and Benji was off, heading to his work place.
---
Papi Pedro's Tacos and Pizza was a strange place to work. A person typically went out for tacos OR pizza, not both, but Pedro liked to have it all. And when Benji arrived, explaining the situation to his boss, Pedro knew exactly what to give.
"Nothing curse heartache better than a famous taco pizza!! AHAHAHA!" he had laughed out loud while starting it, piling it up high with all sorts of toppings and placing containers with extra sour cream, hot sauce and salsa all to the side. It didn't take long at all before Benji's arms were filled with an extra large taco pizza, extra nacho chips and cheese, and four of their lava cakes, with an extra bit of chocolate sauce to drizzle on top. All in all, yeah, Benji thought this was excessive, but... Hell, why not? It wasn't as if he knew anything about heartbreak and how to handle it properly. Maybe the old man did.
After carefully balancing the food on his hip, he started the slow ride to Caleb's apartment, every now and then looking down to make sure everything was still hunkydoory. By the time he arrived, his arm was numb and his hip was hurting, but he had MADE IT!
And just like Caleb said, the door was open, so he went right in, and almost squeaked out loud when met with those pretty pretty eyes staring straight at him in a most miserable way possible. <********, dude, you scared the s**t out of me!" A half nervous chuckle filled the otherwise quiet room as Benji let himself in, closing the door behind him with his foot and then walking over to the kitchen area and setting all the food down. It took a second working the straps, but Benji finally managed to get his own helmet off, shaking out his ivory hair and letting it fall to his shoulders in it's ever-poofy manner. Didn't look the best, but who cares, he wasn't trying to impress anyone.
"... Are you wet? What, did you just come out the shower? Where's the towels, geesh..." Without even asking for permission, Benji made the assumption that Caleb was the same as every other person in this city and kept his extra towels in the linen closet. And Boom, there they were. He picked out the fluffiest one he could and came right back over to Caleb, dropping it on his head and giving it a good rubbing down.
"You're going to get sick just sitting around all wet during winter. What did I say about taking care of yourself?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 8:51 am
Caleb blinked when the door opened, and for a second he felt his heart flutter, but…it was Benji. Not that he hadn’t been expecting this. He had told the other boy to come over. Well, been pushed into it but…that didn’t matter. He was here now and he had brought food…
Whatever it was filled the apartment with its smell and for a moment Caleb’s stomach rebelled, squeezing and twisting and letting out a loud gurgle.
It wanted the food, but at the same time…didn’t. At all.
Thankfully the moment of growling stomach was when Benji was rummaging in his closet for something, so the chances of him having heard was minimal. “Yeah. I got a shower. Figured you wouldn’t want to smell me…ran out of hot water too, didn’t think that was something that actually happened in real life.”
He scrunched his face up when the towel landed on his head, but he had to admit it felt nice, the way that Benji was trying to dry his hair, and Caleb’s eyes closed of their own accord. “Uh. Thanks. I just…I didn’t mean to take so much time in the shower so I just threw on clothes and waited for you…I’m not…not trying to take care of myself…” Though…he could get used to being taken care of like this if it was going to become something that happened often.
“You brought a lot of food, hm? It smells…interesting. What is it?” And of course his stomach chose that moment to make another loud gurgle. With a grimace Caleb reached down and covered it with his arms, hoping to stifle any further complaints it might have.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:11 am
"Awww, you showed for me? How considerate! But yeah, even in this day and age, you'd be surprised how cold it gets. Like bating in an ice bucket." Benji's voice was teasing as he continued to rub at Caleb's hair. The towel shifted in his hands a bit as he rotated it around in an attempt to get up all the water he could. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't done this for anyone since his little brother was in diapers. It was nice in a way, taking care of someone else.
Once he was done with that, he pulled the towel away, using a free hand to tilt Caleb's chin up. It all seemed dry, or as dry as it could be. He did take a moment though to rub a little bit more before throwing the towel over his shoulder.
"Good... Good, I'm glad to hear that, though when was the last time you ate? Your stomach is whining pretty bad right now." It was hard to ignore the hands that suddenly moved to try to hide a gurgle, and hearing it happening again only made Benji smile. Sweet, the pizza was a good idea! But before he would let Caleb up, he began to run his fingers through the chestnut brown locks of hair. Nothing fancy, of course, only slowly threading his fingers through to make sure it wasn't tangled or anything, plus it helped to get out any of the remaining water he might have missed.
"Don't it though? It's taco pizza. Basically a taco, but on a pizza. Plus some dessert too. I got it from where I work, boss man made it nice and fresh. You ready to eat some?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:18 am
There was a soft snort of laughter at Benji’s sarcasm and Caleb shrugged. “Next time I won’t, then. I’ll just. Stink. And my smell will haunt your dreams for the rest of your life, Benji.”
Caleb swallowed when he felt the other male’s hand under his chin, and for a moment he was almost confused. There was too many conflicting emotions going on and he wondered for a moment if the white haired male was about to kiss him…not that…not that he wanted a kiss…or at least he didn’t…know if he did but.
“I um…” His eyes closed again when the fingers began threading themselves through his hair and a contented sigh escaped him. “I had a few bites of bread yesterday with you…”
The rest of Benji’s words were lost on him as his hair was played with, it felt nice and Caleb felt whatever tenseness remained in his body leaving it swiftly and he all but melted against Benji. “Yeah…Let’s eat some…”
So long as he didn’t stop playing with his hair anytime soon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kapoodles rolled 1 6-sided dice:
2
Total: 2 (1-6)
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:20 am
Ah, he laughed, good good. So far so ******** good. He wasn't sure just how well he was going to do at cheering someone up, but a bit of laughter was as good a sign as any in his opinion.
Honestly, he expected his hand to be pushed away, to be told to just leave Caleb alone and eat pizza in quiet but the way that the other just sighed seemed to say otherwise. Those pretty eyes closed again and it looked like whatever was troubling him, the break up of course, seemed to slip away for a few moments. It was more than a little encouraging, and even though he had fixed the soft damp locks as best he could, Benji kept going.
"Only a few bites, huh? Geesh... Yesterday must have been hell... I'm sorry. But I'm here now, to help. And if you need me, well, you know." While Caleb's eyes had been closed, Benji just seemed to naturally draw closer, leaning down to gaze more properly at him. He was a very handsome young man, all things considered... And not only that, he allowed Benji to tend to him, none of it feeling awkward as he did so either. It all felt incredibly natural, as if they had been like this for a long time. So much so that when the gap between the closed and their lips briefly brushed against one another, he didn't freak out.
Maybe he lingered a little too closely, for he could even feel Caleb's breath against his own soft skin. Still he didn't pull away... ********, why didn't he pull away? His body forced him to stay there, half leaned over Caleb, fingers still threaded in his hair and eyes half closed as it took some time to register what he had done. And when it did finally register, it didn't even seem like something he should worry about.
"Well.." His voice came out softly, almost on a single breath and a small smile graced his lips. "If you want to eat, I need to move away... Do you want me to?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:49 am
“Well, you saw how much I managed to eat before…” He sighed. “Before I left…” There was a soft pressure on his lips a moment later and Caleb’s eyes flew open, unable to quiet believe what he thought might have just happened. And…when he saw Benji so close, his honey colored eye watching him and looking quiet…pleased…he wasn’t sure what to do.
“I…”
His heart had begun to beat just a little quicker and one hand came up from where he was still covering his stomach and he rested his fingertips on his own lips. “You…what?”
There was confusion in his face and his mind didn’t seem to be able to process what had just happened. It went blank. A wall seemed to come down between what had happened and the feelings that had come to pass…and whatever rational thought he had.
Benji’s breath was so warm against his face and swallowing, he could only shrug. “I…I don’t want you to be a rebound…I don’t know…if we should do this right now…”
Even though he wanted it. He wanted his thoughts to be drowned out by kisses from this boy who he had only met yesterday. He wanted to do stupid, reckless things and forget the break up. He wanted to just forget everything…but…taking advantage of a friend…
Felt wrong.
It would be better to just go out and face a horde of youma or a bunch of Negaverse Generals…but…
“You’re the only friend I have…” The words sounded like an excuse, and he knew that the desire to keep going was there, knew by the way his fingers were curling themselves around Benji's shirt, unwilling to let him pull away but...
Now wasn't the time. Now couldn't be the time...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 10:19 am
"I what?" His own panic was slowly starting settle in his chest as Caleb's expression seemed just as confused as he did. Immediately Benji regretted having done that, but did his best to keep it to himself, face quickly turning red as fingers began to grasp at his shirt.
So badly he wanted to jump away from Caleb, make up some bullshit of it being a mistake and apologizing for kissing him in this state like some kinda douche bag looking for a hook up. It wasn't something he ever wanted to do to anyone, use them for some sort of release from his own loneliness. Everything had felt so right at that brief moment, something right out of a movie or a book, yet obviously things didn't work out that way. This wasn't some ******** fairy tale! And not only that, he wasn't sorry he kissed him. Nope, not in the least.
What he did regret was coming off like some loose tailed buzzard, there to scoop up the remains of a broken relationship do find some comfort for himself.
But there it was. That same goddamn thing he heard time and time again. You're the only friend I have.... He hadn't expected it to burn as badly as it did, though that pain wasn't really reflected on his face. Yes, the situation was strange, Caleb having met him in such weird circumstances, and then breaking up with his boyfriend and all that, and Yes, Benji was lonely, his own heart wanting someone to finally want him the way he wanted them, but ******** this all. As drawn as he was to Caleb, this wasn't a good time. And the way it sounded, it was just going to end up like how he was with Peter. Friends and nothing more.
That was fine. This wasn't the first time, so... Yeah. Benji tried to convince himself over and over in his head that it would be fine, that it was even expected at this point, and forced out a smile.
"Caleb." He started firmly, hands finally leaving his hair to rest onto of the ones that grasped at his clothes and pry them away. While his face felt like someone had lit it on fire, he was doing his best to stay calm. Caleb really didn't need anything else crazy going on. "It's fine. I wasn't looking for anything like that. You seemed... Relaxed, and it just sorta happened. I couldn't help it."
Benji put Caleb's hands on the sides of his legs, away from any more places he could grab, then walked away to grab the box of pizza, some of the napkins and then came right back.
"It's okay, honest to goodness it's okay." Again, he insisted, putting the pizza on the table in front of them before plopping beside Caleb on the couch.
"Besides, I haven't had sex before, and this isn't my whole 'idea' situation' for it so... Yeah, it wouldn't go any further. And you're right, I don't want to be a ******** rebound, so if you want it, work for it." At some point between the kitchen and the couch Benji managed to calm himself down, voice returning to its teasing tone far more quickly than he had expected. "Now come on, eat something. I can hear your gut protesting even over my loudass voice."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 3:31 pm
The hand on his hair was gone, and suddenly Benji was moving Caleb’s hand so it was no longer clutching his shirt.
No.
Things were being said that he couldn’t follow and suddenly Benji was no longer close to him.
Come back.
Caleb felt tears begin to p***k at the corners of his eyes and for a moment he couldn’t breathe. When Benji sat down again he felt calmer for a moment, but when the words registered. When the harshness of what he was saying made its way to Caleb’s muddled brain…
It hurt.
Two tears slid down his cheeks and he tried to curl into a ball. Tried to just…make himself cease to exist. “I’ve never had sex either…I just. I never…I didn’t…”
He wished he had never invited Benji in. There had been a spark between them yesterday, and at least now he knew that Benji had felt it too…but…
“I’m not really hungry…I’m sorry, Benji I…I’m just not hungry.” His voice was hoarse and he wasn’t sure what to do. The room felt as though it were spinning and there was just…nothing solid. Nothing to grasp on to. And at this moment…he was quite sure there never would be anything solid again.
“I’m so sorry…”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 6:56 pm
Guilt set in heavy, and without hesitating Benji put his arms around the now crying boy, pulling him close as he could from where he was sitting.
"It's okay, there's nothing you need to apologize to me for, okay? I'm sorry too, I wanted to be here to cheer you up, not this..." He moved his fingers in small, gentle circles against Caleb's back, tucking his head against his neck to give a gentle nuzzle there. Ugh... He felt like s**t for doing this, maybe he could make it better somehow...
"I won't force you to eat either. Just take your time. Cry if you have to, I'm right here for you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
