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 Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 9:27 am
Summertime... Such a pleasant, melty kinda time of the year. No school, no homework, just freedom! Well, you know, besides having to work, but even then it seemed to go easier! Benji used to love this time of the year when he could leave home for hours and hours on end without anyone bugging the s**t out of him for any reason at all, then coming home late at night to crash in his bed and sleep all the worries away.
That didn't happen any more.
After last year with the whole stupid chaos from his mother, he found himself without a home. Peter was kind enough to let him live with his parents for a while before school started, but that wasn't ever really home. They were welcoming, but he just knew he couldn't stay there for the long term. They were far too different, civilized and rich a** folk, driving things like Tesla's and dropping cash all over the place like it meant nothing. No matter how hard he tried, he just didn't fit in. And after the school year passed he and Peter seemed to grow further and further apart. They didn't hang out anymore, didn't talk, it was work and sleep and school and patrol, but nothing together. Were they even friends anymore?
It didn't matter. Either way, Benji wasn't about to beg that damned rich boy he once loved for anything, it just wasn't his way, and he hated the idea of going back to that mansion his parents had.
But.... What should do then? There was no way in hell he was going back home after what his mom did, and other than Caleb, he didn't have anyone who he was close with...
Even now he sat under an umbrella in front of an ice cream stand in the park, waiting for his partner to arrive to hang out. Caleb was the best thing in his life right now, and he couldn't even deny it.... Yet it was for that same reason he couldn't just out right 'ask' to live with him. What if he ruined what they had by being a horrible roommate...? What if all of the problems he had going on in his head would make Caleb think less of him? Sure, he had spent more than a few nights with him, at his home, in his bed, sleeping in his arms, but that wasn't the same as living with him! <********, why was this so goddamn awkward to think about?! He groaned, crumpling up the napkin he had in his fist and tossed it irritably into the nearby trash can. How the ******** was he supposed to bring this up?!
Okay, he had a few things going for him... He was still in school, and worked full time during the summer so he didn't have to worry about not being able to pay rent... He was clean as ******** and hated a mess so he would be sure to not live like a pig in it's own garbage... And he took up only a little bit of space; everything he owned fit right into his suitcase, and he didn't have anything expensive to worry about except his laptop, and that fit right into it too. Having been in that apartment of Caleb's time and time again, he just knew which corner his stuff would fit right in... But that didn't mean Caleb would say yes.
After Xi-wang and all that nonsense, would he even be willing to share his space with someone again? More and more he began to worry, seriously debating on whether or not it would just be better to camp out in the woods or something else for a while to build up the courage to outright ask Caleb.... School was over soon... And he was just running out of options.
Before he could rehearse just what he was going to say, he saw Caleb coming up and forced away his scowl into a more sunny smile. It wasn't hard to do; the Taller boy always did seem to know how to put a smile on his face.
"Hey! You're late! Not really, you're fine! Here, I got you a drink already." Benji didn't move from his spot in the shade, and picked up the smoothie he bought for his partner. Hopefully he liked the taste.
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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 5:17 pm
It was strange. Having graduated. Knowing that he wouldn’t be going back to the robotics lab any time soon to work on anything…it was all done. Sure he could have stayed on and done the bridge program to get his associates…but when he had managed to get a full, free ride with his Engineering scholarship to DU? Why would he stay to get a piddly little associates?
The talks of the trip to China had been silenced ever since the break up with Xi-Wang, but Caleb still had the offer for the trip somewhere with someone as his graduation present…and he was seriously thinking of asking Benji…though for some reason he was quite sure that Benji…wouldn’t want to go.
He could always go and ask Xi just for the heck of it if Benji said no but…
…But that sounded like a thousand mistakes all rolled into a jelly roll of nope.
When Benji came into view though, it felt like all of his worries melted away, and strange, almost stupid warmth was in his chest, burning brightly and oozing like a campfire s’more.
“Hey there, Partner.” Caleb raised a hand in greeting and sat beside the white haired male, ruffling the soft fluff for a moment before reaching for the offered smoothie. “Thanks. I know you think I’m hot, but wanting to cool me off? Now, that’s just the sign of someone who wants hardcore romance with me.”
Grinning, Caleb took a sip of the cold confection and smacked his lips in appreciation. “Delicious. Just like you.”
He winked and reached for Benji’s hand, curling his fingers around it with ease. “What’s up? Did you want to see me just to buy me a smoothie? Because…I appreciate that, three hundred percent.”
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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 8:22 pm
Caleb always seemed to be brimming with sunlight when they met, atleast when there wasn't something troubling him. That happened so infrequently though these past few months that those sad times felt almost as if it was just a sad dream. The own doubt that filled his mind faded away at the smile and the hair ruffle, and for a moment, all seemed right with the world.
"Pfft, sure sure, you keep thinking that. I just wanted to make sure you don't die of thirst incase I need you to bust me out of prison during my next petty crime. You know, what's the word for it... Self serving and all that." To reassure that everything he said was understood as jest, Benji squeezed the hand that took his and leaned over to press a very brief kiss to Caleb's cheek. He still wasn't comfortable with the affection in public, and it was hot so he pulled his hand away pretty quickly, but only so that he could put both back on the cool surface of his smoothie. Sure, let that be his excuse.
"I swear I'm going to get diabetes with the way you talk. Geesh..." The more Caleb flirted the harder it was to figure out what exactly he wanted to say. Instead of coming out and asking about he, he found himself trying to avoid saying it out right. He hated beating around the bush but... What was he supposed to do?
"Well, I'm stressed out, and seeing your face makes it better. So... Here you are, and I feel better already, so thanks. What have you been up to since you graduated? Thinking about college already? Ugh.... You're so lucky you don't have to live in the dorms. They shut down during the summer, unless you dish out a wad of cash..."
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 5:49 pm
The kiss and the hand squeeze had Caleb grinning like a fool, and he ran his hand through his own hair when his hand was released, coughing quietly, embarrassed.
When Benji mentioned being stressed though, his head snapped towards the shorter boy, and he frowned. “What’s stressing you out, Pookie?” His voice was lowered to a whisper on the nickname, and Caleb took another sip of his smoothie, going over the rest of the things that his partner had said and finally, still frowning he looked at Benji with a somewhat worried expression.
“…You trying to ask to stay with me over the summer, Benji? Because you know you can just flat out say it…I know I’m not that close to your work, but I’d rather have you on my couch or in my bed rather than being homeless or selling your liver on the black market in order to afford the dorms.”
He wouldn’t be the first…boy to live with him anyway, right? So it just made sense…didn’t it? It wouldn’t make that big of a difference. Besides, him and Benji weren’t even…really dating. Still.
The thought bummed him out just a little…but it was okay. He wanted them to be official all around but…he would wait for the other boy to be comfortable too.
“If that’s what you’re asking, then yeah. I just have one favor that I want in return…and if it’s not…well. I still expect this favor from you, okay? It’s a doozie and…and I really hope you agree to it…”
Caleb winked, taking another long sip of smoothie, and then wincing. He placed a hand against his forehead and screwed his face up in pain. “…Brain freeze…”
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2018 1:15 pm
Pookie. Always damned Pookie! While Benji didn't really find himself offended by the name he did redden at it, elbow reaching out to nudge the other in a 'hey!' kinda manner. There were lots of things that Benji wasn't quit sure about doing out in public. Not that he was ashamed just... Shy. Yeah, he was shy, and he hated it, but what could he do? At least Caleb whispered it!
It was as if Caleb could read between every little bit of subtext that left his mouth! God, was he really that obvious?! Or maybe just... They had gotten closer than he had originally realized. They'd gotten used to one another's habits and, well, he wasn't wrong.
"I didn't ask you anything!" Of course, Benji had to protest, refusing to look Caleb in the face anymore as he spoke and choosing instead to watch a woman jogging pass them with a dog on a leash. "But... I mean, I guess if you're offering, that's really nice of you. It will save me a hellava lot of money, and I'll be sure to pay my share of the rent."
That certainly made life so much easier, and he let out the breath he was holding. He had known this had all really stressed him the ******** out, but just how much was surprising. It felt like he could actually think again without that nagging voice saying he was gonna be on the streets. And now that that was so easily taken care of, he looked back to Caleb and half snorted as he watched him suffer from his brainfreeze.
"You'll be fine! Suck the roof of your mouth, it'll go away." Benji reached over and rubbed between Caleb's shoulderblades sympathetically. It sucked, but he was sure it'll past soon enough. "Sure, what do you want me to do? Need me to kill someone? Cuz I'll have to say no, but most anything else, sure."
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:18 pm
He did as Benji said and the pain did lessen quicker than he was used to, leaving Caleb grinning and leaning into Benji’s touch. “Nah. I need you to go on vacation with me. I was supposed to take Xi but…well.” He shrugged. “My parents said if I kept my grades up through high school and got into college they would pay for a friend and myself to go on a trip to…well. Anywhere. And since I got a full ride to DCU, they’re tickled to death and just want to know when we’re going and where I’m going…and they said since I don’t have Xi around anymore that they will go with me…and as uh…as ‘fun’ as it sounds to go on some wonderful two week long trip with my parents…I don’t know. I’d rather just…you know…not.”
He shrugged, looking away and trying very hard to make the whole thing seem like the most…not that big of a deal thing as he could.
“I mean. I was supposed to go to China with Xi but…I didn’t even want to go to China to be honest…it was just for him…but…I’d rather go to Germany. Or Norway. Somewhere nice and romantic. With a lot of history, you know? Or maybe Japan with all of their technology? I really…I don’t know. But…I wanted to know if you wanted to come with me.”
Swallowing, Caleb finally looked back at Benji, wishing he could smother the hope that was rising in his eyes. “It’s not a big deal, but…you wouldn’t have to pay anything, mom and dad have the travel and everything covered, it’s my big…trip gift…thing…so…what do you say, Benji?”
He almost held his breath while waiting for an answer, and wished he could have closed his eyes and crossed his fingers too…but if he wanted it too much…he thought that the shorter male would deny him just to be a jerk. Not that he was a jerk…he just liked being contrary sometimes.
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:41 pm
At first Benji stayed quiet, hand not moving from Caleb's back and moving in small circles. Ah... So he was going to be a replacement... Well... No, he wasn't a replacement. He wasn't Xi-wang, and he never would be anything like that b*****d...
"I see... That's alot of stuff to spring on me all at once... Geesh, Caleb..." His hand pulled away, tucking under his chin as he leaned against the table, thinking. There was way too much to get into for a trip... Time, money... His job. He was already on thin ice since the owner was slowly but surely employing his family and letting people go who didn't meet his expectations.
"I can't say yes right now, Caleb... I mean, sure, I'd love to, just... Not right now. I gotta save up for next semester... I still have my scholarship, but I gotta eat, and pay rent to you. I won't be some mooch, I swear to god." For once he almost felt afraid to look at Caleb and that disappointment that was definitely there. BUT he had another thought, and with in mind he slipped his arm around the taller boy's waist, resting his head on his shoulder. God he hated being so forward like this, but for him, he would. Besides, if anyone had anything to say, they could just go ******** themselves.
"Summertime sucks anyway. It's all full of tourists and bullshit everywhere you go. How about we go during the winter time? Less people, snow everywhere in some places... We get a month off then so we can go and spend New Year's Overseas if you want. And besides, it takes like two months to get a passport and by then it'll already be July and that's when it gets hot as ********, and we'll be surrounded by gross sweaty tourists. And... Uh... I think snow is pretty romantic too so... Will that work for you?" To help ease the blow of disappointment, with a quick glance around to make sure there weren't any eyes on them, Benji pressed a small but lingering kiss to the side of Caleb's neck. "That's the best I can do for now..."
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2018 3:55 pm
The silence worried him and Caleb slowly started wishing that he had kept his mouth shut. Maybe he should have just planned a trip for himself or…or just gone with his parents. And when Benji finally did start speaking, he sounded less than enthused and it took all of Caleb’s strength not to let his shoulders sag and the disappointment show in his face.
The burning in the corners of his eyes? Clearly it was just dusty out here.
He didn’t answer at first, the rejection stinging as bad as a slap to the face…but the suggestion of waiting…kind of made sense. He would have to rush to get a passport…that was true and…and things were nicer in the winter time…not to mention the fact that they would be closer by then. Maybe they would even be dating by then.
He felt Benji’s arm go around him and a small jolt of surprise went through the brunette, his eyes glancing down at the other male in slight confusion.
Benji hated people seeing them being affectionate.
And the kiss on his neck sealed the deal and seemed to make everything okay. Well, Caleb found himself nodding at least. “Yeah. Maybe that does sound like a pretty good idea…still. Why don’t we work on the passport as soon as possible, yeah? Buy that instead of the first month’s rent. Or, I’ll just use your rent money to buy it for you regardless. I want this trip to happen, and if I get you to have the passport, the hard part is over so…we’ll shoot for winter. It’ll be fun.”
Reaching up, Caleb rubbed at his eyes, trying to play it off as simple fatigue, and hoping that Benji hadn’t noticed the built up moisture. “I’m excited to have you living with me though. It’ll be so easy for you to come and comfort me when I ******** something up again…”
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Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 6:52 pm
"We don't need to rush, and I don't want you to pay for any of my s**t. I want to be independent, not some ******** mooch. I can pay for it myself. I can pay for it now, I just don't need your help! I want to be equals. We can live together, I'm happy to do so, but I'll be damned if I'm going to be living there without helping at all." It was always give, give, give from these ******** well off people. First his eye, then a home, then food and now... ********, Benji hated the idea of anyone taking care of him. Sure, maybe they wanted to, but what about what he wanted?!
But he wouldn't let himself scowl or get angry... Not when Caleb was already tearing up at him refusing the offer. It always seemed like the other man went straight towards the worst scenario, like compromise was never a thing. It only made him sigh and scratch at his nose, getting uncomfortable at the unnecessary tears.
"Geesh, Caleb... Are you gonna cry every time you don't get your way?" Not caring who saw, Benji reached up, pushing away Caleb's hand to wipe away any lingering moisture. His gaze was surprisingly nonjudgmental, simply looking a little concerned. "Just because we can't do the big trip now doesn't mean we can go on a smaller trip. I'm sure I can get a week off, and we can go to the beach or a lake or something. Local, cheap, and familiar, so we can not really focus on what's around us but... Each other. How's that sound. I can put in my vacation time, and It'll be just the two of us."
As much as Benji found tears to be annoying at times, Caleb's never seemed to bother him. He hated seeing them, wanted them to stop, and he wanted to be the one to stop them.
To help, maybe even a little bit, he turned Caleb to look straight at him, then leaned to press his lips against the others. ******** who saw, ******** anyone who had anything to say about them, or judged them for anything. Right now, at this moment, he wanted Caleb to know that he was there and unashamed and not going there. And he wanted him to be happy again.
"Mmm... Is that good enough for you..?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 3:36 pm
Caleb frowned, then shrugged slightly. “Okay. Then pay me rent and whatever. It really…” He sighed, shaking his head. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t suggesting that you just move in without helping out. I just…I wanted to make sure you had a place to live, that’s all. If you don’t want me helping with the passport, then fine…you can get it yourself…and I’m not crying.” His voice was suddenly defensive, body stiffening slightly.
This was all turning out worse than his worst idea and he wished he could just rewind the clocks a little and redo everything. But…of course that wouldn’t be possible.
The kiss surprised him, but it seemed to be like balm over his suddenly overwrought nerves, and Caleb melted against it, his arms slipping around Benji loosely. “…Yeah. That’s good enough for me…”
Pulling away slightly, Caleb looked into Benji’s eye and gave a soft, almost tired smile. “…I think that will always be good enough for me, honestly. Your lips always taste so…sweet Pookie…”
He leaned forward again, resting his forehead against Benji’s for a long moment before pulling away. “…Thanks, partner.”
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 5:38 pm
"Sure, alright..." Benji wasn't entirely sure that he believed Caleb on any of that. The crying, if it really was enough what he could promise, was any of it actually enough?
Whether or not that was the case didn't matter. That tired smile and the way their bodies seemed to always naturally fall together was enough for him. It was such a sweet, comforting sensation that those words he knew Caleb wanted to hear near pushed it's way off his tongue...
But not yet.
It was still too soon... So close, but he just knew right now wasn't the time or place.
"Mmm... If you say so... I'll keep trying to taste sweet then... Just a little longer okay? I think a summer vacation with just us, no war, no fighting... That will do wonders and I think we can talk a little bit more then... Because I know that I'm almost there, partner." Before he allowed Caleb to pull away entirely, Benji pressed on more soft, tender kiss to his temple. Once apart, he stood up all the way, giving a small stretch.
"So... Uh... When should I move in? Hehe, I don't have much, less than a full suitcase, so I can come right now if you want. Then maybe we can celebrate tonight with a home cooked meal and... I'm not sure, maybe a little more. I don't have anywhere to be tomorrow, so I'm happy to do whatever you want."
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 7:34 am
Caleb remained sitting there for a moment or two longer, and sighed. “You know. We can’t really have a summer without fighting if we’re having a summer full of justice…”
A smile was threatening to break out on his face and he tried to stay serious, but he couldn’t. Giving a little laugh, he stood as well, slipping his hand into Benji’s without thinking. “Get it? Just us…? Justice…? Look I thought it was a good one…but, yeah. Let’s grab your things and get you moved in, Partner. Or you can grab your things and I can go to the store and get some ice cream for the celebration that we’re going to have tonight. Though I don’t think it has to be a home cooked meal…I have a place I can order some food from. But if you want to cook, Benji, then be my guest.”
Leaning over, Caleb brushed his lips lightly against the shorter boy’s temple and even though he was disappointed…he was optimistic too. Maybe this would be a good thing.
Heck. Maybe they’d even start really dating soon.
“Come on, Partner. Let’s go home.”
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