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     Surprise Visit (Ben)

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    Tess Holmes

    Tess Holmes

    Healer In Training


    Surprise Visit (Ben)  Empty
    PostSubject: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptyThu Apr 12 2018, 23:31



    A New Year and it already seemed to start a bit shakier than she ever expected. For one thing Rhian was avoiding her. It had really been understandable considering the heartbreak that she had dealt with. During that Christmas Party, the ugly truth came out and her best friend found out unfortunately how immature she was, at least emotionally. Tess remembered exactly when she and Ben snuck out and overheard their argument. The way it rose and fell, she felt herself tearing a bit at the whole mess. Neither were happy, but she found herself kicking everyone out the moment that it was clear it would not have a happy ending. In turn, Ben did the same, only for them to hide out in his room to let Connor return to his bedroom with this idiotic girlfriend.

    That night, Tess had allowed herself to show just how much she hurt for her friend. Surprisingly Ben had been nothing but kind and allowed her to have that privacy that she had not asked for but needed. That night, he awkwardly waved her goodbye as she left. Since then, she found herself apparating to her father's estate to travel to France for the holidays.

    For the most part she allowed herself to try and enjoy, but at the back of her head Rhian rang loud and clear. She had tried to communicate but no avail. So when she returned she found herself promptly being shut down. First with the excuse of school, but it was clear that Rhian wanted to power through this alone.  So she found herself letting her friend figure this out herself.


    Otter 1,

    I know that you're going through a lot, so I won't push, but if you are ready to talk, I'll be here waiting. Remember, I'm in it for the long haul. Please contact me.

    Always floating near you,

    Otter 2



    So four days into the New Year and winter vacation nearly ending, she found herself prepping for bed. She wore a large quidditch shirt that belonged to her brother Winston. It resembled a dress more than anything and she found nothing more comforting that knee high socks, and a large Slytherin Quidditch t-shirt. She tried to curl up and read, but it was clear she needed some rest. Turning off all the candles, she found herself curling up in the middle of her bed under a large pile of pillows blankets.


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    Benjamin Watson

    Benjamin Watson

    Potioneer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptyFri Apr 13 2018, 00:02

    Not even two weeks after the disaster of Christmas, and Ben still couldn't shake the cloud hanging around his flat. It was like a tangible object that he batted away at with his hand whenever it drew near. First, dealing with the pair of them - Connor and Claire - being all hush hush the next day. Then it was as if Connor spent as little time as possible at the flat during the day. Not one to usually have to poke the badger to get information, Ben wasn't quite sure how to proceed.

    He focused on his work. And tried not to think too much about other people and their silly little minds. But one of his least favorite days of the year was upon them and he was growing - what some people would call - worried.

    It had started their first year. Ben had watched other children during the fall receive gifts and throw parties for their birthdays. Never having spent much time around others his own age before school, he'd never really understood that they were cause to celebrate. Oh, it was acknowledged, that he was now a year older, and that it was the anniversary of when he came into this world. But the cake and the ribbons and all that, it just wasn't done.

    Connor had somehow picked up on his curiosity, his confusion, and somehow wheedled Ben's birthday out of him. Every year since, the Hufflepuff had made a day of it. Nothing silly. Just a day that was mostly devoted to what Ben wanted to do, what he thought of as fun. One time they spent the who day combing the Forbidden Forrest for a rare plant he wanted to study. Another they sat in the library for hours playing chess, even though Connor was horrid at it.

    It was...nice. And Ben had grown to understand that, in his way, Connor was showing how he cared for him. They didn't have to get all weird about it. It was actually as the day was looming, Ben becoming increasingly anxious, that he realized what was bothering him so much.

    Connor had gone off on some stupid mini-vacation with that dumb girl and wouldn't be back until the day after his birthday, late.

    It was nearing midnight, he was going to be twenty-one, and he found himself on the roof of a nice building of flats in London. It hadn't been hard to find out where Tess lived, really. People were easy to track when they didn't think about it. But he didn't have a key, and she probably was asleep, and he really had no other way. Looking over the side of the building, he could see the balcony rather easily.

    A swift drop and he was down on it, looking through some glass. Really, she should learn to lock the door out here, even on the penthouse floor. He was inside in a minute, shutting it quietly. Looking around, he noticed all the lights off and a gentle quiet about the flat, his brow furrowed.

    Is she already asleep? It really wasn't that late, after all. He maneuvered the rooms easily until he found the door to her room wide open. She was bombarded with pillows and blankets, almost hidden completely underneath it all. Ben paused, for the first time realizing that this might not have been a good idea. He sat quietly in a chair next to the door, head in his hands. He would leave in a minute, he told himself. Just needed to figure out why he was here to begin with.
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    Tess Holmes

    Tess Holmes

    Healer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptyFri Apr 13 2018, 00:14



    Tess had dozed off a lot quicker than she had ever expected to. Typically she would close her eyes and let her mind wanter before succumbing to sleep, but this was not the case today. After prepping over some classes, her brain simply shut off and she succumb to the tiredness. But there was one thing that always tended to prevent her from sleeping properly: she was a light sleeper.

    Since her younger years, she always found herself only falling asleep in complete silence, and she easily woke up with any noise. To be perfectly honest, it started when Winston had a pranking phase, and her irrational fears took over that forced her to awaken at any moment. After that phase passed, she still kept the habit of doing so. Even when she had moved and disliked being completely alone.

    Tonight it seemed that she woke up the moment she heard a door creak open. It was as if a fog was slowly lifting and she found herself tensing up. Her ears perked up trying to catch if there was actually someone there. But as she heard a sigh, she found herself slowly lifting her head. The pillows covered her to a certain degree, and she found herself blindly searching for her wand. Instead she found her glasses. As her eyes adjusted, she groggily sat up and grabbed her blanket tightly around her.

    "Ben?" she whispered softly, wondering what was going on. "Ben is that you?" blinking a few times she stretched lazily and crawled over to the end of the bed realizing she wasn't imagining it. "Is something wrong?"

    What could have caused him to visit? How did he know where she even lived? The more her brain tended to wake up, the more questions began to rise.

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    Benjamin Watson

    Benjamin Watson

    Potioneer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 00:24

    His name drifted through his thoughts, soft in the quiet room. Head lifting slowly, Ben saw Tess sitting up, facing him. He must not have been as quiet as he'd thought he was. She repeated his name and this brow furrowed. People were weird when they just woke up, he decided.

    She must have answered her own question, because she moved closer to him, posing another. The words "I don't know" stuck in his throat. He rarely ever used them, and never with someone he'd known as little as he knew her. Hell, he didn't even know why he was here, exactly. The idea had popped into his head as he wandered the streets near his own flat, and his feet had just started moving in this direction.

    His now empty hands balled into fists as uncertainty rolled through him in waves. He was supposed to have answers, that's what he did. When there was a question or a problem, he would search and test, experiment and record, until he came to a conclusion. But....how was he supposed to do that now if he didn't know exactly where to start?

    "Connor's on vacation." It was an answer, it wasn't even a conversation, really. Just a fact.


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    Tess Holmes

    Tess Holmes

    Healer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 00:45



    The fog of confusion was slowly floating away as she watched her fake boyfriend sat quietly across from her bed. She found herself shifting positions and crossing her legs waiting for him to talk. And when nothing happened she tried to calm down her anxiety levels. If it was something urgent he would have said something.

    But it was when he uttered his phrase she paused. Ben’d statement was a simple one but it obviously carried a lot of emotional toil within him. She knew how he was a bit co-dependent with Connor and they’re relationship was odd. But as she properly lit the candles in her room, she found herself wishing to fix whatever was going on. The date was easy enough to guess; she had heard it in passing before.

    There were moments when Rhian would express frustration at Connor’s unavailability due to his “stupid birthday tradition” that meant he would laze around or do something stupid. ‘Always for Ben’

    So getting up she awkwardly bent down to catch his gaze and smiled a bit shyly. It was a weird moment here. Uncharted territory for sure so she clasped his hands tentatively.

    “Want to do something? Hungry?”
    Her voice was soft and sincere seemingly not wanting to ruin this.
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    Benjamin Watson

    Benjamin Watson

    Potioneer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 01:01

    Ben's eyes tracked Tess as she stood from her bed and moved over towards him. She had glasses on, something he'd never seen her do before, and it changed her face in an unexpected way. While her eyes would be considered a bit on the large size to some, the frames made them appear more normal. Not that Ben really cared.

    It was strange, though, to see her in sleeping attire. He hadn't ever given thought to what girls slept in, since his own parents always dressed completely before leaving their rooms for the day. It wasn't until he'd moved out, spending time in the dorms before sharing the flat with Connor, that Ben had learned to enjoy working while in his pajamas. But it found it a bit silly that she wore the overlarge shirt as something like a dress. And the socks made the corner of his mouth twitch in an almost smile.

    So caught up in evaluation, he hadn't realized how close she'd gotten until he felt her hands on his own, his eyes widening. Again with the touching, he didn't understand why it made his skin tingle.

    He felt his head moving before he realized. "Sure," his response was slower. Why was she being so nice?
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    Tess Holmes

    Tess Holmes

    Healer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 01:19



    Tess' expression shifted a bit to curious and a bit worried. Ben was never really a talker to begin it, but when he spoke there was obvious thought within his pauses. This time around, each phrase or answer seemed a bit distracted. It was not one of nonchalance, she had seen that before; rather it seemed like something was roaming in his head.

    She frowned thinking now how Connor was being so selfish in simply leaving his friend.'Blondes can never be trusted' she thought annoyed. The calendar on the wall behind Ben was clear enough for her what the date meant. So instead she tugged him from her chair and took him towards the kitchen.

    Rather than having all the candles turn on and bombard her senses, she kept the bare minimum lit, allowing her eyes to slowly adjust to waking up. Leading him to her kitchen she placed him on her kitchen island before she rummaged through her things.

    It seemed that in her wish to make him more responsive she had forgotten something important; she was a shitty cook. Growing up in a place where you would never lift a finger, she was just never taught to cook. She knew how to make basics: cereal, milk, biscuits, a sandwich? She found bacon, some lettuce, and bread and she found herself properly setting up her station. It seemed silly, but she found herself being a bit domestic with him.

    She didn't prod or ask questions, instead she let his mind properly set and let him talk when he was good and ready. So in the meantime she sizzled the bacon till it was crispy, toasted the bread, and placed everything in an overpriced plate. Sliding it his way, she hopped to reach an already started bottle of wine and poured two glasses.

    'Hell if I'm going to be kept awake, might as well drink wine' she thought to herself. So as she took her first sip she sighed and hopped on the counter across from him to properly take the man in.

    "Eat Ben" she said a bit firmly. He looked a bit paler than usual and in this light she could really take in that he wasn't in the right state.

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    Benjamin Watson

    Benjamin Watson

    Potioneer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 01:43

    Ben followed Tess as she stood, noting how much shorter she was than him, especially without shoes of any kind. She would come up to almost his chin, he figured, if they got close enough to find out. But as the thought came to him, she was leading them out into the kitchen. He sat in the seat he was directed to, not really having energy to do much else.

    It was strange, seeing her moving about the kitchen. Connor did a good portion of the cooking at their house. Okay...most of it. When Ben did fend for himself, it was usually stuff he didn't have to cook in any way. Or he would get takeout. While potions was his forte, he had never had the need to learn the proper way to cook anything. Tess had a similar upbringing, he expected, so he was a bit surprised to see her using the stove. The smell of bacon filled his senses and he felt an unknown tension within himself release.

    The food didn't take long, and before he knew it Ben had a sandwich in front of him. Picking it up automatically, he took a tentative bite. It was actually rather good, simple as it was. Honestly, simple was better right now. It was a few bites later that he saw her sitting on the other counter, a glass in her hand and her eyes on him.

    Imagining the scene, he could admit this was a bit odd. He swallowed his mouthful, "Aren't you going to eat?" He wondered if there was some sort of social rule about this sort of thing. Though it was highly unlikely, as breaking and entering your pretend girlfriends flat was not high on the to-do list for most Purebloods.

    Speaking of. "You need to lock your balcony doors."
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    Tess Holmes

    Tess Holmes

    Healer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 01:54



    If she was perfectly honest, she was very pleased at the fact that he was eating his sandwich. With the bites he was taking, she realized how he might not have eaten. She gripped her wine glass tightly, and she wondered exactly how often he just prevented himself from properly eaten. Did he depend on Connor to cook for him? She leaned against the kitchen wall allowing the cold tile to cool her back. Her feet dangled comfortably as she sipped her wine.

    "Aren't you going to eat?" he asked and she shook her head.

    "I had eaten before you came in. I try not to eat too late, can't sleep afterwards" she explained but signaled that she was nursing something more important. To be perfectly honest, she had stopped eating at night due to how much weight she had gained in Hogwarts from her and Rhian's midnight runs to the kitchens. Rhian stayed petite as always and she in turn found herself having chubbier cheeks than she'd like. So as soon as she graduated she prevented herself from eating delicious things at night.

    "Ben when was the last time you ate?" she found herself asking out of the blue.

    It was a worrying thought for two reasons: one - he needed to eat everyday and two- why did she even care that he wasn't being fed. Since when did she consider herself a nurturing type? She wasn't.  Her own train of thought ended as soon as his next comment popped up.

    "You need to lock your balcony doors."

    A confused expression rose from her face and she tilted her head to take in that comment. Did she hear right?

    "O-okay?" she replied a bit unsure herself. That is until she looked at the door and saw that all the locks were in place. "Ben...not that I mind your visit, but just how did you get in?"

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    Benjamin Watson

    Benjamin Watson

    Potioneer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 02:09

    Ah yes, wine. Ben had tried the stuff before, but he'd found it much to bitter for such little alcohol content. If his mental capacity was going to be tampered with, it might as well happen fast enough that he didn't have to taste it as well. Harder liquors usually did the trick. Because of that, he didn't often drink for pleasure.

    Her question paused him mid chew as his eyes rose to hers. He continued eating as he calculated. Connor had left yesterday morning, having skipped Thursday and Friday classes. Ben had grabbed something on the way home from classes that day, and he'd gotten an owl that his Friday class had been canceled due to the professor being ill. There may have been some chips here and there, but not much else.

    Stuffing the last bit into his mouth, he had the awareness to look a bit sheepish. "I don't need that much." He'd had this argument countless times with his roommate, but his habits had yet to change.

    Merlin, she had a lot of questions. His ears started to heat up as she pieced things together. Instead of sitting there to be stared at, Ben picked up his plate and moved to her sink, rinsing it off. There was a dish rack next to it where he placed it to dry. He gripped the edge of the sink as he looked down in it, a bit embarrassed of telling her.

    "It was easy to reason you wouldn't answer the door. So...I Apparated to the roof and hopped down." He could almost hear his friend yelling at him in his head. Or at least how he would have, if he was around to do so. A strange ache in his chest drew his attention and he rubbed at it absent-mindedly.
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    Tess Holmes

    Tess Holmes

    Healer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 02:24



    When he didn't grab anything to drink, not water or anything, she found herself grabbing the 'good stuff'. She slid the whiskey she saved for Mycroft his way along with a cup. If he was not going to become talkative there was typically only one solution. Alcohol. She always thought that a good drink could relax someone and could make a day a bit less painful or frustrating.

    But when he looked a bit sheepish at her question she shook her head. It seemed that he had odd eating habits. Not that she should care, but it was a bit worrying especially with a hectic schedule. 'You're becoming a Healer, that's why you care' her mind reasoned. Liking that reasoning she found herself buying into it. It was perfectly logical and took no account to sentiment which she was appreciative about.

    She was going to offer him more food, perhaps another sandwich, but as he moved to wash the dishes, she found it a bit amusing that he used the sink with more professional use than she even did. Usually she would end up with too many bubbles and an uncomfortable wet shirt. 'Domestic goddess, that's what you are' her own mind teased.

    When he had his back to her, she found herself taking in his confession of his break in. "It was easy to reason you wouldn't answer the door. So...I Apparated to the roof and hopped down." Pausing briefly she had more questions immediately pop up. Such as 'How did you know where I even lived?' and 'Do...do you do that often? Was this your first visit that I caught you?' But she found herself biting her tongue. She wished to avoid that situation that would probably have him treat her like an idiot for asking 'stupid' questions.

    So instead she found herself going "Oh-oh?" high pitched not hiding her surprise. She forced herself to control her surprise and instead took a long sip of wine hoping to take it all in in a way that he wouldn't get spooked off.

    "Well then, that explains a lot" it didn't. "I'm glad you visited me though" she began and smiled shyly even if he hadn't even turned to face her. "I admit I was feeling a bit lonely myself so that's why I went to bed so early. I miss my best friend. She's unavailable" she trailed off a bit embarrassed but feeling that she was catching what was wrong.


    So she found herself walking closer and placing her hand tentatively over one of his in hopes of getting his attention. "So I'm really glad you thought of me." Her cheeks reddened a bit at the admission. "Sometimes it's too quiet isn't it? Sometimes you need some companionship, from the most simple of days to the most important. Am I being silly?"


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    Benjamin Watson

    Benjamin Watson

    Potioneer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 02:56

    He would be lying in Ben said he wasn't surprised she had whiskey. The wine really did suit her if he thought about it, which he didn't. Seeing no reason not to, he poured himself a small glass and downed it in one go. The burn was expected, a comforting sting that was at least understood. Since he didn't have any plans for the next day, he poured another but left it for the time being.

    Tess's shock was evident, and he waited for her to berate him for invading her privacy. Connor often talked about personal space with him. A strange thing, since most of the time Ben wanted nothing more than to be away from most people. Odd, then, that he was now in Tess's house, eating her food and drinking her whiskey. It was a relief when she appeared to bypass any anger and go right to....

    Well, he really didn't know what she went to. She wasn't acting how he expected her to. Her light tone almost had him turning to see if she was joking with him. It wouldn't be the first time someone had a laugh at him. Wouldn't be the last. But she started talking about her friend and he silently berated himself. They'd sat side by side, after all, watching as their best friends had the biggest row Ben had ever witnessed. And Merlin was it bad. Somehow he'd figured the other girl would have turned to Tess, though, seeking comfort. From her words he gathered that wasn't so.

    Before he could turn, he felt her hand on his again. It was becoming a habit, this way of her reaching out to him, but Ben found he didn't really mind it. As she kept talking, he turned his own over a bit, his thumb brushing across her knuckles as a sign that he was paying attention.

    He watched as her cheeks turned a bit pink in the soft glow of the candlelight. That, paired with how close to home her words were hitting him, had Ben leaning closer before he knew what he was doing. At their heights, his cheek pressed gently to her temple as he marveled at the warmth there. It seemed every time they touched she was warm, unexpectedly and delightedly so.

    "You're not being silly," he countered. It was a bit easier when he didn't feel like she was studying him so much. "And you're not wrong. It's just...today is not my best day. Hasn't been for a while. I just couldn't be in that flat anymore." His eyes closed as he took in the soft scent of her hair.
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    Tess Holmes

    Tess Holmes

    Healer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 03:08



    When Tess had initially narrating most of her admissions, it initially started because she figured out what was wrong. It didn't take much to know that Ben was shaken that Connor did something out of character and it left him alone. But slowly the more she spoke, she found herself realizing that she too was hurt by her friend. It was different. She told herself that repeatedly. Rhian and her knew that sometimes space was necessary, but to be pushed aside when heartbreak occurred had been something unexpected. She expected to be there. She wanted to be there. But that was not the case.

    Her own little rain cloud of negativity was slowly paused as she realized that he was a lot closer than she expected. She usually initiated their touches, and most came from a place of comfort or subconscious, but never had he willingly sought out any touches.

    So as he placed his cheek against her temples she felt herself flush. It was half embarrassed, half confused over what was even going on. Did the whiskey hit him faster than intended? No boy had ever gotten that close to her, at least not in a way that she accepted. This time she did not pull away and instead stayed in the awkwardly placed intimate gesture.

    "And you're not wrong. It's just...today is not my best day. Hasn't been for a while. I just couldn't be in that flat anymore." That twisted something in her. The idea of him being alone in a flat known to have ruckus; to have to hear his best mate pick his girlfriend over him. Slowly and somewhat nervously, she wrapped her arms around his slim waist to show she got it. And she did.

    "You know" she whispered softly, "you don't need to ever be alone. If you ever...if you ever need to not be at your flat alone, you can always come here. Day or night okay? You're always welcomed to me."

    The scariest thing of it all was that she actually meant it. For people like them,  they could never truly be happy. In moments that they were surrounded by many they wished for loneliness and when they got it, it was eerie to be truly alone. It was a teetering of emotions.



    Last edited by Tess Holmes on Tue Jan 29 2019, 00:26; edited 1 time in total
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    Benjamin Watson

    Benjamin Watson

    Potioneer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 03:29

    This wasn't Connor, muscling him up off the couch (or the floor) to get him to go to bed when he was too exhausted to move. Or worse. And it wasn't the kind of touch from...those months of his life he tried to forget. No, as Tess's arms moved around his waist tentatively. The gesture wasn't seeking in any way. Wasn't 'asking' for anything. It was 'giving'.

    And he wanted to take it, whatever it was Tess was offering. A small voice in the back of his mind - his more sane voice - was shouting that this was too much. That he'd regret this tomorrow and realize it was a bad move. But he swiftly told it to go bugger off as he pulled her closer into his own embrace, his head leaning down a bit more as his nose nuzzled along her cheekbone, close to her hairline. Every touch, ever smell was new and it grounded him in a way that nothing had in the last two days.

    He didn't want to let go.

    There were a lot of things he should say right now. 'Sorry', for breaking in, for waking her up, for intruding. And any number of things. But it all seemed to calm in his mind. "Why are you being so nice?" was the only thought that emerged.
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    Tess Holmes

    Tess Holmes

    Healer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 03:38



    There were large warning signs in her head that told her this was a bad idea. She didn't give comfort to people. Especially not Ben who didn't like to be touched. Yet as she found her hands wrapped around him, his reaction to her was unexpected. There was no tension, or worse, a rejection. Rather she found a pair of longer arms wrapping around her and a nuzzle to her side.

    'This is not good Tess Marie' a voice eerily like Mycroft rang in her head, but she found herself relaxing against him. It wasn't right, but they were friends right? She could be nice to her pretend boyfriend and bring him comfort when he felt lonely.

    "Why are you being so nice?" His voice reverberated against her cheek and she found herself smiling shyly. Shyly, she found herself raising one hand up to his cheek to signal him to move his head just a bit. She wanted to properly look at him.

    "I told you, I like you" her tone was coy yet she was sincere in her comment. She like how odd he was, even if he had visited her in an unconventional manner. "But you're my friend and...well.." Whatever random spurt of courage took over and she kissed his cheek before murmuring "No one should be alone on their day. Happy Birthday Ben."

    This wasn't exactly what she was planning on happening at midnight. Especially with a boy in her home. In her mind she was going to visit him tomorrow with an excuse to get something, and then present him with a cake and run off before he made her feel awkward. But now the cake rested in her cooler and she in his arms. Funny how that soon shifted.

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    Benjamin Watson

    Benjamin Watson

    Potioneer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 23:13

    Not realizing he'd closed his eyes, Ben was surprised to feel Tess's hand on his cheek as she pulled back from him. He frowned down at her, expecting some kind of retort. For her to somehow throw him out on his arse for showing up here like this. Even if everything she'd done since then said she wasn't put out, he couldn't shake how on edge he was about the whole situation. Like he was holding his breath for something...he just couldn't tell what.

    The words that came out of the girl in his arms didn't make sense. People didn't like him. They tolerated him, if that. Even Connor had a lot of days where Ben could tell he was just holding onto sanity when it came to dealing with him. Somehow, they'd come to rely on each other through the years, though, which probably made this recent turn of events worse.

    Ben didn't have anyone else who was even willing to put up with him. And now this? He was pulled out of his spiraling thoughts as her lips connected with his other cheek. Feeling her pull back from him, his eyes were still wide in startled shock. He didn't expect her next words.

    Brow furrowing, he'd never felt more confused by another person in his life. "How did you know?" his voice was cautious.

    She was still close, not stepping out of his arms just yet. One hand reached up to play with a bit of her hair that fell at the side of her face. It was soft to the touch, like everything else about her. Interesting.
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    Tess Holmes

    Tess Holmes

    Healer In Training


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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySun Apr 15 2018, 23:38



    It made  her a bit sad realizing how surprised he was at her comment. Did he not realize the nice things he did for her? First he saved her from the impending fear of marriage, then he took care of her during his Christmas party, and now he is being very demonstrative?

    'Aw crap you care' It was obvious from the way her tone had changed and the way she found it charming that he failed to realize how much of a good and interesting person he was. A mild wave of panic rose within her as she found herself taking the situation in. She was within his arms, comfortably so, and caressing his face, wishing to make him feel better. This was not like her and it made her question her own beliefs. 'It's okay...you can think of this later.' And she would, intensively. But now the tall boy in front of her looked a bit confused himself.

    "How did you know?"

    It was the question and the way he played with her hair made her respond to him a bit shy and somewhat embarrassed.

    "Well...once a year, Bailey is always unavailable to Rhian and he always makes a joke that he's spending time with his child. And well...I had to do something special for my pretend boyfriend"

    Sliding her hands down his arm, she pulled away from his embrace and she shyly moved to the cooler. Pulling out the somewhat offending item she looked a bit even more embarrassed as she shuffled over with the tiny baked item.

    It wasn't perfect, somehow she had cut the cake in a bit of an angle. and trying to fix it, she tried to add more frosting to even it out. But it had been a bit too hot, and the frosting had melted. That had brought her into a cursing fest, and so instead she waited and added more items. At the end of the day, it was crooked, but she knew it tasted okay.

    "I'm sorry it's hideous" she laughed somewhat embarrassed. Still she added one candle from her drawer and lit it. "Make a wish?"

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    Benjamin Watson

    Benjamin Watson

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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptyMon Apr 16 2018, 00:14

    Ben watched as Tess's demeanor changed. He didn't quite understand why, but her voice got softer, a small shift in her gaze. It was a curious thing to see, and stranger still that he didn't want to automatically pick it apart to analyze. Instead, he just watched and wondered.

    His fascination dimmed a bit at the mention of Connor and their yearly tradition. Something within him ached at the idea of being called his 'child'. At least to other people. In his mind, he'd almost hoped that Connor hadn't let on how dependent Ben was at times. If Tess had heard about that, in such a way, no wonder she was taking pity on him like this. The food, the touching, even the kiss. All because it was obvious he couldn't be on his own.

    Pushing those thoughts to the side, he hadn't expected Tess to pull out an actual cake. It was lopsided, and the frosting was a mess. But she'd taken the time. And 'people' didn't do that for just anyone. Did they?

    As she set it on the counter and stuck a candle in the top with a bit of a flourish, Ben let out a small smile and nodded. He looked down at the small flame for longer than he should have, his focus completely devoted to it. With a shaky breath, he moved to blow it out...

    Just then, the few candles Tess had set up went out as well, leaving the pair in the dark. That wasn't supposed to happen. But at least the full moon shining through the windows didn't leave them in complete darkness. He reached over to touch his fingers with Tess's. "Thank you."

    What came next, Ben wouldn't be able to explain later. It was easier than breathing, the way his other hand wrapped around the back of her neck, pulling Tess toward him. His thumb tilted her jaw up to face him better in the dark, as his lips barely brushed over hers. He was clueless, and acting irrational, but in that moment he didn't care. It was what he wanted.
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    Tess Holmes

    Tess Holmes

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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptyMon Apr 16 2018, 00:32



    When Tess had first heard of Ben it had been in simple passing. She remembered being fourteen, and getting used to using English in everyday life. Rhian had taken her by the hand and explained to her the castle and everything about the place. It was in the midst of her talking when a blonde had rushed towards them and he had missing eyebrows. Before she could even utter anything, Rhian had scolded him for not going to the infirmary and once they were alone once more, she had gone on about how irresponsible Ben was.

    For the most part the comments were. 'He is such a bad influence; to 'Ugh Melody is crying again. Seems he made an off handed remark that was too close to home' to 'Connor you can't just ditch to find flowers?! I don't care how rare, that's so stupid!' To her it had all been silly. It seems there was an enigma in the castle, one she failed to meet until later in her years. No matter how often times she strived to be the best and be Head Girl, her grades or potions were constantly compared to the older boy. And she had grown somewhat resentful; for it was one thing to be compared to her brothers, another thing all together when it was a stranger.

    Yet now, seeing him in her flat, as she wished him a happy birthday. The resentfulness had long died, and her curiosity only increased. She wasn't sure why she was compelled to bake: she wasn't baking for Rhian, or stress baking. But instead she had hummed her afternoon away portioning everything out to make a small cake. Her kitchen had been a mess and she'd ask a house elf to come help. But it was all worth it. Just for that little face of wonder that he gave her.

    She was instantly relieved when he bent down to the candle, and his intense gaze was no longer on her. Instead he made a wish and she swore her heart constricted for a bit. Because while she wasn't the best with words, (and he was worse), they both had an understanding. When he blew out the candle, darkness overcame the pair.

    Tentative and gentle fingers soon found her hand and she found herself intertwining her hands with his. A genuine smile rose as she heard him thanking her. What happened next shifted the whole axis as to what this was. For as she parted her lips to respond, his over hand found itself behind her neck and she was pulled into true darkness.

    Confusion was clear as to what was happening. For an embrace was new, but these movements were even newer to her. Her body knew what to do it seemed, much to her embarrassment. Because when he lightly signaled her to move her head up, she did so without thinking and it seemed it lead them to truly uncharted territory.

    The kiss was gentle, like butterflies over her own lips. Yet her eyes had remained open for a brief second as her mind was whirling with thoughts. First was a warning sign, the siren was loud and clear, her heart was beating like crazy wondering what was even going on. Kisses had occurred before, but never like this, never with such intimacy and never so gentle. Still, one hand slid up his back and she slowly leaned into the kiss.

    'It's just a kiss' And it was. A stupid, reckless, kiss that would open more door and have little explanation later on.

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    Benjamin Watson

    Benjamin Watson

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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySat Apr 21 2018, 21:53

    Just as quickly as it happened, everything inside of Ben was telling him to run. They were only pretending to see each other, like children enacting a play of sorts. Set up to fool those that would impose their will upon the two of them. And they'd established from the beginning that this was in no way a romantic arrangement.

    Why, then, was he kissing her?

    What felt like forever, but was only a moment, had him ready to step away. But then the unthinkable happened: she was kissing him back! Shock at her action more than his own made him lean back on a soft inhale, eyes searching her face for understanding in the dark. Try as he might, there didn't seem to be a clear answer.

    "I..." What now?! What do 'normal' people do? He hadn't the foggiest. Whenever Connor would mistakenly try to talk girls - or 'girl', really - with Ben, he mostly tuned the other boy out. In light of...recent events, maybe he would have to change that. Swallowing around his sudden unease, he tried speaking again.

    "Um...I don't...sorry." Ben realized one hand was still at her nape, his thumb brushing under her jaw of it's own accord. He stopped it like one would an errant child, taking a small step away. Just enough that he could breathe properly. "I should probably go."

    He took a step towards the balcony, but that didn't really make sense now. She was awake, and could lock the door behind him just fine. His feet swiftly took him towards the main door.
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    Tess Holmes

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    PostSubject: Re: Surprise Visit (Ben)    Surprise Visit (Ben)  EmptySat Apr 21 2018, 22:08



    Her kissing him was breaking all the rules that they had established. It mucked their plan of avoiding intimacy, and emotions. But he had been the one that had started all of this. That's what she told herself. Especially as his looming figured covered her properly against the counter.

    Yet the silence in between their kiss spoke volumes. He had frozen and in turn whatever bubble they were in popped. This wasn't right; they weren't normal. He was looking to run away from all of this and she...well she would want that one day but certainly not with him. So as he stepped away she remembered how to breathe. She ignored the sting of rejection as he awkwardly wished to leave.

    "Um...I don't...sorry."

    A wave of anger rose through her as he did so. He caused this to happen, he led her on in his advances and now he rejects her?! She felt embarrassed for the pair. It actually stung the way he pull his hand away from her as they parted.

    "I should probably go."

    As he turned away she did nothing. Instead she found her hands wrapping themselves around her waist in hopes of protecting herself. Whatever just happened had meant something at least to her and that was frightening enough. But the fact that for him he took it as a clear a mistake was the real pain. Closing her eyes tightly she found herself uttering something in a tone colder than she expected.

    "This never happened"

    And it would never happen again. It couldn't because she would never be those girls. Those girls always ended up hurt, and she was too smart to fall for something as weak as sentiment. So she held her breath letting him leave and letting the darkness overtake her once more.

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