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[readbentweenthelines]

BENJAMIN ANAK BANDI - HALLOWEEN 2024

The Westley to Bri's Buttercup, Ben was rather happy with the work that was put in to his costume, though, in light of recent events, perhaps that ROUS should be around his waist than his back. Unfortunately for the Dread Pirate Robets, one of those nasty rodents took part of his leg. The sword had to be replaced with a set of crutches, but he's not traveling too far, thankfully.

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Ben laughed softly, but it was enough to feel a twinge from the effort. "They're being quite nice to me, don't worry. No need to yell at anyone. Besides, I think that Bri's already yelled at people who need it, perhaps even a few that don't." Her nerves were likely just as frayed as Rohan's. Most people's were after everything that happened, unfortunately.

All Ben could really do was offer up a nod and a thanks as Rohan told him to focus on his recovery before disappearing off to go find the tea. Happier times would come soon. Soon. Not now, but soon. The world felt like it ended, but some of the worst parts of the last few years were gone, now. The Catalyst was gone, whatever that meant. Perhaps something worse had replaced her. Perhaps soon was rather far off, but he had to hope that it would come.

When Rohan came back, Ben game him a smile, looking through the assortment of teabags before picking a chamomile. "You know, I have no idea what's in these tarts, so it will most definitely be a surprise no matter what. Most of the food here has been surprising thus far. In good and bad ways." Though, if Bri had thought it looked bad, she'd simply order something different. That had certainly happened. "Local is a... subjective term, you know? Rhode Island is rather small. Perhaps that's the locale."

Rohan wrinkled up his nose. "Yes, well, I suppose there's that...." He trailed off before offering a weak sigh. "Are they being nice to you at least? I can go yell at somebody if you'd like. My nerves are very frayed, so I can become someone's problem today just fine." This joke came weakly, with a strained smile. Normally, he did not consider himself the kind of person to raise a fuss, but that felt less true with everything that had happened. Chaos made him fussy.

"You're allowed to be facetious. I don't think anyone would blame you for cruel or sarcastic either, Ben. Not that you're either of those, but you could be," he replied softly. "All right, then. I'll be right back." Rohan smiled more genuinely as he stepped for the door. He paused. "You're kind, Ben. I mean that. But for right now...I'm just fine. The best thing you can do, I think, is focus on recovery. It will make me happy to have a housewarming party with you and Bri and everyone soon. Let's get to that."

He nodded before disappearing down the hall, reappearing some time with a cup of hot water and assorted variety of teabags. He set them, along with one or two questionable-looking pastries, on Ben's tray. "Not what you meant by surprising, but well...I think they're in-between meal services. This one has some sort of jam inside? The worker told me it was locally made, but...I don't believe that. Do you?"

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"Am I truly so boring?" Ben asked, feigning offense. "You know, I used to play football. Think that might be a bit more difficult, now." He hummed, considering. "I could get a hollow one and store things in it. Important documents, pens. I'm always losing my pens." He'd probably just stick with a more modern prosthesis, though. "I'm afraid you've got a monopoly on the pirate gig in town. Comes with your occupation, you know." He got serious, though, when Song did. "What good have I been?" he asked, the question genuine. "If I couldn't stop any of that, if I can't help resolve matters peacefully, if I can't even walk on my own." Ben sighed. "I was hardly doing a bang up job of all of this before... well," he looked down at his legs, one complete, the other missing half of itself, "before. I can delegate just fine. I can focus on getting through this, I have every intention of doing so. But, again, what good have I been?" He was the odd man out in the council meetings, and he regularly felt it. There was something patronizing with how the other species treated humans, and it wasn't like he could do anything about it. Nothing that seemed substantial, nothing that felt like more than just whining like a petulant child.

"What do you think morphine is?" He curved a brow up at Ben. An amused look flickered across his gaze as he listened to the other man ramble on. "Or it might do you some good. Make you more human like the rest of us and less boring too while you're at it," He teased. The corner of his lips tilted up ever so slightly despite the deadpan tone of his voice. "You could always invest in a peg. Apparently pirates are all the rage or so everyone in this town felt the need to tell me. Though, I'd say more a hazard of this town than a hazard of the job," He admitted, letting a silence fall over them as they sat there across from each other. Two humans - one who had their leg severed while the other had been tortured for eight straight months. "We need you. You know that, right?" His voice was no more than a low murmur cutting through the silence as his dark gaze locked onto Ben's. "The fucking Sheriff took your leg. They broke Devrim's and nearly drowned him. Efe was locked in a freezer. I was jumped. Todd's missing his appendix. We're going down like flies. Let your coworkers focus on your classes. We need you as our leader and, for you to be that for us, you're going to have to get your own shit together. So, delegate where you can and focus on figuring out how to walk again maybe while you're at it?"

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"No one asked you to be strong, darling," Ben soothed, holding her as tight as he was able. "You don't have to be strong for me." It was enough for her to just be. Knowing she was there was a gift in and of itself. Even if he saw her dead when he closed his eyes, it was enough to know that she was right there, in his arms, as alive as she could be. It didn't matter that her tears were soaking through what was considered proper hospital attire. It didn't matter if they were both a mess, really, or that his body hurt, or that he was missing a part of him. All that mattered was that Bri was there. She was alive. He was alive, too. Ben supposed that was rather important. Neither of them seemed to handle the thought of losing the other well. "D'you not like my couch?" he asked, looking at her and raising an eyebrow as she wiped her tears. "It's a very nice couch, you know. Supposedly quite cozy," he murmured. But, knowing that she would probably insist, he went ahead and added, "The mattress would probably be nice, though."

Ben raised both eyebrows this time, brushing a hand through her hair. "But it will be," he said softly. He knew things weren't alright. Though the haze of it all, he knew they were quite fucked, actually. Well and truly. "And not everything. Somethings are, fundamentally, always going to stay the same." There would be good days, bad days, difficult days, but he was grateful to the idea that there would still be the two of them at the end of it. "Always thought that raccoons were rather adorable, even if they were an invasive species growing up," Ben teased. Then he added, "I'm glad you're here. I'm glad. But you don't want to go out, show off our costumes? They look rather grand. I might be able to crutch around by that point. We can say a ROUS got ahold of me, you know."

As he wrapped his arms around her in his warm embrace, she found herself breaking even more than she had before. Her body seemed to collapse in his arms while the tears running down her cheeks drenched his hospital gown. The nurses would likely think he poured water all down himself when they came to check in on him later and, yet, try as she might, the tears didn't stop. "I'm sorry," Her strained voice cracked once more. "I wish I could be stronger for you." And yet, she really was such a blubbery baby. What kind of selfish person let their boyfriend take care of them when he was the one hurting? Apparently she did. Just another flaw to add to the heaping list. "Not the couch," She shook her head as she tried to wipe at her damn eyes again, only smearing even more of her mascara down her cheeks. "I can bring the mattress down and we can camp out in the living room together," She offered. Her mind beginning to race once more at all of the things that needed to get done so that he could be comfortable at home. She would have offered her place, but unfortunately there was even more stairs there than his. She'd have to call the contractor up to see if they could put an elevator into her and Ronnie's place later, but for now, she just needed to figure out how to turn his living room into a studio apartment which was easier said than done...

"No it's not," She shoot her head as she held onto him tighter than before. "We'll figure it out, but everything's going to change." He'd relearn how to stand, how to walk, how to do basically every little thing that everyone else took for granted and, on top of all of that and the phantom pain her research had already begun to tell her about, there was their future that seemed far more uncertain now than it did before. He was human and she was vampire. Sure, they had talked about him turning, but now? Would he still want to? And what if the phantom pain? Would that subside as a vampire or would he have to live in pain for the rest of eternity? Was she even worth it because she didn't feel like she was. These were questions she would have asked Meena about, but with Meena missing and Aaliyah desperate to find her, she felt more lost than she had since she had first turned. "It's not. But, I'll be right by your side through all of it, I promise. Even if I am a hopeless mess who likely looks more like a raccoon right now than your girlfriend," She let out a little sniffle at the thought. "I'm right here," She promised. "Though, we're never going to a Carnival again and, for Halloween, we're turning the lights off and pretending we're not home. I know I'm going to have to share you eventually, but not right now okay?"

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Bri Rivas - Decorating Pt. 2. || Halloween '24

Given that Bri is currently crashing at @readbentweenthelines' given the whole just lost his leg situation, she also decorated his to make his home feel festive, though it is more understated in comparison to hers (she felt like she couldn't go all out at a home she doesn't technically live at lol). While she will not be handing out full 2lb candybars at Ben's, she still got a ton of giant hershey bars to hand out for any trick or treaters.

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I been unraveling since my birth. Gonna wander out there and see what I'm worth

Thank you, @kenxmatsui!!

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"Oh, trust me, if they want me to sleep, all they have to do is press a button, and a very fun mixture of drugs enters my system and knocks me right out," Ben said lightly. He didn't mind the company, in truth. He wished less people would be so fussy, but he understood why. He wasn't so foolish to believe he didn't need help, that he didn't need fussing. He did, however, chafe a little at it.

"Well, I would hate for bad luck," Ben said. Then, "I... understand that might sound facetious. I mean it genuinely, I assure you. But any kind of tea is wonderful. I have a broad taste palette." Tea, food, he liked almost anything. "I like trying new things, as well, if you find something that might be surprising, but, please. Don't go out of your way for anything." Then, quietly. "You've nothing to apologize for. And I'm glad she's hanging in there. I hope she heals quickly. I-- It's easier, sometimes. To focus on others. If you need anything, anything that's... within my currently limited power to do, please don't hesitate. I mean it, Rohan."

Rohan sighed. "Well, I know medical professionals have a way of telling you you ought to be sleeping. That's all." He offered a weak smile, taking a moment to readjust the flowers. "But I'm glad you're up and awake. If you do need to sleep, though, you can throw me out, and I won't take it badly." This came with a sharp, joking nod.

"It's bad luck to show up empty-handed," he insisted. "But I can get you some tea. Any particular kind you like? I don't think the cafeteria can screw up boiled water." He grimaced. "But I guess all everyone is doing right now is trying their best. That's good, though. That you're...hanging in there. That's...a common feeling, I understand. I'm sorry." He bit his lip, settling down into a chair and resting his hands in his lap. He shrugged. "She's hanging in there too. She was...uh, burned pretty severely. I'm just doing what I can. But don't worry about us. You should focus on you."

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Ben just hummed, wrapping an arm around her and leaning his head against her own. He wasn't used to being taken care of. Independence was something he'd prided himself on for such a long time, since he was a child, really. His parents raised him that way. With two professors who encouraged intellectual as well as personal growth, he learned to just take care of himself without help from a young age, and then he'd travelled, and then he'd move far away. His life had been about independence for over twenty years. It was odd to be in a position where that was taken away. He was sure it would grow to frustrate him; especially as time and his limitations actually started to dawn on him. For now, though, his aches were numbed, his mind a little foggy, and he was content enough to have Bri there. "I suppose, yes. It is. And it'll be nice to be home. Perhaps on the couch rather than the bed. The stairs..." He trailed off. He could, probably, make it up them in crutches. It would take a bit of practice, though.

"Not having a cast is nice. I'm having trouble imagining how strange that would feel." Perhaps it would counteract the knew lightness he felt. Or maybe it would just be a new, different strangeness. He nodded. That made sense. He'd woken up on that alter with his leg hurting, the whole of it, even the parts that weren't really there. He kept forgetting it was gone. It didn't really feel like it was gone. Ben didn't feel like he couldn't walk, like he couldn't do things anymore. The reality of it felt distant from him. "It's okay," he soothed her, moving to hold her tighter. Something shuddered through him. This was real. This was real, far more real than the nightmare where she'd been gone. And he preferred this. God, he preferred this. He'd rather this be real than the alternative. He hated seeing her upset, though, and, Ben knew, he was going to hate relearning how to live his life. "It's alright," he said, his voice rough. "I'm here. I thought-- I thought I lost you, too, you know. In that dream, I saw you, dead, and it-- It was the worst I've ever felt in my entire life. I thought you were gone." If he closed his eyes, he could still see it. He remembered her nightmare; he'd seen her die so many times, but this was the worst of it. Thinking that she was really, truly gone for good. That had been the worst of it.

She carefully moved to place the glass back down before curling into his side, only craning her neck to press a light kiss against his cheek. Her way of thanking him for letting her take care of him. She knew he didn't actually need her, but if she didn't find a way to feel useful to him in the moment, she was sure she'd fully break down in a heap on the floor and, after everything she had been through, she didn't know if she'd be strong enough to get herself back up after this. Not when the one good thing in her life was hurting before her very eyes. "I know, but isn't this the first step? You can be back in your own bed and, if you need anything at all, I'm sure I can be just as useful as any of the nurses," She reasoned, not that she was trying to diss on the nurses. She was more thankful for them then she was capable of expressing at the moment and would be sending them very generous gifts for putting up with her these past few days. But, she'd feel much more comfortable with him back home. Even if him going home would mean that she'd need to prep his house for him to be able to move around in and, at some point, she'd need to return to her own home too. But, that was a detail she wasn't willing to think about at the present.

"No, not that I know of? They are going to need to have rigid dressing over the remaining part of your leg, but thanks to the vampire blood, you likely won't need a cast which is good. Though, your leg may be swollen for a few weeks still and you'll need regular visits with your doctor to check on the healing. That and oh! You'll be given medication for the pain that you may end up feeling. I think it's called phantom pain which is common and may come and go for a year or so. I-" She found herself choking up once more as she began to list off what the doctor had told her and what she had found from the few nights she had spent none stop researching after he had fallen asleep. "I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry," She blinked back the tears to no avail. "I know. I know, but I-" She instinctively curled into his embrace. Burying her face against his chest, she began to break down. The sobs growing muffled against his hospital gown. She didn't know how long she cried for before she apologized once more. "I'm sorry. I'm such a baby. You're the one who-" She couldn't even bring herself to say it. "And here I am blubbering like an idiot. I'm so sorry. It's just-" Her voice fell to a hushed whisper. One that she'd likely regret saying after the words had left her mouth and, yet, they managed to slip out all the same. "I really thought I lost you."

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"Hm. I'm unfamiliar with that means," Ben said sarcastically. "Drugs? Those would ruin my carefully constructed persona of the charming professor. Though... the missing piggies might also contribute. Five of the bastards ran away, can you believe it? Took half my leg, too. I've lost a solid eighth of my charm." Ben snorted, "And what do you call mine? A hazard of the job?" Though, really, it was, in a way. He wondered if something like this might have happened if he wasn't a council leader. "Oh, come now, I'm sure you could administer a few tests, grade a few papers," he teased. He sighed. "My larger section has a TA that should be able to help, and I can probably ask a colleague to help with my smaller, more specialized classes until I can get in touch."

"Yeah, it's called drugs," He said without missing a beat. "I'm guessing pretty strong ones too. Got to keep you from missing how all your little piggies ditched you to go run off the market, huh?" He shrugged once more. The corner of his lips tilting up ever so slightly as he watched Ben manage to laugh. That was a good sign at least. "Hey now. They're battle wounds," He insisted, despite them both knowing that the door frame was pretty much the only thing keeping him upright just about now. "Whoa hey, don't go looking at me. I failed most of my midterms. Don't you have, I don't know, a TA for that or something? Though, I guess if you really need someone, this town isn't exactly short on brunettes who like to boss people around."

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"You know, I actually don't feel like it. I'm on something serious, I'm afraid," Ben mused as he glanced at Song when he entered. He managed a laugh, the sound of it rough, but he moved to sit up, scooting back in the hospital bed before reaching out for the button that had the bed move for more convenience. "Enough to see that you also look like shit, mate," he told Song, an eyebrow raised. Snorting, he said, "At the most inopportune time. Someone's going to have to give my students their midterms."

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"You look like shit," He observed from where he stood, leaning against the door of Ben's hospital room. His hands sinking deeper into his pockets rather than give away that he could barely lift injured arm at the present and if he was to step into the room, he'd be hobbling, given the deep gash along his upper thigh. "Can you even see through those black eyes?" He let out a low whistle as he motioned with his hand up toward his own face that looked in far better shape than Ben's did at the present. "So I take it this means you finally get to take that leave of absence from work, huh?" He knew most people would likely be rolling over in their graves at his choice of phrasing and, yet, having been in and out of the hospital far too many times himself, he wasn't about to be another person to treat the man like a fragile piece of glass.

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Sitting up, in theory, shouldn't be a problem. Ben's arms worked just fine. He still had two of them, after all, fully functioning and useful, if a little tired and heavy from the medication. Still, Ben thought that if he didn't let Bri fuss over him, she was going to break down completely. She was already on her way to breaking down, regardless. He let her help him, taking small, measured sips of water, letting it soothe his throat. He was already on a drip of vampire blood, a drip of a combination of other drugs. What was left of his leg had been cleaned, stitched, wrapped. "One step at a time, love," he murmured, taking the glass of water from her and moving to set it down.

"I'm glad to get to go home tomorrow. They're sure there's nothing else they need to check on?" He asked. Ben wasn't quite sure how to handle something like this, truthfully. It hadn't sunk in yet. When he was younger, he'd gotten into a biking accident and had to stay in the hospital overnight for observation about a concussion. This, however, was a little more intense than a concussion. As foggy as his head was, he didn't make a remark about feet no longer being a plural in this case. His leg hurt. The part of his leg that didn't exist anymore hurt. "We don't have to rush the prosthetic. I was told it's going to take me a few months to be strong enough to wear one properly." He could see that she was starting to break down. "Bri," he said softly, reaching for her. "Bri. I'm here. It's okay. I'm here."

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"Whoa, no, no, no, I've got it," She exclaimed, speeding back into his room the moment he had made the slightest move to sit up. Her voice was still hoarse from the hours she had spent screaming out for help the other day, not that she noticed. The girl who prided herself on being put together at all points in time hadn't looked in a mirror once since he had been nabbed in the fun house. Her cheeks were stained by distinct mascara streaks, her thick curls were tied back in a messy bun and she hadn't stopped to breath let alone pay attention to how she had been parading around his hospital room, pleading with the nurses, in a trapeze outfit that, without the trapeze, looked like 18th century inspired lingerie. "Water?" She guessed, carefully sitting down on the edge of his bed as she lifted the glass, holding it up for him to be able to sip from. She tried her best to keep her hands steady, despite them having not stopped shaking since they had checked in. "I spoke to your doctor and the good news is that she seems willing to let me bring you home tomorrow and I already found a physical therapist who can work with you at the house so that we can get you back on your feet and I've been chatting with a number of different companies that manufacture prosthetics and-" She bite down on her quivering bottom lip hard as she felt herself beginning to choke up on her words once more. "S-sorry," She turned the slightest bit away from him so she could dab at her damp eyes with the back of her hand as she tried to continue on. "And I'm having some banana pudding from Magnolia's Bakery in the City postmated to the house, so that we can upgrade you from this tapioca bullshit," She grumbled out, not bothering to mention that having a postmate driver drive nearly three hours to deliver a vat of pudding might cost a small fortune. "And- I- I-" An iron taste began to fill her mouth as she bite down even harder on her bottom lip. Her entire body beginning to tremble all over again as her brown eyes locked on his once more. "I- I'm s-sorry. I-" She needed to keep it together. She needed to stay strong for him and, yet, she couldn't seem to shake the crippling anxiety that seemed to have a hold over her chest over the thought she had nearly lost him.

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Between vampire blood and an intense amount of prescribed drugs, Ben was healing quite nicely. Well, as nicely as one could heal while missing a limb. There was a fog over his brain that wouldn't seem to away, likely do to the medication. It hadn't really sank in yet that his leg was gone. He'd woken up and tried to stand, only to find something missing, earlier. In truth, it left him feeling sort of numb. He looked up, smiling at Rohan as he entered, "Oh, you didn't distrub me," he said easily. "I'm not too busy, these days."

Bri had stepped out for a bit, even if it took some convincing. She was having a harder time with this than he was. Ben was... He was dealing. He could tell Rohan that he was dealing. "Flowers are lovely. I never say no to tea, but you really didn't have to bring anything. I'm appreciative, though." He sat up, groaning a little bit as he moved. "I'm doing better than to be expected, I think. There are perks to being in a hospital stocked with vampire blood. And high quality medication. I have an irresistible desire to wiggle my toes, which just isn't possible at the moment. But... I would appreciate the company, thank you. How are you, Rohan? Is your sister alright?"

Closes starter for @readbentweenthelines Location: Ben's Hospital Room

He thought the vase of flowers impersonal, but holding it firmly in his hands, Rohan stepped quickly through the door and set it on a tabletop. For a moment, he tried to rearrange a few drooping carnations, frustrated by the whole thing. Looking up, however, he managed a somewhat embarrassed smile. "Oh! I hope I didn't disturb you. I don't know if you're taking visitors, but I thought..."

He trailed off, failing really at looking cheerful. Finding no way to be upbeat, then, he settled on open sincerity. "Balloons and stuffed animals felt silly, and I wasn't sure what snacks you like. I'd hoped this might brighten the place up. I know how hospitals can be. But if there's anything else you want, I can go get it. Food. Books. Whatever." He nodded shortly. "How are you doing, Ben? Do you want company?"

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"I don't mind if you're spontaneous or not, love, but alright. You're very spontaneous," Ben said, smiling into the kiss. In truth, he already found her quite irresistible. Spontaneity or the lack there of wouldn't change that. When he pulled away, he looked at her, considering her worries. "I'm... not sure. I know there would be a few things I'd forget. I wouldn't remember what you are. How integral that would be to knowing who you are, I suppose, would be the question. It's not an answer I'm curious enough to tease out, though." He might have been, years ago. He was once curioius, so curious. That was what led him here. But, now, he didn't want to think about losing anything about Bri.

"Hmm. I think you'd like them. They both have to do with Artemis, the huntress. Ironic, I suppose, when people came along and gave her dominion over the moon, that she'd put so many people in the stars." He wrinkled his nose at the mention of a turduken. "Ghastly chimera. It's almost an unholy relic, at this point, the nasty thing. But I appreciate your desire to not scare me away with atrocious bagel eating habits." He smirked, pulling away slightly. "I haven't decided. I might be persuaded, one way or the other, though."

"I'm saying that I'd like you to think I'm spontaneous, even if I am very far from being such," She admitted. Her cheeks heating at the admission as she found herself melting into his kiss. "Or at least find me utterly irresistibl- And ah," She paused. Her lips pressing together herself as a seed of worry seemed to be planted in her chest at the thought that he may forget her. "I was more wondering if you'd remember that I exist or that we're dating," Her voice was no more than a soft murmur as she squeezed her eyes shut. Mildly embarrassed at having to admit that she was worried that he'd forget he'd have a girlfriend out loud. "Okay," She gave him a small nod. She knew he meant when he'd eventually stop being human. Though the ounce of worry seemed to transform into a tinge of guilt, hating how he seemed to be the one to have to sacrifice so much for their relationship. She just wished she could find a way to do the same.

"Both?" She lifted her chin up against his chest to peer up at him. "Unless, you don't think they're stories I'd like. I think you're forgetting this country created the turducken which is a chicken shoved up a duck, shoved up a turkey and then deep fried. Nothing is sacred here. But, I can promise you that I will never horrify you with how I eat a bagel at least and oh? Are you planning to change into anything or just out of everything?" She teased. A bright smile toying across her lips as she gave him a happy little nod in agreement.

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"I believe it's considered the midwest, but please don't quote me on that," Ben said, his tone teasing. He couldn't help but nod. "Were you in France and Italy often. I've been to parts of both." He'd enjoyed, both, too. The world was so large. Sometimes, Ben missed being able to explore it. He'd be able to again, one day. This just wasn't that day, tragically.

Scott mulled over the other's admission and, after a moment, nodded. "I haven't been, either. I've heard good things about Chicago. Does that count as Midwestern?" He pocketed his hands and shrugged. "Either way, I think that's normal when it's a place you haven't been. I think a lot about France and Italy, likely for the same reason."

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"So, you're saying that even spontanaity must be carefully planned?" Ben teased, an eyebrow raised. "Duly noted." He was more concerned about the press of her lips against his own, soft but insistent, lovely. He was content like this, the kissing, only pulled out of it by her question. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "It's hard to know how the mirage will work, what it will take. Things that are inherently magic are gone, but we knew each other before, it's true, and not everything about our relationship revolves around magic or the supernatural. It's possible I could remember the bidding." He brushed his thumb over her cheek. "I can still show you. One day. Whether we go while I'm human or some other time." Because there would be other times. He'd already told her that he planned on being with her for as long as she would have him. He'd give up mortality for her. In truth, it didn't seem like he'd be giving up anything at all.

"Which one?" He asked. "The bear or the hunter? They're both tragedies, I'm afraid." He thought about it, thinking about the nearly absurd image of Bri's roommate hunkered down over a bagel and a cup of blood. "A donut or a croissant would be more acceptable than the bagel. I'd certainly hope you wouldn't dip a bagel into anything, darling. I've heard that simply isn't done. Practically un-American," he joked. He smiled, wide and happy. "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. I can get changed as well, and we can go from there."

"What? I was feeling spontaneous," She gave him an innocent shrug, before adding under her breath, "And by spontaneous, I mean packing for every possible scenario including sneaking off with my boyfriend to make his wildest dreams come true." A smirk toyed at the corner of her lips as she leaned over the bean bag chair to give him another drawn out kiss. Only for her to grow quiet in his arms as she asked him suddenly, "Do you think you'd forget me if we were to cross over the mirage? It's just," She sat slightly up as elaborated, "I've been thinking it over and we technically met before I died, given that I was in the Coalition and all. Only we weren't close then, so do you think you'd forget me entirely or would the mirage maybe make it so I just left town and came back later to bid on your basket? I only ask because all of the places you've been seem so incredible and I'd love it if you could show me some time? But, I wouldn't want you to lose your memories or forget me to do it. I wouldn't want to stay in either of those hostels either just so we're clear. But I'd love to see Dalat or Singapore or Bangkok or Moscow. I'd love to see the world from your eyes, is all, if we ever get the opportunity to."

"How does that story go?" She asked curiously. Only for a giggle to break from her lips as she watched the judgement pull across his brows. She'd be lying if she said, she didn't love it when he got this way, even if she was a bit protective when it came to her roommate. "Okay, fair, fair. So, if it was a donut or a croissant, would that be better?" She countered. "Well, I can promise you, I have never dipped a bagel in anything. Not even cream cheese. Spread cream cheese on a bagel? Sure. But, not dipped," She promised him. "Good. As long as I'm the exception. Now," She leaned back moving to triple check that their tent door was fully closed and secure, before her hands drifted to the hem of her shirt as began to slip it off over her head. "What do you say I get changed and we put that bed of ours to use, hm?"

[readbentweenthelines]

"It most certainly is challenging," Ben murmured. He considered the question, as melancholy as it was. "Somewhere in the middle would be nice, wouldn't it? Then again, if everywhere is dangerous, then it's only the places that you're with the ones you care about that truly matter. In here, out there." He nodded. "Hang onto, firmly grasp, clutch tightly." He managed a laugh. "I can't drink too much red wine. Always seems to get me down in the dumps."

Raising an eyebrow, Ben couldn't help but be intrigued. "There's an implication that it's some sort of flying coaster. How fascinating. It might be worth it, to bring Dollywood to us." He was a thrill seeker. It didn't seem like it, but, really, how could he not be? A human in a town of supernaturals. When he was younger, Ben had wanted to climb mountains before returning to the comfort of his books. Was living in Lunar Cove not even more dangerous? "I certainly wouldn't be surprised by Ms. Parton's awareness of the supernatural. And no kidding. I wonder what she was like. The Brady Bunch was a classic."

Scholar, Dreamer, and Stranger. "I'm excited to see it when you're ready to share. It sounds like an exploration. An adventure." Ben laughed again. "I couldn't agree more, Rohan. I couldn't agree more."

//END.

Rohan smiled, offering a short, almost wistful nod. "I guess that's true. It's very...challenging. I'm sure you know." He dropped his voice a bit. "Living here is dangerous. Out there is dangerous. Where does anybody go to be together? Not to bring a raincloud over my own day or anything. I guess we have to hang onto the joy and the love, huh?" Some part of him had still not shaken the awareness that Jonah's continued presence in Lunar Cove represented a profound sacrifice of everything beyond it. In his own perfect world, his husband's mothers would live here with them, but with the chaos of the last few years, that dream only grew more fantastic. Stiffening up, he managed a smile. "I've had too much champagne. It makes me mopey."

He smiled again, brightening a bit despite himself. "I hear there's something called a wing coaster. The first of its kind in the entire country. That must be something. I'm not really a thrill rider myself, but hey, maybe I can learn to be," he laughed. "And hey, for all we know, Dolly might be perfectly aware of us. She's certainly magical enough, I guess. Florence Henderson passed through the Playhouse back in the 1960s. We had a photograph, but it was lost in the destruction. We might live as a forgotten memory for a lot of folks."

Rohan nodded, crossing his hands on the table. "Good. Good. I've written something new, but it's not ready to stage just yet. The characters' names are Scholar, Dreamer, and Stranger, so that tells you everything you need to know about it. God save us all." He wrinkled up his nose, shaking his head. "I think we've done enough defending the barricade in real life, don't you, Ben?"

[readbentweenthelines]

In truth, Ben thought about everything a little too much. Still, he considered the question, thinking too much about thinking too little. "The midwestern United States. Perhaps it's because I've never been there, but it's rarely on my radar unless I'm reading about it, I'm afraid.

who: open | @lunarcovestarters where: wherever makes it interesting when: saturday evening

"What do you think about just a little? No limitations on if it's just for a minute, though."