#like to see him throw himself under the bus talking to hammond

[quatregats]

Really enjoying how smug he is in this one. Girl stop they'll kill you

[ren1327]

Pretty Boy ch.1

“Come on, Girl.”

If you asked Ben Pincus-Masrani to describe himself, he would respond that he was thin, pale, not very extraordinary. Not even normal. Forgettable wallflower was he.

And he liked it that way.

He smiled down at his little corgi with her extra stubby tail.

Bad tail docking and a “defected ear” had made her less valuable to her owner, but more loveable to him. He remembered when his stepfather had told him about one of his business associates giving her away. Ben had cooed at her picture and the very next day, Simon had acquired her.

She was a year old now, her tail a little bump and left ear still folded halfway down. He knew it could pop up one day or stay folded over.

He’d love her as is.

She had been his constant companion since he had started University last year.

Bumpy wore little green and white booties and a matching vest for her leash, excitedly sniffing at whatever she found on the pavement of the city street they walked down. Ben smiled at her as she waved her whole back half, barking at a dandelion that broke through the sidewalk.

He thought yellow would be cute on her. It was quickly approaching autumn and he was due to buy her some more little jackets and boots.

Ben groaned as they passed an overfilled dumpster in a large open alley, the smell of spoiled milk making him gag. Bumpy led him away, as if sensing his discomfort.

He made his way to a one story building, Bumpy jumping up the steps one at a time to join him by the wood and glass door. He opened the door for her and she excitedly waddled in, sitting by the counter as an old Latino man with his grey and black hair in a ponytail came over.

“Hey, Santi.” Ben said.

“Morning, Benito.” He said with a smile. “Morning, Bumpy.”

Bumpy barked and stood, her hips waving back in forth excitedly.

Santi’s husband poked his head out, curly blond hair held back by a headband and his glasses a little smudged.

“Oh, Ben! You just missed Sammy.” He said.

“Billy Brennan-Gutierrez.” Santi scolded playfully. “Sammy said he changed his shift. Twice, remember?”

“Right!” He said. “Sorry, Honey. Must’ve been distracted by that new exhibit Alan promised to invite us to.”

Santi rolled his eyes good naturedly and smiled at Ben. “This man.”

“It’s fine. Dad was getting ready to fly over to New York for some party, so I was video chatting with him and totally forgot to text her on the bus.”

“Bus?” Billy asked, walking to the counter. “How did you like it?”

“I took the green line.” Ben said. “More…clean.”

“Ah. The public access line your father is funding?” Santi said. “It’s been an amazing help around the community. City planning is really a gift.”

“Yeah. Dad cares more about customer satisfaction. He even asked if the animals at the zoo were happy.” Ben said as Billy laughed. “And right now I know he’s gonna charm new investors.”

“I get it. It’s always go, go, go.” Santi said. “Billy and I will take care of your pretty girl. Go on to work.”

Ben kneeled and kissed his dog on her forehead. She wigged and liked his cheek.

“Bye, Bumpy. I’ll come get you later, okay?” He said and gave her leash to Santi.

He waved as he walked out and set out to a nearby bus stop with a green leaf, taking a breath as he looked at a message from his parents saying they arrived safely, his mother resting in the hotel room and his father already in a meeting.

“You got this, Dad.” He text back.

 *

 Brew-tiful Roast was the only refurbished building not owned by the college but funded independently by several of the first alumni and John Hammond himself. It was a brick and glass building with a brick and iron barred wall around it, where a garden area and several outdoor tables with wooden benches under a thick iron and heavy waterproof tarp Professor Carr of the physics department had donated almost a decade ago. Several other alumni donated money to modernize the area for student comfort and relaxation when the library and cafeteria were too much stimulation.

The inside was open with many well spaced tables, cushioned booths and a back wall lined with tinted muffled noise square privacy pods in the back. Many plants and flowers decorated tables, soft slow blinking white and blue LED lights showing where charging stations were and orb shaped hanging lamps that lit the café up.

Finally was a large refrigerated black glass top counter and display where many sandwiches, pastries, packs of baked chips and crackers, packaged fruit and several salads were displayed along with bottled lemonade, teas, sodas and waters that were always sold at a quarter. They could be taken to the counter and warmed after they were bought or warmed in one of the three communal microwaves.

“One banana avocado smoothie with fiber and whey!” Sammy called, smiling as she handed back change.

Ben’s finger and hands flew over the ingredients as he chopped, scooped and mixed the fruit before throwing it into a clean blender with ice and cold cream, and letting it run. Mixing it a final time, he poured the cold thick mixture in large cup with a star drawn on by Sammy. He put it on the counter where a young Latina woman with large glasses waited.

“No whip, just how you like.” He said with a smile.

“Thanks Benji.” She said with a wink.

Her best friend, Franklyn smiled nervously from next to her.

“What brings you to the front?” He asked as Zia sipped her smoothie with a pleased hum. “I thought you didn’t like being up here where there are so many—too many in fact, people.”

“Professor Malcom said it’d be best for me to get a few months exposed to more people.” He said and mixed caramel into Franklyn’s sugar free French vanilla ice coffee. “So I got low traffic shifts after morning classes.”

“How’s going clean treating you?” Zia asked, eyes softening on her younger classmate.

“Ah…” He looked to the side. “Got a bit of a no sleeping issue some nights, but hey. More time to think up new smoothies and teas.”

“You are aware this is Brew-Tiful Roast.” Zia asked with a smile. “As in, coffee?”

“Good thing Mr. Van Owen and Gray love it. Plus,” He smiled and put a hand to his hip in pride. “Yours truly has helped increase sells with my smoothies and tea mixes.”

“Way to go, Plant Nerd.” Zia said and slipped a five in his pocket. “For Bumpy. Get her some of those yummy carob biscuits.”

Ben handed Franklyn his cup. “Thanks. But you know I’m fine for money. With Dad and everything, honestly, this is just so I...”

Franklyn nodded. “We get it, Ben. Normalcy is…admirable.”

“Besides. I get to use my earnings to get my own place. With my own money.” He said excitedly.

Franklyn’s watch beeped. “Oh, shoot! I got to get to my Mathematical Theory class. Professor Murphy invited Ian Malcom today!”

“Get me an autograph?”

“He’s got five of the same damn book in his bag. We’ll get ya one, Benji.” Zia said with a sigh. “If you need anything—”

“I’m okay, Zia.” Ben said. “But thanks.”

She smiled as Franklyn sped out with a wave.

“Man, seems like forever since she took you under her wing.” Sammy said as the line slowed, leaving only a few people at tables typing away at laptops or talking among themselves.

“Yeah. Both Malcoms at Hammond University. Bet you he’ll crash Professor Malcom’s class.”

“He’s a Dad.” Sammy giggled as she wiped down the counter. “He kinda has an obligation to check in.”

As if on cue, her phone vibrated and she smiled at a picture of Bumpy sleeping on her back, showing it to Ben.

“Aw~” He cooed. “Send it?”

“Already done.” She giggled.

The door chimed and Sammy smiled at the newcomers before her face fell.

“Hi Darius. Kenji.” She said.

“Hey, Sammy. Got anything good today?” Darius, a paleo-researcher and Sammy’s classmate in zoological studies said.

“I got donuts.” She said. “And chicken pesto sandwiches.”

“I’ll take two of each.” Darius said as his taller Asian friend sauntered over to Ben.

“Huh, never seen you around here, Pretty Boy.” He said.

Ben looked up and froze.

Tall, tan, muscular and very, oh so very handsome.

Ben could feel his cheeks heating. “Um, what?”

Sammy’s hands came on his shoulders and pulled him a bit away from Kenji.

“Ben here usually works in the back.”

“That’s a shame. I guess you’re why this place is called Brew-tiful.” He said with a wink.

“Ben.” Sammy said. “Can you do me a favor and get more cups before the lunch rush?”

“Oh.” Ben said, snapping out of his trance. “Sure.”

 *

 As soon as Ben went through the kitchen door, Sammy slammed a hand down on the counter.

“No.” She said sternly.

“What?” Kenji asked.

“Brooklynn told me what happened with your last three girlfriends and boyfriend. All in a week!” She hissed.

“What?” Kenji asked. “There wasn’t a connection.”

“Here’s a connection. Don’t just date people cause their cute!” Sammy said.

Darius looked between the two.

“Kenji. Come on, Man. Ben looks…fragile.” He said.

“He works in a coffee shop, Darius. You gotta be pretty tough to work in food service.”

“Kenji.” Sammy said. “Not Ben.”

Before Kenji could respond, his phone rang. He looked at his phone and sighed.

“I’ll be back another time.” He said. “Looks like Dad needs to see me in person.”

“I’ll get back okay.” Darius said. “You go ahead.”

Kenji took the bag Sammy held out, slipping a $20 on the counter.

“Tell Ben I said bye.”

“No.” Sammy said with a deadpanned expression.

Kenji saw Ben look through the door of the kitchen window. He smirked and winked at him, enjoying how Ben ducked his head and reddened.

Kenji left and got into his car, sitting for a moment to watch Ben come out and shake hands with Darius.

“Damn. He really is pretty.” He said as he started the engine, big pine green eyes haunting his thoughts as he drove home.

-------

feat. from JP - Ian Malcolm, Tim Murphy and John Hammond

 JP2 - Kelly Malcom, Eddie Carr and Nick Van Owen

JP3 - Billy Brennan

JW- Zia, Franklyn and Gray

Love me some side characters. Thanks for reading!

Stay Sweet~