“There’s another race on so I’m thinking of streaming it to the TV. I really do think the bike sounds are helping—I don’t care if you think I’m crazy.” He’s laughing as he talks, grabbing a laptop off of the other side of the bed.
Benjamin looks exactly the same from the back. Same golden hair—same little back dimples, same smooth skin. He’s wearing some low-hanging sweatpants and a little blue crop top. His black socks give him zero traction so as he moves to lean over, he slides a bit. So beautiful. My sweet Button.
“Ten bucks says if I yell at him some more, he’ll wake up tonight.” There’s a sadness laced into his happy tone, his shoulders sagging as he zips the bag.
“I’d take that bet.” Benjamin’s entire body tenses—not a single muscle moving, not a single breath taken. “But now you owe me ten bucks.” He stands up straight, back still to me, now breathing loud and fast.
“No…” He whispers, shaking his head just slightly, like he won’t let himself believe it. Like he can’t afford to.
“Benjamin.” I’m using that stern voice—the one that commands him so easily. “Turn around.” So he does.
Slowly, like he’s fucking terrified, eyes on the ground. When they land on my shoes—the ones he brought for me—it confirms it. It makes it real. His gaze shoots to mine and an expression I’ve never seen before—such a heavy mixture of absolute joy and overwhelming pain—contorts his face. He sobs, running straight at me. I catch him in my arms, breathing him in, holding the back of his head as I force his face into my neck. He wraps his legs around my waist, arms around my shoulders.
“Aaron—” He cries. “Aaron, you woke up! You remember me?” He pulls back enough to see my face—searching it. “You know who Iam? That you loved me?” Benjamin looks terrified—like I might not even as I’m holding him in my arms.
“Love. That Ilove you. Yes, Button. I would never forget you.” His mouth is on mine—hands gripping my face so hard that I groan against the pain.
His tongue forces its way in to rub against mine—to lick everywhere he can, to taste me like he’s been starving without it—damn near slicing me open with that fucking piercing.
Then, he shoves me away, hopping down. Oh—he’sangry. One hard punch to my chest.
“You are in so much fucking trouble, Aaron Archer.” The glare Benjamin is leveling me with is actually kind of scary. I reach for his hips, to hold him some more, tofeelhim. He sidesteps me.
“What?! Why? I’ve been sleeping for months. I couldn’t have done anything.” I’m grinning at him, but my comment definitely makes it worse.
“Howdareyou jump. Are you fucking stupid?! I slip so you think—okay cool let’sbothfucking die.”
“That’s exactly what I thought, actually.” I confirm and as his mouth hangs open in shock I tell him— “I would follow you anywhere Benjamin—even into death.” His eyes are watering again, narrowing on me with so much anger and love and misery.
“I am so pissed at you. So fucking mad. I oughta beat your ass. Maybe put you back in a coma so you can sit and think about what you’ve done.” We hear Felix burst into laughter in the other room, so I turn around and shut the door.
“Baby, that’s not fair. You were literally about to jump.”
“Not anymore!” He throws his hands up in exasperation. “I was coming down!”
“Yes, but you still fell. And if you go—I’m going too. No matter where.”
“Ugh!” He turns away from me—walking toward the backpack on the bed. He doesn’t make it far before I’m behind him, pulling him back against me. Benjamin lets out a quiet, breathy groan when his back hits my chest, hand covering mine on his stomach.
“Don’tbe mad, Button. I can’t live without you. You know you would have followed me too.” He says nothing, just gives me more skin to drag my lips across as he tilts his head to the side. “I saw you the entire time.” His breath catches. “The entire time I was asleep I was stuck in this one single moment with you. You looked so beautiful—I wanted to tell you how much I love you.” I slip a hand under his shirt, running my fingers up over his soft stomach and to the bars in his nipples. “How much I wanted to touch you—to hear you.” Benjamin is panting now, hands grasping my thighs.
“Aaron—please. Let’s go home. Right now.” Grabbing under his jaw I tilt his head back to look up at me—seeing the heat in his eyes, the love and the longing.
“You have to wait, baby. My family wants to see me for a bit since I’ve been asleep so long.” Benjamin whines and I loosen my grip enough for him to speak.
“I’vebeenwaiting. So patiently.”Aw, fuck.
“I know—you’ve been very good.” He sighs, eyes closing as he pushes back further into me. I bring a hand down to squeeze the bulge in his sweatpants, causing him to give me another quiet groan. “A little bit longer, okay? Then you can have it—I promise.”
Benjamin opens his eyes and gives me one small nod—turning in my arms to kiss my jaw so lightly I barely feel it. Teasing me.
“Are you seducing me so I won’t beat your ass?” He asks me—tongue on my neck. I shiver as his teeth graze me, as his hand pulls at the hair on the back of my head.
“Maybe.” I respond and he giggles.
“Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how hard I come. Once I come down, I’ll still remember. And I’ll kick your ass anyway.” I groan against him—pulling his body tightly against mine, grinding our hips together.
“Fuck my family. I’ll make you come so hardright now. Take your sweats off.” Benjamin laughs a loud, obnoxious laugh and pulls away from me.
