[Center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019bffd0-f56e-74d7-9421-4453f1022115.webp[/img][/center]
[center][u][h1]Jan 6th, evening[/h1][/u]
[u][h2]A hotel near Lassen Park[/h2][/u][/center]

Six hours and many stops later, Chase finally was able to pull them into their hotel for the night. He'd paid cash, courtesy of one of the wallets from the nicer hotel they'd stayed at, and took Ben up towards their room. He of course booked an ADA room once again, now knowing this had to be a staple given Ben's condition. As soon as they opened the door to the room Chase through his bags off to the side of the room. [Color=585c74]”I'd fall on the bed if I didn't feel so gross. Don't need to dirty the sheets before we even sleep in them.”[/color] 

Ben glanced into the bathroom as they entered and smiled as he saw the shower space. Spending time with Chase in the shower aside, he was wildly grateful for the large open space. If Chase had wanted to shower in a little cubicle of a shower he could do that, Ben was not getting into one that small. He wondered briefly what the school shower set up was like. Did they have floor bathrooms that everyone shared, or private ones? 

[color=cde0e1]”Shower then? Do you know if this place has laundry? Or will we want to hit up a laundry mat again?”[/color] He was ready to shed his pants that had gotten muddy, though that had been hours ago so it was just dry and dusty now. Ben checked on Titan, the only bug he was traveling with. The little rescue from beetle rock. Ben wondered if he had told Chase that Danni had helped him name the little guy. 

[Color=585c74]”I made sure it had laundry. You seemed to really get in it with those bugs, but seemed put off by the idea of dirty clothes the other day so I tried finding a place with one.”[/color] Chase began to strip off his clothes, tossing his shirt one way, kicking his pants in the opposite direction, and just standing there in only his boxers and socks for a moment before he made his way into the bathroom. Last thing he needed was his feet on frigid cold tiles. 

Ben admired Chase for a moment then, followed suit, removing his clothes, and following after Chase into the bathroom. [color=cde0e1]”Thank you. I do have a second pair of trousers with me, but it’s good to have clean pants.”[/color] Ben grinned a little, knowing that the phrasing would sound weird to American ears. 

Chase paused for a moment, cocking his head and turning on his heels to face Ben. He'd heard some rustling, but wasn’t expecting Ben to be stripped down and behind him. He turned away shyly as his heart skipped a beat before turning to face him again. [Color=585c74]”So which is it? Trousers or Pants? Pick a lane.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Well, I also have extra pants with me. I would not be running around for ten days with only one pair. That’d be insane,”[/color] Ben said a shit eating grin on his face. 

Several expressions ran through Chase's face all at once. Wiping them clean with his hand as he rubbed his face. [Color=585c74]”I…”[/color] He walked up to Ben and placed his hands on his hips. Looking at him for a good long second before giving him a kiss. [Color=585c74]”You drive me crazy you know that right?”[/color]

Ben laughed. [color=cde0e1]”Pants are what you are wearing right now. Trousers go over that,”[/color] he explained. 
 
Chase put on a faux British accent as he pointed down to Ben's boxers. [Color=585c74]”Here I thought those were your knickers.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Unless you’re a girl, you are wearing pants.”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”Actually.”[/color] Chase pulled off the rest before kicking off his socks and turning on the hot water. [Color=585c74]”I'm not even wearing that. Are you joining or just standing there for show?”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Hmmm, the show is pretty good,”[/color] Ben said, a smile on his face as he looked Chase up and down. 

[Color=585c74]”You little perv.”[/color] Chase quickly covered himself with one hand before laughing. He moved into the now hot water, letting it warm him up as he closed his eyes for a brief second. [Color=585c74]”Youre more than welcome to stand there, I like what I see too.”[/color]

Ben bit his lip, letting his gaze slowly return to Chase’s face. [color=cde0e1]”The view is good, but you know. I think there are other ways to enjoy such pieces of art.”[/color] He started laughing at his own cheesiness. 

[Color=585c74]”Oh my god. You are such a dork!”[/color] Chase laughed. [Color=585c74]”Fortunately for you though, that's exactly my cuppa tea. Speaking of, we should get some after to help stay warm.”[/color] He motioned with his head for Ben to come and join him..

[color=cde0e1]”Tea is always the correct answer.”[/color] Ben agreed and finished removing his clothes. He stepped into the warm water. It felt good to be with Chase. Even in a damn shower. It helped that the shower was big enough that he couldn’t touch the walls all at the same time. 

The second Ben stepped into the shower, Chase wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him in close. Kissing him before giving him another kiss on his forehead. He stared at Ben, holding him as he tried to figure out how to ask something without seeming the tiny bit jealous that he had been feeling. [Color=585c74]”Sooo…”[/color]

Ben stood up on his toes a little to kiss Chase on the lips. [color=cde0e1]”So?”[/color] 

Chase rested his forehead against Ben's, closing his eyes as he let the water hit his back as he thought to himself [color=585c74][i]What're you doin man? Don't ruin a good thing.”[/i][/color] He let out sigh before he shook his head slightly. [Color=585c74]”Nothin Benny Boi, I was just being stupid is all.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”That was a big sigh. Are you sure?”[/color] Ben asked softly, suddenly nervous. He had gotten used to a few things during this trip, gotten better at reading Chase’s mood, but that didn’t mean he was good at it. Not yet. 

Chase’s heart stopped. Nerves shot within him as Ben called him out, politely sure, but all the same. He was silent. Didn't know what to say or do. He rested his chin atop Ben's head. [Color=585c74]”No. Yes? I dont know man.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”We’ve talked about some heavy subjects. We haven’t lied yet,”[/color] Ben paused. [color=cde0e1]”Are you mad at me?”[/color] He wasn’t sure if Chase was, but of all things that would make Chase hesitant to talk, that seemed likely. 

[Color=585c74]”No my sweet King, I am not mad at you. Just myself. I know it's dumb, but…you were on your phone a whole lot more than usual on the drive today, I also noticed that your house music had shifted beyond your usual tastes and…I dunno, I got a little jealous that's all. But I don't want you to feel like you can't talk to your friends or other people or anything so, yeah…it's stupid.”[/color]

Ben nodded, he had been a little worried, but Danni had started the ‘20 question’ game and he had gotten wrapped up in the conversation. More than he should have. Especially when alone with his boyfriend. 

[color=cde0e1]”Danni asked me about what music I liked. He recommended those songs. I wanted to listen to them. They were pretty good. Your feelings aren’t stupid.”[/color] Ben could hear his mom in the statement. The way she’d smile and make him a cup of tea and sit with him to talk about it, whatever was bothering him. Damn. The world sucked without her. He felt tears burn at the edges of his eyes and he pressed himself against Chase, tucking his chin to hide them. 

[color=cde0e1]”We got into this conversation, and were asking each other questions back and forth. And it was fun. I liked getting to know him better. Do you want to do the same thing? They were dumb questions but sort of helped me. I guess.”[/color] He tried to focus on that, the water, Chase, anything but the past. 

Chase felt the moment Ben pressed in harder. He instantly went to hold Ben tighter as he felt his words reverberating in his chest every time Ben spoke. [Color=585c74]”Hey hey hey, it's ok, it's ok. Don't – ah fuck, see this is why I didn't want to say anything, I didn't want to upset you. It's fine, really, I just – I need to get over myself that’s all. I've spent so long being selfish recently that it's hard for me to pull back from it sometimes ok? Just, don't get upset.”[/color] 

Chase rubbed Ben's back with one hand as he cradled his head with the other. Mentally chastising himself for clearly upsetting Ben over something so stupid. His voice was low, a whisper with a tinge of gravelyness to it. [Color=585c74]”Yeah, we can uh, we can do that if you'd like.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”You didn’t upset me,”[/color] Ben said softly. [color=cde0e1]”It’s just that was one of my mum’s sayings. Feelings aren’t stupid.”[/color] Ben shook his head and pulled away slightly so he could look at Chase. 

[color=cde0e1]”I don’t want to hurt you. I like Danni, he’s my friend, and I don’t want to hurt him either. I’ve spent all day talking with him and thinking over what you said. I don’t know if anything [i]would[/i] happen, but I want us three to be friends. That’s important to me. My round table can have platonic friendships.”[/color] Ben thought Danni was cute, and sweet and funny. But he didn’t know even after figuring out how he felt about Chase if that meant he liked him in the same way. It was hard to know over text. Hell, his solution for figuring out if he liked Chase more than a friend was just to kiss him. So he really wasn’t in a position to make any decisions. 

[color=cde0e1]”I’d like to. I’ll share my answers of what Danni asked me too.”[/color] 

Chase wanted to protest, say that some feelings were in fact stupid, but he didn't want to argue against the memory of Ben's late mother. He may not have cared for his own parents too well, but Ben clearly did and Chase wasn't about to try and tarnish those memories. Chase bit his lip, thinking about Ben's response to his round table. His heart fell still again. [Color=585c74]”You said not cheating. I'll hold you to that, just…if anything feels like it might happen… let me know first? Maybe? Fuck, I don't know. Just forget I even said that just now, so these questions is it like set ones? Or we coming up with our own?”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”No cheating,”[/color] Ben promised again. [color=cde0e1]”I won’t lie to you. As for the questions we were just bouncing them back and forth. I was coming up with some, but then I ended up googling questions to ask. And while I was there I googled a few other words. Kind of trying to understand stuff,”[/color] he let out a small sigh. [color=cde0e1]”But yeah, he asked me what my favorite song was. I told him and he sent back those songs. I’d have to look at the messages to remember exactly the conversation, but it is stuff like ‘do you have any siblings?’”[/color] Ben was pretty certain Chase didn’t, they had talked about his past, but not much about before he had been kidnapped. So he wasn’t 100% sure. [color=cde0e1]”I already knew he had siblings so I asked if they were alike. I don’t have any. I’m an only child. I have cousins on my dad’s side, but no one on my mum’s. Obviously, she only had Matt as a brother and he can’t have kids.”[/color] 
 
Chase’s heart fell into his stomach shortly after Ben began to speak, only beginning to clear up as Ben continued on with his statement. For a moment there he believed Ben was going to state he wanted to he with Danni, or worse with Danni instead of him. He didnt know what to think at the moment, what to say. Ben had said so much and moved past so many things. He decided to start with what felt like the most obvious question, regardless of how badly he wanted to tease Ben about not even asking him for his own musical tastes. [Color=585c74]”What else did you google?”[/color]

This was a weird conversation to be having in the shower, Ben thought, [color=cde0e1]”Uh, well I googled poly. I sort of had heard the term before, but didn’t really know what it meant. That’s why I didn’t understand what you were trying to say this morning. I understood that people don’t have relationships with just one person, but I didn’t know the word for it, or all that it could mean, which is [i]a lot.[/i]”[/color] 

Ben was quiet for a moment, [color=cde0e1]”What did you first think of me when we met, at the contest? Why did you approach me like that?”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”Oh. So uh, what'd you think of it? Poly I mean. Not that I'm interested in it or disinterested, just…curious.”[/color] Chase smiled at the question. [Color=585c74]”I told you already. I saw a cute guy, and I approached you. There wasn't too much beyond that. I don't know why I did it really, I just…did. I'm glad I did though.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”I’m glad you did too,”[/color] Ben admitted. [color=cde0e1]”Hmm, I think that it makes sense in a way. It seems like a lot of responsibility. One relationship is already difficult, more than one, you have even more things to worry about. But, I think that if... if it were people who liked each other, if everyone was good with it, I think that’d be nice.”[/color] Ben had spent a good amount of the car ride looking up different terms. He didn’t think it’d be an issue if it were a hinge situation, but he’d want a kitchen table relationship. One where everyone knew each other and hung out. He wouldn’t want to stress out trying to divide his time. Maybe occasionally he’d be fine with one on one dates, but he was used to groups. 

Ben thought about what to ask next. Some of the questions with Danni had felt like filler, around his actual question. To ease tension between one question and the next. [color=cde0e1]”Let’s finish showering. We can keep going after, and I can read you the ones I answered for Danni.”[/color] 

Chase nodded. Trying to think about how he'd feel about sharing his time with Ben with another person. Sure he said it was fine with Danni because of the issues he had with being abandoned. But actually thinking about sharing his dating time? Like Ben being off with another person romantically and alone while Chase was left behind? He didn't exactly like that idea, at least he wasn't sure if he could. [Color=585c74]”Shower first then, and questions and tea after.”[/color]

The shower, after that, went by quickly. They cleaned up, and continued to chat a bit, but about unimportant things, like what they wanted for dinner. That still hadn’t been fully decided by the time they were toweling off and changing into clean dry clothes. Ben’s dirty ones in a few piles between the main room and the bathroom, Chase’s no different, if not a bit more spread out. 
Ben grabbed his phone and pulled up the text log. God they had talked a lot. He scrolled back to the start of the 20 questions game. He considered reading off the conversation, but in the end decided to just hand the phone over to Chase. He hadn’t said anything he wouldn’t want Chase to know. 

Chase was in his towel, sitting on the bed as Ben passed him the phone to read the 20 questions. He shifted, laying down in full but keeping his head off the pillow and on the headboard so his damp hair didn't wet it. He was meant to read the questions, but Chase flicked to the top of the text chain and read each one. There were several instances where a pit felt as if it was forming in his stomach, moments that felt flirtatious and even though some happened before Chase and Ben even hung out at the skate park, it still hurt. He could see why Ben liked Danni, it made sense. It also made him wonder if he was even good enough for Ben. 

His face ran through several different emotions as he continued on, one hand almost constantly pressed against his lips in thought. Especially when he'd read that Ben stated that he said he was ok with poly. Chase wasn't fully sure, he was joking before and now everything was becoming so real and it made him feel sick. He felt as if he'd just gotten Ben and was suddenly losing him already. The images Danni sent didn't help either. When he finally reached the end of the thread he tapped the camera icon and snapped a photo of him shirtless, in a towel, laying in bed with his hands in a peace sign and a very unimpressed look with a caption of ‘Hi’ before tossing the phone back towards Ben on the bed. He didn't say anything, he didn't know what to say. 

Ben watched and frowned as Chase’s face betrayed his emotions. He couldn't identify all of the moods but he had a feeling Chase wasn't happy. Why? Nothing in those texts would be something Chase should be upset about? Right? 

[color=cde0e1]”Chase?”[/color] he asked softly. Unsure of what to say. 

[Color=585c74]”Yeah babe?”[/color] Chase leaned his head back, staring up at the ceiling as he answered.

[color=cde0e1]”You seem, upset.”[/color] Ben hedged. His phone buzzed, several messages coming in back to back in the quintessential way that Danni texts. He glanced at it and considers looking, Ben is confused. He had told Danni he was signing off for the day. 

[Color=585c74]”Go ahead, answer it.”[/color] Chase got up from the bed, lingering at the edge as his feet rested on the carpeted floor before making his way towards a bag to snag his PJs for the night. His towel thrown and discarded into the bathroom.

Ben chewed on his lip and picked up the phone from where it had landed after Chase had given it back. His frown deepened at the photo. He smiled though as he read Danni’s messages.

[color=cde0e1]”Danni says hi, he wants your number, and you owe him a hang out.”[/color] Danni was so sweet. Did he really not see how upset Chase looked in the photo? He responded. 

[color=cde0e1]”Can you help me understand?”[/color] Ben asked. 

Chase waved away Ben's message about Danni. [Color=585c74]”Yeah yeah, I told him we could already. Honestly if he wanted my number he could've just asked. You have it, my phones in my pants right pocket.”[/color] He was in the middle if getting into his sweatpants, hopping on one leg. [Color=585c74]”I can, can you just…give me a sec? Im trying to think of how to word this without sounding like a complete ass.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Okay.”[/color] Ben said softly, he looked at his phone as a couple more messages came in from Danni. He responded, sending Chase's contact info, and frowning. What had happened? He pulled on pants and sat cross legged on the edge of the bed, his knee bouncing.

It wasn't long until Chase collected himself. Still shirtless, but now in his Freddy's sweatpants as he rounded the corner out of the bathroom and towards where Ben was sitting. Taking a seat next to him as he hand sat between them, torn between wanting to pull Ben in and wanting to give him some space. [Color=585c74]”Look, I'm just going to be blunt here because I don't know what else to say or how to phrase it. Do you like Danni? Like, do you have a crush on him? Because the way your messages read, the pictures he sends, it's a little flirty and reading it hurt. I just…I'd rather know now than get caught with my pants down later.”[/color]

Confusion crashed through Ben. He wanted to curl up. He wanted a cup of tea. He needed to think through it all. Confusion shifted to irritation and anger. What had he done wrong? Maybe he shouldn’t have shown Chase the texts, but if he hadn’t... then what? Was he lying?

Ben made a small huffing sound. He stood up and started pacing. Leaving his phone behind. He didn’t want to have this conversation. He didn’t want to fight. He didn’t want to upset either of his friends. Sure, he liked Danni. Had been a little upset that he had gone on the super cool tour of the multiverse with his other friends. That had been [i]before[/i] meeting Chase. Well, okay, not technically. He had met Chase by then at the skate park, and Chase had teased him about being his boyfriend. But Chase had also teased him at the Contest. Chase said he had thought he was cute even back then, which was wild considering Ben had been surly as all bloody hell that day. Why? Why? WHY!?

What was he supposed to say? Yes, he liked Danni, he thought he was cute. But not to worry. That if Chase didn’t want him to be friends with Danni he’d cut him off!? No way. He wouldn’t do that. He had [i]promised[/i]. And Chase had said it was okay? He had said that Ben could stay friends with Danni, but now he was changing that? Is that what was happening? 

Chase felt his heart drop. He hated this, hated seeing Ben like this, hated that he was the one to cause all of it, the one to ruin things [i]again[/i]. His eyes began to burn, he could tell that he wanted to cry, but he held it in, kept the tears at bay and let the knot in his throat continue to grow. He didn't know what to say, he had no way to make this all right, to change the past or how he felt. He couldn't help the jealousy bubbling up inside of him. Finally, he spoke, his voice broken, strained, depressed and pleading. [Color=585c74]”Please…say something, anything. Yell at me, hit me, do whatever you have to just please say something.”[/color]

Ben froze in his pacing when Chase spoke, pulling him out of his spiralling thoughts. It had been [i]days[/i] and he hadn’t heard him speak like that. Ben trembled.

[color=cde0e1]”I’m not going to yell, or hit you. I’m trying to figure it out, where I went wrong? I don’t know what to do or say.”[/color] Ben was so scared. [color=cde0e1]”What did I do wrong?”[/color]

Chase stood up and tried to take Ben's hands into his. His voice still trembling. [Color=585c74]”You didn't do anything wrong, it's me. Im the one that's broken, I'm the one that messed up. I just – I know you said that your friends and I'm ok with that, I'm [i]fine[/i] with that, but those texts? They didn't feel like friends Ben, they felt like you were talking to a crush. But maybe that's just me, maybe I'm too fucked up to see beyond myself and notice you are just friends…”[/color]

Ben let Chase take his hands. He held onto them like he was falling, like if he let go so would the world. [color=cde0e1]”I am friends with him. I don’t know what he thinks of me. He has never said anything that implies anything more than friendship. He is cute. I do like him. I don’t know if I like him in a ‘I want to date or have sex’ with him way. I don’t think it is fair to assume he likes me that way either. I don’t know if he is just friendly, or if he is flirting with me. I can’t tell. I don’t know.”[/color] Tears burned at Ben’s eyes and spilled over. [color=cde0e1]”But none of that matters. Because he is my friend. And you’re my knight. And anything else is extra. I don’t care. I don’t know. I don’t know.”[/color] Ben leaned forward into Chase’s chest, tears running hot down his cheeks. 

Chase held him in his arms. He could feel the tears as they hit his chest and that broke him. He couldn't hold the tears in any longer and as he held his boyfriend, as he tried to speak, he sobbed. [Color=585c74]”And you are my King. I'm sorry, I didn't want to hurt you, I didn't mean to make you cry, I never want to see you cry. It's going to be ok, [i]we[/i] are going to be ok. Alright? We'll figure this all out together. I just don't want to lose you, I'm so afraid to lose you…”[/color] He pulled Ben in tighter as if he might become smoke and vanish if he let go. Pressing a kiss atop his head. [Color=585c74]”Im so sorry…”[/color]

It took Ben a few moments to calm down, to stop crying. He wanted a stupid cup of tea. He always wanted one after crying. When he finally had his wits about him, he pulled back enough to wipe at his face, he really needed to blow his nose too, but he didn’t want to leave Chase’s arms, not yet. 
[color=cde0e1]”I don’t want to lose you either. I’m just confused. I don’t even know where to start talking about any of this. Because even if I do like him, I don’t know if he likes me, and you were the one who brought up the poly thing. But now you’re scaring me. I don’t [i]need[/i] anything from him like that, not if you’re not alright with it. We can just be friends. That’s all I want.”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”Who wouldn't like you? You're smart, cute, funny, and so much fun to be around. Anyone would be lucky to be with you, [i]I[/i] am lucky to be with you.”[/color] Chase placed his hands on Ben's cheeks and used his thumbs to wipe away the tears before doing the same with one hand to clean off Ben's upper lip from his runny nose, wiping it off on his sweatpants before going in to kiss Ben. [Color=585c74]”I don't want to scare you, look I'm just as confused about all of this as you are. I…you're the first guy I've been with and this is so new to me still. I – joking about the poly thing was probably a bad on me, but if later down the line…if that's something you want to pursue, I'm not against [i]trying[/i] it for you. If it doesn't feel right then we can have that conversation then and see how we want to go forth. But for now, in this moment, you are my King and I your Knight and only wish to make you happy.”[/color]

Ben kissed Chase back. Relief washed through him. They’d be okay. He nodded. [color=cde0e1]”Sorry for getting snot all over you,”[/color] he said softly. [color=cde0e1]”I like you, too. I don’t want to hurt you. I didn’t think I would. Do you want a cup of tea? I need one.”[/color] He lt shaky, and his head hurt a bit from the crying. 

[Color=585c74]”I could go for a cup of tea. Maybe a movie? Just you, me, cuddled in bed with a good cup and a good movie.”[/color] Chase didn't even comment on the snot, he didn't care enough about it. All he cared about was making sure Ben felt better. He was about to say something more when his phone went off, the Merlin theme song playing for less than a second before it started up again, and again, and again, seventy times in a row. Chase looked towards his phone, then back at Ben. [Color=585c74]”If he kills my battery I'm going to end him.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”That sounds good. You pick the movie.”[/color] He looked over where Chase’s phone was going off again and again and again. He laughed. [color=cde0e1]”Yeah, you get it now. He’s just like that. I’m going to wash my face. And get some hot water going, you get the T.V. set up?”[/color]

Chase made his way over towards his phone, seeing all the missed messages. He started scrolling through them as he began to set up the movie, torn between genres he had a few picked out and ready depending on what Ben was in the mood for. He laid back on the bed, adding Danni into his contacts and changing the name to Sir Gwain before sending off a singular text and putting his phone on silent. 

Ben washed his face and cleaned up a bit. He was still stressed out, but at least he had calmed down some. Once he felt like he could go back out into the room with Chase again he did. He started looking around for an electric kettle. He  couldn’t find one, and thought back to the other hotel. He didn’t remember there being one there either. 
[color=cde0e1]”Wait, there isn’t an electric kettle in here. Do we have to order hot water?”[/color] 

Chase pointed towards a Keurig machine sitting on the counter. [Color=585c74]”Its for coffee but if you don't put a pack in only hot water comes out. It does have a coffee taste to it though since they're rarely ever cleaned. We can order hot water or tea if you want to, or go down to the lobby store to get two cups of hot water. So what're we in the mood for? I got Godzilla Minus One Minus Color, MazeRunner, and Ms. Congeniality.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Whatever is easiest for the water, except for coffee tasting, that sounds horrid. And uh, I only know anything about Godzilla. I don’t know the other two movies,”[/color] Ben said, he sat back on the bed. [color=cde0e1]”What are they about?”[/color] At the moment he wanted something a little light hearted, which Godzilla definitely was not. 

Chase leaned over and gave Ben a kiss. [Color=585c74]”One's about teens who are put through tests in what they call The Maze, and it's like a Sci-Fi Action survival type deal. The other is a Rom-Com.”[/color] He got off the bed and grabbed an old band T from his bag, putting it on as he continued to speak. [Color=585c74]”You think about what you want to see, I will be right back with my lord's waters.”[/color] Before Ben could protest, Chase stepped into a shadow and vanished. 

Ben's stomach did a pleasant little flip. He smiled as Chase disappeared. Once he was gone though he sighed heavily and lay back on the bed. [color=cde0e1]”Fuck,”[/color] he whispered into the empty room. He had almost messed it all up, and why? He rubbed at his face trying to center himself. Well the movie pick was easy enough. He was even less in the mood for a rom-com then he was for Godzilla. So [i]Mazerunner[/i] it was. He stood up and out of his bag, put on his pj’s real quick. It probably was a good idea for them to just cuddle, nothing else tonight. They needed to cool down. Everything had been happening so fast. Danni had called it a U-haul and Ben had looked that up too. It was true. They kind of had. Not as fully as the term suggested, but enough. He laid back down, plugged his phone in, muted the ringer, and waited for Chase to come back. 

Chase appeared within the hotel's lobby, the cold tile pressed against his feet as he wandered the area pacing back and forth. There was still a hitch in him, he'd left his phone upstairs and for good reason. He wanted to grill Danni. To ask him what his intentions were, why he was flirting, if he was flirting. But he needed to trust Ben. Trust he wouldn't just run away. He needed fresh air. Chase stepped outside, in nothing but his sweatpants and a band T that had seen better days and had small holes along it. He let the cold run through him, let the breeze shake away everything he was feeling until he was numb to it all. His feet hurt from how bitter the bite was, then finally he went back inside, went towards the Lobby's little market and asked for two cups of hot water, snagging a couple sugar packets as well before making his way back up to the room and knocking. [Color=585c74]”Room Service.”[/color]

It wasn’t long until Chase returned with the hot water, Ben heard the knock and was a little confused, but looked through the peep hole to confirm it was Chase. When he did he opened the door. 

[color=cde0e1]”Hey,”[/color] Ben smiled. [color=cde0e1]”I’ve got the tea packets in my bag,”[/color] he said and hurried over to his bag and pulled out the box of tea packets. He pulled out two of the Earl Grey. [color=cde0e1]”Oh, do you want Earl Grey or English Breakfast?”[/color] God he felt nervous all over. Like it was the second day again. 

[Color=585c74]”Earl please.”[/color] Chase closed the door gently with his foot until he heard the satisfying click of the lock. [Color=585c74]”Stole a couple of sugar packets too, they're in my pocket.”[/color] He placed the cups onto the counter before taking his shirt back off and tossing it over to the side. [Color=585c74]”So what'd you pick? Or did you think of something different?”[/color] 

He figured that Chase meant the sugar was free and he just grabbed the packets not literally stole them. For a brief moment Ben was confused. Then he remembered the movies. [color=cde0e1]”Oh, let's watch Mazerunner. Sounds interesting,”[/color] Ben said, and took the cups of hot water from Chase. He set them down and placed the bags into the paper cups. [color=cde0e1]”How much sugar do you like in your tea?”[/color] Was he supposed to take the sugar from Chase’s pocket? 

[Color=585c74]”Oh shit right, the sugar.”[/color] Chase pulled out the packets and laid them onto the counter. All real sugar, no artificial sweeteners. The only difference was if it was white or raw. He did notice the confusion on Ben's face and his smile dropped a fraction. [Color=585c74]”We don't have to do the movie if you're not up for it? We can do the questionnaire or just vibe, anything really.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Oh, no it wasn't that. I just thought you meant tea. I was confused.”[/color] Ben took two of the white sugar packets and added that to one of the cups. He slid the other to Chase, letting him decide what he wanted. 

They should talk. They should figure this out. But he was so scared of a sad outcome. They had gone all the way just the night prior and were already fighting. 

[Color=585c74]”You sure? I don't want you to feel like you are walking on eggshells with me ok? If you don't want to do something tell me, if you want [i]me[/i] to do something ask me, but if it's just tea the tea then…”[/color] Chase shrugged, grabbing his sugar packets and putting four in. 

Ben sipped at the scalding hot tea. It wasn't ready. He didn't care. He needed the ritual. He stirred it. 

[color=cde0e1]”I am down to watch the movie. But also, maybe we should talk. Decide on... not rules... but boundaries. Decide what is fair. To everyone. Or we ignore it all until we are at school and can talk about it. All three of us. Because I don't want to make a decision that impacts Danni without him getting a say in it.”[/color] He wasn't looking at Chase. He was looking down at the tea as it slowly darkened. He sipped it again. It still sucked. Maybe that was because of the cup, or maybe it was because his mum wasn't the one who made it. His limbs felt heavy. The grief of the past few months pulled at them. He pushed it away and sipped again. 

Chase looked down. It felt like all of his energy had been drained at once. He felt cold beyond the fact he had just been outside. It sounded almost like Ben wanted to break up. The tears threatened to come back once more. [Color=585c74]”Boundaries are good. Talking is better. I – “[/color] He sucked in some air, having left his cup to the side on the table. [Color=585c74]”You first. Tell me what's on your mind, what you're thinking, wanting.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”You,”[/color] Ben shrugged slightly, still not looking. [color=cde0e1]”But I [i]promised[/i] Danni before I met you at the skate park that I'd be his friend. That I wouldn't leave him because he had been hurt by his friends getting into other relationships and leaving him behind. I didn't know at the time I'd meet you again and that we would connect this way. So maybe that was a bad promise. But I'm not going to break it. My boundary is that whatever we do as a couple that's fine, as long as I also spend time with Danni. I can be better about texting, I can do I don't know, but I am not going to hurt him.”[/color]

[Color=585c74]”Woah woah woah. Benny Boi, slow down there. I would [i]never[/i] want you to hurt him, or any friend you make ever. Ok? And if I ever try to tell you to choose between me or him then dump me because that's not what boyfriends do. I don't care that you're texting him. Yeah I'm jealous, and I can't fully help that and I'm sorry I cant but…dont lose a friend over me ok? Maybe – shit, maybe we can make group chat? So while you two talk and I drive I can be part of the conversation. I won't be able to text back but you can talk for me. That way I at least feel…included? And maybe when we are together hanging out beyond the car now texting unless it's Matt or an emergency. If I'm spending time with you I want to be with [i]you[/i] not you and a phone. Is that…fair?”[/color]

Ben gave a small sigh of relief and looked up at Chase. [color=cde0e1]”That’s fair. I’ll set that up tomorrow. Thank you.”[/color] Ben’s chest hurt and he felt like crying again, but he did not want that. So he sipped at his tea and fought it back. Emotions were stupid. And as soon as he thought that he remembered his mum again, and how much he wished he could ask her for advice. She had the best advice. She always knew what to do or say when things were difficult. He took another deep breath, it hitched a little. 

[Color=585c74]”I can set it up right now if you'd like? Unless you prefer to do it tomorrow?”[/color] Chase snuggled in closer to Ben, wrapping an arm around him as he gave him a kiss on his cheek. [Color=585c74]”Sorry for springing all of this again…I didn't mean for tonight to go like this.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”He has had your number for five minutes, tell me, do you want to start a group chat with him right now? Or do you want to have some quiet time watching a movie just you and I?”[/color] Ben leaned into the embrace but looked up and raised an eyebrow. 

[color=cde0e1]”It is a lot. But you’re not the only person in this relationship. We have to talk to each other too. As much as I enjoy,”[/color] Ben cleared his throat. [color=cde0e1]”Praying with you. If we want something more, talking is important too.”[/color] 

Chase raised his eyebrow. [Color=585c74]”You might make me a pious man with the way we pray. But you're right, I need to communicate better about things that bother me. Also…I do wanna wait, because in the one second he had my number he sent me seventy messages. Seventy babe. I just want some quality with my little Cuddle Bug right now. It's that ok?”[/color]

Ben snorted. [color=cde0e1]”He talks like that too. A little hard to follow sometimes.”[/color] Ben shook his head in amusement. [color=cde0e1]”And yeah, that’s okay. Movie, cuddles, maybe 20 questions.”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”But first, I need to give you some apology kisses. I messed up big time today and I need to make it up somehow.”[/color] Chase pressed a kiss to Ben's neck, then another.

Ben set his cup of tea down. He shivered at the kisses, and resisted giggling. [color=cde0e1]”You didn’t mess up. You had feelings and you expressed them. That’s what you’re supposed to do. We figured it out.”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”And right now”[/color] Chase continued to kiss as he spoke. [Color=585c74]”I'm expressing more feelings.”[/color] The moment he knew the danger of hot tea was set aside, Chase straddled Ben and looked lovingly into his eyes. [Color=585c74]”You drive me crazy Bug Boi, in more ways than one, and I wouldn't have it any other way. You have my sword, and my heart.”[/color] He leaned down and pressed a kiss against his lips. 

Ben was grinning. [color=cde0e1]”I like it when you express your feelings. Not sure why I drive you crazy, I feel like I’ve been more trouble than good, but I’m glad you like it. Mmm your sword you say.”[/color] 

Chase blushed. [Color=585c74]”I meant metaphorically. Like, my allegiance, my loyalty. But also…yeah, my uh…”[/color] He got shy again.

Ben grinned even brighter as Chase blushed. He leaned forward and pulled him into a kiss. [color=cde0e1]”Those all sound good to me.”[/color] 

[center][u][h2]Jan. 7th[/h2][/u][/center]

The night before had gotten better. Chase had felt that a necessary obstacle was now hurdled in their relationship, and he was certain even more would come. But so long as they held fast and hurdled together, they'd be fine. After all, isn't that what boyfriends do? Overcome hardships in spite of them? He knew Danni wouldn't respond, it was too late at night, around 2 am as he sent a few texts just to allow himself a sense of normalcy and before long the lonely night was over, a new day had risen, and it was time for one of Chase's new favorite pastimes. Waking up Ben. 

There are many ways to wake someone up. Gently, lovingly, with a shock to the system. Chase decided a mixture of both was in order. He'd recalled exactly how Ben liked his tea, trying to memorize the right coloration for the ratio of water to milk or cream. Finally, he'd made Ben's cup, set it off nearby, and ripped the sheets off the bed as the cold air seeped in and the warm created over night dissipated. [Color=585c74]”Goooooood morning my beautiful babe, time to rise and shine and go see a volcanic park!”[/color]

Ben snapped awake. It wasn't [i]cold[/i] in the room, but it wasn't as cozy as under the blankets. He yelped and sat bolt upright. He shivered at the temperature change and glared at Chase. He supposed there could be worse ways to be woken up. There were also infinitely better ways. He stuck out his tongue.

[color=cde0e1]”Meany. Why?”[/color] 

Chase gasped as he was called mean. [Color=585c74]“But I brought you tea, even waited for it to steep before waking you.”[/color] He passed the cup over to Ben as he took his own cup of black coffee, taking a sip. [Color=585c74]”As to why? Uh…I missed you all night and desperately wanted you awake and had you asked for five more minutes I'd be inclined to say yes, which would ruin the tea and make me feel lonely.”[/color] He stuck his tongue out back.

[color=cde0e1]”Mmm tea can make up for a lot of things.”[/color] Ben nodded and stood, taking the cup from Chase. He sipped at it. He felt muscles relax. The tea was made right. It tasted good. Chase had gotten the balance of flavors in just the right way that Ben liked. So, it wasn’t the cup. It really had been him messing it up the night prior. 

[color=cde0e1]”A good cup of tea, makes up for even more.”[/color] He kissed Chase lightly. [color=cde0e1]”You’re forgiven, my knight.”[/color] 

Chase felt as a single tear streaked down his cheek. Wiping it away quickly as he looked away. [Color=585c74]”Awe shucks, thanks. My ever so benevolent King.”[/color] He lifted his coffee up as he took a shy sip from the cup. 

Ben tilted his head, he bit his lip and then asked, [color=cde0e1]”I wasn’t really mad about being woken up that way. Irritated a little, sure, because it was cold. But not mad. Are you okay?”[/color]

Oh.

His heart sank a little as Ben clarified. Chase had thought he was forgiven for the night prior. He knew things had felt patched up, fixed until they could discuss things further when the time was right,  but he still felt the weight of his mistake. That was his burden to carry. He was made very aware of just how much his actions affected others now. He promised he would be more open, more honest. [Color=585c74]”My Lord, I had thought you meant I was forgiven for last night's transgression. I misunderstood is all “[/color]

Ben’s mouth opened into a slight ‘o’. [color=cde0e1]”I told you last night that your emotions are not stupid. You’re allowed to have them and allowed to express them. I am definitely not mad at you for anything about last night. I was scared during it. I didn’t know what to do, I didn’t know how to fix it. God, I was so afraid that I had messed up the best thing that’s happened to me since my parents died,”[/color] Ben sighed. [color=cde0e1]”When I came here, to America, I didn’t want to make friends. I didn’t want to do anything but skulk. I was mad at myself, and my Uncle, and a whole bunch of other things. So I cried because I have been happy and I was scared it was going to go away. My dearest knight, you will never be transgressing if you are honest with me.”[/color] 

He was the happiest he'd been? That alone sent Chase over the moon and back as he clung to every word that Ben had said. A sigh of relief along with a few tears of joy. Yet, he still felt the need to ask. [Color=585c74]”Then say you will forgive me for the fear I placed in you, I never wished to hurt you in any way.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Chase, my first and dearest knight, I forgive you.”[/color] Ben stood up on his toes and kissed him. 

Chase smiled as a small chuckle escaped him. [Color=585c74]”We should really invest in some shoes with height.”[/color] Chase kissed him back as he teased. 

Ben smiled, [color=cde0e1]”Oh, you don’t like that I am shorter than you?”[/color] 

Chase placed his cup of coffee off to the side before wrapping his arms around his boyfriend's waist. [Color=585c74]”Oh I love it.”[/color] He picked Ben up and twirled him in the spot. Once he set him down he gave his neck a kiss. 

Ben laughed, this felt right and good, and he was happy they had figured their shit out. He didn’t want to lose this. 

[color=cde0e1]”What are you going to do when I hit a growth spurt and end up taller than you, hmm?”[/color] 

Chase placed a quizzical finger to his lip. A soft hum emanating from his mouth as he tried to think. [Color=585c74]”I guess I'll have to hit one too, or buy platform shoes.”[/color] He smiled, a giggle behind his lips. [Color=585c74]”Short, tall, same height, I'll like you all the same. Buuut just don't go growing anytime soon ok?”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”I cannot promise that,”[/color] Ben shrugged. He was only 14, and he was bound to hit a growth spurt [i]eventually.[/i] Even if he had basically finished puberty. 

[Color=585c74]”Now, as much as I would love to keep you in my arms all day and stare at you, I am hungry. So what shall we do for breakfast? What're you in the mood for?”[/color]

Ben thought about breakfast, his eyes going a little distant as he remembered early mornings, slow mornings, and rushed ones. He focused back on Chase, [color=cde0e1]”Hmm, not picky. Something warm I think, not hot,”[/color] he gave Chase a flat look at the expectation of something spicy being put on offer. 

[Color=585c74]”Mexican? Could go get some killer Huevos Rancheros. Its like…mild spice to none, has eggs tortillas, the whole shebang. Think Shakshuka but very different. Oh! Or some Eggs in Purgatory. We'll have that.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”I don’t know Shakshuka is,”[/color] Ben frowned. He considered what Chase was suggesting. Mexican food equaled spicy in his mind. He shifted. He had told Chase on day one that he’d try things, and Chase was saying that the option was not spicy. Finally he nodded. [color=cde0e1]”Alright, we can [i]try[/i] it, no promises that I’ll like it.”[/color] 

Chase fist pumped the air as he went over to grab his phone. [Color=585c74]”Oh you'll love it! Just gotta find a spot now, shouldn't be too hard I mean Cali is lousy with Mexican places. Its great!”[/color] The more he searched, the more his smile faded. There was nothing save for one restaurant in this city,  and its reviews weren't exactly glowing. They weren't bad but…average. Chase let out a sigh as he looked back towards Ben. [Color=585c74]”Bad news Benny Boi.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”What's wrong?”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”No dice. This town is lame and doesn't have much options in the way of Mexican. So I guess we'll have to get something else. Tons a barbecue and burger joints of want to lunch later though. You guys do barbecue back in London?”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Yeah, I know barbecue,”[/color] Ben claimed.

[Color=585c74]”Sweet. Lets grab some later then. Just thinking about it has got me hungrier. But first, a shower, then we will see if anything calls out to us on the road for a decent meal of breakfast. Sound good?”[/color]

Ben did not see a reason for a shower. He felt clean. But he was willing to take one [i]with[/i] Chase, especially since the shower here was big. 

[color=cde0e1]”Sounds good.”[/color]

Chase placed his phone on the bathroom counter, opening up his music as he began to blare it while they prepared to take a shower. The Reason by Hoobastank coming through as the water began to heat up and he continued to undress, singing along to the lyrics as he stole glances over at Ben.

Ben had never heard the song before. He listened to Chase and he was good. Ben didn't sing or do much in the way of music, he could appreciate it though. Ben also caught the lyrics, as he undressed he tilted his head and looked at Chase. Giving him a soft smile. They'd be okay. They'd make each other better people and be okay. He joined Chase in the shower. 

When the song ended, Chase thumbed towards the tiled open shower with a whistle. [Color=585c74]”Man the acoustics in here are great. Nothing like my shower, really helps to carry the voice.”[/color] A new song began to play, and Chase looked a little embarrassed. Sure they'd essentially been listening to club music on the drives, Ben's London House Music being much more in favour with the clubs of today, but the next song was practically archaic. Still within the club genre as Donna Summers came over the speakers from a time back when club was Disco.

[color=cde0e1]”Its a good voice too. Better than mine.”[/color] Ben didn't recognize the music that was playing.

[Color=585c74]”Nah. Do love a good karaoke though. I'd show you my dance moves but I may slip in here.”[/color] Chase laughed.

[color=cde0e1]”Please do not slip in the shower. That'd be so difficult to explain to emergency services.”[/color] Ben laughed. 

It was too late, Chase had already begun to dance in place. Shaking his hips side to side very slightly as he began to do the twist. [Color=585c74]”You dance Benny Boi? Got any sick Londoner moves?”[/color] He gave Ben a wink before placing one hand behind his head as he began to do the sprinkler. [Color=585c74]”Got nothin on this huh?”[/color]

Ben giggled. [color=cde0e1]”I in fact do dance, but in clubs, not the shower.”[/color]

Chase reached out and grabbed Ben's hands moving them back and forth as he did to try and get him to dance with him. [Color=585c74]”The beat waits for no one, not even in the showers. Let's see if you've got the Dance Bug in you.”[/color]

Ben shook his head. [color=cde0e1]”How many bug jokes can you make?[/color]

[Color=585c74]”As many as there are bugs in the world. Now you gonna Bug-gie uggie uggie with me or leave me hanging?”[/color]

Ben rolled his eyes, but he was smiling, and started to dance. He was careful, not wanting to slip. At least there was some space to move. 

[Color=585c74]”There we go!”[/color] Chase was giddy, glad that Ben had finally joined in on the fun.

Ben shook his head. [color=cde0e1]”Focus on the shower weirdo.”[/color]

[Color=585c74]”You think I'm gorgeous. 
You want to kiss me.
You want to hug me.
You want to love me
You want smooch me.”[/color] Chase continued his little shimmy before finally grabbing the shampoo to actually begin showering.

Ben sighed, shook his head, and then laughed. Chase was silly, but it was nice. He started to focus on the shower too. 

The pair finished washing up and getting ready for the day. All laundry having been done last night while Ben slept. They drove around for about half an hour looking for a spot to eat when Chase had finally given up and pulled into a McDonald's. It was time Ben tried American Sweet Tea. It was still early enough to get breakfast thankfully, but he made sure to order a large sweet tea alongside two orange juices for them. 

Ben tried the tea and decided that that was why Americans had health issues. He nearly gagged. [color=cde0e1]”I thought I liked my tea sweet. I apparently am a paragon of self control.”[/color]

Chase took back the cup, taking a long drink of it before letting out a content sigh. [Color=585c74]”Delicious isn't it?”[/color] He was grinning, clearly taking a small amount of pleasure in Ben's distaste for the American abomination.

[color=cde0e1]”If getting sugar sick from a single drink is delicious I'm concerned.”[/color] he shook his head. The rest of it was alright. He could eat McDonald's, he had eaten before moving to America. Though it was different. 

Chase shrugged before they continued the drive. He was certain Matt wouldn't approve of the method of sweet tea between his thighs, a bagel sandwich in one hand, and steering wheel in the other. Even more certain he'd hate it when he wanted a sip of his drink so he used his knee to steer while he took a quick sip. But the Old Man wasn't here, and Chase was a very good driver. They'd made it to Lassen and upon arriving to the building where they would normally grab their stamps.

[Color=585c74]”THEY'RE CLOSED?! OH what BULLSHIT”[/color]

Ben frowned at the sign. Annoying. But he supposed it made sense. There was a lot of snow. Ben had never driven in snow before and had gotten a little nervous. He took a quick picture of the sign. He would have to tell Matt, but he decided to wait until they figured out what they were going to do next before bothering him.

[color=cde0e1]”Well, damn,”[/color] he agreed. He had been looking forward to seeing a volcanic park. [color=cde0e1]”What should we do now?”[/color] Ben did not know any of the plan really except the base line off drive to park, visit, bugs, and hang out. They were on day five of 10. So they had plenty of time. But it didn't seem like this place would open until spring.

[Color=585c74]”I…dont know. I mean obviously we need to tell the Old Man. Don't need him flying the X-jet over here because of a wrong address or something.”[/color] Chase had begun to pace back and forth as he tried to think. He didn't know the area well at all, he was a southern cali kid. [Color=585c74]”I'm open to suggestions.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Yeah I didn't want to text him till we had a plan.”[/color] Ben bounced a little.

[color=cde0e1]”Well two options really right? We leave either way. We start toward the next stop or do something else. I don't know how far it is to the next one. I also don't have any idea what else to do up here. This place is almost devoid of life.”[/color] It was also cold as hell.

[Color=585c74]”OK wait, idea. Yes. We go to the next destination early and spend our last day at Medieval Times! It's brilliant! And near home.”[/color]

Ben grinned, [color=cde0e1]”Yeah!”[/color] He wasn’t totally ready to get back into the jeep, but he also didn’t want to be outside in the cold. His breath was showing. 

[Color=585c74]”Alright, let's get back into the Jeep.”[/color] Chase opened up the door for Ben once again, bowing at his king as he had done so many times. Once Ben got in he turned on the car to get the heater going. The radio began to play before Ben's phone connected, a warning of an oncoming storm quickly coming in in their area. It advised to stay indoors and find shelter. 

Ben raised an eyebrow. [color=cde0e1]”How serious is that?”[/color] Storms in London, weren’t ever that intense. He had spent a winter at his grandparents that had included being snowed in for two days, but America had earthquakes and hurricanes and tornadoes and god knew what other types of natural disasters. It probably also had freak snow storms. 

Chase sighed. [Color=585c74]”It might be pretty serious. Roads will be unsafe to drive. I can take us part of the way but…we might need to find a hotel around somewhere in between.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”I’m going to text Matt and let him know about the park being closed and that our plan is to just head to the Redwoods, should I mention the snowstorm?”[/color] He pulled out his phone. Danni had texted him too. He would have to make the group chat now too. He did that real quick and sent his Uncle a text too. 

[Color=585c74]”Nah don't worry him with talks of storms. He's too much of a worry wart.”[/color] Chase had begun to pull away, driving further north towards the Redwoods. It was about a four hour drive, but they wouldn't be able to make their stops with a storm approaching. [Color=585c74]”Try and find the nearest place to stay. I can't guarantee out one hour stops with weather like this, and I don't want you in the car longer than you can handle.”[/color] It was clear the amount of concern in Chase's voice, even if he was trying not to show it. 

[color=cde0e1]”Okay,”[/color] Ben said softly. He felt a pit start to build in his stomach. Once he was done messaging his Uncle he started looking for places to stay. He had never booked a hotel before in his life. Adults had always done it for him. He had no idea what he was looking for. What places were good, or bad, or much of anything beyond - this place is warm and not a car. He appreciated that Chase was honest with him about them needing a place to hunker down. Texts were coming in from Danni, and his uncle. At least Matt’s were straight to the point. He wrote simple texts that were one or two things and then left it there. Ben liked texting with Danni, but right now he was a little stressed out. 

[Color=585c74]”Hey hey hey, no worries. We're gonna be fine. This beast is an all terrain vehicle. That's why the tires are so big, it's meant to handle all weather types including this snow storm. We just need to find a place so you can move around. That's all.”[/color] He placed one hand on Ben's lap as he tried to reassure him.

Ben squeezed Chase’s hand and smiled. [color=cde0e1]”Thank you. I think I found a place. I honestly don't know what I’m looking for in a hotel.”[/color] He didn’t want to hold up the phone for Chase to see, he wanted him to pay more attention to the road. 

[Color=585c74]”Any place is a good place so long as I'm with you and you have open space. So I'm sure it'll be fine.”[/color] Chase focused on the road, save for the text messages that kept coming through from Danni, he wouldn't look at them but he'd tell Ben when to answer back. But as they drove, it became harder and harder for Chase to see out his windshield. The storm having come on fast and hard as a flurry of white threatened to blind them. They weren't far off from the hotel Ben found, but Chase was becoming increasingly anxious. His left leg began to shake as his fingers tapped against the leather wheel until finally they made it. 

[center][u][h2]Jan 7th, afternoon, Snowed in[/h2][/u][/center]

[Color=585c74]”I think its best we just teleport in. The snow seems deep and I don't need you getting hypothermia on me.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Okay. How do we book a room?”[/color] Ben suddenly felt very young. Like the 14 year old he actually was. 

Chase looked at Ben's phone, trying to help him book the room. He quickly noticed something that was difficult to see with the flurry happening outside, it was a resort. A very nice and very expensive resort. His eyes went wide, turning to look at Ben as he tried to figure out what to do. [Color=585c74]”Hey we may need to find another place. I can’t afford this.”[/color] He turned the phone to show the nightstand rate to Ben. But as Chase went to start the car again, the engine stalled. [Color=585c74]”No no no! Come on!”[/color] He slammed his hand onto the steering wheel before leaning forward and pressing his forehead against it.

[color=cde0e1]”I'm going to call Matt.”[/color] Ben placed a hand gently in Chase’s arm. [color=cde0e1]”I have to tell him. And he did give me an emergency credit card. But I have to tell him.”[/color]

Chase tried and tried to figure something else out. He kept starting and stopping his sentences as he stammered towards an answer before he finally gave in with a grumble. [Color=585c74]”Ok…”[/color]

Ben nodded and called his uncle, it took a few moments to explain the situation. Matt sighed, but understood that weather was not something either of them could control. He permitted the use of the card, knowing that once the boys were inside the resort they’d be safe and warm. The card was in Ben’s name, so his legal approval wasn’t needed, but the fact that it was teen boys booking, his guardian approval might be needed, so he stayed on the phone. 

[color=cde0e1]”Okay, let’s get inside.”[/color] 

Chase wrapped the pair in darkness, taking them under the pavilion before the door so as not to scare the patrons inside. As they walked into the lobby, his jaw dropped. The place was [i]huge[/i] and very clearly expensive. Instantly an employee had made their way to them to ask if they needed help with their bags or coats and Chase simply stepped closer to Ben. [Color=585c74]”No thanks we got it. Just need to check in.”[/color] 

They smiled at the pair and led them over to the Front Desk and after a few phone calls and the given storm that seemed to only be getting worse, they finally were allowed to check in. They hadn't been able to pick an ADA room as the picking were very slim given the influx of new check ins, but with luck they got one with a massive shower. Why anyone (beyond Ben) needed so much space in a shower was beyond Chase. They not only had more than one bed, they had more than one ‘room’ with multiple levels. [Color=585c74]”Dude. What. The. Fuck.”[/color]

Ben was thankful that Matt had been so obliging. He’d have to find a way to make it up to him. Though he figured part of it was that Matt was worried about them. When they entered the room Ben’s jaw dropped. He had seen the price tag. He had swiped the card and it had been approved, but the number hadn’t quite reflected the room. Not really. Not until he was standing in it. 

[color=cde0e1]”I have no idea,”[/color] Ben snorted with laughter. [color=cde0e1]”Dude,”[/color] he chuckled again at the word. [color=cde0e1]”Danni is going to lose his mind. I have to send him pictures. This is great. We’ve got so much space. Is it bad that I kind of hope the storm lasts  a while? Get to be snowed in here with you.”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”If it's bad then I don't want to be good.”[/color] Chase walked around the room slowly, his hand trailing against the stone countertop until he found a hotel brochure that had some information about the resort. This place had everything it seemed. [Color=585c74]”Holy shit. Benny Boi they have a fucking heated pool! Indoors! Oh I want go swim so bad!!! Can we?”[/color] He was absolutely giddy with excitement. 

[color=cde0e1]”I suppose, but I don’t have bathers with me,”[/color] he was still relishing everything about the space. His uncle had not been pleased about the price tag, but the other option of sleeping in the jeep during a snow storm was something he was even less pleased about. 

[Color=585c74]”Dude I'll buy us trunks, it's the least I can do. I'm sure the shop below has some.”[/color] Chase beamed before making his way over to Ben and lifting him into a twirl once more before giving him a deep and passionate kiss. [Color=585c74]”I – you're – fuck I cant even think im so happy right now youre the absolute best boyfriend ever!”[/color]

Ben laughed and kissed Chase back, he wrapped his arms around him as he was twirled. It felt strange, but he enjoyed it. [color=cde0e1]”You’re that happy about getting to swim?”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”I'm that happy about being with you. Dude, look at this place! And i get to spend it alone with you?”[/color] Chase sent a barrage of kisses all over Ben's face. [Color=585c74]”Think of the food. Ooooooh my god the food. I bet you its absolutely amazing.”[/color]

Ben was grinning, [color=cde0e1]”I didn’t [i]plan[/i] this. I didn’t even know what to look for in a hotel. It was just the top option between Redding and the Redwoods. We’re lucky we made it this far anyway. Imagine if we got snowed in while still in Redding.”[/color] He shivered at the thought. 

Chase lifted Ben up and placed him onto the counter. Kissing him once more and then again for good measure. [Color=585c74]”Oh you knew what to look for, this place has it all. We could do a spa day. Danni would be so jealous.”[/color]

Ben placed one hand back to get a measure of how much space he had. It was reflexive. He had enough, he wasn’t pressed against the wall. He smiled. [color=cde0e1]”Danni [i]will[/i] definitely be jealous. This is more his speed than the hiking or anything else we’ve done this trip. You know, as soon as we tell him we’re going to get a barrage of texts.”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”So? Let him text. I can respond later. For now I want to spend time with my absolutely amazing and beautiful boyfriend.”[/color] Chase rested his head against Ben's chest 

Ben smiled, and wrapped his arms around Chase. It wasn’t often that Chase got to lean against his chest. It was usually the other way around due to the height difference. Ben also didn’t mind the insane texting that Danni was capable of. He couldn’t always keep up, but in general he liked it. He thought it was sweet. And it wasn’t that different from a face to face conversation with Danni. He shifted his thoughts to Chase, and focused on him. He gently rubbed at his back, and wondered if the marks there would ever heal. He hated the people who had done that to Chase. Who had taken so much of him away, they had stolen him and his life and changed his future. But... if they hadn’t, would Ben have met him? He hated if’s and what ifs. Hated them. Because he had spent so much of the last few months going over them. Trying to find where he had gone wrong, trying to find what had taken his parents from him. He sighed, and pulled Chase in a little tighter. 

[color=cde0e1]”I’m a little sad that we aren’t doing all the parks, but I think I’m okay with it. This place is fantastic, and we’re going to have a great time here. It’s only the 7th, there is no way a storm would last so long we miss the curfew. Right?”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”If it did, your Old Man can't get mad. We can't control the weather and neither can he. He has no jet to get us, nor could he fly in this weather. So tough on him.”[/color] Chase kissed Ben's cheek softly. [Color=585c74]”I'm sorry we didn't get to do all the parks, I'll plan it better next time. And I'm sure that old geezer will let us come back up and explore it another time if we explain it. He's already ok'd it once.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Yeah, maybe spring break, when the snow has melted more, and the bugs are in the early part of their life cycle,”[/color] Ben agreed. Matt really couldn’t get mad, he had admitted as much. He lived in California for years and hadn’t thought about the snow. Though, in his defense he lived in San Francisco that whole time, not anywhere that got snow. San Francisco’s weather was fog. 

[color=cde0e1]”Hopefully, he doesn’t decide that this is proof we should have been chaperoned. He only really allowed it because of Morgan. He figured if she didn’t see a bad ending to the trip it’d be fine.”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”I still haven't seen a bad ending.”[/color] Chase smirked. [Color=585c74]”If anything, the fact that we safely got here and had the luck of getting a room is proof that Morgan was right.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”That is true. Matt might not agree, but he’ll survive.”[/color] Ben grinned. He wasn’t totally ready to leave Chase’s embrace yet, so he didn’t say anything about getting moving. 

Chase bit his lower lip, his eyes wandering Ben's face, neck, then shoulder. He had too much pent up energy, too much excitement right now, he felt like he needed to bite down on something. He'd already left a few marks on Ben's shoulder before, and was debating on if he should leave more. 

Ben saw the look on Chase’s face and raised an eyebrow, [color=cde0e1]”What are you thinking?”[/color] 

A grin began to spread on half his lip, the other held on place by the vice grip his teeth had on it before he finally spoke. [Color=585c74]”I [i]really[/i] wanna bite you. Like, really bad. I don't know how to explain it but I gotta get this out.”[/color]

Ben blinked, he had not expected that, but he smiled and nodded. [color=cde0e1]”Alright,”[/color] Ben said. If he was honest, he did like how Chase bit him during... prayers. [color=cde0e1]”Are we... uh, you know, or just biting and then moving on?”[/color] 

Chase shot his eyebrows up. [Color=585c74]”Oh. I was just wanting a bite. I'm not, it's not, thats not the kind of energy it meant”[/color] He stammered on with a bit of a chuckle. [Color=585c74]”More like…when a puppy gets all excited and just starts to nibble…gah its stupid sorry.”[/color] He buried his head into Ben's chest again to try and hide the embarrassment.

[color=cde0e1]”Cute aggression,”[/color] Ben supplied. 

[Color=585c74]”What?”[/color] Chase looked up, but barely.

[color=cde0e1]”It is when you have a cute kitten in your hand and you wanna squeeze it. Cute aggression,”[/color] Ben frowned, trying to remember. [color=cde0e1]”My cousin, I think, talked about it. They had gotten a new kitten, it was super cute and he had this urge to squeeze it.”[/color] 

Chase nodded. That felt about right. He'd never heard it having a name, then again he never tried explaining it to others either. [Color=585c74]”May I?”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Yeah,”[/color] Ben nodded, smiling. He’d probably be a bit riled up after, but he could hold onto that for later. 

Chase smiled. He didn't skip a beat as through the shirt he bit into Ben's shoulder and bit hard. His arms pulling Ben closer to him, holding him tight as he latched onto him. When he finally let go there was an imprint of his teeth in the shirt, and beneath an indent on the skin. [Color=585c74]”Thanks…”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”I don’t mind. I actually like it. I’d say anytime, but I don’t mean that literally. As long as you don’t leave marks that’ll get seen by Matt. And we are in private, and you warn me. I don’t know if I’d like being bit without any warning, unless we are in the middle of... activities.”[/color] He was turned on now, his face was a bit pink and his pants a bit tighter, but as long as it stopped there, he wouldn’t want to do more. He definitely wanted to do more. But it could wait. 

[Color=585c74]”I've been careful. No where he can see and only in parts clothes of any kind can cover. Don't worry. Just…dont be shirtless for a while.”[/color] Chase lifted the collar of Ben's shirt to look at his handiwork and smiled. 

Ben melted a little at the smile. [color=cde0e1]”Yeahhh, if we go swimming I might want a rash guard.”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”I uh…didn't think about that. Yeah we'll get you one too.”[/color] Chase suddenly felt embarrassed again. He didn't realize this would affect them for swimming and other shirtless activities too. 
He'd need to start doing it on the inner thigh then.

Ben kissed Chase lightly. [color=cde0e1]”I’m not mad. Don’t worry. I just don’t want some busy body to see us in the pool and think ‘teenage delinquents’.”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”Here I was worried someone would think you're being abused. I couldn't care if they think we're delinquent because we are.”[/color] Chase giggled, though in his experience no one ever bothered to see if you were abused or not. They just looked away.

Ben had not thought about that. His experience as a teen was around no loitering signs. Ben's smile became a little strained as he remembered what Chase's back looked like.
[color=cde0e1]”You should also get a rash guard for yourself,”[/color] he said softly.

Chase’s smile twitched. Why would he need? He froze. He was so excited about it all he'd forgotten.  [Color=585c74]”Yeah…”[/color] His voice was raspy and sharp as he inhaled. [Color=585c74]”Maybe this isn't…such a good idea…I – “[/color] The words got caught in his throat. He hadn't spoken about this to Ben yet. He hadn't needed to. [Color=585c74]”I don't even know if I can swim anymore… I told to before I've had panic attacks, that that's how I recognized yours.  It happened in the shower for me too, not because of the space. I got water in my face, couldn't breathe. I – I used to face the water before all this, but now when I do it's like I'm back in that tank again.”[/color] His hands gripped onto Ben's shirt. [Color=585c74]”It happened again when I got some water in my ear later on, I couldn't hear right, freaked out, it was…bad. Fuck, I used to love swimming so much and I haven't even gotten a chance to since then that…I'm not even sure I could anymore.”[/color]

Ben's face fell. Anger and bile rose as Chase explained himself. Ben [i]hated[/i] the people who had done that to him. He wrapped himself around Chase, not tightly, if Chase needed he could easily be free. Because Ben knew how scary that could be. It had been slowly building for him over years he had slowly come to hate taking a shower or any small space where he couldn't stretch out his arms all the way. He wanted to help. To fix it. And he was so mad that that joy had been stolen from Chase. 

[color=cde0e1]”We can take it slow. Shallow end or the hot tub. Go in just as far as you want. And if you can't, we leave. Don't push it. Just take it slow. If you want. Or we can order some food and watch a movie and cuddle. I don't care. I want to spend time with you. If it is here or there I don't care.”[/color] He was just glad it wasn't trapped in the car.

Chase nodded slowly. He wanted to do this. He needed to try. He couldn't let those people take more away from him. [Color=585c74]”I want to try. If things get bad, just…pull me out please? I'll try my best to control the darkness but if I can't, leave. Please.”[/color]

Ben nodded in assent. He didn't completely understand Chase’s pain, not the depth of it, but he knew the echos of it. He was lucky. His power was not something that could hurt easily. He could call insects to him they might defend him. But his power was not as direct. It wouldn't be as easy to hurt someone. He wondered for a moment about those whose power made touch impossible. How did they manage? Matt was lucky his touch was one he had control over. 

[color=cde0e1]”I don't want to leave you alone, but I'll give you space. But let's do our best for it to not get that bad. As soon as you feel it creeping on you we'll get out. We can head down as soon as you're ready for it.”[/color]

[Color=585c74]”Benny I mean it. Leave. I don't want to pull you under water without an escape. But, yes, if I start to feel it creep in I'll get out immediately. Ok?”[/color] 

Ben did not like the idea of abandoning Chase when he was hurting the most. He hated that. He didn't want to promise. It felt... wrong. But he saw and heard how serious Chase was and the tingle of fear at being dragged under water at not being able to escape, that gripped him and he took a deep breath and swallowed. [color=cde0e1]”Okay. I'll leave, if you lose control.”[/color] And Ben hated himself for the promise.

[Color=585c74]”Thank you.”[/color] Chase kissed him gently, resting his head against Ben's. [Color=585c74]”Ok. I'm ready.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Okay,”[/color] Ben said, and unwound himself from Chase, ready to slide off the counter he had been placed on. 

Chase whimpered as Ben let go. He didn't want it to end, but he supposed it'd have to if they wanted to go swimming. He lifted Ben off the counter and plopped him back onto the floor. Holding his hand out for him to take before descending down the resort to buy some trunks and rash guards.

The store in the hotel was [i]fancy.[/i] It was bigger than any hotel store Ben had ever seen. He was honestly surprised that a ski lodge sold swimwear. But they did. Ready for an unprepared guest that wanted to swim, especially since everyone was snowed in. Ben felt weird in the store, but they were able to find what both of them wanted. He was thankful the place had rash guards. He hadn’t been sure they would, and if they didn’t both of them would have been swimming in shirts instead. 

There were a lot of other things in the store. They’d be set if they needed [i]anything.[/i] But it was obvious that this place was expensive by the type of things on sale, and the types of people in the shop. Ben felt nervous, but with Chase there he wasn’t worried. They’d be fine. 

After they checked out, the cashier gave them directions and told them, “The pool area has changing rooms, lockers and towels. Your room key will give you access. Pool hours are from 8 am until 10 pm. There is no lifeguard on duty.”

[color=cde0e1]”Thanks.”[/color] For a moment he wondered why the cashier was telling them that and they realized people buying bathers during the middle of a snow storm were obviously going to the pool, and might ask those exact questions. 

Once the pair had finally changed out of their clothes (that Chase had simply sent to the room with his shadows) and into their suits, Chase was ready to take on the pool. He would've loved to cannonball into the water, but he knew that might be a bad idea. So, as Ben had suggested, he started slow. Only going in waist deep at first as he slowly waded around.

Ben waited at the top of the steps down into the pool. He didn’t want to get wet until he knew that Chase would make it at least a little way into the pool. If he had to run he didn’t want his feet wet. And he hated that he was afraid enough to think that. He didn’t want to be afraid of Chase. In his opinion he didn’t think Chase would hurt him. Chase was too sweet to do that. But he knew the clawing panic. He knew how bad it could get. So he waited, waited for Chase to turn around and nod, or give any indication that he’d be okay. That they wouldn’t be going back to the room immediately. 

Chase turned around, an uneasy smile on his face. He was fine, for now, he lowered his body in deeper, stopping midway up his torso before taking a shaky breath. Holding up a thumbs up for Ben before lowering down to his neck and then shot back up slightly. Panic raced through him before he made his way off to the side of the pool and placed his back against the wall, breathing slowly. 

A small sigh of relief passed from Ben’s lips and he was about to step into the pool to join Chase when he shot back out of the water. He waited a moment as Chase tried to center himself. He wanted to be there for him. Fuck it. He climbed into the pool, quickly joining Chase. The water was nice and heated. 

[color=cde0e1]”I’m here. You’re okay,”[/color] Ben said, joining Chase.

Chase hugged Ben close, closing his eyes for a second as he took in his breath. He could breathe, he was ok, he wasn't in a tank, he wasn't alone, he was fine. There was a  long shaky exhale before he slowly opened his eyes. [Color=585c74]”Thanks babe.”[/color]

Ben leaned into the hug. Thankful for it. He had been worried that Chase would push him away again. He couldn’t stand the thought. He knew it had been for his safety, but that didn’t make him not hate it. 

[color=cde0e1]”Of course. You helped me. I’ll help you. Always, my knight.”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”And I'll always help you, my King.”[/color] Chase gave Ben a kiss, pulling him into a tighter hug as the stood within the waist deep water. 

A voice called out to them, staring at them with indignation. “Where are [i]your[/i] parents you two?”

Chase turned to look at the old sour pussed woman who was talking to them. Surprised that anyone was even paying attention to them.

[color=cde0e1]”Dead,”[/color] Ben said, almost reflexively, but he had learned some dark humor tended to throw people off. 

Chase had responded at the exact same time and with the same answer. Clearly needing that form of comedy to help release a bit of the tension he was having from being in the pool. He looked back towards Ben and laughed. [Color=585c74]”Jinx! You owe me an ICEE.”[/color]

Ben met eyes with Chase and couldn’t contain his own laughter. [color=cde0e1]”You still haven’t even explained what an ICEE is.”[/color] He shook his head.

The woman had a look of abject horror on her face. She didn’t know how to respond. “I can report you minors for being in here unsupervised,” she said, trying to recover her sense of control. 

[Color=585c74]”Ooooo. I can report you for being a weird pedo staring at minors! Hows that sound to ya?”[/color] Chase snarked back. [Color=585c74]”Its a free pool and last I recall Adult Swim ended years ago. So “[/color] Chase made a shooing motion for her to move away.

The woman clutched at her neck, Ben couldn’t help but think of women clutching at pearls. She left the room quickly. Possibly heading for the front desk, or maybe she was going to leave them alone. Ben laughed. 

[color=cde0e1]”Adult Swim?”[/color] he asked, now that they were relatively alone. The pool room was not empty, everyone was trapped indoors, so it was no surprise that some other people had come to relax in the pool room. 

[Color=585c74]”Some old ass rule back like a million years ago where kids had to leave the pool so only adults could swim. Its archaic and lame like her.”[/color] Normally Chase would've started to float onto his back to relax, but the fear of getting water into his ears kept him from doing so. He just simply pulled the two further into the deep end. The water now midway up his chest so that he could slowly acclimate to the feeling again. 

[color=cde0e1]”Wild.”[/color] Ben allowed himself to be pulled deeper into the pool. He wanted to dive all the way in, but was content to stay with Chase and let him take his time. [color=cde0e1]”We weren’t even doing anything.”[/color] Ben carefully considered the land mine that they had just dealt with. Chase had never said his parents were dead. After his kidnapping, he didn’t go back to them. That’s what Ben knew. Had they been killed during the kidnapping? Or had something else happened? Ben wasn’t sure. He also knew how much Chase didn’t like the subject. He didn’t like it more than Ben about his parents. And Ben found it a little easier the last couple of days to mention his parents. It still hurt like hell. But the constant coiled grief had eased. 

Chase shrugged before waving his hands back and forth within the water. Feeling the space, how wide it was, reassuring himself he was safe outside and with Ben. He dipped a little lower, bending his knees just enough to allow himself the freedom to get back up if he needed. He tried to focus on the conversation.[Color=585c74]”Some folks can't leave well enough alone. Best to ignore them or out crazy them.”[/color] 

Ben wrinkled his nose. [color=cde0e1]”Back in London we only got yelled at by old people if we were causing a nuisance.”[/color] Ben wondered if it was the location or the specific hotel. He shook his head. [color=cde0e1]”Eh, all well. She’s gone, and you’re doing fantastic.”[/color]  

Chase looked away shyly. [Color=585c74]”Thanks…”[/color] He sank just low enough to blow some bubbles with his mouth, but keep his ears above water. It didn't last long. The fear someone's swimming would kick up the water made him anxious so he stood back up. [Color=585c74]”Feels stupid. I [i]feel[/i] stupid.”[/color]

Ben held out his hand for Chase, dipping low enough in the water to be at his neck. [color=cde0e1]”What have I said?”[/color] Ben asked, his tone serious. [color=cde0e1]”Your emotions aren’t stupid. You definitely aren’t stupid. You’re smarter than me, that’s for sure. And you and I both know fear is difficult and can be irrational as hell. You can’t control that. But things like this I think are good steps to dealing with it. If you learn how to manage it just a little bit, if you’re ever in a situation where you end up in water, you can control yourself long enough to get to safety. That’s good. In my opinion, as long as you can do that, you’ve won.”[/color] 

Chase took Ben's hand. He whispered Ben's little mantra to himself about his feelings and emotions. He'd heard it enough times in this trip already. Yet he couldn't help but smile at it. He took in a deep breath, held it, then exhaled. [Color=585c74]”I cannot defeat you my lord as you are always right and just. Even in matters of the mind. Thanks.”[/color] He offered Ben a lopsided smile. He wanted to try swimming, he could keep his head above water. He could be fine. Right?

Ben smiled at Chase’s words, and squeezed his hand. [color=cde0e1]”I’m here. You’re okay. What do you want me to do? How can I help?”[/color]

[Color=585c74]”Let's swim. I want you to have fun too. Not just dote on me like some wet nurse. So let's try it. As long as I can keep my head above water…I think I'll be fine.”[/color] It felt so silly to Chase. Normally he could at least wear earplugs to keep the water from getting in, but that wasn't the issue. It was the sound that came with it. The distorted muffled noises that reminded him of his glass prison.  

Ben nodded, keeping Chase’s head above water should be okay, [color=cde0e1]”Let’s get into a little shallower water.”[/color] Ben walked back up a little into the water that was shallow enough that he could easily stand. He kept his body at the same height in the water though, dropping low enough that he was at his neck. Slowly he let his legs drift up and swam with one hand, pulling Chase with him with the other. 

Chase followed Ben along. He didn't know why they were moving [i]away[/i] from the deep end, then again what was chest height for Chase was certainly much deeper for Ben. So maybe that's why? He followed Ben's lead, lifting his legs a bit to allow him to float, his body moving with its memory and for a moment, he went under. Water felt as if it got into his ear, panic shot through, but he surfaced in time. No swimmers ear, no cause for alarm, he was fine, he was holding it together alright. 

Ben hissed in concern and stopped swimming to check on Chase. He seemed okay. Ben dropped lower again, letting his legs drift up. He floated on his back, head up slightly to keep an eye on Chase. He had a sudden silly image of otters as he was holding Chase’s hand. He grinned.

[Color=585c74]”Im fine, I'm fine. Just, reflex you know?”[/color] God's, Chase wanted to do what Ben was so bad. He wanted to play around and splash some water or playfully dunk him but he couldn't. It wouldn't be fair to him that he couldn't play back. It felt so stupid. He understood how Ben felt about his claustrophobia. He tried to push past it, to listen to what Ben kept telling him. His emotions aren't stupid, his feelings aren't stupid. Chase took in a slow deep breath to try and center again before attempting to swim. 

He dipped down again, this time rising back quicker than before. It didn't feel [i]as[/i] bad. He could still hear, he focused on that. Focused on the sounds of idle chatter, the conversations, any noise he could find. It was like he was back at the mall, listening to all the other families, escaping into their lives. 

[color=cde0e1]”You’re doing great,”[/color] Ben reassured Chase. He squeezed Chase’s hand and relaxed a little more. He stayed on his back, but let his head sink into the water, the effort of staying up now changed from high active to low. He kept one hand in Chase’s, the other gently moving the water. Ben had swam enough to be okay at it. He never swam competitively or anything, but he had spent time in the water. He probably couldn’t have swam in anything with a current, and he did prefer the shallower end where if he had an issue he could stand easily enough. The deep end didn’t scare him, so much as he knew he wasn’t proficient enough to hang out there. He definitely wasn’t proficient enough to help Chase in the deep end if something went wrong. Here in the shallower side they could stand if needed. 

The pool was particularly nice. It was heated, and indoors. The giant windows of the solarium showed the storm that had gotten more and more intense. He was thankful they had stopped when they had. He shivered a little at the idea of getting stuck in the Jeep in that. That would have been awful. He checked on Chase. 

Chase offered Ben a shy smile. He didn't like the feeling of being babied. But it helped that it was his boyfriend doing it. Had it been Peej or Morgan, he'd have hated it even more. But this? This was fine. He could do this so long as he had Ben by his side. He thought about trying it at home. About plunging into a bath to force himself to be normal again. He wasn't sure how well that would work out. 

Ben felt reassured by Chase’s smile. Felt it was safe to press their luck a little, he let go and swam a few meters away. He smiled, held up his hand and crooked a finger, beckoning Chase to him.

Chase smiled and began swimming towards Ben, managing to keep his head above the water as he did so. His smile grew more and more genuine with each stroke before stopping just before Ben and giving him a kiss. [Color=585c74]”You beckoned for me my King?”[/color]

Ben kissed Chase back, pulling him closer slightly. [color=cde0e1]”Perfect, my knight, so perfect.”[/color] Ben let go and swam away again. This time toward the deeper water. Once his toes just barely touched the floor of the pool he stopped and grinning beckoned Chase again.

Chase went forth once more, he could feel how deep it was beginning to get. That tug at his chest as he swam and felt a bit of water slip into his ear. He stopped. He shook his head, trying not to get his wet finger in there by instinct as he worked to get the water either out or far enough down it wouldn't cause a problem. He could still stand, he was still fine. He could see Ben just a little further out, and he swam towards him just fine. [Color=585c74]”If I didn't know any better I'd say you like to flirt with danger.”[/color]

Ben's grin grew, [color=cde0e1]”Well, I like flirting with you.”[/color] He kissed Chase. This time staying there for a moment, pressing against him. He hoped no one else decided they'd hate on some teens. 

[color=cde0e1]”Are you doing well, my knight?[/color] 

When Ben finally pulled back, there was a dopey lovestruck smile on Chase's face. [Color=585c74]”Even more so after that my Lord. I – I really like doing this, like being with you.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Mmm, good. I am not a strong swimmer, but do you want to go deeper? I won't be able to do anything if there is an issue,”[/color] Ben told Chase honestly.

Chase looked down towards the deep end. Thoughts of nights spent swimming, laying underwater in the cover of night as he just allowed himself to sink and be. To help quiet his mind when the world was too tough, when his father was too tough. There was a distant look in his eyes before finally nodding. [Color=585c74]”I want to try.”[/color] 

Chase pushed off of Ben, swimming closer and closer to the deep end, keeping his head above water the whole time. There was a certain feeling with being in such a deep amount of water. The pull from it felt [i]good[/i]. He wanted to plunge, to hold his breath and just let himself fall deeper, but he knew that would be bad. So he swam, small laps from one side of the deep end to the other, all the while yearning for the depths that may beneath. 

Ben stayed behind, going back just a little farther so he could stand on the balls of his feet. He held the edge of the pool, and watched Chase. Concern for Chase had been long coiling within him, but it had unraveled a bit as they had swam about. It was tighter now, worried that Chase might slip under and lose his control. 

They weren't the only ones in the pool, it was long and narrow. An older man was doing laps from one end to the other and back again. He slowed near Ben.

“Ah, young love.” He grinned and went back to his breast stroke swimming back and forth. Ben's face was red.

After some time, Chase made his way over to Ben. It felt stupid to be this excited over something he'd done a million times before. Yet still [color=585c74]”Did you see that? See? I'm tough. I'm cool.”[/color] Chase puffed out his chest.

Ben smiled and kissed Chase. [color=cde0e1]”I did, I'm happy. Hmmm what about if your liege lord were to reward you for your bravery today?”[/color] Ben grinned.

Chase wrapped himself around Ben. [Color=585c74]”And what pray tell did my Lord have in mind for such a reward?”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Mmm I suppose you'll have to find out once we return to the room.”[/color] Ben snuggled into the embrace.

[Color=585c74]”Then what're we waiting for?”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Nothing,”[/color] Ben smiled. [color=cde0e1]”If we walk back we should dry off. If we go the quick way, take us to the bathroom so we don't get water everywhere.”[/color]

[Color=585c74]”Too many people around, and it'd look bad if two teens go down into the water and never come back up. Sooo towel off it is I guess.”[/color] Chase gave Ben a quick kiss before walking out to where the water was halfway to him, quickly realizing how badly the trunks would suction when he got out and how visibly happy he was right now. He sighed, making eye contact with the towel before hurriedly walking towards it and wrapping it around his waist.

[color=cde0e1]”Fair.”[/color] Ben went all the way to the stairs and joined Chase where he was wrapping a towel around himself. Ben grabbed one of the towels and quickly dried himself off enough that he wasn’t dripping. He didn’t want them to get in trouble for walking around soaking wet and making the walk ways of the hotel unsafe.

[color=cde0e1]”We could just go into the changing room. Don’t have to walk the long way.”[/color] Ben suggested. 
 
[Color=585c74]”Smart. Lets go grab our clothes and we can uh take the shortcut to our rooms then yeah?”[/color] Chase gave Ben a devilish grin before leading the pair back into the changing rooms. He looked around to ensure no one else was there before wrapping them (and their belongings) into shadows and bringing them into their bathroom. 

Ben grinned back and followed after Chase, letting himself be swept through the shadows. [color=cde0e1]”So, reward?”[/color] he asked, pulling off the wet rash shirt and dropping it in the shower.

[Color=585c74]”Still haven't told me what it is.”[/color] Chase removed his own wet clothes, wanting to be out of them and into something dry if he wasn't going to be in the water.

[color=cde0e1]”Oh, I thought it was obvious,”[/color] Ben said as he stepped closer to Chase, a smile on his face. He took off his swim trunks. [color=cde0e1]”Prayers?”[/color] 

If it could, Chase’s face would've been beet red. All it took was the one word to excite him. He stammered a bit, as his mind raced to remember where he'd left the damn box. Biting his lower lip as he nodded to Ben eagerly. 

Ben grinned even brighter as Chase’s demeanor changed and became nervous. He definitely understood why Chase enjoyed teasing him. He gently pulled Chase with him into the bedroom. There were multiple bedrooms, he picked the closest one. The bed was massive.

[color=cde0e1]”I cannot with this place.”[/color] He shook his head laughing.

[center][u][h2]Jan 7th, evening, Snowed in[/h2][/u][/center]

After an afternoon of prayers (that hopefully the neighbors couldn't hear) Chase lay there on the bed, arm underneath Ben while the other was splayed outwards in the massive mattress. The covers hardly covering him as he tried to steady both his breathing and his heart rate. He looked over towards Ben, the smile on his face, the way his dark curls fell onto the white pillowcase, and he gave him a massive grin. [Color=585c74]”I should go swimming more often.”[/color]

Ben was pleased. He had enjoyed swimming, he had enjoyed the afternoon activities. He smiled, lifting his chin to look at Chase better.

[color=cde0e1]”I think I like this bed. It is massive. I didn't even know they made beds this big.”[/color] He sat up, the sheet draped like in a movie, cover only his waist down. 

[color=cde0e1]”We should definitely swim more. I am getting hungry though. Do you think the restaurant here has real tea? With as fancy as this place is, they have got to know how to make a proper cuppa. We should also explore the space some. I know we haven't seen everything this room has to offer yet.”[/color]

There were bathrobes in the bathroom. Ben considered grabbing one to explore the room.

[Color=585c74]”Oh I'm sure the food here is fire.”[/color] Chase sat up and leaned in to give Ben a kiss before sliding out of the bed. [Color=585c74]”Might see if the rents can snag me a bed like this. Love all the space it has.”[/color] He stretched lazily like a cat waking up from a sunbath, his back arching as he let out a small content noise. [Color=585c74]”Its two floors, [i]two floors[/i]. There's so much to explore just in here.”[/color] 

[color=cde0e1]”I didn't even know hotel rooms could be two floors.”[/color] Ben laughed. He watched Chase stretch and move with a small smile, enjoying the show. He leaned over him and kissed him again. 

[color=cde0e1]”So explore, food, and then what?”[/color] he asked, still leaning over Chase.

[Color=585c74]”I'm all up for praying some more if we don't find anything else to do. But so long as I'm with you I'm happy. Wonder if there's a private hot tub or something. A quiet place for just you and I to relax.”[/color] Chase looked towards the door, towards where his phone sat in the other room. [Color=585c74]”I think Danni would be mad if we used the spa here. As nice as it sounds to get a massage.”[/color]

A massage did sound nice, but Ben thought of Chase's back again and said, [color=cde0e1]”I can give you massage if you want one. And prayers again sound nice.”[/color] Ben followed Chase out into the larger space, he grabbed the robe from the bathroom hanger and wrapped himself in it, covering the marks on his body. The ones with a story to tell of two teens unsupervised doing things adults would not approve of. Yeah, a massage was a bad idea. They'd have to figure out what to do on the eventual day they went to the sauna with Danni. Ben hadn't yet thought about the size of the room of such things. He hadn't yet considered how bad his claustrophobia was. It was too newly defined for such thoughts.

Chase watched as the robe was slipped onto Ben, the delicate motion of it, and the marks it hid. He chuckled to himself as he considered what getting a massage outside would entail. [Color=585c74]”Yeah, maybe not showing off those uh…marks would be best. Don't see the need for a robe though, we're just walking around the room yeah?”[/color] Chase raised an eyebrow towards Ben, making his way up the stairs into the second floor. He had no shame in his body, no care for who saw.

Ben's face warmed. He enjoyed getting the marks, oh did he ever. However, he was not comfortable with blanket nakedness, even in a space with someone who had put those marks there. He kept the robe on. 

Ben followed after Chase, looking around the space of the hotel room. That was an understatement. It was a deluxe suite. Matt had balked at the price tag, had been stoically upset, but caved. The options were otherwise limited. 

It was upstairs, through a set of glass doors that the balcony space came into view. It was still snowing, heavy enough that being outside could be dangerous, not so heavy that there weren't people who were willing to risk it. Ben watched the snow. He had never really experienced it, not like this, not where it lay thick on the mountain side covering anything and everything. A mound of it caught his attention. It was around a circle of warmth. 

[color=cde0e1]”Chase, look, I think you were right. There is a hot tub.”[/color] Ben moved to the sliding glass doors and started to open it. He was not dressed to run out into that snow. They'd have to decide how to approach the hot tub. He wanted to go in, but he didn't want to walk through the snow nearly nude to get to it.

[Color=585c74]”No. Fucking. Way. Babe, we have to. Snow storm be damned.”[/color] This place was amazing, this room was amazing. Danni would certainly be jealous of all this. Chase looked down at the snow that layered the floor, then back towards the hot tub. [Color=585c74]”Fuck it.”[/color] Chase opened the glass door, the chill of the outside air blowing in as he quickly made his way towards the hot tub, jumping into it almost like a kid doing parkour. The ground was freezing, his feet burned slightly from the cold before the intensity changed and the warmth of the water went from good to too hot. Normally he would acclimate, go down slowly, but the weather wouldn't allow for that. So he dipped straight down, water to the base of his neck.

Ben watched as Chase did the insane. He laughed, dropped the robe just inside the room, and followed suit. He also didn't let his head dip below the water, but that was more a consideration of not wanting to sit in the snow with wet hair. 

[color=cde0e1]”You’re nuts,”[/color] he giggled. [color=cde0e1]”I can't believe this place. It is crazy.”[/color] He hoped again in a mild way that the storm would last, and the roads wouldn't be cleared and that they'd get at least a couple days here. As long as they were out by the 11th it'd be alright. The drive back would be long and would suck, that whole way back, but they'd have fun anyway. He also still wanted to see the last stop. The Redwoods. 

[Color=585c74]”Crazy? I was crazy once. They locked me in a room. A rubber room. A rubber room with rats, and rats make me crazy. Crazy? I was crazy once –”[/color] Chase droned on for a bit before wading his way over towards Ben. He giggled, looking up at the sky as snow fell on them. [Color=585c74]”I wish that this could last forever.”[/color]

Ben didn't know the reference and so he looked at little confused and concerned. But Chase giggled and that reassured him. Ben carefully wrapped himself into and around Chase's limbs. 

[color=cde0e1]”I was thinking nearly the same thing,”[/color] Ben sighed knowing it wouldn't last forever. But he'd remember it forever.  

[Color=585c74]”At least we can room back at school. We may not get two floors, a hot tub, three beds, and all these amenities, but we'll have each other, our company, prayers, cuddles, kisses.”[/color] Chase placed a kiss to Ben's head. All the while thinking about just how perfect he was. All the while wondering when the floor would fall out from beneath his feet. Danni felt like a nuclear bomb, that message sitting on the counter like a timer waiting to go off.

Ben kissed Chase back, a smile on his lips. [color=cde0e1]”How does the dorm system work? Can we ask for a specific roommate? I didn't pay that close attention when we were filling out the paperwork. Is it too late to ask?”[/color] 

Ben wasn't worried that the housing wouldn't allow them to dorm together. Maybe if they were a straight couple. He knew how much heteronormatie informed policies like that.

Chase shrugged. [Color=585c74]”No idea. Didn't really care until I met you. Peej and Morgan handled it all for me.”[/color] He pulled Ben further into his embrace. A quick reminder to them both that neither was wearing any clothes.  [Color=585c74]”I just figure it makes sense. Everyone's already got roommates right? Two new students come in, makes sense to pair them together.”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Hmm, true. But there are triple rooms. What if we end up in separate ones, or one with a third person?”[/color] Ben asked, part of him thinking it would be fine if it were Danni as the third. They could make that work. But he didn't let the thought linger.

[Color=585c74]”Then they can deal with us praying or gtfo when we want to. We have like two thirds majority vote in that instance.”[/color]

Ben laughed. The euphemism they used to discuss sex amused him. He was not so pious as to pray nearly as much as he had since this trip had started. 

[color=cde0e1]”Sounds good,”[/color] he said, settling in a little more into Chase. The water was warm and the air cold. Snow fell around and on them, melting into the hot water. Some flakes caught in his hair unnoticed by him. 

[color=cde0e1]”Whatever the situation we'll figure it out and make it work. Together.”[/color]

[Color=585c74]”What's the worst that could happen?”[/color]

[Center](*＾3＾)/～☆ヽ(=ﾟωﾟ)人(ﾟωﾟ=)ﾉ[/center]

Once night finally fell and Chase bid Ben goodnight, he laid in bed with him for a while. He wanted to make sure he was deep enough into his slumber that moving wouldn't bother him. Chase slipped out of bed, kissing Ben's cheek, before making his way over towards his phone and staring at the last messages sent to Danni. His stomach churned at the thought of having this conversation, at how many more times he may have to have it and with who. He hated this. 

Chase sent off the message to Danni, sitting in a chair in the room with no light beyond his phone's backlight. After a couple rounds of texting, he began to wonder why he was even doing this. He didn't know this guy, he didn't owe him anything. Danni could just fuck off for all he cared. Chase looked back towards the bed, and the visage of Ben sleeping so soundly, cuddled up into the sheets like an angel, this was why he was doing this.

Chase got up from the chair and went upstairs to another room. His texting got a bit more frantic as he began to pace. Every second Danni hadn't texted back was agonizing. Every message Danni did send back doubly so. He hadn't expected any of this to hit him so hard. He hadn't expected to miss Percy so bad. It had barely been a year, and still… What truly shocked Chase was how much Danni actually seemed to care, not just about the situation or Percy but about him, about his side. Why would anyone care about his side? He was the villain in Percy's story and rightfully so. Tears streamed down his face, typing became harder, and by the end of it all Chase had gone into another bed and sobbed into the pillow for the rest of the night. By morning he was exhausted.


[center][u][h2]Jan 8th-9th, Snowed in[/h2][/u][/center]

The next day the storm continued. Snow fell, not quite in white out conditions, but it finally ended around midday of the 9th and almost immediately the snow patrols were out clearing the roads. The boys decided they’d wait for the pass to be cleared so they could go to the Redwoods. It would take a while, they were hoping that the next day it would be clear enough. So they spent the eighth day of the year at the hotel. 

They hung out in their room, their hot tub, and in the pool. They had agreed to not go to the spa, though Ben was curious enough to poke his head in and check it out a bit. He didn’t get a chance to check out the sauna. They watched a couple of movies, chatted, and [i]prayed.[/i] Morgan really did see the future it seemed.