[hr][hr][center][h3][b][color=585c74]Chase Bernard[/color][/b][/h3][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019b32f5-6b73-755a-9846-0b44e2adfbc7.webp[/img]
[hr][b][color=585c74]Location:[/color][/b] Margaret Carter - Winter Festival 
[b][color=585c74]Magic Items:[/color][/b]
[b][color=585c74]First Day Fit:[/color][/b] [url=https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019c0722-93d7-708f-becb-dd066b6750e9.webp]Flannel, Jeans, and Vans[/url] [hr][/center]

[center][h2]Jan. 13, evening[/h2][/center]
[hr]

Chase had been laying on his bed, his headphones placed over his ears as the sounds of SNAP!’s 7” Edit of Rhythm is a Dancer played. His phone sat on his chest, he didn't exactly expect a text from Ben given he just had left his place not too long ago, but he was hoping to hear back to see if the Old Man would let him spend the night tomorrow. His phone buzzed, and Chase immediately sat up, waffling the catch before he finally held it in his hands and looked to see what he'd said. It wasn't exactly what he wanted to see, Matt had somehow found out. [Color=585c74]”Fuckin’ Bullshit!”[/color] 

Chase gripped his phone tightly before throwing it straight at his door. Unbeknownst to him, Morgan had predicted this, she stood behind the wooden frame until it was time, a pillow in her hand like a catchers mitt, and opened the door just before the phone would've hit it, catching it in the pillow. “So, he told you he found out huh?” Morgan tossed the phone back towards Chase, who had let it fall down onto the mattress. “It's not the end of the world kid, trust me. I know.” Chase rolled his eyes at her before removing his headphones. [Color=585c74]”Whatever. Thanks for being cool about it all…”[/color] Morgan leaned against the doorframe and pointed at Chase's phone. “Don't break it, you'll need it before the nights out. Big news.” 

It was in fact big news, but that didn’t mean good news. Ben was forbidden from seeing Chase for a full day, his phone confiscated, and their plans for a sleepover ruined.

[center][h2]Jan. 14, Day Before School[/h2][/center]
[hr]

This was stupid. Chase felt stupid. He hardly knew the kid over a week ago and now he didn't know what to do without him. He had no one to text, no one to talk to, skate with, hangout with. I mean sure, ok he could message Marlena and see if she wanted to skate, or he could text Danni and talk to him he guessed, but none of it would help much to get his mind off of Ben. So finally with a huff and annoyance, Chase decided he was going to let his frustrations out on his board. 

After hours of skating, grinding, falling, and at some points just laying on his board as he stared into the sky, Chase had had enough. He hadn't realized just how much he missed having someone to talk to. Someone who cared. He pulled his phone out, and instinctively he wanted to go to Emrys, though before he knew him by a different name and now it was one he couldn't even dare to contact. Not that it'd matter, he likely changed numbers or blocked him after all this time. But Gwain was still there, still loyal, and more than likely chatty.

Chase was sweaty, his hair was stuck to his face, and his shirt had a bit of sweat stains in places, but he placed the holo call anyways. 

[Color=585c74]”Hey D-Man what's up? Did you get Benny Bois message?”[/color]

Danni blinked down at his phone. They'd just finished dinner and Papa and Pops disappeared for a second for a “private conversation”, which everyone knew was code for something less innocent. Danni'd wanted to get a little bit of stuff packed up before the next day so he'd scampered up to his room, Amélie on his heels after a heavy dinner, and he'd expected to blare his music at top volume while dancing but this unexpected call from a new friend had him propping up his phone against the wall nearby his closet and he answered, one head phone in so he was still free. 

[color=E948FC]“‘ey sauna boi! Yeah, I did! But makes sense - Mattie probs wanted some family time. We do t'e same t'in’, tbh. You just called at like, t'e perfect time!”[/color] Danni peered a little closer at the screen, noting Chase's appearance. [color=E948FC]“Whatchu doin’ right now? You look like you just worked out.”[/color]

[Color=585c74]”Skateboarding. You should try it sometime. It's a great way to clear my mind. Man, this is gonna sound so stupid but I feel kinda lost without being able to talk to Ben today…I don't even know what to do.”[/color]

Danni cooed sympathetically. [color=E948FC] “Well, ‘ey, I might not be t'e boyf but I can entertain at least! And I can def talk! So pretty boy, I know you ‘aven't watched She-Ra but what kinda stuff do ya like ta watch?”[/color] Danni asked, fiddling around off screen for a moment and pulling out two, almost identical shirts. One had a little leaf pattern along the side and the other a river pattern. [color=E948FC] “Also, which one? I ‘ate bringin’ t'em ta school at t'e same time. Leaves or rivers?”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”Rivers”[/color] Chase pointed towards the shirt on the right, his head still resting on the deck of his board. [Color=585c74]”Never said I didn't see She-Ra. But I'm more a Steven Universe kinda guy. Beyond that my favorite show is Merlin, or a lot of those old BBC shows. They're corny as hell and have horrible CGI but…I dunno they're fun.”[/color]

[color=E948FC] “[i]We are the crystal gems![/i]”[/color] Danni sang, tossing the leaves shirt back into his closet and folding the river into his bag. [color=E948FC]“Awww, t'at's adorable. Steven Universe is such a soft show. Who's your fav crystal gem and t'en who's t'e fav character of all? Like, Steven is obvi a cutie patootie but, I def t'ink Garnet is my fav crystal gem. Lars miiiiiiight be my fav character of t'e whole show - mostly cause yeah, he was a pretty lame guy in t'e beginnin’ but by t'e end, ‘is character arc was pretty awesome. But it's a toss up between ‘im and Amethyst.”[/color] Danni grabbed seven pairs of HotShot booty shorts, showing one of them to the camera, and folded them into his bag. 

Chase's face scrunched up as he tried to think about who his favorite was. If he was asked this a year ago it may have been a different answer, but now he felt more akin to Lapis than anyone. [Color=585c74]”Lapis. I think Lars is the obvious non gem choice. You'd make a good Lars for Halloween I think.”[/color] A smile on the corner of his lip.

Danni paused at the comment, turning to look in the mirror and the image shifted. Danni's reflection donned Lar's space captain outfit and he twisted and turned, grabbing the phone and holding it up for Chase to see. [color=E948FC] “I def t'ink I would too! I love ‘ot as ‘eck ‘onestly.”[/color] Danni laughed, making faces in the mirror, some silly, some serious, looking to get Chase to laugh. [color=E948FC]“Ooooh, Lapis huh? T'e river choice makes sense now, ‘uh. Oooo, are you good wit’ body paint? You'd look smomin’ in blue wit’ t'at pretty lapis dress. We could even get ya a pair of wings commissioned! Bet we could find someone ta make ya some that move!”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”Not much of a dress guy. Sorry man. But uh, can we go back to what the fuck just happened there? Why is your mirror, what is, I don't even know how to approach this.”[/color] Chase laughed incredulously as he ran his hand through his sweaty hair.

Danni laughed, shifting the image so he was wearing Lapis's dress. [color=E948FC]“Ooh, yeah, Papa got it for us for Christmas! Preeeetty sure ‘e ‘ad Pa make it for ‘im but t'at doesn't matter does it! T'ey got Rillie one as well! It let's me try on any outfit wit'out actually ‘avin’ ta wear it! So if you ever wanna see yourself in somet'in’, you can always pop in over and try it on before you make it.”[/color] Danni held up his wrist to show off his bracelet. [color=E948FC] “Pa also made us t'ese and Dee's anti-telepthy sword and Rillie's ‘air color comb and our bags and our ‘ouse! ‘e's like, t'e best sorcerer in all t'e world.”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”You make it sound like I can come over whenever.”[/color] Chase laughed as he rolled his eyes. [Color=585c74]”You're a few states away, it'd be a long drive before I even get to you. You bringing that mirror to school?”[/color] Chase tried to look away as the image shifted to the dress. Fuck, Danni looked good in it. But he was with Ben, he couldn't be looking like that.

[color=E948FC]“One, yeah obvi I'm brinin’ t'is mirror. Rillie and I are settin’ t'em up next ta each ot'er so we ‘ave angles tbh.”[/color] Danni waved away Chase's concerns, swishing around the dress in the mirror before shifting into an option for his first day outfit. [color=E948FC] “And duh. Pa can just open a portal ta anywhere. ‘ow did ya attempted I got ta Cali last night, silly.”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]” I –”[/color] Chase hadn't thought of that. Originally he assumed they were already down here for school reasons, but clearly he was back home already. [Color=585c74]”Bro that's so cool. Still…probably a bad idea I visit. I think your siblings don't like me very much.”[/color] He still wasn't looking at the call, only glances here or there to see if the mirror changed.

[color=E948FC]“I mean, we're all real big on second chances tbh. So you'd get grilled, but at t'e end of t'e day as long as you genuinely cared ‘bout chanin’ t'en you're all good. We gotta believe everyone ‘as some good inside t'em and we're ‘appy ta be around ta brin’ it out ya know?”[/color] Danni tapped on the screen. [color=E948FC] ‘ewwo, Mr. Preswident? You doin’ good? Everyt'in’ okay over t'ere?”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”Yeah I'm good. Gotta go though, batteries almost dead and it's getting dark out. So I gotta get back home before the rents worry.”[/color] Chase sat up, the sound of his board being kicked up into his hands could be heard offscreen. [Color=585c74]”See you at school tomorrow?”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“‘eck yeah! We gotta do all t'e stuff! I want [i]prizes[/i].”[/color] Danni saluted as Chase mentioned he was heading out. [color=E948FC]“And ‘ey, I ‘ope I was able ta ‘elp! ‘ave a good night, sauna boy.”[/color] Danni blew a kiss at the camera. 

[Color=585c74]”Yeah yeah, night man.”[/color] Chase caught the kiss and pocketed it before hanging up the call. 

[center][h2]Jan. 15, First Day of School[/h2][/center]
[hr

Chase ended up driving himself to school. Figured that way if he wanted to hang after school he could get home when he wanted to. He made his way over to grab all his paperwork, checking the dorm assignment first before a series of expletives left his mouth and he kicked a nearby plastic trashcan. It would seem he and Ben wouldn't be rooming together after all. They were neighbors however, so that wasn't too bad he guessed. The name of his roommate sounded familiar, someone from the shitty party maybe? Either way Chase made his way to the rooms first. Going down the hall to make sure the showers were adequate for Ben, they weren't. He frowned, but if they timed it right then he'd be able to help him out with his shadows. As he left the bathrooms he spotted Ben's Old Man. [Color=585c74]”Hey! Mr. M! How's it hangin? Long time no see man.”[/color] Chase jogged up to Matt and offered him a hug as usual.

[color=004d00]”Hello, Chase,”[/color] Matt said, hugging Chase. [color=004d00]”Moving in alright?”[/color] 

[Color=585c74]”Just scoping the area for now. I'm new here too so want to get my bearings before I go getting myself lost is all. Is uh, is Ben around?”[/color] Chase rolled his papers into a tube, gripping them a bit anxiously.

[color=004d00]”I left him in his room, but I think he was planning to head down to the Carnival right away.”[/color] Matt considered another question, but decided against it. He did feel a little bad about grounding Ben for the day, but he hoped it would send the right message. 

[Color=585c74]”Oh…”[/color] Chase bit his lower lip. [Color=585c74]”Hey, I'm sorry we didn't tell you right away, and I promise we weren't even beforehand. It sort of happened is all. I didn't even know he liked guys like that, or me for that matter. It's all kinda new to me to be honest.”[/color] 

Matt sighed, [color=004d00]”I believe you. Though I do wish you two had been a bit more responsible about certain things. I at least trust you were safe?”[/color] He raised an eyebrow, his tone serious but not angry. 

Shock ran through his face as Matt asked him if they were safe. [Color=585c74]”Geeze Mr. M, I – OK, look. Shit. I mean yes. We were, are. Fuck.”[/color] Chase stammered out embarrassed before he fished out a condom and showed it to Matt. [Color=585c74]”Even if we can't get pregnant we still gotta be safe you know?”[/color]

[color=004d00]”Well that was more information than I needed, but I suppose I only have myself to blame for that. Thank you for that.”[/color] Matt rubbed his face. [color=004d00]”Well you have my number.”[/color] Matt looked like he wanted to say something else, but was extremely uncomfortable with it. He would prefer it if the boys stopped having sex, but he didn’t think he could stop it. It was too late for that. [color=004d00]”Have a good semester, and I expect you to come over for dinner with Ben sometime soon.”[/color] He finally settled on. 

[Color=585c74]”Thanks Mr.M! Don't worry you won't get rid of me that easily. I'll be over for dinner soon!”[/color] Chase waved as Matt walked away before pulling out his phone to text Ben. 

[Hider=@Ben]
Hey Big Ben, where are you? Just ran into your Old Man and you weren't here.”[/hider]

[hider=@Chase]
Heading to the hot chocolate stand. Danni said he is there.[/hider]

Chase then noticed the messages from Danni before he closed his phone and tried finding his way over towards where the Hot Chocolate stand was. Spying Ben before he spotted the stand itself as he came barreling behind him and hugged him tight, lifting him up to spin him around and kiss his cheek. [Color=585c74]”Is my King wearing his Noble Knights sweater? How sweet, but you have forgotten your crown.”[/color] Shadows formed around his hands as a plastic crown came into view.