"Being Ben's"

45. New beginnings

"What did you even talk about last night? You know... with my father?" I asked, laying on his chest.

We were both up for a while, just sitting in comfortable silence as we laid in bed but that question hasn't left my mind.

I'd folded my hands and rested my chin on them, looking at him. He looked at me and smiled. "I'll tell you later."

"You say you'll tell me everything later but you never do." I raised my eyebrow at him. "Like my nickname." I fell back against the bed.

He didn't say anything, just turned on his side and wrapped his arms around me pulling me closer to him.

"Are you alright?" I asked, wrapping my legs around him.

"Yeah..." he kissed my forehead, letting his lips be pressed to my skin.

"You're just really quiet this morning... and not asleep."

He usually slept till at least twelve and it was only 8:30 now.

He chuckled. "What's that mean?"

"You usually just sleep later than this." I shrugged, I moved my head to look at him.

"I just... had a nightmare and didn't want to be asleep anymore."

"Oh..." I looked down. "I wanna go somewhere for breakfast." I sat up.

"Okay but," he pushed me back down. "In a few minutes." He smiled and wrapped his arms around me again. I chuckled. "Alright," I cuddled back into his warmth.

——

We probably spent another two hours in bed just cuddling and taking the moment to appreciate each other's presence.

I looked at Ben as we drove over the bridge. His leg was bouncing. "Do you not like bridges?"

He looked at me. "I... no not really."

"Well, there's a lot of going back and forth between Philly and Jersey when you live this close to the city. So I think you'll get used to it."

"Do we have to use the bridge every day?"

"No, not necessarily." I chuckled.

"I mean It's pretty." He looked out the side window.

I drove a couple of minutes into the city past my old apartment building (Oh how I do not miss that) and to my old job.

"A cafe?" Ben asked.

"Yes... my old job... that I got fired from."

"Why... Why would you want to come to your old job?" He asked, confused. I chuckled. "I'm just curious. Come on." I smiled and got out of the car.

It smelled of coffee and fresh baked goods. Literally, just how I remembered.

"Hi, how may I— oh, Felix?"

"Oh um, Leo." I smiled, pushing back my hair.

"How are you?" We both said and chuckled.

"I've been good, how about you?" He said leaning against the counter. "I've... been great," I said smiling and nodding. He looked at Ben who stood beside me. "Oh hello," he smiled brightly.

Ben waved his hand at Leo but stood quiet.

"Who's this?" Leo pointed at Ben

"My... boyfriend." I looked up at Ben.

"Yo- your boyfriend? I thought you— you said you... were straight."

"Well, I was." I shrugged, scratching behind my ear.