It's a Hard life | Hardzello♡

27. Trouble falling asleep

The few days after Roger visited the two boys, most things went like they normally would. Except for one thing.
Ben noticed that Joe started to act more and more strange. During the past nights, he woke up several times because of Joe tossing and turning in bed. Every time Ben asked the boy why he wasn't asleep, Joe just told him that he had too much energy left to fall asleep.
But his face didn't show exactly much energy. With every night Joe didn't sleep, the bags under his eyes got bigger.
Now, five days later, Ben decides to try again to figure out what is really going on.

"Here you go, cheese on toast." Ben places a plate on the table and sits down on the couch next to his boyfriend.
"Hmm?" Joe asks confused, his eyes just radiating tiredness.
Ben points at the two plates on the table. "Lunch." He says.
A sleepy smile appears on Joe's face. "Oh, thanks." He mumbles.
Ben takes the boy's hand, and pulls him close to his chest. "So, talk to me." He says.
Joe looks up, and gives the blond a questioning look. "About what?" He tries to sound as innocent as possible.
Ben lets out a soft sigh. "Sweetheart, you're sitting here looking like a zombie, because you've been awake the past five nights. Will you please tell me the reason behind all this? I'm worried about you." He leans in, giving the boy a kiss on the forehead. 
Joe puts his head on Ben's chest again, avoiding his gaze.
It stays silent for a minute.
Ben swears that he feels the boy in his arms starting to tremble a little. "Joey?" He whispers while intertwining their fingers.
"It- it's just uhm." The ginger stammers. He takes a few deep breaths before talking again.
"I just have this weird feeling inside. Like something bad is gonna happen. And I know that's just stupid, and it doesn't make sense. But the last time I had this feeling was when I got a call from Gwil, and you ended up in the hospital." Joe rambles in one breath.
Ben looks at the boy pityingly, and pulls him even closer. "Ohw baby." He says softly when he sees tears in Joe's eyes.
"I'm just so tired Ben." The ginger sniffles. "Every night I'm awake worrying about something that probably isn't even gonna happen. And if I fall asleep I wake up because of nightmares."
Ben stays silent for a moment, then lifts Joe's head with his index finger. "Look at me Joey. I'm glad you told me. Because now I can help you. I'm gonna help you, okay?" He says reassuringly while wiping away Joe's tears with his thumb.
The boy nods, and even shows Ben a tiny smile. He crawls onto Ben's lap, and hugs his boyfriend.
The blond smiles, and gently rubs his hand over Joe's back.
"I love you." Joe whispers during the hug.
Ben pulls away from the hug, and looks the boy in the eye. "I love you too sweetheart." Without hesitation, he leans in to peck Joe's lips.

////

That night, the boys decide to watch a movie together after dinner.
Joe has already sat down on the couch, but Ben is still in the kitchen. "Are you coming?" The ginger asks impatiently as he's craving some snuggles. But instead of getting a reaction back, it stays silent.
After a few minutes, Ben walks into the living room. In his hand a tray with two teacups, a blanket slung over his shoulder. "I thought we could use some extra comfort tonight." He says with a small grin.
Joe giggles softly and looks at his boyfriend with a big smile.
The blond hands him one of the teacups before sitting down on the couch as well.
Carefully, Joe takes a sip from the tea, but he immediately grimaces. "Jeez, what kind of tea is this? It tastes like ditch water." He says while placing the teacup on the table.
Ben burst out in laughter and rolls his eyes with a smile. "Exaggerator. It's chamomile tea. Tea that makes you sleepy." Ben explains. 
The ginger rolls his eyes. "Well, in that case try to drink it then. But it still tastes like ditch water." He says before playfully sticking out his tongue.
Ben giggles and reunites his lips with Joe's.
When they break the kiss, Ben takes a few sips from his tea while Joe picks out a movie.
"How can you even drink your tea without grimacing?" Joe asks surprised.
A smirk appears on Ben's face. "I have a different kind of tea." He says.
Joe crosses his arms. "That's not fair! Why don't you have to drink this?" He asks indignantly.
"Well, I don't have trouble falling asleep, plus I need to wake up quickly when you have a nightmare so I can help you." Ben explains with a sweet smile.
The indignant look on Joe's face disappears, and makes way for a big and grateful smile. "That's so sweet." He puts his arms around Ben's chest and hugs him. He closes his eyes for a moment. He's really happy that Ben is trying so hard to make him comfortable.
But the bad feeling inside hasn't disappeared yet. Which makes him feel guilty.
He is so scared that something will happen to Ben. Or to his friends, or family. Luckily, Joe isn't alone. His boyfriend will help him.
"Joey, I do need some oxygen, you know."
Ben's voice snaps the ginger back to reality, and makes him realize that he must have been squeezing the boy pretty tightly. "Sorry." He giggles as he loosens his grip.
Ben smiles, and gives the ginger a kiss on the forehead.
After Joe has placed his head into Ben's lap, and Ben has pulled the blanket over them, they start the movie. 

__________________________
Hi everyone!

So, in two days I'll get the call telling me whether I graduated or not, and the nerves are killing me😱

Anyways, sorry for this short chapter, but better stuff will come

Much kisses from me😘💕