It's a Hard life | Hardzello♡

36. Second date

"Benny, where are we going?" Joe asks with a soft giggle when Ben is guiding them to their date.
The blond boy smiles but doesn't answer the question. Instead he just pulls the boy along, street after street.
After a five minute walk, Joe gets an idea where Ben might be taking him. "Wait, are we going to the Christmas fair?" He asks with a big smile when he hears music in the distance.
Every year around Christmas, a Christmas fair is organized in the village. There are all kinds of small stalls and every year there's a ferris wheel present.
Ben smiles and nods. "But only if you want to?" He says, a bit scared that the ginger won't like it.
But luckily for him, Joe smiles excited. "I'd love to go to the fair with you sweetheart." The boy says before giving Ben a quick kiss on the lips.
The blond smiles reassured, and locks their fingers together.

When the two arrive at the fair, Joe frees his hand out of Ben's. He knows that Ben still has some people that know about the whole Allen thing and live in this village. He also knows that some people in this village aren't very gay friendly. And the last thing he wants is for Ben to end up in the hospital again.
Ben smiles as soon as he understands what Joe is doing. He mouths an 'I love you' to the boy before pulling him along to one of the stalls.

After the two have shared a cotton candy, Joe's eye falls on the ferris wheel. "Come on, let's go there. It'll be fun." The ginger says excited.
Ben opens his mouth to argue with that plan. But when he sees the twinkles in the eyes of his boyfriend, he decides to just go along. "Alright then." He says as he forces a smile.
Once the two are waiting in the queue, Joe notices the nervous glances Ben shoots at the Ferris wheel. "Are you okay Benny?" He asks, although he already has a suspicion.
The blond nods. "Yeah, sure."
Before Joe can say anything more, it's their turn to get on the Ferris wheel and he gets pulled along by Ben.
Once the wheel starts moving, Ben grabs Joe's hand. The higher they get, the more nervous Ben gets.
Joe sees the boy swallow, and he feels Ben's grip on his hand tightening. "What is it?" The ginger asks, pretending like he doesn't know what's going on.
"I uhm- I'm just not a fan of heights, I guess." Ben mumbles.
Joe chuckles softly and pulls the boy close to his chest. "Yeah, I figured that one out. You idiot, why didn't you just tell me?"
Ben shrugs, and squeezes his eyes shut as the Ferris wheel stops at the highest point. "Because it's stupid. And I'm fine, as long as you're with me." The boy says.
Joe smiles, and gives his boyfriend a kiss on the head. "Well I'm here. Just try to enjoy it, can you do that for me?" He whispers.
Ben swallows once more before slowly opening his eyes.
"Don't look down, okay? Just look ahead." Joe whispers.
Ben smiles a little at the beautiful view in front of him. "It is nice, actually." He mumbles against Joe's chest.
Joe giggles softly. "Don't sound so surprised." With his index finger, he lifts Ben's chin so he can kiss him. "Can I just say that this date is amazing?" He says with a smirk when they break the kiss.
But the smirk that appears on Ben's face is even bigger. "Oh this is just the beginning. I needed you out of the house, that's why I brought you here." The blond says.
Joe gives the boy a questioning look, and can't help but be very curious.
Ben giggles softly. "You'll see what I planned when we get home." He says when he sees his boyfriend bursting with curiosity.
Joe chuckles and rolls his eyes.

After roaming the fair for a while, it's starting to get dark a bit already. Which makes the fair look even more beautiful. Christmas lights are everywhere, and the smell of candy canes is hanging in the air.
Suddenly, Ben takes Joe's arm and pulls him along to a silent place where the other people can't see them. "So, are you ready to head home?" Ben asks with a grin before leaning in to kiss the ginger.
"You're making me very curious right now, you know that?" Joe says with a chuckle after they pull away from the kiss.
Ben smiles and intertwines their fingers. "You shouldn't be to excited though. It's not that spectacular." He says, trying to prevent Joe from being disappointed.
The ginger giggles and gives his boyfriend a reassuring smile. "Don't worry baby, I'm sure it will be perfect."

"Okay, close your eyes." Ben says when the two of them are in front of their house.
Joe giggles, and does what Ben tells him.
The blond opens the front door, and guides his boyfriend towards the living room. "Okay, you can open your eyes now." Ben says.
Joe opens his eyes and looks around the room. He lets out a soft 'ahww'.
The room is decorated with candles and Christmas lights. The dinner table is set romantically. The couch has been pushed aside, and in front of the tv is a double mattress with pillows and a blanket on it.
"I know it's lame, but I just love watching movies and cuddle with you." The blond boy says shyly.
In awe, Joe looks at candles and lights. He turns around to Ben, and pulls the boy close by his hips. "Look at you being all romantic." He says with a big smirk before locking their lips together.
Ben smiles, relieved that the boy doesn't think it's lame at all.
"How did you even do this?" The ginger asks.
"I've had some help from your sister." Ben says with a grin.
Joe chuckles and looks around the room again. "Where is Mary anyway?" He asks.
"She went to Lucy's house. Said she needed a girl to talk to instead of two guys. Her words, not mine." Ben chuckles softly, and takes Joe's hand. He pulls the boy into a kiss, and after that the two walk over to the dinner table.

***

After they have finished eating, the two boys lie down close to each other on the mattress.
Joe grabs the remote, and searches for a horror movie. He himself isn't that big of a fan of horror, but he knows Ben loves it. And at least then he has a reason to hold the boy close.
Ben grins as soon as he sees what kind of movie his boyfriend puts on the tv. The grin turns into a big smile when Joe snuggles close to him and locks their fingers together.
When the first jump scare comes up in the movie, Ben can feel the boy in his arms tense up.
Joe buries his head into Ben's neck, so he doesn't see what is happening on screen.
The blond smiles, and gives the boy a kiss on the forehead as he pulls him closer. "You know what? I'm not really in the mood for horror. How about we continue watching that serie we started last week?" Ben asks softly.
Joe smiles relieved and nods.

During their serie, Joe notices that Ben is dozing off slowly. To keep the boy awake, Joe starts placing kisses all over Ben's face.
The blond opens his eyes again, and smiles sleepily at his boyfriend.
"You don't wanna miss this part sweetheart." Joe whispers, nodding towards the tv.
At first, Ben just smiles and focuses on the serie again. But then Joe's words get through. "Wait, how do you know what's coming?" He asks in confusion.
Joe smiles at him innocently. "I just... assumed this part is important?" He says, making it sound more like a question.
Ben rolls onto Joe's chest and makes their noses touch. "You bastard. You watched the next episode without me!" He says, pretending to be offended.
Joe giggles softly and smiles guilty at his boyfriend.
"It's like the number one rule in a relationship. You watch the next episode together!" Ben says.
"I'm sorry baby." Joe says with big eyes.
Ben smiles and locks their lips together. "You're forgiven. But only this time." He says with a smirk.
Joe pretends to be relieved, and gives the blond another kiss on the lips. "I love you blondie."
Ben grins. "I love you too bastard."

____________

Just some fluf today :)

But I'll say this, the next chapter I will go easy on you guys, but that will be over after that. There'll be a lot of drama coming up hehe

Anyways, I hope you're still enjoying this book? Much love from me folks❤