𝐻𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓎 𝒯𝑜𝑔𝑒𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 - 𝐵𝑒𝓃 𝐻𝒶𝓇𝑔𝓇𝑒𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓈 𝓍 𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

Part IX

Warnings: Ben having a dirty mind for a very brief moment. Allusions to sex.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ben cautiously queried, his voice a mere whisper. Y/N looked up from her book to meet his eyes and nodded, giving him a kiss on his cheek before diverting her attention back to the latest novel written by her fiance. 

Ben's gaze darted out of his bedroom window and he peered into the courtyard where so much had transpired earlier. He hurriedly looked away when his eyes landed on the broken statue which lay on the wet ground. 

He hated that statue. He hated its perfectly depicted hair, and those deceptive eyes which held so much emotion even though they were stone. He hated those perfect lips that told so many pretty lies. He hated the way the umbrella academy uniform was designed to look as though it was hugging his chiseled body. He hated how accurate it was. Most of all, he hated how Reginald had felt the need to honor such a devil with a statue. 

Still, he put his hatred for the dead man aside and turned to Y/N, who was now staring into a corner of his bedroom. She had put the book on the bedside table and drawn her knees into her chest so she was curled up on the bed. Ben took her in his arms and allowed her to nuzzle into the crook of his neck.

"I can leave for a bit, I know he was important to you." His voice quivered a little at his own words and he mentally scolded himself when Y/N heard it and looked up at him in disbelief. 

"He was... a very long time ago, but not anymore." She reassured him and cupped his cheek in her hand. "I chose you over him, and I'm so thankful I did." With that, she leaned in for a gentle kiss, full of promise and devotion. A tear of relief slipped out of Ben's eye and Y/N rushed to wipe it upon pulling away.

"Don't cry, sweetie," she cooed, "I know what will cheer you up!" A devious smile crossed the girl's face. Ben's eyes widened and he slightly leaned forward to peek out his bedroom door. He concluded that nobody was on this floor and leaned back with a satisfied smile.

"Okay, but be quiet." He told his girlfriend, who became flustered instantly. She lightly slapped his shoulder and scoffed, climbing out of his lap where she was perched.

"Not that! Gosh, you're horrible." She groaned. "I meant that we should sneak out and go to Griddy's, just like we used to.".

At the explanation, Ben's face flushed red, he covered his mouth to avoid laughing out loud at his own lewd thoughts. He quickly recovered though and grinned at Y/N, agreeing to her idea without any words.

They crept out of the bedroom and ran to the library hand in hand. A wave of nostalgia hit the two, familiar memories of them sneaking out (sometimes with the others) coming back to them. They felt like teenagers experiencing love for the first time all over again.

They climbed out of a specific window of the library and made their way down the thin, rusty iron ladder that they had cut themselves on way too many times in the past. They landed gracefully, dusted themselves off and smiled at one another before facing forward to make their way to the old donut shop... only to come face to face with Diego's car.

"Heyyyy guys!" Klaus poked his head out of the window and waved enthusiastically. Diego in the drivers seat just looked at the two and shook his head, knowing all too well where they were headed if they were escaping the house like this.

"Is he high?" Ben asked Diego.

"Probably." Diego told him.

"NOT YET!" Klaus screeched, prompting Y/N to cover her ears and shush him. 

"Klaus, go home. You have your key?" Ben asked his brother, nearing the backseat window. 

"Klaus has a house?" Diego looked to Y/N, genuinely shocked that the druggie was a somewhat functioning adult.

"He kind of lives with us in our penthouse... when he's not in rehab." She explained and Diego ah-ed. 

"Mhm, yeaaahhh." Klaus drawled in response to Ben's question, and the latter pulled away from the car window in satisfaction.

"Good, so that's where you go. We'll be there soon." Ben informed him.

"Please take him straight there, Diego. We don't trust him to wander around at night by himself." Y/N pleaded, knowing all too well what Klaus' plans for the night were. 

"I want waffles!" Klaus cried.

"There's frozen ones at home." Ben tried to convince, and that seemed to satiate his brother who leaned back with a smile.

"I'll take him home safely." Diego assured the pair, then focused his attention solely on the girl. "Y/N, about earlier, I'm really-".

"Don't mention it." She cut him off with a smile, as though dismissing his apology even though the three boys hearing her words could tell that she really didn't want to talk about it.

Diego gave a curt nod, a little wave and then drove off. Klaus' exclamations about a hippo with stomach problems could be heard even after the car disappeared from the view of the couple.

"Shall we?" Ben gave his girlfriend a charming, lopsided smile, and offered her his arm which she gladly accepted.

"We shall!" She pronounced. With that, the two began the brisk walk to the run down donut shop for the first time since they'd left the academy. 

And with what would soon transpire, it'd be their last visit too.