𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘣𝘹𝘣)

forty two

"Oh my god. Are they getting a divorce?"

Gabi came over to Noah's apartment after Benjamin told her all that happened at his mom's house. Benjamin shrugs his shoulders. "I have no clue. But she's...afraid of him."

"That's so fucked up."

"Yup. She's staying at my mom's house for a while until she figures out what she's gonna do. Told Jade to be dropped off there."

"God, your dad must be so pissed."

Benjamin raises his eyebrows. "Beyond. He told me he wishes my mom never had me."

"Oh god. I'm so sorry, babe." Gabi shakes her head. "He's literally insane."

"It's okay," Benjamin sighs. "It was intense. Super embarrassing...I mean, Noah was there and had to hear all of that."

"Benny. You know he's not one to judge. And he understands your family situation better than anyone."

"I know but this is still new. I didn't want to bring him back into my life to be drowned by drama again."

Noah was in the shower, claiming he needed one. He left Gabi and Benjamin in the room to talk.

"You'll be fine. Trust."

"So? How was your day? Better than mine I hope," Benjamin says as he grabs his wine glass off the coffee table.

"It was fine. I didn't really do much. Lex and I got some dinner and I did some work."

Noah walks out of the bathroom, dripping wet from the shower. He had a towel wrapped around his waist. He clears his throat, "Hey, bebes?"

Benjamin turns around to face Noah, his eyes trailing down Noah's body. "Uh...Yeah?"

"Can you come here for a second?"

Benjamin stands up and nods his head. "Wha-Yeah...Of course," He looks back at Gabi. "Be right back."

The two exit into Noah's bedroom. Noah sits on the bed, moving the towel to reveal his knee. "Does this scar look infected?"

"Uhm," Benjamin squints his eyes, careful not to touch the scar on his knee. It had been a few weeks since Noah's surgery and the scar had been irritating him.

"It could be? It's kind of discolored," Benjamin makes eye contact with Noah. "Does it hurt?"

"Kinda itchy since the stitches came out."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Benjamin walks away into the bathroom to grab the antibacterial cream the doctor gave him. "We should probably go see the doctor soon, okay?"

Noah nods his head. "Okay...Thanks," He stands up and goes into the dresser to grab some underwear. He drops his towel, causing Benjamin to immediately close his eyes and turn around.

"S-Sorry!" Benjamin shakes his head. "Uh...I'll let you get dressed. Sorry." He steps out of the room quickly before walking back into the living room.

Gabi takes a sip of her wine and smiles.

Benjamin catches a glimpse of this and shrugs. "What?"

"You look all bothered. Too much seeing Noah in his towel?" She asks sitting back against the couch.

Benjamin shrugs his shoulders, grabbing his wine glass again. "What? No, of course not."

Gabi raises her eyebrows. "Oh? Really?"

Benjamin glances back at the bedroom door before looking back to Gabi. "We haven't done that, again yet. Or even talked about it."

"Why not?" Gabi takes a sip from her wine glass. "I just mean...Are you nervous?"

"I mean...Yeah. I haven't seen him like that since I was like seventeen." Benjamin responds.

"Do you wanna see him like that?"

Benjamin squints his eyes, grabbing a pillow off the couch to throw at her. "Shut up. We're done talking about this."

Noah walks into the room, smiling. "Talking about what?" He grabs the free wine glass, pouring himself a small amount, taking a seat next to Benjamin.

"N-Nothing," Benjamin throws his arm around Noah's neck, leaning in to kiss him once. "Did you put that stuff on it?"

Noah nods and looks down at his knee. "Mhm," He takes a sip of the wine and sighs. "Damn, Gabi always brings the best-tasting wine."

**
"Will I get to see you tonight?" Noah asks.

It was the next day and Benjamin was off to work. Benjamin smiles and puts his phone in his back pocket. "I think so. I don't have any plans. Just gonna stop by my mom's and check on them."

"Okay," Noah sets his coffee mug down and walks over to Benjamin. "Besito?"

Benjamin smiles and leans to kiss him once. "I'll see you later." He backs up from Noah's embrace and makes his way out of the apartment.

He heads down to his car when he feels his phone vibrate in his pocket. He presses the phone to his ear to answer Gabi's phone call. "Good morning."

"Morning. I was calling to ask your plans for tonight."

"Uh, okay? Why?" Benjamin gets into his car and starts the engine. He throws all of his things into the passenger seat and buckles his seatbelt.

"Well...Jaz and Elly are still here and we haven't been able to meet up as a group. I thought we could all go out to the club or something."

"Uh, sure. I'm available...Wait, have you even asked anyone else?" Benjamin asks.

"Jaz and Elly are down. Oh, so is Noah."

"What? Why am I the last person you're asking? What happened to the best friend honor code?"

"Sorry! But since you're down, we're all gonna meet here tonight and take an Uber."

"Oh, we're getting drunk?"

"Uh, duh! Oh, wait! Is Noah like...Allowed to get drunk? Gabi asks.

"Yeah, I think. The whole point is to stop him from drinking casually. He's been really good I think he just had a bad time."

"Right. Okay! I'll see you later tonight. Love you." Gabi hangs up the phone quickly and Benjamin lets out a sigh.

**