𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘣𝘹𝘣)

forty four

a/n: i am so sorry for abandoning this story ahhhh!! i was wrapped up in finals and other bullshit but here we go i missed this story and i love u guys ₊˚⊹♡ i tried a different writing style let me know what you guys think !

***

Noah walks into the bathroom, seeing only one stall was closed. He walks up to the door, listening for a few seconds before knocking softly. "Bebes..? Are you alright?"

Benjamin takes a deep breath before opening the stall door to see Noah. He nods his head. "Yeah...Sorry, I just got...Overwhelmed."

Noah reaches out and grabs his hand. "Why? What happened?"

"Everyone is...So accomplished," Benjamin brings his hands up to his eyes. "I'm so fucking stupid. God, I have nothing good going for me."

"Benjamin-," Noah reaches out and grabs Benjamin's hands from his eyes. He pulls them away to look directly into his eyes. "You are accomplished. How many people do you think can just land a software engineering job? You were told that you could get promoted within a year and...You're almost a month clean."

"But...Everyone is moving up to their dreams and...Mine were put on the back burner for so long."

"So were mine," Noah backs up a little, letting Benjamin be able to look down at his knees. "Getting two ACL tears was the worst thing in my life. Everything I dream of was stopped in the blink of an eye. And yeah, I feel under-achieved sometimes but I'm working on it and so are you."

"You graduated, bebesita. You got your degree, that's an accomplishment in itself." Noah smiles at him. "Okay? You're not stupid and you're doing great."

**

Noah and Benjamin walk out back into the bar, seeing their friends talking back and forth. Noah waits for Benjamin to take a seat before sitting next to him. Gabi smiles at him. "Hey, you okay?"

Benjamin nods his head. "Mhm. I just needed a break, sorry."

Lucas furrows his brows. "Wait...So if you become a businessman...And Benny is a software engineer...Does that mean you're gonna be millionaires?"

Benjamin chuckles a little as he picks up his drink off the table. "Oh god, I wish I could. Currently just on level one of my job."

"Well, we already know Gabi is gonna be the one," Elly says.

Gabi rolls her eyes and sips her drink. "Mhm...Anyways, who's ready for another round of drinks?" Gabi asks as she stands up with her wallet.

"I'll take a non-alcoholic drink," Tatiyana says.

Lucas stands up, "I'll get it. Come on Gabs."

Tatiyana smiles at him and turns back to look at the group. "I can't believe I'm about to have three children."

Noah nods his head. "No seriously. When is Lucas planning to put a ring on it?"

"Soon, I hope." She says. "I've been hinting at it so...Hopefully soon."

Jazmyne sips on her drink. "Elly totally surprised me when she proposed. It's gonna happen when you least expect it."

"I hope so," Tati says in response.

Gabi comes back with drinks, setting them down on the table. Lucas followed back with her, holding a drink out for Tatiyana. "And one non-alcoholic beverage for you."

"Everyone grab your drinks," Gabi says and picks one up. "We're cheering to...All of our accomplishments!"

**

Noah unlocks the front door, allowing Benjamin to walk in first. Benjamin sets his keys down on the counter and makes his way into the bedroom. Noah follows him, laying down on the bed. "God, I am so tired."

"Me too," Benjamin walks over, hesitating before placing himself on Noah's lap. He tilts his head to the side. "I forgot how long our friends like to party and hang out."

No for real," Noah grabs Benjamin's hips so he can back up a little but also sit up enough to see Benjamin's face. "When Gabi ordered another round, I could feel my hangover ensuing."

Benjamin chuckles and leans in to kiss Noah once. Noah follows suit, his hands keeping their place on Benjamin's waist. Benjamin brings one hand up to rest on the back of Noah's neck before he pulls away, a smile on his face. "Thank you for what you said tonight."

"Hmm? What? When I called you hot or...?"

Benjamin smiles and rolls his eyes. "You're so annoying. You know what I mean."

"Of course, bebesita. No problem." Noah stares down at Benjamin's lips before leaning in to kiss him.

Noah's arms wrapped around Benjamin's waist, pulling him in closer as they settled on the edge of the bed. Their eyes locked, and a playful smile danced on Benjamin's lips. The room seemed to dim, leaving them bathed in a soft, intimate glow. With a gentle touch, Noah tilted Benjamin's chin upward, savoring the brief moment before their lips met. Their connection was immediate and electric, a testament to the years of love and longing they had experienced apart.

Their mouths combined together, tongues dancing in a passionate and familiar rhythm. Noah savored the taste of Benjamin, the warmth and sweetness of his kiss. Their lips moved in perfect synchronization, their breaths intermingling.

The world outside ceased to exist as they melted into each other, a fusion of desire and tenderness. Benjamin's hands trailed up Noah's chest, placing his hands under Noah's shirt, placing his hands on Noah's bare skin. Noah's pulse quickened, desire coursing through his veins. He deepened the kiss, hunger and longing taking over, their bodies pressed against each other, their hearts beating as one. Noah's fingers traced delicate patterns on Benjamin's back, reveling in the warmth of his skin. Their bodies molded together, creating a shared space of intimacy and love.

The sensation of Benjamin's weight on his lap sent waves of pleasure through Noah, reminding him of the depth of their connection. As their kiss lingered, Noah broke away, breathless and smiling, their foreheads resting together. He gazed into Benjamin's eyes, his love mirrored back at him, their souls entwined in that stolen moment. "I'm so grateful to have you back in my life," Noah whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.

Benjamin's eyes shimmered with affection and happiness. "Always and forever?"

"Always and forever."

***