A Revolution In Shadow And Blood

I Played Twenty Questions

"Hmmm, what was your favorite pet?" I look up at the sky, watching the clouds move as I wait for his answer.

"My dog, Bones. No contest," Benjamin responds, pushing off of the ground on his swing, and rocking a bit, before landing again, "He was a white lab, and he hated playing fetch with anything but a stick."

I don't comment on his use of past tense. Instead, I laugh, "He was that picky?"

"He just couldn't get a ball to sit right in his mouth!" Ben defends his dog, but laughs along with me. "My turn. Do you have any siblings?"

"Nope. I'm an only child, stuck with all of the attention of my parents," I smile, "It's not so bad though. I get my own room, and don't have to share."

I set my feet on the ground, and start turning my swing in circles, twisting the chains above me, before lifting my feet, and spinning in fast circles.

"Can I meet your parents?"

I skid to a stop, facing him. My eyes won't focus on him, because of being dizzy, "Why would you want to?"

I know I'm avoiding it, but what am I supposed to say? No? Or tell him the truth?

He leans closer to me, grabbing the chains connected to my seat, just above my hands. He raises an eyebrow, "You really can't guess?"

I can feel blood rush to my cheeks. Huh. I don't blush easily, but this guy really brings out parts of me I didn't know existed. I avert my eyes from his red ones, but make the mistake of looking at his lips instead. Primal instinct in me screams to lean closer. Seriously, when did I start giving into my hormones? My eyes slide back to his, and I'm back to being me. My lips tug into a smirk, "Oh, I don't know? Maybe you want to congratulate them for making me?"

He grins, taking his sweet time letting his eyes roam my face before responding, "You know, that's not a bad idea."

The red is back. But I'm not one to be out done. Especially by him. I lean closer, and his breath catches in his throat, "Really? You think so?"

He's frozen, and I win. I lean back into my own space, his hands slipping from my swing, laughing a bit. I glance at him, before saying, "My turn. What's your middle name?"

Ben breaks out of his stupor, "Nuh uh. You still haven't answered my question yet. Do I get to meet your parents?"

My smile drops. I shake my head, look at the ground, and let out a sigh, "Ben..."

A pause, before, "What? You don't want me to meet them?"

I turn to look at him, thinking I'll try to explain, but he speaks again before I can get anything out. Not that I had anything in mind yet.

"Or do you not want them to meet me?" His dark brows lower over his eyes.

"No, Ben-"

"Then what is it?"

I know what he's getting at. And I know who he is and where he comes from is a sensitive topic for him. I don't want him to misunderstand, but I don't know how I can explain without explaining everything, "I promise that's not it, Ben. I just...can't."

"Really. You just can't," He stands quickly, bark scraping under his shoes. Ben looks like he's about to say something, but seems to change his mind as he shakes his head, and walks away.

I stand quicker than he can get away, and grab his arm. Ben tries to pull away, but I'm almost as strong as he is, and at the moment, more determined, "I know what you're getting at, Ben. And I promise that it has nothing to do with that. I-" I look down from his piercing red gaze, "I'm just not ready for that. Yet."

I say the last word with force, making sure he understands. He takes a deep breath, and it comes out shaky. My lips curve into a small, soft smile when I look back up at him. Happy with his soft, vulnerable gaze, I act without thinking. I wrap my arms around his waist, my nose breathing in his scent on the place where his shoulder and neck connect. Ben hesitates a moment, but then his arms gently set themselves around my hips, holding me like I might break if he sets too much of his weight on me.

At that moment, we were ok together.