Heartstopper oneshots/ requests

Ben Hope: But I like her brother P4

Walking into the dining room was another experience entirely. For Ben and Claire it was like walking into a film set; everything was perfectly arranged. The dining table was a long thin wooden piece that stood in the centre of the large room. Four pillar candles were already lit along the centre of the table with the main lights dimmed and the table was set, anticipating their arrival.

Wine glasses were at every place along with a smaller glass for water. In the corner of the room stood a wine cooler underneath a bar area. Big windows line both walls which overlooked the garden they couldn't see as it was already dark.

"You'll have to excuse the walls, we're going to be repainting soon" Julia said, walking over to the bar area. Emily sat down at one end of the table and, watching what she was doing, Claire desperately gestured for Ben to sit next to her. Which he did and Finn took the wine glass from the place next to Ben and placed his beer bottle on the coaster instead. As if making a statement that he was also sitting next to Ben, not that anyone but Ben picked up on that.

"Finn, you know the rules!" Julia hissed, "Wine at dinner, especially with guests"
Ben watched as Finn rolled his eyes and downed his beer in response, "Sorry mum" He said, taking his empty bottle to a concealed bin under the bar.

While the two mums were talking about the bar, Finn came back over and sat down. As he did, he put his hand on Ben's leg, "You don't mind me sitting here, right?"
Ben gulped, "No" He managed to say, Finn took his hand off his leg
"Emily, we should get Ben playing the dinner game" Finn laughed to his sister, then he turned to Ben, "Basically, every time we have these boring ass dinners we play this game - like bogies, do you remember bogies?"
"From Dick and Dom?"
"Yeah!" Finn laughed, "So we give ourselves a word and see how loud we can say it over the chatter, loudest wins"
"I don't think it'll work today, there's only Ben and his mum" Emily said in a tone that made it clear that she didn't want to be there

Julia came over with a bottle of red and a bottle of white for the table, "Finn, would you mind?"
Finn got up and got the bottle opener from a drawer in a side unit behind him and Ben, "Of course"

Ben watched as Finn expertly uncorked both bottles.

"Been doing it since I was a kid" He said, noticing Ben watching, "You trained me young, didn't you mum?"
Julia laughed, "God, that makes us sound like awful parents"

Both mums sat in the opposite places to Ben and Finn while Finn walked round to pour his mum and Claire a glass of white.

"White for the starter and red for the main" He said, pouring a small glass for each of them
"Yes, Finn's been busy preparing for tonight's meal" Julia beams, "I said he should be a chef, not a quantity surveyor"
"Well, maybe once I make enough money I can open my own restaurant" Finn said, "It would be fun, I think - running a business and getting to cook every day"
"Although have you seen that new show, Boiling Point?" Claire piped up, grateful to have something to add to the conversation, "Kitchens look way too stressful for me"
"Oh, yes! We loved that show" Julia said, "So well done"
"But probably not that accurate" A voice said from the door, everyone looked round to see Andrew walking in

"Andrew! Good to see you!" Claire said, sounding fair too pleased, she even got up to greet him with a hug
"Claire!" He said, meeting her enthusiasm, "It's been too long!"

Andrew was wearing a full navy blue suit and had his hair in an immaculate quiff. He defiantly looked younger than he is.

Ben noticed that Finn had disappeared into the kitchen. Although it wasn't long before he emerged with bowls.

"Okay, so I've done a soup to start - butternut squash and sweet potato"
"Oh, lovely" Claire swooned and Ben fought the urge to roll his eyes
"Followed by beef bourguignon, mum requested it" He added, smiling before disappearing to get the other bowls.

Once everyone had started eating and chatting, Ben was happy to stay quiet. Letting everyone else get on with it. Andrew had apparently closed a big deal recently and was pleased to report the business was going well. Which of course made Claire pipe up about Ian.

It was weird to hear his mum talk so highly of him when he very rarely saw her give him the light of day at home. He didn't blame her, but it was strange to hear her pretend everything was completely fine.

Once everyone was finished, Emily helped Finn clear the bowls and bring out the main.

"God, it looks lovely!" Claire beamed, "Ben, why don't you cook for us at home?"
Flashbacks of all the hell-ish dinners they'd had came to Ben's mind and he couldn't think of anything to say, so he said nothing at all.

"I can teach you, if you like" Finn piped up as he sat down next to him, "It's easy really - all in the timings"
"Yeah, you should let Finn teach you - girls love a man who can cook" Julia said, "It's no bother, means I get to see your mum more" She smiled at Claire
"Sounds good to me!" Claire shot her a smile back and took a sip of her wine
"Oh yes" Julia jumped up, reminded by watching Claire drink white wine, "Let me get fresh glasses. Red is beautiful with the beef"

Ben watched as she got the fresh glasses and served the opened bottle of red, even putting a little bit in Ben's glass.

"It's been airing for a bit so it should be perfect now" She said, pouring herself some too
"Well, tuck in everyone - I hope it's nice" Finn told them all, taking a big spoonful himself.

It was definitely nice and the fact Finn could cook this well just made him more attractive. There was more chatter and fake laughter before they were finished. Once everyone had eaten as much as they could, Finn started taking the plates.

"You guys go and relax, Ben can help me wash up"

Ben's heart skipped a beat, a pang of worry hit him, but he obliged all the same. He too started taking plates.