EDGE OF GREAT! ben beast²

CHAPTER SEVEN!

The next day started out like any other normal day. Elisa and Mal did their normal morning routine they had on the Isle. And now she was here at the hideout alone while she was out. She held a spray paint can in her hand, contemplating the blank wall in front of her. The hideout, a sanctuary amidst the tumultuous Isle, had become a place of solace for Elisa and Mal — a canvas of memories and a refuge from the outside world. As she stood there, the spray paint canister heavy in her grasp, Elisa felt a surge of inspiration.

With deliberate strokes, she began to paint — a swirl of colors taking shape on the wall. Each movement of her hand carried a message, a reflection of her inner thoughts and emotions. The paint splattered softly on the surface, creating patterns that mirrored the complexities of her heart.

She was in the middle of spray painting, not hearing anyone enter the hideout until she heard a familiar voice. "Wow, that's beautiful. At least it's not a painting of me with horns." 

 "Ben?" She gasps, turning around to look, her eyes widening more when she saw Ben lingering around the entrance, looking nervous yet hopeful. She was surprised to see him dressed in Isle clothes, she had to admit he pulled it off. But what was he doing here? "Ben, what are you doing here? It's not safe for you."

Ben takes a step inside, his expression serious. "I know. But I had to come. I needed to try to convince you to come back. And I had to talk to you."

She stepped back rom the wall, the spray paint can still in her hand, her gaze locked with Ben's. His presence in the hideout, dressed in Isle clothes yet carrying a determination that mirrored her own, caught her off guard. She could feel the weight of his words, the gravity of his gesture sinking in.

"Ben," She began, her voice soft yet tinged with concern, "It's dangerous for you here. You shouldn't have come."

Ben takes another step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "I had to, Elisa. I couldn't stay away. I've been thinking about everything, about us. Ellie, I can't just sit back and let you go without trying to make things right."

Elisa's heart pounded in her chest. The weight of Ben's words, combined with the intensity in his eyes, made it hard for her to focus. She set the spray paint can down, the swirling colors on the wall now seeming like a reflection of the turmoil within her.

"Ben, I—" She started, but the words caught in her throat. She wanted to express her feelings, her doubts, and her fears, but Ben's presence was overwhelming. The very sight of him — despite the Isle clothes and the danger he was in — brought a mix of emotions she wasn't prepared to deal with.

"I know this isn't easy," Ben continues, taking another step closer. "But I had to come. I couldn't bear the thought of not trying to fix things between us. I need you to know that I'm here for you, that I want to make this work."

Elisa looks down at the floor, trying to collect her thoughts. She had been so caught up in her own world, her own struggles, that Ben's unexpected appearance was like a jolt to her system. "I—" She starts again, her voice trembling. "I don't know if things can go back to how they were. There's so much that's happened, so much that's changed."

Ben nods, a look of understanding in his eyes. "I get that. I don't expect things to be the same. I just want us to have a chance, to work through this together. I don't want to lose you. Ellie, I love you." He steps closer to her, surprising her when she finally looked up and saw he was right in front of her. He reaches out, gently taking her hand in his. His touch is warm, a stark contrast to the emotional chill Elisa feels. His eyes search hers with a depth of feeling that makes her heart ache.

"Elisa, I love you," Ben repeats, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I know we've been through so much, and things are different now. But I believe we can find a way through this. I need you to believe in us, too."

Elisa's gaze shifts to their joined hands, then back to Ben's face. The sincerity in his expression, the raw vulnerability he's showing, cuts through the chaos of her thoughts. It's clear that he's not just here to convince her to return but to share in the struggle, to fight for something they both cherish. The weight of Ben's words and his heartfelt plea begins to sink in for Elisa. The mixed emotions she's been grappling with — doubt, fear, love — are brought into sharper focus by Ben's presence.

"Ben, I..." Elisa's voice falters as she looks at their hands, entwined and warm. "I've been so lost lately. It's been hard to think about what could be or what should be when everything feels so different."

Ben's grip on her hand tightens gently, a reassuring pressure. "I understand. Things have changed, and we can't just go back to how it was before. But we can move forward, together. We can find a new way to be. Just give us a chance." He was pleading, practically begging for her to reconsider. She was the love of his life. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, he thought (and hoped) she felt the same. He wanted to marry her.

The memory of her engagement ring still burned a hole in his pocket. He pulls the box out and holds it in his palm. The weight of the small velvet box in his hand seems to match the weight of his heart, the burden of his longing. "You don't have to decide now," Ben continues, his voice soft yet determined. "But I wanted you to have this, a reminder that I'm here for you, that I'm fighting for us. And when you're ready, I'll be here." With that, he gently presses the box into Elisa's free hand, closing her fingers over it. "Take as much time as you need. I'll be waiting." His hand lingers on hers, his gaze locking with hers for a moment longer before he steps back. With one last, long look, he turned and walked out of the hideout.

Elisa watches him go, her hand still closed around the box. As the sound of his footsteps fade away, Elisa feels the weight of his words and the gift of his faith settle over her. Despite the uncertainty of the future, Ben's presence has helped her see that she isn't alone in the struggle. That, no matter what, she has someone who believes in her and wants to fight for her. For them. For the love that binds them together. As she stares down at the small, velvet box in her hand, Elisa can't help but smile.

She wasn't alone. She wasn't lost. She had Ben. She would always have Ben. With a sigh, she opens the box. Inside is an engagement ring, her heart skips a beat at it. He wanted to marry her. He really truly did. He wanted her. The diamond glittered beautifully in the dim light. A reminder that she wasn't alone. She had her friends. She had Ben. And maybe, just maybe, she would have her happy ending after all. She slipped the ring on her finger and admired the way it looked. It fit her perfectly. A reminder that Ben had given her the power to choose. He hadn't pressured her or forced her to decide. That meant the world to her. She put the ring back in the box carefully, putting it in her jacket pocket. Part of her wanted to wear it, she wanted to marry Ben more than anything. But the other part of her, the part that was still unsure and hesitant, needed time. Time to think. Time to figure out what she wanted. And Ben had given her that time. He had given her a choice. And that, more than anything, made her heart soar.

"You better be right about this, Ben," She mutters, closing the box and tucking it into her pocket. "I really hope you're right."

With a deep breath, she turned and headed out of the hideout. She had a choice to make.