A Regular Christmas (H. S.)

Chapter Ten - The Christmas Eve, The Finale

   -In Benson's car, on a road, 5:30 p.m.

Mordecai: "Are we here already?"
Benson: "Almost."
Mordecai: "Come on, you're scaring me now..."
Benson: "Calm down, we're already here. You can take off the scarf now."
Mordecai untied his red blindfold, looked out the car's window, happily realizing he was on the edge of a tall hill, near Los Angeles, seeing the lights of the buildings, being covered in sky's black blanket, with small white stars, shining from different galaxies.
Mordecai: "Benson, this is... I don't have words to describe..."
Benson: "I come here every week to release my anger, I tried my best place. And I have something for you too."
Mordecai: "More surprises?"
Benson: "Yeah..." *hands Mordecai a green box* "Merry Christmas."
Mordecai: "Heh, thanks man."
Mordo opened the box, gasping and smiling, only saying "A tie! I love it!"
Benson: *scratching the back of his head* "I tried to get a blue one, but I found only black ones. Sorry..."
Mordecai: "Are you kidding? It is perfect, as long as it's from you." said he smiling.
Benson: "Well, won't you try it?"
Mordecai: "But I don't know how to tie it. Usually Rigby helps me with those."
Benson: "You're lucky I'm into fancy outfits." said he tying and positioning it in an elegant way.
Benson: "I have a bottle of Jack Daniel's behind, if you want."
Mordecai: "But we have to drive back at the park after."
Benson: "I was afraid you'd say that."
Mordecai: "So... What do we do now?"
Benson: "Truth or dare?"
Mordecai: "Isn't that for kids?"
Benson: "Who says we're mature?" said he smirking.
Mordecai: "Heh, well, I'll start easy on you."
Benson: "Okay. Truth."
Mordecai: "Hmm... Is it true that you have a good relationship with your parents?"
Benson: "Oh... You said you'd start easy..." said Ben, looking at the ground.
Mordecai: "Oh, I'm sorry... If you don't mind, can you tell me what happened between you guys?"
Benson: "My parents are living now in Colorado. I was 16 when I started working at the park. My dad, of course, wasn't so proud of my job, so I left to find myself another place to live. I found an apartment here, two streets away from the park, you know it. He used to yell at me when I was playing drums and I had my own band. But, now, I don't really know if he wants me around. I don't know if I should call him for holidays..."
Mordecai: "He sure misses you, don't be sad."
Benson: "I'm not. I'm happy, 'cause I have you guys here for me."
Mordecai: "Yeah... Well, I choose dare."
Benson: "Dare? Let's see... I dare you to put your phone on silence."
Mordecai: "What kind of dare is that?" said he with a confused face.
Benson: "It's a dare, just do it."
Mordecai: "Well okay..."
Benson: "I take dare."
Mordecai: "Kiss me..." said he blushing with a deep red color, closing his eyes in embarrassment.
Benson: *blushes* "Excuse me?..."
Mordecai: ""It's a dare, just do it.""
Benson: "I've been waiting a long time to hear you saying that."
No moment to waste, when Benson pulled Mordecai by the tie, in a surprise kiss. First, the blue jay shivered, but then started kissing back, closing his eyes, as they both got carried away by the magic of the cold winter evening...
...Until Muscle Man called on Benson's phone, ruining the moment. Benson broke the kiss, and answered the phone angry.
Benson: "What do you want?! We were in the middle of something!"
Muscle Man: "Well, I have som-... Wait, "we" who?"
Benson: "I, uh... Look, just tell me the news."
Muscle Man: "We have everything set. We only need you and Mordecai here."
Benson: "Why do you need us? It's only 6:10 p.m., the party didn't even start."
Muscle Man: "Because you're our lead. Without you, we can't do anything."
Benson: "Ugh, fine... I'll be there in 20 minutes..."
Mordecai: "Uh, what happened? Why do we have to go?"
Benson, silent, turned the car around, and headed to the park, through the forest road.
Mordecai: "Dude, slow down, what's happening?! I don't understand anything!"
Benson: "It doesn't matter..." said he, as a tear fell on his cheek.
Mordecai: "Seriously, what's going on, you're worrying me..."
Benson: "It's nothing, I'm fine, okay?!" said as he started sobbing for good.
Mordecai: "Be open with me, you can trust me."
Benson: "We have to go back to the park because our stupid co-workers can't work out a fucking Christmas party! It's like they weren't here one year ago!"
Mordecai: "Dude, calm down, okay? It's fine, don't be ma-..."
Benson: "No Mordecai, it's not fine! That's just how it always happens! Every time I'm happy, some idiot has to come and ruin my good time! That's just my luck..."
Mordecai: "Let's be optimistic. You are alive, you have money to pay your rent, and to feed yourself. What else do you need?"
Benson: "Love. I need love, that's all I need." said he whipping his tears, while driving 37 miles/h.
Mordecai: "Well, aren't we in love?..."
Benson: "It's obvious that somehow we will break up, that's how it always happens..."
Mordecai: "How do you know? Maybe we will have a future together."
Benson: "Or maybe you'll cheat on me."
Mordecai: "See, you're too pessimistic. You have to see the bright side of things."
Benson: "What's the point?... I was happy before with you, now I have to come back to reality, like every time. I can't believe I got carried away with this whole "love" thing going on..."
Mordecai: "You know, you always knew to "play it safe". How about we stop somewhere, and enjoy ourselves more?"
Benson: "But those guys need me. I'm the park manager after all..."
Mordecai: "But now you're not at the park, you're with me."
Mordecai stretched on the back seats and took the J.D. bottle from behind, saying "I know you can't resist it."
Benson: "But we have to drive after."
Mordecai, insisting, opened the bottle and started spreading its smell through the car.
Benson: "I hate my addictions." said as he pulled over, on a field, near the city.
After Mordecai took his safety belt off, Benson put his phone on silence, and threw it on the back seat.
Mordecai: "Hmm, I'm surprised that you became such a slacker lately."
Benson: "What can I say, I'm a sinner in the Christmas eve." said as he took the bottle from Mordecai's hand and sipped a little, with his head leaned on the window.
Mordecai: "At least call Fives and tell him you won't come."
Benson: "Let him call again, if they really need me."
Mordecai: "Okay, let's change the subject. I don't even know what to say to not anger or sadden you..."
Benson: "It's fine. It matters how you feel, not me." said as he drank more, playing with the car keys, not making any eye contact with the tall bird.
Mordecai: "Are you okay?..."
Benson just nodded, still keeping distance.
Mordecai: "Why do you like me?"
Benson: "I don't like you."
Mordecai: "Uh..."
Benson: "I love you. With my whole heart and lips."
Mordecai: "Huh?"
Benson laid a hand on the blue jay's cheek, and kissed him deeply in the semi-dark of the silent night, warming up the chill winter.