Falling - Benny and Nina - An Adapted In The Heights Roleplay (COMPLETE)

45 - Falling Guilty

As Nina ran outside, Benny could see the tears running down her face. He held his arms out for her to run into. He held her tight, rubbing her back. "Nina, baby, are you alright? What happened in there?" He sounded genuinely concerned.

Suddenly, everything came into focus. She was in Benny's arms, but suddenly, nothing was okay anymore. "He yelled at me," she said. Although she felt like telling him everything, nothing would come out.

"Oh my God, Baby, I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. I'm so, so sorry." Benny said tears nearing his eyes.

"It's not your fault," she insisted. She then broke down sobbing into his chest. "He-he said you were a-a scumbag." She burst into hysterical tears.

"Shhh, shhh. Honey, it's fine. Respira. I don't really care what he thinks, all that matters to me is what you think baby." He tried to calm her down, stroking her hair. "Let's go back to mine until Abuela's ceremony at 4, snuggle in bed and talk about it." He said as he snaked his arm around her waist and kissed her temple.

"Okay," she said, but shuddered at his touch. She had never gone against her father's word before. It felt weird. Frightening but oddly exhilarating at the same time.

They walked up to Benny's apartment. As soon as they were inside, and the door was closed he let out a long breath of air he didn't know he was holding in.

She walked inside, but suddenly couldn't think, couldn't piece together where to walk. The thrill was getting to her, and turning to fright. She just stared at the wall in front of her with wide eyes, her hair draped across almost all of her vision.

Benny put his arms around her torso. And held her an arm's length away. "I've been wanting to do this all afternoon." He pulled her closer and into a deep kiss. He hoped as always that she kissed back. That was all he ever hoped for when he kissed her.

She kissed back softly, but pulled back quickly. Though she knew her father was wrong, she couldn't help but to feel guilt.

"Nina? What's wrong?" He asked brushing her hair out the way and holding her chin up, so she was looking in his eyes.

She flinched when he brushed away her hair and nearly jumped when he tilted her head. "Nothing," she quickly stuttered.

"Nina, you and I both know that's a lie. You kissed back then suddenly pulled away. And you answered quickly and stuttered. That's not like you baby. I know that's not like you."

Her hitched breaths took several times to even out. "I'm sorry," she replied with a rush, "My dad. He was just so rough- I don't know how to deal with anyone anymore. Like, he's so rough around the edges and you're so gentle that I don't know how to express things to anyone now."

"I'm sorry your dad's like that. I get that it's hard. I've had to go through it at work. But I'm here, even if you can't talk to me, I'm still here. Free for hugs and kisses anytime you need one."

"Mmhm." She didn't want to go any further into it. Honestly, she just wanted to lay down. Her brain was scattered, and she could barely think.

"I'm here." He took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. He then took her hand and lead to his bedroom. He lifted her up, despite his ribs, and placed her on the bed. He then sat next to her, put his arms around her torso and laid down, pulling her with him.

"Benny! You're going to hurt your ribs!" she said, borderline hysterically. She felt like she was going through another phase. Not only because of her father's yelling, but because he forbade her to even be friends with Benny.

"Nina, it's fine. I have the brace on still and it's all good. It was only a little lift. Please, stop worrying quite so much, I'll be fine. I promise. I'm not going to do anything too drastic where I could injure it again" he held her next to him, her head was against his chest. He slowly put his hands under her shirt and up her back trying to feel the heat, radiating off her body.

"But Benny," she protested, "picking up a human being is drastic." She paused and said, "I don't want you to get hurt and have me not be able to help you."

"I'm sorry Nina, at least I didn't spin you around like I wanted to. But I promise I won't lift you up again, unless it's an emergency."

"Okay, but you better not." She was tenser than she had ever been before. Her head was reeling again, but this time, it wasn't from the heat, but rather from her father. He was going to act even more drastically when he found out about them. She was scared out of her mind, and nothing that even Benny could do would help.

"Sweetie, you're tensing up. Is it because of me or your father?"

"Him," she said, not being exactly clear on who she was talking about. Then again, her head wasn't exactly clear either.

"I'm sorry love. I wish I could help you. But I just don't know what to do, and I don't want to upset you any further." He moved his hands from her upper back to her lower back and rubbed the skin with his hands, trying all he could to cheer her up.

"I know," she said, and pulled the blanket up from the foot of the bed, putting it up on her shoulders. She felt cold and just wanted to sleep.

Benny helped pull the blanket over the two of them, so they could cuddle and sleep. He pulled his phone out and set an alarm for 3:40 so they were able to get up and look presentable to be down by Abuela's stoop for just before 4.

She fell asleep immediately, but bad thoughts still swarmed her head. What if her dad hurt her or Benny? If her dad hurt her, it'd be fine, but him hurting Benny was one of her worst nightmares. But it was one of the most realistic of them.

When Nina fell asleep he whispered, "I love you Nina, please don't ever forget, no matter what happens between us when your father finds out about us, I will continue to love you forever." He kissed her nose again and then fell asleep holding her tightly.