Love Boat (Tom, Ben, Zac and Joel story)

Getting compared to a Furry animal

*Ben*
Where the fuck is everyone ? I have just returned with the two bottles of water Joel asked me to go get and now everyone is gone. I mean why would they just leave me stranded here ? I look around and strain my ears listening, but I can't see or hear them.

"Oh hi Ben, there you are". Camille shows up from around the corner. "Seems like Joel and Joslyn went ahead without us".

"Which way did they go ? Do you have any idea ?" I look at her. Being alone with her kind of makes me nervous. Until now we haven't spoken much to each other.

She looks at me very serious. "Well based on the direction of the wind, the broken sticks in the corner, and the slight disturbance in the dirt. I'd guess they went left".

"You can really figure it out from all that ? That was an impressive deduction worthy of Sherlock". I say, probably looking very much impressed.

She starts laughing, it is the sweetest laughter I have ever heard, and it makes her nose scrunch up in the cutest way. "No, you idiot. They sent me a text. See". She holds up her phone.

"You live to humiliate me don't you ? I mean you are definitely good at it". I say face palming myself feeling mortified that I once again embarrassed myself in front of her.

She bites her lips, sending me an adorable half smile. "Well, sorry to say it Ben, but you are very good at setting yourself up to be humiliated".

"I guess you are right". I say feeling disheartened. Spending time with her today, seeing her talk with Joslyn and Joel has only made me more convinced that she is something special and that I need to get to know her better.

She reaches out and take my hand in hers, sending unexpected sparks through me. "I never said it was a bad thing Ben. To be honest I kind of find it rather adorable".

"More like awkward and embarrassing. Honestly .. I hid that lighting bulb myself. I kind of wanted to see you again and well made up that stupid plan to do so". I tell her.

She chuckle. "I knew that Ben, it was pretty obvious. I had expected you to.. well do something else, ask me out, call me again, but you just disappeared. Why ?"

"I was so embarrassed. Honestly I thought you might think me an idiot, so I kind of wanted to lay low, hoping you forgot". I say rubbing my neck.

Shaking her head slightly, she says softly. "How could I forget anything about you ?"

"Uhhm I don't know". I say, aware that I sound rather sheepishly. I mean I don't really know what to say. "But I am happy to hear you say that".

She looks at me for about a minute, then she cocks her head, her voice a bit teasing. "Uh Ben, this is when you ask me on a date".

"I'm sorry, I recently went through a bad break up. I had told myself that I was not going to find someone new for a long time. But somehow you turn me into an awkward teenager". I tell her. I might as well be honest with her.

She rub her hand softly up and down my arm. "It's okay Ben".

"I have to get something of my chest". I say very seriously. It might scare her, but I can't do this awkward dance around it any longer. I need to tell her how I feel.

She looks at me with her fingers crossed. "Is it your shirt, I hope it's your shirt please".

"Excuse me ? What did you just say ?" Did she really say that ? I can't help the smile tugging at my lips. So maybe I haven't ruined it all.

She blushes deeply and rubs a hand over her face. "Whoops, I didn't mean to say that out loud. I do that sometimes.. say my thoughts out loud".

"Well now we kind of both acted embarrassing, so what do you say, dinner tonight when we return to the ship ?" I ask her, feeling much more at ease.

She lights up in a smile. "We are both.. Screw ups.. and yeah I would love to. But what was it you wanted to tell me ?"

"I.. well I just wanted to tell you that I really like you. I know it is really early, but well I do, I feel there could be something special here". I tell her, scratching my arm.

She steps closer, reaching up to place her hand at my cheek. "Well it might be, but actually I feel the same and I would like to find out if we are right".

*Joslyn*
"So do you think it worked ? That those two finally started talking to each other". I ask Joel, we are waiting a bit down the trail by one of the ponds.

He nods, taking my hands and lacing our fingers. "Yeah, if it hadn't worked they would have shown up by now. They are probably getting it on in the bushes".

"Hey hey Joel, we are not all as fast as you". Ben says laughing, as he and Camille shows up around the bend, holding hands.

I smile at them. "Well I am happy as long as you to started talking and stops being so awkward, and by the hand holding, I am guessing you did".

"Definitely yeah to the talking". Camille says, looking up at Ben. Those two are going to be so good together. "But I don't think we will ever stop being awkward".

"Oh guys look, look there". Joel calls out in a hushed voice and we all turn and look they way he is pointing, seeing a platypus emerge from the water.

Seconds later something follows it and I am squeezing Joel's hand. "Oh look it has a baby, no wait two babies. They are so cute".

"They kind of look like God was drunk the day he decided to create them". Joel says with a grin, making me glare at him.

I look at the animals. Okay they are a bit weird looking. "I think they kind of look like they were thought up by a group of 3 year old kids".

"Actually they remind me of you". Camille says, winking at Ben. "A bit odd but so very cute and cuddly too".

Ben arches one eyebrow. "Seriously did you just compare me to a platypus ? As in a furry critter with a duck bill".

"Yeah I guess I did". She says smirking at him, making me and Joel trying to hide our giggles. She smiles sweetly. "I mean look how cute it is".

Joel chuckles. "Uhm Camille, cute is good for animals, men don't really like their girlfriends seeing them as cute".

"Hey I happen to think you are cute too". I tell Joel, making him groan and pull me down on his lap in the wheelchair.

I snuggle into him, looking at the platypus mom shuffle around her babies following her. "Oh look Joel, aren't they just adorable ?"

"They are, just like you". He say, smiling softly at me, and pulling me in for a soft kiss. I am melting into his arms, ignoring Ben clearing his throat.

When we break the kiss I look at Joel, feeling so sad inside. "Joel there is something I have to tell you. When we get back to the ship I have to pack my things and leave. I have been fired".

"What ? Why ? No I don't want you to leave". He looks almost panicked and holds onto me like it can stop it from happening.
I take a deep breath. "Well with my brother and the rest of the band gone there is no
act left, so they fired me".

"You are not leaving. I will make sure of that. You can move your things to my room". Joel say, sounding very determined and I hope he is right.