•Boys Like You•Hardzello•

•Cocky?•

Ben headed upstairs leaving Joe with his mind blown. He headed to Joe's room and sat himself on the bed, removing any remaining makeup. He noticed his phone buzz on the dresser. 

Rami: "Hey man, you still with Joe?"
Ben: "yeah, what's up? Something Happened."
Rami: "nah nah just wanted to ask if you guys both wanna come over on Friday. Having a bit of a get together if you guys wanna join, I couldn't be bothered to text you both, Joe never answers anyway lmao"

"JOEEEEE! You wanna go to Rami's Friday night?" Ben yelled

"EH? WHAT? Yeah sure whatever" he shouted back, sounding distressed

Ben: "yeah man sounds good we'll be there!" Ben replied before rolling over into Joe's bed, taking in his scent from the duvet.

He had managed to become infatuated in a matter of weeks. He never knew how safe a skinny ginger boy with eyes that made him melt inside could make him feel. He curled himself into the covers tighter and held the pillow close to his head, ignoring the nagging feeling of anxiety balling up in his stomach. He never wanted to go home, not after what happened that night. He hadn't been home since other than to get some clothes and he intended to keep it that way for as long as possible. He covered his ears as if that would stop the shouting in his head. He felt his eyes begin to well up. He started thinking and couldn't stop. If Joe knew how problematic his life was it would put him off. Ben couldn't lose the only good thing in his life. Not now, not ever! He couldn't stop his thoughts or his tears.

"Come on Ben, shape the fuck up! You're ruining the fucking pillowcases! If Joe sees you like this he will leave you! Everyone fucking does grow up Ben!" He told himself

"Ben honey, are you okay? I heard you sniffling?"

Ben panicked. Shit. He ruined it. Everything's ruined Joe was going to hate him.

"Oh yeah..I'm..just errr, allergies, are these pillows duck feather?"

Joe didn't say anything. He acted. He walked ove to the Ben and stroked Ben's side as he got himself in the bed. He rolled Ben over to face him and wiped the tears away from his red eyes. He stroked the hair away from his head

" I love you no matter what, my love, you don't have to tell me but I'm here if you feel comfortable. Nothing could ever scare me away sweetheart!" He whispered.

-flashback-
"Who's the ginger? You know the one who walked you home! Another one of your disgusting lovers? I never forgot about Michael you know! If it weren't for you we would still be living in London, but no you had to "fall for" the vicars son didn't you?"

She was drunk, she had no idea what she was talking about.

"He wasn't the vicars son mum.."

"Shut up you waste of space! I know what I saw, you and that other boy on top of eachother" she gagged.

"Mum! Stop!"

He couldn't say much else, before he knew it his ears were ringing and his vision blurred.

This wasn't the first time this happened. Ever since his dad left his mother for another man, his mother lashed out on him for the smallest of things.

He lay on the floor, helpless, crying silently, hoping his mum would soon black out from the alcohol. He needed to go to Joe. He needed his comfort blanket!

———

"Hey shhh sweetie, I've got you, you're okay!"
Joe hummed. Ben was shaking now, Joe hated seeing him this way. He pulled himself closer, comforting Ben.

"I've got you, I've got you."