what if it's us fanfiction

nine

ben's pov

━━━━━━━━━━━━

We were face timing when I blurt "I want to see you sometime," I was wishing more than anything that Arthur could be in a dorm down the hall. Oh, how easy it would be to walk on to his room and bring my homework and we could study, and cuddle, and talk about how our days went. I wished more than anything that we were close in driving distance because we would be the best boyfriends ever. Sure I could drive to Arthur's place if I wanted, but it would take hours. I didn't really have that kind of time on my hands. So for now, facetime would have to do.

"Oh?" I saw the mini Arthur on my phone bite his lip. He did that when he wanted to stop himself from smiling. I don't know why I honestly thought his smile was one of his best features. "What do you mean? Your college is HOURS away from me! It would take me a weekend just to drive up to your dorm," he frowned, instantly dashing my dreams with common knowledge.

"Then let's make a weekend out of it," I whispered, "I can fly to your place and we can spend an entire weekend doing-- whatever it is you do on the weekends," I smiled, hoping I wasn't being too forward. Sure we had just gotten back together, and we had hung out in person almost the entire summer. Was I taking things to another level by inviting myself over to his dorm?

"That... that would be awesome," he whispered, his attention moved to something past the camera. He fiddled with whatever he was doing beyond the phone and looked back to me. "Sorry-- I was just-- never mind it's embarrassing," he blushed, tossing the pen he was holding to the corner of his dorm room, which was out of sight of the phone camera. I hated being only an image on a phone screen. I wanted to be there in person to grab his hands, and look him in the eyes and say-- "Nothing you could ever do would be embarrassing, what is it?"

"I--" he stopped himself, "I was getting back into drawing and doodling and stuff, I never used to be the artsy type. I mean I don't think I was I thought my art sucked-- so I stopped. But my mom saw one of my old notebooks I left at home and she noticed it and all was like "Arthur you HAVE to keep drawing!" and now I guess I'm drawing again. I dunno, it's kinda stupid, what can art really do for my future, ya know?" I let Arthur rant for a bit, sometimes Arthur was really anxious and shut off around me and other times he would tell me his darkest fears and pour his heart and soul out to me. I kinda loved it.

"Arthur!" I gasped, "There are so many work fields that contain art, architecture, film and video, animation. If your mom really likes it that much then it has to be good! Do you have anything to show me? I bet you're amazing at art," I praised him. Honestly, Arthur was amazing at everything else he worked on -- minus his social skills -- but if he worked at it I could see Arthur being one heck of an artist.

"Thanks," he giggled. "I was doodling on my lecture notes, that's really all the drawing I've had time to do lately," he laughed, his cheeks bright pink. How could you not fall in love with him? I smiled.

"What were you drawing? Can I see?" I was so curious of what Arthur's drawings would look like. I moved away from my desk and moved to my bed, as I messed up how nicely I made it this morning. I glanced over to Connors side of the room. Making his bed wasn't even a thought in his mind. I turned my attention back to my blushing boyfriend.

"I-- I was drawing you," he whispered so softly I almost didn't hear it. He held the paper up to the screen and I gasped. My heart was beating too fast, I was worried he would hear it over the phone. His art was very realistic. I felt like I was looking at a pencil-ined mirror. Like one of those social media filters that distorts your face. His drawing was so realistic and so beautiful and GOOD. I was speechless for a moment. Not only was I incredibly flattered that he drew me in his free time -- aw -- but he memorized the details of my face to do so. And he drew me so good.

"Arthur-- it's amazing, you're so good at drawing, how did you not know you had this talent?" I squealed like a kid in a candy store. Arthur laughed, calling me adorable and thanking me. I blushed, I had never had someone make me feel this way. Let alone a long distance relationship. We talked for a bit more before my phone died and I was left to sit alone in the dorm waiting for Connor to come back. I had this fuzzy feeling in my chest, and I couldn't wait for Arthur and mines next conversation. Maybe I would get tickets and fly down to his college next week and surprise him? I just knew I one thing -- I needed to see him and cuddle him.

Right away.

━━━━━━━━━━━━

aw :)