candles and cotton | b.h

thirty one.

"you think he'll be okay?"

caitlin asked me with worried eyes as we watched cheryl tend to ben, who laid on the largest couch, with a wet cloth on his head.

"it's only a hangover, he's not dead, yet."

the smell of the vomit was still in my nose.

rosie and joe, who both seemed to be flustered and whimsical were in the kitchen making breakfast for those who could stomach it after generously cleaning ben's vomit.

cailtin's eyes drooped, "are you tired?" i asked her, she shook her head, "no."

ben let out a groan, he seemed to be sleeping, but he let out noises and would jerk occasionally, cheryl sighed as she stroked his cheek.

"y-y.."ben moaned, his eyes fluttered, "y-y/n.."

i raised a brow as cheryl turned to me, her expression a little put out, "he's asking for you."

i shot a confused look at caitlin then walked over and kneeled beside ben, while cheryl left.

i held his hand, my thumb tenderly rubbing circles onto this hand, "what's up, benny?"

"h-hurts,"

"i know it does, but it will get better soon, okay? you trust me?"

"with.. my life.. "

i smiled fondly, my other hand found it's way through his blonde locks, he leaned into my touch, sighing.

i looked over my shoulder, no one was there, "mozzarella?"

"yeah?"

"can you go and get me a glass of cold water?"

a few seconds later i was handed the water, "i don't know why you're so worried about him,"joe started, "he's been hungover plenty of times and he hasn't passed out."

i shrugged my shoulders as a response, "there's always a time, he chose being a sick little shit and wants to be taken care of."

i heard ben chuckle weakly, i pulled his hair softly, "shut up, ben."

he shook his head from barely left to right, his eyes still closed, "it's benny now, y/n."

"benny or ben, what difference does it make when you're drinking too much every night, no thought of the day after in your head?"

he scrunched his nose and stayed silent.

i yawned, then made him drink the cool water, he sighed, his luscious green eyes opened, he stared at me while i stroked his hair.

"what?" i asked him, he smiled softly, his face still flushed, "look how beautiful you are,"he whispered.

i smiled at him, curling his hair with my fingers, he licked his lips, his eyes not leaving mine.