The Umbrella Academy Imagines & Scenarios

The Past and Pending (Ben Hargreeves x Reader): Part 6

Warning: Lots of fluff

Notes: This was so emotional to write. I hope you guys enjoy.

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February 2010

Ben rubbed his sweaty palms on his trouser legs as he paced between the living room and the kitchen. Klaus followed Ben's movements, stirring the sauce he had going on the stove. Ben couldn't get his hands to stop shaking no matter how hard he tried. He took the little box from his pocket and opened it, staring at the silver ring it held. "Klaus, if (Y/N) says no...."

"Just remember what we practiced, Ben. I'm sure you'll do fine, but if not, it's all on you. I was a great (Y/N) if I do say so myself." Klaus tested the sauce and nodded, satisfied.

"Thanks for the confidence boost." Ben sighed and put the box back into his pocket.

"You're welcome."

The sound of your key in the lock made Ben jump. He looked to Klaus with wide eyes, his heart threatening to beat out of his chest. All the missions, all the terrible things he'd seen, and he was scared of asking you a simple question. It wasn't really simple though, because your answer could change everything.

You entered the apartment, more than ready to change out of your work clothes and relax. Your job always had you working a bit later than Ben, but they had let you leave a little earlier this time and you were relieved. You hung your keys up on the wall hook and turned to greet them, but you frowned in confusion. Ben was standing in the kitchen, dressed in his best clothes. Klaus was in there as well, cooking something. The living room was decked out in fairy lights, and the coffee table was replaced with the dining room table, which was set up neatly for two.

Ben composed himself as much as he could and made a beeline for you. He pulled you into a hug and gave you a sweet little kiss. "Hey, (Y/N). You're home early. Did you have a good day?"

You melted into his embrace, but your feelings didn't change. "It was okay, but it's much better now that I'm home. So what exactly's going on?"

Ben swallowed thickly, and it did not go unnoticed by you. "Um...what do you mean?" Ben facepalmed internally.

You saw Klaus back in the kitchen, shaking his head. The feeling of something touching your leg distracted you and you found your cat circling around, looking up at you. You bent down and picked him up, cuddling him to your chest. "Hi, Goosey! Did you miss me?"

Goose was a stray cat that Klaus had found about a year after you moved into the apartment, and three of you instantly fell in love with him. He fit in perfectly with your little family. The cat purred as you scratched behind his ear and he nudged his head into your hand. You carried him while you walked further into the apartment, circling around the table.

Your mind went back to your original question. "You know what I meant, Ben. You're acting off." You set Goose down and he ran over to the couch to lay down. Then you turned around to face Klaus. "Do you know what's going on?"

"No, no idea. Sorry." Klaus said as he went to stir the food, very clearly lying.

"I wanted to have a nice dinner with you is all, and I just didn't expect you to be home yet." That was technically true, but he left out the fact that he currently had a little blue box in pocket that felt like it weighed a ton.

You nodded, accepting that you would have to wait and see what all of this was about. "I'm going to go change then. These clothes aren't exactly fit for a 'nice dinner'."

You headed into your and Ben's room, missing the relieved look that Ben shot at Klaus.

A few minutes later you came out of the room, and Ben looked you over, smiling softly. "You look perfect."

"You don't look so bad yourself, Benny. I like when you dress up for me." You gave him a little wink and Ben felt his cheeks heat up.

Klaus called from the kitchen. "Dinner's ready. Prepare to be amazed."

Ben pulled out your chair for you and you sat, then he took his seat. Klaus came over with a bowl of some type of pasta and put some on each of your plates. "Thanks, Klaus. It looks amazing."

"Of course it does." Klaus went back into the kitchen and put the rest into a tupperware, which he then placed in the fridge. He wandered over towards the window and picked up the pot containing Mr Prickles, the succulent Vanya had gifted you at your housewarming. He also used his free hand to lift Goose from the couch and hold him up to his chest. "You two have fun tonight, but not too much fun. You scarred the three of us for life last time with all of that noise." With that, he retired to his room, leaving the two of you alone.

The laugh that you had been holding in came out in full force, triggering Ben to follow suit. "Being too loud would be better than that time he walked in on us though."

Ben shook his head, the laughter subsiding to a chuckle. "Don't remind me. I didn't stop hearing about it for over a month afterwards."

"Yeah, if there's anything I've learned from living with Klaus for the last 10 years, it's patience. I wouldn't trade it for anything though." You twirled some pasta onto your fork and smiled fondly. Klaus could he a bit much sometimes, but he had such a good heart.

Ben mirrored your smile. "Me either."

For a while, the two of you ate, talking about anything and everything. Ben seemed to relax a bit more, and for that you were grateful. All the laughs made you forget about your earlier concerns, until Ben fell back into anxiousness. You were about to ask him what was wrong until he cleared his throat.

Ben took a deep breath, attempting to collect his thoughts. He considered going with what he and Klaus practiced, but he instead decided to go with his gut. "Do you remember that first day you came to the academy?" You nodded, but you were unsure where he was going with it. "I-I saw Grace taking you to your room, and right away...I felt something, even though I only saw you for a second. When we all introduced ourselves, I was so scared. (Y/N), you terrified me. It took every bit of courage I had to talk to you that night." Ben was a bit surprised with himself, but he didn't dare stop now.

"When I got to know you, everything just fell into place. You were there for me after every mission gone bad, every time I just needed someone to help me through. I knew I wanted you to be in my life, even if we were just friends. I've told you this a lot, but...I want us to spend the rest of our lives together." You wiped away the tears that were escaping at his words.

"What I'm trying to say is..." Ben slowly stood up from his chair. He pulled out the small blue box and got down on one knee. You gasped quietly as he opened it, your hand flying up to your mouth at the sight of the ring. "(Y/N), will you marry me?"

Suddenly, Ben found himself on the floor with you on top of him, kissing him excitedly. You pulled away and cupped his cheek lovingly, your face shining with fresh tears.

"So, is that a yes?" Ben asked tentatively.

You pressed your lips to his again, a little shorter this time. "Yes, of course, Ben! Of course I'll marry you!"

Ben let out a relieved sigh and pulled you down for another kiss. He guided the both of you to sit up and you pressed your forehead to his. You sniffled as he took the ring out and slipped it on your finger with a shakey hand.

Ben had few tears running down his cheeks as well. "It's not the fanciest ring, but I just couldn't wait. We can always get a better one later-"

You shook your head, cutting him off. "No, Ben. It's perfect. I love it."

Ben beamed and linked his fingers with yours. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too. Always."