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pedroscurls · 9 days

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chance encounters | pt. 1

character(s): Benny Miller, fem!Reader, (very) brief cameos from the rest of the Triple Frontier boys at the end summary: You've lost your way after losing your best friend in a tragic car accident. So, you go back to the one sport that makes you feel closer to him. word count: 1.9k a/n: This story is very personal to me and pulled from some real-life experiences (maybe not exactly, but still). I know I said I wouldn't write anything within this time period with April being such a very emotional month for me, but I've found that this story is actually helping me through my grief. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy and thanks for reading 🫶 warnings: very brief mentions of grief (which will be a reoccurring warning) series masterlist | ultimate masterlist

“Benny Miller. I’m the owner and potentially, your coach,” the man says with a charming smile. He’s tall, broad, built, and you can’t help but notice his deep blue eyes. There’s a sense of comfort that you feel when you look at him. He’s dressed in red shorts and a white t-shirt with a dark cap placed backwards on his head and you can see the dark blonde curls peeking out from underneath it. “Welcome to Miller MMA Gym.”

“Hi,” you finally respond, saying your name to introduce yourself. Your hand grips the strap of your duffle bag that was placed over your shoulder. You feel slightly out of your element even though this is your comfort zone. Fighting is your comfort zone.

“Nice to meet you. Let me give you a tour of the gym and then we can sit down and go over your goals and everything else. Sound good?”

“That sounds good,” you repeat. “Thanks.”

Benny spends the next twenty minutes giving you a tour of his gym and you can tell just from the sound of his voice that he loves this sport and he has put a lot of thought into creating a gym where he can share with other like minded people. There are black mats in the entirety of the building with thick, red outlines at the edges. There are about seven heavy bags lined up along the wall with an octagon cage towards the back of the building. The gym is small, cozy, and it makes you feel like it’s a place where you belong.

“This is a really nice gym you got, Benny.”

“I know it’s not as big as other MMA gyms. We don’t have all the fancy equipment, the extra free weights, but I like that it’s small. Plus, I don’t just let anyone train here.”

“Oh?” you ask, brow arching. “So, I’m guessing this is a bit like a consultation?”

Benny nods. “I want to make sure we’re a good fit. This sport…” he sighs. “I want people who are dedicated, who will push themselves to the limit, you know? I don’t want to waste your time and I certainly don’t want you to waste mine.”

“Makes sense,” you agree.

He removes his sandals and steps onto the mat. You follow him and set your duffle bag down, your feet touching the cushioned mats and your gently bounce on your toes before you sit down in front of him.

“How long have you trained for?”

“Never actually had a coach or joined a gym like this, if I’m being honest. My best friend,” you sigh shakily. “He used to fight, was an amateur though. He taught me everything I know and always encouraged me to pick up the sport too.”

“So, what changed?”

“He died.”

Benny offers you a solemn look. He bites the inside of his cheek and nods. He knows grief all too well and he had known the minute you stepped into his gym that there was something lingering within you, something that you wanted to keep hidden. “I’m sorry.”

You shrug. You had grown tired of hearing that. Why would they be sorry? What could they even do about it? It simply frustrated you. “Anyway, fighting’s always been something I felt comfortable doing and I don’t want to join an MMA gym where it’s all ego and trying to one-up one another.”

“I’m glad you said that,” Benny adds. “I’ve been to gyms like that and I fuckin’ hate it. I mean, we’re all there because we love the same sport. It can get competitive and sparring can get really bad… Which is why I like doing these consultations before even making a commitment with someone. I don’t want my gym to be like those.”

You nod, the corner of your lips lifting only slightly, but as quickly as it rose, it drops. You always had to catch yourself whenever you felt an ounce of happiness or relief. It didn’t feel fair. It didn’t feel right to be happy when your best friend was gone.

“Well, I want to fight, Benny. Competitively. I don’t know if I can even make it, but I want to try. Fighting is where I feel most at home.”

Benny smiles. You see his blue eyes light up. Then, he reaches his hand back out to you. “Well then, welcome aboard. I’d love to have you, and I’d love to train you and be your coach.”

The happiness flutters in your stomach and you force yourself to ignore it. You don’t smile at him, but your eyes - your eyes have always been so expressive. Your eyes soften when you look up at him, tears threatening to spill over, and you reach out to shake his hand. “I’d love that, Coach.”

“Welcome to the team,” he grins. “Let’s see what you got.”

—

An hour and a half later and you’re dripping with sweat. You’re leaning back against one corner of the octagon, knees close to your chest as you rest your arms over them, trying to catch your breath. Benny didn’t waste any time assessing your abilities, but you welcomed the distraction and for the last hour and a half, you hadn’t thought about your best friend.

“We got one more round,” Benny calls out. “Get back up, let’s go.”

You let out a deep breath and nod, standing. You shake your arms to loosen them, feeling the fatigue slowly begin to settle in. You glance at the time and see it begin to count down. Once the round begins, the sound of a buzzer filters the small gym and immediately, you bring your hands to cover your face, standing in an orthodox fighter’s stance.

Benny holds out the pads and calls out the following combinations:

Left jab, cross, left hook!

Double jab, cross!

Right front kick, double left round kick!

Throughout the round, you’re moving in the cage, staying light on your feet and never crossing them. You don’t even notice the way Benny’s smiling down at you, so proudly and full of hope.

“Alright, thirty seconds left!” Benny calls out. He notices how locked in you are, how focused, and he hasn’t seen someone as motivated in a first session as you. It gives him hope that you’re actually serious about competing.

Left jab, right body kick!

1-2 punch, left hook, right body kick!

Again!

By the time the round ends and the buzzer fills your ears, you’re breathing heavily, sweat dripping down your temples and the sides of your neck.

“Holy shit,” Benny chuckles. “You’re amazing.”

“My stamina is shit,” you say breathlessly.

“We’ll work on that,” he smiles. “Great job today.”

You remove your gloves and sit back down, leaning against the same corner of the octagon as you begin to unwrap your hands. You see the initials on your wraps and you’re brought back to reality. You bring your hands to stroke your dampened hair back and away from your face, redoing the hair tie to pull your hair into a tighter ponytail.

“That was– It felt like home,” you admit, looking up at him.

Benny chuckles and extends a hand for you. You take it and stand up, following him out of the octagon. “I’m excited about you, about this partnership. I think you’re gonna be great.”

You look at the time and realize that it’s already way past the normal business hours and quickly, you grab your duffle bag. “I didn’t mean to keep you here longer than you needed to be. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t sweat it,” Benny says softly then adds, “I just realized we didn’t get to the paperwork side of things.”

“I can come in tomorrow,” you say, draping the strap of the duffle bag over your shoulder. “And however much it is, I’ll pay it up front.”

Benny’s eyes widen. “Whoa, whoa, wait–”

“I’m serious about this, Benny. There’s nothing I want more than to fight and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to do that.”

“Okay, tomorrow morning. Ten o’clock sound good?”

“Sounds great.” You shake his hand once more and he leads the both of you out of his gym. You look up at the sound of another man’s voice and see three other men - all of different statures - greet Benny with a smile. You don’t spend another second sparing each of them a glance, just now wanting to get home.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Benny calls out. “And I think I’ve got a great nickname for you.”

You toss your duffle back into the trunk of your car and shut it closed. You look over at Benny and notice all four men staring at you, but Benny’s the only one grinning. The other three, you notice, are staring at you with a look of hesitancy and curiosity. You take note that Benny’s the taller out of the four, but there’s another one that’s only a few inches shorter. He’s just as broad and built, the same blue eyes, but hair much shorter and slightly lighter. Then, your eyes veer off to the other two, your eyes lingering on one man in particular with a Standard Heating Oil cap placed atop of his curls. The other man standing next to him is the shortest, but he has just as big of a presence as Benny. His hair is greyer, but you have to wonder if it’s due to stress or if he’s much older than the rest of the group.

“A nickname is too soon, don’t you think? You don’t really know me yet, Benny.”

Benny shrugs. “Let’s just call it a gut feeling.”

“Okay, so what’s the nickname?”

“The Warrior,” he grins.

You chuckle. You actually let out a laugh and for months, you had almost forgotten what it was like to laugh. It’s ironic really, almost like your best friend was taunting you from even beyond the grave. He had always called you his little warrior after everything you had been through and how you had never given up, always willing to fight your way through difficult hardships. But now… Now you can’t even imagine fighting your way out of this grief that has taken over your life.

Benny then looks over at his friends, not realizing that he had forgotten to introduce them to you. “We can talk it over. I’m open to other nicknames, but it just seems right for you.”

“We’ll see, Benny.”

“By the way, these are my–”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Coach.” You interrupt him, not bothering to spare another glance at the other three men. You climb into your car and start it immediately, pulling out of the parking lot without another look at Benny or his friends.

Benny turns to his friends and shrugs. “She’s got potential,” he begins. “I think she can make it big.”

“You say that about almost everyone, Ben,” Santiago chuckles. “Is she usually that… standoffish?”

“She just lost her best friend,” Benny sighs.

“Damn,” Frankie mumbles.

“And you think that it’s a good idea that she fights?” Will asks. “Emotions and all of that–”

“I think she needs this,” Benny admits. “And we all know how it is to lose someone close to us.”

“Does she–” Frankie sighs. “Does she have anyone else to rely on?”

Again, Benny shrugs. “I just met her a few hours ago, but something tells me that she might be alone.”

“Fuck,” Santiago adds. “Well, is she any good?”

Benny nods. “Like I said, I think she can make it big.”

“Well, whatever you need, we’ll be here,” Will says, clasping a hand over his younger brother’s shoulder. “Now, should we all get out of here and go get some drinks?”

Santiago grins. “Yeah, let’s.” He nods in Frankie’s direction and adds, “Vamanos.”

#pedro pascal #pedro pascal character #garrett hedlund #garrett hendlund character #oscar isaac #oscar isaac character #charlie hunnam #charlie hunnam character #triple frontier #will ironhead miller #benny miller #santiago pope garcia #frankie catfish morales #triple frontier fanfic #triple frontier fanfiction #story: chance encounters

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rhoorl · 2 months

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Delta Landscaping | Ch 14: Sparks Fly Like the Fourth of July

Series Masterlist | Chapter 14 A03 Link

Word Count: 8.2k (sorry!)

Previously on As the Mule Falls: The Pikes moved into the neighborhood and immediate sparks flew between Benny and Vanessa. The boys got materials and supplies to work on Melissa’s backyard and the neighbors organized another party via their group chat.

In this Episode: Marcus and Victoria get their day off to a fun start. Frankie and Jo keep chatting. Cousin Joel and Sarah call Benny and Will. The neighbors meet up at David and Ty’s house for a party. Cue a montage: David in a red, white, and blue feather boa, Benny making Vanessa laugh, Will and Marcus conspiring, and a game of cornhole. We end with Will and Katie having a heart-to-heart. Have your bingo card ready for another PPCU Easter egg!

Chapter Warnings: Brief unprotected P in V (established couple), allusions to PTSD and complicated feelings around being a veteran, some angst, and Marcus Pike and Cousin Joel both need their own warnings. Feral David.

*Cue the theme music and roll opening credits*

“Babe, what’re doing?” Victoria whispered, peeking around the corner into the kitchen to find Marcus rifling through boxes in the dark.

“Hey, I…uh…I was trying to surprise you,” he turned with a sheepish grin, his white V-neck shirt riding up slightly as he set a box atop the counter.

She cocked her head to the side as she walked further into the kitchen, her arms finding her husband’s waist. “And what surprise would pull you out of bed at 5 in the morning, mi amor?”

“I was looking for the griddle…I wanted to surprise you all with pancakes.”

“Ay, mi vida, you are literally the sweetest,” she brought both of her hands up to cradle his face, pressing a kiss to his lips. “How about pancakes this weekend when we have more stuff unpacked? How’s that sound?” She rubbed up and down his back.

“Ok,” he pouted. “We need to get groceries, there’s nothing in the house.”

“Well, we have that party today. We should probably bring something, can’t show up empty-handed to our first neighborhood party,” she winked. “I’ll shoot Megan a text later to see what she thinks and then maybe Nessa and I will run out to Publix this morning. We’ll pick up some donuts or something for the kids for breakfast.”

“You always have it all figured out,” he moved his hands up from her hips to her mid-back and bent down for a kiss. “One thing though,” he said against her lips.

“What’s that?”

“Well,” he pulled back, a devilish look coming across his face as she brushed the errant curl off his forehead. “Nobody’s going to be up for at least another hour…and since I’m off pancake duty…” he smirked.

“Special Agent Pike. Are you suggesting what I think you are?”

“We’ve already gotten the bedroom taken care of mi amor, how about the kitchen next?” He pushed her towards the dining room table, urging her to sit once her thighs grazed the edge.

“Marcus,” she giggled as he trailed open-mouth kisses down her jaw to her neck.

Experts at quickies thanks to having two small children, they moved in tandem as she pulled down his sweatpants and he pushed her oversized sleeping shirt up her thighs and pulled her underwear to the side. As he notched himself at her entrance, his mouth returned to hers, swallowing her moan as he started to ease himself in.

“You were ready for me baby,” he smiled against her lips, loving the sounds he pulled from her whenever he hit that spot.

“Fuck, Marcus…” she mewled as he kept a steady pace.

It didn’t take long before they both found their bliss and amidst soft giggles they cleaned themselves up and went back to their bedroom for round two.

Even though it had only been a day, Frankie and Jo kept in pretty consistent communication. From texts throughout the day to hours spent talking on the phone last night, they were both still giddy from their time together.

Her morning got started pretty early. Her company was a big sponsor of the Peachtree Road Race, an annual 10k in Atlanta held around Independence Day, so she had to be there to ensure everything looked up to standards. Although she grumbled when her alarm went off, she suddenly felt a lift when she saw a text from Frankie waiting for her.

Frankie: Good luck today!

Jo: Aw thanks! I can’t believe I got dragged to this.

Frankie: You're going to do great! Send me a picture of the medal when you're done.

Jo: I'm not running the race silly

Frankie: Well, you deserve one anyway

Jo: Well, I think deserve a pic of you in your swim trunks later Morales

Frankie: I'll see what I can do.

Frankie smiled at his phone as he tossed it onto the kitchen counter. He was still on cloud nine from the weekend and couldn't even feel the soreness of his muscles from yesterday's training session with Benny. He also almost forgot what day it was.

The Fourth of July brought up different emotions for the guys. None of them wanted the attention that came from being veterans, they mostly kept to themselves on a day like today. But the idea of being around the neighbors of Mule Fall Court brought some comfort to Frankie, especially since Jo couldn’t be there in person.

Although she wasn’t physically there, Frankie was excited about seeing her later on FaceTime for their virtual movie date. It was her idea to watch something together, figuring she could maybe help take his mind off things once the fireworks started. Her words from last night still floated through his mind, enveloping him in warmth.

“I want to be there for you the way you were there for me.”

“Hey man,” Benny walked in from his run to find Will leaning against the kitchen counter, staring off into space as he drank his coffee.

Will cleared his throat, shaking his head to try and rid himself of the anxiety that started to cloud his mind. “Hey…good run?”

“Yeah, yeah. All good. Listen, ah…I know we said we’d go over to David and Ty’s today, but if you’d rather do something else I’m down. We can…I dunno grab some beers and chill here. Or we can-”

“It’s all good Ben. It will probably be good for me, well for us, to …I dunno I guess it might do us some good to be around friends,” the corner of Will’s mouth perked up as he got a devilish look in his eye. “Besides, I need to see the girl who made little hearts float around your head,” he chuckled.

Benny’s ears turned red as he faced away from Will, walking to grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator. He had no idea who may have given his brother the heads-up about Vanessa. Santi was the obvious first choice, but he had a feeling this was more of Frankie’s doing. His mind raced trying to figure out what to say, but relief washed over him when he heard Will’s phone buzz.

“Well look who it is! Hey there baby girl,” Will answered, beaming at the screen.

“Hi, Uncle Will. Happy Fourth of July!” Sarah waved a little American flag across the screen before wagging it in front of her father’s face of screen.

“Hey! Nothing for your favorite uncle?” Benny appeared behind Will, an arm around his brother’s neck as he winked at a giggling Sarah.

“Uncle Benny!” She squealed with the biggest smile on her face. “Daddy said you have a fight soon! You gonna win?”

“Of course sweetie pie,” Benny smiled back, putting on a brave face for his favorite girl. “Hey! You planned the shirt for this summer yet?”

For the past several years, Joel let Sarah design a special edition Miller Contracting shirt. It started one summer when she was playing with a new paint set and decided to get a bit creative with an old shirt of Joel's. Rather than get mad, Joel fed her artistic side and let her create a design. He then had the shirt replicated and ordered enough for his crew, Tommy, and his cousins and friends. Everyone looked forward to getting the “Sarah Special” each summer and wearing it proudly no matter the design or color.

“I'm thinkin’ like a bright teal? And the logo in white.”

“You goin’ easy on us this year baby girl?” Joel teased with a side-eye.

“Yeah, I was expecting you to bust about the big guns. Y’know I always get compliments on that neon pink one from last year when I wear it to the gym,” Benny added, his eyes twinkling as he saw Sarah crinkle her nose.

“That’s because you cut it all up…it’s barely a shirt,” Will winked as Benny rolled his eyes.

“Gotta give those followers what they want huh Bean?” Joel smirked, quickly changing the subject when he saw Sarah’s interest piqued. “So, ah, what’re you all up to today?” He put his arm around Sarah’s shoulder so she could rest her head on his chest.

“We ah…got a neighborhood party…gonna go over there for a bit, see how it is and then lay low once the fireworks start,” Will with a tight smile, not wanting to say too much in front of Sarah.

“Damn those neighbors of yours sure do love to throw a party.”

“Yeah well, we had some new ones move in yesterday and Benny seems pretty ah…interested from what it sounds like,” Will ruffled his little brother's hair as Benny slapped him across the stomach.

“Ah, gotta girl you like there Bean?” Joel raised his eyebrows.

“Ooo is she pretty Uncle Benny?” Sarah added which made Joel and Will both snort seeing Benny so embarrassed.

“Oh well, will you look at that…bad connection…we gotta go bye! Love you!” Benny switched off the phone as Will doubled over in laughter.

Although Benny didn't always love being the butt of a joke, if it got his brother to laugh on a day like today, then he'd gladly take the hit.

“Babe, where’s my cup?” David yelled from the kitchen as Ty filled some coolers with ice on the lanai.

“Which specific one are you referring to, sweetheart? You have 20,” Ty responded sarcastically. David’s Stanley cup collection had grown exponentially over the past year, to the point that their kitchen cabinets were starting to become overrun by the things.

“The red, white, and blue one, duh!” David huffed as he came outside. “I have no idea where it is.”

“We need to install like shelves or something so you can see them all. Maybe if you see the whole collection you’ll stop buying more,” his eyes widened with a tight smile.

“Oooo, what if we have one of the guys install it for us? Could be fun for the both of us,” David winked as Ty rolled his eyes. “C’mon, admit it, any of them with a toolbelt…nailing…and hammering…and…”

“Ok…get your shit together, Blanche,” Ty cut him off. “We have guests arriving soon and I need you to quench your thirst.” He walked back into the kitchen, opening a cabinet and finding the cup in question. “Here.” “What would I do without you?” David walked up, kissing Ty on the cheek.

“Where’s your swimsuit?” Victoria raised an eyebrow as her sister came downstairs in an oversized T-shirt, jean shorts, and flip-flops.

“I'm not wearing one,” Vanessa side-eyed her with her lips pressed in a line. She scooped up Mariella who was babbling “uppy uppy” at her.

Victoria sighed as she got her backpack together with some snacks and a change of clothes for the kids. “That person was an ass, Nessa, don’t pay them any attention.”

“Who was an ass? What happened?” Marcus asked, coming around the corner and tucking his sunglasses into the collar of his heather gray crew-neck t-shirt.

“Someone at the donut shop asked Nessa if she wa-”

“Hey! Stop, don’t,” Vanessa hissed, cutting her sister off. “Same old sh- I mean, stuff, Buck, you know,” she gave Marcus a pleading look, hoping he’d pick up on the fact that she wanted to change the subject.

He walked around the kitchen island over to her wrapping his arm around her shoulder, “Oh Vandy,” he kissed her forehead. “Don’t let some idiot ruin your day ok? We’re going to have fun,” he winked, seeing the slightest twinkle in her eye as she gave him a side hug.

“Francisco! Que allegria!” Lulu approached with open arms as Frankie and the boys walked into the party.

“We…I mean, she missed you so much, must be nice being the favorite huh?” David winked, shaking hands with the guys.

“Wow, I see how it is, chopped liver!” Benny sarcastically scoffed, as Lulu tsked and brought him in for a hug.

“Benny! How’s the training going? Lis says you have a fight soon?” Danny asked as he and Melissa walked up. All of the neighbors started to gather around the four newest additions to the party.

“Oh ah, yeah, going good. A few weeks to go.” Benny rubbed the back of his neck.

“Well, I don’t have my rotation set in stone yet, but if I’m in town I’d love to come. I mean…if that’s cool with you. I haven't seen MMA in person in a couple of years and now I have someone to root for,” Danny smiled.

“Ooo yeah! A group outing! I’ve never been to a fight before! Sounds…fun,” David clapped his hands.

“You need a cheering section right, Benny?” Megan asked as she sipped her drink.

“We'll make you signs,” Katie added, her mind already thinking of a design.

“Oh ah, yeah, the more the merrier,” Benny chuckled, suddenly realizing that he’d opened up the door for the entire neighborhood to come to see him possibly get his ass kicked.

“It’s gonna be a big night, our cousin may come from Texas…Ben’s gonna have quite the supporter’s section,” Will put his arm around his brother, noticing Katie’s head snap at attention out of the corner of his eye.

“Are those the new neighbors?” Ty asked, looking past Benny and Will and toward the family who just walked in.

“Oh yes, the Pike’s! You’ll love them, they're super nice,” Melissa gushed, waving wildly and grabbing Victoria’s attention.

Will side-eyed his brother and felt his back straighten. “So, ah, which one is your girl,” he whispered, as Frankie and Santiago snorted at Benny’s sudden change in demeanor.

“Shhh, she’s not my girl,” Benny looked down wishing he could shrink down to the size of an ant and scurry away.

“Purple hair,” Santiago muttered out of the corner of his mouth as he took a sip of the beer Frankie handed him.

“She’s pretty, Ben.” Seeing his brother so flustered was quite amusing to Will. “You gonna talk to her or…”

“I know how to talk to a girl,” Benny replied, a bit petulantly which made Will and Santiago stifle some laughs.

“Hey, hey, let him go at his own pace…I got faith in ya Benny,” Frankie winked, feeling a sense of accomplishment as he managed to get a small smile out of Benny.

“Hey, our movers! Great to see you guys again,” Marcus chuckled as he shook hands with the guys, stopping and introducing himself to Will.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Will, Benny’s brother. Seems like I got out of the impromptu moving duties yesterday huh?”

“You did, all good though, these guys were pretty efficient. Oh ah, Will, this is my wife Victoria and our kids Nico and Mariella,” Will smiled, shaking Victoria’s hand and managing to get a high five from each of the kids. “And this is Vanessa, Vic’s sister.”

“Hi Will, nice to meet you,” Vanessa felt a little intimidated by Will initially, but his sweet, genuine smile put her at ease.

“Vanessa. Nice to meet you. Cool hair,” he gestured up with his chin.

“Oh ah, thanks,” she played with the ends. I uh dyed it myself,” she looked down at her feet, shy that a handsome man complimented her.

“You didn’t tell us that yesterday!” Santiago chimed in. “So you a hairdresser or something?”

“Oh ah no, not professionally. I’ve always kinda dabbled with it.” She bit her lower lip, eyes flitting over to catch Benny softly smiling at her.

“She cuts my hair,” Marcus jumped in. “Haven’t gotten any complaints,” he winked at Victoria who rolled her eyes, shaking her head with a smirk.

“You know, I could probably use a haircut soon,” Frankie took off his cap and ran his fingers through his hair.

“NO!” David yelled from across the lanai, everyone stopping to look at him. Ty lowered his chin and looked at his partner from over the top of his sunglasses. “I um…sorry, Ty grabbed the wrong cups. Babe, remember, we need to go grab the ones from inside,” his eyes widened as he backed away and scurried into the house.

“Ignore him, it’s been a while since we hosted anything,” Ty laughed it off, walking into the house after David.

Frankie chuckled and put his hat back on his head. “Benny, you were talking about getting a haircut soon weren’t you?” Benny swallowed hard and nodded. “Said it’s getting in his eyes. We need to make sure you can see those punches comin’ atcha Benjamin,” he shadowboxed towards Benny, who playfully batted away his hands.

“Oh, are you a fighter or something?” Victoria asked, moving Mariella to rest on her other hip.

“Oh ah no, not professionally. I’ve always kinda dabbled with it,” he caught Vanessa’s eyes and laughed to himself seeing her smile. “I do it from time to time. Have a big one coming up in a few weeks.”

“Well, I don’t want to impose if you already have something established, but I’m an athletic trainer. Happy to help if you need anything,” Victoria smiled.

“Athletic trainer, huh? You working for one of the pro teams in town?” Santiago chimed in.

“Oh ah, no, well, I used but now I work for a high school. Torrey Hills Prep. You all know it?” Victoria looked around at the group.

“That’s where my son goes! He plays basketball,” Megan perked up. “He’s around here somewhere,” she looked around, spotting Connor and Aria sitting together on a lounger. “Ah, he's busy,” she shook her head as everyone laughed.

“No way, that’s actually one of my sports this year! Our friend Ben is the coach and when he knew Marcus and I were trying to move back down here he put in a good word for me and here we are!” Vanessa replied.

“Well look at that, what a small world,” Megan smiled. “Coach Ben is great, everyone loves him.”

“We do too,” Victoria looked quickly at Vanessa and then back to the group. “He’s like a brother to us.”

Everyone turned when they heard a glass clinking, seeing David donned in a red, white, and blue feather boa and silver sequined cowboy hat. “Ok, looks like everyone’s here. Let’s fire up the grill and have some fun!”

Benny watched as Melissa ushered Vanessa and Victoria over to meet Olivia and her kids who were playing on a slip-and-slide David and Ty set up in the backyard.

“There a reason you haven’t turned on that Miller charm yet?” Frankie narrowed his eyes as he took a sip.

“I dunno man,” Benny rubbed the back of his neck. “She’s probably going to think I’m just some dumb jock or something.”

Frankie chewed the inside of his cheek, observing Benny’s body language, shoulders hunched over and eyes downcast. Sometimes Frankie forgot just how low Benny got during his last relationship and the subsequent aftermath. It pained him to see how little his friend thought of himself, not missing the irony that when given a mirror his friends would say the same about him.

“Well, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, Ben. From my observations, I think she’d be…ah…receptive to you talking to her. Seems like a sweet girl. C’mon, see where it goes…have fun hermano,” Frankie put his arm around Benny’s shoulder and gave him a shake.

“Thanks, Fish,” Benny smiled.

“You doing ok?” Victoria leaned over to Vanessa as they watched the kids playing.

“Yeah…you?”

“Yeah. Everyone seems really nice.” Victoria got closer to his sister, lowering her voice to a whisper. “You should go over and talk to Benny.”

Vanessa looked over her shoulder to see Benny in deep conversation with Frankie. She could feel her sister's eyes on her as she turned back around. “What Vic?” she cocked her head to the side.

“Oh nothing,” she let out a breathy giggle. “It’s just…cute.” Vanessa furrowed her brows, waiting for her sister to continue. “What? Now I know how you felt all of those years ago trying to get me to talk to Marcus,” she teased.

“So, is this like a big day for you guys or one you'd rather just get past?” Ty asked Will as they both observed the spread of food laid out in front of them.

“Ah, one I'd rather get past I guess, don't love all the attention,” Will gave a tight smile.

“Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to,”

“Naw it's all good man. It's kinda nice to be here and just hanging out. We appreciate getting just a regular invite and not having everyone look at us like “guests of honor” you know?”

“I hear you, I hear you. And hey, of course, we'd invite you…you're part of the family now,” Ty smiled, patting Will on the back before he walked away.

Vanessa watched with a soft smile as the kids played. Mariella made friends with Olivia’s little girl Diana and the boys were all chasing after Connor. She was so wrapped up in their ruckus that she didn’t hear the incoming footsteps.

“Are you…um…having fun?”

Vanessa heard a deep Southern drawl behind her, turning around to see Benny leaning forward. His eyebrows were scrunched up and his bright blue eyes searched hers like he wanted to say more.

“Oh…ah, yeah…yes. Are you?” Vanessa bit her lip, wincing internally at how awkward she must be acting.

Benny nodded. “Yeah. Beautiful….day, it’s a beautiful day,” he smiled quickly shifting his weight from foot to foot. “You…ah…you going swimming later?”

“N-no,” Vanessa shook her head. “I didn’t bring my suit,” she swallowed hard and turned her attention back to the kids.

“You didn’t wear a swimsuit to a pool party?”

“Still unpacking,” Vanessa shrugged, hoping to get off the subject. The thought of getting herself into a swimsuit was hard enough, she couldn’t even fathom doing it in front of a guy like Benny, who practically looked like a male model in his simple black swim trunks and cut-off Army shirt.

Benny opened his mouth to speak but stopped when he felt something brush against his knees. He looked down and saw Mariella looking up at him with her big brown eyes, arms reaching up to the sky. “I…uh…” Benny’s eyes widened, panicked at what to do.

Vanessa laughed and bent down, “Ven aquí chiquitita,” she cooed. “She’s at a stage where she wants to be held all the time. Mari, you remember Benny? Say hi,” she gave an encouraging smile to her niece.

“Bunny,” Mariella responded matter-of-factly.

“No, mamita, his name is Benny…Ben-ny. Now you try? Ben-ny.”

Mariella shook her head up and down and assumptively said, “Bunny.”

“Well, your name is Bunny now. The queen has spoken,” Vanessa laughed, feeling her cheeks get warm as she saw a big smile come across Benny’s face.

“Well, who am I to deny a pretty girl,” he scrunched his nose up and booped Mariella on the nose. “Besides, I've been called a lot worse.”

Frankie felt that familiar buzz in his pocket that made his heart race. Quickly unlocking his phone he was greeted by a selfie of Jo, looking tired but as beautiful as ever.

Jo: Finally done. I need a shower and a nap.

Frankie: Wish I was there to help

Jo: You can later 😉

Jo: How's the party? You and the guys doing ok?

Frankie: Yeah all good so far. Everyone’s been cool, it’s almost like I forgot what day it is.

Frankie: Plus I’m trying to help Benny talk to a girl

Jo: The pilot being a wingman…nice

Frankie: Trying.

Jo: I don't want to keep you, but I'm glad it's going well. Call me later.

Frankie: I will. Enjoy your shower 😏

Marcus walked up to the cooler to grab a couple of drinks when he heard someone clear their throat behind him. He turned around and saw Will who also was also on the hunt for a refill. The men exchanged pleasantries before drawing their attention to Vanessa and Benny who stood at the perimeter of the play area, observing all of the kids. She had her hand up to her mouth laughing as Benny animatedly told a story.

“Uh oh,” Will chuckled.

Marcus arched an eyebrow, “what’s wrong?”

Will smirked, “Oh no, it’s just…pretty eyes, a nice smile, and laughs at his jokes…that’s the trifecta for my brother.”

Marcus let out a breath and softly laughed. “I have to say…she’s smiled more in the last day than I’ve seen in the last few months,” Marcus tilted his head, observing Vanessa cracking up.

“Well, I haven’t seen Benny this nervous around a girl since we were in high school,” he shook his head, smiling to himself as the memories flooded back. Marcus looked a bit confused so Will continued, “Our cousin dared him to talk to one of the seniors and ask her out….joke was on him though because the girl found Ben’s…goofiness…to be pretty charming. Ended up getting a date out of it.”

Benny glanced over in their direction. Years of reconnaissance made him acutely aware of when he was the one being watched. Realizing they were caught, Marcus and Will coughed and turned to face each other.

“So…ah…you and Vanessa…you all close?”

Marcus glanced over fondly in her direction, “Yeah…she and I have always had this like unspoken connection. She means a lot to me…I love her very much,” he looked back at Will.

“Look, I know this probably doesn’t mean much because he’s my brother and I obviously love the kid….but Benny’s a good guy.”

Marcus nodded, taking what Will said to heart. “So…I think we may both be on the same page here then?” Will nodded, so Marcus continued. “Vandy is probably going to kill me for saying this, but she’s not going to make a move. She's afraid of getting hurt…her ex,” Marcus shook his head, “he really messed her up.”

Will took a deep breath, “same for Ben. The kid hasn't always had the best luck.”

“Well, maybe we can partner up,” Marcus winked conspiratorially. “Seems like they're both interested right?”

“Ohh yeah,” Will chuckled. “Benny's interested alright.”

“Hey Will,” Connor walked up to get a bottle of water from the cooler.

“Hey man, what's up.”

“Santi and I are getting corn hole set up, think you and Benny want to play?”

“Actually,” Will smirked, looking over at Marcus whose mouth was slowly curling into a smile. “Think you could find a partner?”

“I think I know just the person,” Marcus chuckled.

“Alright, c'mon let's go. Connor, you wanna help?”

“Ah, sure…with what?” He looked between both men confused.

“It's for Benny,” Will motioned over to his brother and Vanessa with his eyes.

“Oh.” It was as if a switch suddenly turned on for Connor. “Ohhh. Yeah ok! Tell me what I need to do.”

“Wait, backward? I don't even understand how that would work?” Vanessa giggled.

“I get a strike every time. I'll have to show you,” Benny puffed his chest out a bit, feeling more at ease as he and Vanessa talked and got to know each other.

He learned that the catalyst for her to pack up and move back to Tampa from Charlotte was two-fold: she recently lost her job and her mother wasn’t doing well. That coupled with the fact that Victoria and Marcus offered her a place to stay in exchange for some babysitting solidified the decision to move back “home”.

As they talked, Benny grew more and more infatuated. Her laugh was music to his ears. She listened enthusiastically like she was genuinely interested in what he had to say. She was smart and really funny. And she was beautiful, he couldn’t help but admire that.

“Hey Benny! Hi, you're…Vanessa, right?” Connor appeared next to Benny, flipping his hat around backward.

“Yeah, that's right. Good memory,” Vanessa regarded the boy with an amused look.

“You having fun C?” Benny brought the boy in for a side hug.

“Yeah, it's been a good time. Hey, actually. We're getting a cornhole tournament set up. Will said you're like a five-time Texas state champ or something?’

“Five?” Benny scoffed, feigning offense. “Where you come up with five Will?” Benny called over to his brother who shrugged as he walked up with Marcus. “I’m a five-time Texas Cornhole League champ, but don't forget about my Delta Force Cornhole Tournament wins. But, my most prized trophy is from the Oak Hill Elementary School Family Field Day,” he winked at Vanessa. “My niece…Sarah. She and I kicked ass and took names that year.”

“She finally had it with her and her old man losing every year, so she brought in a ringer,” Will added.

“It was one of my prouder moments as an uncle, I have to admit.”

Vanessa could tell this little girl meant a lot to Benny with the way his eyes softened when he talked about her. She made a point to remember her name and to ask him later which of his cousins was her father. He mentioned a Joel and a Tommy already during their conversation but she didn’t catch which one of them had a daughter.

“Well, I myself may have won a tournament or two at an FBI family picnic over the years,” Marcus chimed in.

“You did? With who?” Vanessa scrunched up her face.

“Before I met you and your lovely sister my dear. They wanted us to mingle with different agencies, so I got paired up with this guy from the DEA. He didn't want to be there and was chain-smoking the whole time. But, he and I made a good team and once we started winning he changed his tune. Even shared some of the whiskey he snuck in.”

“I have literally never heard that story before,” Victoria came up and wrapped an arm around her husband's waist. “All this time I've been married to a cornhole champ and didn't even know it,” she smiled as Marcus leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Vanessa playfully rolled her eyes at them and returned her focus to Benny. “So you still got it then?”

The corner of Benny's mouth turned up, “oh I still got it darlin’.”

“Let’s play then!” Connor clapped his hands.

“With partners, it's more fun that way. Vandy you're with me hermanita,” Marcus wrapped his arm around Vanessa's shoulder.

“Ah, o-ok, um…sure,” she played with her hair, a nervous tick.

“So, Vanessa and Marcus against Benny and Will then?” Victoria asked, purposefully not looking in her sister's direction.

“No darlin’, two Millers is too much,” Will winked, noticing the way Vanessa's cheeks flushed. “Connor, you wanna take my place.”

“Sure! Yeah, is that ok Benny?”

“Hell yeah, we got this bud,” Benny clapped his hand onto the boy’s shoulder.

“We playing for anything or just bragging rights?” Connor asked the group.

“Hmm…what a great question,” Marcus replied a bit too smoothly and Vanessa suddenly realized what was happening. “Let's see. Well, Will was telling me how you boys have been doing some landscaping around the neighborhood. And I know my beautiful wife would love nothing more than to make some…adjustments…to our lawn. What do you say Vandy? We play to get your sister some upgrades?”

“That's a lot to ask of them over a silly little game, Buck,” Vanessa scrunched up her face. “Can't they just like…I dunno buy us a pizza as like a housewarming gift?”

“No, we don't mind. Besides, bet whatever you want, it's not like you're going to win anyway,” Will quickly chimed in. His playful trash talk made Benny cock his head to the side, surprised to see his brother so animated. “So speaking as the team representative, if they win, we want you,” he pointed to Vanessa, “to give Benny a haircut.” Will wrapped his arm around Benny’s neck, as Benny looked down sheepishly.

Vanessa eyes narrowed. “That hardly seems fair. Connor doesn’t get anything?”

“Oh I don't need anything,” the boy threw his hands up.

“Ok, well even so, hours of landscaping versus a 10-minute haircut seems like quite a lopsided bet.” Vanessa countered, missing the coy smiles Marcus and Victoria exchanged.

“Very true. You make a good point,” Will continued with the negotiations. “Well, then…do something for me then and…take my brother out. I could use a night of peace and quiet,” he winked.

Benny scratched the top of his hat. “W-what? N-no, you don't have to do tha-”

“Deal.” Vanessa extended her hand to Will who shook it.

Everyone was in a bit of shock at the exchange, but no one more so than Vanessa herself. She chewed the inside of her cheek and avoided looking in Benny’s direction as she quickly turned around and walked over to the cornhole board.

“Where'd that come from?” Victoria whispered.

“I dunno. Fuck, it was too much right? Ugh that was dumb wasn't it?”

“Are you kidding me? No, that was perfect. Who are you and what have you done with my sister?”

Next to them, Marcus snickered, trying to hold back a smug smile.

Vanessa playfully smacked him on the arm. “You. Ugh I played right into your hand didn't I?”

“You always do. Besides, I'm doing you both a favor. Neither of you were going to make a move so I'm helping…speed up the process.”

“Ok so I love you Nessa and I want you and Benny to go on a date but I would also really love to get that godawful flower bed sorted out and a tree removed. So, please try and win,” Victoria winked.

“Great pep talk babe, you sure do know how to inspire,” Marcus kissed the top of her head and softly smacked her ass as she ran to stop Mariella from running headfirst into a bush.

Will seemed quite pleased with himself as he, Benny, and Connor walked over to their side.

“You fucker,” Benny tilted his head back, shaking his head.

“Come on Bean, it was right there. If the shoe was on the other foot you woulda done the same thing.”

Benny rolled his eyes, annoyed that Will was right, and also touched that his brother was playing wingman.

“Hey uh, Benny, listen I haven’t played cornhole in a while so…”

“All good, bud, I got this. Especially since I know what’s on the line.”

Will didn’t miss the way Benny’s eyes twinkled.

Frankie tucked his phone back into his pocket as Santiago came up, burger in hand.

“These are really good, Ty’s giving you a run for your money when it comes to the grill.”

Frankie snorted, a lopsided grin making his dimple more prominent. “You’re just angling for me to cook something this weekend, I know your type.”

With a raised eyebrow Santiago continued, “You gonna even be here this weekend? By the sounds of it, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d be packing up and hauling your ass to Atlanta for a few months.”

“No…” he shook his head as he thought through his response. “At least not this weekend. She’s got some stuff going on. What?” He scrunched his face as Santiago started laughing to himself.

“Nothing…just…it’s good to see you happy Fish,” he pushed up his sunglasses.

“Well, what about you? What d’you have going on these days?”

“Well, you’ll be happy to know I’ve been… consistent.”

“For how long?” Frankie chuckled.

“Ok, it’s been a week…but it’s with an old…friend.” Santiago quickly took a bite.

“How old of a friend we talkin’ about Pope?” Frankie narrowed his eyes.

Santiago purposefully slowed down his chewing, a bit nervous about Frankie’s reaction. When he finally swallowed he took a deep breath and faced his friend. “It’s Amaryllis, ok?”

Frankie’s eyes widened, “Lil?”

“Yeah? Is that surprising?”

“I mean…kinda. When’s the last time you guys hooked up? Before you took off to Colombia. You lookin’ to get more of your shit thrown out on a lawn?” Frankie snorted and dodged a slap from Santiago.

“It’s not like that, things are different now.”

“Ok…whatever you say, Pope.”

“So what’s going on here?” Santiago asked, eager to change the subject. He motioned to the cornhole game in front of them. Benny and Connor kept high-fiving as Vanessa groaned at Marcus who sent another bag flying well past the board.

“I dunno but Benny seems pretty proud of himself though,” Frankie observed.

“It’s really unfair you know? The guy hasn’t played cornhole in years and look at him. Throwing a four-bagger like it’s nothing,” Santiago shook his head as another of Benny’s bags went through the hole untouched.

“You’re still bitter he never wanted to be your partner when we played on the base,” Frankie chuckled.

“Ok, C, you make this one and we win. No pressure,” Benny winked as he handed Connor the last bag.

“We’re ahead by a lot Benny, as long as I just get it on the board we win,” Connor fidgeted with the bag in his hand. He definitely held his own in the game, but Benny could have played on his own he was that good.

“Don’t just get it on the board, bud. You got this. C’mon the board is clear for you, go on for an air mail.”

“Got any tips?”

“Nah, I’m not sharing the secret sauce,” Benny grinned as he patted Connor on the back. “And I don’t wanna put any pressure on you but you’ve got a little audience.”

Connor turned around to see his mom, Katie, and Aria all huddled together watching. With a tight smile and a small wave, he took a deep breath to focus. He held his breath as he released the bag. Everything felt like it was in slow motion as he watched the bag fly across the 20-some-odd feet to the other board.

“Holy shit, you drained that!” Benny whooped, picking Connor up. “Way to go!”

Connor was proud to play a hand in their winning, which clearly made Benny happy. Will came over and gave him a high five.

“Hey,” Benny pulled Connor close for a hug, “I owe you man. Thanks.”

“Aw damn, we lost,” Marcus threw his hands in the air, going through the motions despite being giddy as all hell.

“I feel like you missed some of those on purpose, Mr. I won at the FBI picnics,” Vanessa narrowed her eyes.

Marcus gingerly rotated his arm in a circle, putting on the theatrics as he rubbed his shoulder. “I’m getting older Vandy, didn’t have enough time to stretch.”

“Don’t worry, Papi, I’ll take care of that later,” Victoria rubbed up and down his back with a coy smile.

Vanessa rolled her eyes and snorted as Nico made an exaggerated retching sound at the sight of his parents kissing.

“Well, go claim your prize,” Marcus could barely get the words out before he dodged a playful slap on the arm from both Vanessa and Victoria.

Vanessa took a deep breath and smoothed her shirt as she walked over to the victorious and jovial trio on the other side of the lawn. “Good game,” she put her hand up, getting high fives from them all.

“Hey I’m gonna go get something to drink, Connor wanna come with me?” Will asked.

“Oh ah…yeah…sure, yup, feeling real parched!” Connor’s tight-lipped smile and awkward delivery made the others laugh.

“He’s sweet,” Vanessa’s eyes followed as he walked away.

“Good kid, sensitive. Had some really shitty stuff happen to him. He’s actually become a friend, which is kinda weird to say because he’s like 16 and I’m old enough to be his dad, but…”

“I think that’s really sweet, Benny.” Vanessa’s eyes softened but quickly narrowed as he gave her an offended look. “What?”

“Who is this Benny? I thought my name was Bunny,” he raised his hands.

“Ah, true, true. My sincere apologies,” she responded sarcastically. “However can I repay you?”

“Well, looks like you have a bet to pay up. So, where we going?” He rubbed his hands together.

“Hmm…” she crossed her arms in front of her, tapping an index finger to her lips, which Benny tried with all his might to not focus on for fear that he’d embarrass himself. “Well, you were talking such a big game about being able to bowl backward, I want to see that.”

“I don’t just bowl backward, sweetheart. I get strikes,” he winked.

“Hey, you ok?” Katie had kept a close eye on Will throughout the party. Even though he had mostly been in a relaxed mood, she sensed a bit of tension in his shoulders as the early evening set in.

“Hmm? Y-yeah, I’m good.” His lips formed a tight line and he knew she could see right through it.

“Will,” she put her hand on his forearm, “do you want to get out of here? If this is starting to be a lot we can head out. Hey, I can finally get you to watch The Mandalorian with me,” she offered an encouraging smile.

His tight smile melted into a more genuine one, “You sure Kat? I don’t wanna take you away from the fun. I can just head home and watch a game or something.”

“It’s whatever you want, if you want to be alone I totally get it. But if you want company, I’m there.”

Will looked at her kind eyes and started to feel calmer. “Ok. Think David is going to be offended we’re leaving early?” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“Nah, he’s got so many people here and is in host mode, we can sneak out,” she winked. “Do you need to tell Benny or anyone that you’re leaving?”

“Uh, yeah I should probably tell Ben so he doesn’t make it weird…” Will chuckled as Katie looked to the ground with a smirk.

“So what did you think?” Katie looked over as the credits rolled after the first episode.

When they started the show, they were on opposite ends of Katie’s couch, sitting straight up. But as the show went on, Katie decided to lay down sideways, curling up underneath a blanket as Will stole glances out of the corner of his eye. When it was done, she sat up, facing him.

“Not bad, Kat. I liked it,” he turned his head towards her, the corner of his mouth curling up.

“See, I told you!” She playfully slapped his arm. “I wouldn’t steer you the wrong way.”

“No, I don’t think you would,” he turned his body towards her, a knee propped up on the couch. His eyes searched hers, stealing a glance down at her mouth which didn’t go unnoticed as her tongue swiped along her bottom lip.

It was hard to tell who moved first, but Will brought his hand up to cup her cheek as their lips delicately pressed together. Their lips stayed locked for a beat, each one waiting for the other’s move. Katie teased his bottom lip with her tongue and Will opened his mouth, recognizing the faint aftertaste of black cherry seltzer on her tongue. But as quickly as they started, they both pulled away with scrunched-up faces.

“Uh…that was…” Katie chuckled, shaking her head.

“It was weird right? Like it was good, obviously, but like … kinda …weird?” Will rubbed the back of his head, realizing that his mouth moved before his brain.

“Yeah, it…look, Will, I really like you. I think you’re an awesome guy and…fuck…,” she winced a little as he started to fidget. “I just…I see you as more of a…”

“A friend?” He clenched his jaw, giving her a tight smile.

She nodded, unable to say the words for fear that she’d hurt his feelings. But when his eyes started to crinkle and his smile relaxed she pursed her lips and her eyes narrowed.

“I was thinking the same thing.” He saw her visibly relax, both of them nervously laughing now that some of the tension was easing. “You’re amazing, Kat. You know that right? But, I don’t know…recently, I’ve started to see you as someone I can…trust. You know? Fuck,” he shook his head. “I don’t really do this,” he motioned between the two of them.

“Talk about your feelings?”

“Yeah. It was a big reason why Jelly left…” he trailed off.

“Jelly?”

“Oh sorry, Angelica, my ex. She uh…well, I just never really knew how to process shit you know? Like Benny had fighting, he’d go and get the shit beat of out ‘em and while it didn’t make the pain go away he still numbed it you know? Pope would go out and pick up whoever he could at the bar, figuring he’d bury his pain in a…” he looked up, “never mind, you know what I mean,” he laughed. “And Fish…he had his own demons…” Will pulled his brows together, his forefinger pushing the cuticle on his thumb back.

“What about you?” Katie leaned forward, resting her elbow on the back of the couch.

“I just…kept it bottled up. She’d try and get me to open up but I just…couldn’t,” he closed his eyes briefly, shaking his head from side to side as if trying to delete a memory from his head. “And then one day there I was in the damn cereal aisle of a Publix, my arm around some guy’s throat. I wasn’t there I…” he took a deep breath, relaxing a bit when Katie rubbed his arm. “I was squeezing so hard, I blacked out…Jelly had to basically climb up my back to get me to stop. She scratched the shit out of me. I’ll never forget the way she was screaming at me, telling me to stop,” he swiped his hand across his lips.

“I’m here, it’s ok,” Katie soothed him, rubbing circles along his forearm with her thumb.

“Anyway, I’ll spare you the details, but that was the beginning of the end. But looking back it had been coming for a while. I couldn’t be what she wanted, I wasn’t the same person anymore. And we were growing apart. She had goals and plans and I just…I wasn’t there. I wasn’t at the same place. And I guess bottling that shit up kind of just came to a head.”

“What happened?”

“She left. Well, not right away. She tried…she tried to get me to go talk to someone, but I just wasn’t ready yet. You’d think nearly killing someone at a fuckin’ grocery store would do that,” he chuckled to himself. “It was a bad time for all of us if I’m honest. Everyone was in a shit spiral. I ended up flying home, just to get away from it all. Felt like a loser staying with my parents for a couple of months, but I just needed distance. Then one night drinking beers on Joel’s patio it all kind of clicked. I didn’t want to be like that anymore��I don’t know, I can’t explain it. But the next day, I made an appointment to talk with someone and now fast-forward a few years and I’m the one giving speeches,” the corner of his mouth curled up.

He told Katie about how he started volunteering and working with other veterans, helping others who were enduring the aftereffects of war and battle. If there was one thing Will was proud of, it was the way he paid it forward, helping others the way others helped him – when he finally let them. It was never anything he touted or wanted attention for. He quietly dedicated his time to volunteering and doing a host of other activities that the rest of the guys probably didn’t even realize he was doing.

“I think that’s amazing, Will, you should be so proud of yourself. I am.” Katie squeezed his arm.

“Sorry for unloading that all on you Kat,” he rubbed the back of his neck. “This day always makes me feel weird, I guess I never really talk about it. I feel I don’t deserve any of the attention this day brings you know? Like people will come up to us and thank us and say all of this stuff and they mean well…it’s just hard to reconcile all of the shit we’ve seen and had to do,” he let out a long sigh. “So all of that plus the fact that I don’t like loud sounds, is why today kind of sucks,” he laughed, his bright blue eyes looking up to find hers. “But today has kinda sucked less…and you’re a big part of that, so thank you.”

Katie was taken aback and her eyes started to tear up. “Oh Will, that’s sweet. You’re a good man. I hope you can see that. I’m happy I was here. I’ll be here anytime, ok?” He nodded. “Can I give you a hug?”

“C’mere,” he smiled, opening his arms as she reached her hands around him, nuzzling into his neck. They stayed in a tight embrace but Katie could feel the tension melting off of him. He pulled back, grabbing her hand, “thank you.”

Next Time on As the Mule Falls: Benny and Vanessa go to the bowling alley. Frankie and Jo try and figure out the next time they’ll see each other. The boys finish Melissa’s backyard. (There will be some time jumps we need to get to Benny’s fight night!).

A/N: Hi! Sorry it took me so long for an update! Aside from life getting a bit crazy, I also decided to focus and finish another series I had been working on. So, for now, this is my only WIP. There’s some really fun stuff ahead and I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Thank you as always for reading, sharing, or sending me a message about this story!

Taglist: @goodwithcheese / @gemmahale / @trulybetty / @noxturnalpascal / @periodtsparadox / @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin / @maggiemayhemnj / @mysterious-moonstruck-musings / @avastrasposts / @meveispunk / @chaoticfestninja / @beboldbebravethings / @casa-boiardi / @katw474 / @linzels-blog / @laughing-in-th3-purple-rain / @pimosworld / @lynnchun / @anoverwhelmingdin /@lilmizmoz / @pedrit0-pascalit0 / @titlee78 / @noisynightmarepoetry / @inept-the-magnificent / @perennialdoll247 / @for-a-longlongtime / @readingiskeepingmegoing / @harriedandharrassed / @musings-of-a-rose / @anavatazes / @sherala007 / @midnightraain / @partyofone3413 / @inthedarkestnight / @millennial-teenybopper / @csarab615 / @darkheartgatita / @southernbe / @weho2kcmo / @itspdameronthings / @mclibs23

#triple frontier #triple frontier fanfiction #pedro pascal character fanfic #garrett hedlund fanfiction #triple frontier fic #frankie morales #frankie friday #benny miller #william miller #santiago garcia #marcus pike

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theewokingdead · 7 months

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The Best One - Benny Miller x f!Reader

Pairing: Benny Miller x f!Reader Summary: You and Benny are best friends, but one night together changed everything. Protecting your own heart, you decided it's best to forget. Problem is, Benny doesn't want to - and truthfully, neither do you. Word Count: 3.5k Rating: Explicit Content: Language, Santi is an asshole, idiots in love, friends to lovers, PiV sex, public sex A/N: I listen to "Best Ones" by Garrett Hedlund way too much, sparking this idea. I present...my first Benny Miller smut. Enjoy!

Masterlist

“Then she took my dick in both her hands and sucked the soul out of my body.”

Benny rolls his eyes and shifts in the booth, arms crossed stubbornly over his chest. He cannot bear to look at Santi, but he is stuck here, listening to his nonstop blabbering about his recent sexcapade. His eyes drift upwards to the light fixtures in the ceiling as he desperately tries to focus on anything other than Santi and his stories. But one thought springs into Benny's mind before he can push it away: her…down on her knees. It's a memory he had vowed to bury and never uncover again, but that hasn't stopped him from thinking about it - especially now.

She broke their hungry kiss by pushing against his chest. He tried to pull her back, but she shook her head and slowly dropped to her knees, keeping her gaze locked on his. She was too impatient to do more than tug his jeans down far enough to get what she wanted. His cock sprung free and she wrapped her delicate hands around the base before rubbing the head across her luscious lips. Fuck, she looked so beautiful. When she opened her mouth and took him in, he groaned with pleasure, her cheeks hollowing as she hungrily sucked him. He threaded his fingers through her hair and fucked her greedy little mouth, her name the only thing on his lips as he-

“What about you, Ben?”

Benny is pulled from his memory by the sound of his name. He looks to Santi, realizing he was asked a question.

“What about me?” he asks, feigning ignorance, not really in the mood to satisfy his curiosity.

“You gotten laid lately?” Santi asks.

“Well, no… I mean, yes. I mean, I’ve gotten some,” he stutters, his face going red as the words escape his mouth. He realizes he sounds like a teenager lying to his friends about having had sex.

“Oh, really?” the older man questions, his brows raising in surprise. “When’s the last time you got laid?”

“A few weeks ago, I guess,” Benny says, shrugging his shoulders.

First, he had Santi’s curiosity. Now, he has his full attention. The man sits back in his seat, watching him with interest, as if he doesn't believe him. “Does she have a name?”

Of course, she has a name. Her name is the perfect complement to her delicate beauty, sweet and gentle. He wishes he could speak it aloud now - the sound of her name on anyone's lips is music, a beautiful melody that sends shivers down his spine.

But he can't.

Nobody at the table knows a thing about his secret encounter with her, and he promised himself that he wouldn’t tell anyone what happened between them. Not even Will. If anyone has their suspicions, Benny is oblivious to it. Besides, there’s nothing to talk about. It had been a single night of passion fueled by alcohol and desire that now belonged in the past, best left as it. She had made it clear that she wanted nothing more. In fact, it sounded like she regretted that anything even happened.

"I'm sorry, Benny. Just forget this ever happened."

Perhaps it would be easier that way; it’s already been several weeks, and it seem she has moved on. He realizes how much he had overestimated her feelings for him. She's always flirted with him, but maybe it was just innocent. That realization kills him. To him, she is everything, but to her, he's just a man – a friend.

Maybe it's best if he moves on and never speaks, never even thinks, of the night again.

But it's impossible - especially when she walks through the door right then.

You slip into the bar and look around, hoping to easily find the boys somewhere in the crowd. As expected, they’re sitting in their usual booth, beers in front of them as they seem to engage in some sort of conversation. A smile spreads across your face as you move toward them.

A warmth floods you when you notice Benny looking at you, his blue eyes shining even in the dim lighting of the bar. You bite your lip and push the memory of the night the two of you shared away. You can’t think of that right now. You can't think about that ever. You can’t think about the way his hands felt on your body, holding your wrists down…and you definitely can’t think about the way his lips felt against yours as his cock shoved every thought out of your head.

You break your gaze and push the thought out of your mind as you walk to the table, forcing yourself to remember that there will never be anything between the two of you, that you two are friends – that you’ll never be anything more than just friends.

“Hello boys,” you say, slipping into the booth next to Frankie, careful to avoid catching Benny’s eyes again. “What did I miss?”

“Benjamin here was just about to tell us about his latest encounter with some saucy señorita,” Santi informs you.

Your heart sinks as you think about Benny with another woman. All color drains from your face and your stomach twists. You know he doesn't have feelings for you, but did he really move on from that night with you that quickly?

“Oh,” you say, feigning interest, trying to keep your best poker face.

“Negative,” Benny replies harshly. “And I sure as hell ain’t about to allow this conversation go any further with a lady present.”

You furrow your brows in confusion. Sure, Benny isn't one to strut around like a peacock - that's more of Santi's thing - but he's also not one to keep tight-lipped.

Santi laughs. “A lady? Her mouth is just as filthy as yours, Ben. So, go on. Tell us more of your adventures. I’m sure she’d love to hear them."

Benny rises from his seat quicker than you’ve ever seen him move, not even in the ring, his face flushed and angry as he glares at Santi. “Back off or I swear-” he growls, tone hard and threatening

Will stands between the two men, looking at his younger brother, holding up a hand to stop him from advancing further towards the other man. “Don’t finish that sentence."

“Can we drop whatever this is, please?” you suggest. Things have been awkward enough lately. The last thing this group needs is strife between Benny and Pope too.

You watch Benny's chest rise and fall with every measured breath. You ache to reach out and touch him, to feel the warmth of his skin. He catches your eye and you quickly look away, feeling embarrassed and allowing your hands to sink into your lap.

“There's no story to tell,” he says, and you feel his glance on you before turning and walking away.

“Fuck,” Santi sighs, breaking the silence before raising the bottle in front of him and taking a sip. “He needs to save that shit for fight night.”

Frankie gives Santi a sharp whack on the back of his head, making the latter sputter out out his beer.

“Cabrón!" Frankie hisses. "No es obvio, o estás ciego?”

Fortunately, you don't catch the words. Otherwise, it would become obvious that everyone but Santi has picked up on the awkwardness between you and Benny. It really shouldn’t be a surprise that Will and Frankie suspect something happened between you two. You both have been quieter than usual lately, talk to and about each other less, and whenever your eyes meet, you both quickly look away, a telltale sign that something is amiss.

“Excuse me,” you utter before rising from the booth, moving to follow Benny outside. You open the door and search for him, spotting him making a beeline towards his car.

“What the hell was that?” you demand, trailing close behind him.

“Nothing that concerns you,” he replies harshly without losing stride.

“Really, Benny? How can that not be my concern?"

“It’s not your concern because it’s none of your business,” he snaps, whipping around to face you.

You're taken aback by his sudden hostility toward you. “How can you say that?” you question, stepping toward him. “You’re my fiend, which means you're my business."

Benny rolls his eyes, which sets a fire in you.

"You’re my god damned business, Benny," you reiterate. "You always have been. I know you better than anyone, and I can tell when you’re upset. So, talk to me.”

His eyes are filled with a mixture of emotions, his face an expression that is a cross between exhaustion, hurt, anger. “I can’t talk to you about something that never happened. I mean, that’s what you want, right? To pretend it never happened?"

You freeze, his words striking you like a punch to the gut. The realization stings you, the reality of what he’s saying finally clicking in your mind. The reason he didn't want to talk about his last sexual encounter was because it was with you.

“I didn't mean it like that,” you reply, crossing your arms protectively.

“Then, can you tell me what you meant? Because clearly, I'm confused.”

You hesitate before speaking, unsure why you said the things you said the morning after. It’s clear that you can’t forget what happened, and you don't want to, but you also don't want to risk ruining your relationship with him and the others, even though it appears that you have already made a complete mess of things.

"Benny, our friendship means a lot to me and I don't want to-"

Benny snorts. “Friendship? Does this look like a friendship?" He's referring to the way things have been the last few weeks. "Our friendship changed the moment you kissed me...and it was destroyed when you ran away, my come still dripping from between your legs.”

Your mouth falls open, Benny’s harsh words hitting you like a slap across the face. You’re not sure if he’s ashamed of what happened, or upset that you’ve been denying it. Either way, you know he’s right: your friendship is fucked.

"I was scared," you confess, tears forming in your eyes. "Terrified that it would ruin us. I had to be the one to put a stop to it, to set boundaries for our friendship, because if you'd been the one to say we should just be friends, it would've broken me.” You take a breath, trying to maintain some control of your emotions. “I'm sorry, Ben. I know things will never be the same between us. If I could go back and change what happened, I would. Please. Can we at least try to move on from this?”

"No," Benny ultimately answers after a moment of silence. His voice is choked with emotion, the gravity of his words heavy in the air.

You look away from him, trying to hide your hurt, but it's too late - the tears streaming down your face speak for you.

"That night was…,” Benny begins. “It's been playing in my head every single day since then, like a movie I can't stop watching." His breathing is ragged as he continues, the intensity in his eyes growing with each passing seconds. "I know I should forget about it, and I know you want me to forget-"

"Ben, that's not-"

"But I’d kill to live that night just one more time," he speaks, his eyes wet and filled with emotion.

Your lips part in surprise as Benny's admission sinks in, and for a moment, all you can do is stare at him. The way he’s looking at you though makes you feel like the most wanted woman in the world. It's making it impossible for you to keep your walls up. You’ve wanted him for so long, it’s hard to tell how you could ever turn him away. But you were so afraid that he didn't feel the same way you do.

When you shared that one night together, you told yourself it was the alcohol, the adrenaline, the emotion of the night that pushed you into it. You told yourself a thousand different excuses for why he hooked up with you. You told yourself you both were just caught up in the moment. You told yourself it wasn’t real. You told yourself that Benny could have any woman that he wants - there was no reason for him to choose you. But now, standing before him, watching him stare at you, seeing the look in his eyes, hearing the tone of his voice, you wonder if you’ve been blind to the truth all along.

Despite all the fear and uncertainty between you two, there was something real that happened that night - something neither of you can ignore or deny any longer.

“What are you saying?” you whisper, needing to hear him speak his true feelings, plain and clear.

“I want you,” he tells you. “I’ve always wanted you. You’re beautiful and smart and funny…and you drive me fucking insane. I can’t be in the same room with you without feeling like I am seconds away from taking you right there. I can’t think about anyone else. You are it for me. You are my person…and it fucking kills me that I’m not yours.”

As you look at him, perplexed, it dawns on you that the two of you are both harboring strong feelings for one another, yet completely oblivious to that fact. Has it been this way the whole time? The flirting, the touching, the constant need to be near one another. All these years of friendship...

Laughter bubbles up within you in disbelief, spilling over and out into a fit of giggles.

“What’s so damn funny?” he questions, staring at you like you're crazy - and maybe you are.

“Don't you understand, Benny? You are mine,” you reveal, wiping your eyes in an attempt to compose yourself.

“Bullshit.”

“I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember,” you reveal. “Apparently we’re both too damn stupid to see what’s been right in front of us all along.”

Benny's eyes widen as he looks at you, processing your words. You can almost see the sense of relief wash over him, knowing that his feelings are reciprocated. A smile spreads across his face.

He takes a step forward, the softness in his eyes quickly turning dark. He’s standing mere inches in front of you, the heat from his body taking you by surprise as it washes over you. My stomach whooshes, and I ache as I wait for him to kiss me, but no kiss comes.

“Say it,” he commands. "I need to hear it. Please."

You take a step closer to Benny, your eyes never leaving his. You grab hold of his button-up shirt, pulling him toward you. Meanwhile, his hands fall to your hips, as if by instinct.

“I love you.”

Benny pulls you closer to him, his lips finally meeting yours. A fire sparks inside of you and you open your mouth to meet his tongue. You’re positive that you only imagined the way his mouth felt on you before, but it can’t be anything like this. It’s like your lips remember him, yearning for him even though several weeks have passed. You moan against his mouth as you cling to him, your body desperate for his touch.

A low growl escapes Benny's lips as his mouth grazes your neck. You lean against his car, feeling intoxicated from the sensations in your body, as your hands explore his shoulders. You feel a giddy thrill, unlike anything you've ever experienced before. His kisses move from your neck to your shoulder, and his hands wander lower. But before things get too carried away, Benny pulls away suddenly and stares into your eyes. He then reaches behind him and opens the back door of his SUV.

“Get in.”

You smile, biting your lip as you slide into the back seat, Benny close behind. As soon as he closes the door, he pulls you onto his lap, and kiss you soft yet urgent. His hands journey down your body, lightly tracing down your arms, across your thighs, over your shirt. He doesn't unclothe you; instead, his palms rest on the curve of your ass as your hands push up against the fabric of his shirt, feeling the heat radiating from his skin. You grind against him, pressing yourself down onto his lap as you feel for his arousal. A groan escapes between his lips, and it turns more primal when he clasps your butt tighter. Your mouth moves hungrily against his for several bewitching seconds.

You take the initiative, starting to open his jeans. Your fingers fumble with the button and zipper before you pull down his boxer briefs and free his cock. Benny tilts his head back in pleasure as soon as a hand wraps around it, and he looks down for a moment to watch you stroke him before looking back up at you as your lips press against his. Benny whimpers into your kiss as he reaches out to find the center of your legs, caressing you through the fabric of your pants.

“Baby, please,” he begs.

You lift up and pull your pants down, just enough to expose yourself. Benny follows suit, pushing his jeans down until they are around his ankles. He wastes no time, running a finger through the folds between your legs before you can sink down on him.

“Benny!” you gasp, clutching onto his shirt.

“Now who’s the fucking tease?” he asks before sinking two fingers into you, eliciting a gasp from you. “Fuck, baby. You’re so wet.”

“Benny,” you plead, leaning your head forward until your forehead touches the top of his hat, the texture of its fabric rough against your skin.

“Tell me what you need.”

“Fuck me.”

He nods and grins. “Alright. I’m going to fuck you like you've never been fucked before."

His straightforwardness causes you to gasp. You can feel yourself dripping for him in anticipation. How could he possibly fuck you better than he did before?

"Then I’m taking you home. We'll spend the night together, make love until we pass out. When sunrise comes, I won't let you go. In fact, I plan on making love to you all over again. Got it?"

You nod vigorously, your mind whirling. Somehow, you manage a reply. “Okay.” It’s simple, but a promise that you'll never leave him again.

Benny pulls his fingers away then positions himself at your entrance. He eases himself into you, your eyes rolling back for a moment before finding his. His lips meet yours again as he slowly pushes deeper into you. You moan against his lips. His movements are smooth and slow, gentle but still raw and powerful.

Your movements match his, rising and falling, your breath in sync. You moan, Benny’s lips finding your neck. He buries his face against you, laying desperate kisses all along your skin as you ride him, faster and faster, letting the intensity build.

“You’re mine,” he rasps before nipping your ear.

“I’m yours.”

He slides a hand up your body, lifting your shirt and your bra with it, exposing your breasts. His mouth latches onto one of your nipples, his tongue swirling around the sensitive bud. You gasp, feeling your body tense. You feel that familiar tingling sensation start to consume you.

Benny unlatches then looks down at where your bodies join before looking back up at your face. "Look at you," Benny says, his voice low. "Look at you taking my cock. You're gorgeous."

You can't see yourself, but you don't have to. His gaze is burning into you, and it’s like he can see every inch of you. His eyes devour you with hunger, desire, and admiration. You feel beautiful in that moment; dirtier than anything you thought possible.

“I want to watch you come on my cock,” he tells you.

“I’m s-so close.”

Seeming to sense what you need, he moves a hand between your legs, his thumb finding the spot where you’re pulsing.

As you rock on top of him, his eyes never leave you, and the intensity of his gaze is nearly enough to send you over the edge. You can feel yourself getting closer, the anticipation building up inside you until it explodes in a shuddering climax that almost makes you forget who you are or where you are. You cry out, your breath coming in pants.

Benny presses his lips against yours as he slows his movements, and draws out your pleasure until you collapse against him, utterly spent.

You feel the heat of his body, pressed against yours, and the pleasant sense of fullness with his cock still buried inside of you. The air is filled with the smell of sex and sweat as the two of you stay there together in blissful silence for several moments before Benny speaks.

"Fuck, that was amazing," he says softly. “You're incredible. You’re perfect. We just…we have to work on our communication a bit. if we want this to work.”

You chuckle, snuggling against his chest with a contented sigh. This is what happiness feels like - warm and comforting, completely enveloping the two of you in its embrace.

As Benny's breathing begins to settle, he tightens his grip around your body slightly and whispers into your hair:

“In case it wasn’t clear… I love you too.”

#benny miller #benjamin benny miller #benny miller x you #benny miller x reader #benny miller x female reader #garrett hedlund #garrett hedlund fanfiction #garrett hedlund characters #triple frontier #triple frontier fanfiction #triple frontier fic #catie writes #kinktober 2023 #friends to lovers #idiots in love #idiots in denial

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doodles-bi-tea · 11 months

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how you met the love of your life, benny miller

pairing: benny miller x bartender reader [second person, no y/n]

warnings: mentions + consumption of alcohol. that’s really it. flirting?? idk

word count: 2,116

a/n: heyyy I’ve been really inactive (at least in terms of posting) but I’ve opened up requests recently! this isn’t a request but thought I’d write something just for fun and to get back into writing. here’s the post where I talked abt the requests, feel free to send something in!! also sorry I kind of weirdly switched time perspectives closer to the end so uhhh hope you don’t mind it just felt weird trying to fix it so I didn’t. but yeah I’ve been hella obsessed with benny miller from triple frontier so figured I’d write smth for him 🤗 honestly not entirely sure I like this oneshot that much but yeah whatever if you enjoy feel free to lmk <3

The bar was quiet, to say the least. It was a Saturday night, which typically meant that many of your usuals would be there, as well as other strangers looking to unwind after the work week. But, fortunately for you, it was mostly empty, save for most of the aforementioned usuals. This was an empty shift no one else wanted to take, and you didn’t have plans so you just decided to take it on a whim. You wiped off a glass and set it on the counter next to a few others, hearing the bell on the door ring again.

Glancing up, you saw a group of four [hot] men come in, talking and smiling with each other. You watched them as they made their way over to a booth closer to the back. They got settled in as you continued to dry different beer and cocktail glasses behind the counter.

Since it wasn’t busy, you spent most of your time just doing mundane tasks to clean and fix different things around the bar and in the back. Eventually, one of the men came from the booth and up to the bar to grab drinks. He wore a dark red t-shirt and beige pants, with a navy baseball cap atop his head and aviators covering his eyes.

He asked for four beers, which you then handed to him. He nodded in acknowledgment, and was turning to leave with the bottles, but paused.

“Hey, by the way-“ he turned again to face you. “-my friend over there thinks you’re cute.”

You were admittedly a little stunned to hear that, but you let your eyes drift over to the booth where his friends sat. Also to your surprise, two of the other three were looking back at you. The one wearing a blue button up over a white tee and a backwards green baseball cap put his hand up with a grin and winked.

“What’s his name?” You waved back, albeit more hesitant.

“Benny. I would’ve sent him over but didn’t know if you’d like that.” He put the beers down on the counter as he leaned against it.

“Tell him he can come over if he wants, I don’t mind. Oh, but what’s your name?”

“Just call me Frankie.” He stuck his hand out and you shook it. “Let me know if he starts harassing you or something, I’ll beat ‘im up.”

You smiled and chuckled quietly. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary, but thank you.”

He nodded before grabbing the beers and heading back to the booth. You saw him put the bottles down on the table before sitting down and saying something to the rest of the group. It probably had something to do with what you said about Benny, seeing as he stood up suddenly and began [nearly] bounding over, beer in hand, like a golden retriever with a stick in its mouth.

“Hey.” You greeted him as he sat on one of the barstools and leaned against the counter.

“Hey,” He smiled at you, the corners of his eyes crinkling upwards like his lips. “I’m Ben, or you can call me Benny.”

You didn’t know what you were expecting but it certainly wasn’t his voice when he first spoke. It was deep and smooth, with a hint of a southern drawl, like music to your ears or honey for your tea.

“Yeah, Frankie over there told me.” You nodded over in the direction of the booth he had just come from. “Said you thought I was cute?”

Benny chuckled, letting his head tilt downwards as if to look at his shirt or shoes bashfully. It was a wonderful sound. “Yeah, yeah, I still do.”

You suddenly became aware of the fact that you were feeling warm all over, and a little nervous. You’d have your fair share of people hitting on you, but Benny seemed different for once. He seemed very genuine.

You weren’t sure what it was. Maybe the way his dark dirty blonde hair peeked out from the edges of his backwards baseball cap. Maybe the way his eyelashes were so thick and dark that you could practically see them from a mile away. Maybe the way his voice had your stomach doing somersaults any time he spoke. Anyway, you weren’t sure what it was.

“Well thank you then, hon.” You smiled back at him. “I think you’re pretty cute too.”

“Thanks.” He chuckled again, before taking a sip of his beer.

That noise. You would never get enough of it. It was deep, slightly raspy, and had a bit of a stutter to it. Your knees nearly buckled underneath you when he looked back up at you with those pretty blue eyes.

“So,” Benny started, setting his bottle down on the counter and crossing his arms. “Could I get to know you a little better?”

The once-boring evening turns into something much more enjoyable from that point on. You continue serving the customers that are already there and the ones that come in later. Benny sits at the counter, talking to you about each of your likes and dislikes, daily life, stuff like that. He asks you about the bar, you ask him about his fights and training. It’s nice and calm, and he’s very easy to talk to. He makes a joke about every other sentence, but you can tell he’s not trying too hard, it’s just something that comes naturally to him.

You ask him a couple times if he needs to get back to his friends, who are still nursing their beers and talking amongst themselves, but he smiles and waves the notion away.

“I’d much rather talk to you, honey.”

This man was going to be the death of you, with his stupid pretty blue eyes and fluffy hair and soft jaw defined by that barely-there stubble.

The night continues on. You and Benny end up talking until closing, long after his first and only beer is gone, when you realize that it’s only you two and his friends left in the building.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I talked your ear off all night. I should start closing up.” You apologize, wiping the counter with a rag one last time for the night.

Benny smiles at you gently. “You’re fine, don’t worry about it. I had fun, even if all we were doing was talkin’.”

“Me too.”

There’s a bit of silence as you finish cleaning and putting some things away, before you decide to speak again.

“Hey, I hope it isn’t too forward of me, but could I get your number?” You’re not sure where the sudden confidence comes from, but it appears and you welcome it.

“Honey,” Benny grins a little wider this time. “You can never be too forward with me. Here, hand me your phone real quick.”

You feel your cheeks warm up again as you hand it to him, waiting as he creates a contact for himself. He hands you the phone back a moment later. “Benny Miller,” the contact reads.

“Thanks, Miller.”

“No problem. Make sure to text me later. I’ll be waitin’ for it.” He winks.

You can only chuckle in response, feeling almost giddy as you notice his friends make their way over to the bar behind Benny.

One of them, not Frankie, though, came up next to Benny. He was slightly shorter than Benny if he were standing, but looked somewhat like him, instead with shorter hair of a similar dark blonde hue, and more grown out facial hair. He shared Benny’s striking blue eyes.

“Hey, we’re heading out now.” He told Benny, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “You wanna leave with me or do you need the keys to the truck? I can leave with Frankie and Santi if you need to stay longer.”

Ah, so that’s the name of the other man next to Frankie. All four of them were very attractive, now that you get a nice up-close look at them. You give a little wave to Frankie as he talks with “Santi.” He smiles and waves back, not breaking their discussion.

“Oh, uh…” Benny trailed off, before looking back at you. “Did you need a ride?”

As much as you would have liked that, you had your own car to take home. Damn, the one time you choose not to get an Uber.

“No, I have my own car, it’s fine. And I need to just close up anyways, I’ve cleaned up most of the stuff already.”

“Okay,” He grinned at you before turning back to the other man. “I’ll take the keys, thanks.”

The man nodded and fished them out of his pocket, along with his wallet. He placed a $20 and a $5 bill on the counter and slid it over to you.

“I’m Will,” Like Frankie, he holds his hand out for you to shake, which you take. “Thanks for the beers. Let me know if you need anything.” He says that last part to Benny, before nodding again at you in acknowledgment and then turning to leave with Frankie and Santi—who you didn’t get to talk to, unfortunately.

He seemed fun, though, as he yelled out to Benny as they began opening the door. “See you later, tonto!” [“See you later, silly!”]

You giggle a little as the door swings closed and Benny scoffs under his breath. “They sound like a fun group.”

“Yeah, they can be. A bit of a handful, though.”

“Present company excluded?” You tilt your head slightly and raise an eyebrow.

“You’ll just have to find that out when we go on a real date, honey.” He flashes you a smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he does so. “Could I walk you out when you’re done here?”

For nearly the tenth time tonight butterflies arise in your stomach at his antics. “Yeah, that’d be nice. Let me go in the back real quick and then we can go.”

He nods and checks his phone as you head behind the doors to the storage rooms and kitchen area, just doing a check-up to make sure everything’s locked and secured. You finish that up quickly and turn off all the lights in the rooms before coming back out behind the bar counter to face Benny.

He looks up from his phone and gives you a sweet smile as he turns it off and slides it back into his back pocket. “Everything good?”

“Yep,” You reach into a cabinet behind you to grab your bag and coat. “Ready to go.”

You finish putting on your coat as you come out from behind the bar to stand next to Benny, who gets up from his seat before pushing in the stool.

“Shall we?” He holds his bent arm out to you as if you two were about to go out on a walk in a fancy flower garden.

You chuckle quietly at the motion, before going to hook your arm with his. “We shall.”

And so the two of you walk out—you locking up before you leave, of course—and he leads you to your car.

“Thanks for walking me out.” You smile at him under the mixture of the glow of the moon and the shine of the streetlights. “You’re real sweet, you know that?”

“It’s no problem. Just been raised that way,” Benny grins back. “Gotta make sure you get home safe.”

You hum in agreement, tracing his features with your eyes for the last time that night. Your ears almost don’t hear what he says because you’re so enthralled with just studying his face. “Real pretty too, Benny.”

His smile drops for a moment, out of shock, you think, before he just looks down again at the ground, cheeks flushed. He almost looks embarrassed, and for a moment you’re afraid you’ve said something wrong. You open your mouth to speak but he says something first.

“I think that’s the best compliment a man like me could get, honey.” He brings his gaze back up to make eye contact with you, his voice smooth and deep. “Thank you. You’re real pretty too.”

Even as you head home alone, driving along the dark and near-empty streets, you can’t stop thinking about him. About how pretty he looked under the moonlight in the latest hours of night, the early hours of the morning, in that barren parking lot. About how easy it was to talk to him and how interested he was in the things you had to say. The dark was unsettling, but his presence made everything a bit brighter.

You would definitely have to find a way to thank Frankie for introducing you later.

#tea writes #triple frontier #triple frontier fanfiction #triple frontier fanfic #triple frontier fic #triple frontier boys #triple frontier x reader #benny miller x reader #benjamin benny miller #benny miller #x reader #garrett hedlund #garrett hedlund characters #garrett hedlund x reader #santiago garcia x reader #francisco morales x reader #william miller x reader

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nerdieforpedro · 3 months

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One Pass for the Both of Us

Lucian Flores x female reader x Benny Miller

This fanfiction is 18+ MDNI

Main Masterlist / Double Features Masterlist

Word Count: less than 2.8k

Summary: You and your boyfriend Lucian have the same man in mind it seems.

Warnings: established relationship, fingering, smoking, sweatpants, a gold chain, curious phone use, exhibitionist behavior, oral sex (male receiving), unprotected P in V (wrap it up people), one swat of an ass, aftercare

Notes: So this idea was born from thots as 90% of my ideas. Why do a sandwich? Because Nerdie is trying new things this year. Sandwiches are one of them. And why not these two? I mean look at them. There's a fair bit of Spanish in this fic and I did my best with translations, but I'm not fluent in Spanish so it's anything's wrong please let me know. Was not beta-ed.

The left gif was made by @pascalsky

“We’re going to try something a little different bebita (baby girl). Get on all fours.” His thumb was tucked into the waistband on his gray sweatpants, they hung loosely off his hips and his slight tummy hung over them. You don’t want to listen to him, not yet. He’s only made your lips swollen, but the wrong pair. You softly pant, your chest rising and falling against your black lace bra.

“No Lu, I don’t feel like it. You told me your nose was going to be buried in my cunt with your tongue, but you haven’t kept up your end of the bargain.” Grinning, the ball of your foot presses against his belly as he grabs your ankle. His grip pulls your leg toward him and his lit cigarette dangles from his lips. He smirks, smacking your ass with his free hand and looks down at you.

“You’re gonna tell me no after I told called you this morning and told you to meet me by your car?” Lucian momentarily releases your ankle and removes his cigarette from his lips, putting it out on the ashtray seated on the night table of your apartment. You don’t smoke, but you know he does, before and after sex so you bought one to keep for when he comes by. “Such a damn tease querida (sweetheart). Though, because you didn’t see me while you were at work, I found something you might like.” He grabs your ankle again and pulls it to the side, spreading you partway before kneeling at the side of the bed. His eyes were trained on your clit, exposed by your crotchless panties, the cool air met your lower lips and you moaned. Placing the back of your knee on his shoulder, he blew on your small bundle of nerves, his tongue had extended but had not come into contact with your skin yet.

His phone rang and he answered it. Your eyes went wide, and you glared at him while he was answering a few questions and giving some instructions. You knew that Lucian could be a lot at times, but this was a new one. You sat up on your elbows and yelled at him to which he glanced at you and slid a finger across your wetness, you were able to cover half your moan by clasping your hands over your mouth. His fingers are sliding in and out of you slowly as he stands and wedges his phone between his shoulder and his ear. Lucian moves his fingers faster inside you while capturing both your wrists in his hand. “Let our guest hear querida, he’ll need to know how wet you can get. Don’t cover your mouth again.” You weren’t sure who the man was that Lucian was referring to, but your hips jutted forward with his fingers as he released your wrists. The phone was placed on speaker and the cool plastic of the case was felt on your skin. It was tucked in between your pelvis and your lace panties. “You hear her? She sounds perfect, doesn’t she? You keep taking your sweet time, we won’t need you.” A man snickers on the phone as you hear a door open, both on your phone and in your bedroom.

He’s here. He hasn’t hung up the phone yet though and is watching as Lucian curls his fingers within you, your legs spreading further apart. “Looks like I’m not late at all Lucy. Just getting to the good part with that look on your face honey. You remember me?” He hangs up the phone as he slips off his socks, shoes you assume are near your door and his shirt, which displays his taut muscles and the waistband of the black sweatpants that he’s wearing. It appears like Lucian, he isn’t wearing any underwear either.

A thumb grazes your clit and your body arches toward your beau, his gold chain, dangles while his lips kiss your inner thigh. The curse you let our makes the man who you assume to be called Benny chuckle as he leans over you, his fingers grazing your cheek. “I see why every match you kept a tight hold on her. I would too. So, how do you want to start?”

“You’re Benny Miller….from matches we’ve seen….the last few months…” You pant, you’re sure it’s him. Every match you were seated on Lucian’s lap and watch the man pummel his opponents while taking quite the beating himself. It didn’t dawn on you why he was here and why he was calling Lucian by a nickname. You don’t have enough information. It becomes clearer when think digits are removed from your cunt with a small pop and placed on Benny tongue, he opened his mouth for Lucian and didn’t cut eye contact with you. Flores told Benny ‘Tomalo (take it)’ and the hulking man did. He purposely sucked loudly on his fingers while your core ached watching them. “Coño (fuck) Lu, When…did this happen?”

Lucian took your hand and placed it on Benny’s waistband. “Make out guest feel welcome mi amor (my love). He’s what you wanted, your one hall pass right? You’ll have him, but I’ll be here.” You hadn’t thought he’d been paying your drunk ramblings at an MMA fight any attention, but apparently despite being slippery in many other aspects of life, Lucian was a man of his word. The deep chuckle from Lucian snapped you out of your haze, his other hand removed the phone from your panties and ran his palm over your stomach. “He was my pick mine too. I knew you had good taste amor, it’s why you’re with me.” Nodding, you decide overthinking will lead to them continuing their own and you’d rather not have that, so down you pull Benny’s sweats to expose to swollen reddish pink member, the inside of his sweats are glistening with precum.

“You’ve got quite a pair of lungs on you sweetheart. Show me what that throat of yours can do.” Miller looks down at you, his mouth free of Lucian’s fingers. Flores decides to lay across the bed, feigning that he’s tired. You’re aware he likely has something else planned but you’re focused on the thick cock in front of you, kissing its bulbous head. Your hand cups his balls as you adjust yourself on your knees, the other pressing into the muscle of his thigh, brown hairs dot it and grow thicker toward his cock. You decide to explore the vein on the side of his shift, coating it with your tongue before using your lips to nipple at the wrinkled skin of his tentacles. The sweet hiss you hear from Benny tells you that you’re on the right track and you feel Lucian’s eyes burrowing into your back. A calloused hand of Miller’s runs through your hair, you accept him into your mouth in earnest, accepting half his length before you need to pull back and begin again, not letting the head of his cock beyond your lips when bobbing your head.

Benny’s hips are beginning to match your pace and his groans are increasing. Lucian locks eyes with him as his hunger stirs, he needs to be inside one of them. He’s palming over his gray sweats, making a darkened spot on the front of them, sweat dripping onto his gold chain. He pulls down his sweats to seek relief, but Benny shakes his head at Flores, tilting his head in your direction. There’s a wordless agreement between the men on who will have your tight core first. Lucian says nothing as he sits up and moved behind you, pulling his sweatpants down to his knees before placing his own dripping heat at your entrance. He raises your bra to release your breasts as he squeezes them, leaning over to speak in your ear, making sure all present can hear as he slips inside of you, “Since you saw Benny walk in, you couldn’t wait to get you lips round his cock querida? Mi durazno perfecto y mojado (My perfect and wet peach).”

Between Lucian’s rough thrusts and Benny’s hips, your neck and pelvis screaming at you, but your throat and cunt are doing quite the opposite, squeezing both men for what they’re willing to give you. Miller, is the first to pull back, needing to push on your shoulders as you’d since placed both hands firmly on his thighs and pulled on his sweats to try and have his cock back. The whine you let out increases in pitch as Lucian’s arm pulled you to his chest and his movements became more erratic, he was close as well, moaning your name aloud. Miller watched the two of you licking his lips and pumping his cock slowly. He’d pulled you off because he didn’t want to waste his load in your mouth. That could happen another time, maybe before or after a match. He wanted to mix his seed with Lucian’s inside of you as he drilled you into the bed. “Shit, the two of you screw like this all the time. Looks like I’m doing it wrong.” Flores smirked at Benny before kissing the back of neck as he unloaded into you, making sure to follow up with slow thrusts as he softened, feeling you milk his cock as you climaxed a second time. He didn’t pull out of you yet, he was waiting for Miller. Benny was taking his sweet time finally removing his black sweatpants, getting on the bed, and engaged you in a slow kiss, tasting himself on your lips. Your eyes fluttered and your mouth felt dry and wet simultaneously, the only reason you were upright were because of Lucian and Benny.

“Hey Lu. Taste me.” The fighter gave Lucian a soft smile as he slipped to your side and kissed Lucian, gasping for air. He absorbed his lingering nicotine flavor as their tongues lapped one another. Your cavern was vibrating as you heard them and ran the palm of your hand on the underside of Benny’s heavy cock. His hand moved yours away and placed it on his chest. He nodded to Lucian and they broke their kiss as Flores moved from behind you and let you fall back on the bed. Benny put each hand under the back of your knees and spread you wide, watching Flores’ spend dripping out of you. “Stuffed her pretty well Lu. Sit back and watch. Your little honey and I are going to give you a good show.”

Lucian had grabbed his pack of cigarettes and lighter off the nightstand and lit one. He claimed his seat in the overstuffed chair you had in your bedroom where you swore you read in the evenings, but usually you two would face time if he had business out of state to take care of. “Damelo (fuck me) Benny, por favor (please).” You repeated as Benny stuck his head between your breasts before taking a nipple in his mouth, the head of his cock dragged along your dripping cunt.

“You’re a dumbass Miller. She’s asking you to fuck her. That’s why you’re here.” A long drag of his cigarette as he inhaled then blew it out of his nose slowly. Benny saw his gold chain flicker within the haze of smoke, Lucian sat wide his long member hung off the edge of the chair. “You need to stir her up as she likes. Despite being a bit of a puta (slut) sometimes, Estás mujer buena (She’s a good woman). She deserves it. Let’s see how well you do.” Flores flicked his chin taunting Benny and he took the bait, using his teeth to give your nipple a soft bite. He winked and maneuvered his hand between the two of you and plunged himself into you. Your head flung back as you felt the stretch of him and your hands were back on his chest, then to his shoulders to pull him closer. Benny paused, needing a few seconds to make sure he didn’t shoot directly into you right at the start.

“Dammit to hell sweetheart, you’re a vice.” Miller began slow, rocking into with his eyes closed, focused on finding a good rhythm first. Your eyes turned slowly to Lucian who was watching as Benny’s pace started to pick up. He was continuing to smoke, the smile never leaving his face as he watched you. Your lover sat comfortably in the chair watching as your moans began increasing again. When Miller opened his eyes, he saw where you were looking and had an idea, momentarily pulling out of you as he sat on the edge of the bed and dragged you with him. “You wanna keep an eye on your man honey, I got you. He’ll see you use me to come again. Third time’s the charm right?”

“I don’t care if he sees or not, just get that dick back in me Miller!” You yelled and Benny furrowed his brows while Lucian slapped his own thigh releasing more smoke. You felt as the MMA fighter positioned you on his lap, you back to him and his cock was rubbing against your folds. “Ay…Just stick it in…” You begged, moving your hips weakly. You were tired but not out. You were going to experience this man’s cock. Lucian had him come to your home just for this.

“Bebita is an impatient one. You may want to get to it Benny and stop playing around. She looks tired, but she’ll hop off your lap and smack you.” Lucian smirked and so did you, he was aware of your passionate pursuit of your orgasms. The ashtray welcomed another cigarette and he lit another, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees as Benny lifted your hips and sunk you down on his full length. He dragged you up and down slowly, letting your walls learn the ridges of his cock. “Your balls look a bit tight there Miller. Don’t blow your load too soon. She needs to come first.”

“Shut the hell up Lu. You talk too damn much.” Benny was trying to focus, but between Lucian’s smoking, your contracting cunt and his own peak nearly reached, he was fighting a losing battle. You were calling his name between your whines when Lucian stood and looked down at the two of you after walking to the side of the bed. The cigarette hung between his lips as his chain dangled near his clavicle, Lucian squatted before you, watching Benny’s cock be sucked in by your core. One of his hands reached to poke your clit as he looked up at you and you looked down.

“Mi amor es muy linda. (My love is so pretty). Damelo amor.” Lucian kisses between your breasts as Benny curses from your tightened core. The tenderness from Lucian always makes you flutter and you feel yourself floating, curling back against Benny’s chiseled chest as he falls back against the bed, heaving like he’s had a twelve-round match. You felt his softened cock slip out of you as you closed your eyes, Benny’s body was so warm against your back in contrast to your chest, stomach and legs which were all cool. You weren’t sure where Lucian had gone, but you feel yourself moved off of Benny and straightened up in the bed, you head toward the headboard. A warm cloth is soon between your legs and you hear Lucian bickering with Benny. Miller is stating that since he’s a guest and as such, Lucian should wipe him down too. Lucian states that he needed his help to make you come so no, he should wipe himself down. You giggled and they both turn to you and agree to wipe individually before getting in bed.

“You’re staying?” You asked Benny as he snuggled behind you. He frowns.

“You want me to go honey?” The tall man asks and Lucian slips in the bed in front of you.

“I can tell him to leave querida. He’ll need to try harder another day, if you want.” Lucian leaves the choice to bring Benny back up to you. He kisses your shoulder as Benny slips a finger under Lucian’s gold chain, tracing it before running his finger up into his curls.

“We’ll get some sleep and see what we can work out when we wake up later.” The smile on your face is playful and you’re looking forward to resting up and what comes next. Turns out it’s a great thing when your boyfriend and you have the same man in mind.

Peeps who plan their hall passes 🎫 : @yorksgirl @heareball @for-a-longlongtime @legendary-pink-dot @rhoorl @sin-djarin @magpiepills @morallyinept @lady-bess @inept-the-magnificent @wannab-urs @gasolinerainbowpuddles @megamindsecretlair @alltheglitterandtheroar

#pedro pascal characters #fanfiction #pedro pascal #pedro pascal fanfiction #lucien flores #garrett hedlund #benny miller #sandwich #sandwiches #a Nerdie fic

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wardenparker · 1 year

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Together for Christmas

Frankie Morales x female Reader x Benny Miller A Part of the “Together” Universe Co-written with @absurdthirst

Rating: Mature, for language. Though this blog is always 18+ Word Count: 6.7k Warnings: This is a MMF relationship! If that doesn’t appeal to you, then just scroll away right now. Cursing, food/alcohol, flirting, pregnancy, pregnancy cravings, gender reveal. Pure, tooth rotting fluff. Summary: It’s the holiday season in the Miller-Morales household, and this Christmas contains a whole lot of joy. Notes: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, my lovelies! Please enjoy this little dollop of seasonal fluff from my covid-addled brain. The holiday season isn’t always joyful for everyone (myself included) so Keri and I have aimed to add a touch of brightness to the day with this humble little offering.

Together in Chronological Order: Waking Up Together Taking Care Together Better Together Celebrating Together Together for Christmas

"Massage? Spa package?" Frankie looks up from his phone to look over at Benny. “I know she's been talking about it and everything can't be baby related.” He knows how excited Ben is for the birth of the first Miller-Morales baby, but Christmas is about everyone. "We could even get a thruples package but then that would also be for ourselves."

“Is there such a thing as a maternity massage package?” Benny hums at the thought, running his hand up and down Frankie’s arm as they lounge together on the sofa. Taking advantage of your girls’ day out with your friends to plan out your Christmas present is also an excuse to cuddle. “She’s on her feet all day at work and carrying our baby. I think pampering sounds appropriate.”

"Yeah." Frankie wholeheartedly agrees and his eyes narrow slightly as he reads the details. "Says that you just have to make sure the staff knows that it's a maternity package and they will take care of it." He tells Benny, leg tossed over his lover's thigh and hums. "It can be a theme for the other shit we get her. We can get a lot of those bath fizzy things you and she like. Plus a new robe for her to lounge in when she's complaining about being cold."

“So much for one person getting one gift for one other person.” Benny laughs. He knew when you proposed doing a Secret Santa-style Christmas after the expense of the wedding and honeymoon, that the guys would still team up to make sure that your gift was worthy of their wife. “What about lotion? You know, with the bath bombs? She can have pampering at a spa and pampering at home.”

"I will volunteer to rub it on her." Frankie smirks slightly, his wedding ring winking proudly on his hand in the lights from the Christmas tree that is already up and decorated. "Anytime she wants."

��Baths with me and a rub down from you.” Benny smirks, pressing a kiss to Frankie’s temple. “And we wonder how she ended up pregnant.”

"I never wondered." Frankie smirks back at the man who was his husband in all ways but legally. "See, I paid attention in our sex ed classes." He teases, sending Benny a wink when he pouts at him. "Do I need to give you a refresher lesson?"

“I mean, I’m never going to say no to that.” Nudging his nose to Frankie’s temple, he leaves another kiss at his hairline with a hum. “You can teach me a lesson anytime you want.”

"After we pick out her present." Frankie admonishes, trying to ignore the way that his cock twitches at the enticing tone of Benny's voice. "So a massage? And all the crap to make her feel good? Do we want to do one of those foot bath things?"

“Definitely.” Benny nods in agreement, knowing the two things you always say hurt most are your feet and your back. “And we should take a trip to the Lindt outlet to get her a giant bag of chocolate.”

"Chocolate and foot baths." Frankie nods and he looks at the spa packages that they offer. "How about this one? It seems like it's an all-day thing of pampering. She can do it before the baby comes and we can always give her another after the birth."

“Sounds perfect.” Benny’s arms tighten around Frankie in a squeezing hug of approval as he reads the description of the package on the spa’s website. “She deserves the world.”

That is something that both men could agree on. Their wife is perfect and you deserve everything that they could give you. There had already been a slight disagreement over your work schedule, insisting they could support you and having to give in and let you stand firm on your resolution to work as long as you safely could. "Good. That settles the 'big' present." Frankie decides.

“She’s going to give you shit for going overboard.” It doesn’t mean a thing, though, because Benny has already gone overboard buying Frankie’s gift as well.

Frankie snorts, giving a small shrug as he reaches for his wallet on the side table to input his credit card information. "It's my right to spoil her." He turns and presses his lips to Benny's softly. "Just like I spoil you."

“Love you too, handsome.” Chasing the kiss without shame, Benny catches Frankie right before he sits back again and lets this press of lips linger. “You’re gonna get spoiled too. Just you wait.”

Huffing slightly, Frankie rolls his eyes. He hates when the two of you gang up on him. Feeling like he shouldn't receive that kind of attention and have you spend your money on him. "I told you not to do anything for me." He complains.

“Since when do I listen to you?” The teasing in Benny’s tone is clear, and he peppers Frankie’s face with more kisses.

"Never." Frankie grumbles, even as his lips twist up into a small grin. "That's the problem." It's not really a problem, but Francisco Morales is more comfortable with giving than being given things.

“Then I guess you’ll just have to deal with it.” The younger man’s grin is wicked, knowing that Frankie can’t say no to him to begin with. “It’s Christmas. I get to spoil my husband and my wife.”

There is just a small chuckle that Frankie gives Benny, knowing that the younger man is bursting with pride at having a husband and a wife. At being allowed to love the two of you completely with no reservations. "Wait until next year when we all spoil the baby." He warns him playfully, knowing that Benjamin Miller would want nothing more. If there was anyone who was made to be a father, it was him.

“I can’t wait.” It’s wistful - disbelieving - the sigh in Benny’s voice. He’s wanted to be a father for his entire life, so the last few months have been a dream come true for him. Batting his eyelashes at Frankie playfully, Benny tries for his best pout and juts out his lower lip completely. “Pleeeeease can I have a gender reveal for my Christmas present? I’m not even asking for a party anymore. I just want us to get a surprise somehow.”

Frankie chuckles and shakes his head at how enthusiastic he is about all of this. "We will have to talk to our wife about that." He murmurs, knowing that it will be a little more exciting than that. He has an idea for Ben's Christmas present that he wants to discuss with you. Something that Benjamin has wanted forever and now he thinks is the perfect time.

******

Christmas morning with three adults and only one family to visit in the afternoon should be a relaxed affair, but not with Ben Miller in the house. Excited as a schoolboy, he is up early and tenderly trying his best to wake you and Frankie up without getting either of you annoyed at him. Benny loves Christmas, and nothing in the world could stop him from being excited this year. His first Christmas with his husband and wife.

Frankie let Benny sleep in the middle of the bed last night, your pregnancy demanding you be on the outside due to the middle of the night needs of your bladder. Giving up his spot since it is closest to the door for you and knowing that Benjamin would want access to cuddle you, meant that he had taken to sleeping on the opposite side. "We don't have to get up so early, Miller." Frankie grunts, turning his head away from the light filtering into the room.

“But it’s Christmas!” Benny pouts, peppering Frankie’s shoulder and chest with little kisses before finding his lips in the early morning light.

Frankie had already been up several times, making sure that Ben’s present was ready for this morning, so he hadn’t gotten much sleep. “It’ll be Christmas in an hour too.” Frankie grumbles, kissing his husband back despite his eyes staying closed.

“He’s excited,” you hum indulgently, turning your head to face the boys before the rest of your body because movement is far more difficult than it used to be. “It’s cute, baby. Frankie’s just sleepy.”

“So what you’re saying is that you were excited too?” Benny grins, kissing Frankie again and turning back so he can slide his hand along your bump and cuddle to you. “Merry Christmas, wifey.”

“Merry Christmas, husband,” you giggle a little at how the happy glow of your marriage - though it isn’t legally between all three of you - is the pride of Benny’s life along with the baby. “And yes, I am definitely excited.”

"Hmmmm, see Fish?" Benny looks over his shoulder to shoot Frankie a grin. "This is how you should be at Christmas. We have a wonderful wife; you have an amazingly sexy husband and we have our baby on the way." He sighs happily and looks back at you. "It's the best Christmas ever."

“Frankie baby always needs more sleep than us, you know that.” You tut softly, but reach for Benny to silently ask for a kiss. “That’s not a bad thing.” Besides which, you know why he’s tired this morning - getting up to cheek in Benny’s gift a few times in the night so you didn’t have to.

Frankie grunts, shuffling closer in a rustle of sheets to press against Benny's back and his lips find the other man's shoulder. "I'm old, remember?" He teases, voice still raspy with sleep. "I need more sleep."

“And we love our old man.” Benny grins, reaching back to pull him closer with one arm while offering you a place against his other side at the same time.

"Hmph." Frankie wiggles closer and digs his fingers into Benny's hip slightly before he caresses the skin. "Love you." He hums quietly, his nose pressed against the other man's shoulder blade.

“I say we snuggle for ten more minutes before we get up.” There’s nothing you want more than to laze around in bed with the two most important men in your life, but there is a big reason to go downstairs early. “How does that sound, Francisco?”

He smiles against Ben’s back, always loving the way you say his complete name. His head pops up and he shoots you a small wink that Benny misses. “Should be good.”

“You guys excited to go to Will’s later?” The other Miller brother is hosting the big holiday supper this year and it’s sure to be an amazing meal, as always.

“Hmmm.” Christmas at the elder Miller’s house will be fun, and it will be the last time that it’s held there for a while. Frankie and Benny have strong ideas of the baby having Christmas at home while they are young. “It will be fun watching Benny whine at his brother.”

“Why am I gonna whine?” Benny asks, pouting at Frankie purely for effect.

“Because that’s what little brothers do.” Frankie smirks and leans in to kiss his cheek. “And you enjoy watching your brother fume.”

“He makes it so easy.” Benny chuckles and draws Frankie into a longer kiss. “How could I not?”

Frankie chuckles into the kiss and pulls away to move away to get out of the bed. He will go around to your side to kiss you. “Let’s get up then.”

“Yay!” Benny practically bounds from the bed, ready to be your twin anchor with Frankie because you started having trouble getting up from lying down a couple of weeks ago. “Christmas!”

“Well, it’s not a mystery who’s going to teach the baby to get up super early on Christmas morning,” you giggle, shaking your head at Benny while you gratefully take both of their hands to pull yourself up.

Frankie snorts and when you are on your feet, he pulls you close and leans in over your belly to kiss you. “You know it.” He murmurs and smirks slightly as he brushes his nose against yours. “Merry Christmas, baby.”

“Merry Christmas, Francisco.” Leaning into him is not as easy as it used to be, but it’s worth the effort.

“We should get out there before Benjamin implodes.” Frankie squeezes your hip and shares a small grin, excited to see his reaction to the gift the two of you had decided on.

“Gonna explode all over the both of you if you stand there and make out in front of me,” Benny teases, waggling his eyebrows at the both of you.

Frankie snorts and rolls his eyes at his husband. “Jesus, Ben…on his birthday?” He teases, sending him a wink.

“Wasn’t Jesus born in March? I’m sure I’ve heard that before.” Benny wrinkles his nose, grinning at Frankie and enjoying the tease as he gives it right back. He snags your cardigan off the back of the closet door and holds it out for you to slip into then leads the way downstairs. “Our last Christmas as a family of three,” he sighs wistfully.

“Do you need to pee first?” Frankie asks, his hand on your back as he slowly helps you down the stairs. It worries him the larger you get, not wanting you to fall.

“Always,” you laugh, knowing Frankie will go as far as actually escorting you to the downstairs bathroom to make sure you don’t lose your balance. “And then a cup of that really good orange herbal tea while we open presents?”

“Whatever you want.” Frankie promises, smiling at you. He knows he’s being a little extra, but he doesn’t want anything to happen to you or the baby. Especially since you are so top heavy now. Miller makes giants apparently.

“Whatever?” Even just a little tease is more than you can resist, and you grin at Frankie as he helps you down the stairs. “So I can have a spiked cup of coffee and some sushi later on?”

“Yes.” Frankie promises, turning you and kissing your nose. “Just as soon as this one is howling angrily at being evicted from your womb.” He teases, caressing your bump. “I’ll bring it on ice so you can have it as soon as you get cleaned up.”

“Three and a half more months.” You sigh dramatically, laying one hand over his on your belly. “Nearly there.”

“I’ll bring you two rolls.” He promises, smirking happily. “Go pee before Benny starts opening the presents without us. I’ll make your tea.”

“Thank you, cariño.” You bat your eyelashes at him before turning down the hallway, and Frankie heads into the kitchen to find Benny already sashaying around the room brewing a pot of coffee and getting out the bag of bagels he picked up for this morning.

There’s a giddy air of anticipation and Frankie smirks as he walks by his husband and reaches out to slap his ass affectionately. “She’s gonna get settled and then we can spoil her.” He promises, moving over to your kettle to heat the water.

“I got her a chocolate chip bagel, and it’s gonna have peanut butter and banana slices. Does she want tea?” It’s pretty much all you’ve been drinking lately, so he’s not at all surprised.

“Of course.” Frankie moves over to the cabinet that houses the growing tea collection. “The orange one is a favorite right now.”

“You want your coffee spiked, handsome?” Benny moves around the kitchen easily, grabbing the bottle of Bailey’s to add a shot to his own coffee mug. It is a holiday, after all.

“No.” Frankie shakes his head. “She’s grumpy about no alcohol so I’ll suffer with her.” He knows you won’t mind, but it’s alright with him. He wants to focus on what’s coming up today.

Benny stops for a second, considers the bottle in his hand, and puts it back in its place on the bar with a nod. “Solidarity,” he hums, leaning over to kiss Frankie’s cheek.

“Good boy.” Frankie murmurs, loving how thoughtful Ben is when he ponders on things. “Let’s get our Christmas started.” He’s eager to make sure that nothing spoils the surprise for Benny, having prepared for it as much as he possibly could.

Bagels and drinks are brought into the living room, and Frankie turns on the tv so you can pick a Christmas movie to have playing while the day begins. You turn on Jingle Jangle and pick up your tea, humming at the soothing scent of orange. “Who wants to go first?” You ask, glancing eagerly at the tree.

Frankie wants Benjamin to go last so he immediately pipes up. “You should go first, baby.” He nods towards his husband. “What do you think?”

“Absolutely.” As much as Benny does like to get presents, he likes to give them more. And he retrieves the trio of boxes with your name on them to set in front of you with pride.

“So much for small gifts this year,” you joke, looking at the multiple packages in front of you and the multiple packages for each of them under the tree.

“I think we all knew we were full of shit.” Frankie points out, moving your bagel and tea over to a tray closest to you so it doesn’t get in the way of your presents. “Just wait until the baby comes.”

“All baby gifts, all the time.” There will be gifts of other kinds, too, you’re sure of that. But you know none of you will be able to resist getting things for the baby. The first box in front of you is meticulously tied up in gold ribbon and you know Frankie must have been the one to tie it so well - Benny would have gone all out with the fanciest wrapping paper he could find and the biggest bows known to man. Inside seems to be an entire Lindt shop’s worth of chocolate and you groan deeply in appreciation. “It’s perrrrfect, baby. You spoil me.”

“You never have enough chocolate in the house it seems.” Frankie chuckles, remembering when he had accidentally eaten the last truffle without knowing and you had cried.

“There are much worse pregnancy cravings to have,” you defend with a sheepish grin. Unwrapping a dark chocolate and orange truffle immediately and popping it in your mouth, you groan happily and sigh. “Christmas is done,” you joke. “This is all I need.”

“Told you that we should have dipped orange slices in chocolate.” Frankie huffs at Benny with a grin. “She would have loved it.” Your obsession with oranges has been a vast source of amusement. Even asking for an orange vinaigrette on salads.

The way your eyes light up makes both men laugh, and you grin sheepishly to boot. “We can still do that,” you nod eagerly.

“Done.” Benny declares, knowing that whatever you want while you are pregnant - hell, while you are married to him and Frankie - you get. “We will make them, baby.”

Tearing the wrapping paper on the second box reveals a plethora of home spa items: a foot bath, bath robe, lotions, therapeutic salts, and bath bombs that will probably last you well past the last few months of your pregnancy. “You guuuyyysss…” There are grateful tears in your eyes when you look at your husbands, knowing Frankie didn’t do all of this alone. Fitting, since you didn’t do Benny’s gift all alone either. “Thank you so much.”

“That comes with foot rubs and lotion rubs anytime you want.” They had considered doing a coupon book, but abandoned the idea just with unlimited options being their go-to.

Reaching across the side table is difficult with your belly in the way, but both men lift out of their seats to exchange soft kisses with you, and you pick up the last, small box with a grin. “How is there more? My husbands absolutely spoil me.”

“Because you deserve everything.” Benny murmurs softly, his eyes slightly misty with joy.

“I love you, too.” The small box is the kind that you can buy to put a gift card into, but when you open it up there is a brochure for the day spa in the next town over - with an appointment card that lists no date but has a phone number to call to book and the words “Maternity Package” neatly printed on the bottom. “Guys…?” You look up at both of them, tears forming all over again as you hold up the appointment card in wonder. “This is—you—you booked me a spa day?”

“Oh shit, you hate it.” Benny worries, panicking over the tears, but Frankie jostles him and shakes his head.

“No she doesn’t.” He huffs before he reaches for your hand. “Yeah baby, we want you to go and get pampered, relax and just feel good. You can schedule it whenever you want.”

“This is so sweet of you.” Despite the conversations about wanting you to be off your feet for the last trimester of your pregnancy, both Frankie and Benny have been so supportive of you not wanting to give up working just yet.

"You deserve it." Benny insists. "You are growing our baby. It's a hard job and you're doing amazing." He's always been in awe of women and you just have blown him away with your strength.

“Thank you.” Pulling the robe out of the big box, you swap it out for your cardigan and sigh at its warmth and softness. “I love you guys so much.”

"Knew she would put it on immediately." Frankie grins at you, sending you a small wink. They had relaxed their hold on the thermostat in order to keep you comfortable but it was still colder than what you would probably like.

“It’s so soft.” And oversized. This is definitely the definition of a pregnancy robe. “You go next, Frankie,” you urge, knowing you both want Benny to go last.

There is a slight pout to his lips as he looks between the two of you. "I told you not to get me anything." He huffs, rolling his eyes at his husband and wife's refusal to listen to him.

“Benny pulled your name, baby. There was no chance of that happening.” Sitting back in your favorite armchair with a grin, you pick up your bagel to have breakfast while Benny eagerly slides several large boxes in front of Frankie to open.

“You did too much.” Frankie protests, looking at the size of the boxes and tries to figure out what he did for him. “You’re supposed to be saving your money Benjamin.”

“We’re doing fine, baby. More than fine. And you work so hard.” Benny shifts closer to Frankie on the couch, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “You deserve to be spoiled, too.”

“You already spoil me.” Frankie turns and leans into the kiss for a moment, stealing another moment of affection. He’s spoiled just from being loved by the two of you so unconditionally.

“Go on,” Benny urges, grinning with that giddy excitement of a little kid on Christmas morning gleaming in his eyes.

Frankie grins at his husband’s enthusiasm and starts to tear into the paper, freezing for a moment before his eyes whip back around to Ben. “You—”

“I know you’re picky.” Benny couches, instantly worried that he’s gotten something wrong. “If it’s not the right model number or something we can exchange them.”

“Benjamin.” Frankie breathes out in awe, ripping off the rest of the paper to reveal the box for the new lathe that he had been drooling over. The joy of making the baby’s cradle had turned to frustration when the lathe he had kept breaking and yet he hadn’t been able to justify buying another one. “It’s—it’s great. Perfect.”

“Oh good.” The sigh of relief he breathes is palpable and Benny smiles. “Your workshop is gonna get a dad-level upgrade, baby.”

It takes him a moment but after a few blinks of his eyes, Frankie throws his head back and laughs before he reaches out and wraps his hand around the back of Ben’s neck so he can drag him close for a kiss.

“There’s more, baby. Keep going.” For as many years as they have been together, the joy in the two men’s relationship has never faded. Benny and Frankie have been at each other’s sides for years and being allowed to witness these moments of happiness between them makes your heart swell.

“Brat.” He huffs, shaking his head at his husband even as he looks back at the lathe. “Dad-level upgrade huh?” He asks, extremely grateful to have everything he wants and more this Christmas.

“Next.” The smile on Benny’s face when he puts the second box in front of Frankie is beaming.

"Okay." Frankie is excited, knowing that Benny is, and he quickly tears into the next present. "Ben." He chokes when he sees the toolbox that Frankie had been saving for. A rolling Snap On that makes his current toolbox look like a toy. "You—oh fuck, you messed up now." Frankie laughs. "The Snap On guy is going to get all my money when he rolls up."

“As long as you’re happy.” Benny is giddy with the success of his ideas, knowing that Frankie loves his workshop and the escape that it provides him. “We love you. So much.”

"It's too much." Frankie huffs, even with the wide grin on his face. "I love you too, more than you will ever know."

“Merry Christmas.” Benny opens his arms to the older man, letting Frankie snuggle into his side and holding him tight for a long moment together.

"You are ridiculous and spent too much, but I love you." Frankie kisses his lips one last time and he pulls away from him before he looks over to you. "Are we done with me? It's time for Benjamin?"

“Benny’s turn.” Your eyes flash excitement at Frankie as he hops up to retrieve the first part of the gift despite it technically being from you. There’s no way Frankie would let you bend and lift and shuffle anymore - he’s barely allowed it since the day you found out you were expecting.

It has been a lot of work, making sure that this goes off without a frankly, very nosy Benny, finding out. Frankie had thought about giving Ben two gifts in one, but only if you had wanted to. Luckily, you had thought it was perfect. The box is heavy and Frankie grunts as he picks it up. “Here we go.”

“Are those all for me?” Benny stares, pointing at the stack of boxes still under the tree when Frankie brings the first over to him.

“Yes and no.” Frankie grins when the box settles down in front of Ben without giving away what is inside. “You know how you wanted to do a gender reveal?” He asks him, reminding him of the conversation weeks ago.

“Yeah!” Benny sits up eagerly, looking between you with misty eyes. “You guys, is this a gender reveal?!”

Frankie looks over at you, knowing that you are going to tear up as well. “Yeah, Benjamin, it’s a gender reveal.” He murmurs softly.

Benny vibrates, eagerly ripping into the wrapping paper on the lid of the box and blissfully unaware of the holes on its other side. “Oh—oh my god!” The lid of the box pops off almost without his help, giving way to the sunny face of a happy, eager puppy with a pink paisley print collar and a handwritten tag hanging from it. I’m a girl! Just like the Bean!

You and Benny gasp almost in unison, but your hand flies to your belly as Ben lifts the wiggling puppy into his arms and coos at her. “They’re—” Benny is all but crying as he looks between you and Frankie and you don’t blame him. “They’re both girls?”

“Yeah.” Frankie reaches for your hand and covers your stomach gently. “You’ve been saying you wanted a puppy for Bean to grow up with, so…she will be her first friend.” He had hoped Ben would love the gender reveal and puppy being the same sex as the baby.

“She’s so sweet!” And licking his face all over, which has Benny giggling instantly. the little puppy fits in his arms effortlessly and he thumbs the tag with affection. “A little girl,” he breathes, turning his watery eyes to you.

“A little girl,” you nod, gripping Frankie’s hands tightly as you try to absorb the reality of the moment. You’re going to have a daughter.

Frankie had been proud when you had given him the envelope with the sex of the baby inside. Bawling like a baby himself when he opened it in order to pick out the right puppy from the couple who had been trying to find good homes for the litter. “Miller makes girls, apparently.”

“What kind of puppy is this little nugget?” Benny’s eyes are wide and full of love as he strokes her short fur. He looks like he’s never going to let her go ever again.

“She’s a mix. Golden retriever and bulldog.” Frankie had fallen in love with her sweet face and knew that you and Ben would love her. “They said she’ll be good around kids. Especially once she’s trained.”

“She’s gonna be the best little girl in the whole world.” Benny coos, burying his face in the puppy’s fur. “You need a name, little girl! Did Papí Frankie name you already?”

"No way." Frankie shakes his head, wanting to let Ben name the puppy. "That honor is yours. What do you want to name our sweet girl?"

“We’re gonna need two names.” You lean over to press a kiss to Frankie’s shoulder and beam at Benny. “But the puppy gets a name first.”

“What’s the battle cry from the movie you love?” Benny looks over at you with glee. “Towanda?”

“Towanda is an Amazon warrior alter ego. You might give that cute little pup a complex.” You nearly snort out your sip of tea and shake your head at him. “If you want to name the dog after a character from Fried Green Tomatoes, Idgie might be the way to go.”

Frankie grins as Benny looks at the puppy again, smothering her in kisses. “Idgie, huh?” He murmurs, actually liking the name for a pup. It’s unique.

“Is that your name, lil’ baby?” Benny is completely in love, cradling this wriggling puppy in his arms and letting her sniff and lick all over him. “Is that your name, Idgie?” He croons, giggling when she barks happily. “I guess that’s a yes.”

“Lord.” Frankie rolls his eyes and looks over at you with amusement. “He’s going to be sleeping with the puppy tonight.” He predicts, knowing how long he’s wanted a puppy.

“Obviously!” Benny rolls his eyes like he can’t believe Frankie ever doubted him.

Laughing, Frankie shakes his head and nods towards the other wrapped gifts. “Do you want us to open them or are we allowed to touch the puppy too?”

“Nooo, you can hold her.” Like it’s some kind of grand permission, he hands Idgie over to Frankie and dives for the other boxes under the tree, now certain that they contain all manner of puppy things within them.

Scratching behind her ears, Frankie leans over for you to love on the puppy. “What do you think?” He asks you quietly. He had handled getting the pup so you could be surprised too, while you had gotten the supplies.

“She’s absolutely precious.” The pup is loving and excitable, giddy to have so much attention this morning. Your eyes are still watery, though, and you look at Frankie in awe. “We’re…we’re really having a girl?”

“We are, baby.” Frankie nods and pulls out the picture of the ultrasound that had been in the envelope. The little girl parts circled for you to see. “We’re gonna have a little girl.”

Idgie seems immediately concerned when tears fall down your cheeks, and she licks them away with determination. “It’s okay, Idg,” you laugh at her response to your overwhelmed joy. “Mama’s just happy.”

Frankie chuckles and shakes his head. “Hope you know you’re on puppy training duty, Miller.” He teases Ben.

“Frankie’s gonna end up sleeping in the middle of the bed so I can get up when I need to pee, and Benny can get up with Idgie.” You predict, scratching the puppy’s head affectionately.

Benny pouts for a second, looking up from pulling the dog bed out of a box. “Hey.” He huffs. “I—you planned this, didn’t you? So you can sleep next to her.” It’s a joke, although he knows Frankie misses sleeping next to you and has been grateful that Ben needs to touch you in his sleep. A slight sense of propriety or possessiveness has emerged since that first ultrasound.

“Nobody’s taking away your cuddle time, Ben.” You would never. Benny is so proud of your pregnancy and slightly caveman about it, and you not-at-all secretly relish the attention from both of your husbands. “You can just as easily slither out from the middle of the bed. I have faith in you.”

Frankie rolls his eyes at his husband. “Pendejo.” He grumbles under his breath at how ridiculous he can be at times. “Open the rest of the presents.”

Toys, a leash, bowls, a bed, treats, food, and training aids are all inside the last remaining boxes, and the guys laugh at how wild you had gone in getting things for the new puppy while you were at the pet store. Idgie has everything she could possibly need and yet you’re sure you’ll end up back at the store within days to go nuts again. But together this time.

The puppy goes back to Benny and Frankie smirks as he literally lays down on the floor with the sweet girl as she jumps on him. "What do you think? Was it a good gender reveal? A sweet little girl for our little girl?"

“It’s perfect.” Benny giggles when the puppy licks a stripe up his cheek after climbing into his chest. He turns his head to look at both of you with a grin. “And now we can narrow down that name list for the baby.”

"Yes we can." Everyone had been throwing all kinds of names onto the lists. The lists are getting longer and longer as time goes on with every single one that any of you vaguely liked. Hell, Ben had added Wednesday to the list the other day after watching the new Addams family show.

“We can save the ‘boy’ name list for baby number two.” Shifting out of your armchair now that you’re done with your breakfast, you carefully shift to the living room floor and brace your back against your chair to help your back. Little Idgie comes bounding over, happily yapping and waggling her whole bum because her little tail is so tiny.

"She certainly likes you." Frankie hums happily, finding that the puppy is friendly with all of them. It bodes well although he knows that this dog is going to be Benny's until the baby is older.

“She’s such a little love bug.” You laugh when the puppy bounds over to Frankie after giving you sufficient kisses. “Hopefully she’ll love her sister just as much.”

"She will." Frankie predicts. "She is Benjamin in puppy form." He teases, sending a small wink towards the younger man. "She's gonna adore her and protect her, just like her daddy Benny."

Picking out what they wanted to be called as fathers had been a long-winded process, wanting to make sure they had distinct names so they could eventually teach the baby how to call for each of them individually. Deciding on daddy and papí had made both men so happy that they had cried telling you about it.

Benny beams, nodding eagerly. “You know it. No one’s gonna mess with our daughter. Between Idgie and me, she’ll be ruling the playground.”

“Kindergarten Crime Boss.” The joke makes all three of you laugh and Frankie shakes his head as he gives Idgie belly rubs.

“She’s a good girl, yes you are.” Frankie coos to the happy puppy as she yips and tries to chase his hand.

“I think I like the nature names the best.” You tell them out of nowhere, looking up from where your hands had been smoothing over your belly. A large portion of your baby girl name list were names from nature and you’ve been looking at those names secretly on your own for weeks now.

Frankie freezes, looking down at Idgie. “Which ones are speaking to you, sweetheart?” He asks, curious if you have any favorites out of the ones on the list.

“Maybe Autumn? Or Flora…or Daphne?” The way you shrug clearly shows how self-conscious you are about the topic even though it makes you unbelievably happy to think about. Naming your child is a huge decision.

“I like those.” Benny agrees and Frankie nods.

“I was along the lines of Sierra or Luna.” He admits, smiling softly. He reaches over to stroke your stomach. “I’m okay with any name as long as she is healthy and bears our last name.”

“That sounds like a nice top five.” The smile on Frankie’s lips makes it onto yours. “We don’t need to decide today. I just…knowing the baby is a girl, it made me think.”

“We are going to have to get started building her a dream play area.” Benny pipes up. “Not just a princess tower, but girls do cool shit too. Badass spaceship and teach her how to slay her own dragons.”

“A fighter like daddy and a pilot like papí.” The idea of such personal things made with love for the baby makes your heart swell, and you squeeze Frankie’s hand gently in your own. “I love you guys.”

“Baby, you have given us everything we’ve ever wanted.” Frankie assures you. “Every fucking thing. You—you’re completing our family. First with you and now with our little bean.”

“We all know she won’t be an only child.” At least, you have all expressed wanting more than one child, so as long as it isn’t a danger to your health, you’re planning on having one more.

“Of course not, but if she was it – hell, if you didn’t want kids – we would be complete with you.” That had been a conversation at one point because while Benjamin wanted to be a father, he had wanted you more.

“It’s a good thing we all wanted to be parents, then.” Nothing in the world has made you happier than this progression - the pregnancy and the guys’ proposal, the wedding and the honeymoon - all of it leading up to the arrival of your first little Bean. It’s the perfect dream that you never expected to get, and you’re so grateful to have found men who share it.

“Okay, no crying on Christmas.” Frankie declares before he rolls his eyes. “No more crying on Christmas, how about that?” He corrects, knowing tears have already happened. “Today is going to be perfect.”

“Today already is perfect.” Benny declares, burying his face in Idgie’s little pot belly when she trots back over to him and flops on her back at his side. “Isn’t it, good girl? Isn’t today perfect?”

Frankie grins at Benny, reaching over and caressing your stomach before he leans over and presses a kiss to your belly, receiving an enthusiastic kick for his attention. “Absolutely perfect.”

“Seems like the bean is enjoying herself, too.” Just something as simple as having a pronoun for the baby nearly has you blubbering again, but you exhale deeply and manage to keep the happy tears at bay.

“She’s going to enjoy every Christmas.” Frankie vows, watching as Benny fawns over the puppy. He doesn’t miss the happy tears and the way that he has tucked the little note into his pocket. Frankie winds his arm around your back and pulls you towards him. “We’re going to remember this for the rest of our lives.” He hums. “And next year, we’ll be holding our other sweet girl and watching the three of them play together.”

______

Master Tags: @pixiedurango @chattychell @winter-fox-queen @lady-himbo @artsymaddie @princess76179 @paintballkid711 @missminkylove @pedrosbrat @ew-erin @sarahjkl82-blog @sharkbait77 @justanotherblonde23 @lv7867 @recklesswit @mylittlesenaar @f0rever15elf @gallowsjoker @steeevienicks @athalien @sherala007 @skvatnavle @thatpinkshirt @jaime1110 @girlimjusttryingtoreadfanfics @goodgriefitsawildworld @greeneyedblondie44 @katheriner1999 @littlemousedroid @harriedandharassed @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @hardc0rehaylz @beardsanddetectives @kirsteng42 @ladykatakuri @spideysimpossiblegirl @adancedivasmom @madiebear

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albertasunrise · 2 years

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Stuck in the Middle of it - Masterlist

Masterlist

Summary: Years after breaking up, you bump into Benny Miller again one evening at a bar. He was one man you could confidently say you had loved once but you’d both agreed you were better off as friends. When he introduces you to Frankie Morales, you instantly feel connected to the man but unbeknownst to you… You get thrown into a love triangle. The two men crazy about you. Only thing is… you have no idea.

(This is something thats been cooking in my brain a lil while! Can’t wait to share it with you all! ♥️)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9 (coming soon)

Taglist form

#pedro pascal character fanfiction #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal #triple frontier fanfiction #frankie morales x you #frankie morales x reader #francisco morales triple frontier #francisco morales x you #francisco morales fanfiction #francisco ‘catfish’ morales #benny miller x reader #benny miller x you #benny miller triple frontier #garrett hedlund fanfiction #garrett hedlund

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maplemind · 1 year

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So, I’m reading the Triple Frontier screenplay - it looks like this was a million drafts ago, it’s absolutely nothing like the film…

BUT there are some interesting nuggets of detail, like these ones about Benny…

Some of these details still seem to apply to the finished film, but I wonder if the depression / pills / self doubt / despair thing was a note they gave Garrett for the character? I can kind of see it… 🧐🥺

#triple Frontier #benny miller #ben miller #Benjamin miller #garret hedlund #garrett hedlund characters #triple frontier fic #triple frontier fan fic #triple frontier fanfic #triple frontier fan fiction #triple frontier fanfiction #Charlie hunnam #Charlie hunnam characters #Oscar Isaac #oscar isaac characters #Pedro Pascal #Pedro Pascal characters

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thelemontree · 2 years

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Aches and Pains

Pairing: Benny Miller x f!Reader

Summary: You help Benny relax after a fight.

Word Count: 483

Rating: Explicit just to be safe (18+ MDNI)

Content: established relationship, brief bathtub smut (handjob), explicit & suggestive language

A/N: Another day, another drabble 😌 prompt is from here. Enjoy bbs 😘

Masterlist

Regardless of the match’s outcome, Benny’s post-fight routine almost always consists of the two of you taking a bath together. The hot water soothes his aching muscles and it gives you both some time to wind down and enjoy each other’s company. That’s where you find yourselves now, his legs bent to give you room to kneel in between them, facing him.

His earlier match had been a particularly challenging one, and towards the end, he hurt one of his shoulders. You work at the affected area, your hands kneading as deeply as they can into the muscle. He lets out a low groan as he tips his head back to rest against the tiled wall.

“Oh. Keep doing that. Fuck, that feels good,” he sighs.

The two of you sit in a comfortable silence as you continue to massage his shoulder, only occasionally interrupted by Benny’s groans and sighs as you help ease some of his pain. You smile softly at him as his eyes flutter shut when you knead into a particular spot. After you spend a few more minutes working at his shoulder, Benny’s hands move from the sides of the tub to your hips and squeezes you softly.

“Thanks, baby. I feel a lot better now.”

You hum happily as you wind your arms around his neck and shuffle closer to him, bringing your chests together. You lean forward and kiss him once softly, smiling when he tries to chase your lips with his. “You’re welcome, handsome,” you murmur as your fingers start to run through the damp hair on the back of his neck.

When he leans forward again to kiss you, you let him, enjoying the feeling of his lips against yours. His hands move down from your hips to your ass, gripping the flesh tightly and trying to pull you even closer to him. The action makes you moan into the kiss and he takes advantage of your parted lips to slide his tongue into your mouth. You whimper at the feeling of his tongue sliding against yours. You feel him smirk into the kiss at the sound.

You pull away with a shuddering breath, your eyes slowly blinking open. Benny’s face is flushed, his lips shiny and kiss-swollen, his breaths coming out in heavy pants. You think he looks beautiful like this, wrecked from just your kiss. Slowly, you trail one of your hands down the curve of his neck to his chest. Your nails scrape lightly down his skin as you skim even further down to his stomach. Finally, your hand reaches the base of his cock, hard and ready for you. You take him into the soft grip of your fist, stroking up his length. You smile at the gasp he lets out at your touch.

“I think you have something else that needs a massage, baby. Let me take care of you.”

#benny miller x reader #benny miller x you #benny miller x f!reader #benny miller fanfiction #benny miller #triple frontier fanfiction #triple frontier #garrett hedlund characters

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musings-of-a-rose · 7 months

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Pairing: Benny Miller x ofc "Lily Morales" (21 year old daughter of Frankie Morales)

Word Count: 9000+

Rating: Mature - 18+ ONLY!

Warnings: Just like ao3, “creator chooses not to use warnings.” If you click Keep Reading, that means you agree that you’re the age to handle mature themes. Also by clicking Keep Reading, you understand warnings may not be complete in order to avoid spoilers for the story.

Notes: Listen, I’ve had this in my head for a long time and I just had to get it out. I know the dbf trope may be overdone, and it’s not a trope I normally read, but I just…they kept talking and I had to get it out. Sometimes the fic writes you. Thanks to @mermaidxatxheart for reading this over and helping me get unstuck. And to @avengers-fixation and @rayslittlekitten for also beta reading and giving me some excellent feedback to help this take a better shape!

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**Reader is not described

Main Masterlist

Benny Miller Masterlist

"What do you want to do for your birthday, mija?"

I shrug, popping another blueberry in my mouth. "I don't know. Wanna order pizza and watch a movie?"

My dad gives me a look, pointing his fork at me. "Is that what you want to do?"

I don't know. What do 21 year olds want to do besides get shit faced on their 21st?

"I don't know, dad."

"I think you should go out with your friends."

"Are you really telling me I should go get shit faced on my birthday?"

He chuckles. "No, but you're turning 21. You don't wanna hang out with your old man."

"I always want to hang out with you."

"I love you too, but you're young. You should hang out with your friends."

"I'm fine here with you, dad."

"Look," he sighs and sets his spoon down, looking at me. "Be safe, call me if you need me to come get you or something, but go out. Be 21."

He won't let up, I can see it in his eyes. "If it means so much to you, I'll go out."

—----

God, I'm bored. My friends all squealed when I finally caved in and said we could go out drinking for my birthday. They picked me up and brought me to a bar, claiming a booth on the side. They had me place the order for drinks, my first at 21, and then paid, splitting the bill amongst themselves. But while I nursed a drink, they kept slamming them back, getting increasingly more drunk. Eventually, they all got up and hobbled onto the dance floor. Well, not an official dance floor, more like a space they drunkenly cleared out while putting on songs on the ancient jukebox in the corner. Some other patrons joined in and soon there was a small group of men around them, laughing and swaying along while I stayed seated at our table.

"You look bored as fuck, Lil."

—----

Benny:

This week had been rough. Hell, this whole month had been rough. Another girl that just wanted to use him for a fun time had come and gone, leaving Benny feeling a little more than hollow. They never stay long, always wanting his fun side. If he let down his mask for just a moment, showing them all of him, they run. It hurts but if he's being honest with himself, none of them felt right. Like they were placeholders, just someone to pass the time with. Or distract him from the girl he really likes, the one he can't have.

He takes another swig from his beer, the one he'd been nursing for a while when this large group of about 10 college aged girls comes in the bar, squealing and talking loudly. They make a big deal of securing a booth, practically yelling about how it's someone's birthday. And then, he sees her.

Lily, his Lily being shoved forward from the group of girls, her short, pleated skirt fanning out as they tell her to go order drinks and they'll pay. When did the feelings for her start? His mind goes back to a specific moment, a BBQ at Frankie's, when Lily was nearly 20. She was walking past the pool, fully clothed and slipped in, a little yelp leaving her just before the splash. But before anyone could move, she was pushing to the surface, makeup sliding down her face and she was laughing, her head tilted back as she made her way to the edge and Frankie pulled her out. Her clothes were soaked, hair sticking to her forehead, mascara covering her cheeks along with the purple eye shadow she had been wearing. Most girls would've flipped out, cried and screamed and gotten angry, but not Lily. She made some quip about not seeing the pool there and then she looked at him as he laughed, her eyes lit up not with embarrassment, but something else that Benny couldn't quite place. But now he saw her in a whole new light. Lily. His Lily.

Wait, not his Lily. She can't ever be his Lily because she is Lily Morales, Fish's daughter. He couldn't do that to his friend. 13 years isnt too bad of a gap but Fish's daughter? She's too smart for him, too creative, too good. She wouldn't want his old PTSD ass anyway.

He watches her bring the drinks back and pass them out, her friends pounding them back as Lily takes small, infrequent sips from the glass she's holding, her smile dropping lower and lower as her friends get more and more drunk.

God, she's beautiful. Her dark brown hair frames her face, loose waves cascading past her shoulders, her shirt hugging her tits the right way and Benny shifts in his seat as his mind wanders, eyes roaming over her body. She can't see him anyway, what would it hurt?

But as the night continues on, he sees her friends get up, forming a makeshift dance floor, some other young college guys coming to join them. But not Lily. She doesn't join her friends, opting to stay back and take another slow sip from her drink, her fingers drawing a mindless pattern in the condensation on her cup.

He takes a deep breath, drinking the last swig from his beer as he stands. He won't have her looking so sad on her birthday. He must put a smile on her face. Benny strides over to her, pushing through the crowd.

"You look bored as fuck, Lil."

Her eyes go wide, her cheeks flushing as she looks up at him, a smile appearing on her face. Surely that's not just for him. She can't possibly feel the same way. Can she? No, she's Fish's daughter. Cut it out, Benny.

But he can't stop himself from sliding into the seat next to her, hoping like hell she doesn't spot his half hard boner from her thigh barely touching his jean clad one.

When he looks at her, he knows why other women haven't worked out for him. Because she is the one he wants. And the one he simply cannot have.

—----

My body springs to life as his voice washes over me, my eyes looking up into his bright blue ones, the ones that I see in my dreams. My cheeks warm and it's not from the half a drink I've had. It's from the fact I've been in love with this man for years.

"Benny!"

He smiles at me, his eyes crinkling slightly at the sides and my stomach lurches. He waves his hands, silently telling me to scooch over. I do and he sits next to me, his thigh nearly pressing into mine. He leans in close, speaking into my ear as the girls have turned the music up way too loud.

"Happy birthday!"

"You remembered?"

He's so close, his face inches from mine, his eyes boring into me. "Of course I remember. You're one of my favorite people."

God I hope he can't hear my heart pounding through my chest.

"But why are you sitting here by yourself? Shouldn't you be out there?" He points his thumb over his shoulder towards my group of friends, who have now mingled with a group of college boys, all grinding on each other.

"Hard pass."

"You mean, grinding up against sweaty young men isn't your thing?" His eyes light up with laughter.

I shake my head. "I like older men." Shit, did I just say that? He looks at me, a curious look in his eyes.

"I doubt they'd be able to keep up with you."

"I think one might."

"Sounds like you have someone in mind."

"Maybe I do." Shut up, Lily!

Before he can reply, a loud whoop sounds from the dancing throng and we both look as one of the drunk men try to impress my friend by doing the worm. Benny leans in to me again, his scent filling up my nose and suddenly I'm feeling warm between my legs.

"I'm hungry. Wanna get out of here and get a burger or something?"

"God, yes. Please save me."

He smiles, sliding out of the booth and extends his arm to me as I get up. I take it, my skin tingling as it brushes against his, feeling his muscles constrict as he guides me through the crowd and out of the bar. I catch my friends eye as I walk past them and nod my head towards Benny, telling her silently I was going with him. She gives me a wink and thumbs up before making a lude gesture that I'm glad Benny misses. I expect him to drop my arm when we're outside, but he doesn't. Instead, he looks down at me, towering over me.

"Did you drive or?"

"What? Oh, no. Ironically, I was not the designated driver. Don't worry, we took Ubers."

He chuckles. "Smart. Alright, my jeep is around the back. I've only had one beer, is that ok?"

"You're asking me?"

"Yeah. I mean, I'm fine to drive but whatever you're comfortable with."

"I trust you." Am I seeing things or is he blushing?

He guides me to his jeep, opening the door and helping me inside. He drives us across town to a little diner we've been to before, although it's never been just the two of us. Usually my dad or Benny's brother Will is with us. We sit and order giant burgers and a plate of fries to share, and a couple slices of what Benny calls "birthday pie" that we eat first.

"So why did you agree to go out with those friends if all they did was ditch you?"

I chuckle. "I blame my dad. He made me."

"Fish wanted you to go out drinking?"

"He said I should "go out and be 21". I told him I just wanted a pizza and a movie with him."

"Why didn't you tell me you wanted pizza? We could've gone to get pizza."

"No, this is perfect, really." My hand covers his on the table and I see just how small it is in comparison to Benny's and I swallow hard. "Thank you, really. You saved me."

Benny asks a zillion more questions as we eat, always interested to hear my opinion on things. I've never had a man be this interested in what I had to say, almost as if… there's no way he could feel the same for me, right? I know there's an age gap, but it's only 13 years..

He links his arm with mine again as we make our way back to his Jeep, helping me in before coming around and climbing in himself.

"I'll take you home."

"No!" Oh shit, did I yell that? I don't want this night to end so soon. Not when I have an excuse for it to just be us.

His eyebrows are raised. "No?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be loud. I uh.. I mean no. My dad expects me to be home late or crash at a friend's. If I come home now, he'll think it's weird."

"I don't think he'd mind you coming home early. Then he knows you're not out causing trouble."

"Please Benny?" I hesitate a moment before reaching out to place my hand on his arm, squeezing it a little. "Can we… I don't know.. just go back to your place and hang for a bit?" His skin is warm under my palm and I feel him shift slightly in his seat, eyes fixed on the road before he glances sideways at me.

“You’d really want to hang out with an old man like me?"

“You’re not old.” I sit back, reluctantly pulling my hand from his arm. “Besides, didn’t we establish that I like older men?” What the fuck is wrong with you, Lily?

He shifts in his seat again and clears his throat, fighting back a smile. “Have anything in mind?”

“We could watch a movie?”

“Alright, you talked me into it. But only because it’s your birthday.” He smiles before reaching over and poking me in the side. I flinch back, a giggle erupting from the back of my throat. “Oh, you’re ticklish?”

“I don’t like the look on your face, Benjamin.”

He’s smiling wide. “No look. Just tucking that information away for later.”

We pull up to his place and get out. I follow him up to his front door, my eyes taking in his broad shoulders, beefy arms, and tight ass. He's so tall, much taller than me. I'd love to climb him like a tree…

Heading inside, I kick my shoes off and leave them by the door, hanging my purse on one of the coat rack hooks. I follow him into the living area. He gestures to the couch and I sit, Benny sitting at the opposite end from me.

"Want something to drink?" He asks and it may be my imagination, but he sounds nervous.

"S-sure." Way to sound smooth, Lily.

"Beer ok? I think I have water somewhere."

"Beer will be fine. Thanks."

"You got it. Can't believe I can officially give you this now." He disappears into his kitchen and remerges with 2 bottles of beer, popping open the top and handing it to me. He holds up his bottle to mine and we clink them together.

"Here's to a birthday!" He says and smiles, taking a swig when I do.

"It's certainly been one of those."

We flip through the channels, stopping on some trash reality TV to make fun of them, cracking up at the stupidity of the show. We've had a couple of beers by now and I'm not drunk by any means, but definitely warm and I feel myself loosening up as I become more comfortable around him, passing quips back and forth.

"I don't know why she's picking Jason when clearly Porter is the better choice."

"What?" I say, shocked. "You can't mean that. Have you looked at Porter?"

Benny squints at the tv. "Yes?"

"Need your glasses, old man?"

"Be careful. You don't wanna poke the old man."

I scoff playfully, smirking. "Maybe I do."

In one swift move, Benny sits up, putting his bottle on the coffee table before he turns to me, his eyes full of mischief. He lunges for me but I jumped up, somehow missing his grip and I smirk, turning towards him.

"You'll have to be faster than that, old man." He tries to get up and I run, trying to move around the back of the couch, but somehow he's there, leaning over the back, his strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me back over the couch as I scream. He pushes me back down onto the couch, his large form hovering over me as his fingers dig into my sides. I squirm under him, unable to do anything but squeal with laughter as I writhe about. But the mood changes suddenly, his fingers slowing as he looks down at me, his blue eyes dragging down my face to my lips. I can feel him pressing into me between my legs and heat rushes there to meet him. He leans closer, our lips almost touching, but then he's pulling back and I can't take it. We were so close, I can't go back to how it was, not knowing that he wants this as much as I do but is stopping himself, denying him and me a chance at happiness.

My fingers grasp at his shirt, tugging to get him to look at me. When he does, his eyes are wide, a combination of lust and conflict behind them. My finger traces his cheek and I decide to go for it, leaning up while lightly pulling him towards me with the tip of my finger. His lips are nearly on mine, his breath fanning out over my face, but he stops.

"We can't, Lil."

I nod. "We can." I feel him grow harder against me and it's all I can do to not moan, the weight of him grounding me to this moment. He still doesn't move.

"I don't want to take advantage."

"You're not. I'm sober."

His lips are so close to mine, his breath filling my own as my lips remain slightly parted waiting for him.

"He'd kill me."

"I'll protect you."

"Lil," he whispers, his breath heating my lips.

"Ben." I touch my lips to his and oh, his are so soft and warm, tasting slightly like the beer he'd had earlier. He doesn't move for a second and maybe I've pushed him too far. His lips move above mine, responding to my gentle touch with a more heated one, a slight moan at the back of his throat as he glides his tongue into my slightly parted lips. A small groan comes from my chest in return and I hum into his kiss, deepening it as Benny presses on with more urgency, my legs wrapping around him, squeezing him slightly.

His hands are on my face, pushing my hair out of it as a large hand engulfs the side of my face and neck, holding my chin in place as he kisses me deeper, pressing into me harder, his hips slightly grinding of their own accord. Then he breaks the kiss, leaning up to reach over his shoulder, gripping the back of his shirt as he pulls it over his head, tossing it on the coffee table. I've seen him shirtless before of course, but this is different. A patch of hair is nestled between his pecks, soft but strong muscles flexing as he holds himself up, a small trail of hair disappearing beneath his pants. Fuck do I want to see where that goes. I scramble to grip the bottom of my shirt, lifting slightly as I twist my body to take it off, Benny's hand coming to help. My shirt joins his, Benny's fingers sliding around my back to take off my bra, tossing that on the table too. His eyes dip to my chest and they look hungry.

"Fuck, look at you, Lil."

Before I can reply, he leans back down, pressing his chest to mine as he kisses me again, his warm skin so soft against mine. He feels so good, comforting, grounding, I can hardly believe I'm here. He kisses a path down my neck, pausing to suck one of my nipples in his mouth. I whimper, my back arching off the couch towards him, my fingers automatically coming up to tangle in his golden hair.

"How do you want it?"

"Wh-what?" Is all I can manage as he starts to lick at my same nipple.

"Do you have any favorite positions? Any you hate?"

"I don't know."

He chucks into my skin. "Should I give you a moment to think?"

I shake my head. "I really don't know. I've never done this before."

Benny drops my boob with a plop, pushing himself up so fast it makes my head spin. "What do you mean you haven't done this before?"

I know I'm blushing under his gaze. "I mean… I haven't.. I just… I've never…" I gesture between us.

"Be clear."

"I'm a virgin, ok?" I'm not that embarrassed, but everyone I know has had sex long before me. I just never felt the desire to. Probably because none of them was the man above me, who is now trying to untangle my legs from behind him.

"I didn't know you were… didn't you have boyfriends?"

"Yeah but I've never done anything past boobs."

"Shit, Lil. I can't do this to you. I-"

"Do this to me?"

"Yeah, take your…" He gestures between my legs, still trying to wiggle his way out from between them.

"I want you, though, Benny."

"I can't. Not when you haven't…you should do it with someone your age. You should've done it with a boyfriend-"

I let out a frustrated huff. "But none of them were you, Ben!"

He stops moving, his eyes studying my face. "What?"

Too late to not say anything now. "I.. ok, I've liked you for a really long time. Like, really liked you. I tried dating people my age but they all suck. None of them were you. I guess I've been waiting, hoping you'd feel the same. But I won't force-"

"You waited for me?"

I nod, suddenly unable to look at him, my cheeks on fire. "I hoped one day I'd have the courage to tell you how I felt. Or something. I knew it was a long shot. I mean, look at me. I'm… me."

His eyes soften, looking down my body and back up to my eyes. "You say that like it's a bad thing. You're fucking gorgeous, Lil. And..I'd be lying if I said I never thought about us. But me? Why would you want anything to do with me?"

I muster up the courage to look him in the eyes. "Because you make me feel seen. Like I matter. That I'm not just some piece of ass."

"I've been through some major shit, Lil."

I reach up, my hand caressing his cheek, fingers scratching at the stubble. "I want that too. I want all of you, Benny. I want you."

His lips press to mine again, urgent, desperate, his large hand pressed on the side of my neck, the other bracing him. He breaks the kiss for just a moment, pulling back enough to make sure I'm looking at him.

"Are you sure, Lil? This isn't a small thing, even if you weren't a virgin."

"I am so unbelievably sure, Benny. Please just, show me. Make me feel good."

He smiles at me, his eyes darkening with a glint. “I’m about to ruin you for other men, sweetheart. But not here."

My brows furrow together. "What?"

He taps my thigh to get me to unlock my legs. I do and he stands, stretching briefly before he extends a hand to me, helping me up off the couch. He tips my head up, hooking my chin with his finger, pressing his lips to mine, his other hand coming up to lightly pinch my nipple. I gasp at the sensation, arching slightly into his palm. Then he stands straight, holding his hand out to me, giving me one last chance to stop things. I lace my fingers with his, my hand feeling small in his large one and he smiles, walking me down the hallway to his bedroom.

Once inside, he pushes some things out of the way, and sits on the edge of the bed. He beckons me over and I stand between his outstretched legs. He pulls one of my boobs in his mouth and I moan, heat and wet pooling between my thighs as he kisses his way down to my skirt line. He pauses, eyes turned up to mine, as his hand gently glides up my inner thigh, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind it. Once he reaches my panties, he stops, barely brushing a finger over my clothed clit and I jolt, pleasure momentarily shooting out from where he touched me.

"You're so fucking wet," he says with awe.

"Is..is that a good thing?"

He touches me again, grinning when I gasp out loud. "Such a good thing."

He pulls his hand from under my skirt, hooking his fingers into the waistband and pulls them down slowly, kissing the skin that appears as my skirt and panties slide down my legs. I kick them off, foot shoving them somewhere behind me as I stand there, completely bare in front of him. I'm nervous, hands automatically coming up to cover me, but he grips my wrists, holding them apart as his eyes slowly move over my body.

"So fucking beautiful, Lil."

He switches places with me and tells me to lay back, scooting up the bed. He kicks off his pants but leaves his boxers on, which do nothing to hide the tent in his pants. My eyes grow wide. Are all men that large? He crawls over my body, slotting himself between my legs, kissing me deeply for several minutes. My legs wrap around him, feeling him hot and heavy against me. But then he's kissing a path down my body, scooting lower and lower until he's level with my pussy, pushing my legs apart further and putting his broad shoulders between them to hold them apart.

"Fuck, you have a pretty little pussy. Can't believe no one has touched you here."

I don't respond, my head swimming with a whirl of emotions, mostly nerves and how bad I want him to touch me, push himself inside of me. I want-

"Oh!" A cry erupts from me, my thighs clamping around the side of Benny's head as his tongue makes contact with me, licking a line up me before he taps at my clit. "Oh, God, Benny!" My fingers tangle in his hair, tugging on him and holding him in place as he laps at me, gliding his nose up my seam before I feel him press a finger to my entrance, rubbing small circles there. I can hear how wet I am, my other hand flying out to grip the sheets as he pushes his finger in slowly.

"Fuck you are so tight, Lil."

He slowly moves his finger in and out of me, my body warming quickly before he adds a second finger, this time tapping around inside of me. He hits some spot and I yell, thighs banging against his head again.

"There it is," he smirks, his fingers rubbing and tapping at that spot as his mouth returns to my pussy, licking and sucking. I feel tingles, all over my body, racing towards where he's touching me and then I explode, my head pushing into the bed, thighs tensing as I pulse around him, whining and moaning as I come. Benny guides me through it, making sure I feel every ounce of pleasure I possibly can.

And then he does it two more times.

My entire body is warm and loose, my brain swimming with the pleasure of it all as Benny removes his mouth from me, wiping his face on the back of his hand, grinning ear to ear as he hovers over me, tasting of me as he presses his lips to mine.

"You feelin' good, sweetheart?"

"Mmhmm."

Benny chuckles. "Do you want me to stop?"

My eyes fly open as I find his. "No. Please I need you inside of me."

He nods. "I think you're ready for me. But stop me if it hurts or you want me to stop, ok?"

"Ok."

He scoots back off the bed, standing and pulling his boxers off. He springs up and holy shit is that supposed to go in me? He settles between my legs, pushing my thighs apart, sliding himself through my soaked folds and I whimper at his touch. He's heavy at my entrance, his eyes on my face as he slowly pushes in.

"Oh!" Is about all I can say. It burns for sure, and is uncomfortable, but not painful. And as he pushes further in, I feel him rub up against that spot he made sensitive with his fingers moments before. My fingers dig into his biceps, his muscles strong beneath my nails as he slowly slides back out.

“Are you ok?” He asks, his eyebrows pulled together in concern.

“I will be once you’re back inside of me.”

“Fuck you’re gonna kill me.”

He pushes back into me, still slowly but a little faster this time. When he can go no further, he waits, holding his hips still to give me a moment. I feel so full of him, my head swimming with his scent while I relax and stretch around him. He must feel the tension leaving me, as he pulls back out and pushes back in, more quickly. After about 5 more of these, he pushes in rather quick and I yelp as he hits a spot at the back of me.

“Fuck! Do that again!”

He smiles, one side of his mouth pulling up as he complies, thrusting into me harder and chuckling when he hears the breathy sounds coming from me. He keeps going, making sure to angle himself to thrust into that spot every time, eventually speeding up more, rutting into me as I come unglued beneath him, writhing and moving my hips to meet his, my vision going hazy at the edges as my body tingles and I come, nails digging into him as I chant his name over and over. Benny grunts and pulls out, spilling himself across my lower stomach, little breathy grunts coming from him as he comes.

He takes a second when he’s done before getting up and grabbing a wet cloth from the bathroom. He cleans me up and returns with another cloth, wiping my overstimulated cunt, and chuckling when my legs twitch. He tosses the rag in his hamper and crawls on the bed next to me, pulling the sheet over us. Benny props himself up on his elbow, his finger tracing lines down my chest before using a finger to turn my head to him.

“How are you feeling, Lil?”

I sigh, feeling the corners of my mouth pull into a soft smile. “Honestly? I’ve never felt better.”

He presses his lips lightly to mine. “The best you’ve ever felt, huh?”

I nod, turning on my side to face him. “You were right though. You’ve ruined other men for me. Good thing I only want one man.”

—----

A yell rips me from sleep and I sit up quick, my head rushing slightly as I look around the unfamiliar room, blinking a few times before remembering I was still at Benny’s. In his bed. A whimper echoes in the dark space and I look down, seeing Benny tangled in his sheets, curled up and sweating, eyes jammed shut and his mouth muttering words I can’t catch all of. I may have never seen it on Benny, but I am familiar with the nightmares. My dad has them all the time, one of the many reasons why I’m studying to be a psychiatrist and intend to reform the VA mental health unit.

I gently place my hand on his bare shoulder, his skin warm and sweaty under my palm. “Benny, it’s ok. You’re here. I’m here.”

He whimpers once more before his eyes pop open, wet with unshed tears and he gasps, hand reaching out for something I can’t see. He blinks and turns his head, seeing my hand on his shoulder and he follows it up to my face.

“Lily?”

I smile. “Hey, Ben. Are you with me?”

“I…” he pulls his shoulder from me and sits up, pulling the blankets around his waist. “I’m sorry.” He’s wiping at his face, trying to push the tears away. “Just lock the door on your way out.”

“What?”

“When you leave, just take the key and lock the door. Slide it under the mat.”

“I don’t…I don’t understand? You’re kicking me out?”

“You want to leave, right?”

“No? Why would I?”

“Because I’m fucked up! I told you, Lil. I have so much shit with me. No one wants this.”

“Ben. Look at me.”

He shakes his head. "I can't. Just.. lock the door on your way out."

"Ben-"

"I can't. I can't see that look on your face too, I just can't, Lily."

"Ben, please look at me."

He sighs and turns his head, a hard expression on his face and I see it, all the hurt he’s had to endure from the women before me leaving him once his guard slipped. And I want to fight them all. I take his hand, lacing my fingers through his and bring it to my lips, pressing a kiss to the back of his hand.

“Benjamin Miller, unless you kick me out, I’m not going anywhere.”

His eyes water a little and he shakes his head to stop them. “But, the nightmares-”

“You think this is the first time I’ve seen a nightmare? Do you not remember who my dad is?”

“Fish gets nightmares too?”

I nod. “All the fucking time, Ben. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked him down. Why do you think I’m going into psych?”

“You’re…you’re really not wanting to leave?”

“No. I’d really rather stay here with you, make sure you’re ok, wake up next to you. As long as you’ll have me?”

He squeezes my hand and presses his forehead to mine. “I’d love that.”

I lay back and beckon him to me, placing his head on my chest as he cuddles into my side. He sucks one of my boobs in his mouth, claiming it’s his comfort toy. But soon after he’s sound asleep, his face peaceful and he doesn’t wake the rest of the night.

He brings me home the next day and I wave to him from the front steps as I walk through the front door.

“She’s alive!”

“Ha-ha, dad. But I’m doing fine.”

“Was that Benny I saw dropping you off?”

“Oh. Yeah. He was at the bar last night.”

“And he brought you home this morning?”

I nod, kicking off my shoes. “Yeah. I was pretty drunk and my friends still wanted to party. His place was closest to the bar and I asked him to take me there. Didn’t think I could make it home.” I mimed throwing up, which is exactly what I wanted to do. I hate lying to him.

“You could’ve called me. I would’ve picked you up.”

“I know. But Benny was already there. No sense in waking you up.”

“You know I don’t sleep.”

“Which is why you’re always so fun to be around.”

He looks fake hurt, pressing his hand to his chest. “I am a damn delight….but I’ll have to thank Benny for taking such good care of you.”

I hide my smirk before replying. “Please do.”

—----

The next few months pass and we keep us a secret, going on dates in the next towns over, meeting up whenever we can. I feel bad for lying to my dad and not telling him, but it’s not the right time.

Benny is everything I thought he was and more. He makes me laugh, even cracking jokes as he’s pressed between my thighs. He makes me feel safe and I think I make him feel safer too. His nightmares, while still present, seem to happen less often, his body relaxing into mine as he sleeps deeply.

Then there’s the sex. Oh God the sex. I know I have nothing to compare it to, but the way my friends talk about it, it seems like it’s often a chore. They talk about faking orgasms or men that are only concerned about themselves. Not Benny. He says he loves the sounds I make as he pulls orgasm after orgasm out of me, pressing his body against and into mine against every surface of his house and his jeep, anywhere we can get away with it.

About 6 months in, it’s our turn to host the monthly BBQ for all the boys. Will usually brings his wife and kids, Santi just himself, and Tom brings his family, so it’s a pretty big to do. I remember at BBQ’s in the past, sometimes Benny would show up with some girl and how jealous I was of her. And this time, I’m still jealous, because they got to be with him in the open. No passing touches or whispers, no hiding glances or anything. But I’m feeling bold, so I put on my favorite sundress, the one Benny had hitched up around my hips as he bent me over his kitchen table the last time we were together. And judging by the look on his face, he too has this same memory when he sees me in the dress.

Everyone is outside, the kids screaming and running around, everyone else chatting, keeping an eye on the kids as my dad starts grilling. I feel Benny’s eyes on me as I set a few bowls of chips on the table, bending over just a little more than normal to expose more of my cleavage to him. I glance up at him and wink, turning and heading back into the house. I hear him come in behind me a couple minutes later, his eyes on me standing in the doorway to the hall. He silently follows me upstairs to my room, closing the door behind us and locking it before taking 2 steps towards me, pulling me to him and kissing me deeply. His hands fist in the sides of my dress, pulling it up higher on my hips.

“You think you’re so slick wearing this dress?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

I pull him down on me, parting my thighs to let him settle between them as my back settles into my bed. My fingers twist in his hair, his hand trailing up my bare thigh as I whimper in his ear.

“Wanna fuck in my bed. We haven’t done that yet.”

“Your dad’s outside.”

“So?”

“So what if he hears us?”

“I’ll deal with that then. Please fuck me Benny. I need you to fuck me.”

And so he does, pushing my panties aside and thrusting into me, one hand clamped over my mouth. I try to push him into me more, my hands gripping his ass, digging little marks into it when I come, legs spasming as Benny’s moans come right after, his hips rutting into mine as he fills me up.

“Let me get something to clean you up with.”

“Don’t. I want to feel you inside me.”

“Fuckin’ hell you’re gonna kill me.”

—----

My chest heaves as Benny rolls off me and lays on his side, trying to catch his own breath. He slides his hand across my body and gently squeezes one of my boobs, his thumb grazing over my nipple.

“You can’t possibly want to go again?” I ask, eyebrows raised.

“What? This is my emotional support tiddy.”

Laughter erupts from me and Benny joins in, his smile making me feel warm all over. This is nice, this is comfortable. Benny makes everything in my life good.

“You hungry? We did miss our dinner reservations.”

I chuckle. “Totally worth missing them.”

Benny props himself up on his elbow, his hand leaving my boob to start sliding down my bare stomach. “Oh I agre-”

GROWL!

My stomach has decided enough is enough and the sound it makes is loud in the quiet room. Benny laughs again, his head flying back with it before he brings his lips to my stomach, speaking to it.

“You hungry, girl? Should we get some food in ya?”

I ruffle his hair and he turns, his cheek resting on my stomach as his eyes meet mine. We stare at each other for a few moments before he chuckles. “Your stomach is so loud.”

“Ok, fine. I’m hungry,” I smile.

He sits up, giving me a quick kiss before rolling off the bed. “I’ll go make us something. You can shower if you’d like. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.” He leaves the room, sliding some pants on before he does. I make my way to his bathroom across the hall and take in my appearance, fixing my hair so it’s not too wild before sliding one of his shirts on. I make my way down the hall and stand in the entrance to the kitchen, watching Benny move about the kitchen, no shirt and sweatpants hanging low on his hips. He tosses a kitchen towel over his shoulder as he flips a pancake, one of his specialties, humming to himself as he does. His hair is sticking up at all angles, looking like he’d just rolled around in bed for hours. Which I guess, technically, he did. I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist, kissing his back before resting my cheek against it.

“You want strawberries or chocolate chips in yours, Lil?”

“Do I have to pick?”

He pauses for a moment. “Shit, why did I never think to combine those?” He adds both cut up strawberries and chocolate chips to his mix, pouring out another round of batter on the griddle. “I may have to steal one.”

“I’ll fight you for it.”

He slides the pancake off the spatula and spins, gripping my wrists before I can move. “I’d like to see- are you in my shirt?”

“Mmhmm.”

He drops my wrists and slides his hands around my hips, feeling for something. “Are you..are you not wearing any underwear?”

“How else am I supposed to feel you dripping down my legs?” Benny groans, gripping my jaw and pulling me in for a heated kiss, but the sound of a key jiggling in his front door lock kills the mood. In one quick motion, Benny is shoving me back through the doorway and down the hall, motioning for me to hide. I step into his room and close the door almost all the way just as the front door opens.

“Hey, Ben.”

“Hey..Fish.”

The door closes and I feel the color drain from my face. My dad is here and almost walked in on us fucking in the kitchen.

“Hope it’s ok I used my key? Normally you complain about having to get up and open the door.”

“No, no that’s fine. What, uh, what are you doing here?”

“Lil is at her friend’s studying this weekend so I thought we could watch the fight?”

“The fight?”

There’s a slight pause. “The big fight? Between Samson and Jueng?”

“Oh right. The fight. Yeah, I think the neighbors in 2B are having some kind of party.”

“That explains why the parking lot is slammed.”

“Yeah, yeah. Hey listen, Frankie, I uh…I’m a little…” There’s a pause where Benny fumbles for words.

“Oh shit, I should’ve called, Ben. I just got bored and I remembered you said you were staying in this weekend. Thought we could hang.”

“No, no. It’s uh, it’s ok. Did..did you want some pancakes?”

“For dinner?”

“I already made some.”

“Sure, sounds good. Bathroom useable?”

“It’s clean, fucker.”

Dad’s chuckle gets closer and I step away from the crack in the bedroom door, like he could see me through it. When I hear the bathroom door close, I yank on some pants and grab my shoes, tiptoe running down the hall and meet Benny at the door.

“I’ll let you know when he leaves.”

I nod. “Sounds good. I still want pancakes.”

“Ok ok but you have to go now,” He’s practically pushing me out of the door, but just before it closes, he reaches out and grabs my arm, pulling me back and kissing me before letting me go, a smile as the door closes and I hear my dad’s voice coming back down the hall.

That was close.

—----

Several weeks later, I decided to grab some dinner on my way to Benny’s, neither of us feeling much like cooking. I wait at the counter of the diner, studying the pie menu while our burgers cook. It’s hard to pick out pie for Benny because he loves them all. Even Rhubarb. I decide on a slice of apple and a slice of buttermilk pie, placing the order with the waitress.

“No pecan?”

I jump, my head jerking to look at my dad, leaning against the counter, menu in hand and looking at me.

“Pecan?”

“You’re favorite?”

“Oh. Yeah I thought I’d try something new.”

He nods. “So, you weren’t going to tell your old man you were getting shitty food before coming home?”

“You’re here too.”

He laughs. “True.” His eyebrows furrow together as the waitress brings 2 large bags and reads off the order. I try to cut her off but she plows through, smiling at the end.

“Anything else, dear?”

“N-no. I’m good.” She walks off and I can feel my dad’s eyes on me.

“Hungry?”

“What?”

He nods towards the bags. “There’s enough food there for two. Especially with that last burger. Double cheese, double bacon, and extra pickles? That’s exactly what Benny orders so I know it’s entirely too much.”

I laugh nervously. “Uh yeah. That’s..that’s mine. Period.” He looks at me, understanding.

“And the other burger?”

“Uh surprise! I was going to bring food home.”

He smiles and I feel terrible. “We must have been thinking the same thing. Thanks, mija. Need some help?”

“Sure.”

He takes the burger bag and I take the other, walking me over to my car. He waits for me to get in and hands me the bag.

“See you at home!”

When he’s turned away and solidly heading to his truck, I pull out my phone and send a quick text to Benny.

Me: No burgers tonight. Dad came in. Had to tell him I was buying for us.

Benny Baby: Oh shit! Did he know?

Me: He recognized your order but nothing past that. I’m sorry! Can I come tomorrow?

Benny Baby: Oh I plan on making you come many times

—----

It was a couple weeks before we could manage to see each other again and we wasted no time in making up for it. Benny pressed himself between my thighs over and over, pulling as many sounds from me as he could before I just couldn’t take anymore, completely over stimulated. Only then did we get dressed and head out to dinner across town, his arm wrapped around my shoulders as we walked into my favorite Italian restaurant, laughing and sharing breadstick puns as we waited for our food. After force feeding ourselves some dessert, we walked back around the building, Benny pushing me against the side of his jeep, slotting his leg between my thighs as he pushes his tongue in my mouth, my hands fisting in his shirt. I can feel him getting harder against me and I wonder how unoccupied this parking lot is or if I even care.

“I thought that was you. You got a secret girlfriend?”

Benny freezes at his brother’s voice, pulling back slowly and looking into my eyes, fear and apologies swirling around in his baby blues. He tries his best to turn around without showing me, but the angle is weird and he can’t quite hide all of me, no matter how I try to angle myself.

“Wait…Lily?” Will says, completely shocked.

I sigh, stepping out from behind Benny. “It’s me.”

He’s not smiling, gripping the takeout bag he has in his hand a little tighter as he looks at Benny. “That’s Fish’s daughter, Ben.”

“I fuckin’ know, Will. Don’t you think I know?”

“You’re making out with Fish’s daughter. His daughter.”

“Yeah. And you’re not gonna tell him.”

“Why the fuck shouldn’t I? You shouldn’t be fucking around - shit, are you fucking around with her?”

I feel Benny’s body tense and I gently lace my fingers through his, a motion that doesn’t go unnoticed by Will.

“That’s Lily, Ben! You shouldn’t be…I gotta call Fish.”

Before he can move, I step in front of Benny and grip Will’s arm gently. He looks down at me, his grey blue eyes studying me as if he’s trying to see if I’ve been coerced.

“Please don’t, Will. I promise we will tell him. Eventually.”

“Tell him what, exactly?”

I glance back at Benny, giving him a small smile before looking back at Will. “We’re together. I am the secret girlfriend and the reason he hasn’t been around as much.”

Will looks from me to Benny and back. “He put you up to this?”

“Hey fuck you, man!”

I put my hand up, touching Benny’s chest. “No. If anything, I convinced him.”

“You’re Fish’s daughter, Lil.”

“I’m aware.”

“One of our best friend’s daughters.”

“That’s me.”

“I don’t know, I…”

“Will… please? I promise we will tell him. We’ve just…been enjoying each other and seeing where this takes us.”

He cocks his head slightly. “So it’s really not just sex?”

I shake my head. “No.”

He looks between us again, looking like he’s doing some mental math. “Alright but only for you, Lil. Benny knows better. But you have to promise you’re gonna tell him.”

I nod. “Yes, of course. Thank you, Will.” I give him a hug and he returns it with one arm, the other still holding a heavy bag of take out. His eyes never leave Benny’s and I watch as they grow hard.

“I love you, Ben. But if you hurt her, I’m not gonna hold back Fish.”

Benny nods. “That’s fair.”

—----

I love him. He tried telling me I’d grow out of him, but I didn’t. If anything I fell more in love with him as time went on. Benny let his final walls down, telling me how much he loves me, how I accept him, all of him, and how he thought he’d never find that. I don’t know how we made it 8 months without telling anyone or anyone figuring it out, aside from Will.

It wasn’t until my dad came home early, finding Benny and me making out on the couch that I remembered why we were keeping it a secret. Thank God he didn’t come home 2 minutes later.

“What the fuck is this?” He slams the door behind him, the walls rattling and Benny and I spring apart, Benny jumping up as my dad storms towards him. “SHE’S MY DAUGHTER, BEN!”

Benny has his hands out in a placating manner. “I know, but-”

“My daughter! She is not for you!”

“No, but-”

Anger rises up from my chest. “You have no say over who I get with!”

He looks at me, his dark eyes fuming. “I do when it’s my best friend and my daughter! You’re only 21, Lily!”

“So? I am not some thing you can pass around! My life is my own! I can date and fuck whomever I want!”

His eyes go wide, cheeks flushing with built up anger as he turns his rage towards Benny. “Wait…have you slept with her?”

“Wh-what?”

His voice raises, loud enough I know the neighbors are listening in. “Have you fucked my daughter, Ben?”

The color drains from Benny’s face. “Let’s talk about thi-”

BAM! My dad’s fist collides with Benny’s face, his head flying back. Luckily, Benny knows how to take a punch, thanks to his days as an MMA fighter. He straightens up, dodging the next swing from my dad, his hands still up trying to placate him.

“Dad!” I push past him and stand in front of Benny, turning his face towards me to inspect his lip, which is now bleeding, a dark circle starting to appear under his eye. I round on my dad.

“What the fuck dad?”

“Don’t dad me! You’ve been lying to me for months! Sleeping with Benny? He’s my best friend, Lily!”

“I know, but-”

“You just never stop to think about the consequences. What did you think was gonna happen? He’s 13 years older than you!”

“Yes, but-”

“He’s done some shit, but putting his hands on my daughter is the thing I’m gonna kill him for.”

“Ok, dad. Kitchen. Now. Benny? First aid kit in the bathroom.” I push on my dad’s chest, willing him to move. He glares over my shoulder at Benny as he moves into the kitchen, but doesn’t sit.

“What the fuck, Lily?”

“I know, but let me explain.”

“Benny?”

“I love him, dad.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose, his other hand on his hip in his typical dad pose. “I know you think you love him mija, but it’s just infatuation. You’re young.”

“Do you remember a few years ago, you asked me why I had boyfriends but none of them seemed to stick? And I told you I didn’t like them or want any of them?”

He thinks for a moment. “Yeah.”

“What did I say after that?”

“I said maybe you haven’t found the right person and you said no it’s because…” I raise my eyebrows at him until he continues. “...because you were in love with someone else.”

“You told me to go for it and I said I couldn’t because there’s no way he likes me the same way and it would be complicated.”

His shoulders slump, a little bit of the anger seeping from him. “Benny?”

“Benny.”

“How do you know he feels the same way?”

“Didn’t you tell me a few months ago how good he looks? That he said he was seeing someone but wasn’t ready to bring her around everyone yet? But that he hasn’t looked this happy in the entire time you’ve known him?”

“Fuck. It was you?”

“Me. We love each other, dad. We have for years, but didn’t say it until my birthday.”

“Wait. You told me Benny let you stay over because you were drunk. Did he-”

“No. I barely drank. My friends ditched me and he saw me. We went for dinner and then back to his place where..confessions were made.”

“You lied to me?”

“You didn’t ask me if I slept with him, dad.”

“Dammit. I hate when you’re right.”

“Are…are we going to be ok?”

He pulls me to him in a bear hug, kissing the top of my head. “I’ll always love you, mija. But your boyfriend I may have to warm up to. God that feels weird to say.”

Benny pokes his head around the corner. “Is it safe?”

Dad turns his head to him, hugging me tighter. “I haven’t decided if I want to kill you yet.”

“Well while you’re deciding, can I just say how much I love her? She’s smart and funny, and she makes the world bright again. She’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”

“You’re damn right she is. So what if I told you I don’t want you dating her?”

“Dad-”

“Sshh. I’m asking him.”

“With all due respect, Fish. I’d tell you to go fuck yourself and date her anyway. I love you, you’re my best friend, but she’s the one for me and I won’t let anything come between us unless she wants it to.”

He lets me go and stomps up to Benny, who is a few inches taller than him. He glares up at him for a few moments before extending his hand out.

“Ok.”

“Ok?"

“Just do me a favor and don’t kiss in front of me?”

“Deal.”

“Speak for yourself, Ben. I plan on making out with you whenever I can.”

A year later we’re married, both of us eternally grateful for my friends ditching me on my birthday that night.

—----

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General Taglist:

@frankie-catfish-morales @chaoticgeminate @janebby @astoryisaloveaffair @balekanemohafe @greeneyedblondie44 @hoeforthefictional @marvelousmermaid @hauntedmama @giuliarogers-blog @icanbeyourjedi @wretchedmo @sunnshineeexoxo @livingmydreams13 @adventures-of-a-noodle @sara-alonso @theewokingdead @punkerthanpascal @giggly-otter @f0rever15elf @phandoz @dirtytissuebox @gallowsjoker @lovesbiggerthanpride @sarahmilesbendrix @booksarekindaneat @mrsudontknowme @swol-bear @charlispersonallyhell @xoxabs88xox @amneris21 @gooddaykate @alindeluce @avengers-fixation @paintballkid711 @harriedandharassed @ladykatakuri @marrianena @practicalghost @withakindheartx @batdarkladyvampir @justanotherkpopstanlol @mermaidxatxheart @alexxavicry @ichigodjarin @justreblogginfics @sullyosully @kmc1989

#benny miller #ben miller #benny miller x reader #benny miller x you #benny miller x f!reader #triple frontier #garrett hedlund #benjamin miller #benjamin benny miller #garrett hedlund x reader #garrett hedlund x you #garrett hedlund characters #garrett hedlund character fanfic #garrett hedlund character ff #garrett hedlund character fanfiction

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pedroscurls · 21 days

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chance encounters

WIP | ao3

character(s): Frankie "Catfish" Morales, Will "Ironhead" Miller, Santiago "Pope" Garcia, Benny Miller, fem!Reader

series summary: You've suddenly and tragically lost your best friend and can't handle the grief. Until four strangers give you a glimmer of hope that things will (and can) get better. (ultimately a story about working through grief with the help of our four boys from Triple Frontier)

series warnings: grief, mentions of death, violence (through the act of fighting - come on, it's an MMA story basically), fighting, minimal physical descriptions of reader (i will do my best to keep it as neutral as possible!), cursing and inappropriate language, mentions of PTSD and substance abuse, mma/kickboxing/muay thai jargon (each chapter will have its own separate and detailed warnings!), mutual pining (frankie and fem!reader)

a/n: I know I said I was going to take a hiatus from writing because of what this month means to me personally, but I've found that writing this story has actually helped me deal with my own grief... Also, I'd like to think I have moderate knowledge in the fighting game (started out training as a boxer and now I'm doing muay thai / kickboxing), so if something seems wrong, let me know! Anyway, this story is very special to me. I hope you enjoy it.

Part 1.

Part 2.

Part 3.

#pedro pascal #pedro pascal character #pedro pascal characters #oscar isaac #oscar isaac character #garrett hedlund #garrett hedlund character #charlie hunnam #charlie hunnam character #pedro pascal fanfiction #pedro pascal fanfic #triple frontier #triple frontier fanfic #triple frontier fanfiction #story: chance encounters

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artemiseamoon · 2 years

Text

Wisteria & Moonlight 3

Chapter 3: Unearthed part one

Werewolf! Will Miller x Ajani (ofc) | Ft Werewolf Benny + ocs

Words: 2,362

Fic info || Previous || Next

An exclusive fic for @clydesducktape Moon In May (week 3) posted on week 4 😂 (life you know)

Prompts used this week: heat, wolfsbane, curse

⚠️ warnings: missing person, impending danger, a traumtic childhood alluded to but not expanded upon, intense overwhelming sexual feelings, masterbation but not heavily detailed or described. It’s super brief, like blink and you miss it.

*** fixed the name error, for some reason this chapter and last I was calling her brother Andre, his name is Adrian. In my mind I mixed up his name with another omc from another fic. So many A names! Sorry for the mix up 💕***

Time passes with ease on the long drive to Louisiana. Along the way, Izara shares what she knows about Priestess-Wolf hybrids, also known as I'ah - Sa's in Coptic.

According to Lore, they were one of the most respected and powerful members of their tribe, with roots in Ancient Nubia. Because they were rare, most packs didn’t have one.

In history, as with all things, there were some examples of their power gone bad. However, for the most part, the spirit and soul of the Priestess-Wolf was good, and they were able to fight darker forces and inclinations.

The Priestess-Wolf gene is passed down from the maternal line. It’s believed, to keep some balance, nature only made them half-breeds. This detail is debatable, as no proof exists to prove this right or wrong. I'ah - Sa's were private by nature and didn’t advertise their gifts.

I'ah - Sa's gain access to the magic at age 13. An elder or guide is needed as the magic can be too powerful or hard to control for the child. The first transformation into wolf form happens during the year they hit puberty, so the age varies.

Both processes happen organically, unless there’s interference by magical means, or a curse placed on the line. Unlike common Weres, they can turn at will without repercussions. For normal werewolves, a non-full moon turn can come with exhaustion, slower healing time, or aches and pains that linger for days.

Any news and stories of the Priestess-Wolf died down over the 18th centaury, they were believed extinct after this. Due to territory battles and others wanting such strength, it’s believed I'ah - Sa's were extinguished by neighboring packs. If any existed after, they did so in secret.

Izara believed them to be extinct herself until she visited some distant family in Louisiana 30 years back. During that trip, she met her now dear friend Zola Eshe; a historian, genealogist, high priestess and I'ah - Sa. Zola was the only one Izara (and to a greater extent the Millers and the Pack) knew, until Ajani walked into that bar.

...

It was night now and time to eat some dinner. Izara’s taken this trip a number of times, she enjoyed driving and didn’t mind the travel. Over all her trips, she accumulated a list of favorite rest stops, places to eat, and to sleep if they wanted to rest for the night. It’s one of these places they stop at for dinner. It’s a perfect Spring night and the bench they choose is near a beautiful Cypress tree.

Izara takes a bite of food, “I think this is going to be life changing for you.”

Ajani smiles. She was hungry, and excited, but there was something else. Though Will was over 4 hours away now she couldn’t shake his scent. She always had a very sensitive nose but after spending a couple of days around the Millers, everything felt heightened, stronger.

Sometimes it felt like Will was right there. Hovering over her, smelling her, touching her. And when she let her mind linger a little too long, she'd picture Bennys eyes on her and the deepness of his voice. Ajani's desire for Will is overwhelming, being drawn to Benny too was the last thing she needed.

Trying her best to calm what was happening inside of her, Ajani shifts her attention to the small pouch around her neck, hidden by her shirt.

Before they hit the road, the two women stopped at Ajani's hotel and grabbed a few things. Most importantly she wanted this pouch. This special mix was made to calm her pheromones and hide her scent. Not just for herself, but from what she understood, if she was going into heat, other Weres would pick up on this, even if she was just a suppressed Halfbreed.

If she could, Ajani wanted to avoid attracting extra attention. The bit of wolfsbane inside was irritating her, and she knew Izara didn't love it, but it was a necessary ingredient.

Izara breaks the silence with a question, “Have you considered the possibility your parents didn’t give you and Adrian up by choice?”

The question pulls Ajani right out of her own head.

“Not really. It was a closed adoption, so, we don't know anything. Just that they gave up when Adrian was 2, I was 1,” Ajani sets the fork down and frowns, "I just never understood what could make parents give up two little kids?"

"I don't know honey, but there could be a valid reason."

"We were in so many homes until the last one. I know we weren't well behaved after a while but…” she shakes her head, “...we were hurt, angry kids you know? The Bennets are okay people, they tried but it wasn't a good fit. They didn't understand us...and when Adrian first turned, I was with him. It was horrible. We had to hide it from them because we didn't want to go back in the system." Ajani shrugs and slouches back against the seat. She didn’t like talking about any of this. Like Adrian, Ajani shoved all this deep down inside.

Izara, ever observant, picks up on this and doesn’t push any further. “We don’t have to talk about that now. But you should know, Zola is the real deal. Unlocking your true form may take going deep into you past. You’ll have to face this.”

“I have that feeling.” Ajani sits back up. “I know I have to do it.”

“Good, come on, let’s get out of here. Would you like to hit the road, keep going? Or rest for the night?” Izara asked. She puts money down for the bill. “There’s a place I like, about an hour out. I’m friends with the owner. We'd have to leave early in the morning." She wrinkles her nose. "I can get a break from that wolfbane too."

Ajani chuckles, "sorry. yeah, lets rest."

Izara takes her phone out and searches her contacts. "Honestly, I'd prefer being annoyed over playing bodyguard to horny Weres. But you need to take care of this," she points to Ajani, "It's going to be a real problem as we look for your brother."

Feeling embarrassed, Ajani drops her gaze to the ground and walks away from the table, "I'll wait for you by the car."

Ajani is only waiting about two minutes when Izara returns, she stands on the passenger side and offers Ajani the keys. “I don’t let anyone except a select few drive my baby, consider this my blessing.”

Ajani takes them, then unlocks the car, “your blessing?”

Izara laughs and moves to the trunk; she searches for something then tosses a button up shirt at Izara. “This is what you’ve been smelling. And yes, it’s his.” She climbs into the passenger seat, wearing an amused grin.

Ajani rubs the cotton of the shirt between her fingertips and brings it to her nose. Her reaction is instant, it feels like Will is holding her, his breath against her skin.

She closes her eyes and whispers to herself, "Get it together. You’re driving."

Ajani places the shirt in the backseat then enters the car. Closing the door behind her, she straps in and starts the car.

Izara turns to Ajani. “He’s been mate-less for a long time…not for lack of options he just never wanted to settle. We weren’t sure at this point if he should keep waiting or pick someone. Whenever we presented Will with an option, he rejects it.”

She continues, “he’s always reminding us how Jon and I met. Jon already had kids, a mate, but she wasn't his forever mate. We found each other after. We thought Will wouldn't find his person, then you walked into the bar," Izara's eyes are warm, “A wolf always knows their mate. Suppressed wolf or not, you know it too." Izara breaks eye contact and turns the AC on.

Ajani almost forgot how hot her skin is, until the cool air provides instant relief. She observes Izara for a moment, then brings her eyes to the road. The silence in the car soon fills with music from Izara's Bluetooth.

…

The quaint hotel is one of the cutest places Ajani has ever seen. It’s tucked away in a quiet part of town and looks like something from a movie. The owner had two rooms open, giving them one each. After a nightcap in the small but charming bar area, they said goodnight and headed to their rooms.

Ajani’s thankful to have her own room. She needs a cold shower and to take the edge off. Part of her feels ashamed bringing the shirt with her, but there was no way she was leaving in the car, not when it smelled of him.

The shower doesn’t help matters any, at first the cold water feels good against her skin. It’s a fleeting relief, the heat returns with more intensity. Dragging herself to the bed, she lays down flat. Rolling onto her side, she grabs Wills shirt and brings it to her nose.

Closing her eyes, Ajani visualizes Will. The scene from the living room replays in her mind. This time there is no one else, just her and Will. As she inhales his scent deeply, her body awakens further. Before she realizes it, she slides her hand inside of the loosely closed robe.

Keeping the shirt close, and with the aid of her vivid imagination, a euphoric wave washes ever her. Her body goes still. For the first time in two days, her body temperature finally decreases. Rolling to her side, she snuggles the shirt. A second later, her phone buzzes on the nearby table.

Ajani grabs the phone and smiles at the message.

Will: It’s Will. I got your number from Quinn. I hope that's okay.

Ajani: More than okay. This is a nice surprise.

Will: Is it too late to call?

Ajani: No, not at all. Please do.

Almost at the same time she presses send, Will calls.

“Hi.” She whispers into the phone speaker with a smile.

His voice is low and breathy, "I can't stop thinking about you. I wish you were lying next to me."

Ajani pulls the shirt close again, while holding the phone with her other hand. "I wish I was too.”

…

The Next day, evening time

Zola is everything Ajani imagined and more. As the first full day with her winds down, Ajani feels her mind expanded, her spirit lifted, her heart lighter. Izara sticks around, while giving them plenty of space. Being here feels like an unrealized dream of Ajani's younger self.

As Izara predicted, it takes Zola no time to figure out the source of Ajani’s block. Watching the majestic women in ritual felt like a privilege.

With the guidance of her ancestors, Zola was able to connect to Ajani’s ancestral line. A curse was the sole cause her block. Her people were at war with another group, a group who wanted their power and kidnapped her mother to have it for themselves.

Protecting his family, Ajani's father killed the Alpha and slaughtered half the pack to get his wife back. Once it was done, her mother and father went into hiding. During that time, they had Adrian and Ajani. Their happiness was shattered when enemy wolves found them. They were captured. Instilling the help of a witch, the enemy pack initiated the curse.

POV switch - Will - That night

Post pack meeting, Will went for a run. Benny joined him.

After looping around their usual route three times, the brothers take a break and have some water. Will takes a few sips, then pours the rest over his head.

He's squeezing the bottle so tight it bends under his weight. The run barely provides any relief. He growls under his breath and paces in place. Will can feel his brother watching him.

“I’m fine.” He barked.

Benny crosses his arm, cementing in place, " no you're not bro. You've been in a shitty mood since yesterday and you went a little hard back there."

Will clenches his jaw as he looks at his brother, "You surprised? We’re dealing with assholes again. You should be pissed too!”

Benny drops his arms and gets in Wills face. "You know how I feel about that." He says through clenched teeth, "I'm talking about her. You're in a fucking rut!"

Will growls and shoves the bottle back in his backpack. Too irritated to speak, he takes off running again. Benny curses and follows him.

When Benny catches up, he run alongside him, “Take the edge off man, you have plenty of - “

Will raises his voice, stopping in place, " I don't want them!"

Benny takes a step back, “fine don't bite my fucking head off.”

Will breaks eye contact and curls over, resting his hands on his knees. He tries to breath out the frustration and anger.

This wasn't new, he’s had plenty of ruts in his 38 years, especially being unpartnered. It was easy before; he’d pick an Omega and enjoy himself.

Picking an Omega was a very quick solution to his problem, but Will was trying to resist. The only woman he wanted was 9 hours away now. He's seen examples of how bad a rut can get, how dangerous. He hopes he can handle the wait.

Getting himself together, Will takes a deep breath then stands tall. He places a hand on Benny's shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

"It's cool," Benny grins then playfully shoves his brother, "besides, if you pick someone in there, maybe I can have Ajani for myself."

Will's expression instantly turns serious, his eyes dark, a growl rumbling in his chest. Benny laughs. "Whoa, I'm messing with you! You've made it very clear she's yours."

Benny starts jogging backwards, "come on, let's go back. I gotta make sure you don't go insane before your girl gets back."

Will shakes his head, chuckles, then follows his brother back to the bar.

🐺Read next chapter here 💜

Meet Zola!

Tags (those who showed interest. If you want to be added, ask below) @clydesducktape @princessxkenobi @kalondarling @aria725 @hopeamarsu @gallowsjoker

#werewolf au #Will miller #Benny miller #werewolf! Will miller #werewolf! Benny miller #fic: wisteria & moonlight #moon in May challenge #themooninmay #the moon in may writing challenge #triple frontier #charlie hunnam character fanfiction #garrett hedlund characters #slightly not safe for work

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theewokingdead · 1 year

Text

F My...Tonsils? - Benny Miller x wife!Reader

Pairing: Benny Miller x wife!Reader (1st Person POV; Benergy Universe) Summary: Benny is attractive despite the ridiculous things that come out of his mouth. Word Count: 600+ Rating: No rating but my blog is 18+ Warnings: 1st person POV, Language, Allusions to oral Notes: Things were changed, but this was inspired by a legitimate exchange between me and my husband. As always, Benergy is a collection of one-shots so this can be read without having read anything else.

Main Masterlist | Benergy Series Masterlist

“Boom!” Benny leaps to his feet as he slams his last Uno card onto the table. “Suck my dick!” He gestures to the area in case I’ve forgotten where his dick resides, despite the fact that the two children sleeping above should make it clear I know.

Typical Benny.

I pretend to be annoyed, rolling my eyes while I gather the pile of cards, seeming to ignore the fact that he’s now strutting around the dining room like a peacock showing off his plumage. Secretly, I watch him out of the corner of my eye, trying to hide the smile that's creeping up on my face as I realize how much I enjoy his playful antics.

“You wish,” I mumble. I shuffle the deck, waiting for him to settle down to see if he wants to continue or call it a night. We've been playing games for hours while eating snacks, chatting, and joking around – our little date night with kids when we don't have a sitter. It's not always easy balancing parenthood and romance, but nights like these make it all worth it. We share many laughs, teasing and taunting each other, just having fun and enjoying each other’s company.

“No, you wish,” Benny retorts, and I raise an eyebrow in response, curious as to where he’s going to take this conversation. He places his hands on the table and leans forward, a mischievous glint in his eye. “You wish I was touching your tonsils right now.”

My face twists in shock, unable to believe he just said that. I don’t know if I’m more stunned by his words or the fact he thinks it’s even possible.

Fuck…why is the thought of that so hot? Benny deep in my throat…chocking on his-

I try to compose myself and respond, “You know I don’t have tonsils, right?” But deep down, I can feel my cheeks burning and my heart racing. As much as I try to deny it, there's something about Benny that I can never resist. Maybe it's his sense of humor or his confidence, but I find myself drawn to him more and more each day.

Benny isn’t thrown off by my response. He simply smirks and says, “That’s how deep I’d be. I’d touch the ghost of your tonsils.”

Jesus Christ. I can’t help but pinch the bridge of my nose and, for a moment, reconsider all of my life choices. My mind races with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Part of me thinks he is such an idiot while another part of me is so incredibly turned on by him.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Before I can fully process my thoughts, Benny walks to where I’m sitting, tips my chin up, and kisses me, sending a rush of desire through my body. I melt into the kiss, my hands finding their way to the back of his neck as I pull him closer. It's like every nerve in my body is on fire, and I can't get enough of him. But as quickly as the kiss started, it ends, and Benny pulls away with a smirk on his face.

“I knew you couldn't resist me," he says, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement.

Once more, I roll my eyes, trying to hide the fact that he’s right.

“You're insufferable,” I reply, but there's a hint of laughter in my voice. I rise from my chair and push past him, heading toward the stairs that lead to our bedroom.

“Where are you going?” he questions, and I feel his gaze following me.

“Upstairs to perform a séance to see if the ghosts of my tonsils want to get fucked tonight.” I stop and turn to look down at him, seeing that he hasn't moved. "You coming or not?"

#benny miller #benny miller x you #benny miller fanfic #benny miller x reader #benny miller x f!reader #benny miller fanfiction #garrett hedlund #garrett hedlund x reader #garrett hedlund fanfiction #garrett hedlund characters #triple frontier #triple frontier fanfic #triple frontier fanfiction #triple frontier fan fiction #triple frontier fic #benergy #catie writes

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theshireisburning-so-mordoritis · 2 years

Note

Could you do #1 "Caught under a mistletoe" for Benny Miller with Female Reader?

Glow

Pairing: Benny Miller x F!Reader

Word Count: 9.1K

Warnings: 18+. Bit angsty in places. Mentions of a tough break up. Cheating, manipulative ex. Protective Benny. Friends to lovers with a splash of fake dating. Minor violence. Soft smut. Oral (fem recieving). Unprotected PIV.

A/N: I am so sorry this is so late. I had to do a bit of a twist considering we're now in April so hope that's okay. I honestly don't know what happened, it was just supposed to a little fic but then it just took on a life of it's own. Also apologies if the smut is a bit shit, I could envision it perfectly in my head but as soon as I went to write it my brain went yeah we don't know how to put words on a page here. And a huge thank you to @autumnleaves1991-blog and @an-author-of-stars for reading this over for me and assuring me I wasn’t just spouting absolute nonsense. I love you both.

He’s not sure what comes over him.

Benny rarely loses his cool - rarely feels like he could tear someone apart with bare hands and blunt nails, stripping them down to ribbons of blood soaked flesh..

But there’s something that makes him irrationally protective over you - something that blossoms from deep within his bones to coil around the stuttering flesh of his heart like tendrils of ivy.

And it doesn’t matter how much he denies it. The many different ways he thinks of to try and explain to himself, the guys, to fucking everyone.

We’re just friends.

It always finds a way to burst out of him, to make his head spin like a top and all that training, the extensive hours of learning how to compartmentalise and switch off and not get fucking emotional, be wiped from his brain like an eraser swept across a whiteboard. Because it’s you.

And if there’s anything Benny absolutely hates - it’s when somebody hurts you.

It all starts when they’re at the store.

When they’re stocking up on chocolate and ice cream and whiskey because it’s Friday and they’ve got this tradition they’ve refused to let go of since they were sixteen. Movies and takeout - snacks and booze - everything you need at the end of a shit week.

You’re in sweats and one of Benny’s old jumpers - one he couldn’t find no matter how hard he looked until you revealed you’d stolen it when he’d followed Will into the army so you’d still have a piece of him with you. He had ached when you told him - when you ultimately ended up following him because you couldn't stand the thought of him being in trouble without you having his back. It caused a seed of something desperate and unruly to take root in his chest that still flares to life whenever he sees you in the worn material all these years later.

You glow like this. When you're happy and relaxed and you're trying to see just how much junk food he'll let you pile onto the already looming mountain in the basket hooked over his arm before he finally tells you that's enough. Embarrassingly they've not discovered the right amount yet - he's that bad at saying no to you. That fucking suckered in by the sparkle of your grin and your too pretty eyes to ever want to be responsible for making them dull.

But then they do anyway.

One minute you're babbling about inventing a new snack for them to try and then your eyes flicker just beyond his shoulder and it's lights out. Your voice stolen from your throat and your glow diminished like a flame drowned by the ocean.

His brow furrows and he's turning before you can stop him - expression instantly morphing to something dangerous - a dark, deadly shade of calm where the only hint of the coming storm within him is an almost missable twitch of his jaw.

It’s your ex.

The one you wouldn’t allow Benny to kill despite everything he did. The one who reduced his fucking warrior of a best friend into a mere shadow - an empty husk cleaved in two. He remembered your grief hitting him like it was his own, the way you couldn’t sleep and couldn’t eat and your eyes seemed in a permanent state of glassy red whilst you stared numbly at the walls of your bedroom.

He had felt lost, scared to smother you yet equally worried of making you feel abandoned if he tried to keep his distance and in the end he had simply thought fuck it. If you wanted to be left alone you would tell him to fuck off and until that happened he would be a permanent presence at your side, dropping bags of your favourite food beside you for when you had the energy to pick through them and then slipping in the bed to curl himself around you.

You had murmured one day, voice smeared with sadness and a sense of self-loathing that had made Benny feel like his heart had been slammed against the bones of his ribs, leaving the muscle aching and bruised.

“You must think I’m pathetic.”

He had frowned, carefully turning you in his arms and dropping his chin so he could look into your eyes when he asked. “Why would I think that?”

You refused to meet his gaze however, seemingly far more interested in the old, worn fabric of his t-shirt beneath your fingertips. “Look at me Benny.” You had huffed, annoyed. “I’m supposed to be the best of the best but instead I’m a fucking mess over a break up - unable to function like a normal human being just because I caught the man I thought I might marry sticking his dick in his secretary.”

He’d winced at the reminder, the memory of your devastated voice, hitching with rattled sobs, when you’d called him straight after. Drawing back to study you then, he could still see the ghost of that raw agony, the echo of it present in your downturned lips and the bone-deep weariness lurking in your eyes. But there’s also more - the stirrings of white-hot rage lurking beneath your pupils that you refuse to allow to break the surface.

He knew you were attempting to skip over the uglier stages of your healing. Preferring to feel nothing because you have this tendency of turning your anger inward and letting it fester rather than deliver it at the feet of where it belongs. It pissed him off to see you doing it then and so he’d switched tactics and prayed it wouldn’t backfire horrifically.

“Hey, anyone would be just as upset if they were in your position.” He shrugged casually. “I mean c’mon, the secretary? The lack of originality is just insulting.”

Benny felt you go deathly still - a statue in the circle of his arms - and held his breath.

“That’s what you think I should be upset about? The fact he wasn’t more imaginative about who he cheated on me with?” You spoke, incredulous.

At least you hadn’t straight up punched him.

“Not just that obviously but he could of at least been less of a stereotypical dick and fucked the CEO or something.”

“Mm, because sleeping with the boss isn’t cliche at all?”

You were finally looking at him by then, using his chest as leverage to hover yourself above him with brows pinched like you were trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with him. He pretended not to notice - to be deep in thought before he snapped his fingers and grinned.

“I got it - what about the janitor? You never hear about anyone fucking them”

“Well for starters, the janitor is a dude.”

“Even better.”

“He’s like seventy Benny.”

“Everybody loves a cougar - ouch!”

He jerked as you pinched his hip, arms binding tighter around your body out of reflex and causing the weak press of yours keeping you above him to buckle. His chuckle had died in his throat as you’d fallen back into him, every inch of you pressed together and your nose brushing his whilst you’d regarded him.

He had felt something expand in his chest then - a swell of warmth that had made him swallow hard. He hadn’t managed to make you angry, his attempt at getting you to work through that part of your break up had failed but the end result was undeniably better. You were smiling. Not a full blown grin or anything close, it was subtle - just a faint curve of your lips but it was enough to make Benny practically giddy, like he’d taken a shot of pure adrenaline or liquidised sunshine.

He’d be lying if he said he hadn’t missed your smile.

“I know what you’re trying to do.” You’d chastised him half-heartedly . “Asshole.”

Benny huffed a soft laugh. “You love me anyway.”

He felt your fingertips at his jaw - a fleeting, hesitant touch that had him sucking in sharp breath as your gaze swirled warm.

"Yeah, I do."

A tension had bloomed between them in the following silence, his eyes searching yours before subconsciously dropping to your mouth. He breathed and you moved with him, sunk deep into his chest with his trembling exhale as your head dipped lower until he felt like he could taste you on his tongue.

It would have only taken the slightest movement to kiss you - a small lift of his chin to seal his lips over yours and drink you down the way he'd secretly wished to for years. But he couldn't. It would be wrong when you were in so much pain, your judgement clouded, even if it was what you thought you wanted.

He could kiss you and you'd regret it - you'd be mortified no doubt, either blaming yourself for using him to make yourself feel better or resent him for taking advantage of you in such a vulnerable state. And he couldn't bear the thought of either.

“C’mere.” He murmured instead. The tips of his fingers trailing over the swell of your cheek before they cupped the back of your head to tuck you back into him. He wondered if you could feel his pulse where your mouth skimmed his skin, if the wild thrum against your lips gave away how easily you could affect him without truly even trying.

The air was still heavy - still swollen thick with want and longing and the confusion he could feel in the trembling drum of your fingers over his heart. Benny wanted to kick himself, he hadn't wanted to be another person who made you doubt yourself and you never would if you knew just how desperately he was clenching his jaw to stop himself from spewing his fucking feelings everywhere.

To stop him saying. "If you want me to kiss you I will - I'll kiss you until I can't fucking breathe, until my damn lungs burst - just not when you're grieving for another guy. Come to me in a month, several months - a year. I'll wait and I'll kiss you until you can't remember any other name but mine."

Instead he croaks softly into your hair. "It's not pathetic to be weak when you need to be. Take as long as you need, I've got you."

You healed eventually.

You suffered and you overcame it - cried yourself dry before deciding one day that enough was enough and you bloomed once more. A wildflower sprouting from the rotting corpse of your ruined relationship.

There was no mention of what had nearly happened between you and Benny. And he was okay with it. He dealt with the fact you were probably just seeking comfort - that you didn't feel the same - because at the end of the day having you in his life as just his best friend was infinitely better than living without you. And as long as you were happy, as long as he kept getting to see that glow in your eyes and the dazzling beam of your smile then Benny was happy too.

But now you're not.

You're looking at the asshole who ruined your fucking happiness for weeks and he can see you crumbling that little bit. The ghosts of that old pain and humiliation coming back to twist the loveliness of your features into something shadowed - haunted.

He reaches out to touch your hand - to knot his fingers with yours - whether to steady you or lead you away or whatever he doesn't really know because all of a sudden that voice is splitting through the air. Your name yelled across the store in such a way that it instantly feels like a cheese grater being thrust over Benny’s nerves.

You blanch. Fingers tightening around his as your eyes dart from over his shoulder again and then back to his in horror.

" Oh shit - what the fuck do I do? He's coming over."

"Break his nose?"

"I'm serious Ben."

"Oh well in that case then…stamp on his dick?"

"Benny!"

It's the panic lacing your voice that does it - that makes him lose any real rationality whilst his eyes flit between your rapidly approaching ex and the insecurity bleeding through every move you make.

Your trying to smooth over your hastily shoved up hair, picking at your clothes and Benny wants to slap your free hand away and snap at you to stop it because he can't understand why you don't see how fucking gorgeous you are no matter how you're dressed.

He glares at your ex again - close enough now that Ben gets the perfect view of him realising just exactly who you’re standing with as his face twists to something ugly (uglier).

Good. Let it stick in the asshole's side like a rusty knife that Benny’s still religiously by your side, that he failed spectacularly in trying to drive a wedge between the two of you - something you had never seemed to realise but Benny had sniffed out immediately. He watches the way you’re ex’s eyes narrow at your hand in his, something disturbingly possessive lurking in the soulless depths and fuck no, Benny thinks.

Like hell is he going to let this dick think he still has any right to look at you in that way - or any kind of way ever again after tonight if he can help it.

“C’mere.” He murmurs low enough for only you to hear - his heart diving into a quickening pace at how easy you slip closer, the way you happily let him tug you into his chest - so similar to that moment back in your bed. You blink up at him and he nearly forgets there’s a reason for what he’s doing but then you're breathing his name, Ben?, soft as whisper and he gulps as his eyes drift to your lips and his hand leaves yours to brush permanently bruised knuckles along your jaw.

“You’re so fucking beautiful.” He sighs, desperately tries to ignore the ache in his chest when your eyes widen - lashes fluttering in surprise. “I won’t let him make you doubt yourself, not again, not when he’s the one who fucked up. Let me show him what he’s missing.”

And then he pressed his mouth to yours.

It's chaste at first, innocent, a barely- there whisper to test the waters in case he's crossing an irredeemable line and you decide to shove him away, disgusted. You don't. You return it almost immediately - soft lips moving gently beneath his own - a hesitant exploration that has Benny kiss drunk far too fucking easy.

But then he deepens it - the wet nudge of his tongue making you gasp into his mouth, fingers scraping up his chest and around the back of neck to twist into his hair and press him closer. He burns with it - his whole body going up like kindling - there was a broken sort of noise that echoed in his ears and he dazedly realised it had come from him just before your tongue curls around his and he forgets everything.

There was no room left between them, Benny had you utterly sealed to him, the heat of you searing him despite the many layers and even then there was a part of him that craved you closer, like if he could crack himself open and let you crawl inside, he would. He’d give you everything he could as long as you kept kissing him like that, your pretty soft mouth sounds swirling in his ears as it becomes something more hungered.

If he wasn’t careful he’d end up lost to you completely. Maybe he already was, because it’s not until he hears an obnoxious voice pipe up right next to them that he realises just how utterly consumed he’d allowed himself to become.

“Am I interrupting something?”

You tense and he kisses you once, twice more. Sweet brushes over swollen lips that keeps your attention solely on him even as his mouth finally parts from yours achingly slow. His thumb trailed a path to your mouth where he rubbed at the spit-slick shine left there and grins golden with pride as you shudder with hooded eyes under the new attention.

“Ahem.”

Seems your ex is still as arrogant and impatient as ever and it only makes Benny’s grin morph into a shit-eating smirk when he watches a flood of deep-seething irritation burst behind your pupils. He’s turning before you can say anything, slinging an arm around your shoulders to tuck you tight against his side - an unnecessary display after the show you’ve both put on but he’s positive it’s worth it when the vein in your ex’s forehead seems to throb whilst he looks ready to combust.

“Oh hey Steve” Benny drawls easily. “Sorry buddy, didn't realise you were there, long time no see.”

Not since you cheated on my best friend and left her broken.

For a moment he thinks Steve will back off, abandon whatever stunt he’s trying to pull by approaching you when he hears the grit in Benny’s tone - the shade of threat lingering just beneath the feigned politeness - and shifts warily. But apparently he’s either a hell of a lot dumber than Benny remembers or he’s deluded himself into thinking nothing will happen to him in such a public space because he decides to ignore the blatant hostility radiating from as he dismisses Benny with a shrug and focuses on you.

“I’ve been busy. I work out of town more now I’ve been promoted.” He says smugly, condescension rife in his tone as he adds. “You look... good.”

You snort. “Thanks. But maybe don’t let Sienna hear you say that or has she come to her senses after finding you hanging out the back of someone else too?”

Your tone is glacial and if it was directed at Benny he’d seriously consider just fucking running for the hills - you’re terrifying when your mad, a fact that all five of the guys readily admitted when you served together - but it’s not and he can barely hide his amusement, tucking his face into your hair as a laugh desperately tries to burst free.

Steve only tuts at you, annoyance flashing across his features like he can’t believe you’re still not over it as he chastises you like a child. “Not this again. I told you that was just a one time thing - that I was just stressed with work and she was there. You didn’t have to make it into such a big deal.”

He stiffens. “A big deal?” Benny echoes, furious, just as you straighten to your full height and your expression shifts to something flat - a touch too calm.

“We were engaged. We were talking about buying a house big enough for kids, what kind of reaction did you expect when I found you fucking your secretary.”

“I expected you to understand that I had needs and you hadn’t been there. I was under a lot of stress and you were always too busy with ‘your boys’.”

Wait a fucking minute.

He and the other guys had barely seen you at all before the break up. The day you returned and found out about the cheating you had just spent the week with them but that had been the first visit in months - Benny calling you half frantic because Will’s fiancé had left him and his brother had spiralled hard. You had dropped everything and come running and it must have bothered the asshole in front of you that much that he’d immediately done the worst thing he could just to spite you.

The realisation breeds a whole new brand of anger, the strength of it smashing against the walls of Benny’s skull, screaming through his chest as it rattled the bones of his rib cage whilst he fought to lock it down. You, on the other hand, looked suddenly ill - stricken as your train of thought clearly followed the same path that Benny’s had stumbled down only seconds before.

“I barely saw them.” You whisper before a snarl takes over your face. “I barely saw them because you always complained that I spent too much time with them and not enough with you. Because you accused me of being too close and having feelings for them.”

Steve purses his lips, arches a cool brow as he gestures at where you’re still snug beneath Benny’s arm - your own snaked around his waist in what Ben knows is an effort to ground yourself and not the incriminating evidence of romantic intimacy that your ex thinks it is.

“Well it seems like I was right after all doesn’t it?”

Benny is fucking done. He’s heard enough. He had suspicions that Steve hadn’t liked him, that he hadn’t approved of your friendship. But to hear that he hadn’t liked you being friends with any of them, that he effectively did his best to keep you away from the guys who were your family whilst accusing you of potentially being the unfaithful one, makes Ben so fucking delirious with rage that he almost can’t breathe from the force of it.

“You’re a piece of shit” He seethes, ignoring your warning murmur of his name as he drops his arm from your shoulders and takes a menacing step forward. He watches as Steve's eyes widen slightly before he can hide it with a scoff, uselessly trying to make himself look more intimidating when faced with Ben’s broad frame.

“Who the fuck do you th-” Steve hisses but in a blur Benny surges forward, shoving the bastard into the shelves behind him and pinning him with both hands fisted in your ex��s collar.

“You’re a fucking piece of shit.” He reiterates, this time harsher, his voice rough with all the violence crashing through his veins. “She has always been too good for you. You knew it, we knew it, the only one who didn't realise was her and that’s why you were so fucking desperate to keep her away from us. Because you knew she would have figured it out a hell of a lot sooner with us right by her side.”

“I wanted her away from your pathetic fucking pining.” Steve spits and he freezes. Shock like a punch to the face, momentarily making him loosen his grip and your ex takes quick advantage, lunging forward and knocking Benny a few steps back in your direction. He laughs cruelly as he takes in Benny’s expression awash with surprise, a spiteful gleam in his eyes.

“What? You didn’t think that I knew you were in love with her? How could I fucking not with the way you constantly trailed after her like an adoring puppy.” He sneers and Benny’s stomach drops as he hears your sharp intake of breath. “Tell me, how does it feel to have someone else's scraps? Though I guess you’re used to that now aren’t you - always second behind your brother in school and your career, so why should it be surprising the girl you wanted didn’t want you first either.”

Buzzing in his ears fades to silence.

Red mist then a total black out.

Benny doesn't even realise he's lost it until he's suddenly face to face with you. Until Steve is back to being pinned to the shelving and you’re wedged between his shrinking frame and Benny’s heaving one. His sudden burst of rage is still an unruly thing - still beating around inside his head, a furious scream that you’ve stopped him from repeatedly smashing his fist into your ex’s face until the flawless nose he’s so proud of resembles a lump of mangled meat.

But you’re there and your hand is clasped around the fist Benny had unknowingly reeled back and the other one has smoothed out from its stern grip on his bicep to sweep up, up, up until you’re cupping his jaw and brushing your thumb over his cheek.

Once you see you’ve got his attention you draw his forehead to yours and murmur. “Benny don’t listen to him okay, listen to me, he’s not worth it. Everything you ever said about him was right and he’s not fucking worth it. And I’ll be damned if you get arrested because of a worthless piece of shit like him.”

You grip his chin - press the softest kiss to his mouth without the slightest hesitation and his heart spasms. “Let’s just go home, yeah? I don’t want to waste any more time on him. Not when I just want to be with you.”

The last part was a whisper - just for him - and he deflated with it. A balm to the jagged edges of his rage that you seemed to only ever be capable of providing. “Okay.” He answers simply, roughly, and you beamed as he yanked the hand still wrapped around his raised fist to his mouth and planted a ridiculously sweet kiss to your knuckles before stepping back and pulling you with him.

He begins to lead you away, his head turned slightly to call over his shoulder to your ex. “I would say see you around, but I’d rather put a fucking bullet in both my eyes before that happens.”

“Fuck you Miller.” Steve spits. “You’re pathetic, she’s using you and you can’t even fucking see it. She’ll chew you up and spit you back out and you’ll probably still be begging her to let you fuck her, you sad fu-”

You slammed your fist into his nose and his insults shattered into a high pitched wail of agony. Benny hadn’t even seen you move - couldn’t even remember feeling you tug your hand from his you had been that fast. A hurricane cased in bone and flesh, striking before anyone else has time to blink. He watched you with his mouth agape as you shook your hand out - flexed your fingers with a dark, fleeting curiosity before your gaze swung back to the man bleeding and whining on the ground at your feet.

You stalked closer and he actually cowered - pride swelling in Benny’s chest as power radiated from every inch of you. He admired it as you dropped into a crouch, as the venom Steve prepared to weakly spit withered and died on his tongue when you lent forward and whispered something Benny couldn’t hear that made your ex gulp and nod frantically. It’s stupidly fucking attractive and he can barely regain control of his features that have glazed over in a near all-consuming want before you rise and turn back to him, the movement lazy with self-satisfaction.

“Ready to go?” You grin.

Christ, he’s so fucking in love with you.

Benny’s face fell then. If you heard what your ex said and believed him, then you knew it too.

Fuck.

The ride home is tense.

Did you know? Is he supposed to ask or does he wait to see if you mention anything? He tried studying you out of the corner of his eye as he drove, the streetlights illuminating your features but nothing else, no hint of what you were feeling - if you had any certain feelings towards things you’d possibly overheard.

Even watching you now he feels at a loss. Like a code he’s always been able to decipher has all of a sudden switched up on him and he doesn’t even know where to start cracking it again. You flit around his kitchen easily, searching for whatever drinks and snacks you can find because you had to leave behind everything you’d picked out at the store once you realised it probably wasn’t a good idea to hang around after technically assaulting someone, and he doesn’t realise you’re talking to him until you’re stepping close to wave a hand in his face.

“Earth to Benny.” You laugh and he blinks, startled, before offering a sheepish grin that soon morphs into a concerned frown as he gently grabs your wrist.

A noise of discontent rising in his throat whilst he inspects your hand. “You’re hurt.” He grunts and before you can shrug it off he’s letting go to drop his hands to your waist - lifting you on the pine countertop with a cheeky grin at your surprised yelp of his name.

“Just sweeping you off your feet babe.” He winks and you snort before rolling your eyes - muttering jesus you’re such a dork as he hunts for the first-aid kit under the kitchen sink.

“Haven’t you saved my ass enough for one night.” You tease as he slots himself between your legs. “Seriously Ben, it’s just a few scrapes, I’ll live.”

“Not if you get an infection, now stay still.” He mumbles - pulling out wipes, antiseptic cream and a roll of bandage before picking up your hand to inspect the damage again. “You got him good.”

“Yeah well, serves him right for thinking he can say shit about you.”

His lips twitched at that, quickly hidden as he uses his teeth to tear open a wipe - using the distraction of tending to your hand to ignore your gaze on him - the way his body was reacting to your proximity now he knew what it felt like to have you pressed into him. Kissing him.

“Benny?” You murmur softly and he makes a quiet noise of acknowledgement, a rumbled hmm in his throat before he glances up at you when you don’t continue.

You were chewing your lip - a hesitant look on your face - and there’s barely a chance for his stomach to drop, for him to think fuck, this is it, when you suddenly blurt. “Why did you kiss me?”

Because I couldn’t stand to see you breaking all over again when you’ve come so far.

Because you deserved to make your shithead ex feel as insignificant as he made you feel.

Because you needed my help and I’d give my fucking soul if it meant you never had to doubt yourself that way again.

He runs each reason through his mind and discards every one. They’re too revealing - these truths that he weighs on the tip of his tongue too heavily threaded with another.

I love you.

So instead he shoves it all back, his eyes dropping back to where he’s applying the cream to your hand whilst he scrambles to come up with something that won’t make you too suspicious.

“Mistletoe.” Nailed it.

“Mistletoe?” You echo, the choked off noise of barely-restrained laughter colouring your tone. So much for avoiding suspicion but he could work with this.

“Mhm, saw it and had a moment of divine inspiration. You're welcome.”

“Benny, it's April.”

He shrugs, a smirk tugging at his lips as he rolls out the bandage. “Maybe they forgot about it, not everyone has the decorations down practically a day later like you weirdo.”

“Yeah because you make me put them up in November Benjamin.” You huff back.

And then there’s silence - a heartbeat moment where they just stare at each other, all soft, warm smiles and breathy laughter and when did you get so close because Benny is sure as hell when this conversation started you weren’t right there - right where he could see every individual fleck of colour in your eyes and the way your lashes flutter as his breath fans over your lips.

There wasn’t a damn thing he could do to stop himself. It was like you stared right through him and he was helpless but to spill everything - to peel back his skin and crack apart his ribs to let you take a peek at the mess of his heart just so he could sate that unsatisfied gleam of curiosity you held.

“I hate him.” He declares with a sudden vehemence that has your eyebrows raising and your lips parting in surprise. “I hate that he hurt you and I couldn’t do a damn thing to stop it. I hate that he made you feel like you were worthless and I hate that he can make you doubt yourself even after all this time because you are fucking incredible and an absolute badass and lets be honest we’d all probably be dead or at least severely maimed without you.”

A choked laugh slipped past your lips then, watery, and the sight of your trembling smile and glistening eyes made him ache - made him yearn to wrap his arms around you and cradle you flush against his chest. Instead he took your face into the warm cup of his hands and swept his thumbs in tender strokes over the swell of your cheeks and resisted every cell in his body screaming at him to kiss you there and then until they were both breathless.

“Do you know what I think I hate the most?” He whispers, shuddering slightly as your fingers trail gently up his arms to rest around his wrists. “That he had everything. Everything I ever wanted and he threw it away like it was nothing. I could kill him for that alone.”

You suck in a breath and he forces himself to hold your searching gaze whilst his heart threatens to erupt. “Ben” You eventually croak, head shaking. “I know today has been a lot, but please, don’t say anything you don’t really mean.”

"When have I ever?"

You frown, wary. “Are you trying to tell me that you- that what Steve said? Was that true?”

He has to tell you. He’s got this far, got this semblance of relief blossoming in his gut because he’s coveted these feelings for so long and despite the fact he knows it’s gonna hurt like hell in the end, it also feels good to finally be honest with you. And maybe if he just gets it out for you to tell him that you don’t feel the same then he can find a way to not make things weird and move the fuck on.

“Before I answer that.” He coughs - clears his throat - his mouth suddenly dry as bone. Fuck, this is terrifying. “I need you to know that I’m not expecting anything from you. I know you don’t feel the same and it’s okay - I’m okay with it. I don’t want to lose you so if I get it out in the open, we can work past it and nothing has to change.”

“Benny.” You murmur before one of your hands leaves his to cradle his jaw.

His eyes slip closed. Now or never. “I love you.” It punches out of him - powerful like so many of Benny’s emotions have always been. A blunt force - or too much, as some people have told him and he can’t help but fear you might now be one of them but he also can’t stop. “I’ve loved you since we were kids, I just never realised. At least not until you were with Steve and I saw all the ways I would treat you better if it was me being allowed to love you and not him. And then it hit me just how much I wanted it to be me, I was just too scared to do anything about it. I’m sorry.”

When he looks at you your eyes are wide - glossy. And for a horrifying moment he thinks his feelings have upset you so badly that you’re about to burst into tears, his hands falling away from your face as he takes a step back when a heavy wave of nausea rocks him. But then your expression changes, morphs to something mystified - a touch incredulous.

“And you think that I don’t feel the same?” You question, quiet voice edged with disbelief that he desperately tries to not fold all of his hope into, and your nose scrunched with adorable confusion.

You continue. “You don’t think that I loved you the moment I met you? That I’ve imagined kissing you a thousand times over and not just because I wanted to get back at some asshole ex?” You’re tripping over your words now - chest heaving as they pour out of you and all Benny can do is blink - stunned. “God, I practically followed you everywhere! School, the army and now here. Did it never occur to you that I only started dating Steve because I thought you would never love me like I loved you - I never wanted all the forever stuff with him, not at first anyway. I wanted it with you Benny.”

I wanted it with you.

With you. With you. With you.

Those words went round and round in his head like a damn carousel - drowning out every other thought until it was the only one he had left - shining under a hundred garish lights. He can’t breathe. “I - I didn’t –” He stammers and your expression melts.

You reach for him and he all but stumbles back to you in his haste to hold you against him. To smooth his large hands up your sides as your fingers curl into his collar and an amused smile tugs at your lips. “Me neither, but now I do.”

And then you're kissing him.

You’re kissing him and he’s drowning in it - lost to the heat of your mouth crushed to his. The hand that has thread through the curls at the nape of his neck - clenching - dragging him closer. He’s cradling your cheeks, gently teasing your tongue with his own and it all burns sweet until you moan - breathless - into his mouth, almost making his damn knees buckle. Making him ache in a way that disarms him entirely.

He could do this forever he decides. Could die a happy man with his fingers hooking beneath your chin to deepen the kiss and your knees jerking in response, squeezing his hips. You shiver when his arm winds around you, wrenching you tight against his body as you cling to him and his name pours from your lips like warm honey.

A softly gasped “Benny.” that drips golden pleasure down his spine.

And he must make a noise - some low, wrecked sound in the back of his throat - because you pull away just a fraction, eyes flickering over his face. Drinking down his hungered expression, his dilated gaze slipping from your own to your kiss-swollen lips before he drags it back up again.

“Do you want me?” You whisper, your hand slipping over his side and to the bottom of his back, dipping beneath the layers of his hoodie and shirt to splay across heated skin. He can barely focus, his forehead falling to yours as he shudders beneath the gentle stroke of your fingers. He feels the touch like it’s inside him - like they’ve sunk through flesh, tissue and bone to fist around his heart.

Christ.

“Of course I do.” He rasps.

“Then show me - I’m yours.”

He sucked in a breath before his lips crashed back to yours. His tongue surging past your teeth to tangle with yours - to devour you with a singular, overwhelming urgency. It grips him - possesses him - and it takes a herculean type of strength to remove himself the centimetre it takes to husk into your mouth. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

You clutch at him, seal your body against his so he can feel the way your chest heaves - the way you’re trembling for him - and smile against his lips. “Fuck me Benny, please.”

He hauls you forward then, off the counter - his mouth refusing to part from yours even as he stumbles - attempting to navigate you both to the couch that he swears is suddenly a million fucking miles away whilst you laugh into the kiss. You don’t make it. They bounce off a door frame and there’s a curse hidden beneath more laughter before you say fuck it and pull him down right there.

Your back hits the floor and he’s stretching over you - caging you in - his hips nestled into the cradle of your own, slowly grinding whilst you pant against his mouth. He pulls back an inch and stares - tries to brand this image of you in his brain because fuck it’s doing things to him. You’re glowing with arousal, your eyes glazed and warm with it - your lips swollen and parted as your breath hitches when the thick outline of his cock catches you just right.

“You’re so fucking beautiful.” He murmurs and your responding smile is blinding. It knocks him flat - makes his heart stutter. He drops his head before he can get too entranced - presses featherlight kisses along your jaw, down your throat - gently scraping his teeth along the curve as your fingers catch in his hair.

He travels down your body, hands skating down your sides until they reach the hem of your (his) jumper and with a quick glance and a soft smile at your nod of approval, he’s lifting it up, up, up. Revealing the warm, silken skin of your belly, then your ribs and finally your lace covered breasts to his worshipful gaze and wandering mouth. A shaky breath blows past your lips when he kisses your stomach, your fingers clenching in his hair before they jerk as he drags his tongue from your belly button to the edge of your bra.

“Jesus Benny, are you trying to make me explode?” You whisper and he chuckles. A rough, throaty sound as he nudges his nose along the swell of your tit, his mouth hovering just shy of touching whilst he glances up at you with a cheeky grin.

“Of course not darlin’.” He teases. “Not yet anyway.”

Then his mouth closed over your nipple and whatever witty comeback he could see brewing on your tongue cracked into a choked moan as you arched into him, your thighs tightening as he flicks and pinches at the other with his fingers. He swirls his tongue over the wet lace before ripping it down to taste your bare skin, teases the stiffening bud between his teeth whilst your hands cradle his head closer to your chest.

When he’s drunk his fill of your soft little sighs, he slips down. Trailing hot, open mouthed kisses over your ribs - your stomach - the patch of skin above your waistband until you're tilting your hips up in a silent plea.

Like he would ever refuse you.

He curls his fingers in and tugs, shucking your sweats off along with your underwear before he wedges himself between your thighs, hooking one of your legs over his shoulder so he can hold you open and feast on the sight before him - your pretty cunt all shiny for him, making his mouth water.

He drops his face closer, groans into the warm skin of your thigh he’s currently nuzzling, planting a dozen kisses laced with worship. “Fuck, you smell good.”

You do. You smell a little like him - his body wash lingering on your skin from where you’d grabbed a shower after work - and the light tang of sweat, the musk of your arousal mixed with something his brain can only offer up as purely you. He’s drunk on it - lightheaded - and he can’t resist tasting you any longer as he shoves his face into you and licks. Buries his tongue between your folds to lap at you from hole to clit before latching his mouth to the swollen flesh and sucking hard.

Your whole body jerks with it - your palm slamming to the floor beside you as you wheeze. “Oh my god - Benny.”

His eyes snap open to watch you, raking over your expression that is drenched in pleasure, the raw vulnerability of it nearly enough to make Benny lose his damn mind before the movements of your hand catches his attention. You're skating it over the carpet - fingers flexing - attempting to twist into the coarse fibres in an effort to ground yourself and failing.

He’s reaching for you without another thought - his hand leaving the iron grip it has on the plush skin of your ass to snatch up yours - entwining both your fingers before he squeezes. Silently telling you, use me - anchor yourself to me - it’s okay, I’ve got you.

Your head falls back as he teases his tongue at the rim of your fluttering hole - a cracked whimper escaping your throat when he switches the wet muscle with his fingers, slipping two into the soaked heat of your pussy whilst his tongue swirls over your clit. You’re grinding into him now, bucking into his mouth - fucking yourself down on his hand as he curls his fingers and strokes the patch of tissue that makes you chant his name like a prayer.

Like something golden and pure.

He’s torn between never wanting to leave your cunt and pulling back to watch you writhe beneath him - letting all the praise that’s crashing through his head come spilling out so he can see the way you go liquid - eyes glazed over - as your cunt drips and pulses around his fingers. You cry out when he twists his knuckles and he can’t resist. Inching back from your flushed sex to growl your name, a smug smile tugging at his lips when his thumb presses against your throbbing clit and your body spasms the moment your eyes flutter open.

“Look at me baby.” He husks, cock twitching when your gaze slides hazy - lust drunk - to his. “Want you to look at me when you cum okay - think you can keep those pretty eyes open for me?”

There’s sweat beading at your hairline - your lips parting around a moan before you offer a jerky nod. “Yeah benny - fuck - just don’t stop, please.”

“Good girl.”

He feels you clench around him - dangerously close to splintering as your pleasure thunders closer. Your eyes are burning into him - blazing - growing darker when he shoves forward to get his mouth back on you. Body stiffening when his tongue curls into you, lashes over your clit until you cry and your thighs clamp around his head like you're trying to crush his skull.

He’d let you. He’d let you do anything with the way his name is pouring from your throat - your fingers laced through his hair, curling tight and pressing him to your spasming cunt as the first wave of your climax crashes into you.

“Benny.” You sob.

And then your hand is a steel vice on his own, desperately holding on as tremors wrack your frame and your pussy contracts and gushes around his fingers. He groans at the feel of you painting his face, the way your mouth drops open as he drinks you down - half feral from your taste - until your head falls back and you’re kicking at him to pull back and let you breathe.

When he pulls his fingers out of you, you shudder, eyes that were fluttering closed popping back open - staring as he sucks the slick fingers into his mouth and licks them clean before releasing them with a lewd pop.

“Always knew you’d taste so sweet.” He breathes, chuckling when you release his hand to pass it over your sweat-damp hair with a softly whispered fuck. He nuzzles at your thighs, presses gentle kisses to the still trembling skin as he strokes soothingly over your legs - your belly - your sides with his warm hands until your own wordlessly reach for him.

He climbs back up your body with a grin - a shining, satisfied thing that he’s sure probably takes up nearly half of his face and you huff a quiet laugh when he meets you face to face.

“You’re adorable sometimes, you know that?” You smile - eyes alight - your fingers skimming his jaw.

He snorts. “That’s the word you’re gonna use for someone who just made you c-” He teases, grin widening when you cover his mouth with your fingers and jokingly warn.

“Don’t ruin the moment Benjamin.”

He laughs and kisses you instead. Warm and slow like syrup as you pull him down until he’s draped over you, his tongue in your mouth - still tasting of you - and your thighs caging his hips.

He rose and sat back on his haunches to let you strip his shirt - his hand curling around the back of your neck to drag you back to him, mouths connecting again and again the instant it’s over his head and dropping from the tips of your fingers to pool onto the floor. You flatten your palms to his chest - sweep them out and then down, exploring the expanse of his muscles - your fingers slipping over every dip and ridge, making his breath hitch.

He shivers when your mouth trails over his jaw, when he feels teasing nips marking his throat before there’s an open mouthed kiss pressed over the scar on his chest as you steadily unbuckle his belt. He helps you rid him of his jeans - his boxers - and then he’s gently pushing you back until he hovered over you once more, his hard cock pressed against your thigh and his fingers sweetly pushing back a stray lock of hair as his forehead dips to meet yours.

“Hey.” He breathes - voice dropping low - his smile achingly soft.

You seem to melt beneath him, lips quirking as you nudge your nose against his and whisper back a tender “hey”.

He shakes slightly when you take him in your hand - a tremor ghosting through his arms - his lungs - as he revels in the soft heat of your fingers wrapped around him, working him before you guide him to the soaked flesh of your core. He kisses you frantically and rasps your name into your mouth when the fat head of his cock breaches your hole.

“I love you.” He exhales. Repeats it as he slides inside you inch by inch - stretching you open.

You choke on a sob - a ragged sound tearing free from your throat, “I love you too.” You pant against his mouth, nails biting into his arms - his back - your legs hooking over his ass to bring him closer as you rock your hips . “God I love you - fuck ,I need you to move - please Ben.”

He goes slow. An oozing honey pace that made him lose his head and his breath with every deep plunge of his cock through the hot, wet silk of your pulsing walls. You cling to him - lifting your hips up to meet each thrust whilst praise bubbles up and pours from your kiss-swollen lips.

There’s his hand grasping your jaw to pull you into a messy kiss and his fingers at the crest of your sex, drawing sloppy circles over your clit - making you clench so tight that he sees stars - and it’s all so good that he can feel himself close to spiralling already.

“You feel so good.” He grunts. “So fucking perfect - just look at you.”

He inches back - just far enough for you to see - for you to watch as your pussy swallows him with every roll of his hips.

“Fuck.” You gasp - the sound strangled “I’m so close - I need –”

You cut off with a sharp cry as his cock brushes up against that sensitive patch of tissue deep inside you, making you drip down his cock and soak the curls at the base of him.

“Shit.” He croaks - fingers fisting in your hair as his teeth bite into the meat of your shoulder before he drops his head into the curve of your neck. “Tell me - tell me what you need baby.”

“More.” You moan. “Don’t hold back - I can take it.”

Fucking hell. Are you trying to kill him?

He can’t deny you though.

Your request rips heat through him - makes him burn. He picks up the pace, fucks you hard and fast until the room fills with the wet squelch of his cock spearing deep inside you and your soft mewls of right there - fuck right there - Benny - baby - it feels so good.

It doesn’t take long for you to go liquid. For your words to turn into senseless, heated babble and your body to try and curl in on itself - stiffening as he drives you to a blissful madness with startling speed.

“Benny.” You whimper - voice barely floating over the harsh slap of his hips against yours. “I’m gonna cum, I’m -”

He quickly drags his head up and fuses his mouth to yours - swallowing your cries - the vibrations of your choked scream as you cum. Slick cunt squeezing his cock so hard he thinks you're trying to lock him inside you, his thrusts growing frantic, dragging your pleasure on until your sobbing - hands desperately grasping at him until he catches them with his own and pins them above your head.

“That’s it.” He praises, switches your wrists to one hand so he can hook the other beneath your knee and hitch your leg up higher on his waist - driving deeper into your convulsing pussy. “That’s it pretty baby.”

A wrecked groan rumbles through his chest, the snap of his hips suddenly stuttering when electricity zips down his spine and surges in his belly. His orgasm cresting without warning and knocking him flat the moment it crashes into him.

He all but collapses into you, his body blanketing yours as his cock swells and coats your insides in warm ropes of his spend. You disentangle your hands from his clenching grasp to cradle his cheeks, drawing him sweetly to your mouth as he pants - too exhausted to swipe away the hair falling to his eyes that’s dark with sweat as his body shudders through the aftershocks.

He doesn’t want to move after. There’s a contentment settling in his bones that he’s never experienced before - making his heart go all buttery-warm and soft when his lips slowly part from yours and his eyes peel open.

You’re glowing again.

It radiates from you and he wonders if he’s been painted the same way, if his happiness is as blatant to you as yours has always been to him. If the way you’re looking at him counts for anything then he thinks it is.

“You're incredible.” He murmurs - snaking his arms under your head and your waist - folding you into him. You wind your own around his neck in return, lips spreading into a sparkling grin as your fingers drag softly through his hair.

“You’re pretty amazing yourself Benjamin.”

He wants to tell you that he feels it. That you make him feel that way.

Here in your arms he doesn’t feel like he’s less - you don’t make him feel like he’s got to push himself to match expectations created by someone else, like he falls short just by being him and not them. He’s enough in your eyes, always has been, and he doesn’t know how he ever managed to deny loving you when it’s been right in front of his face the whole time.

You make him glow.

And he’ll love you for it until the day he dies.

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