Reaching Blindly chapter 4

When BEN next opened his eyes he was, needless to say, surprised at the fact that his home lay in pieces around him. The storm that was once comfortably outside was now being blown in his face full-torrent, and he sputtered at the water flooding his face. He looked around himself, attempting to figure out what the hell even happened. Looking to his left, he swallowed the raising bile in his throat as he took in the closeness of the giant oak that had obliterated his house- a few more inches over and he probably wouldn't have woken up. To his right was Jeff, who was lying down and facing toward BEN so his face was visible. His unblinking gaze was glazed and unfocused, and the albino knew this as a signal he was out cold. BEN then realized there was a long pole sticking awkwardly out of the ground behind Jeff, and as he followed the trail of blood that was swirling with the rainwater around him, a cold feeling of dread washed over the cyber ghost. That pole ran right through Jeff's upper arm, just above the elbow. BEN blanched, knowing his friend was pinned, and as he sat up to help, he realized he himself wasn't better off by much.
    He was pinned to the ground by a large wooden beam, and it pressed harshly against his chest to where it was difficult to breathe. BEN forced himself to lean back and as he resolved to simply push the beam away, he discovered his right arm failed to respond to him- a white-hot jolt of pain ripping up to his shoulder. BEN cried out, gritting his teeth against the pain.
    This seemed to have been enough for Jeff to slowly begin to come to. The glazed filter over his eyes began to slip away, and as a particularly loud clap of thunder boomed over the both of them, the killer groaned and coughed, using his free hand to move some hair out of his eyes.
    "You alright, Jeff?" BEN's voice was raspy and his throat ached. He was freezing from the wind and rain, and he shivered. Jeff nodded tentatively, finally beginning to notice the predicament with his arm and the pole. He looked back at BEN, blue eyes swimming with concern.
    "It's not fatal; I'll live. But what about you? Can you breathe?"
BEN nodded in response, his throat throbbing far too much for him to talk more. Perhaps he had inhaled some glass shards or wood dust? Either way all he could now do was move his lips to say, "I'm fine." Jeff sighed frustratingly.
    "We need to get the hell out of here before we..."
    "Drown," BEN mouthed, coughing and cringing.
    "But we're both stuck here if someone doesn't come to help," Jeff mused, more to himself than to BEN- the roar of the wind and rain was almost too loud for either to hear him speak anyways. The rainwater was really beginning to raise in the little incline where BEN rested his head to breathe, and he looked desperately at Jeff. He couldn't lean up- if he did, then the beam's weight would suffocate him. If he stayed put, then the water would eventually... BEN refused to dwell on the thought. Jeff's gaze flickered from BEN, to the water, then to the pole. His other arm seemed to work fine, however, and he flexed his hand testingly.
    The cyber ghost was beginning to feel his chest tighten and his breathing quickened to a rapid tempo. The water was still raising, and he was still pinned. His eyes flicked to the sudden movement beside him, and he watched in confusion as Jeff reached over and gripped the pole tightly. BEN's eyes widened and he attempted to catch his friends eye and plead for him to stop, not wanting him to put himself in so much pain for BEN's sake. Jeff refused to meet the other's gaze and gripped the pole until his knuckles turned impossibly white, and he began to pull. BEN looked away, his ears flagging down towards his head  as he heard several wet-sounding creaks and snaps. Jeff screamed, and BEN reflexively looked back to meet the sight of the pole slowly but surely sliding out of Jeff's arm. The male's back arched from the pain, but, finally, the pole came loose, and Jeff managed to yank the rest of it free with the last of his strength and he tossed it far away. He jackknifed to his feet, ready to get the both of them out of there, then stopped as he deftly tore a piece of cloth (bedding, perhaps? Or maybe it was curtain) and dressed the wound as quickly as possible and made his way over to where BEN lay as the water lapped at his ears. He was thankful that his legs were as strong as ever-as his arms were definitely in no shape to lift a heavy ass boarding beam. He studied the situation carefully for a moment, then moved into position and reared back and gave the beam an almighty kick. This was just enough for the large block of wood to be moved away from BEN to where the cyber elf could stand and get his bearings. He dipped under the sudden sensation of dizziness, and Jeff cursed under his breath as he managed to just catch the smaller male with his free arm.
    "Come on, BEN, we need to get to the hospital." Jeff pressed, watching BEN nod slightly and shake his head as if to clear the wooziness, standing straight but still having to lean against against his friend for support.
    It took some effort to get past the wind and rain, and even a few stray lightning bolts struck too close for comfort, but they made it to the hospital, and when the nurse saw the hole through Jeff’s arm, they were both rushed to the ER right away.

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    A few hours later, their bandages were done and they were relaxing on the hospital beds- not the most comfortable beds in the world, but better than the cold wet floor they’d been pinned to for hours. BEN laughed softly as a thought crossed his mind. "These people must be sick of seeing me here; I only just came out yesterday.” Jeff nodded.
    “Yeah, and I was the one who dragged you here, too.”
    BEN didn't laugh, and Jeff looked up to see the albino looking down at his hands, expression unreadable. The killer could still tell his friend was in an immense amount of pain from how his ears dropped, and and he swallowed, mentally reprimanding himself for his big mouth. Their beds were close enough so Jeff could reach over and rest a hand on BEN's shoulder, and he seemed to snap out of his little trance. Red met blue and BEN shrugged Jeff's hand away.
    "How did you possibly find me in that building?" Jeff averted his gaze, not able to continue to look at the broken heart in front of him. He sighed softly, furrowing his eyebrows together.
    "Well, I was there. Before the fire broke out. A friend had called in a favor I owed and I was helping with some more heavy equipment- moving it to and a fro and whatnot. From what I heard, there had been an electrical fire, and it had spread to some more... flammable equipment, I suppose, before anyone had any sense to put it out. There was a huge explosion, and before I knew what was happening, everyone was evacuating. Those goddamned idiots. They couldn't even put out a simple fire." BEN didn't feel up to explaining to Jeff that electrical fires were more of a challenge to extinguish than a heavy-burning kerosene fire, but he let him continue without a word. "Either way, I was going to get the hell out of Dodge myself before you came speeding in through the doors like a bat out of hell. I tried to flag you down, but you didn't see me. I had to follow, and when I finally found you again you were passed out against a wall. I honestly thought you had tried to commit suicide or something, but I managed to get you out of there before the place collapsed. It wasn't until I got you to the ER that I found out about your friend. If I had known, I would've tried to save him, too. I'm sorry, BEN. I really and truly am."
    BEN was momentarily stunned at Jeff's apology, but then his mind seemed to clear, and he looked down. His expression darkened, almost looking furious, before the storm passed and he shook his head.
    "It's... okay, Jeff. I don't blame you. I think... Silver would've wanted it this way, if there was ever a choice. Because..." he trailed off, but then dipped his head, thankful that Jeff wouldn't be able to see past his long white hair as he mouthed, "He knew that I still loved you." Jeff tilted his head, but didn't press BEN for any more.
    *Whatever makes him feel better, I suppose.*
    "Sil would be very upset with me if he knew I gave up on myself so easily, though," BEN murmured, lifting his gown sleeve and quietly eyeing the numerous long cuts that ran up his arm. Jeff sighed.
    "It would be nowhere near comparable to how upset I was." The killer mumbled, resting his head in his uninjured hand and gazing at BEN with an odd look. BEN shrugged and smiled, moving from his bed to Jeff's with a soft grunt. His arm was in a sling, and it throbbed like hell, but he could get that fixed easily once he found a decent computer in this place. Jeff seemed surprised at the close proximity of the both of them, but he quickly relaxed as BEN's innocent aura enveloped him as he rested his head against his shoulder.
    "I didn't know my old drinking buddy cared soo~ much about my wellbeing. It's quite flattering, really." BEN smirked and looked up at the younger male. His red eyes smoldered in the black depths, and suddenly BEN didn't seem so innocent anymore. Jeff swallowed and looked away.
    "You're one of the few friends I have. I don't think... I would be very well off without you." BEN giggled, his ears perking up as his cheeks grew pink. It was a heart warming sight to see his friend happy, and Jeff returned it with a rare smile of his own.
    "Well, aren't you just mister gusher this evening. Wanna go ahead and confess your lifelong crush on me while you're at it?"
    "I dunno. I think a couple more drops of morphine and I just might," Jeff joked. "They must have you on something quality; it seems to be taking effect for you to act like this."
    "Oh, drugs could never make me feel like this," BEN murmured, eyes half lidded as he gave a lopsided smile that Jeff definitely did not think was sexy in the slightest. With a quiet laugh, the albino leaned forward and pressed his lips to Jeff's cheek, just where the Glasgow smile began. He leaned back and both were quiet for several moments before Jeff sighed in mock irritation.
    "You missed, stupid." He growled, grabbing the back of BEN's head and pulling him close enough so their lips just brushed. The poor, drugged up albino couldn't make heads or tails of this. He just barely flirting, right? Although for all intents and purposes this was exactly what he wanted- needed, really- so he gave in easily and pressed closer, marveling all the little things Jeff did to make him feel this way; from the cute quirks to the absolutely sexy kinks. He wondered briefly how he had never sensed any outward affection come from the killer, but then, it was a task to get any emotion out of him past a cocky smirk. They pulled apart with a small *smack* that made the muscles in BEN's lower belly tighten sharply. He smiled innocently.
    "That was cute of you. And I'll go ahead and take that as a silent confession, m'kay?"
    Jeff sneered, but not hatefully. It was more of a gesture of "yeah, right."
    "Same goes for you, and with all the noise you were making, I doubt you disliked it." BEN touched his lips almost self-consciously, a bright flare of red rising to his cheeks. It suddenly hit him full-force that he had just kissed the man whom he had wanted to since they day they met; the man he fled from to get away from that desire. BEN said nothing for a long while, but just as he opened his mouth to speak, his ears pricked up as he heard the approaching footsteps of a nurse. He made quick work of getting back into his bed wordlessly just as the door opened as a young nurse came in with a tray.
    "Hello, boys. I'm just here to bring in your dinners," she chided happily, handing each male a plate. She stepped back, still keeping on her friendly smile. "Is there anything I can get you two?"
    "We're fine, thanks," BEN gave the girl a wink, and she nodded, flustered, and hurried out. Jeff sighed inwardly, watching the cyber ghost out of the corner of his eye. What was he thinking, doing something like that? He wouldn't be surprised if BEN kept his distance after that stunt.
    *Ugh. Why do I have to be so goddamn awkward?* The killer berated himself viciously. He continued to steal silent glances toward BEN, and surprisingly, he didn't seem angry. Not even irritated. He just stared with a strange expression in his eyes, and every now and again his lips would part and twitch upwards into the smallest of smiles. Jeff simply shrugged and continued to eat his food, deciding that the Zelda fanatic was too emotionally drained to be worried about trivial things like this, and it would take time. His heart was still doing little flip-flops in his chest, though, and honestly the killer couldn't wait to feel those soft, cool lips against his again.

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  It wasn't very long after that when a few of their friends were permitted to visit. The small, ragtag group was made up of Eyeless Jack, Masky, Toby, Sally, and Glitchy Red, known to most in the room as just Glitch. They were in a panic after hearing Jeff and BEN had been hurt, but the cyber albino managed to calm them down.
    "We're both fine you guys. See? Alive and breathing right in front of you. I mean, Jeff's the one you all should worry about; he got a pole to the arm and is in better shape than me."
    Jack laughed. "That's because you're used to being able to crawl into your computer and heal your wounds instantaneously. Unlike you, the rest of us have to build up a tolerance to pain to survive."
    "That reminds me," Jeff tapped his chin, motioning to Toby. "Yo, did you bring the stuff I asked for?" The goggled teen nodded, acquiring a syringe and vial of a bright green liquid. He handed both to Jeff, who made quick work of drawing the vial's contents into the needle and injecting himself just above the wound in his arm. Everyone seemed to look at him oddly, and he elaborated. "It's the quick-healer stuff from Slender. He allowed me to have some since this is my dominant arm and I need it to be in use as soon as possible."
    "It's a shame Master never lets me have any when I'm hurt." Masky lamented rather dramatically.
    "Masky, you never get hurt," BEN teased. "You're too careful, and the worst I've seen you do is give yourself a papercut."
    "Papercuts hurt, too, BEN," Masky retorted, flicking BEN on his heel playfully. "They hurt a lot, and then they can get infected, and then you raise the possibility of losing a finger or even sometimes a whole hand, and boom, you ain't got a hand because you didn't wash your hands."
    "Masky, that had nothing to do with Slender's serum," Toby interjected, trying to steer his friend back on the right track. Masky stared, uncomprehending, until it dawned on him, and he blushed.
    "Oh, right."
    "Anyways, BEN," Glitch interrupted rather meekly, and BEN's attention fell to him solely. The Pokemon trainer was a bit of a stuttery, nervous mess, but he managed to continue. "The rest of us in the cyber realm were thinking, you know- since it really shouldn't be put off much longer- that we should plan a funeral for Silver. We all respected him very much." He watched BEN warily for his reaction, as if the albino elf might explode into a million peach and green pieces. After several moments of silence, BEN nodded.
    "You're right, Glitch, it really shouldn't wait." BEN looked down at his arm and sighed. "I'm stuck here until I can get a new computer, so... do you think you and the gang can sort it out? I'll be there to help as soon as possible."
    Glitch nodded, relieved that his friend had taken the news so well, then rubbed the back of his head. "I'll tell everyone back in the realm as soon as I get back there."
    "Don't rush on my account," BEN insisted, his eyes softening. "I'm sure Silver would understand why I want this to be perfect for him."
    Masky cleared his throat. "Well, if that's everything, and you two are alive and breathing, I suppose we'll all head out. That is, unless you'd like us to stay?" Jeff shook his head.
    "Go on home, you guys," he said. "You're tired, and frankly, so are we."
Nodding, everyone said their goodbyes and left. Jeff shifted, watching the last one, Sally, leave. She had been strangely quiet the whole visit. Normally, the young girl was a ball of talking caffeine rush. What's more, she refused to relinquish an icy glare on Jeff, which was incredibly weird as she seemed to favor Jeff almost as much as she did BEN. Perhaps he did something to make her angry? He would have to apologize to her later; an angry Sally was a force to be reckoned with. A loud groan from BEN jerked Jeff away from his thoughts, and he turned his head to see the cyber boy stretching dramatically, his back bowing off the bed.
    "They need to hurry up and let us out. There's no way I can stay still for much longer."
    "I've seen you go on 36-hour gaming binges without moving a muscle and you're here complaining about laying for a few hours? You're a mess, BEN." Jeff rolled his eyes, and was glad to hear BEN laugh.
    "A hot mess, you mean, right?" The older murmured, and Jeff's mouth went dry, immediately knowing what tone that was. But, wasn't he just acting all "I-don't-know-what's-happening-so-I'm-gonna-ignore-us-kissing?" In the time it took Jeff to process his words, BEN had moved back over to killer's bed, his eyes betraying no emotion.
    "I would've said something earlier, but we just kept getting interrupted. I... I never told you why I left the mansion, did I?"
    "As I recall, you said you were going to sort some things out. Then you left without so much as a goodbye to any of us, and next I know, you're up on the high tier in the cyber realm." Jeff stated matter-of-factly. BEN sighed softly, biting his lower lip.
    "That's no lie; I wanted to get myself together. To find out what was fact and what was fake. I wanted to know what I was capable of, too, and that's why I'm at where I am today. But, the thing is, the only thing that really pushed me to leave..." he locked their gazes. He took a breath, then hardened his resolve to tell the truth. He was not going to run anymore. "Was you."
    For the first time in years, Jeff seemed stunned. "Me? When did I ever tell you I wanted you to leave?" If he wasn't in a bed, Jeff probably would've been floored from shock. There was a bloom of anger rising, but then he realized BEN had not meant this in a bad way; if his eyes were anything to go on, that is.
    "I had to get away from you. When I was around you, Jeff, I couldn't think straight. You made me want to do things that I had done with no one before. You made me fall in love you, and at that time, I just couldn't handle that. I went away because I thought if I could find someone of my own origin, then I could forget about my feelings for you. But then everything just seemed to spiral out of my control, and I found myself not wanting to come back. But in these last few days, you're reminding me how much I really had fallen for you, and that's both a curse and a blessing," BEN looked away after this, and his cheeks flared up in self-consciousness. Again, Jeff was in shock. What could he say? Sorry that he tried to get the albino to fall for him, and made him leave because he was unsure? Sorry that he still felt the same, even after all this time, and that was the reason he was doing this now? Thankfully, BEN wasn't finished.
    "I've had a very long time to sort out my feelings for you, Jeff. And I know they'll never go away, so, if it's not too late, do you mind if I...?"
    Now this Jeff could answer. He smiled as warmly as he could, and cupped BEN's cheeks in his hands. "Lucky you, BEN, the offer's always gonna be open." Leaning down, he pressed his lips against the techie's in the softest manner possible, trying to convey in every sense that he wanted BEN to stay with him, that he wanted to try and really love him.
    When they broke apart, BEN couldn't help the grin that flirted with his lips. His face grew even redder, if possible, and he looked down, suddenly becoming super interested in his hands.
    "That was cute," Jeff mimicked, causing BEN to look back up at him. "I'll go ahead and take that confession, m'kay?"
    "I WAS RIGHT!"
    Both males jumped nearly out of their skin, and their heads whipped over to the door where Sally stood. Her teeth and hands were clenched tight and she looked absolutely furious. BEN swallowed nervously. He knew more than anybody that the little girl was not so little when she wanted to be- and right now she definitely was not that sweet eight year old he loved like a little sister- and if someone didn't come quick, both of them were screwed in the worst sense possible. Sally marched closer, and with every step she took she grew taller, more filled, and by the time she was within a foot of both of them, she had become a young woman and the scare factor went sky-high for BEN.
    "I knew something was going on between you two," her voice was dangerously quiet. "I just didn't think that you would actually hook up so-so quick! BEN! How could do this to me?!" Her voice rose, and BEN's ears flagged down. "And you!" A long pointed finger flew right into Jeff's face, and the killer couldn't stop the snarl. "Seducing a poor, vulnerable boy is just sick! You should be stripped of your status as a proxy for this!" Her green eyes blazed, but Jeff's burned hotter with an icy fire. Unlike BEN, he was not in the least bit intimidated by the woman, as he knew this was just her second personality rearing its ugly head.
    "And attacking a fellow proxy before this is done is against High Law. You're out of line, Sally. Go home."
    A dangerous silence fell over the three, and BEN could have swore he felt an electrical charge pass between the two. Finally, Sally made her move. With a flick of her wrist, Jeff's head was tilted up, and BEN could see the indent in his throat signaling one of the woman's invisible weapons- probably a razor- was being pressed into the skin. Jeff continued to sit calmly, going as far as to look bored with the situation.
    She was just about to go through with it when the nurses rushed in.
    "Young lady! These are patients!" In an instant, one of the women grabbed Sally by the forehead, and Jeff could visibly see the life being drained from the brunette's form as she fell limp into one of the nurse's arms, a little girl once more. Muttering a, "We'll see that she gets home safe," they left, leaving one nurse behind, who looked terrified.
    "The young miss didn't harm either of you, I hope?"
    "No, it was just a simple disagreement. We're fine, ma'am." Jeff reassured, and the woman nodded, leaving and shutting the door behind her. BEN sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
    "Slender really needs to put that girl on some kind of medicine, like Masky. She's just too much of a loose cannon." He smiled up at Jeff. "You were a lot braver than I could've been. When she gets like that, she scares me shitless."
    Jeff ruffled BEN's hair playfully.
    "Believe me, I was right terrified. And most people tell me I'm the scary one of the bunch."
    BEN rolled his eyes. "I disagree; you're a a big softie sometimes. Especially in these past few days. You've taken care of me like I was your wife." He winked and leaned against the ebony-haired male, closing his eyes. "Eh, I've kinda known that bitch-Sally had a crush on me. It's kinda sad that I have to say that though."
    "It is what it is, BEN," Jeff murmured, running his fingers through the other's soft silver hair. "That second personality of hers is quite the bitch, and there's just no way around that. I wish Sally would just stay the way she is all the time. Then maybe we could adopt her." Jeff laughed as BEN's face flew into a deep shade of red all the way to his ears and down his neck.
    "Oh, hush, you. I swear you are so embarrassing sometimes."
    Jeff rolled his eyes and wrapped his arm around BEN's waist, pulling him closer so he could nuzzle his neck. "Oh, so you *have* thought about it."
    "What makes you think I have?" BEN's voice rose an octave, and Jeff had to physically hold back a snort of amusement.
    "That's what I love about you." Jeff smirked and pulled the albino's face towards his own, kissing him quickly. BEN blinked, then kissed back, his irritation melting away away as he himself melted into the younger male's touch.
    "You're damned lucky we're in a public building or else I'd be fucking you senseless right about now," BEN swore, biting his lip. Jeff pursed his lips, trying to hide a smile.
    "I never thought you had a thread of decency in you."
    "It's a grace that I do," BEN looked around the room from his perch, then spotted the computer that must've monitored their heart rates and whatnot- hey, it wasn't like he was into all that hospital lingo. He grinned and made his way over to the computer, tapping a few keys. The screen then went completely green, and he winked at Jeff.
    "I can't stand not using my arm; I'm gonna got get myself fixed than see if we can't get an early leave. This place is driving me crazy." With that, BEN dove into the computer in a flash. Jeff stared after the albino, wondering how long it would take for him to fix himself. He knew that the entity could harness any computer's power source to heal his wounds, but he wasn't sure if a bone break was completely... fixable.
    He was proved wrong about ten minutes later when BEN popped out of the screen like a bottle rocket, twirling around the room like a ballerina.
    "I feel amaaaazing~!" He sang giddily, waving his arm in the air to show that it was completely healed. "Ahaha! The wonders of technology! Now! If you'll excuse me, love, I'm going to get us the hell outta here!"

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It took quite a fair amount of sweet-talking on BEN's behalf, but by the next morning, both boys were strolling down a quiet sidewalk heading in no particular direction. The rain had finally cleared and the sun shone brightly with it's warm morning rays, the dampness being dried up rather quickly. Only now, both of them had a problem; they had no place to stay. They knew going back to the mansion was not an option at the moment with Sally still needing time to cool down, and BEN's house was completely leveled from the storm. Jeff had suggested they stay in a motel for the time being, and BEN visibly tensed.
    "I want that to be a last resort for now, okay?" BEN mumbled halfheartedly, his ears drooping down. Jeff, confused, decided not to press, but continued his contemplative monolog.
     "Well, it's not exactly like we have a lot of options here. I have plenty of money, if that's what you're worried about."
    "No, I-I have a... friend who owes me a huge favor and works at a nearby hotel. I'm sure he'd be willing to pull some strings to get us in for a couple of days." BEN's eyes seemed to harden to the point Jeff would've thought he was going to revert to statue form, but he never did. He said nothing as they walked on, now with a destination. BEN took longer strides than usual, and Jeff had to speed up considerably to keep up. Was he angry? Or possibly scared? It was here to tell with the enigma that was the reanimated cyber statue- whenever his emotions were strung high he tended to put on a mask of indifference. But his giveaway was that he was *too* indifferent. He was hiding something, and Jeff was hellbent on figuring out what was eating him.
    When they arrived at the hotel BEN had implied, Jeff, for whatever reason, had imagined the place to be shoddy and run down. In complete opposition to this notion, the place was actually quite classy on the inside and out; just the sort of place someone with such refined tastes as BEN would stay. The albino strode, with initial hesitation as if he were rethinking the whole gig, up to the front desk and rang the service bell.
    "Coming!" A voice shouted from the room behind the desk, and moments later a tall, black-haired man with piercing red eyes emerged from around the corner, and his gaze immediately locked in on BEN.
    Several moments passed in silence before the man spoke up.
    "Can I help you?"
    "No need to be cold, S!3v3n," BEN gave a chilled smile, and while Jeff saw this as highly hypocritical, he sensed the tension in the room was as thin as a wire, so he chose not to say anything. "After all," he continued, "I fondly remembered a time when I thought we had something special." His words, although as sweet as honey, were laced with venom. S!3v3n narrowed his eyes slightly, and he rested his head in hands.
    "I assume you're not here to exchange false pleasantries simply because you were in the neighborhood. I know how you feel about what I did, and no words can express my regret-"
    BEN held up a hand. "Apologies mean nothing to me at this point. I'm simply here to call in a favor."
    "And what would that be?"
    "My companion Jeff and I need a room to stay in for a few days."
    S!3v3n looked around and finally noticed Jeff for the first time they'd been there. His eyebrows arched in an expression of curiosity, but he quickly turned back to BEN. He nodded deftly and disappeared behind the door for several moments. Jeff looked at the short albino, completely perplexed. What kind of life did he lead when he left the mansion? From the looks of it, a bit of a train wreck. Obviously those two were on some of the worst terms possible, and he surprised himself by the gnawing jealousy deep in his heart. Were he and that sleazeball... an item at some point? Maybe he should ask about it, try to slip it casually into a conversation or something.
    S!3v3n had slipped behind the desk once more, and when Jeff wasn't paying attention, pressed a key into BEN's hand, his touch lingering a moment longer than it should have. The techie nodded in silent thanks and turned back to Jeff, motioning for him to get in the elevator with him.
    "I'll take the stairs, Benny; elevators make me sick."
    Shrugging, BEN pressed the button, calling out before the doors closed, "Third floor, I'll wait for you by the room."
    Jeff nodded and began to make his way to the stairs before a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He whirled around to see that S!3v3n character glowering at him. He was a few inches taller than Jeff, but the killer didn't so much as miss a breath. This man did not scare him in the slightest.
    "What?" He growled, resisting the urge to fully snarl at the man. What was his problem? S!3v3n simply continued to glare.
    "Listen here, pipsqueak," he said, voice dangerously quiet, "I want you to stay away from BEN, you understand?"
    "And why would I do that?" Jeff retorted. He could hear his heartbeat begin to speed up, and the adrenaline spiked. If this guy wanted to fight, he would be ready.
    "Because he's mine."
    Jeff arched an eyebrow, and his mouth twitched. "Oh, really? I wasn't aware he was branded with your name. If you could tell me where, I'd be happy to oblige."
    "I'm not kidding. I know who you are. I could make your life hell." Jeff finally allowed himself a laugh.
    "And I could tear you limb from limb right now and not bat an eyelash. So I'd watch who it was I'm talking to if I were you. But while we're on the subject, I might as well tell you it's me who he kissed last night."
    S!3v3n scoffed, a smug smile on his lips.
    "Is that it? Well, when and if you take him, I'd suggest you keep in mind that I'm the one who holds his virginity."
    Jeff's face flamed with anger and resentment towards this man. He snarled for all he was worth. "You're a sick, demented bastard. Stay away from both of us."
    With that, Jeff turned his back on S!3v3n and rushed up the stairs to catch up, taking them two at a time. S!3v3n simply glared at the spot where Jeff had once been. He was far more than angry now; he wanted now nothing more than to knock this smiling freak down to his knees. He was going to break him, and BEN would be his again, whether he wanted to or not.