Chapter Text
“There’s still the golf park funding and the school lunch bill. Babe! I can’t believe I didn’t realize this before. There are still so many projects I can squeeze in.” Leslie busied herself on their couch, poring over three binders worth of projects.
Normally, Ben would be content to listen to Leslie discuss the intricacies of her position as City Councilor for hours. Now, though, he was confused. Not confused that Leslie was taking her recall so well. Her resilience and optimism were just two of many things he loved about her. Rather, he was confused that she could so easily let go of their conversation two nights ago regarding their careers.
“...and now I work for a candy charity. Oh God, did I peak when I was 18?”
“There it is. Drink up,” Leslie responded.
All roads lead to Ice Town, Ben thought, and his attempts to cheer Leslie up were no different. He almost asked himself why he was still reeling two days later, but he knew. “There it is,” Leslie had answered. Leslie, who had a plaque made for April on her very first week of work because she saw her potential. Who had Friend Week presents for him and Ann ready before they had even made their bonding known to her. Who was a talented, intelligent, amazing judge of character who would never say anything harsh if it didn’t need to be said.
Who hadn’t bothered correcting him about peaking.
Sure, they’d had a couple drinks, but they both certainly had their memories of that night intact. And it had been two days.
“You okay, honey? You had that same look in your eye when you rewatched the prequels last year.”
Be honest, Ben chided himself. He took a seat next to Leslie, unsure of how to start.
By now he was sure his discomfort was obvious. Leslie placed all three binders on the floor and turned to him. “Are you okay? What’s on your mind?”
He felt the moisture leave his tongue. What was he so worried about? This was Leslie. They’d had many tough conversations before. But those conversations hadn’t come at such emotional times. Tough as she was, Leslie was in for a difficult last few weeks in office, and who was he to add to his wife’s stress?
“I-” he paused. “I guess I’ve been feeling a bit- I don’t know- I’m not-” he cut himself off.
“Babe, whatever it is you can tell me,” Leslie assured him, her eyes soft with concern.
“I guess I’ve just been-” he inhaled, planning his next few words carefully. “I’m a bit shocked at how quickly you’re rebounding from this.” A lie, and he knew she could tell. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
She squeezes his hand gently. “If you don’t want to tell me right now, that’s okay. But I’m worried.”
Later that night, he thought she’d forgotten.
As they climbed into bed, Leslie reminded him of what he himself had managed to keep out of his mind for a few hours.
“If you want to talk, Ben, I’m here for you.”
“I know, honey.” He swallowed. “Tomorrow.”
Ice Town, as it turns out, does not take well to being bottled up. A couple of hours after descending into sleep, Ben found himself in Minnesota.