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When Jeff was first shown the mansion, he vowed he wouldn’t stay there. He wanted to be out killing people all the time and didn’t want to become dependent on the mansion. Being dependent on others wasn’t something Jeff ever wanted.
That changed when he met BEN for the first time.
BEN didn’t show up until after Jeff had been at the mansion for a week, right before he was about to leave.
It was love at first sight.
BEN showed up covered in blood and Jeff couldn’t take his eyes off him. The younger man came in floating, his hair matted down with blood and the slight green glow making him look like an angel in Jeff’s eyes.
God, when did blood-soaked men get so hot?
“What are you staring at?” BEN asks, annoyed. “Who even are you?”
“I-I’m Jeff, I’m new here,” Jeff responds.
“Ok,” BEN says, rolling his eyes before floating up the stairs.
Jeff decides to stick around a little bit longer.
--
Over the next couple of weeks, BEN and Jeff really get to know each other. They learn a lot about each other and Jeff is slowly falling in love with him. All the late nights, the killing together, it is amazing. Jeff has never had friends like this. They end up sharing a room after just a couple of days, the two of them becoming quick friends.
There is mild flirting from both, neither of them is willing to make the next move. They don’t want to ruin the friendship they have by making it awkward.
It isn’t until a late night playing video games that it goes further.
BEN and Jeff were playing an online game together, and one of their teammates heard them talking and decided to comment on it.
“Ha, gay,” he said, snorting at their flirting.
“Yeah, and what of it?” BEN asks. “I may be gay but I’ll still beat your ass.”
“We’re on the same team jackass,” the teammate mutters as the other teammates burst out laughing.
Jeff’s eyes widen, he had no idea BEN was gay. As if BEN can feel him staring, he turns to look at him, and then mutes his mic, motioning for Jeff to do the same.
“I…hope that it doesn’t make you uncomfortable to know I’m gay,” he looks away. “I’ve been nervous to tell you for a while.”
“BEN…” Jeff breathes, eyes wide. “It definitely doesn’t make me uncomfortable. I, um, think I’m bi…”
They stare at each other for a moment before they look away, both of them bright red.
--
The flirting doesn’t stop after that, but it does take on a new meaning to both of them. It gets more frequent and intense, the almost kisses after an intense killing, the looks they give each other when the other gets out of the shower. Both of them were too nervous to take it further, stuck in the limbo of just flirting. They don’t want to ruin their friendship.
“EJJJJJJ,” Jeff whines, flopping on his bed. “What do I do? I like him so muchhhh. How do I even tell him?”
“Well, you could start by talking to him. You already know he’s gay, so you at least know you have a chance. And I have seen you two together, it’s disgusting. He clearly likes you,” EJ huffs. “I don’t know what you want me to tell you that I haven’t told you before.”
“Help meeeee.”
“Jeff, either do something about it or quit whining,” EJ says firmly.
“Damn, what crawled up your ass and died today?”
“It’s nothing. You just need to talk to him; he very clearly likes you. Literally, everyone around you can see it.”
“Ughhhhhhh,” Jeff groans. “Not gonna happen, I don’t want him to reject me.”
“Jeff, you’re 14 years old. You’ve killed multiple people, including your own family. You know there are many things worse in the world than rejection. And he very clearly likes you. Just talk to him.”
“No.” Jeff huffs, crossing his arms.
“Jeff-”
“I’m not telling him!”
“Jeffrey, I am telling you he likes you. I can't make you tell him and I won’t tell him for you. But please just think about talking to him.” EJ rolls his eyes and grabs a game controller.
They argue a bit more before settling down and playing some video games with BEN, EJ also really likes BEN though not in the same way. It makes Jeff happy because he’s come to see EJ as a sort of older brother. Which, you know, he doesn’t have anymore because he killed his.
It goes good until BEN makes a joke and Jeff goes red.
“Aw, young love,” says EJ, smirking at them. “I remember when I was like that.”
“WHAT- NO THERE IS NO LOVE HERE!” Jeff shouts pushing BEN away. He immediately regrets it when he sees the look on BENs face. “Wait, BEN, don’t leave. I’m sorry.”
BEN just looks between the two and then runs off, black tears welling in his eyes. Jeff chases after him but BEN locks the door to their room, locking Jeff out.
“BEN, I’m sorry. Please just talk to me,” Jeff pleads, feeling tears begin to form and drip down his face. “Please,” he chokes out.
There’s a sharp intake of breath and then, “Jeff…That really hurt. I mean, I clearly have a crush on you, and for you to just push me away like that…” A choked-off sob. “It hurt, a lot. You rejected me so quickly.”
“Y-you have a crush on me…? BEN…I love you. God, you're the only reason I stayed at the mansion. I was about to leave when I saw you come in covered in blood, and I’d never seen anything hotter.” He hears the lock click. “BEN I’m so sorry I was just scared EJ would spill everything before I was ready-”
He’s pulled inside and lips smashed against his, it’s awkward with his cuts, but Jeff feels like he’s in heaven. It’s short and not the greatest kiss he’ll ever have but it is perfect because it’s with BEN.
“BEN please forgive me,” Jeff whispers as they break the kiss.
“Jeff…I-I love you too. You’re forgiven.”