Work Text:
Hope sat by the lakeside, dipping her feet into the water as she stared at the moonlit reflection of herself. Her dress still had bits of sludgepuppy on it but she didn’t mind. All’s well that ends well and all that.
“Is this spot taken?” Ben asked, his many generations old suit still on him. Though he didn’t think too highly of it, and complained during the entire process of getting it on him, Hope thought it made him look dapper.
“Not at all,” Ben sat beside her, scooching close to Hope. Warmth spread through her body like a wave. Excitement, embarrassment and an emotion she couldn’t quite place or put a name to but it didn’t make her feel bad. It was quite the opposite.
“So what do you want? Not that I don’t mind you being here or anything,” she said.
“Oh-uh-nothing, just hanging out and talking to a…friend.” He stuttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
She smiled. “Anything in particular?”
“Well, you know that summer’s almost over and that…you did say you had to leave us eventually.” She knew that this conversation was going to come up at some point. Her adventures with Ben were all fun, it was one thing after another with them and it was always a wild ride. That is until the ride stopped.
“Yes, I know but I’m not trying to be ungrateful about everything you’ve done for me. I just have…things that I need to do. That I must do. And, I have to find Uncle Hex to do that.”
“You’re going back to ol’ skullface? Isn’t there like a bazillion other better options than your uncle?”
“Yes but he’s still family and despite his actions, he’s trying to do the right thing.”
“Are you going to tell me about it, Charm?”
Hope bit her bottom lip, turning away from him. When Uncle Hex had escaped with her from Ledgerdomain, he told her that there was no point in getting others involved in their war. There was no telling how much danger it would invite to him. Ben was different though. He was a hero. He was strong. Like her father and he still died. Addwaitya was a monster and she couldn’t bear losing-No, she wouldn’t entertain such a thought.
Ben said. “It’s fine if you don’t want to.”
“No, no, no, Ben, I don’t want you to think that I’m-”
“It’s something painful, isn’t it?”
Ben was always perceptive even if he didn’t act like it. Perhaps, that’s why she was always surprised by him.
“It is and I wish I could tell you but…I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“Ah, it’s no biggie. Let’s just enjoy the time we have now.” Ben shrugged as he plastered the biggest grin on his face.
“Yes, I agree.”
Ben stood, shaking the dirt and grass from his pants and held out his hand to her. “May I have this last dance?”
“Such a gentleman, Ben Tennyson.” She smiled wistfully at his hand, the promise of another life and what could have been, had she chosen to stay but perhaps she could indulge herself for just a little bit more. He pulled her up with surprising strength and into his arms.
“Well, you pick up a thing or two when you set your mind to it.” Ben said with that confident, easy-going smile that had ironically charmed her.
Not one to falter easily, she leaned closer to him. “Hmm, and what do you have your mind set on, Ben?”
“Not stepping on your toes is a start.” Hope placed her hands on Ben’s shoulders, while Ben placed his on her waist.
The wedding band’s rendition of ‘La Vie En Rose’ filtered out from the reception as they slowly danced to its tune, staring into each other’s eyes. Soft smiles on their faces as they swayed back and forth.
“Ben, these last few weeks…were the happiest of my life.”
“Me too. I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Let me give you something to remember me by then.”
Hope’s hands swept from his shoulders to his cheeks, feeling his warmth spread through her fingertips and palms. Her heart beat faster and faster as Ben’s reddening face came closer to her own. Lips parted. Pupils dilated. And they kissed.
She poured everything that she couldn’t say to him. The joys of finding someone that could make her feel normal. The pain that would come from their parting. The fondness she felt when she was with him. And the hope that they would meet again one day. It was gentle and sweet, like him.
She pulled back, resting her forehead on his as they basked in the moment. He finally responded, “Wow.”