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Language:
English
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Published:
2022-08-01
Completed:
2022-08-02
Words:
493
Chapters:
2/2
Comments:
2
Kudos:
47
Bookmarks:
1
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616

Simple

Summary:

A question is asked, leaving Ben and Sam to wonder how they got here and how they want to move forward.

Notes:

A little drabble that came to me this morning

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1: Ben

Chapter Text

“Benji, can I kiss you?”

When Ben woke up that morning, he didn’t expect to hear that question from Sam. It was true that the two of them had gotten closer recently, especially with him being welcomed into the guild. Tapping into that forgotten piece of himself has been nice. But it was better to be accepted by others too, and Sam had a big part in allowing others to see.

They had gotten into some sort of routine. Even though Ben’s schedule wasn’t strict, he woke up at the same time Sam did and immediately got moving with his runs. He would meet up with Sam as she walked Bowser on his cooldowns and they would walk back to their apartments. On weekends, they’d walk to The Daily Grind after he showered. It felt good to have a companion and they never ran out of things to talk about during these outings.

So, he was forced back to the question at hand. Ben was the one holding Bowser’s leash (a welcome improvement given how things started between them all), and Sam was looking up at him, a little nervous. While he had to admit his feelings for her had turned romantic, Ben also knew something had happened between her and Charles and was not one to push. But he was gone now and maybe Sam was starting to reciprocate his unsaid feelings? Stranger things have happened between them so far.

With a smile, he answered, “Now how did you know I’ve been wanting to ask you that for weeks?”

Chapter 2: Sam

Chapter Text

“Benji, can I kiss you?”

It slipped out. Sam immediately wanted to take it back. It’s just spending these mornings with Ben had been a bit eye-opening. After everything that happened with Charles, it was easier to breathe around Ben. Benji. That night when he opened up to her about his past and allowed her to call him Benji shifted things. Like the crush she had on Marshall Law for so long actually didn’t go away as she thought.

But it was more than that. Ben listened. He accepted her as she was, while also being supportive. Sam was going through some changes, like talking to her father about what she wanted for her future, and his coaching was appreciated. But most of all, it was like she could never be tired of hearing his voice. And his laugh.

So, there they were. In front of her apartment with him holding Bowser’s leash. Sam watching Bowser accept Ben was also a high point of their increased time together. That was when she realized something: she wanted Ben to be more than just her walking buddy and friend. And maybe he was feeling the same way about her? She made a split-second decision and hoped she didn’t screw it all up by blurting out that question.

His response, with that smile, erased all the anxiety going through her head. It somehow felt so simple.

Notes:

Thank you Samaire for being my sounding board and encouraging this!