Chapter Text
He felt like he’d been slowly losing his mind over the past few months, trying to maintain his cheerful façade in the face of his world falling apart around him. He’d smiled when Emmet announced their engagement. He’d smiled as they asked his opinion on their wedding plans. He’d smiled when Emmet asked him to be his best man.
He’d finally reached his limit during the actual ceremony, and couldn’t smile anymore.
“Geez, Benny, don’t be so sensitive,” Batman huffed quietly at him. “It’s just a wedding.”
Benny didn’t speak a word to the vigilante for the rest of the night.
In fact, he didn’t really speak to anyone. Once the reception was started (and wow there were a lot of people there- although he couldn’t be too surprised, Emmet was The Special, after all) he retreated to the least crowded corner he could find and curled up in a chair, just watching the goings-on as he finally let the tears come. He knew it was traditional for the best man to give a speech, but there was just. No way he’d be capable of that right now. Possibly not ever.
He jolted to realize his vacant corner wasn’t so vacant anymore. He’d been joined by one other- one he was only somewhat surprised to see. Of course Emmet would have given him- them?- an invitation as well. He shrank in further on himself, hoping they hadn’t noticed him as he wallowed in his misery. He gasped as a hanky was dropped into his line of vision.
“It was a bit of an emotional ceremony, wasn’t it?” a faintly familiar voice said, kind and gentle and soft. He glanced up to see gray eyes behind a pair of, quite frankly, ridiculously large round glasses. He relaxed slightly, seeing no judgment in the officer’s face. “Can’t say I blame you for wanting to find a quiet corner to have a good cry over it.”
“Thanks,” Benny murmured, taking the offered hanky and wiping his eyes with it. “It’s not… um…” He tilted his head. “Why are you hiding here?”
“We were getting a little overwhelmed,” Good Cop admitted. “There’s an awful lot of Master Builders here, and, um, well…”
“…I see,” Benny said. And he did understand. It had been almost two years since Takos Tuesday, but there were more than a fair few Master Builders that would forever hold a grudge. Benny himself felt no ill will, but he too had avoided the Cops as much as possible. “…Why don’t you pull up a chair? I can’t promise I’ll be great company, but I can promise I don’t hate you.”
“Thank you kindly.” Good Cop did just that, sitting with Benny. They sat in silence for a few minutes, punctuated only by Benny’s sniffles. “Are you alright?” Good Cop finally asked.
Benny chewed his lip thoughtfully. On one hand, it probably would make him feel better to talk about it. On the other, Good Cop was a complete stranger he didn’t exactly care to be pouring his heart out to. Oh, to heck with it, maybe the ear of a stranger was just what he needed. “It’s not easy to watch the person you love get married to someone else,” he finally answered.
“Did you ever tell him that?”
Benny gave him a startled look. “How did you-”
“I dare say someone like Wyldstyle doesn’t exactly seem your type,” Good Cop giggled softly. “Too intense.” Benny hummed in agreement.
“…No, I never told him… He’s always been just… so happy with her. And I didn’t want to make waves.”
“That’s understandable. Emmet cares too much, sometimes.”
Benny fiddled with the hanky for a moment before handing it back. “Thanks,” he murmured softly.
“You’re welcome. And thank you for sharing your corner with us.” Benny cracked a smile at that, and Good Cop beamed back at him. “Don’t give up. I know it hurts right now, but I’m sure you’ll find your right person.” He patted his thighs before standing again. “I think it’s time for more cake. Would you like to join me?”
“…You know what? Yeah. I could do with something tooth-achingly sweet right now.”