Chapter Text
The blue haired male was sat on the bench, taking in the scenery of his surroundings, wishing he brought his sketchbook.
Benjamin was waiting for his partner, he asked him to meet at the park at two but he seemed to be running late. He thought about calling him but decided to wait a little more.
"I have to go soon.." He sighed with a small pout, taking his phone out and getting ready to dial his number, Benjamin was going to wait but he was on a time limit and he really wanted to see him.
Benjamin suddenly felt a hand placed on his head which surprised him, he immediately turned around to see his ginger haired lover with a smile on his face.
"Pico..!" He hugged him.
The ginger chuckled and hugged the small male back.
"Hey Softie, sorry I'm late."
"It's ok." Benjamin smiled.
Pico pulled away to look at him, admiring his choice of clothing along with his signature beanie. He always thought the way Benjamin dressed was adorable.
"Pico?"
"Oh sorry, did you say something?"
"Mhm, I don't have much time.."
"Wait- that's today?" He said surprised, Benjamin sighed and nodded. The blue male hated the idea of going to these practices.
"Shit, I forgot. I'm sorry.."
The soft male smiled and shook his head, grabbing Pico's hand, and holding it close.
"It's ok Toughie, don't worry."
Benjamin felt his phone vibrate, he took it out of his pocket and checked his messages. He lit up with joy and hugged the ginger once more.
"Someone looks happy." Pico smiled and wrapped his arms around him, Benjamin showed him the text.
"An hour huh.."
"Mhm.." Benjamin nodded.
"You know..there's a lot we could do in an hour.." Pico smirked, Benjamin nodded again.
"So..." He leaned down.
"What do you want to do..?" The ginger spoke into his ear, the blue male looked up at him and smiled.
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"Pico, Pico! Over here!"
"I'm coming!" Pico smiled.
The two went to a small little shop that's known for selling plushies. Benjamin was roaming the shop enthusiastically, admiring the lovely soft toys.
Pico followed after him, he couldn't help but smile at his boyfriend. Thinking about hkw adorable he is.
"Pico! Look at this one, it's so cute!"
"Yeah but you know who's cuter?"
"Who?" Benjamin raised a brow.
"You are." Pico kissed his forehead.
The petite male's face heated up, he looked away from him and shook his head. Pico just laughed, finding his reaction cute. Placing his hand on his head, gently petting him.
"No I'm not.."
"You're in denial."
Benjamin shook his head again and grabbed the stuffed animal.
"Come on.." He muttered and grabbed Pico's hand, his face a tomato.
"Are...Are you-" Pico was interrupted.
"Nope." The blue male denied.
The ginger laughed to himself quiet as the two went up to the counter.
"Hello, is this all?"
"Yes."
"Ok that'll be $6.99."
Benjamin dug through his pocket and got the money, but Pico put his money on the counter.
"Pico, I can pay for it."
"I insist."
"But it's fine, really."
"Softie.." He smiled.
Benjamin sighed and nodded, the cashier put the money in the register and gave Pico his change.
"Here you go, have a wonderful day." She gave the bag to Benjamin.
"You as well." He smiled, the two opened the shop door.
"Have a lovely date lovebirds!"
The two flushed up at the name and thanked her, they then went to an crepe place. The blue male requested it.
"Say ah." Pico held it up to his mouth.
Benjamin took a bite, enjoying every last bit of it's sweetness.
"Is it good?" He asked, smiling at him.
"Mhm!" Benjamin giggled, munching on the sweet delicacy with a smile.
"So, is there any where else you want to go?" The ginger asked.
"Yeah, one last place before I have to go back to practice.."
Benjamin grabbed his hand and led him to a special place, minutes later the couple arrived at an tree on top of a hill.
"I have twenty minutes left before I need to go back.." Benjamin sighed, Pico sat in front of the tree and patted the spot next to him, indicating for the smaller male to sit there. He sat next to the ginger, placing his bag beside himself.
"Hey, Softie."
"Yes?"
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm happy." He smiled.
"Glad to hear that but, I'm worried you're overworking yourself."
"Pico, I'm fine. Don't worry.."
"Last time we went on a date, you were so exhausted that you collapsed on top of me. I thought something was wrong with you.."
"It wasn't that bad..was it?"
"I almost took you to the hospital."
"I'm sorry..." Benjamin frowned and looked away, feeling guilty.
"You don't need to apologize, it's just that.." He put his hand on his cheek, caressing it with his thumb.
"I wish you would give yourself breaks, you know it's ok to take breaks..right?" Pico turned the other's head.
Benjamin slightly nodded.
"The reason I wanted to take you on a date was to check up on you and see how you were doing, but I can see you're still exhausted.." He examined the dark circles beneath the smaller one's inky eyes.
"Damn, what time did you go to sleep last night?"
"Three am.." Benjamin chewed the inside of his cheek nervously.
"And what time did you wake up..?"
"Six.." The blue male sighed.
"You got only three hours of sleep, I guess that's a little better than the other day but still.." Pico rested his hand on the other's head, then gently laid him on his lap.
"Pico?"
"Rest for a little."
"But I have to go soon."
"You have enough time to take a nap."
Benjamin was going to say something but decided not to. Besides, Pico isn't wrong and the poor guy definitely needed a power nap. He slowly closed his eyes, feeling a kiss on his forehead before drifting off to sleep.
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"Blue.." The ginger tapped him.
Benjamin opened his eyes and rubbed them, he sat up and yawned.
"What time is it?" Benjamin asked.
"Almost three." Pico looked at his phone, checking the time.
"I should head back." He sighed.
Pico stood up and held his hand out to him which Benjamin happily accepted.
"I'll walk you there."
"I don't know if that's a good idea, what if my mom comes early?"
"It won't be a problem, plus you can show her the text you got." He smiled.
Benjamin smiled and held his hand.
"I'm going to assume that's a yes?" Pico asked, the blue haired male nodded, the two started walking down the hill to the town center. They arrived minutes later.
"Made it just in time." Benjamin sighed with relief before frowning.
"Yep, so are you available tomorrow?"
"Sadly I'm not, but the day after tomorrow I am." The blue male said.
"So it's a date?" Pico smirked.
"It's a date." The smaller one giggled.
The two moved in closer, their lips getting closer each time they inched forward. The gap almost disappearing between the lovers.
"Benjamin!"
The two moved apart, startled from the sudden shriek calling his name. He recognized the familiar voice, he hesitantly turned around to see a tall woman with long, gorgeous, azure hair- oh shit..IT'S HIS MOM!!!
She came up to Benjamin, pulling him away from his partner.
"Did you skip out on practice to hangout with this..hoodlum?"
"Hoodlum?" Pico repeated, confused.
"N-No mom, look." He showed her the text, hoping she wouldn't get mad.
She read over it and nodded.
"Well, at least you're not skipping. But let's get going, after this we're meeting up with Grace and her parents."
"Yes ma'am.." He sighed, nodding. Marilyn grabbed his hand and dragged him away, Benjamin looked at Pico and waved. Pico waved back and held his pinky and thumb up to his ear, indicating for the other to call him. Benjamin smiled and gave a thumbs up before they disappeared within the crowd.
"Damn, I didn't get to hug him..I should go home I guess." Pico sighed. Just like Benjamin's parents didn't like him, he doesn't like them either. Especially learning about the scars placed on him, when Benjamin told him about it, his heart broke. How could they treat the poor guy like that?
There were times Pico would tell him to move in with him but Benjamin would always decline. He just came up with the conclusion that he was too scared to, thinking they would bring the poor guy back. Well Pico couldn't blame him, but he still couldn't help but feel hurt..
The ginger made his way back to his place, he'll check on Benjamin tonight.
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"HOW DARE YOU MAKE A SCENE?!"
Benjamin flinched from his mother's yelling, oh boy..
"I-I didn't mean to, I'm sorry-"
"IT'S BECAUSE YOU WERE HANGING OUT WITH THAT STREET RAT, ISN'T IT?!" His mother yelled, angrily.
"Pico doesn't have anything to do with what I said.." The blue haired male tried to speak up for himself, but she continued to talk.
"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE ME AND YOUR FATHER TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM HIM?! WHAT IF HE HURTS YOU-"
"Pico won't hurt me!" Benjamin yelled, he hated the fact that his parents always talked badly about his boyfriend.
She looked at him surprised, Benjamin immediately realized he raised his voice and tried to apologize.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell-"
Marilyn slapped him across the face, his cheek immediately stung from the force she put in.
"Go to your room right now."
"..Yes ma'am.." He muttered, Benjamin went upstairs.
He walked inside his room, closing the door and plopping onto his comfy bed. Benjamin really meant what he said at dinner but he didn't think it would be this bad, he thought about burying his head in his pillow and crying until his phone rung.
Oh crap, what if it's Grace calling to ask about what happened at dinner? He hesitantly checked to see who's calling and sighed with relief. He immediately picked up.
"Hi Pico."
"Hey Blue, how did it go?"
"I..I screwed up at dinner.." He sighed.
"How did you screw up?" Pico asked.
"Grace's dad asked me what I wanted to do with my life and well.."
"You said artist.."
"Yeah, my parents were mad. My mom started yelling at me a-and.." He trailed off, stopping himself from crying.
"Softie..."
"S..She slapped me, it's better than what my dad would've done-"
*Knock Knock*
"Shit.." He muttered.
"I'll be right back." Benjamin whispered and put his phone under his pillow, getting up and opening the door.
His eyes widened, immediately feeling a shiver down his spine as fear washed over him. His dad was holding a cigarette in between his fingers, the small male's heart started racing..
'Is he going to..?' Benjamin started fearing the worst, wondering what he was going to do to him.
"Yes father." He smiled nervously.
"You know your behavior at dinner was unacceptable right?"
"Yes..I apologize, it won't happen again-"
"How do we know that?"
"I-I swear it won't.."
"I should make sure instead."
Benjamin looked down, trying his best not to tear up. He immediately tensed up feeling his father's hand on his shoulder. The poor guy started shaking..
"I'll let you off the hook this time.." He walked away, Benjamin closed his bedroom door and plopped onto his bed. He tightly clenched his shirt as he tried to calm himself down.
"Softie, you still there?"
Oh right, Pico! Benjamin grabbed his phone from under the pillow and put it up to his ear. Sighing gently.
"I'm still here sorry, it was my dad.."
"Are you ok?" Pico asked concerned.
"Yeah I'm ok, don't worry."
"You're not a very good liar, Blue." Pico sighed, knowing for a fact his partner wasn't being truthful. The blue haired male just stared at his pillow, his vision starting to become blurry. Until a single tear ran down his cheek, soon turning into waterfalls. He sniffled and put the phone back up to his ear.
"I d-didn't even do anything wrong! T-They just got mad at me for no reason!" He cried, letting his frustration out.
"Softie-"
"They get to decide everything in my life, even who I be with! And my career, I'm tired of this, of them!"
"Blue-" he was interrupted again.
"Why do they get to control my life-"
"Benjamin. It's ok, calm down."
"I..I'm sorry.." He wiped his tears.
"You don't need to apologize, take deep breaths." Pico said softly.
Benjamin put the phone down and took deep breaths, each one slowly calming him down. That helped, he put the phone back up to his ear.
"Feeling better?" Pico asked softly.
"Yeah, thank you." He calmed down.
"It's no problem, I'm here for you, Baby Blue. Always."
A smile grew on the small male's face, his cheeks heating up. He felt so grateful for Pico, always being there for him, making a terrible day better by just hearing his voice..
Benjamin started feeling sleepy and yawned, his eyelids getting heavier.
"Thank you Toughie, I love..you.."
"I love you too Softie."
Pico soon heard soft snores, he sighed with relief and smiled. His partner was finally getting sleep.
"Good night, sweetheart." He hung up.
Pico set his phone down on the dresser beside him and looked up at the ceiling, he'll take him on another date. He laughed as he thought about the things they'll do, eventually drifting off to sleep.
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Two days later, it's currently 6pm. The cool autumn air hit Pico's skin and brushed his hair as he waited for Benjamin. He was planning on taking him to the amusement park, Pico knows how much he wanted to go so he wanted to surprise him. They could get on the ferris wheel, ride the bumper cars, get tasty treats, and lots of other stuff. He checked the time, Benjamin seemed to be running a little late, maybe he should call him-
*Ring Ring*
Pico's phone started ringing, snapping him out of his thoughts. He picked up.
"Hey Softie."
"H-Hi Pico..."
Pico started feeling concerned, it sounded like he was crying.
"Blue, is everything ok?"
"Y-Yeah, I'm sorry for running late.."
"It's ok, don't worry about it."
He heard small sniffles coming from him, now Pico was really concerned.
"Ben, what's wrong? Did something happen?" The ginger asked with concern.
"I..I'll explain when I get there.."
"Explain what- Ben?"
Benjamin hung up.. What the hell was going on? Did something happen to him? Was he in trouble? Pico's fearful thoughts started filling his head.
"Calm down, I'm just overthinking this.. I hope.." He tried to calm down, Pico sighed and leaned against the wall, his thoughts becoming more overwhelming as his worry grew immensely.
Minutes passed and Benjamin still wasn't here, he couldn't take it.
"Nope, I'm calling-"
"S-Sorry I'm late Pico.."
He turned to see the blue haired male peeking out of the alleyway. A smile appeared on his freckled face as he sighed with relief, his worry died down.
"You really worried me, I thought something happened to- you..." Pico stopped talking as soon as he noticed something. Wait.. he was crying. And there's blood on his scarf, his nose was bleeding..!
"Benjamin, what happened?!" The ginger asked, worriedly.
The smaller one just looked down and fidgeted with his scarf, Pico kneeled down so he could see his face. Benjamin turned away from him, Pico stood up and looked at him even more concerned. He slightly saw the spots on his neck, Pico's heart aching everytime he saw them, thinking about him being in pain. His eyes widened immediately. He grabbed Benjamin's hand and led him into the alleyway, making the blue male confused.
"P-Pico..?"
He pulled down the scarf, his heart sank. There was another one.. Benjamin looked at him with fear in his eyes, as he teared up.
"Why..?" Pico's pearly eyes stared at the marks, he knew what the ginger meant by his question, Benjamin couldn't bring himself to tell him. Pico grabbed his hand once more and led him somewhere, Benjamin didn't ask where they were going. He just stayed quiet, knowing that Pico was going to ask him more questions.
Minutes later they were in the ginger's apartment, Benjamin was sitting on the bed while Pico got something to treat his neck.
"I don't have much but hopefully this will be enough." He got a first aid kit.
"Thank you.." Benjamin looked down.
"No prob." He sat next to him.
Pico tended to his wound, though he didn't really know if it would help. Minutes later he finished treating the wound.
"Can I see your scarf?"
Benjamin nodded and took it off, handing it to the ginger.
"I'll go wash this, you can lay down if you want or turn on the TV."
The blue male nodded again, Pico gave him a smile before going into the laundry room. Benjamin tried going to sleep but couldn't so he turned on the TV, he flip through the channels trying to find something interesting to watch.
"There's nothing interesting on.."
Benjamin continued to flip the channels until he saw The Owl House on, he put the remote down and laid on his stomach, kicking his feet back and forth. A small smile appearing on his face.
"Heads up!"
Benjamin looked at Pico confused until he saw him throw something.
"A-Ah!" The small male surprisingly caught it.
"Pico!" Benjamin pouted.
The ginger laughed and sat at the table, trying to contain himself.
"Sorry, I thought it would be fun throwing it to you." He snickered.
"Toughie, we had the same gym period." Benjamin pouted.
"True but hey, you caught it right?" Pico smirked, still laughing a little.
"Yes." Benjamin sighed, he looked at the small cat plushy that was now in his arms.
"You forgot it the other day when you came over." The ginger said.
"I didn't even realize I left it, thanks." Benjamin smiled, hugging it gently.
"It's no prob, hey did you eat yet?"
"No, not yet." The smaller male replied.
"How does pizza sound?"
"Sounds good to me." The blue haired male smiled, the ginger gave one back.
"I'll be right back, you just stay there and relax." Pico stood up and went to the kitchen, Benjamin nodded and went back to watching TV.
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After dinner, Benjamin got in the shower. Pico gave him some of his clothes while his were in the washer, a small smile appearing on his face. Grateful that Pico helped him, though his smile soon turned into a frown. Worrying that he might be causing the ginger trouble, a small sigh escaping his lips as he washed off. After turning the shower off and drying off, he slipped the borrowed clothes on.
A little pout appearing on his face as he put the shirt on, it being too big. Reminding him how much taller his partner was, and how small he was. Though he does love wearing the ginger's hoodies. Benjamin left the bathroom and sat down on the bed next to Pico, the taller male giving him a smile and kissing his cheek softly.
"You look cute wearing my clothes, though you're always cute." Pico chuckled at his reaction, the petite male's face turning red as he leaned on his shoulder.
"I-I'm not cute.." He mumbled.
"Yes you are." The ginger smirked and kissed his forehead, holding him close. Benjamin giggled and hugged him back, Pico moved one of his hands to his head, gently stroking his cerulean hair. Watching as his ahoge wiggled.
"How does this move?" He flicked his ahoge, confused on it's movements. Pico always wondered how it moved, it was a mystery honestly.
"Hmm?" Benjamin looked up at him.
"Don't worry about it, blue."
Benjamin nodded and dug his head in his chest, nuzzling him gently. Pico smiled at his partner nervously, wanting to talk to him about something important, he was pretty hesitant but he knew they needed to talk about what happened earlier. Taking a deep breath, Pico tapped the blue male. He looked up at him with a soft smile.
"Everything ok?"
"..No, we need to talk.."
Benjamin felt his heart pound, a nervous smile appearing on his face.
"About w-what..?" He asked, gulping.
"About what happened to you.."
The smaller male's eyes widened, telling Pico would make him angry at his parents. Though he already knows what happens at home, which is why the ginger always offered him a place to stay. So.. should he tell him the truth..?
"Blue..?"
Benjamin decided, he took a couple of deep breaths and looked up at him.
"T..They found out I was going to meet up with you, they got pretty- no extremely mad and- well.. the rest is self explanatory.." He teared up.
Pico hugged him tightly which surprised him, the ginger buried his face in his neck. Trying to contain his anger, not wanting to scare him.
"Ben, come live with me."
"Pico, I- t-that's going to be hard.."
"I can't stand this, I love you too much to you see hurt.." Pico said, softly placing kisses on his bruised neck.
Benjamin didn't know what to say, he did want to live with him, but he was scared his parents would get upset. That they would-
"You don't have to be worried about them." Pico said, rubbing his back.
"T-They'll get mad at me a-and-"
"Shh, it's ok. I won't let them hurt you."
"Y..You're already doing so much for me though, w-what if you get caught up in my problems..?" Tears gently ran down the smaller male's cheeks.
"Benjamin, I want to help you. Seeing your injuries hurts, please move out.."
Even though Benjamin was scared of what his parents would do, he trusted Pico. He loved him with all of his heart.
"O-Ok.." He gave a small smile.
Pico looked up at him surprised, he smiled and closed his eyes, gently pressing his lips against his. Benjamin happily kissing him back, moments later they opened their eyes and smiled at each other.
"I love you, sweetheart."
"I love you too, Pico." He buried his face in his chest, smiling to himself.
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The blue male slept in his arms, Pico smiled to himself, gently stroking his soft hair. He couldn't help but glance at the bruises on his neck, everytime the ginger did, he got angry. Angry at his shitty excuses of parents. How could they hurt him like this..?
Pico placed a soft kiss on his forehead and pulled him closer.
"I'll protect you, Softie. I promise."