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“Are you sure we can't skip our date and stay in bed?” Ben asked in a singsongy voice, admiring his boyfriend's back tattoo as he laid in the bed across from their mirror. Everytime Kenji moved a new muscle flexed, the wings of his skeletal dragon tattoo spreading and contracting, it had Ben’s thoughts running wild.
“No babe, we promised Brooklyn we would meet up with her and Hassan remember?” Kenji replied, not even bothering to give Ben the attention he wanted as the man fixed his hair. Brooklyn had finally taken a break from politics and was making a pit stop to see the boys before heading home to her dads. She’d practically begged Ben and Kenji to do a double date, seeing as Yaz and Sammy were currently busy finalizing an adoption. The boys were overjoyed to see their friend, less so at her company.
Hassan was an interesting character. He seemed to treat Brooklyn well and they’d met at one of her dinosaur welfare groups so he had to love dinosaurs, all green flags there, but he was obnoxious and frankly a little dumb and not even in the cute pathetic himbo way. Not to mention he had this weird animosity towards Kenji and even more importantly, was blatantly ableist to Ben. All in all, they were really only doing this because they loved Brooklyn.
“Do you have to put clothes on though?” Ben whined, and Kenji didn't even have to look to tell that he was pouting. Of course, the two remained modest in the house (when Darius was home atleast) and outside, but within the confines of their bedroom if Ben Pincus wanted something he got it. And right now he wanted his boyfriend.
“Yes, my love.” Kenji chuckled, walking over and climbing into bed with the other man, “Buttt we still have a little time before we have to get ready so-” That was all Ben needed to hear before Kenji’s pajama pants were off, thrown to the abyss as lips crashed against each other. Kenji pulled the taller man against him, letting Ben roll him onto his back as they continued to caress and adore each other. But then Kenji pressed into the other’s abdomen and he winced.
Kenji was broken out of his horny daze right then and there, looking up at the other to see his face flushed and panting already, his chest rising in quick, shallow motions. Usually on a baseline day he could go almost an hour before getting to that point. “Baby, let’s stop.”
Ben nodded, and so the man gently lifted the other off of him and laid him down as gently as a newborn baby. “I know you want it, but you're starting to flare and I don't want Mango coming in here seeing what her dad's get up to.” He gave a reassuring smile, climbing out of bed and looking for his pants before slipping them back on. “Maybe we should reschedule.”
“No, no I should be okay.” Ben replied, sitting up once his color and breathing began to go back to normal, “As long as I don't do any…strenuous activities I’ll be fine. Besides, we never know when we're going to see Brooklyn again.” Kenji couldn't deny that logic and helped his boyfriend to his feet, heading towards the kitchen and pausing when he saw the other shuffling along.
“Are you sure you don't want to use your chair today? Or at least your cane?” Kenji asked, concerned.
“Hassan will look at me weird if I do.”
“He'll look weirder if you fall and then call a ten thousand dollar ambulance.” And unfortunately it was true. If Mango even did the smallest task or alert around Hassan he acted like Ben was going to drop dead right then and there. When he was out in public he had to carry a card telling people not to call an ambulance if he was conscious and breathing. Sure, Kenji had money, but not enough money to constantly take a luxury Uber ride to the hospital, have his pacemaker checked out and sent home. Begrudgingly, Ben chose his wheelchair and the two made their way to the kitchen.
They waved to Darius as they entered the room, who was sitting at the counter glued to his phone and shoving cornflakes in his mouth. “Dude, are you watching dancing fruit videos?” Kenji asked, now also glued to the screen over Darius’ shoulder.
Darius removed his headphones, the most raunchy trap music emanating from the speakers as he rolled his eyes playfully. “I figured y’all would be y’know” he made a vague gesture with his hand, “With Ben getting all protective, I needed something to occupy my time.”
Ben whipped his head around, “I don't get protective! Wait, is that a bad thing?”
Darius rolled his eyes, “All I'm saying is every time Hassan comes around you end up in a bad mood and I have to start throwing shit at the wall.” Darius had been fine with the two having the room next to his when they first moved in as it was easier to convert the guest room rather than his office, but when the boyfriends moved in? That's when he realized how thin the walls really were. That's when they came up with a system, Darius would lightly chuck something at the wall they shared to tell them to shut up and they would knock back to confirm they would keep it down. It worked, for the most part.
Kenji coughed, stepping away from Darius to rummage through the fridge. “Y’know D, why don't you come with us? I’m sure Brooklyn would love to see you.”
“Oh I'm not allowed around her anymore.” He replied flatly.
Both boys turned their heads at that, “Why? You're- we’ll you're you.” Ben asked, the avocado he was mashing falling off of his fork and completely missing his toast, “How's he gonna forbid her best friend from seeing her?”
Darius sighed, pressing his lips into a tight line, “She told him about the whole ‘I love you’ thing and no matter how many times I explain I'm not interested he doesn't believe me. And I'm not about to waste energy explaining aromanticism to him.” It hurt, really hurt, but Darius figured that's just what happens in relationships, boundaries change.
The lovers exchanged a look, this was going to be an interesting date.
~~~
The four agreed to meet at a popular brunch spot in the city. Brooklyn made the reservation so they could have an outside table, Mango wouldn't be allowed in otherwise. Luckily, there was only a slight breeze on the otherwise sunny day. The boys arrived slightly after Brooklyn and Hassan, exchanging pleasantries and hugs before sitting down.
“The waitress already came so we ordered you both coffees.” Hassan said, gesturing to the four mugs on the table. Despite supposedly talking to both of them he was staring into Kenji’s soul, sizing him up in his fitted t-shirt Ben so lovingly picked out and causing the other man to shrink in his seat.
“I made sure to ask for one decaf!” Brooklyn chimed in, giving Ben a small smile. The man took a small sip before shaking his head and passing it to Kenji, who set the mug next to his own. Ben’s heart left him with a multitude of dietary restrictions, the main one being no caffeine. He could appreciate Brooklyn trying to be accommodating though.
The four made small talk for most of the day, discussing Brooklyn's travels, meetings, how the rest of the camp fam had been. Everything seemed to be going well, even if Kenji noticed how Hassan tensed up on certain topics. That was, until Mango alerted and Ben got a pain in his chest.
Concern spread across Brooklyn’s face but she knew by now to let the boys handle it as Ben rewarded Mango for alerting and Kenji fished a pill out of his bag, handing it to his boyfriend with the water he ordered.
“Can't you do that in the bathroom?” Hassan asked, shifting in his seat. His alpha billionaire aura farming persona had all but disappeared.
“It’s Tylenol not fent, you'll be okay.” Benjamin snapped. With most people things in his life Ben hardly so much as got annoyed. He was a nice person, an emotional one, the educator, but this disability had filled him with nothing but frustration and rage. No he wasn't wheelchair-bound, yes he smoked weed for pain management and he certainly wasn't going to hide in a corner to manage his symptoms. Someone's discomfort was not more important than his survival.
Honestly, Hassan’s words likely wouldn't have bothered him so much if it wasn't for the fact Brooklyn was right there. She heard all of the hurtful things her boyfriend said, all of his microaggressions and infantilizing and she just sat there! It wasn't even just Ben, Kenji had also told her time and time again he didn't know what Hassan's problem with him was, and she told him time and time that they talked in private about it. But now this plus the thing with Darius? Clearly her words were going in one ear and out the other.
They all decided after that it was better to continue the date at home. They were all having a good time for the most part and if Ben did have a flare it would be in the safety of his own home. All four of them had settled in the living room, with Kenji and Brooklyn on the couch and Hassan deciding to use Ben as an armrest.
“Can you please move?” Ben murmured, already irritated. A moment passed with no movement. “Hassan, get off of my chair or I'm going to deck your ass.” A glare from Brooklyn got him to take his rightful spot on the couch.
It was a firm boundary. The only people allowed to touch his wheelchair were his mother, the camp fam and medical professionals. He made exceptions when necessary. Now was not one of those times. His chair was an extension of him, while he didn't fully rely on it, it helped him function when needed. And the only person who could lean on it like that was Kenji. It was intimate. His mobility aids were sturdy but they were expensive and all it took was someone, especially someone as huge as Hassan, to break something and cost him hundreds of dollars in repairs.
The conversation carried on like normal, and it seemed like the date was truly turning around. They’d begun exchanging photos when Hassan excused himself to go to the bathroom and when he came back he needed to get past Ben to get to his seat. Everyone froze as Hassan gripped the back of Ben’s chair.
“Just gonna scooch you on over-”
“Bitch.”
Ben hardly ever swore, when angry he might let a few words slip, or when with Kenji but outside of those scenarios he kept his tongue clean. Cursing at people was practically unheard of. He’d been raised with soap in the mouth for a simple “crap”. This wasn't just anger. This was rage.
“Y-you don't just move someone like that what the hell?!” Ben yelled as he jumped to his feet, fists clenching as he looked up at the man. They weren't eye to eye, Hassan had at least a head on him but Ben’s energy made him the largest in the room.
“You- you were in the way! What did you want me to do?!” Hassan sputtered, looking to his girl for backup and only finding disappointment.
“Ask me to move like a normal person!”
“Well you're not exactly normal so how was I supposed to know that!” Now it was Kenji’s turn to step in, or at least he tried before being stopped by Ben.
“Wowwww.” Ben said, rolling his eyes, “Y’know this whole time we have been nothing but nice to you. We all listen to your dumb comments and your complaints and your ignorant bullshit over and over and over and keep our mouths shut to be polite.” His fists tightened with every word. “I dunno what your problem is with me, or Kenji, or Darius-”
“Sorry if I don't like that everyone in this house wants to fuck my girlfriend!” Hassan interrupted, before glancing at the wheelchair and Ben’s crotch, “Not that you could c-”
See, the thing no one tells you about learning to push a wheelchair is that after a while your arms get strong. Really strong.
Ben's fist connected with Hassan's nose in an instant, a soft crack echoing through the house. Brooklyn gasped and Kenji tried to step in yet again but he stopped them both. While Hassan was still keeled over cradling his bloody nose, the man bent down to his level. “Listen to me very closely because I'm only going to say this once. No one here is interested in your girlfriend. Get over yourself, it's pathetic. Now get out of my house.”
Hassan stood after a moment, stepping closer before Kenji got between them. “He told you to leave.” He said firmly, “And unlike him my heart’s not gonna give out if I swing too hard.”
Getting the hint, the man shuffled out with his tail between his legs, their friend followed close behind with apologies that they couldn't decipher from genuine and half-hearted.
The moment the door closed Ben broke down. “Did you- did you fucking- did you hear what he almost said to me?!” Ben exclaimed, fisted hands desperately trying to push Kenji out of the death grip he currently had him in.
“Shh, shh I know baby. I know, but you need to calm down, you're going to cause a flare.”
But that didn't console Ben in the slightest, still punching and kicking and now crying. “He-”
At this point Mango had run over to her dad and began jumping on him, attempting to push him down to the floor. “I know baby, trust me I was there.” Kenji chuckled dryly, “But you really need to sit down for me, okay?” Ben was in too much of a fuss to listen, still fighting until his boyfriend grabbed his shoulders. “Benjamin. You can either sit down or I can make you but either way you can't be stressed out about this.” Ben gave a loud, child-like sniffle before being eased onto the couch, fists still clenched and body shaking with anger.
Kenji held him until he calmed down, rubbing his back in gentle circles and whispering affirmations while petting Mango. She was supposed to be taking a break from working at home, poor girl.
“I know today sucked, and I know you're tired. Want me to get us some snacks and we can watch a movie here?”
Ben thought about it for a moment before giving his boyfriend those kicked puppy eyes, “Do I get to see your back tat?”
The shorter man chuckled, “Yes, I'll make a pillow fort and you can look at my back instead of the movie I so meticulously selected.”
“Ooh meticulous, big word don't hurt yourself.” Ben teased, pulling him into a kiss.
Kenji groaned, accepting the kiss before getting up and grabbing some snacks from the pantry, “You suck, you know that?”
“Hmm, usually that’s your job.” Ben quipped, and the boys were just glad they had someone to laugh with when things got rough.