Work Text:
Night had fallen, and Benjamin had retreated to his cabin after a tiring and eventful day. It was his first night on Botnia Paradise, and despite his body telling him to wind down and relax, his mind fought against these rational instructions. He had already turned off the lights and gone to lie down on his bunk, but he wasn't able to calm down and close his eyes for longer than a minute at a time. His body ached after being rattled and straight up tortured by little kids for only a couple hours before he'd reached his limit. And he had done this all in a suffocating, sweaty swan costume. Still, he was only thinking about the people he had met that day, especially one of them; Julia. He thought about how she had shown him the ropes. In a way, she was his boss. Would it be so wrong if he was slowly but surely falling in love with her? Because no matter how hard he tried, she kept coming back to occupy all of his thoughts. Was this what some people would call love at first sight? He felt like the answer to that question was a short and simple "yes."
Benjamin sighed and got up to sit on the edge of the his bunk. He ran his hands down his face and quietly told himself to take a few deep breaths. Still, the mental image of Julia stayed with him. He thought about her bright smile, the way she laughed.. How she had hauled him away after he'd collapsed in the middle of his first work shift. She could be firm when she needed to be. But at the same time she was so kind and understanding. A dreamer, just like he was. Benjamin had only sent a job application to boost his possible future career. His plan had been to use Botnia Paradise as a springboard towards everything that waited for him in Sweden. He hadn't expected to find his possible soulmate in the process, especially not on his first day. But he really liked spending time with her. And she seemed to enjoy his company, as well. She'd laughed at his fanboying after he'd learned that Linda (fucking) Q was on the same boat and after seeing his excited reaction to his idol, firsthand.
He ran his hands through his hair which he'd let loose from his manbun for the night and then reached for his pants, putting them back on. It was clear that sleep had chosen to keep avoiding him, and so he stood up and left the cabin, starting to make his way to the top deck. The ship was quiet; most of the passengers had gone to their cabins and were probably already asleep. He only passed two people, both of whom had binoculars safely around their necks. Birdwatchers, maybe, caught up in a passionate conversation. They paid him very little mind as he walked by them.
Benjamin breathed out as he first stepped on the top deck and kept walking towards the front railing. He could hear the gentle, calming rippling of the waves as they touched the side of the ship and felt the gentle night air on his bare arms. Everything around him was quiet, and as he leaned against the railing, looking out to the darkened horizon, Julia occupied his thoughts once more. Her smile and eyes that had a certain shine to them every time she looked at him. She was so easy to talk to, and to be with even if no words were exchanged.
Benjamin had a feeling that he would be dreaming and thinking about her for many days to come.