bentleylcckhart

[bentleylcckhart]

"That is so very me," he agreed bashfully, his face flushing as though the two of them had been instantly transported back into that moment. "I'm glad you do. Your instincts have proven time and time again to be absolutely impeccable," Bentley complimented, smiling to himself. He really couldn't have predicted that from their first meeting they'd be where they were today. Orion had known what he wanted from the start and Bentley was not used to being pursued like that before, but everything about their journey thus far had been so incredibly worth it. Orion had always found the perfect balance of being respectful while also trying to encourage Bentley out of his comfort zone. "I am, aren't I?" Ben noticed with a laugh. It was funny how being around certain people could bring out different parts to you. Orion brought out a bubblier and even a more flirtatious side to him. One he didn't realize he had originally.

"I can hardly judge you for that. You're allowed to do whatever you want in your life and the partners you chose in the past are nobody's business but your own," Ben said. It had been a point of insecurity of him due to being afraid of not being experienced enough for the other, but he had very quickly gathered that Orion's loyalty was not easily wavered and therefore he had nothing to worry about in that regard. "Nowadays of course it'd be a different story but I know and trust you," he added. "I feel like you're always open with me. It's hard for me to think of questions I could ask you that I don't already know the answers to."

"Yup." Orion confirmed, the 'p' popping enthusiastically at the end. "I think it was more the adorably polite way in which you conversed with me right afterwards. You went bright red and kept apologising because you'd been rushing to the library. That's so very you." He chuckled at the memory. "I told you then that I felt like fate had a little bit to do with it. The fact we are at this point now I feel confirms that theory. I've always believed in following my instincts on things." Orion took another bite out of the burger. "Mhm, and yet you are always talking around me. It's one of my favourite things." Orion continued to eat as he seemingly thought seriously about the question posed to him. "Not that I can recall." He eventually settled on. "Not really anything you don't already know or that you probably couldn't guess. I think the sleeping around thing before you was probably the worst thing you could find out. But I've never really hidden that from anyone. It's up to them to decide what they think that says about me and whether they can accept it."

[bentleylcckhart]

"Love at first sight, huh? All it took was that bagel hitting the floor for you to decide I was the one. Is that what did it for you?" he teased, although he felt as though his heart was going to burst. To think it had been love at first for Orion made him feel incredibly lucky. "That's true– it has. And I never considered myself to be super talkative in nature," he admitted with a soft laugh. It seemed like around Orion, he just never ran out of things to talk about. It was really nice to be that way with somebody. "Is there anything I should know?" Bentley put to that with a laugh, not actually worried about the other keeping any dark secrets from him.

"And I love you too. Pretty sure it was love at first sight for me." Orion spoke easily, drink making his lips looser than normal. He'd known the moment he'd met Bentley that he was something special, he'd just not been able to label it back then. The man had been entwined in his heart from that moment onward. He sipped on his soda, popping more fries into his mouth as Bentley spoke and he hummed, nodding his head. "We've always said that talking has come easily for us." There was never any dead air or uncomfortable silences. They just seemed to slot together so perfectly, as though they had always known one another. "Anything you don't know about me that you want to know? Probably the best opportunity." He said with a cheeky grin.

[bentleylcckhart]

Bentley loved seeing how carefree and happy Orion appeared as they sat there. He could easily stay in that very booth the rest of the evening if it was with him. Bentley pecked the other back, smiling when Orion easily stated that he was no gloater after all. "Well I love you very much," he replied warmly. "And because of that, knowing you has come naturally. And I'm so grateful for it. Getting to know you has been one of my favorite parts of us getting together," Ben admitted comfortably.

These were some of his favourite moments with Bentley if he was being honest. Just enjoying one anothers company, doing something that was probably considered very mundane but it was different being able to share it with someone on this kind of a level. It felt like it was just the two of them in that moment. A smile drifted over Orion's features when Bentley brushed at his lips, looking after him even in the small ways. Confident that his mouth was decent now (at least for this) he pressed a gentle peck to his lips. "The last thing I think anyone would call you is a gloater or a show off, love. I just genuinely believe you pay me that much attention that you know what I need before I do." Bentley was extremely considerate of other people after all.

[bentleylcckhart]

"I figured we'd share," he chuckled softly, the two of them plucking fries from each other's plates and generally just enjoying the intimacy of sharing a meal. Even if it wasn't necessarily in the most glamorous of places. "I'm glad to hear it," Bentley smiled when his boyfriend said he was happy. He took a couple bites out of the burger before handing them back to Orion, reaching for his drink to help wash it down before speaking up again. "I swear I'm not trying to prove anything– I just figured it's what you needed right now," he mentioned affectionately, reaching to wipe some crumbs from the corner of Orion's lips with his thumb. "And I'm relieved to know I did the right thing."

"You can always have some of my burger if you want it anyway." He wasn't selfish with his food, even less so where Bentley was concerned. They always shared things with one another. Orion had remained close to Bentley until they had their food and he scooted in close once more when they sat down. A definite sound of enjoyment left his lips as he bit into the burger. He'd not really registered that he'd been hungry until he'd smelled the food. "Mhm... Very happy." He mumbled out when he managed to swallow the bite he'd taken, offering some to Bentley. "I know I wasn't too enthused about food in the beginning but I'm not surprised to find myself saying I think you know me better than I know myself."

[bentleylcckhart]

"It's nice to know that you're someone who really appreciates all of me and quite literally everything I have to offer," Bentley considered with a chuckle, feeling color rushing to his cheeks at that nonetheless. The flirting from Orion would never get old it seemed. And he'd be lying if he didn't admit to enjoying it from the other. "Well, I love to," he insisted with a little shrug when Orion mentioned he was being spoiled. "Fantastic choice. I was debating a burger too but I might get the tenders just to switch it up," Ben considered. Soon enough they were taking a seat with their food, sitting on the same side of the booth. "How are you feeling now?" he asked, popping another chip into his mouth as the leaned into one another comfortably.

"Well from this vantage point I can't really see your handsome face unless you turn around like you've just done so I had to make do with what I was given. I can confirm, you really don't have a bad side. Your backside is just as impressive-- and you can take that however you want because either version would be entirely correct." Orion found himself grinning, unable to stop himself from flirting with the man. Admittedly, he seemed to have less filter about just how he flirted when he was drunk it seemed. When they got to the shop and Bentley offered to pay for his food, Orion let out a contented sigh, resting against the dark haired male. "You spoil me." He didn't seem to need much time to think about it either. "That burger looks amazing right now so I'll have that with fries if you are good with that? What're you getting?"

[bentleylcckhart]

They were slowly making it out of the party venue when he caught Orion's remark. Bentley looked back over at the other with a soft laugh, "Oh so you're not more charmed by my handsome face?" he teased. He continued to usher his boyfriend gently along, finally bringing them to a chicken and chips shop not far from the party. They entered and Bentley wrapped his arms around the other comfortably as they waited their turn while somebody before them finished their order. "Order whatever you like, Ri. It's on me," he muttered softly into Orion's hair.

Orion had to laugh at that because his boyfriend wasn't wrong. He sighed happily at the others nose into his hair, arms tightening in a loving manner around the others waist. "I suppose you're a very tempting distraction." Still, he followed obediently as the dark haired man led them through the crowds to find food. A part of him still marvelled at the fact that he had managed to bag this man who took such good care of him. "You know..." He continued conversationally. "This is a pretty good angle for me."

[bentleylcckhart]

"No– I'd say you're more than aware of them," he hummed, his nose nuzzling into the other's hair lovingly. "And here you were asking me to come back out because you were enjoying the party so much," Bentley couldn't help but point out, smirking to himself when Orion seemed to be leaning towards going back home now. "It was– we should get something in your stomach," he took Orion's hand, kissing his knuckles before pulling him along through the crowd but still keeping him close.

"Any reasons I should be aware of..." Orion almost seemed to purr against his skin though he was, of course, more than aware of what Bentley was referring to and he could never get enough of the way the others voice seemed to change at his actions. "You're right... there will be other occasions but I suppose I can't get enough of being at home with you." He stated. "Hm... food... that was what we were doing wasn't it..."

[bentleylcckhart]

"Maybe I'm secretly an old lady if I enjoy them then," he shrugged with a chuckle. "But yeah, maybe. I still think they're nice and they always make me feel a little healthier for some weird reason."

"It's definitely s-something an old lady might carry a-around in her bag," Alice pointed out, "Or m-maybe it's the fact that they m-make you feel better when you're ill th-that makes them old l-lady-like? I don't know. It d-doesn't matter anyway."

[bentleylcckhart]

"And these days I've been given a reason to go out more," he replied affectionately, feeling his thoughts become foggy as Orion continued to kiss along his neck. He may have been the more sober of the two of them, but he couldn't help getting affected by the other whenever he did things like that. "There will always be other occasions to stay home," he tried to center himself, his voice unmistakably breathy at this point, "But let's see how you feel after we get you something to eat, yeah?"

"Hm... Don't tempt me..." Came the slightly more gravelled response because Orion was not above being very ungentlemanly where Bentley was concerned but that hadn't been his intention at the very least. Still he kissed along Bentley's neck, grinning into the skin. "As you are aware and my family can attest to, I am very much a party person but I have a far more enticing reason to want to stay home these days." He murmured, giving the man a squeeze. "And I know which option I prefer."

[bentleylcckhart]

"So you want to take advantage of me now, do you? That isn't very gentlemanly of you," he couldn't resist teasing, knowing that wasn't at all what Orion meant and keeping within the merry spirits of the evening. "Always. I'll always be here for you," Bentley confirmed without needed to think about it twice. "No, definitely not," he smiled, his fingers tracing along Orion's arm absentmindedly with affection. "I may not be the biggest party person but it's good to get out every now and again. Besides, I always have a good time whenever I'm with you."

"Please don't. It'll spoil any opportunities I have to take advantage of your loose wording." Orion murmured as he leaned forward again, brushing his nose against Bentley's cheek and pressing a kiss to his neck gently. "I have you to look after me. I can't get much better than that." Orion complimented when Bentley mentioned tomorrow morning. "But I love that you're taking such good care of me. I'm feeling the love, babe." He grinned in a charming manner. "I'm glad you're not adverse to coming back though. It's just more time I get to enjoy this with my handsome boyfriend."

[bentleylcckhart]

"I'm very flattered that you consider it so," Bentley smiled when he'd said that he considered the comparison to him a big compliment. "I also just think we work well as a team so we'll have a great chance at a win if we put our heads together."

"It’s nothing quite so as interesting as you might think.” Noah stated with a little smile on his face but for Noah it had meant everything. “Not much different from you? That’s a big compliment too.”

[bentleylcckhart]

[bentleylcckhart]

"I definitely didn't mean offense," he tried to rectify quickly, although Alfie didn't seem to dwell on it too much as he continued to speak. "I have no doubts you've done nothing but the most thorough research possible. I bet you've done it back to front and then some, knowing you," Ben offered up with a soft smile. He knew how dedicated his best friend was, especially when it was something like caring for creatures that mattered the world to him. "Look I– I finish my course soon and then I am in need of searching for a job anyways," Bentley sighed softly. He'd considered this offer of Alfie's countless times, but it just always felt so daunting and risky. At the same time Ben knew he wouldn't struggle for money if he was in desperate need of support, he just hated the thought of asking for it. "What moves would we need to make to be able to start things in the summer?"

"I mean, I don't know if I should be offended by that, more so because it is coming from you. I would have thought you would know that I wouldn't joke so easily about something like this." Alfie explained with a little shrug of his shoulders. "It's important to me. Has been since I first considered it and it's not as though I haven't done my research. Every new business has to start somewhere and I'm willing to risk what I need to for it. I guess I just really believe that we can do it." He told the man with a straightforwardness that he always seemed to get when he was speaking about creatures wellbeing. "Part of researching is knowing who you are going into business with too and whether it'd work. I seriously have no doubts about that and I'm pretty sure where I lack, you pick up the weight in those areas. I don't need you to be perfect, I just need you to be you."

[bentleylcckhart]

"I'm sure he'd love that too," Bentley smiled, so grateful for how things had played out for the both of them. They were in such happy relationships with such incredible partners and everyone wanted to be a part of one another's life. It often felt like a dream scenario that was too good to be true, however he also knew they both deserved it after everything. "We'll have to have another one of those dinners and get everybody together. Good people, good food– what more could we need, right?"

"You know, I'm very lucky to have so many people around me who regard me so highly." They always seemed to have such complimentary words to speak about him that often he really didn't know what to say back to their kindness that would really express his gratitude. "I'd love for that to happen. I'm very fond of him too though I feel like I don't know enough about him yet. I'd love the opportunity to be able to learn more."

[bentleylcckhart]

"I can't believe I made the list," he chuckled lightly when she joked about her resolutions. "Go on more first dates? I love that one," Bentley lit up with a sense of pride. He knew it wasn't easy to move on, but it was nice to see that she seemed ready for it. Anyone would be lucky to be in Juliet's life like that as far as he was concerned. "The second one does sound like something I could benefit from subscribing to so, why not? It'll be easier said than done however."

"Are you kidding? Of course I am, Ben," she told him with an exasperated look as if she'd do anything else. "Make Bentley get more sleep is on my list too," she added cheekily. "Other ones I can remember off the top of my head are one: go on more first dates, two: improve my work life balance and three: also get more sleep. The first one isn't applicable to you, duh, but maybe the second one you can do too."

[bentleylcckhart]

"I suppose I should be careful with what I say around you right now," he laughed when Orion confessed to most likely not being able to stop once he started. "But yes, I think you'll be better for it tomorrow morning if we get you some food right now," Bentley admitted when he'd been called out for what he was trying to do to the best of his abilities. "We can definitely come back," he promised, "Especially since you really seem to be enjoying yourself. I just want to make sure you don't feel like you got hit by a truck when you try to wake up tomorrow morning is all."

"Oh? Well that is good news." Orion murmured with a grin on his lips as he immediately attempted to get said kiss, only for Bentley to keep talking. "Heavy words babe... I might not be able to stop once I start." That much was certainly true. He was definitely feeling a certain way this evening but on top of that his boyfriend had always been his temptation. "I'm enjoying the party but I feel like this is your sweet, non-confrontational way of saying you think I should get food inside me to soak up the alcohol." He might have been drunk but he wasn't an idiot. "If we leave for a little while, can we come back?"

[bentleylcckhart]

"They may not be to everyone's tastes but I wouldn't say you're an old lady for it. I personally love anything ginger when I'm really ill for example," he confessed with a shrug and a laugh.

"This might make me sound like an old lady but I l-love ginger sweets," Alice said, grinning as she picked up a handful and put them into the paper bag she had been handed, almost like a pick & mix, "I'll d-definitely be trying some of those sour ones too."