Ben Hanscom

Me neither. Just something I noticed. Good thing you know what to do, you need to be prepared when you’re so good at taking a gay man’s breath away. Would you look at that, it’s meal time for me too. Whatever you want is fine, I bet there’s some place to get a salad. Let’s head out. I’ll meet you out at the entrance to our trailers?

You’re very astute, it seems. It seems you may be in need of some assistance, then. Huh, what a coincidence. Sure, sounds great. I’ll drive, and pay. 

It’s amazing how far we get with each trip, though. As long as the trip seemed, it almost doesn’t seem long enough somehow when you look at the clock. I get what you mean about feeling cooped up, though I think my lungs would give out before I made it 12 miles. I’m always looking to get into something, what were you thinking?

Yeah, I can see what you mean. But, I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. At least it didn’t seem to take forever. That’s alright, I’m pretty well versed in mouth-to-mouth. Anything you’d like, really. Are you hungry? Have you eaten? I could go for a salad right about now. 

Twelve whole miles, huh? You must be the athletic type– I could teach ya a thing or two about havin’ a little fun, ya know. There’s more to life than running, or at least there are better reasons to thrust that kinda exercise into your life. I’m Harley Quinn, pleased to meet ya. 

I guess you could say that, yeah. You could? What exactly did you have in mind? I have no doubt you’re right, about there being more. But, right now I’ve got so much excess energy that’s about the only thing my mind goes to. It’s nice to meet you, Harley. I’m Ben. How long have you been with the Carnival?

Para|| Ben and Beverly

( @benhanscomhq​ )

Beverly was filled with equal parts excitement and mild panic, Ben was here, Mike too. She couldn’t believe it. She hadn’t seen her friends, her family in so long. To herself, the small part of her that was most excited to see Ben, she had always felt a special connection to Ben, he was shy, sometimes it was nice to see him read, to build things, he had a kindness about him she had always kept close to her chest. She was nervous, she wondered what her friends had been up to these last few years, they had all gone off to college, had a life. She had too but she feared the life she lived wasn’t as fulfilling as others.  

Beverly didn’t want to think about that, the fear that bubbled up at the prospect of someone finding out what really happened that night in February of 2013, she especially didn’t want Ben to find out. His kindness had to only stretch so far and some things were unforgivable. Even if Alvin was a piece of shit, she had no excuse. Beverly stood outside of her tent, the breeze lifting the auburn strands of her hair, it had grown long since she left Derry, no longer the short cut that was a staple of her teenage years. She fiddled with her lighter, flicking the flame off and on before she lit a cigarette. Beverly took a deep drag from it, the toyed with the idea of quitting often,she didn’t smoke nearly as much as she used to. She somehow just couldn’t kick the habit. Beverly heard the crunching of gravel and was pulled from her racing thoughts to see a man walking towards her. She flicked the cigarette to the ground, her eyes trained on him as he walked forward. That couldn’t be Ben. Beverly took a few steps forward, she didn’t know what to do. Her throat was suddenly dry and she couldn’t find the simple words to ask if his name was Ben. 

To say that Ben was floored once he realized Beverly was here, at the Carnival he’d happened to land in, was an understatement. Seeing her, speaking to her, triggered a flood of emotion he had no words to communicate. To say their reunion seemed like fate was insane, even by his standards, though he couldn’t stop the nagging feeling that perhaps there was something larger at work. He’d quickly realized another of his old, best friends, Mike, had also managed to find his way into the Carnival’s gravitational pull. And, as of late, apparently so had Belch Huggins and Henry Bowers. Shaking his head, Ben made his way to Beverly’s tent, his eyes scanning the rows of trailers and other set ups as he searched for her- the same way he always searched for her, in every crowd, even if he wouldn’t admit it. 

When his eyes finally fell upon her, Benjamin was certain he might faint. He felt something he hadn’t fully felt in years, the thing he could never recreate with anyone else, no matter how hard he tried- the thing that kept him holding on. A blush immediately fell upon his cheeks and he ran his hands self-consciously over his shirt, then through his hair, suddenly feeling as though he should have changed, showered again, shaved, something, before coming to her. Although she didn’t speak as he approached, her expression nearly brought him to his knees, though he did his best to maintain appearances. “Beverly...” He began, her name rolling from his tongue as easily as it ever had. “I’m so happy to see you.” Rushing forward, he enveloped her in the biggest hug he could muster, closing his eyes as he did his best to memorize every millisecond of the moment. 

Clearly not often enough, though I’ll thank you for the returned compliment. I know, I’m a rock solid… 5.5 at the least. You, however, are a perfect ten with that face, that charm, and that body. And you seem to swing both ways too– Mercy me, we’re all in for it. You’re not, and now I’m not. It looks like this carnival has a habit of picking people up in just about every city they stop in. I’m just one behind this one, not even a week ago. Truthfully? I love it. It’s got a really cute vibe, don’t you think? Now if only I had some company…

That’s a very sweet thing to say, Adrian. I appreciate that. No need to thank me for the truth, handsome. You clearly aren’t giving yourself enough credit, while simultaneously giving me too much. I swing towards people with beautiful souls, so I guess you could say that. You just might be. Well, the more the merrier I always say. It’s great that you’re enjoying yourself, though. It is cute, yeah. Reminds me of high school, in a way. The ‘big thing’ to do was always to take a date to the summer carnival. My, my. It is a shame that someone as lovely as yourself even has to utter those words. I’ll tell you what, I’ve got some plans for the earlier evening, but I’d love to come find you after. 

Mines closest to the back part of the lot, I’ll wait outside for you. Just bring yourself! I have some tea on right now I can make you a cup. 

Sounds good. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you to be safe. You’ve always been able to handle yourself. Can and will do, Ms. Marsh. That sounds great! I’ll see you shortly, then.

Hi Ben, I’m in my tent. Im doing wonderfully, why don’t you come see me? We can talk in person. I havent seen you in so long, indulge me a bit?

I can do that, yes! I will be on my way shortly...As soon as I figure out which tent is yours. Yes, of course. You should know you don’t even need to ask, not with me. Can I bring you anything? Are you hungry? Thirsty? Cold? Need a blanket? Just say the word. 

Well, well, well… How ya doin’, tits? Got any new body mods lately or still just the one?

Oh for fuck’s sake, why am I not surprised? Interesting to see virtually nothing has changed, over the years. 

Well hello, tall, dark, and handsome. You’re right, you are one hell of an event. Nice to meet you, my name is Adrian and I’m pretty new here myself. I’m working as an assistant of sorts while I train for an actual routine. You’ll want to talk to Mrs. Kersh, though to be honest it seems like most anyone here could point you to an empty trailer. 

I’ve been called that a time or two, though if we’re judging looks I’d say the same about you. You flatter me, Adrian. It’s a pleasure to meet you, though. Good to know I’m not the only newbie around here. Oh, that’s awesome. Have you decided what to train on, yet? Is that so? Well, I’ll have to hop right on that, then. How are you liking things so far?

New Kid on the Block again aren’t we? Don’t stay in your head. Breathe for awhile. If you have any questions let me know? Please?

Beverly...Holy hell. I guess you could say that, yeah. I definitely have a couple questions off the bat- how and where are you?