Benjamin 'Kaleb' Sanders

Keanu was just taking a break from swimming around in the water with his daughter to grab one of the bottles of water he’d brought, keeping an eye as she continued to play in the waves. Hearing a voice from next to him he nodded and held his hand out for the sunscreen “Yeah, no problem man, don’t want any weird sunburns now” He chuckled.

“Yeah I certainly do not, I could reach my shoulder blades and the bottom of my back but the in-between was impossible for me,” Benji said with a chuckle. “Guess tall guys can understand?” He handed the bottle over with ease.

“Well then,” a huge smile appeared on Xenia’s face as she listened to Benji, a grin appearing on her lips. She loved the sound of a high chance of winning-it made her hopes and ideas soar ever higher just thinking about what she wanted to do. “Let’s go find the best spot and then build the best badass sandcastle ever. You own Wild Hogs?” she asked, eyes widening a bit. 

Benji returned the grin with ease. In a way, it was exciting to make sandcastles again. Back with his dad they did something called sand sculpting, which was fun he once made a big Mickey Mouse. “Yeah, I and my dad used to do this professionally when I was younger. We’d go to these sand sculpt events and would make realistic statues based on a theme - buildings included.” The Eifel tower was one of the hardest they had done. “Yeah, I’m the owner, though I’ve been trying to stand more behind the bar lately as well.”

Courtney was laying on the beach and trying to work on her tan. She felt like she was oddly pale for this time of year, and she wanted to be golden as soon as possible. When the man spoke, Courtney shrugged. Normally she’d say no to this sort of request, but she was in a particularly good mood due to having relaxed all day. “Sure, hand me the bottle.” She replied, holding out her hand for the sunscreen. 

Benjamin smiled relieved, he didn’t want to come across as creepy yet he also didn’t want to end up burned either. So to have someone help him out really made his day. “Thanks, I guess this is one of those tall people problems.” He nervously chuckled. “You really are helping me out.”

-

Smiling at the other, she could see that was going to be no big deal, the guy was sweet and he was trying his best to get through life which she really did appreciate, maybe this wouldn’t be too bad after all; “That works for me, I mean it doesn’t need to be a whole bottle because I wouldn’t know what to do with one of those but maybe just like a glass or something one time” she really didn’t need a whole bottle, besides she doesn’t even drink that much; 

“Isn’t that how it is in the summer? Romances, and kisses on the beach and all of that-… gross stuff” don’t get her wrong she would love to have had that with someone but at the same time she wasn’t exactly bothered by it either; “I’m Minnie, De Fontaine if you recognise the last name-… I think we are done here-.. with the sunscreen I mean” handing back the bottle of sun protectant finding a towel to wipe her hands on

“Alright, let me personalize a cocktail for you instead. I like to make cocktails based on a person’s impression.” He smiled. He could see her as a pink bubbly cocktail with champaigne, perhaps a bit at the sweet side. That way it still could be something special, and she didn’t have to take a whole bottle home.

“Not sure, never dated so can’t really say that’s how my summer has been.” He shrugged. Right now he only had eyes for one person to begin with. “Nice to meet you Minnie, can’t say I know. I haven’t been in this town for that long to know all the families there is.” He nodded. “Thanks, you really helped me out.”

“Funny.” Blaze commented before giving him a soft smile. “I know. I haven’t been beating myself up as badly as I used too but I do have days where I do.” He admitted. He wasn’t used to being in a committed relationship and even though he would never cheat on Eddie again, he couldn’t lie that he had moments. “I’m not worried, Benji. That’s understandable. You know I didn’t really swing that way either, Eddie’s kind of the first guy I’ve been with like this.” He admitted.

Thayne had totally understood hiding away and it taking a while to come out. He’d known since he was eight that he was gay, but at the same time, he was so scared of rejection, that he found that it was easier to just hideaway and not let anyone know until he was much older. When he came out, it wasn’t as hard as he’d always imagined it being, and he ended up mentally kicking himself for being so scared. He could relate way too damn well with Benjamin’s fears when it came to all of that. But now that he was out, he was out and proud.

His number one favorite thing was taking care of people. Just looking at his interactions between him and Stevie, it was pretty easy to tell that he made sure people ate, slept, showered, and took their medication. But when it came to himself, he sometimes forgot to practice what he preached.

“Well yeah, but still… I don’t want anything like that to happen to you. If it makes you feel better, I’m allergic to aspirin. Found that out as a kid…” He admitted softly. He didn’t even want to remember what he went through with that reaction. All he remembered was having to go to the hospital, and that was it.

“Oh I know I have, and you’ve been the same wih me…. and honestly, I cannot appreciate that enough…” He shocked himself when he didn’t use a candy nickname for him. That’s how you know he was serious. “I do, but I really don’t wanna move.. Too comfy, and if I’m honest, I haven’t felt this calm and protected in years…”

Admitting such a thing, Benjamin could never think of it as easy. It was like leaving your soul open and bare, risking it from others to taint and hurt it. Which is why he couldn’t find it in himself to admit it. It already took him a lot of time to get used to the name Benjamin, finding out that you can’t leave the standard life being a husband with a wife - it really became too much at a point for Benji. And it probably would take him a while to tell his parents too, even though he knew deep down they would be just as loving and accepting as they always have been.

Benjamin was a protector in nature. Once you became part of his friendgroup you were family, and as the lilo and stitch quote goes, family stays together and will never be forgotten. He’d always be there, forgiving and protective. It was who he was. 

“What do you take as a replacement for the asperin?” He had to concider throwing those out in emergency cases. You’d never know. 

Benjamin chuckled, understanding what Thayne was saying. Now they knew, the whole boundery didn’t feel that evident any longer, it felt like they had the room to be this close. “I understand what you mean.” He said with a gentle smile. “It also doesn’t help that you are the perfect size for me to hug.” He joked. “Don’t worry sugar plum, I got you.”

In a way, Thayne felt things were going too fast, but at the same time, things weren’t going fast enough. They should be dating by now… If only he’d realized years ago, he would have already been all his. But, as per usual, he was oblivious… He did want to know all of his sides as well, not just the cam fan side. But the caring side, the cooking side… he wanted to know what made him scared, what made him happy, what made him sad… He wanted to know every last bit.

If there was anything he needed, it was a reminder to actually take his medication and not forget about it like an idiot. He’d also, obviously remind Benji of his. Maybe it’d be a good thing to make some kind of scheduled reminder for them both. He could see the texts now: ‘Did you take your iron pills?’ ‘…No, did you take your sleeping pills?’ ‘…No, I wanted to stay up with you.’

“Of course! and hey, that’s still bad! I mean, itching and an upset stomach is the worst, ain’t it?” He should know that way too well… If he didn’t ea with his pills, he tended to feel sick and regret it the entire day. So he’d make sure to definitely remember anything that could potentially injure the one guy he cared the most about.

“….You’re too damn sweet to me… How do I even deserve you, sugarpop?” He paused for a moment. “..Can we not go just yet?”

They should be dating by now, but that wasn’t the case. It wasn’t like Benji didn’t want that to happen, but people that dated at least managed to get on a date first right. He tried to hide it well, he hid his sexuality so that he wouldn’t seem like an option. That and he simply wasn’t ready to come out. It took him a long while, and he didn’t know why. He didn’t know why he would hide such a part of himself even though his family was very loving. It wasn’t like he didn’t have any gay cousins either. Perhaps it was due to the fact he had a bit of an identity crises as a young adult. In a time where he was called Kaileb and not Benjamin. When his last name was Green and not Sanders. 

It was easily to picture them to be that way, texting eachother to help remembering things. They seemed to be that type of people, the people that cared for others. Perhaps that was another thing that attracted Benji to Thayne. 

“I mean it’s not pleasant but worse things could happen right. At least my face doesn’t swell up and I don’t suffocate.” Benji would remember their mutual dislike for certain foods.

“Thank god..” He whispered under his breath. If Benji wasn’t his soulmate, then he didn’t want one at all. They knew each other way too well, and the thought of them not being attached by that stupid invisible string just made him sad. He couldn’t get lost in that thought, though. Not with how comfortable and genuinely (for once) happy. 

Thayne’s coldness was due to anemia and a low iron level, which he absolutely hated. It made him always sleepy, especially when he was cuddled like how as now, and it made him feel dizzy when he sat up too quickly. He should be taking iron pills, but he always forgot to (and never really felt like he had a reason to. but now he definitely does have a reason). 

“That’s very true! And shit, okay, note to self, don’t cook any of those for you. Especially not pineapple… Don’t need to rush you to the hospital or anything… But you’re lucky I don’t really like brussel sprouts or bananas… I’ll eat them, but I don’t like it.” He admitted as he looked up to him finally with that same smile he always donned on his face. 

Huffing out a chuckle, he moved to steal a quick little kiss. “I’d say do it, but I wanna be hungry for tonight.”

In a way Benji wondered if things were going a bit too quickly, but at the same time it felt like things had gotten too slow between them. It wasn’t like he didn’t know Thayne, but he wanted to know all the sides to him. The creative side, things that made him feel insecure and the things that made him feel loved.

If they gotten to the place Benjamin hoped they’d get after a couple of dates, he’d have no issue in reminding Thayne of things like medicine. Benji took sleeping pills because he needed the horsepower to knock him out. 

“Yeah I’d appreciate it.” Benji said with a chuckle. “It doesn’t get that bad though just a lot of iching. And I get a bit of an upset stomach if I eat pineapple. It’s not serious to the point I need to go to the hospital for it.” He could take a pill if it got bad too, something he always carried with him cause he liked to live a safe life.

Thayne had always been the type to eat whatever was set down in front of him. He often used to be called the ‘human garbage disposal’, because no matter what, he’d eat it. Even if it turned out to be gross or an experimental dish. So he was certain that no matter what Benji decided to make for the two of them, he’d end up enjoying it.

“.. Is it bad that I kinda hope so?” He chuckled. How could they not be soulmates? they were already so connected to each other, that they already had that certain food that reminded them of each other. They also already seemed to be bonded, and not really worried about being close to each other, when most times, guys that had just come out, tended to be a little distant.

Thayne loved how the other seemed to cool down and feel like a human ice pack when he got too warm. He knew he was perfect for the summer, and had to wonder if he did the opposite during winter. Despite being warm, he only felt colder and colder to the point that he was snuggling even closer to the taller male, trying to keep warm. He even shivered once or twice.

“Really? No shit! Guess I do know you better than I originally thought, huh?” He chuckled against Benji’s neck. “Perfect… Red cabbage? I’ll try and keep that in mind. Is there anything else you don’t like? Just so I can try and remember it?” He always ended up being the type to worry about upsetting someone, especially when it came to something as important as food goes. Hearing what the other was going to make for dinner, his stomach growled loud enough for them both to hear, making him blush and hide his face quickly. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t eat a whole lot today.” He admitted softly. what he didn’t mention, was that he didn’t eat at all today.

Benjamin just tended to be the type to not throw away food even if it wasn’t nice in any way. His other family didn’t have that much money so you simply learned to appreciate what you were given. Though he liked the idea of making a dish the both of them could like.

“No...I don’t think it’s bad.” He understood it. Maybe it was because he knew him behind a screen for years, or maybe due to their small casual talks but he felt a bond between the both of them. In a way if Benji could he wouldn’t let go of the other that easily, but he had to they didn’t even have their fist date yet and he already came across a bit clingy.

In a way the shift in his body temperature also made it less easy for him to catch colds. Flu’s however we’re a complete different story if Benjamin got sick of anything at all it was the stomach flu. The moment it came in a rise, he had it and he got it bad due to not getting sick very often.

“Must be the fact we kind of know eachother for years.” Benji teased. “Hmm brussel sprouts, bananas and ...pineapple due to allergy reasons.” For the rest he ate everything. He was pretty much a foodie, he loved eating out and making new dishes. And if it tasted good enough it became one of those dishes that returned on a weekly basis. 

For some reason, any time he thought about Ben, he always thought of cake as well. Maybe sometimes something savory as well. Which was why, normally, he tended to eat more savory things, like pasta, or beef jerky. It was a shame he didn’t bring either of those, but it looked like Benji came prepared.

When he saw the lollipops, he could feel his face flush a bright pink tint. “….You really are my fuckin’ soulmate, aren’t you?” It was rare for Thanuel to swear now-a-days. If you would have met him in high school, he was completely and utterly different than he was now. He’d definitely calmed down a lot. However, he did notice the bowl of lollipops always set centered on the bar, barely touched by a ton of patrons, but he’d sneak one or two of them, just because. and he’d remind himself to steal more now that he knew everything.

Feeling him seem to lean a little more onto him, his body seemed to warm up even more, which probably wasn’t extremely ideal for the weather right now, but hey… He couldn’t help how his body reacted to someone holding him in this protective grip. Eventually, he closed his eyes and gave a happy little noise, moving up to pepper little kisses to his throat. 

“Y’know what’s funny? I always associated you with pasta or some reason… But nope, no real allergies except for mushrooms! I’m not a huge fan of onions either, but we can work around that, right?”

Benji wasn’t that big of a cake eater, but pasta, pasta he ate a lot. Meat depended, he had a tendancy to eat more chicken than beef. He wasn’t a picky eater but there were some things he simply couldn’t get in his stomach. He didn’t really prepare dinner yet, often he just ordered it. But occasionally he would cook, most often when family visited.

“Who knows - hopefully.” He said on a teasing tone. It just was something that became a habit over the years. Benji wasn’t that big of a swearer. He never was, the rare time he did swear was when he broke his arm falling off the slide as a kid. His mom forgave him because he was in pain, and she never really had to scold him outside of times like that. 

Benji didn’t mind the warmth, he also didn’t mind the cold. His body tended to do this body heat change thing when it got rediculously warm, and it just cooled down. And winter he turned into a stove.