Orion Macmillan-Bones

"That old hag hasn't got a thing on me," Stella almost snapped in reply. It wasn't uncommon for them to rile each other up as siblings but she was often an easy target. Especially when any sort of physical or athletic ability was involved– knowing it was her weaker point compared to her siblings. Especially her dancer of a younger sister. "You're an asshole and I hope you get a flat tire," she insisted when she began to pedal faster in order to avoid further humiliation.

The “old hag” jab had Orion barking out a laugh, the sound sharp and unrestrained, because of course she meant every word of it. That was Stella’s bite, and he loved drawing it out.

Bentley froze in the middle of his action at Orion's gentle warning, smiling to himself as he wiped the ice cream and prevented him from becoming a sticky mess in record time. "Thank you," he replied, a familiar soft pink reaching his cheeks at Orion's sweet comment. "Says you. You're the one who says things that sound like pure sugar," he insisted, nudging his hip against Orion's lightly before taking to his ice cream. "Ooh this one's good– want to try it? It's the mango-cherry swirl one," he held the cone out to his boyfriend invitingly.

Orion’s eyes flicked to Bentley’s cheeks, catching that familiar flush, and the corner of his mouth tugged upward in quiet amusement. “Pure sugar, hm?” he echoed, his voice low and warm, like he wasn’t about to argue the point. If anything, the way he looked at Bentley suggested he wore the accusation like a badge.

Bentley was stunned by Orion. By being like this with him. By just how intimate the moment was, everyone around them a beautiful and energetic blur as his tunnel vision was set on the man in front of him. While there was still a lot about relationships that Bentley felt he tread on unfamiliar ground with, it all seemed to come so naturally with Orion. Even if at times he was bashful about it, there were others where a natural confidence seemed to blossom. He was comfortable and calm and absolutely enamored. He knew he could do and say anything, able to expect a total lack of judgment from Orion on that front. Dancing with him made everything else click into place in a way that nothing in his life with anyone else ever had before. There was no denying, Orion had his heart.

“Genetics? Seriously? That’s what you’re going with?” Orion teased, shaking his head in amused disbelief. “Here I am practically having a spiritual experience in the middle of a dance floor and you hit me with genetics. Most people would kill for that kind of bone structure. You talk like you just rolled out of the womb and it followed you home.” He let out a full-bodied laugh, clearly entertained. As it faded, he leaned in slightly, brushing their noses together with a softer smile.

"It'd be my pleasure," Bentley grinned in response as he took his hand after being pleasantly smothered with affection from Orion. It didn't take long for them to return to the party, the two managed to stay tangled up in one another even before entering the venue. Bentley navigated them through the dancing bodies a little more into the center before he spun around, taking Orion's hands and rested them around his neck. His own landed low on Orion's waist as he led them in a dance, his forehead resting against the other's as he let himself melt away into the moment.

Orion followed Bentley through the crowd, fingers laced with his, their bodies brushing as they moved, the closeness between them unspoken but unmistakable. He couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips as Bentley glanced back at him, as if checking he was still there, still alright.

"It is an incredibly good thing. I don't even want to think about a different outcome of all of this," he said without hesitation. "If dancing with me's what you'd like to do, we can make it happen," Bentley smiled warmly after his boyfriend's confession. He honestly didn't even care if the party was crowded now or not. There had been something so almost vulnerable about the way Orion had answered that he'd go anywhere to make sure he was happy. "Let's get going then," his grin growing, reluctantly pulling himself apart from the other to throw away the waste from their table before joining hands with Orion outside the shop again.

Orion's smile brightened when Bentley said they could make that happen. If he'd given any indication that he was uncomfortable with the suggestion or going back to the party, Orion would have pulled the plug on it immediately but he didn't argue it this time because there was no such suggestion in the others actions and it warmed him to know that Bentley was just as willing as he was to go out of their way to make one another happy. Helping with cleaning up, Orion practically wrapped himself around the other man when they were done, peppering kisses to his cheek for a moment. "Lead the way, Handsome."

"I could easily say the exact same about you," Bentley said, although he was incredibly touched by hearing Orion say that. It was clear how much they mattered to one another but it absolutely never got hold actually hearing it. Especially when to him, everything that came from Orion's lips was music to his ears. He was convinced he'd feel like the luckiest man alive for as long as he managed to capture the man's attention like this. "Maybe I will," he laughed lightly, leaning his head onto Orion as they only drew closer to one another. He was sure they could've stayed like that for hours, letting out a content sigh every now and again. "How are you feeling, love? Do you still want to go back to the party?"

"Then I suppose it is a good thing that those whose opinions I care about have always taken the time to get to know me. What a loss it would have been for both of us if we hadn't been so open minded." Orion couldn't imagine his life without Bentley in it now that he'd had the experience of him being part of it. It was nice for him to just sit and enjoy this quiet time with Bentley, he didn't really want to break the comfortable intimacy of the moment. Bentley was the one who decided to speak first. "Hm... I still would like to dance with you more but I would also follow you anywhere so if you want us to go home, I am more than happy with that too."

Bentley laughed into the kiss, always finding it sweet when his boyfriend was being so openly affectionate. "I grew up in a family that has an irremovable spotlight upon it. I'm used to people judging or assuming things about us," he explained. "Because of that, I'm in no business of doing the same to others. I am more than my ancestors and so I think it's only fair to give everyone else the chance to show themselves who they really are if I want the same kindness for myself," he finished off his point with a light shrug. And Orion had time and time again proven just how much more he was than his past. And past aside, he had proven how devoted he was to Bentley. That was probably what was most important to him, considering he wasn't personally the type to be comfortable in something like an open relationship. It just wasn't something he could imagine himself feeling comfortable in even if others enjoyed it. "I'm glad to hear that," he smiled when Orion confirmed he was all he needed these days to feel satisfied. "Things I'd want from a partner that you don't already do? I'd say that's a small list. You're a very thoughtful person," Ben found it easy to say, nuzzling his nose against the other's forehead briefly. "The notes? I suppose it would be cute to see those in my books. Or little annotations of what you thought if you and I happen to read the same ones," he mused aloud.

Orion supposed he hadn't really thought about it too much but Bentley was right, his family did have a certain image already. He'd heard things himself but Bentley had stood out for him when they had met because he was nothing like anything he might have expected. An arm came to rest around Bentley's shoulders and Orion's fingers gently brushed at the skin of his neck as they talked. "Anyone who assumes they know you without taking the time to actually do so is severely missing out." Orion responded softly, knowing that he did not regret a moment of the time he had spent truly getting to know Bentley. When Bentley said that he'd appreciate notes though, he had to smile. "Then notes you shall get... though you may want to remind me in the morning, just in case." He added with a little laugh.

"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.

"It is. It's adorable. You're adorable." Orion found himself almost gushing about the brunette again as he leaned in to steal another kiss, seemingly not able to get enough of the action where Bentley was concerned. "I'm lucky you don't judge people though. I think too many people judge others but I always try to remember the saying that those in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones. It's always ironic just how much they have to hide when they feel the need to bring others down and judge them. It says a lot about a person." Orion chatted casually as he finished off what he was eating, giving a rather large stretch once he was done. "Nowadays I don't need anyone else. You manage to fulfil all my needs." Orion spoke honestly, and he wasn't referring to anything sordid, simply that Bentley managed to have all the qualities he needed in a good partner. He felt whole with the other man around. "Hm... I suppose that is fair. Maybe I should ask if there is anything you can think of that you want from a partner that I don't already do. I'm not talking about huge things because I'm pretty sure you will tell me you're already content because you always make that known but I mean more..." Orion thought about how to word it. "One person might love it if their partner always got up and put the coffee on for them before they got up in the morning, or another might like little love notes left around for them. Just things to remind a person that the other is always thinking of them, you know?"

"And if I did?" Jamie replied with a raise of his own eyebrows. "Would that be so bad? Sue me for missing hanging out with my cousin."

"I'd be asking you why you weren't being up front about it and were dancing around the situation." Orion said simply. "I'm not entirely sure what you think my response would be. Have I ever suggested you couldn't be open with me too?" He asked watching his cousin. "You pick the activity and I'll book it in."

"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.

"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."

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.

"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.

"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."

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.

"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.

"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."

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.

"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?"