#au 002

This lift ride might be the longest lift ride in the history of the world, the number of floors notwithstanding. Cass can’t seem to stop fidgeting with the sleeves of his jacket the entire way. Of course, in the scheme of things, this lift ride is nothing in comparison to the week that has passed since he met Benjy. A week spent with little else but him on his mind. In spite of offering Forest just about any amount of money Cass could imagine him wanting, the man seemed to take inordinate glee in making him wait. He’d just gotten the text last night that something had fallen through and would you, Cassiel like the pleasure of Benjamin’s company tomorrow night?

He felt a little skeevy as he Venmoed Forest the new agreed upon amount in response. Still a bit now in this lift with nothing but his stupid head for company inside this lift. What if Benjy’s feelings had changed since their meeting? Cass couldn’t quite figure out how that was accounted for in Forest’s arrangement and his stomach turns unpleasantly when he thinks that it probably doesn’t account for too much. 

That all falls away when the doors finally slide open and Benjy’s door is barely a meter in front of him. He closes the distance in three steps, his heart practically leaping out of his chest. God, when was the last time he was actually excited to see someone? In any sense of the word? Maybe Tony...in the beginning when he was less focused on doing anything he could to make him stay and just felt alive with him.

With Benjy, he felt more than just alive. He felt comfortable in his own skin, like the pieces were finally figuring out how to mend themselves and the time apart had them craving for their new north, a new purpose perhaps.

With an only slightly trembling hand, Cass finally knocks on the door.