#ben interaction

elliot and parker had stormed off not long after daria had and ben was left standing at the table outside alone. at first he decided to at least start cleaning up out there, coming in the house with the plates and such. he tried to get tessa to let him help but she insisted she was alright. he checked on carter and joy but then decided he needed to go find daria, hoping that her getting some time alone would help settle her. ben was going to walk down to that lake, but it would be quicker if he took one of the horses as well and low and behold she was there. ‘daria?’ he called out softly, moving to settle on the bank of the lake beside her, all the things elliot and parker had said still floating around in his mind. ‘you don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.’

"Are you kidding me? We're not 'fine'!"

Ben had just closed his apartment door behind him, finally home after a long shift at the bar. He was exhausted and was about to collapse on his bed when his cellphone began ringing. It was nearly 2AM for god’s sake. Groaning he pulled it out of his pocket only to be confused at the name that was flashing on the tiny screen. What? Why was she calling him this late?

“Hey, what’s wrong? Are you okay? he questioned as soon as he answered, panic clear in his voice.

‘Alright, you’re turn. I think i’ve spilled enough of my dirty little secrets for one night.’ Ben said with a chuckle as he continued to wipe down the bar. It was way passed closing and yet he was still here with them, swapping shitty relationship stories.

Ben never had an issue entertaining stragglers at the bar. He was good at swaying them out the door after years of doing it when it came time but this? Right now? He was the one who didn't really want to stop this conversation. Leaning arms in a bit closer along the bar he listened to the brunettes story and grimaced as she went on. 'Whoa hold on, he asked you over so YOU could cook the date meal? Woof.' Laughing a bit. Some people really had the audacity. 'Please tell me you left immediately.'

'alright, you're turn. i think i've spilled enough of my dirty little secrets for one night.' ben said with a chuckle as he continued to wipe down the bar. it was way past closing and yet he was still here with them, swapping shitty relationship stories.

'you really didn't have to do all this you know.' ben said from his place on his couch. daria had shown up a little while ago hearing just one sniffle from him while they were on the phone had her hanging up quickly and knocking on his door an hour later. she brought the works, tissues, ibuprofen, home-made chicken soup, cracker and some nyquil. ‘seriously dar, it’s probably just aller-’ but he was cut off by a sneeze. it certainly didn’t feel like allergies abut ben was never one to like being fussed over like this. but it was daria, and the woman could pretty much do no wrong in his eyes. ‘thank you though.’ he said with a tired smile as she put the soup on the coffee table by him. ‘hey... can you hang out for just a little? i mean.. you don’t have to i know if you get sick then the kids get sick and it’s a whole thing but... i wouldn’t mind the company, at least until i fall asleep?’