#brian ttcc

~ A glass container clinked softly against the varnished wooden desk, a hankerchief laid beside it. A can shook forcefully, the ball inside rattling as the lights behind the mirror and the overhead room light illuminated the scene. Looking at his own body, Benjamin didn't pay no mind. Sure, it was weird how he was literally looking at his beheaded body, but as a robot, you got used to it pretty quickly. It was nothing new to unhook his bell from the pole even if it was seriously odd. As his index finger was about to press down on the Incralac can, loud banging rattled the front door.

~ Who in the big bloody hell was banging on his door on a rainy night on a Friday. He sighed, which sounded more like a soft whistle. He set the can down, put his bell back on the wooden pole, and opened his bedroom door.

The long robe traced the floor he walked through, some silk translucent socks ever so slightly muting his steps as much as they could for a metallic robot. He kept swearing under his breath. Even if he was the charmer of the office and the friendliest, he really doesn't appreciate it when his routine gets interrupted.

As he approached the front door, he really was debating whether or not he wanted to even talk to someone at this hellish hour. He leaned into the doorhole, uncovering it, taking a look through, and finally seeing the familiar face behind the wooden barrier.

He saw that hexagonal faceplate, those eyes of his, those round frames of his glasses. His suit drenched, a closed umbrella in hand that made it seem like he didn't even use it at all. He wasn't yelling at Benjamin to open the door like Ben had expected him to, he was just standing there, waiting.

He didn't take his sweet time to unlock the door, sliding out the locks, grabbing the keys, and opening the door. Brian's face turned to the door with an expression of mild surprise.

~ "...hey."

Benjamin greeted, but his voice was more careful, shaky, and almost concerned.

"What are you doin' here at this hour, lad...? It's late."

~ "...I, uh..."

Brian began, but it was hard to come up with an excuse when his entire body was drenched by the rain, cold, and he was empty-handed. He wasn't carrying a work folder or his iPad, no. He gripped the handle and shaft of the umbrella, his hands alternating the grip force.

~ Benjamin stared at him with a look that almost spoke pitifulness. He moved aside, inviting Brian in, who stiffly made his way inside.

"Uh... somethin' happened?"

~ "The building simply lost power."

Brian quickly retorted.

"I need a place to complete my work, and yours is the... ... Closest."

~ Benjamin thought about Cathal for a moment, but something told him to stay quiet for once.

"Right. You need my laptop to continue your work, then? Would you like somethin' to drink as well?"

~ "...I— ... It would be... appreciated."

He said, stripping off his wet jacket suit. He followed Benjamin into the kitchen as he awkwardly stood at the kitchen's arch as Benjamin started the coffee machine.

~ "My laptop's in the drawer under the TV, yeah? It should be charged, just go get it and I'll be 'ere."

~ "Right..."

Brian made his way to the living room, taking his shoes off at the main hallway before stepping foot in the carpeted floor. He opened the drawer, taking out the electronic device, the scent of fresh coffee spreading across the flat. He returned to the room sharing a kitchen and a dining room, putting the computer softly atop of table. He laid a hand on the backrest of the chair, staring at the table with no thought in mind.

( . . . )

~ "Boo!"

A towel was dropped around his shoulders, two arms wrapped around his chest. Despite jerking violently at the slight scare, Benjamin still kept his grip as comforting as could be.

"Thought you looked a bit cold there, luv."

~ "Ugh, Benjamin!..."

He whined, feeling the towel rubbing against his wet clothes.

"That's not going to do much... I'd need to... change... I don't have any spare clothes."

~ "I can give you some."

~ "I AM NOT PUTTING ON YOUR CLOTHES. THAT IS HIGHLY UNHYGIENIC."

~ "How so? It's just some clothes. I'll go get them right now. They're at-home clothes, so they're rarely worn."

~ As Benjamin walked away and up the stairs, Brian felt awkward. Was he really about to steal someone else's property for a small inconvenience? He started rubbing himself down with the towel, trying to dry his clothes off the best he could. He stared at the coffee on the table, slowly releasing the grip from the towel. He placed it down on the backrest, his hand gripping the handle of the mug to bring it up, his other wrapping around the mug itself. He reached behind his faceplate, popping off a cap and then bringing the coffee up, drinking it. The warm drink kind of calmed down his fried circuits, getting him even more sleepy than he already was before. It was late at night, and... it wasn't strong coffee. Benjamin had planned this, obviously. But, strangely enough, he didn't mind at all. He sat down at the chair, staring at his drink. He couldn't even bother with his due work. He swore in his head he only came to Benjamin's home to continue his reports, but... it all felt like so much. He stared at Ben's computer like it was an unknown item he didn't know how to operate.

He heard some steps approaching from behind, a spare outfit was placed on the table besides him.

~ "It might be a little big for you, but I tried picking old things you could wear."

~ "...Again, Ben, I am not wearing your clothes... it is... awkward."

~ "...Okay. No, I see. That's fine."

~ Brian perked up at his tone of voice, turning around to face him.

"A-Are you seriously mad I won't wear your clothes?!"

~ "No, it's just that you called me "Ben." And if my records recall, that's a new one."

( . . . )

~ "BENJAMIN."

A flustered scream echoed across the building, making Benjamin chuckle at Brian's reaction.

~ "What? It's nice. I don't mind you callin' me unprofessional names..."

He wrapped his arms around Brian carefully to not startle him, laying his bell on their partner's shoulder.

~ "W-Well..."

~ "Come on, go get changed. I'll heat up your coffee if it gets cold, yeah? I can feel you shiverin'."

He gently tapped his bell against Brian's side, kind of like a phantom kiss.

~ "...Fine."

Brian placed his right hand on Benjamin's arm, signaling he was going to get up. He felt even warmer in his arms, it was very nice. But he felt awkward admitting it. It was hard for Brian to admit vulnerability or any kind of comfort, but Benjamin knew how to read him well, so he could only hope. As Ben retired his arms, Brian got up, picking up the clothes and heading towards the bathroom with Benjamin's directions.

~ "I'll go change myself, yeah? Can't be goin' around with a robe. Chilly tonight."

[ . . . . . ]

~ The bathroom door slipped open with the gentle push of his hand. Brian walked out in an oversized white t-shirt, dark muddy green sweatpants and some thick socks. Somehow, he felt even more tired. He moved to the main hallway, looking around as Benjamin came from up the stairs in a wool sweater and some light blue cardigan pants.

~ "Well, this is much better, innit? Now you're all dry, an—"

His speech was cut off as Brian suddenly got close and laid his body on Ben's, completely engulfed by sleepiness and a strange need for warmth. Benjamin stuttered over his words, his nonchalant charm thrown out the window all over again. But he reciprocated, wrapping his arms around the shorter Sellbot. It was odd, really, Brian wasn't one to act this way. He was usually cold, awkward, a bit distant. But this? This was... new.

~ "Ah... you... you want to head to bed? You seem tired, luv..."

Brian didn't even have the energy to throw a witty comment, he just nodded, trying to further close the gap between the two.

"(My, you're cuddly tonight.)" Benjamin thought, but dared not speak it outloud to keep the peace. He gently guided Brian upstairs, a hand on his waist, an arm around Benjamin's torso.

The door opened, the silence that was following them was almost deafening. Like all the radios in the world had gone silent, like the midnight arguments had died down, just for them. Like a miracle in the night.

Benjamin guided Brian to the edge of the bed, both sitting down at the same time. The mattress sank along with their two bodies, a quicksand trap they both knew they won't fight at all. Brian laid his head further on Benjamin's shoulder, sighing gently, he had waited all week for this. He did a little noise, Benjamin wasn't sure what that one meant, but they didn't think much of it. It was just a noise, and if it wasn't from pain or discomfort, then it was alright. Still, Benjamin cracked open his eyes to look at Brian, who was just sitting there, laying on his shoulder. Ben thought about it for a moment, deciding to speak up.

~ "Ey, darlin'... Would... Would it be okay if we slept together tonight...?"

He threaded very carefully, knowing well Brian was still very awkward and maybe forcing him to do something he didn't want to do could break the fragile bond of trust they had built, an—

~ "ya..."

Oh. Oh. His voice was so raspy, tired. So minimalistic for someone so hyperactive. It... kind of took Benjamin by surprise. But that did not stop him. He knew that if they stopped now, Brian might have a chance to rethink his options and choose to back away from embarrassment.

~ Benjamin backed up a little onto one side of the bed, still remaining vaguely in the middle, gently inviting Brian to lie down. He thought about it, a little too deeply. Then, he laid down. He snuggled up to Benjamin, his brain so tired it couldn't bother understanding anything else other than the fact that Benjamin was there and it was warm. The blankets got pulled over the two of them, a momentary cold hitting before the warmth came back.

Benjamin grabbed Brian's glasses carefully from the frames and set them aside on the night table. He caressed the glass dome with one of those golden hands, being ever so gentle, closing his eyes and finally being able to think about nothing else but the current moment.

The first night they've slept together, and it was the most perfect thing in the universe. Two skinny arms wrapped around the wooden pole holding his bell up. He didn't really need it, and most of the time he'd just hang the bell wherever else, but he thinks he would scare Brian shitless if he saw them like that without it, so maybe not.

Benjamin stared at the wall, then down at his arms. Brian was sleeping ever so peacefully, that brain within the glass case had stopped the violent throbbing, now a gentle pulse. Brian's sleeping face was more than his heart could take, just got Ben hugging him tighter. He got kind of emotional, he couldn't help it, but it was weird of him. So nonchalant, to get so emotionally pent up at the view of his partner sleeping with him. His eyes felt a bit stingy, but he did his best to calm down as to not wake up Brian.

But he knew, unlike the others, right here, tonight, with the rain softly tapping the windows of every room and falling onto the roof, looking down at his arms like he had secured the grand prize,

Brian was here to stay.

He snuggled back, closing his eyes. The warmth of the closeness and the bed was a grand help for when he drifted off to sleep.