Warnings: soft Ben, fluff
cuteness aggression?
“I don't trust anyone doll,” Ben said pacing about your lounge in an old red shirt and his sweats.
You observed him and folded your arms as you replied.
“But you tell me everything, overshare a lot.” You quirked a brow.
“Yeah cuz you’re not a threat.” He said as a matter of factly, taking a swig of his beer.
You squinted your eyes as if not liking being undermined, but where was the lie?
“I could be giving intel to someone you’d never know.” You huffed with your nose in the air.
He looked at you oh so amused and god… was it cuteness aggression? He felt he couldn't place it but that was surely it. His snarky smile said it all.
“Sweetheart you can't even lie to save your skin… let alone be a threat to the likes of me.” He was thoroughly entertained by your rebuttals.
“Ben!!!” Your mouth hung open and then scoffed indignantly. “Fine, leave now! You are so mean!” but it hardly had any bite to it, if anything it had an underlying affection he wasn't blind to.
“Or what?” he challenged crowding your space suddenly, sauntering up to you and it made you realize just how big he was compared to you in every way and sense.
“Why are you even here!” You stood your ground staring back, frowning, trying not to let his stare affect you as you folded your arms. Because last time it affected you, you ended up writhing under him and screaming his name from eternal bliss.
He moved away from your personal space then, pacing in your kitchen as he spoke, describing you with very animated gestures.
“You know you’re like a stray cat, skittish, moody.., melts at a little gentle touch.”
The hint was clear as day as you blushed at that last point and he gave you that knowing smirk over his shoulder.
“Lives in this…box” He gestures at the tiny apartment and you wondered out loud, “What’s wrong with my apartment?” But he continued.
“…and doesn't realize when it's running out of cat food or treats until it's too late.” You rolled your eyes at that exaggeration, biting back a smile.
Any other day you’d hate being talked down to like that, but this back and forth, right here was making butterflies erupt inside you, and for once it didn't feel like anxiety but genuine camaraderie…? Perhaps?
“Are you keeping an eye on me?” You asked following him into the kitchen as he was checking your fridge and then the cabinets and then glanced over at the little grocery list on the notepad stuck to the fridge.
“Uhh, what are you looking for?” You ask genuinely curious as he scoped around.
“You’re low on groceries…c’mon let's go get you your stuff.” He said simply, ripping off the paper that had the list on it.
That left you speechless, but not offended in any way, just pleasantly amused. You agreed wordlessly as if it was a silly date with a friend, but it was Ben… because well.., perhaps to you now, he was Ben. To everyone else, he was still THE Soldier Boy.
Twenty minutes later you stepped out of your apartment in your usual coat and fit for running errands. He too stepped out of his apartment just then, from right across yours. Wearing a simple hoodie and beanie look. Very modern and casual, it seemed weird, out of place on a relic like him. You’d either seen him in the uniform or just in house wear.
“Is that your disguise? A beanie?” You asked amused since it was well into late autumn the chill had arrived, so why not?
“Shut up, let's just go.” He grumbled walking ahead of you but you’d probably missed the faint grin on his face as you followed him along, all smiles.
