megalomaniac

Benjamin 'Ben' Mathieu. thirty-two years old. Communications Director for the Gallagher-Pécresse 2016 campaign.

[vorshevskymikhail-deactivated20]

It’s a shame that it is so warm out. 

[benmathieu]

I prefer the cold.

[ethan-hathaway]

Is there a particular reason for that? Or can we credit your family for that?

Sounds good. I could do with some company. Seems like even my family’s forgotten about me, and beggars can’t be choosers, right?

[benmathieu]

Give thanks to the Mathieu parents.

I am not a last option, Eth. But I’ll show up with Chinese.

[ethan-hathaway]

Be more specific. Do you mean Christmas or global warming? Because I’m afraid latter is here to stay whereas Christmas happens only once a year.

I…hope so. Trying to, anyways. Feels good to be back up on my feet, even if it’s with crutches.

[benmathieu]

Christmas. I’ve always hated it.

I can bring dinner to your place. I’ll drink some bourbon and you can have juice.

[ethan-hathaway]

Do you have to pull a Grinch on everyone, Ben? 

[benmathieu]

When will the nightmare end?

You’re looking better, Hathaway.

[benmathieu]

Have fun enjoying the warm weather this year. Hats off to global warming, right?

[ethan-hathaway]

@ Ben

[ethan-hathaway]

‘Do you need anything’ was the polite equivalent of ‘I don’t know what to say’.

The painkillers left his mind a bit in a haze (understatement, really), but Ethan caught Ben stepping in closer, the scent of the roses he brought. Like he would every day. He was the only one that came every day. The only one.

He guessed Karma was kicking his ass again when not even his own family could be bothered to check up.

“I’m good,” Ethan breathed, looking at Ben. He looked a bit nervous, shocked even, although he’d seen the state Ethan was in before. Did he really look that awful? That beaten up that you couldn’t get used to it? No one had given him a mirror, so he wouldn’t know. But a pretty sight, it certainly wasn’t. He could tell much from the pain he felt when he came down from the painkiller. “Thanks for stopping by. It got awfully lonely here.”

[benmathieu]

“... Ethan.”

His name left the tip of his tongue and his mouth grew dry. What was he meant to say? “You know I will always be here.” And it was the truth. Ben had no desire to leave Ethan now, or any time soon. “God... you still haven’t told me what happened.” Curiosity was an embedded thought. How could he just let this go?

Even so, Ben also had no desire to tell Ethan how he felt. Because, truth be told, feelings were starting to grow and he had no idea how to deal with them accordingly. Plus, wasn’t he with Elle? The thought of it made the man grow sad but he internalised it.

[sofia-plushenko]

Launceston General {Open}

[sofia-plushenko]

His defensive tone caught her off-guard at first, yet she couldn’t blame him… at least not fully. Her actions at the Istra party had bothered her for some time after, yet she’d been too stubborn (and then too busy) to make an effort to apologize. Yet, here they stood, his eyes clearly reflecting the fact that he’d rather be here with just about anyone else.

She nodded, chewing nervously on her bottom lip as she shoved her hands into the pockets of her lab coat, racking her brain for something appropriate to say. “Understandable… if I was you, I wouldn’t want help from me either. I know it’s probably not worth much, but…” she paused slightly, deciding whether or not to proceed, before she finished her thought. “I acted immaturely, the last time I saw you, and I’m sorry. I was a little… taken back, and as much as I hate to admit it, a little jealous. I didn’t have any grounds to be, and I get it. You don’t have to talk to me, but- at least let me get you a decent cup of coffee.”

[benmathieu]

The kindness in her sickened him.

It was a weakness. A full frontal weakness that gave Ben the urge to knock her down verbally right there and then. What did she want? An apology also? No, he was far too stubborn for that. “... Alright.” The word finally slipped from his mouth. “... But before I even begin to contemplate wanting to walk beside you, I want to know what happened between yourself and Aurélie.”

The jealousy was a shocking aspect, to say the least. Ben was aware of what had happened but he didn’t understand why. He simply thought that they both agreed on having sex and getting over it. But alas, here she was. Clinging onto feelings that Ben loathed. He toyed with the rings on his finger that belonged to his father. The word for strength in French was engraved on the pure silver ring. It was what she lacked, clearly. However, as pathetic as her kindness was, he managed to give in ever so slightly. Just as long as he received an explanation.

[ethan-hathaway]

@ Ben

Just a few days ago it was ‘poor Faye’ and now Ethan was chained to a hospital bed himself. 

The painkillers were finally kicking in, taking his mind off the pain and focusing it on this and that instead. It was easier this way, making anything but what was happening the centre of his attention. He wondered if the mayoress was still in hospital. Or was she discharged already? If not, he could go visit her now that Lisette had– oh, nevermind. Considering the state he was in it was unlikely Ethan Hathaway went anywhere anytime soon. If Michel’s goal had been to break several of Ethan’s bones, than it had been achieved, definitely. In the moments his mind wasn’t clouded by the meds he was given Ethan could feel himself shake in fear of what happened, memories assaulting him, making the injuries he would feel for weeks to come come second. But no, he wasn’t going to think about that, not now…

Footsteps caught his attention and made Ethan turn his head, albeit slow. The crowbar had caught him in the head, causing his skull to fructure. It hurt, moving too fast, keeping his eyes open for too long, but seeing a familair face instead of a lanky man in white sweep in did get Ethan to smile. “Nice of you to stop by,” he said, voice hoarse.

[benmathieu]

It had been a routine. Stop by the store, grab some flowers and visit his friend. Last time Ben recalled, he couldn’t remember always being so nice to someone. But Ethan was different. Ethan understood the way Ben spoke and thought, and it never failed to please him. Besides, it must’ve been rather lonely without company.

Accompanied with a set of roses and a nervous look, he entered Ethan’s room and took a short breath at the sight. He was... wrecked. If only he could find the man who did it and bury them six feet under the ground. Dainty fingers placed the roses on the table. “... You-...” A laugh of disbelief left Ben’s lips. What had Ethan done? The sight of him shocked him every day. Sitting on the chair beside the bed, he looked over. “... You need anything?”

[sofia-plushenko]

Launceston General {Open}

[benmathieu]

sofia-kurylenko:

Sofia noticed the dark-haired gentleman struggling with the coffee machine, and she approached him slowly, prepared to offer her assistance. It wasn’t until she was a few feet away, though, that she realized that it was Ben… the realization too late for her to avoid the altercation.

There were mixed feelings after she’d realized who it was, the night that she’d cooked him dinner, as well as what had happened afterward coming to the forefront of her memory, yet it was closely followed by the ungodly argument they’d had at the Istra Re-Opening followed closely. 

“Did you, uh… do you need help with that?”

It was merely a glance. That was all it took for Benjamin to realise who it was beside her. Sofia. A sigh left his lips, long fingers finally freeing from the machine.

The audacity in her was striking, Benjamin thought. After the argument, Ben just branded her as the rest. Good at spreading her legs but bad at keeping her mouth shut. He valued her kindness, he truly did, but for now, he remained harbouring a grudge.

“No.” Ben finally snapped, turning to face her. “I wouldn’t want help from you.”

[sofia-plushenko]

Launceston General {Open}

Now that the children’s ward and the lobby are somewhat decorated for Halloween. Emergency seems quiet for the moment… I’d like to think it may not be a bad night to be working graveyard.

[benmathieu]

“God damn... coffee machine still won’t work. Merde.” Benjamin had been visiting Ethan in hospital since he was admitted and he was frustrated by the machine.

[benmathieu]

Text to Ethan

Ethan: Okay.

Ben: Need anything to eat, buddy?

[benmathieu]

Text to Ethan

Ben: Hey.

Ben: I'll be visiting you today. Be prepared.

[michel-chevalier-deactivated201]

benmathieu:

Benjamin! My, this is a pleasant surprise. Margaux hasn’t told me you would be here, as well.

You’re taking me to Vixen? Very well. I also do expect you to pay for our drinks. I am doing wonderful, copain. How about you?

[benmathieu]

Indeed. Transferred, working on a campaign. You remember what I do.

Who else for the job? Yeah, I expected that too. Tired as fuck. How was the flight?

[michel-chevalier-deactivated201]

Launceston is nowhere near as terrible as people have made it out to be. I was a fool to believe subjective opinions. No one spit in my face yet, and the homeless lady I spoke to was wonderful. I somehow expected more…mayhem. Well, of course, this isn’t Paris, but I feel like I could get comfortable here.

What is this ‘Vixen’ everyone is talking about, though? Is it worth visiting?

[benmathieu]

Yes. I’m taking you.

How are you, mon frère?

[ethan-hathaway]

@ Ben’s Apartment

[ethan-hathaway]

benmathieu:

What is, now? Being a friend, or living up to expectations? That’s what you signed up for when you became my friend, Mathieu. Are you complaining?

We are, indeed, seeing each other. I’m afraid this time, TMI did not smoke a huge bong before sitting down at a laptop and hitting random keys. Why’re you asking?

[benmathieu]

Definitely not complaining. Not since you bring me expensive steaks.

Oh, is that so? Well, congratulations. I just wanted to see if it was true or not.

[ethan-hathaway]

@ Ben’s Apartment

[ethan-hathaway]

benmathieu:

Marvellous. And thank you. That is very attentive of you.

…Fine. If you’re curious, ask. I feel like I’ll be talking about it a lot more anyways at the next family dinner.

[benmathieu]

Thank you. I’m merely living up to my expectations as a friend because apparently that’s a necessity.

Good. Are you two dating? Or are they simply making it up?

[ethan-hathaway]

@ Ben’s Apartment

I really hope you’ve a grill on your balcony or something. I mean, I assume you do. Isn’t it an obligatory item for the bachelor’s invetory? Because I brought some steaks and I do not want to talk about TMI.

[benmathieu]

Course I do. I’ll get you some lemonade and me some beer.

... I mean, as your very good friend, can I at least ask about it? Or no?