Home Grown

Benjy Montgomery 18 Toast to the good times, black out the bad nights.

[bxneficentbxnjy]

“Slurred words” + Ava Montgomery

“Okay, Ava’s the best, but everyone knows that. Tha’s a lie actually, but everyone should know that. She’s really strong an’ determined and--I...I don’t always like it when she gets into it with our mom, but I’ve always admired that she like, feels strongly enough about stuff to do that, y’know? To just be herself no matter what. I think more people in our family should do that. I do worry about her, though. She’s....Really smart an’ she’d probably hate me for saying this, but she’s not good with herself? She makes bad decisions and stuff, and I wish I could just fix all her problems for her. Not that I don’ think she’s capable. Ava’s the most capable. She’s goin’ places for sure, I just hope she’s smart about it.”

@h8-u-5ava

[bxneficentbxnjy]

slurred words

Send “slurred words” to hear my muse describe yours whilst ridiculously drunk.

“Bonnie’s jus’….Bonnie’s just the best. She’s really smart, ‘n really great, and, okay, she maybe sometimes might make bad decisions about herself. Like GREG. What even was that? But okay okay, she’s still great. Plus she’s really selfless ‘n stuff. She helps so many people with so much stuff, and she always forgives me even when I’m not bein’ a supportive friend like I should be. But seriously, it was Greg. My point was–what was my point?–I love Bonnie. I don’t deserve her as a friend ‘n all that sappy stuff.”

“I do miss her hair though....”

[bxneficentbxnjy]

gofor-faye :

I’d bashfully pretend that wasn’t absolutely true but I think we both know that no one is that good of an actor. Let it be known that no one will ever whisper behind their champagne glasses about a ’Blasé Benjamin’. Oh baby, you’re a superstar. I fully believe you could have organised and executed this whole evening with your hands tied. It’s exciting though, right? Graduation, Ivy League calling… That and you knew I would have dragged you out of your imaginary traffic jam by the collar but that’s neither here nor there. Aw, you’re an angel. Thank you.

Oh psh. This old thing? Kidding, it is new but thank you again. Did you want another drink? Shirley Temple?

Yeah, you’d never get away with that. Good thing you have as much sense as you do style. [It wasn’t so much flattery or an attempt to butter his mom up as it was sensibly complimenting her to hopefully counteract whatever uncomfortable thing Ava’d said to her, or whatever awkward encounter she’d had with Andy. They got along (of course they did, they were Montgomery’s) but Benjy always felt like there was so much left unsaid there]. If they did, I’m sure you’d have them removed from the dinner before they could finish the sentence. Thanks for the vote of confidence, mom, but nobody can pull off an event like you can. Even if I did learn from the best. Yeah, I know, it’s all happening so fast. Hey, did I remember to tell you that I got the early acceptance email from Georgetown? I still don’t know if they’re my number one pick, but it’s a great school. That...doesn’t surprise me at all. Scares me a little, but doesn’t surprise me. ‘Course. Anything I can do ease the load.

Right, right, I’m sure that’s just been sitting in the back of your closet for ages. A Shirley Temple sounds great, thanks mom.

[bxneficentbxnjy]

gofor-faye :

“Definitely for the first and last time in your life. You might be her baby boy but there’s no way you’re ever getting to be right again in our combined lifetime. That’s all in her charm though, mom.” Faye smiled but she couldn’t help the slight strain in her voice. There had been no time for her to process any of her feelings towards her mother, especially not since the accident. After all, her mom had done everything for her when she was recovering and she’d been more Felicity Montgomery than ever now. It was ungrateful to feel… She didn’t know. “Nope. Welcome back, Benj. Oh shush, I’m fine. It’s not that I don’t love presents, sparkly ones most of all, but you have had a very long flight and I haven’t been able to smoosh your face in forever so I’ll wait. Just this once. Any presents after today however I will expect to be given to me immediately.” At his realisation however Faye couldn’t help but laugh. No one quite understood what those dinners meant like they did. “Please, you have new shirts freshly pressed at home.”

Then…he asked. Of course he asked- he was Benjy. No one had asked, not in the way that he was asking and for a too-long moment of hesitation, she felt her bottom lip tremble. But it was only a moment because she was fine. “Of course I know, Benjy. You’re my brother and I love you very dearly but relax, please. I am really okay. You’re back, prom is just around the corner and hello, I’m basically a shoe-in for prom queen. What could be wrong?”

“I should take a picture to remember this iconic moment. And maybe to apologize to you for using up our collective chance at winning an argument with mom.” It was supposed to be a joke, but the rush of guilt for all of the other things he should be apologizing for instead hit him harder than before, and he couldn’t even laugh to finish the joke off. He did smile, after a moment, though it was mostly to excuse the way he was searching her face for a sign that she was angry with him. “Smoosh my--oh no, I’m running away. You’re gonna find me hiding behind a tree all day to avoid your grubby little hands on my face. Don’t kids always have sticky hands for some reason?” That joke fell out of his mouth easier, a familiar jab about how close they were in age, and he winked at her. “Of course, of course. I couldn’t expect anything else. Although I suspect your understanding here has more to do with how much you like pulling wrapping paper off of things than anything.” Of course he did, bless this family for their insane planning skills. If it wasn’t mom, then Elena could be counted on to at least phone the dry cleaners, or even Javier. He was more organized than anyone. “You guys are lifesavers.”

“Good. That’s--yeah, that’s really good. I just wanted to make sure you really are doing alright. Okay, as long as you know.” He wants to tell her that she’s more important than any mask she thinks she’s supposed to wear or image she needs to portray, but she’s Faye. She knows she’s important. “I know I haven’t been there recently, but that’s only two months out of the last seventeen years. I hope you still remember the stuff you used to tell me when we were kids, like when you’d lose a tooth and you’d tell me before you told mom and dad, or how you used to ask me to check under your bed for monsters. I still want to be the person you go to when you need somebody. Yeah, you are a shoe-in for prom queen. And I’m definitely voting for you, okay? I mean, who else would even be in the running?”

[bxneficentbxnjy]

agent-delilah :

                                 Damn it. No, nothing too important. It’s just disorientating, y’know, especially after that weird dream last night, but you don’t need to hear about that. Thanks– [realizing she doesn’t know his name] uh?

That’s good. You don’t want to miss any appointments or anything. Huh, I’m hearing a lot about weird dreams today. It’s probably a moon phase thing, or something. Somebody more into astrology and horoscopes could probably tell you for sure. Benjy Montgomery. Before you ask, no, nothing you’ve heard about my sisters is true.

[bxneficentbxnjy]

greg-porter :

“Take all the time you need. Ha, now there’s a good one. But hey, I shouldn’t worry too much, right? I fall and you’ll be around to catch me, I’m sure. That’s gotta be in the terms and conditions of your hometown hero contract,” he grinned but it didn’t last long, it never did when it came to Benjy Montgomery. But it was all different now and as much as he was trying, he couldn’t ignore that. Their last interaction (that night) was still there. Everything that had happened… Benjy was so good. Righteous in the most annoying of ways but better. He was better than Greg.

“Isn’t it? Damn well, that’s my life changed. I’ll start my mission to save the planet right now, you’ve saved me. Henchmen? Wow. That’s poetic. Do you mean Asher or are you directing your tolerance at my entire harem?” There was an obvious shift in his expression at Benjy’s next words. The attitude he carried ever so naturally fell away and he found himself clenching his jaw. Benjy didn’t know what had happened after he’d left and Greg didn’t want to think about it but pummelling down the shame, the regret wasn’t as easy as it used to be. There should have been more bite in his response but there just wasn’t.

“Uncanny. You should become a TV psychic. You glossed over Lyndsy Moore’s wedding, I took my bruise to that actually ‘cause it went with the tie. Then, yeah, pretty much. Less sulking in my room, more sulking in a crapartment somewhere in New Haven but that’s all just details. Like the beard. You’ve still got something going on there, I’d give it 7 out of 10,” he said through practically gritted teeth before his expression relaxed a little, becoming uncharacteristically hesitant. “I’m sure you’ve got some kinda 'welcome back’ party to get to, right? Family, friends…,” Bonnie, “Et cetera.”

“Ha, sure. I’ll catch you if you ever fall. Might be too heavy to grab easily, but I’ll try. Honestly I never bothered to read the thing. I figured people would be so busy being charmed by me that they wouldn’t have time to hold me to anything crazy.” Things were never easy with Greg--in fact things were usually difficult--but that didn’t stop them interacting. Though it probably should have. They both knew neither of them would ever win the awkward stand-off they had going on.

“If I knew that was all it would take to get you to care about the planet, I would have tried it years ago. Sorry--what do you prefer to call them? Minions? Henchpeople? The entire group. Except Scott, on most days. I just can’t in good conscience go there.” Most days he would have reveled in the change Greg’s face shifted through. If it were for another reason, maybe today he would have reveled anyway. But this was about Bonnie, and no amount of self-satisfaction over having pushed one of Greg’s buttons won out over that.

“I’ll make more money than the Long Island Medium. Shame I missed that, but I’m sure you’ll wear bruised couture to another event, so I won’t miss out forever. Oh really, you--” But the words struck Benjy as odd, if only because Greg belonged in Havensdale (and not just in the ‘he had no marketable skills to help him ever get out of town’ way that Benjy liked to remind him about so often), and he stopped talking to stare at Greg for a moment, trying to figure out if the thing with Bonnie had actually been bad enough to send Greg running to New Haven, or if something else was going on. Not that he cared, but he was a concerned brother at heart, conditioned to worry about people. Even assholes from school. “She got you good, huh?” The words sound resigned, like he’s realized he might have something in common with Greg and he’s not happy about it. “You know, uh, she’s not too happy with me, either. Difference is, she’s already hit you. I’ve still got one coming.” There’s a laugh, so it sounds like a joke, but he’s not sure it is one. Either way, he’d deserve the hit for ditching her when she needed him. “Take it from a guy who just got 7 out of 10 on his psychic abilities evaluation...You’d be happier if you stopped self-sabotaging.” But that sounds too close to actual advice that he might give someone he cared about. “Or if you shaved. Your choice, really.”

[bxneficentbxnjy]

sincerelymurdock :

Hah, no. He is DC, but his story doesn’t really cross with Batmans at all. I don’t think he ever even gets close to Arkham City, though I haven’t really read much of his comics to know. But uh, do you know where you’re going? To school, I mean. Since “The End” is so close, and all, it’d be absolutely terrifying if you didn’t know, but you were gone for awhile, so I think it’d be okay if you didn’t.

Ah, okay, sure. I definitely haven’t read much with him in it either. [Or many comics at all, actually.] That’s a tough question, you know? I’ve already got a couple of acceptances from Georgetown and Dartmouth, but I might just end up sticking around town and going to college here. At least until I’ve got all my gen-ed credits taken care of. [Absolutely terrifying was accurate, and true, and not something he wanted to deal with until he’d decided what he wanted to do with his life]. What about you? Smart guy like you, I’m sure you’ve got big plans.

[bxneficentbxnjy]

kristin-stillloved-montgomery :

That is entirely possible, I can’t argue with that theory. Facebook, really? That’s so… modern. Shoot, when I ran away, I just went along the coast and…. I won’t go there, but you got it lucky. I feel so out of the loop on your life. It definitely sounds amazing. Oh! Please tell me you took pictures! And met fabulously creative and smart people?! Maybe a girl or two? 

Sidenote: when did you get taller than me? Is that from all the house building?

I should bring some good books to keep myself occupied while you tour the city. I know, I know, kids these days with their technology and their internet, right? But it’s actually quite useful for a lot of things. Oh, I mean...I wouldn’t say I was running away...[it just happened to end up feeling a lot like that after his fight with Bonnie. And looking that way. And...yeah, maybe it kind of was his version of running away]. Okay, well we can’t have that. We’re going to have to play twenty questions or something to get caught up. I definitely took pictures. I think a few of them ended up on the website photogallery, actually. I’ll show you later, if you want. Uh, no, no girls just yet. But I’ve got to ask someone to prom, so I’m sure I’ll have something interesting to tell you soon.

I’ve been slowing growing over the past eighteen years, all with the intention of someday being taller than you. You only just noticed because you haven’t seen me in so long.

[bxneficentbxnjy]

princesaxdana :

How would trees fight off the warming of the Earth? 

You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep. 

Well, they actually absorb carbon, and carbon--I get the feeling you didn’t really want me to answer that.

Okay, I don’t promise it, then. I strongly believe you’ll come around.

[bxneficentbxnjy]

broho-jesse :

“Wow. I really better go get the Neosporin for that sick burn, bro.” Jesse rolled his eyes, not really sure how he was ever supposed to act around Faye’s brother. “If I was, I’d’ve brought a balloon.”

“Somehow you don’t strike me as the balloon-bringing type.” Wanting to be nice to someone and actually being nice to them were two separate things. It was a distinction Benjy was usually quite good with. The only problem here? He mostly didn’t want to be nice to Jesse. It was complicated. “I’m pretty sure people are happier with Maddie greeting them, anyways.”

[bxneficentbxnjy]

dr-rebelprincess :

“That’s just because none of them really know how to, you know, chill out. Could you imagine how much more fun that annual masquerade thing you guys throw would be if Liss dialled herself down about a hundred decibels? Anyways. Yup, that’s exactly how this is going down. You’ve got strong shoulders from building all those houses, kiddo. You gotta use them. Aw, you. Do you want like, $23.64? Flattery is the key to my heart. I love my legacy and I love my fave nephew. Well, I think that you’d make an awesome doctor, preferably a surgeon but I guess that’s up to you just as long as you don’t end up in dermatology. Ugh, those skin snobs and their infused water, honestly. Yeah you would.” Andy let out a laugh at the thought and wondered not for the first time where the hell Benjy had come from. That probably wasn’t entirely fair to her sister and darling bro-in-law but still. He was just so…Benjy. A beacon of hope, after Ava of course. “Fingers crossed. I do love to hear that, thank you. Really? Huh… Well, that’s a little disappointing but hey! There’s still time for you to dive into the deep end of the gossip pool. You live with Faye, there’s no way you aren’t going to be ahead of the curve when it comes to prom. Ooh! What about that girl you’re always hanging around with… The cute one, with the hair and ‘save the majestic snow leopard’ flyers? Ha! Good point. Stay young, stay safe. Jeez, that sounds riveting. I don’t know how you’re still talking about them now. Here’s hoping the only Vanderbilt you gotta deal with tonight is hero of our hearts Louis.”

“They should and yes, we are. It’s a tight-knight kinda club.”

“Where did the chill gene come from, if it managed to skip so many members of the family. Here’s where my theory that we’re both adopted comes in. Honestly? I think half the fun is supposed to be the drama, you know? Mhh, yeah, I’ll use them to carry the family, probably. Somebody’s gonna have to support Faye’s haircare routine and Ava’s Ben & Jerry’s addiction when mom and dad are gone. As tempting as that offer is, I think I’ll trade it for a favor instead. At least once tonight you rescue me from a an awkward conversation--deal? I can’t take the chance that you’ll leave me to the sharks if I don’t get this is writing. A surgeon I can do. I’ve seen enough to Grey’s Anatomy to know that nobody likes the superficial departments.” He’d never tell Andy--mostly because he was pretty sure she couldn’t handle the admission--but he’d often wondered about following in her footsteps, about becoming a doctor, too. “I know, I’ve been thinking about it all day, but there’s only so much a guy can do to avoid looking like a fool in front of his entire class. I’ll let you know the second my prom date status changes, though. I--wh...oh, you mean Bonnie. No, she’s probably got a date already. And she’s mad at me. We’re mad at each other. It’s...No, I don’t think we’d go together. Ha, true, I wish I weren’t. Man, Louis. I could write poetry about that man, he really is a hero.”

“We should consider holding auditions for membership, just to make sure no one actually sane slips through the cracks on us.”

[bxneficentbxnjy]

hells-goldenboy :

Ah, what? Come on! What kind of family are you if ya don’t play a prank or two? Are you even a man, Ben? Being silent is almost as bad as being against me.

A sane family, mostly. I will admit that I sometimes try and prank Ava, but I draw the line at Faye. I’m not afraid to admit that life is way easier that way. I--that’s kinda reductive, isn’t it? We all know my sister’s tougher than I am. Hey, definitely not against you. It’d be awesome if you got a crown and a diploma this year.

[bxneficentbxnjy]

It’s only 7:30....I’ve just decided my goal is to finish every single reply I’ve ever owed....start placing your bets on how many I’ll actually do before I give up xDDD

[bxneficentbxnjy]

I wasn’t expecting that, holy crap. She’s more like Aunt Andy than any of us thought. Here’s hoping mom doesn’t have a breakdown in the kitchen....

@http://gofor-faye.tumblr.com/post/173013422596/felicity-faye-dont-i-because-i-think-its

[bxneficentbxnjy]

princesaxdana :

Ugh. I’m never going to get used to this place… with all these…  trees. 

Trees are actually very good for the world, you know. We’re helping fight global warming with every tree--even the smallest ones. I promise they’ll grow on you.

[hells-goldenboy]

This is my last time being a senior so I think it’s mandatory to vote for me. Imagine Faye’s face if we were to win. 

[bxneficentbxnjy]

You had me with your logic for a minute there, but I think I’m pretty much obligated to side with Faye on this one. It’ll make my life a lot easier if I don’t push her buttons, since I have to live with her and all. I’m silently support you, though.

[bxneficentbxnjy]

kristin-stillloved-montgomery :

A woman like me? Want to go to Europe? Of course, I would! Only if I get to help build houses with you. Do I have to get cleared for that? How did you even get into building houses out there? 

Yeah, okay, you got me, I really didn’t think this through. Though I’m kind of worried that if I take you to Europe you’ll get whisked away by some famous painter who wants to make you his muse or something, and then I won’t see you for the rest of the trip. Alright, it’s a plan! I just went online and signed up, it’s really easy. I’m sure they’d love to have you. I joined a Facebook group for volunteers, actually, and they were looking for people to help out over there, so I signed up. Which sounds like a really crazy thing to do when I actually say it out loud, but it was fun, and it’ll look great on my college apps.”