Six months. It had been six months since Benny had come up to them, asking if they would explore the city with him. Six months since the astronaut had set out to befriend them. And they only continued to grow closer every day.
It was nothing short of a miracle. Bad Cop had certainly done his best not to be such an obstinate grouch, while they were helping with the clean-up and reconstruction efforts, but neither of them had expected any of the Master Builders would continue to interact with them once everything had settled back down. But Benny had apparently seen something worthy in them, and took it upon himself to keep in touch.
They didn’t know how to deal with this feeling. Good Cop was well used to infatuation, but this was… This was something different. Bigger. It made their chest ache and their heart feel like it was about to burst, it felt so full. They got butterflies in their stomach every time they so much as thought of him.
“Bad.” Good Cop said aloud. “I think we’re really, actually, genuinely in love with him.”
Bad Cop tried not to feel panic to hear that too-big feeling acknowledged so firmly. It wouldn’t last. All of Good’s previous partners had gotten bored of them, or fed up with him, and left. Benny would eventually wise up and do the same. And it would hurt, in a way none of the others did.
“I really don’t think this time is going to be like all the others.” Good Cop soothed. “He’s already stayed by our side twice as long as all the others. I think it might be for real this time. Bad, I want to tell him.”
“But what if he doesn’t want to hear it? What if he’s just been- entertaining us, this whole time?”
“I really don’t think it’s like that-”
“Don’t think what’s like what?”
They jumped in surprise to hear the unexpected voice. They hadn’t even noticed their door opening, or the astronaut letting himself in like usual.
“Benny.” Good Cop gasped in surprise. “Goodness, is it really five-thirty already?” Benny gave him an amused nod.
“So what were you two arguing about?”
“Um. You.” Good Cop admitted. Benny looked surprised.
“Not at all. Bad’s just worried about… what you might do.”
“…You think I’m going to break up with you.”
“You’ve already been with us for so much longer than all the other people I dated.” Good Cop said hesitantly. “But it feels… inevitable. We know we’re complicated. We’ve never been anyone’s ideal partner.”
Benny was silent as he contemplated their words. As the seconds ticked by into a minute, then two, the worry started to gnaw at Good Cop as well.
“I have a confession to make.” The astronaut said at last. “I’ve never been anyone’s ideal partner either.”
“Oh, Benny, how could you ever think such a thing about yourself, you’re wonderful-”
“And so are you.” Benny interrupted, voice filled with determination. “This is about as long as any of my relationships have ever lasted too, you know? All my past boyfriends said I was ‘too much’. But you take my energy levels in stride. You’ve never told me to shut up, or otherwise made me feel like you want me to stop talking when I get going about spaceships. You’ve never poked fun or made me feel foolish for my anxieties. I feel like I’m in a really good place with you guys. If this relationship ever does come to an end, I’m not going to be the one to end it.”
Good Cop stared at him for a long moment. “…Did I break you?” Benny nudged.
“We love you.” Good Cop blurted.
Benny blinked in surprise. “Oh.” His eyes widened and lit up as their words sank in a moment later. “Oh! Really?!” Good Cop bit his lip and nodded. He let out a surprised “oof” a second later when Benny threw himself at them and wrapped his arms around them tightly.
“I love you too. Both of you.” He murmured into their shoulder. “So you’re just going to have to get used to having me around.”
Good Cop smiled and hugged him back. “We like the sound of that.”