[grvwing]

fairestrcwlecfall‌:

Evie still couldn’t believe she was going to be stuck in the hospital for at least a week, at least that’s what madam pomfrey had said. She really hoped her body would cooperate and heal a lot faster than that, being immobile was miserable. Her eyes had been closed, the light honestly hurting them at this point, but when she heard some speak, she opened them to look at him. She had practically no idea who this boy was, and she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to. “Hi?” She rose a slight brow at him before her eyes flickered to the bag. As much as she wanted to turn him down, and end this conversation, sweets honestly sounded really good right now. “Sure, I’ll take some.”

He offered the girl a shy smile, holding up the different options, “I have, uh, I have some brownies, some-some shortbread, and uh, and some chocolate chip biscuits,” he recounted, “You’re welcome to-to any of them.” They were all neatly wrapped and labeled in the bag he carried. “I’m, uh, I”m Benjy, by the way,” he volunteered, fairly certain he hadn’t met the girl before. “If you need anything-anything else, I can-I can uh, try and help,” he offered. There wasn’t much he could do besides fetch water or one of the healing students, but it was better than nothing, he supposed.

[celiavery]

|| @finestra-starters​

Celia wasn’t sure how long she’d been awake, but far too many people were fussing over her and she hated it. The hospital wing seemed more crowded than usual and it sent a pang into her chest. A cough slipped from her lips and she winced as pain shot through her ribs – squeezing her eyes shut as she tried to remember what had happened to her. Her memories were hazy, and she couldn’t seem to focus. Hearing a voice, her eyes snapped open and she frowned at her visitor. “Don’t look at me like that. It’s not too bad,” She murmured, shaking her head.

[grvwing]

Benjy eyed the girl as she spoke, uncertain if he believed her words. He didn’t know much about healing but he didn’t think that cough or the obvious pain she was in indicated that it wasn’t too bad. “If you’re-you’re certain,” he said, knowing he had grounds to argue with her, “I could-could grab Madame Pomfrey if you-you need her?” he offered, “Or maybe-maybe some, uh, some water?”

[grvwing]

bertiebertaubrey‌:

Bertram had slowly started to forget about the situation he’d last seen Benjy, or at the very least, the way the other had reacted. But now they were there and it was slowly coming back, and so was his curiosity. “Not bad, not really enjoying this but… it could be worse.” He answered, taking a moment before he spoke again. It was fine to ask, right? “Hey, I wanted to ask you something actually. It’s about that picture I showed you.”

Benjy offered Bert a shy smile, nervous even at the small talk. “It’s, uh, not really your-your scene, is it?” he asked, finding himself a little surprised Bert had even shown up. “I kind of-kind of like it,” he admitted, though he was certain the excuse to spend time with Forest played a part in that. He clammed up at Bertram’s question, not sure where it was going. Did he know? Had he asked around his family enough to find out what Benjy suspected was the truth? “O-oh?” he asked, a small shake in his voice. “What-what about it?”

[grvwing]

closed to @smadfoot​

Benjy hadn’t seen much of Sirius since the incident where he had somehow managed to upset the other boy, but it hadn’t been until he realized he had actually sent that old love letter to him that he had actively started avoiding the Gryffindor. It hadn’t been all that hard-there wasn’t much chance for their paths to cross, so it was unfortunate, really, that Benjy almost bumped into Sirius on his way to the hospital wing with treats for the patients. “Oh, sorry-sorry, Sirius,” he said, catching himself at the last second, doing his best not to look the other boy in the eye. 

[finestra-secrets]

anyone else notice benjy sneaking off in the middle of the dance all alone? think he was meeting up with anyone in an empty classroom?

i will only say this once if benjy was sneaking off to shag someone in an empty classroom and it wasn’t forest, he’d better watch his back. 

@grvwing @forcstchanning

[grvwing]

closed to @fairestrcwlecfall​

Benjy had spent a stint in the hospital wing when he was younger, and he knew how miserable it could be  to be stuck there for long. It’s why he had shown up with baked goods for anyone who wanted them. He didn’t know the girl who’s bed he stopped at, but he offered her a shy smile. “H!” he said, holding up a a little bag of baked goods. “I have some, uh, baked goods that I’m-I’m passing out, if you, um, you want them.”

[grvwing]

closed to @forcstchanning​

Benjy hadn’t gone to the Hospital Wing right away after the attack. The chaos of it all, how crowded the hospital wing seemed to be-it was overwhelming, and he hadn’t been sure if he was wanted, visiting the various people he knew who were hurt. But today he had packed up the various treats he had made, careful not to crush any, and wandered into the hospital wing, making a beeline for Forest’s bedside. “Hi,” he greeted, his voice soft. “I uh, I brought you these?” he said, digging out the cookies he brought with him. “Well, I, uh, brought some for-for everyone, but these ones-these ones me and Everleigh made for you.”

[grvwing]

winnieabbott‌:

“I don’t know what I want anymore,” Winnie admitted, blinking away the tears. Well, she knew she wanted Emrys back - but that was impossible. She was never going to see her brother again. Never see him laugh, or tease her again. It broke her heart. “No, please, stay,” She mumbled, “Just, please don’t ask me about him.” She didn’t know if she could handle it.

Benjy wished there was anything he could do for Winnie, but he felt a bit lost. He had never lost anymore close to him, not like this. “You’re allowed to-to not know,” he assured her, not sure what else to say. He eased into the seat, offering Winnie a small smile. “If that’s what-what you want.” He reached up to rub the back of neck, uncertain what to say next. “I could-I dunno-I could explain my, uh, my new project to you? If you, if you want?” Benjy was grasping as straws, careful to try and avoid anything that involved the last few days. “Or we could just-just sit quietly.”

[grvwing]

forcstchanning‌:

just friends. it repeated over and over again in his head. why had he said that? forest wanted to be more than just friends with benjy. more than anything in the world. he wanted to make benjy the happiest person alive. he interlaced their fingers, giving his hand a small squeeze. “i am too. i love hanging out with you. you make me… so happy.” he admitted, looking away for a moment because he felt awkward. “we’re going to have so much fun. i promise!” 

Benjy could feel his cheeks stretching too wide at Forest’s words, certain he must look ridiculous as he absolutely beamed at what was said. He made Forest happy? That was all he wanted, truly, for the other student to be happy, and for it to be him causing it? He couldn’t ask for anything more. “It’s gonna be-be a great night. The best,” he said, smiling still. “But we should-we should go, so not to miss, um, miss Hugo playing.”

[grvwing]

mccnyrcmus‌:

My date. “Ah, right. You, uh, came with Forest right?” Remus grimaced, “I haven’t seen him, sorry.” He murmured, gaze dropping to the floor. “James? Currently no. The man’s drunk enough he might actually try and get rid of the rest of the buttons on this stupid shirt.”

Benjy nodded, ducking his head a little sheepishly. “Just as-as friends, though,” he explained, unsure of if Forest would mind if he didn’t clarify. “I’m sure I’ll-I’ll fine him at, um, at some point.” He wasn’t too worried-the crowd was large enough that it was easy to lose track of each other, but he was sure he’d find him sooner rather than later. Benjy felt his face heating, eyes drawn to Remus shirt at his words. “Oh that’s, well, that’s, um, a reason.”

[grvwing]

winnieabbott‌:

“Sorry,” She whispered. Benjy was only trying to help, and she knew that, but people kept asking her how she was, how she was coping. Was it true? It was slowly wearing her down. She didn’t want to talk about it, she didn’t want to think about how she’d lost yet another member of her family. Another sibling to this stupid war. “Thank you,” She murmured, wrapping her hands around it as a sigh escaped her lips. “You can sit. If you want.”

“You don’t-you don’t need to, um, apologize,” Benjy told her, keeping his voice low. Winnie wasn’t speaking loudly in the slightest, and he was trying to match her so not to spook her. “You’re allowed to-to want to be alone,” he insisted. It was a reasonable request, as far as he was concerned, which is why he hesitated at taking a seat. “Only if-if you’re sure, WInnie, I can-I can go.”

[grvwing]

puffxboyxdamiar‌:

“No, no. Of course not. I’m just glad you two as friends, can make each other happy.” Damiar teased, almost easily picking out that the two seemed to like each other. Did he make his crush on Hugo obvious like that? He sure hoped not. “You never know, Benjy, but if you believe so, maybe you should try asking?” Damiar had always loved Hugo’s voice, it was incredible and he was kind of jealous, wishing he was talented like that. “He would certainly be the biggest rockstar. Everyone in the world would know him.”

He offered Damiar a soft smile. “I just-I want him to be-to be happy, you know?” Benjy wasn’t sure when Forest’s happiness became such a priority for him, but it had. Every time he managed to get the Hufflepuff to smile, his heart soared. Benjy was certain everyone knew of his crush-there’s no way he was managing to hide it-but still. “I wouldn’t want to-want to risk losing his-his friendship.” At Damiar’s statement, he couldn’t help but nod in agreement. “He-he could be! Hugo deserves-he deserves nothing less.”

[winnieabbott]

|| @finestra-starters​

Winnie’s hands trembled as one clasped around the mug of tea that had gone cold, the other resting against her chin. Her eyes stung with tears as she stared blankly at the wall in front of her, just as she’d done for the past twenty four hours. Ever since she’d heard those fateful words. Emrys Abbott is dead. The girl had screamed until her voice was hoarse, she didn’t want to believe it. Part of her still hoped he’d come running into the great hall, throw his arms around her and tell her it was a mistake. But he didn’t. 

He’s gone, he’s gone, he’s gone. The words repeated in her head like a mantra, reminding her of the loss. She’d not been particularly old enough to understand the pain when she was younger, but now, now she felt it - the unbearable pain of her brother being gone. He’d always tried to protect her, and Winnie had sensed something had been wrong just before he’d left the dance. She’d let him go when she should have pushed harder for information, when she should have followed him. Maybe then, he would still be here.

She didn’t even register someone approaching her, her focus remained on the spot on the wall, lips barely moving as she croaked, "I’m sorry, but I wish to be left alone right now.”

[grvwing]

Benjy had been watching Winnie for awhile, not sure if she wanted the company or not, but feeling like he had to at least try and be there for the girl. Her tone as she spoke had him worried, and made it obvious that she didn’t want him or anyone else around. He got it, really. If he was in her position, he didn’t know how he’d feel. “I’ll be out of-out of your hair in a, uh, a second,” he said quietly, putting the mug he brought with him and sliding it across the table to Winnie. “I just thought-thought you might like a fresh, uh, a fresh tea.”

[grvwing]

mccnyrcmus‌:

“Yeah, suppose it it,” Remus spoke quietly, not bothering to glance in the other’s direction as he spoke. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Benjy, the guy was fine – but seeing him with Forest stung. “Yeah, that’s why I’m over here. Hiding from James.”

“I got separated from-from my date,” he explained, forgetting as he spoke that there was history between Forest and Remus, “And i just-just wanted to hang back until-until I could find him.” He looked at Remus curiously. “Do you not-not want to see your, um, friend?”

[grvwing]

puffxboyxdamiar‌:

“Forest really is a great guy, I’m glad you two are able to make each other happy.” Damiar had gotten rather close to Forest pretty quickly, he’d became like an older brother to him within weeks. It was always nice to be around him, so him meeting someone like Benjy who obviously made him happy was great. Damiar nodded. “Hugo is probably the most talented person I know, I’m really hoping he goes further with his music after school.”

“Oh it’s-it’s not like that,” Benjy corrected Damiar sadly. “We’re just-we’re here as friends,” he explained. “Forest doesn’t-he doesn’t think of me like that.” Or did he? Benjy wasn’t sure, but if Forest didn’t return his feelings, it would be uncomfortable if people got the wrong idea about them. “He-he should,” Benjy agreed. “He could be-be the biggest rock star.

[grvwing]

tillitoots‌:

“yes. it’s all he has been talking about for days.” he said, grinning at him. “i think he really likes you too. he’s just-just nervous because of what happened with remus and him.” he said. forest was scared of being dumped and heartbroken again, not that he expected benjy to do that. “daisy is one of the best people. she’s so kind and thoughtful.” he said, smiling as he thought about her. “thank you. that means a lot benjy. you are so kind.” 

“Really?” Benjy asked, his voice earnest. Ever since Forest’s return, he had been wondering about whether or not the other student might like him back. He was so hard to read, and Benjy’s attempt to ask him out had landed them as dates only as friends. “I just-just want him to-to be happy,” he admitted softly. He couldn’t imagine anyone getting a chance with Forest and not wanting it. “It’s nothing-nothing you don’t-don’t deserve.”

[grvwing]

forcstchanning‌:

forest’s cheeks turned bright red and he looked down to stop himself from blushing with benjy’s compliment. they were just meant to be friends! “thank you.” he said, a big grin appearing on his face. forest wasn’t a generally happy person, but whenever he saw benjy or even thought about him it made him feel like the happiest person alive. it was a nice feeling. “i… i am. i’m so excited.” he said, before he gently took benjy’s hand so they could go to the great hall. 

There was something in the way Forest cheeks colored that tugged at Benjy’s heart. The flush on his face was beautiful-not that there was ever a moment Benjy didn’t find Forest to be the cutest person in the world-but it was different. Softer. He matched the smile Forest offered him, his pulse racing as Forest took his hand. “I am, too,” he replied softly, looking down at their hands. He took a moment to remind himself that they were doing this as friends. “I’m just-I’m always glad-glad to spend time with, um, with you.”