There must be more to life than this...

{ Independent Benjamin "Benny" Montoya } Disclaimer: sideblog to montoyagcpd

[jurati-a-deactivated20230625]

     ❝ I’m a were-terrier                                   with healing abilities                                                         called Arf Vader. ❞

[circusbxy-archive-deactivated20]

“Oh come on. Speaking more than one language doesn’t make you smarter. I’m smarter than you in so many ways. I just choose not to show them right now because I’m a nice person.” He chuckled. “You’re so immature, it’s amusing. And my, oh my, didn’t your parents ever bring you to a doctor? Because you clearly have anger issues.”

[liveinthegrays-blog]

“Not smart-er, I never said smarter. Dude, I just met you and I can tell you’re not nice at all. You’re rude as hell.” Benny tilted his head slightly offended. “Immature? Immature... said the suckling baby. Did your parents drop you on your head when you were a baby? Because, oh boy, you’re a big head."

[catisms--archived]

♢♢ ;;

“Nooooo, I’m just real good at climbing.” 

[liveinthegrays-blog]

"Lots of practice tree climbing? Have you ever been rock climbing? I did once and it’s soooo awesome!"

[liveinthegrays-blog]

All Caught Up!

Like if I missed your reply or if you’d like to start something new.

[inze-main]

“The simplest story there is. You’re going to have to date me for a little while. I’m Anne. A pleasure to meet you.”

[liveinthegrays-blog]

“Benjamín, call me Benny or Ben or whatever floats your boat. Yanno, Anne, if you wanted to go out on a date, you just had to ask instead of making up this whole thing. Sure, we’re strangers, but the chances of me saying no are zero to zilch."

[misskringle]

    "My hero. I’ll make sure to whip up a box or two of things to send home with you." A bright smile lit up her face at how excited her suggestion had made him.       Watching as he sanded down the pipes, she folded her arms, rocking back and forth on her heels. As he described his ideal life, she couldn’t help but keep the smile upon her face. All in all, it sounded like he had everything figured out.     “Well, I’m sure you’ll get it all. After all, having a plan is the first step to getting what you’re going after.” She paused and searched through the toolbox for the glue, picking up a few things before finding it. “I suppose a mansion would be nice, as long as I could afford someone to keep it clean too.” Turning back around, she held out the tube to him.      “A millionaire working as a file clerk. That’s—well, I’d have the best office supplies in the place.”

[liveinthegrays-blog]

         "Oh, yeah, that's me: Captain Glutton, taker of everything excessive, protector of everyone. It's my secret identity, though, so let's keep it that way," he winked at her.

         "I hope so," he smiled looking up at her. "I mean, step one is finishing the years of service I owe, I guess... maybe I can find the girl along the way."

         "I'm sure you'll find someone willing to keep it clean. Maybe you'll get a nice set of maids and butlers or find the right one, someone charming and sweet and nice who'll keep the place tidy and treat you like a queen in exchange of food and kisses," he chuckled as he grabbed the glue and carefully spread it on the pipe.

         "Picture it... lines and lines of shiny golden cabinets, golden staplers, these fancy fifty-dollar scissors that cut through anything, all kinds of paper supplies, the best copying machines that never get stuck or overheat. Dreamy, huh?"

         He blew softly on the pipe, and then placed the glue on the floor next to him. He pulled himself up and looked at Miss Kringle again, a grin on his lips.

          "We're done, now we just wait for the glue to dry."

[paintingjustice]

“Moms are oblivious to everything.” Linda added as she took a few more bites and began to dig into her dessert. “They never go to any of my shows, they go to Sophe’s because I make them. I have to guilt them every time, like I get it they’re busy with work but for crying out loud it’d be nice to spend a little family time with them too.” 

The young blonde finished off her burger and began to crumple the wrapper. “Oh yeah, Ma’s always the health nut I swear that fridge is filled with organic everything and if they came out with ‘organic’ water she’d get it too.” There was a small roll of her eyes, then she grabbed her dessert and focused on it. “I know people love me, but saying it isn’t enough sometimes you gotta show it.”

[liveinthegrays-blog]

“Not defending your moms or anything, but you gotta think that’s not what they grew up with. I mean, I can’t speak for Barbara, but I don’t think her ‘rents are the best example of anything good. Ma and Pa rarely ever went to any of our shows or functions. Like, they went to my high school graduation but never to my Scout Boys ceremonies. They didn’t go to Renée’s Police Academy graduation... they were busy with the bodega, yanno? Again, not defending them, just... people do what they know, it’s not until they have a rude awakening that they change.”

He glanced at Linda as he stuffed his face with ice cream; particularly when she mentioned organic everything. He shuddered at the thought of the nightmarish fridge. 

“I feel ya,” he nodded and made a mental note to talk with Renée later on. ”I really do. Some people... it’s harder for them than for others. To show it, I mean.”

[flightlessgothamite-deactivated]

He nodded slightly. Vaguely he recalled the arcade he spoke of; wasn’t that the one he would walked passed after school, when his mother or father came to pick him up? Was that the one where all the other children spent their time, while Oswald never had the extra money to spend there? "To be honest, I haven’t thought        of that place in years, Benny.        I wasn’t even aware that it had been        torn down.” He gave a noncommittal shrug, more than willing to move from the past and on to the future. "I was considering classical music,        but jazz would be a nice; perhaps a        mixture of the two.” He stopped abruptly. "What do you think about an umbrella         as the club’s new logo?”

[liveinthegrays-blog]

"Yeah, man, they're building     a freaking Starbucks. Can     you believe it?"

Growing up, he had never thought much about Cobblepot, other than thinking he was a little weird that was. He'd never made fun of him, however, unlike many of his classmates. To Benny, weird was good, weird was interesting.

"Mix and match, then have a day     for Oldies but Goodies... or     som'thing. I mean, it's your     place."

An umbrella. He scratched his chin as he thought about it.

"Well, that sounds elegant. Yeah.    Yeah. I can see it. Cool!"

[imnotsickimfree-archive-blog]

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" (liveinthegrays)

“Uhm… I don’t know, do—wait, what’s your name? You kinda look familiar, too…” 

[imnotsickimfree-archive-blog]

    Barbara gave a nod. She understood what Benny was trying to say, but even when Renee tried to convince her of this, she never ever believed that whatever she created was good enough. It amazed her though, at how alike Benny and Renee seemed; although she didn’t know Benny, not really. “That’s true…” She trailed off, as she sipped her drink. “No one was ever interested in anything I created, though.” She added, giving a shrug.

    The blonde smiled a little; in an understanding, sympathetic way. She—more than anyone—understood the complications of life and working in the military. “No…” Barbara replied, shaking her head. “Luckily I was able to just leave——Well, due to medical reasons obviously.” 

[liveinthegrays-blog]

    "Probs cuz you don't actually believe it. Believe in the heart of the cards. I mean, look at all these models and famous celebrities... half of them are butt-ugly, but they go around feeling like they're God's gift to the world and people see the like that. Well, that and Photoshop, right?"

     He started to drink his new beer and he spoke even more freely.

     "Medical, you say? You look fine, but like you got injured or what?"

[paintingjustice]

Linda followed the non-verbal directions and grabbed her food and then grabbed a seat at a bench that still had some shade on it. “With the way I eat, I don’t think they’ll notice too much.” She dug into her lunch and happily chomped away at it. After few bites she decided to talk. “After Betty died, I started spending more time with Kitty Falcone and we just started going to more parties. I liked not being able to feel anything. No one was gonna ask me about how I was that day, because every day, feels like shit without Betty.”

[liveinthegrays-blog]

“If you say so. I don’t want your Mas lecturing me about food and nutrients and… Dear Jesus, is your Mama still a health freak when it comes to food?” He sat next to his niece and took a spoonful of the sweet delicacy.

He smiled, actually glad that it hadn’t taken too much for Linda to open up to him.

“You know… I’m not gonna lie to you, give you any of that ’things get better’, ‘don’t be sad’ crap. Truth is, Lin, times are rough, we lose people we care about, people we love. Shit really happens and it might get worse, but the important thing is you have a bunch of people who love you, people who are still around, you know? People who need you to be around for them because when you have people who care, things are just a little less shitty, yeah? Sophia looks up to you, your moms love you in their own way… I love you, kid. You know?”

He placed a hand on Linda’s shoulder and squeezed it gently.

[keeponsoldier]

Gift Shopping

[keeponsoldier]

"I’ll feed you, I promise." Kate said as she looked at the suit. "Great, I’ll grab this and the fedora." She handed it to Benny and continued to walk around. "You are right, I should take them to her… even better I should make her dinner. Okay, c’mon we got her a suit and now for a dress, I know- Renee doesn’t do dresses but she might humor me."

Kate dragged Benny toward the dresses. “I love this shade of lavender, it would look so great on her, don’t you think?” She beamed with a large smile. “Oh and shoes! I have to get her a great pair of shoes, oh no wait I think she has a pair that might work with this, yeah maybe.” Kate mostly talked to herself as she set the dress with Benny and dragged him toward the lingerie section.

"I promise you, I’ll take you to the finest steak house in Gotham that allows casual clothes, just stay right there I’m gonna go find something for her." Kate ordered. 

[liveinthegrays-blog]

“Well, yeah, you better feed me!” he nodded as he grabbed the clothes that had been handed to him. "I thought you wan’ed my opinion on these things, but now it looks like all you want is for me to be your little pack mule, huh?”

A dress? His right eyebrow curved… when was the last time he had seen his sister in a dress? Probably some day before she stopped going to church.

He shrugged at what she said and kept on holding more clothes.

“Whatever you say, Kate. I don’t think my opinion matters right now, anyway  --Hee haw! Hee haw!”

Surely, Kate was nice and rich but, oh boy… how did Renée put up with the bossiness?

[liveinthegrays-blog]

Aces High

[desdemvna-deactivated20150709]

        N e rv o u s ? No, Desdemona wasn’t nervous. She did, however, have the inexplicable feeling that she was going to throw up the breakfast she didn’t have. The reality of having to be in a plane for the first time hit her as it came into view. It was a beautiful aircraft. Des could appreciate that much.  The size and sturdiness were intimidating. Not in a scary way, it was just…overwhelming.  

         Greeting Beatriz, Des lightly ran her fingertips over the metal a few times as if the plane were a cat. At first she couldn’t tell if Benny was joking about saying something nice, but considering the fact that he had just had a full-on conversation with his plane, Desdemona obliged with a smile and just a bit of uncertainty. “Um…Hi Beatriz. You look really pretty today. Please don’t drop me?” 

[liveinthegrays-blog]

         Benny offered an honest full grin at Des; he even chuckled. Was she scared?

         “Oh, c’mon, what are the actual probabilities that you’ll fall from a plane? I mean, have you looked at the statistics? They’re way safer than cars and bikes and walking. I mean, if things were like in The Jetson and people had flying cars, then, dayum, we’d be in trouble, but that’s not happening any time soon. Right? Besides, Beatriz is very gentle and well-behaved, I promise. You’re in good hands, like that… that insurance… Allstate, is it?”

         He opened the passenger door and tilted his head to invite Desdemona to step inside.

         “Ladies first."

[hecalledmeflowers-archive]

Turn, Turn, Turn || Open

[liveinthegrays-blog]

hecalledmeflowers:

Raina hid her face against Renee’s shoulder, and squeezed her eyes shut tight. God only knew what that little shithead was saying about her now. She knew enough vague spanish from failed public school educations and Calvin’s semi-structured, half assed attempts at instruction. But there had never been enough time, never enough focus to sit down and learn, not when there were things to dissect, places to be, people to discover. She almost regretted that now, but not enough to want to actually understand the words flying over her head.

A spasm of pain racked her suddenly, and Raina flinched, squirming her way out of Renee’s grasp. “I’m gonna be sick,” she moaned under her breath, and moved as quickly as she could, carrying her swollen body to the bathroom and slamming the door shut behind her.

Now they could talk all they wanted. Scream at each other all day and all night. She didn’t give a damn. But the whole world was spinning, and she barely had half a chance to lower herself to the floor, before she found herself bent double and paying homage to the porcelain god.

“¿En serio que vas a escoger a una cualquiera por encima de tu familia, Renée?” Benny shook his head in disappointment. “E’ que te digo… esta mujer es el demonio… ya, ya yo me voy. No te preocupe’, que ya ni te molesto.”

His face contorted in anger, nostrils flaring at the thought that his sister could do this, choose some random woman over her own blood.

Renée simply shook her head and went after Raina.

“Ya sabes, cuando me necesites, ni me busques. Acabas de firmar tu sentencia,” he shouted across the room as he walked for the door.

“Raina,” she called a she gently knocked on the door. “Benny left… I’m sorry we put you in the middle of this… I— Are you okay?"

[catisms--archived]

♢♢ ;;

“Well… thanks. It works well for scaling  buildings, ‘n stuff,” 

[liveinthegrays-blog]

“Scale building? Real life? You like some kind of acrobat or sum'thing?"

[circusbxy-archive-deactivated20]

"Oh but being an insufferable annoying jackass, as you put it, is a skill. It can bring some people into such a firey rage that they make themselves look like an even bigger idiot than they already are. I hope you get what I`m indirectly saying here.” He laughed. “Ouch, I`m so hurt by your words. Did I just hear Spanish? Wow.”

[liveinthegrays-blog]

“Yeah, asshole,” he said through gritted teeth. “Of course I get what you’re implying. Know what? At least this idiot here is smart enough to speak two languages, fly planes and make strategic plans… see where being a jackass will take you, firecrotch."

[paintingjustice]

No Siento Penas

[paintingjustice]

"No, wait, Sophia show tio your new moves." Linda said as she stood up with her guitar and began to tap her feet. "Suave." She gave her sister a wink. "Well until she’s taller than me, she’ll be shortstack!"

Sophia groaned and pushed some of the lighter furniture out of the way. “Okay, give me a count, and don’t miss a chord!”

"Shush, I don’t miss chords."

"Yeah only when you’re missing chords." Sophia narrowed her eyes.

Linda rolled hers and tapped her guitar. “Uno, dos, tres.”

The older child began to play her guitar and the younger danced. Linda worked her way into the dance, her moves weren’t nearly as fluid as Sophia’s but they both looked good. “Besame.” Linda sang in perfect harmony, as she played her guitar. 

[liveinthegrays-blog]

“New moves?” he asked pleasantly surprised. He shifted in his seat and turned to face towards where Sophia was now standing.

He laughed at the innocent sisterly banter. It wasn’t like his fight with Renée. Oh, no, he usually ended up crying because she punched him too hard… In retrospective, her punches were never that hard, and he had to admit he was a wimp growing up.

He smiled as he watched the sisters put on a show; strumming guitar, steps, harmonious voice, movements, and a tenderness that could make any grown man cry… this sense of pride and joy… he wiped a tear and tilted his head slightly backwards before it was too evident.

“Awesome,” he finally spoke. “You two, you two should go to one of those singing and dancing shows; you’d win for sure!"

[inze-main]

"Irrelevant, I just need a distraction. So play along for me?" There were people after her and Root was attempting to blend in. 

[liveinthegrays-blog]

"Yes, ma'am, yes. --Are you hiding from someone?" he asked in a whisper. "Tell me our story and I'll play along."