I've got the magic in me...

"Look, just so you know, I'm not a total nerd. I also happen to be super-into close-up magic. {{Indie Benji Applebaum from Pitch Perfect. Mun/Muse are 20+. NSFW/Smut friendly. Will rp with any fandom}}

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And while feeling a swell inside of her chest, she could only look at him for a moment and ponder; clearly Bumper — or whomever had the final say in letting Benji join the Trebles in the first place, had been wrong. More than wrong, they had been idiots to not let someone as talented as him in. Sure he might have been a little ‘weird’, but wasn’t everyone? Stacie was positive that the answer to that question was a simple ‘yes’. With that thought, she slowly let herself lean in so that she could place a careful peck on his cheek as to not make him uncomfortable, but still sate the sudden urge that she had felt. “Thank you. For being in my life, and stuff…”

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Feeling a blush rise to his cheeks, the magician smiled sheepishly. It had been nothing more than an innocent kiss, but accompanied with the words and the fact that she had finally agreed to go out with him somewhere, Benji couldn't help it. She did that to him when others couldn't. "You're welcome Stacie...and stuff." Nudging her gently to ease any tension, the Treble let out a quiet chuckle. He wasn't usually one to be forward with her, but lately he had felt it become easier and easier. She really was helping him out a much as he was helping her - and it felt great. 

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Moodboard: Stacie Conrad (Nerd Version)

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Moodboard: Stacie Conrad (Insecure Edition)

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Moodboard: Stacie Conrad & Benji Applebaum

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Happiness was a concept she had struggle to grasp all of her life; and while Benji knew little bits and pieces of why, she wished that she could somehow tell him just how much him being there for her — with her, meant…because it meant a hell of a lot to the girl who was oh so broken on the inside; but just refused to admit it. “I’m pretty lucky, you know that? To have someone like you.” Stacie nodded, giving his hand another gentle squeeze in response to the one he had given her. “Someone who cares about me the way you do.” She paused for a moment. “And you know that I care about you too, right?”

[magicxnme]

Hearing those words come from her meant the world to Benji. Jesse had told him that he'd find someone sooner or later and he was beginning to think - no, he had thought this for a while but never wanted to admit it - Stacie was that someone. He cared for her and she cared for him, that's all it took right? At least for now anyways and he was content with it. He wanted to take care of her and treat her right. "I know Stace - trust me, I know." Just knowing that she felt comfortable enough around him in order to open up as much as she had confirmed that. Stacie was a private person, for reasons he only knew part of. Benji was proud to know that he was special enough for her. 

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"I’m glad you asked, you know." Stacie said after a moment, her smile growing soft as she looked at him. There was no doubt in her mind that she was at her happiest when she was with Benji — well, and Jesse, but that was for entirely different reasons. Sort of. The Bella wouldn’t be able to explain it if she were asked, but these two boys were special to her, but in different ways; it was perfect to en extent — an extent she had yet to discover. "I mean, I love sitting around here with you. I do. And you get that I don’t hide out in here with you because i’m not like, ashamed, to be seen with you or whatever, right? I need to know that you know that…” Then again, she was sure he knew what she truly was actually ashamed of. Herself.

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Nodding instantly at her question, Benji gave her hand a quick squeeze. "I know that Stac, and I don't mind spending our time here either. Trust me, I love it. I really do. I just figure we should do something else every once and a while - and if you decide going to parties isn't that thing we should do, we'll figure something else out okay?" I just want to make you happy. It was on the tip of his tongue, but he held off from going further with his sentence. That had been enough for now. She should know at this point that he wanted to make her happy so perhaps he didn't have to say it, but it always came so close to slipping out again. Benji wanted to make everyone happy - that was who he was - but none more so than the Bella before him. She deserved it the most. 

[bestpxrt-blog]

"You set my pant-leg on fire, you owe me a coffee.      You know the deal.”

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"It's not like I meant to - you got in the way.            But fine - okay, just don't get too fancy with your order this time okay?            I get paid next to nothing."

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"A party?" Stacie asked, suddenly unsure. She knew what came with parties — especially those thrown by frat guys or sorority girls, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to subject to what going to a part with her meant he would be up for. Then again, who was she to tell him no? Especially as she could see just how nervous he was, and knew how much it probably took for him to speak up. Nodding again, she snaked her hand over to gently take his to give it a squeeze like he had done for her so many times before. “That sounds perfect, Benj. You and me. Food is definitely happening first, though. Maybe Roscoe’s for dinner?”

[magicxnme]

Looking down at their joined hands, Benji felt a weight lift off of his shoulders. She was saying yes. This was awesome - and while he hadn't exactly expected her to turn him down harshly, he knew it was risky to invite her out to a party such as he was. Parties were always iffy when it came to Stacie and he knew why. He just wanted to show her that they all didn't have to end badly. He wanted her to have fun, and with a nod he was willing to give her anything she  asked for. "Roscoe's is perfect. Whatever you want." He smiled now down at her, eyes soft with relief. Benji had been building the courage up for a while now to ask her on a proper date and to finally get it out in the air it felt good. 

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Allowing herself to turn to look at him now, she waited — though was sure not to rush him even if she was curious about what he wanted to ask her…although when words finally left his mouth, they weren’t exactly in the form of a question. “Yeah, totally.” Stacie said, giving a quick nod of her head, a smile pulling over her features as she looked at the boy. “I just assumed that, I don’t know, that you liked hanging out in here all the time.” And that was true. “But if you wanna go out somewhere, we totally can. Did you have anything in mind, or should we just start walking and see where we end up?”

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Feeling a sense of relief wash over the Treble, Benji felt a smile pull at the corners of his lips. She hadn't turned him down. "I do love it here with you - I just figure we should get out sometimes." Fidgeting now, he tried to collect his thoughts. What was the best way to handle this now that she posed her own questions? "I was actually thinking we could go out this Friday night? There's gonna be a party down on Greek Row and I was wondering if you wanted to go. We could totally go out and eat first or something - anything really that sounds good to you would be fine." He was nervous that much was obvious, but he didn't want to pressure her or anything. That was the last thing he wanted to do.

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Stacie didn’t mind the silence; not when she was with Benji, at least. Every other time it was silent, it seemed like some kind of torture tactic — leaving her alone with nothing but her mind. But with Benji, it was different and while her min still wracked with thought, it was easier knowing that she wasn’t alone; or more specifically that she was alone, but alone with him. His words, however, quickly pulled her from her thoughts this time. “—You can ask me anything, Benji. Remember that.”

[magicxnme]

Benji took a deep breath before turning to look at her. He smiled softly and for a moment he didn't say anything - for he was aware of how this could go. She could turn him down, and he could be crushed back into silence. So for just that one moment he allowed himself to take in what they had, then he opened his mouth. "I think we should do something." Very specific. He tried again. "I mean - out of the dorm room. I love hanging out with you here of course but...sometimes I think we could have more fun doing something else. If you were interested." Biting his lip, he took another breath, having just realized he hadn't taken one since he started talking. Benji had just asked Stacie out on a date, though he wasn't sure how clear he had been and that scared him.

[magicxnme]

For a long time the pair of them were quiet. Though the silence between them was cut by the noise emitting from the TV, so they were at ease. When they were alone it was always easier - safer even. They could be themselves and not be judged by anyone but after mulling over an idea that had been stuck in his head, Benji broke the silence first. "Stacie - can I ask you something?"

[magicxnme]

               "           I'm not gonna lie; I have no idea what you just said.        Thinking of a new trick, sorry."

[africant]

[darcyogdenreid-archive]

Ben Platt on set for Pitch Perfect 2 

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Moodboard: Chloe Beale

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Moodboard: Sawyer Hart