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you’re killing me, smalls

sweet moments - slow dancing

(number 24 from this prompt list !)

It had began as a normal evening – Bennett on the sofa after work, cigarette in hand, eyes fixed tiredly on the television screen whilst Aly stood behind a low island that seperated the kitchen and living room, preparing dinner, glancing at the red glow of Bennett's cigarette with distain as ash dropped onto his lap. Usually he would make his own meal, insistent on remaining somewhat self sufficient and refusing to rely on Aly for everything, despite the fact that his android companion was purchased almost entirely on the premise that she would take care of him. But today he was tired. So very tired. Too tired for any snide remarks when Aly huffed at him lighting up a cigarette as soon as he set foot in the house, too exhausted to pay attention to what was on the television, too worn to take off his work clothes. He would be like this quite often, slipping into what was effectively a mental shutdown. Too much going on in his head to warrant him processing the world around him. Aly paused for a moment, glancing over at the man draped on the sofa, withered, like a dying plant. After a short moment, she carefully set her utensils down, LED flashing yellow for a brief moment, before music quietly started vibrating through a set of speakers next to the television. A gentle beat, a careful melody with drawn out notes and meaningful words. It was enough to somewhat startle Bennett from his daze and his eyes flickered to the speakers before settling on Aly; who was making her way towards him, a soft smile gracing her features. He was mostly confused, staring at the android with an eyebrow raised, flicking some of the ash from his cigarette into the ashtray at the edge of the table before taking another pull. After living with Bennet for over 3 years, Aly had become quite accustomed to his behaviour. His mental health made him feel very empty at times. He was prone to irritation and pressure during times like that made him crumble, combined with the stress of work, he was almost constantly on edge. Aly had adapted her methods of helping him, learning very early on that asking him what was wrong, trying to draw the issue out of him, was a bad idea. So she had come up with some other, more indirect ways, of putting his mind at ease. She stood to the side of him, smile still on her face, extending a hand to him. He twisted his mouth, a silent 'really?', before sighing and stubbing his cigarette out in the ash tray. That was the most movement she'd seen of him since he walked through the door so progress was being made. He dropped his hand into hers, looking at her incredulously from beneath furrowed brows, before standing up. Aly let her smile grow until her teeth were visible, and she led him to a less cluttered part of the room, before clasping his other hand in her own, stepping from side to side slightly, in time with the music. Bennett simply stood there, his arms moving along with Aly's own. But she was patient, stepping from side to side, an encouraging look on her face the whole time. After a while, Bennett let out a gentle sigh, shuffling along with the music.

The tension was visibly lifted from his face, eyebrows evening out, the crease between them all but disappearing, lips softening into something more relaxed instead of a taut line. There were too many moments in his day, his life, where bad thoughts spun around in his head, breaching into reality in the form of goosebumps prickling the back of his neck in discomfort or teeth grinding so much it made his dentist concerned. Unfortunately it was something he'd suffered with for a long time, and would continue to have to endure, but it was moments like this that made life a bit easier. Times where he didn't have to think, he could just exist, be carried through time with little on his mind apart from what was right in front of him. He moved closer to Aly, resting his head on her shoulder and his arms around her waist as she returned the gesture by wrapping her arms around his shoulders and leaning her cheek against the top of his head.

Bennett vaguely remembered moments like this back at home, when he was younger. His older sister grabbing his hands and dancing to whatever beat pumped through the speakers. A different time, a different moment, but the same comforted feeling. Despite being an android, one who was effectively his caretaker, he viewed Aly as his sister. Someone who was there for him and supported him as much as his biological sister did. They both had a softness about them and carried comfort wherever they went. After a while, Bennett moved away, a wetness in his eyes that wasn't there before. The corner of his mouth twitched up into the slightest of smiles and Aly squeezed his shoulders before walking away to continue making dinner. Bennett walked away to reclaim his seat on the sofa, more confidence in his steps than before. He leant forward to take the pack of cigarettes off the table – then a wooden spoon suddenly appeared out of nowhere, smacking him in the hand. “No more!”

( @thepeachstars im gonna do benny and quin’s one next it’ll probably take a bit longer cus im t r a sh)