As Long as I Can Travel This World With You: Chapter 9 Preview
When Ben wakes up, he is being spooned in Babe’s arms. It's always a 50/50 bet on who holds who, who tops, and who is going to get possessive and protective when a sudden threat makes itself known. They aren't as fixed in their personal love life as they are in their on-screen love life - although they are more flexible than most brand couples. Babe being a dominant bottom in their most recent show was sexy. The first three shows they were in had Ben topping. This newer show offered more nuance. It may have possibly spiced things up at home.
He wants to spice things up now.
“Babe,” Ben whispers, rolling over before wrapping his arms around Babe’s middle, “Wake up.”
As Ben kisses his cheek, Babe sharply breathes in as his eyes slowly open. He squints as he looks around, then breathes out and looks at Ben tiredly, “Hm? What time is it?”
“Sexy time,” Ben informs him. Babe huffs, then picks up his phone.
“Sexy time is 5:45 in the morning?”
“It is today,” Ben says to him, then rolls on top of Babe and straddles his waist. Babe puts his hands on Ben’s hips as Ben grinds against him before sitting up.
“It's not even 6 am.”
Ben shrugs, “Time is a social construct. Haven't you heard? Want to get the ball gag?”
Babe lets out a surprise laugh, “You want to get sex toys out this early?”
“I don't know why you are so focused on the time,” Ben says sullenly, “Time doesn't matter when I'm with the love of my life. You should feel the same.”
“I do feel the same,” Babe says to him, “You've just been…high strung.”
Ben blinks, then shakes his head, “Lies.”
“Just yesterday, you glared daggers at that fan before intercepting when he tried to hug me-”
“He didn't ask!” Ben says, “He was too forward. He should respect your boundaries. I didn't know if he was a creep or not-”
“Ben-”
“What if your stalker hired him to hurt you or kidnap you?” Ben continues, “I couldn't be sure, and he wasn't supposed to be touching you.”
Babe stares at him for a moment, then nods, “You're right. Security should have stepped in sooner. But if it had been something like that, I still wouldn't want you intervening. My…stalker. Whatever he is-”
“You have the title right,” Ben tells him, his eyes narrowing, “Because that's what he is. Fits the definition to a T.”
“...I know,” Babe says, “He hasn't done anything in a while, but I get it. But what concerns me more is the stuff he says about you. So just try your best not to step in-”
“Bullshit,” Ben says stubbornly, “I'm not letting anything happen to you.”
Babe sighs, then reaches up and cradle Ben’s face, “Same. That's why I am saying it. I also think we both know where this is stemming from after what happened a couple of days ago. Just relax. I don't think the world needs another fan edit showcasing your protectiveness of me set to Breakin’ Dishes.”
“I can't believe my love for you revived a trend from eight years ago,” Ben says with a grin. As Babe rolls his eyes, Ben bends down to give him a kiss. Babe returns it until it naturally ends.
“Come on,” Babe says, “We’ll shower, get dressed, and take Perdita to Early Fern. She loves the chicken and pumpkin patties on the dog menu. It's the only place that will be open before 7 am, and they love her there. We’ll sit on the back terrace. It's private. No prying eyes or potential stalkers.”
Ben sighs, “Can we at least shower together? And have shower sex?”
As Babe pulls him in for another kiss, Ben takes it as a yes.
He loves him more than anything. Outside of his parents and some of Dad’s long-term colleagues who worked the case, Babe is the only one who knows. Ben told him two years ago and Babe didn't even flinch. He cried with him and held him. But he didn't pull away or rethink their relationship, something that would have been understandable since they were only together a few months at that point, albeit close friends for a year. Ben doesn't know what spurred him to tell him, but his worst fears never came to light. Babe remained steady. He remained his rock. They loved each other before Ben told him, they loved each other during, and they have loved each other ever since. He never wants anyone else. If Kant wouldn't freak out and dropkick him, Ben would get on one knee and propose right this second. Ben doesn't care if they are too young. He never wants anyone else.
“What are you thinking about?” Babe asks softly.
“Marrying you,” Ben says immediately, “I want an autumn wedding. We have a few months to plan it.”
Babe snorts, “Weird way to propose.”
“Would you?” Ben asks curiously, “We’ve been together for almost 3 years.”
“I think it would surprise the network and our fans.”
“It literally wouldn't,” Ben tells him, “There are fan theories about our living situation. They think our shared dog is proof that we are actually together.”
“They aren't wrong,” Babe says, “But we should mess with everyone a little longer before we come out as a couple. Make them believe it's fan service. Wait until we have a couple of series where we are leads so we have more pull with the company and they won't challenge it. You also technically have a few more classes to finish, Khun Triple Major.”
Ben shrugs, “I just wanted options in case our talent wasn't properly recognized or we eventually aged out of our current field’s interest. Same as you, with your double major! I can see us in 20 years. If I'm not directing and you aren't writing masterpieces, then I’ll be working PR with my marketing degree and getting into the public’s mind before the press releases are even written with my psych degree. You’ll be teaching creative writing, literature, and theater at a performing arts school. We’ll be such a cute married couple either way. And Perdita will still be by our sides.”
“In twenty years?” Babe says, his eyebrows raised, “The odds of Perdita being alive in 20 years are pretty low-”
“Don't say that!” Ben tells him, “She's our daughter, Babe. She's living forever.”
Babe nods once, “I'm sure she’ll live forever in our hearts.”
He's so negative sometimes.
“Shower sex,” Ben tells him, then hops off his lap, “Now. I'm topping.”
While Babe rolls his eyes at that, he doesn't argue once. And while the shower goes on longer than planned (it always does when there is shower sex), Ben feels more grounded by the time they get out. Calmer. He doesn't know if the text from his father adds to that feeling or takes away from it.
Dad: Bison and Fadel both agreed to the expungement. I'm heading over to Fadel’s place in a couple of hours to take their statements and have them sign some papers. I hope this eases your mind.
It does. And it doesn't. Ben doesn't know. Kant is still probably pissed at him, regardless. He seemed more pissed at him than Bison ever was.
Dad: How are you doing?
Such a loaded question. Too loaded for 6:45 am.
Ben: Fine.
Dad: Just checking.
Dad: You would let me know if you weren't?
Ben scoffs and rolls his eyes.
Ben: I would let someone know. Whether it's you depends on my mood and options. 😁
Dad: 🙄 I try to be a loving and caring father, yet I am rewarded with your level of sass.
Ben: You should expect as much. I AM the one who made your hair go white prematurely. I take pride in that.
Dad: You are definitely partially responsible. I'm sure some of it is genetic.
Dad: I sincerely hope I passed that gene down to you. Have a great day. Stay safe.
Ben sputters and types out his response.
Ben: I look more like Ma!!! That is NOT happening.
Dad: You’re at least 25% me. Fingers crossed that you go completely gray by forty. 🩶
“Ready?” Babe asks, peeking in, only to frown at his expression, “What's wrong?”
“My dad says he hopes I go gray by forty!” Ben says with a frown.
“You’ll be hot,” Babe says, not missing a beat, “The fan edits of him call him a silver fox. You’ll be the same.”
Ben points at him, “Don't remind me of those! Also? No. It's not happening. He was out of line for implying it.”
“I'm sure you were being sassy to him in some way.”
“I wasn't,” Ben lies, “I was being a loving and doting son. Let’s go.”
As soon as they put the leash on Perdita, that's exactly what they do.