23. meeting on a train ride AU aaand 40. exes meeting again after not speaking for years AU 😊
23. Meeting on a train ride AU.
Every morning, it was the same.
Leslie would pile onto the 7:19 to Union Station in Washington, along with other busy commenters. She’d always stand. There were never any seats when she got on board, and if she was fortunate enough to get a seat, she usually offered it to the elderly or a pregnant woman.
Leslie didn’t mind standing. She’d her book that she was reading out and make sure she was holding on to one of the handles above her and carry on with her journey.
She had gotten to know the faces around her, there was the business man who would always grumble if he didn’t get a seat, the woman with two kids who were usually bickering, and…
And the man who always stood next to her, head buried in a newspaper. But would always give her a polite nod and smile.
She didn’t know his name. But she remembered the first time she saw him. It was a Monday, and said man was dressed in a fine suit and kept nervously adjusting his tie. Leslie had assumed it must have been his first day or something.
When they both got off at Union Station, she gave him a friendly nod and smile, wanting to reassure him that it was all going to be ok.
The next day he was there again, and returned the smile and nod, Leslie blushed and looked away.
After that they had a series of interactions. But never enough to find out each other’s names. One Thursday the train made a sudden stop and the man staggered forward, almost knocking Leslie to the floor. He quickly recovered, apologised and went back to reading his paper, a little flushed.
Another Wednesday morning, they both caught each other’s eyes and smiled.
“That’s a good book you’re reading,” he told her.
Leslie nodded. She had been reading ‘Dreams from My Father.’ “I know, this is the fifth time I’ve read this.”
The man looked impressed and let out a small whistle. “Wow, you really do like it. Don’t let me keep you.”
He grinned and went back to reading.
There was also the time she didn’t see him for three days and was worried something had happened to him. He had come back though, with a bundle of tissues in his hand and sneezing into them every now and then. Leslie had handed him a fresh packet of tissues before he got off, and he mumbled a nasally ‘thanks’ to her.
Those small interactions made Leslie’s mornings so much brighter. And the days she didn’t see him broke her a tiny bit. She found herself growing impatient as the train trailed into his station and her heart burst as she saw him on the platform.
This morning was no exception. As the train pulled into the next platform and slowed to a stop, Leslie’s eyes scanned the platform. There her was, smoothing down his tie and heading towards the train doors.
Leslie lowered her head back down, pretending to read as the man took his usual place next to her. He put his briefcase on the floor and unfolded the newspaper from under his arm.
She looked up and smiled. “Good morning,”
“Morning,” the man smiled back. God he was just so handsome, wild brown hair that couldn’t be tamed no matter how much hair product he put in it. He was always dressed so smartly and his cologne was hypnotising.
This was it; she was going to do it. When they both got off the train she was going to ask him out on a date.
Leslie had been building herself up for this moment, but usually chickened out. She was afraid he’d turn her down or admit that he has a gorgeous girlfriend who was probably running her own company or something.
The two spent their journey in silence until the train stopped at Union Station. Leslie hitched her bag over her shoulder and followed the other passengers off the train.
She was right behind him, all she had to do was catch his attention and hope for the best. However, just as she was about to open her mouth, the man rubbed the back of his neck and turned around.
“Um… I hope this isn’t too weird but. Would you like to go out sometime, just for a coffee or something? It’s just… the best part of my morning is when I get to see you,” the man said, looking hopeful.
Leslie’s heart did a loop-de-loop. “Oh! Well… I was actually going to ask you the exact same thing,” she admitted sheepishly.
The man smiled. “Great. Okay, well, I’m Ben Wyatt.”
“Leslie Knope,” Leslie replied, smiling sweetly back at him.
“There’s a great coffee place not too far from my office. We could meet there?” Ben asked, he ripped a piece off from the newspaper and scribbled an address on it, handing it over. “My number is there too.”
Leslie took it, her hands trembling slightly. “Ok, great. I’ll give you my number too.”
She took his pen and ripped another chunk from the paper. After her number she doodled a little heart – she couldn’t resist.
“I finish at 5,” Ben said, folding her number up and placing it in his pocket. “I’ll meet you then?”
“Sounds perfect to me,” Leslie exclaimed.
Ben gave her a cheerful nod and smiled again. “I’ll see you at 5 then, Leslie.”
“Yes, I can’t wait,” Leslie replied cheerfully.
She skipped all the way to her office.
40. Exes meeting again after not speaking for years.
“No,” Leslie gasped, quickly turning back around to the table. “Ben the jerk is here?”
“Ben?” Ann questioned, scanning the room.
“Yeah, you remember? That asshole who broke up with me the day before my finals? Like, who does that?” Leslie hissed, frantically trying to pull Ann around as to not draw attention.
“Oh yeah, I remember him,” Ann said, taking a sip from her champagne.
Leslie immediately regretted insisting that she and Ann go to this school reunion. She thought she’d be in a room filled with people that she loved to spend time with; instead she now couldn’t stop thinking about the jerkface that broke her heart all those years ago.
“Why don’t you just go over and be civil?” Ann asked. “You look great, your boobs are spectacular. Just act coy and cool, you’ll be fine.”
Leslie frowned. How much had Ann had to drink?
Still, she ran a hand through her hair to tousle her curls and took a deep breath, and then finished her glass of champagne.
Leslie made her away across the room to where Ben was talking with a group of old classmates.
“Hello, Benjamin,” Leslie said boldly and Ben turned around.
“Leslie Knope?” Ben’s eyes widened. “Wow, how have you been?”
He looked like he wanted to step in for a hug, but changed his mind last minute.
“I’ve been good,” Leslie said, sticking her nose into the air, this was how coy people acted, right? “I’ve been dating a lot of people.”
God. Why did she say that?
“Oh well… that’s great,” Ben mumbled. “Look, I can tell you’re still a little bitter about-”
“I’m not bitter,” Leslie cut in. “I told you. I’ve dated lots.”
“Right,” Ben rubbed the back of his neck. “Can we talk outside? It’s just getting a little stuffy in here.”
Leslie sighed and grabbed another glass of champagne from a passing waiter. “Fine.”
Ben led her outside to a bench where they used to sit when they were high schoolers all those years ago. This was where he kissed her for the first time. This was where they shared study notes for algebra. This was where he broke up with her because they were going to different colleges.
“I only came here tonight because I’d hoped to see you,” Ben admitted, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
Leslie blinked. “Oh… wait what? But you broke up with me?”
“Yeah, and it was the biggest mistake of my life,” Ben said. “I did college and sure I dated girls, but I missed you so much. It’s been ten years of not seeing your beautiful face or hearing your loud but wonderful laugh. And seeing you tonight, not a sixteen year old girl anymore but a beautiful woman. I just… want to go back to how we were.”
Leslie swallowed a huge gulp of her champagne. “Are you asking me out?”
Ben grinned, “yeah I guess I am.”
Leslie looked around a little alarmed. She was ready for a screaming match where hurtful things would have been said (mainly from her.) She didn’t expect her ex to ask her out on a date.
“I know, you date a lot of people,” Ben smirked. That smirk she loved and loathed.
“I’m free tomorrow evening?” Leslie finally said, and Ben nodded.
“That works. You know JJ’s is still open around here? You want to blow this and get some waffles? I know you love them,” Ben asked, raising his eyebrow and stretching out his hand.
Leslie’s mouth started salivating. She hadn’t been to JJ’s in years. Waffles in Washington just didn’t compare.
“I’d love to,” she said, taking his hand and standing up.
