Benja: Namaari, it’s not that we don’t love having you here in Heart but...
Namaari: What? Have I done something? Have you changed your mind about me being here? About me being with Raya?
Benja: Nothing like that. I just think maybe you should at least visit Fang for a time? They miss you. Your mother misses you. She’s been writing me letters...a lot of them.
Namaari: ...And you agree with him? *looks at Raya accusingly*
Raya: Well...*rubs the back of her neck awkwardly* I certainly enjoy your company, but Fang and your mother need you too. Besides, it wouldn’t be forever. I think it would be healthy, Dep la. Also...you have kind of been here literally every day since Kumandra was reformed...
Benja: We just think it’s best you take a break, take some time for yourself. Perhaps it’s best if you collect what’s yours and go...for now at least.
Namaari: *tearing up as she looks between the Heart Royals* Fine. *Pouts, picks up Raya and walks out*
Benja: Raya, where are you going?!
Raya: *being fireman carried as she shrugs* Fang I guess!? I’ll see you later, Ba!
Benja: ...Ah, young love. *smiles as he wipes away a proud tear*
Benja catches Raya with a mysterious person on multiple occasions
Warnings: None
3rd perspective: Focused on Benja
A03
Benja sighed tiredly as he quietly walked through the darkness of the Heart. He had just returned from an important meeting in Spine and was looking forward to getting some well-deserved sleep. What he didn't expect was to catch Raya sneaking someone out for the first time.
He entered the Heart palace, making his way to his bedroom, but was distracted by clatter, following it.
Once he turned a corner, he spotted Raya kneeling in front of an open window, with a hooded person sitting on the ledge of it. Wanting to stay hidden, he quickly hid behind a pillar, peaking from the side of it.
The only source of light being the torches that hung on the walls.
Benja narrowed his eyes, recognizing his daughter as her back was perfectly illuminated; however, the unknown individual was engulfed within Raya's shadow.
He watched as Raya leaned forward, locking her lips with the other person, leaving him utterly confused as she had never talked about liking anyone. Yet, he was witnessing her making out with someone in the darkness of the night.
As the smacking of their lips reached his ears, he became quite uncomfortable, turning away; wanting to grant his daughter privacy, only peaking once the sound of lips smashing together stopped altogether.
"Time for you to leave before I get caught! I love you, idiot," Raya spoke, not in a whisper, but low enough that Benja barely heard her.
He watched as Raya lovely readjusted the hood over her secret lover before aggressively shoving them in the chest, resulting in the person tumbling backward. The sound of them hitting the ground, making a big bang. Luckily for the secret individual, they were pushed off the second floor.
Benja then watched as Raya peaked out the window, giggling as she waved goodbye. Also, noticing how she stood there watching them disappear into the night.
Benja knew his daughter would see him once she turned, so he made his presence known, walking loudly down the hall, Raya quickly turning around and smiling at him.
"BA! You're back!!" She exclaimed, running over and engulfing him in a hug.
"Dewdrop! Why are you still awake" He smiled as she hugged her tightly, waiting for either the truth or a cover story.
"I couldn't sleep, so I came out here to look at the stars" He chuckled as he pulled away; of course, she chose the cover story.
"Ohhh, aren't the stars more visible through your bedroom window? On the fifth-floor?" He asked with a smirk on his lips, her face turning red, caught in her lie. Yet, she didn't budge, only shrugging her shoulders.
"Felt like a change of perspective was best."
---
That was the first of many times Benja watched someone sneak into his palace late at night, sometimes staying for only a few hours. Other times the individual remained till the early hours of the morning, sneaking out when they believed everyone was sleeping. Benja even caught Raya sneaking in and out, disappearing for hours on end, having no clue where she would disappear too.
These secret make-out sessions occurring once a week for roughly five months, and he still had no idea who this mystery person was.
This mystery person was cautious, always wearing a hood and covering most of their face with a scarf. Benja would have certainly thought they were a thief he hadn't watched and heard his daughter exchange salvia with them on several occasions.
Catching the corporate wasn't working, so he asked his daughter on several occasions whether she was seeing anyone, to which she always responded, "You'll know when I want you to know."
After a while, he stopped lingering in the shadows and stopped asking questions. Even so, he remained frustrated and confused on why Raya's mystery lover had to stay top secret.
---
The answer to this mystery came about a month after he stopped trying to solve it. He was walking through the heart gardens when he spotted Namaari; confused about her presence in Heart, hiding behind a tree, he got closer, noticing how she lovely ran her right hand against Raya's cheek.
Benja then understood that his daughter didn't want their high professional relationship to be watched and judged by others, so they kept in the shadows. He knew it was only a matter of time before they announced it publicly, and he was more than delighted.
Knowing they hadn't seen him, he turned around with a smile on his face. He had finally solved the mystery and was happy with his findings.
Inspired by one of my favorite Korrasami posts. :P
Namaari: *Standing beneath Raya’s window in Heart* Raya! I’m here! Come out!
Raya: *Sticking her head out the window, and cupping her hands around her mouth* I’M GAY!!
Namaari: *blushing*...That’s not what I meant! I meant come out HERE!
Raya: Jeeze! So picky! Fine! *climbs out the window, down to Namaari, and shoves her face in to Namaari’s* I’M GAY!! There. Happy now, Binturi?
Namaari: ASFGEKOIOGIPYOGPOIRGHG!! *blushing like mad*
Benja: *having heard everything from his own room* Ahhh. Young love. *calmly sips his tea and smiles*
