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Benny sat on the carpeted floor, legs crossed. It wasn’t the most comfortable of circumstances, but at least he wasn’t dead yet. The group’s main sleeping area was a bit more comfortable. The others had managed to grab some pillows by threatening Cupid. Despite this, Benny preferred to find his own area, even if it meant sacrificing the chance to sleep with a pillow. There was no way he was sleeping next to all of those people, let alone Bones. Of course the man was placed into a death game with his ex. Benny just happened to have that sort of luck in his life. Depending on the situation, Benny could go from having the best luck to the worst in the blink of an eye. Whenever his luck happened to run out, he ran.
It wasn’t hard for Benny to run from his problems. In fact, that was his main strategy in life. Just keep running. It was what put his sorry ass in this position in the first place. Benny could never stay in one place, never keep a job, and obviously never keep a relationship. He always found himself being the first to leave. If leaving was on his terms, he wouldn’t be hurt. The only consistent thing in Benny’s life was himself. Still, the artificial redhead found himself crushing on a short angry man he had only just met.
Maybe in another circumstance Benny would have had the chance to have some fun with Eddie. Take him for a joyride until Benny once again got cold feet. He needed someone who respected his ups and downs, and wouldn’t get offended if Benny wanted to run away for a bit. Maybe Eddie could’ve been that person if the two men weren’t trapped in a sick game of life and death.
Dragging himself out of his thoughts, Benny abandoned his sitting position, quickly standing up and stretching his back. If he couldn’t sleep, he might as well walk around a bit. The dim lights illuminated just enough for Benny to see where he was walking. Despite the lack of lighting, Benny was beginning to become familiar enough with the layout of the set, and he noticed that his feet were taking him in the direction of the bar.
Once he reached the long hallway leading to the bar, Benny noticed a figure standing in the shadows. Was it one of the other contestants? He called out, unsure of what to expect. “Hello?” To Benny’s relief, a familiar voice called back. “Benny?” It was Eddie. Benny quickened his pace until he reached the shorter man.
“What are you doing walking around at night?” Eddie asked, expression unchanging. Benny smiled, trying to quiet the thumping in his chest. “I could ask you the same thing.” he leaned in close enough to whisper. “You sleepwalk Eds?” Benny noticed a quick smile form on the other man’s face before he quickly returned to stoicism.
“I don’t sleepwalk. Assuming you couldn’t sleep either?” Eddie asked, leaning against the wall behind him. Benny nodded, moving to join his companion in his wall-leaning. “How could someone sleep here?” His rhetorical question was only met with a sigh.
Bennie nudged Eddie with his shoulder. “Are you sleeping with the others?” The shorter man shook his head, black hair swaying across his face. “I was going to…” Eddie looked away in what appeared to be embarrassment. “...but I was wondering where you were.”
Benny felt his face heat up at the other man’s words. Eddie was actually looking for him? Benny cleared his throat, trying to shake off his own blush. “I mean, if you wanted to sleep with me that badly-” He was quickly interrupted by a light shove. “Shut up.”
After a few awkward seconds of silence, Benny spoke once again. “You can join me if you want.” He began playing with his hair, a nervous habit. “I don’t have any pillows or blankets, but I can keep you warm.” Benny tried to sound as confident in his proposal as possible. Eddie sighed, holding his hand up to his face. “Y’know what, sure.” Despite his attempt to cover it, Benny could see the obvious blush on the other man’s face. Without hesitation, Benny grabbed Eddie’s open hand, and began leading him back toward his makeshift sleeping area.
♤ ♡ ♧ ♢
It didn’t take long for the pair to get as comfortable as they could, each taking a spot on the carpeted floor. Benny tried to sit as close to Eddie as possible without making him uncomfortable. The redhead looked up at the ceiling, trying to ignore the butterflies racing in his chest.
“Hey Eds?” Benny whispered, despite the fact that he was most likely far enough away that nobody else would hear him. Eddie spoke with a whisper as well. “Yeah?”
Benny turned on his side to face Eddie, who was already turned to face the taller man. “If I was a turtle, what type of turtle would I be?”
After a moment of thinking, Eddie gave a response. “You’d probably be a box turtle… or a red eared slider.” Benny tried not to chuckle at the fact that Eddie was such a nerd about turtles of all things. Truthfully, the fake redhead didn’t know the difference between a turtle and a tortoise. For some reason, ever since he found out his companion was into turtles, he cared just a bit more.
Eddie smiled, a sight that Benny was delighted to see. “What type of turtle would I be?” Fuck. Benny didn’t know many types of turtles, and Eddie obviously knew that, as he was beginning to laugh. Benny decided to answer with one of the only turtles he knew. “You’d be a snapping turtle.”
Eddie rolled his eyes playfully. “What, are you scared I’ll bite you or something?” Benny’s cheeks reddened at Eddie's words. Through the dim light, he could make out each feature on Eddie’s face. He really was handsome. The man in question stopped smiling, noticing the unusual lack of response from his companion. Eddie moved closer, his face only inches from Benny’s. “You alright?”
He couldn’t stand it anymore. Benny felt his heart racing as he leaned in to press his lips against Eddie’s. After a moment of shock, Eddie returned the kiss, gently grazing his teeth over the other’s lip, hands traveling up to his face. The softness of the shorter man’s touch was foreign to the taller, and he couldn’t help but melt into the warmth of Eddie’s body. Despite the fact that Benny usually preferred to sleep alone, the presence of the man next to him was oddly comforting. After a moment, Eddie pulled away, trying (and failing) to hide the smile on his face.
Benny grinned. “Y’know, for a man assigned the role ‘Brutal Bull’, you’re a gentle kisser.” Eddie grunted in response, turning his back to Benny. Quietly, Eddie muttered. “That’s what you think…” Benny didn’t have much time to process the obviously flirty response, before the shorter man pushed his body into the taller’s. Benny couldn’t help but wrap his arms around the man he was now unintentionally spooning.
Eddie sighed. “If by some miracle both of us make it out of this alive, I’ll get you a drink.” The smell of whatever product was used in Eddie’s hair wafted into Benny’s nose, and he couldn’t stop the words from falling out of his mouth. “Eds… Are you asking me out on a date?” The lack of response only confirmed Benny’s question. He smiled into the back of Eddie’s neck, squeezing the man as hard as he could. “There’s no way I’m letting either of us die now.”
Benny could feel Eddie tense up, so he loosened his grip before continuing to speak. “They let us both get through the first round, maybe there’ll be a way for both of us to survive.” Eddie grunted before letting out another long sigh. “Maybe you’re right.” A few seconds passed before Benny felt Eddie place a hand on his arm.
Before Benny knew it, the shorter man began snoring. He tried not to chuckle at how dramatically Eddie was snoring. Maybe he had sleep apnea or something. Somehow, despite the snoring, Eddie’s surrender into sleep only made Benny feel more tired. It was easy for Benny to forget the situation he was in while holding the cutest man he’d ever seen. Maybe, just for a while, Benny would be able to relax.