...A Maze of Dreams

Kai's lips are really soft. Like, the guy probably uses some kind of product. It's crazy. And they taste like orange sometimes. That was nice. And you know how fingers intertwine and fit together perfectly? Lips do that too. It's weird. Ben felt weird for thinking about it.

Plus Kai had this really sweet habit of kissing Ben before he ran off to his modeling job. Not even a "good morning", just a kiss and run. The entire day Ben would feel loved.

Kai was really good at that, making people feel loved. Making them feel like they were worthwhile. He'd talk to anyone, compliment them, cheer them on. The merman was hard to hate, but he was so easy to love.

And for Ben, it didn't matter how easy it was. He'd do it even if it were difficult. He'd do anything to give back the beautiful man all of the love he gave. Double that, even. Ben would give Kai every kiss in the world if it helped him to realize how wonderful he truly was.

Ben snapped.
It had been Kai's idea to visit this bar. It was small and dark and smelled like sweat but Kai had convinced him that the alcohol was worth it. You know what wasn't? The company.
Kai had ordered some crazy fruity vodka cocktail or something while Ben had water. He was being a responsible adult tonight, and responsible adults don't get drunk off their ass before driving. 

It had been a half hour or so since they'd arrived and Kai claimed to need the restroom. Ben waved him off, pretending to be interested in the hockey game on the bar TV. God, he didn't want to be here. He could be at home watching Mean Girls with hot chocolate right now, dammit!

It had been about ten minutes and Kai wasn't back. Ben was starting to worry. Climbing off of the bar stool he'd perched on, Ben rushed to the restroom hall. Nothing. He peeked in the bathroom, checking under the stalls for feet. Nothing. Goddammit. 
Once in the hall again Ben heard some noise coming from... outside? Oh god, there was a door to the alley outside at the end of the hall. 

Rushing to throw open the door, the scene before him made Ben both want to cry and rip someone's head off. Two thugs, likely drunk as hell, had Kai slumped against the brick wall of the building, the moon the only source of light. The two drunks turned their heads, staring Ben down. Ben was pretty sure Kai had a black eye and some cuts, but he couldn't tell in the limited light.

Now, Ben wasn't a violent guy. He didn't like hurting people. Not mentally, not physically. But this was pushing his limits. 

Stepping towards them, 
Ben reached for his phone, a clearly pissed off look on his face. They weren't too much bigger. He could take them.
"If you back off now maybe I'll leave you to the authorities and keep my own hands off." Ben grunted. Kai didn't look like he was deathly hurt, just unconscious. Good, Ben didn't want his partner to see this. 

One of the brutes smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Looks like we've got a hero type, eh?" He took a swaggering step towards Ben.
The brunet raised a brow.
"No, just a functioning fiancé." He stated.
The thug looked surprised at that. "Oh, a fag? Now I won't feel as bad when I pound your skull into the pavement."
Okay, no. Wrong move. Ben rushed forward, slugging the guy right in the face, hearing a satisfying crack. The thug staggered backwards, clutching his now broken nose. Ben scowled, strolling over to Kai and scooping him up. 

"Now, if you'll excuse me, this fag," Ben spat the word like it was poison, "Has to get home and take care of this dumb fuck." He snarled down at Kai. It wasn't really his fault, but Ben was still pretty pissed at him.

For now, the freckled man was going to confidently strut out of the alley, leaving behind a baffled couple of drunks. He'd sic some of his goose friends on the two first thing tomorrow. For now, he'd get Kai home to tend to the wounds.

THIS IDEA CAME TO ME IN THE SHOWER SO I HAVE TO WRITE IT

"Sir Benjamin Forrest of the Eastern Mountains." The king's voice thundered, echoing throughout the castle's Great Hall. Were the formalities really necessary? As if the king's dramatic tone wasn't enough to make the brunet cringe already. 
He was kneeling before the throne, head bowed to stare at the red carpet. Finally, a mission he could complete despite being a newcomer. After all, he was the only knight bred in the mountains. Not so disposable now, huh? The higher-ups would eat their words.

"You may rise." The king nodded down to the freckled knight. Half of the kingdom had come to see Ben's return. It had only been a mountain journey, holy hell. He hadn't slain any dragons. A couple ogres and possessed animals, yes, but no dragons. The plan should still work, no matter the extra eyes. They'd worked on this for weeks.

The second he stood up, Ben's eyes flicked around the throne area of the room. The king's many daughters were seated around him, while the buff-looking princes sat on smaller thrones at his sides, excluding the youngest. The princesses were all quite pretty, dressed up in jewel colors and all sorts of crazy hairpieces (Ben couldn't understand royal fashion trends).

The king smiled toothily, outstretching his arms. "As a reward for your valiant efforts, I will allow your marriage to one of my daughters." Unsurprisingly, not one of the princesses looked too pleased by this statement.
Ben immediately shook his head, looking the king right in the eye. Go time.

"Actually, I'd prefer something else, your majesty." Ben replied, biting back a frightened grimace. There was no turning back now. He straightened up, trying to sound confident. This was their chance!
"I would like your youngest son." 

At the mention of the youngest prince, a pretty raven-haired boy around Ben's age (possibly older?) practically strutted into the Great Hall and over to the king's side. Ben reminded himself to yell at the little drama queen later. 
"So you're in need of a servant? Riches?" The king raised a gray brow, puzzled by Ben's sudden statement. The youngest prince looked mildly annoyed by the usage of "servant". 

"No, your majesty." The jade-eyed knight bowed deeply, avoiding the judgmental look he was about to receive. "I wish for his hand. Not one your daughters'." 
The prince was bouncing on the balls of his feet, looking mighty excited. The king groaned, resting his chin in one hand and making a shooing motion with the other. 
"Fine, fine. You can have him. All he does is whine and embroider, anyway."

At that, the prince just barely barreled into Ben, the two laughing and smiling. It was as if the rest of the room didn't matter. 
"It worked, Ben! It worked! I can't believe you actually did it!" Kai, the youngest of the princes, rejoiced.
"Shut up, you fool!" Ben ruffled the other's hair, pressing a quick peck to his forehead.
The two laughed, clasping hands and heading towards the castle door. 

The shocked looks of the royals and townsfolk didn't matter. Nothing mattered to Ben except Kai, and now they wouldn't have to hide their affections. Not from his family, not from the servants, not from the rest of the world. No more midnight room visits or secret embraces in the corridors.

Ben supposed there really were such thing as happily ever afters.

@mel im not sorry at all
i would kill for benkai

It wasn't the most common of occurrences, but sometimes Kai had nightmares.
Ben knew this for a fact. It didn't matter if Kai admitted it or not, the look on his face when he woke with a start told everything. Cerulean eyes wide, like a storm was brewing inside. You could see into his mind as if his beautiful orbs were tide pools. Tonight was no different.

Ben had been woken up by a loud gasp for air, as if someone was choking. Like a fish out of water. Even in the dark bedroom the brunet could make out his partner's panicked profile. It took mere seconds for him to throw the covers off of his legs and scoot to the other's side. 
It was almost as if Kai was petrified, face frozen and breathing scarce. Ben did the first thing that came to mind: surround the other with warmth to melt the fear away.

The freckled man wrapped his arms around the startled merman, coaxing him closer. He pushed his dark bangs aside and pressed a tender kiss to his forehead, smiling. 
Ben had a lot of experience dealing with bad dreams. Whenever his sister had them she would sneak into his room and wake him up, wanting to tell him all about her dream and eventually make him read her a story. Or sing her a lullaby, on some occasions. This memory gave Ben an idea.

He was no Justin Timberlake or Frank Sinatra but Ben could sing. Somewhat. Not in front of crowds, but it's not like Kai would laugh. Not in his current condition, at least. It was worth a shot.

Taking a deep breath, Ben rested his chin on the top of Kai's head, still holding him close, and began the song. His singing was soft, gentle. The whispering breeze through a meadow of dandelions. 

"Come stop your crying
It will be alright
Just take my hand
Hold it tight

I will protect you
From all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry

For one so small,
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always"

By the time he was finished, Kai was back to sleep. Ben prayed that he wouldn't remember this in the morning, but who knows with his tough luck. 

The last thing Ben saw before dozing off was the sweetest smile on Kai's face. 
In that moment, he swore that he'd endure a thousand nightmares if it meant seeing that beautiful face when he woke.

sORRY I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF

a kind of response to Mel's newest post

It's funny, how Kai always compares the dark flecks on his skin to stars. He'd trace constellations on his back, cheeks, and forearms and talk about how cute they were.
It was humorous to Ben, though, because Kai was the real star.

Ben could be the scatter of light across the dark sea of space, but Kai was Polaris. He was the bright guiding light not just for Ben but for the entire group.
He joked and jested and pranked but it kept them stable. It kept their little planet spinning. Without his constant happy attitude to even out the more serious members of the team everything could fall to pieces.

Especially to Ben was he a guide and shining example. Even if they both struggled with their past mistakes and fear of the future, Kai kept him from shattering. Kai held him together in his arms and everything was okay. Okay. Not perfect, but safe. Ben hoped that one day he'd be able to do the same for his bright and beautiful partner.

Kai may have wanted to catch stars, but how is that possible when you are one?

The first of my many drabbles of the challenge! Could be considered an epilogue thing to Mel's recent entry. Probably not canon, but I digress.

The second he'd seen the new addition to the household he'd physically cringed.

Was the guy straight out of the sea or something? His dark hair was like seaweed, tangled and wavy, and his skin tanned as a surfer's. Hobbling over to the sofa, Ben could've sworn the other was cursing under his breath from pain as he walked. 

He could practically smell the saltwater and sandy shores from across the room. Oh god, was this guy a mer? Looking over the newbie once more, imagining a scaly tail and the like, it seemed to fit. 

Yet the brunet realized that he couldn't judge the other. He'd been the same when he'd first arrived: messy-haired, wobbly-legged, and scared. Maybe the other needed the same things he had. Adventure. Friends. A new life. Maybe he'd just wanted to be... part of this world.

After a moment's pause (partially from snickering at his own joke) Ben channeled his inner social butterfly and joined the boy on the sofa. He caught the other's sea glass blue eyes with a small smile. 

"Welcome home."