fandomtownies | The Perk, late Thursday Afternoon

The Perk, late Thursday Afternoon

Ben is sitting inside, green tea growing cold in the cup next to him. He is peering intently through his glasses ~~that make him look so sex-ay~~ at the manuscript he's been working on, lost in thought, pen tapping against his lips.

((ooc: Feel free to interrupt Ben...or to just come sit in the Perk and ignore the man altogether. Open to everybody.))

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Chihaya was looking for a quiet place to think and write that wasn't outside. He decides to try the coffee shop, even though he doesn't drink coffee.

An order of tea in his hand, he looks around for an open table and sees Ben sitting and looking busy writing. "Hey, Ben."

"Hey, Chihaya." Ben gestures toward the table. "Have a seat."

He is hesitant before he moves to the table. "I don't want to interrupt you."

Ben smiles. "You're not. I'm sort of stuck at the moment anyway." Ben tucks the manuscript back in his messenger bag. "How are you?"

"Doing ok. Trying to keep up with classes," Chihaya holds up his notebook, "and write something for the school newspaper."

"I'm impressed." Ben leans back in his chair, tucking one foot up on the seat. "What kind of article are you writing?"

"Well, I was wanting to do something on the Student Council, but the girl that was supposed to get back to me about something hasn't and with this death thing hanging so close around," Chihaya sighs and props his chin on his hand, "I am holding off on that at least a week. So I'm trying to come up with something else."

Ben bites his bottom lip. At the moment, it's much more interesting to brainstorm someone's else's project than his own. "What sort of guidelines do you have? Does it have to be something to do with the school? Because I'm sure Red would oblige if you wanted to interview the new mayor of Fandom."

Chihaya's face lights up. "Ohmygod Ben, you're a genius!" He flips open his notebook and writes that down before he forgets. "I was wanting to follow up on my project from last week for my journalism class, but the interview might be the perfect lead in."

Ben's smile broadens. "Glad to help. At least someone got some use out of my inspiration today." The smile fades. "I certainly didn't."

Leaning over to look at Ben's writing, he chews his lip. "Is there anything I can help with? Maybe if you talk it out with a sounding board, that will help? You know, saying it outloud will maybe kick something loose?"

Ben shakes his head. "Trying to write angry scenes, and trying to figure out how to resolve them." He sighs. "I think maybe it's just a little too soon. Too close to the truth for my own comfort."

"Well," Chihaya feels funny for giving writing advice since he's really not a writer. "Maybe, I guess but wouldn't that raw emotion be the drive you need? Maybe..." he pauses again. "Just writing it down in its bleeding and angry state and putting it away somewhere to get the infection out?"

"The emotion drove the writing all right. It's all there." He gestures to the manuscript. "The problem is, the final product is actually supposed to be good. And it's not." Ben sighs and rests his chin on the knee of the pulled-up leg. "I know I need to walk away from it for a while, stop trying to edit it until I can look at it objectively, but it's become a key scene to the book. I want it done. And trying to get from the anger in that scene to some sort of resolution..." Ben shrugged. "I just don't know how my characters get from here to there.

"Anyway, I'm probably just pushing too hard. I need to put the writing aside and just work it out in my head. Maybe our trip this weekend will help."

"Probably the best way to approach it, if it's still too close," Chihaya agrees. "Let it breathe and focus on Michael." He rests his chin on his folded arms on the table. "Where are you going? Some place romantic?"

Ben's eyes glow with warmth as he smiles. "There's a little bed and breakfast over on the mainland, toward the woods. We saw it on our way in, when we moved here. I called and checked it out...seems really nice, and they're not averse to hosting same-sex couples. Hopefully it will provide a bit of romance."

Chihaya nods and smiles. "It sounds like it'll be so romantic. You guys are so cute together. Even if Michael's in heels."

Ben laughs. "The drag thing is rare -- Halloween, the occasional pride parade -- but he has fun. Although I will admit he doesn't make a bad looking woman. It's just..." Ben smiles broadly, but wrinkles his nose. "Not my thing. I prefer the male Michael."

Joining with Ben, Chihaya giggles. "I think I agree." He sighs and looks at Ben. "How long have you been together?"

Ben laughs. He'd just answered this question for Shane a couple of nights ago. "Almost ten years now. It's been an amazing journey. That hopefully won't end anytime soon." His eyes cloud a little. Having HIV forced you to appreciate each day. He wanted many, many more with Michael.

"Kagetsuya and I've only been together for about a year. Hard to tell the passage of time here." Chihaya sighs dreamily. "So when's your anniversary so I know when to get you guys something?"

"We met right after Valentine's Day. We were on and off for a little while there at the beginning, but that's where we started. Being that we met pretty close to Valentine's Day, we just use the holiday as our anniversary."

"Just like in romance stories," Chihaya whispers out. His eyes close and he gets another dreamy look on his face before he straightens up. "Michael's very lucky, Ben, to have you."

A thought occurs to Chihaya and he almost looks panicked. "I hope it was ok that I treated Michael to a movie while you were gone."

Ben blushes a little. "It hasn't been all storybook romance, but it has been good. And we're lucky to have each other."

Ben smiles reassuringly. "It's fine. There's nothing wrong with friends going out together."

"You're happy together now and that's what is important. Right now." Chihaya's smile drops a little. "Tomorrow is too full of uncertainty."

His cheeks turn pink and he looks at his watch. "I've kept you from your writing for too long. I'm sorry." He made a face at his undrunk, and now cold, tea. "I should get home now."

Ben nods. "Better to live in the moment, because it's all you have."

"It's all right, the break was good for me." Remembering the news going around town, he adds, "be careful getting home, okay?"

"Oh," Chihaya picks up his bookbag and looks out at the street. "I'm sure I'll be fine. I'm hardly noticable!" He waves a good bye and exits the shop.

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The Perk, late Thursday Afternoon

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