The Unknown 2

[ovielove.livejournal.com]

Title: The Unknown
Chapter: 2
Pairing: Ben Clymer / Chris Clark
Rating: G
Disclaimer: If I could own any two people it would be these two; sadly I can't and I don't, so the following is almost all fiction.
Setting: 2005-06 Season, two weeks later...
Notes: Starts with Ben's POV, switches to Chris

I groaned and slumped down on the edge of my bed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Well, that was fun,” I said dryly. “A nice little welcome back to Tampa.”

 

“Sorry, Benny,” Chris said as he stretched out on his own bed. “We’ll get them next time.”

 

“Yeah, yeah,” The phone on the nightstand began to ring and I glanced at it wearily. “That’ll be some of the guys wanting to go out.”

 

“Our guys?” he asked with a yawn.

 

“No. Lightning guys,” I answered. “Brad, Vinny, maybe Nolan. I don’t think I have the energy.”

 

“So don’t go.”

 

“I can’t not go.”

 

“Sure you can. Stay here, keep me company.” I glanced at Chris and he gave me a tired smile. “Well, for as long as I can stay awake, that is.”

 

I smiled back nervously and nodded. I wanted nothing more than to keep him company, but I certainly couldn’t tell him that. Instead I glanced away quickly, turning back to the phone as it finally stopped ringing. “Guess they gave up,” I said, relief washing over me but soon being replaced by guilt. “I really should have answered it – I haven’t seen a lot of them in a while.”

 

“Didn’t you see them when they were in DC a few weeks ago?” he asked.

 

I shook my head. “No, they didn’t want to go out.”

 

“See? There you go. Now you’re even. Plus you’ll have 6 more chances,” he reminded me. “I’m sure they’ll understand.”

 

“Yeah, I guess.” I absently began rubbing my shoulder, trying to ease the tension.

 

“Shoulder still bothering you?” he asked, sitting up and watching as I grimaced with pain.

 

“Cory hit me pretty hard towards the end,” I answered. “It just takes a minute to – ow! Ouch, shit, ow, ow!” Somehow I had rubbed it the wrong way and the muscle started to spasm as I futilely tried to ease it with my fingers.

 

“Benny?” Chris said, sliding off his bed. “What’s wrong?”

 

“Ow, fuck...I just, I think I angered it,” I said, my voice straining as the pain shot through my shoulder.

 

“Hang on, hang on, let me see.” He quickly joined me on the edge of my bed and began to work the muscle with his fingers, kneading my shoulder carefully but firmly as I gripped the bedspread helplessly.

 

“Oh, god,” I said as I felt the pain begin to subside. “Yes, that feels perfect.” He continued to rub and I sighed, closing my eyes and relaxing into his touch. “Mmm...”

 

At the sound he seemed to slow, his movements a little less certain as I felt his body tense slightly next to me. I opened my eyes again and glanced at him, his face slightly pale and nervous.

 

“Um...better?” he asked quietly.

 

“Much,” I said softly. “Thanks, Chris.”

 

He slid his hands off of me, leaving my skin tingling slightly at the absence of his touch, and he nodded awkwardly. “Good...good. I just, um, I’m going to...” he trailed off and returned to his bed, picking up a book from the nightstand and opening it to a random page. His cheeks were turning a faint pink and I turned so my back was facing him, my mind reeling as my breath, having sped up subconsciously, returned to normal.

 

What the hell was that? I wondered. Had he just...nah, I thought, dismissing the idea and shaking my head. I stood up and stripped down to my boxers, sliding my exhausted body between the sheets and sighing gratefully. I glanced over at Chris who was staring so hard at the book in his hands that I feared it would burst into flames, two pink spots still hovering on his cheeks. I bit my lip and tried to ignore what I was thinking, reaching instead for the light switch above me.

 

“Clarkie, I’m just gonna...”

 

“Yeah, o-okay,” he answered quickly, barely glancing up.

 

“Okay. Night.” I flipped off my light and rolled over to my side, staring hard at the door through the half-lit room. A few minutes later I heard Chris set his book down followed by the click of his bedside light, dousing the room in darkness.

 

“Um...” he started, his voice quiet and a little shaky. He seemed to want to say something but obviously changed his mind because then he sighed and simply said, “Night.”

 

The two of us lay in silence in the darkened room, neither of us speaking, neither of us sleeping, both absorbed in our own thoughts for what seemed like an eternity until I finally drifted off to sleep.

 

--------------------

 

Chris's POV

I lay in bed long after the lights were out, waiting until I could tell that Benny had fallen asleep and staring blankly into the darkness. I couldn’t stop my hands from remembering the feel of his muscular shoulder, how it had tensed and slowly eased under my touch. And then the sound of his voice, the contented noise that had been drawn from somewhere in his throat, it had stirred something in me that I didn’t expect. Even now, long after it had happened, the thought of it made my groin twitch slightly.

 

What is going on? I rested my arms over my eyes, trying to block everything out but unable to stop my mind from racing. I had sensed that he had feelings for me, had known for a few weeks now, just from the way he would hold my gaze a little longer than normal or blush slightly when I smiled at him. But it seemed like lately, more and more, I was noticing things about Benny – his smile, the gentle curvature where his shoulders met his neck, the way he laughed at the stupid jokes I told, all things that made him...Benny.

 

I couldn’t explain it, couldn’t understand why now all of a sudden those things stood out to me. Not only did they stand out but I found I sought them out. I would compliment him just to see his beaming grin. I would punch him playfully on the shoulder just to touch him. I would pretend to read so I could watch him undress over the top of my book. And then tonight...

 

I rolled over on my side, wrapping my arms tightly around myself. Up until now I had been able to ignore this, to dismiss it as just enjoying his company as friends. Good friends. Very good friends. But feeling his body under my fingertips had made it suddenly very real, much more than merely friendship. I knew now what I had been denying all along – I was falling for him.

 

For him.

 

A guy.

 

Not just any guy. Benny.

 

I knew that wasn’t a problem for him; it was myself I was less sure of. I tightened my arms around my body at the thoughts that were cascading through my mind – thoughts of how it had felt to touch him, how I had gotten excited knowing I was making him feel good. How I had been more concerned that he not know about my feelings than the fact that I had those feelings at all. He shifted in his sleep and I glanced over at him, his peaceful features shadowed even as my eyes adjusted to the darkness.

 

Whatever this was, I needed to put a stop to it – if only long enough to figure out where my head was.

Comments

[kaatiya.livejournal.com]

I glanced over at Chris who was staring so hard at the book in his hands that I feared it would burst into flames...

Ha! Great line.

Wow. I really liked this. I always enjoy these kinds of fics, where one guy fights off his feelings. I don't know why, but I love 'em. Looking forward to reading more!

[ovielove.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yeah, those flaming books can be dangerous. ;)

I love 'em too...I'm all about the angst for some reason. What is that all about? Strange. But nice to know I'm not alone :D

[offside.livejournal.com]

I'm really liking this and I can't wait to see the next part; and I agree with kaatiya, I love these kinds of fics, and you're doing a wonderful job with it!

[kaatiya.livejournal.com]

Your icon kills me every time I see it. Awesome.

[offside.livejournal.com]

hee! it's the all-purpose expression! i love arrested development so much :D

[ovielove.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you're liking it! I actually have quite a bit written because it's kind of taken over my life (ever notice how some fics do that to you??) but I'm trying to pace myself so I don't bombard people with my stuff.

And thanks for the kind words :D

[skye-chan14.livejournal.com]

*pets them both*

[ovielove.livejournal.com]

*sniff* I know. Angsty. You know I love the angst. ;)

[skye-chan14.livejournal.com]

Eheheh. You and me both. ^_~

[ovielove.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, that's right! I knew that. Fellow angstophile (that's right, I made up a word :D) - we should form a club hehehe...or does 2mins4slashing count as an angstophile club? I think it does.

[skye-chan14.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure, it might! There's sure a lot of angst that gets posted! :D

[nefarious1729.livejournal.com]

oh wow, I love the whole part where Chris talks about the little things that Ben does...that was so adorable. and I loved this line, "Not only did they stand out but I found I sought them out."

I am seriously becoming addicted to this story and this pairing...love it!

[ovielove.livejournal.com]

Aw! *hugs* Thanks! I am totally addicted to writing this story, by the way, and this pairing is threatening my other favorite pairing for dominance in my crazy, mixed-up brain...so many hot men, so little time. It's a rough fantasy life, y'know? ;)

[ovielove.livejournal.com]

Yay!

Maybe now is a good time to admit it...I'm secretly putting subliminal messages in these so you all get addicted and then by extension grow to love the Caps. Because naturally, they're all hooking up with one another - that's reason enough to watch! XD

[x-jerseygirl.livejournal.com]

I glanced over at Chris who was staring so hard at the book in his hands that I feared it would burst into flames << I loved this. :)

I like that this pairing is with a married guy. Not many go there. I'm impressed. :D