WHO: Ben and Fitz WHEN: Evening of August 2nd WHERE: Ben’s place WHAT: Secrets revealed WARNINGS: Shower, hint of sexy times, talk of death STATUS: completed
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It came as shocking news earlier to Ben when work came to him that Hannah - the lovely young lady that he had met in the Community Garden a few months beforehand - had been murdered. She seemed nice (to him at least) and far from the type of person that someone else would want to hurt, but humanity always surprised him and most of the time it was not for the better.
While it had made him worry about his own safety, he worried about Fitz’s more. He began to be more cautious with things that he did, especially when it was night or early in the morning and he went out to their clearing to exercise or just get away from it all for a while. One of the ways he did this was to use what he had available to him.
His gift.
Most people just ignored the dozens of animals that were around them day to day, that bird in the tree or the insects in the room weren’t worth their time or effort, but to Ben they were useful. The extra eyes and ears that he needed to keep himself and those he cared about safe. This included Fitz. For the past week a series of birds had orders to keep an eye on and follow the trio of felines around the island, he assured the birds that the cats weren’t going to hurt them but to keep out of sight, just in case. Did he feel bad that he was all but spying on his boyfriend? Of course he did, but his heart was in the right place.
--
Fitz could hear the shower running when he, as Oliver, hopped down through the open window of the apartment. After changing back into his human form and depositing his backpack and jacket on the couch, he moved down the small hall to the bathroom. The door was open and he leaned in a little, ‘hanging’ from the doorframe. “Hey, honey, I’m home.” He teased.
While they both agreed that the relationship they’d had was still just ‘dating’, thanks to the unusual situation at home, Fitz did find himself sleeping over a lot more than normal. Some nights he stayed at Kyrie’s. Normally on the nights he went over for dinner where he’d curl up with her and snuggle while trying not to feel torn or awkward about his best friend in the other room. But, he while he wanted to help his friend, and help him regain his memories- so he tried to share stories and stuff to hopefully jog his memory (on the plus side, Ben got to hear a lot of the stories too which allowed him to get to know Fitz better). But still, he wanted to give him space to heal and Fitz himself was still dealing with the guilt of it all. So, he’d stayed more than a few nights of the week with Ben.
--
It was a weird situation but Ben was getting used to it, there wasn’t really any kind of time table as to what nights Fitz stayed over but he always left that window ajar, knowing that even if he had gone to bed that his boyfriend would let himself in and join him if he wanted. Hearing the stories about Fitz, Ezra and Kyrie really did give him an insight and Ben was just as open with his own tales, from boring ones about his childhood and summer camps to those about more exciting times in his life he was always happy to share.
A smile spread across his lips as he heard Fitz call out to him. Pushing the shower screen open he poked his head out. “Care to join me, mon amour? Or you just going to stand there and enjoy the show?”
--
“I could just watch you all day.” Fitz chuckled as he pulled his fingerless gloves off and proceeded to remove his shirt. “But I can’t pass up an invite like that.” Carefully laying his clothes aside once he’d stripped them out and placing his shoes neatly in the hall, he joined Ben under the warm water. One nice thing about being a cat was that he did tend to keep clean, but he still needed to shower when he could. He greeted Ben with a soft kiss.
--
Ben enjoyed his showers and seeing as he wasn’t paying the water bill he liked to make them long, especially after a long day or a particular strenuous yoga lesson that left him all sweaty. “Good, cause I’ve got this spot in the middle of my back that I can’t get to.” It was a joke of course because he could reach every little spot on his body without a problem, increased flexibility had its advantages. Getting the soap from the caddy he rubbed it in his hands sudding it up before starting to rub the bar and suds over Fitz’s shoulders. “Have a good day?” He asked.
--
“Oh, I think I know what spot you’re talking about.” He replied with a cheeky grin as he let Ben start to clean him. Fitz turned in the shower, giving the other man access to his back as he hummed slightly at the touch of those firm but gentle hands.
A good day? Could any day be a good day on the island? Fitz shrugged slightly. “It was… what it was.” He’d met Ehren earlier about the death of Hannah. He really wondered if they had tried harder to help her… would she not have been a target? Of course that was assuming that whoever- whatever was killing people were actually targeting them. And, of course, the ruling body on the island blamed The Faction, villainizing them. Most weren’t as concerned with fighting back as much as they were concerned with protecting those on the island and not allowing them to be taken advantage of. Granted, not everyone shared the same opinions. He often wondered if it was in fact one of his allies at work. “Just a lot of wandering around. Making sure Kyrie’s okay. Watching the hot yoga teacher.” Checking on guard rotations, peeking in on Faction members to make sure they’re okay- those who did and didn’t know he was a cat. Just the norm.
--
Those firm hands continued to wash all the skin that was offered, although he knew Fitz was pretty clean sometimes it was nice to just touch for the sake of touching and Fitz did seem to enjoy it. “Yeah… it’s right here.” He rubbed the soap over the spot just below and between the shoulderblades that was usually hard to get to.
It had taken a while but Ben was starting to fall into a routine, life on this island wasn’t as bad now that he had Fitz. Before he had wondered what he was going to do, how he was going to pass the days now that he didn’t have his studies and his volcanoes to keep his mind and body busy. Now, he had someone to care for, to fuss over. It was all so domestic and Ben loved it. “You really should stop watching that hot teacher, I might start to get jealous.” He joked, pressing a kiss to shoulder that was in front of him. The checking in on people Ben knew about, it was something that Fitz had said that he did to quite a few people, checking in on them and offering support in his feline form. “How is our darling Key going?”
--
He nodded. “As well as can be expected. Another death seems to have freaked her out- which I think it’s doing to everyone. And she’s been spending more and more time with that boyfriend.” Which Fitz still wasn’t sure he liked or not. “But, I think all in all she’s actually happy. For the first time in a while.” With her brother back and her first relationship. If Fitz’s ego hadn’t pretty much been killed over the past few years of being invisible he might have been jealous or worried she had no room for him anymore.
Fitz looked back at Ben as he leaned back into him slightly, letting the water wash off his back before he made contact with his boyfriend. “And how was work today?” He asked, laying a kiss on the other man’s damp neck.
--
That boyfriend of Kyrie’s worried Ben a bit as well, there was just something about that man that just didn’t sit right but he didn’t want to ruin her happiness, she was the closest thing he had to a sister on this island, though now she had her real brother back sometimes he wondered if he was still needed. “Death freaks everyone out, Hannah really didn’t deserve it.” Then again no one deserved to be murdered. “And I’m glad that she’s happy, even though I haven’t seen her in a while.”
The soap went back into the caddy and he took a step closer, arms looping around Fitz as he nuzzled into the crook of the neck. “I swear the students in my French class are forgetting just about everything in between lessons, at least those attending my yoga lessons have a basic clue of what they’re doing. Though a few of them are just there to admire the hot teacher.”
--
“We’ll have to do another dinner, sooner rather than later.” He smiled softly.
Fitz couldn’t help but laugh at Ben’s assessment of his lessons. “Can you blame them? I bet that’s the reason you’re French students are falling behind. Just showing up to watch you talk in that sexy way you do. Imagining what the words mean and that you’re talking just to them.” He painted the picture dreamily before laughing. His eyes closed with a sigh as he felt Ben close to him, those strong arms around him. “Maybe I should be jealous.”
--
Ben thought it was more that the younger students of his had no real interest in learning French but had to do it as part of their school curriculum, the adult students though were there by choice but Fitz idea that they were just there to listen to him speak did bring a smile to his face.
Stretching up on his toes he whispered in a sultry tone, emphasizing all the words as he spoke in French Why my love, does hearing me speaking my native tongue make you hot and bothered? A hand skimmed down a bit, resting over Fitz's stomach, teasing and playful. "There's no need to be jealous."
--
“I have no idea what you just said- well 80% of it. But I liked it.” Fitz turned his head, looking over his shoulder to see Ben with that smile on his lips. He kissed him gently, at the confirmation of not needing to be jealous. “I really don’t deserve you.”
Fitz placed his hand on Ben’s and turned to face him. He put a hand up on the wall behind him, and moved close, sort of pinning The dirty blond there. “But I’m so grateful someone thought I did.” He leaned in and started to kiss at Ben’s neck as a hand moved to his waist.
—
As that hand went up over his shoulder Ben took a step back until he felt the cool tiles against his back, not minding at all about getting pinned between the wall and Fitz, he wasn't going to struggle at all. "I asked if speaking French turns you on… but I think I know the answer." His head turned to the side, allowing the other man all the room to kiss and explore.
"The forces of nature must like you, or just thought you had been on your own for way too long, so they sent me. Though I'm sure if more people knew you, you'd be fending them off with a stick."
--
Fitz’s lips rested on Ben’s shoulder as he sighed softly. That needling doubt prickling in the back of his mind. If he’s not been hidden, would he have had someone else? No, he didn’t want to think about that again. He already had too many what ifs with Hannah. Fitz nipped at Ben slightly with those canines of his, careful not to leave a mark. “I want to think that I’d still have found you.”
—
That little nip made Ben gasp, they didn't break the skin and weren't that painful but he liked it when Fitz did it, the memory of the marks on his hips causing him to shiver a bit. He'd let Fitz do just about anything to him and he was sure the other man knew it.
"You've got me now, and I'm definitely not going to be going anywhere… except to the bedroom if you keep that up!"
__
“I think I like where this is going.” He moved closer, slowly pressing his form against Ben. His torso carrying that softness which almost made his skin appear smooth wit the coat of water that dripped down him. His hand moved from the wall and ran down Ben’s arm until his fingers slipped around his wrist. With a gentle forcefulness, he raised his hand until both arms were above their heads and pressed it against the wall. Meanwhile, his other hand move down and took purchase on the Ben’s ass. A move that created a reaction where the Canadian’s hips moved forward to create room and caused their bodies to press even more.
--
“Mmm, and that would be?” Though Ben was joking, he knew exactly where this was going and he liked it. His arms went above his head without complaint, while he knew he could just as easily break away from Fitz’s grip he wasn’t going to, he was more than willing to do anything and he liked getting pushed around by his taller boyfriend like this. A groan rumbled in his throat when their fronts pressed fully against one another, eyes slipping shut as his head fell back against the tiles. His hips moved slightly as well, teasing and half expecting to be told off, Fitz was in charge here, not him.
--
His fingers tightened slightly as he pushed hard up against Ben. Cheek brushed over cheek as lips brushed over his ear. “...” Fitz paused and started to chuckle, his head fell against Ben’s shoulder as his fingers released. “God I’m so glad you can’t read my thoughts when I’m me.” He shook his head, his first thought to reply was incredibly unsexy. He pulled back slightly and gave Ben a slightly ashamed look. “I almost just said ‘somewhere dark and tight’. Then I realized how actually unsexy that sounds- or maybe just way to ‘erotic novel’ cliched.” Fitz placed a hand gently on Ben’s shoulder. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been good at dirty talk.”
--
Ben was glad too, he couldn’t imagine dating or been around someone who could hear his thoughts 24/7. He had his own problems at times trying to push all the animal voices that he could hear to the back of his mind, turn them all into a white noise. It had taken a lot of time, patience and practise in the beginning but now he just let himself walk around in a meditative state, it helped a lot. “It sounds like a very badly written erotic novel.” He chuckled, giving Fitz a smile that hopefully said that he didn’t need to be ashamed. “Then don’t try, just tell me the truth, dirty or not.”
--
Fitz found his eyes making contact with Ben’s, his chuckles slowing. “I love you.” He admitted, “And yea, you’re hot and the sex is good.” He smirked. “But you’re so kind and good. And so much smarter than I am.” A small laugh escaped him as he reached back to turn off the water. “I know things have been… strange, and moved at an… well inconsistent speed. And I know I’ve brought a lot of chaos and complications into your life-” He took stepped out of the shower and passed Ben a towel. He tilted his head slightly. “Is it odd to say that I think despite everything, or maybe in spite of it all, I find myself loving you even more?”
He waved a hand as he grabbed the spare towel for himself. “Hear me ramble…” Fitz shook his head slightly. “I blame not talking for 80% of the day.”
--
He didn’t really think that he was smarter than Fitz, yes he was book smart but Fitz had so much more life experience and was more street smart than Ben knew he could ever be. Yes things between them had indeed been strange and odd in the beginning but he wouldn’t change anything. Taking the offered towel he listened as Fitz talked, taking in every single word as he dried himself off. “Chaos and complications only make it more interesting, who wants to be boring and normal?”
Outside of the shower he hung the towel back up on the rail and stepped closer to Fitz, a hand reaching up to run through his short dark hair. “You can ramble all you want to mon cherie, I love you Fitz, so much. Now… I believe you wanted to go somewhere dark and tight?” He smirked, offering a hand.
--
“God you’re so mean.” He teased, taking the offered hand. “This is why I love you.”
Fitz followed Ben into the bedroom. What had become familiar and regular had not gotten stale. Maybe it was still the ‘honeymoon’ phase of their relationship, or maybe it was because Ben was always up for trying new positions or ‘games’ and also quite okay with those quicker ‘I just need to feel loved’ times. But bed was never boring. It was fun, sometimes even funny. Intimacy could be intense sometimes, desperate, starving. While other times it was just ridiculous. Laughter would ensue and somehow they wouldn’t lose any of it. If anything it just brought them closer. That night was just as wonderful as the rest had been. It ended with Ben in Fitz’s arms as they fell asleep for the evening, just drifting to each others heartbeats.
----------
It was hard not to sneak out for a run like he normally did before the sun came up. Ben had joined him pretty regularly, but that morning he was still fast asleep. Fitz did slip out of bed and into the kitchen to quietly cook them some breakfast. Ben didn’t need him cooking for him, but it made him feel useful. He’d done it for years for Kyrie, so he was very skilled. Key. Even though he knew he’d see her soon, and he’d seen her just the previous day in the market, he still missed their routine.
--
The evening’s activities had worn him out and Ben had indeed slept in, there was a soft sound of complaint as Fitz slipped out of the bed but all he did was roll over and continued sleeping. One thing that Fitz would have learned early on was that when Ben was asleep he was all but dead to the world. He had already slept through his fair share of storms and more than one morning of Fitz’s pre-dawn runs but this particular morning it was the smell of bacon that caused him to stir, pulling on a pair of boxers he sleepily walked out to the kitchen, smiling at the sight of Fitz standing at the stove. “Morning cherie.”
--
He’d slipped on some sweats that Ben had and a t-shirt to cook in, not wanting to get any of the pops of bacon grease on his chest- of course his arms were open targets. Upon hearing Ben’s voice he looked back and saw the messy haired man join him. “Morning. You’re just in time.” He said, slipping the bacon onto the plate and then adding some scrambled eggs with cheese and tomatos. I was simple, but they didn’t have a lot to work with. A slice of toast cut in two finished off each of the plates. “Thought the bacon would wake you.” He teased, kissing the man’s cheek as he moved to the dining table. “The coffee should be done if you want to get us each a cup?”
--
Learning how to feed two grown men on one person's rations was a bit of a challenge but one that Ben actually enjoyed, despite Fitz's regular assurances Ben still always made sure that there was food available, even if they consisted of frozen meals that he had cooked previously. Another thing he was grateful for was the fact that he had a way to enjoy fresh coffee, it was only a French press but it tasted so much better than the instant variety. When Fitz said the coffee was ready Ben gave a nod, getting two mugs out of the cupboard and putting them on the table before returning for the coffee press and milk container. "You know, if you didn't always wake up so early I could make you breakfast in bed."
--
Fitz shrugged slightly as he watched Ben. “Old habits.” And habits kept him safe. “Been up at five almost every morning for a run, then home to make Kyrie breakfast before she had to go to work. Only exceptions were when one of us got sick.” And that didn’t happen often at all. “Then I’d walk her to work and keep busy until she got off, I’d walk her home and then dinner.” At least on the days she worked. Sometimes he didn’t always get her on the way home- but those were outnumbered by the times he did.
Fitz pulled a piece off his bacon and slipped it into his mouth, trying to get some of the items on his plate moved around so Ben didn’t see that he’d served himself less. Fitz didn’t mind. People fed the stray cats on occasion, he got leftovers from more than a few people who didn’t finish their meals at the diner and so he always managed to make due. But he knew that Ben would feel bad to see less on his plate, so he tried to not make it noticeable. “Though one day I may have to force myself to stay in for some pampering.”
--
Ben had noticed that there was slightly less food on Fitz's plate compared to his own but didn't say anything, it would only lead to some kind of disagreement and he never liked those. With knife and fork in hand he starred cutting up his own breakfast as Fitz spoke about his routine. "Lazing around, watching people, and making the occasional house call. Not that bad a life for a cat." Which was what most people thought that was all Fitz was.
"So, who lives out in that cabin in the woods?" He should've really kept his mouth shut.
__
“And incredibly boring for a human.” Well, sometimes. His routine could get a bit tedious sometimes, which was why when someone invited him to-
Wait.
What?
Fitz furrowed his brow and tilted his head slightly. “I’m sorry? What?” Not that he didn’t actually hear the question. Part of him was confused and concerned that it had been asked, the other part of him knew that it wasn’t something he was supposed to share.
--
"A bird told me it had seen a cat going into this cabin out there, unless there's another cat on the island I don't know about." Not that it was really any of Ben's business but since Hannah's death he had been concerned about Fitz and while the bird that had told him had kept its distance and didn't see if anyone else was in the cabin he had a feeling that there had to be someone out there.
--
Fitz tried not to be mad, he wasn’t mad. Ben’s worry and caution were understandable. He felt he had to be protective. But what he didn’t realize was that being protective meant putting himself at risk. And that was the last thing Fitz wanted to know.
For a long moment, Fitz poked at his eggs and pursed his lips, not looking at Ben. “If you’re trying to protect me- I don’t need it. I’m a very capable feline.” He said, continuing. “If you’re following me because you think that I was the one who-” Ever since that lawyer Roman put out there that it could have been a lion who’d killed the guards, he’d been paranoid and avoided his cougar form. “It wasn’t. I could never.”
Granted he’d not actually answered the question.
--
What kind of person would he be if he wasn't concerned about the man he loved the most on this island? He knew Fitz had survived for years here before Ben came along and would continue to do so long after, but that didn't stop Ben from worrying. Especially when he remembered the day they officially met and the assault on Oliver by that guard.
"I know you're more than capable of looking after yourself but out there you're still just a cat." He reached across the table and rested a hand lightly on Fitz's forearm. "I know it wasn't you, you were curled up in bed with me when it happened. I never meant to insinuate that it was." Had he put his foot in it so to speak for even bringing up the cabin?
--
Fitz put his fork down and ran a hand through his hair as he pushed away from the table with a long sigh. His big secret was going to cause a rift with Ben. Even if Ben tried to brush it off, the window had been cracked and the breeze was going to keep coming in. He looked up to Ben, he had to come clean.
But how?
“I was meeting a-“ Friend? Comrade? Ally? “Friend.” Though he wasn’t exactly close to Ehren, it was the best term for him. “Someone who found out about me thanks to a premonition he had.” Fitz ran his hand over his leg. “He knew Hannah. We-“ like a band aid. “We we’re trying to help her. Free her from the hold the government has- had on her. He felt guilty we couldn’t act sooner.” He’d leave off the floating consciousness issues for now.
—
His knife and fork went down onto the plate as Fitz pushed himself away from the table. He should have not said anything.
Did he really care who else knew about Fitz's identity? Well he was a bit cautious, 'loose lips sink ships' as the saying went but it would be hard to keep anything from someone who had premonitions.
Ben remembered how Hannah talked about how she was a prisoner, that she was on this island serving a sentence, he also remembered how nice she was and how she had managed to download all of his important files from his online cloud that were now saved on his laptop and hard drives.
"I love you Fitz, I just worry about you. And when I get told you're going to strange places it concerns me. I don't want anything to happen to you."
--
Fitz moves his chair to face Ben and took his hand. “I know. I understand. And I love you.” It had to be Ben’s choice. Letting him in on the secret could change things. He had to choose to be at risk for knowing. “Who knows about me and why I go where I go are connected. But the information, the reason… it could be dangerous to know. Being associated with me, someone who’s not supposed to be here like this, is bad enough. I don’t want to put you in more danger.” His fingers squeezed Ben’s. “But I also don’t want to lie to you anymore. Or keep secrets.” His eyes betrayed the conflict he faced.
—
He glanced down at their hands and then back up at Fitz as his boyfriend talked, Ben knew that just knowing Fitz was dangerous enough - the man who wasn’t there - but that part of him inside wanted to know, wanted to find out what was so important to FItz that it was worth the other man’s personal safety. He loved Fitz, no matter the danger that he may face for doing it, love meant loving everything - the good with the bad. “Mon amour, please tell me. Let me decide if it’s worth the risk.” Ben’s free hand reached up, cradling Fitz’s cheek as the thumb ran over the cheekbone.
--
He leaned into the comforting hand, eyes closing as he nodded. “I’m sure you heard the Mayor’s most recent speech? Calling out a group on the island?” Fitz asked, looking up to Ben. “The Faction.”
Like a band aid. “I’m part of that group.”
—
Even before the Mayor’s speech Ben had heard rumors of The Faction - a group of residents were sick of the way they were getting treated and wanted to do something about it. It was ten months now since he had gotten removed from his happy life and placed on this island, thanks to his developing relationship with Fitz he had stopped harboring those feelings of resentment towards the government but he could understand why the group had started up in the first place.
“Oui, I have heard of them. They’re sick of the way we’re all treated and want to make it a better place.” Or pretty much. “And you’re their little, secret spy.” It was more of a statement than a question, it was a good cover as no one expected a cat.
---
“More of a scout.” Fitz admitted. He never really got any active assignments. He sometimes doubted his reports were valued. But it kept him busy. “Only a few know who I am. Most because, like you, their powers tipped them off. Only a few others because of their role in the Faction.”
Fitz squeezes Ben’s hand. “I’m sorry… I hope you know I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to be at risk. Not because I don’t trust you. I haven’t even told Kyrie.”
—
Scout or spy, they were pretty much the same - keeping an eye on things and reporting back to those higher up the chain of command. It also explained why Ben had spied Mew hiding in the undergrowth around certain buildings on the island - reconnaissance. Maybe he could help, with his gift.
Sitting forward in the chair he pressed a kiss to Fitz’s lips. “Don’t apologize, you did to protect me but I’m a big boy and you’re worth it.” He offered a small smile. “Do you think they need help? Some spies in plain sight?”
---
That’s what Fitz had been worried about. “It’s not safe. Hell, even knowing someone in the Faction isn’t safe right now, much less being in it.” He said. While part of him thought it would be nice to have someone he trusted so much working with him, he also knew what it could take. It was different to bring in someone you didn’t know on a personal level but had observed. It felt completely different when it was someone you shared a bed with. “And I know you’re capable.” And had access to the one place he hadn’t been able to set foot in and could be his ticket in- “But it’s a big commitment and target you’d be putting on your back.”
--
Was there anywhere on this island that was safe? Ben didn’t think so, except maybe deep into the woods where their clearing was or that cabin the birds had observed Fitz at. With the death of the guard and most recently Hannah he could see more people becoming more aware of their surroundings, including him. But he wanted to help, all the residents were in the same situation here, none of them had asked to be here and if could help in some way. “Let me think about it. But if you’d prefer me not to be part of it, even for your own selfish means, please tell me now and I’ll forget about it all.” If Fitz preferred him not to become part of it, Ben would do that, he really did love him.
---
Fitz leaned in and gave Ben a small kiss. “It’s your decision, not mine. If you want to… I’ll support you.” Even if he was scared of him being taken away like Daryn had. “If you don’t… we won’t talk about it again.” Even if being able to share things with someone was a nice thought. “But take your time.” He smiled softly. “And… besides… should probably get back to our breakfast before it gets too cold.”
--
Joining this Faction and putting his own life in danger was definitely not something to be taken lightly and he knew that it wasn’t a decision to be made in a rush, he’d weigh the pros, cons and everything else before making a decision but knowing that Fitz was there to support either way made him feel a bit better about it. Maybe he had fallen too hard and too fast for the other man but life on this island wasn’t like back on the mainland, Faction or not anyone could be the next victim and who knew what lay ahead. Life was too short. “Breakfast and then we’ll watch a movie or something.”