Who: Brooke and Ben H What: Ben reveals himself for the first time to Brooke When: After Brooke’s Birthday (backdated) Where: Brooke’s Place Rating: low
Ben was beyond excited. He had texted Brooke and asked if he could come over. Once she had said yes, he felt the biggest flock of butterflies in his stomach - where they called a flock? Probably not. Even the question didn’t keep him from being nervous as he made his way towards her door. Would she be happy with what she saw? Would she suddenly not want to talk? Suddenly the self doubt was there, but he’d already knocked.
Whoops.
He manifested himself in front of her door as he waited, smiling, though it looked a little forced because he was clearly excited and nervous.
–
Brooke had enjoyed her birthday, and all the partying that she had done. Not so much the whole day after when paying for it, but the price was well worth it. Finally, feeling less dead, Brooke had been happy to see a text from Ben while also a bit surprised by his question. Last she knew he was getting better on the whole ghost situation, so maybe it was better? Or at least could be seen longer?
She wasn’t completely sure; however, she was still very excited to hang out with him. A bit surprised by the semi-feelings she had for the guy considering her normal way of doing things around here. Even without going all out, Brooke knew she looked hot in her jeans and top that showed some skin around her stomach. Usually, she had heels on out in public but being that she was home, she walked barefoot to the front door, holding her cell in one hand. Opening the door, she smiled at the sight of him. “Hey cutie. Come in,” she stepped to the side, letting him into the house that she now had to herself. “Definitely a very welcome surprise.” Brooke could say he wasn’t her normal type, but she found him to be hot and maybe it was time for a change than her usual since that never worked out.
—
He took a breath, his smile seemingly unable to leave his lips when he saw her. It helped that she had called him cute and not in the way Klaus sometimes called him cute which was the opposite feeling. “It’s nice to see you too. How are you feeling?” He knew the party had been a lot and while he’d been there for a bit, he hadn’t been able to maintain his image very long. It probably had to do with the fact that there was a lot of stimuli around so his concentration had waned at times.
– Brooke had to admit that while she was very used to getting all the attention from men, she enjoyed it in a different way with Ben. Something about him was different, and maybe that was why he had her attention in a different way than most people. A chuckle at his question, she gave an innocent little shrug. “I’m not hungover anymore or dying in my bed, so better than I was,” she added with a laugh. Also, she had not brought anyone home with her that night, which was a very big deal for her. Even if she and Ben were still not anything, she had decided to go home alone that evening. A first for her, and she was very proud of herself. “But how are you feeling being visible?” She asked, trying to figure out if he was going to fade on her at any moment or not. “I must say this is a belated birthday surprise I could get behind seeing you.” Brooke wasn’t even saying that to be cute or lead someone on as she had done in the past, she actually meant it. –
Blushing a little, Ben somehow managed to look both shy, but also proud of himself. “I’ve been working on it a lot. I should be able to stay like this for a while.” Which wouldn’t have been possible even a month ago. Ben was obviously very motivated. It helped, too, that the rules for ghosts in Madison were different than his own.
“If you want, I mean.” He had no idea if Brooke had anything else planned today and he realized belatedly he should have probably checked with her on that front. It was still worth it when she looked impressed.
“I thought maybe… we could go on a date? Like I could order food in… maybe for the both of us?”
–
Unlike before, Brooke could notice this time the bit of blushing, which amused her cause it was fun to make him blush. “The hard work shows, and I’ll have to make sure we make full use of this time when you’re visible,” she said with a smirk, allowing him to take that however he wanted. Though she would be lying if she said her mind did not wander that way considering her track record, but no, she was trying to be better with Ben, especially since she did like him. Brooke was trying to break the bad habits that kept her from forming anything romantic with people. There was also that part of her that she kept hidden deep, wondering if he deserved better than her. Actually, Brooke knew he did, but she wasn’t about to share that with anyone, especially him.
Brooke listened to his idea, raising an eyebrow as she looked at him. “Are you able to eat?” She asked a questioning look on her face since she didn’t have any clue when it came to him being a ghost. Then realizing she kind of left the poor guy hanging with his question, which normally, she had no problem with, but she felt bad on leaving Ben to wonder about her answer. “I would love to go on a date. I kept wondering if I was ever going to get the chance to go out with you,” she admitted, leaving out the part about how she normally would expect the guy to take her out, but once again, she was trying to be a better person than her old self. Also, the fact he wasn’t like most of her exes being that he was dead. “I’m fine with doing it here, and while you go get the food, I’ll dress up as if I would on an actual date.” Hey, Brooke couldn’t remember the last time she went on a date, so might as well make the most of it.
—
At her question about him being able to eat, he paused and looked a little surprised which probably gave away the fact that he had not thought about that. Could he? He didn’t know. “I..’m not sure.” He rubbed the back of his head while he admitted it. “But I guess we can find out together? And even if I can’t, it’s not like it would bother me to hang out with you while you ate.” Ben then wondered if it would be weird for her to eat in front of him. Then again, he was a ghost. Did that change any weirdness?
Ben hadn’t expected her to say she’d get dressed up though. That was like a real-real date. Even if he didn’t technically have lungs or a heart, he felt a rush of ‘butterflies’ go through him. How had he managed to get so lucky? “What’s your favourite food?”
–
Brooke couldn’t help the amused smirk on realizing he hadn’t even thought about it. While she was very much used to people jumping at the chance to hang out with her, it was cute the fact he was more invested in spending time with her than thinking about something like that. If anyone else commented like that about hanging out while she ate, Brooke would be bailing so quickly. But Ben had a pretty good reason, and it had nothing to do with being a weird creep. she didn’t have a problem with it like she would most other people. “I’m down for seeing if you can,” she said, hoping it did not turn weird or gross. Last thing she wanted was to see him throwing up or something like that because Brooke was pretty sure then she’d get sick. Not exactly the best first date, so she definitely did not want that. His question caused her to think for a moment before shaking her head. “Since you’re the one dead, and are going to be trying to eat, you pick. What’s one food you have missed while being a ghost?” Brooke figured she could eat whatever whenever, but he didn’t get that chance. “If this works, then next time, we can go with my favorite food,” she commented, smirking at the fact she said next time. Cause she was hoping this went well and there would be a next time since she liked the guy. –
“Something I’ve missed…” Ben had spent years dwelling on things that he’d just become sort of numb to missing out. It helped Klaus often over-indulged and Ben had to bear witness to it which could make anyone lose their appetite and regret choices. Then, of course, there was the fact he had died while still under the care of Reginald which meant he hadn’t eaten a lot of junk food unless they snuck it. Ben suddenly realized he’d never had a lot of different foods… the realization was a little depressing.
“How’s the Chinese food here?” He’d never had it save for an eggroll once and he remembered liking it. He also saw enough people eat it that he’d always wanted to try. “I know the guy who cooks there is really nice.” But beyond that, he had no clue.
– Brooke nodded at his comment, waiting with a hint of curiosity about what he was going to say. She liked the guy and she was curious about what he missed most since he ended up dead. Though it did make her wonder for a moment what her answer would be. The Maddox family always worried about their image had her feeling like she always had to look perfect. Also, did not help with having the queen bitch as her friend who would not think twice about making a comment if the ammo was given. Brooke had nothing but confidence; however, she still had her family issues. Pushing all that aside, she focused on him. For once, she wasn’t being the selfish person that she could be at times though she had been getting a lot better.
“It’s pretty good. Is that what you’re wanting?” She asked before turning to head into the kitchen without even waiting for an answer. Brooke figured he would follow as she opened up one of the drawers, pulling out a bunch of different menus. She flipped through them until finding the one she was looking for and set it aside before putting the rest back. “Who is the cook there?” Brooke really didn’t know, but she wouldn’t be surprised if she knew them. The chances of that were very high considering how she was. “Here you can look through that and see what you’re wanting to try or get if you had a favorite dish?” Brooke really had no idea. Moving to sit at the counter and setting her phone face down. A surprise to many since she very rarely put it away from her; however, she wanted to enjoy her time with Ben. —
“His name is Wen Kexing. He seems nice.” Ben didn’t know him a lot or anything, but the man seemed to be a good man and that was important. Plus he seemed to know what he was doing around the kitchen and that was very important. People seemed to like his food, so Ben had to figure it tasted good, right?
He looked through the menu, but he was arguably distracted by Brooke who looked pretty perfect sitting on the counter. He glanced up a few times and finally picked a few items. Most of them were guesses and he hoped he picked good choices.
“...Thank you, by the way.” He said suddenly after having given his order. “For being patient? I know the whole being dead thing is weird and annoying…”
–
Brooke bit her bottom lip gently in thought, thinking before nodding. The name was one she knew, but she didn’t really know the person. Not surprising she knew of them since Brooke knew a lot of the people around this town, then once in a while there were a few who she never interacted with like right now with Wen Kexing.
When it came to people and the way they looked at her, she always noticed, especially since she knew she was hot. Yes, she knew she had a lot of confidence and an ego, but hey, it was the truth. And with her good looks, she also knew how to get what she wanted with her charm and attitude. “Enjoying the view?” She asked with a smile unable to bite back the comment, knowing he was probably going to turn red or get embarrassed about it. However, she smiled, showing she didn’t mind one bit at all about him checking her out. Actually, she welcomed it since Brooke loved attention, and she definitely welcomed it from Ben.
Once he picked out some things, she moved off the counter and went around with plans to place the order for them. His thank you brought a raised eyebrow, trying to figure out his reason for that before he continued. “Weird? Yes, but I’ve never been a fan of going for something that is easy. This is definitely not easy thinking a ghost is hot, but here we are.” She moved and placed a kiss on his cheek, whispering softly as if there were people around who might overhear her, “And I think you’re cute so I’m fine with being patient and seeing what happens.” Moving away, she scrolled through her contacts for the saved number. “Not like I make things easy with my wild girl ways,” she admitted with a laugh before hitting the number and calling. Placing their orders, she then hung up the phone. “It will be ready in 15 minutes. Are you able to go get it? Cause while you do that, I’ll get ready?” Brooke asked, hoping he still had the strength for that or she’d text one of her friends to bring it, and she’d owe them.
—
She had been right - he did turn red at her teasing, but in the best of ways. He didn’t mind her attention, even if it came in teasing, and what made things even better was she was willing to be patient. This was particularly important because he had to get the nerve up to admit he was a virgin to her… because telling the truth was important, right?
“I can do that.” He’d practically agree to anything after the kiss, even if it was a simple one on the cheek. Plus he could also go back to ghost mode while he traveled which would save up his energy. “You can count on me.”