WHO: Ben and Jericho WHEN: 9/2 WHERE: Cookhouse WHAT: Flirting awkwardly WARNINGS: None, unless over abundance of awkward cuteness needs a warning STATUS: Closed
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They’d just wrapped up their last show of the ten-in-one and Jericho was starving. Bending metal may look easy, but it did make him famished. He was still in his costume, pants that were a bit tight and a vest that pretty much covered nothing. His compatriote was in a similar way, as he’d pulled the fire manipulator with him for food. “Your husband won’t be mad you ate without him.” He was sure Ben was just as in need of nourishment as he was.
The two men approached the cookhouse, a few of the shows that had let out early were already there to grab some grub, but a good portion of the Carnival would still be operating for another hour, until it started to get dark. Thankfully, those who ran the cookhouse liked to spread the time out for dinner to help them from being too rushed at one time. Or have cranky carnies ready for food. Stepping into the short line, they grabbed a food tray and walked down the small line. Typically, you ate what was cooked, while there were only a few ‘variants’ for those who didn’t eat meat, or those who only ate meat. That day they were having chicken pot pie with mashed potatoes and some cornbread. As Delia added the cornbread to his plate he smiled and nodded to her. “If that don’t smell good Ms. Delia.” Jericho said, taking a sniff of his meal. “Thank ya, mightily.”
He didn’t see the smile she returned to him as the two elementals grabbed a drink and found a seat to eat at.
--
Ben was in a similar state of hunger, much like bending metal took it out of Jericho manipulating and controlling fire in the way that he did always made him hungry afterwards. Often he kept a few apples in his dressing area at the back of the tent for these moments but when the taller man suggested they beat the rush to get dinner, it seemed that Ben’s stomach was definitely interested in that idea. “No, he’ll be fine, he’s probably getting his fill of candy apples and lollipops, as usual.” He chuckled.
There wasn’t much of a line and Ben had let Jericho go before him, although he had to admit that the smells were making his mouth water. The lovely cook that he had back in Paris was good at her job but did have a limited repertoire of what she could make, his time in Zion had opened his eyes (and his taste buds) to so many different flavors and dishes that he would never have imagined. “Merci.” He said as the plate of food was added to his tray, and yes he did see the smile that Delia had given Jericho and the way her eyes followed him as he stepped away. Ben gave her a small smile and when they found a few spare seats, he sat down opposite his friend.
--
Breaking his roll in half he looked at his friend. “What?” He asked, brushing his hand on his beard. “Do I have sumthin’ on mah face?” He set the roll back down and pulled his hair back, holding it out of his way with a band. “Why’re’ya given’ me a look like Lizzy gives when she’s got a secret she dun wanna tell me.”
--
Ben had tried not to make the look obvious as he started eating his meal, noting that Jericho had an extra slice of cornbread but it had obviously failed. He chuckled again as Jericho asked if he had food, or something on his face and shook his head a bit, not that he wouldn’t tell Jericho if he had food in his beard. “I think that somebody likes you… giving you extra cornbread.” He pointed it out with his fork.
--
“Huh?” He looked down. Sure enough, he had 2 slices of cornbread. Had he noticed at the time he’d probably say something. Jericho looked back to the line of people and then back to Ben. “She prolly wasn’t payin’ attention, or thought one slice was cut too small.” They weren’t. He shook his head as if the other man had been seeing something. “Ms. Delia’s just kind folk.” He dug his fork into the pot pie and pulled out an assortment of meat and veggies and shoveled it into his mouth.
--
What Jericho didn’t know was that Ben still had a good view of the serving area and that Delia was still looking in their direction when she had a few moments in between serving people. “She is, she knows that the strong man needs to eat more to keep up his strength.” Ben said, a gesture with his fork before starting on his pot pie. Maybe there was a small smirk there as he put the forkful into his mouth, maybe there wasn’t. But it didn’t stop an idea from forming in his head, Jericho and Delia should sit down one day, just the two of them, and talk.
--
Jericho just grunted and continued to eat. Delia was nice, good with Lizzy, but he’d never seen her as more than a friend or teacher to his daughter. He’d not really considered any woman in such a way as he feared Ben was insinuating since his Nora. His life had been too focused on being a good father and what was important for her. It didn’t leave him much time to consider what he might want.
Of course, now that Ben had put that thought in his head, he was thinking it. Delia was a fair bit older than he was, but that didn’t matter none as she was still beautiful. She was kind and intelligent. Jericho pointed his fork at Ben. “Yer jus’ seein’ shapes in clouds on a clear day.”
--
Ben wasn’t really insinuating anything, he had just noticed the little looks and knew that both Jericho and Delia were lonely and had suffered a great deal of loss in their pasts. And as far as he knew the two adults didn’t see much of each other outside of Lizzy’s lessons or when it came to things relating to the youngest Wells.
“I did not say a thing, shapes in clouds or otherwise… but there is no harm in just sitting and talking with her after she has finished working, no?” Another mouthful of food. “And I don’t mean talking about Lizzy.” Because he knew that’s what Jericho would do.
--
Jericho huffed and shook his head, coming off as the large quiet lug many viewed him as. He did typically talk in large social situations, even his show tended to have few words as the “dumb strong guy” was a character that typically garnered other men to underestimate him. He’d learned from an early age to just shut up in public as his family wasn’t very welcome in town thanks to their mixing of races. But one on one, he could hold his own. When he had something to say.
He ate a bit more before speaking again, breaking the silence between the two men. “Even if I’d be inclined ta do sumthin like that, she’s prolly got too many things keepin’ her busy anyhow.” He said as an excuse.
--
Ben had learned that Jericho was far from the ‘dumb strong guy’, they had been friends for a few years now and knew how hard it was sometimes for others to see past their personas from the carnival, hell he still had people who would talk slowly to him as if he couldn’t understand them despite the fact his grasp of the English language seemed to be better than their own.
“Offer to help her somehow. Clean up the dishes, wipe down the tables or reach for those items up high that she can not get to. I am sure that she will not mind your company, not in the least.” Ben suggested, ripping into his own piece of cornbread.
--
Another long silence as the two ate and Jericho acted as if he weren’t considering Ben’s suggestions.
“Even if I could get her time,” He paused and gave Ben a look. “Not that I’m considerin’ it. But if I could. Ah dun even know what I’d talk ‘bout. She’s got so much more learnin’ than me an’ all I got in my life is Liz.”
--
The silence was anticipated, they were eating after all and the less talking they did the quicker they would finish their meal, which was doing a great job at filling the earlier hunger, plus the meal was delicious as usual. It was hearty and homely and Ben never left there still feeling hungry.
Ben nodded as Jericho spoke, trying to find something to talk about could always be difficult. “You could ask her how she came to be in Zion, and tell her of your own journey here. Or where she lived when she was a child.”
--
His luck he’d end up talking about Nora. Using the bread to clean up the rest of the pot pie filling, he finished his food and washed it down with a long drink. “If you’re done I can take that for you.” Her voice was soft and that proper sounding British accent always made her sound like she belonged somewhere better than the dirt floor of a carnival and also welcoming and caring at the same time.
Jericho looked up and saw Delia standing there with a small smile on her face as she reached down to take the tray in hand. Quickly, he wiped a hand down his beard in case there was any food bits or anything. “Thank ya kindly.” He replied to her. “Food hit the spot jus right.” The elemental told her with a tip of the head. “As always.”
Delia hesitated a moment, before nodding a thank you. “I’m glad you boys enjoyed it.” Jericho didn’t notice how she’d blush ever so slightly when she looked at him. He was practically shirtless so it was a bit hard to ignore his torso, still firm from the work out the show gave him.
Just as she started to turn away, Jericho looked from Ben- who seemed to have an expecting look on his face- back to Delia. “Ms. Delia.” She turned to look at him with a hum. “I-i was wonderin’, or lookin’ ta offer some help cleanin’ up after supper t’night. Figure these hands could be good doin’ dishes.”
“Oh. I appreciate the offer, but we can handle it. No need to inconvenience yourself.”
“Wouldn’t be an inconvenience atall. I’d be happy ta help.” He insisted, probably a bit more than needed.
“Sure, I’d be very grateful for it. I’m sure the rest of the staff would appreciate the help as well.” She relented with a blushed smile as she left their table.
Jericho watched her walk off a moment before looking over at Ben. “Okay, what isit now?”
--
Ben watched the exchange, of course he noticed the slightly awkward interaction between the two of them, reminding him in a way of his own youth when he was supposed to be wooing and courting the rich young ladies at the parties that he frequented, those times before he realized that his interests weren’t in the the young madamoseles.
He quickly finishing off the last few mouthfuls of his pie and passed the tray to Delia, giving her a smile as he did although he could see that her attention was more focused on Jericho, but who wouldn’t be drawn towards the metal elemental, especially when the mountain of a man wasn’t wearing much.
Eventually Delia accepted the offer of help, blushed and left. There was definitely a smirk on Ben’s face now. “Nothing. Very well done. You may want to get changed before supper is over though.”
--
His brow furrowed a second and he looked down to his exposed torso and cleared his throat with a nod. “Er- yes yer prolly right.” Jericho nodded, getting up from the table. “I’ll talk to ya later.” He said, turning away from the table.
The big man paused a moment before he left, turning his head slightly back to Ben. “And thank ya.” He then left without waiting for a reply.