Who: Ben and Fitz What: Meeting the Locals When: December 2nd, evening Where: Downtown Las Cruces, then their wagon Rating: NSFW Status: Complete
“Monsieur, I have been waiting on you.” The accent was fake and teasing as the young man sauntered up the steps of the wagon. He was dressed in the typical Edwardian fashion, but with a bit more of a bolder choice in color than most. His dark currant colored jacket with matching tie was quite a statement. A hand held out for the other man as an invite to join him.
Fitz had taken advantage of the small town near the Mexican border he’d gone out to help advertise their arrival the previous day and it seemed like most of their patrons might be from the nearby towns over the border. This could cause a bit of an issue for the Bally’s if people didn’t speak the language, but Fitz decided it would be fun to take advantage of things and use it as a chance to pick up some new phrases. While also getting a night out on the town with his best gent.
A smile spread across Ben’s lips when he saw Fitz sauntering towards him, this man was beautiful and sometimes - like at that moment - his mouth had gone dry by the swing of those hips as he walked, not that he needed a reminder of why he had fallen in love with the younger man but it didn’t hurt. They had seen one another only a few hours beforehand when Fitz went into the town while he stayed behind to make sure things were set up and ready for their first shows.
“Have you, mon amour?” Ben asked, leaning against the wood of the wagon, he had sat on the small landing at the top of the stairs for a while reading a book, despite the fact it was the beginning of winter he was going to enjoy the fleeting sun while it lasted.
“Most my life.” He smirked as both a loving sentiment and gentle tease at the amount of prep it sometimes took for Ben to prepare as a ‘proper gentleman’. It was one of those things that still showed there had been a difference in their social status’. Though Zion tended to make everyone even. Roustabouts were just as important as performers.
Fitz stepped up to Ben, his hand slid down the other man’s arm and down to free him of the book. He held it up, regarding it slightly. “Unless you think this thing can entertain you more than me?” He let out some air dismissively and tossed the book through the cracked door of the wagon. His hands took Ben’s and he stepped back off the step with a grin. “Come on, let’s go see the locals. Don’t you wanna learn how to say “I’m on fire” in the local tongue?” He laughed.
Most of the time when they were just around the grounds of Zion Ben didn’t bother getting dressed up, especially when working as he was sure that most of his good clothes would get ruined by his fire tricks. The only real times he was able to wear something a bit fancy was for church on Sunday mornings and the rare moment the two of them got to enjoy some time out together. Ben would admit that sometimes he did miss the fancy galas and soirees that they used to attend back in France, but he had made his choice and that was Fitz.
“It did a good job while you weren’t here.” He gave both of Fitz’s hands a gentle squeeze as an eyebrow raised, of course he preferred his boyfriend to a book any day but he also loved teasing him at times like this. “And mon amour, you were quite entertaining this morning. You know I love it when we baiser.” He purred, using the French term made it sound a lot less vulgar than the English one.
“Well then it’s time to take our show on the road- well… not exactly that.” He laughed as he stepped down the stairs, Ben’s hand in his. Fitz began to lead the way away from the wagons and to one of the automobiles available to those who could sweet talk Louis into giving them the keys- or that the angry bear trusted. Thankfully in his role around the Carnival, he’d had a lot of practice on supply runs and had learned to operate the American auto.
As they climbed in, he glanced over to Ben with a small tilt of his head. “I hear they have this drink in town called tequila. Local favourite.”
They had already gotten run out of one country for giving into the fire between them, they didn’t need to be fired or deported from America for doing the same. “Only if you promise me we’ll get some time alone when we get back.” A hand was brought up to his lips and Ben kissed it before following Fitz, he knew his boyfriend had a way with words and it didn’t surprise him that he had managed to sweet talk someone into lending him the keys for the evening.
Getting into the car, he listened as Fitz spoke about this drink called tequila and chuckled. “One glass, maybe two. You remember what happened last time you had too much to drink.” And Ben wasn’t as skilled when it came to these mechanical marvels, back in France it was horse and carriage and getting driven around everywhere, sometimes he didn’t trust these automobiles. “Plus it makes you snore.”
“I was the perfect gentleman.” Fitz said, sitting up straight and ‘proper’, but unable to hide the smile and chuckle behind the facade. “Look, I was just thinking maybe we could bring some back for the Reverend- you know how he’s collecting stuff from all around. Maybe trade it for a bottle of the extra wine we all know he has.” With prohibition coming down the line he’d have an exemption for wine to be used in religious ceremonies. Fitz was hoping maybe he could secure a bottle or two in the future by buttering the father up now.
Fitz started the auto and took them into town. Once there, they found a bar and parked. “Okay, so here’s how we play this. You’re a rich business man looking to purchase some land nearby and I’m your strict accountant who thinks it’s a bad investment.” He said, hand on Ben’s arm as if he was being serious. Truth be told, when they went out Fitz had been the small and furry form so often because he was not convincing as anyone but himself. He was just too much to bottle up and hide. One of the reasons they’d gotten caught back in France.
Fitz was always full of good ideas, getting in the father’s good books and maybe swapping some of this local tequila for some wine that they could store and drink at a later date was just one of them. “I like that idea mon amour, the good Reverend always seems to be able to secure such delicious reds which are wasted on communion.” And Ben really did enjoy a good red wine on occasion, whites had to be chilled and anything cold was just unusual for him.
“Oui.” He replied in regards to Fitz’s plan, definitely a role he could play as he had done it for so many years before except that out here people didn’t know his name and they could be anyone that they wanted to be. “Expanding the family business from France, better land for cattle out here.” Or so that would be their story, and no touching which would be the hardest thing of all for Ben, he just couldn’t keep his hands off Fitz most of the time.
After the briefest glances around, Fitz placed a quick kiss on Ben’s lips. “Or you could just be the great Monsieur le Feu.” He smirked, brushing his fingers the older mans temple and across his hair. “And maybe we can get someone to teach us how to say it in Spanish. Along with ‘do you want a churro’.” He laughed before backing out of the car.
“Non, Monsieur le Feu wouldn’t have the type of money that these people would want.” He didn’t make a lot of money at the carnival compared to his old life but it was enough to live off and most things were provided for anyway. The kiss and caresse made him smile and a soft sigh escaped from his lips, he had to focus on the task at hand and not let the flame take over, not until they got back to the safety of Zion.
“But he may have the type of escape he could offer.” Fitz countered with a tilt of his head.
As Fitz approached the bar he did get some looks, granted he wasn’t ‘overdressed’ for the time, but the ‘loudness’ of his outfit definitely made him stand out. “I heard Wells has been arm wrestling guys after the show, that right?” He asked, a bit loud on purpose. Might as well drum up a bit of interest for the man with the most adorable daughter. “Guys actually think they can take the Iron Wells?”
Ben didn’t really fit in either, beneath the thick fur jacket that he wore was a tailored suit, something definitely way too fancy for a small town such as this but it was one of his favorites and it did go well with the persona he was going to play. “Oui, he has. People will do anything, even if they don’t know they have no chance at all, that is human nature for you.” He knew better than to try to best Jericho at nearly anything, the man was taller and so much stronger than he’d ever be but the two of them got along pretty well. Getting in closer he did whisper into Fitz’s ear. “If it was not for taking risks I would have never gotten you.”
“I heard one gent in Tucson almost managed to beat him.” Fitz said, it wasn’t actually true. Everyone knew the big man made a show of letting others think they would win. Granted, someone of actual strength might actually have a chance- assuming they spent most of their days working out like the performer did. “I will say though, the other acts are quite nice. Especially on a cool night.” His tooth caught his lip ever so slightly.
Fitz found an empty table and took a seat. It didn’t take long for someone to come see what they wanted to order. She was a pretty young thing, had similar exotic features like a certain dancer they knew. “Hello, love.” He said, his accent made it clear that both of them were a long way from home. “I hear you all have a fantastic local drink we’ve been told we just have to try.” The way she tucked her hair behind her ear and giggled slightly at the greeting made it clear that they’d caught her eye a bit- they probably made her a bit nervous. “Te-kwill-a?” He said, purposely mispronouncing it.
She laughed a little and shook her head. “No, es tequila.” She corrected him.
“Tequila…” He repeated with a nod. “Thank you. Yes, please. Two shots and two bottles of whatever beer you’d most recommend.”
“Oh, okay Senior.” She seemed to blush a bit as she moved off to get their order.
Fitz looked at Ben across the table, his foot gently bumping his underneath.
Ben sat silently during the exchange between Fitz and the young lady, even managing not to roll his eyes at the mispronunciation of tequila. He was in no way jealous of the way Fitz had turned on the charm for her, if anything it might've turned him on by it, just a bit.
"Terrible." He said softly once they were alone again, a smirk on his face showing that he was speaking in jest. Ben loved everything about Fitz and was actually quite proud of the way he could talk to just about anyone and make them feel like they were the only one in the room.
The foot under the table bumping back in a silent answer, toes rubbing just above the ankle as a flash of gold appeared in Ben's eyes.
Fitz had spent much of his youth and the time before he met Ben talking himself out of trouble or into work. Then had come the years where his only real social time outside of his boss/lover was running errands around town. Any other time they went out- he was much smaller and couldn’t talk. Then he’d messed everything up, caused them to run and he went back to hiding in Ben’s jacket. Since coming to Zion however, he’d been able to open back up. Be that charming person who’d been hiding. It had started slow, but it didn’t take long for him to get his quick tongue back.
“What,” Fitz said with a look of shock. “She’s cute. Seems sweet.” He smirked. Oh, Fitz flirted like he breathed sometimes- but his heart belonged to Ben. He just always hoped the fiery Frenchman always knew it.
It wasn't Fitz's fault that they had to run from France, Ben still blamed himself for that night, he just couldn't keep his hands to himself and the spontaneous decision to find somewhere quiet turned out to be the wrong one. Riches or not, they were still together and Ben hoped that they would be for a long time to come.
When Fitz was a stoat, mink or whatever other form he chose Ben could separate the man he loved from the animal curled around his neck but when Fitz was human, just his presence stoked that fire that lived inside of him. At least now he was better able to control it and not just give in.
"This tequila better not taste like the alcohol you made me try back in Kentucky, I still believe that was used for removing paint." And the most disgusting thing Ben had ever drunk.
“It was,” He laughed. “But come on, that cowboy was so…” Fitz pursed his lips as he heard the waitress approaching behind him. “That was quick.” He said, with a soft smile. “Always nice to have speedy service.” He looked to Ben for confirmation.
Once their drinks were placed before them Fitz thanked her, his hand casually lingering on hers as she handed him his beer. Again she blushed a little at the two men and hurried off. Turning back to Ben he took the shot glass and raised it to Ben. “Cheers.”
Fitz was right, the cowboy that had given them the alcohol was kind of cute, despite their monogamy they still appreciated the beauty of other people, there were no insecurities between them and Ben knew Fitz would never touch another and Fitz knew that Ben would never do the same. They were loyal to each other and no one could get between them.
"à la nôtre." Ben said in French, raising his own shot glass before tipping it back and downing it all in one go.
Later that night
Each of them had a bottle in their hand- one for themselves, one for the Reverend- as they stumbled through the midway. The Carnival was closed, but there were still minimal lights illuminating the walkways. Fitz with his arm around Ben’s shoulders, the warm arm of his lover across his back. The shifter held the bottle up in the air and squinted at it. “I can’t believe there’s a worm in it.” It was about the fourth time he’d commented on it since the discovery was made. Thankfully, the drive home hadn’t been that bad- mainly because there was only one automobile on the road. The promise to not drink a lot had gone a bit sideways when they were joined by two men from Mexico who were curious about where they were from. They exchanged some stories and learned a bit of Spanish.
As they reached the top step of their wagon Fitz looked at Ben, standing a breath away from him. “You know one thing I like about the winter?” He asked, reaching up his free hand to Ben’s face. “I get a man with the sexiest of scruff.”
Fitz was stumbling more than Ben was, he could hold his alcohol better than the thinner man but he was still well and truly buzzed from their evening on tequila. Ben was glad that most people were either asleep or in their tents or wagons when they got back, no one to try and take their precious tequila away. He just hoped that the Reverend enjoyed it as much as they had.
Opening the door to their wagon Ben gently pushed Fitz inside. "You tell me this every year, mon amour and I tell you to enjoy it while it's there because when it gets warmer I'm going to shave it off." He didn't really like the beard but it did a good job of keeping his face warm during these cooler months.
With the door now shut behind them Ben took the bottle Fitz was holding and put the two of them away in a safe place before turning his attention back to his boyfriend. "What do you want to do now, mon amour? We're finally alone."
Fitz draped his arms over Ben’s shoulders. His lips found the other man’s. He hummed happily. “Mmm… How about I see what I can do to help heat you up a bit?” He asked, taking a couple steps back, leading his lover. “That is… if you’re up for it.”
Pulling his hands down he took a few steps backward, pulling the jacket from his shoulders. “What do you say? Show me a… oh- what was it? Buen tiempo?” Fitz probed their table guests for words and phrases he could mix into his calls when he ran the games. Funny how such things had multiple uses. His hands moved to undo the buttons on his vest as he watched Ben expectantly.
Asking Ben if he was in the mood to 'warm up' was like asking if the sun rose in the east, the answer was always going to be yes. He let his lips linger from that short kiss before letting Fitz move away, it wasn't like he could get too far away in the small wagon they called home, he was sure that his bedroom back in Paris was bigger than the whole of this wagon. "Oui… S'il vous plaît!"
He watched as Fitz started to take off the jacket and then the vest, eyes never leaving Fitz's frame even when he started to undress himself, the thick coat was the first to go, followed by the jacket that he wore underneath. It was times like this that he was glad that all of his clothing could be unbuttoned and shrugged off, he didn't have to look away in order to pull something over his head. "I always have a good time when I'm with you, I love every part of you."
“Oh yes!” Fitz threw a hand up in the air. “I got it right!” He celebrated. He was also definitely inebriated.
Fingers slowly pulled at his tie as he shrugged off his vest. “So, I was thinking about that cowboy in Kentucky.” He said, wincing slightly as he struggled with the cuff links on his shirt. “So rugged in those overalls.” Fitz managed to undo a cuff, the metal link clattered as it fell to the floor. “And the way you laughed when-” He grunted at the other link. “I said- you should- get a pair. Bloody hell.” He held his arm out for Ben. “The bloody claps keeps slipping.”
Ben reached out, undoing the cufflink and pulling at the sleeve in order to rid Fitz of the shirt. "I laughed because you have problems with cufflinks, I cannot imagine you trying to undo all those buckles to get me out of them." He admitted, although he would agree that the cowboy did look very rugged in them.
With both of their top halves now devoid of clothes Ben pulled Fitz closer, hands moving down to begin working on the suspenders and pants. "Mm.. all mine." He said softly, looking up at Fitz standing in front of him. "Do you want to ride me like that cowboy would ride a wild horse? Or pin you against the bed?" A kiss pressed to that firm stomach as the suspenders hung loose and fingers began on the fly.
Digits ran through Ben’s hair as he watched the man work. “Oh my love, always.” He caught his breath as the other men loosed his trousers and pulled down his drawers, exposing him to the elements. Thankfully the older man had a warm touch. Even though he disliked the cold, he was always warm to the shifter. “But it’s cold out and I know you.” His hand slipped under Ben’s chin and he drew him up to meet his face. “We have a nice… heavy… warm… blanket there on the bed- or three.” He smirked. “Let’s climb in bed and you can have me till you’re worn out.” Fitz placed a gentle kiss on Ben’s lips. “I can ride you around the wagon anyday.” And he meant day as in warmer for his lover.
Ben's hands ran over the now bare skin, licking his lips as fingertips roamed. He knew that he was always warm to the touch for Fitz and on a cool night like this it was something the other man was probably grateful for. His hands stopped when Fitz drew him up, now standing so they were almost touching, with his own suspenders down he made quick work of removing his trousers and draws, not caring that they were in a pile on the floor. "Mon amour, you know me too well…" a gentle slap on the rear, Ben's eyes a rich gold color. "Get on the bed under the blankets, I will get the oil." There was usually a bottle near their bed but they had used the last of it.
Fitz did as he was told with a smile on his face. Finding Ben had been the best mistake of his life. The burglary gone wrong. Their romance had started as an ember that burst into a flame. A roaring fire that couldn’t be put out. When they first met, he was too cold and hungry to be his true self, he was meek and cautious. But Ben made him feel safe- even to a man who had tried to steal from him. He was young, practically a kid compared to where he was now, but he felt drawn to the older man from the moment he saw him. And now, he got to see him and be with him every day.
It was warm and cozy under the blankets, even he could admit it was cold outside. While they were no longer in the Arizona desert, New Mexico wasn’t really any better- though definitely better than the northern states. When Ben joined him he found his lips pulling in a wide smile. “Ah, love. Come here and show me what you have.” He invited, holding the blankets open for the man.
It had taken Fitz some time to come out of his shell but it was all worth it from Ben's point of view, one of the many things that had drawn him to the other man, he could have so easily turned the thief into the police but it was the fascination about finding another extraordinarie that had stopped him, another good decision and maybe one of the best he had ever made.
Climbing onto the bed he took the blankets from Fitz's hand, leaving them open for the moment, at least until the slightly messy part was over, after that they could pull them back up and go for it underneath. "You know what I have cherie, but I will happily show you again and again, whenever you want." He hovered on his hands and knees over Fitz, the oil still in his hand but forgotten for the moment as he bent down and pressed a hard kiss to his boyfriend's lips.
Fitz smiled amid the kiss a hand moving up to hold Ben’s head, fingers lacing through his hair. The hard kiss deepened as his lips parted, it wasn’t hard to tell how turned on the older man made him.
Memories flashed back to their time in France, how they had to hide so much. Granted, they still hid, but being a freak among freaks wasn’t nearly as bad as an outcast in high society. Truth be told there were a lot of degenerates in high society, the difference was they didn’t put themselves in a position to get caught. In Zion, they could be more themselves- sure they weren’t completely out in the open about things, but it was a worst kept secret.
He pulled his legs up on either side of Ben, giving him full access to his body. “I think I’d like ‘again and again’.” Fitz smiled cheekily.
Ben did have the opportunity to get out of the troubles that had happened in Paris but it had meant letting Fitz take the fall, say that he was seduced into doing it, but by that time Ben had fallen in love with Fitz and couldn't do that to the man he loved, he had given it all away for love and never regretted it.
It was pretty clear how turned on Ben was, his eyes literally gave him away and in the low light of an oil lamp it would still be clear to Fitz that Ben's eyes were deep gold.
"'Again and again' underneath me just like this?" He asked, more than happy to let Fitz change their positions if he so wished, this was for both their pleasure and not just for Ben. Before Fitz was able to answer Ben uncorked the small bottle and poured some onto his hand and fingers, moving them down between the other man's legs.
“Means I can look at your face.” Fitz said, gasping slightly at Ben’s fingers. His hands moved up, one resting on Ben’s strong shoulder, the other running down his chest. They’d experimented more than most couples probably did. Making love for fun and enjoyment and not for procreation. Fitz couldn’t help but think that if more people knew just how good it could be- maybe they’d be less likely to judge people like him and Ben.
There would always be people who judged them and Ben learned long ago that trying to please other people all of the time was just too stressful, all he cared about pleasing now was Fitz, and Fitz wasn't exactly difficult to please, especially in the bedroom.
The fingers spread the oil around, pressing in just slightly. Fitz was just so beautiful to him and sharing moments like this was always enjoyable, even when they went a little crazy.
"I love watching you when you come, I have never seen a more beautiful sight."
“Monsieur Du Terte, you flatter me.” Fitz laughed with a small moan. Ben had come a long way as well. The proper man, always watching what he said or did. He seemed freer, more himself.
That curl of his lingered on his forehead as his fingers explored the torso he knew by heart. Still, each time it was like brand new. He recalled his time hiding as Ben’s pet at parties, hearing people talk about how their marriages had grown boring and stale. He’d always read that as a euphemism, that somehow they’d lost the ability to please each other. It baffled him, in all the years they’d been together… things had never gotten boring or stale. Sure, they weren’t perfect every moment, but he never felt himself pulling away from Ben in a permanent way as some of those wealthy seemed to do with their partners. Maybe it was Ben’s unquenchable fire, or his outgoing personality. Or maybe it was just that they enjoyed each others bodies. It wasn’t just an act to get off, it was a connection.
Or maybe he was overthinking it.
Whatever they had between them seemed to work and Ben wasn't about to do anything that might put their relationship at any kind of risk, before Fitz he never thought that he would find someone that he wanted to be with forever, the women he had bedded or was introduced to he just found so boring but he didn't know at the time it was because he wasn't actually attracted to them.
The finger pressed in a bit deeper, getting the oil in so it would be easier in a few moments when he'd replace it with something much larger and thicker. When he was happy with the amount he withdrew this fingers, poured more oil over his aching length before putting the bottle to the side where it wouldn't get knocked over.
"Tell me cherie… how bad do you want this?" He whispered huskily into Fitz's ear as he positioned himself.
“My whole body yearns for you, my love.” Fitz breathed back, his heart racing. The smell of Ben, the sound of his heart beating, all of it added to his own anticipation. “It’s if I can’t breathe until I see you, feel you.” Poetic maybe, but it still felt like the truth. And it was a compliment the man deserved. “Can’t you feel me tremble in anticipation?” His tongue licked over his lips before they nipped lovingly at Ben’s ear. “Will you starve my body?”
"I can mon amour, I can feel you trembling for me… feel how much you want it…" A hand reached down to help him line up and he slowly started moving his hips forward, pressing the head into Fitz's willing body. There was a loud groan, it was a feeling that he would never get sick of, they fitted together so well that each time he still couldn't believe how perfect it felt. "Is this better?"
A gasped breath escaped him, followed by a moan as his hip tilted slightly to allow for easier and deeper access. “It’s perfect.” Fitz replied his head falling back with a smile as the pressure radiated pleasure through him to his own manhood. Reaching between them, he grasped himself in hand, stroking himself with the same rhythm as Ben. His other hand stayed rested on Ben’s shoulder, as if bracing himself.
When the rhythm had started Ben pulled the blankets back over them both, cocooning them in warmth. Lowering his chest down he caught Fitz's mouth in another passionate kiss, even with the tequila buzz he was in no mood to rush this, he loved it when they had all the time in the world to just get lost in one another.
Pulling back he whispered, "My beautiful Fitz… lain out under me, I love you so much."
Later
With their thirst and desire for intimacy with each other quenched Ben rested on the mattress of their bed, his heartbeat and breathing returned to normal after a rather lengthy love making session, he couldn't help that they were so in love that they couldn't keep their hands or bodies away from each other.
His head rested on a pillow, Fitz curled up against his side as a hand played with those dark locks that spilled out over Ben's chest. Most of the time this was how they went to sleep, though sometimes Ben would curl himself up against Fitz's back.
"Do you remember that time when my aunt almost caught us in my apartment? I don't think I've ever seen you change so quickly!" Not long after they had discovered their feelings towards one another they were sitting in the armchair, Fitz over Ben's lap as they talked. There was a jangle of keys and the sound of the lock turning but before Ben realised what was happening Fitz's human form had disappeared and he had a small fluffy stoat sitting in his lap surrounded by clothes.
Fitz chuckled. “We’re just lucky she didn’t see the clothes chucked behind the chair. I may have also been a little jumpy then.” He admitted, a finger trailing through the dark hairs on his man’s chest. He wasn’t a furry man, but there was just enough to mess with while they talked. “Of course, the fact that she wanted to see this ‘new pet’ of yours while also wanting your manservant to serve drinks was a bit of an interesting pickle.” Of course Fitz’s toothy solution to that meant that the stoat wouldn’t be looked upon favorably by his aunt after that point.
Ben was hairier than Fitz but it did help keep in some of his body heat, especially in the cooler months. He couldn't lie and say that he didn't enjoy it when Fitz's fingers traced meaningless shapes on his skin, especially when they were going to sleep or after their love making. "If I remember correctly, I told her that my man servant had gone out to run some errands and he would return soon." And yes, Aunt Brigitte didn't visit anymore after the stoat incident.
"We didn't have the clothing problem another time, you were already naked." That time Fitz was sitting in one of the plush chairs in the apartment and Ben was on his knees, ready to suck him off when someone tried to get into the room. That was definitely a mood killer. "We are safe here and I could not be happier."
“Freaks among freaks.” He said softly. “Aaand,” Fitz shifted positions, resting his chin on his arm so he could look up at Ben’s face. “Here, we can be who we are. Don’t have to put on a performance just so others will like us- well outside of the actual performances you put on of course.” He chuckled. “I was never good at pretending to be one of those upper class socialites- I was much better at those parties as your pet.”
Freaks or not, this place felt more like a home than anywhere else, they could indeed be themselves and often were, despite the odd look from other carnies. A hand moved up to play with Fitz's hair as he was used as a human pillow, another thing he definitely didn't mind doing.
"I know mon amour, if I hadn't insisted that you join me at one as yourself we might not have gotten caught and would still be in Paris." But at the same time he wasn't able to keep his hands to himself when Fitz was dressed up so proper. They couldn't change the past and he tried to forget some of it but not all. "You looked so beautiful in your suit though, it was no wonder I couldn't keep my hands to myself."
“It wasn’t your fault, love. I kept teasing you. If I’d tried to fit in more…” He laid his head down, looking away. “You weren’t the only one who couldn’t keep their hands to themselves. You said we should leave- I suggested we find a place away from the people. ‘Why wait’.” Fitz sighed. “And everything you had was… tarnished.” He’d wanted to turn himself in. Afterall, he was a no one. He could have easily taken the fall, done some time in jail. Ben never would have lasted, but Fitz believed he could have made it. Then, he wasn’t sure what he’d have done after that. But, Ben would have still had his reputation, his home, his family, his money. Not that he didn’t want Ben for himself. But what had he sacrificed? Ben lost everything and Fitz… he’d gained a wonderful man.
Hearing the bit of shame in Fitz's voice, he lifted Fitz's head so he could look his boyfriend in the eye. "Never blame yourself, I could have said non that night and we could have gone home, but I wanted it just as much, I didn't care about the risks and I thought we would be safe." Maybe at some other party they might have been but that night luck was definitely not with them. "Fancy houses, clothes and riches mean nothing, not if I didn't have you to share them with. You're the most important thing in my life and I will never give you up." He pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Fitz's lips.
He met the kiss with a shared love and passion. “I am so glad I broke into your house… my Hombre de fuego.” Fitz grinned, nuzzling against Ben’s shoulder. “Best mistake ever.”