Lost & Found

AN: Here you go, some porn for all of you! Oh, and I'll be doing an epilogue too, eventually. Sorry it took so long to get this up. It's been on my y!Gallery account for a couple days already... ^__^; Sorry! I use that yaoi gallery more than here cause over there I can reply to comments!





He should have been back the very next day. But life, as it turned out, was out to get him.

Jack hadn't been able to return to Ben and Myrtle's house for close to a week. The morning after his hormone-driven grinding session with Ben against the side of his borrowed car, he'd been awoken by the shrill ring of his cell phone, and the panicked voice of his idiotic secretary. She'd said someone in the company had been found embezzling funds and the threat of others taking part was a huge possibility. Jack had been begged to return early from his vacation to help deal with the whole mess.

He hadn't wanted to go back, and he certainly hadn't wanted to miss out on seeing Ben, but his job, regardless of how much he hated it, was still his career. He couldn't just abandon it in its time of need. Especially since he was basically one of the bosses.

Jack sighed and rolled his eyes at himself, shifting to a more comfortable position in his seat. His car was not cut out for long drives. The thing was just a show-piece, really. But Jack hadn't been able to find anyone else's to borrow for the trip.

With another sigh at himself, Jack flipped off the radio. All the preset channels were starting to sound static, and he had no desire to waste time finding something in this area. He was too distracted.

Would Ben be mad at him? Would Myrtle have been worried? He hadn't been able to contact either of them, since he didn't know their phone number, nor any other form of contact. The house didn't have an email connection, and Ben didn't have a cell phone, so Jack had basically just disappeared from their lives. It'd been torture.

And bullshit. Like some kind of stupid cliché, just when things were getting good, he'd suddenly been called back to work, drawn out of his fantasy land of sinful kisses and delicious home cooking.

But now, everything was squared away, and Jack was finally on his way back to Ben and Myrtle's house. Turning onto their road, even. In fact, their house was visible, now that he knew where to look for it, through the trees to his right. With a relieved sigh, he slowed and turned to pull up the driveway. It wasn't too late, just past six o'clock, so maybe Jack would be in time for dinner? Oh god, one of Myrtle's scrumptious meals. Her cooking was good enough to be called 'scrumptious', a word which Jack never used. Letting out a laugh as he pulled up alongside that all too familiar red truck, Jack shut off his car and climbed out, stretching contentedly. It felt like coming home.

Though, it had nothing to do with the house, and everything to do with the people inside.

Jack whistled some nonsense notes as he strolled up the incline to the front porch and rapped quickly on the door. Would Ben hug him? Would the teen fly into his arms, squeezing him tight and kissing his face? Jack certainly hoped he would.

After a moment, Jack knocked again, only to hear Myrtle's voice from inside. “Yes, yes. I'm coming.”

Then the door was opening, and there she was, looking phenomenally healthy. Jack was greatly gladdened to see her still lucid, and also seeming to have thrived because of it. Her hair was set in soft, gray curls, and she even had some make-up on. In a comfortable cardigan and cotton pants, she blinked at Jack in surprise.

“Jack? Goodness, dear, is that you?”

Jack couldn't resist. Beaming a wide smile at her, he dipped forward and embraced her warmly. “Hello, Myrtle. I'm sorry I disappeared on you.” He pulled back, still smiling. “My work got a little hectic, and I didn't know your phone number. I would have called.”

“That's fine, dear. But is Ben with you?”

Jack paused, tilting his head in confusion. “What?”

“My Benji? Is he with you? Have you seen him?”

A thick lump dropped in Jack's stomach, and his heart was suddenly racing. “He's...not here?”

Myrtle dropped her head into her palm, rubbing at her eyes. Her expression was tired. “No. Darn it, I was hoping for a moment that you'd brought him back.” Letting out a heavy breath, she stepped back and ushered Jack inside, shutting the door after him.

“Ben's...missing?” Jack couldn't get his head around it, and he briefly hoped he'd just misunderstood.

But Myrtle's words were grim. “Yes. He's been gone for two days, since Tuesday morning. I woke up and he wasn't in his room. I haven't received a phone call or notice, or anything since. I've called the police, and they're on the lookout, but it technically won't be enough hours of him being gone until tomorrow morning.”

Jack swallowed, chest growing tighter by the second. “But, the truck's still here. Out in the driveway.” That old thing was the only vehicle they owned, Jack was sure of it.

“Yes, the truck's here. That's why I'm most worried. He disappeared without a word, without his truck. How is he getting around? My biggest fear is that he's hitchhiking. Not all strangers are like you, Jack.” Myrtle looked close to tears, her kindly face drooping sadly. “They're not all so nice.”

Jack reached out to lay his palm gently on Myrtle's shoulder. “I'm sure he's fine. Ben's a very intelligent boy. He can take care of himself. You've brought him up right.”

Myrtle sighed again, bringing up a hand to lay over Jack's. “Thank you. I know that, but...I can't help but worry.”

Jack nodded sympathetically. “I can't believe he left without saying anything though.”

Myrtle stepped back to the hallway table, and lifted a small folded square of paper off it. “Well, he did leave this.” It was handed to Jack. “But it's not exactly reassuring.”

Jack opened the note, reading the two short lines of scribbled text.

Gram, I'll be back. Don't worry. Ben

“Well,” He muttered lamely. “At least we know he'll be back.” But it was a bitter knowledge.

Myrtle nodded with a sigh, seeming to understand what he was saying. “Come into the kitchen, dear. I'll make us some tea.”

Jack followed and sat at the kitchen table, waiting in contemplative silence as Myrtle fixed them both some tea. Only once she sat down with him and started drinking the steamy brew, did Jack speak again.

“I know you're worried, but I really think he'll be okay. I mean, I'm worried too, but Ben is...Ben. He had the know-how to take over this house while you were sick and keep you safe. Maybe he's just experiencing some of the teenage rebellion he couldn't have before. Growing up so fast must have been hard, so... He can't be blamed too much for going a little crazy.”

But Myrtle's face was pained. “See, that's exactly what I'm afraid of. Ben's ancestry... He has a family full of genetic mistakes, and I'm worried that maybe it's begun to corrupt him.”

“Uhmm...” Jack lifted a brow, not really sure what was being referred to. “What do you mean?”

Myrtle sighed, her fingers gripping her teacup and her eyes downcast. “Ben was abandoned as a child. His father left before he was born, some unknown drug addict who didn't want the responsibility, and his mother, my daughter, brought him here when he was five years old. She said she just needed some time on her own to find a job, but...” Myrtle shook her head, a soft sad sound in her mouth. “My Linda had never been right. Always issues in school, and then she dropped out. When she got pregnant, I wasn't surprised, as horrible as that sounds for a mother to say. She was only 17, as old as Benji is right now. But I had such high hopes for her. She straightened out once she found out, stopped messing around, stopped coming home stinking of alcohol and high on substances. She became a woman.” Myrtle paused, reaching up to rub at her eyes, which looked a little wet. “She became a mother.”

Jack was stunned. Ben had been abandoned? But... “Ben told me his father had been a firefighter and that he'd died in a rescue! And...and he said his mom died giving birth to him.” Jack swallowed. “They're not dead?”

Myrtle lifted a brow at him. “No, I still get the occasional call from my Linda, not that Benji knows, t'would be too hard for the boy, but the father is probably off somewhere in the city. I never found out who he was, other than an irresponsible lout.” There was anger in Myrtle's gentle voice, and Jack was surprised to hear it from such a sweet woman. “Ben knows his mother is alive, and he knows his father is unknown. He always was such a curious boy, and I couldn't stand to lie to him for his whole life. So I told him the minimum of what he needed to know.”

Jack's forehead furrowed. He didn't like this feeling. “But...why would he lie to me? I thought we...” Jack trailed off awkwardly, aware he was dangerously close to revealing something too intimate. And anyway, when Ben had told him that, they hadn't been...intimate. Emotionally intimate, not physically. Because, yes. They'd already been physical at that point.

Myrtle was giving him a somewhat exploratory look, but she continued, sipping from her tea cup. “Benji isn't usually deceptive, but he's never been fond of his childhood. Oh, he loves me well enough, and before I got sick, he had nothing to complain about. But the poor child, he's still hurt by what his mother did. He knows she left him behind willingly. He has abandonment issues, I'm afraid. And it makes me feel just awful, knowing I too basically abandoned him for so long. I fear that he's somehow become bitter against me.”

Jack sat up straighter in protest. “But you were sick! He had to of known that you didn't choose to become that way.”

Myrtle took a deep breath and let it out slowly, her lips tight with regret. “He does know it wasn't my choice, yes. But he's such a sensitive boy, and I imagine being left on his own to care for me in that state made him feel like I'd left him. And I'm terrified that now he's become infected with the same wildness his mother had. What if because I was sick, he's been pushed past his limits? What if he becomes just like his mother?”

Jack reached over and gave Myrtle another hug, wishing he could say something to make it better, but knowing no words were adequate for this kind of pain. Instead he pulled back and gave a determined smile. “I'll help you find him. I'll use everything at my disposal to help find him.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jack jolted to awareness as he drove nearer to his house. Someone was sitting on his front steps. And if had to wager a kidney, he'd be more than happy to say it was Ben. He slowed further, pressing the garage door opener attached to his visor, and then pulled into his now open garage. Glancing over as his car crawled up the smooth concrete, he saw the person occupying his stoop staring back at him. Though with his exterior floodlight shining brightly behind said person, Jack couldn't make out any facial features. He was pretty sure the person was male though. The shape was too angular to be female.

His movements were shaky as he brought his vehicle to a stop inside the single garage, throwing it quickly into park and shutting off the engine, all while trying to suppress the anxiety and excitement that had his hands shaking. Ben! Oh sweet Christ, please let it be Ben and not some random streetwalker.

He all but bounced out of his car, only stumbling back to grab distractedly at his keys and the spare garage door remote. Stepping back out to the driveway, he crossed to the miniscule yard and stone pathway in need of sweeping, stopping as he met eyes with the person sitting so dejectedly on his front step.

Ben. Yes, it was Ben.

Jack gave a happy sigh and stepped forward, unable to keep from sweeping the lanky teen up into his arms and embracing him fully. “Ben...” He breathed, nuzzling nose first into Ben's soft, musky skin. His lungs were filled with the familiar scent of his soon-to-be lover.

Oh yes. Very soon-to-be.

Jack pulled back, sultry words on the tip of his tongue, ready to sweep Ben inside and do all the things he couldn't do back at Mrytle's house, under her kindly gaze. He was so excited, he didn't even care why Ben was here. Obviously, Ben had run away from home because he hadn't been able to deal with his own lusts. The teen had probably been pining for him, craving him. Just as Jack had been craving in return. Ben must have hunted him down, intent on seducing him and taking his rightful place in Jack's heart.

But upon meeting Ben's iridescent green eyes, the words died in Jack's throat. Ben's expression was not one of a yearning lover, but that of anger. An all too familiar expression, that Jack had seen numerous, unforgettable times.

Rage.

“Uh...” Jack tripped over his words, not quite sure what to do with such an expression. “Are you okay, Ben? What's-?”

But Ben shoved him away, hard, and Jack was stumbling back to land roughly on his ass in shock, skidding across the stone and no doubt fraying his trousers. Ben glared daggers down at him, breath coming quick and sharp, and Jack could see there were tears in those gorgeous eyes. All he could do was blink up in shock, knowing the best course of action was no action at all. Not when this Tempest appeared.

And sure enough, Ben's hands were balling into fists, and there was a sharp intake of air followed by ragged, angry words. “You asshole! Promising me you'd come back, and then just leaving me like everyone else! You're no better than I thought! You-” A foot came flying at Jack's bent waist, and he rolled away to avoid it, leaving a cursing youth stamping at his side. “Jerk! Bastard! No-good, fake-ass hero punk, making me think you were actually going to keep your word! Why even lie?! You could have just left without a word, and then I wouldn't have gotten my hopes up! Just leave and it would have been the same as before and no one would have gotten hurt!” Ben kicked again, his leg flying fast to Jack's ribcage.

But Jack anticipated this, and grabbed hold of Ben's ankle, twisting it and wincing when Ben cried out in surprise and toppled down on top of him. But Jack was anticipating that too, and he caught the teen as gently as he could, pinning those lanky arms to Ben's side to prevent any punches that were surely coming next.

But Ben just crumpled against him, fists tightening around handfuls of Jack's shirt and that wrathful face burying into Jack's neck. “Asshole.” He sobbed, shuddering and breaking down into the most gut-wrenching weeping Jack had ever heard. “Why didn't you come back?”

Hearing such a distraught tone, Jack knew instantly why Ben had left home. To find him. To take out that anger and loneliness out on him.

And Jack was fine with that. Enfolding the quaking teen in his arms, he pressed his cheek to Ben's temple, his voice low and soothing. “I'm sorry, Ben. I'm so sorry I left you. I will never do it again.” He kissed where his lips were close gently. “I promise.”

After more gasping, shaking sobs, Ben calmed somewhat, and Jack helped gather him up, doing as best he could to help them stand, even though Ben was mostly loose limbs and bleary eyes. He escorted the teen up into his house, unlocking his front door and bringing them both inside.

After using a hand to flip on the light and close the door to lock it, his free arm still wrapped around Ben's shoulders, he brought both arms together and held Ben tightly. “I meant it, Ben. I'm so sorry.”

A muffled mutter from those pouted lips was too garbled to understand from where Ben's mouth was pressed to Jack's chest.

He pulled back slightly, looking down at Ben's red face. “What did you say? I couldn't understand.”

Ben rubbed fiercely at his nose, snorting and coughing to clear his throat. “...Why...didn't you come back?”

Jack pulled him close again, smoothing his fingers through Ben's thick hair. “There was a problem at work. Someone was doing illegal things, and I had to go fix it. I went back to your house earlier and found out you were missing. I only came back to get some clothes and contact information of friends I have on the county police force. When I saw you on my stoop, and I knew right away it had to be you, I was so relieved. So so relieved.” He squeezed tighter. “Jesus, Ben. You have no idea how worried I was when your grandmother told me you went missing. She told me...some other things...but I'm just glad you're safe. If I had known your number, I would have called you as soon as I knew I wasn't coming back the next day. I'm sorry, Ben. Please don't be mad at me.”

Ben didn't answer, and Jack stole a look to his face, seeing nothing but that trademark stubborn slant set to Ben's lips. And those green eyes looking anywhere but at Jack's face. He snorted softly to himself. Of course, Ben wouldn't be anything but angry. Jack was fine with that. “How did you find my house?”

Ben sniffed, clinging to Jack's chest. “...I took one of your business cards from your wallet. It had your work number on it. I called and talked to your secretary.” There was a soft, derisive laugh. “She's really an idiot. I just pretended to be your nephew and she gave me your home address without even checking up on me. Good thing I'm not a murderer.”

Jack rolled his eyes. That secretary of his, he really was sick of her. Nothing but a bimbo with legs and boobs. He really needed to get rid of her. But one good thing came from her naivety. Ben had been able to easily find him because of her. Though, had he hitched? Like Myrtle had suspected? “How did you get here without your truck?”

“I used the money I had saved up to take a bus here. But the schedules were so damn hard to figure out, and took so long to get here. I thought it'd only take a day. I even had to sleep in one of the bus station bathrooms last night. But...I'm here now, so everything's fine.”

Jack agreed quickly, laying his lips gently to the side of Ben's neck, who shivered in response. “Yes.”

Turning away and moving Ben to one arm, Jack played with the light switches by the door and flipped the one in the stairwell on, and the one above them off.

Ben shifted at the change of lighting, and Jack watched him slowly look up, his eyes widening. “This...Isn't it...?” His mouth formed an 'o' of surprise. “Isn't this an apartment building?”

Jack glanced down at him, seeing the shock on Ben's face. Then he turned to look at his foyer. “An apartment? No, this is just my house. A three-floor brownstone.” With paisley wallpaper and finely framed paintings adorning the walls, and his mahogany stairs leading up to the main floor. He gestured to the hallway by the stairs. “My laundry room is down there, and the furnace room too. The pantry is on the other side of the hallway. Over there,” He pointed to a door at their side. “Is the garage.”

“But...” Ben gawked at him through watery eyes. “It's huge! Aren't houses in the city supposed to be small? Aren't they apartments? Tiny, cramped, one-bedroom apartments all crammed into a creaky building? How do you afford this place?!”

Jack couldn't really see what the big deal was. It wasn't that big a place. “Well...This is pretty standard for someone like me. All my coworkers have houses about the same size.”

For the first time, Ben gave him a look loaded with something like nervous suspicion. “What do you do? I thought you were just an office worker.”

Oh. About that. In Jack's defense, he'd never really broadcasted his profession, because really, what did it matter? But now he nervously rubbed at the back of his neck. “Uh...Well, I'm one of many CEO's for my accounting firm.”

Ben stared back at him. “A CEO? Are you shitting me? And seriously, your accounting firm?” Then he let out a humorless laugh. “Fuck! Now I know why it was so easy for you to toss your money around for me and Gram!”

Jack wasn't quite sure how to react. Ben didn't seem angry, per se. But there was an air of feeling left out in the teen's voice. Of being left out of the secret. Though Jack couldn't help that he didn't like his job, or talking about it. All he did all day was sit in his stuffy, boring office with his employees milling in and out, leaving him complaints he could do nothing about, even though he wanted to. And not like he'd ever have anything interesting to share with Ben anyway. Nothing but paper memos, and office sexual harassment suits he'd have to deter, and lazy employees he'd have to fire. How was that interesting?

“Though...” Ben's quiet tone drew Jack's attention back to the teen in front of him. “I guess if it's office stuff, then it probably be boring to someone like me.”

Jack sighed, rolling his eyes to the side. “Believe me, it's boring to anyone. It's boring to me! I don't want to talk about that stuff when I'm with you.” He couldn't help but notice how Ben's cheeks darkened slightly. “You're so much more interesting to me. And I think I'm more interesting when I'm not talking about my work. I mean, how captivated would you be if I started discussing how difficult it's been lately to calculate the loss ratio of reconfiguring our capital gains to the ratio of our annual yearly gross pay after terminating a whole floor of workers. Or what-”

“Stop.” Ben snapped sharply, looking at him with one brow raised and mild disgust in his eyes. “Jeez, okay, I get it. I don't even understand what you just said, and I'm already falling asleep.”

Jack snickered, amused at Ben's expression. Just like a student who hated math, stuck in a Geometry class and at the point of being bored to tears. Still snickering, he ruffled Ben's hair with his fingers. “See? Told you.” Being this close to Ben, Jack was slowly growing more aware of how Ben had this subtle sour scent about him. Trying not to be crass, because really, it wasn't too bad and didn't bother him, he asked, “You said you spent last night in a bus station right? Well, when was the last time you showered?” He quickly followed with, “Or ate properly?” Hoping Ben wouldn't think he was being rude. Really, he was just concerned.

But Ben's cheeks darkened further, and those eyes grew hot. “Are you saying I stink?! Well sorry, we can't all go around smelling like fucking daisies and-”

Jack swiftly cut off the tirade with a silencing kiss, wondering why it'd taken him so long to do just that. He'd missed Ben's sweet mouth. His sweet, sweet mouth. God. Jack groaned, tilting his head to deepen the kiss, and eating up Ben's resulting moan.

He could lead the teen back, push him down to the stairs, which were thickly padded, and strip off those dirty jeans, spreading those long, lean thighs he knew from his memories, and fuck him. Actually, what was stopping him? Careful of his movements, he slowly lead Ben backwards, one eye slit open to look over the teen's shoulder.

Almost there...

But Ben was abruptly protesting, pushing at his shoulders, making small noises and turning his head away. Jack blinked at him, missing his mouth already, but noticing how uneasy Ben looked.

“Need a shower...” He muttered almost shyly.

“You smell fine.” Jack tried, bending back down for another kiss.

But Ben still turned away. “Want a shower...”

Jack flushed, stepping back quickly. He'd been acting like a brute. Dear god, and why did he even assume Ben would be ready to sleep with him? The other night, when Ben had pleaded so sweetly to come back to his bed, maybe that'd been a fluke? Maybe Ben had just been overwhelmed at the time? Jack shouldn't have assumed anything because of it, and now he was ashamed. “Sure. Anything. Come on upstairs and I'll show you the bathroom.”

He lead Ben up the very stairs he'd wanted to make love to him on, blushing because visions were flashing before his eyes of what would happen. It made his mouth go dry and his stomach tight with excitement.

Though apparently Ben's stomach wasn't tight at all, but empty. A long, loud growl echoed out from his belly, and Ben stopped short, grimacing and holding a hand over his abdomen.

Jack let out a laugh, pulling Ben into motion again. “And I'll make you a sandwich.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jack stepped back, tucking the last corner of the sheets under the mattress. There. The guest room that he never used, now looked like it could comfortably house a living person. This was probably the first time there'd ever been sheets on the mattress since he moved in. Though, the mattress had come long after he'd moved in.

Sad to think he'd never had a guest. Had never wanted one. So...maybe not so sad. Only just now did Jack realize how empty his house had been, but also, that he didn't mind. He'd never really liked being around people much. Sure, there'd been some friends, though most of those had moved away, or drifted out of his life, and there'd been lovers, though none he cared to remember too fondly. Ben was perhaps the first person he'd ever wanted in his place, aside from family. Though...Jack frowned. He didn't want Ben to sleep in the guest room.

Speaking of...Jack couldn't hear the shower going anymore. When had it shut off? Jack left the guest room, cursing it for existing and providing Ben with another room to sleep in aside from his, and went downstairs. The bathroom was empty and dark, but the kitchen was brighter than he left it. He found Ben standing in front of the island in the middle of the room, in nothing but an enormous towel tied at the waist, bent forward over the plate Jack had made for him, his hands and mouth full of a turkey club. The pasta salad he'd included on the plate was already gone, and Jack gaped as Ben stuffed the rest of his meal into his mouth, furiously licking at his fingers and even lifting the plate to lick along the porcelain for its last traces of food.

Then Ben was downing his glass of water, and breathing heavily as he slammed the glass back down. Jack stepped forward again after Ben wiped at his mouth with his wrist. He couldn't help himself from reaching out to tangle a finger in a still-wet tendril of dark hair curling down the back of Ben's neck.

“Ah!” Ben darted away and turned with alarming quickness, facing him with wild eyes. When their eyes locked, Ben snorted angrily. “Don't do that! Don't sneak up on people!”

Jack grinned, his hand curving back up to curl around Ben's neck and twirl back into that shower moist hair. “I wasn't aware I was sneaking.” Ben's wrath was something he didn't toy with, but right now it was at a manageable level. And Jack couldn't resist. “It's not my fault my floors are so well built. I am apparently rich, remember.”

Ben's eyes averted. “It might not seem like a lot of money to you, but to people like me, it's impressive.”

Was that a compliment? Why yes, Jack would say it was. An underhanded one, but a compliment nonetheless. Jack grinned. “You think this is impressive, wait til you see my yacht.”

Ben looked up with alarm. “You're fucking kidding. You don't have a...” A squinting disbelief. “You have a yacht?”

Jack snickered. “No, no yacht.” He winked. “Not yet.”

Ben only glared. “Don't be snooty.”

“Snooty? Why, of course not. I'm only being me.”

Without realizing it, Jack had moved closer, closing the distance between them. And Ben seemed to suddenly realize this too, cheeks growing darker, and his hands twitching near Jack's stomach. Would he pull him closer? Or push him away? Jack wasn't sure, but he didn't want to find out yet. His smile widened, and he watched Ben's eyes dart all over his face nervously.

Without warning, Ben blurted, “I used your toothbrush!”

Jack paused, looking at Ben with wide eyes. “What?”

Ben's whole face got red, and he sputtered immediately, his voice high and anxious, “I don't mean it was your toothbrush, but the extra one, the one under the sink, cause, I hadn't in a couple days, and my teeth felt weird, so... Not that I needed to brush my teeth, but I didn't want you to... Cause before we... But don't be mad, cause I had to open it and now it's in your toothbrush cup, next to yours. But I used the red one, so...” He trailed off lamely, not meeting Jack's eyes.

Jack smiled faintly, his hand tightening on Ben's neck and gently pulling forward. Ben didn't exactly protest, but he made the strangest noise, stumbling into Jack's chest and his hands landing on Jack's shoulders. It was almost posed, how Ben clung to him, and Jack fought to control his breathing. Was he reading this wrong? Ben's nervous behavior, and the fact that he'd brushed his teeth, that had to mean something. Even if it only meant Ben wanted a kiss, Jack was happy with that.

Lifting his other hand, he gently trailed his fingers down Ben's jaw to his chin, where he rested his thumb over the faint indent in it, and his index finger lightly caressed underneath. Ben gave him a helpless, immobile look, seemingly frozen. But Jack didn't need Ben to move, because he would instead. His lips quested forward before he meant them to, and he watched through lidded eyes as Ben's eyes closed completely and that rosy mouth pouted in anticipation.

Their lips met softly, and Jack tightened his grip on Ben's neck, moving his other hand around to rest on the small of Ben's back. He pulled their bodies together, fitting hip to hip.

“Nng!” Ben quickly pulled away, or tried to, and looked away.

Jack kept from cracking a joke, knowing the time for teasing had passed. “What's wrong? Are you suddenly shy? Or do you not want...to continue?”

Ben was viciously gnawing on his bottom lip, still not meeting his eyes. “I...No, that's not it...” His voice was very meek. “I just...Last t-time, we...I wanted to...” Ben gnawed harder. “Then you didn't come back...”

Jack rushed Ben into a hug, petting Ben's hair and nuzzling his nose into Ben's collarbone. “I'm sorry.” He meant it. He'd hurt Ben, and now Ben was feeling neglected. “I won't do it again. I meant what I said before.” Turning his head minutely, he kissed the juncture of Ben's neck and collarbone, and Ben shivered against him. “I'll never ever leave you again.” Moving up, his lips over the pulsing vibration of Ben's pulse, another kiss. And another to the soft canopy under Ben's jawbone. Ben's body was pressing harder against his own.

“Mhhmm...” Ben made a needy sound behind his lips, head falling back.

Jack traced the tip of his tongue along Ben's jaw, kissing here and there, and pulling back to dip down and kiss the small circular crevice at the bottom of Ben's neck, right above his sternum. “You have such beautiful skin.” He murmured, dipping even lower to nose Ben's chest. It smelled like soap and still had some moisture from the shower.

Ben replied with something like a garbled plea, but Jack chose to ignore it, as he had much more pressing matters to attend to. Like the subtle rise of something from below the towel and between Ben's shaking thighs. Jack lowered completely to his knees, kissing Ben's stomach as his fingers carefully pried at the loose knot holding Ben's towel on.

He expected some sort of resistance, but Ben didn't make a sound. Jack glanced up from his gentle kisses, hands still slowly busy, and saw Ben staring down at him. Or more specifically, at his hands, where they paused, then slowly opened the towel, revealing Ben in all his glory, just as Jack remembered it.

Perfect and tight, everything as beautiful as it was in Jack's memories. Jack let out a sigh, not meaning to sound so contented, but failing, then he leaned close to Ben's erection, parting his lips to kiss at the slick head.

Ben whimpered.

Actually whimpered.

Jack nearly whimpered back, as he throbbed in his pants. He palmed himself through the thick material, parting his lips further to mouth along the shaft, and his head nearly flying off at the sound of Ben crying out. The teen was bracing his hands on the island's counter, his knees shaking, and his bared glory twitching against Jack's lips.

Jack ceased all thought and opened his lips wide, sliding down on Ben's cock in one quick swallow. Yes, he still knew how to do this. And well, from the sound of it.

“Ah, Jack!” Ben seized, one hand flying to Jack's head and grabbing a fistful of his hair. “F-Fuck!”

Jack hummed, bobbing his head and loving the feel of hot, silken skin sliding over his tongue and how his mouth tingled. The bitter tang of cum had him nearly coughing, but it was small enough to ignore. He'd never been a fan of the taste. But Ben was different. If it was Ben...Jack sucked carefully, mindful of his teeth, if it was Ben, he was happy to do anything.

The slide of spit-slicked skin was hypnotizing, and Jack took deep breaths through his nose, focusing on every shiver and twitch. Ben was keening, high in his throat, and every time Jack swallowed over him. It had Jack removing his hand from his groin, where he was straining against his zipper, and lifting to cup Ben's soft, tight balls in his palm. He kneaded them, mindful of keeping the pressure light.

Ben's strangled gasp of surprise told Jack that the teen didn't often touch himself below his cock, which meant he most assuredly never touched 'back there'. His fingers were gentle as he traced them back, along the line separating Ben's sac and further, to the short sensitive patch of skin hidden underneath. He kept a watch on Ben's face as he did this, ready to stop at any sign of discomfort.

But Ben only spread his legs more, hips jutting forward and an unsteady wail prompting Jack to release that hot flesh from his mouth, stand quickly, and hoist Ben up onto the island. The plate and empty glass went skidding off with a crash to the floor, and Ben jumped, but Jack shushed him with a kiss, quickly moving back down to swallow that stiff length again.

Ben arched up, his back like a bow, and Jack held him down at the hips. The last thing he needed was Ben to buck off the counter because he was overly passionate. Not that Jack didn't harden more at the thought. And not only harden, but leak. Jack hadn't been riled up enough to leak like a pre-teen since he'd been, well, a pre-teen. And Ben was certainly leaking like crazy as well, and Jack could feel those soft balls drawing up close to Ben's groin. Ben was going to cum. And Jack moaned at the thought, sucking harder and using his hand to roughly squeeze Ben's cock.

With a muffled roar, Ben was arching up into Jack's mouth, his body convulsing, and hot seed flooded Jack's mouth, shooting down his throat and causing him to pull back with a gasp. He worked to swallow was was in his mouth, but let the rest spill out onto Ben's stomach and thighs.

Once Ben stopped bucking like a bull, and lay back on the marble surface, simply shuddering, Jack slowed his hands, one still on Ben's cock and wrapping around the base to squeeze gently, and the other returning to Ben's balls and below. He wasn't really surprised that Ben remained mostly hard. He was still young, of course. Jack had once had that kind of stamina too when he was a teen. He smiled down at him. "Was that good?"

Ben was panting and near-sobbing. “Mmmn...Jack...Fuck...good...”

He laughed to himself, a little breathless himself. "I'm glad."

"I...I've never...with anyone..."

So he was a virgin. Good. Jack mentally cheered at that. He was the first, which made the possessive man in him cheer, but made the gentle man in him strive to be sweet. "I was the first? To make you cum?" Not that he really needed the extra acknowledgment, but he did want the validation.

Ben simply nodded. "...Y-Yeah..."

Jack grinned wider. "Good." He slid one finger down, gentle as it caressed Ben's puckered entrance, sliding his mouth off Ben to ask in a whisper, “This okay?” In case Ben was too distracted to notice.

“...Mm, yeah...yeah...”

But that wasn't very convincing, and Jack paused. “Ben.”

He was given a distracted look, but Ben's green eyes focused on him.

That was good enough. “Do you...Do you want to have sex?” Oh god, being blunt had him blushing just a bit. But there was no way around it. He had to make it clear, since Ben was sort of giving mixed signals.

Ben was staring back at him, face getting redder by the minute. So red, that the color was even creeping down Ben's neck. But Ben nodded. He looked away, and nodded.

Jack let out a breath and rushed out of the room, up the stairs, into his room, grabbed the lube and a condom from his bedside drawer, and then raced back down to see Ben not having moved a muscle but looking very concerned.

“Where'd you-?”

But Jack held up his prizes with a grin, dropping back to his knees and sucking Ben's waning cock right back into his mouth and quickly pouring some lube onto his fingers. Now that he knew he could go all the way, he was impatient to the point of panic to get there. He raised one slick digit to Ben's anus and swirled it around, spreading the lube around and massaging the skin so it relaxed. He only waited a few minutes before pushing against that pucker, gently kneading and prodding until it slipped inside tight, hot heat.

“Eyah!” Ben shuddered, his legs shutting at the knee and around Jack's face.

But he ignored it, knowing Ben had probably never done this to himself. Instead, he slipped another finger in, and quickly spread them, trying to loosen that tight ring of muscle. Ben was incredibly tight. Almost too tight. How the hell was he supposed to last in that? He hadn't had sex in months. Many months. Many many months.

So, he used a third finger, wincing at how hard it was to get inside, and he had them all twisting and stretching and moving, just barely registering how Ben violently jerked every time he brushed his prostate. He couldn't even deal with that, seeing Ben's pinched, pleasured face, because that would be his undoing.

Instead he carefully pulled his fingers out, standing to take off his shirt and pants. His cock was so hard, it jutted straight up under his boxers, and he hissed as he pulled that last article of clothing off, surprised at the huge wet spot on the fabric.

Jack let out a shaky breath as he gripped himself, stepping close between Ben's open legs and lining himself up to that slicked, pink skin. Sliding the head of his cock up and down the seam of Ben's ass, Jack let out a tense groan. He was throbbing all over, his breaths quick and sharp. Ben was in a similar state, and Jack watched that slim form shake.

Before he lost it, Jack pressed forward, gritting his teeth as the tight pucker yielded and opened, and he slid in, all heat and pressure engulfing him.

“Ah! Jack! Wait!”

Jack stopped, planting his hands on slim hips and forcing himself to stay still. Was he hurting Ben? “You okay?”

Ben was all stiff, hands clenched at his sides, and his face pinched. A look down showed Ben's erection to be wilting, and Jack ran his palm over it, lightly grinding down.

“Are you hurting?” He murmured, hoping it wasn't true.

Ben quickly shook his head. “...No. Just...strange...and tight.”

Jack was relieved that it didn't hurt. And he could help about the tightness. He gently withdrew, slow as he could manage, heat flashing through his groin at the pull of Ben's muscles, seeming to cling to him. He pushed back in just as slow, concentrating on the other's expression. It wasn't as tense this time, and Jack watched as Ben's body flushed with color.

“Are you alright?”

Ben shuddered, biting his bottom lip. “...Mmnnh...don't...don't stop...”

Fuck. Jack pulled back again, and slammed forward, relishing the resounding cry it caused. He reached down to grab Ben's ankles, and lifted the teen's legs up so they rested on his shoulders by his head. The angle was good, and Jack could feel Ben clench around him.

“Jack! Oh fuck, yes...Nng...”

Jack felt his eyes closing, but he didn't want to miss out on seeing Ben so flustered. Every muscle twitching and that pretty cock leaking a puddle of precum into Ben's bellybutton.

He groaned, kissing Ben's ankle and slowing his thrusts. The counter was hurting his hips, denting his skin every time he thrust forward, and if it was hurting him, then Ben must be feeling discomfort too. That was the last thing he wanted. Hooking one palm behind Ben's shoulder, and the other below Ben's ass, Jack attempted to lift him. “Sit up, Ben.”

Ben didn't immediately comply, but looked at him in dazed confusion. “...Ahh...What?”

“Lower your legs, wrap them around my waist, and sit up. We're moving off the counter.”

Ben looked even more confused, but slowly did as instructed, face bright red. With the teen's thighs tight around his hips, Jack tried again, lifting Ben off the hard marble and pulling their chest's together. But he remained inside, his cock firmly inserted in Ben's rear end.

He could just pull out and let Ben walk, but he didn't want to separate for even a moment. So instead, he gathered his strength and carried Ben out of the kitchen and to the stairs. He carried Ben up the stairs. Dear god, his legs ached. Ben was no small, petite boy. He was nearly Jack's height, and heavy despite his bony, lanky body. But Jack held it together, ignoring the burn of his muscles and fatigue in his limbs.

He was a man, goddammit. He could carry his lover up one flight of stairs. Hopefully.

Those last couple steps though, had him panting for other than sexual reasons, and Jack almost let out a whoop at the top, quick as lightning as he closed the remaining distance to his bedroom, and his bed.

Once there, he nearly fell upon it, managing to turn it graceful at the last moment, and only slightly crushing Ben, who let out a sharp breath.

“Better?” He asked, smoothing his hands down to loosen Ben's legs, which were still tightly wound about him.

“Yuh.” Was the only reply, Ben nodding quickly into Jack's chest.

Jack didn't hold back anymore, pushing them both up the bed and spreading Ben's thighs to the limit, partially pulling out, just to the tip of himself, then capturing Ben's mouth once more in another fierce kiss before slamming his hips forward, burying his cock to its root as far as he could, and falling easily back into his rhythm.

Ben let out a loud moan, clutching at Jack's neck and kissing back sloppily, eventually falling away to rest limply on the bed.

“God, Ben...you're so...” But what Ben wasn't, Jack couldn't figure out, because Ben was arching up against him, body so tense, Jack feared it breaking. Ben was close, Jack was sure of it, and he slipped a hand between them to grasp Ben's twitching erection, quickly jerking it until Ben let out a rough shriek and came all over his fingers, body spasming wildly.

Only when Ben's quaking subsided to lesser tremors did Jack let go, and focus on his own release, hammering into Ben's welcoming body with every ounce of strength he had left.

Ben moaned tiredly beneath him, legs loosely gripping his waist and face showing exhaustion. But also satisfaction. Ben looked satisfied beyond belief. Like he could never move again. Because of Jack, and that final thought had Jack careening over his lover's slack body, his head falling to rest on Ben's shoulder, and his hips like an earthquake, rolling into Ben, sharp and desperate, and Jack was coming, coming, coming, hard and deep, and all senses blanking at the pull of heat through his groin and balls and everything. Ben. “Ben!”

Too soon were the pulses slowing and growing weaker, and Jack lost all coordination of his muscles, fully collapsing onto Ben and only distantly questioning if he should move, if he was crushing the teen, but then two sweaty palms landed on his back and embraced him, tightened around him and held him close. He stayed, blissfully floating on clouds that smelled like Ben, and hearing only Ben's blissed-out breathing.

He almost fell asleep, but common decency reminded him to pull out and remove the condom, throwing it to the floor carelessly. Who cared? He'd get it tomorrow. Or whenever. All he needed was this moment, and he flopped back down next to Ben, hooking his arm around Ben's stomach and snuggling close. His last thoughts, as his mind began to drift, was that they'd never called Myrtle to let her know Ben was safe.



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ben was down in the kitchen when Jack awoke the next morning, sleepily entering the room to find his lover in nothing but one of his shirts, which was of course too big and hung loose on that thin frame, and some boxers. These were Jack's too, since Ben's had been soiled last night.

Jack held in a lecherous chuckle at the thought, not wanting to sound like an old perv.

Ah, but Ben looked so delicious standing there by the stove, a pan full of eggs and some chopped assortment of vegetables, the sizzle and smell making Jack's mouth water. At least, he assumed it was the eggs and not Ben who was making him salivate, or else he really was hopeless.

Though he couldn't resist giving the boy a taste, and his hands came up unbidden as he stepped forward, sliding softly around Ben's middle, ignoring the way Ben suddenly jumped with a small noise of surprise, and Jack stepped closer, leaning down to trace the protruding knob of Ben's spine below his hairline.

His reward was the softest hitched breaths, and Ben's following shudder. “Mmng...”

Jack smirked, suppressing his urge to do a victory dance. “G'morning, Benji.”

Another soft inhalation, and Ben squirmed in his grasp. “Don't call me that.” He muttered, voice husky. “Gram calls me that...”

With another chuckle, Jack cupped Ben's chin and forced the teen's head to turn back, meeting that bewildered and ardent gaze with his own. “We certainly don't want that then.” He murmured, his other hand sliding down to cup Ben's pointed hipbone. “I guess I'll stick to calling you simply Ben.” He stressed the name, rolling the letters suggestively in his mouth. Then he craned his neck forward and took Ben's lips with his own, his tongue delving in to lightly prod at Ben's and tickle along it's sides.

“Mmphf!” Groaned Ben, right into Jack's mouth, the sound only slightly protesting, but mostly aroused.

Jack pulled away reluctantly, the smell of nearly burning food drawing his attention back to the pan on the stove. Ben's eyes opened slowly to meet his, the pupils large and his cheeks rosy.

Jack just grinned. “The eggs are burning.”

Ben squawked, his attention whipping back to the pan and his expression darkening as he moved out of Jack's arms. “Damn it!” He hastily scraped at the pan, using the spatula to flip the mess over and prevent further darkening.

It wasn't too bad, Jack noted to himself. Just a little tinge of blank near the middle and edges. Still perfectly edible though, and Jack whistled happily to himself as he turned to grab some plates and utensils.

But he noticed Ben's pout as he returned to the teen's side. “Hey,” He called, tilting his head to catch the other's attention. “It's alright. They're not ruined, don't worry about it.”

Ben's cheeks slowly reddened, the teen averting his eyes. “I just wanted to make you a nice breakfast after you...” More blushing, this time all over Ben's face. “...m-made me dinner.”

Jack could have thrown Ben right back onto the table again at those shy words, but he held himself in check, instead pulling the pan from Ben's hand and moving it to a cold burner, easily turning off the heat. Ben was still avoiding his eyes when Jack gently pulled the teen to him, this time chest to chest, and smoothed a hand down Ben's back, landing on the soft indent right above that soft ass.

Jack moved to kiss him again, but Ben squirmed nervously, panting a little. “I'm...still...Uh...” This time the blush was so intense, Jack thought Ben might burst a blood vessel. “A little...sore.”

Oh, aww. Jack bit his lip guiltily. Maybe he'd been too rough last night? Or...Well, Ben had been a virgin. Emphasis on the 'been'. Another smirk threatened to appear, but Jack just smiled, nuzzling Ben's ear, since the teen wouldn't give him his lips. “Want me to suck you off?” He offered, happy just to touch him.

But Ben squirmed more. “...I...I'm s-sore...everywhere...”

Oh. Jack moved his hands to respectable places. Fuck. Okay, so maybe he'd been a little crazy to make Ben cum so much. But...In his defense...It'd been really really hot.

But he reluctantly stepped back, rifling a harmless hand through Ben's dark hair instead. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you so much last night.”

But Ben was all apologies. “No! It wasn't your fault! I just...I've never done that stuff so...”

Jack chuckled, placing a chaste kiss to Ben's lips before pulling back again. “I think that's the whole point of being a virgin.”

Ben, surprisingly, did not have a retort. Only a soft, shy smile coupled with him biting his lip as he started plating the eggs.

Jack grabbed the orange juice from his fridge and two glasses, and then sat down with Ben at the table, pointedly ignoring the flustered glances he kept getting. Ben was no doubt remembering being thrown onto the counter, and taken against his will.

...Well, not against his will.

Jack snorted softly to himself, pouring OJ into their glasses and digging into his food. It was good! Albeit a little burnt-tasting, but still very tasty. “Mmm,” He smiled to Ben. “It's very good, thank you.”

“You're welcome.” Ben softly replied, giving him another quick look, then wolfing down his own portion.

Jack wasn't even half finished when Ben sat back loudly and smacked his lips. “Is it alright if I have a banana?”

Jack nodded, awestruck by Ben's appetite. Though Ben was a growing teenager, and he probably hadn't eaten a decent meal in forever, excepting last night. Which he'd probably burned off during their vigorous activities...

It was while he watched Ben puttering around his kitchen, half-dressed in Jack's clothing, eyes bright, mouth set in a happy curve, and his expression content as he found the basket of fruit and pulled not only a banana but also an apple from it to bring back to his seat, that Jack realized he wouldn't be able to let the teen leave. Jack couldn't even bear thinking about spending a night without Ben in his arms. Not after finding out how right it'd felt. How natural.

He stretched out his arm and laid his palm against Ben's soft cheek, sighing contentedly when Ben gave him a puzzled look, mouth full of banana. “Mhuht?” He asked, words garbled by fruit mush.

“Stay with me.” Jack said simply, caressing along Ben's jaw and then curling his fingers around the back of Ben's neck, his thumb moving in lazy, gentle circles.

Ben swallowed thickly, the noise audible. “Huh?” His eyes widened yet were full of cautious doubt. “You mean...tonight?”

“No, I mean forever.”

Ben choked on the leftover food in his mouth, and then fixed Jack with a level stare. “You can't be serious.”

“Oh, but I am.” Jack murmured, smiling now. He could already tell Ben was bursting with a 'yes', but there was still some hesitance there. “Move in with me. Call your grandmother, ask her to move in too. I have more than enough room in this place. It's too big for just one person anyway. Nothing would make me happier than to have you living with me.” He curled his fingers tighter, delighting in the way Ben shivered against them. “Sharing my bed every night, sharing my days. Sharing my life. We can convert the office on this floor to a bedroom for Myrtle, so she won't have to deal with the stairs unless she wants to. She can use the bathroom on this floor and I can change the spare bedroom upstairs to the new office. And you can room with me.” He dropped his voice, drinking in how Ben's eyelids fluttered. “My walls are thick, and my floors even thicker. I can get a new door too. A soundproof door. We won't have to worry about being heard. What do you say? Will you move in with me, Ben?”

Ben blinked back at him, mouth opening slightly, and a nervous whine coming from his mouth. “...I...I don't know. Gram doesn't know I'm...I'm...”

Jack brought his other hand up to lay over Ben's where it was nervously clenching on his lap. He folded their fingers together. “We can tell her about us together. I can call her right now if you want?”

“Now?” Ben jerked upright, hand tightening on Jack's. “But...”

“No time like the present, right? And besides, she needs to know you're safe. In all the excitement last night,” He watched the blush return to Ben's face. “I forgot to let her know you were here.”

An unvoiced protest warred across Ben's features, but eventually, he sighed and dipped his head. “Alright. But you need to stay next to me while I'm talking to her, and if she says anything...bad, you have to take the phone!”

Jack nodded, grinning. He had a hard time imagining Myrtle being anything more than slightly uncomfortable at worst. But he would be there for his lover. “That's fine.”

He stood and retrieved his phone off the counter by the sink, handing it to Ben, who sat stubbornly staring at it as if it were going to bite him.

Jack poked him softly in the side. “Come on, then. Just call her.”

“Hey!” Ben snapped, sneering up at him. “I'm about to out myself to the only relative I have! Don't rush me, okay?!”

Jack only bite back a laugh, overjoyed to see that spark of fire that made Ben so volatile and passionate. But he acquiesced. “Alright, I'm sorry. Take your time. But I'll be right here for you.” To emphasize his words, he pressed a soft kiss to Ben's cheek.

Every movement exaggeratedly slow and delayed, Ben lifted the phone, dialed his number, then pressed it to his ear.

Jack could hear the faint tinny ringing, being as close as he was, and he straightened, giving Ben a little more privacy. Now he could only just barely hear, and it wasn't recognizable. But Myrtle's voice suddenly came on the line.

“Hi Gram.” Ben said softly, which was followed by the joyous shout from the phone, meaning Myrtle was relieved, of course. “Yeah, I'm fine. I'm...I'm with Jack, I'm at his place. Yeah, he...” Ben paused, covering his face with his hand. “He let me stay here last night.” A long pause. “We forgot. No, no, we were just...We were busy, and forgot to call you.” Another long pause. “...Uh...” Ben was sweating now, and he glanced at Jack nervously. “I don't know. We just forgot.” Then Ben's cheeks exploded with color, and his eyes flew wide. “Gram!”

The phone was shoved to Jack, who took it clumsily, nearly dropping it. “Ben?” He called, watching as Ben nearly ran from the room and out into the hallway. Oh dear, this couldn't be good. Fearing the worst, he lifted the phone to his ear. “Hello?”

Myrtle's voice was calm. “Hello, dear!” She exclaimed happily. “Did I shock my Benji away from the phone?”

Jack blinked, glancing back to see the hallway still empty. Returning his attention back to the voice in his ear, he tentatively asked, “...What exactly did you say to him?”

Myrtle sighed, making a clicking noise that echoed in the phone. “I only asked him if the reason neither of you remembered to call me was because you were too busy having sex.”

Jack almost dropped the phone, his face growing unbearably hot. Now he knew why Ben had escaped in a near panic. For long moments, he couldn't form words.

“Jack dear, are you still there?”

Fuck. Myrtle was waiting for an answer. And Jack didn't honestly have one. So he settled for a simple, heartfelt, “I'm so sorry, Myrtle. I...”

“Oh for goodness sake, Jack! I don't need an apology.” Myrtle laughed, the sound confusing to Jack. “It's not like I haven't noticed how you two have been acting around each other the last two times you were here. And all Benji's done since you left is ask about you every five minutes. 'Jack' this, and 'Jack' that. Gracious, I haven't seen him so focused on someone since his first grade teacher. And she was always giving him cookies and sweets because he seemed so sad.”

Jack's mouth opened and closed repeatedly, no sound coming out. He stared blankly at the wall. Was he hallucinating? Could conversations be hallucinated?

“Jack dear, are you still there? Or did I shock you away too?”

Coughing roughly, his voice coming back with a gasp. “Y-Yes. Still here.”

“Good. One of you has to act like the adult.” There wasn't any malice in her voice, but rather a hint of teasing. “Now look, Jack, I know you probably think I'd be shocked by what you two are doing, but truthfully, I'd rather it be you than one of the less-than-adequate girls around here. Or boys, I suppose. This town isn't renowned for its school system, let me tell you. And I know you're a decent man, and that you'll take care of my grandson. I also know you'll love him, if you don't already. Do you love him, Jack?”

Jack faltered, eyes quickly darting back to the empty hallway. “Uh, I...It's kinda early, but...” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “I think it's close. Getting closer.”

“Good.” Myrtle hummed, sounding highly pleased. “Then I don't mind any transgressions that happen before my grandson's 18th birthday.”

Jack gulped.

“Now listen, I am not angry, or upset, or anything. I give you my blessing, and Benji too, if he'll unblock his ears long enough to listen. You understand?”

Jack nodded, then realized Myrtle couldn't see him. “Yes, Myrtle, thank you. Thank you. I never wanted to upset you.”

“Yes, sonny, I know. Now that that's all taken care of, is there anything else you wanted to say?”

“Actually yes,” Jack began, his chest full to bursting with happiness and elation. He told Myrtle of his wish for her and Ben to move in with him, letting her know he'd be honored to have them, and that he had more than enough room, and that he would help her sell her house if she agreed, and thankfully, she did. She couldn't have sounded more delighted by the whole thing, and Jack made plans with her to bring Ben back tonight and start packing right away. Jack was beaming from ear to ear by the time they said their goodbyes, and he hung up the phone.

“Hey Ben? You out there?” No answer from the hall, and he crossed to the doorway to peek out. Empty. He checked the rest of the floor and eventually found Ben huddled in the closet, the door shut and his hands around his knees. He snorted helplessly, staring down at the teen. “Really? You're hiding in the closet?”

“Did she disown me?” Came his wobbling question, Ben running his wrist under his nose and sniffing wetly.

Jack made a sympathetic noise, bending down on one knee and pulling Ben's chin up so he would look at him. “Hey, no, she did not disown you. She was actually quite glad you're dating me.”

Ben stared at him. “Really? She's not mad?” Then a pause, and Ben's expression softened. “...Dating?”

Jack gave him a grin, resisting the urge to kiss him. “Yeah, dating. Isn't that what we're doing? Or...soon to be doing? And she's not mad. She called me a 'decent man' and said she knows I'll take care of you. She also said she'd love to move in. All of us. Together.”

Ben looked both incredulous and euphoric, his eyes getting all hot and his lower lip trembling. “Really? Gram still loves me?”

This time, Jack couldn't resist, and he gathered Ben up into his arms, smothering that pout with his mouth, moving back to hug the boy and press their cheeks together. “Yes, really. Tonight we're going to go back to your house, and help your grandmother pack up some of things. I don't know if she'll want to come back with us tonight, but I don't mind if we stay at your house for a few nights. Sort of like an goodbye.” Jack smiled to himself, placing a soft kiss to the teen's temple. “Welcome to your new home, Ben.”

THE END