She was watching him. After a moment she sighed, shaking her head and taking a step toward him. "Ben.. It's okay. We're okay." *** He took it nervously.
He still was avoiding her gaze, staying silent. "I can get you a ride home, if you'd like..." * * * She gave him a small grin before pulling him forward. "Whatever you do, don't belly flop," she warned before sprinting to the edge and leaping off.
She moved, standing in front of him and taking his hands gently. "Ben.." *** His eyes widened as he followed, jumping off and letting out a frightened shout.
His hands were shaking, but he pulled away, crossing his arms nervously. "It's... it's fine, Mari. Come on, I'll drive you home." * * * The adrenaline pumped through him, filling him with excitement as he hit the water.
"I want near, Ben," she started, her voice sounding sad. "I want to stay with you. I just.." she hugged herself. "You protected me. Why do you want me to go? Why won't you look at me? I care about you. I feel safe around you." *** He held his breath, quickly reemerging and laughing aloud.
He looked up at her finally, his brows furrowing nervously. "Mari, I don't... I hate that you saw me," he said after a second. "It... it changes things. You've seen what I've done. You've seen what I can do. Why..." He laughed slightly, his voice catching in his throat. "Why aren't you running away?" * * * Gwen wasn't in sight.
Her brows furrowed and she tilted her head. "I'm not afraid of you, Ben. I don't see why it changes things. I know you and I care about you. You did it to protect me and I am not afraid." *** He paused, looking around. "Gwen?" After a moment he dove underwater.
He seemed frustrated by this, stepping towards her. "Mari, I killed that monster. I tore it apart. I..." He scoffed, shaking his head incredulously. "I ruptured his brain. How are you not terrified?!" * * * She was a few feet away, floating under the water, completely limp.
She looked up at him, her gaze sharp and steady. "I was terrified. I was terrified for you and for me because I thought I might die. Not because of you, Ben, but the danger that was presented in front of me before you stepped in." She took a sharp breath, her confidence almost faltering. "But you're the one who saved me. I can't be upset. Sure, it was unexpected and frightened me at the moment but it was you. It was you.. so I knew it was okay. I knew you care about me, too. So it'd be okay." *** He dove down, going and wrapping her arms around her, pulling her up.
He looked almost panicked, watching her intensely and speaking quickly. "Mari, I have absolutely no recollection of the attack. Do you understand that? If I had looked in your eyes, you would have met the exact same fate. You would be dead right now. It's only through sheer luck that I didn't completely lose control. It isn't always going to be okay." * * * She was limp in his arms, her head lolling back.
She was quiet, watching him. She almost looked as if she were about to cry. Instead she let out a long sigh, as if trying to steady her voice. "Ben.. You don't scare me." *** He looked a little panicked, starting towards the shore.
"I should scare you," he replied quietly, his voice low and sharp. "I should really, really scare you, Mari. This tentative relationship is not worth dying over." * * * He pulled her onto the shore and she lay on the sand, her eyes closed.
"Tentative?" she said, her voice cracking slightly. She took a breath to compose herself. "Well then, I'm the fool." She started towards the door, her body trembling. She paused her door on the handle. She looked back at him, almost embarrassed at herself. "I love you. I'm sorry if this relationship is too new for that." *** He looked panicked, hovering over her as he checked her pulse and breathing. "Gwen? Gwen?"
He had kept his head down as she moved to leave, but upon hearing her confession, his head jerked over to her. He crossed the room in two strides and kissed her, his hands coming up instinctively to cup her jaw. * * * She wasn't responding, her head lolling to the side.
She kissed him back, going quiet before pulling away. "I.. I'm sorry." *** He panicked, looking around before starting compressions.
"Why are you sorry?" he said quietly. "Why could you possibly be sorry about this?" * * * Before he could begin, she put a hand up, opening her eyes and smirking playfully, sitting up on her arms. "And you say you're not a good enough hero."
She was searching his expression, her brows furrowed. "You said it yourself.. It's a tentative relationship." *** He jumped at her sudden awakening and moved back. He was silent for a moment before a deep frown crossed his face. "You were faking it?"
"No, that's..." He shook his head. "That's because it's still new, Mar. I... I love you too." * * * She noticed his frown and tilted her head. "I'm now realizing that it might not have been the smartest idea..."
She met his gaze, tilting her head. She leaned forward, kissing him again. *** He stood up shaking his head. "I thought something was seriously wrong, Gwen. I thought you were hurt."
He stepped closer, slipping his arms around her waist as he kissed her back. * * * "Well, yes," she said, the light fading from her face. "That was the point. Did you see how well you handled that?"
