⍟ Broken Strings {A Chaos Theory x Male Reader Story - Ben}

𝟻. 𝙶𝚒𝚟𝚎 & 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎

Just as Y/N's about to take her hand in his, the side mirror breaks off and Sammy slips, shooting downwards. She screams, gripping onto the window for dear life as the car begins to tilt.

"Sammy!" Kenji and Y/N shouts. Y/N leans down over the side, tilting the truck as he reaches for her hand.

Brooklyn and Yaz, who're still on the tree, rush to help, climbing into the truck bed.

"Wait!" Kenji shouts, "Move over to your left." He instructs, trying to balance the vehicle out. The girls shift and Kenji slowly crawls over to the passenger's side to help Sammy.

Sammy strains, stretching her arm to reach Y/N's hand. Their fingers graze each other before Sammy's other hand slips again, leaving her with nothing to grab.

Y/N lunges forward, grabbing onto her before she can fall to her death. Kenji jumps over as well, taking hold of her other hand. The two of them slowly drag her up and over the side, thudding onto the roof when they're done.

They all gasp for air, laying on the truck in relief.

"Everyone okay?" Kenji huffs.

"Piece of cake." Sammy takes a deep breath, reaching over and patting Kenji on the forehead.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

Kenji is the last to make his way down the tree, hitting the dirt with a light thud. Y/N leans against a fallen tree with Sammy and Yaz as Ben and Darius commemorate Kenji's bravery.

Brooklyn slowly drifts over, smiling, "You guys okay?"

"I wouldn't pass up an ice pack..." Sammy rubs her strained shoulder, "But, yeah."

"I feel that." Brooklyn chuckles lightly, "And... Sammy... Are we okay?"

Yasmina and Y/N share a glance before deciding that this might be more of a one-on-one conversation. Y/N pats Sammy on the shoulder and shoots her a thumbs up before he and Yaz walk off to give them some privacy.

"Speaking of..." Yaz hums, "What's up with you and Ben?"

"Ahh... I'm not sure." Y/N scratches the back of his neck, "It's been kind of awkward."

"Well, do you still like him?" Yasmina inquires.

"Yeah... yeah, of course. I love him." Y/N smiles, "It's just-- I don't know, we haven't talked about it. We need to."

Yasmina nods in understanding.

"What about you and Sammy?" Y/N nudges her, "I saw you guys earlier."

"Yeah, yeah." Yaz laughs, pushing him away, "We're doing good. Not-- y'know, together... but we're good."

"Really?" Y/N pokes her in the side, "Just good?"

"Yeah! Good!" Yaz pokes him back, the two of them swatting at each other like little kids fighting.

"Am I interrupting something?" Sammy pokes her head over.

"No, no!" Y/N finishes, making sure to get the last jab on Yasmina before turning to Sammy.

"Good." Sammy chuckles, "Cuz I wanted to thank you. Not just for saving me, but for telling me what I needed to hear. I was... petrified, honestly. I didn't think I'd be able to move an inch... but you pulled me out of that."

"Of course, Sam." Y/N nudges her shoulder, "I'm here for you, always. I love you guys."

"Awww!" Sammy squeals, tears welling in her eyes, "Stop it! You're gonna make me cry!" She wraps Y/N in a tight bear hug, "We love you too!" She gives him one more hard squeeze before going off to join the others.