Ben's POV
Seeing all my friends around me, everyone enjoying lunch. If made me really, Truly greatful for everything I have here. I mean I know I moved out recently but having my house filled with these boys made my day worth while. It was like looking at a bunch of kids that were just genuinely happy to be around me, it felt... Strange at times but hey. Friendship isn't easy folks.
Josh: "Hey Ben, what are you thinking about?"
Ben: "Honestly, you guys. How you have an amazing life, a great set up for your income, you have each other and everything just feels. Right."
Ethan: "You getting sappy on us Ben?"
Ben: "When aren't I sappy? Now would you boys like anything to eat for lunch? I might not have much but I can do some butter chicken and rice?"
Simon: "Actually I was wondering if yoh would like to come out with us for lunch, might find somewhere casual?"
Tobi: "You deserve a break Ben, you've been working on this book for so long that it seems odd how you don't have a vitamin D deficiency."
Ben: "Yeah I know I don't go out much but I just get so enthralled with what I do and write, I forget sometimes."
Tobi: "Then come hang out with us."
Ben: "Alright fine, just let me check my bank."
Vik: "Hey don't worry, about it yeah?"
Seeing the dark toned man take a step closer to me, putting his hand on top of mine as he lightly kept a grip on my own, hovering over the device sitting motionless on the table. I couldn't help but look towards him and notice him look at me before staring at our hands.
Vik: "I'll, I'll pay."
Ben: "Vik you know you don't have to..."
Vik: "I want to. Uh the guys are right, you don't get out much."
Ben: "Vik it's not necessary I mean I'm sure I"
Vik: "Please?"
Looking at the man, his dark eyes, his perfectly kept hair. His relaxed yet lightly tinged cheeks. How can you say no to such a beautiful man?
Ben: "OK, fine, I'll let you ok?"
Vik: "OK, where do we feel like going?"
JJ: "Well do we want somewhere public or private?"
Harry: "Private is very expensive. So we can go public today. I know a place near Vik's place actually. Well I've heard of it, but if seems nice."
Josh: "Good enough for me, we can head back to Vik's place after and have a look."
Vik: "OK sure. Ben do you want tk stay with us?"
Ben: "I mean, I have my book to write but... I feel like you guys won't give a choice so fine, I'll stay."
As Vik smiled his pretty smile, his beautiful little grin, god I genuinely think I might like him. He's so, together. He has himself sorted and it's beautiful to see.
Vik: "Ben you can choose who to ride with and we can all meet there."
Simon: "Deal."
Ben: "Oh Josh I'm going to ride with you and Simon, J haven't seen yoh guys for a while."
Josh: "Let's head out soon then. Hopefully we won't need a reservation."
As I felt Vik lightly squeeze MG hand, taking his off of mine before smiling at me and nodding slightly, following JJ out of the door as I grabbed my things and trailed behind Josh and Simon, The two keeping a pace as we headed down the stairs to the ground level of my homely apartment and down into their car.
Simon: "So Ben?"
Ben: "Hi, what's up?"
Josh: "Anyone special?"
Ben: "Oh haha, Uh, no not at the moment. There are of course someone I like to be around but I'm not sure if he would like me back. I don't know, I know he's interested in men but I don't know about the level of his attraction to men."
Simon: "Ah yeah, do we know them?"
Ben: "I'm not stupid Simon, I know you two are aware of who I like, I'm sure you all do."
Josh: "So then, what is it about Vik that you like?"
Ben: "Well, I mean he's sweet, he's intelligent and kind. But he's innocent as well. Well as innocent as he can be when he's around you guys. I've seen the videos you guys do, so I know what goes on and how he's treated by JJ. I know it's only on camera but he's really cute and precious too. I really like talking to him but I don't get a lot of chances to do so."
Josh: "You know it was his idea to come over and see you, we were going to originally just go to see Ethan and Emily but Vik wanted to hang out with you, you sadly being allergic to Em's cats, He said he wouldn't want to come without you."
Ben: "He really is a good friend you know. He does a lot for me, he does a lot to help me out. I really like him."
Ending the conversation there, we spoke about the group channels videos and Josh even asked if I wanted to do a video with them, something to do with Football, likely on Simon or Harry's channel. Though Simon made a comment about it more so on Harry's.
Simon: "It could be fun."
Ben: "I'm sure it will be."
Josh: "You don't seem too excited?"
Ben: "I'm a writer, I don't do sports."
Simon: "But you've been at the gym for a couple of years so your not thick either, you look more like me than you do Josh."
Ben: "The most subtle fact joke you could make."
Josh: "Freya loves me so that's all that matters."
As we eventually arrived, being the last here, we headed inside and joined the boys at the table. Them, I'm sure on purpose, freed up a spot right next to Vik. I would have called them out on it but I'm sure they were all well aware of my feelings for him, how I thought of him.
Ben: "Hi Vik."
Vik: "Hi Ben."
As I took my seat, I felt the long chair shift a little as Vik shifted closer a little bit. Feeling his shoulder brush mine, our legs touching. I was aware of where we were, how close we were but I didn't mind.
Vik: "What do you feel like?"
Ben: "Uh, I'm not sure honestly. I haven't been here before."
I looked at the menu that JJ handed to me, I remember when he and I met, he wasn't a good friend at first but I knew that was just because he was very protective of Vik. Saying he'd been hurt bad before. So I understood. But when Vik and I became good friends, JJ relaxed and actually turned out to me like an older brother.
Ben: "Thanks JJ."
Vik: "Pick whatever you like."
Ben: "I can't do that. I'll find something I want OK?"
Vik: "I don't mind you know that."
Ben: "Yeah I know but it's the principle of it."
As I read through the options, finding what I liked and then letting Vik know.
Vik: "And you are sure that's what you want?"
Ben: "Yeah, I haven't even had breakfast, so something light might be better."
Vik: "OK, want me to add extra chicken for you?"
Ben: "No it's fine Vik yeah?"
Vik: "OK."
I looked over at the other guys, enjoying their conversations while Tobi raised an eyebrow at me, causing me to probably blush a little at my situation and smile politely at him, I had my left hand Down in my pocket as I felt one of Vik's fingers rest on my hand, a few seconds later I felt his touch before he put my hand in his, holding it lightly as I felt him get as close as he could before I let my head fall onto his shoulder, resting there with my eyes closed, smiling.
Vik: "You ok Ben?"
Ben: "Yeah, I'm OK."
Vik: "Did Josh ask you about a video?"
Ben: "Yeah, I think I might join in if you are there."
Josh: "He'll be there. I'll make sure he is, it might stop JJ from knocking him around."
Ben: "I hope so, I wonder how it would be with JJ not taking the piss out of him."
Vik: "I'll be there, the guys wanted to do it today but I wanted to come and see you."
Ben: "I appreciate it Vik but remember, work comes first."
Vik: "Yeah I know but still. I miss hanging out with you."
Ben: "I do too."
Simon: "Do you want to join us?"
Vik: "What today?"
Josh: "Why not."
Ben: "I'm not wearing the proper attire or anything."
Vik: "I'll figure something OK?"
As we waited for our meals, joining in the casual conversation until it arrived, eating and figuring out what they wanted to do.
Vik: "Ben can come with me. I'm sure I have something in his size."
Simon: "Harry might have something at his too."
Ben: "I'm going to head off with Vik."
I felt him look up from the table, the slight shift in his head movements.
Ben: "I haven't seen the new place yet."
Vik: "OH yeah, I forgot... Sorry Ben."
Ben: "It's OK, I'm sure I would have been busy anyway."
Vik: "Yeah but still ill show you around."
As we left and Vik took me to his home before we headed out to meet the boys. We went inside and he seemed really nervous.
Ben: "Are you ok?"
Vik: "Yeah, Yeah I'm fine uh here we have the..."
As he led me through, his hand holding onto mine, slowly taking the lead in his beautiful way. It felt nice to me.
Vik: "Uh, here is my bedroom."
Ben: "It looks really nice in here Vik."
Vik: "Do you like the place?"
Ben: "I do, genuinely Vik it's beautiful here. It's quiet, it's Quaint and I like how everything is close but it seems like it all has a place."
I turned to see him standing at the head of the head of the bed, he was nervous, so I stepped closer to him, lifting my hands before letting them both rest on Vik's chest. Leaning forward as I let my head fall to his shoulder, he himself took a second before he lifted his arms to wrap around me, holding me close.
Ben: "I think I really like you Vik."
Vik: "Yeah, yeah Ben... I really like you too."
As we stood there, I felt him pull me closer, I felt him hold me and I just felt happy, It felt right.
Ben: "We uh, we need to go and record with the boys."
Vik: "Do we have too? I really don't want to leave this, or let go of you."
Ben: "Then hold my hand, I won't let go."
Vik: "And the others?"
Ben: "They all know, I know that already so, I'll just keep close to you."
Vik: "Promise?"
Ben: "I promise."
Vik: "OK, I have a pair of shorts and a shirt you can wear in my closet."
I watched him as he walking into his closet, searched around while I walked over and stood in the doorway.
Vik: "Here, this should fit you."
Ben: "Sounds comfortable."
I took my shirt off and took the shirt from him, but he just stared at me. I smiled, blushing a little before I walked closer, leaning up and kissing his cheek.
Ben: "It feels comfortable at least."
Vik: "You are beautiful."
Ben: "So are you Vik. Come on, let's go before they think we are uh..."
Vik: "Can I kiss you?"
Ben: "Uh... Not yet? OK? I'm still new to this."
Vik: "Yeah, yeah of course I'm so sorry."
Ben: "It's OK Vik. Come on, let's get out of the closet and head down."
Vik: "I waited a long time to hear you say something like that. I never knew but hoped you were gay, it's why JJ was so bad at first."
Ben: "No one knew I was gay?"
Vik: "We didn't, Ethan and Harry figured it out first, and let the rest of us figure it out."
Ben: "Well, hi... I'm gay."
Vik: "Yeah, I guessed."
As time felt like it came to a stop, I got changed, behind closed doors, and Vik and I left his apartment and headed out to the pitch. Seeing the boys with the camera out and ready, just waiting for us I guess.
Vik: "You sure?"
Ben: "Yeah, I'm sure."
I got out of the car wearing one of Vik's Jackets, it fitting quite nicely as we headed towards them.
Simon: "Oi Ben, you were supposed to get a change of clothes not his whole wardrobe."
Ben: "I got cold, it's comfortable."
Josh: "Are you sure that's the reason."
Vik: "Hey leave him be yeah."
I felt Vik hold my hand, walking together as we headed towards them. Seeing them all snickering.
Ben: "Play nice, I'm not use to Football."
Josh: "Not going to change how we do things."
Ben: "OK, the authentic sidemen experience."
And it was fun, while I was as bad as Vik it was funny as I didn't notice one of the cameras off to the side until after it was uploaded a few days later. Seeing myself standing close to him made me feel giddy. I liked him, a lot now that I feel more comfortable with him.
Vik: "What are you doin?"
Ben: "Just watching the video, I didn't realize the other camera."
As the shot changed to Simon holding the camera, he moved around to face the two of us, zooming in on Vik holding me close, my head on his chest with his arms around me.
Simon: "It's about time Vik, you finally got him."
Vik: "Have you seen the comments for us? I haven't seen anyone be negative. Everyone seems so happy."
Ben: "I'm sure not everyone is happy."
Vik: "Well yeah but still. Most people are genuinely happy for us though."
It was sweet seeing us, seeing him hold me. Now he's making dinner for us, or first date night as I stopped watching the video, looking up to see him come in with a lovely pasta for us.
Ben: "It smells amazing Vik."
Vik: "I hope you like it."