Terran Knights: Chapter 36

Ben stared at his handiwork from the past hour. A suitcase with half of it actually packed. Shirts, pants, and underwear were scattered along the bed some of it neatly folded within the suitcase and the rest just scattered and wrinkled around the bedroom. He scratched his head lightly and made a face.

“This feels ridiculous,” he said to himself but grabbed another pair of pants, pressing the legs against his chin and folding them in half first at the leg and then folding them section by section down into a neat square. Cal came back into the room looking at the suitcase and then at Ben, looking back and forth wanting to say something. Wanting to help but he was at a loss.

“It’s only for a few days Ben. I think.”

“I know. I understand and that’s why I’m willing to do this Cal. That doesn’t make it any less ridiculous.”

It had been a week since the meeting in their dream and the revelation of what was to come. And the first thing that Cal had thought of was getting Ben out of the city. The moment he suggested it to Ben he said no at first, not wanting to abandon the city that he called home or his boyfriend but Cal was relentless.

Cal argued, fought, and even begged for him to leave. He’d watched Jack die. He’d watched Seth almost die. He refused to even consider the risk that Ben would be in the same city as an attack from the Taq-Law. But now Ben was packing to leave and Cal almost didn’t want him to go. Didn’t want to be away from him despite asking for this in the first place.

So Cal watched him from the door frame almost like a puppy who was in trouble. Ben looked back at him and raised his eyebrow. “I can feel you back there.”

“Sorry. I can help you pack if you like.”

Ben picked up a purple silk shirt that he smoothed very slowly and held it against his chest. He stared at it for a long moment and a soft smile curved his lips. “You know you can’t fold to save your life. You must have really tried on our date.”

“I did it all on my own,” he said huffing and folding his arms.

Ben looked at him a little surprised, “Really? No Kathryn helping you?”

“No. She was busy,” he made a face looking down. “So, I figured it out. Tying the tie, ironing the clothes, making reservations. Planning it and everything. All of that. Wait. Did I never tell you that before?”

As Ben put the shirt into the suit case he turned around to face him. “You know I knew you did all of that?”

Cal’s face blanked and then turned very red, “You knew? When did you figure it out? I was really careful to make sure.”

“You were nervous the entire night and some things were a little too on time for it to have just been random. Plus I asked Kathryn about it a few months later. You suck at hiding things anyway.”

“What made you stick around for the date then?” Cal asked frowning.

“What do you mean?”

He tried to speak and ended up just waving his hand. But he knew that wouldn’t suffice. Running with the words he sighed. “I went all out and got way too extra on a first date. Heck we barely even know each other that well yet.”

“Ah. Well I usually don’t like guys who do all that. Show off what they can do and what they have. But you weren’t like that. You were just trying to show me a good time. You were so nervous when we first met up,” he laughed to himself. “I thought you might collapse into a puddle a few times.”

“Wow, I try to save you from certain doom and you just insist on remembering one of my worst moments.”

“Oh it wasn’t that bad. Plus you were cute. When you finally relaxed that is. I can still hear you talking about the stars to me. The sun had set the stars were finally coming out. You pointed out the big and little dipper but you also showed me where Cygnus was. Where Orion was supposed to be. And then you asked my sign and told me where that was too.”

“Yeah I’ve kinda always had a soft spot for Aries.”

“You’re lucky you didn’t try to give me a pick up line based on that.”

Cal grinned at him. “Why’s that?”

“Because I might not have said yes to a second date.”

Cal laughed and finally walked over to him and giving him a light kiss. Ben didn’t let him pull away when he tried and Cal just smiled against his lips kissing him again. Cal leaned into his arms and sighed softly holding onto him a little tighter. “When we went out I knew you were something special Cal.”

“And I think I’m just lucky you even gave me a second glance,” he said into his chest and then took a slight step back, looking at him. Staring at this beautiful man he felt like he could do anything, just entirely filled with courage.

“I count my blessings since I first met you that day in class. Since we talked and got to know each other. Since you said yes to going out with me. And every day I’m with you I feel like I’m a better person. Feel like I’m growing more and more. I can’t imagine living without you. And I never want to. I want to call you mine for the rest of our lives.”

He pulled away from him and walked quickly to the other side of the room and into one of his drawers. Sifting through his clothes he dug deep into them and finally pulled out a small envelope. Opening it he turned to face him and pulled out a thin golden ring. It had a small stone at the tip and he smiled at it.

Going down to his knee he held it out to Ben, “I’ve been wanting to do this for weeks now. Going back and forth on it. And if the world ends I’ll never get a chance to ask you. Will you marry me Ben?”

Ben stared down at him and he laughed, short and surprised but his face showed it wasn’t a true surprise. But that didn’t stop the light in his eyes as he walked over to him. “I was wondering when you’d ask me. And yes. The answer is yes.”

Cal stared at him as if he didn’t hear the response. He just stared at him with a face that was halfway apprehensive and slowly the reality set in and he laughed. He surged forward and hugged him tightly getting a hug in return. “Careful Cal or you’re going to drop the ring.”

“Oh right. Right,” he stepped back his smile so huge and took Ben’s hand. Gently sliding the ring onto his finger, they both stared at it for a long moment.

“I love you Cal. Now please leave so I can finish packing.”