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Ben felt bad for asking and making Wil feel uncomfortable. He took the last mouthful of his drink and placed the cup on the small table next to the couch.
He pushed to his feet. “Thanks for the drink and for the kiss earlier. Certainly a unique way to meet someone new.”
Wil set his own mug on the floor and stood swiftly. “No. Please stay.”
Ben hesitated. He wanted to stay and get to know Wil better, but he didn’t want to make him uncomfortable.
“Okay, I’ll stay a little longer, but you don’t have to tell me about your family. We can save that for our second date?” As he realized what he’d said, heat flooded his face. “Oh no. Sorry. I didn’t mean to imply I thought this was a date, or that you’d want a second one.”
He jerked to his feet again. “I should go, before I embarrass myself further.”
Wil’s warm chuckle washed over him, and he glanced at the other man.
“Sit down, Ben. I may not count this as our first date, but I would like there to be a first and a second date.”
“You would?” he asked shyly, a tendril of warmth curling inside him at the thought.
“Yep.” Wil moved closer and took Ben’s hand in his own. “I’m an only child and the result of a prom night experiment gone wrong. My parents have always been best friends and still are today. They both have amazing, loving partners, and we’re one big happy family.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
“There’s a bit more than that, but that’s the basics.”
“Okay. Can I ask where you’re from?”
“I’m from a small town north of San Francisco. My mom still lives there, and dad splits his time between there and Los Angeles.”
“Was it hard growing up with your dad so far away?”
“Oh, no. Dad only moved to LA my freshman year here when he reconnected with his partner who’d he’d been at school with.”
“So, apart from kissing strangers at frat parties, what else do you like to do?” Ben asked with a teasing smile.
Wil laughed and softly stroked the back of Ben’s hand with his thumb.
“I enjoy gaming,” he said, nodding towards the very large television that dominated the living area wall. Ben noticed the gaming consoles that sat on the floor beneath it. “Movies, music, and long walks on the beach.” The last was said with an eyebrow waggle.
Ben laughed at Wil’s wry tone. “Not many beaches here in Arizona.”
“No, and none really near either of my homes.”
They talked effortlessly for the next while, sharing favorite movies and games they both played. They were in the middle of a discussion on whether the Marvel movies should be watched in chronological or release order, when the door flew open and two guys stumbled in, so wrapped up in each other that they didn’t notice Wil and Ben on the couch.
“Oh, god. I’m so sorry,” Wil groaned, running a hand over his face. “Ollie!” he not quite yelled and the pair broke apart.
Ben tried to smother his laughter as the one he presumed was Wil’s roommate looked at them blankly.
“Huh?”
“Fuck’s sake, Ollie. Can you not wait until you’re in your room?” Wil asked with a wave of his hand towards the opposite side of the suite.
“Wil?” Ollie suddenly appeared to realize that Wil wasn’t alone. “Oh, shit. Sorry, didn’t know you’d have company tonight.” He swayed, and his companion wrapped his arms around his waist from behind before nibbling on his neck. Ollie gave a sigh before snapping his attention back to Wil and Ben. “Why are you out here? You know the rules. No fucking on the couch.”
Wil groaned and gave Ben an apologetic look. “We aren’t. We’re just talking.”
“Ollie, baby. Are we going to stand here and chat or are you going to….” Ollie’s companion’s voice trailed off to a whisper that had Ollie’s eyes rolling back as he slumped against his partner. Ben was grateful that he didn’t hear the end of the sentence and from the look on Wil’s face, he was too.
