a little slice of interrupted solace

[rageserenity]

Characters: Erik and Ben
Date&Time: August 11th, early evening
Setting: Library
Summary: Can he not have a moment's peace?!
Rating: Surely nothing to be concerned about... this isn't AU!
Status: Open to Ben.

Comments

[staticsnap]

Contrary to popular belief (well-founded popular belief, as it stood), Ben Westwood was capable of stealth. It was not of a caliber to be considered professional in any respect but he could avoid making a scene if he really tried, could manage to pace the length of a corridor without falling. Usually. On a good day. He had improved by miles in the short time that Domino had decided he was a fun side project

[rageserenity]

"Stop lurking in the shadows, Mr. Westwood."

Erik boomed out, not even bothering to glance up from his book as he did so, and just waving a few fingers of his good hand to swing the heavy door open by the door handle as 'invitation'.

So he didn't know that it was Ben, not entirely, but it was an educated guess.

All afternoon he'd occasionally thought he'd caught a glimpse of the boy loitering around in the periphery of his vision, and often he'd felt the tell-tale prickle of eyes upon him, even when he thought himself alone.

He'd allowed it to continue undisturbed until now, curious then to see where it might lead and too bored to want the intrigue to end prematurely.

However. Creeping around outside library doors watching him read simply was the final straw.

And really, who else would be stupid enough to follow him if not Ben?

[staticsnap]

Ben jumped back with a short bark of surprise as the door swung inwards, robbing him of his hiding place and leaving him standing in the open with a rather stunned and uncertain expression. The boy didn't move, hands frozen in front of him as he tried to figure out his next move. Domino had yet to go over what to do when one's cover was blown.

So he was just going to have to go with his instincts.

"I wasn't lurking," Ben assured, quietly. "I just... didn't want to disturb your privacy. Can I..." he gestured at the open door, not wanting to misinterpret the signal. "Is it okay if I come in?"

[rageserenity]

"If i'd wanted to uncover your hiding place and keep you out, i'd have blown the door back and crushed you against the far wall with it."

Erik remarked, and really that was as close as Ben was going to get to an invitation to come in and pester him.

Ben did usually manage to irritate him within ten seconds flat, but simultaneously there obviously must be some form of reason why he'd spent the afternoon like a veritable little stalker. Or perhaps he was just bored.