i just keep hoping, that your heart opens {percy}

[BENJI FLYNN]

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Benjamin propped his feet up on the chair in front of him. He was sitting in the back row of the auditorium, right beside the sound booth where his music teach teacher was running through the techniques they used in theater productions. Benji was only half listening, his eyes were on the theater class on the stage, running through lines, picking costumes and generally having a good time.

He saw Percy, practically directing the class single-handedly as he shouted at some girl. He smiled softly, remembering the times Percy had taken over in high school, putting people in the right places, dressing them in their proper uniforms. It was Percy's calling, Benji knew that for sure. It had been the other boy's dream since way back before the two had met. Benji slipped his pen into his mouth, looking down at his laptop screen to make it look like he was working before stealing more glaces at Percy.

Flynn, are you listening? came the scorning voice from his teacher.

No. came Benji's reply as he shut the lid of his mac and slipped it in his bag, getting up out of his chair to walk towards the stage. Not really listening to his teacher's disgust. Making his way to the front row he sat himself down in the middle, where he got a dark look from one of the girls who obviously thought he was going to be a distraction.

He looked up at Percy, a smile on his face. He had heard about the incident with Simon on the room - it had been a shame the disgusting boy hadn't jumped. But Benji wouldn't have said that out loud. If anything it had made him more determined to get his boy back. Simon was not going to take Percy away from him.

Biting his lip he propped his legs up on the rail that separated the audience from the orchestra pit and, then, the stage. He was waiting for a natural break in their rehearsal to go and say hello - which wasn't what he would have done back in high school. But then he had grown up since then...he hoped.

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percivaltag
youmeatsixmusic
hereoutfit
me cause im awesome credit
figured they'd have a nice little meeting x:notes

[PERCY YEATS]

Percy was standing on the front edge of the stage, his back to the auditorium's (mostly) empty seating, his weight rocking back irritably from foot to foot as he brutally harassed some poor girl in Renaissance garb: "Donna, for the millionth time, you're exit is sloppy and late." He waved a script book in the air as if to punctuate this, and the girl averted her eyes, cheeks pink with shame and embarrassment as the rest of her peers hung back along the edge of the stage, watching Percy hijack their professor's role as director like it was made for him.

A few of them looked impressed, several looked amused, but the majority just looked irritated, glaring at the petite diva when he wasn't looking.

Percy, of course, was either unaware or simply didn't care; as Tico would say, haters gonna hate, and Percy had no time for what he assumed was petty jealousy. It wasn't his problem that he was the only one with enough guts to take over when their professor took his numerous cig and booze breaks.

He thumbed his hair from his face, his hard blue eyes zeroing in on poor Donna. "Again. Time yourself as you exit, count in your head. One two three, one two three, one two three." He clapped his hands together with all his princely, imagine authority and grudgingly the cast fell back into their places.

He turned and hopped off the stage, making a small noise of surprise as the leap brought him face to face with none other than Benji Flynn.

He blinked owlishly for a moment and then his cheeks turned slightly pink when he realized that Benji had been watching the whole time. He straightened his tweed jacket a little, coughing lightly under his breath before he said, "Oh, hey, Benji when did you - ?" He glanced back over his shoulder at the act unfolding and quickly sat down in the seat next to his ex.

"What're you doing here?" he asked, trying to make his voice sound casual as his eyes went up to watch the actors distractedly.

[BENJI FLYNN]

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Benji smirked slightly to himself, noticing immediately the light pink colour in the other's cheeks. Something he had almost become accustomed to when they had been dating. He moved his bag out of the was as Percy sat next to him, eyes darting to the boy as he tucked away his laptop and ran his hands through his hair, fixing it into place.

I came to watch your performance, of course. It's very good, he smiled, turning to face the other boy, sticking out his tongue playfully. Nah, I had a music class on theatre management, fixing sound systems, setting up microphones and all that fun stuff.

Biting his lip he looked back onto the stage, a small smile on his face, I think I could have painted the scenery better, though, he said chuckling at the memories he had of detentions spent painting pirate ships and forests and even the odd hut for the high school plays Percy was always in. I remember I always tried to get detention so I ended up in the drama studio. Like that time I blew up the science lab with the magnesium, spend a month painting 'Beast's castle' and that stupid rose tree for Alice in Wonderland.

Benji smiled for a moment until he realised that he really wanted to talk to Percy about something. I heard about what happened with you and Simon. Is that what gets your attention? Suicide attempts? Benji wasn't looking at Percy now, in fact he was trying hard to look anywhere but at the boy, his fingers nervously picking at the hem of his shirt. Or is it because it's Simon? Benji smirked, shaking his head a little, God knows you were never there when I needed you...

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[PERCY YEATS]

Percy kept one eye on the stage, expression half critical and half distracted as he kept glancing back over to Benji. He had been a little afraid he wouldn't see the other boy at all since the incident at the coffee shop; there weren't many people who could make Percy Yeats feel guilt, but Benji was definitely one of them. After all the emotional bullshit he'd put the poor guy through, Percy still felt like he was walking on eggshells but at least...

At least he got to see him, at least a little.

Regardless of how his feelings had changed since high school, Benji was still important to him.

He smiled a little at the memories Benji brought up, finally able to ignore all of the bad ones that went along with them. "You made fun of my Peter Pan tights every day," he recalled dryly, wrinkling his nose even as his grin widened a little. "Yeah, well, even if you did cost the school hundreds of dollars for blowing up their science department, I was still glad every time you showed up." He blew out a small sigh, admitting, "Even if I never showed it."

The atmosphere changed the second Simon's name was mentioned; Percy stiffened visibly, his face hardening, expression closing off to keep any emotions from seeping through. He looked over at Benji, studying him, blue eyes calculating.

He didn't say anything for a long while.

"I don't know," he said finally, his voice flat and constricted. "Maybe because I figured no one else would. I don't know." Anger flickered in his eyes and he drew himself up a little, looking at Benji with a flinty gaze. "You really want to go down that road, Benji?" he asked, his voice quiet and very cold. "I know I fucked up. I know I was terrible to you, but I wasn't the only one." He looked back at the stage, face stony.

"You ruined me."

[BENJI FLYNN]

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Benji shrunk down a little into his seat when he heard the tone of Percy's voice. He felt a red tint forming on his cheeks, he hadn't meant to cause any harm, not really. I know I did, I'm sorry...forget I said anything, he mumbled, bringing his knees up to his chest on the chair and wrapping his thin arms around his body, watching the rest of the cast busy themselves. They seemed to be trying to prove they didn't need Percy bossing them around when it was quite clear they did.

He smiled as one poor girl tripped over her long dress and fell to the floor. The rip that followed wiped the smile from his face as the poor girl rushed off the stage. He bit his lip and looked over to Percy, Will she be okay? he asked, genuinely concerned. He would have joined in the laughing back in high school.

He waited for the laughter to die down before he really turned to face Percy. Do you think we can ever be just friends? Because that's what you want, isn't it? You don't do relationships any more and I don't fuck around any more. Benji smiled somewhat sadly, looking back to the stage where the rest of the crew had disappeared backstage. Benji got to his feet and took Percy's hand, leading him back onto the stage. The first time I saw you was on the stage, dressed as Prince Charming. It was the first dress rehearsal and I was sitting at the back of the auditorium with, I dunno, couple of guys, laughing at the chick who was playing Snow White. I think I knew I wanted you at that moment. But when we actually had classes together all we did was insult each other. Kinda stupid when you think about it... Benji smiled and held onto both of Percy's hands.

I'm really sorry, everything I did to you was unforgivable. I know that. I just...don't want to lose you, we can still be friends, can't we?

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[PERCY YEATS]

Percy kept his glare cold and his face stony, unable to squash the smidgen of satisfaction he felt when he saw Benji avert his eyes and sink into his chair. Coolly, he looked aside, casting an impartial gaze up to the stage. Perhaps this was the reason they'd never really stood a chance. Percy was always looking for a fight; Benji would do anything to avoid one. Perhaps he thought with a moment of wavering conviction, he was putting a little too much blame on the other boy, all things considered.

Well, whatever. He shook off the feeling, rolling his slender shoulders in a huffy, dignified sort of way. He was tired of feeling sorry for something that had happened three years ago.

His expression soured irritably and watched with pitiless eyes as the girl rushed off stage. "She better be," he said, getting to his feet and clapping his hands harshly. "Alright, take ten. Annie, go check on her, tell her she'd better be ready to take it from the top in fifteen. Everyone else, practice your lines or something; we keep doing this until it's perfect!"

He looked back at Benji, considering him in silence for a moment. And then he sighed, gently, his expression softening in a way that was somewhat unusual for him. Affection seeped in around the corner of his eyes, lifting the edge of his lips in a small smile. "I'd like that," he said honestly, letting Benji take his hands, tilting his head marginally and looking at him in a curious sort of way. He allowed himself to be led gently up onto the stage, and he looked out into the empty auditorium audience, eyes glazing over with some nostalgia.

"That was probably my fault," he admitted, shrugging his shoulders and looking back at Benji. "I'm a difficult person, most of the time." He sighed again and withdrew his hands before promptly wrapping his arms around Benji's middle resolutely and leaning into a warm embrace, his temple resting on Benji's shoulder. "I forgive you, Benji. I hope you can forgive me too. I do want to be your friend; I told you I missed you, didn't I? I did. I don't want to lose you again, either."

[BENJI FLYNN]

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Benji smiled, glad that Percy hadn't pulled his hand away. As they stood on the stage, Benji was about to reply to the other boy when he felt the small arms around his middle and the boy's head against his shoulder. He blushed, his own arms still at his sides. He had almost forgotten the feeling of a hug from Percy - but now it all came flooding back. He bit his lip for a moment as he listened to Percy speak. Smiling softly he slipped a finger under Percy's chin, making the boy look up so they were almost face to face. Of course I forgive you, he said, his voice hardly above a whisper.

He could hear the other students peeking out of their hiding places, looking forward to taking this gossip back to their dorms. But Benji didn't care - let them talk, if they had nothing better to do with their lives. He leant forward slowly, making sure Percy wasn't going to slap him before planting a very soft kiss on the boy's lips. He wasn't even sure if their skin had connected, so just to make sure, he did it again. Eyes closing for a moment as he lost himself in the bliss. He'd just kissed Percy again. He had just kissed-

Oh shit.

Eyes snapping open again he pulled away, eyes wide as if he couldn't explain himself. Well, he couldn't. What had he done. They were supposed to be friends. Friends didn't do this. He didn't do this. What was he playing at. He pulled himself away from Percy's arms, hand tugging at his hair as he turned his back on the other boy for a moment, gathering his thoughts and his breath. Well, that lasted long, he joked, shaking his head, cursing under his breath.

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[PERCY YEATS]

A little warning alarm went off quietly in the back of Percy's mind when Benji tilted his chin up and their gazes met (their faces were close, too close, friends don't get this close but to hell with it - ), and he promptly ignored it. It was comforting to be in an embrace like this for once - lately, anytime someone was holding him, it was just another ploy to get his pants off - and he let himself sink into the warmth and eerie familiarity of it.

"Good," he said, his eyes lidding in a lazy, cat-like manner. Another small, brief smile. "I'm glad we're starting with a clean... slate..." He trailed off, more curious than anything else as Benji leaned forward to kiss him. It wasn't surprising, not really, although Percy was a little confused how this was supposed to work within the context of their new 'friendship'.

But he tilted his head anyway, returning the gentle pressure of Benji's mouth with his own, his arms tightening briefly around Benji's middle before the other boy broke away.

Ah, hell.
He probably should have expected as much. A kiss was just a kiss to Percy, but Benji had grown a conscience since last they'd been together, and Percy could sense the inner conflict exuding form the boy in depressed waves.

He shrugged gently, watching Benji turn away. "Yeah, so much for that," he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. He watched the other boy sympathetically, then said, "Benji... it's okay. Are you beating yourself up over this?" He took a few tentative steps forward, trying to get a glimpse of the other's face. "It's okay, Benji. We can figure it out. Not everything has to be written in stone, we can figure it out." He gave the other boy what was supposed to be a comforting smile.

[BENJI FLYNN]

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Benji stopped his pacing and mentally slapped himself for being such an idiot and then making the situation worse. He turned around slowly and shook his head at Percy in answer to his question. No. We're friends, that's is. That's all we'll ever be. I just... Benji paused taking in a breath and looking away from Percy, I just need to remember. It's fine. But it wasn't fine, Benji knew that being 'just friends' was going to test every instinct in his body not to go up to Percy, gather the smaller boy in his arms and hold him there. But he could do it. He had to do it.

He returned the gentle smile and sat down on the edge of the stage, letting his long legs slip over the edge and swing underneath him. It was strange looking out on the empty auditorium, forgetting that there was still a cast of actors wanting to come out and rehearse. It's strange, I think I might have actually missed being on stage, even if I only got the parts no one else wanted. For those short moments I could be someone completely different. I enjoyed being those characters more than I enjoyed being myself. At least they always- he stopped himself and shook his head, leaning back slightly. Still, I should let you carry on with your rehearsal, you know where to find me if you need anything, don't you?

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[PERCY YEATS]

Percy's smile flickered briefly, uncertainly, and he watched Benji with a wariness he'd learned over the years of their on and off relationship. He had no desire to say the wrong thing and send the other boy into a spiral of self-hatred and doubt; there was a time Percy had reveled in the power he had over Benji's emotional state, but he was beyond enjoying that now. Now, he just kept his hands in the back pockets of his trousers, watching Benji through his eyelashes, calmly letting the other boy cipher through his emotions.

"Friends," he agreed, a bemused expression briefly appearing on his face before he nodded.

His eyes lit up a little when Benji said he missed being onstage and he walked forward, having seemed to relax slightly since the kiss moments before. He nudged the other boy in the side with his elbow, grinning in his insufferably smug way. "I knew I'd convert you," he said, his shoulders straightening as he drew himself up to his full height, beaming across the stage. "There's no better place in the world to be," he said simply. He caught the other's faltered statement about loving the characters more than himself and he looked over at Benji with saddened eyes, nudging him again lightly but having no comforting words to add.

He blew out a sigh at the mention of the rehearsal and shrugged dismissively. "I was going to go out and have a quick cigarette," he supplied, hopping off the stage with some grace. "Join me? I'll even bum you one, if you like." He peered up at Benji, quirking a brow. "You haven't quit, right?"

outfitlol i am now obsessed :c look what you've doneee

[BENJI FLYNN]

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Benji chuckled lightly at Percy's comment, nodding his head in agreement. Yes, you did. Good job - considering I always used to think it was a waste of time. But you're right, as usual. he said, looking at Percy and rolling his eyes as if to say 'you told me so'. Gingerly he got to his feet and brushed down his clothes, making sure he still looked reasonably presentable. That was one side of Benji that had never left - his vanity. Though it wasn't so obnoxious as it used to be, he was certainly able to control himself, he was sure his vanity was the one thing that had helped him. As well as his pride. He had not been prepared to let everyone else see how much he had suffered.

But Percy had seen through all that, just as Benji suspected he would.

He nodded, there really was no place in the world better than the small stage next to Percy. He looked at the other boy and smiled wondering, briefly, if Percy had ever thought about him. Not that it mattered. It was in the past. Looking out into the auditorium once more he jumped off the stage - less gracefully than Percy had done - and followed the boy out of the door.

I thought about it, but giving up drugs and alcohol was enough - for now at least. I'm sure one day I'll give up smoking, he said, grinning, silently proud of the self-control he had had while giving up his addictions. First it had been sex, then drugs, and then - finally - alcohol. If only he had done it while the two had been together, maybe they would have never broken apart.

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[PERCY YEATS]

Percy seemed pleased with himself; he'd made Benji laugh, which, considering hwo their meetings as of late had been going, was a good thing. It was a nice sound to hear, a nice relief from the strained tone of voice Benji always took when he was upset about something and trying to cover it up. It sounded light, free, innocently and sincerely amused, and Percy had to refrain himself from leaning over and hugging the boy again.

Instead he just preened, thumbing his hair from his face with a flourish and shrugging. The grin on his face was impish. "It's not my fault I always am," he said in a light, sing-song of a voice. He wrinkled his nose slightly when Benji mentioned how he'd quit his use of drugs and alcohol, shaking his head in astonishment. "You need to stop being such a saint," he said in a mock serious tone. "You're making the rest of us look terrible."

He pushed open the theater's side exit and shivered as he walked out into the brisk afternoon air. He went shuffling through his pockets until he'd found his cigarettes and his lighter, and he passed one to Benji. "C'mere," he said, voice muffled around the cigarette. He leaned forward towards the taller male, holding his lighter out with the intention of lighting them both at once.

[BENJI FLYNN]

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Benji smiled and shook his head, turning his back on Percy for a moment, I never thought I'd hear you, of all people, calling me a saint. he chuckled, turning back to the other boy and leaning forward so Percy could light his cigarette. He lingered there for a moment before straightening up and adjusting his jacket, slipping it from his shoulders and giving it to Percy. Almost wrapping the material around the boy's shoulders, knowing that Percy would begin to refuse. But Benji wasn't going to take no for an answer.

Leaning against the wall, on foot pressed against the brick he smile softly to himself, letting the cigarette hang between his lips. So, he began, blowing a few smoke rings, got any plans for later? he asked, not really making eye contact with the other boy.

He assumed Percy would be working on the production, Percy always worked hard when it came to the theatre. Benji wished he could help in some way, take away some of the stress. But Percy wouldn't let him, and Benji was more afraid of getting too close to the other boy, now they really had set the boundaries.

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[PERCY YEATS]

"I never thought I'd be saying it either, honestly," he said, exhaling smoke and giving a shiver of pleasure; he'd been aching for a cigarette all day. He made a small, startled noise when he felt the fabric of Benji's coat settling around his shoulders. He tsked lightly (though he was smiling and his fingers were already curling around the edges to pull it on tighter) and said, "You've always been a gentleman, even if you tried to deny it." He settled, leaning back against the school building, burying his chin into the collar of the borrowed jacket.

He looked over, taking a thoughtful drag of his cigarette, smiling as he exhaled through his teeth. "I'm not doing anything, no," he said, pushing off the wall and turning on his heel towards the other. "I have this until four, but I'm free tonight." He thumbed his hair out of his face, gaze flickering briefly to his feet before they traveled up to Benji's face. "Do you want to hang out or something?"

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[BENJI FLYNN]

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Benji smirked and shook his head at the gentleman comment; flashes of nights spent with Percy, carrying him home, keeping him safe. The smile fondly remained on his face as he looked at Percy who was leaning back on the wall; looking very good, Benji added as an afterthought. He inhaled the cigarette in silence for a moment, turning back and forth on the spot before he realised what Percy had asked him.

Errr, yeah. I mean if you want to... he stuttered, a little flustered about actually being asked to do something with Percy. They're showing West Side Story at the Imax, if you wanna go? he added, remembering that they had been showing a few old films once a week. He'd never seen it himself, but he'd heard it was good and he was sure Percy wouldn't hate it either - it was a musical or something, right?

Just remember: It's not a date.

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