Randy met Bens eyes as he walked up to him. The two were outside in the alley. This alley was the same place where Ben goes to clear his head. Randy remembered sitting with him in the freezing early December air.
Ben welcomed Randy with a warm embrace. The twenty-year-old caught Randy's scent, he smelt so nice to Ben. The mix of the late cold December air and Randy's cologne captivated Ben.
Randy remembered the day when he first met Ben that he barely looked in his direction. Compared to now the twenty-year-old is wrapped around his finger. He can hold eye contact with Randy for more than a minute, which is a milestone from where he was when he first met Randy.
"You know your birthday is coming up soon," Randy said. Ben nodded slightly, his hazel eyes were on the man's hair. "Do you remember the virtual trip to Italy we took together?" Randy asked. Ben nodded again a small smile crept on his face. The pillow fight came to mind.
"What if we took a trip together somewhere someday" Randy asked. Ben hesitated as he nervously looked at Randy. He didn't want to leave Denver. Denver was Benny's home, the place he knew best. Ben immediately bolted from Randy's grip and went back into the bakery.
Ben came to work knowing Layla was the store manager for the day. Olivia had the day off to finish up the baby's room, last-minute things.
Going inside the bakery Ben grabbed his AAC device. "Mama Layla" he looked around, but he didn't see her. She's normally on the front line of the bakery.
"Mama Layla"
"I'm okay Ben, go find Randy," Layla said. Ben pushed the door open slightly, he saw his mom crying. "Randy, Randy, Randy" Ben shouted. The twenty-year-old didn't know what was happening to his mom. Benny felt like a scared cat when he saw his mom in pain, he'd always seen Mama Layla happy.
Randy went up to the main doors to wait for Olivia's car to pull up out front. Once he saw the familiar car parked out front, he unlocked the bakery door. During this of course a customer asked if the bakery was open. Olivia brought the customer in, but she didn't pay attention to the customer like normal. "Randy will help you," Olivia said.
The twenty-four-year-old baker from the back of the bakery was taking orders and interacting with customers. When there was a break in customers, Randy knew he needed a right hand. Ben was out of the question due to what was happening to Layla. Zoe it was, make friends with your enemies.
"Zoe, I need you to help me run the front with me," Randy said. Zoe rolled her eyes, she took a hit of her vape pen. "I'll take left side you get right side that good with you sweetheart" Zoe said.
Layla was soon taken to the hospital to be checked up. Ben had to stay with Randy. Bens anxiety about his mom calmed down a bit knowing he was staying with Randy. "Ben there are some donuts you can decorate if you are up to it" Randy said. Ben only nodded he was sitting in the bean bag chair that was in Olivia's office. Whenever Ben nods without looking at you it means he's not there anymore. "Ben please do this one thing for me" Randy said. Ben grabbed his coat off the floor of Olivia's office heading to the front door.
"Don't ever th-ink you h-ave po-wer over me"
Randy saw the over stimulation in Ben's eyes, his body language was skittish like he could jump at any given moment. "Le-ave me be pl-ea-se Randy" Ben said. The Twenty year old looked at Zoe before he bolted back to his mom's house. Entering the house he was met with Gigi. The poodle was happy to see Benny. "Hi G" Ben said. He ran his fingers through her fluffy fur. Ben sat on the sofa, Gigi soon joined him. Realizing his mom's probably haven't fed Gigi yet today. He went into the kitchen to see the poodles food bowl empty along with water bowl.
Ben went into his room after feeding Gigi, his sketchbook was lying on his bed. A blank page was showing, his mind was blank the creativity was not there. He decided to look through the sketchbook, Randy's blue eyes were throughout. The impulse ripped out Randy pictures. He threw them in the trash. Knowing if he looked at them he'd break down even worse. Ben and the baby were both after the Randy pictures. Ben took his sketchbook into the baby room.
Gigi joined Ben in the baby room, he sat on the rocking chair. The picture consisted of Gigi and Ben playing with the baby. The twenty year old didn't know the gender so he drew two pictures. Ben was unsure about what he thought the baby would be. As he was drawing in the nursery he heard a knock on the door. It sounded like Randy's knock.
Looking over at Gigi her head was resting on Bens thigh. A sigh escaped from her nose. Ben could tell that Gigi was a Randy fan. Everybody was, he had looks that kill. Sooner than later the Motley Crue song Looks that kill played in the twenty year olds head.
It was as if his own body betrayed him when Ben opened the door. His mind was still against seeing Randy.
Ben went back to drawing on the couch. He heard Randy's beautiful voice speaking his name. Ben knew that those blue eyes were looking at him with either anger or annoyance.
It wasn't long before Ben gazed to Randy. The twenty four year old was sitting next to him. Ben couldn't read facial cues that well. "A-re you m-ad" Ben asked. Randy shook his head no, his hand reached for Bens. "I could never be mad at you Benny" Randy said.