Author: [J]deeptown_girl[/J]
Beta: Katzie
Fandoms: Narnia & High School Musical RPF
Pairings/characters: Ben Barnes/Zac Efron, Ben Barnes/William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Vanessa Hudgens etc.
Genre: angst, humour, romance
Rating: this part PG, overall up to NC-17
Warnings: slash, language
Word count: 1,078
A/N: Now go kill me
He was fucking drop-dead gorgeous, literally like a magazine cover picture.- This party is the boredom masterpiece, - yawned Ben, leaning against the wall and taking a sip from his whiskey glass. – Who’s even the host? – he asked apathetically, turning his head to meet his best friend’s bored eyes.
- Some kingpin of Hollywood, - snorted Will. - Come on, quit kissing your glass here, we were invited to make some important acquaintances, - he said, stretching his arm to grab Ben’s drink, but Ben shifted, jokingly digging Will in the side with his elbow.
- I’d rather be kissing my glass than Spielberg’s or someone else’s butt over there to get a part in a movie, - he laughed. - We’re both getting enough Narnia money to sit twiddling our thumbs and have whatever we want for the next dozen years. Why even bother?
Will shook his head with a smirk. This is why he absolutely loved hanging out with Barnes. The guy was one of the few who shared his own views on life: have fun now, think about future later. He raised his glass:
- I’d drink to that.
- I can’t help but join.
Their eyes met again, and they both burst out laughing. Will took a sip, wishing he had brought some earplugs. All this loud chatting and laughing sounds of the room were giving him a headache. He didn’t sleep much last night, though he didn’t regret it. At least the club party with Ben and Skandar was way more fun than this.
He glanced at Ben and grimaced, noticing his friend’s gaze lazily wandering around the room, and his lower lip slightly bit in curiosity. Will sighed; he knew what this meant. He wished Ben could finally find himself a permanent boyfriend and stop looking for quickies at every single party. He knew his friend too well not to see what’s behind the I-do-what-I-want image. If only Ben had someone to be with, to comfort him, to share, to love… Will focused on his drink, trying to shake off the sudden unwelcome thoughts and images inside his head. After all, it’s Ben’s life. He has no right telling his friend what to do, no matter how much he cared.
Meanwhile, Ben has long stopped gazing around. He was now staring, not blinking, and hardly even breathing, at a guy who just entered the room and was now standing mere two steps away. No, it was not just a hot guy, suitable for a 10-munite fun in a back room. He was fucking drop-dead gorgeous, literally like a magazine cover picture. Ben swallowed nervously. He couldn’t get at what was going on. He’s been with dozens of really hot guys. What’s so special about this boy?
…Except for this neatly styled, light brown hair that you just want to run your fingers through. And those piercing blue eyes looking about, probably searching for someone familiar. And, holy shit, that dazzling smile he flashed as he waved and darted across the room, leaving behind a light scent of cologne.
- Ben..? Ben! Hellooo! Benjamin Barnes, Earth calling! – he finally heard Will trying to get his attention. He blinked and faced his friend.
- Ben, you okay? – Will asked, sounding worried. Ben nodded and cast another glance at the guy who was now chatting with an older man in a black suit. He coughed, trying to make his voice sound casual.
- Will… Do you know who that guy is over there? – he stretched his hand towards the boy, watching Will’s expression lighten up with a cunning smile.
- That? Oh man, don’t tell me you don’t know Zac, the number one teenage-girls’ heartthrob, - he smirked, facing Ben. – Oh come on. Hairspray? High School Musical? Oh yeh, I forgot, you’re a patriot. You only watch British movies… films, I mean, - he laughed, as Ben gave him a light friendly poke in the ribs. – He’s hot, isn’t he?
- Oh, so you have an eye on him yourself? – Ben raised his eyebrows, trying to laugh the matter off. Will shook his head.
- No way. He’s like a cup of tea with 20 spoons of sugar. That sweetness makes me wanna puke, - he laughed. – So, you wanna grab him?
Ben bit his lower lip, looking at that Zac guy again.
- Not just that. I think I like him.
Will nearly choked on his drink as he felt his heart sink somewhere. What the… He should be happy, he wanted Ben to finally fancy someone! There wasn’t much time to process his own reaction, so he let out a quiet cough and looked at Ben:
- You… like him? Well what the hell are you waiting for then, go for it!
- I… I don’t know, - Ben said quietly, looking inside his glass. Will’s eyes widened.
- Oh come on, no way. Ben Barnes himself, scared to approach a hot guy?
- I’m not scared! – He raised his eyes, and Will suddenly understood.
- You never talk… about your ex, - he began quietly, but Ben cut him short:
- There is nothing to talk about, Will.
- Oh yes there is! – he answered angrily, standing right in front of his friend and grabbing his hand for attention. – Maybe it is time to find someone and stop drowning your sorrow in whiskey and random fucks, okay?! – He felt Ben strain, so he loosened his grip and lowered his voice. – Look… I don’t know what that guy did to you, but it doesn’t mean you have to forbid yourself from having feelings towards anyone ever again, you got me? Now you put on that sexy smile you’re always wearing, and go charm that guy. Comprende?
Ben looked at him seriously for a few long seconds, and then gave out a short relieved laugh.
- You read me like an open book, don’t you? – he asked, laying the free hand on Will’s shoulder. Will smiled.
- Well, isn’t that what BFFs are for? – he let go of Ben’s hand and took his glass. – Now go and break a leg. And I… I’m gonna go look for Skandar. – Will turned and made a few steps towards the door when he heard Ben calling him. He turned back and saw Ben smile widely at him:
- Thanks. For everything. – And he made his way to Zac who was now standing alone, lazily sipping his drink.
Will watched him with an uneasy feeling in his heart.
TBC