Work Text:
Benny stood up and put the phone on the table so that Harry could talk through another variation with Beth. He knew he’d been wrong to tell her not to call him. But they were both stubborn, they’d admitted that if not anything else to each other. He walked over to his “couch” if you could call it that. And lit a cigarette, resting his arm on his crossed one and stared at one of the twins, He still wasn’t too sure which one was which but one of them was talking to Beth explaining Borgov’s possible moves.
He exhaled the smoke, he wished that he’d been there in Russia instead of Townes. It wasn’t a shock to Benny when Townes agreed to go. “I’m doing it for you and Beth. And to try and heal whatever relationship you both have” is what he’d said. But what was Benny to Beth. All he knew was that she’d Become so wound around her finger that he knew he could never shake her off. The last two weeks before Paris played on his mind almost constantly. They’d fucked on every surface in his basement apartment, morning, noon or night. Sometimes multiple- but he wasn’t telling the guys that- they got comfortable being around each other.
He felt like he didn’t need to psych her out by wearing his robe. And Beth didn’t need to constantly tease him with keeping the shower curtain slightly open or his door open a crack whilst she was showering . In fact more than once she worn some of his T-shirts that she’d found in the floor during the morning. And more then once they’d fucked on the kitchen counter and that was before breakfast and chess.
Hours went by and he was currently talking to beth again, going through another variation. He was trying to keep it professional, and not let his emotions show like he did before. He was having his 14th or was it 15th cup of coffee that afternoon. And he’d smoked 2 packs of cigarettes already. And hearing her voice was like heaven to him. Suddenly he heard his name on the other end.
“Benny, it’s almost 5 here”
He ran his finger on the rim of the coffee cup. “Okay,..go beat him.”
Harry and the guys looked at up him as he said it. He lingered on the phone for a few milliseconds longer before putting it back into the holder. He ran a hand down his face and then through his hair. He was shattered, but he knew he couldn’t sleep.
“What do we do now?” One of the twins asked sipping his tea.
“Food. I’m starving”
“You would Harry. Know any good places Benny?” The other twin asked.
“ There’s a bagel shop down 3rd Avenue, but you guys go I’m not hungry”
“ you sure?, Do you want us to get you something?” Harry looked as if he wanted to say something else.
“Yeah I’m sure and get me whatever”
He was going to wait here, he wanted to wait to see if Beth might call, even if she didn’t he wanted to be here anyway.
“Alright, c’mon. Let’s go” Wexler clapped Hilton and one of the twins on the back and all but ran to the door.
“Hey Harry you coming” Hilton called from the open door.
“Yeah hold on”
“You really like her don’t you?”
“ what’s that got to do with you?”
” Listen, I know Beth can get under your skin sometimes it’s not good but with you it seems to be deep and you obviously have a connection with her, a connection that… I never had with her. Look all I’m saying is that you don’t hurt her”
“How do you..”
“It’s been evident from the moment you called us asking us to help her. And called Townes? Anyone could see that Benny”
“Shit.. and for the record I would never hurt her, yes we may have said some things but I would never intentionally hurt her”
“Then show her or at least try and tell her you care. In whatever way you want. Just don’t leave it too long. Because I know she likes you too.”
And with that Harry left, Benny thanked Harry and smiled slightly and clapped his on the shoulder and headed out the door leaving Benny to his thoughts. He hoped that he’d get to talk to Beth again. Before she came home. He didn’t want her to think that he was still pissed at her. He hoped that she’d understand that the phone call was his way of saying sorry. They weren’t good at communication but chess was one thing they knew. And so he sat and smoked and drank his coffee whilst staring up to his little window. Wishing the hours would go a bit more quicker then they were now. He rearranged the chessboard and decided to play out a few more scenarios.