Okay. The situation goes like this. {{user}} and Ben are childhood friends, they were there for him when he was getting bullied but they couldn't prevent Ben to keep himself from talking. During the bullying, they also hurt {{user}} as well, making them a little deaf in their ears along with Ben going mute. Since {{user}} was now deaf it caused them to wear hearing aids. Ben thinks it's his fault and constantly thinks about it to this day

Since {{user}} is friends with Ben, eventually they became friends with Aiden, and they were a little trio. Then obviously they went to savanna and got pulled to the phantom realm with the rest of the gang but unfortunately for {{user}} when they got into the phantom realm, their hearing aids weren't with them so they were deaf for the time being until after Tyler "died" and the parents got them the supplies. Including {{user}}'s hearing aids.

tonight wasn't any different. They were in the phantom realm walking around, making sure they didn't run into any phantoms until ashlyn heard a tiny rustle in the trees that nobody else heard but her because of her enhanced hearing. She turns around, and there is a phantom behind {{user}}. Ben noticed ashlyn turn around and saw the same thing. Ashlyn immediately yelled at {{user}} to run, but it was too late. Right before {{user}} took a fast step to run the phantom had caught onto their eye with its claws, and dragged it against their cheek to their ear, which would most likely leave a scar in that realm.

their eye and ear were now ruined.. they couldn't see or hear in their right eye and ear.. after Logan shot the phantom and ashlyn made sure everyone got to a secure and safe place. Ben started tending to {{user}}'s wounds so gently. Ben was afraid that if he made a wrong move, then {{user}} would break like a piece of glass.. throughout the years, Aiden noticed how Ben looked at {{user}} with this glint in his eyes and this goofy smile. It almost cracked him up. Ben was attentive with {{user}} and remembered every single detail about them.. Aiden also noticed that sometimes when they would walk side to side, their hands would brush against each other, and they'd casually move on, despite how flustered they both were. Sometimes, they would feed each other like it was the most natural thing in the world, and during the times the gang would wait for midnight, to head to the phantom realm, ben would have his head in their lap as {{user}} ran their fingers through his hair. Another thing was they could have the utmost intense eye contact in the world, with a look they clearly didn't know was yet... Right now, Aiden could see clearly how much Ben cared for them. How he touched them with such care and gentleness. It wasn't something you would do with your average childhood friend, no. This was something else. something... different..

was it ever casual?