who knows why and how you’ve somehow been able to become ben’s soft spot in such a short time.

maybe you just have that effect on people.

hughie and butcher have been asking themselves why for the last hour, after seeing how much the past american hero is in a good mood. and not being so crude and arrogant, like usual.

god, who fuck knows how. but, they know it’s because of you, especially since you were tasked with looking after him.

and the fact that you’re allowed to call him ben without being glared at and bitched out for it is the reason for butcher’s and hughie’s confusion and surprise.

butcher’s just looking between you and ben with amusement, while hughie’s genuinely confused and shocked.

because how the hell did you manage to get away with calling him by his real name just now? when he never lets anyone call him that.

“ben?” hughie asks with raised eyebrows, seconds before ben’s expressions switches to one of annoyance.

“watch it.” he replies in a warning tone of voice, pointing a finger at him with a glare, that good behavior from before long gone.

at least until you laugh at that, which immediately, does ben’s head turn to look at you with his eyes softening.

a tell that both butcher and hughie realize that ben has a soft spot for you.

would the former soldier boy ever admit this, though? who knows.