January 14, 1893*(adjustable) — Ben's Home
@Reuben Crouch

Roman was going to be married in a couple of months. Courting had been one thing, as had been getting engaged, but somehow the notion he was getting married had not really hit him until now. He was kind of surprised he had made it this far when he had no experience with women prior. He had been doing fine. Until the fact he would need to lay with his wife hit him. He had affection and attraction to Benevolence but that was something new for him. It was something he was not sure how he was meant to handle.

So, he had ended up flooing to Bens without appointment. Usually he could be counted on to assure a proper time and everything. So this was very out of character for him as one of Bens house staff ran off to inform Ben that he had arrived. Why had he come here? Not even Roman really knew.

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To say January had been rough would have been a understatement of comic proportions, but Ben was holding on for the moment. One foot in front of the other, one day after the next, careful not to make any sudden movements. A not-insignificant factor in his determination to take everything slowly since New Years was care for how any of his actions might affect his siblings; he had been the source of strife before due to rumors, and even if he managed to avoid creating any, he was loathe to cast a cloud on Roman's upcoming wedding with any indication that his own marriage was more or less mummifying with each passing day.

He was apprehensive when he heard that Roman was downstairs. Either of his brothers arriving unannounced historically meant that something of disastrous proportions had occurred, and the fact that it was Roman and not Aldous made Ben suspect that it had something to do with Melody. Had Benevolence figured something out? She, uniquely, had enough context to do so — particularly if Melody had said anything to her in confidence as a friend. Ben entered the room warily and exchanged greetings. With a glance towards the door between the parlor and the hallway, he asked, "Should we go talk in the garden?" The subtext being is this the sort of conversation you don't want my wife to overhear?

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MJ made this <3