Chapter Text
Ben felt more light-chested, he felt comfortable enough to tell someone he barely knew about his past, well… partially. These past few days have really boosted his self-confidence
Henry could tell something as bothering Ben, but he couldn’t figure it out. This started to make the man feel extreme concern for Ben
To help the concern building up in Henry he walked up to Ben and sat down next to him
“So, how did it go?” Henry asked
“Well, I told Jone a bit about the past and how you guys are so used to me” Ben replied
“Wait, you told Jone about your past? How far back did you go?” Henry asked
“I started to where June took off that necklace and stopped before the incident at the studio,” Ben said, his voice began to shake
“Well, I’m glad you got it out to someone. It’s always good to tell someone, no matter who it is, clearing your chest is more important than who you're talking to” Henry said. Ben started to tear up slightly. He knew he wouldn’t break out, but tearing is the furthest he could hold it back
“Hey Ben, I’m going inside to check on June, maybe you should go check on the cats,” Henry said. Ben shrugged softly
“HEY JAY, WHERE GOING INSIDE, CAN YOU KEEP AN EYE ON EVERYONE?” Henry yelled out
“SURE” Jason replied in a yell
“Alright, I’ll be down in a couple of minutes, go wake up the cats and feed them,” Henry told Ben
“What about Shadow?” Ben asked
“Your right, here let me heat some bacon strips, you give them to Shadow and then I’ll go check up on June,” Henry said
Ben nodded as he entered his room to find two sleeping cats on his bed. They really do love the quilt more than anything, even the box.
He sat down on his bed and rubbed both cats’ bellies, they both woke up slowly. Cloudy decided to not get up, Ben picked him up and carried the tired kitten to his food bowl, Shadow followed
Ben filled Cloudy’s bowl, Shadow became jealous, where was his food?
Ben looked over to see Shadow looking at the floor, he wondered what he was doing. He got his answer when a loud and audible grumble came from the ink cat’s stomach
Henry chuckled
“Don’t worry Shadow, I’m heating some bacon for ya’” Henry said. The cat approached the man and wrapped its tail around Henry’s legs. Henry chuckled at the act
A few minutes past by as Henry finished the bacon, he gave the strips to Ben as he filled a glass with water and headed for June’s room
“Here ya’ go,” Ben said as he put out his hand filled with bacon
Shadow investigated the Bacon strips before gobbling them down, looks like Shadow was hungry after his long nap
“Hey June-bug, you need anything?” Henry asked
“No, not really. Henry, how’s everyone doing?” June asked
“Everyone’s fine, everyone misses you but they’re all glad that your okay” Henry said
“What about Ben?” June asked
“Well, he’s been going through a lot recently but he’s handling it by himself which is good” Henry answered
“That’s good to hear,” June said slightly sad. This emotion didn’t go unknown by Henry
“June-bug what’s wrong? Is something bothering you?” Henry asked
“Yeah, I’m just sad that I can’t celebrate with you guys tonight. It’s Ben’s first new year and he can’t even celebrate it with his entire family” June said sadder
Henry seemed to understand the feelings June gave off, he to would be sad if he missed a holiday with Bendy
Henry leaned in offering a hug to June, June accepted as she fell into a soft sob
Ben could hear crying, it sounded like June. Was she hurt?
Ben decided to check it out, he made clear that he was coming up as he stomped his feet. When his head peaked around the corner, he stopped in his tracks, the sight of June crying broke him more than June
Ben approached cautiously as he thought he could hurt June more than she already was. He knew he wouldn’t, but he wouldn’t take any chances
As he approached, June looked up at him, to say he looked worried was an understatement
Henry also saw the demon, he looked sad. Henry decided it was a good idea to invite him to the hug, he opened his left arm letting Ben fall into place
No one spoke, three people, two that were crying, one that was trying their best not to cry, but in the end failed. They were all sad about the same thing, but Ben had something else on his chest he needed to clear. Ben broke the ice
“J-June, H-Henry, I need to t-tell you s-something,” Ben said sadly
“T-Today was the day I was s-summoned,” Ben said. June and Henry stopped tearing and looked at each other, it was Ben’s birthday and they didn’t even know it.
Why did he keep it a secret? Was he scared about something? Would the memories of being summoned flood his brain and pull him back? No, they would stand by Ben and keep him company no matter what the cost if he needed help, he would receive in a heartbeat
Ben began to tear up more and more, soon falling into a wail so loud a sound dampened room couldn’t muffle the noise enough. Henry and June comforted the demon while he bawled to the fullest
“Ben”
“Ben”
Both said at the same time. Ben continuing to wail but looked up to the two, they were willing to help him in whatever it was that haunted him about today. Ben stopped wailing but continued to cry
“Y-Yeah?” Ben said sniffling, trying his best to stop crying
“We are here for you, and whatever it is that hurts you we will help you fight and heal. You know that, right?” Henry said June nodded
“But we can’t help you if you don’t tell us what’s happening, so please what is so bad about your birthday?” June said Henry nodded
Ben stood there in silence, he couldn’t find anything to say, the only option he had was cry. Until something snapped him out of it, it was Henry, through the bond, he was trying to see what was so bad about today. He got his answer as a flashback appeared
Today Joey mentioned something about an anniversary, but to who? How should I know, I can barely wander after the incident with Alice. I wished I wasn't so stupid, of course, I would hurt her, I always do, I never do anything correctly.
Joey sent me to the second floor, I never really came down here, but I should, this music was too nice.
I try to find where it’s coming from, it sounds like it’s coming from a closet? That’s strange, maybe I should investigate.
Huh, there’s a bunch of films, records, a projector, a phonograph, why was this all here?
Wait, there’s more. Huh, looks like Wally has been busy, it’s all nice and tidy.
What was that? Did I hear a slam, was that the door?
I went to check, the door was closed it was also locked? Why was the door locked? When I came in it was unlocked? Was I tricked? Did Joey get ride of me? Why did this happen?
I found this calendar, it has a big red x over the thirty first of December, wait, isn’t today the thirty first?
No no NO, I’m locked in, who did this? Why did they do it? Did Joey do this? Was I being forgotten? Was this a punishment for what I did to Alice? Was this temporary? Was Henry going to come back? Was Henry going to save me? Was Henry my savior? I hope he is, he sounds much nicer then Joey
Huh? The door is opening. Who is it? What do they want?
It was Thomas, I hugged him, I don’t know why but I did, he saved me hopefully
“ Sorry Bendy, I’m just here to say sorry for what Joey’s doing to you. I want to save you, but I can’t, Joey would sacrifice me in one of his messed-up rituals. I can’t get you out of here, but I can keep you company whenever I have time. I have an hour break, I’ll spend thirty minutes with you then I must go to eat lunch. I’m sorry, I really am” Thomas apologized for Joey’s doings, man I really want to punch Joey, that would make me feel better
“ Bendy, do you have any questions?” Huh, I have three, I’ll try to ask him
“What’sss happening?”
“ Joey thinks that you need to see what you should have been so that you could be him, I’m trying to tell him it’s not gonna work but he refuses to listen,” So, Joey’s locking me up for good, I can’t wait to escape and give him what’s for
“What’sss your jobbb?”
“Oh, well since Henry left, I’m Joey’s, right-hand man. I hate it but I need to feed the kids and pay the bills” Okay, that would make sense why Thomas does everything Joey should do
“Who’sss Henry and willl I ever sssee himmm?”
“ Henry invented you, he made the design, he drew the best drawings of you, and he left knowing Joey Drew was nothing but a hoarder of fame and fortune. Sadly, I don’t think you’ll see Henry any day soon, but I really hope I’m wrong, you need him, he’s your real creator ya’ know that?” I want to cry, so I do. I want to see Henry, maybe one of his drawings would cheer me up
“Could I sssee one of hisss drawingsss pleassse?” Thomas nodded at me, he stood up and left the room leaving me alone. He came back with multiple drawings in his hands, it had Henry written on it.
The pictures looked so real, I hope when I see him, he could teach me how to draw. That would be fun, maybe for once I would be truly happy, I know it will never happen, but I just hope.
“T-Ttthank you Thomasss” I started to cry, I leaned over to him and rested my head on his shoulder, he patted me on my back, I stopped crying and hugged him tighter. He had limits I didn’t want to push, but he acted like those limits didn’t exist just for my sake.
“ Bendy, I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow, alright?” I nodded and waved him goodbye
This flashback to Henry was nice. He knew that Thomas did something nice for Ben. Before Henry said anything, another flashback hit him
FINALLY, I’m out. NOW where’s that egotistical asshole that goes by the name of Joey Drew?!
AH HA, I found his office
“ Bendy?!?! WHAT WARE YOU DOING HERE?!?! GO BACK TO THE CLOSET BEFORE I MAKE YOU REGRET IT!” Joey’s attempt to hurt me is funny, why was I scared of him? Huh, scarred of a man who could barely fight.
He swung a fist at me, yes it had some force, but it was an easy stop. Joey retracted his arm, I think he knows what’s happening to him
I’ve to hade it with this man, he lied to me, screamed at me, tricked me, locked me up, he fired Thomas, and to top it all off he never told me who Henry was.
“ BENDY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!” HA, might as well show him my voice while I still can
“Kiiiiiiiiilllllllllllliiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggg yyyyyyyyyyyyyyoooooooooooooouuuuuuuuu” Joey went whiter than the rotting walls behind him. I punched him, it felt good, too good, I did again, it felt even better. I kept punching him until he couldn’t even stand, this was it, all I had to do was stomp his head
I lifted my foot and slammed it on his head
The flashback ended there. Henry looked up at Ben, he seemed to be very sad, not about Joey but someone else. Henry knew exactly who it was, and lucky for him the number stuck in his head all these years
“Ben, come with me,” Henry said. Ben was scared that Henry would kick him out
Henry walked up to the phone as he entered a short distance number, soon the phone dialed the number and the ringback tone started
The ringback tone ended as someone called out
“Hello? Who is this?” the caller called out, Ben knew who it was, and his face sprung with realization, Henry chuckled as he responded
“One of the few people that left Joey Drew Studios that’s who” Henry replied
“Henry! Jeez, it’s been so long since I heard that voice, you don’t know what’s happened at the studio, it’s an absolute mess. Joey summoned Bendy and put him in a closet because he was miss formed, I checked on him daily until I got fired, I hope Bendy’s okay” Thomas said. Henry chuckled as he handed Ben the phone
“I am,” Ben said. A quick silence fell in the line
“Bendy! You're okay! Geez, I was so worried that Joey did something to you… Wait how are you talking over the line?” Thomas asked. Henry took the phone
“Hey Thomas, do you still live near my sister’s house? If so, could you come over for a sec” Henry asked
“Yup, never moved out, mostly because the house’s here are cheaper and there isn’t a single burglar insight,” Thomas said “I’ll be right over”
Thomas rushed to get his clothes on, maybe for once after Joey Drew Studios something good would happen to him
He got his stuff on, left his house, closed the door, and bolted to June’s house arriving in less than ten minutes
“Welp, he’ll be here soon, wanna get you clothes on?” Henry asked. Ben bolted to his room with tears dripping from the side of his head, he was experiencing what June experience during the incident, tears of joy
Henry went back up the stairs
“Hey June-bug, someone’s visiting is that okay with you?” Henry asked as he helped June to her bed
“Yeah, wait who is it?” June asked
“Thomas from the studio” Henry replied, June was blown back
“He survived?” June asked
“Yup, sadly he got a divorce and the wife took the children, thankfully he kept the house, but he never gets to see his kids” Henry replied
“Aw, wait, why is he coming over?” June asked
“When Joey locked up Ben, Thomas took care of him, he was his temporary dad until he got fired” Henry replied
“Well, I hope Ben’s happy to see him. Now if you mind, I need to rest, I’m really tired” June said as she closed the door behind her
Henry headed to his room to get his winter gear on. As he headed downstairs, he saw that Ben was already outside playing in the snow
Henry ran outside, picked up a snowball and threw it at Jason, Jason looked at Henry who was laughing at his reaction, he threw a snowball back at Henry, and the war continued.
When Thomas arrived, he was baffled, he saw not only one but two ink demon’s in the snow, he saw a perfect version and a mismatched version. It didn’t take long for Ben to realize Thomas was there
“Thomas!” Ben said as he ran up to the man
“Bendy! How are you doing?” Thomas said. This got the attention of Bendy, someone he didn’t know got called him out
“Hello?” Bendy said as he approached the man
“Oh, Thomas because this is a bit confusing, uh, see he’s Bendy and I’m Ben, June had some trouble with our names. She called me Ben once and I went with it” Ben said
“I see, well you look much different than before ya goofball,” Thomas said
“Thomas!” Henry called, this got everyone’s attention as Thomas and Henry walked to each other
“Henry! Long time no see eh?” Thomas said
“Still using that Canadian accent, I see. Tell me something Thomas, you’re not Canadian and you never speak like this to anyone else, what makes me different huh?” Henry said
“Meh, I guess I liked provoking you,” Thomas said. The two men hugged each other
“Hey, Uncle Henry, who is this?” Sarah asked Ben answered
“This is Thomas, before Henry, Thomas looked after me,” Ben said
“Ahhhhh, was he nice?” Beth said jokingly. Ben rubbed Beth’s head
“Of course he was nice, at that time he was the nicest person I knew,” Ben said
“Well nice ta’ meet ya’ Thomas,” Bendy said as he put his hand for a handshake
“Nice to meet you too Bendy,” Thomas said
Everyone chatted for a bit until Ben threw a snowball at Thomas, he looked surprised catching Ben off guard, he threw a snowball right between Ben’s eyes. Everyone laughed, even Ben, and from there on the war continued
A few minutes later Jonah and Jones came over, seeing Thomas
“Well look who’s out of there shell,” Jones said
“A quiet down you I’m in a snow fight, and I think you might wanna duck before getting pelted with snowballs ya dolt,” Thomas said, Bendy was taken back a bit, he knew Ben used the word dolt a lot, but he never knew why. Now he knew where Ben learned the word dolt, Thomas seemed to use it a lot. He stopped throwing for a second before getting pilled on by snowballs, he ran as fast as he could trying to evade everyone
“How are we gonna hit him?” Thomas asked Ben got Thomas’s attention as he caught up with the demon’s speed and threw one snowball at him, causing Bendy to stop and fall face-first into the snow
Thomas laughed at this, but soon he laughed at something else, Ben was headfirst into a pile of snow, what a funny sight
As Ben got his head out, he looked to find the demon, he spotted Bendy and walked towards the toon
He helped the toon get his head out of the snow. They walked over to the porch and sat down, watching everyone play in the snow. Bendy broke the ice
“So, was he nice to ya’?” Bendy asked
“He was the nicest person I knew back then, he did anything to make me feel better. When I could wander, he didn’t like me that much but when I was locked up, he was the nicest one in the world. Joey would always tell me to listen to him. But I always listened to Thomas, he was always more understanding and did things I wanted to do. Yes, every day we only had thirty minutes, but it was better than nothing” Ben said
“Your right, if I had to choose between seeing a liar forever or seeing someone that cared about me for thirty minutes, I would choose the thirty minutes,” Bendy said
“What did you two do exactly?” Bendy asked
“Well he taught me things, we watched cartoons together, he would even let me dump what was building in me out, whenever I needed to say something I did,” Ben said
“Wow. What was your guy’s most cherished moment together?” Bendy asked
“Today. Today I was summoned, Today I was locked up and Today is when Thomas showed me Henry’s drawings. He even apologized the first day, he wished that he could free me, but he had a family and if he took me, he would lose his job” Ben said, Ben continued a little shakier
“T-Today was also the d-day he was f-fired, and it was all my fault.” Ben said
“What happened?” Bendy asked
“W-Well Thomas always checked on me during his break, Joey never knew Thomas was doing what he was doing. He always told Thomas to stay away from the room, but Thomas never listened. Today was the day Joey found out that Thomas was keeping me company, he kept blaming Thomas for not making me change, but it wasn’t his fault, it was Joey’s. I refused to change, and Thomas helped me with my decision, but today, I never heard from him again.” Ben said as he slipped into a soft sob
“Aww, Ben, c’mon don’t cry. He’s here now, and that idiot Joey can’t stop you from seeing him” Bendy said, trying his best to cheer up Ben
Thomas looked over to Ben and Bendy, he saw Ben crying softly with Bendy comforting him. He decided to walk over to Ben and Bendy, this got Ben’s attention
“Hey, Ben, you okay? I haven’t seen you cry so much since the last time you stubbed your toe” Thomas said trying to lighten Ben with memories from the past
Ben chuckled half-heartedly as he remembered that day. Thomas sat down next to Ben as he rubbed his back
“You always did that” Ben said
“Did what?”
“Did what?”
Bendy and Thomas said at the same time
“You always rubbed my back,” Ben said, leaving Thomas and Bendy confused
“You were always there for me until you weren’t,” Ben said, Thomas and Bendy still confused
“Thomas, I need to tell you something,” Ben said
“Go ahead, I’m here for you,” Thomas said
“It’s what ensued when you left,” Ben said, his voice became shakier
“Well, whenever you want, drop it,” Thomas said
“You always said that,” Ben said, he started to tear up
“Ben?” Thomas said
Ben pulled himself together
“W-When you left, Joey did something, he barricaded my door so that I couldn’t get out,” Ben said
“I got out one day, I did something that I don’t know if I should or shouldn’t regret,” Ben said
“Well, what is it?” Thomas asked sincerely
“I looked for Joey, and when I found him” Ben paused, trying his best not to collapse
“And when I FoUnD him, I m-made sure JoEy DrEw NeVeR SaW ThE lIgHt oF DaY AgAiN,” Ben said with his voice distorting
“O-Oh,” Thomas said
“T-Thomas did I do the right thing?” Ben asked
Thomas took a second to think about it before answering
“You did, that man never deserved to see light ever in his life. He tortured you, he tortured his workers, and he even tortured his first summoned. I wasn’t there but I heard the screams of pain and agony coming from the creature” Thomas said
“T-Thank y-you” Ben said
Both leaned in for a hug, Ben broke into tears. Bendy decided to join the hug as he wanted Ben to be happy
After a few minutes of crying, Ben gathered it up
“Thank you, Thomas, for sticking with me when I needed you,” Ben said
“No problem Bendy, wait, Ben… sorry” Thomas said
Both demons laughed at the mistake Thomas made
“Hey, it’s not easy calling someone you knew for a year straight something else okay?” Thomas said this got a chuckle out of both Bendy and Ben
“Alright, I guess it is a little funny” Thomas said enlightening the mood
Through the bond, Bendy asked Ben something
“Is he always this uplifting?”
“Yup, that his specialty, whenever your down, Thomas will bring you right back up”
“Good to know, now ya might wanna dodge the snowball that Sarah threw at you”
“Huh?”
Ben was hit in the face with a snowball, just like Bendy said, it was Sarah who threw it
Ben looked over at Bendy, he was laughing
“I told you!” Bendy said
Ben picked up some snow and threw it at Bendy, Bendy tried to retaliate but in the end, hit Thomas
“What did I do to ya’?” Thomas said acting overly surprised
“N-Nothing” Bendy said, nervous that he may have hurt Thomas
Thomas chuckled, he threw a snowball at both Ben’s and Bendy’s face
“What was that for?” Ben exclaimed
“Well, you threw one at Bendy, and Bendy tried to throw one back at you but hit me. So, I guess you could say, payback” Thomas said. Bendy now understood why Ben liked payback so much, looks like Ben and Thomas liked to get some payback on Joey
He stood there, but his thought process was rudely interrupted by a snowball. He checked to see who threw it, Henry started laughing
“What’s the matter bud? Cat got your tongue?” Henry said. Jason threw a snowball at him
“WHY I OTTA” Bendy exclaimed as he threw a snowball back at Henry.
The war continued from there, and the best part, everyone was having fun.
A few later minutes later, Thomas and Ben sat out as the regained their breath. Thomas knew that today wasn’t pleasing for Ben, it always brought Ben down.
“Have you told them about today?” Thomas asked
“Partially” Ben replied
“Well, what did you tell them?”
“I said today was the day I was summoned and was also the day I was locked up, but also the day I met you, and the day I never saw you again.”
“You didn’t tell them all that, I know you, you probably stopped at when you met me right?”
“Y-Yeah I did, I-I just can’t”
“Ben, look at me,” Thomas said as Ben looked at him, the soft purple in his eyes were glowing brightly
“You need to tell them, or else you’ll never clear your head.”
“So what today is the day you where pummeled to the ground by everyone in the studio? No one can do that to you anymore, I never did it, you know that they won’t do it either right?” Thomas said in a sincere tone
“They won’t hunt you down and kick you ‘til you tremble, they will help you get up no matter what, I’m sure of it!”
“B-But where could I do it? I mean transforming that large would break the house”
“Your right, hmm, ya’ know what? I’m going to ask Henry” Thomas said as he got up and walked towards Henry. Ben tried to stop him but failed
Thomas walked up to Henry only to whisper something in his ear, Henry looked at Thomas like he was joking, but when he looked at Ben, that proved that he was telling the truth
Henry walked up to Ben
“Hey Ben, why didn’t you tell me?” Henry asked
“I don’t like it, I hate transforming into that t-thing, I try to make it better by not telling anyone, but it’s always the worst thing,” Ben said shakily
Thomas and Henry tried to find words but couldn’t. this made Ben more and more anxious to flee, he almost did, but a feminine voice said otherwise
“Then I’ll help you,” June said
“June? Why aren’t you in bed?” Henry asked
“Well, Yesterday I was in the bathroom looking for some Advil and Tylenol but couldn’t find any, I decided to go down until something caught my eye. I saw that there was, in fact, a bottle of penicillin, it was hidden behind my comb” June said
“Well that would have been better to know a couple a days ago,” Henry said
“You're telling me” June replied
“June,” Ben said. June opened her arms, Ben fell into place clinging on to her as he started crying
“It’s okay Ben, it’s okay,” June said. Thomas was slightly surprised, he knew he was good to Ben, but June seemed to be even better to him like they were a family all along.
“So, let me get this straight. Today Ben was summoned, beaten, locked up, met you, never saw you again, and transforms into what we saw back in the studio?” June said
“Yeah,” Ben said sadly
“Alright, when do you transform?” June asked
“Midnight” Ben replied
“Okay, then it’ll be just like that time where I pushed Bendy to his limits right?” June said
“Hey, I don’t want to remember that,” Bendy said
“Well you have too, it’ll remind you that you have someone that will look out for you,” June said. Bendy groaned
“Plus, I may need your help to Bendy, ya know, just in case,” June said. Bendy looked at June, did she want him to transform into his nightmare form? He thought about for a bit until ultimately agreeing, he wanted to help Ben out as much as possible
I don’t like this, I feel like I’m going to do something wrong. I’m scared, I don’t want to be scared, I want to be happy,
You can’t be happy, you’re a demon, you idiot. Demons do one thing and one thing only, kill. Now can you stop procrastinating and kill these people already?
No, I will not kill them, I won’t let you take over my actions, I decide what I want to do.
Then act like a demon! Then you’ll be happier, I promise you!
NO, I will NOT KILL THEM, do you understand?
NO, I DON’T, THERE JUST HUMANS, THERE ARE BILLIONS AROUND THE WORLD, WHAT MAKES THESE ONES SPECIAL HUH?
…
Yeah, that’s what I thought, now let’s kill them!
FOR THE LAST TIME. WE. ARE. NOT. KILLING. THEM.
WHY NOT? THEIR JUST AVERAGE HUMANS. NO ONE WILL MISS THEM, THEY’LL ALL FORGET
THEY are not AVERAGE HUMANS, THEY are FAMILY. WHEN WILL YOU UNDERSTAND?!?!
…
YEAH, that’s what I thought. NOW, YOU can EITHER STAY and STOP TELLING ME TO KILL THEM or LEAVE AND LEAVE ME AND MY FAMILY ALONE. WHICH will it be?
… I want to stay
Are YOU sure?
… Yes
Will you stop telling me to kill them?
… Y-Yes
Are you crying?
Y-Yes
Do you want to come out?
Y-Yes p-please
When I let you out will you kill them?
No
Are you lying to me?
N-No
Alright I’ll let you out, but only for ten minutes
T-Thank y-you
But at midnight
T-That’s Okay
“Ben? Ben!” June called out
“Wha- huh?” Ben replied
“Sorry I zoned out,” Ben said
“Oh, okay,” June said
June went into the kitchen and started preparing for lunch, Ben took his role and watched over the children. Thomas was going to intervene as he thought this was a bad idea, but Henry stopped him
“Don’t worry, he’s been doing this for five days,” Henry said
“Oh, I didn’t know that,” Thomas said
“Of course, ya didn’t ya dolt!” Henry said, trying to imitate Thomas’s voice. Ben cleared his throat
“No, Henry, THIS is how you imitate Thomas,” Ben said as he once more cleared his throat
“Of course, you didn’t ya’ big dolt!” Ben said, perfectly imitating Thomas’s voice
“Well, where did ya learn that from eh?” Thomas said Henry bumped his shoulder
“I have my secrets,” Ben said, Henry chuckled
“Whatever ya’ say ya’ goofball” Thomas replied
Ben chuckled. It felt good to be surrounded by his loved ones. It was a nice feeling. Yes, he loved warmth, but this was even better than warmth. It was family, and Ben wasn’t going to give this up, not now, not never.