Day 1 (September 16th)
"First meeting/kiss"
*Hair Braiding

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Benjamin grimaced as he tied his brown locks. Today he was to arrive on the Campus of Yale, and to say he was intimidated was an understatement. 

Every single thought was buzzing through his mind. What if the first impressions are inadequate? What if the people don't like him? What if he humiliates himself? For all he knows, he could get lost in the halls, unable to find his classes, and he'd have to walk in circles until someone could explain to him where to go. And quite frankly, he wouldn't consider himself appropriately dressed for the occasion. 

He glanced to his wear, adjusting his vest. It was a finely sewn article, what it was. A handsome shade of brown to compliment the darker stitching. And he was wearing some of the better clothes he had owned (or those his father was recently able to purchase). 

He looked up, brows furrowing. He appeared like a young gentleman, what he did. And hopefully, that would stay his appearance. He would be humiliated to be no more than a clutz or a fool. Tomfoolery is something left for childhood, though most boys his age are assumed skirt-chasers. That wouldn't be Benjamin, surely. He saw himself as much too proper to concentrate on women solely. He was quite the lad of studies; he had to be! Following in his father's footsteps, how couldn't he be?

Individuality wasn't in question; he intended to make his father proud. 

So, as the carriage rolled around the corner that rested before the school, he took a deep breath, brows knit together. He tried to lock away any nervousness that consumed him.

"Ben."

The brunette glanced over his shoulder, humming. His father gave him a comforting look, patting his shoulder. "There's no need to be nervous."

Of course, his father could read him like a book.

Benjamin sighed. He supposed the older man was right, but that didn't help the growing pang of anxiety as the carriage halted. Everything about this building was intimidating. The sheer size, the architecture even! Looming towers made the university appear like a palace. Even the front garden made Benjamin nervous. It looked so well-kept, but he could slip and ruin it all (and humiliate himself while he's at it). And the number of young men there felt suffocating. Every aspect just made him feel as if he was drowning. 

'He felt he was drowning.'
That wasn't the correct term.

No, he felt almost dumbfounded as he sat there, taking everything in. It all felt like it would pile on top of him and crush him. The looming appearance made him feel almost ant-sized.

His father gave a near amused chuckled, shooing Benjamin from the carriage. "If you intend to sit and stare, it may be best to go ahead and get inside."

Benjamin pursed his lips, moving away from the carriage. He was not a little boy who hid behind his mother's kilt anymore- his mother wasn't around for that- he's a young man now, and he is to act like it. 

Though, if his mother were here, she'd probably find ways to let the intimidation melt away. She'd ruffle his hair (no matter the quantity he'd whine) and reassure him that he would do great. She would write to him weekly, offering words of reassurance and updating him on how things were holding up at home.

Frankly, he shouldn't catch himself up in the past when his ideas should remain in the future.

Slowly, Benjamin made his way through the front doors, anxiety nearly tenfold from what it had been. 

He took a deep breath, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. Which, now he realized, was a dumb idea. His breath hitched as he bumped into someone, another young man (maybe a couple of inches shorter than he is).

"Oh- my apologies, I hadn't intended-"

"No, no, it's alright," the young man laughed, dusting himself off. He knelt, grabbing a couple of things that he had dropped. As he rose, Benjamin looked over the man. He was a handsome lad, that was true—a blonde whose hair curled beautifully at the end.

Ben smiled softly at the lad, lost within his green eyes. "I'm Benjamin."

"Nathan, but my friends call me Nate," Nathan grinned, holding a hand out to Benjamin. 

Ben took his hand firmly, shaking it. "Plesant to meet you."

"You too. Now, I believe it's best we get to the lecture hall before we seem as if we're not attending."

Ben nodded, chuckling a bit. He allowed Nathan to lead him around, and it was helpful that the lad explained a couple of things. Where to go and what turns to make. It felt as if a miracle was happening.

-

Of course, miracles are often exaggerations of fate. Ben was destined to meet Nathan that day; they clicked together like stray puzzle pieces. And it is that same fate, that destiny- that kept them together through those years.

Now, they sit together backstage, laughing amongst themselves. Nathan ran his fingers through Benjamin's hair, folding it neatly within a braid. Ben tilted his head back, almost lost in the feeling.

This feeling was something he hadn't experienced in many years. Undoubtedly, he had crushes while Ben was still a young teen (but, honestly, he had been figuring himself out). Nathan was different. Since his first arrival, it had been a growing bond. 

Resting his eyes, Benjamin propped his head against Nathan's lap (once his hair was tied, of course).

Nathan chuckled, brushing some stray strands out of Ben's face. "'Tis almost morning, I would have thee gone— And yet no farther than a wan-ton's bird, that lets it hop a little from his hand, Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, a with a silken thread plucks it back again, so loving-jealous of his liberty."

Benjamin opened his eyes, grinning up at the other man lovingly. "I would (if) I were thy bird."

"Sweet, so would I, yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say good night till it be 'morrow."

"I find it lovely how you play Juliet's part so well," Benjamin chuckled, lacing his finger's in Nathan's hair.

"And you play quite the solid Romeo, do you not?"

"You could say such." 

Nathan chortled softly- leaning down a bit. "It's as if we were created to play the roles."

"As long as we are not as foolishly in love as the two, we ought to be just fine."

"Hm, you say as if we're not already foolishly in love during this time."

Benjamin's cheeks flushed a bit as he glanced to the side, "Once again, I suppose you could say such."

Nathan smiled a bit, standing up after a long second, easing around in front of Ben. He glanced to the side, ensuring no one was around the corner. 

Benjamin hummed, pondering the proximity. "Nate?"

"May I kiss you?" 

The brunette stared for a long second, face burning crimson.

"Of course," Benjamin whispered.

Nathan smiled gently, leaning in, pressing a soft kiss to Ben's lips. Ben pulled the man closer, eyes shutting.

Both men felt whole as they sat there, just drowning in love for one another. Ben slowly pulled back from Nathan, chuckling a bit.

"Nate, I love you so much."

"I love you too, Benny."