I oddly enough want to write something super fluffy. Just Ben being a sap, really.

So...

Yeah.

C/W:
None needed

~Story Starts~

Benjamin took a seat near the fire, watching how the dancing flames swirled into a waltz. He smiled a bit, the warmth it granted nice against the cool skin that had been nipped at by the wind all day.

"Captain Tallmadge," a man greeted, seating himself nearby. "Good day to you, sir."

"As to you." He spoke softly. He doesn't recall the man's name, perhaps a man just sent in from a different division. "How's the day been for you, sir?"

"Just fine. Things get better after you get out and get breakfast. By then, at least you have the sun on your back." The fella laughed, and Ben nodded his head to the side. Good humored, hardly any men were. 

"Sounds about right." He offered some input, glancing to the sky. The sun was lowering itself for the night, and men were getting dinner at this point. He glanced to the fella who sat across from him and chuckled. "Have you eaten already?"

"Yeah, it's best to get in there quickly. I've been through that more than once... Besides, first ones in gets the freshest foods. And at times, those breads and all are worth it," he laughed again.

Now Ben remembers why he finds the man so amusing, Brewster is the same way- though in a more mature manner. He cocked his head to the side, as if contemplating his own thoughts. Mature, Brewster, sure. He looked to the man who drummed his fingers against his knees, and he observed him a moment, keen blue eyes examining each feature. 

He was a rather thin boy, almost the kind you'd expect to be shy. Hell, he didn't look old enough to drink. A man's son, he assumed, following his father's footsteps. The only thing that really made him think of Brewster would be the personality.

"Captain? You alright there?" The boy chirped, snickering a bit. 

"Just fine." Benjamin straightened his posture. "Just thinking." He dusted his hands against his overcoat, eyes scanning the ground around the fire. More men were coming to join, some still holding breads in their hands. 

Their voices were chipper, and happy. 

Well, a man fed is a man happy.

Benjamin snorted at the thought. It's almost as if he stole of bit of Brewster's personality. He looked at the men taking seats around the fire. Most are men that he's seen in battalions, the others he knew were tailors, and perhaps some blacksmiths tied in. He assumed he outranked most, but he didn't mind. Sitting near the fire's warmth is a far too alluring of an option.

He listened to conversations, adding a couple words here and there if he was offered the opportunity. The men were rather talkative, and he supposed that it was an alright thing to have. If the men are friends, that avoids some issues than if everyone hated the other. 

But, it was rather surprising what the men talked of. After conversation of the day's chores, and some bringing up a dream they had, or perhaps some form of regret they had from their days killing, they would talk softly with one another about wives and children.

Ben never considered men would be so open to brag about what they had. They each spoke with care. Not a single man seemed like he wished to return to his mistress at home just to bed her, no, these men wanted to go home and hold their wives in their arms, be able to kiss their nimble fingers and hold them closer.

He never once thought of that idea, no matter how odd it seems to look past. 

Ben is a man of work, he never considered himself a skirt-chaser. A flirt, of course, he was known for it, but he never considered a serious relationship, instead ensuing opportunities that were handed his way.

His smile twitched up as he heard these men speak. He didn't have a woman or a child of his own, but he enjoyed hearing stories of a little one's first steps, or perhaps the surprise a man felt when he knew he was going to be a father. But, the chatter soon turned to Ben, as men looked him over, as if seeing if he had any stories to tell. 

"Captain Tallmadge, surely you have a fine young lass waiting for you when you get home." A man laughed, leaning against his buddy. 

Benjamin's cheeks flushed red. A fine lass at home? Hardly. But what's the chances he'd ever speak with these men again.

"I do," Benjamin lied. "She's decently tall, honestly, standing only a few inches shorter than I do. She has the most beautiful green eyes, some that I absolutely just find myself lost in when I think of her. Her hair is a stunning brown, straight with curls at the end. Hell, I'd assume she's stronger than I am with the way she hugs. She always seems to know the right time to crush someone in a hug, to make them feel something, to let them know they are alive."

"Sounds like a keeper." A man chimed, earning a cheer from the group.

Ben laughed softly, shaking his head. He described Brewster- of course he did. Now, of course, he'd never accuse Caleb to being even close to womanly, he just needed an excuse to gush about his partner... and why not describe him in more... feminine terms? 

It, at least, keeps some suspicions down. If he said no, and then gushed about his "friend", what would the men make of him?

He pushed the thoughts aside, zoning back into the conversation.

"My little one recently took her first steps," A man explained, "my wife wrote to me, telling me how ecstatic she was to see it. Said that she was a little wobbly, but took the steps with ease. I'm very proud of her. One day, I know, she'll grow up and be as beautiful as her mother."

Benjamin smiled, leaning into his palm. These men were fond of what they had, and he adored them for it.

"My oldest is turning five soon!" Another man chimed, taking a break from the hoecake he still held. "He's already a little bit of a reckless youngin'. My wife sent me a letter the other day saying he's already wanting to climb trees. Apparently he fell and she was worried, but he got up and laughed it off. I'd be lyin' if I said he didn't remind me of myself." 

Benjamin smiled at the idea. He could almost imagine having a little one of his own. A small, miniature version of him. 

What was he kidding? He'd be as worried as a mother hen if he had a little one. His friend's would laugh at him for saying such, but he feels that his instincts may act more maternal and nurturing than what they should paternal and teaching.  

He looked at the men around, eased by the smiles and the soft looks of understanding. He searched the crowd, seeing a rather young man with his head bowed, tears in his eyes. But he still offered a smile and a laugh here and there. 

Finally he rose, offering his voice. "I lost my mistress recently..." He explained, the men falling silent. "She was the most perfect a woman could be. She was beautiful, funny, talented, and she was smart. She was so happy to know that we were going to be having a little one, and it was soon, but she started growing ill... She had explained in letters how she had grown weaker and more puny... And, I received a letter earlier today... I lost them both. My son, and my wife." He explained. Benjamin frowned, hearing the pain in the man's voice. He reach over, patting his shoulder, listening as men offered condolence and apologies. 

Ben began to think of how he'd feel if he lost Caleb. He'd probably go insane. This man was being so strong sharing this. Strong is an understatement. 

Looking to the sky, he saw the moon had taken her place in the sky, shining down a message to those below, letting them know it was her beauty that now paved the ground. He smiled, standing and excusing himself. 

The group offered him waves, and some said a quick, "goodbye," or "goodnight." 

He smiled, feeling awfully warm with the kindness. He has sat with the other men before, but that group was different. Let go, and light hearted. All seemed to have rather good humor, all just wanted to go home to see their families. 

Right now, all Ben wanted to do was talk with Caleb. He entered his tent, looking on the desk to see if any new letters had arrived. Fortunately, he saw one from the man he wanted to hear of. He picked the letter up, unfolding it quickly, reading what it had to say. It was a short salutations letter, Caleb filling Benjamin in on how things were going. He sat the letter down, picking up his quill. 

"Ah, I see the letter arrived before I did this time." The voice chimed with clear amusement. Ben's head shot to the side and he smiled, hurrying to wrap Caleb in a hug. 

"There you are!" He cheered, almost uncharacteristically so. Brewster snickered, ruffling Ben's hair.

"Yeah," the bearded man laughed, looking his lover over. "You're happy. What's gotten into you, Benny boy?"

"I was just out by the fireplace, talking to the men there. And, I don't know what it was about them, but.. I feel calm, collected almost."

Brewster perked a brow, wrapping Benjamin into another hug. He stilled smelled of the fireplace, and almost like autumn leaves at the moment. He pulled back, looking Benjamin over. "I'm glad to see ya happy. It's always a nice sight to come back to." 

"I've missed you..." Benjamin whispered softly, lazily leaning against Brewster again. Brewster laughed, leading them over to the cot to sit down. Benjamin smiled as he sat, burying his face in the man's shoulders, just wanting to be close. Damn those men for making him feel this way. He was supposed to be busying himself, but no, he had to distract himself with thought of family, and it made him far past clingy. 

Brewster placed a strong hand on his back, patting it. "Maybe you should talk with the men more often. Or stay away from them. I'm not too sure how I feel about this yet," he snorted, once again offering the man's hair a ruffle. 

Tallmadge groaned, smoothing the messed up hairs down. "You'll have the night to decide."

"Am I not allowed to leave?" The bearded man laughed in interest. "Who's gonna stop me?"

Ben rose a brow, looking to meet his lover's gaze. "Who do you suspect?" He couldn't help but smile with the way Caleb chuckled. He calmed at the feeling of fingers brushing through his hair, undoing the ribbon, discarding in to the side. There was curiosity, but he assumed Brewster was just trying to get him to relax and go to sleep.

"You need to brush your hair, Benny. It's more matted than a horse's mane." The man joked, brushing past a knot here and there. "It's a wonder you haven't cut this with how long it's gettin'."

"I've wanted to." Benjamin muttered softly. "I just haven't found the time yet. Highly considering just above shoulder length." 

"That would suit ya." 

"Would it?"

"The way I see it, yeah. Whatever you do will suit you. It's hard to excuse natural beauty." The older grinned. Benjamin flushed, rolling his eyes.

"You're full of bullshit."

"Aye, watch it now." Caleb warned teasingly, pressing a kiss to Benjamin's head. Ben just smiled up, melting further into the light touches that graced his scalp. He felt warm, almost sleepy leaning against the man. A yawn fell past his lips, and he swore he heard chuckle at it. 

"What?"

"Ah, nothin'... Just thought of something."

Sure he did.

Benjamin adjusted himself to lay his head on Caleb's lap, looking up at him. "Caleb."

"Hm?"

He smiled warmly. "I love you."

Caleb tilted his head, smiling back down at his lover. "Love you too, Benny."

A/N

Tooth rotting fluff, am I right, guys? 

*cricket chirping* 

Okay, I'll be on my way- until next time!

(Word count: 2044)