Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017. 6:45 PM.
• • •

The silence among us was deafening for just a moment before I reached out thanking him. My fingers grasped the end of the fabric, keeping our skin from touching, almost as if touching his skin would be a step too far in front of Ben. I shifted in my heels and tucked my sweater into my handbag when Ben's hand shot forward extending it in a greeting.

Clark never missed a beat and kept his blue eyes steady and his handshake firm, I watched his lips pull into a sincere smile before his eyes were suddenly on me again.

"Ben Little." Ben's voice was a bit deeper than it usually was and I noticed he had squared his shoulders and his fingers tightened around Clark's hand. Ben was a few inches taller than Clark but at this moment, to me, he seemed smaller.

"Clark Kent."

"It's a good thing I caught up to you. Someone would have walked away with your favorite sweater," he smiled at me.

I nodded, "Thank you. I must've dropped it."

"You both seemed to be on your way out, I won't keep you. It was great seeing you, Annie." Clark's eyes shifted back to Ben giving a curt nod before his eyes settled on me.

The emotion behind it was neutral. No hurt, resentment, or anger, not even love just neutrality. And that scared me. I composed myself and opened my mouth to speak realizing they were waiting.

"Same to you, Clark. I'll see you in the office tomorrow?" Ben's hand had already found mine and he's steering me to the all familiar revolving doors as a new wave of tired employees pooled into the lobby.

Clark's voice is behind us as he follows, "Bright and early."

I don't know what in his voice made me look over my shoulder, but my knees almost buckled, and for split second I could see all the love he had for me in his bright eyes, and then it was gone and I was pulled through the door losing him in the crowd.

• • •

Ben had wanted me to stay out in the hall while he ran inside quickly. I was to keep my eyes shut and to not open them until he told me to. My nerves were alight with excitement as I waited. I strained to hear any noise or bang that would give his intentions away, but I couldn't hear anything and soon enough he was in front of me, and then behind me his breath on my neck as he placed his hand over my eyes from behind.

We stumbled into the apartment and I was greeted with an amazing smell. The very specific aroma of asparagus, the earthiness of garlic mashed potatoes and my mouth watered instantly. I hoped there was wine too.

"Ben, did you cook for me?" I quipped.

"That, and more." He pressed a kiss to my neck and I felt the heat of his body disappear when he stepped back, his shoes clicked to the left of me and I turned my head to him before opening them after he'd given me the okay. Our eyes locked and his lips pulled into a large smile before I skimmed my eyes across the room.

The lights were off, sparking fairy lights filled the room with a deep warm glow, and the table was set for two. A large bowl of pasta sat in the center surrounded by a bowl of mashed potatoes, asparagus, and two large wine glasses filled halfway. Along with the balcony doors against the gauzy light, curtains were three rows of peony bouquets, and I smiled turning my gaze back to Ben.

"Ben, what's all this for?"

He took a step towards me, grasping my hand, "These last few weeks have been stressful for you. I just wanted to do something to help. I know it's a bit much but you deserve it, I want you to enjoy yourself and try not to worry about anything tonight. Let me treat you."

He had pulled me towards the table, and I let him pull out my chair.

• • •
8:45 PM.
• • •

"I have something else for you." Ben declared as he pushed back his seat to rise.

I set my wine glass down and gazed over our well-loved dinner and laughed, I was so full and sleepy now that any more surprises were just in the way of me and my warm blankets. I hadn't realized how tired I was until I had sat down, relaxed and sipped at my wine. A slight headache was pulsing as I watched Ben collect our plates, distribute them into the sink and crouch down behind the island, rummaging through the small cabinets below that hold absolutely nothing.

The moment his dark golden hair disappeared my mind was wondering about Clark. Did he still get up in the middle of the night to make eggs,  how quickly did he jump back into savior mode, and did he still prefer black coffee with one spoonful of sugar and no creamer? Just as quickly as those thoughts crossed my mind did they vanish the moment Ben stood back up. I plastered a quizzical smile on my face raised my brows and surveyed the item in his hands.

"How long has that been down there?" I asked.

Ben was carrying a medium-sized marigold present bag that looked a tad bulky. He set it on the table and the items inside landed with a dull thud and a heavy clink. I smiled brightly at him as he sat down and beamed his own breathtaking smile right back at me.

"I got it a few months ago. Before all of this and I was waiting for your birthday, but with how stressed you've been, I wanted to make you happy," He slides the bag towards me, "I hope it does make you happy."

Inside was a white mug with black polka dots and Ben tore my gaze away for just a moment with what he said, "I remember how upset you were when I had dropped your mug- the one that looked homemade? I know this isn't homemade, but I felt I needed to replace it since I did break your favorite mug."

"Oh, Ben. I love it. Don't worry about that I know it wasn't on purpose. I can't wait to use this in the morning for my tea!" I set it aside and reached back into the bag pulling out a heavier brown paper bag that smelled amazing.

On the outside was a light blue peony sticker with the font of my favorite tea house and most of all inside the bag was loose tea leaves of my favorite tea. A small circular infuser sat at the bottom of the bag it's silver chain popping out of the small mesh pouch it was in.

"Ben! You got me more raspberry black tea! I ran out of this months ago! Thank you so much!" I exclaimed setting the items aside to quickly hurry over to him.

I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him, pulling back I kissed him, and before long his head rested against mine.

"Did I make you happy? Helped you forget the world and your stress for just a moment?"

"Yes, you have no idea. All I'm thinking about is hopping into bed so morning can come and I can fill my new mug with my favorite tea." I told him pressing a long kiss to his neck.

"I can help you with that."

• • •
12:45 AM

That night after we had made love, I couldn't sleep. Glancing at the clock, I grimaced. I never slept well after being with Ben...and I hated myself for why. Swinging my legs out from underneath the blankets I stood up and grabbed my light robe shuffling into the kitchen. The tea, infuser and new cup sat on the counter by the Keurig and I touched the white porcelain remembering how Ben was so hesitant on telling me he had shattered the cup I was so fond of. I remember how angry I was, but had told him everything was okay. It wasn't.

That was the last thing I had of him. I had given his clothes back to Martha mainly because I couldn't stare at them any longer. I had done it when Ben and I had first started dating after he'd ask me why I never let him move his things in since he practically lived in my apartment already. I had told him the drawers were already occupied and that there was no room. He wasn't happy to be second to my dead boyfriend and made a point of explaining that I wasn't second to his dead wife. So the fib I told Martha left me heavy and losing the mug made me feel worse like I had somehow let Clark down.

A creak behind me alerted me to Ben getting up. I quickly flicked on the Keurig and busied myself with making tea using the new mug. I wiped my face and tried not to flinch when he wrapped his arms around my waist, leaning into breath against my neck. I knew he was going to do it, he always does, but my mind was elsewhere and I wasn't entirely ready or expecting to be touched.

"Clark Kent is Superman, isn't he?"

• • •

Somewhat of a filler chapter. I'm so sorry for not updating sooner, but life got in the way, and I had a slight writer's block. I hope you all enjoy it, and please let me know what you think and any guesses of future chapters are welcomed!!!