I had watched their relationship from the first time he brought her to our little town. Jolene. I was a bit jealous. I had started to like Benn, possibly a litle more than I should, but he was actually a really genuinely kind person. Sure, he was a little rough around the edges, but he was highly intelligent, sweet, and just...Great to be around, if you actually talked to him. I suppose, if you dug around deep enough, you could have called it a crush at that time...
The first time he came in with her, she seemed nice enough, too. A little snooty, but she was gorgeous; long blonde hair, tall, slim but well built, beautiful face...She snuggled right up to Benn at his usual place at the bar. Ever the gentleman, Benn introduced me as his friend. The next time he came in, she started to show her true colors. I don't even remember what he said anymore, all I heard was the crack as she backhanded him. Of course, Benn didn't even react. Especially not to hit her. He was agentleman, and not only that, he wouldn't admit that a girl had hurt him. Though the red hand print on his face said otherwise. The next couple times she hit him, he didn't say anything either. I knew he wouldn't. None of the guys said anything, either. They didn't know what to say, i don't think. A big guy like Benn getting smacked around by a girl? And for him not to say anything?...
The last major change was the most shocking, to me. Benn had had long black hair since i first met him. When he came in, however, it was clipped short and bleached out until it was gray. When he sat down, all I could do was gawk. He'd actually let her...She'd had to have completely brainwashed him to let her...
All i could say was, "Benn..."
He sighed. "I know..." We didn't get anymore chance to talk, as Jolene scooted in and started clincing to his arm, jabbering at him excitedly.

Now, as I waited at the dock for the Red Haired Pirates return, I witnessed what i would think would be the final straw. Jolene had her tongue half way down another man's throat, and his hands exploring her quite thoroughly. As the ship got closer, I saw Benn at the front of this ship. His hair reaching more toward his shoulders now, looked a little more normal to me...Like the old Benn. I knew the exact moment he found Jolene, as the wounded look crossed his eyes. I knew that was all he'd show. None of the broken-heartedness would ever cross his face. At least that's what i thought until Shanks saw it, too. He turned to Benn, shaking his shoulder lightly, trying to get attention, as the hurt spread from his eyes to his entire face. Later, as the pirates sat in the bar, Benn took his usual seat. As much as i thought he would hide it, he seemed just...sulky and hurt...Something i didn't expect him to share at all. "Benn..." I lightly touched his hand that rested on the bar. He looked up at me. That was the first time I noticed his eyes. They were a deep brown hazlenut color that reminded me of rich melted chocolate...His other hand rested under his chin, and i noticed he hadn't shaven in a few days. "Hey." I noticed something about his voice, then, too, through just that one word...The deep bass boom of his voice. Smooth, but not too smooth...but very, very deep...
"A...are you okay? I saw her..."
He sighed, and tapped his fingers, bouncing my hand up and down on his. "Yeah, thanks. I'm fine." So that was where he drew the line. Voicing it. Shanks came up, then, clapping his hand on Benn's shoulder. "Least you can fix your hair, Benn! Ya' look like shit!"
"Thank you, Shanks. Thank you." He rolled his eyes. When shanks walked away, I took Benn's hand again. I could tell he kept wanting to jerk away, because he wasn't a touchy person, but i didn't care. I felt the need to comfort him right this second. "Hey, do you have anything to do tonight?"
A confuzed look, then he shook his head. "No."
"Why don't you come over to my house to hang out and watch a movie? Just as friends to hang out. I need something to do on a friday night." I smirked at him. "Oh, come on. Don't pity me-"
"It's not pity." I ruffled his hair, and didn't let myself show i was surprised at how thick and soft it was, even after being mutilated by bleach. "It's friendship."
He snorted, letting a smile start on his face. "What, am i going to paint your toenails and you dye my hair?"
I shrugged. "If you want."
He shook his head. "Not that dependant. Not that worried about it, either."