*waves frantically* Hiii!

Hello everyone. Bye Felicia here reporting for duty. So this is going to be a collection of related one-shots. Yes we know, most one shot collections are unrelated and whatever. But we wanted to do something different. We wanted to create a series of one-shots that takes place in the same universe surrounding the same people. But they're still one-shots so each one has it's own storyline. But you never know, one story might affect another one later own.

Yes this is Bethan. And all the characters are 16 because we think it's just easier to write for them that way (except Jane, Grandma Weir, and of course the parents).

Also when you're done with this, feel free to go check out our other stories. we even have an MBAV one-shot (it's rated M so viewers discretion is advised).

Alright everyone. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: We do not own MBAV.

Chapter 1: Truth Serum

"Benny! What the hell were you thinking?!"

"Well it seemed like a good idea yesterday!"

Okay. Let's recap.

We all know Benny is kind of a spell-master, right? Right. Cool. That being said, Benny has epic abilities no one else he knows has except for his grandma who very, very strictly forbade him from using his powers and abilities for stupid, selfish reasons because she knew for a fact that he would end up being completely irresponsible with them. But Benny being the spontaneous, out of the box, live like tomorrow is your last day person he is, completely disregards that rule. Everyday. All the time. But can you blame him? How is it fair that he has all these cool power's, and is capable of so much greatness, but he's not allowed to use it when he wants to because "you're not trained enough, nor are you responsible enough to handle your power properly"?

It's straight up blasphemy.

Now that we're past the logistics of it all, let's jump right in to how everything went from totally awesome, to complete doodoo in the blink of a second.

Benny has had some (actually very little, but don't burst his bubble) experience with potions; how to make them, what they do, what each ingredient is significant for, how to use them properly, etc. Grandma has forced Benny to sit through enough long (and highly boring) lessons for him to know a thing or two about potions, and he thinks he's had enough practice to feel confident enough with making them on his own. In fact, he's become so good at it, some even call him the Potion Expert (no one does).

So what better way to use his newfound expertise on potions and brewing than against the new very suspicious substitute teacher at school who he's pretty sure is secretly Hades come to wreak havoc on the world as we know it and completely take over Whitechapel by converting it into the Underworld (in Benny's defense, Mr. Heda has a very suspicious liking of the color blue, hatred of Hercules, and he quotes Greek mythology perfectly)?

It's a solid theory. He knows it!

Rory believed his theory. By the way his eyes lit up with delight when Benny told him about his theory, you would have thought someone told him there was all you can eat pancakes in the cafeteria. He absolutely bought into Benny's crazy ideas and antics right off the bat, and was completely on board to help in whatever poorly thought out plan Benny had constructed. Ethan, being the voice of reason, however had a more logical approach to Benny's theory about Mr. Heda. "You're overreacting Benny." He had said the day Benny brought up the idea to him and Rory. "I'm pretty sure Mr. Heda is just a normal English teacher with a love for Greek gods. Nothing more and nothing less."

The nerve…

Astonished by Ethan and his use of reasoning against Benny's brilliantly farfetched theory, Benny focused on formulating a plan with Rory and only Rory. A plan that he knew would tell him the truth about Mr. Heda once and for all. He didn't bother telling Sara or Erica because if Ethan saw through the theory, then Lord knows what those girls would say! Erica probably wouldn't care, but still!

So, here's the break down.

Benny's grandma was going to be out of town that weekend, and after long hours of begging, had agreed to let Benny stay home alone as long as Ethan's parents occasionally popped in and out just to make sure the house was intact and Benny didn't die or something. This would be the perfect opportunity for Benny to sneak into his basement (well not really sneak since he's home alone), create a truth serum (which he's never actually made before but there's always a first time for everything), and then on Monday morning, while Rory distracted Mr. Heda, Benny would sneak in and power some into the cup of coffee he consistently had on his desk.

Pretty simple, right? It's fool-proof! Solid! No cracks, bumps, or chances at failure!

Except Benny never considered one small, minute detail: what if someone else drank the serum instead?

Well, that's exactly what happened.

Ethan, unbeknownst to anything going on, came by unannounced (like usual) while Benny was just finishing up the serum. He didn't even bother to ring the bell. He just walked right through the door as if it's his house and started calling for Benny. This is something they normally did, so Ethan naturally thought nothing of it. The blood completely drained from Benny's face at the sound of his voice, and he knew the same would have happened to Rory had it not been for the whole vampire thing. Benny knew Ethan would not have kind things to say about Benny's obviously well thought out plan to expose Mr. Heda. That's why in a burst of panic, when Ethan's footsteps started coming down the basement stairs, Benny quickly poured the serum into an empty water bottle (in retrospect that was a really bad idea on account of the serum being clear. Much like water), and handed it to Rory so he could hide it somewhere (another bad idea because this is Rory we're talking about).

What are the odds that Rory would hide the serum in the refrigerator in Benny's kitchen?

And what are the odds that Ethan would go into that same refrigerator moments later looking for water, and drink the serum thinking it's water?

Apparently, the odds were not in Benny's favor. Just imagine the complete horror Benny felt when he came upstairs to see Ethan taking a huge gulp of the serum, only to scrunch up his face afterwards once he realized it was far from water. "What the heck is this? Did you put alcohol in here or something?"

Benny quickly ran over to Ethan and grabbed the bottle. "Where did you get this?" He exclaimed, earning a puzzled look from Ethan. He specifically told Rory to hide it somewhere where no one would find it. And yet somehow, Ethan Morgan had it in his hands. And was drinking from.

"Umm, in the fridge where water usually is…"

Of course.

Benny mentally face-palmed himself. That stupid vampire, he thought aggressively (if that's even a thing). Rory probably sauntered into the kitchen trying to find a decent hiding place, spotted the fridge, and thought to himself, "no one would ever think the truth serum would be in there! It looks like water, and everyone knows soda is what's good for you!" He should have known that Rory wouldn't be able to handle a huge responsibility like that. It's what he gets for trusting Rory with the task of hiding a truth serum. He really shouldn't have been surprised.

But keep this in mind: Benny had never created something as powerful as a truth serum before. It was something that was very advanced for his level of training, and even the slightest of mistakes can make the serum go completely wrong. So, Benny's not even sure if what he made will work or not. In fact, for all he knows he could have just made a useless drink filled with ingredients that are probably not good for digestion.

Only one way to find out.

"Hey Ethan," Benny started innocently, "remember that girl you said you made out with in camp that one year?" Make-out girl was a tall tale Ethan retold time after time after time about a beautiful brunette he met at camp once who was completely all over him and kissed him one night after hours. Benny knew it was made up though. There was no mystery girl that Ethan made out with behind the huge oak tree near the pond at around midnight when everyone else was asleep. He made it up to seem cooler for whatever reason. And Benny knows it's fake because Benny went to that same exact camp. They shared a cabin for crying out loud! The only thing Ethan made out with was his pillow! But no matter how many times he was called out on it, Ethan never admitted to the story being a fib. He was confident on telling that story, and he would tell it 'til he's in the grave.

But if the truth serum works, he'll be squealing like a pig.

Benny didn't have to wait too long for Ethan's answer. "That story was never true." Ethan said coolly as he opened the fridge for some actual water, probably not realizing what he was saying. "I made that story up because—" and in an instant, Ethan slammed the fridge shut and clamped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide in shock after his words caught up to him. He turned to look at Benny for an explanation, knowing all too well that he had something to do with his sudden confession.

Benny just sheepishly smiled as he attempted to back away.

"Benny what did you do?" Ethan glowered, the anger and annoyance visible on his face.

Benny let out a nervous laugh. "Well, uhh at least we know the truth serum works!"

So now we're in the present. Which is about half an hour later.

After very aggressively and effectively cursing both Benny and Rory out (which was very scary to witness since Ethan rarely curses or gets angry), Ethan called Sarah who called Erica, and now the whole squad is gathered in Benny's basement looking like a cheerful bunch.

You don't believe that either, right? Yeah, things aren't looking too pretty.

"So, let me get this straight." Erica drawls from her perch atop a couple crates, using a bookshelf as a very uncomfortable looking backrest. "You thought that your crappy, depressing, incompetent, dork of a substitute teacher was Hades, god of the underworld. And you proceeded to create a truth serum so you could somehow sneak it into his drink and get him to confess to being a fictional Greek character." Her tone is condescending, and her complete lack of interest flows off her words like butter. Normally she would have left by now, gone to enjoy her weekend without the interference of dorks, but she honestly has nothing better to do with her time, so why not enjoy the free entertainment.

Benny looks at Rory meekly. Now that he hears it coming from someone else, he can see how outlandish it all sounds. "Yeah pretty much.

Erica shrugs. "Ehh. Not your dumbest moment. Solid six out of ten if you ask me."

"Hey, thanks!" Rory cheerily pipes in, earning an eyeroll from Erica and a glare from Benny.

Benny sighs as he looks to Ethan who's sitting on an old couch probably planning Benny's death. "How you holding up, E?"

"Well let's see," Ethan looks up at Benny and oh if looks could kill, "I just drank some truth serum because my idiot best friends decided now was the right time to be Severus Snape, and now I have no filter and I can potentially be a danger to myself and all of you. How do you think I'm holding up?!"

"Maybe a solid nine out of ten." Rory doesn't have enough time to duck before Benny's hand connects with the back of his head.

Ethan looks just about ready to explode. "I swear, if you weren't a vampire I would…, I would…" Ethan seems like he's struggling to say what he wants to say, as if he's trying to suppress himself form saying something he doesn't mean… or rather does mean but doesn't want to actually say. "I would do nothing because I'm not a violent person and I'll probably forgive you really soon." He lets it all out in one breath and pants.

Erica snorts. Rory smiles as if he won the lottery. Benny gives Ethan an apologetic look which he returns with a glower. "Fix this!" he seethes.

"Honestly what were you two thinking?!" Sarah roars, causing Benny to wince and take a few steps away from her. "Do you have any idea what you two could have done? Or were you too wrapped up in your stupid schemes to realize how completely insane and dangerous this is?! You could have killed Ethan! Or turned him into… I don't know. A snake, or something!"

"Sounds like a typically Tuesday to me." Erica shrugs. "Can't say I'm flabbergasted. These three bird-brained idiots do all kinds of half planned nonsense, I'm surprised they haven't set themselves on fire yet." She pulls out her phone, bored with it all. "This actually pales in comparison to the other senseless things they've done."

"Uhh, it's actually Saturday." Rory pipes in, earning equal dirty looks from everyone in the room (does he take the cue to shut his mouth? No). "Blondes." He snorts as he elbows Benny. "Am I right?"

Benny grits his teeth as he fights the urge to strangle Rory for making it more awkward than it already was. "Dude, not helping!"

Sarah sighs exasperatedly. She loves Ethan, Benny, and Rory, and will go to the ends of the Earth for them. But honestly why is it that they can't be left alone for five measly minutes without them doing something dangerous? Why are they always getting themselves into some extravagant mess that needed her assistance in fixing? She would like to enjoy one Saturday without receiving the SOS text, or the panicky call.

Honestly is that too much to ask for?

"Alright," she says as she pinches the bridge of her nose. "I don't care how you do it, but you're going to fix this and you're going to fix this now." She points a finger at Benny similar to how a mother points a finger at a disobedient child. "Or I'm going to call Grandma Weir and tell her all about your crazy Hades exposé operation."

Benny gasps. She might as well have just cursed his family name. "You wouldn't! If grandma finds out about this she'll never leave me alone for the weekend again! Hell, she won't even let me use magic again!"

Sarah crosses her arms. "Not my problem. Nobody told you to do this in the first place. Either find a solution or suffer the consequences."

Benny grumbles something under his breath about insufferable vampires and their bossiness, to which Sarah angrily hisses at him, causing him to jump into Rory's arm while screaming.

Ethan would laugh if it weren't for how upset he is.

A sudden thought dawns on Ethan. "Guys, what if we can't fix this?" He panics, looking back and forth between his friends. "What if there's no cure and I'm stuck like this forever?"

"Hey, come on E." Benny says, reassurance in his voice. "Just relax. We're going to figure it out."

The look Ethan gives Benny makes him eat his words.

"Relax?!" Ethan yells, standing up causing Benny to shrink. "How am I supposed to relax when I don't have a filter anymore and anything I say can be dangerous?! Did you forget that three of our friends are vampires?!" He gestures to Sarah, Erica, and Rory. "What's gonna happen if I accidently spill the beans on what they really are?"

Benny runs his hands through his hair in frustration. How did this end so badly? "Alright, alright. Listen, we're going to fix this, okay? Maybe if we all look through some of the books we'll figure something out."

"Um, no, you're going to look through the books." Ethan shoves one of Grandma Weir's spell books into his chest. "I'm the victim here so what I'm gonna do is go upstairs and…" come on, come on, think of something to say! Ethan pleads with his mouth to say anything but what it wants to say. He begs his mind to come up with something less humiliating than what he's really thinking. But alas, the truth serum has won the battle because he hears himself say, "And try not to cry because I'm actually really scared right now."

Erica snorts again. Rory opens his mouth to say something else stupid but Ethan nearly jumps down his throat before he can get the words out. Grumbling, Ethan stomps all the way upstairs and slams the door behind him, the sound echoing throughout the basement.

Benny looks around at his friends through sorrowful eyes. What he thought was going to be a master plan has turned into a really bad weekend, and now Ethan's mad at him for it. He wishes he never came up with that stupid plan to begin with.

"Will you guys please help me?" He asks with a small voice.

Sarah drops her angered demeanor at Benny's downfallen one. Maybe they're being a little too hard on him. He didn't mean to hurt Ethan. Was he using his head? No. But at least his intentions weren't bad. "Yes of course." Benny smiles at her. "But only because nobody want's Ethan to walk around as an open book. The faster we come up with an antidote, the better."

And with that, they began the tedious job of flipping through every spell book and potions book they could find. They sat in the quiet of the basement (even Rory was quiet) flipping through pages and pages of magic books to no avail. Even Erica alternated between reading and scrolling through her phone. They spent a little over an hour thoroughly searching but coming up with nothing.

"This book doesn't even make sense." Rory said at some point. "Half of it is in Latin, and the other half is in some kind of weird English. How are we supposed to find a cure if I can't even understand what the freaking book says?!"

"Rory you can't even understand Dr. Seuss books." Erica didn't even look up from the book she was skimming through.

"Hey, Green Eggs and Ham is one of my favorite novels!"

Yup. A superb weekend.

In all honesty, Benny can't seem to concentrate too well. His mind keeps drifting off to the boy sitting somewhere upstairs probably fuming at Benny right now. He's never seen Ethan that mad before, especially at him. And Benny isn't the easiest friend to deal with. He's constantly being an annoying handful that Ethan has had to deal with since they were kids. This is the first time Benny has done something so bad that he's afraid of losing his friendship with the smaller boy.

That's one of the things Benny values most in his life. His friendship with Ethan. More than video games, comics, spells, and magic. He'd give all of that up if it meant keeping Ethan in his life and keeping him happy. He hates himself for nearly spoiling something he holds so close to his heart, all for some stupid scheme he didn't fully think through. He just really hopes he didn't screw things up too bad, and that Ethan will find it in himself to forgive him.

He wonders if his hidden feelings for the raven-haired boy has anything to do with his sadness. Yes, okay, he admits it. He's had this stubborn crush on his best friend for as long as he can remember. Okay it's more than a crush. He's pretty sure he's in love with Ethan even though he's afraid to admit it to himself and he doesn't necessarily know what love means. It's not easy to admit that you love your best friend in more than a platonic way, especially if said best friend happens to be the same gender as you.

Benny hasn't had the courage to tell anyone about it. How do you just casually bring up that you might be gay, and that you also like your best friend? He's not even out yet! He's not even 100% sure what he is or what exactly he's attracted to. The only thing he knows for certain is that what he feels for Ethan he's never felt for anyone else before. And it kills him to see Ethan ogle at Sarah and other girls all the time because he wishes it was him Ethan was ogling at. But, he wants his best friend to be happy, even if it's not with him and even if there's a good chance Ethan does not feel the same.

"I've got it!"

Benny nearly falls of the table he's sitting on at the sudden outburst. He looks at a triumphant looking Sarah. "I've found an antidote!"

Benny, Rory, and Erica surround her as she reads the ingredients for the antidote. It looks simple enough except for the fact that they don't have one simple ingredient: goose beaks.

"Wait." Benny narrows his eyes at something under the potion instructions. He points to it. "What's that?"

Sarah reads, "An alternative antidote to the Truth Serum is for the recipient to disclose his or her deepest kept secret to at least one person."

"So why don't we just make Ethan tell us his deepest secret and then boom, he's cured?" Rory asks.

Benny shakes his head. "Ethan's too stubborn. If he has a secret he won't want to tell anyone, especially if it's an embarrassing one."

"Well, you're his best friend Benny." Sarah points out. "He tells you everything. Maybe you can try getting it out of him. I'm sure he'll tell you if he knew it'll fix him."

Benny considers this. He trusts Ethan with his life, and vice versa. If Ethan were to tell anyone about some huge secret of his, he would tell Benny. He's sure of it. "Okay. I'll go find him and try to persuade him."

Sarah closes the book. "And I'm going to try and find some goose beaks just in case we need it." The two begin heading up stairs when—

"Wait!" Erica's shrill voice stops them in their tracks. "You're going to leave me alone with him?!" She jabs a thumb at Rory who looks far more than pleased to be left alone with the blonde. He's so giddy he's almost drooling.

"It's only for a few minutes." Sarah promises. "I'll be back soon. Just… try not to rip his head off."

Rory wiggles his eyebrows at Erica who groans in disgust before flopping backwards on the couch.

Benny doesn't wait to hear Sarah's response to her blonde best friend. He wastes no time bounding the stairs two at a time to find Ethan. He's not surprised to find the smaller boy in Benny's room playing Injustice 2. He doesn't look up or acknowledge Benny when he walks in (Benny's not sure if it's because he's engrossed in the game or because he's deliberately ignoring Benny).

Benny closes the door behind him. "H-hey Ethan."

"Hey," Ethan mumbles, his eyes never leaving the game.

"I have good news." Benny tries, but Ethan still doesn't look at him. "We've figured out how to counteract the truth serum."

"And…?" He's eyes are still fixated on the game.

Ethan has never given Benny the cold shoulder this badly before. Why is this making him so upset? "Well, there are two options. We can either make you a potion that will act as an antidote. Sarah just went out to find the missing ingredient."

"What's the second option?" Ethan's voice remains flat.

"If you tell someone your biggest secret, it will also counteract the effects of the serum."

That must of did the trick or flipped some switch in the teen. Ethan nearly drops the game controller at Benny's words. He fumbles with the controller and hits pause. "I have to w-what?" He finally looks at Benny.

"Tell someone your biggest secret to deactivate the serum."

Ethan suddenly looks anxious. His eyes start darting around the room in a panic. "Are-are you sure that's the only way?"

"It's the fastest way." Benny replies. "Sarah went out to get an ingredient for the potion, but she might not be able to find it. And even if she does, it could take a while to make it. But if you just say your biggest secret, then it will all be over in a snap." He snaps his fingers for emphasis.

He doesn't understand though. He knew Ethan would be reluctant to disclose to anyone, but he didn't expect for him to react like this. Ethan has become somewhat of a nervous wreck, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, getting red in the face, and stuttering out random nonsense.

"S-s-so who am I, uhh, who am I s-supposed to-to tell the secret to?" he sputters.

Benny gestures to himself with furrowed eyebrows. "Me. Duh. I'm your best friend. You can trust me with anything."

Ethan gives the green-eyed boy a very unconvincing smile. "Thanks Benny but I-I think I'll just wait for the potion."

"What? Why?" Benny takes a step toward Ethan and he responds by moving over on the bed. "Ethan it would be so much easier and faster if you just spill the beans."

Ethan gulps. "It's okay. I can wait a little longer to be cured. I, er, I don't think it's a good idea for secrets to come out." He rubs the back of his neck. Please leave it alone! Please leave it alone!

"But why?" Benny asks, but regrets it right after when he sees the struggle on Ethan's face and remembers that the teen is currently an open book and has no control over what he says.

Ethan scrunches up his face, forcing his mouth to stay shut. But he feels the words pushing hard to spill and his willpower decreasing. Finally, he blurts, "I like someone, but I don't want to tell you or anyone who it is!"

Benny rolls his eyes. "Ethan I already know you like Sarah—"

"It's not Sarah!"

Benny stares at his best friend in bewilderment. Not Sarah? He thinks to himself. Since their freshman year, Ethan has had a huge crush (slight obsession) over the vampire. And who could blame him? Sarah's beautiful. She has guys tripping over their toes for her everywhere she goes. And she inevitably had the same effect on Ethan. Or so Benny thought.

"But," Benny starts, "but I thought you liked—"

"Sarah was just a cover up!" Ethan's mouth is moving and his eyes grow wide in horror as more of what he wants to avoid saying spills out. "I never liked her. She was always a cover up for the person I really like because—" Ethan rubs his face in frustration. "Please don't make me say anything else."

But Benny can't wrap his head around it. Ethan's been lying to him? This whole time? Ethan can't even trust Benny with something as simple as who he has a crush on? He takes another step towards Ethan, a look of disbelief on his face. "Wait, but why did you lie to me this whole time? I'm supposed to be your best friend! You could have told me who you like. I would never judge you for it."

Ethan shakes his head rigorously. He moves again on the bed, away from Benny. "N-no Benny I really could tell you. You wouldn't understand—"

"Why wouldn't I understand?" Benny exclaims, throwing his hands up. He takes a step toward Ethan again. "Seriously Ethan? After all these years of being best friends and you don't trust me with something like this? Are you kidding me?"

Ethan's back hits the headboard. There's nowhere else for him to go. "Benny, I-I do trust you. But, but I couldn't—"

"But you obviously don't if you can't even tell me who it is now to break the stupid truth serum!"

"Benny," Ethan pleads, sweat building on his forehead. "Benny please understand—"

"What, you think I'm too much of an idiot to be trusted with your sacred secret?" The last part has way more sarcasm than Benny intends.

"Benny, i-i-i-it's not that at all. It's just really complicated—"

"Or did you plan on lying about this like you did about make out girl from camp?!"

"Benny please! Just, just—"

"Oh my gosh Ethan why can't you just tell me the truth?!"

"Because it's you!"

Whatever Benny was about to say next falters. He stares at the smaller teen who he's now one foot away from, towering over him. He was so caught up and upset, he didn't even realize he was moving closer to him.

Ethan's head falls back against the headboard in exhaustion. "The person that I like is you Benny." Benny's heart jumps into his throat at the words. His ears hear Ethan, but his mind can't seem to comprehend what he's saying. "I've liked you before I even knew it was possible for guys to like guys. I've liked you before I was old enough to realize I liked you. I've liked you my entire life. No one else but you." He pants. Benny sees the tears well up in his eyes. "And now you know."

Benny stands there, a whirlwind of emotions. Shocked, anxious, ecstatic, scared, freaked out, over-joyous. He can't pick one emotion. For so long he's imagined a moment like this. A moment where Ethan confesses his true feelings to Benny and they kiss in one of those dramatic rom-com kinds of ways. Benny's dreamed of Ethan reciprocating his feelings for years, but has struggled with the inability to tell someone about it. But never did he imagine it like this.

Benny wants to do so much. He wants to lean forward and plant his lips on Ethan's, and claim Ethan as his own. He wants to confess everything to Ethan. Everything about how he feels and how long he's felt it. He wants to embrace Ethan, wipe the tears from his face, and never let go. But he remains frozen in place, the same perplexed expression displayed on his face.

A tear rolls out of Ethan's eye, but he rubs it away too quickly for Benny to comment on it. He stands up with his head down, shoving past Benny to leave. Benny finally breaks out of his trances and blocks Ethan from getting to the door. "Wait E where are you going?"

"I'm leaving."

"No! Don't leave!"

"It's fine. I don't need to stay here anymore."

"No Ethan you don't have to go!"

"I've been humiliated enough." Ethan's voice is so quiet it scares Benny. "I'd rather be humiliated in the comfort of my own room." He tries to move past Benny again but in an act of desperation, Benny grabs his upper arms so he can't move from his spot.

"No Ethan! Please. Don't go."

"Why?" Ethan's voice breaks as the tears start rolling down his cheeks. "What do you want me to stay for Benny?"

Benny doesn't respond. He's looking into those brown orbs that he's known for so long. He sees everything displayed in Ethan's eyes. The longing, the embarrassment, the hurt, the passion. The love. It's all there, his heart beating rapidly in those eyes. Those beautiful eyes, full of tears that Benny doesn't want to be there. That shouldn't be there. Tears that Benny wants to erase for good.

Gosh Ethan has never looked so beautiful.

Benny's heart guides his next moves, not his head. He's sure reality has stopped for him so he can be in this moment, stay in this moment forever. Benny's eyes flicker from Ethan's eyes to his quivering lips. And with every ounce of courage he can muster, he leans forward and presses his lips against Ethan's.

Ethan's lips are stiff, and salty from the tears. He doesn't move at first, most likely out of shock. But something clicks in both of them at the same time because Ethan forgets everything about the entire day and sinks deeper into the kiss the same time Benny does. And it's the most cheesy thing to say in the world, but it feels like hundreds of fireworks had been set off into the sky, illuminating it with many shapes and colors. They feel something like an electric pull forcing them closer together. Or something like a magnet, forcing them to stay in place and unmoved.

But neither wants to move.

It's so much better than anything Benny could have imagined or dreamed up. It's way better than any rom-com Benny has ever seen. The way his lips fit right in Ethan's as if someone created their two lips to fit together like a lock and key. The tingle of the kiss swept right through Benny, down his spin and into the tips of his toes. It pushes him to wrap an arm around Ethan at the same time Ethan's hands find his hips. Benny wants to kiss him forever. Kissing Ethan is like kissing something sweet and delicate, but at the same time firm and full. It's like kissing red velvet. It feels like how red velvet feels, taste like how red velvet tastes.

Benny wants more. He wants to feel closer to Ethan, feel more whole with Ethan. But sooner than he would have hoped, Ethan pulls away, now wearing the perplexed expression.

"You…" He can't seem to catch his breath. Or find words to say. Or use his brain properly. "You…"

Benny chuckles. "I feel the same way about you Ethan." And boy does it feel good to finally say it.

Ethan's smile reaches his eyes, the brown orbs now having the twinkle in them Benny loves. The tears have stopped flowing, leaving nothing but tear streaks behind. "So, so what does that mean?"

"It means," Benny begins, "do you want to give this a go? Do you want for us to be boyfriends?"

The laugh Ethan let's out it one of relief and happiness. He nods vigorously. "Yeah. Definitely."

The desire overpowers Benny, and he doesn't hesitate to cup Ethan's cheeks and capture his lips again. Ethan all but willingly gives in, smiling madly into the kiss. Their hearts flutter, probably at the same time. And Benny consumes himself with the feeling of red velvet.

Again, they reluctantly break apart at the shrill ring of Benny's phone. He groans as he detaches himself from Ethan's lips so he can pull his phone out of his pocket, hoping it's nothing important so he can send it to voicemail and go back to kissing Ethan. He looks at the caller ID and blanches.

It's Sarah.

And suddenly the whole day comes back to him. The truth serum. Ethan drinking it. Yelling and cursing and an angered Ethan. Trying to find a solution. Sarah going out for goose beaks for the antidote.

Which she hopefully doesn't need anymore.

Reluctantly, Benny answers. "H-hello."

"Hey. Any luck with getting Ethan to confuse whatever secret he has?" She asks. "I can't find the goose beaks and I'm getting tired of looking."

"Uhh hang on." Benny almost forgot about his original intent of looking for Ethan. He pulls the phone away from his ear and mutes it. "Quick! Ethan lie about something!"

Ethan's eyebrows furrow in confusion but the smile never leaves his face. "Uhh, okay. I made out with a girl one year behind the big oak tree at camp—" Ethan stops mid-sentence as his jaw drops. He just lied. He just lied without difficulty.

It worked. Ethan is no longer affected by the serum.

With a sigh of relief and a satisfied smile, Benny unmutes Sarah. "I think we're good hear Sarah. We don't need the beaks anymore. You can come back."

"Thank god. Alright. I'll see you later."

Benny hangs up the phone, tosses it on the bed, and claims Ethan's lips as his own again, this time with more passion. He pulls Ethan closer to him. And they would stay just like that had it not been for the loud knocking at Benny's door.

"Benny I can't spend one more minute alone with Rory so you better come out here before I'm forced to tie him to the roof!"

Ethan laughs as they pull apart. "You left Rory alone with Erica?"

Benny shrugs. "Hey. Desperate times called for desperate measures." He pecks Ethan on the lips and goes to open the door, Ethan following. They make their way back to the basement, and soon after Sarah comes back to find Benny and Ethan happier than ever. She doesn't question it though. She's only happy that that portion of the day is over, as are the rest of them.

So yeah, the day started out pretty bad. Started out pretty ugly to be exact. But somehow, it turned around for Ethan and Benny, and now they're finally getting the chance to be happy with each other.

And right now, that's more than enough for them.

Well that's that.

Reviews are nice. Please leave them!

(Read 1800 273-8255. It's a great story we promise)

Until next time!

-Bye Felicia