Chapter 14:

A/N Aah I'm sorry I keep changing the description. I'm just writing this fic as I go along so I'm not too sure on where this thing's going exactly XD BUT the description that's there now is the official one. I promise haha

Choosing to take his chances, the jay headed to the stairs and went up to his boss' office. He knocked softly on the door and when he heard Benson mutter something, he pushed it open.

"Hey, Benson."

The gumball machine glanced up. "Oh hey, Mordecai."

"Um, I just got a text from Rigby saying that he's gonna be staying overnight at Eileens because of her project. Is that okay?"

"As long as he's back here by 9 tomorrow morning." Benson murmured as he scribbled something down.

Mordecai smiled. "Okay."

When Benson didn't hear his door close, he looked up to see Mordecai still in the doorway. "Did you want something?"

"Uh…y-yeah I…" Mordecai cleared his throat and he stepped away from the door. "Since Rigby's gonna be at Eileens, I…I was wondering if you, you know, if you wanted to hang out tonight?"

Even though he couldn't get the night out of his head, Mordecai couldn't deny that he still wanted to spend time with him despite it. He just hoped Benson said yes.

Benson was taken aback. "Oh uh...yeah, sure." He began to shuffle through his papers. "I don't think I have much work to get done…"

Mordecai started to smile. "Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, I don't really have anything else to do except work. Did you have anything in mind?"

"Well…" He gave a nervous laugh. "N-Not really. It was kinda last minute…" A blush creeped on Mordecai's cheeks and he glanced away in embarrassment.

"I'm not really up for going anywhere." Benson admitted.

"Oh!" Mordecai looked up in surprise. "Oh uh…I wasn't going to suggest us going out. I mean, I'm okay with staying here if." His face flushed. "If you want to stay here. I don't want to choose if you're not okay with it." He smiled crookedly at Benson and Benson felt his chest flutter. Did Mordecai actually care?

"Oh um….no it's-it's okay Mordecai, I..I'm alright with staying here. I just….I mean, it's been a lot of fun going somewhere these past few nights but I kinda want to relax a bit, you know?"

"Yeah!" Mordecai blurted. "Yeah, totally. I get what you mean. Don't worry Benson, it's fine." He reassured, his smile warm.

"Okay so, we're just hanging out here?"

"Yip."

"I'll meet you downstairs when I've finished. That alright with you?"

"Yeah, yeah that's fine." Mordecai flashed a smile at his boss then headed downstairs.

About 45 minutes later, Benson'd finally finished and he exited his office. "Mordecai?"

"Yeah?"

The gumball machine made his way to the lounge. "I was just wondering where you were."

"Oh, okay." Mordecai turned back to the tv with a smile and continued to shuffle through the pile of VHS tapes.

Benson sat on the couch, watching his employee. "What're you doing?" He eyed the popcorn bowl on the table.

"I'm choosing a movie for us to watch-ha found it." The jay opened a VHS case and slid the tape in. He backed up onto the couch and sat next to Benson, who shuffled away slightly.

"What're we watching?"

Mordecai's cheeks went pink. "Shy guy."

Benson raised an eyebrow.". . .Is it a romantic comedy?"

"It's a good movie!" Mordecai protested and when he saw his boss smiling in amusement, he fell back into the couch. "Is it bad to like romantic comedies?"

"Course it's not. I just find it strange how we have the same taste in movies."

"Huh, you never struck me as a hopeless romantic."

Benson shrugged. "I guess I'm full of surprises."

Mordecai smiled at his boss then settled into the cushion as the film started. They fell into a comfortable silence, it often being broken by their laughter and the chewing of buttery popcorn. For the second time that week, Benson found himself in tears by the time the credits rolled.

Mordecai sniffed, finishing off his mouthful of popcorn. Benson heard and he turned his head, seeing the jay give him a watery smile and wiping his eyes.

"Ugh it gets me everytime." Mordecai saw the tear stains on Bensons cheeks. "And it got you too." He commented.

"Huh?" Bensons face suddenly went red when he felt his cheek. "Oh, y-yeah."

"Don't be ashamed, dude." Mordecai slid off the couch and fell on his knees in front of the VCR. Pushing the "eject" button, the tape slowly came out and Mordecai grabbed it. "Rigby still gives me a hard time about it." He shook his head as he put the tape back. Clicking the case closed, he stood and grabbed the bowl from the table.

Benson watched him leave to the kitchen, the gumball machine wiping his eyes. He sighed and looked back at the tv, that fluttery feeling coming back.

"Do you want a soda?" Mordecai called, his hand on the fridge door.

"Uh, yeah, sure."

Moments later, Benson heard the fridge door shut and the jay emerged with two sodas in his hands. He handed one to his boss then sat back down next to him; a bit closer than before.

Benson opened his drink and took a sip. The cold liquid slipped down his throat, and he felt the bubbles fizz on his lips. He looked up and his eyes locked with Mordecai's, who was staring back at him. Benson looked away, his cheeks going red as he lowered his soda.

"What else should we do?" Benson asked, placing it on the table.

Mordecai lowered his own. "You wanna play some video games?"

"Not really."

He paused. "Hm well, we could...watch tv?" It was still on despite the film being back in it's case.

"What'd you and Rigby usually do?"

"Well, we sometimes go down to the coffee shop or to the arcade but." He rubbed his neck. "You said you didn't want to go anywhere tonight."

"Yeah…"

An awkward silence fell across them and to ease it, Benson grabbed his soda and took a tentative sip, avoiding his employees eyes. He put it back on the table and fell back with a sigh. Benson looked over at Mordecai but he was staring at the carpet. The jay soon felt Bensons eyes on him he raised his gaze up.

A warm smile played on Bensons lips. "I know I've said this before Mordecai but…I really like spending time you." There was just something about the jay that made Benson feel a bit more alive, but he'd never admit it.

Mordecais smiled shyly. "I-I like spending time with you too, Benson."

"We should do this more often. Just hang out at home." Bensons cheeks went pink. " It's more….quiet…" His voice trailed off and more silence followed

It was broken when Mordecai spoke up. "Yeah, we should." He saw Benson looking at him and his face got hot. "I-I mean if you want to."

"Yeah, I do." Benson brought his gaze up to rest on Mordecai's and they looked at each other. The gumball machine felt the flutter in his chest again and he could feel himself lean forward, slipping into that same dream like state. His eyes began to close and when Mordecai's breath stained his cheek, his stomach flipped and he could feel Mordecai was inches away…

A loud knock at the door made Bensons eyes snap open and he drew back suddenly. His face hot, he managed to choke out "Who's that?"

Mordecai swallowed, his heart sinking. "I'll go check."

Benson watched him leave for the door, his heart slamming against his chest. He put a hand to his head, his mind racing. What just happened?

Mordecai opened the door to revel a beaming Margaret on the porch, dressed in her work uniform. Upon seeing the robin, Mordecai's jaw dropped. "Margaret?! What're you doing here?"

"I just finished work and I dropped by to you know, catch up." She frowned in confusion when she saw he was staring at her. "Is something wrong?"

"What? No! No no no nothing's wrong!" Mordecai rattled. "I mean if something was wrong I'd tell you right? Hahaha…" The jay plastered a wide smile on his face but Margaret just rolled her eyes.

"Oh I definitely missed that." She smiled cheekily and walked past Mordecai who shut the door with a shaking hand. He followed the robin into the lounge and when he saw Benson giving him a puzzled look, he shrugged innocently.

"Geez why's it so dark in here? And why's the tv on if you're not even watching anything?" Margaret switched the light on and turned the tv off.

She sat between Mordecai and Benson as Mordecai gabbled out an answer "W-we just finished watching a movie."

"Oh what was it?"

"…Shy guy…" Mordecai admitted quietly.

Margarets expression brightened. "I remember that movie! And aw Mordecai."

Mordecai went red. "Yeah…hehe….Oh uh Margaret, this is Benson." He gestured to his boss, who gave a slight smile. "Benson, you remember Margaret right? She works at the coffee shop…"

Benson forced a wider smile. "It's nice to meet you properly, Margaret."

"You too, Benson." Her eyes sparkled and Benson was thrown off for a brief moment before her gaze returned back to the jay.

Mordecai cleared his throat. "So Margaret, you said you wanted to catch up?"

"Yeah! How've you been Mordecai?"

"I've been…good. What about you? How's work?"

"Sorta quiet, sorta busy. Since Eileen's been taking the past couple days off to work on her project for school, it's just been me and this new girl."

"And how's that been? Good?"

Margaret opened her mouth to reply but Bensons voice filled the room as he stood up.

"I think I'm gonna go home. It's getting pretty late."

Margaret glanced at her watch as Mordecai looked at him in panic.

"But it's only 6:30." Margaret noted, bringing her gaze to him.

"I had a hard day today."

"Can't you stay, Benson?" Mordecai asked.

Benson glanced at Margaret then when he caught Mordecai's eyes, the jay saw a look of regret and hurt on his face before his eyes fell on the couch arm. "No I…I gotta get home." He couldn't hide the disappointment in his voice and Mordecai watched him go to the coat rack, grabbing his jacket with his stomach in knots.

Mordecai spun round when the door shut. "Margaret I can't believe you!"

"What?"

"You-You sent him out the house!"

"No I didn't!"

Mordecai groaned and put his head in his hands. "We almost kissed again." He muttered.

"What?! Mordecai what happened?"

"We almost kissed!" Mordecai took his hands away. "It…It was the perfect chance and…you interrupted it." He sighed. "It would've happened…"

Margaret suddenly gasped. "Mordecai, did you see Bensons face before he left?"

Mordecais cheeks flushed. "What? No."

"Yes you did. He looked hurt because of me coming in." Her cheeky smile dropped and she looked at Mordecai, sympathy swamping her when she saw the jays low face. "Aw Mordecai, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay Margaret. You didn't know." He tried but his voice faltered and the robins face instantly lit up.

"You know what this means when Benson was hurt with what happened?"

"What?"

"It means he likes you!"

Mordecai stared at her then shook his head. "Nope, no way."

"Aw come on Mordecai, why can't you admit it?" Her smile wouldn't waver.

"Because he just doesn't!" Mordecai said indignantly. "I mean, why would he like me?

"I could list a million reasons why."

"Margaret!"

"I'm kidding, geez." She laughed. "But really Mordecai, how can you not believe it?"

"Because I don't, okay?"

"Alright, when you two almost kissed the first time, who went to kiss who?"

Mordecai paused. ". . .Benson. . .?"

"And the second time?"

Mordecais face got hot and he looked away. "Benson."

"Exactly! I mean, if Benson doesn't have feelings for you, he's starting to. You've been spending a lot of time together and remember when I said that something was bound to spark? I was right. The karaoke night…"

"Ugh Margaret just…stop this alright? I need to get to bed anyway." Mordecai moved off the couch.

"How can you still be in denial?"

Mordecai stopped. "I'm not!"

"Yes you are, Mordecai." Margaret laughed in disbelief. "Why don't you think Benson likes you when it all adds up?"

"Look, I'm going to bed." Mordecai stood and so did Margaret. "It was nice of you to come over and I'll see you tomorrow." He went with her to the door but Margaret turned as she stepped back out onto the porch.

"Why don't you think he likes you?" She demanded.

Mordecai gave her a hard stare, though it was hard to do when he knew she'd keep giving him a hard time about it. Finally, with his hand on the door edge, he sighed in exasperation. ". . .We wouldn't work."

"What'd you mean?"

"I mean that…well…" Mordecai went quiet. "Why would Benson like a slacker?"

"You're not a slacker-"

"I know but…" He began to grow agitated and he frowned at the robin. "Ugh Margaret, can we just talk about this some othertime? I'm really tired." His hand fell to the doorknob and Margaret sighed.

"Yeah…yeah, sure Mordecai." She smiled slightly. "Have a good night." She suddenly winced; probably not the best thing to say since what'd just happened.

Mordecai pretended not to notice. "You too." He shut the door and waited to see the light of Margarets headlights cut into the lounge before letting out a long sigh and climbing up to bed, leaving the half drunken soda cans on the table.