Zee Finale. Hey. Lol. Cries. You guys are cool for sticking with me because I know i've been a giant pain. Truthfully this one wasn't too fun to write. I dunno what it was. :\ But anyway! It's done! ^^

Skips didn't say anything for a long time.

They were seated across from each other on a couch in his room. Benson was fiddling with the sleeves of his shirt and Skips seemed to be considering something. When he finally did speak up, it wasn't what Benson expected. "Okay. I can accept that you're better off here. With friends. I think that's pretty reasonable."

"Really?" Benson gave him a strange look.

Skips nodded, "I think that you're taking another step forward and that's good."

"Huh, I didn't think about it like that," he rubbed his head.

Skips smiled, "You're coming back tomorrow?"

Benson nodded, "Yeah, I guess so... I don't know, this whole thing seems so embarrassingly stupid to me. Like, am I really stupid enough to take my own life knowing all that's out there for me? I guess, but I think I'm also pretty strong for not doing it. I feel like I just want to put this entire thing behind me and never think about it again, but I know it'll still be there at the back of my head," he let out a sad chuckle. "It sucks, but at the same time, it's like a reminder of what I've done. What I've accomplished, you know?"

Skips nodded, "It sounds like you've made up your mind."

"Yeah. I'm not going to torture myself anymore. It's been a long time coming, but recently I've started to open my eyes again. If other people can be strong, then why can't I, right?"

Skips nodded, "Absolutely."

"Anyway, I guess I just really wanted to come down here for your approval. I know that might sound weird, but I do admire all that you do, so you approval does mean a lot to me."

"Well, thank you," Skips chuckled. "I must say though, you don't need anyone's approval to do something. If it feels right or good to you, just go for it. You know I'll stick with you either way, don't you?"

Benson leaned back in the couch, "Yeah, I kind of had a feeling you might say something like that. Thanks, though. You always know what to say." He stood up. "I guess I'll be heading back home now, though."

"Before you go," Skips stood up, "Do you want to meet up for lunch tomorrow?"

"On our breaks?" Benson asked.

"Yeah."

"Ah, sure, I'd like that," he smiled and Skips returned it. "See you then."

And with that, Benson was gone and Skips was alone in his room. He sat down briefly, contemplating the conversation. He was happy Benson seemed to be doing better, but he didn't want to relax around him. There was always the chance, the possibility he might do something drastic.

He sighed when he realized he didn't trust the redhead with his own life. He wouldn't say that was being a bad friend. On the contrary, he was being a good friend. He was watching out for Benson. something he didn't quite do for anyone else. Or rather, he never went to such great lengths. In the back of his mind he knew why, though. He cared about Benson. A lot. More than anyone he'd known. More than the woman he'd cared for so long ago. It surprised him to think there was someone he cared for more than her, but he thought that was okay. People must move on to grow, after all.

He'd never thought of telling Benson such a thing though. The hotheaded manager seemed to be fine with them being friends and he didn't want to ruin it. For now, he decided, he would just go with the flow.

.000.

The next morning Benson returned to work. Clipboard in hand, he entered the house and took a deep breath. He was the first one there and awake as usual, just how he liked it. Mordecai and Rigby were probably still sleeping in their room, but for once, Benson decided not to wake them. If they had set their alarms, that would be great, but there wasn't much work to be done today, so he decided it would be fine for them to sleep in a little longer.

He lifted his head. There was a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. He wondered how that was possible. He thought he was the first up? He carefully walked into the kitchen only to see Mordecai and Rigby at the stove, much to his great surprise. He nearly jumped, dropping his clipboard.

The two turned around, noticing the sound. "Benson!" Mordecai grinned. "Welcome back."

"Welcome back!" Rigby said shortly after.

"What are... You're awake?" Benson asked, eyes still noticeably wide.

Mordecai chuckled, "Yeah. We owed you, you know. We're making your favorite pancakes."

Benson didn't know what to do. He was so surprised that all he could think to do was laugh. "Wow... I really wasn't expecting this. Thanks, guys. It means a lot to me."

"Well, we'll let you off easy after all we've put you through. When you're on your toes again, don't expect us to be so chill!" Mordecai chuckled again.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Benson replied.

Soon after, the rest of the house joined them. Muscle Man and Fives came in through the front door, Pops floated in out of nowhere, Thomas popped in bright and early and lastly, Skips entered. They all took seats in various places around the kitchen and ate breakfast together. Benson thought about how nice it was like this. Part of him wished it would stay like this, but the other part realized how unnatural it would be. No, he would often prefer his quiet mornings alone, but this wasn't so bad every so often. Not at all. It really was just like having a normal family.

After breakfast, everyone dispersed when Benson told them their jobs for the day. He walked over to Skips, "And here's your schedule."

"Thanks," he said. "I'll get to work."

"Yeah, same," Benson replied, giving Skips a pat on the shoulder before retreating to his office. The rest of the morning went relatively normally. Everyone did their jobs, they joked to each other, they slacked off a bit but not too much and then lunch break came. Mordecai, Rigby and Thomas ran to play video games. Muscle Man and High-Five retreated to watch TV in the trailer and Pops ate his lunch in the garden as he sketched a rose.

Benson hadn't noticed the time pass. The only reason he realized it was lunch was because Skips came to fetch him. He knocked on the door to Benson's office and the redhead looked up, "What's up?"

"It's lunch time."

Benson checked the clock, "Already?"

Skips chuckled, "Yeah."

"Wow..." he put down the papers he was holding and pushed himself up. "That went by fast."

"I think that'd a good sign."

"I think so too."

"So, you ready?"

"Yeah, but first, can I just... try something?"

Skips raised an eyebrow, "Hm?"

Benson walked over to him, "I don't... Well, you'll probably think this is weird. I'm weird, whatever, I don't care. I just. Need to test something."

"Alright," Skips said, still unsure of what the man was hinting at, but all his questions were answered when Benson pulled the taller man down into a kiss. Almost as quickly as it had started, it ended. Benson quickly turned around, his cheeks turning a faint pink.

"...What..." Skips couldn't even form a coherent sentence. He was shocked. Very shocked, but he was shocked in the absolutely best way there is.

"You know when you asked me what something to live for was?"

"Y..yeah."

"And I said love?"

Skips nodded, "Yeah."

"Well, to tell you the truth, I was kind of thinking about you. I mean, you've always been there for me. It just took me a little while to realize. I'm sorry if that makes you uncomfortable or if you think I'm weird and want to stop talking to me. I guess I'll unders-" he was interrupted when Skips pulled him around to face him.

"There's no way I could stop talking to you. No, I feel the same way."

"What?" Benson's cheeks were bright red.

Skips only nodded. "Hard as it may be to believe, I do. I've gotten rather good at hiding my feelings."

"I'll say..."

Skips bent down at pressed his lips to Benson's forehead. The bespectacled man smiled softly. That is what they say, he thought, that love is the greatest thing to live for.

"Now all that's left is to work on your smoking habit."

"Hey. Don't push it," Benson said, despite the grin he was wearing.

"Alright, alright," Skips smiled. He could wait. Benson wasn't entirely stable, but Skips was fine with that. He was fine with waiting. He was fine with being called on at 4AM. He was completely fine with having to do extra work until boss was at his best. He was fine because it was love. And with love sometimes you need to take things slow, because there's much to view in this beautiful world.

One step at a time.