A Night In

[singingdrummer]

 It all started with Ben tugging Meredith onto his lap, lips pressed against hers in a heated kiss. His hands roamed on her figure while his desire for her grew. He had wanted her ever since their first encounter at the bar but Ben never imagined something would actually become of it.

"I want you to know you're not some groupie to me, Meredith. I really want this with you."

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[highfidelity]

"Yeah." She was equally breathless, rubbing his back gently as they laid there entwined together. Meredith was relaxed and at peace. She couldn't have thought of a better way to end their evening. "I don't suppose you have a bed somewhere in here or did you only bother to get the couch?"

[singingdrummer]

"There's a bed. A nice one." He murmured, nuzzling her neck gently.

With a careful move Ben pulled out, taking off the condom. He kissed her before getting up and leading her to said bed.

The cuddling continued as soon as they'd hit the matress.

[highfidelity]

She curled up into him, content to lose herself in him a little bit more. Snuggled in with her head against his shoulder and one of her hands resting on his hip. Meredith wasn't sure what to say, but she was happy and she enjoyed just being there with him.

"This might be the best date I've ever had," she murmured.

[singingdrummer]

Ben smiled to himself as she curled up into him. It felt good having that with her; a moment of intimacy, just focusing on each other.

"I have to agree. This moment feels perfect."

[highfidelity]

"Because you're perfect."

She said it honestly as her body cuddled up perfectly against his. It didn't take her long to fall soundly asleep, feeling safe and happily exhausted beside him.

[singingdrummer]

Unaware of what'll happen the next day, Ben fell asleep with a smile on his face. His arm wrapped around her to hold her close.

He woke up several hours later, watching Meredith sleep for a moment. She looked so beautiful. The sound of his phone buzzing brought him back to reality. He fumbled to reach for it, sighing when he saw the text; an invitation for a gathering of some sort that night.

[highfidelity]

Meredith was a hard sleeper, for better or for worse. She didn't hear the phone and the movement of his body only made her shift and roll more into him. It might also have helped that since their clothes were all in the living room, her only sources of warmth were his body and the blankets so of course she would stay close.

Though if he had to leave she'd understand. After all he had driven them there so she basically had to go whenever he did, unless she called a cab and she wasn't quite sure where they were.

[singingdrummer]

Ben put his phone down to focus on the sleeping woman next to him. He didn't really feel like leaving just yet, so he shifted into a more comfortable position and kissed her softly on the lips.

[highfidelity]

That prompted her to stir and she blinked her eyes open slowly. "Hi," she said softly, remembering everything they had done previously. "How long was I out?"

She didn't know what time it was or if he needed her to move, smiling sheepishly at having fallen asleep on him.

[singingdrummer]

"A while."

Ben sighed softly, thinking about the text again. This was supposed to be their time together.

"I don't suppose you'd want to meet my mates tonight? They're having a get together."

[highfidelity]

"I can if you want." Meredith was surprised by the question; it felt fast to her, that he already wanted her to start meeting people as his girlfriend. But she didn't want to say no and make it sound like she was ashamed of him or of their relationship. "But it's up to you. I won't intrude on your plans."

And were these people she wanted to meet? Or people who'd either recognize her or run her off? She wondered that but wasn't going to say that either and sound like she was judging his social circle.

[singingdrummer]

"These two days are ours and I don't want to blow you off, considering the band's leaving town for a month. We wouldn't see each other for a while."

Ben didn't really think it through. Things would get ugly and wild at that particular gathering, and someone will end up in a hospital.

[highfidelity]

"Did you want to go? I'm not going to be that girl who keeps you from your friends either."

Which made her pause as the words left her mouth. If his friends were the people she thought they were, that's exactly what they'd say to him if he told them he was there with her. They'd blame her and say she was taking him away from them or that she wasn't worth it. And she didn't want him to deal with that kind of teasing, especially if these were people he had to be in close quarters with for a month.

She exhaled tightly. He was trying to make this her decision when it really ought to be his.

"Look. If you want to go, then go. Long as you give me a ride home...but I guess we could always meet for dinner afterward. We never did get to it."

[singingdrummer]

"If I don't, they'll give me shit for it. I'll make it up to you with dinner, Meredith. We'll have the rest of the night to ourselves."

It would be best to shield her from some of the obnoxious people he knew would show up. He'd treat her to some good food and drinks.

"Of course I'll drive you home. But no rush, I don't feel like leaving just yet."

[highfidelity]

"All right."

She nodded slightly, eyes downcast for a moment as the reality of their relationship began to sink in. It would always be like this, trying to care about him while not wanting to be a part of the world in which he lived. She wondered then, for a brief moment, if eventually he'd forget her and find someone else.

But she couldn't help how she felt about him, and reached down and squeezed his hand with a small, tired smile.

"I'm glad we did this."

[singingdrummer]

Ben hoped this wouldn't make her doubt his feelings. He fancied her in some deeper way and he was yet to figure it out himself.

"I'm glad, too. This can be our special place from now on. The view's nice and the bed's comfy."

He kissed her while caressing her cheek.

[highfidelity]

"Maybe I'll bring some stuff next time. Help you decorate."

It was a mild joke before she kissed him back. The place could use a woman's touch, she'd decided, though she also didn't want to suddenly act like she was moving in with him. He probably would make a terrible roommate.

"Why don't we go out tomorrow? Plan a proper date before you leave."

Not knowing he'd never make it there.

[singingdrummer]

"Maybe."

Ben laughed softly, fingers tracing patterns on her skin. If only he knew that the next day would be far from pleasant. The only date they were having was at a hospital, with Ben sobering up from a near-fatal experience.

"That'd be great. We can go somewhere nice."

[highfidelity]

"Sounds like a plan then."

She traced her fingers down his chest before she shifted. She didn't want him to leave but she knew he had to, and may as well get it over with. It would take him time to drive her back to her apartment. And she still had to dress at least.

"Come on. As much as I don't want you to go, you did say you have someplace to be."

[singingdrummer]

"You're right. We should head off.. We'll meet again tonight anyway."

Ben got out of bed half-reluctantly and went to fetch his clothes, putting them on. Little did he know that this would be the last good moment they'd share in a while.

He gave her a kiss before grabbing his jacket and car keys.

"Let's go, baby."

[highfidelity]

Meredith gathered her clothes and dressed, fixing her hair. She hated to leave and hoped he didn't think she was trying to usher him out either, but she knew the longer they stayed the more it would hurt when he left.

When he dropped her off at her front door she leaned in and gave him a long, slow kiss. "I'll see you tonight," she said honestly, playfully fixing his hair just like she had the night they met. "Don't stay out too late."

[singingdrummer]

After the kiss he wrapped his arms around her, giving another long one in return. He flashed a charming smile.

"I'll see you."

With that, he stepped in to get ready for the eventful night ahead.

[highfidelity]

Meredith smiled to herself and walked inside to get a shower and a change of clothes for their date. She didn't want him to pick her up in the same clothes he'd left her in. And she wanted to pick out a decent restaurant they could go to, not too fancy because it would be late and they'd both be tired.

But she worried when it got to ten and he hadn't come back. It was verging on too late now to go out anywhere. She tried calling him, hoping that he'd just forgot and not the alternative...her fear that everything he'd just said to her was bullshit, a move to get into the bed of the one woman he knew didn't want him. Was he bragging to his friends now about sleeping with her?

She kept calling, hoping eventually he'd pick up.

[singingdrummer]

Ben didn't know what the 'friend' had given him, but it wasn't good. The hours passed and the spinning feeling got worse. He barely felt the buzz of his phone, but he finally managed to pull it out of his pocket while sitting with his back against the couch. His legs wouldn't let him stand up anymore.

"Babe, that you? I feel weird.."

[highfidelity]

"Ben? Where are you?"

Meredith was on her fifth call and she was terrified. She could hear something was wrong.