Day 5 (September 20th)
"Teaching"
*Interacting with Children

-

The evening set in, and men talked calmly. Outside, the oncoming fall made it apparent a cold Winter was in course. In the early Autumn, leaves had already begun to change color, and they fell to the ground. Each gust of wind brought in more of the reds and yellows to toil before doorways. The maples, sprouting the lovely orange, tend to hold their leaves a bit longer, allowing man and beast to marvel.

It was a fine evening.

Ben swirled a quill, mumbling softly to himself. Nathan had yet to return from teaching, and he was casually growing concerned. He was never out this late, and with rising tensions with England, it would be suicide to be out past sunset.

The brunette pushed away from his desk, eyebrows furrowing. Something had gone wrong, and he needed to find his Nate.

It didn't take Benjamin too long to slip on his boots and coat (even if he fumbled a bit). He sighed, walking out of the door.

As he passed the stairway, the coolness of the air began knawing away at his cheeks. He had adapted to summer temperatures and hadn't realized it was this cold until now. Each breath seemed to sting his lungs a bit more.

But, he kept walking, leaves crunching beneath his feet. It was a welcomed sound, but it came with disadvantages. People seemed to stare him down as he passed through.

It was unnerving.

But, perhaps it was his anxiety bothering him. He felt the same way he did the first day at Yale; these were different circumstances, however.

He made pause, staring forward at the school building. 

The staff had seen him on various occasions (when he came to help Nathan after hours). 

Benjamin took a deep breath, walking towards the entrance. A young man at the front desk greeted him with a quick nod.

"Hello, is Nathan Hale still here?"

"Yes, sir. Right down the hall in his room. I caught word he's staying late to help tutor."

"I see, thank you."

"You're welcome, Benjamin. Have a good night."

"You too," Ben offered a quick smile, hurrying down the halls. There was a brief period of his steps echoing through the empty building before he came to rest in front of Nate's classroom. He gave a soft knock, walking inside. 

The blonde sat across from a younger boy, no older than 10. Ben took a deep breath, sighing. "I was beginning to worry about you," he laughed, running a hand through his hair. "I wasn't certain why you hadn't gotten home."

"My apologies," Nathan spoke gently, not peeling his eyes off the paper. "I had to stay and help this young one."

"With what?"

"He's trying to get better with reading," Nate looked up at Benjamin for a moment, "though; I will say that he's doing well."

Ben walked over, hovering over the lad's shoulder, staring at the papers. "Then what's the issue?"

The kid looked up at Ben, catching the man off guard with curious eyes. He smiled a bit at the brunette, pointing at the paper. 

"This problem here keeps confusing me."

Benjamin knelt (much like his mother used to do with him), pulling the paper into sight. He read over the problem, taking a pencil into his hand. "Well, you're looking too much into the wording. As someone who recently got out of college, he's a trick I learned," he circled the vital parts of the question, laying it back down. "The circled regions are the points that need focus. The rest of the words got pitched in to catch you off."

The kid sniffled a bit (standard with the cold weather), and he turned back to read over the paper. "Summarize the text- paragraphs one and two, stating the points the author intended to make."

"There you go," Ben smiled, standing back up. He looked to Nathan, the blonde smiling back at him. "What?"

"You should've become a teacher."

"I doubt I would've had the patience." The brunette laughed.

"Oh, come now- you handled that well!"

"I know I wouldn't be able to handle young men, Nate. I was too much trouble when I was their age."

Nathan rose a brow. "Does your father know that?"

"Well- no-"

"You minded well in school. And even boys striking maturity tend to be at least somewhat mature."

"Somewhat? Most of them are just figuring out," Benjamin faltered, staring over his shoulder at the young boy. Those curious blue eyes never strayed from them. He swore the kid reminded him of someone he knew- perhaps it was himself. Sighing, Ben leaned toward Nate, whispering, "most young men are figuring out that they can pleasure themselves."

Nathan nodded, shaking his head. "Fortunately, I do not deal with such behaviors."

"Rather fortunate for you."

Nathan gave a quick smile, turning back to the kid. "Are you understanding your work better now?"

The child nodded, scribbling his answers down quickly. "Yes! Thank you, Mr. Hale. And...Mr. Hale's friend!"

"No problem, kid," Ben smiled. "Are you going to be able to get home?"

"He is; his father works at the front."

"The man who greeted me?" 

"Most likely," Nathan chuckled. He stepped to the side, allowing the boy to pass. Even though he nearly tripped over himself, the lad made it out the door.

"He does remind me of myself when I was around his age."

"Does he?"

"Somehow. Perhaps it's the curious gaze or the fact the lad was rather nosy." Ben grinned, looking at Nathan. "Is your stuff ready to go?"

"It is."

"Shall we head home?"

"Gladly," the blonde grinned, grabbing his bag.

---

As the two walked home,  Benjamin chuckled, stepping on some leaves. He felt childish, but he sees older men do the same each Autumn. They couldn't say a thing about him. 

Nathan adored watching Benjamin enjoy himself. He's usually quite tense, but seeing him in this state was a kind reminder that things will be alright.

"How was your day?"

Benjamin glanced up, smiling. "Rather lonesome, I was anxious for your arrival."

"You've missed me?"

"Always," Benjamin smiled, "Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow."

Nate gave a loving grin, reaching to hold Benjamin's hand. "You're sweet, you know?"

"I try to be, my dear."

"I couldn't have ever asked for anyone better. You're perfect, Benjamin. And I love you wholly."

"I love you til' I reach my end, and I'll love you after."

Nathan's cheeks flushed red, and he turned to face Benjamin. The streets were empty with no more than the moon to provide light. "I know you will, and I adore that." He kissed Benjamin's lips, the wind swirling around them, tossing leaves into their hair. As they parted, they laughed, hurrying back to their shared home.

They hurried inside, their faces red from the frostbite, which had slowly gnawed away at exposed skin.

Benjamin grinned, playfully kissing Nathan, arms wrapped around his shoulders. "My love forever?"

"Forever and beyond," Nate answered, leaning his head into Ben's chest. He glanced off, a gloomy feeling settling over his shoulders. In the corner, he could sense something watching (Death, undoubtedly).

He couldn't stay forever with Benny, and he knew.

But, during his time alive, he would do whatever he could to make Benjamin happy- Ben would do the same for him. 

"Benny?"

"Yes, dear?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."