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'Benny...' Champagne started. Benny's heart quickened and he just knew that Champagne could hear it.
'What's up, champ?' He grinned unsteadily.
'Can I... have something? of yours?' Champagne asked, with a voice that suggested a deep hunger. Benny stepped back, not letting his smile dip but feeling fear pulse through him.
'Well ya already got 3 of my ribs and a kidney, what more do ya really need?' Benny asked lightheartedly, trying desperately not to let the fear infect his voice.
'I was thinking...' Champagne said slowly, stepping towards Benny smoothly in a way that made Benny's heart skip with something other than fear for a moment.
'Maybe.. I could have your heart?' Benny was sure Champagne had somehow stopped it for a moment as he said that, because he was suddenly breathless. And very very aware that he was pressed against a wall, face an inch away from the doctor's, in a room alone with a quite-possible-psychopath that had already stolen several of his bones and an organ.
'D-don't I need that o-one t-ta survive?' Benny stuttered, trying not to look at Champagne's lips because that was not appropriate when his life was being threatened. Even if the guy threatening him was very attractive.
'Oh, ill keep it safe.' champagne assured, placing his hand over Benny's chest but not touching, like if he did he wouldn't be able to stop himself from just reaching in and just...
Benny took a stuttering breath and-
Sterling came crashing through into the room calling for Benny before stopping and making Champagne leave the room.
'You okay Benny? I know that guy gets to you a lot.' sterling asked. Benny nodded shakily and assured him that he was fine, he would be okay.
What terrified Benny most, however, was that before sterling came running in the word on his lips was yes.
-alt version where Sterling didn't interrupt-
Benny took a stuttering breath and swallowed a lump in his throat.
He should say no. He has to say no. This is crazy. He should just say no. Or maybe don't even say it, just push Champagne away and run. SAY. NO.
'Sure.' Benny said, breathless already. Champagne blinked. Was he surprised?
'Oh, are ya surprised?' Benny grinned, pretending his heart wasn't going a mile a minute and his throat was dry and he was bracing for sweet pain and that he wasn't so in love with this insane doctor that probably would've had his medical license revoked if this wasn't the literal apocalypse
'Really?' Champagne sounded breathless too, like they had both run a marathon and were now here. With Benny agreeing for Champagne to take his heart oh god this was insane-
'Sure. As long as you put it back before I die.' Benny smiled, heart going insane (Just like he did. he must've gone insane. Champagne must've made him insane because there was no way he had just agreed to let someone LITERALLY BORROW HIS HEART-)
'Of course.' Champagne seemed shocked and pleased and hungry and dangerous and- and beautiful and Benny felt a hand cup his cheek before he passed out.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
'Benny...' Champagne started. his heart thudded in his chest and champagne relished in the sound. It was so melodic. So pretty. Just from Champagne saying Benny's name. Now how fast can you make it go?
'Whats up, Champ?' Benny's smile was so pretty. Maybe you can take some teeth next! Champagne felt a familiar hunger that wasn't his brewing as he stepped forward towards Benny. Just like a beast hunting its prey!! Ew, Hunt.
'Can I.. have something? Of yours?' Why are you asking permission? That's so boringg. Just reach in and- Champagne almost shushed it, but felt it might ruin the moment.
'Well ya already got 3 of my ribs and a kidney, what more do ya really need?' Oh he was so cute. His fear is so so fun! So sweet and nice and-
'I was thinking...' Champagne drawled, smoothly stepping towards Benny That's not all fear though- Ooh this makes it MUCH more fun! and letting a smile crawl across his face, showing off his sharp teeth.
'Maybe.. I could have your heart?' Champagne was asking for so much, and Benny didn't even know it. It's not that much, just another- delicious, mind you- organ He had trapped Benny, now, against a wall. He would back off when Benny said no, because he would almost certainly say no, but for now this was fun. Not in the normal flesh way either. This was fun for him.
Benny stuttered something out, but Champagne was distracted by the way his eyes Ew. Eyes. kept flicking down to champagne's lips. Champagne didn't kiss him, it likely wouldn't be a pleasant experience for either of them I mean you've never really TRIED, but he really really wanted to. In a mildy terrifying way (and not in the usual terror-filled way, either)
'Oh, I'll keep it safe' Champagne promised. He needed Benny to let him have this. His heart. Yum. Not to eat. He wasn't lying. He was going to keep it safe. He promised.
Then someone came crashing in and ruined it.
Champagne didn't hold grudges per say but if that guy was the next to be turned into a dinosaur it would be his own damn fault.
He was sure Benny would say no, but the moment itself felt special, somehow.
- alt version where sterling doesnt interrupt -
Benny's shuddering breath landed on Champagne's neck and it felt so human that for a moment the Flesh didn't exist and it was just them and-
'Sure.' Benny sounded breathless. Champagne blinked. YES. YES YES YES YES YES YES TAKE IT TAKE IT TAKE IT GIVE IT TO US CRUSH IT IN YOUR HANDS GIVE IT TO US- Benny was supposed to say no
'Oh are ya surprised?' Benny snarked acting like Champagne couldn't feel his heart beating and hear its beautiful melody and like he couldn't feel their chests heaving Why are you so worked up? It should be us because were about to get FOOD
'Really?' Champagne breathed and ignored Bennys remark, because he had to be sure before he took his heart. WHY DO YOU CARE? JUST FEED US FEED US FEED US FEED US FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD-
'Sure. As long as you put it back before I die.' Benny smiled and Champagne disregarded any idea of stealing teeth the flesh ever had because holy shit Champagne was in love.
'Of course.' Champagne promised. He didn't care how loud It screamed he was going to keep that FUCKING promise. He cupped Benny's cheek which was a mistake because now he really wanted to kiss him-
And Benny fell to the floor. Champagne followed and ended on his knees next to an unconscious Benny as the Flesh went insane.
Champagne wasn't going to hurt Benny. He wasn't going to crush his heart in your hands then eat it then feed it to us then then then oh my everything the possibilities GIVE IT TO US GIVE IT TO US GIVE IT TO US hurt Benny.
Champagne reached his hand into Benny's chest and it was warm and beautiful and TAKE EVERYTHING WARP IT FEED US WAKE HIM UP AND MAKE HIM SCREAM so human that Champagne almost felt jealous as his hand closed around Benny's heart and he didn't even want to disturb it because of all the stupid human poetry about love and all that shit and Champagne blinked back the red red red that was seeping into his vision because he was not the Flesh and he fucking promised and he withdrew his arm from Benny's chest and he closed his hands around his ears because he didn't care what they screamed he was going to keep Benny safe- his heart. He was going to keep his heart safe.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
-
It was wonderful. It was everything Benny had imagined it would be (maybe don't think too hard about how often he thought about kissing the guy that stole his ribs when they first met). It was warm and sweet and soft and painful and-
There was a searing pain where Champagne's lips were softly pressed against his own. Benny figured he should probably be more concerned about that but the pain of when champagne took his kidney far outweighed this. Besides, he could probably convince Champ to give him whatever it was back.
Probably.
'YOU STOLE MY TONGUE?' Benny tried to yell, stepping back. Keyword- tried. It was surprisingly difficult to talk without a tongue.
Champ snickered into his fist and Benny's cheeks went red.
'You stole my tongue!?' Benny signed (god he was lucky Tayrun had forced them all to learn sign language). Champ rolled his eyes and smiled, (Benny's heart did not flip-flop. it did not.) showing off a few very sharp teeth.
'Yes.' He replied simply. Replied verbally. Bastard.
'Why did you steal my tongue?' Benny asked. He knew he probably wouldn't get a satisfying answer, but he felt he had to ask.
'Funny.' Champagne stated, before smirking.
'Besides, you seemed a little distracted.' Champagne flirted (?? was he flirting? it seemed like it) and Benny's blush deepened.
'Can I have it back?' Benny asked. He really didn't want to have to sign for the rest of his life and he kinda needed his tongue to talk.
Champagne rolled his eyes before tugging Benny closer by his shirt and grumbling a 'fine' against his lips.
It was just as wonderful the second time.
Except this time better, because he had a tongue when they pulled away.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
based on a song from this playlist
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This was insane, Sterling decided as he watched Benny and Champagne debate.
'Appendix.' Dr. Champagne stated. It was supposed to be a question, but it didn't sound like one to Sterling.
'Mmm, tonsils' Benny offered, looking far too gleeful about the idea than was warranted.
'You just want me to touch your neck.' The doctor rebutted. Sterling was mildly horrified when Benny just shrugged with the same smile still over his face, which had gone slightly red.
'Eh, guilty. Whatabout a rib?' Benny moved the topic on, which left Sterling reeling for a moment before Champagne spoke again.
'Nah, I've already got 4.' Sterling jumped in, confused 'I thought you only had 3?' At which Dr. Champagne huffed (laughed?). Benny's face was rather pink as he clarified 'I ah- had ta paid 'im for some info.' Dr. Champagne looked at Benny with a smirk that made Sterling tense. 'That's not how I remember it. I remember you beg-'
'A-ANYWAY! Appendix, right?' Benny interrupted, now a brilliant red. Champagne huffed out another laugh and was about to agree when Sterling jumped in again.
'Why don't you try stealing from someone else for a change?' He asked. Dr. Champagne just scoffed and said 'I can't. Well, I could, but Benny's are the sweetest-' before cutting himself off, face going pink.
In unison, Benny and Sterling both said 'Wait, you eat them?' Sterling in horror, Benny in fascination. Sterling was about to say something like see Benny,this is why we don't give our organs to avatars, you never know what they're going to do with them when Benny strolled past where he was standing between them towards Champagne.
'You eat them.' He stated, a grin once again spreading across his face before he gasped. 'You're just like a dog!'
It wasn't an insult. It was said with the same gleeful realisation that he used when someone brought a surprise pizza round.
Benny was close to the doctor now, chests almost touching as Benny tilted his head and asked the now very red Champagne 'Do you gnaw on my ribs like a chew toy, Pupp-?' before being cut off by Champagne grabbing the collar of Benny's shirt and dragging him closer
'What if i did?' Champagne demanded before Sterling stepped forward.
'Doctor, i understand that-' He started before being cut off by a loud growl from Champagne.
'Uh yeah Silver I'll be fine, but you might wanna leave, watching someone's organs being taken is never fun.' Benny (whose blush was now back ten-fold) assured, still looking up at Champagne, who now had a hand around Benny's waist protectively.
Sterling didn't like it, but he left the room the same.
(From how Benny had described it, Sterling had thought it would've taken far less time for the doctor to take Benny's appendix and leave. Sterling shook away any and all thoughts that maybe Champagne wasn't just taking Benny's appendix, but other organs as well. Sterling's suspicions were somewhat justified when Benny sauntered out of the room, covered in bite marks and looking all too pleased with himself. Sterling did ask if Benny was okay, but he just said 'yeah, Champ's good about only taking what he said he will. Technically. I mean he did take three ribs when he only said one that one time but he only took ribs so it counts.' Sterling clarified that Benny's neck looked like it had been attacked by a shark, and Benny just went red and re-iterated that he was fine. )
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Champagne sighed before speaking. 'Listen. Just because I'm growling, that doesn't mean I'm angry.' He clarified. Sterling, some others he didn't care for the name of, and whatever was pretending to be that 'Kayla' girl looked on in confusion. Benny just nodded like it made perfect sense. Trust him to be the only smart one there. Ew.
'But the last time I heard you growl, you were glaring at me.' Sterling said. He said it like a question, but grammatically it wasn't. You were also holding him.
'Yes but-' Champagne started before being interrupted by the guy that served the Eye. It's scent's been getting stronger for some reason. 'And, presumably before then, I heard -and saw- you growling outside a room before Sterling and Benny left. You looked very upset then too.' He pointed out.
Champagne choked back a growl. That would not help his point. 'Listen. Just assume that if I'm growling at Benny its not because I'm pissed at him, got it? And shut up.' The Flesh had started yelling obnoxiously the moment Benny's name left Champagne's lips. Oh of course if it's him you're not angry. Why would you ever be angry at precious perfect Benny? He's the love of your life! And do not tell us to be quiet.
'No one said anyth-' Sterling started before Champagne cut him off quickly 'Not you lot.' The ex-Eye guy looked at him knowingly He's not using his Knowledge though. He's weird. Don't get any ideas. and Champagne hated him for it.
'Last time I heard you growling at Benny he was pressed against a wall.' One of them said. She had green hair and mischievous eyes and Champagne could not remember her name for the life of him. Champagne just pinched the bridge of his nose. 'Yeah, exactly. Doesn't mean you had to interrupt though. That's why I'm telling you lot this.' He grumbled.
No, they should interrupt. What are you talking about? It's good that they keep interrupting, you keep doing crazy shit! You've already kissed him far too many times. You researched what you can take from someone without them being 'too uncomfortable' for the first time in how long? You're getting soft and this just proves it.
'Then why would you growl at him- Oh. Oh nevermind.' Sterling cut himself off, face pink. Champagne didn't like Sterling but he was grateful he at least didn't have to explain this to them.
Champagne looked over at Benny Oh my everything! Again with the Benny- and saw that his face was a bright red. Champagne tried to stop himself from grinning.
'General rule- if i'm growling at Benny and he doesn't look scared- Actually scared, by the way, not just blushing- Don't interrupt.' He stated, before leaving. Aw, not going to kiss your little boyfriend goodbye? maybe take another one of his bones and then not give them to us?
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Astra wasn't afraid of The Doctor. She was mostly concerned as to why his face was covered in blood, and concerned as to why, when Benny saw him, he (somehow) simultaneously melted and perked up. He jumped up and bounded over to the doctor.
'Heya Champ!' Benny said joyfully, stopping in front of 'Champ' and bouncing in place. Astra did not know why he was acting like he was going to get some sort of gift because, as far as she was aware, usually their meetings ended with Benny either losing or agreeing to lose one of his body parts.
'Hey Benny.' Champagne grinned in a way that reminded Astra of Tayrun when he first met Kayla. It would've been cuter, if his canines weren't twice as long (and sharp) as a normal person's were, and if they weren't absolutely covered in blood. They talked for a small while, Astra astounded the longer they ignored the blood on Champagne's jaw and around his mouth.
Eventually, Benny said 'you, uh, have a bit of blood, just uh-' gesturing vaguely at his mouth. Dr. Champagne reached up to wipe it away before Benny assured
'Nah, its alright, I got it.' and wiped at the blood with his thumb and sleeve. Astra was sure that there wasn't enough blood on Champagne's bottom lip to warrant Benny running his thumb across it like that, but he was far closer than her, so she supposed she couldn't comment. Speaking of which, surely Benny didn't need to be that close?
Champagne, seemingly unconsciously, put his hands on Benny's waist and Astra started to feel like she was intruding on them somehow. Benny stepped back after wiping away all of the blood and Champagne let him, both of them looking a little disappointed at the loss of contact as Champagne hastily let his hands drop away from Benny's waist.
'Uh, thanks.' Champagne muttered, looking away from Benny.
'N-no worries!' Benny chuckled, obviously trying not to go bright red.
'-and uh, thanks. For the info. I'll, uh, tell Sterling. About that.' Benny added, obviously flustered. Astra wanted to facepalm. Even if she disagreed with Benny's choice in men, this was just sad.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Benny stared at the bite-shaped scar on his wrist wistfully. He sighed before looking up and staring out of the window, wishing that the fears would just go away so they could be together without any stupid monsters or random trivia or-'Remember to blink' Tayrun called, not looking up from his book. Benny startled, blinking away the almost-familiar itching from behind his eyes. He didn't need to blink. that was another 'benefit' of having this stupid parasite latch onto him.He missed champagne. Champagne gnawed on the femur as he thought. He looked over to his desk, where a few ribs sat, but the flesh screamed any time he thought of biting them, so he couldn't even taste Benny to remind him of what it was like.That was fine. It was fine. He didn't like Benny anyway. He just got used to the convenient size of the ribs, that's all. He hated Benny. He hated the Eye, and Benny was the Eye, which meant he hated Benny.Eat. Stop slipping. Right. He kept forgetting to eat lately. One dead person later, he had more chew-toys ribs.'Aww, you like your new chew-toy, Champ~?' No. Don't. Champagne dug his claws into his arm. A shoot of dopamine rang through his skull, but the pain got him to focus. He'd taken their ribs for a reason. He clearly preferred the size and shape of ribs better than other bones, which was great. They were overabundant and convenient. The strangers ribs tasted awful. The Flesh didn't care. Champagne cared. The Flesh didn't care. Champagne didn't care
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
There was just a burning need to read it. A whisper at the back of his skull that didn't say anything but just urged him into picking up the paper. He almost read it. He almost picked up the interview. Almost ate it. It's information? Whatever.'No. Piss off.' Benny told it, because he didn't give a shit about 'starving' or whatever. Harold was probably just being dramatic. It wouldn't be too bad. Tayrun had 'starved' for a decade and he was fine. Benny was not about to reward this parasite for anything. 'So, what did ya say ya name was agai-''Benny.' Tayrun interrupted, and Benny became suddenly aware of the static in his own voice and the soft voices in the nape of his neck.'SHIT. Leave me alone, ya creep!' Benny yelled, walking away from the victim person before he could freak them out more, or force them to say anything. Eat. It commanded. Champagne stood over the body and tried to stand his ground.'N- no.' He stated. Simple, yet it felt like his bones shifted at the words.Excuse me? After what I'VE done for you!? I gave you an ARM. I gave you TALENT. You would be a MESS without me. Now EAT. it screamed. Champagne flinched, but didn't walk any closer to the unconscious body.'I- I can't-' He stammered, trying to breath. It felt like his arm was going to pull away from his body and every tooth and nail felt like it was going to wrench out.Of course you can. I'm sorry. I was rude. I shouldn't've said that. I'm so lucky to have you. I'm just trying to look after you, you know that right? Not eating isn't healthy. You need to. Now come on, eat. Please? The feeling stopped, and Champagne knew it was only because It stopped the pain.'I- fine.' He gave in, wanting to stop himself even as he said it good. I'm so proud of you. He stepped closer to the unconscious body, and swiftly turned it into a corpse.
There. Don't you feel so much better now that you've eaten?
He felt so much better now that he'd eaten
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
She was his motherShe was his bossShe was his godessShe was... what?She was his torturerShe was his saviourWhat was She?They called her esiolE but that name didn't fall right on his lipsMaybe because he had lips now?Did he have lips before?He could never tellIt was good he could talk like a person againHe hated that his motherbossgodesstorturersaviour hated himIt was okay thoughHe had new friends!Many of his new friends didn't like himSome of them did thoughOne of them was distracted swatting away fleyes (heh)The same one of them was distracted pining after a dinosaur guyHe hadn't met the dinosaur guyHe didn't think he'd met himHe might haveHis memory was all back to front and upside down nowadaysgnilretS said it would get better thoughThat sounded goodHe looked forward to that
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
based on this song
-'Ugh.' Champagne huffed, scowling (not that that was unusual).'What's up Champ?' Benny asked, looking over at him.'Hungry.' He grumbled, drawing his knees up to his chest and biting into one. Benny sighed and stood up, stretching for a moment before tapping Champagne's leg. Champagne moved his knees back down and Benny flopped onto his lap, raising an arm up in front of Champagne's face and hiding his eyes in the crook of his other elbow.'Benny.' Sterling started, looking concerned.'Ya?' Benny asked, eyes still covered even as he turned his head towards Sterling's voice.'What are you doing?' Sterling asked. Benny shrugged as Champagne took Benny's arm in his hands.'Champ's hungry.' He stated, shoulders tensing before forcibly relaxing as he took a deep breath.'Yeah, I heard, but why are you-' Sterling cut himself off with a wordless yell as Champagne bit into Benny's arm, mouth coming away with a bloody chunk of flesh before eating it.
'Benny!' Mara yelled, standing up as he whimpered. Growls emitted from Champagne, who held Benny close to his chest. He bared his teeth angrily, which were covered in blood. Benny's blood.
'I- I'm fine kid. Ch-Champ'll fix me ina- ina sec.' Benny stammered, arm slipping down his face to show that he looked very nauseous.
Champagne shifted Benny's arm back over his eyes, and Benny took another deep breath just before Champagne took another bite out of his arm, coming away with muscle and flesh that quickly disappeared behind his teeth.
'Benny, I can see your bone! what the hell?' Sterling yelled, joining Mara and standing up as champagne's growls only grew louder.
'J-just don't- its fine Silver. I'll be ok, al-alright? Champ'll... Champ'll fix me and I'll be...' Benny assured, before his head thumped onto the arm of the chair they were sitting on.
'Doctor, please! I- I know you probably think this is fine, bu-' Sterling started, looking at his face as his tongue travelled over his teeth within his closed mouth, cleaning them of blood.
'It is fine, Engeal.' champagne insisted, reaching into his torso and pulling something out before beginning to gently meld it onto Benny's wound.
'What are you doing? We need o get him to a hospital befo- oh.' Mara started. Champagne was gently smoothing muscles and flesh back into Benny's arm, it adjusting as he ran his hand over it. soon the only evidence of the fact that Champagne had just been biting chunks out of Benny's arm was the slight discolouration of Benny's arm where it had been bit and the leftover blood on champagnes teeth and jaw.
'There. I fixed him.' Champagne grinned sarcastically. Sterling opened his mouth to protest before Champagne stood up, Benny still unconscious in his arms and began to leave the room.
'Hey wait, where are you going?' Sterling called after them. Champagne stopped at the door, foot about to nudge it open.
'To his room?' He stated as though it was obvious. Sterling let out an exasperated breath before asking why.
'Because. If I wake him up, he'll probably die, and sleeping on an armchair usually isn't fun. So. Going to his room. See you in the morning. Probably.' Champagne explained, before promptly walking out of the room before either of them could reply.