How did I carry Y'all??? [private to sniggle and Tortuga]

Torin took his arm off of Ben to stroke Lexi's cheek with, but when he twisted he felt a sharp pain shoot through his abs. He muttered a low curse and hunched over, grimacing. "Guess... I'm not perfect." He said through clenched teeth, staring at the floor.

Ben was flooded with concern as he watched his brother double over. He knew what was going on, but couldn't help it. "It's ok, he's just sore. Will be for a few weeks in fact. Here, I'll go get some painkiller." He got up, walked a few feet, then turned around. "You should put those bandages down. Having them on will help relieve the pain." This was true, but Ben also had the odd desire to get Lexi away from Torin's chest.

With a nod of his head he backed up what Ben was saying. "Yeah," He breathed. "It'll be fine. Just...tender, right now." Why oh why couldn't he use his vicodin effect on himself? It taunted him, being both a blessing and a curse. He inhaled and balled his hands into fists as he drew himself upright again. "Ben, could you bring something over for the pain?" He smiled sheepishly, hating to admit that he was weak, and involuntarily blushed looking at Ben's back. The boy had nearly died for him, and now he was still getting up just to run his errands. They hadn't known each other for long, but Torin felt this vibe around Ben, like Ben wouldn't leave him. Maybe it was a brother thing? Torin wouldn't know...Before he had met Ben he had been an only child. But one thing was certain, Torin felt like he was safe with his brother. Everyone else could leave except Ben. They would always be related, like it or not. In Torin's case, he liked it.

Ben smiled. "Of course. Do you want me to get vicodin, or something lighter?" Ben really wished Lexi would leave. He wanted to simply be only with Torin, to talk to him, to enjoy his brother's presence, maybe, in time, sort some things out, but for now that girl was still there, and it annoyed him to no end.

He thought about the question. Sure, vicodin would've been really great, but he could deal with at least some pain. Gods forbid a camper came in who really needed it..."Lighter." Torin decided at last, rubbing his face before running a hand through his curly goden hair.

Ben nodded curtly. He grabbed a bottle of pills, and took out three, and poured a glass of water. Carefully, he carried the medicine back to Torin, before handing him the pills, and then the water. "That should help," He said as he sat down next to Torin again, huddling up close and patting him on the back.

Torin popped the pillows into his mouth And down most of the water. It felt cool in his throat and he coughed, flinched at the pain coughing brought to his stomache, then sighed. "Should kick in in a few minutes...What did you give me, anyway?" he raised an eyebrow and smirked at Ben jokingly.

"Oh, you know, Morphine." Ben laughed. "Kidding. It's just some aspirin." He smiled. It felt good to be this close to Torin, so good he never wanted it to end, never wanted the older boy to leave his side.

Torin laughe and pat Ben's back gently so as not to hurt him, and left his fingers to linger for a moment while he grinned. Ben and Torin were a lot alike; both had huge hearts and loved helping the people they were close to. He dropping his hand and let himself fall againt Lexi, putting his head on her lap and closing his eyes in contentment.

Torin inhaled happily and smiled, appreciating Lexi's touch. She could be so gentle when she wanted to be... It was a mystery how she'd fought Charlie and the minotaur not so long ago... Well, in Charlie's case how she didn't die. Maybe Torin got stabbed because she was too gentle? Who knew? It didn't matter, really. Torin didn't hold any grudges. He didn't blame Lexi, he didn't blame Charlie. Honestly, if it weren't for Charlie, he might not have been spending so much time with his girlfriend and brother.

Torin shrugged. "I don't know. I guess whenever the Apollo kids or nurses say I can?" Honestly, he was happy where he was. But he was happy in most places. And what would he do if he went back to the cabin? Sleep some more? Most of Torin's time was spent in the infirmary, arena or woods, anyway. Hera's cabin was eerie and lonely. It made him feel cold, trapped and alone, most of the time. He mostly just slept there and hoarded snacks under his bunk. Anything else was done in another part of camp.

"Dunno." Torin mumbled, somewhat sleepily. He lifted his head and sat up, before resting his head on Ben's shoulder and closing his eyes. "I don't mind staying here though, honestly..." The sun and warmth was making him sleepy, and he suddenly crazed an afternoon nap.

I got up and disappeared from the room. I searched out a clock. It was late afternoon, I knew that. I wondered if I could spend the night with Torin again.

OOC: Yeah, its short, but I'm giving Ben an opportunity to kiss him or something

Ben stayed sitting next to Torin after Lexi left, glad to be alone with the older boy. He rested his head on Torin's shoulder. He would never leave the older Asclepius boy. Never. From when they first met, Ben had felt deeply for Torin, as a brother, but as more, too. And in that moment, as they sat there in the infirmary, alone with the warm sunshine on their backs, Ben realized what he had been feeling all along. "Hey bro?"

"Hm?" Torin's eyes were still closed. He could feel the heat of Ben's body on his own, and he didn't particularly mind it. As a matter of fact, he kind of enjoyed it. Maybe the sun was just putting him in a good mood, but he felt unusually close to Ben. Where had his brother Ben all his life? Maybe his years leading up to camp half-blood wouldn't have been so lonely had he been able to share it with Ben Olden. Maybe his mother wouldn't have watched him like a hawk, because he and Ben could've watched each other's backs and protected one another, like they were doing now. Maybe he would've have grown up to be such a paranoid wreck. It's funny, though, how none of his paranoia surface when he and Ben were together. It was pleasant not feeling afraid all the time, not having to be the only reliable one, the designated driver of life, to so speak. It was... nice.

"I- I-" Ben couldn't find his voice for some reason. Maybe it was the acceptance of his feeling that made it so hard to speak, maybe it was something else. Maybe he'd never know. None of that mattered now, though, and he pushed himself forward. "I know we haven't known each other very long, but, big bro," No. Calling him that just made it harder. "Torin, I... I really like you..."

Torin didn't move. He just sucked in a breath and smiled softly. "I like you too, bro." He twisted his body--this time thanks to the Aspirin Ben had gotten for him the motion didn't hurt so badly--and he wrapped his arms around Ben's waist, keeping his head positioned on Ben's shoulder. He was still, so warm. And seemed nervous, but Torin shrugged it off. Torin was comfortable where he was, without a worry in the world.

Ben knew Torin didn't understand. He should just back off. It was better this way. Torin might freak out if he knew, he should just- no. He had to go through with this. Torin would accept him either way. He had to. "N-no, I mean..."

Torin moved his head to Ben's chest and nestled his face into it. Wow, did Ben work out? He could feel Ben breath, chest rising and falling. Could hear his heart beat, and remembered when his own had stopped. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly for a second, reliving the moment he died, before his face relaxed again. Ben had been there. He'd been the one to nearly kill himself for Torin's sake. Torin owed him so much. He owed him his heart, in a sense.

Ben flushed bright red, started hyperventilating, and forced himself to ignore his groin. Torin was leaning up against him. As in, pressing his face into his chest. He had to know what he was doing to the younger boy. There was no way someone could do this unintentionally. "I-I... I..." He stuttered, losing his voice again.

Torin smiled into Ben's chest and shushed the boy quietly. "Relax. I won't hurt you." He assured the boy. Torin was very much into cuddling, but he was gentle. He was always aware of how big and strong he was, and how much he could hurt someone. He had to be especially cautious when hugging Lexi, who was so small compared to him, but Ben was a bigger guy. It didn't matter though, both Torin and Ben were vulnerable right now, having almost died and what not.