[It works. Not for long, but for now, it works. He anchors himself in Ben's eyes and Ben's faith and for the next five, ten minutes, he'll be able to breathe.]
[He exhales, his chest rising and falling, cooling, and he smiles again, sweet as an innocent, even if he's anything but that. Part of him still doubts that Ben will stay with him, but he'll put that part away for now, pretend it isn't around so that Ben will keep looking at him like that.]
[His fingers curl, tightening in his friend's shirt, his eyes sharp and insistent.]
I'll be a good soldier. I'll do what needs to be done.
[Look how good I can be, he wants to shout, but makes himself stand still at attention, dusting his fingerprints over the collar of Ben's shirt.]
[ Spam ]
[He exhales, his chest rising and falling, cooling, and he smiles again, sweet as an innocent, even if he's anything but that. Part of him still doubts that Ben will stay with him, but he'll put that part away for now, pretend it isn't around so that Ben will keep looking at him like that.]
[His fingers curl, tightening in his friend's shirt, his eyes sharp and insistent.]
I'll be a good soldier. I'll do what needs to be done.
[Look how good I can be, he wants to shout, but makes himself stand still at attention, dusting his fingerprints over the collar of Ben's shirt.]