A Benji Applebaum fanfiction!

Tobias

As Tobias and Daisy strolled along the quiet path outside the venue, a sense of unease settled over Daisy. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, but she brushed it aside, trying to focus on the present moment."Kinda weird, isn't it?" Tobias suddenly remarked, breaking the silence. His voice was casual, but there was an underlying tension that caught Daisy off guard.Daisy furrowed her brow, puzzled by Tobias's comment. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion.Tobias chuckled softly, his laughter lacking its usual warmth. "I mean, we've known each other since we were little, and yet we've never even had a date," he replied cryptically.Daisy's heart skipped a beat as the pieces started to fall into place. She felt a knot form in her stomach, a sense of dread creeping over her. "Tobias, what are you trying to say?" she asked cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper.Tobias stopped walking and turned to face Daisy, his expression serious. "Daisy, I don't want to marry you," he admitted, his words hanging heavy in the air. "And I know you don't want to marry me either."Daisy's eyes widened in shock as Tobias's confession sank in. She felt as though the ground had been pulled out from beneath her feet, leaving her feeling disoriented and confused."What do you mean?" Daisy asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.Tobias took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to reveal. "I'm gay," he confessed, his words echoing in the stillness of the night.Daisy's mind reeled as she processed Tobias's revelation. She felt a wave of empathy wash over her, understanding the weight of the secret he had carried for so long."I... I don't know what to say," Daisy stammered, her mind racing with a million thoughts.Tobias offered her a sad smile, his eyes filled with resignation. "I understand if you're angry or upset," he said softly. "But I couldn't continue living a lie, Daisy. I had to be honest with you."Daisy's heart ached for Tobias, knowing the struggles he must have faced in coming to terms with his identity. Despite the shock of his confession, she felt a sense of admiration for his courage."I'm not angry," Daisy said finally, her voice steady. "I just... I wish you had told me sooner."Tobias nodded, his expression tinged with regret. "I know," he replied quietly. "But I was afraid of losing you, Daisy. I didn't want to risk our friendship."Daisy reached out to place a comforting hand on Tobias's shoulder. "You won't lose me, Tobias," she assured him. "We'll figure this out together."And as they continued their walk under the moonlit sky, Daisy knew that their friendship would only grow stronger in the face of adversity. 

Daisy's mind raced as she grappled with the weight of Tobias's revelation. She knew that their arranged marriage had always been a matter of family expectation rather than genuine affection. But now, faced with the truth of Tobias's sexuality and her own feelings for Benji, Daisy couldn't ignore the reality of their situation.

"Tobias, what do you want to do about our arranged marriage?" Daisy asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Our parents expect us to marry each other, but if you're gay and I... well, if I have feelings for someone else, then..."

Tobias sighed heavily, his gaze fixed on the ground as he wrestled with his thoughts. "I don't know, Daisy," he admitted, his voice heavy with resignation. "I've been struggling with this for so long, trying to please everyone else while ignoring my own feelings. But I can't continue living a lie."

"We need to come clean to our parents," Daisy reiterated, her voice firmer now, laced with determination. "They can't force us into this marriage, Tobias. We both deserve to live our lives authentically, on our own terms."

Tobias nodded slowly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. "I always thought I had to be the husband you needed me to be, Daisy," he admitted, his voice tinged with regret. "But this changes everything."

Daisy reached out, placing a gentle hand on Tobias's arm. "We can't change the past, Tobias," she said softly. "But we can choose how we move forward from here. And if that means being true to ourselves, then I believe it's worth it."

Tobias met Daisy's gaze, his eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and hope. "I'm scared, Daisy," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I'm also relieved. Relieved to finally be able to be honest about who I am."

Daisy smiled warmly, a sense of camaraderie blossoming between them. "You're not alone, Tobias," she reassured him. "We'll face this together, as friends who understand each other better than anyone else."

Benji watched from a distance as Daisy and Tobias returned from their walk, their expressions solemn yet resolute. He couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity mingled with concern as he observed their interaction.

As they approached the venue, Daisy's eyes met Benji's briefly, and he could see a flicker of emotion in her gaze. He wondered what had transpired between her and Tobias during their walk, but he knew it was none of his business. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him.

When Daisy rejoined the group, Benji noticed a newfound sense of determination in her demeanor. She seemed more grounded, more confident, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. It was a stark contrast to the uncertainty that had clouded her before.