The Banner Siblings! (Re-Written)

The Boy and the Girl

Ben hummed as he carried the speakers to the tree. As the biggest on the team, he had been appointed the self proclaimed muscle. Which, I guess made sense. And they weren't that heavy anyways, so no harm no foul.
Aiden sat up in the tree, tying the smaller speakers to the beaches. Ben glanced at him, worried. The boy was...reckless. To put it lightly. Ben swore he could see a few gray hairs from Aidens antics alone. But of course, he didn't tell Aiden that.

Taylor tapping on his shoulder knocked him out of his thoughts. Ben glanced at her, curious. Taylor pointed to the bigger branches of the tree. "Ashlyn says they're supposed to go there."

Ben nodded, lugging the speakers over to the base of the tree. He sighed, slumping down against the base of tree. He was tired. They all were, like a bone deep exhaustion that wouldn't go away no matter what. At first it made him mad—no furious even. Why did they get stuck in this situation? This shitty, life or death situation every night? That wasn't fair. But Ben didn't have the energy to be angry anymore. It wasn't worth the extra stress.

So, he just focused on his role. Medical. Muscle. Target practice. Everything they needed him to do.

But was it what Ben wanted to do?

That question lingered in his mind ever since that fateful day. What did he want to do? What did Ben want? He never wanted to be angry, but he couldn't help it. It was almost like a drug to him, this indulgent that he dosed himself with over and over. An outlet of all his pain. At least, that's what Mrs. Baker said.

Ben found her an odd woman. Of course, he found therapy odd to begin with. Talking about your pain to a random stranger? Not exactly his cup of tea. But Mrs. Baker was nice to him. She smiled and supported him, even after he wasn't stationary in his home town anymore and started traveling with Aiden.

That was a whirlwind of its own. Because without anger, without the label of bad kid. The scary kid. The problem.....who was he? Who was Ben? Everybody else could answer that question. To Aiden, Ben was his cousin. The one who played video games with him, who listened to him, company from the life of isolation. To lily, he was everything. A role model, her brother. Her bubba. To his parents, his son. Their oldest. Their problem. To his Aunt and Uncle, his nephew, a troubled boy. But they loved him regardless.

So why couldn't Ben answer that question for himself? Why didn't he know? Ben sighed. He jumped when he heard a snap of leaves. Taylor smiled apologetically.
"Sorry Ben! Didn't mean to scare you."

Ben pulled out his notepad. "It's no problem Taylor. I was just lost in thought."

Taylor nodded, sitting next to Ben. "I could see that. Thought you might like some company."

"Company?"

"It's better than being alone, no?" Taylor smiled at him. Ben couldn't help but smile back, her affectionate personality getting to him.

"I suppose.." Ben wrote. He leaned back against the tree, the two fallen into a comfortable silence. Taylor leaned in closer, ever the curious.

"If it's alright with you, what were you thinking about?" Taylor asked. "You looked..."

Sad? Miserable? Depressed? Like the life had been sucked out of his eyes? A silent plea for someone to save him from his sinking ship, drowning in his pain?

"...tired." Taylor settled on, leaving those thoughts to herself.

Ben nodded. He was tired. So so tired. Taylor leaned her head on his shoulder. Ben blushed bashfully, not expecting the sudden affection.

"If it means anything.." Taylor said, her voice quiet. "You can talk to me if you need to. I...we need to look out for each other. For the team, you know?"

The words for you left hanging in the air.

Ben scratched the back of his neck. He nodded.
"Thanks Taylor. And for the record, that invite extends to you as well. "

Taylor grinned, a mural understanding between them. It left Ben feeling lighter than he had been in days. He found himself looking out into the graveyard, watching Tyler and Ashlyn bicker as Logan tried to calm them. Maybe he should interfere?

As the warm evening sun hit his skin, Ben decided against it. For once, it didn't matter. He didn't need to know who he was right now.

He had them.

"So are you guys gonna help orrrrrr?"
"JESUS CHRIST I FORGOT YOU WERE UP THERE AIDEN!"

(A/N: it's raining outside :D)