He could only sit there, head hung in defeat as he listened to Ari’s voice. Regardless of the subject matter, even the cadence of his former lover’s voice was a balm on a fresh burn. Even when encased in a godforsaken place like this, there would be some amount of tension that would leave Ben’s body after this visit. Ari was here. He was safe, and he was healing. From what exactly, Ben wasn’t sure he wanted to know. He knew it might only drive him to be even more self destructive than he already was, and he had an auror team to lead. There was no room for errors, and yet all he wanted to do was throw himself into Ari’s arms and never let go.

I never deserved you.

“Yes you did.” Ben’s gaze whipped up at this as he stared fiercely at Ari. “You deserved — no, you deserve every bit of happiness that I could give you.” It wasn’t about ego. It wasn’t about who was stronger than whom (Ari would beat Ben on that every time). It was about the fact that they deserved each other. Ben wouldn’t have it any other way, and he knew right then and there that if it wasn’t Ari, then there would be no one else. His hand came down to grip Ari’s, safe in knowing that they were free from prying eyes in this place; at least for the next few minutes.

“I just want to see you happy again, Ari.” Ben slid his hand up to Ari’s wrist, wanting to feel more of his skin against his palm.

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