Benny, Turning to the Betrayer-and the Betrayed

[Tom Collins]

Collins gasped in surprise as Angel practically attacked him, falling backwards into the wall as his lover squeezed him tightly. "A-angel? Y-you're not mad?" he asked in astonishment, hesitantly hugging her back. He inhaled her familiar scent, grateful to have her back in his arms.

[Angel Dumott Schunard]

"Honeyyyy," Angel rolled her eyes at him, "You're so silly. You were /drunk/. Remember the last time I was drunk? I skipped around singing 'Eggbert the Easter Egg' nonstop for three hours?" She giggled at the memory, though it was hazy for her. "People do crazy things when they're drunk."

She took a deep breath and wrinkled her nose. "Speaking of which... how much did you drink, Collins?" She gave him a concerned look; sure, seeing him kiss someone else had hurt a little at the time, but she'd had time to think about it while he was out god-knows-where and had come to the conclusion she'd told him a moment ago.

[Tom Collins]

Collins couldn't help but laugh as Angel brought up 'Eggbert the Easter Egg.' Tha had definitely been an interesting - and annoying - night. "I guess you're right." He said, kissing the top of Angel's head. "I'm really, really, really sorry, though. Really and truly and I can't apologize enough." Collins babbled on, unable to stop himself. He blushed as he realised what a fool he was making out of himself. "Oops, sorry. I mean- never mind." He grinned, rubbing his lover's back.

"Oh! Right! Uh, I brought a friend for you to meet. We bumped into each other... while I was, um, in another bar... drinking my sorrows away..." Collins coughed awkwardly. "Um, anyways... shall I let him in?"

[Benjamin Coffin III]

Angel giggled and shook her head in mock exasperation at his babbling apology. "Honey, don't worry about it!" She interjected, then just gave in and let him keep babbling because she knew it would make him feel better. She leaned in to him as he rubbed her back, her sleepiness from a moment before beginning to return.

As he mentioned drinking his sorrows away, she gave him a light, half-hearted smack on the arm and said in a reproving tone, "Collins!" She frowned at him for a moment, then sighed and shrugged, her smile from a moment ago returning. What had happened had happened. Collins hadn't hurt himself, so she wouldn't worry about it. "Sure," she answered cheerfully.

((Damn.. this was totally Angel, not Benny >.<))

[Tom Collins]

Collins looked toward the front hall nervously, then looked back at Angel. "There's something you should know, though. You've kind of already met this friend. But he's gotten nicer. And I think he's really sorry for what he's done, so please be nice to him, too. Well, I'm sure you will, you're nice to everybody. Not that that's a bad thing!" he was babbling again, and noticed with a blush. "Oops. Oh, one more thing before I let him in..." Collins bent over to whisper in Angel's ear. "Don't mention Evita, okay?"

[Angel Dumott Schunard]

"Um, okay..." Angel listened to Collins' babbling, a slightly confused look on her face. Her sleep-bogged mind was having a little trouble making the connection; that is, until Collins whispered in her ear.

Her eyes widened. "Oh... Oh! Benny?" She gave a little nervous giggle; she kind of felt bad about the whole Evita thing. Hopefully Benny would never find out. "Okay, got it."

[Benjamin Coffin III]

Benny waited anxiously out in the hall, pacing back and forth a little. It didn't sound like there was any shouting or anything, so it would seem he'd been right. That was surprising, considering how little he knew about Angel and Collins' relationship. Ah well, he was happy for Collins. Now all he had to worry about was not making Angel hate him like the others already did. Or maybe she hated him just from what he'd done in the past and he didn't have a chance. What if-- GAH! He was giving himself a headache.

Pushing his thoughts aside, he decided to just go for it. It had been kind of quiet for a minute anyhow. Stepping up to the door, he knocked hesitantly on it. "Is it okay for me to come in now?"