"You're gorgeous," he says, sincerely, "you're beautiful when you're hurting, you're beautiful when you like how you're hurting — because you know you deserve to hurt, don't you —" 

He nods quickly.

He wants-- something. He's not really sure what he wants. Whatever it is he wants it more than he's ever wanted anything in his entire life.

"Of course you do," Chen says, and hits him, hard. 

Oh. Being hit. Being hit was the thing he wanted.

He feels like he's floating, feels like there is nothing that could make him any happier but also feels this incredible craving for-- something--

Chen hits him again, harder — and again, harder than that — 

He is going to have so many bruises and he is so happy about this!

Explaining the bruises might be a challenge but they can figure that out another time, the important thing is the way Ben is smiling right now. 

"I love you so much."

"I love you too. — I meant it when I said you were beautiful." 

"You too!"

Bruises are starting to form on his chest.

That's also beautiful. Chen presses into one of the bruises with his thumb. 

Ben's back arches. "Oh--"

He leans down and kisses him and then curls up with his head on Ben's shoulder. "Love you." 

They should keep snuggling forever. This is Ben's opinion.

Good thing it's also Chen's. 

(He remembers what he dreams, that night.) 

They can get a private train car on the way home and tell no one to come in and spend the entire time naked and kissing.

They can!!