In just ten minutes later, they're already standing in the elevator heading up towards Cher's flat, the four of them occupying their respective corners of the small space as they look at each other. Joe is looking at Ben, while Ben is looking at Azlin, and Azlin is trying not to look at Cher who has her arms crossed and a sly smile on her face as she glances between her and Ben.

"So how did you two meet?"

Azlin gulps at the question she'd been dreading to answer. She glances at Ben for help, but apparently he's also enjoying the sight of her in the hot seat.

"The party," she clears her throat. "The birthday party at Beverly Hills. I just kinda... stumbled into the garden, and he happened to be there."

A look of understanding forms on Cher's face. "Ah, so that's why. I knew you didn't just take a taxi home."

Joe suddenly gasps as he looks at Ben in disbelief. "You never told me you took her home!"

"Hey, nothing happened," Ben raises his hands defensively. "I was being a gentleman, that's all."

At this point, Azlin's face is already burning red in embarrassment. This conversation is definitely taking on a weird turn.

Just as Cher opens her mouth to ask another question, the elevator dings, indicating that they've arrived. Azlin almost sighs in relief when Cher suddenly grabs her and covers her eyes.

"What? What's happening?"

"Keep your eyes closed," she firmly says as she guides Azlin to step out of the elevator and into the carpeted floor. "Ben, take over. Make sure she doesn't open her eyes."

Azlin feels her friend's hand get replaced by Ben's broad hand, then he places his other hand on her shoulder to guide her forward. She hears Cher frantically run around, and for some reason she could feel Ben smiling behind her.

"Oh you're gonna love this," he whispers into her ear.

"Okay, at the count of three." Cher leads enthusiastically. "One, two, and three!"

Ben's hand lifts from her eyes, and she immediately sees Cher's apartment completely basked in LED party lights, with silver balloons placed all over the floor and on the ceiling. But what completely amazes Azlin is the wall in the living room that had a huge "CONGRATULATIONS AZLIN" sign, complete with a collage of pictures of her and of her artworks.

"SURPRISE!" Cher squealed as she pulled her into a hug. Azlin gasps as she feels hot tears start to spring up her eyes.

"Oh my God Cher, you didn't have to!" She says through tears. Cher just laughs.

"But I wanted to. I'm so proud of you, Azlin, and I wanted to make your day even more special in some way. And since I'm best at parties, I guessed this might be the best way I can do it."

Azlin laughs as she wipes away her tears. Great, now she's looking like a crybaby in front of Ben and Joe. Cher grabs something from the kitchen and returns to hand out bottles of beer to the three.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Cher winks as she clicks a remote in hand, and party music starts blasting from the speakers. "Time to get you wasted."

***

Azlin never thought it could be so much fun to party even with just four people. On second thought, maybe that's actually the reason why she's enjoying this more than all the other parties she'd been to.

As an ice breaker, they first played truth or dare, but the dare was just to take a shot of alcohol. Of course, this was mainly because Joe and Cher's main objective was to interrogate the two about their friendship, knowing that Azlin would avoid the alcohol as much as possible. As expected, they felt betrayed when they found out Ben and Azlin once had a "midnight Taco Bell date"--as Joe had phrased it. Once they've accomplished their mission and found out about the whole "Bennie-Azzie" thing, Joe moved onto exposing Ben on the things he told him about Azlin.

Apparently, Ben had told him that he "met this amazing talented girl" and that she's "hilarious and adorably cheeky." Joe almost told them about how Ben "begged" his agent to reschedule his shooting so he can go to L.A., but Ben didn't allow him to say any further by shoving nachos into his mouth. Joe gave up when Ben made it clear that he won't think twice on making him choke on nachos, if that means stopping him from exposing his ass.

Once all of them were already fairly tipsy and shame thrown completely out of the window because of the truth or dare, they proceeded to have a mini dance floor by the balcony, which Joe definitely set on fire by busting his moves to "Drop It Like It's Hot".

https://youtu.be/tRqtF2F-ZGA

They were all hysterical about it, trying to duplicate his moves but eventually concluded that no one could compete with Joe's level of swag. Ben said he'll post the video and they should all bet how many likes it'll get. Joe bet it'll be a million. Azlin doesn't doubt that one bit.

After they got their energies drained from the dance battle, Joe and Cher came back inside to compete in Mario Kart instead (Cher is fully equipped for parties like that), while Azlin and Ben opted to stay on the balcony to get some fresh air.

Ben takes the spot beside Azlin, and for a few moments they just stare at the night view of the city, letting the comfortable silence of the night envelope them.

"How are you feeling?" Ben softly asks.

"Hm, very good." She smiles. "But maybe a little tipsy."

"Aw sucks," Ben pouts. "I thought I'd finally see you totally wasted. Well, I guess another time then."

"In your dreams, Ben." She rolls her eyes and laughs. As Ben takes a swig of his beer, Azlin decides to take a look at him. Like really look at him. How his curly blonde hair slowly sways with the wind; how his eyes become soft and hazy when he's in deep thought; how he unconsciously licks and bites his lip after taking a sip of his drink, and how his jaw and adam's apple moves when he swallows. Ben is just breathtakingly beautiful.

During the past month that they spent talking to each other, other than their little banters and exchange of cheeky jokes, they also had their deep conversations. And Azlin realized that there's so much more to Ben Hardy than what meets the eye.  Just like everyone else, he has his own fears and insecurities. He has his own demons and chains from the past he's trying to break free from. He had poured his heart out to her, and she did the same, and together they saw each other's purest form, without any filters or sugarcoats. And they accepted each other.

The distance that had separated them for an entire month turned out to be not such a bad thing at all. In fact, it only made them more connected than ever before.

Ben eventually notices her staring, and he shifts to directly face her and return the intense gaze. But Azlin doesn't look away. He doesn't know if she's really that tipsy enough that her tendency to be easily embarrassed had disappeared, but it's the first time she'd looked at him like this. He feels his heart start racing in his chest, feeling deja vu hit him as he sees how beautiful Azlin looks under the moonlight; even more beautiful than that first night they spent together at the parking lot.

"Azzie," He gulps and licks his lips. "Was that the reason why you didn't want to tell me about your masterpiece?" Azlin's stares at him in curiosity, waiting for him to continue. "Because... because it's me?"

Azlin blinks as if finally snapping out of her daze, a furious blush forming on her cheeks as she looks away. "Um... yes... I-I was afraid you'll think I'm creepy or weird... But I swear, I made sure to not make it look like you. I-I just wanted something to represent how--"

"Shh, it's okay." Ben softly smiles and takes her hand in his. "I don't find it creepy or weird. In fact, I think it's absolutely amazing."

"Really?" Azlin visibly calms down, and the way she's looking at him with innocent puppy eyes is only making his heart beat even more wildly in his chest.

"Yes, really. And I wasn't lying when I said it reminds me of you." Ben grabs her other hand, and at this point, they're facing each other, holding hands as they stare deep into each other's eyes. "I was also reminded of that night I first met you. You just looked so lost and confused in that place, and in a way, I was feeling what you were feeling. And when I talked to you, I just... connected. I felt like I was't alone. And the more we talked, the more time we spent together, I realized we had more things in common."

Ben takes a deep breath, his anxiousness obvious at this point as if what he's about to say is something he'd been wanting to say for a long time, but couldn't tell what the aftermath would be. However, it's now or never.

"During my time in London and we messaged, called, and sometimes even video chatted hours and hours at night; I want you to know that I really enjoyed it. I loved the fact that I can talk to you about basically anything, from the silliest to the deepest of things, from things we love to things we hate or fear... I love how you accepted me for who I am, without any question or doubt, without judging me for my past or my flaws. And I'd do the same for you, Azzie. In a heartbeat, without any second thoughts."

Ben steps closer, reaching out to brush a stray hair away from Azlin's face before resting his palm against her cheek. She's quiet, listening, looking up at him with her eyes wide and swirling with so many thoughts and emotions he can't quite fathom yet.

"Azlin, this may seem all too sudden for you, considering that we've just known each other for little past a month, but to be honest, I feel like I've known you for years. And I... I know I've been confusing you; I know I've been blurring the lines with my way of words, but I want you to know that I... I meant it. I meant it when I said you're special to me. And I meant it when I said I like you."

Ben takes a deep breath.

"Azlin, I really, really like you. I like you more than just a friend."

A soft gasp escapes thru Azlin's lips, and she stands there, frozen, staring up at Ben's hopeful eyes as her mind processes everything he'd just said.

"But... but I'm not asking you to feel the same way. I just thought you deserved to know what I truly feel so you--"

"I like you too, Ben."

The words escape from her mouth before she knows it. Ben stares at her, awestruck, a spark of hope igniting in his green eyes.

"Whenever I saw your goodmornings and goodnights... whenever you asked me how my day was or how I was feeling, whenever you made time just to be able to comfort me when I'm lost... you have no idea how I loved those moments." Azlin softly smiles as she touches his hand that's on her cheek. "You make me feel so special, Ben. And the fact that you flew all the way from London just to be with me today...my God, it really is crazy."

They both chuckle as they remember what happened earlier in the exhibit.

"So yes, I like you too Ben. I really, really like you. More than just a friend."

Ben lets out a big sigh of relief, a big smile spreading across his lips. He pulls her into a tight hug and kisses the top of her head, enjoying her warmth in his arms and the feeling of their hearts beating so strongly against each other.

"Benjamin Jones." He breathes out.

"Hm?"

"My real name is Benjamin Jones," he pulls away just enough to rest his forehead against hers. "I just thought I should let you know."

"Benjamin," Azlin whispers, smiling as she realizes she likes how it sounds. "I like you, Benjamin Jones."

Ben's gaze falls down at Azlin's lips, and he couldn't hold himself back any longer. He pulls her closer by the waist and slowly leans forward, carefully watching her, gauging what she would do. When Azlin's eyes flutters close, he took that as a yes. His lips land against hers, and it's like all the tension that had been between them formed into sparks that flowed through their entire bodies.

Ben initially wanted their kiss to be slow and careful, but it seems like he just couldn't help but kiss her with so much passion and heat he'd been holding back all this time. He would be lying if he said he hadn't been thinking about this moment ever since he realized his feelings for her, how he always watched her lips whenever they video called, wondering when he'll be able to kiss them.

 Azlin's hand flies up to wrap around his neck, pulling him closer as the kiss deepens. They move in perfect sync, their lips knowing exactly where to go as if they've known each other for a long time. With the soft lights, the night sky, and the explosion of their newfound feelings, everything about the kiss just felt romantic and perfect. 

Both of them are breathless as they finally pull back, not exactly knowing how long they'd been kissing for. They look into each other's eyes, both round and sparkling with love and joy, then breaks into a fit of giggles for some reason. Ben gives Azlin a soft peck before pulling her again for a hug. They both let out a soft sigh, loving how perfect they feel against each other.

"So what am I going to call you now?" Azlin whispers against his neck.

"Depends on you. Ben, Benjamin, Bennie... " he whispers back. "...But I'd like it much better if you call me your boyfriend."

Azlin pulls back and looks up at him with round eyes, as if asking if he really means it. Ben smiles and runs a hand through her hair.

"And if it's okay with you, I'll call you my girlfriend."

A big smile crawls its way on her lips, and she wraps her arms around him, resting her head against his beating chest.

"I'd definitely love that."

***

[A/N]: They are finally official oh my god I'm crying happy tears 😭