Chapter Text
"Alright, roll it"
"Are you sure you're ready for this? We can always find someone else for you to work with..."
"No. I've told you this before, Jerry. You want a job or not?"
"N-no I do sir!"
"Then roll it!"
The red dot flashed to life in front of ben, blinking brilliantly. the lights dimmed, and he was almost back. back in that studio... a year ago...
One year ago his paws clenched down on black fur, his breath hot and sticky. Tom's eyes were squeezed shut beneath him, chest heaving. He could feel the cat's breath ticking his neck. Ben tore his mouth away for only a moment, just to draw his deep pink tongue across tom's neck, flattening the fur beneath him. Tom whined and arched his back up into Ben's, their bodies meeting at all the right places. Ben almost didn't care anymore. Almost didn't care about what his wife would think, about what his unborn child would think. He almost didn't care about the consequences. The only thing he could think about, his senses pooling into, was Tom's fragile body quaking under his grip. The sounds he made, the cries of his name... spurred him on. His thrusts got faster, he wanted to go deeper, be deeper in Tom. "B-Ben... fuck..." Toms eyes rolled. "What- but before he could finish, it was over.
"Good afternoon, it's nice to see you all again" Ben started, hands folded upon the table. His posture, though never quite good, was better than normal. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tom, eyes straight ahead and determined. "After our sudden and prolonged suspension, we are proud to be working on something new, and better together." Ben met Jerry's eyes then, slightly obscured by a camera tripod. He reached his arm around the stand and gave Ben a thumbs-up.
"Yes, thank you for that... Ben." Tom turned, for just a brief moment, as if to gloat. The audacity! Tom had a habit of thinking he was entitled to a part in this show, like he forgot ben could fuck him up at any moment. This whole production was Ben's idea, even from the start, before Tom had ruined it. Tom was merely an accomplice, a piece to please the public. "Right off the bat, I'd love to get into today's issue, wouldn't you, Ben?" His high pitched voice was dripping with sarcasm and irritation, as if he could care less about being here at all. Tom was always unable to quell his feelings and personal opinions in a place of work.
"Of course Tom, and as the host of this show, I will be the one to change the subject." he stated gruffly, in his slow, pummeling way. "Today we plan to dive deep, to explore a new gun control law in america. this is a highly politicized issue, but ever since the legislative branch has passed a new bill, the media has blown the issue wide open. Some people like to preach their near sighted views, and completely disregard our sacred traditions." Ben could feel tom bristling beside him.
"You're exactly right Ben" tom started, and Ben willed him to keep it short. Every time that blasted cat opened his mouth, Ben was tempted to grab him by the shoulders and slam him to the floor. He could, easily, and the temptation was always high. "Some people are indeed 'nearsighted', especially on issues like these, but as they say... it takes one to know one."
"If it takes one to know one... you sure as hell seem to know me." Ben cocked an eyebrow at Tom, daring him to retaliate. When he said nothing, Ben continued. "As of Tuesday, the gun control inhibition act has passed. Despite our long standing traditions rights, the government will soon require us to take an ID test before using or shooting a projectile weapon. This, they say, will help still the rampant school shootings that gun users seem to cause." Ben was surprised Tom had been quiet for so long. "However, many reliable studies have shown that gun control has little to no effect on these shootings."
Finally, the cat kicked in.
"However, many studies have also shown that this is, in fact, not true."
"I hope you have a source for that, pussy."
"What did you just call me?"
"Exactly what you are."
Staring each other down, Ben could only remember what had happened last time. He couldn't afford that... not again. But just to get back at the cat... just once, wouldnt hurt, right?
"T-Tom...?" Jerry whispered from behind the camera. "Ben...? You're still live..."
The two didn't flinch, didn't even turn to face Jerry. They were entirely caught up in who was to make the first move.
Ben took the incentive. He lunged across the table, shooting from his chair, aiming for Tom's neck. Tom lurched back, but not in time to prevent Ben's paws from closing his throat.
"A-AA-B...en-" Tom scrambled to speak as he plummeted out of his chair, back slamming against the floor.
"Tom! Ben! Come on you guys! This is the fist session, what do you think you're doing??" Jerry sped over from the camera as fast as his legs would carry him and forced his tiny hands between them. "You guys have to stop."
Ben rolled off Tom, glowering across the floor. If Jerry hadn't intervened, Tom was as good as dead.
Jerry peered down at the two of them. "You've really gone and screwed things up again, haven't you? Who would've thought you could make any good content after what happened with your first show!? You two can't even get along for ten minutes..." Jerry scampered from the room.
Tom glanced over at Ben, and their eyes met for just a moment. "Jerry! Come on, don't be like that! Come back!" Ben pushed himself to his feet and pounded after his emotional cameraman.