Ben - The Dreaming: Waking Hours

A young man from Old Branch, New Jersey, Ben - Benedict - was destined for a religious calling to join the Catholic Church. To set him on this path, Dream of the Endless sent both the angel Jophiel and the nightmare Ruin to manifest a dream about the martyrdom of Joan of Arc, which was intended to provoke deep thoughts about eternity and the larger purpose of life. However, after the young nightmare fell in love with Ben, he lost control of his powers, almost destroying the dream. 

While the vision served its purpose, Ben could not forget seeing Ruin's meltdown and the pain and fear it caused him. He wished to call out to him and reassure him that he had nothing to fear but woke from the dream before he could reach out. 

With his mind made up he joined the church, inspired by Ruin, he wanted to ensure that every lost person who was scared and alone was shown the kindness, love and compassion that was core to his doctrine of Christianity. 

He also secretly hoped that Ruin was real so that he could one day meet him. 

Despite his belief in God and his convictions, Ben decided to leave the seminary, realising that his feelings for the mysterious stranger were stronger than his calling. He was content to find Ruin and live a happy life as both a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a Christian.

As a friend of Azar, a young nurse working at the local hospital, he accompanied her to Heather After's flat to offer her support, since the last time she had visited the apartment, she was subjected to startling mystical phenomena. It was here that he finally met Ruin.

Ben accompanied Ruin to the Dreaming and reassured the nightmare that his decision to leave the church was his and his alone, showing Ruin his first-ever example of love and companionship. He bravely stood up to Dream as the Endless attempted to separate them, trying to appeal to the Dream Lord's emotions that Ruin was a living, loving, thinking being and not just a tool.

After a tense discussion, and the threat of his imprisonment at Heather's hand, Dream agreed to let the two men return to the Waking World. Following this adventure, Ben and Ruin moved in together and started a romantic relationship. They kept in touch with Lindy, Heather, and Todd, becoming good friends.