Jedetheus

Jedetheus is the slash ship between Jed Tien and Ben from the Legacies fandom.

Canon
Jed and Ben met in 4x07 when Jed, and his friend Kaleb, stumbled across a heavily mutilated corpse in the forest while on the hunt for an Argus. By the time they had managed to kill the Argus, night had fallen and they returned to where the found the corpse in order to bury it; only to be shocked to find it standing up and trying to put itself back together again. The next the audience sees them is in 4x09, as Jed crawls across the road to the body of the unknown man whom has healed considerably since his first appearance, with a burning car behind them. Jed says it's good the man has eyes now, but still no tongue and cannot tell him who he is. Kaleb interrupts by approaching from behind and breathes fire over the unknown man while Jed ducks out the way.

At some point off screen, Jed is able to save the unknown man from Kaleb. He brings him back to the Salvatore Boarding School for help, and insists on staying with the unknown man while the others go out to find Kaleb. When another of his friends, Ethan, also suddenly tries to kill the man, Jed once again protects him but ends up badly hurt in the process. By the end of the episode, Jed is lying in recovery when he's woken by commotion in the next room, he calls out for help as a man walks out unwinding bandages from his neck and face, but falls silent when he sees the man's face for the first time. He then stumbles over his words as he tries to explain they'd believed the man was a monster, unable to take his eyes off Ben. After apologizing for the unpleasant noises of his tongue growing back, Ben warns Jed that monsters are the least of their worries now.

In the following episode, The Story of My Life, Jed is reluctant to cast judgement on Ben until he knows more about him during a meeting on whether or not Ben should be allowed to stay given his presence drives monsters- and monster hybrids such as Kaleb and Ethan- into a murderous rage. He's distressed to find Ben stabbed with quills while the meeting was taking place, and attempts to fight off the creature that caused it. Between this fight and the next scene of the pair, Jed has given Ben his jacket now that the man's shirt is full of holes. Pleased to be sealed in a protective dome by Cleo, Jed says it's the perfect time for Ben to tell him about himself. After telling Jed everything, Ben expects the other to be angry with him and want him gone, but is surprised to find Jed is set on him staying; Jed tells him he has his vote, and that he wants to give Ben a home with him at least until they can help with his curse. He's turned down, and Jed is stood helpless as Ben simply walks through the barrier Cleo put up, having to sit in wait for the witch to return and lower it.

By the end of the episode, Jed and Ben are alone around a fire as Jed reattaches Ben's previously severed arm for him. His arm isn't completely healed and still hurts, which Jed says is the point; because Ben is Prometheus. Ben's visibly surprised Jed worked it out, and when Jed expresses excitement for the idea that gods and demigods exist, he explains that the names are wrong and that there were no cranes just monsters who were, as it turned out, also cursed to attack him against their own will. Ben says he's come to like the name 'Ben' since his name isn't pronounceable to people anymore, because it's simple like Jed's name... and he likes simple. Jed smiles and tells him he's his guy then, to which Ben responds that Jed can't be, because Ben still can't stay. Frustrated with this, Jed once again asks Ben to stay, offering up that he's also cursed given he is a werewolf, and is relieved when Ben finally agrees. They toast as they share flirtatious looks, and the scene closes with Jed's lingering gaze on Ben when the other isn't looking.

In the opening of Follow the Sound of My Voice, Jed swings his arm around Ben who looks lost in the school, and gives him advice on blending in; calling himself an expert wingman on first days. Ben's nervous if anyone there knows that he is a god and a magnet for monsters, but visibly relaxes when Jed assures him they don't because Ben isn't anymore thanks to Cleo's bangle still negating the frequency he gives off. He tells Ben to stick with him, and they sit together while waiting for the Headmaster to make his morning announcements: to everyone's alarm, he tells all the students there is a monster magnet in the school and they're all surely going to die if they stay, which devastates Ben and Jed tries to reassure him. After it is revealed the whole school has been dosed with blue calamus, a truth serum, Jed's behavior to Ben has changed and he begins avoiding him. Ben's disappointed not to get to meet Jed's pack, and asks what they'll do instead, to which Jed responds that Ben should do whatever he wants and that Jed wants to be alone because he's afraid he'll say something stupid to Ben. When Ben asks for more detail, Jed snaps at him that he doesn't want to be around him right now, and visibly hurt, Ben apologizes for intruding and watches Jed leave.

Jed is later found by Finch hiding, and when confronted by her Jed explains that he's having all these confusing feelings bubbling inside him and he's frightened he's going to say the wrong thing to Ben without knowing precisely what that would be. They're interrupted when Cleo collapses through the door, and find out from there that Ben has been taken by a powerful witch Aurora, and is being tortured for information from her. Worried and upset, Jed- with help from Finch- finds Ben dead in the forest with a sign from Aurora stabbed into his heart. As Ben recovers under Cleo's care and the truth serum has fully worn off, Jed distracts himself by playing pool when Finch approaches him again to apologize for how invasive she'd been earlier. Jed tells her it's okay, because he shouldn't have left Ben after promising the man somewhere to belong after potentially thousands of years feeling alone, and admits to Finch that he realized when Ben was in danger what the feelings he was having were. He says he thinks he likes Ben, which Finch at first mistakes as meaning friends, and when she realizes he means it romantically, she offers to be a confidante as he has no one else to speak to about it.

Episode thirteen, Was This the Monster You Saw?, opens with Jed flustered by Ben's flirting when the god holds his gaze then removes his jacket, and the sight of his bare arms as he works on a confetti cannon has Jed stumbling over his words and finding an excuse to do something else in his embarrassment. The episode sees Jed try a number of times to tell Ben how he feels, but either changes his mind because of nerves or is interrupted when a monster leaps up behind him and bites him. When Hope steals and breaks Ben's bracelet that neutralizes the curse on him, Ben once again attempts to leave the school to draw away any monsters that may come and Jed follows him arguing against Ben leaving. Ben asks Jed to chain him to a tree once they're a good distance into the forest, but Jed refuses and when asked why it was such an issue for him, Jed tries to express his feelings. For a moment, the pair hold gaze when Ben attempts to ease Jed's obvious anxiety, but before anything further can happen a monster surprises them and bites Jed. Ben's previously amiable behavior towards Hope changes after he brings Jed back to the school, and he's openly hostile towards her: blaming her for what happened to Jed. When plans to lure the monster away from the school and kill it himself so that Jed can live, and no one else will be hurt in the process either, Hope snaps his neck to keep him there after learning her barrier spell won't work on him. Upon revival, Ben's disappointed to see that Jed has already recovered and taken off without sticking around to wait for him. Ben finds Jed at the Old Mill where they had previously shared drinks together, hoping to continue their conversation about their feelings from before the Protoclown attacked them but trails off when he sees Jed is crying. Jed tells Ben about Trey, about how he didn't know it at the time but his feelings for Trey weren't platonic either, and he admits to Ben that they have abusive fathers in common. Jed and Ben bond over feeling as if family is another curse they have, and when declaring that he doesn't want to be the violent person his father wanted him to be anymore Jed musters the courage to tell Ben he likes him. While he's happy about the confession, Ben tries to assure Jed that it's alright if he isn't ready for anything yet. Jed cuts him off with a kiss that Ben immediately reciprocates, reaching up to tenderly hold Jed's face as the camera pans away.

Episode fourteen, The Only Way Out is Through, saw the pair at the Old Mill fireside once again, sharing drinks with their chairs situated much closer than the first time they had done so in episode ten. They reflect on the day they've had, with Jed teasing Ben when the man says how terrible it felt having to kill them in the simulation, making Ben laugh. Ben expresses that Jed made him feel positive for a change, compared to his usual pessimistic outlook on life, and after Jed counters that the day only further reminded him to appreciate the good times- and good people, with emphasis as he makes eye contact with Ben making him blush- Ben admits that Jed makes him feel as if he could become a better person. Jed shares the sentiment and for a moment the pair look at one another, briefly leaning in as if to kiss before Jed abruptly changes his mind and announces he needs check on the pack for a moment. Ben smiled and although noticeably disappointed, watches Jed leave with a soft expression. Their date was intended to continue once Jed returned with more beers, however Ben was kidnapped in the final scenes of the episode.

Episode sixteen, I Wouldn't Be Standing Here If It Weren't For You, has Jed defending Ben and refusing to believe the other man would betray the Squad. Desperate to understand Ben's part in what is happening, Jed proposes to Cleo that he ask her about Ben then her powers might reveal something. He jokes to her that he'd "become a bit of a mythology buff, since [Jed's] into a mythological guy that's, y'know, buff" and is amused by his own joke, despite Cleo not understanding. She reassures him that it's normal to be worried about those they care for, and Jed states that it doesn't make sense for Ben to have betrayed them, given he'd only ever protected them in the past. Cleo is struck by a vision then of Ben holding Kaleb's decapitated head in the town square, prompting Jed to race there in order to prevent it from happening. Ben had been attempting to lure as many members of the Squad away from the school as possible by setting fire to multiple areas in order to protect them from his father, whom was after Jen seeking refuge there, however this backfired when Kaleb realizes Ben's plan and states there's no one that needs help; prompting Ben to change his plans and attack Kaleb, hoping to insight a fight that would draw the Squad to him instead. Ben demands from Ethan that he get everyone there to fight him "quickly", but they are interrupted by Jed's arrival. While Kaleb, MG and Ethan flee, Ben walks away and Jed follows after him demanding to know the truth.

Ben snaps at Jed that he already knows the truth, upsetting and angering Jed who attempts to goad Ben into fighting him. Ben refuses to hurt Jed, and instead attempts to reason with Jed that he had to wake his father to get his curse lifted. In a misunderstanding calling back to episode ten, The Story of My Life, in which Jed had compared the werewolf curse to Ben's own curse, Ben suggests they can get Jed's lifted too which only serves to offend Jed whom is proud of his werewolf heritage. Pretending to lean in for a kiss, Jed suddenly breaks Ben's neck and with a distraught expression catches Ben's body as it falls. Next, Ben revives in the cells beneath the school, where Jed sits opposite him. The share an emotional scene of Ben once more trying to explain himself, reasoning that it was worth it because at least Jed is "alive to hate him, which means I saved the life of someone I love." Rather than responding positively, Jed is offended that Ben chose then to tell him he loves him for the first time, which Ben admits isn't ideal. Jed denies believing Ben's confession, saying that love meant fighting beside those you care about not against them as Ben had done, and indirectly confesses he loves Ben too by stating "I would have fought with you no matter what came for us.". When Ben asks if that's still the case, Jed says silent and closes the cell doors before leaving.

Although they do not interact, Jed and his relationship with Ben is referenced in episode seventeen titled Into The Woods, when Alaric meets with Ben in the cells and listens to Ben's plan to have Lizzie siphon his godly magic and use it to create a weapon that will be able to kill Ken. After investigating it, Alaric finds out that while the plan would work doing so would kill Ben, and he's unsettled to find that Ben already knew that. Ben expresses that of all the times he's died, it had been meaningless, and he'd like this final death to be to protect the school... and so that Jed would be safe. Alaric notices Ben's feelings for Jed, and tells him that they're not going with that plan; he tells Ben instead that staying alive would make Jed happiest rather than dying for him. Alaric then gives Ben permission to leave the cell.

The pair reunite in episode eighteen, titled By the End of This, You'll Know Who You Were Meant to Be, during which Jed and Ben are present alongside Alaric, Hope, Lizzie, and MG to discuss their fight plan against Ken. Jed is openly mistrustful of Ben when the plan involves using a method Ben suggested, which visibly hurts the demigod, and talks as if Ben is not in the room. Later, when distributing the chemicals for Ben's plan, the pair come to a short confrontation when Jed insists he doesn't need Ben's help and Ben wanting to. Finch interrupts, reminding them they are playing tug of war with a bag of explosives and is able to make them separate; Ben attempts to reason with Jed that although he has the right to be angry with Ben, what's going on is bigger than their relationship and they can't afford to be feuding. Jed clarifies why he's angry, hurt that Ben seemed to think being a werewolf was something Jed needed to change about himself- despite the notion coming from a miscommunication in episode ten- and tells Ben he doesn't want him anywhere near his pack. The two part ways, leaving Finch alone. Later, when students accidentally set off the explosives and a fire starts, Jed attempts to get them to put it out with water which Finch interrupts, putting it out herself and telling Jed that water would have made things worse, as she had asked Ben about it given Jed wouldn't allow Ben to help. When Jed continues to reject Ben's help, Finch tells that Jed that he's putting himself first and that's placing the rest of them at risk, and that he isn't the only reason Ben is helping as the demigod's original plan involved giving up his life so that the school could be safe. Realizing the risks he's taking with his friends for the sake of his own pride, Jed concedes and listens to Ben's plan. Towards the end of the episode the pair reconcile again when Jed approaches Ben and tells him that he needs Ben to accept the werewolf side of him too. Jed asks him to stay with him during the full moon that evening albeit on the other side of the bars so he doesn't hurt Ben, and with a smile Ben takes Jed's hands and says that Jed can't hurt him, and whatever Jed goes through Ben wants to be there for him for it. Jed smiles, looking down at Ben's lips, and the scene ends with them staring at one another holding hands.



Throughout episode nineteen, entitled This Can Only End in Blood, Jed and Ben worry over the whereabouts of the other. When preparing the werewolves to enact their roles in the Squad’s plan to defeat Ken, Jed frets to Finch that he hasn’t seen Ben yet. Finch reminds him that Ben is an ancient, immortal warrior and perhaps Jed ought to worry more about the pack who aren’t, which Jed agrees with. He’s shocked at himself for thinking of Ben first, rather than the pack, terrified of what Ken might do if and when he comes for his son for betraying him, and knowing his priorities have shifted, Jed makes Finch promise to place the pack first if anything goes down. He leaves her in charge, and they separate with Jed leaving to try and locate Ben. When Ken manipulates the werewolf curse so the pack suddenly begins to shift during the day time, Ben is seen running through the forest trying to find Jed among all the werewolves but only finds Finch, who tells him she doesn’t know where Jed went. He eventually comes across Alaric, who has been forced to shoot and kill a student in defense of his daughter Lizzie and MG, and upon noticing that the demigod is wounded, Ben states that his father has also cursed him to be mortal. Alaric advises Ben that they should get inside, away from the werewolves, but Ben demands to know who Alaric has killed first and pushes past him. Ben pulls back Alaric’s jacket used to hide the student, and is devastated to see it is Jed. Ben holds Jed’s body, crying, and screams while Alaric looks on.

In the closing scenes of episode nineteen, Ben is once more a demigod and has healed, due to his father’s death breaking his curse as well as the day-time shift of the werewolves. Neither men know that Jed and two other deceased students were resurrected, and are grieving Jed’s loss. Ben states with a tone of disappointment that they both made it, and remains closed off when Alaric offers an apology to Ben for killing Jed. Before Ben can reply, Jed speaks up, shocking both of them. After Jed forgives Alaric, knowing why the man did it, Alaric wishes he could hug Jed if not for the arrow wound he took protecting Ben, and a relieved Ben rushes Jed for an embrace instead. As they hold one another, Ben tells Jed he thought he’d lost him, and hearing that Jed was brought back to life thanks to Landon having become the Ferryman, Ben’s concerned about there being a price for this. Smiling, Jed tells Ben that there was, but Landon selflessly paid it for them and all Jed can do is pay it forward by having the best life he can. The pair kiss passionately, relieved the other survived the fight against Ken.

In the following episode and series finale, entitled Just Don't Be a Stranger, Okay?, Jed and Ben are seen once more at the Old Mill, the morning after their first time together. Ben wakes on a makeshift bed wearing nothing but his underwear, and notices Jed is missing beside him. He looks up to see Jed dressed at the balcony, and greets him good morning. Guilty, Jed informs him they slept through Ethan’s memorial service and Ben comforts him that in his culture survivors must celebrate their win before they can mourn their dead, and comes up behind Jed to wrap his arms around him. Jed holds Ben’s arms around him, and smiles when Ben kisses his neck and says he could use more celebrating, but Jed’s mood is troubled. Noticing this, Ben backs off and apologizes for being inconsiderate to Jed’s grief over his classmate’s death but Jed corrects him, admitting that isn’t the reason. He says he feels different, and Ben jokes that he’d be offended if Jed didn’t after they had spent the night together, however he starts to worry that Jed thinks less of him now after they had sex. Jed quickly reassures Ben, saying emotionally he feels the best he ever has and their night together was great, but physically something has changed that he cannot place and it visibly unsettles him. To comfort Jed, Ben promises to help him figure out what that change is.

Later, the pair are dressed and in the school’s garden. Ben picks some wolfs-bane flowers, wanting to know if Jed is sure about what they’re going to do, quoting Finch that the herb"hurts like a bitch." Jed states that that’s the point, holding out a jar of water that Ben puts the herb into and shakes it, and after rolling up his sleeve to bare his arm, he looks away and tells Ben to do it. As asked, Ben tips the wolfs-bane water over Jed’s arm and to both men’s surprise nothing happens, confirming Jed’s suspicion that being resurrected reset his curse. Knowing what being a werewolf means to Jed, Ben asks how he feels about it, and despite their fight days prior being about Ben’s offer to have Ken neutralize the werewolf curse, Jed muses aloud that he feels as if he’s changed in a lot of ways he’s proud of and all his life he had lived for the pack. Now he has the chance to figure out who he is outside of all that. Ben approaches him and requests that Jed let him be there for him in figuring that out, and Jed pretends to think about it before smiling and kissing Ben.



Jed leaves the pack with Finch, telling her that Ben had asked him to leave with him and Jed had agreed, and during Hope’s final monologue a scene is shown of the two together in the not so distant future wrapped up together in a hammock as Jed reads a book on Grecian myths. Around them is their campsite with a large RV, and the pair are happy together.

Fanon
Jedetheus appeared in season 4 of Legacies following demigod Ben's debut in episode 7. Fans had positive reactions to the introduction of Ben as a love interest of Jed, and while many caught on as early as episode 9's finale, very few actually believed the show writers would make it a canon romance. As of episode 11 when Jed's true feelings were first revealed, there has been excitement about the show introducing for the first time a main male LGBT+ character when beforehand there have only been women. In episode 13 fans' excitement was renewed when Ben felt the same and the pair shared their first kiss. Actors Ben Levin and Zane Phillips have been praised for their chemistry.

There was early speculation about Ben's involvement and that he would be a love interest of one of the male cast, when a casting call for the boyfriend of a male character on the show was released, with many believing this referred to Ben. However, it was eventually discerned that this call was instead for Ashur, Ben's past lover, given it was for a one to two day shoot released by an agency supplying extras for the CW and not a recurring role.

On the negative side, some denied the chance of romance out right. They believed Jed "showed no signs" of being into men beforehand, that the pair would just be good friends, and there are some online who believe it is just "check box filling" after Josie's departure and the break up with Finch as a result. Counter arguments are that little had ever been known about Jed, let alone his orientation, and since episode 13's release it has both been shown that Jed had a crush on a boy as a child, and as is the case with Ben, didn't truly understand what it was he was feeling. Finally, there's the reasoning that there is no way of knowing for certain whether or not Kaylee Bryant's departure from the show had any impact on Ben's roles in the show. In relation to this: an interview with Max Gao of the Observer in May 2022, revealed that Bryant themself was the catalyst for Jed and Ben's eventual romantic inclusion in the show when they suggested Jed to new writer and producer Price Peterson, and subsequently showrunner Brett Matthews back during the filming of season three. They were in turn prompted by Ben Levin having "expressed his willingness to play a queer character" in the past, hoping to offer homage to members of his family whom are LGBT+.

In late March 2022, a Twitter fan poll decided on 'Jedetheus' as the ship's official name. The choice being a portmanteau of Jed and Ben's name from Greek legends 'Prometheus'. Prior to this Benjed, Jedben and many other variations were used with confusion and disagreement on which should be used. In an interview with TVGuide's Max Gao, actors Ben Levin and Zane Phillips agreed on a preference for Jedetheus, along with Jedben and Benjed variations. Furthermore in another interview, this with CBR's Bryan Cairns, Phillips states that Ben has "absolutely [fallen] in love with Jed" and would go to extreme measures to protect him.

Following fans concerns after Ben's actions in 4x15, the episode implying that Ben disregards his budding relationship with Jed in favor of reviving his past love Ashur, Phillips tweeted that fans shouldn't "take what Ben said about Ashur at face value". Additionally, writer Price Peterson implied in a tweet that Ben sees history repeating itself in response to a fan calling Ben evil, stating "you'll do whatever it takes to prevent history from repeating even if it involves facing the threat head-on"; the repeated history speculated to be the death of Ashur.

Both Levin and Phillips highlight in the May 2022 interview with Max Gao, that Jed and Ben love one another deeply: with Levin stating that Jed now has an "extremely powerful force of love in his life" in reference to Ben, "who makes [Jed] feel safe now", a sentiment echoed by Phillips whom expressed that the pair were "a place of safety for each other". Phillips also explained that the result of past traumas informs Ben's controversial actions in episodes fifteen and sixteen in ways that aren't what people "think is right," and those same traumas drive Ben's protectiveness of Jed in order to "keep the man he loves safe". In the same interview, it is once more stated that Jed and Ben share a "soul connection" and the pair noted as being kindred spirits or soulmates, marking third time this has been implied or stated by both actors, such as Phillip's whom used the term 'soulmates' to describe them, writer, Price Peterson and showrunner Brett Matthews who stated "[Jed and Ben] always kind of were weird soulmates," in an interview with TV Insider. In the same interview, Matthews quotes "they really do get each other in a way that’s hard to get." This sentiment repeats during an interview with AV Club, wherein Matthews reports on the show's finale, and comments that they, Jed and Ben, understood one another on a fundamental level.

The Vampire Diaries franchise showrunner Julie Plec expressed regret that there hadn't been much time award to the couple due to the cancellation of Legacies, lamenting that "to have to cut [Jedben] short was the bummer." and called them a "beautiful relationship. It was so enjoyable to watch."

In an alternate ending, intended to be aired had the show been renewed for a fifth season, Jed and Ben are interrupted by Jen and another sibling, Chronos, in order to introduce the gods related plot for the following season. As the show was cancelled, the scene was cut. Peterson revealed that Jed was intended to play a larger role in the fifth season, with Ben becoming a series regular and Jen returning. In response to this, the open ended nature of Jed and Ben's storyline in the finale and Julie Plec's announcement that a fourth show in the Vampire Diaries franchise was in the works, fans expressed interest in a spin-off of the pair alongside Jen following the plot the writers had intended for season five. Legacies showrunner Brett Matthews stated in an interview with AV Club's Max Gao, that he also wanted the spin-off, admitting he'd "watch the shit out of a Jed and Ben show."

During an Instagram live, Ben Levin and Zane Phillips discussed what Jed and Ben's wedding would be like, whether they would have children, and shared additional details of the cut finale scene with Jen and Chronos alongside costar Piper Curda.

Behind the scenes

 * In August 2022, Jed and Ben came fifth place in Tell-Tale TV's Ship of the Year for the Sci-fi/Fantasy/Horror Series individual category, as voted by fans.
 * In December 2022, Jed and Ben appeared on TVLine's Best TV Couples list, and again later on their Best and Worst Moments list as "Most Unexpected Couple".

Quotes
I Can't Be the One to Stop You | 4x09

"I don't know who he is. When Kaleb and I found him, he'd just been ripped apart by an Argus. Then he started putting himself back together. Literally. We were bringing him back here to get some answers, and then, all of a sudden, Kaleb blew up his own car with a fireball and burned this guy to a crisp."

- Jed explains how he found Ben to the Squad.

The Story of My Life | 4x10

Follow the Sound of My Voice | 4x11

"Is something wrong?"

- Ben, worried about Jed's change in behavior.

"It's all jumbled and confusing, and I... I just feel this pressure like... I'm gonna say the wrong thing to him."

- Jed to Finch when confronted about why he's avoiding Ben.

"You were right, I shouldn't have left Ben alone. But I was having all these feelings that were... confusing. And it didn't make sense until when we thought he was in danger... then I understood. I think I like him."

- Jed confessing how he feels for Ben to confidante Finch.

'''Was This the Monster You Saw? | 4x13'''

"So trust that no matter what you have to say to me, I will hear it with my very soul."

- Ben reassures a nervous Jed.

"I assumed you'd be by my side when we revived. I was hoping that maybe we could further... our discussion."

- Ben finds Jed by the Old Mill.

The Only Way Out is Through | 4x14

I Wouldn't Be Standing Here If It Weren't For You | 4x16

"I've become a bit of a mythology buff, since I'm into a mythological guy that's, y'know, buff [Laughs]."

- Jed jokes about his affections for Ben.

"But you're alive. So at least part of my plan worked."

- Ben talking to Jed in the cells.

"Well you can't mean it, because love means fighting beside the people you care about not against them. I would have fought with you no matter what came for us."

- Jed is skeptical of Ben's love confession.

Into The Woods | 4x17

By the End of This, You'll Know Who You Were Meant to Be | 4x18

This Can Only End in Blood | 4x19

'''Just Don't Be a Stranger, Okay? | 4x20'''

"The living must celebrate their survival before they mourn their dead. And I, for one, could use a little more celebrating."

- Ben as he holds and kisses Jed the morning after their first time.

"I feel... like I've changed a lot lately, in ways that I'm really proud of."

- Jed reflecting on who he has become since meeting Ben.

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Trivia

 * Jed and Ben are both portrayed by an actor named Zane (Shieh as young Jed, Phillips as Ben), and Jed is primarily portrayed by an actor named Ben (Levin), to the amusement and confusion of both fans, and actors on set.
 * Ben is taller than Jed by a small margin.
 * Ben's actor Zane Phillips expressed a dislike of the ship name 'Bed' some fans use, in an Instagram live; stating "I'm sorry it can't be Bed. We're not doing that."
 * Due to body doubles having been used for scenes of Ben flayed or burned, the closing scene of 4x09 in which Ben reveals his healed face to Jed for the first time, was Zane Phillips' first ever scene for the show, filmed the same day he and Ben Levin met.
 * Episode thirteen, wherein Jed confesses and the couple share their first kiss, hit the highest ratings of season four since the fifth episode; with a 58.4% viewership increase despite following the show's second prolonged hiatus due to COVID.
 * The Old Mill has become something of a signature location for the ship, as the pair have shared a number of romantic scenes there. The scene in which Jed reveals he knows Ben is Prometheus and they share drinks, when Jed confesses his feelings and they share their first kiss, when they tell one another they make them feel as if they make each other better people and calling back to sharing drinks the first night, and finally it is where the pair first have sex.
 * In a broader sense, forest locations are also significant as the forest is where they met, where the Old Mill is situated with it's previously mentioned significance, the setting of Jed's interrupted confession and where they discovered each other dead on separate occasions.
 * Both Jed and Ben have discovered each other deceased in the forest from a wound to the heart: Ben having been found stabbed by Aurora in episode eleven, and Jed having been shot with an arrow by Alaric in episode nineteen. They were resurrected, albeit by different means.
 * Jed and Ben are the only surviving canonical LGBT+ men depicted in the entire Vampire Diaries franchise. With the exception of minor character Eddie, the ex-boyfriend of The Originals' Josh Rosza, appearing once in episode two of season four, entitled No Quarter.

Gallery

 * Jedetheus/Gallery