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Ben kept cycling through his aliens, trying to decide what’s best to deal with Khyber’s new pet. How he got ahold of the Nemetrix again is still a mystery, one they’ll have to solve later. Right now, Rook is battling Khyber to buy Ben some time. He’s about to select something when the one sound Ben feared hearing the most reaches his ear… Rook screaming…
Ben comes out of hiding to see what’s become of his partner, only for the Slamworm to wriggle its way in front of him suddenly, causing him to shout in surprise and just slam a hand down on the Omnitrix to transform into whatever it gives him, which is Jetray, he can fly away. He flies up, using his laser tail to cut through part of Khyber’s new ship and send it down to the cockpit or wherever it went, Ben doesn’t know, and he doesn’t care. Rook is still screaming!
Ben flies down, using laser eyes to shoot Khyber off. He had Rook pinned with a boot on his abdomen, using his knife to stab Rook into his shoulder, twisting it this way and that to break and dislocate the bones. His Proto-Tool is nowhere to be seen. Ben lands down beside Rook, transforming back and helps Rook to his feet.
“You good, dude?” Ben asks, mostly as just one of those things just asked, he knows Rook isn’t good. Who knows the damage that’s been done to him?
“I need medical attention, quickly…” Rook answers, holding his shoulder. “I fear he may have s-struck an artery…” He’s losing steam quickly… Khyber is trying to get back to his feet, Ben glares angrily at him, wanting nothing more than to beat him furiously for hurting his partner, but Rook needs help right this moment! The Slamworm also comes back up to attack. Ben acts fast, turning into whatever other flyer he has, turning into Big Chill, but hey, at least he can fly! But Khyber does have a pretty bad predator for this one, so he doesn’t stick around, grabbing Rook and flying away as quickly as possible.
He gets as far as the Omnitrix will allow, forced to land a little roughly onto a rooftop, but they’re away from Khyber and his pet at least. Ben’s eyes widen at the damage done to the Revonnahgander. Khyber had stabbed through Rook’s suit, right between pieces of his armor, and the amount of blood he was losing made Rook rather lethargic and lightheaded, barely able to focus. Ben didn’t have time to waste. He looked at the Omnitrix.
“Please give me something strong enough to carry him…” Ben asks of it, the lump in his throat that’s been forming at the sight of his friend’s pain. He transforms finally into Humungousaur for once and he lifts Rook up, jumping off the top of the building, caring nothing for the broken up road, at least there were no cars or civilians…
He takes large strides to Plumber Headquarters, reaching it just before he transforms back into human. Now he has to drag Rook who’s passed out completely now.
“Grampa!!” Ben calls. “Someone!?! Rook’s hurt!!” Plumbers start coming at Ben’s call that are at least nearby. They help Rook up and carry him down to Medbay. Ben sticks close out of concern and worry for his partner though he’s kept back while the medical team works, Magister Tennyson has been paged to the Medbay, mostly due to being the one Ben and Rook report to the most.
“What happened?” Max asks. Ben looks up from the ground, having been pulled from his thoughts.
“Khyber happened. Rook and I tracked him down and decided to bring the fight to him for once, and Rook ended up being stabbed…” Ben explains. His fists clench. “I swear when I get my hands on him…” Max places a hand on Ben’s shoulder.
“Don’t do anything reckless, alright? I know you care a lot about your partner, but getting yourself landed in the medbay too isn’t going to help matters.” Max warns. Ben just nods, wanting him to drop the subject, leaning against the wall. Max suspects he’s still planning to do it, maybe Rook can talk sense into him. He doesn’t want to have to get Gwendolyn on his case…
After what feels like an eternity, Rook is out of surgery, and Ben is allowed to visit. He’s at an incline, his left arm is in a sling, his shoulder is heavily bandaged, his right arm has an IV for saline and blood and had been slightly shaven to make sure they got through a vein ok. He’s still asleep, having been put under anesthesia for the surgery. They had to put a few bones back in place.
Seeing him in this condition, it makes Ben’s heart hurt, and he wants to cry. An involuntary whimper escapes his throat, which makes him release a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He’s on the verge of breaking down, he can barely hold it back anymore. He’s a hero, he has to be strong, he can’t be crying at everything! Or anything. He’s the example of strength, nobody can see him weak… So, he swallows back the sobs and regains his composure.
He doesn’t really get it, he’s seen so many loved ones hurt and hospitalized, but he’s never felt like this. Even when Max was hospitalized when he was ten, it didn’t burn the same as this. Maybe because they’re closer? But he loves his grandfather very dearly, so… why…?
Unless… But that couldn’t be, could it? He’s straight as an arrow, right…? He’s liked so many girls, never really any boys. But… Rook has always been different. Not because he’s an alien, both his previous partners aren’t exactly human, both he and Gwendolyn have Anodite in them, and Kevin is… whatever Kevin is. He… feels safer than ever with Rook around… Not that Gwendolyn and Kevin didn’t make him feel safe, and both kick butt separately even, but…
Ben runs his hands through his hair, trying to process everything, what he feels. Could it just be that he just cares for Rook more and trusts him more? Why would he trust Rook more than his own family though…? Gwendolyn’s always looked out for him… Watching his back when he wasn’t paying enough attention… Can’t be because he’s taller and more muscled, Kevin is tall and muscled, but Kevin does have a history of being crazy and trying to kill him… So maybe that’s why he doesn’t entirely feel safe…?
There’s a soft groan that pulls Ben from his thoughts and he looks up, seeing Rook’s head turn to one side, then his bright orangish eyes slide open ever so slightly. He turns his head the other way, looking at Ben.
“Ben…?” Rook asks softly.
“He-hey. Glad you’re awake. How’re you feeling?” Ben asks, mentally cursing at himself for stuttering.
“Odd, in many ways… I feel as though I have weight on my chest… and yet like I could float away at the same time…”
“Yea, anesthesia and blood loss isn’t a fun combination.” Ben remarks, smiling slightly to bring some levity, though his smile drops. “Khyber tore your shoulder up pretty bad…”
“At least it was my shoulder and not other places that are more vital…” Rook states, trying to bring optimism where he feels Ben is drifting toward pessimism.
“Doesn’t change the fact I need to stop him.” Ben remarks firmly, fists clenching somewhat in his lap. The muscles in Rook’s face where eyebrows would be on a human knit together, creating a crease just above his nose.
“You…?” Rook asks. “Why not us…?”
“Look at you, man. You nearly bled to death! Your arm will be out of commission for at least two months… Who knows where he’ll be by then?” Ben questions rhetorically.
“I cannot allow you to go by yourself…” Rook states. Ben crosses his arms.
“Who are you, my mom?”
“I do not see how I could… Oh… that is one of your human expressions…” Rook trails off. Ben sighs heavily.
“Fact of the matter is,” Ben stands up, looking down at his injured partner. “You’re hurt, and Khyber needs to be stopped or he’ll keep coming back and next time we may not be so lucky. I can’t wait around for much longer.” He turns to start walking out of the room, though Rook grabs his arm to stop him.
“You cannot do this…!” Rook states firmly, though weakly. “Please, I beg of you…! You could be killed…! We had no success bringing the fight to him this morning, what makes you think going after him now will make a difference?”
“Because I won’t stop until I win. I never do. I keep getting back to my feet, I keep fighting because I have to. I’m the hero!” Ben explains, his tone slightly deeper and serious. Ben pulls his arm free, which wasn’t too difficult.
“Yes, because getting yourself killed is very heroic…” Rook states a bit sarcastically, something he’s learned a lot on since being on Earth.
“Whatever… It’s not like you even care, right? We’re just partners, right?” Ben asks. He doesn’t really know where this is coming from. His own insecurities maybe? “All you care about is the rules and bossing me around…”
“Perhaps I would not be so bossy if you thought before you acted…” Rook states, his tone also deepening. “Do you even realize how difficult you are to deal with at times?!”
“Oh, I’m difficult?! You’re a sheltered farm boy!” Ben snaps. He looks at Rook’s bandaged shoulder again. There’s a slight flicker in his eyes. “I shouldn’t have let you become my partner…” Maybe if Rook wasn’t around, he wouldn’t have gotten hurt again. He’s still not clear on his feelings, but he knows that Rook can’t get hurt again. It’s better if he leaves… Gwendolyn and Kevin have been better off…
“Ben…” Rook calls softly, He forces himself to sit up, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. He grabs the stand that has his IVs and pulls it along with him to reach Ben.
“Maybe your old teacher was right… you shouldn’t have left Revonnah.” Ben states, his voice more monotone, flat.
“You do not really believe that…” Rook states, it almost sounds like a question. There’s hurt in his eyes that Ben can’t bring himself to look at. “Perhaps I misjudged our partnership…” His tone has evened out, devoid of emotion. “I see now that you truly are a selfish child, self-centered, disrespectful, cocky, willing to do whatever it takes for your mission. Not caring what your death will do to others, those who love you. I thought maybe there was more to you… That… I… might even love you in ways that could mean more…” Ben finally lifts his head to look him in the eye. “You may not reciprocate those feelings, and it seems you do not, perhaps if you were not too proud to talk about what you truly feel it would not be so heartbreaking. I figured I would have been fine with you not having the same feelings. Just being near you brought so much joy to my life, but not if I am a burden to you… That is why you wish to be rid of me, yes?”
“That’s not-”
“Here I thought maybe there was a chance for a new life here. Perhaps once I am well, I will return to Revonnah, that way I will no longer cause you trouble.”
“Hey…” Ben tries to stop him, but Rook takes the IV stand and leaves the room. He shuts the door on the way out, leaving Ben alone in the med room. It’s silent, lonely, desolate… painful… Is he going to be abandoned again…? It’s… what he wanted, right…? So… So that he didn’t get hurt again…? But still… Ben’s fists clench. Why does it hurt so much…?! Why is it worse than when Gwendolyn and Kevin left?! Ben growls a bit, then shouts in frustration, punching and denting a metal med-supplies closet.
He then falls to his knees, wrapping his arms around himself, finally letting himself break down crying, even if it’s just a little bit. His knuckles hurt from striking the solid metal, but he doesn’t care about that right now. Does he… really like Rook in that way…? The thought of losing him, to anything, makes him feel like death would be the only mercy… Ben sighs softly, standing and wiping the tears from his face. He steps to a mirror, trying to make his face look clean, less puffy. He has appearances to keep. Strong hero… He takes a shuddering breath back in and releases it, leaving the room, making sure to have gone the other way from where Rook went.
Rook needed a walk, to clear his head. He wants Ben to be happy and if him being gone will make him happy, then so be it… Maybe he can be stationed at Anur Transyl with Scout. First though, he has to make sure Ben’s not doing something stupid, not without someone else knowing about it first. Ben might hate him for snitching, but he’d rather his hate than his death…
“Magister Tennyson.” Rook calls. Max turns to see his fellow Plumber.
“Rook, what are you doing out of bed?”
“I know I am not well, but I believe Ben is about to get himself killed. He wants to go after Khyber.” Rook explains.
“I know…” Max says. “I was hoping maybe you’d be able to talk sense into him, I’m guessing that didn’t go so well.” Rook immediately lowers his head, indicating his answer.
“No.” Rook answers verbally as well. “He… would rather I not be around, in fact…” Max’s brows knit.
“That doesn’t sound right.” Max remarks. Rook looks up at him once more, rather quizzically. “He spends about every free minute he has with you. That doesn’t sound like someone who doesn’t want you around to me.” Hearing this, Rook looks a bit surprised, realizing how often he and Ben just go hang out after patrol or on days off… “The way he talks about you, well, sounds quite similar to how his dad would talk about how great Sandra was without realizing how much of a crush he had on her.” The realization dawns on Rook. “Really, it wouldn’t surprise me if he had such feelings for you, sometimes men here are blockheads about that sort of thing.” There’s a thick thump to his chest hearing those words, then feels his heart sink.
“I messed up…” Rook says. He turns back around, and in his haste to head back to the Medbay, the IV is ripped out of his skin, but he ignores the pain, wanting to get back to Ben before he leaves. He bursts into the medbay room he was in, but doesn’t find Ben there. He pauses, scanning the room carefully as he catches his breath and steadies the spinning. On the floor he sees a large red spot. He steps up to it, picking it up. It’s a badge, probably Ben’s… He probably left it behind so they couldn’t track him! Max catches up before long, standing in the doorway. Rook turns to him, badge in hand. “He’s gone…” His distress in this realization causes his use of contractions, and he doesn’t care. Ben left, no doubt to go after Khyber… “This is all my fault…”
“No. He made the choice even after I warned him.” Max states, a hint of anger and frustration in his tone. Rook bows his head, barely catching out of his peripheral the dented cabinet. He turns slightly, placing a hand to it. Did Ben do this…? Why…?
“I was the one who failed to protect myself against Khyber… And Ben was the one who rescued me…” Rook explains. “It should never have happened…”
“Maybe not, but you can’t be perfect all the time.” Max says. “I’m definitely not, especially when I was first starting out.” Rook turns himself to face the old man. “You stay here and rest, I’ll call Gwendolyn, she can track Ben down.”
“I must help.” Rook says firmly.
“You can help by resting. That’s an order.” Max states, hating to pull rank, but he needs Rook to rest. Rook sighs softly.
“Yes, Magister Tennyson…”
Ben makes his way through town on his Tenn-Speed, going about where he and Rook disembarked from Khyber’s ship. It’s gotta be around here somewhere… He looks up at the sky, letting the images go by in his mind of what it looked like, the direction, where was the sun? The ship was headed north. Ben turns and starts driving once more. Where is it…?
He drives through a forest, along the path he believes Khyber’s ship went. He’d try to dial in a flyer, but he doesn’t want to risk draining the Watch, just in case. He tries to recall the fight as he weaves through trees, and then stops, seeing bright orange in the sky. That’s gotta be it! Khyber’s ship! Ben looks at his watch, trying to dial up a flyer. And he ends up getting the Walkatrout… He sighs heavily.
“Why do you hate me, Omnitrix?” Ben asks, tilting his head forward. Really it was just punishing him a bit for being an idiot. Unfortunately, he’s forced to just sit there, waiting for it to time out on its own. “I really don’t have time for this.” Ben tells it, which thankfully it times out after another few seconds. He dials up another, getting Big Chill. He cheers to himself a little bit.
He flies up, going through the branches and flies toward Khyber’s ship. They were on top of it, so… He lands on the top, remaining intangible and being as quiet as possible, not wanting Khyber to know he’s there. He finds the Proto-Tool, sitting on the roof, by the top wing. He flies toward it, grabbing it up. It’s in staff position. He starts fiddling with it, trying to figure out how to collapse it, without breaking it. Rook might not forgive him if he brings it back broken.
He hears a strange fluttering sound that distracts him, making him press something that brings the Staff down and back into Proto-Tool shape, which startles him and makes him drop it, of course from a small drop, it doesn’t get damaged. He sighs with relief that it didn’t skid off, there is a slight curve to the roof. He bends to grab it, but the fluttering sound comes closer and before he realizes, the Hypotick is in front of him, fluttering its wings to hypnotize him.
“No…” Ben mumbles as he starts to fall under.
-Ben’s Hallucination Dream-
He’s in a house, on a couch, playing video games.
“Daddy!” A voice calls. He turns and sees a little girl run up to him, she has light skin like Ben, with bright green eyes that have slit-shaped pupils, she has fluffy black hair atop her head, and she wears a pretty green dress. Her grin reveals her sharp fangs like a cat’s, and a fuzzy blue bi’nthak with black stripes.
“Hey little Gwen!” Ben greets happily, pausing his game and picking her up, setting her on his lap.
“Papa said we can have chili fries for dinner!”
“Did he?” Ben asks, smiling happily. “Then I guess we should get him his favorite meatball subs, huh?”
“Yea!” She says excitedly, giggling. Ben smiles softly.
“C’mere you!” He shouts, hugging her tightly. She giggles more, bi’nthak waving around happily. She may have been a genetic experiment, but that doesn’t make her any less his daughter.
“Ben, careful, you will squeeze the life from her!” He hears Rook’s voice and loosens his grip on little Gwen, looking at Rook.
“Nah, she’s a sturdy little Revonnahuman.” Ben says, smiling back at his life partner. She climbs off Ben’s lap and runs to Rook.
“Papa!” She calls to him, raising her arms up. He bends to pick her up, holding her much like you would a toddler. “Daddy and I will buy you meatball subs when we buy the chili fries!”
“Oh really?” Rook asks. “Then perhaps I will come along on your little excursion! Fresh meatball subs are better than lukewarm.”
“Why is Luke warm?” Little Gwen asks innocently.
“He grew up on Tatooine?” Ben suggests, shrugging. Both parts of his world look at him confused. “Forget about it.” Ben stands up, walking over to Rook and Little Gwen. “I’d love for you to join us.” Ben says, kissing Rook gently, to which Rook returns the affection. Little Gwen makes an over dramatic gagging sound, being a little kid. Both separate from each other, giggling at their daughter’s antics. Ben looks at her, then looks at Rook, both match smiles and kiss opposite sides of her cheeks, making over dramatic humming sounds.
“Eww! Kissy cooties!!” She complains, causing both men to laugh and start walking to the garage so they can leave to get some food.
-End Hallucination-
Ben comes out of the Hallucination, only because the Hypnotick allowed it, its legs digging into the Necrofriggian and drive its stinger into his gut to incapacitate him more while it attempts to feast, the pain is so overwhelming that it turns Ben back to human, the stinger still in his body, filling it with a neurotoxin that paralyzes his body. He can make only soft gasping sounds, his body trembling. The Psycholeopterran wraps its tongue around Ben’s neck to keep him further in place while it drives its fangs into his entire shoulder. It hurts so much, but he can’t scream. A small whimper escapes his throat, he’s scared… But he can’t move, his blood is being drained, causing his body to twitch involuntarily. He may be human now, but it seems to Hypnotick, that doesn't matter...
There’s a sharp whistle and Hypnotick releases him, lets him fall to the ground. He can’t move, he’s completely at Khyber’s mercy. He approaches him, placing a boot on Ben’s stomach, right on the wound, it hurts like hell and he can’t do anything about it.
“I suspected one of you would come back for this thing.” Khyber states, looking at the Proto-Tool. “Though I am surprised you’re still conscious, normally the pain is so excruciating that none can withstand it.” Ben tries using what control of his body he has left to reach for the Proto-Tool, but Khyber places another foot harshly on Ben’s wrist, a cracking sound can be heard and he wants to scream, but nothing wants to work. Only tears involuntarily spring to his eyes, sliding down the sides of his face and threatening his ears. “You must think you’re rather clever.” He removes his foot and grabs Ben by the throat, lifting him off the ground, squeezing it tight so he can barely breathe. He gasps desperately for air.
“Rook… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…” Ben thinks, wishing he could say it. Suddenly however, the Psycholeopterran attacks Khyber, wanting its meal back. The attack makes Khyber drop Ben and he gasps for air immediately, but he still can’t even attempt to move, just lying in a crumpled heap at Khyber’s feet. Weakly though, he reaches once more for the Proto-Tool, grabbing it with his left as his right is completely broken.
Khyber is busy with his pet, allowing Ben some time to pull himself toward the edge of the ship, trying to escape. There’s no way he’ll survive the fall, but he doesn’t need to, because the Omnitrix might resurrect him! He’s theorized the possibility given all the near-death experiences… But, he’s quickly losing mobility of his left arm now. He grips the Proto-Tool to him, crying once more, sniffling, wishing so much that he could apologize to Rook, to hug and kiss him, realizing finally his feelings thanks to that hypnotic dream. He wants to be with Rook… He’s such an idiot for not realizing it sooner… And now it might be too late…
Not to the Omnitrix though… It lights up, sensing that Ben’s fading from the blood loss. It makes him transform into AmpFibian and sort of takes control of him, making him fly away, thankfully still holding the Proto-Tool, Ben’s too stubborn to let it go. He struggles to maintain altitude a lot of the time, but he at least makes it far enough away from Khyber and his pet so that when he transforms back into Ben, he can pass out safely. Because he transformed, his wounds are mostly healed, but he’s still exhausted.
-Gwendolyn and Kevin-
Kevin is driving his car and Gwendolyn is tracking Ben’s mana. Her brows knit as it suddenly seems to be fading.
“We have to hurry, I don’t know if Ben will make it!” She says, looking at her boyfriend. Kevin’s jaw tightens and he steps harder on the gas, he’d use the boosters, but they’re still in town, it’s harder to control when there’s obstacles and they can’t afford to crash. Then… Ben’s mana output changes, growing again. It makes Gwendolyn confused. Even more confusing that it moves toward a different direction. “Go left up here!” She orders.
“But, you said he was that way!” Kevin points out, pointing in the direction they’re going.
“I know, I know, but he’s moving.” Gwendolyn explains.
“Ok, first he seems like he’s dying, and now he’s moving. Can your powers make up their mind?” Kevin argues, but he makes the left turn, turning sharply to make it but they do, going off in a different direction than initially planned. They drive for a while longer until-
“Stop.” Gwendolyn orders. Kevin does so, pulling over. They both climb out of the car, Zed climbs out on Kevin’s side and follows after him. Gwendolyn closes her eyes to focus, walking off toward an alleyway. She stops, looking around now with her eyes. Zed and Kevin head down as well. Zed, sniffs around, stopping at a pile of garbage. There’s a hand sticking out of it. She barks to get their attention and they run over, Kevin coming up beside her, petting her gently before he and Gwendolyn work to unbury the figure, of course they reveal Ben, covered in blood and dirt.
“Whoa…” Kevin trails off, unsure how else to react. He reaches down, scooping Ben up in his arms. Gwendolyn tries to take the Proto-Tool out of his hands, but even while unconscious he won’t let it go.
“Come on, Ben, let go of it.” Gwendolyn ushers, but he’s stubborn.
“Leave it, I don’t think he’ll let it go.” Kevin states, carrying Ben to his car. He doesn’t want to get the inside dirty, but there’s no choice. They have to get Ben back to Plumber HQ. Gwendolyn pulls the seats forward which helps Kevin set Ben in the back. They themselves climb in and start driving back to HQ, Zed has taken to being on the floorboards in front of Gwendolyn. Gwendolyn radios Max to let him know everything.
“We found Ben, he’s a bit worse for wear but I think he’s alright.” Gwendolyn explains.
“Good, we’ll have a bed in Medbay ready for him.” Max states. After about ten minutes or so, Ben opens his eyes, groaning in consciousness. He realizes that there’s soft leather under him, lifting his head, he can see Gwendolyn and Kevin.
“What’re you doing here…?” Ben asks softly. Gwendolyn looks back to him.
“Grampa called us, since I can best track your mana.” She explains.
“Oh…” Ben mumbles. He curls in, holding the proto-tool a little tighter. “I’m sorry… I… Didn’t… want… I know you’re… I’m sorry…” The light headedness is making it hard to control his emotions and impulses.
“Ben, what are you sorry for? We’ll always come help when you need us.”
“You’re better off away from me… Everyone is…! I need to be alone…” Ben explains, starting to cry again, gripping the Proto-Tool tight.
“Alright.” Kevin stops the car sharply, making Gwendolyn’s seatbelt lock up. Ben nearly rolls off the seat. He turns and looks back at his younger brother. “You need to stop talkin’ like that. You think just because you’re some hero-savior of the universe, you need to work alone or whatever?” It dawns on Gwendolyn what that sounds like… Ben sits up, looking at Kevin. “You think it’s more noble and heroic to work alone?”
“I-” Ben tries to talk.
“News Flash, if you were workin’ alone, you’d be dead.” Kevin points out. “You really think we want that?” Ben’s whole body is trembling from just the adrenaline and anxiety that’s built up over all this time.
“Shut up!!” Ben snaps. Zed whimpers, resting her head on Gwendolyn’s lap. “I get it, you don’t want me to die, but I don’t want you to die either! At least I have an all-powerful watch that apparently keeps me alive! You don’t!” Ben bows his head. “I can’t get Rook’s screams out of my head…” His eyes close tight, forcing more tears to fall. He brings his legs up onto the seat. “Khyber could’ve stabbed him in the chest and he’d be dead… How many times have you and Gwen nearly died because you were helping me…? Zombozo nearly killed my mother…” He lifts his head. “I don’t want any of you dying because you were trying to help me! Or because you’re important to me. You’ve been better off away from me, happier… I’m the one that’s the burden…” He wraps his arms tighter around the proto-tool, so much he might even break it if he holds it any tighter.
“Ben… Do you remember when we were kids?” Gwendolyn starts. “It was that summer when we were ten that I was ‘kidnapped’ by my future self to lure you into the future as well?” Ben nods slightly. “That Ben in the future also preferred to work alone. We never really knew the reason, but… I wouldn’t be surprised if it was because he was afraid of losing his loved ones. But you were the one who taught him that it’s best to let others in, to let them help.” She reaches back, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We help not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because we love you. And even if you can’t die, you can still be badly wounded and we don’t want to see you suffer either. You are stronger when you let others in to help you. I know you know that.”
“But… I’m not strong enough to see them get hurt…” Ben says.
“In this line of work, there will always be pain. You can’t protect everyone all the time, and we know that. We know that we could die at any point for any reason, but that’s true even if we weren’t heroes. Bad things just happen and it’s up to good people to step up and do what they can to help, like what you did when you first got that watch.” She explains to him. “Let us in, Ben. Let us help you. You don’t need to do everything yourself, you know that.”
“I do know that…" Ben mumbles, bowing his head, knowing she’s right… “You’re right… M sorry… Both of you…”
“It’s ok. Everyone has moments of doubt and fear. Just goes to show that you’re a living being.” Gwendolyn says softly, smiling at him. He nods a bit. “Now, let’s get back to Plumber Headquarters, ok?”
“Ok…” Ben agrees. Kevin puts the car in drive again and pulls off to continue driving. Gwendolyn sits forward again, buckling back in, Zed jumps from the floor and onto her lap. They make it back to Plumber HQ and head inside. Ben’s legs are still a bit weak and shaky, but he’s walking at least. They head inside and head for Medbay. Rook has been made to rest despite his protests, and sits up more when he sees Ben, Gwendolyn, and Kevin come in. He gets to his feet, despite the medic’s protests, taking his IV stand with him, having a new one in now.
“Ben, I am relieved to see you back.” Rook states. “You had me worried.” Ben keeps his head low.
“I’m sorry…” Ben says. He holds out the Proto-Tool to him. “I got this back for you.” Rook’s surprised to see it, especially in one piece. He takes it, looking it over. “I hope it’s not broken…”
“I can fix it if it is.” Rook assures. “But what of you? You are covered in dirt and blood! Are you hurt?”
“No, the Omnitrix healed the worst of it when I transformed.” He explains. He still can’t bring himself to look up at the Revonnahgander. “So, um… The Proto-Tool… You… Have it back so um… If… You still want to leave…”
“Ben…” Rook trails off. Ben’s shoulders tense up, afraid to hear his answer.
“I’d understand if you’d want to… I’m a jerk, I know it… I’d be surprised if you still cared about me, let alone still l-loved me… I don’t want to keep you here if you want to leave.” Ben explains. “I said the things I did because I’m scared to lose you. Everyone seems better off if I’m not around… I thought you would be too.” Rook sets the proto-tool aside and wraps his good arm around him, pulling him close, trying to be careful of the IVs though. Ben’s a bit surprised, and also being pressed to his bare chest makes him blush somewhat, even if it is fuzzy. Unconscious he nuzzles into it.
“I was going to leave if it meant you would be happy. I still care for you very much, and I do still love you greatly. You are one of the bravest people I know, stubborn, resilient, especially for such a fragile appearing being.” Rook teases the last part. Ben looks up at Rook.
“Hey…!” Ben protests. Rook smiles widely, but it soon falls.
“I apologize for the things I said… I said them out of anger and heartbreak. Admittedly, I felt betrayed, as if our partnership meant nothing to you… That I failed you and you would never listen to my advice again…”
“You can still be a bit of a donut hole sometimes…” Ben mumbles, smiling a little, looking into Rook’s beautiful cat-like eyes. “But I trust you… More than I’ve trusted anybody…” Ben’s eyes sting slightly from the sharp tears. Rook places a hand gently on Ben’s cheek.
“I would love to stay if you would allow me to.”
“I never wanted you to go…” Ben admits, “but I didn’t want to be selfish… You have your own life and keeping you here with me might prevent you from having it. But I really want you to stay… It’s what I want most, to be with you, to banter, have fun, eat our favorite foods together.” He rests his forehead on Rook’s chest. “I love you…” Rook smiles softly at him, tilting his head slightly.
“I love you as well, very much.” Rook says back, leaning down and kissing the top of Ben’s head. “Now, you should probably bathe, you smell like a dumpster.” He teases. Ben lightly giggles.
“Yeaaa, AmpFibian kinda dumped me off any old place… I don’t even remember, really…” Ben explains. He pulls away from Rook, looking up at him. “So… We cool…?”
“It actually feels rather tepid in here.” Rook mentions. Ben raises an eyebrow, and Rook smiles playfully. “I joke. We are very much cool.” Both grab each other’s right hand as if they were about to do an arm wrestle, both looking into each other’s eyes. In doing so, Rook brings his hand away from Ben’s and by the side of his face once more. Ben’s eyes widen slightly, feeling his heart race somewhat as Rook draws closer. Eventually they close the gap together, Ben having to use the tips of his feet to get a little higher, but their lips meet. Both close their eyes to just enjoy the moment, and each other. More tears trail down Ben’s cheeks, following similar paths to previous ones. At least these are happy tears.
“Ahem.” A voice clears their throat and makes the two separate, there Max is standing at the doorway. Ben is blushing madly knowing that his grandfather just witnessed that. Ben wipes the tears from his eyes. “I’m glad you two have made up. Seems more than before actually.”
“Are you mad…?” Ben asks softly.
“Now, why would I be mad? Sure, annoyed that you went off after Khyber, but-”
“I actually…” Ben interrupts, pausing a moment before continuing. “-wanted to find the Proto-Tool. I was just gonna grab it and go, save Khyber for another day. Sure he could get a new one, but this one he said he made modifications to.” Ben is starting to ramble.
“You remember that?” Rook asks. Ben looks up at him.
“Yea. I actually have a really good memory, it can just be a little selective in what it remembers…” He explains, smiling a bit. “But if it’s something that interests me…” He trails off. Rook smiles back at him, glad that Ben took interest in him essentially from the start.
“Well, regardless, what you did was reckless.” Max says, drawing their attention back to him. “You could have been seriously hurt…” Ben bows his head somewhat, bringing a hand to his shoulder, remembering that feeling of his blood just being drawn out of him... His wrist being broken… The current latency of his movements… “Ben…?” Ben startles, looking up at his grandfather. “You were… weren’t you…?” Ben mentally curses at himself for being unable to hide his fear, but he’s gone this far.
“Let’s just say, I... learned I can’t die…” His voice barely keeps even.
Max grows somewhat pale and he steps closer to his grandson, hugging him tight. Ben breaks down once more, hugging him back. A sob forces itself out of his throat. He takes a deep shuddering breath in, breathing out in soft sobs. Max runs a hand through his hair, trying to calm him down, though he suspects Ben will have nightmares for a while.
Rook steps closer, joining the hug with his one good arm, hoping to also provide comfort and help Ben feel safe. He almost lost his best friend, the strange, dorky, human who’s captured his heart. It seems, without the Omnitrix, he would have died… And who knows how long it’d have been before they found him… Rook doesn’t even want to imagine it… He doesn't have to, because Ben's here, he's alive, he's ok, and he reciprocates his feelings! He can have a new life here on earth after all...