A/N: AF series. Takes place throughout "Ben 10 Returns: Part 1 & 2".
"Don't talk to her like that."
The indignation is shrill in Ben's voice. "I'll talk to her any way I—"
He stops himself short, lips spread apart, dumbly so with each passing second. Heat crawls up his neck, the sense of shame burning the blood in his veins.
Kevin can feel it in his chest, the quickening of his heart, after he gets Ben to reconsider. It's not like he signed up for any of this emotional bull, but he's not going to put up with Ben raising his voice at his cousin.
Peewee needs to learn some respect, he ruefully thinks, foot still heavy on the brake despite the fact that he's stopped in the middle of the road. Ben makes some miserable remark of remorse and Gwen's calm, understanding tone lulls his spiked pulse to a steady beat. He twists back around to face forward, distractedly staring through the windshield at the stars. She's too good for anyone.
After shifting gears and putting his car in drive, they go on in silence for nearly fifteen minutes before the Forever Knight's castle comes into view.
"This is it."
"That's why level five technology isn't allow on Earth. Human's aren't ready for it."
A smoking skull of armor rolls at his feet, reeking of burnt flesh and smoke. Rather than flinch, Kevin merely smirks and casts his dark eyes towards the alien plumber. Their obsidian pigment takes on an amused gleam.
"Yeah, I owe you one."
Like hell he wasn't going to get his money back, though.
When the helmet of an empty Plumber's suit hits the ground, he's thinking that tire patch kit might not have been all that useless. Another dead body in the span of mere minutes, one indebted to him, the other one owed to.
"No."
Suddenly, Gwen's burying herself in his chest, head settling against his shoulder. Her eyes screw shut and, for a moment, he doesn't know what to do with himself. He doesn't understand why she would go to him for comfort, so his arms hesitantly hover over her quivering frame as he contemplates it. He's a greedy, no good dealer and she's this magical prep girl who he's never done anything for. Anything good or worthwhile, that is.
But all their run-ins in the past, all the trouble he caused... it doesn't seem to matter now. Not with her so close to him, as vulnerable as she is in his arms.
Letting out a breath, his hand gently rests on her back, and he's surprised to find that the length of red hair that lies across it is still damp with alien goo.
With the memory of her apple green gaze, a pigment filled with hope that pleaded for him, he closes his eyes and accepts her warmth.
This is it, he thinks. The point of no return.
When Gwen finally draws away and Ben starts asking for his help, Kevin begins to believe it. Reaching out, he snatches the badge off of the hollow suit, not caring if he actives it.
"I'm in," he tells them with a resolve so firm, his voice nearly falters. Its been a while since he put his faith into something.
A/N: Not quite sure why I wrote this... I just can't believe it's been five years since this all started. A review is worth a thousand faves.