Gratified Affairs


Author: S.A. Nestor
Current Timeline: Pre-AF, high school
Disclaimer: Ben 10 - Alien Force is property of Cartoon Network and Man of Action.

1. Invitation to Mayhem : Part 1

...

"Oh, little did she know,
couldn't let me go,
already a part of her.
So often do I meet
people in between,
that just can't get a hold of it."
- Pas de Cheval, Panic! At the Disco

...

It had been break time in Bellwood High, and Gwen had been too busy organizing the books in her locker to notice Ben strode over and lean against the neighboring locker at her right. When it was apparent that she hadn't noticed him, he chose to simply slouch there until she wasn't too busy.

When Gwen closed her locker door, it seemed to her as if he'd just appeared. She gasped, clearly startled. "Ben!" Gwen glared reproachfully, "Don't just pop up like that!"

"I was hear the whole time." Ben smiled sheepishly, but he looked as if he'd enjoyed the startled look on her face all the same. "Sorry," he chuckled, raising his palms up as if to gesture that he hadn't meant any harm.

Gwen rolled her eyes at him. "What is it you want? I have a huge trig test next period and I really gotta get to study hall, so it better not be something stupid."

"Why would I come here just to talk about something stupid?"

Gwen gave him a look that was clearly meant for him to feel stupid. "Because you're Ben," she said flatly.

"That was cold. Even for you, Ice Queen," Ben joked, playfully poking her in the side. She let out a muffled yelp and dodged before he could poke her a second time.

"Get on with it, Ben!" Gwen huffed, pouting at him without realizing it.

Ben laughed. "Okay, okay," he conceded, stifling his laughter, "I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go with me to Ashley's bonfire party tomorrow night after the championship playoff. It'll be fun, and there won't be any chaperones."

"A bonfire?" Her brows furrowed in confusion.

Ben grinned like a Joker, and at that moment Gwen knew she was going to regret ever showing interest in his proposal. He looked as excited as a hyperactive puppy. "Yeah. After the game tomorrow. You've got to come." He'd already explained the details of the event, but Gwen was being a little difficult to convince. As always.

"Why?" Gwen retorted defensively, folding her arms across her chest.

"Because it's going to be fun - perhaps you've heard of the word? Besides, I need a date," he explained, grinning boyishly.

Gwen unwittingly blushed, but her expression was one of annoyance. "So what are you asking me for?"

"Because I have no one else!" Ben blurted earnestly, "Come on, Gwen, don't be a stick in the mud!"

"So, technically I'm just a last resort?" Gwen frowned reproachfully at him. She should have expected him capable of such a shameless stunt. "And I thought Ashley had the hots for you? She's been trying to get you to notice her for weeks now."

"She has?" Ben looked dumbfounded, as if he'd only heard the news for the first time.

Gwen rolled her eyes. Of course Ben wouldn't have noticed. For the past few weeks now he'd been too busy training for the championship soccer playoff. This year, it was Bellwood High against a rival high school in the far south district of town. She barely got to see him around school anymore, which was why she'd been surprised that he'd suddenly shown up next to her locker and asked her to come with him to this bonfire he was raving about.

Sometimes, she wondered if Ben still had a little of his dorkiness from back when he was 10.

Ashley Evans was almost a typically popular blonde, with a Barbie doll face, a pink mustang convertible and a nasally voice. But the one thing that she'd proved wrong about the stereotype was that she was a straight-A honor student, and was a fellow peer in Gwen's karate classes. They were something like rivals, but got along as good as any other pair of redhead and blonde.

"I'm sure there's a lot of girls in school who'd die to go with the star goalie for our champion soccer team." Gwen told him flippantly.

For a flash of a moment, his expression looked bashful. But she could've just been imagining it, because when she blinked he was smirking at her as if he knew all her dirty little secrets - assuming she had any. And she didn't.

"I know..." Ben smirked in mock self-centeredness.

Gwen shot him a measured look, clearly not amused.

Ignoring it, Ben continued, "But you're not invited. And I could bring along a friend. Come with me and Viola! We fixed the problem and could party all night long." He looked cheerfully sure of himself, as if he had just revealed to her the cleverest plan in the world.

"Assuming I want to 'party all night long' at all." Gwen mumbled irritably. Why was she not invited? That just made her like the idea even less. She wasn't about to go to a party where she was not welcomed.

"I can't go around having fun without my best friend!" Ben laughed, as though that was obvious and she was being silly to have asked such a question. He enveloped his arms around her in a humorous bear hug, and Gwen cringed against him, obviously uncomfortable with their proximity.

Flushing in embarrassment, Gwen gently pushed him away. "You know, that almost sounded sweet. But coming from you, it completely disregards the compliment," she teased, smirking matter-of-factly.

Ben pouted, folded his arms huffily across his chest, and for a split second Gwen remembered him 5 years younger and very familiar with the pose. It made her laugh softly. Ben composed himself and asked her what she was laughing about, but Gwen simply waved it off dismissively.

"I'll go with you on one condition," she said, and Ben almost jumped for joy.

"Anything!" He cheered, looking as though he was going to hug her senseless.

"We abide by whatever curfew my dad gives us," Gwen smirked.

Ben slumped as if all the excitement had rushed out of him. "Awww!"

...

Gwen was in the library after lunch, reading a favorite book all by her lonesome on a round table, when Blossom Utonium sat down on the seat across from her.

"Saw you talking to Benji during break," Blossom accused playfully.

Gwen furrowed her brows, her eyes still on the open book in front of her. "Benji?" She mumbled, not looking at her.

"Hah! Ben Tennyson, your cousin, of course." Blossom informed helpfully, bringing her elbows on the table and cupping the frame of her face with her hands.

Gwen put down her book and looked at her solemnly. "Since when did you give my cousin embarrassing pet-names?"

Blossom grinned as if she'd expected Gwen to react in such a way. "I dunno. It sounds cute. Besides, I thought you relished embarrassing Ben."

"Yeah, when I was 10," Gwen scoffed flippantly. "Anyway, why are you interested that I was with Ben during break?"

"What were you two talking about?" Blossom insisted, grinning broadly in anticipation.

Blossom was something like a best gal friend to Gwen. She was a very organized ginger-haired genius with exceptional leadership skills and glossy pink eyes. She was also editor and chief of the schools newspaper, The Power, and had transferred to Bellwood with her other two sisters from a city called Townsville more than a year ago due to her father's job as a renowned chemist professor. Her hair was long, almost touching her calves, and she kept it up with a scarlet bow. Pink and red were the primary colors in her wardrobe.

Gwen had found herself drawn to the urban girl from the get-go because of their similar interests in poetry and literature, and the fact that they were classmates for almost every period.

"He just invited me to Ashley Evans' bonfire party." She told her, frowning.

Blossom squeaked excitedly. "That's great! I'm going, too."

"Am I the only one that wasn't personally invited ?" Gwen's brows furrowed irritably.

"I dunno." Blossom shrugged dismissively, "Anyway, did Ben mention me while you guys were talking?"

Gwen blinked owlishly. "And...why would he mention you, again?"

"What does it matter? Your cousin's hot!" Blossom admitted, giggling like a typical schoolgirl.

Gwen's mouth fell open in shock. "That's not funny!" She huffed, for some reason feeling increasingly defensive. "And what's with you? You're never this hormonal."

"Bah, I'm just excited for the bonfire. We both seriously need to live a little and not worry too much about school. I'm glad you're coming." Blossom grinned and waved as if to dismiss the subject. "Besides, Ben really is hot."

"Time to go," Gwen stated flatly, picking up her book and shoving it into her backpack. She pushed her chair back and stood.

"You get way too worked up over Ben, Gwenny," Blossom snickered, standing up to follow her fellow redhead. "It's like you're jealous or something."

Gwen felt increasingly uncomfortable with where the conversation was going.

-

To Be Continued...

-

Acknowledgements: I've recently found myself curious with the idea of the relationship between Ben and Gwen. So this is my shot at easing into their relationship as more than cousins. It begins before Alien Force, but may or may not go any further. A collection of one-shots about Ben and Gwen, in no particular order. "Invitation to Mayhem" will be a two-shot, though.

I like Ben/Gwen, Man of Action hasn't ruined it yet like they did Kevin/Gwen. (shudders)

Peace out,
- S.A. Nestor