Because I love Kevin, and I love Ben, and I love them together. (And because I kind of--really, really--hate Gwen. I really do.)

So, yeah.

--

Sometimes, I really think I'm going to die.

Well, actually, I think I'm going to die a lot of times. That sort of comes with the job--fighting aliens, saving the world, all that jazz.

But sometimes, I think I'm going to die for different reasons.

Every time I see Ben in danger I think I'm going to have a heart attack; I wish, sometimes, that he would just calm down and be safe. I don't think I know what I'd do if anything happened to him.

And then, there are more mundane reasons.

Such as the example I'm watching right now. Right now, I'm watching Gwen yell at Ben for some reason or the other, and I'm hurting on the inside. It's not that Gwen is angry; no, I could care less about her. No, it's the pain in those soft, bright green eyes, that frown that doesn't belong on his mouth. She's screaming about how he's always so headstrong and how he doesn't think about anything and how he's too trusting. She needs to stop.

"Gwen," I say tiredly, stepping closer to their fight. She turns to me immediately, and I hate how she instantly changes from angry to lovesick and stupid.

"Kevin," she says, and I despise the way she spends all of her energy and compassion on the people who don't need it. I don't need anything--anything but Ben. I tried denying that before, and it didn't work out so well. "Sorry, it's just--I can't help myself. He's such an idiot sometimes."

It burns, the way he looks so sad at her words and the way she has no regard for him. "You know he's standing right there," I say, and it makes me so mad when she flips her hair and huffs. She doesn't deserve to be his cousin.

"So? He needs to hear this--"

"No, he doesn't," I interrupt, and both of their eyes widen. But in Ben's there are hope, and in Gwen's there is shock. "Gwen, you're horrible to him."

"Kevin, I don't mean to--" she tries weakly, but I cut her off again. I'm not in the mood to hear her try and defend herself, defend her ripping down someone who's done nothing wrong.

"I think you do. Gwen, listen. You patronize me, and all you do is yell at Ben. He's the one who needs your support right now and you're giving it to me--the ex-con instead of the kid who just lost his grandpa and has to save the world. How much sense does that make?"

"But, Kevin, it's--"

"Gwen, please." Suddenly I'm exhausted, like expressing myself has worn me out. But it's worth it to see the look in Ben's eyes. "Just drop it."

"Kevin, I love you!" she bursts out, clenching her fists and looking like she's about to cry. Ben's face is surprised; and then his eyes go to mine, looking for a reaction. I sigh.

"I love you too, Gwen," and two things happen at once. Gwen's eyes light up, and Ben's entire being slouches; he looks like he's about to cry. Oh God, I have to make this right.

"I love you, Gwen," I say again, holding up my hand, "but I'm in love with Ben."

Ben takes in this small, delighted breath, and his eyes are sparkling and I feel like I'm worth something because I've made him happy. I beckon to him, crooking my finger, and he takes hesitant steps until I can reach out and pull him into my arms like--God--like I've wanted to do for so long. And for now, it doesn't matter that Gwen's screaming, crying, storming away. It doesn't matter that I'll have to make things right as soon as Ben's justice-for-all do-good hero-senses kick in.

What matters is that Ben's happy, that he's whispering "I love you" into my shoulder over and over again, that I can finally hold him like I've dreamed of since I left the Null Void.

And I'm happy, too.

--

Two drabbles in the same day...wow.

Well, I like this. Kevin is adorable, and so is Ben. Even with his do-good hero senses.

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