This is something I've had cooking even before Mr. Levin. I'm quite happy with it, though I'm not finished-I'm still working on chapter 4 :( But I do hope to continue it.

For an update on Mr. Levin, please read my profile. It's written in bold.

Disclaimer-I own nothing!

Ben sat under the bed's green sheet, his knees up to his chest and the blanket covering him up to his mouth. He couldn't stop shaking. Thoughts racing through his mind: Why must they fight every night? I wish they'd stop. I wish I could stop being a disappointment.

Staring at his door, he never noticed the other form on the bed until a pale, lanky arm was resting on his knee. Ben jumped, heart racing, but he did not scream for fear of angering his parents more.

"Kevin," Ben screamed as silently as he could. "Don't do that! Shouldn't you be asleep?"

The pale boy chuckled, his dark as a starless night eyes never leaving the shivering boy's. Kevin patted Ben's right knee, his smile reaching his eyes that seemed to twinkle despite their appearance of being a void.

"Sorry, Benji." Kevin said frowning. He never got away with calling him that. "It's kinda hard to sleep when your best friend can't."

Ben tilted his head down upset that he disturbed his best and only friend's sleep. A gentle finger slid under his chin and forced him to look into black eyes.

"Don't feel bad, Benji." Ben blushed looking into the eleven year olds eyes and finding the safe haven he wants so badly. "It's what friends are for."

Both boys stared into each other's eyes, finding solace in the other's orbs, solace that circumstances have denied them.

"For cryin' out loud, Sandra!" Ben's father shouted. "He's ten years old! It's time for him to grow up!"

And just like that it was gone; their safe place breeched by the howling of a monster. Not that Ben's father was a monster.

Ben's eyes glazed over and the shaking started all over again. He did not notice Kevin scooting him over so that he could sit next to him until his arm was rubbing soothing circles on his back.

"Sleep, Ben." Kevin said sounding more like a loving parent than his actual ones.

"But…"

"Sleeeeeeep."

Ben chuckled, laying on his back, Kevin following suit-wrapping one of his arms around the boy, making Ben use his chest as a pillow, the brunette falling instantly asleep grasped Kevin tighter.

Kevin hated to do that to his boy, but it was the only way for him to ensure that Ben would be fine for school the next day. When they met seven years ago things were, by stereotypes, normal in Ben's household. But now, because of him, things went south and it tore him apart.

It wasn't fair, he was warned about this on his home planet of Illusia, but also assured that such happenings were rare that he was convinced that these would be his best years of existence upon saying 'hi' to the boy. But, as they say on Earth; stuff happens, and the Illuscian couldn't agree more.

More yelling could be heard. Kevin didn't need to look away from the ceiling to know that the ten year old was tensing up. With a sigh, he teleported them both to his ship parked on the moon.

It was a standard one man vessel with a small kitchen, closet, and a bathroom connected to the bedroom with its twin bed and nightstand that only held a single photo of Kevin and Ben pulling each other's mouths open like typical children do when sticking their tongue out. It was taken that one time they hijacked his father's instant camera.

The bed is where they ended up, same position as they were before, only a bright light greeted them both. Before Kevin could dim them using one of his abilities, Ben sighed, relaxing his tense body and snuggling closer to Kevin.

'It's as if he knows that we're no longer in his bedroom.' Kevin mused, smiling gently and running a hand through the messy brown hair. It's a shame he never saw this place. Sighing, he too drifted off to sleep. His mind content, knowing full well that his ship would wake him ten minutes before Ben's, giving him plenty of time to teleport him back into his bed.

But one thought managed to resurface before he zoned out; Only One year left after tomorrow…

At five fifty in the morning an apparatus rose from just above the head board and extended outward like a quickly growing sprout, bending down and gently placed the upper, oval looking mechanism onto Kevin's forehead and started to buzz, vibrating Kevin's head, waking him up.

Yawning, Kevin stretches and gently gets out of bed. Still in his black shirt with ripped sleeves and brown pants, his bike lock and chain around his neck was his cloaking device; hiding his form and voice from the world except Ben. The precise workings of it made his head spin, but he never cared for the small details that much. He stared down at the boy in his underwear and grey night shirt. Sighing, he picked him up and teleported them back to Ben's room.

Gently, so as not to wake Ben up, Kevin placed the brunette onto the bed, covered him up, and sat Indian-style on the floor watching over him. Humans, he discovered, had several names for what he was doing. Most bad, but one he liked; Guardian Angel. For some reason that word made Kevin feel warm inside and a sense of pride. That, besides just being a friend; he was more than that.

"It's a shame I have to leave…" He was cut off by the annoying sound coming from the alarm clock; which was a thousand times more annoying than the alarm his kind use.

Ben moaned, consciousness coming back to him like a ton of bricks, but relaxed once more when the sound that woke him ceased. Only to be replaced by a better one.

"Time to wake up, Ben."

Ben opened his eyes, blinking away the blurriness his world had become until it cleared, revealing his best friend standing over him, his black void eyes seeming to twinkle again. Ben stretched his weary muscles and threw the covers off of him. Ben stood up and walked towards the bathroom a 'be right back' lazily mumbled as he went out the door.

Kevin made Ben's bed knowing full well what would happen if Ben's father would find his bed in shambles(even though Ben liked it that way since it saved time) but being a good friend meant going the extra mile sometimes…Especially if it meant sparing his friend's rear end from a belt lashing.

Ben walked in with a towel around his waist and went straight towards his underwear drawer, taking out a pair of clean ones he slid them on before taking the towel off. Kevin and he had seen each other only this far in their entire friendship that it no longer bothered either boy. Ben next walked into his closet and picked out a white shirt with a bold, black stripe running down off to the left a ways from the center and green cargo pants. Tying his shoes, he then ran out the door, picking up his back pack as he went.

"Thanks for the bed, Kevin." Ben said as he walked towards their bus stop.

"Anytime," Kevin replied. "And Happy Birthday."

Ben beamed, causing Kevin to chuckle. "Thanks Kevin." Kevin ruffled his hair in response, causing the now eleven year old to giggle as he straightened his hair.

"Aww, I like your hair messy, Benji." Kevin said half teasingly, anticipating the glare.

"Yeah, well Gwen doesn't and if she sees me like this she'll flip."

Kevin groaned at the mention of Ben's cousin. She was smart and pretty; had a bright future ahead of her. It's only a shame he seemed to be the only one to recognize her as the siren-or better yet, harpy-she really was with her preppy outfit and red, almost orange, hair.

But what really got him was that Ben did not react like he usually did. A little put off he chocked it to the back of his mind to ask later; their stop in sight and Gwen(whose birthday was also today) along with the bullies Cash and J.T. were there already.

"Well, if it isn't the baby," Cash sneered when they stopped, directing his gaze on Ben, not seeing Kevin even though he was standing right in front of him calling him silly kid names like 'monkey butt' and 'big dummy'.

Ben tried his best to stifle his laughter, but sadly a couple got out.

"Think I'm funny, squirt?" Cash snapped.

"Leave him alone, Cash." Gwen groaned. "The 'tough guy' thing is getting old."

Kevin rolled his eyes; leave it to a girl to think it's just acting. Of course, he does not have a problem with females…But that was before he met Gwen and others amongst Ben's race. Cash growled, striking a menacing pose all bullies seem to have.

"Come on, monkey butt." Kevin groaned. "The kid has enough to put up with at home."

"Kevin," Ben whined, earning a groan from Gwen and snickers from J.T. Ben sighed, he knew from experience that it's not good to do that-no one but him saw or heard him, but instinct that was engraved from dealing with Gwen made him slip.

"Sorry," Kevin said sheepishly. "But I'm getting tired of him."

Ben stood still.

"Baby," Cash jeered, the blush not gone unnoticed by the jerk. "Aww, what's the matter? Baby wet his diapers?"

"Man, Ben, I knew you were immature, but to still have your imaginary friend…Wow!" J.T. finally spoke out.

Fortunately for all of them the school bus arrived. Gwen dashing on board to get away from the embarrassment Ben always seemed to dole out to her. Cash and J.T. followed leaving Ben and Kevin last. They were the third stop so there were seats open. Ben tried to sit next to Gwen at the very front, knowing that Kevin loved to stand on the bus as it sped down the road, but she placed her back pack beside her and shook her head.

Of course.

"Come on, Ben, let's go somewhere else." Ben slightly nodded, just enough for anyone paying attention to see. Ben sat in the middle, not taking up a 'precious' back seat or 'quick escape' front seat. Kevin sat beside him and placed a hand gently on Ben's shoulder.

"It's okay, Kevin." Ben sighed, barely moving his lips. They worked on this system when Ben was seven and the whole ostracizing thing bothered him enough that he begged Kevin to come with him so he would not be alone.

Ben cracked a small smile. "'Monkey butt' was a nice touch, though."

Kevin still frowned, knowing full well that nothing was 'okay'. His friend was hurting and it was his partially his fault. The other part belonged to Gwen, his spoiled cousin who was only thinking of preserving her self-image. Kevin guessed it was true; girls did start early. But eleven...Come on.

Kevin took his arm off of his shoulder and placed it on Ben's other one, pulling him close to him. Ben seemed to relax a little at that, which made Kevin feel a little better.

The bus had finished its rounds and Ben was the only person sitting by himself-well, that's how it looked to everyone else-which suited both of them just find in a way. But it also confirmed his fears; Ben was considered a freak. Though why, Kevin never knew. But for some reason Ben was thrown out of the circle the student body seemed to have, yet Cash and J.T., who deserved to be thrown out and ridiculed, weren't.

Life on Earth sucks. No wonder its inhabitants believed in an afterlife of happiness and joy.

The bus stopped at the school letting everyone out; Ben being last since he was nice enough to let everyone else go before him. They stared at the two story, brown brick building with some apprehension. Yes, it was better than the war zone home turned out to be, but school was still another monster entirely.

Always one to try and cheer Ben up, Kevin playfully punched Ben in the arm.

"Race you to class."

"You're on."

Both started out in step but Kevin easily took the lead.

"No fair! You don't have a backpack wearing you down!" Ben cried.

A black backpack appeared on his shoulders. Yeah, Ben knew from day one that Kevin was an alien, but it still surprised him sometimes when things came out of nowhere like that.

"Better?" Kevin asked as the brunette caught up.

Both boys giggled as they ran down the halls towards their first class of the day; math. Neither was good at it, but at the moment the only thing that mattered was their race. Childish, Ben and Kevin would admit that it was, but neither cared; they're still young. Just like they didn't care to heed the shouts of teachers' screaming 'NO RUNNING IN THE HALLS'!

"I won!" Echoed through the halls as Ben whooped and hollered. Kevin giggled at his friend, glad to see the old, happy Ben back.

Walking into the empty classroom, the teacher having to walk out for one reason or another before their arrival, was pleasant. No one crowding around the room or talking, making noise; sometimes about him.

Ben sat in the third seat, second row from the door. Kevin sat at a desk he conjured up next to his in the middle of the first and second rows. Of course, people would later be walking through him. Ben asked how it felt. Kevin said he felt nothing; again, the details involved made their heads spin.

Both sat in silence, nothing to say. This happened a lot between them and not only because Ben talking to himself would ruin his already black spotted reputation, but because moments like these were enjoyable. Neither having to say a word, they could decompress from the stress and bad feelings and thoughts each had. Ben's focusing on his family while Kevin's focused on Ben and what his being here does to him.

Before they knew it the bell rang and their solitude was broken. Students walking in at their leisure. Several students walked through Kevin, not feeling anything as they sat in their desks. The teacher walked back in as final bell rang. She was a tall, old lady. Her gray hair in a pony tail, brown eyes free of contacts or glasses with a pointy nose in a red suit with sewn in shoulder pads.

"Okay, class, take out your homework and pass it to the front." She spoke with a kind voice, but all knew that beneath the charm laid a cobra ready to strike.

After the papers were collected she placed them on her desk for later and stood up at the dry-erase board in the front of the room. This is where Kevin shined. It was not that Ben was stupid; far from it, he just learned differently like everyone else in the galaxy. And Kevin was no genius either, even though his race is only second to Galvans, but that did not mean that his entire race were made up of super geniuses.

Before they knew it the bell rang. Both stood up, Kevin's desk disappearing as they walked out of the room.