Heartkiller

Gwen stared at her cousin and best friend. She could see it; how they looked at each other thinking no one noticed. The touches that seemed friendly until you notice the frequency they happen.

It made her sick.

Right now they were looking past each other(but she knew they were actually looking at one another) and-she'd bet her Anodite powers-Kevin had a foot on one of Ben's.

"Alright," She said, placing her palms on top of the table. "I can't take it anymore!"

Both boys looked at her as if she grew a second head. Rolling her eyes at the stupidity of boys, she began her rant.

"I know what you guys are doing. You think no one notices, but they do. You're so obvious!"

"What…"

Gwen cut her cousin off with a glare for interrupting her pause for breath. After all, if one was to convey what needed to be said, one needed to mentally practice what to say; she was just organized enough to put the added touches for effect.

"You both can play dumb, but I know what those glances and touches are. And to be frank, it's sick. I know you both have history-even some details the both of you refuse to tell me-but that does not give you a pass at…At this!"

Kevin crossed his arms as he dead-panned: "I think it gives us more than a pass, Gwen."

She was expecting this.

"No, it doesn't. This is wrong and what about the team? We can't jeopardize our lives because something goes awry; which it always does! No hero, stuff."

"But Gwen," Kevin said again, noticing that Ben's head was hung low to the point that if it were any lower his neck would be absorbed into his lithe body. "We are heroes. A team of superheroes. We'd risk our butts if you got into any trouble."

"You're missing the point!" Gwen snapped, drawing the attention of everyone at Mr. Smoothy. "You two may go into some mushy, love struck mess-starring at each other when you're supposed to be focused on important alien activity!"

"Relax, Tennyson." He said, using an old nickname that was once only for Ben. "We'll be good."

Gwen groaned, her point obviously not getting across to the thick headed Osmosian.

"Gwen," Kevin said, sighing. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way, and I'm sad that you don't agree with it. But Ben and I are happy…"

At the mention of his name, Ben quickly and quietly rose from his table, half-full smoothie left on the table as he turned the knob to Jetray, but instead got Big Chill. Shrugging, Ben spread his wings and flew off.

"Happy, huh?" Gwen said smugly.

Kevin shot her a glare that could unnerve Rath(the memory slipping into his mind, but he successfully resisted the urge to smirk.

"Before I go, I want to say this. We're happy; if you're not okay with this, then go to your grandpa and ask to join his team. Because we're big boys. We don't need anyone telling us what to do."

He stood up and walked towards the car, anger radiating from him in such waves. He got in, locking the doors when he saw her heading towards the car. He sped off, leaving her there all by herself-looking the fool.

Kevin used his plumber's badge to track Ben towards his house. Knocking on the door(something he had to agree to before Ben's parents allowed either to date) where Carl answered.

"Kevin," he said, confusion evident from voice and face. He became worried. "Where's Ben?"

"He's fine, well, physically…Emotionally…"

"What happened?" Carl asked, casting a suspicious look at the ruffian.

"Gwen confronted us because we weren't too discreet with the public displays of affection." Kevin sighed. "Ben took it pretty bad. I tracked him here with my badge-can I come in?"

Allowing him access since it was not his fault, Kevin thanked Carl as he ran up the stairs, eyes never leaving the badge's screen. The red dot flashed in his room; but upon entering the brunet was nowhere to be found. Dumbfounded, he stood and thought for a second when his ears picked up something above him. Taking his chances, Kevin found the pull-cord that lowered the door and step ladder.

Pulling it down, he ascended to find, in the maze of boxes and dust, a teary-eyed Ben. Kevin sat down to his right, placing an arm securely around his shoulders, drawing the younger close to him.

No words were spoken for what felt like hours as Ben's sobs subsided until only his breathing was irregular, but that, too, did fade and they were in an awkward silence. Ben was thankful for that, it allowed him to thing and organize his thoughts.

"Kev, we should break up." Ben whispered.

"What?" Kevin exclaimed. "Why?"

"Gwen's right, we're dis…"

"Don't say that!" Kevin snapped. "Gwen's book smart. She doesn't understand what we have, Ben. We're not disgusting."

"But what about missions? What if something happens to you? I…I couldn't live with myself if something were to happen to you."

Kevin was touched, no one ever cared about him that much before. Not even Gwen when they flirted.

"Ben, it's been proven by the Greeks that lovers can fight together." Kevin said reassuringly. Ben looked confused. "The Sacred Band of Thebes was an army that was made up of men and the boys they loved. They even beat the Spartans(1)."

Ben was surprised. Spartans were known for their military strength. To know that a group of gay men could defeat them was…Well, it killed the stereotype Hollywood shoved down their throats: Manly-men did not lose to 'sissy-boys'.

"Of course, they were wiped out by Alexander the Great's father, but shit happens, Ben." Kevin held Ben closer after seeing the hope die in his eyes. "The point is that they had each other's back. Yeah, they show boated, but neither one wanted the other dead."

We can make this work, Ben." Kevin finished. "Forget what other people say. So their hero's gay! There have been gay super heroes in comic books. Batman and Robin for crying out loud!"

"I'm gonna tell him you said that(2)." Ben teased, making Kevin smile. Ben was happy again.

"There," Kevin said, rubbing Ben's neat hair into a scruffy mess. "That's better."

Both boys laughed, holding each other close.

"Okay," Ben said, laughter dying down. "Sorry for being a doofus."

"Don't be," Kevin said, sobering up. "It's Gwen who should apologize, not you."

"Gwen," Ben sighed.

"She'll either apologize or join you grandpa's team." Kevin said. "After you left I told her that if she's not okay with us, she can leave."

Ben looked forlornly at the attic's floor. He did not like that Gwen could leave him. They've been inseparable since that summer when they were ten. Kevin placed a soothing hand on his shoulder. Sighing, Ben gave his boyfriend a slight smile.

"Come on," Kevin said, standing, offering a hand to Ben. "You look like you could use another smoothie."

Ben took the offered hand and stood up.

"And Ben," Kevin said as the descended the step ladder. "Don't worry about what anyone says, I'll take care of them."

Ben smiled softly. "Thanks, Kevin."