Reinrassic III is back and he has some great news.
Ben was always happy when he met an old friend. It turned out that Reinrassic the third, or as Ben called him, Reiny, was just around their sun-system and decided to drop by for a short visit. That's what Ben thought. But his friends intentions were a little different and his trip to earth more specific. After their initial greeting Ben let the alien in and lead to the sofa where he took his place, towering over the human.
"So, what really brings you here?" Ben asked, "Some more Highbreed-tech you forgot to take with you?".
The joke was lost to the Highbreed who remained quiet for a while and Ben started frowning.
"Ben Ben Tennyson," the alien started, turning towards him "I have a proposition to make.".
The brunette blinked and his smile started to spread, "Sure Reiny. Just propose."
"I want you to be my he'bam'e. My birth helper and the nominator of my children." the Highbreed stated.
After this Ben only blinked in confusion, the smile staying in place. "What?".
The alien wanted to repeat himself but was interrupted by Ben, "No I-I heard you. But- you have kids?"
"I am pregnant and soon I will open myself up and cut the roots."
Ben held up his hands, "Wait! Wait! Cut the roots? Open yourself. I need a little more explanation Reiny."
Without further prompt the alien, literally opened up his midsection. It literally blossomed up like a flower and revealed two- plants? Ben couldn't for the life of him figure out what those were. But to him they looked pretty much like flowers, oversized roses which had yet to blossom up. Ben took note of the roots, pulsating with strange liquid which their lower half was covered in.
The petal closed.
"So that's- that- I- I need-" Ben was even more confused now than he was before. He put his hands up and took a deep breath, sorting his thoughts. "Okay. First: you're pregnant.I thought you were a guy?".
Reiny explained it to him in simple terms, "Our planet has only one sex. We're all hermaphrodites.".
Ben looked down, scowling at the ground, "So- who's the father?". The ground didn't answer, Reiny did.
"The father has to be the he'bam'e.", the alien explained, thinking Ben would be able to put two and two together which he did and as such suddenly jumped up from the couch.
His hands traveled upwards to his hair, ruffling it, "I'm a father? But- but I can't be a father! The responsibility and- and how did this happen? I'm 16, Reiny! Sixteen! This is- just too much for me!"
The alien remained unimpressed and held up his Methanosian arm. "This" he said, "is the reason. I must have been in my fertile phase during that time. Previously I had many mates but nobody was able to seed me. Never had I thought that- hybridization was possible. Not like this.".
"I repaired, fixed, your arm! How did that seed you?".
Reiny had to explain further, "During mating we exchange DNA via 'love-arrows'. One pierces the other's skin and their DNA becomes one and gets into the -'blood'- stream of the other. As you repaired my arm my body must have interpreted it as a 'love-arrow'.".
The youth looked still worried, "And what am I going to tell my mom? My dad? The other members of my family? Do- do you plan on- marrying me? Some sort of intergalactic shot-gun wedding?"
Reiny was confused and laid his head queer, "I don't understand. But- at first I contemplated removing the seeds. After a while however I started to think about the future. As a leading force in my people I am the beacon of light they need in trying times. Those were the first buds after along time and would be the first to be planted under the tree of life. Where we all came from.".
That was understandable Ben thougt, but this didn't answer any of his question. "Do I need" he repeated "to marry you? To bind myself to you until death does us apart?".".
"This won't be necessary. We don't have such bonds of matrimony as humans have them. Ours are more complicated-".
Once again Ben nodded, "Let's please leave it at that. I guess this is complicated enough as it is.".
"Of course, Ben Ben Tennyson," Reiny stood up, "But I have to plead to you, the he'bam'e is a very important aspect of our culture. If you were not there to divorce me from them and plant the buds under the tree of life- I am not sure what would happen. It's important that you'll be there.". Ben looked up as Reinrassic III put his hand on his shoulder, "The only need I have- is for you to be there. Not only for me. Think of the way they will be regarded, a light shining into the feature. Living signs of peace and prosperity for mine and your people.".
"So," Ben swallowed, gesturing to his mdiesction, "How does that work? Do I need to bring gardening tools? Scissors? Some sort of present, like a little watering can with a baby name? Or two?"
Reiny looked as confused as a being without a face could be, "None of this is needed. we dig a hole and you put them in.".
Ben smiled again, "I guess- it's not like it's much work and well- we're friends so I guess I can do that.".
Thankfully Reinrassic the third departed and Ben closed the door.
After a few hours of playing videogames, his mother came in with some groceries. She had visited her aunt and went to the supermarket on the way back. "Hey mom!" Ben greeted her.
She gave him a disapproving look as he took out a bag of chips, "We're having dinner soon! What happened while I was away?".
"Oh not much." he turned around and froze in his step, "By the way. You and dad are going to be grandparents. Again-" with those words he went back to his room leaving a puzzled Sandra Tennyson behind.
"Again? Ben wait!"