Chapter 10: Hungry

Ben did everything in his power to avoid Kevin over the next week. There didn't seem to be any alternative. After that ride back to the tree house, even though they'd hardly exchanged another word, there didn't seem to be anything left to say. Ben was extremely aware of the smoldering, hungry look Kevin had given him, but he wasn't so sure that his friend was conscious of it. Almost painfully uncomfortable with the situation, Ben was rather desperate for the whole thing to blow over. Ideally he would have liked to see Kevin go back to Bellwood and reconnect with Gwen. The weather was mocking them; having rained itself out on Sunday, the sky was now clear and blue and by day the sun was as warm as summer and by night the air was crisp and smelled of leaves. It was, in short, perfect.

Bloody weather. Ben held it and its bad timing at least partially responsible for Kevin's foul mood. Well, that and the fact that Ben had no forthcoming complaints – or intimate details – about his time at DexLabs. He eventually got the whole, short story of the weekend with Gwen that wasn't. Weather, Gwen's homework load, and a last-minute dinner party planned by Aunt Natalie had all conspired to ruin Kevin's planned time with his girlfriend.

The Osmosian, too, would have liked nothing more than to leave, but after a battle with some Train Wracks in Hometown, Sector T leader 348 had begged him to stay a little longer and help get their S.C.A.M.P.E.R. back into service. The Fusion Monsters – half train, half Fusion Matter - had done an outstanding job of trashing the vehicle, and against his better judgment, Kevin stayed. Ben's KND trainees, while not at the battle, had seen the immediate aftermath. Cognizant of what they were up against, the children set to training with grim determination. The situation allowed Ben to keep to a slightly different schedule than Kevin most of the time. When they did meet up, mostly at meals, he tried his best to be casual, all the while trying to distance himself a bit from the intensity of Kevin's interest.

Their conversation on the way back from Downtown was weighing heavily on his mind, and he gave it a lot of thought. Ben couldn't quite understand why Kevin should be so focused on this one aspect of his life. Kevin seemed to think he had some sort of ownership over Ben's friendship and even Ben himself. It was more than a little disturbing that Kevin would treat him that way, but there was no denying that Levin was territorial, prone to selfishness, and jealous over things he held dear.

Ben, however, was worried most about Gwen. What would she would think or do if she found out that her boyfriend's attention was straying and her male cousin was the target? Ben had no issue with being in a relationship with another guy, but Kevin clearly suspected. He couldn't help but think that suspicion fueled this sudden, uncomfortable, unwelcome fascination in his love life, not to mention his butt. It seemed more than a little perverse. He hoped Kevin would be able to master this inclination before anyone – Gwen especially - got hurt, because he simply wasn't interested.

Should he tell Gwen? Outside of a lot of staring and the odd leer, Kevin hadn't done anything and he could easily deny his conduct as wistful thinking on Ben's part. Gwen, he thought, might believe the same, not having witnessed Kevin's conduct and prone to side with Kevin over Ben on most issues.

Dexter? He didn't dare let Dexter find out. Kevin would be a wisp of vapor before Ben could complete a sentence.

Still, he was also worried that some slip-up might reveal that it was Dexter whom he was seeing. Dating. Hopelessly in love with. He was trying to be as careful as possible and guard every word, exhausting (and aggravating) as it was. Not for anything would he endanger the Boy Genius again. That was one promise he would never break, no matter the cost. Never. He didn't dare call Dexter just to talk, either, for fear of Kevin finding out and drawing conclusions. Besides, he doubted he'd be able to hide his tension from Dexter very well. He prayed for a Fusion attack, for the return of the Fusion Dexter or his own pathetic doppleganger, a new assignment, for the toilets to explode, anything, but no deal. It didn't help his case that he had some wonderfully vivid memories of the weekend, starting with the scene in the Megabot all the way through to late Sunday morning when Dexter decided his back wasn't clean enough from the three showers they'd taken the day before (not including that hour decontaminating). Ben was having a very difficult time keeping from smiling like an idiot 24x7 at the memory of Dexter dripping wet and laughing as Ben found a few more ticklish spots.

He did see Dexter via hologram the Thursday after they got back. Mandy had called a meeting of the chief operators in the war, and that included Ben10 and 348. Kevin came along just because. They were joined via hologram by the Sector V command team, Rolf representing the Urban Rangers, Drew Saturday, Major Glory, Juniper Lee, and Samurai Jack, among others. The recent battles were discussed, Dexter commented about some upgrades to the jump platform system and a new generation of hover boards that was about to be released. Since he had been idle most of the month Ben had little to contribute besides an update on when he would be allowed off light duty, but he did have one question that he saved until all the regular business was done with.

"Has anyone seen Albedo?"

By the curious looks everyone exchanged, he had to assume the answer was no.

"You miss him?"asked Juniper Lee teasingly. Long-time acquaintances, she flashed him a quick smile.

Ben grinned back at her. "Not likely, Junie. I just prefer to have an eye on him."

"Was he in Citiesville during the battles there?"asked Drew.

They looked to Dexter, who had done the analysis of the long and ugly battle in that burg. Quietly the Boy Genius replied, "Computress lost track of him after the third wave of Fusions. He was in the Battersea section of Citiesville when the Stalagticians attacked. We don't know what happened to him, but he's usually close to you, Ben."

All eyes turned to 348, the Sector T leader, though Ben sneaked a glance over at the redhead. Dexter was watching him right back, the merest trace of a smile on his lips as he looked at his boyfriend. A warm glow seemed to fill Ben, and it was with great effort he turned his attention back to the matter of Albedo.

"No sign of him in Sector T," said 348. "We've got standing tracking orders on him. Do you want a search party sent to Citiesville?"

"We don't have the manpower to spare," Ben said before Mandy could. "If anybody does spot him, do me a favor and let me know, okay?"

"You heard the man," grumbled Mandy. "Anything else? Good. Get back to kicking Fusion butt, people."

The holograms flickered out of existence, Ben waving goodbye to the group at large and resisting the urge to wink at Dexter. Kevin, who was usually bored with anything even remotely official, lounged back in his chair, asking,

"How the heck can anyone tell what that little twerp is saying? Was that even English?"

Drawing a deep breath, battling for patience, Ben frowned. "I don't have any trouble following Mandy."

Kevin tried to convey what an idiot he thought Ben was being by a single look. It was fairly effective, but Ben was immune to him. "Not Mandy, Dexter! Do you actually know what he said?"

"Uh, yeah, and he's not hard to follow if you actually pay attention, Kev." He shook his head, annoyed. Dexter had done nothing to earn Kevin's criticism. They had never even met.

Levin made a face. "And I'd want to do that . . . why?"

"Because he's a lot smarter than anyone else, including me and you."

A snort answered. "Everyone's smarter than you, Benji."

"Then how come I know what he was talking about and you're the one without a clue?" he asked, smirking in Kevin's face. He was rewarded with a scowl. Ben stood, gathering up his green jacket and stretching his stiff shoulder. He moved slowly, trying to work out the kinks as he remembered a long and luxurious massage from small, warm hands. God, what he'd give for a hot shower like Dexter's right now . . . Heck, what he'd give for Dexter right now. Smiling to himself, he headed out to go find something to eat. "Hungry?" he called back an invitation to Kevin.

()()()()()()()()()()

"Hungry?"

Interesting word choice. Kevin had watched Ben stretch like a cat, mindful of his shoulder and the mostly-healed burn on his back. Lithe and graceful in motion, Ben had reached high enough to show a slice of belly beneath that black t-shirt. He'd seen Ben without a shirt on before. Plenty of times. Until now, he'd never given it a thought. The motion was innocent enough, but somehow that flash of pale skin was so erotic and sinful that Kevin wanted nothing more than to hitch that shirt up and feel the smooth skin beneath. He didn't even know how he wanted Ben to react. All he knew was that he wanted to feel Ben writhe beneath his hands.

Just as someone else had . . .

Why now? Was it because of his crap weekend? Or being stuck here with him and not Gwen? Was it because Gwen was so snappish and Ben wasn't? Because Ben was getting some action and he wasn't? Or was it because Ben was seeing someone, so now he was off limits and that little glimpse of flesh was forbidden fruit? Was this sudden appeal because Ben had been taken out of circulation? Was he actually jealous of some nameless, faceless person? Someone he had probably never even met?

Yes.

With a burning, aching jealousy.

There was a distant, happy look in those green eyes as Ben pulled on his jacket. Kevin knew Ben's smile wasn't for him. He was smiling at whoever it was he had fallen in love with.

And it wasn't Kevin.

With effort Levin grunted, "You go ahead." His voice was strangely flat and he fought to keep his reaction in check.

"Okay," called Ben brightly, seemingly unaware of the effect he was having. "See ya later."

"Yeah," muttered Kevin, watching him hurry to catch up with 348. "Later."

Hungry?

He was starving.