AN: Tada! I'm actually not dead (Hopefully that's good news). But now you see why I'm reluctant to write a true-and-true series. I'd be one of those people who doesn't update for...let's see...eight months? Heh. I'd blame it on my laptop breaking, but that can only account for the last three or four months. I finally managed to get it working long enough to salvage my half-finished oneshots and etcetera onto a junk drive, and so here I am! This fluffy thing was inspired by a piece of fanart by the very talented deviantartist kitsune999; it's called 'The weight of culture.' if you want to find it. ^^ Early Ultimate Alien setting.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ben 10 or kitsune999's art. -.- I only wish...

Every Step Is For You

An Essay Concerning Human Understanding


I've been going to Gwen's house a lot more often these days. Probably because we're actually, finally dating now. No more patchwork skin or alien takeovers or Charmcaster...charming-ness...between us.

Sometimes I just randomly show up to hang out. She'll sometimes act like she's annoyed with me for dropping by out of the blue, but she's never told me to stop coming.

Gwen has a psychology test tomorrow – a big one. I knew she had to study today.

I came anyway.

Without bothering to knock, I slipped in through the front door, out of the pitter-pattering rain that was going on outside. They never locked their door when they were home; something you could never do in my neighborhood.

Shutting the polished wood firmly behind me, I stepped inside. My grey hoodie was pockmarked with little drops of rain, collected from the quick sprint from my car to the porch, and I tugged it off over my head, hanging it up on the nearby coat rack. My shoes I left by the door; something I'd learned that you were way better off doing in this Tennyson household.

Gwen was upstairs, I was sure of it. I could hear the gentle tapping of her feet above my head; too light to be her dad and too quiet to be her mom. The fact that she knew I was here, however; hadn't slipped my mind.

The corners of my mouth twitched up in an involuntary way, tugging a grin to my face as I stepped into the living room on heavy feet. Without a second thought I turned on my heel and fell backwards into the couch with a 'thump'!

Above, I heard her pause, then walk down the stairs. I shifted to take over the whole couch, setting my feet against one armrest and propping my arms up behind my head against the other. Gwen appeared in the doorway, already looking my way.

My girlfriend's fiery hair was down, gliding down her back and around her shoulders in a weightless way that only intensified the look of her green eyes as they stared, narrowed dangerously, at me.

Her hands were on her hips and her lips were pursed; never a good sign. A thin, burgundy book was clutched in her right hand, a pair of wire-rimmed designer glasses pushed through her locks like a headband; she was a girl prepared to do some serious cramming.

"Kevin, I need to study. I told you that," she said sternly, using the 'mom' tone that I only ever really got from her.

Alright, it was clearly time to explain my presence. But I didn't really have a reason; I just wanted to see her.

But instead, I told her, "Yeah, you did. I'm not stoppin' you."

She turned her head doubtfully, eyes flicking around my face as if looking for an ulterior motive. I didn't blame her; I nearly always had one.

Her jaw clenched, and I knew an argument was coming. "Get up, Kevin. I have to sit on the couch."

"Why?" I closed my eyes, trying to look innocent and relaxed at the same time. Not sure I pulled it off.

"I always study on the couch."

"OCD, much?"

"Kevin, that's not even what-!" Gwen cut off with an exasperated sigh, and I could picture her pinching the bridge of her nose. She was reaching the end of her patience, and I wondered what would happen after that.

"Fine,"

...Okay, her backing down was unexpected, but I didn't move.

At least, not until a significant weight plopped suddenly down on my stomach.

A surprised puff of air escaping my lips, I curled up a little, eyes flying open in shock. I met Gwen's amused green gaze, her full lips pursing in a smug pout; she was sitting on my stomach, both legs poised over my right side to brace her heels on the edge of the couch.

"...but I'm still sitting on the couch." Gwen pulled down her reading glasses to rest on her nose, cracking open the textbook to a page near the front.

Okay, this wasn't so bad. Gwen wasn't heavy at all, and it definitely wasn't unpleasant to have her sit on me. I was a bit impressed, actually. It was rare for Gwen to act so...well, coy.

"And I'll pretend that it bothers me," I replied smoothly, not even trying to hide the grin on my face.

She glanced at me once, from the corner of her eye, her mouth curving in the tiniest of accidental smiles, before concentrating back on her psychology book.

I reclined back onto the couch, propping my arms under my head comfortably.

It was nice knowing that she didn't really mind me being here, even though we weren't doing anything.

After a few minutes, I heard Gwen's voice again, mumbling strings of vocabulary under her breath. I opened up one eye quizzically to look at her.

"Maintenance rehearsal...maintenance rehearsal...maintenance rehearsal..." She was leaning her head back, eyes closed as she tested herself without the book's help.

I probably shouldn't have laughed, but...y'know. I'm me.

Gwen blinked and open her eyes to shoot me an irritated look. "What?"

"Heh...nothin'."

Gwen sighed, looking down her nose at me or, more specifically, over the top of her glasses. This gave her a very teacher-y appearance, like she was about to give me detention or something.

Good times, good times...

"Kevin, I really need to get an A on this test-"

"Which you will."

"-and if you're going to distract me..." Gwen trailed off pointedly, enunciating every word.

I leaned toward her with a grin, unable to resist the joke. "Am I distracting?"

Her pursed lips slowly twisted into a tiny grin, so I knew I wasn't really in trouble. She turned back to her book almost shyly, a lock of hair escaping from behind her ear and hiding her face. Gwen swept it back impatiently and smiled at me again. "You know, you can watch TV, as long as you keep the volume down," she offered, obviously wanting to keep me entertained while she studied.

I smiled back, breathing deeply to watch her sway with my movement. "No need. I'm totally fine sitting here doing nothing."

As long as it's with you.


AN: Pssh, I'm no good at meaningless fluff. But at least I updated! That counts for something, right? :D *crickets* Right?
Anywayzle, did anyone sense the irony of Gwen's vocabulary? :D Like a true nerd, I think it's hilarious.

Thanks for reading, and please review!