Ben's Apartment
Laying down in a bed we find Ben Tennyson the legendary hero of heroes, age 20. You can see that his shirt isn't on and next to him as a woman who's upper half is covered by a blanket. This woman isn't some random person, this woman is actually Charmcaster aka Hope. Charmcaster was a magic user who Ben fought way back when he was 10 and got the first omnitrix. Charmcaster was also the traitorous niece of the once villain Hex who Ben also had been fighting since he was 10.
"That was one of the best nights yet" Hope said as she put a lock of her silver hair behind her ear
"You can say that again I never knew magic could be used like that" Ben said
"Your aliens have probably never been used that way before" Hope said
"I've thought about doing it once or twice, let's just hope you like doing it with me more then them" Ben said embarrassed
"You know I love doing it with you more then your aliens, I know your true powerful form is this unlike that she who will not be named" Hope said reassuring Ben with a kiss on the cheek
"I love you Hope, you make me feel complete" Ben said kissing Hope back
"You make me feel both complete and safe" Hope replied
The two then leaned back into the pillows on the bed and looked up at the ceiling
"I know you love me and all but when are you going to tell them about us?" Hope asked Ben
"I know my grandpa won't exactly mind and once my mom and dad meet you they'll love you but when it comes to Gwen she's unpredictable" Ben answered
"She's been looking for me ever since I first escaped my old bag" Hope said
"And I've been doing all I can to protect you, I don't want you to leave me" Ben replied
"If not you then both of us will have to tell them, I can't keep hiding, I want to be seen with you" Hope said
"I know, as do I, tomorrow then, tomorrow I will tell everyone, the whole world if you want to, I will tell them all I love you and that you and I are a couple" Ben said sitting up straight clenching his fist
"And when you do, I will be by your side" Hope said hugging Ben at his waist
As the two went to embrace once more, an alarm on Ben's phone went off stopping the two of them. Hope let go of Ben as he rolled over to turn his alarm off. Ben looked back at Hope and saw that she was giving him that look that he didn't like.
"I'm sorry but duty calls" Ben said apologizing to Hope
"Please come back soon" Hope said changing her expression
"Don't worry I will, heck maybe I'll do what I can to get off early" Ben replied kissing Hope before leaving
One might be confused as to how a hero like Ben would end up with a villain like Charmcaster. The answer in itself is a real easy and simple one, they both love and care for each other. While this answer would normally suffice, most want and need an in-depth answer to explain things to them in a more understandable way. So to put it like that in that specific way let us explain from the beginning.
That one summer vacation where things changed for Ben, the one where he got the original prototype omnitrix and his adventures as a hero who fought crime from Earth or space, he first encountered the evil spell caster Hex. With the help of his cousin Gwen who had been powered by the luck charm of Bezel alongside their grandfather stopped Hex from destroying the world. Little did either of them know that Hex had a young niece who was also skilled in magic.
That niece was Hope who at the time was at least two years older then Ben and Gwen and went by the name Charmcaster as to not reveal her true name to her enemies. With the help of Hope, Hex was able to regain his magic powers and escape prison. His first plan of action was to destroy Ben and make him and his family pay for what he had done to them while also recreating all of the charms of Bezel Gwen destroyed. He also was searching for the keystone of Bezel to recreate all the charms that had been destroyed.
As to not keep things going on this long, a more simplified way of explaining this is that Gwen found the keystone Hex was looking. Both Hex and Hope attacked Gwen alongside Ben out of nowhere surprising both of them. Eventually Hex got the keystone and was able to recreate all the charms like he had wanted. Before he could use them Hope betrayed him and using his staff had control of all the charms. With her being the new threat and not being able to manipulate Ben or Gwen, the two fought Hope.
It wasn't Ben who had defeated her, it was Gwen who had defeated Hope with magic. Destroying all the charms destroyed all the magic in the world depowering Hope and her uncle Hex. From that day onward as Gwen took Hope's spell book, she became Hope's archrival and more Gwen's enemy then Ben's. After that event Hope would reappear to try and destroy Gwen and fight Ben. Like with the first time, the two always figured out Hope's plan and defeated her.
As time went on the Hope became a more powerful spell caster as did Gwen, even Ben became more stronger with an updated omnitrix. Now older Hope still tried to destroy Gwen, now with their new friend who was once an enemy Kevin Levin. Of course she was beaten by Gwen and Ben, now with Kevin. Now older, Hope did all that she could destroy Gwen, she did this by messing with Kevin and even Ben's family at one point.
However, now that Ben was older Hope couldn't exactly ignore him, there was that time she tried to switch bodies with him but ended up in Gwen's body. Things did happen but that was only because she wanted to manipulate Ben and take control of his body. Now things were different after Michael Morningstar kept using her as a power outlet instead of a real lover, Ben showed her that and helped her defeat him alongside Gwen and Kevin.
She wouldn't admit it but that was when she may have started to grow feelings for Ben. Little did Ben know he was also starting to grow feelings for Hope but he was blinded by his need to save the day and all that. More then once did Hope use the help of Gwen and Ben. They helped her defeat Addwaitya which allowed her to get revenge for her family and take over all of Ledgerdomain. At one point she even used Gwen, Ben and Kevin as sacrifices to bring the lives of her family and everyone else who died in Ledgerdomain back.
Unfortunately things happened and her plan failed, Gwen defeated her making her hatred grow more for Gwen. After all of that was said and done and time had past, Hope had learned of Ben defeating the Dagon and her curiosity towards him grew. Eventually when Ben was on Anur Transyl and her collection of power had started she went to him and had him help her.
Yes Hope may have seemed crazy but in actuality she wasn't she was just talking to the now statue Addwaitya who was in her bag. Also yes, she did manipulate Ben and his friends to help her get the alpha ruin and defeat Zs'skayr who had betrayed her. Another yes, Ben and his alien partner Rook defeated her and vanished her to another realm. Hope wanted to hate Ben but she knew that she had been beaten and it was best to save her anger and rage towards Gwen.
At one point she used Kevin's car to help her escape that dimension and she now with the stolen power of her ex Michael and her uncle Hex she went after Gwen. Before she did that she caught the legendary wizard Bezel and at one point was able to almost defeat Gwen. However Ben used a magic trick to defeat Hope and she ended up trapped in her bag.
That is where the story between her and Ben should have ended but it didn't, instead it continued on. At one point Hope was teleported out of her old bag and was sent to what looked like a game show. The prize was to end up being Ben's girlfriend, not exactly caring about that, Hope competed and was going to win. She wanted to know how Ben was able to do that magic trick but never got the chance that day.
She lost and was teleported back to being trapped inside of her old magic bag. Time had passed inside of that magical prison, Hope at one point thought she was going to lose her mind from never being able to be free. Time had also passed for Ben and things had also changed for him. After saving the universe and all of reality, Ben had become lonely.
Kai wanted nothing to do with him, Ester had her boyfriend, Attea and Looma were extremely insane, heck even Nancy Chan had her issues. Ben was lonely and seeking someone for compassion. That's when he remembered Hope and how he kind of had feelings for her growing up. He knew that she never really hated him just Gwen. He also thought that if could free her maybe the two could be friends and Hope would turn over a new leaf.
So without Gwen noticing or ever finding out, Ben used the cosmic power of Alien X to pull Hope out of the bag and send her to his location. Ben also created a dummy of sorts that would replace Hope in the bag. It would give off the same mana energy reading and it would talk like Hope instead of being quite. It would make sure Gwen would never look into her bag to see if Hope was there or not.
After all of that, things happened between Ben and Hope, words were said and emotions and feelings were laid out on the table. From there two began to their journey together as couple and that's how they ended up together in bed that morning.
Bellwood
Driving around in the prototruck we find Ben and Rook out on patrol looking to stop any crime that might happen. Looking out the window, Ben sees couples of all types being with one another and doing what couples who are in love do. Seeing all of that made Ben think about Hope and not being able to do those things with her out in public. Thinking of that and seeing it in front of him, Ben lets out a depressed sigh.
"You've done that now at least 50 times every time we pass a park or other areas where humans gather" Rook said looking over at Ben who was still leaning on the door
"It's nothing Rook, I'm just bored is all" Ben said
"That isn't your bored sigh, that is a different sigh and besides if you were bored you would be "fiddling" with the omnitrix as you once put it" Rook said
"Fine then you're right, I'm not bored, it's something else that's bothering me" Ben said giving up on hiding it from Rook
"If there is something bothering you, you should at least tell me what it is, we are partners you know and you know you can trust me" Rook said
"It's hard to explain and besides I don't think you would get it anyways" Ben said
"Being in a relationship is hard yes, being in a relationship with a known villain who is also your cousin's arch enemy is even harder" Rook said
"Wait, what? Rook how do you know about that? How do you know I'm in a relationship with Charmcaster?" Ben asked both shocked and surprised
"Ben, you and I have been partners for awhile now, I know when you are hiding things, also when I went over to your apartment, Charmcaster opened the door and her and I had talked about a lot of things" Rook answered
"So you've known for awhile now?" Ben asked
"I believe I've now known since the second week of you two being together" Rook answered
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away, its just that I was worried about what you would say and what you would do" Ben said
"Do not worry Ben, I understand you would think that since Charmcaster has not exactly been an ally to us" Rook said
"I hope you know I was going to tell you, I was actually going to tell you and my family that Hope and I were together, tomorrow was when I was going to do it" Ben said
"I know you were, Hope has already told me about it" Rook replied
"Geesh, what else is my girlfriend telling you?" Ben asked sarcastically
"Just your sleeping routine and ways to keep one's day from becoming dull" Rook answered
"I was being sarcastic Rook" Ben said unamused
"I know" Rook replied with a smile on his face
The two continued to drive through town keeping an eye out for trouble wherever it may pop up
"May I suggest that you tell your parents first and show Hope off to them" Rook suggested
"Why should I do that?" Ben asked
"Well you already know that your grandfather, magister Tennyson will be understanding of your relationship with her but Gwendolyn's is unknown" Rook answered
"But what does that have to do with my parents knowing about us first?" Ben asked confused
"If your parents get an impression of her before Gwendolyn tells them of all the wrong Hope has done maybe they will side with you being with her" Rook answered
Thinking about it now, Rook was actually making some sense about all of that. Ben knew that there was a strong chance that his cousin would do all that she could to trap Hope back into her bag once she saw that she was free. Gwendolyn would also punish Ben for freeing her from said bag in the first place and then berate him for dating the enemy. Ben would of course have to bring up her being with Kevin but Gwendolyn would come up with an excuse as to how that is different.
Doing all of this in front of Ben's parents would cause them to look at Hope in the same way Gwendolyn views Hope, an evil villain who is nothing but a monster. That was something that Ben didn't want, he wanted his parents especially his mom to like and get along with Hope.
"Maybe I should invite my mom and dad over for a dinner at my place, introducing them to Hope in the process" Ben said
"After that, I would suggest waiting a bit before telling Gwendolyn and Kevin" Rook said
"You are right about that, maybe I'll have Hope spend some time with my mom so they can build a better relationship" Ben said
"I do however believe it is important that you inform magister Tennyson of your relationship with Hope so he can reel Gwendolyn in if she were to do something reckless" Rook suggested
"I think I'll tell my grandpa tomorrow after this dinner thing with my parents and Hope" Ben said
As the two continued to talk there was an explosion at the bank ahead of them which caught their attention. The two pulled up and saw the two Vreedle brothers Octagon and Rhomboid walking out of the destroyed bank with bags full of money.
"Great these two clowns" Ben said
"Lets save the money before those two Vreedles somehow destroy all of it along with themselves" Rook said grabbing his prototool
Time Skip
Ben's Apartment
It was close to nighttime as the sun had gone down, Ben and Hope were in the kitchen while Ben made dinner for tonight. This was an important night for Ben and Hope, Ben's parents were coming over and he was going to introduce them to Hope.
"Are you sure your parents are going to like me?" Hope asked
"Of course they will, you are a sweet girl and you are extremely interesting" Ben answered as he pushed a wooden spoon in a pan
"What about your mother? I am worried she will think I am weird or not the right girl for you" Hope said nervous
"Don't worry about my mom, she'll think you are just the best, however she will talk about your hair and eyes for being extremely unique" Ben said trying to reassure Hope
"What if they don't see any of that? What if they already know about my past?" Hope asked nervous
Ben took the pan off of the stove and looked at Hope, grabbing both of her hands and holding them tight
"Hope, you are the most important person in the world to me, if my parents or anyone else can't see that then that is their own fault" Ben said before kissing Hope
The sound of a timer going off caught Ben's attention and made him pull away from Hope, breaking their kiss
"My parents are almost here, I need to go and get the plates ready" Ben said as he returned to cooking
"I will go and get the table ready for them" Hope said walking away with a smile on her face
As the two got back to doing what they were doing, Ben quickly finished cooking and getting the plates ready. He then quickly cleaned up the kitchen while Hope made sure everything else was ready for the arrival of Ben's parents. A knock at the door got both of their attention and the two walked over to the door. Ben looked through the peephole and saw both of his parents standing in front of the door waiting for him to open it. Ben looked back at Hope and saw her standing there with her pink and black dress while Ben wore his dark green outfit.
"Are you ready for this?" Ben quietly asked Hope
"I'm ready for them" Hope quietly answered
"Here goes nothing then" Ben said as he grabbed the door handle and twisted it
A/N: CLIFFHANGER!!! Sorry for leaving you on a cliffhanger for the first chapter readers but I want to save the dinner party and introductions for the next chapter. For those who couldn't tell this will be a non crossover Ben 10 story that I am known for and instead be a story about Ben and Hope aka Charmcaster's relationship. This will be a mature story hence the M rating, I don't think I am going to have lemon scenes just some adult situations and such. I've seen a few stories like this that have this paring but knowing what direction I'm going to go with this story I can say that mine will be unique and stand out.
Here are a few things that you readers should know about this story before you get into it. One, I will be using the Omniverse designs for Ben's aliens, my reasoning is he's not at Ben 10,000 level yet and he hasn't switched to Ben 10K levels yet. As the story progresses with Ben and Hope's relationship, you will see some of the alien designs I will use change. Second, I'm not going to have Ben cuss and say some adult things like most stories do. I don't mind stories that have Ben say those things but I'm not like that. Third, the story is going to have a new chapter every Sunday. I do not want to see the endless comments of "update when" "update soon" and so on.
With that out of the way, normally I would answer questions from the previous chapter and respond to comments. Since this is the first chapter I can't do that, I will instead start that at the end of the next chapter and continue on from there. Thank you for reading and for your support, I will see you all later