Trapped By The Past

Disclaimer: If you recognize it then I don't own it.

A/N: For Whumptober 2022 #30 Note to self: don't get kidnapped-manhandling

"Dude! Come on," Kevin complained loudly, "Stop manhandling me!"

He was restrained and taken away against his will by an unknown being. He had tried to make it as hard a capture as he could, but now his body was letting him know that it had come at a cost with no victory or escape to show for his throbbing pain. Growing panic caused his heart to race as he fought to free himself. He had been imprisoned for much of his life. He didn't like being restrained or trapped. Going to the Null Void as a little kid had left its mark all over his mind and soul. Many nights he woke up screaming, clawing at his skin, trying to remove the monster he had become. He was free, back on earth in his human flesh but he still felt like that monster. A monster that was trapped behind his ribs constantly fighting to break free and unleash anger, hate, and power lust on the galaxy that had let him down and abandoned him.

He was on his own, but how was that different than the rest of his life?

He only had his dad for a short time. He had left him with powers that he didn't really understand and were hard to control without being overwhelmed by the power of absorption. He had felt outcasted and ostracized in his own home after that. He could stand the look of disgust and fear in his own mother's eyes. So he left. He was better off on his own since there was nobody else like him. He didn't fit in so why should he do what society told him to? He was different so he could live by different rules. Then he had meet Ben Tennyson and everything changed. Ben had powers too. He finally met someone more like himself. Looking back now years later he could see how things went wrong. He knew more about himself, his powers, and how the universe really works.

That is why he knew his partnership with the two Tennyson cousins would never last. Nothing good in his life ever did. They would be glad to be shuck of him. Yes, he had helped them some in their mission but going after him, and saving him would be too much effort when the world was at stake. What was one half-alien human convict in the great scheme of things? He was on his own once more.

"Wait, you're that creep bounty hunter," Kevin groaned. He remembered the slimeball from his time in the Null Void. He loved bringing in anyone he could as long as the money was good. He was in trouble the man was one of the best in the business. He had a reputation for being merciless and ruthless in his captures. He didn't see his bounties as sentient beings only a payday.

"Hey, I did my time," Kevin complained. What was the point of being good if he still was always thought to be bad? "Paid my debt to society and everything."

"I'm doing a private job."

"Who's paying? I'll double it," Kevin's mind went over the hidden stash of alien tech he could trade for his freedom. He hated to part from it but he hated being imprisoned even more. He refused to be trapped under someone ever again, law or no law. Money was power, more so than anything he had ever absorbed. Power protected you, it kept you safe. He had seen that in prison. Nobody messed with the powerful. He didn't want to lose control by gaining power the way he had as a kid so he turned to money and machines. They were things that could keep him free without losing control of himself to his own mind.

The bounty hunter laughed, a cruel and harsh sound before he pressed a button on his wrist controller. White hot agony tore through his body in endless waves. The pain overcame his ability to even think as his vision started to darken in dark growing spots. He clung to consciousness by his fingertips as the cruel laughter rang in his ears. Despair filled his heart. He didn't know who had paid for his capture but based on Kevin's winning personality and his ability to make friends in his personal life and business dealings it was not going to be a pleasant meeting.

Small smooth hands pulled at him. He cracked open a dark eye with a groan. A blurry scarlet blob hovered before him. He could hear the sounds of a fight just out of sight of his spotty vision. His body slumped more as he remembered he had been captured, once again off to an unknown but unpleasant fate, alone.

"Kevin, get up," Gwen pulled at his arms, trying to lift up his restrained limp form.

"Hello, beautiful," His tongue felt too large in his mouth. It didn't feel real, she didn't feel real. Had she really come for him? The jerk that nobody could trust, who only looked out for himself, and the boy that used to constantly attack her and her family. If this was a dream at least it was one better than his usual selection. He didn't want to break the spell but she couldn't be here. It had to be a trick. He fought against his restraints. He wanted freedom.

"Hold still, Kevin," Gwen requested, frustration leaking into her tone, as she struggled to get a clear shot at his binding with her powers with all his squirming.

"Okay Gwen," He felt a dopey smile overcome his face. It had to really be her. Only the real Gwen could pull off that raised eyebrow disapproving look. She had come for him. Not many people had risked themselves for him. Nobody ever came back for him. His abused body fell to the ground once she had freed him. His muscles still spasmed from the electricity, and who knows what else that jerk had done to him, that had coursed through them. Pain exploded along each of his nerve endings as he struggled to gain control of his own body. Panic rose once more inside him. He didn't have control over himself. He felt cut off from his own body as he tried to force it to obey him.

"Kevin are you okay?" Gwen asked softly, gently arranging his trembling limbs into a more comfortable position. Her hands had moved to his face, cupping his check. She had come for him. His heart fluttered like a frail bird inside his chest. A small fragile hope leaped up, almost choking him in its intensity. He wanted it so badly. Not to be alone, people he could count on, friends, and hope for the future. He wanted to hang onto her and never let go.

"I will be once I go beat some alien butt," He let the anger flow through him. Anger was easier to handle than fear. He hated what had been done to him. He hated feeling trapped, weak, and not in control of himself. Someone was going to pay. As soon as he could get his feet to support his weight. He pushed away Gwen's helping hands as he pushed his uncooperative limbs to do their job. He stood swaying dangerously as weak as a newborn colt.

"You couldn't fight your way out of a wet paper sack right now," Ben sauntered up to them looking like he didn't have a care in the world. He folded his arms across his chest as he stood studying Kevin. Scrutinizing his weakness, Kevin felt like he was an ant under a magnifying glass. Slowly burning up under the twin green stares.

He gritted his teeth, "Yes, thank you. I'm very aware of that fact." He took a couple of steps forward only for his trembling legs to give out on him. Two pairs of hands saved him from gravity's unforgiving grasp. He wanted to fight their hold, shove away their hands and prove he was strong enough. He couldn't, he didn't know what had been done to him or for how long but it had sapped him dry. He had nothing left to give.

Ben looked down at his vulnerable form, "I took care of trigger-happy, over there. What happened, Kevin? He a friend of yours?"

"Does it look like it?" Sarcasm dripped from his mouth, "I don't usually want to beat up my friends."

"Really?" Ben raised an eyebrow. Kevin hated that he could clearly see the family resemblance between him and the girl he liked. It creeped him out sometimes.

"No, not usually.", He growled, holding up a trembling fist, "But I might make an exception for you Tennyson."

Gwen defused the stare-off between the boys by placing a gentle but restraining hand on Kevin's own. Pushing it gently back into his lap. He let her, he didn't do it because he was too weak to stop her. "Kevin, why did he capture you."

Kevin clenched his jaw, ducking his head as he shrugged his shoulders. He hid behind his dark locks as they fell in front of his face. He mumbled softly, hoping it was true as he spoke the words, "Doesn't matter." He didn't want them to know more about his past mistakes, and the enemies he had made with his poor choices. He hated when they looked at him like he was a bad guy. He had been trying so hard to become better. To be worthy of the second chance they had given him. He wanted Gwen to keep looking at him like he wasn't scum like he was worthy and good. Like she could see beyond the monster inside him and see the real man that was Kevin Ethan Levin.

He didn't see the cousins exchange a meaningful look, too deep in his own self-pity. Years spent growing up together had left the Tennysons with a good understanding of one another and how they thought and felt. With a few subtle looks, hand motions, and head gestures they had come to an agreement.

"Come on Kevin," Gwen spoke softly as she got under one of his arms.

Ben lifted him from the other side with an exaggerated grunt, "Dude, you weigh a ton."

"It's all muscle," Kevin was overcome by gratitude. They were still here. He hadn't ruined everything.

"Or fat," Ben poked him in the stomach.

Kevin waved the finger away weakly, "Hey man, muscle weighs more than fat."

"I think he looks nice," Gwen spoke up, causing Ben to make gagging noises.

Kevin swelled with happiness and hope. They had come for him. They had not left him to rot. He was no longer alone. Gwen thought he looked nice.