Author Notes and Disclaimers
I own nothing. Not even my house considering I'm still paying the mortgage.
I am by no means a good writer. I am but a simple procrastinating student.
I said I was done after Parenthood but here I am! Also, yes. There is a sequel to Parenthood.
This story would definitely not exist if it weren't for the absolutely wonderful csgt bringing the book Ken and Jen into my life. After reading it I couldn't help but play with it by making some sort of Ben 10 high school AU out of it.
This story has hints off:
- Little Moments (Classic, Rebooted) by Shadows59, Erico
- Little Moments AU - Side Stories by delmartian
- Reminder by Nate-Mihael
- I Wanted What I Saw That Day by Gojaimas
Special thanks to the entire discord for hyping me up to basically rewrite a book! Especially csgt, Polytropus, The Blade of Osh-Tekk, delmartian, and Nate-Mihael.
If you somehow haven't yet checked out all their stories. They're all amazing writers that have more of a knack for this than I ever will. I'm already tired…
I apologize in advance for my writing style. If you read "Parenthood" you know what I'm referring to. Nate-Mihael once called it "punchy" (I really like that). It's why I enjoy writing very short pieces opposed to long chapters.
Hope you can still enjoy!
Morning Routine
Seventeen-year-old Ben Tennyson woke up with a start, sweat dripping down his face. A nightmare. Again. He sighed, sitting up. God, he missed sleeping with Gwen. Cuddling with her always kept the terrors at bay. But that wasn't an option anymore. Not since "the wood incident." He shuddered. That was the last thing he needed on his mind today.
He groggily got out of bed, making his way across the room to the connected bathroom. He opened the door and-
"BENJAMIN KIRBY TENNYSON, GET OUT!"
There Gwen stood. In all her laced nighty glory, arms wrapped around her chest. Damn, she looked... He wasn't going to let his brain finish that thought. It didn't matter though. His face said it all. Instinctively her hold around herself tightened.
"Ben, it's my turn to be in the bathroom." He glanced back at the alarm clock on his nightstand. He was up way too early. He gave her a lazy smirk. Apologizing and leaving was the practical option. Ben wasn't practical.
"Why do you even own something like that?" Her face got even redder. A clear mix of anger and embarrassment. Well…mostly anger. Ben quickly shook off any lingering drowsiness as everything from shampoo bottles to toilet paper flew his way. His reflexes were top tier. But her aim was exceptional. Five fruity smelling bodywashes to the head later, the bathroom door shut itself in his face. He let out a huff before turning away, scratching his back.
Yep. Just a regular Monday morning.
Breakfast
Ben and Gwen seemed to exit their rooms at exactly the same time every morning. Ben speculated it was because she was using some sort of spell to monitor him. He wasn't too far off.
The two teens made eye contact as they stepped into the hallway. They greeted each other curtly as they did every morning. Then they booked it to the stairs, wide grins plastered on their faces.
They jostled each other the whole way down, overtaking each other every few steps. On this particular day Ben was in the lead. And being the cocky little shit that he was, tossed Gwen a cocky smile over his shoulder. She smirked back. Next thing he knew he was eating linoleum.
"That's cheating!" The redhead chuckled, jumping over him and racing past their grandparents towards the pantry.
Verdona and Max barely paid their grandchildren any mind. Both had long since made peace with the fact that the two teens would never fully grow up.
"Grandma, Gwen tripped me with her magic!" Verdona took a sip of her tea, then set her gaze on her granddaughter. This behavior was beyond unacceptable.
"Now, Gwendolyn. I've told you multiple times. If you're going to use magic on your cousin make sure he doesn't find out."
Gwen hid a grin as she reached for the last protein bar. Ben rolled his eyes, making his way over to her. Max paused his task of flipping some...interesting looking pancakes to address his wife.
"I'm not sure if I agree with your method of teaching." Verdona only shrugged, taking another sip. As far as she was concerned, all bets were off when it came to avoiding her husband's cooking.
Ben snatched the bar out of Gwen's hand.
"Thanks for keeping this warm for me, cuz."
He winked.
She lunged.
The Squad
Gwen parked their car and reached into the backseat for her backpack. Today's race to the driver's seat had been interesting. Ben was quicker but suffered a devastating loss by landing back first after sliding off the car hood. He stepped out from the passenger side and met her eyes over the roof. His steeled with determination.
"I'm driving us back today." A grin came across Gwen's face. It was kind of cute when he was completely delusional. She winked, dangling the key from a finger.
"You gotta get this from me first, lame brain." Ben gave her his best set of puppy eyes. A giggle escaped her lips as she started walking towards the school.
"That might work on your little fangirls, but not me." A puzzled look crossed his face as he fell into step.
"What fangirls?" Gwen rolled her eyes. God. He was still oblivious as ever.
"Hey, babes. Soccer boy." Both teens turned to the source of the voice. Gwen smiled.
"Hey, Michelle." The two girls hugged before Michelle punched Ben in the arm. Hard. The gesture was only partially mean spirited. Her best friend's ass of a cousin was getting more bearable by the day. Still, the stories Gwen told her… Honestly, he deserved a second hit.
"Move! Out of the way! Hot upperclassmen coming through!" The trio turned their attention to the ruckus stampeding towards them. Lucy slid Emily and herself to a stop in front of them. Emily clutched her chest with one hand and her wheelchair with the other.
"Never ever do that again." The bubbly blonde simply brushed her off, quickly squeezing Michelle and Gwen into a group hug before wrapping her arms around Ben's neck. He just stared at her, still not knowing what to do with his hands after five years. She poked him in the cheek.
"How's my second favorite cousin?" Ben shrugged. The three other girls watched amused for a few seconds before going back to their own conversation.
"Good, I guess." She placed a hand on his chest.
"I have something to ask you. Later. Not now. Okay?" Another halfhearted shrug. Lucy smiled, hopping back.
"Great! See you guys later!" She enthusiastically waved at the four seniors before skipping off. Her skirt staying airborne. Michelle whistled fondly.
"That girl has almost too much pep. Does she ever take that uniform off?" Ben and Gwen shared a knowing look while Emily only shrugged in response. They decided to keep that part of their lives under wraps. What Michelle and Emily didn't know couldn't hurt them. Or at least that's what they hoped.
"Come on. We should get to homeroom." Gwen moved behind Emily to push her. The brunette placed a hand over hers, giving her a pleading look.
"Please, be gentle with me."
Notes
Gwen sat in class absentmindedly doodling hearts in her notebook. A folded piece of paper landed on her desk. She looked up. Kevin Levin leered at her from across the room. She grimaced. If someone told her five years prior that he would get adopted, turn over a (semi) new leaf, and end up as Bellwood Academy's football star she would have laughed in their face. Yet here she was. In freaking Spanish class. Staring at a note asking her to be his Homecoming date. Her eyes narrowed at it.
What the fuck?
Ben looked over her shoulder at the offending piece of paper and mimicked her facial expression. Levin must be on crack. That was the only logical explanation. He watched her write a big fat 'NO' on the note before sending it back. Not a second later something quickly struck his back. Looking behind him he saw Lucy, a cheeky grin on her face. He looked down and saw another folded piece of paper. Under the ruse of picking up his pencil, he retrieved it. It was from Lucy. Not surprising. What was surprising was what it said.
"Benji, you should totally ask Gwen to Homecoming ;3"
Again. What the fuck?
Decisions
Gwen held her head in her hands, staring blankly ahead. She didn't know when the noise would stop. It had been going on for what felt like an eternity. In reality they were only halfway through lunch. So maybe ten minutes tops.
"Gwen! We need you at nationals. You're our best tumbler and flyer. How will we do the new routine without you?!"
"No! We need you at battle of the bots. You're the only one in the club that knows python. If something goes wrong with the program we'd be screwed!"
She put her head on the table barely missing her tray. Michelle laid a hand on her shoulder looking up at the cheer co-captain and robotics club president. Neither event was that serious. And at this point she wouldn't blame her friend if she ditched both.
"Cooper. Lucy. Why don't you give her some space? Okay? Yelling at her isn't helping anything." Cooper turned around in a huff and walked away. Lucy crossed her arms, glaring at the brunette.
"You traitor..." Michelle sighed. It was time to pull rank.
"As cheer captain, every squad member's well-being is my first priority. Not making sure we pull off a silly pyramid." Lucy clutched her nonexistent pearls, gasping in horror.
"Can you believe this, Em? Em?" The two girls turned in Emily's direction. Her hazel eyes were following Cooper as he made his way across the cafeteria to where Ben and the rest of the soccer team sat. Michelle waved a hand dismissively. The unrequited nerd love thing was getting old.
"Don't bother Luce. She's useless when she gets like this. Plus, she's the robotics VP. What makes you think she'd be on your side?" Lucy sat down defeated, chin in hands.
"I need a win." Her eyes aimlessly drifted around the room. Suddenly, they lit up. Michelle glanced over her shoulder, then gave Lucy an apprehensive look. This would not end well.
"I know what you're thinking, and no." A catlike grin spread across the younger girl's face. Her mind was set. It was time to start some shit. She hopped up from her seat.
"Be right back!"
Decisions 2
Ben knit his brows in concentration, sweat beading on his forehead. This was it. His last chance. His team was counting on him. He couldn't let them down. Not now. Not ever. He took another breath in through his nose before stuffing another set of chili fries in his mouth.
"…fifty-eight…fifty-nine…sixty!"
"Oh my god! He did it. He actually did it!"
Ben stood, raising his arms above his head. His trusty co-captain, Alan, got up from the table to get a closeup for the yearbook. The flash went off as he basked in the glory, chili and cheese dripping down his face. A nudge to his ribs brought him back to earth. He opened his eyes and quickly swallowed. Kai Green was standing right there. Her sultry allure in full effect. Wiping his face with the back of his hand, he gave her a sheepish grin. She responded with a sexy smirk.
"H-hey, Kai." She licked her high glossed lips then gave him another smile.
"Ben, I was wondering…" She stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest, fiddling with his jacket zipper. "…if you'd like to take me to Homecoming." He audibly gulped. For years Kai hadn't even given him the time of day. Then one day she did. No signs. No warning. He still didn't know why. But he did know one thing: she was freaking hot. That was it though. If he were an average teenage boy this would be more than enough. But the thing was…
"No, bitch. He doesn't."
Yep. There she was. Like clockwork.
A few hushed "ooh"s made their way from the table.
Lucy brushed Kai's hand away, sandwiching herself between them. The dark-haired girl gave her a disgusted look before placing both hands on her hips. Everyone knew Lucy could be possessive of her cousins. Most of the student body respected that. Kai, on the other hand, hated the blonde. And the feeling was more than mutual.
"What was that? I'm not sure I heard you correctly." Lucy shoved Ben further behind her with an arm, never breaking eye contact.
"I said my dear cousin Benji doesn't want to go to Homecoming with your alien-fetish-having ass." Every guy at the table with a phone that would allow it was currently recording. Ben was pretty sure a few were whisper-chanting "fight." He jumped between the two girls, thwarting Kai's attempt at grabbing Lucy by the ponytail. The team did not even try to mask their disappointment. In retrospect, this was probably why Gwen and Michelle looked disgusted every time he asked them to sit with him.
"Listen, Kai. Sorry about my cousin. She can be a bit much." Lucy gave him her best betrayed look while Kai smiled smugly. Ben rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't want to say the next part, but he had to.
"She's kinda right, though." Kai looked at him like he'd grown a second, third, and fourth head.
"EXCUSE ME?!" He put his hands up in defense.
"Hear me out! The only time we actually talked was seven years ago...when you thought I'd make a good pet." He scratched his head. "I just think we should both go with people we actually know. Y'know?"
Kai blinked once. Twice. Three times. Then wrinkled her nose, turned away, and swiftly walked off. Lucy placed a hand on Ben's shoulder.
"You did good today, Benji." He gave her an unimpressed look. Ever since she and Michelle beat Kai out for the cheer captain positions, Lucy had gotten bold. Well...bolder. It was like she sought the girl out just to mess with her.
"Please stop picking fights with her." She smiled, patting his cheek.
"Never."
Obvious
Ben yawned as he lightly jogged around the track. It was Wednesday. He had been ready for the week to be over since Monday. The P.E. coach blew his whistle, staring directly at him.
"Come on you maggots! Pick up the pace!"
Ben sighed but jogged a little faster despite himself. The irony of the coach's inability to even walk around the track was not lost on him. Some determined foot falls steadily started gaining on him from behind.
"Ayo, Tennyson!"
Oh, shit.
He inwardly collapsed but kept up his pace. After a few more steps Kevin caught up to him.
"Can I ask you something?" Ben set his jaw. He knew what this was about. He wanted to say no. But Gwen was tired of Kevin's advances. It was all she talked about every night at dinner. The guy was dense. Maybe he could get through to him.
So, he nodded.
"Sure."
"Why does Gwen keep turning me down? Does she already have a date or boyfriend or something?" For a second Ben's mind flashed back to Lucy's note. That stupid, ridiculous note. The note that's advice he was starting to consider taking. He shook his head trying to clear it.
"No. I don't think so."
"Then what is it?" He shrugged. This was the last conversation he wanted to have during gym. The reason should have been obvious. Attempted murder was just not one of Gwen's turn-ons.
"Maybe she just doesn't want to go with you." Kevin immediately shook his head.
"Nah, that couldn't be it. I mean look at me." He gestured to himself. "I'm the star quarterback, easy on the eyes, and great at you-know-what. Any girl at this school would drop their panties on site for me." Ben cringed. Yeah… Dude was definitely on drugs.
"Listen. If you're so confident about that then go, ask another girl." With that he picked up the pace, quickly putting distance between them. Kevin smirked.
"Y'know, if I didn't know any better, Tennyson...I'd think you didn't want me around your cousin." Ben rolled his eyes.
No shit.
Cheer Sergeant
Gwen sat on the gym floor; legs spread apart. Lucy was opposite of her, pulling her arms as far as they would go.
"I'm sorry about lunch Tuesday, Gwen. I shouldn't have made it sound like we'd be screwed at nationals if you can't make it. Sure, we won't be as great, but still. That was crappy of me." Gwen smiled sitting up, pulling Lucy's arms towards her. She always rambled when she was excited or felt guilty.
"It's okay, Luce." They released each other's hands and went into butterfly stretches. Michelle walked over and dropped into one as well. Lucy's eyes lit up.
"Ooh! You guys we haven't even discussed Homecoming yet." The two other girls groaned in unison.
"I already told you I'm not going. Paul's going to be in town that weekend." Michelle said, stretching her neck. Gwen nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, and I have a ton of work to catch up on." It was only a partial lie. Sure, she didn't have a college boyfriend to ditch the dance with. But she definitely didn't want to go alone or with some guy she didn't care about. Lucy pouted indignantly.
"So, it's just going to be me, Alan, his boyfriend, and maybe Julie Yamamoto if she says yes?" The two older girls had the decency to look a little sympathetic, then Michelle's face relaxed into a smirk.
"Hey, if Cooper finally looks up from his hunks of junk and sees Emily drooling all over him maybe you'll have a party of six." Lucy only gave her a blank stare.
"We both know that will never happen." She turned to Gwen. "Come on, Gwenny. Please come? You've never even been before. This is your last chance!"
Gwen pretended to think about it for a second before shaking her head.
"Even if I did want to, I don't have a date." Michelle wiggled her eyebrows at her, poking her in the side.
"What about Levin?" Gwen fixed her with a half-hearted glare, pushing her hand away.
"God, NO." Lucy got a glint in her eye.
"What about Benji?" Now that got a different reaction. Gwen let out a nervous laugh, avoiding the other girls' eyes.
"What?! No! That would be crazy!" Michelle raised an eyebrow. Lucy just smiled. Gwen looked between them shifty-eyed before staring down at her feet. Yep. She was officially acting weird.
"Hypothetically speaking…" Lucy started, fingers pressed together, enjoying this way too much. "What would you do if he asked you?" Gwen's eyes widened but stayed on her pristine cheer shoes. Ben? Ask her to a school dance?
"He'd never do that…" Her voice was barely above a whisper. Michelle shared a look with Lucy before shaking her head. Why were they acting like her going with Ben was a big deal? People went to school dances with their cousins all the time. Hell, she even did once when she was visiting relatives. Sometimes both these girls were crazy. She figured it must run in the family or something.
Another minute of awkward silence passed. Michelle sighed, getting up. She was officially over this.
"Okay… That's enough of that." She turned to address the entire squad.
"Alright ladies! Let's warm up with some crunches and planks. Then we'll go right into jump practice." Loud groans were heard from the freshmen. Apparently, they needed a refresher on how practice worked. Turning deadly serious, Michelle pulled out her whistle.
"You guys sure make a lot of noise for a group of rookies with shit toe touches! Twenty laps! Now! Move!" She blew her whistle, causing the girls to cringe. But they did as she said. She smiled devilishly.
"Hustle! Let's go! If you don't stop dragging your feet, we're all gonna do suicides next!" Another blow was heard. The rest of the squad got to work on the core exercises. Lucy stared over at Michelle, eyes sparkling, a slight red tint on her cheeks. Gwen was pretty sure she saw a bit of drool in the corner of her mouth.
"God, I love it when she gets like this."
Surprises
Ben made his way to the parking lot after soccer practice Thursday. Thoroughly annoyed, he cracked his neck and shoulders. Being goalie was fine. But captain? No, being captain was going to be the death of him.
"Hey there, captain." There she was, still in her skimpy cheer practice wear. Leaning against their car, legs crossed, once again dangling the key. Though this time she tossed it to him. He caught it. Barely. All week he tried to snag it. Now she was just handing it over. This was easy. Too easy. He raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you said I had to earn this?" She shrugged, getting into the passenger seat.
"What can I say? I'm feeling generous today." He let out a soft chuckle, shoving his gear in the backseat.
"Could this generosity also be extended to your chemistry notes?" She let out a snort.
"Not a chance."
"Can't blame a guy for trying."
"Eh, I think I can." She had an impish look on her face. One that sent Ben's brain into overdrive.
Suddenly, everything came to mind. His interaction with Kevin. The altercation with Kai. Lucy's godforsaken note…
He and Gwen knew each other better than anyone else did. Neither of them went to a school dance before. And he knew she found him less repulsive than Kevin. Plus, she'd look great in one of those over the top dresses. She deserved to wear one at least once. So, he might as well ask her. Right?
He blew out a breath.
"Hey, I was wondering..." He trailed, starting to rub the back of his neck nervously. Gwen implored him with a look to go on.
"You wanna go to Homecoming together?" She blinked once. Twice. Three times. Then smiled softly.
"Yeah. I'd like that."
Part 1: End