A/N: I've got family coming into town and I've got to write an entry for an OC tournament over on deviantart. Because of that, I won't be writing one-shots for a while. So I've decided to leave with a fluffy Gwevin one-shot.

This one-shot is meant to be their first date. I'm not entirely sure when you could count the start of their dating (my bets are on Save the Last Dance or the end of War of the Worlds when he takes her to the auto-show). For the sake of this one-shot, the dance was an unofficial first date and this will be their first actual date… Or maybe I should just count this as slightly AU… Either way, it's before War of the Worlds.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ben 10 or the quote at the beginning of this chapter. Also, I don't own Metallica who get a small mention here (listen to "Welcome Home Sanitarium" - it's a great song). I do own this oneshot.

"Be of love (a little) more careful than of anything."

- e e cummings

74. Are You Challenging Me?

"Do you wanna go see a movie?"

"Depends. Are you asking me out?"

Was he? Kevin could see the challenge in her eyes, daring him to say yes, to finally admit that there was something more than friendship in their relationship. The only question was whether or not he wanted to open that box. Did he want to test the waters and step past his hesitation in asking her out?

Don't lose it, Levin. A voice in the back of his mind chided him. Just say yes. You flirt with her all the time, so why is so hard to ask her out? …Unless you're chicken.

No, he wasn't scared. Just nervous. What if he messed up? Spending his early adolescence in the Null Void hadn't given him normal social skills or taught him anything about how to act with a girl he liked.

And what if her question had meant that if he was asking her out, she didn't want to go? The thought disappeared as soon as it had appeared as he thought back to their previous interactions. It was clear; she liked him and he liked her. So where was the problem?

"Kevin?" Gwen's voice had changed from daring to mildly concerned. He was taking too long, a fact that escaped neither of them.

At that moment, Kevin made his decision. "Of course I'm asking you out. Couldn't you tell?" He smirked, proud that he hadn't gone with the coward's answer after all. He had risen to her challenge.

Gwen smiled back before nudging him. "Next time you may want to go with something more obvious."

"Sorry that this wasn't flashy enough for you." He rolled his eyes, flashing a smile at her. "I'll hire some violins and grab some roses the next time I ask."

Gwen laughed; the image of Kevin kneeling by her door with flowers and cheesy music playing in the background amused her. He smiled at her, relieved that she had laughed at his joke. Things were starting out well.

They drove to the movie theater, with light conversation and Metallica playing on the radio station of Kevin's choice (Gwen had agreed after making him promise to keep the volume down). Upon arriving at the theater, Kevin rushed to open the door for Gwen, earning him a smile from the girl.

A few minutes later, they had settled into seats, the lights dimmed, and the movie began. Several minutes into the movie, Kevin found himself glancing over at the girl sitting next to him.

Wasn't he supposed to put an arm around her? Or would that be skipping past some no-touching-on-the-first-date rule? It wouldn't be the first time they had contact; it happened all the time and she had kissed his cheek on the roof once. But maybe this was different?

Kevin glanced over at Gwen again, trying to gauge whether or not she was expecting him to do anything. To him, she looked lost in the movie. Did that mean he should just let things go the way they were going and stop fussing? But what if she was expecting him to do something? He decided to take the chance.

Gingerly, he stretched out his arm so it rested on the back of Gwen's chair. There was no turning back now. Catching a breath, he let his arm fall until it rested gently on her shoulders.

She flinched at the touch, glancing away from the screen to look at Kevin. He stared back at her, already beginning to regret his move. Slowly he started pulling his arm back, wondering if he had stepped over an impassable line or if it was only a minor error in the course of the whole date. Maybe he could make it up, get –

"Don't." Kevin blinked, prompting Gwen to add, "It's nice." She smiled at him, causing his heartbeat to quicken.

He settled his arm back around her shoulders before leaning back in his seat to watch the rest of the movie. Having been so caught up in his earlier dilemma, he wasn't entirely sure what was going on. But none of that really mattered. All that mattered was that he was on a date (a real date with no aliens to disturb them this time) with Gwen, sitting next to him.

Once the movie ended, the couple walked out of the theater and Kevin drove Gwen to her house. He pulled the car into an idling position. The night had gone wonderfully and now he didn't want to say good-bye to her.

He felt her hand cover his own on the stick shift. "Thank you, Kevin. I had a great night."

Kevin turned his head, so that he was staring into her green eyes. He began to move closer, eyes still watching her for any sign that he should stop. She stared back just as intently, copying his movements.

Gwen's phone rang, their lips mere centimeters apart. She glanced at him apologetically before moving away and picking up. Kevin sighed, leaning back in his seat. He had been so close, but to have a phone call interrupt them… It was like the Highbreed attack all over.

"Hi Dad." Gwen paused. "I'm right outside... No, I was with Kevin…" Her cheeks turned scarlet and she exclaimed, "Daddy! We just went to see a movie… You can save it for when I get inside… Yes, I'll be right in. Bye."

Kevin watched her curiously, wishing that he could've heard what her father had said. Of course, it was easy enough to imagine what her father had suggested that had been received with such a response. The thought made him blush, but fortunately the dark hid it.

The phone snapped shut and Gwen turned to smile at him. "Bye, Kevin. I'll see you tomorrow." She opened the car door.

"What ever happened to kissing?" Kevin pouted.

Gwen smiled cheekily at him and leaned over. Kevin closed his eyes in anticipation. For a few seconds, her lips pressed against his cheek before she pulled away. He opened his eyes, blinking at her in mild confusion.

"Look at this way, now we have something to look forwards to next time." With that, Gwen left the car, waving to him.

Kevin sat still in the car, watching as Gwen went up to the door and stepped inside her house. His cheek was still warm where she had kissed him and he raised a hand to it, a warm smile on his lips. Oh yeah, he was definitely excited for next time.

A/N: Writing this gave me such a fluffy and sappy feeling. Even though it came out a bit differently than I imagined, I like it. The title refers to the beginning when Gwen challenges Kevin to ask her out. Most of the stories I've read involving a challenge and Gwevin tend to have Kevin not being pushed into the relationship. So I decided to do the opposite and have him step up to the challenge. Let me know what you think.

Twilight Phantom Dragon