Chapter 3: Rocky Roads
"What would you like for dinner? I have heard of an earth cuisine called hamburgers but I have never dined on them before. Or we can go with your favorite: chili fries," Rook asked, holding out a sack of potatoes.
Ben glanced from the TV towards his direction and shrugged sadly, gazing hazily back at the news. Rumors had spread around the world that he had disappeared facing a very evil villain. His family and friends refused to speak more about what had happened but everyone else believed he had died or something in a very tragic incident.
Will Harangue, the sole man who hated Ben's guts on the media, frowned, pushing down his papers, "Ben Tennyson?: Wimp or Failure?"
He rolled his eyes sadly, absorbing all that the lonely man had to say. "Has Tennyson faced his match?" Guess so. "The intergalactic police, also known as the Plumbers, haven't spoken anything about what REALLY happened to Tennyson. Sources say that he has been moved to another planet with an accompany. But we aren't sure what has drived him to another planet other than it had to be a very sneaky, smart alien that bypassed the Plumbers and planned his revenge on him. But the question lies here: Is Tennyson's presence a good or bad one? Will it have unknown consequences? Find out after the bre-"
The TV flashed black and a loud protest followed. Ben stood up, glaring at his partner, "What was that for?"
"If you keep continuing to watch those shows, you will not recover from this incident. You will only make it worse for yourself. I suggest you stop watching these pointless shows and do some healthy stuff for you. Such as- responding to me when I asked you a question earlier," Rook crossed his arms, slightly annoyed. Ben hadn't moved from the couch in days, refusing to so as move. He hadn't talked to him since that incident earlier during their stay and he had begun to get restless. Azmuth had began to get worried for Ben too.
"Oh," He muttered mostly to himself and glanced up with his dull eyes, "Sorry.. what'd you ask?"
"I had asked what you would like to dine on for dinner. We have hamburgers or chili fries.. and you haven't eaten since last night so I suggest you chose or I will have to force feed you again," He seethed.
Ben rubbed the back of his neck, "I'll eat some burgers, I guess."
"Very well," He cooled down and returned to the kitchen.
Green lights flashed inside the kitchen but Rook had gotten used to them, automatically knowing who was arriving. He pulled out the beef from the fridge and waved at Azmuth. "Nice to see you joining us. Would you like dinner as well?"
"No thank you Blonko," He shook his head, "I have already feasted on dinner. How is Benjamin? I assume he hasn't improved at all. His biosignature in the omnitrix is resulting in nonmovement and malnutrition."
Rook sighed, "Ben has not been doing well. All he has been doing is watching 'tv' and staying on the couch. The only time he leaves that place is to do human duties in the restroom. He has been refusing food everytime I have offered and if I try and feed him, it frontblasts me because he vomits it up."
"I am guessing you mean 'backfire' and yes. Recovering from this wouldn't be easy, remember. Tennyson has alot to recover from. I can't understand how you still are fit to help him after what you had saw," The galvin glanced at the meat he began seasoning. "I have an idea on how to return some vitamins to his body. I just need my mechamorphs to fetch me it.."
Rushed footsteps passed the aliens chatting, catching a glimpse of sickly pale skin and green. Puking sounds were made down the hall and Rook shivered. That sound always somehow scared him every time Ben vomited. It just brought more concern down on him.
Ben arrived in the kitchen, cupping his head and holding onto the wall tightly. He forced at smile at Azmuth, "Hey Azmuth, what's up?"
"Do not toy with me or try and hide the obvious Tennyson. I know what's happening to you, the proofs right here in front of me," He warned, touching the omnitrix's faceplate. It lit up to a green haloface and he began to key in codes. "Your weight has decreased drastically and you aren't consuming anything boy. I suggest you eat something or will have to result to something else."
"Like what?" Ben mumbled, "I've already lost so much. What can you possibly take from me?"
"I'll take away the omnitrix if you continue these immature antics," Azmuth countered.
He froze and glanced to his watch, "You.. you wouldn't."
"How can I trust the most power fullest device in the universe to a 16 year old boy if he's unable to take care of himself first? You've proven your worth to me but if you continue to act this way, I will deactivate from use," He finished sadly. "I am sorry but you've given me no choice in the matter."
"Fine whatever," Tears began to leak out of his eyes and he turned away, running to his room. A loud slam was heard and Rook sighed.
"You will truly take it away from him?" He asked.
"If I have too. He's becoming nothing like himself. He's allowing what happened to take to much effect in his mental and physical abilities. When you trust he's returning to normal, contact me and I'll double check his status. Until then, watch when he activates the omnitrix. I feel like he will do something with the watch that will somehow harm you instead if he's cornered so.." Another green flash and a small remote appeared, with two buttons; one green and one red. "This is an emergency remote keyed into the omnitrix. The green button will contact me for assistance. That is if you need anything from me. The red one will shut down the omnitrix, until I have allowed it to be activated again. If you click the red button, automatically I will notified."
"You think Ben will attack me?" Rook cocked his head.
"If given the current situation, then yes. But it is better to be safe then sorry," Azmuth glanced at the way Ben had went. "I will leave you with him for now. I'll check on you both in the meantime. Goodbye."
He pocketed the remote into his suit and went back to creating burgers. It had been a hard thing to cook, but the results were just as he expected. The meat was perfectly seasoned and the buns to complement the burgers were golden brown and left him drooling. Now just to fetch Ben..
"Ben?" He knocked lightly on the door, glancing down happily at the meal he had prepared, "I have created the so called 'hamburgers'. Open up."
The door was swiftly opened, to reveal a red-eyed hero. He sniffled, "Thanks Rook.."
"Do not mention it. I would just like to see you actually eat. I have brought mine and thought we could eat together," He smiled.
Ben nodded slowly, "Okay."
They sat in silence, awkward tension filling the air as they ate their burgers. Ben was fidgeting in his seat, obviously uncomfortable and Rook desperately tried to find a topic to talk about. But there was nothing to say. Anything he tried to say about the incident only worsened their bond and Rook was on the break of just leaving Ben alone forever. But he couldn't. He had promised Magister Tennyson that he would watch over Ben. Keep him out of trouble and assist him in recovering.
The task had proven to be a difficult one.
"Rook.. I like the burgers.. they're good," Ben mumbled, sheepishly rubbing his neck.
"Good to hear."
"I.. thanks for.. I don't know.. taking care of me? By still being here with me. At... at least you didn't leave me here alone," He sighed. "Sorry for being a brat the last couple of days."
"Do not worry partner. I would not have left you. Your grandpa told me I was the only person he trusted to take care of you," Rook shrugged. "I do not seem up for the part but I have accepted the position."
He laughed, "It's good to have a person I trust with me during this."
"Me as well. I am glad to accommodate this with you."
It had been 5 days since they had last had a moment where it seemed things were back to normal.
Rook had been getting happier at Ben's progress and looked forward to making meals for him that didn't make him vomit. He had almost forgotten when the last time he had heard Ben's sounds of puking.
Ben had finally stayed in his room instead of rooming it up in the couch. He had been getting more active, actually helping Rook cook and slightly training with him. He had began to get more talkative and never kept quiet. It was almost like his old self was slowly returning.
Until they had gotten a message from his family from earth.
"Hey kiddo! How's Galvin Prime with Rook?" Grandpa Max asked with grin.
Ben shrugged, "It's okay I guess. It's really weird here. Everything's so different."
"That's to be expected when you move to a different planet," He added with a chuckle. "How's Rook?"
"He's fine.. he's.. actually right here," Ben moved the webcam to face his partner and he waved back. "Everything's fine."
He nodded, "Good to see. But I have something to tell you both.. I just don't think it's the right time to say. Have you both watched the news recently?"
"No. What is wrong?" Rook frowned.
Max sighed and glanced at Ben. "We've heard word that of Kyber's location. We actually went to investigate and we found.. we found internet traces of.. Ben's rape. It was somehow recorded and was sent to reporters. The media knows what happened to you Ben.. everyone does. It's all around the world. Everybody on earth knows what happened to you.. we've tried.. but there's no way to get back the video.. I'm sorry Ben."
Ben's world ripped in half and crumbled into pieces. He felt his skin freeze ice cold and the world around him stop. Everyone knew.. what happened to him. They knew why he left. They knew he wasn't a hero anymore. He was broken.. and everyone knew.
He felt his stomach churn and he rushed from them to the nearest bathroom, automatically vomiting when he saw the toilet bowl. His throat burned raw and he felt utter useless again.. just like when he arrived here.
Rook looked sadly to the doorway and glanced at Max, "Why did you have to say that? You just ruined everything! Ben was fine until you said that!"
"It was best for him to know. If I didn't say anything, it would of occurred later and resulted in a worse show for you to go through. This was the best way to tell him.. I'm sorry," He explained sadly.
"I understand.. is that all? I must go check up on him," Rook muttered, not bothering for an answer and hanging up. He searched for Ben only to realize that Ben wasn't in the bathroom anymore. "Ben?" No answer. He continued to search around the house, calling his name every so often.
He found Ben later in the garden, ripping off flower petals from their stems.
"Are you alright?"
The teen glanced over his shoulder but didn't bother to reply. Rook could already tell how he was feeling. He didn't need to explain anything to him.
"Ben, please understand.. your grandpa had his reasons on telling you that. He's was just trying to pr-" he started but was interrupted by sarcastic laughing.
"Protect me? Face it! I don't need protection. He can't help me, you can't, nobody can. Why bother trying? Someone'll find me and kill me.. probably be the best," He muttered.
"Why are you thinking so negatively? You are Ben Tennyson, you have saved so many people and became a hero. You cannot just think that someone will try and harm you. You have defeated everyone, why are you continuing to lower yourself?" Rook argued.
Ben glared at him and shoved him away, getting up with tears leaking out of his eyes, "Because I was raped! Kyber's been the only one to get so close to me and almost kill me. You've seen the scars he's put on me. You've seen what he's done to me. He took my innocence and I can't ever get it back!"
"He's taken away my family, my friends. All I have left is you.. and that's not good enough. I've been moved to another stupid planet like it'll make a difference? He'll find me and kill me. Next time I won't stop him. I'll let him kill me. I won't fight anymore. At least I won't have to suffer anymore," He finished, collapsing onto the floor.
Rook paused, absorbing at what had become of the universe's greatest hero. A sobbing mess of emptiness.. that's what he had become.
"Ben, if I could just-" He started, lightly touching his shoulder.
Ben jumped and slammed onto the omnitrix, turning into Heatblast. He blasted the Revonnahgander back and started to walk towards him, his eyes continuing to cry. Small tear-like fires fell onto the ground, burning the grass on contact. His footsteps repeated the same process. "You don't know what I've been through. You don't know anything!"
He blasted him against the house. "You don't know who I am." Again. "You don't know what I saw." Another blast. "You don't know anything."
Rook decided not to fight back, allowing himself to get scorched by the heat. He felt himself slowly dying in his armor and cowered in fear. Ben had never been this aggressive before.. what was triggering this?
He felt something weigh in his pocket and an idea clicked in his mind. The remote Azmuth had given him! He pulled it out quickly and covered it, so that it wouldn't be damaged by the fire. His thumb pressed the red button and automatically the heat ceased fire.
His eyes peaked open and he found Ben standing dumbfoundedly, glancing at his hands. "What'd you do?" He checked the omnitrix and desperately tried to activate it.
"Omnitrix has entered deactivation mode. Waiting for creator assistance."
"Creator assistance?" He repeated. He didn't need to wait long for an answer because Azmuth soon appeared, his face with deep concern and anger.
"Benjamin Kirby Tennyson, you have crossed the line. You have misused my omnitrix for self like purposes and I will not grant you use anymore," He deeply frowned, pointing at him.
"What're you talking about? I-" He froze, whipping his head towards Rook. "Oh my.. Rook!" He rushed to his partner's side, holding the alien against him, tears threatening to fall. "What.. I did this? What.."
"You have attacked your partner out of pure anger. You will not receive my omnitrix back until I trust you are you in good health and sanity. Goodbye." He disappeared in a flash of green light.
Ben didn't ponder what the Galvin had said, pulling Rook close and trying to find away to release him from the suit. He found a little zipper in the back and yanked in down, releasing him from his cooking suit.
Rook gasped, jolting from the fresh cold air touching his skin. His eyes focused on a guilty Ben and he put the pieces together on what occurred. He held his head and groaned, "Are you alright?"
"You should be asking yourself that," He muttered and help get him to his feet, hugging him when he settled. He let go when he was sure Rook could hold his own weight. "Are you still hot? I could get some ice if you want."
"No, I am alright," Rook noticed the nonglow from the omnitrix and pointed down at it. "What happened to the watch?"
Ben's mood saddened and he looked away, "Azmuth came and deactivated it. He said I wasn't responsible enough to hold the power of it. I.. I used it to hurt you.. I hurt my own partner. I don't deserve it. I'm sorry."
"Ben, it is alright. You just need to prove yourself to him. You need to recover from this. I am sorry as well," He added.
"Why are you apologizing? You were the one that got hurt," He looked down.
"Because I should have known you would of acted rash during that situation. But.. I had called Azmuth. He gave me a device to shut down the omnitrix if you ever attacked. It turns out he was right about you attacking me," Rook sighed. "I'm sorry I had contacted him."
"It's not your fault.. I kinda deserved it anyway. I'm just happy you're okay," Ben grinned and again hugged him. He returned the hug equally, guiding Ben inside.
Training had gotten boring once Ben realized he wouldn't be able to do anything without the omnitrix. Rook had offered Ben a Plumber weapon, which had been his previous to the Proto-Tool. But he had denied, saying that he wasn't ready to hold another weapon to harm him.
Ben had then resulted to combat in his human form, which he had done with flying colors against Rook. He dodged every single attack and somehow allowed it to return Rook negatively. He had beaten him every single time and that led to Rook being more competitive when it came to other training activities.
The teen had just arrived from making a smoothie in the kitchen, when he realized Rook was missing. "Rook? Where are you?"
Taken by surprise, Ben felt a weight push him forward until he spun around to be met with a ready Rook, who held up his fists. "Have I caught you at a bad time?"
"Funny," He said sarcastically and smirked, putting down his smoothie, "But if you wanna fight, then you'll get one."
Ben launched himself at his partner, ready for any move he threw. He caught the sight of Rook beginning to chop him in the right and he backflipped behind him, spinning in a circle and forcing him to fall on his butt. The Revonnahgander took this chance to kick him but only to result in Ben grabbing his foot. "Is that all you got dude? I mean seriously.. you're gonna kick me?" He spun the alien around and threw him at a nearby bush. "Weak dude. Weak."
Rook wiped off the dirt littering his armor, "You are a very impossible foe but that won't stop me from trying." He rushed towards the boy and jumped above him, grabbing his shoulders and pinning him down against the dirt. "Got you!"
"You think?" Ben grabbed his foot once again and rolled, catching the Revonnahgander off guard and forcing him to fall once again. Ben allowed himself to pin him down like he had done and grin, "I won. Nice try though."
"You are very good in combat," Rook commented as soon as he got to his feet.
The teen grinned, "Well you fight a couple aliens, you learn a couple things right? I just don't like to focus to much on it cause I have alot to learn about the omnitrix. I'm still learning all my aliens and how I can use their powers in new ways."
"I cannot believe I ever tried to force you to combat with me. At least we are alone; no one has to see my humiliation," He mumbled.
He chuckled, "I saw it. You can't beat me in my own game ya know. Now c'mon. Smoothies, I'm making."
Rook grinned and followed after his partner. That had become their new thing; instead of buying smoothies, they had resulted in making them by scratch. But what was better, that it was more healthier than Mr. Smoothy's.
As he arrived into the kitchen, Ben was already grabbing various fruits and pressing buttons to activate the blender. "Whatcha want? We've still got bananas and strawberries. There's pineapple I think." He dug into fridge and pulled out half a pineapple. "Gotcha. So what you'd say?"
"Ben, if it is alright with you, I would not like anything to drink. I am not thirsty," He denied with a light shake of his head. He felt like something was off.. was he faking his happiness towards him?
"Oh," His smile lowered and he set down the fruits. "Then what you do wanna do?"
"I feel like you are not telling me something Ben. What are you hiding?" Rook continued, narrowing his eyes.
Ben gulped, looking away, "What're you talking about? I'm not hiding anything."
"Ben."
"Fine," He reluctantly muttered, "Yeah I'm hiding something. Why are you concerned?"
"Because I am your partner. I will always be concerned for your health. Now what is wrong?"
He crossed his arms and turned his head to the fruit, "It's about what happened 3 days ago. When I nearly killed you out of my stupid emotions. I can't forgive myself. What if you didn't find that button? What if you died? What would have happened to me? I would have been a murderer and I couldn't be able to live with your death on my hands.. I just can't. If I can't help my freaking partner, how can I help myself?"
"Ben, I am still here. I wouldn't have gotten killed remember. I am a Plumber. We do not get hurt that easily. I did not want to fight against you, just fearing for your protection. Do not think my 'death' would have been on your hands. I am too skilled to die," Rook smirked but frowned as soon as he realized that Ben wasn't going to return it. He hated how earth's hero had become this.
"Funny," He muttered sarcastically, "But still. I can't forgive myself. You would have died because of me. Because I'm so stupid and worthless."
Rook took this chance to grab a hold of his shoulders and pull him into a tight hug, stealing a kiss from his lips. He felt him tense but then relax, feeling his lips molding against his. He grasped him tighter and deepened the kiss, trying to pour as much emotion he could into it.
However Ben's mind was fireworks. Rook was kissing him! He almost fought against him until his lips softened and he felt himself returning it back. But he couldn't think, just react to what was happening.
When he pulled away, he was met with confused green eyes. "Why'd you do that?"
"Did you not understand the concept of why I did it?" A shake of his head, "I did it to show you are not worthless. You are a hero. A hero everyone loves. Especially me. I do not know why you continue to lower yourself but you are not stupid. You are a very brilliant teenage boy that still has much to live up to."
"So.. y-you like me? Like.. like like?" He stuttered.
"I assume so," Rook chuckled and wrapped his hands around Ben's frame. "Do you feel the same way?"
"I.. I don't understand. I thought you were straight.. I mean.. why would you go for something like me?" Ben shook his head in confusion.
"I have known you for a while and your attitude towards everything was always positive. Now you are completely the opposite so I want to bring back the old Ben, along with some new things. I have just recently developed feelings for you. I have argued with myself time and again until I just gave up and said to myself that I liked you," Rook shrugged, "Is that not how feelings are suppose to work?"
The teen shrugged, "I dunno. I guess.. I just-just why? Why would you fall in love with.. me?"
"Because you are the humorous, laid-back teenage hero I have just started to learn about. It is not fair that Kyber had to ruin this for us," He muttered.
He smiled, "Nice you to know you feel that way about me. But-"
"Enough with the 'buts', I like you and that's all you need to know for the time being. I would just like to know if you feel the same way about myself," Rook cut to the chase.
Ben paused, truly considering this. Did he want to have a relationship with his partner? He had just began to get to know him and they had only met each other a couple of weeks ago. But he couldn't deny that he felt a small attraction towards him. Rook was a fun guy to be around, all things considered, and it was nice to have him around. Plus he had been with him ever since the Kyber incident had happened. He hadn't left, he hadn't pushed him away. Rook had always been by his side, every single time.
So what was stopping him from having a relationship with Rook?
He looked down and gave a soft smile, "Rook, I love the offer but.. I just don't know. We don't know that much about each other.. I.. I just don't know."
Rook frowned, "I will let you consider it Ben. I.. will not rush you about this. I know this seems sudden but.. I just had to inform you of this."
Ben nodded, "Okay.. I'll think about it more. If you excuse me, I'm going to my room."
He couldn't help but be sad as he watched his partner walk away, not giving a single glance back in his direction. He mentally slapped himself. Why would he just spring that on his partner? It was clearly printed on his face that Ben was utterly shocked and confused. He hadn't been ready for all that.
But when he had kissed Ben.. it was entirely knew. Yes he had kissed females before but they were always missing something.. with Ben, he had filled that missing gap. He had, for the first time, felt complete with another being.
But Ben didn't feel the same way. It was quite obvious of that.
He probably had ruined the relationship between himself and him. He had severed it and stepped on it, crumbling it into a million pieces..
How would his father think of him now, that he was trying to share a bond with a human? Sick of course.. he was ruining Revonnahgander traditions that stood for generations.
Rook decided to head to his room. At least sleep it off and see what would happen tomorrow. Ben would decide their fate.
Ben stared at the ceiling and threw the pillow on his face.
Idiot.
Idiot.
Why had he acted that way towards Rook? He had acted like a freaking moron. Of course he like Rook! Why had he given that answer to him instead of 'yes, i love you too'? Now he probably hated him now.
Rook was probably still in the kitchen, wondering why Ben had rejected him. It was almost like a slap to the face.
Ben jerked to a sitting position and glanced at his door, knowing Rook was on the other side of the house. The light to the kitchen vanished and he heard footsteps walking past his room and into the room across the hall. Rook was in his room now. Was it the right time to apologize?
He hesitantly got out of bed and tiptoed to the door, carefully opening the door, not to make a sound to alert his partner.
The door to Rook's room was halfway opened and Rook had began changing into some comfortable PJs. He threw himself into bed and shut off the light, leaving a small dim coming from the night light each room had.
Ben sighed and knew it was now or never. He softly knocked on the door and Rook jumped, turning the lights on again.
"Ben? What are you doing here?" Rook asked with a scratch of his head.
The teen walked over towards him and scratched his head, "About earlier. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm sorry and yeah, I like you too."
"You agreed to it? To what; liking me or agreeing to a relationship?"
"Both I guess," He sighed, "Listen, I'm an idiot. I like you alot Rook. You've helped me through so much stuff.. I guess realizing that you liked me kinda threw me off. I just.. I'm sorry about earlier and hope that there's no hard feelings about what I said."
"Of course not," Rook grinned and kissed Ben's forehead, "Return to sleep, we can talk about this in the morning."
".. Actually.. I was hoping you'd let me crash here."
"Crash?" He raised a brow.
Ben shrugged, "You know.. stay here.. with you.. in the same room.. bed I guess."
".. If you would like too. I do not see why not," He agreed and slid over, so that Ben could have room beside him. He slipped inside the covers and turned away from him, facing toward the open door he had come from.
He jumped at the idea of having Rook beside him. He felt the heat radiating off his furred body towards him and it felt completely comforting.
He froze. How would everyone react to him and Rook having a relationship? What if his grandpa separated them? Alien and human together; it seemed just completely wrong.
Did he really trust having a relationship with Rook anyways? He had been attacked brutally by a hunter.. and that lead him to being trapped on Galvin Prime with him.
Maybe he was forcing himself into this.. and he had never noticed Rook giving him any lovey looks. Was he just trying to make him feel better?
He mentally punched himself. He could talk about this tomorrow. He just needed to rest and refresh his brain.. maybe that would knock more sense into him.
He awoke to emptiness beside him. Rook had vanished but had been there recently, since there were large body marks on the sheets. He groaned to himself and stretched, sitting up and glancing at his pjs folded neatly on a chair. Ben's clothes were laid on the nighttable beside him, consisting of his favorite green t-shirt and loose brown pants.
His nostrils picked up a smell of bacon coming from the kitchen and almost drooled. He hadn't had bacon in weeks.. well he had lost track of time but he knew it was a while.
Changing into his set of clothes, he carefully slipped out of Rook's room and towards the kitchen. He sneaked a peak inside, luckily without drawing Rook's attention towards him and saw a wonderful sight.
Rook had prepared the usual American breakfast; eggs, bacon, sausages, cereal and numerous juices. He had just finished the bacon and began to set it down on the table when he noticed his partner's presence in the corner.
"Ben, come and join me for breakfast. I was not sure on what to make so I instead went along the lines of something from your culture. Do you like it?" He asked with a smile.
He grinned, "Do I like it? Dude, it looks amazing. I haven't had bacon in forever. You shouldn't have done this."
"On the contrary, I think you deserve it. You seemed pretty tired yesterday," He laughed and pulled out a chair, handing him a white plate. "Go ahead and pick some food out, I will finish the rest now."
"You don't have to Rook, this looks like enough for weeks for the both of us," Ben snatched the plate and began filling his part of eggs, ham and especially bacon. He usually preferred turkey bacon but this time he had to make an exception. The bacon smelled so good.. and he didn't want to seem rude.
Rook shrugged at his partner's response and put away the rest of the meats, deciding to keep some bread that was beginning to toast in the toaster. He brought that to the table as well and Ben grabbed a slice, covering it with large amounts of butter and chewing it down.
He felt proud of himself, not because Ben had somewhat snapped out of his usual funk but that he had prepared a successful breakfast for the both of them. He usually didn't eat human food, instead eating some of Grandpa Max's favorites which had sufficed for a while. But sometimes he had to make sacrifice for his partner, who on occasion ate chili fries and smoothies. He thankfully had developed a favoritism for the fast food products.
The silence between them was welcomed, since it wasn't like their usual days in the morning. Usually Rook disappeared outside, deciding to shoot a couple targets for practice and Ben sulked in his room for hours on end. They usually never talked in the morning and kept quiet until dinner time.
But now it was different. Hopefully it would like this everyday.
"Ben?" Green eyes sparkled as he raised his head to meet his. "I was wondering if you would like to join me for some morning training. We can shoot targets and practice our aim together.. if you would like come along?"
The teen frowned, "You trust me to wield a weapon? Even after what I did to you with the omnitrix? You still want me to touch a weapon?"
"It is not like you will harm me. You were pushed into it last time.. this time is different. You will be equipped with Level 4 Plumber blasters, nothing that will harm me too much. You will be fine, you will not do anything harsh," Rook smiled with encouragement, "Added that a Plumber blaster does not compare to an omnitrix."
He shrugged reluctantly, "Fine, I'll join you. But get ready to be defeated."
After breakfast, they hurried along to the small field, which had been turned into a shooting hard by Rook. He had set up a long distance shooting area, with painted bottles as the targets. It wasn't the best setting for 'training' but it was suitable for their needs.
Rook went to a small storage and picked out a small Plumber gun, which he was sure Ben was familiar with since it had been a basic weapon at Plumber Academy. He tossed it over to him and the teen carefully caught it, his eyes wide.
"Are you crazy? Don't throw a gun at me! It could go off and hurt someone, especially you," He said warily.
He chuckled, "Have you not read the manual to those types of guns? It will not work unless you power it on; which the switch is located on the side."
Ben flipped the gun and turned red, "I knew that."
"You sure did," He agreed and held up his Proto-Tool, aiming it right at the middle of the target and pulling the trigger. The bottle bursted into bits and he grinned. "After you Ben."
He turned on the device and aimed it at bottle and blasted, frowning when he realized he had missed. "Lemme try again."
"Concentrate. You are just shooting. Not aiming correctly and following through," He grabbed a hold of the gun and adjusted it correctly and whispered in his ear, "Shoot."
Ben did as he was told and grinned when he realized he had blasted the bottle right in the middle. He gave an appreicative look at Rook and nodded, "I think I got this now."
"Okay, try again then," To prove that he was right, he aimed at another bottle and did exactly as Rook had done, receiving the same results when the bottle had shattered in a million pieces.
"Told ya so," He smirked and aimed again.
They stayed like that for a while, both of them trying to out shoot each other. Rook had won sadly, by one bottle. They moved onto other activities such as combat again, this time Rook losing to Ben.
It was a productive day to say the least and it had ended perfectly, sleeping exactly as they had last night, but with a slight change of Rook wrapping his arms around the small boy.
Everything was peaceful. Perfect. And that was how they woke up every morning.
I seem to keep working on this story then the others. I should probably stop that..
I feel like I rushed the part where Rook and Ben kinda fall in love. Does anyone feel the same way? Comments please? That part is REALLY bothering me a little.
Anyways thank you for all the support!
~Tortoro15