The Itch
I saw a little fanart / comic thingy about Ben having an itch on his wrist under the Omnitrix and not being able to reach it, and thought it was funny. And then I remembered how shocked I was when No-Watch Ben easily took off the Omnitrix to give back to Ben Prime. I suppose since Azmuth programmed the Omnitrix to now work for Ben specifically, he gave him the option to take it on and off freely now that security of it wasn't a problem. But what if Ben takes it off nonchalantly in front of a group who were all under the impression that it was still completely attached to him?
Just a silly fic, while I'm relapsing back into the Ben 10 fandom (there is no reboot in ba sing se). I'm fighting the urge to post an Anodite!Ben Au so hard and hoping this will help suppress it. Anyways, enjoy this mini fic!
"I know you say you do not need to train in your human form but I still believe it to be more prudent if you do not rely on luck on the Omni- and you are not even listening…"
The Revonnagander ended his attempt at helpful counsel with a slight sigh as he glanced up at his partner glaring down. Although he couldn't see exactly what he was looking at or what he was doing, he did not have to. He and his Plumber partner, Ben Tennyson, wielder of the most powerful piece of technology in the universe were taking a break in the cafeteria at Plumber Headquarters. It was another busy week, so the room was practically empty, most Plumbers only came in to pick up a snack or drink and left without a fuss. The pair were on break from training where Ben, once again, kept up his winning streak with the aid of the Omnitrix transforming him into different aliens.
It wasn't that Rook was sour about still not being able to spar with his partner on an even plain field - no, not that at all - it was that Ben refused to even try to fight without the Omnitrix. He knew that it wasn't a problem of Ben not being able to defend himself in his human form, he read his file, he knows that Ben knows self-defense. But still his cockiness about the device on his arm made him aloof to trying.
So, there Rook was, trying once again in vain to convince Ben to try some training drills without the watch. The young man in question was sitting across from him, the food he picked up from the salad bar was sitting forgotten in front of him. His arms were hidden under the table but based on how hard he was concentrating on his lap, it was obvious that he was fiddling with the Omnitrix. It took a few moments for Ben to finally acknowledge his partner as his attention solely rested on his right wrist but eventually, his eyes flickered up.
"Hm? Oh.", he muttered. "Sorry, Rook, I didn't mean to block you out. I just can't-!"
Ben practically growled out, as he went back to scrutinizing the watch. However, now Rook recognized Ben's harsh scowl along with the rough fidgetiness of his arms. Whatever Ben was doing, it was clearly frustrating him.
"You cannot what? Is there something wrong with the Omnitrix? Is it broken?", Rook asked. He rose from his chair slightly to get a better look, now slightly concerned.
"What? No, nothing like that.", Ben reassured him.
To appease his friend, Ben somewhat unconsciously lifted his arms in front of him as a sort of 'calm down' gesture that was slightly undermined by the fact that his left hand was wrapped around his right wrist. Rook gave an inquiring expression at Ben's apparent attempt at hiding the Omnitrix but before he could verbalize his sentiment, Ben continued.
"I'm just - fuckin' -"
In his very brief attempt to explain himself further, Ben started picking and scratching at the watch angrily. "Ugh! You know what? I'm over this.", he finally huffed out. Just as Rook was about to open his mouth to question what he was struggling so much with that he wouldn't just spit it out, Ben did the unimaginable.
He took off the Omnitrix.
There was no resistance from the small machine, no fuss, no strain. He simply… slipped it off his arm. And as if that wasn't enough, the Wielder of the Omnitrix haphazardly dropped it onto the table in front of him with a steady 'plop'. The most powerful piece of technology in the known universe laid discarded on a lowly table by the 16 year-old entrusted with it… That 16 year-old, in question, let out a satisfied sound in between a throaty groan and wishful sigh as he scratched at where the gadget once sat on his wrist.
"Ugh… finally, God, I can't tell you how good it feels to do that. Good thing that Azmuth made this Omnitrix so much more convenient.", he practically hummed with delight. After a few moments, he finished scratching away at his naked wrist, and glanced back up at Rook.
"Uhh.. Rook? Your mouth is kinda wide open, dude. You okay?", Ben asked lightly.
Upon being told, Rook spluttered for a moment before finally getting a coherent thought to verbalize. "Wha - you - how - I thought - You took it off? Just like that? The Omnitrix?!"
"Uhh, yeah, dude. I was itchy and I couldn't reach it without taking it off.", he answered plainly before raising an eyebrow. "Why are you so surprised?"
"We - well, I had thought that the Omnitrix was attached to you, that it could not be taken off! Not without the help of Azmuth, or some other extreme measures.", he reasoned.
Despite Rook's efforts to stress why he was so shocked at the implications that the Omnitrix could so easily be taken off, Ben only scoffed lightly with a knowing grin.
"Yeah that's how the old Omnitrix worked. Back when Azmuth made it to be a whole 'walk a mile in our shoes' thing, only literally. When he made this complete version though, he programmed it to only work for me so, not much point on having it fused to my arm." , he explained leaning back into his chair before tucking his arms behind his head. "And good thing too, you know how awful it was to have an itch you can never scratch? I tried to wedge a stick between my arm and watch once. Not. Good.", he emphasized by leaning forwards.
"...What do shoes have to do with the Omnitrix - oh, Earth expression.", Rook caught himself before continuing. "But I suppose that does make sense, still, seeing the Omnitrix off your arm is rather uncanny."
More than uncanny, Rook thought it was downright unnatural. He couldn't help but look at the device almost fearfully, as if it would disappear without it being strapped to Ben. But seeing his partner's discomfort, Ben grinned mischievously as a thought formed in his head.
"...Wanna wear it?"
"What?! No, absolutely not!", Rook yelled, horrified.
So horrified, in fact, that he physically recoiled. "C'mon! You so want to though, I can see you staring at it. Just try it on!", Ben pressed, grabbing the watch from the table and shoving it towards Rook.
"I am leaving."
"Wha - Rook~, C'monnnn you're no fun!", Ben whined.
He chuckled lightly at his partner's retreating form before securing the watch back to its rightful spot. Ben quickly got up to follow Rook out, a small smirk on his face at an amusing thought formed in his head.
'For someone who doesn't want me using it so much, he seems terrified of me being without it'