The RV pulled into a small, bustling town for a quick pit stop. It was just a typical small-town America, with people milling about, chatting in cafés, and browsing through local shops. The kind of place where you could blend in without drawing too much attention... unless, of course, you were wearing a white crop top and denim shorts like Ben was.
Ben was completely unfazed as he stepped out of the RV, looking around with his hands confidently placed on his hips. The crop top clung to his torso, showing off his abs, while the shorts gave him full mobility—perfect for any alien fights that might break out. To him, this was just another day, but to the people around him, it was something else entirely.
Gwen and Max were walking a few steps behind him, their faces a mix of embarrassment and frustration.
"Ben, could you not do this in public?" Gwen whispered urgently, trying to keep her voice low enough that no one else would overhear.
Max, ever the practical one, adjusted his jacket as he walked with his hands in his pockets. "You're gonna cause a scene, kid. People are already staring."
Ben grinned, clearly proud of the effect he was having. "Let them stare. Maybe I'll start a new trend."
As they made their way through the town's main street, Ben noticed the stares from pedestrians—some looked confused, others curious, and a few even chuckled. He couldn't help but feel a little smug about the attention. It wasn't often that he got to make this kind of statement, especially while fighting aliens. In his mind, being different was powerful.
But Gwen and Max weren't so sure. Gwen's face was bright red, and she muttered under her breath, "I can't believe this is happening. It's like a walking disaster."
Max looked uncomfortable, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know what's worse: the fact that people are staring, or that I'm walking around with you wearing that. If anyone asks, I'm just a bystander."
Ben could barely contain his grin. "Relax, you two. Let's just enjoy the moment. Besides, I'm rocking this look."
At that moment, a few locals openly laughed, and one woman even pointed at Ben, whispering something to her friend. Ben heard the word "weird" and shot them a playful wink.
Gwen shot him a sharp look. "I'm gonna die of embarrassment. Please tell me we're leaving soon."
Just as Ben was about to respond, something unusual caught his attention—a figure in the shadows of a nearby alley. It was a man, tall and muscular, wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses despite the cloudy weather. His posture was confident, almost predatory, but there was a certain interest in his eyes as they locked onto Ben.
The man didn't make any move to approach yet, but Ben could feel the gaze on him. The tension in the air shifted slightly.
Max noticed the stranger too. "Who's that guy? You think he's one of those guys who likes to stare at heroes for too long?"
Gwen squinted at the figure. "I don't know, but he's definitely watching us."
Ben, curious and unbothered, casually turned toward the alley. The man's eyes didn't leave him, and for a moment, it felt like the rest of the world had faded into the background. It was just him and this stranger.
After a long beat, the man smirked, his expression a mix of amusement and something else—something more predatory. He took a step forward, then another, and soon, he was out of the shadows and walking toward Ben.
"Hey," the man called, his voice deep and gravelly. "I have to say, I admire the guts. Not many people could pull off... that look." His eyes traveled down to Ben's outfit, and for a moment, Ben felt an unexpected chill. There was something about the man that made him uneasy, but also intrigued.
Gwen immediately stepped in front of Ben, her arms crossed. "Who are you?"
The man gave Gwen a polite nod, not intimidated. "Name's Cade. I've been watching you for a while now, kid. Gotta say, you're not what I expected from someone dressed like that."
Ben raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "I'm Ben. And what exactly is it you're watching?"
Cade chuckled, crossing his arms and scanning Ben again. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Most people would hide in shame with a look like that, but you? You wear it like armor." His smirk grew wider. "I like people who don't hide. You've got potential."
Gwen stiffened. "What do you mean by 'potential'?"
Cade's eyes flicked to Gwen for a split second before returning to Ben. "I don't mean anything bad. I've got a thing for unique individuals. And you, kid, you're standing out in a way most people wouldn't dare. But that's just the start. I'm not here to make friends. I'm here to see what you can do."
Max took a few steps forward, now fully alert. "Listen, we don't know who you are, but we don't have time for your games."
Cade ignored Max's warning and took another step closer to Ben. His intense gaze never wavered. "You should keep an eye on me, kid. The world's changing, and people like us need to stick together."
Ben felt a mix of excitement and caution. There was something about Cade that felt... dangerous, but at the same time, intriguing. He wasn't sure what to make of him yet, but one thing was certain: he wasn't going to be easily dismissed.
"I'll keep that in mind," Ben replied coolly, then shot a quick glance at Gwen and Max. "But right now, I've got a statement to finish making."
Cade chuckled softly and took a few steps back, his eyes never leaving Ben. "I'll be around. Don't worry, kid. You'll see me again soon."
With that, he turned and disappeared back into the shadows, leaving Ben and his team standing there, unsure of what had just happened.
The encounter with Cade left a strange feeling lingering in the air. Ben couldn't shake the unsettling vibe Cade gave off—yet, there was something else too. Something that intrigued him. The way Cade had looked at him, not just with curiosity but with a kind of admiration that Ben had never felt before, left him thinking. What does he want from me? Ben wasn't sure. But he did know one thing for certain: he had never been watched like that before. And it wasn't the usual way people looked at him when he was saving the world.
As days passed, Ben couldn't help but notice that Cade wasn't just a stranger. The guy had a way of showing up at the oddest times, always lurking in the background. Every time Ben was out in public in his crop top and shorts, Cade was somehow nearby, watching from the shadows or casually leaning against a wall, his eyes trained on Ben.
At first, Ben tried to ignore it. He'd get a glimpse of Cade's confident stride, and part of him felt like it was some kind of game. Cade didn't seem threatening—just intense. But as the days went on, Ben started to feel the weight of that attention more and more. It was like Cade had some sort of fascination with him. And while Ben was completely confident in his fashion choice, the added attention was starting to make him uncomfortable.
One evening, after a quick alien skirmish in a nearby park, the trio—Ben, Gwen, and Max—made their way back to the RV. As they walked, Gwen glanced over at Ben, who was as casual as ever in his white crop top and shorts.
"Ben, you're not still thinking about that guy, are you?" Gwen asked, her tone a mix of concern and annoyance. "You've been acting a little strange since we met him."
Max, looking over his shoulder, added, "Yeah, I don't like it. There's something off about that guy. The way he's been following you around… not exactly comforting."
Ben shrugged, trying to act like it didn't bother him. "He's just some guy who likes to stare. I can handle it."
But the truth was, Ben had been thinking about Cade constantly. The man's words had stuck with him. You've got potential. What did that mean? And why had Cade shown such an interest in him?
As they approached the RV, Ben suddenly froze. He saw a figure standing by the door—Cade, once again, standing in the shadows. The deep night lit only by the flickering streetlamp, and Cade's imposing silhouette looked even more intense.
"Ben," Cade called, his voice low but clear. He stepped into the light, his sunglasses perched on his face despite the dark. "We need to talk."
Ben felt Gwen and Max tense up behind him. Gwen shot Ben a warning look, but Ben didn't want to seem like he was afraid. Not in front of Cade, at least. He walked toward the man, trying to maintain his confidence.
"What's up, Cade?" Ben said, trying to sound casual.
Cade smiled, his gaze never leaving Ben. "I've been thinking about you. About what you said—about not caring what others think." He took a step closer, voice dripping with sincerity. "I admire that. And I think we could work together. Help each other out."
Ben's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't sure where this was heading, but there was something about Cade's presence that made him uneasy.
Before Ben could respond, Gwen stepped forward, her eyes narrowing at Cade. "Listen, we don't have time for whatever game you're playing. Ben's not interested in whatever you're offering. Right, Ben?"
Ben hesitated, looking at Cade. There was an intensity in Cade's eyes that made him second guess himself for a moment. What is this guy after? He didn't want to seem weak in front of his friends, but the curiosity in him was growing.
Cade raised an eyebrow, sensing the hesitation. "Ben's interested in being himself. No judgment. You can keep dressing however you want, Ben. I like that about you." He took another step closer, his tone shifting into something more personal. "But I can't help but feel like there's more between us. You stand out, and I think you and I could be... good for each other."
Ben suddenly felt the weight of Cade's words crash down on him. His stomach churned. "I don't—wait." Ben quickly took a step back. "You mean, like… that kind of good?"
Cade's smile never wavered, but his voice softened. "Why fight it? You're not like the others. I can tell you feel it too. There's something between us."
Ben's mind raced. This guy is hitting on me. He wasn't sure what to say. It felt completely unexpected. He liked wearing girls' clothes because it made him feel confident, not because he wanted to get someone's attention like this.
"No," Ben said quickly, trying to make himself clear. "I don't like guys, Cade. I just like wearing what I want. I'm not into… that."
Cade paused, his expression unreadable for a moment. "Fair enough," he said, his voice cool. "But it doesn't change the fact that I find you fascinating, Ben. And I'm not going anywhere. So just think about it."
Ben felt a mix of confusion and relief. "Yeah, I'll think about it," he said, not really sure if that was true. Cade gave him a knowing smile, then turned and walked off into the night, disappearing into the darkness.
Gwen, who had been silent through the encounter, sighed with relief. "Well, that was weird," she muttered. "Are you okay, Ben?"
Ben nodded, but his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He wasn't attracted to Cade, not at all. But there was something about the way Cade had looked at him that had made him feel… different. It was confusing, but for now, Ben was just glad that it was over.
Max, who had been watching the exchange carefully, glanced at Ben. "You sure you're okay, kid?"
Ben shrugged. "I'm fine. I just want to wear my crop top in peace without guys making it weird."
Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, well, you might want to be careful with Cade. He's definitely not someone to mess with."
As the RV doors closed behind them, Ben sat in silence, still processing everything. He liked being himself—wearing clothes that made him feel powerful, like he was standing out in a world that wanted him to fit in. But Cade... Cade had introduced a new layer to it all. What was this about?
And more importantly, was Ben ready to face whatever this new chapter would bring?
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! This story explores some complex emotions, unexpected feelings, and a bit of mystery surrounding Cade's true intentions. I wanted to dive into the tension between trust, attraction, and family bonds, especially from Gwen's perspective as she starts questioning her own emotions for Ben. Expect drama, suspense, and some intense character moments as things unfold! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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