The morning sun crawled lazily over the horizon, spilling golden light through the RV's dust-speckled windows. Somewhere outside, coyotes yipped at the dawn, and the world stretched awake.
Inside, everything was still.
Ben sat alone at the tiny table, elbows on his knees, eyes unfocused. He hadn't slept—not really. His body was tired, but his brain wouldn't shut up. Every time he closed his eyes, he felt it again.
The heat of Gwen's lips.
The press of her hands.
The quiet certainty in her voice when she said, "No more pretending."
Last night had changed everything. The kiss, the sex. The way her hands had curled in his shirt. The look in her green eyes.
"Ben… what if we weren't just cousins?" she asked suddenly, turning to face him.
Ben blinked. "Gwen, what—"
She leaned in. Her lips brushed his, tentative at first… but then firm, hungry. Ben didn't resist. The kiss deepened as they both gave into something that had been bubbling beneath the surface for too long. When they finally pulled away, both breathless, Gwen whispered, "Now do me here."
She had kissed him, had sex with him.
And he had kissed her back, did her hard on the kitchen table.
And now? Now the air between them was different. It wasn't just tension anymore. It was aftermath. Consequences. Footsteps creaked behind him, and he didn't need to turn around to know it was her.
"Morning," Gwen said softly, her voice still raspy from sleep. She was wrapped in an small towel—her towel, actually—and held a cup of black coffee like it was shielding her from something.
Ben looked up. "Hey."
Just that. One word. But it felt heavier than anything else in the RV.
Gwen didn't sit right away. She leaned against the kitchenette, green eyes locked on him with a strange mix of clarity and smirk—like she'd spent the night wrestling with the same storm she had and still didn't know which way the wind was blowing.
"We should talk," she said after a long silence.
Ben nodded. "Yeah. We should."
She sat across from him, pulling her legs up under her like she always did when she needed comfort. But there was nothing comfortable about the space between them.
"I meant what I said," Gwen began. "Last night. About not pretending anymore."
Ben exhaled. "Good. Because I… I don't think I can pretend either." Their green eyes met. No running now. No pacing. No hiding behind Omnitrix distractions or magic studies or snarky banter.
Just them.
Raw. Exposed. Changed.
"But where does that leave us?" He asked quietly. "What do we do with this, Gwen? We're still cousins. Still on the road. Still supposed to be… normal."
"Since when have we ever been normal?" She shot back, and to her relief, it earned her a small smile.
Ben shook his head. "You know what I mean."
Gwen reached across the table. Hesitated. Then took his hand.
"I don't have all the answers, Ben. But I know how I feel when I'm with you. I know how it felt when you kissed me. Like something finally made sense." She looked down at their joined hands. Her fingers curled slightly around his. "But it feels real what we did, it was fun. Even the sex," Gwen said. "That has to count for something."
For a long moment, they just sat there. Fingers tangled. Hearts beating in quiet sync.
Then the RV door creaked.
Ben yanked his hand back so fast he almost knocked over the coffee mug. Max stepped inside, squinting against the morning sun. "Morning, kids. Looks like the storm last night knocked out the main road. We'll be stuck here a little longer while I reroute."
"Cool," Ben said quickly. "More time for, uh… RV maintenance."
Max paused, then raised an eyebrow at the awkward energy between them. "RV maintenance, huh? You mean like—cleaning? Fixing the water pressure?"
"Yep," Gwen chimed in, already standing and walking briskly toward the back. "Big day for… pipe integrity. I'm going to put on some clothes, it's hot today."
Ben mouthed pipe integrity? and then coughed to cover a laugh.
Max narrowed his eyes as Gwen disappeared into the rear bedroom. "You two alright?"
"Fine," Ben said, maybe too fast. "Why wouldn't we be?"
Max gave him a long, knowing look. "Just… keep your heads on straight. Whatever's going on, don't let it get in the way of what matters."
Ben blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I mean this life we live isn't easy. Aliens, danger, loss… it's a lot. And it's real easy to reach for someone nearby just to feel a little less alone."
Ben's chest tightened.
"But that kind of closeness," Max continued, "comes with weight. You need to be sure it's real—and that you're ready to carry it."
With that, Max stepped back out into the desert morning, letting the screen door slam shut behind him.
Ben sat there for a second, stunned. He didn't know if Max had seen something. Or guessed. Or if he was just speaking from the wisdom of a life spent surviving chaos.
Either way, the words echoed.
You need to be sure it's real—and that you're ready to carry it.
RV 11:00am
The bedroom door creaked open and Ben looked up—and instantly forgot how to breathe. Gwen stepped out dressed in white mini booty shorts and a snug blue crop top that clung to her like a second skin. Her toned legs caught the early morning light, smooth and glowing, and her bare midriff looked like it belonged in a summer dream. Ben's green eyes followed her like a magnet. He tried to look away—he really did—but his gaze kept snapping back. First to her face. Then to the curve of her hips. Then lower.
Gwen saw it.
All of it.
She didn't say a word—but her lips curled in the faintest smirk.
And then she walked. Slowly. Deliberately. Her hips swaying with every step, like she was moving to music only she could hear. There was something too smooth about the motion, too measured. Gwen knew exactly what she was doing on a hot day. Ben groaned quietly, running a hand through his hair and leaning back in the seat like it would somehow help him escape the heat rising in his chest.
It didn't.
She moved across the RV like a vision, like a memory from last night come to life. That kiss and sex still echoed on his mind. The way she touched him. The way she looked at him—like nothing else existed.
And now, here she was—walking toward him, every inch of her confident, daring, dangerous. Ben's gaze flicked to her legs again before quickly returning to her face, but Gwen caught it. Her smile deepened.
"You okay there, Ben?" she asked innocently, stopping just in front of him. "You look… distracted."
He swallowed. "I—uh… just thinking."
Gwen tilted her head slightly, leaning down so her face was closer to his. Her hair fell over one shoulder, the scent of her shampoo hitting him like a wave of nostalgia and temptation.
"About last night again?" she whispered, voice low.
Ben didn't answer. He didn't need to.
His silence was the answer.
Gwen's green eyes flickered down to his lips for the briefest moment, and then she pulled back—just enough to tease, just enough to leave a void he couldn't fill. Ben watched her walk away, her sway exaggerated just a bit more than necessary. It wasn't fair. Not after everything. Not when his brain was still spinning and his heart was pounding out a rhythm that only said Gwen, Gwen, Gwen.
Outside, the desert waited.
But inside the RV, the storm hadn't passed.
It had just taken a different form—tight shorts, a crop top, and a smirk that could kill.
Later That Day:
The sun had barely lifted above the horizon when the mission wrapped. No alien ambush. No last-minute explosions. Just some weird energy readings that fizzled out as fast as they appeared. Ben and Gwen returned to the RV in silence, the air between them thick with things unsaid. Grandpa Max was still out cold in the back, snoring like thunder under a mountain of old blankets.
They had the RV to themselves.
Again.
Ben closed the door behind him, quietly locking it.
Gwen stood by the small kitchenette, still wearing those impossibly short white shorts and the tight blue crop top that had driven him half-mad all morning. She leaned against the counter, arms crossed casually—but her eyes tracked him the moment he stepped closer.
"So," Ben said, voice low. "About earlier…"
Gwen arched a brow. "You mean when you almost walked into a street sign because you were too busy staring at my legs?"
Ben laughed softly, cheeks tinting red. "I wasn't that obvious."
"Oh, Ben," she said with a teasing smile. "You were." She stepped closer again, barely a breath of space between them now. Her hand rested on his chest, and she felt the way his heart kicked up the second she touched him. "We can't keep doing this," Gwen said quietly. "Sneaking glances, pretending it didn't happen… pretending we don't want it to happen again."
Ben nodded, his fingers brushing the side of her hip—light, barely there. "I know. That's what I wanted to talk to you about."
Their eyes met. Real. Raw. No teasing now.
"Let's make this real," she said. "You and me. For real, the sex we have was amazing."
Ben breath hitched. "Gwen…"
She kept going, voice soft but certain. "We figure this out. We don't have to tell anyone—not yet. Especially not Grandpa. Not until we're ready. Just… us."
"Us," Ben repeated, trying the word out like it was something fragile on his tongue.
She looked up at him. Really looked.
And then he smiled.
"Okay," she whispered. "But only if you promise not to freak out every time I wear shorts more often."
Ben grinned. "No promises."
Her laugh was quiet, but full of something warmer than before—something hopeful. They stood there, tangled in a silence that didn't feel awkward or forbidden anymore. It just felt right. Gwen leaned in, her lips brushing his lips this time—not rushed, not desperate. Just sweet.
"We together in secret," she whispered.
Ben nodded, pulling her in by the waist. "Secret."
And somewhere behind the RV's curtain, Grandpa Max snored on—none the wiser.
A Few Weeks Later: Secret Places
Standing before his reflection in the tiny RV bathroom, Ben splashed cold water on his face. The droplets slid down his skin, but they did little to cool the heat that lingered from the night before—the memory of Gwen's lips, her breathless whispers, the curve of her smile as she leaned into him when they have sex.
His green eyes met his own in the mirror.
Nobody knew the truth behind them. No one saw the tragic truth behind that sparkle.
Ben Tennyson was in a secret relationship… with his cousin.
He leaned on the sink with both hands and whispered, "Grandpa can never find out I'm seeing Gwen." Grabbing his phone, he thumbed out a message with steady fingers, even though his pulse thumped hard.
Ben: Same place. Hotel's better than the RV.
He pressed send.
A moment passed. Then his screen lit up.
Gwen: I'll be there. I'll bring dinner on the way.
Ben exhaled through a tight smile. God, she was everything.
⸻
6:30 PM – Downtown Bellwood Hotel
Ben slipped through the side entrance, careful not to attract attention. No Omnitrix, no aliens, no world-saving tonight. Just him. Just Gwen. Just the strange, fierce need that had grown between them—too real to ignore now.
He spotted her sitting in the far corner of the quiet hotel lounge.
The way she looked up at him made his chest tighten. She wore blue booty shorts that clung to her like they were painted on, high heels that made her legs look long, and a blue crop top that revealed just enough skin to drive him crazy. Her fiery red hair spilled over her shoulders, wild and untamed—just like she made him feel.
Ben sat down beside her, green eyes locked on hers.
"Your eyes," he said softly. "Even at night, Gwen… they're amazing."
She smiled at the compliment, but her gaze said more. She saw the way he was looking at her—like he was already undressing her in his mind.
And she didn't stop him.
Ben's eyes traveled down her arms, over her stomach, back up to the mess of crimson waves that framed her face. The heat outside hadn't even touched what was burning between them now.
Gwen leaned in, just a breath between their lips, her voice a whisper. "We have maybe an hour before Grandpa starts wondering where we are."
Ben didn't waste time.
Their mouths collided—hungry, hot, desperate. Gwen climbed into his lap, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands finding the soft, bare skin just above her hips. She kissed him deeper, bolder, her tongue sliding against his with practiced ease. This wasn't shy anymore.
This was theirs.
Ben groaned as her hands explored his chest, then lower, tracing lines across his shirt until her fingers curled into his waistband. His breath hitched.
Then—
BEEEEEEP!
Ben froze.
BEEEEEEP!
They pulled apart, green eyes darting toward the phones buzzing on the table.
BEEEEEEP!
Gwen reached over, annoyed. "Oh my god, now?!"
She checked the screen, and her face twisted in frustration. "Ugh. It's Grandpa."
Ben ran a hand through his hair. "Figures."
Gwen stood, the heels clicking sharply against the hotel floor. Even angry, she looked like sin wrapped in moonlight.
"I'll handle it," she muttered. "But next time, I'm turning the phone off."
Ben watched her pace, stomach still tight from everything they hadn't finished. As Gwen answered the call with her best "innocent" voice, Ben leaned back, letting the moment settle in his chest.
This was dangerous. This was risky.
But this was Gwen.
And he didn't care if it burned them alive.
/
Gwen sighed and answered the phone, trying to compose herself. Her voice softened to something calm and casual, even though her pulse was still racing from Ben's hands on her skin.
"Hey, Grandpa."
Ben watched her from across the room, sitting back on the edge, shirt half-untucked, his breathing just beginning to settle. Gwen threw him a look that said stay quiet.
"Yeah, I just stepped out to grab something to eat," she said, turning toward the window so Max couldn't hear the slight edge in her voice. "No, I didn't go far. Just needed a little break from the RV."
Ben smirked. She was good.
She paced slowly as Max spoke, the phone pressed tight against her ear. Her expression was composed, but Ben could tell she was calculating—making sure her voice didn't sound too breathless, too flustered. Making sure Max bought every word.
"Mmhmm. I'll be back soon. Yeah, I'll bring something for you and Ben."
Ben raised an eyebrow at that, mouthing silently, You're bringing me food?
Gwen rolled her green eyes with a quick smirk, her hand covering the mic.
"Don't make it obvious."
Then she turned away again. "Yes, I'm fine. Just needed some air, Grandpa. You've been cooped up with the Rustbucket too long if you're worried about me stepping out."
She laughed lightly, naturally, and Ben felt a strange pang in his chest. The way she could shift so effortlessly between the world—and the Gwen only he saw. The one who kissed like fire and whispered things that haunted him when she wasn't around.
"Alright. I'll be back in twenty."
She paused.
"Love you too."
She ended the call and let out a breath, spinning back around toward Ben with a look that was all mischief and heat again.
"Well," she said, dropping her phone on the nightstand, "we've got about fifteen minutes."
Ben stood up slowly, stepping toward her. "Make 'em count?"
Gwen smirked. "Like I'd waste a second." She took off her crop top that landed on the floor.
Next Day RV – Gwen's Private Bunk Room
The hum of the air conditioner filled the quiet RV, cool air whispering through the vents and teasing the hem of Gwen's skirt. She stood in front of the small mirror mounted to the cabinet wall, her eyes trailing up and down her reflection.
Her outfit was bold—a tight, sleeveless white mesh diamond top hugged her upper body, stopping just above her belly button, leaving a teasing glimpse of her toned stomach. A blue plaid mini skirt clung to her hips and fluttered slightly in the cool air, showing off just enough of her smooth, shapely legs to make her blush a little. Her bare arms glowed faintly under the warm RV lights.
On her feet, a pair of sleek black heels added a little height and a whole lot of attitude. Along her upper left thigh, just visible beneath the hem of her skirt, a bright white stitched design stood out—a playful statement that had Gwen smirking softly to herself.
She tilted her head, brushing a lock of red hair behind her ear.
"You'll look good," she murmured to herself, voice low and full of quiet mischief.
Her phone buzzed softly on the small nightstand. She picked it up, already knowing who it was.
Ben: Still thinking about you.
She smiled and typed back quickly.
Gwen: You'd lose it if you saw me right now.
A few dots popped up—then vanished—then came back.
Ben: You're not playing fair.
Gwen bit her lip, enjoying the power she had over him in moments like this. She leaned closer to the mirror again, adjusting the angle of her skirt just slightly. Maybe she wasn't playing fair. But neither was he when he looked at her like that. From the other end of the RV, Max's snores suddenly got louder, and Gwen heart thumping. She turned off the light in her bunk and lay back on the bed, phone in hand.
Ben sent one more message.
Ben: Same time tonight?
She didn't even hesitate.
Gwen: Try and stop me.
Outside The Hotel:
Ben had been on his way to grab a soda from the mini fridge when Gwen's door slid open just a crack. He paused, eyes catching movement. She stepped out, casually adjusting the sleeve of her top.
And Ben saw everything.
His eyes widened slightly as they took her in: a new tight mesh top clinging to her chest, bare arms glowing in the soft light, and that short plaid skirt riding dangerously high on her thighs. The black heels clicked softly on the floor, pulling the whole look together like something straight out of a dream—or a nightmare, depending on how hard it was going to be for him to focus the rest of the night.
"Mmmmm…" he muttered under his breath, trying to play it cool but absolutely failing.
Gwen glanced over her shoulder, catching him in full stare-mode. Her lips curled into a smirk. "You done undressing me with your eyes, or…?"
Ben blinked, clearing his throat, clearly caught. "I wasn't— I mean, I was just…"
"You were totally staring," she said, stepping closer and letting the breeze from the hotel A/C catch her skirt again. "And I kinda dressed like this more hoping you would."
Ben grinned walking towards her inside, leaning back against the counter like he was trying to seem casual—though the look in his green eyes gave him away completely. "You look like trouble," he said, voice low.
Gwen raised an eyebrow. "The fun kind?"
"The kind I'd follow into fire."
They stared at each other for a moment, heat building between them in the close space. Then Gwen took another slow step forward toward him, her skirt brushing against his leg, and whispered:
"Meet me in the bedroom. I'm not cooling off tonight."
Ben exhaled a laugh, shaking his head. "You're seriously gonna be the death of me."
"Then I guess you'll die smiling." She winked and slipped back into the hotel room, leaving Ben standing there with his heart hammering in his chest and a dumb grin on his face.
/
She stood beneath the bedroom, that same bold outfit from earlier, though the plaid skirt still peeked out. Her arms were crossed, and she was grinning like she knew exactly what she was doing. "Took you long enough," she teased.
"Hey, getting here takes time," Ben whispered, brushing off his hoodie. They shared a quiet laugh and toward the edge of the bed. "Okay," Ben said, smirking. "We've officially become late-night sneaky criminals."
Gwen nudged him with her shoulder. "Criminals in love."
Ben's smirk faltered for just a second. "Yeah… exactly." Ben green eyes roaming over Gwen breast with a mixture of satisfaction and hunger. "Turn around, hands on the bed," he commanded, his voice brooking. Gwen smirk as she pressed her hands against the bed. She felt Ben hands on her hips and Ben pull her skirt down her legs exposing her completely. The air in grow thicker with Gwen stood there naked and exposed. She heard Ben shoes scuff against the ground, the sound of a belt being unbuckled and positioning himself behind her. Gwen felt the head of Ben cock press against her entrance, hand grip her hip as she let out a sharp gasp as Ben thrust forward burying himself inside her.
"Ben," Gwen-moaned, her head falling back. Each movement sent waves of pleasure through her body, her nails digging solf sheets as she struggled to keep her balance. "Harder," Gwen yelled feeling her new secret boyfriend snapping his hips forward with more force in her naked body.
To be continued
Author's Note:
Welcome back to the beginning of this forbidden tale between Ben and Gwen. Set during their summer on the road in the Rustbucket, this story explores what happens after they kiss and made love when feelings cross boundaries and secrets become impossible to ignore. Expect tension, passion, and a bond that defies what's expected. They're playing a risky game—but neither of them wants to stop in their new secret relationship. Enjoy and let me know your thoughts!
