Ben 10 Porn Story: Counting Stars Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I dont own Ben 10
This is set after the Alien Force timeline.
Shoving his fists into the pockets of his old jacket, Ben Tennyson hung his head slightly against the semi-artic winds that blew about the campus of his college, ones that were off and on again managing to hit him directly on. He supposed that a true coat would work better against them, but he just couldnt seem to part with his tried and true, albeit slightly old, green jacket. It had been with him in worse things than cold, not exactly Winter, but not quite Spring yet weather, that much was for sure.
One example of these worse extremes would be the number of times hed fought against aliens. Oh so many aliens. Sometimes even to the point of the situation becoming, truly, one of life or death. Yet he was still okay, and so was the jacket. Another example of extremes would be the times he and Kevin Levin had gotten on each others bad sides, both before and after his mysterious change of personality. And then of course, there was the other difficulty he had to go through. The one that, along with the cold weather, he was still going through: life without Gwen around. True, it wasnt like he absolutely never saw her–she managed to make it back to Grandpas R.V. every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter after all–but still it just honestly wasnt the same as it once was, when she was around him virtually twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. He missed it so badly the being around her all the time. And even if Kevin was there as well, it didnt matter, because so was she
Sometimes he found himself almost to the point of tears as he thought back to those days. Sometimes his memories drifted him back to times when he and Gwen were much younger, when she was no less than mean and witchy toward him, and in return he was no less than horrible and annoying. At other times, his memories only drifted back enough to make him reminisce about his high school days, and how dreadful it was to live through the horrors of dealing with both aliens and science class. Of course, with Gwen around, neither seemed entirely too intolerable. But as it was now, with her barely around him at all, Ben slowly found that he was becoming someone almost unrecognizable to even himself.
At first he thought maybe he was just homesick. It made enough sense, and besides, he knew of other college mates of his that had felt homesick, too–it wasnt that uncommon of a thing. But then, as it worsened, he began to realize that it was only when he thought of Gwen that the hurt was there at all. So okay, he wasnt sick and missing home–he was sick and missing Gwen. But again, that wasnt that out there. He did consider her to be his best friend, after all. It was okay to miss a friend, even desperately so at times, especially a best friend. And not to mention the fact that it was a best friend he had only seen a total of six times face-to-face within the past two years. Then, of course, it just continued spiraling downward. At one point, he was thinking he actually saw her at times. Maybe a redheaded girl or two would walk by him, and hed double-take, thinking for sure that it had been his Gwen coming to visit him. But, of course, it never was. Then there were the dreams. Dreams solely about her. First they were a source of happiness, dreams in which hed simply managed to go visit her or vice-versa, and theyd hung out together and all was good. Then they became a source of concern, for, slowly–starting with a simple kiss or two–but surely–ending up with full-fledged scenes that were inappropriate at best–they were turning into scenarios in which she and he were far, far more than best friends. Then, as he put more thought to the situation, he could in fact recall earlier such dreams, from when he was a teenager, but hey, teenagers are nothing but hormones keeping host in a human body–that was probably to be expected then. But now? Was there really any excuse at all for Ben thinking of his cousin in such a light at this point?
It was by the end of the spring semester of his second year in college that Ben realized that he was in love with Gwen.
Dude, your phones been ringing for the past like five minutes or something.
Jumping at the sound of a friends voice, Ben blinked, snapping quickly out of his reverie, before jutting his hand down into his pocket, retrieving his, indeed, ringing cell phone, before answering it.
Erm, yes, hello?
What on earth was keeping you from answering it?
Feeling his heart leap right up into his throat, causing him to audibly choke a bit as a sensation of butterflies began fluttering up within his stomach, Ben swallowed, trying to clear his throat, before croaking back into the phone,
Gwen? That you?
Forgotten my voice already? came her answer, and though he still wasnt entirely sure whether to believe what he was hearing or not, for his cousin rarely actually phoned him, Bens face contorted into a ridiculous grin, one so insane that it actually seemed to somewhat startle and frighten the friend he had been walking with.
N-No, of course not. I knew it was you.
Alright, just checking there, cous.
When a small giggle followed her words, Ben thought for an millisecond that surely he was about to melt right then and there. He had it, and had it bad for her, there was no denying it now.
So, he finally managed to say, his knees feeling a bit weak as his stomach, and now heart, continued to flutter. To what do I owe this pleasant surprise? You never call me.
Yeah, sorry, I probably should more often huh? came her answer, before she added. Well actually, you know how Easters coming up?
Yeah?
Well I was supposed to get here to Grandpas R.V., which is where Im at now, sometime next week, but my classes finished up early this semester so I was able to go earlier, and Grandpa mentioned to me that the last time you and he had spoken on the phone you seemed sorta homesick, so I was just calling to see if youre okay.
I do feel better now, I am getting to talk to you, after all Ben thought to himself, before actually answering with,
Yeah, Im good. I mean, most people get homesick at times, no big deal, but uh, youre actually there at home now? As in right now?
Yes, Ben, she confirmed, again with a melt-threatening giggle to go along with it. Im at home right now. I just got back to the R.V. from visiting Mom, Dad, Kenny, Uncle Carl and Aunt Sandra with him.
Oh, okay, well since you managed to get there early, I think that I can manage to do the same.
Really? Your term ends early too this time around?
Well not exactly, but, I believe that if I tell my professors that there is an urgent emergency at home, then theyll most likely let me take my finals–which I only have three of–early, and then Ill be free as a bird to go.
Are you sure you can get by with that, Ben?
Im sure. So tell you what, Ill be seeing you, and Grandpa, and everyone else by Wednesday.
But todays only Monday.
Im aware of that.
So you can really get all of that done and get back by then?
No sweating it, Gwen.
Awesome. But, one thing, Ben, as you know by now all my friends have been calling me Gwendolyn for like the past two years. Couldnt you?
Nope.
Why not?
I dont go to college with you. I dont apply to the rule, Gwen.
But, Ben–
Sorry, Gwen, no can do.
Ben, I–
Gwen, Gwen, Gwen!
BEN!
Gwen, Gwen, Gwennnn
Smirking as he heard the sound of the phone hanging up in his ear, Bens goofy grin grew even further. He couldnt believe it. After missing her so often lately, he was going to be around her within only a couple days time. Granted, hed have to keep in check just how much he let it show that missed her; he had a feeling that confessing his love for his cousin wasnt exactly an option for what to do over the Easter holiday, but, regardless, he was getting to see her. That alone was more than enough for him.