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I. Denial is a River
The rhythmic hum of the engine, combined with his lack of sleep was making Ben's eyelids grow heavy.
Night had fallen, draping the forest in a silver sheen of moonlight. Ben drove along the empty road, heading home from the supplementary class his mother had forced him to attend. A tree whipped by in a blur of shadow when a sudden chime broke the monotony—a voicemail notification.
Keeping his eyes on the road, Ben tapped to play the message.
"Hey, sport. Just wanted to check in and see how you're holding up." Grandpa Max's familiar voice filled the silence, laced with its usual concern. "I know things have been tough for you with the sudden changes—Gwen sends her regards, too. She's worried about you, Ben."
"Then maybe she should've called herself," Ben muttered, narrowing his eyes as a flicker of movement darted across his headlights. He tightening his grip on the wheel, was that—?
The message continued in the background. "—like her, I'm not thrilled about you working solo as a Plumber. This is dangerous work, Ben. You, of all people, should understand the importance of teamwork. I've got a list of reliable Plumbers who'd gladly partner with you—"
Ben reached out to turn off the voicemail, but before he could, everything around him exploded. His DX Mark 10 spun wildly twice, tires screeching before skidding across the pavement, finally coming to a stop when it crashed into a large tree.
Still seated at the wheel in an inverted position, Ben managed to suck in a shacky breath after the sheer shock. His fingers fumbled as he undid his seatbelt to slide out through the shattered window. A stream of red and black magic surged toward the car, its destructive force triggering another explosion just as Ben managed to escape.
"Stop blowing up my car!" Ben shouted as the vehicle burst into flames, igniting the tree beside it. "Do you have any idea how bad a teenage boy's insurance coverage is, Hex?"
Ben sneered the name, hovering above him with an air of superiority was the dark magician, his staff crackling with energy. These past few days had been relentless—a parade of old villainous foes popping up one after the other, each more determined to take him down than the last. Ben raised his left wrist and began to spin the face of the Omnitrix. "Tks," he muttered; it still needed charging.
"Gwen, cover me for a second before this stupid watch—" he began, speaking out of habit and instinctively glancing to his right. He expected to see the girl with ginger hair and glowing violet hands, a determined "On it!" on her lips. But he halted, surprised by the empty space that greeted him.
Right.
She's off to college now, remember?
"All alone, Ben Tennyson? Where's your stealthy little witch?" Hex taunted, his magic staff raised to unleash a spell.
"Maybe she decided she'd had enough of you." Just like she had enough of me, Ben thought before slamming his hand onto the Omnitrix.
A burst of green light exploding over the patch of forest. With a ground-shaking roar echoed through the night, he transformed into the towering form of Humungousaur. Power surged through his massive form as he charged at the magician, the ground trembling with each step.
The fight didn't take long.
"You're home late again, Ben. I know you're not too keen on those classes but—" Sandra's words trailed off as her eyes narrowed, landing on her son's disheveled outfit. "What happened to you?"
"Blame it on the long walk," he replied, sidestepping her concerns as he headed upstairs. Sandra called after him, disappointment evident in her voice. Yet her words blurred into indistinct noises in his ears; everything felt like noise lately—just noise and explosions.
Ben shut the door with a dull thud, not bothering to take off his jacket before collapsing onto the bed. He closed his eyes, exhaustion from a long day of school and fighting settling over him.
"School and fighting?" he murmured under his breath, the two words not even belong in the same sentence. Why waste time going to school and staring at boring numbers when he was busy saving the freaking universe?
Oh, that's what Gwen must have thought, too. Those two words shouldn't be next to each other. That's why she chose one thing and left the other behind.
It happened at the end of their fifth summer.
But this time, it wasn't noises or explosions that caught his attention. Worse, actually. It was that high-pitched squeal Gwen always made when she was excited. Just the dweeb being a girl, and no matter how lame it sounded, that was all Gwen needed to do to catch his attention (he had stopped trying to deny it years ago.)
"So, what is it this time?" he inquired, taking a sip of his smoothie as he casually leaned into her shoulder, eyeing the fancy letter in her hands. He had grown taller than her, a small victory Ben had relished ever since he caught up to her height and then surpassed it completely.
Gwen looked up at him, the light in her emerald eyes sparkling as she opened the letter and started reading it. Ben took another sip of his smoothie, dismissing any thoughts about how cute his cousin was as he continued with a sarcastic tone.
"Oh, I see, another award for some obscure skill that only nerds would care about. No big deal." Really, it wasn't. She probably had hundreds of those by now.
Gwen elbowed him before spun around, her smile somehow growing even brighter as she thrust the fancy thing in his face.
"I got accepted into college! And look—it's the freaking Friedkin University! Oh my gosh, ohmygoshohmygosh!" Her excitement spilled over as she did little jumps of joy. Ben's lips curled up slightly; he almost smiled and felt happy for her until a thought struck him.
"Don't you have to be at least eighteen to attend?" he asked hesitantly, though that wasn’t his real concern. Did that mean she'd have to move away—?
"There's something called skipping grades, doofus," Gwen responded with an eye-roll. "And most importantly, I'm smart," she said matter-of-factly, smirking at him before turning her attention back to the letter in her hands. "I just wrote a killer college essay and submitted it. It wasn't easy, though, probably the most time-consuming part of the application process. I just kept writing and deleting the whole thing. It took me a month to finish, but it seems like I got it after all!"
Despite Gwen's excitement, her words started to blur into indistinct sounds in Ben's ears. His throat felt tight as he managed to ask, "How far is that freakin' Friedkin from here?"
"The university is in West Bellwood, so I'll probably have to move onto the campus," Gwen said, looking at him with a sad smile, her eyes conveying the words she didn't voice. Ben's stomach dropped. Did this mean she was really leaving?
If she moved away, then... then...
"What about Hero time?" he blurted out, "Come on, Gwen, I know you love this stuff as much as I do—" His words tumbled out in a rush, everything happening so fast. He'd rather everything around him just explode. He knew how to handle that, maybe then the Omnitrix could fix this.
"I've worked so hard for this dream to come true, Ben. It's been on my wish list since forever." Gwen's voice softened, tinged with a mixture of excitement and nostalgia.
She reached out and held his hand; her smaller, warmer one wrapped around his cold, uncertain grip. She traced the faint scar on his hand with her thumb, a reminder of battles fought together. "We've spent years saving the world. I just want to see some of what I've been saving."
Ben knew he should be happy for her. She deserved this—every bit of it. She had worked tirelessly, balancing hero work, school, and everything else. Now her dreams were within reach, he should have been supportive, encouraging, proud... Ben's mouth felt dry. The words hovered on the edge of his lips, unspoken yet relentless, threatening to escape.
What about me?
Ben let out a shaky breath. For the first time, he found himself terrified of the future—not because of some villain or world-ending threat, but because the thought of facing it without her.
What about... us?
He swallowed the words back down, refusing to let them escape. Gwen's eyes filled with concern as she studied his face. "Ben, say something," she urged gently, her hand still lingering on his, "I know this is a lot. But you're my cousin and my best friend. I wanted you to be the first to know, and..."
Her voice trailed off as she let go of his hand, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the letter. A nervous habit she had whenever she felt at fault.
He exhaled slowly, trying to piece together his scattered thoughts. "I understand, Gwen," he said finally, his voice low. "I get it. You've worked hard, and you deserve this. You're gonna do amazing things. I just..."
Ben had never been good with words, if he were honest about his feelings, anything he said right now might ruin her good news. He took a deep breath, attempting to craft a smile and joke his way through just like he always did.
Leaning closer, he cupped her face for a brief moment before playfully messing up her hair. "I'm just surprised any school would accept a dweeb like you, that's all. You're barely... what, fifteen?"
"Sixteen," Gwen corrected, tugging his hands away but unable to hide her smile. "And if everything goes as planned, I'll start next semester."
"What about normal high school stuff? Friends, prom, you know, the fun stuff?"
"I can have fun while learning, thank you very much," Gwen shot back, smirking at him. "Prom? Seriously, Ben. High school is overrated. I'd rather spend my time in an environment where people actually challenge me intellectually instead of... well, worrying about who's dating who or what outfit to wear to some dance."
"Such a nerd," he teased, but his tone lacked its usual bite. Gwen must have noticed, because her smile faded and an uneasy silence settled between them.
Ben glanced down, lightly shaking the smoothie cup in his hand, as if the motion could somehow distract him from the ache in his chest. "Are you sure about this?" he asked quietly. "'Cause skipping all of that just feels... I don't know. Won't you miss it? Like, even a little?"
Won't you miss me even a little?
Gwen paused, her expression softening for a moment as she considered his question. "Maybe going to a prom with someone would've been nice."
Their eyes locked for a moment, a silent exchange, then she shook it off with a shrug.
"But I'll miss out on more if I stay stuck in a place where I don't belong. Besides," she added with a smirk, "it's not like I'm moving to another planet. I'll still be around, Ben. And as for you..."
She trailed off, giving him a small grin. "I'm sure you'll survive without me."
The absence of Gwen felt like a gaping hole in his chest, one that no amount of heroics could fill.
Ben was fighting alone now, rejecting any new partner that Grandpa Max offered. He rarely spoke to anyone, burying himself in his duties. Sometimes, he felt like it wasn't about saving lives anymore, it was just all he had left—this identity of being a hero. The thrill of the battles had dulled, replaced by a sense of obligation rather than passion.
A faded version of Ben 10,000 stared back at him from the mirror. He sighed, running water through his face as he tried to shake off the restless image.
It was well past midnight when Ben jolted awake, realizing he had been screaming.
The room was dimly lit by the glow of streetlights filtering through the curtains. The silence was heavy, his breath came in ragged gasps as he tried to shake off the remnants of the nightmare. The images from the dream were still vivid in his mind—Gwen, lost to him at Xenon, fading away as he reached out to her, unable to grasp her hand. It was a cruel reminder of his failure.
It should have been me, it should have been me
“Get it together, Tennyson,” he muttered to himself, clenching his fists. The nightmare is a manifestation of his deepest fears, and now it clung to him like a shadow every night. Without Gwen's reassuring presence, the world seemed dimmer, more daunting.
They used to have sleepovers in each other's rooms all the time. Even as they grew older, those nights became a tradition that persisted. The familiar comfort of having her around was something he had taken for granted. Now, confronted with the reality of their separation, he realized just how much he relied on her—how integral Gwen had become to his life.
Ben grabbed the Omnitrix, the familiar weight reassuring yet heavy with responsibility. He wondered if transforming would help—if becoming someone else, even for a moment, could provide an escape from the pain that wrapped around him. He knew he was only running away, afraid to confront the feelings he had buried deep beneath it all.
He longed for Gwen. He missed their late-night strategy sessions, missed her laughter and quick wit—how she always seemed to know exactly what to say to keep him grounded. He longed for her unwavering support, her warmth... the unspoken understanding that only their bond could forge.
Those memories felt bittersweet now.
Ben glanced at his phone, the screen glowing softly in the dim light. He considered sending her a message, just to hear from her, to remind himself that she was still there, still a part of his life. But tonight, even her voice might not be enough.
"Maybe I could visit," he muttered.
II. The Blind Spot
Gwen woke up with an uneasy feeling lingering at the back of her mind.
Determined not to fall behind on her schedule, she went through her morning routine, adjusted her backpack, and stepped onto the bustling college campus. The sprawling university grounds were a blend of historic ivy-covered buildings and sleek modern glass structures, perfectly matching her childhood imagination of the Ivy League.
Her first couple of weeks had been a whirlwind of orientations and meeting new faces. Gwen relished the chance to dive deep into ancient magic subjects she was passionate about. Everything seemed to be going well, yet part of her felt hollow, as if something essential was missing.
"You chose this, remember?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head as she made her way to class.
Gwen gradually settled into a steady rhythm with her studies. As the clock ticked on and the day drew to a close, she gathered her books and stepped into the crowded hallway. The lively chatter of students filled the air, a familiar symphony of voices discussing assignments, weekend plans, and the latest campus gossip.
As she moved through the crowd, a voice called out behind her. Turning slightly, she spotted a classmate from her science class rushing to catch up.
"Oh, hey Ethan," Gwen greeted, pausing to turn off her French audio lesson and pull out her earphones.
"Hey Gwen, about that science homework," Ethan began, falling into step beside her while an awkward smile lit up his face. "Did you understand the part about molecular structures? I could use a bit of help..."
Ethan was one of the top students in their class (though Gwen had recently edged past him in performance), and his insights were always engaging. Welcoming the conversation, Gwen dove into a lively discussion as they walked through the corridor.
It was moments like these that reminded her of the familiar comforts of home. Her thoughts drifted back to the times she would meet Ben after class, just like this. They'd debate over silly things, share jokes, or simply sit side by side at Mr. Smoothie. He always had the most questionable smoothie combinations, while she buried herself in the most boring books known to Earth—according to him.
"Gwen, you alright?" Ethan's concerned voice broke through her thoughts; she realized she'd gone silent.
"Ah, right. About what Mr. Williams mentioned..." she replied quickly, attempting to refocus on their discussion.
Yet, amidst the exchange, she sensed something unsettling—a subtle presence lingering just behind. It was as though someone was watching her. Yet, each time Gwen glanced over her shoulder, she found nothing but a sea of students hurrying along.
Even in this 'normal' college life, Gwen couldn't fully step away from her hero duties. A few nights each week, she still suited up to take down villains. Bellwood might've been her main battleground, but trouble didn't stop at city limits.
Shaking off the unease, Gwen let her mind drift back to the conversation with Ethan. Their exchange filling the walk between classes.
"Well, this is my stop. It was nice talking to you, Gwen," Ethan said as they reached the science building. He grinned at her, "Really, don't forget to send me those documents like last time."
"Not unless you send me that historical record first,” Gwen smirked, waving as the boy disappeared into the building.
As they parted, Gwen put on her earphones and began the walk back to her dorm. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm golden hue across the campus, painting everything in soft light. The picturesque scene was calming, and she found herself smiling at the familiar voice of her French teacher.
"Dernièrement, Eva a une étrange envie de pomme interdite." Lately, Eva have a strange craving for the forbidden apple.
Yet, just as she began to relax, the mysterious presence returned—someone, something was following her. She paused briefly, glancing over her shoulder only to find the path empty, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.
Gwen resumed her walk, every senses on high alert. The shadows stretched longer, darkening the corners of the campus. Despite the unease, her resolve hardened. Gwen was no stranger to unusual occurrences, and with each step, she prepared herself to face whatever might be lurking behind.
Suddenly, a shadow leaped out from a bush. Gwen's guard went up instinctively, her magic flaring to life at her fingertips—
"Meow?"
Gwen’s heart leaped before realization set in; it was just a stray cat. Its eyes were wide and curious as it meowed up at her.
Letting out the breath she had been holding, a small laugh escaped her lips as she dismissed her magic. "Seriously?" she muttered, kneeling to pat the cat, its soft gray fur warm under her fingers. "Sorry for being so jumpy," the cat purred in response, nuzzling her hand before darting off into the fading light.
Gwen shook off the tension with a lighthearted chuckle. Maybe not every shadow in her life had to be something to fight. She continued on her way to the dorm, the encounter leaving her feeling a bit more relaxed.
However, unbeknownst to her, hidden behind the tree bush, a figure stood. Cloaked in shadow and hidden from sight, the figure watched her with keen interest.
As Gwen disappeared into her dorm, the figure turned away, melting into the shadows with a subtle blue aura, vanishing without a sound.
Finally returning to her room, Gwen locked the door behind her and leaned against it. She took a deep breath, the familiar comfort wrapping around her like a warm blanket.
As weeks turned into months, she quickly adapted to her new surroundings despite the initial homesickness. Her dorm room, though small, had become a cozy sanctuary, filled with reminders of home; her favorite books lined the shelves, a soft throw blanket draped over her chair (a quick attempt to cover the Lucky Girl costume she’d left there last night,) and small trinkets from family trips scattered across the desk.
She set her bag down and let her gaze drift to the framed photo on her desk—a snapshot of Grandpa Max with her and a ten-year-old Ben. Ben's wide grin lit up the picture as Grandpa wrapped them both in a tight embrace. Her younger self appeared to protest the shared hug with the doofus, but the joy in her smile gave her away. It was from their first summer vacation, the summer when everything began to change, when her doofus cousin became so much more than just a cousin to her...
Gwen picked up her phone, her thumb hovering over Ben's contact. They still texted sometimes, but she noticed his replies had grown shorter and more distant. His name appeared on the news more often than in her inbox. They rarely called now, and Gwen would be lying if she said she didn't miss their late-night talks, with the comfort of his voice soothing her as she drifted off to sleep.
Grandpa'd mentioned Ben was working solo now, throwing himself entirely into hero work. On the news, they showed brief clips of him mid-battle or retreating from the aftermath, always in the midst of something bigger than himself. The image of the heroic yet clearly worn-down boy on the screen always lingered in the back of her mind. He didn't even flash that cocky grin anymore; they could only capture his profile as he transformed and walked away from the scene.
He was still Ben—a more mature and responsible Ben—but not her Ben. Her thoughts drifted to the glimpse of that distant future, a vision of a time when they'd grown apart. She knew that the moment she chose to move away, things would never stay the same.
You chose this, remember? Pushing him away; isn't this what you wanted?
Gwen sighed, the weight of the future pressing down on her. She placed her phone aside and returned to her desk, burying herself in studies instead of thoughts. Numbers, not memories. Equations, not feelings. The warm glow of her desk lamp cast a comforting light over her textbooks, the familiar scent of her room wrapped around her, soothed any lingering unease.
She concentrated, hoping the distraction would quiet the storm of emotions swirling within her.
It was well past midnight when Gwen decided to settle in for the night.
She changed out of her uniform, slipping into comfortable pajamas before climbing into bed. The day's activities had drained her, and the rhythmic hum of campus life outside her window lulled her into relaxation. Sleep came quickly, wrapping her in its soothing embrace as she drifted off.
Hours later, in the stillness beneath the moonlight, Gwen stirred. Half-awake, she sensed the familiar presence in the room, a feeling that gradually pulled her from the depths of sleep.
It was that feeling again, like someone was watching her. This time, though, the presence didn't feel elusive; it felt more… human, more familiar. As Gwen lay there, controlling her even breathing, she sensed a hand lingering in her ginger hair, moving in a rhythmic, comforting motion, much like how he used to...
Was this person braiding her hair?
Opening her eyes and sitting up abruptly, she was startled to see Ben sitting near her bed. The soft glow of the moonlight outlined his figure.
"Ben?" she whispered, blinking in surprise as her groggy mind struggling to process the unexpected sight. Her cousin sat there, looking as if he had been waiting for her to wake up.
"Hey, sleepyhead," he said softly, resting his elbows on his knees. The moonlight cast soft shadows across his face, highlighting the weariness in his eyes. "Didn't mean to startle you," he admitted, his tone quiet but steady. "It's been... too long."
Gwen stared at him, her heart a tangled mess of emotions, still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that Ben was here, in her dorm room, miles away from home. "What are you doing here?" she asked finally, a mix of confusion and happiness in her voice.
Ben looked away from her, his voice flat, "Guess I'm not important enough to pay you a visit anymore."
"You know that's not what I mean," Gwen said, folding her arms across her chest. She couldn't help but feel self-conscious in her too-thin, too-light-colored pajamas. At least the dim room did a decent job of hiding her flushed cheeks. "It's the middle of the night, Ben. You could've at least called or texted before sneaking into my room. I almost hit you!"
Not that it mattered, she knew. Not when he'd decided her window was his personal entrance ever since they were twelve.
"I'd rather get hit than be ignored while you're talking to someone else," Ben muttered.
"What are you talking about?" Gwen blinked, confusion washing over her. "You mean Ethan? Ben, were you the one watching me at school?"
Ben hesitated, his expression conflicted. "...It was BigChill," he admitted finally.
So that mysterious figure had been him? The presence had felt so elusive that she knew it couldn't be some nice guy chasing after her (she'd dealt with a few of those before.) She knew it couldn't be human; but Gwen never would've guessed it was her shape-shifting, hero cousin.
"That explains the braided hair I've been waking up with these past few days," she mused, recalling the nights she'd almost convinced herself she was sleepwalking.
Ben turned his head, avoiding her gaze. "I didn't mean to be creepy or anything. I just… I missed you, okay? I wanted to see how you were doing, but I wasn't sure how to approach you with everything being different now."
He hesitated again, his hand clenched tightly. "Then seeing you with someone else made me realize I was losing you…"
"Ben, I..." Gwen began, her expression softening as she started to understand. She turned to face him fully, gently caressing his cheek with her hand. He glanced at her, his emerald eyes searching hers, but said nothing.
He had grown so much; his boyish features had nearly faded, and the sadness in his eyes was too much for her under this moonlight. "Ben, you're important to me, and nothing's going to change that. Ethan's just a friend, someone I enjoy talking to at school. But that doesn't replace you or what we have. You're my family, my best friend and—"
"That doesn't help," Ben muttered, turning away from her touch, "You're more than just my cousin, Gwen. You're my partner. You're..."
Ben swallowed his words, afraid to say it, to acknowledge the truth.
Throughout everything they'd been through, they both knew their feelings for each other had developed into something much deeper—something that cousins shouldn't have for each other—but neither of them could help it.
It was part of the reason why Gwen had decided to move away, that maybe some distance would help her sort things out. She was afraid of this feeling; it lingered and grew within her until it became too overwhelming to ignore, to acknowledge. By the time she realized it, she was scared of what might happen if they crossed the line.
"You'll still have the Omnitrix, and Grandpa will be there for you," she said, forcing herself to stay firm. "You've saved the world more times than I can count. And you'll keep doing it, with or without me. That's the hero you are."
Ben blinked, her words hitting him like a punch to the gut.
"It's not about what I'll have, don't you understand? Nothing matters without you," he winced, as if the words physically hurt him. "You're the reason I want to be a better hero, the one who always has my back. The one who reminds me I'm worthy. What am I supposed to do without you?"
Gwen's heart ached at his words, the raw vulnerability in his voice. She'd never seen him like this—so utterly open. Her hand hovered between them, as if reaching for something she couldn't quite grasp.
She found herself avoiding his gaze. "I'm not leaving you behind, Ben. I moved away to figure things out, not to run from you. And yes, maybe I was scared of how much you mean to me. But I'm still here. I'm just... taking a different path for a while."
She tried to sound reassuring, but even she didn't fully believe her own words.
Ben studied her face for a moment, his jaw tightening. "And what if what I feel is something you can't accept?"
Her heart skipped a beat. They were finally teetering on the edge of a truth they'd both danced around for far too long. Ben leaned closer and held her hands, searching her eyes for a glimmer of hope, a sign that she felt the same weight of what was between them.
"This isn't just about your path or my heroics. It's about us. We're happy together, and you know that."
It's complicated, but what they had was real. It was more than just friendship or family—it was something special, something they couldn't live without. But deep down, he knew she was right.
Still, he never wanted to be right if it meant being without her.
"I don't want to lose you," he whispered, his heart aching as he leaned down to kiss her hands. "I love you, Gwen."
The words hung in the air, heavy and raw with emotion. Ben's voice was barely above a whisper, yet the impact was profound. Gwen's heart sank, the confession stirring something deep within her.
She finally looked at him, her eyes wide with a mixture of surprise, terror, understanding, and love—so much love that tears welled in her eyes. "Ben..." she started, her voice soft, almost trembling.
In that moment, everything seemed to stand still. The world outside their small bubble faded away, leaving only the two of them and the weight of what had been said. Gwen looked into his eyes, seeing the vulnerability mirrored in his gaze. It all disappeared as she leaned in, closing her eyes and pressing her lips gently against his, sealing the moment with a tender kiss.
It was as if time had stopped, and all the complexities, uncertainties, and fears dissolved into the warmth of the moment. The kiss had been soft and tender, yet it carried everything they'd never said.
As Gwen pulled back, their foreheads resting against each other. Her heart raced as she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I feel it too, Ben. I always have." Her admission was both terrifying and liberating, a truth she had held close for so long.
Ben looked at her, utterly dumbfounded after the kiss. His heart pounded and he could feel the heat rising to his cheeks. Ben tried to open his mouth to say something, anything, but words seemed to fail him.
Gwen watched him with an amused smile, her own cheeks flushed with a soft pink. "Well, now you know," she said, grinning. "And I'm glad you're here. Just next time, maybe use the door like a normal person, okay?"
He chuckled softly, the sound light and easy, reflecting the newfound understanding between them. In the quiet of the night, they fell asleep together, finding comfort in each other's presence like they used to when they were kids. They both knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they had each other.
That night, for the first time in a long while, Ben had a peaceful sleep without any nightmares.
