Ben lounges on the couch, bored out of his skull. Heartblast clings to his arm, her fiery hair tickling his cheek. She is surprisingly good at containing her heat now, no longer setting the furniture ablaze with casual contact. Her clinginess has been next level these past few days, and Ben is not sure why, but hey, he's not complaining.
Across the room, Laura sits ramrod straight, a floral dress and denim jacket that Sandra picked out for her hiding her muscular form. She stares blankly at the television, where some sitcom plays, but her eyes don't register any amusement.
Across the room, Gwen tapped away at her laptop, her fingers flying across the keyboard. Probably something dweebish again.
Grandpa Max was in the kitchen, humming to himself as he prepared lunch. Ben wrinkled his nose at the concoction Max was preparing. Some kind of alien delicacy that involved marinating questionable ingredients in a pungent, green sauce.
"Ugh, what is that smell, Grandpa?" Ben asks, wrinkling his nose.
Max chuckled, "Just a little something I picked up on my travels, Ben. You'll love it!"
"I highly doubt that," Ben says under his breath.
"Hey, Gwen, you wanna go out?" Ben asks. "I'm so bored. I feel like my brain is turning to mush."
"Can't," Gwen replies, not looking up from her screen. "I'm studying for my interdimensional law exam."
"Ugh, again with that dweeb stuff," Ben says, rolling his eyes.
Ben turns to Heartblast and Laura, "You two wanna go do something?"
Heartblast looked up from the board game, her fiery eyes full of enthusiasm. "Like what?"
"I don't care," Ben says, throwing his hands up. "Anything is better than sitting around here."
Laura, surprisingly, speaks up, "I do not think that is a good idea."
"Oh come on, Laura. What else are we going to do?" Ben asks. "We can go get some Mr. Smoothies, or something. Come on. You need to loosen up."
"It will be fun!" Heartblast says, jumping out of her seat.
Gwen looked unsure. "I have things I should be doing."
Laura also seems reluctant. "I am not sure about this."
"Come on, it's summer!" Ben exclaims, his voice rising in pitch. "We should be out there, doing something cool. You know, experiencing life."
Max, who had been eavesdropping, chimed in from the kitchen. "Ben has a point, you know. A little fresh air never hurt anyone."
Gwen sighed, and Laura nodded in agreement.
"Alright, fine," Gwen said. "But if something weird happens, I'm blaming you."
"Yes!" Ben exclaims, pumping his fist. "Alright, Mr. Smoothies it is."
He points at them all, "Let's go!"
They climbed into the Rustbucket. Max got behind the wheel, easily driving through the city streets. Before long, they were at Mr. Smoothies. Heartblast stayed in the Rustbucket to avoid being noticed, which bummed her out. Ben happily ordered what he always got—a big smoothie and a bunch of chili fries.
They settled at a table. Ben devoured his fries with gusto, while Heartblast sampled every flavor of smoothie, her eyes wide with delight. Gwen sipped hers delicately, occasionally glancing at Laura, who sat quietly.
"So, Laura," Max began, his tone gentle, "how have you been settling in with us these past few days?"
Laura paused, considering her words carefully. "It is… nice," she said finally. Her voice, still laced with a formality, held a hint of warmth. "The Tennysons are kind."
"We're glad to have you," Max says with a smile.
Gwen, her curiosity piqued, asks, "So, what was it like before? Back…back then?"
Ben stiffens. Gwen, seriously? "Hey, Gwen, maybe that's not something you should ask," Ben interjects, his brow. "It is a bit personal."
"It is fine," Laura says, her gaze steady.
Max nods in agreement with Ben. "If you do not want to share, Laura, it is alright."
Laura took a breath. "I was made to be a weapon. That is all I was. That is all I knew." She raises a hand, and two silver blades slid from her knuckles.
Gwen gasps, shock etched across her face. Max's eyes widen, his jovial expression replaced by a look of concern. Ben already knew. This is why he was trying to stop Gwen.
"What do you mean, made?" Gwen asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
Laura's expression remains impassive. "I was not born in the traditional sense. I was made in a lab. They used the genes of a man, a weapon. They called him Weapon X."
She pauses, her green eyes clouding with a distant pain. "They wanted to make a clone of him. To create the perfect weapon. I am that weapon. A female version."
A silence falls over the table, broken only by the faint sounds of the city outside. Ben could feel the weight of Laura's words pressing down on him.
"They trained me," she continued, her voice flat. "I learned how to kill. And I have killed. Many people. Even children." A shiver ran through her body, almost imperceptible. "My hands are stained with blood."
Gwen's eyes were wide, and Max looked pained.
"They even made me kill my mother," Laura adds.
Max's eyebrows furrowed. "How could they make you do that?"
Laura's eyes narrowed, her gaze hardening. "They created a chemical. A scent. When I smell it… everything goes black. I lose control. When I wake up… everyone is dead."
Ben, Gwen, and Max exchanged somber looks, a wave of sympathy washing over them. The layers of trauma that shrouded Laura were heartbreaking.
"I…I don't know if I can really stay here," Laura said, her voice laced with uncertainty. "After everything I've done…"
Max reached across the table, placing his hand over hers. "It wasn't your fault, Laura. You didn't have a choice. You were a victim, not a perpetrator."
Ben's face hardened, resolve filling his eyes. "He's right, Laura," Ben says, his voice strong. "It wasn't your fault, and you don't have to keep living like that. Not anymore. Here, with us? You're safe. We're gonna make sure of it."
Ben's expression became fierce, a grin spreading across his face. He slammed his fist on the table, making the smoothies jump. "And if those freaks who made you do come looking for you? I am gonna kick their butts all the way back to whatever hole they crawled out of!" He raises his left arm, displaying the Omnitrix.
Gwen raised an eyebrow. "I don't know if you're the most reliable person to promise protection, Ben."
"Hey!" Ben exclaimed, feigning offense.
"But it is true," Gwen continues, looking at Laura with genuine concern. "You will be safe with us. We'll do everything we can."
Laura still looked doubtful. "They are not simple," she says, her voice quiet. "They will not stop."
Max squeezed Laura's hand, his eyes filled with determination. "I promise you, Laura, you'll be safe. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."
What is that supposed to mean? Ben wonders. Is Max going to pull some strings? Ben knew that Max had been more than just a regular Plumber; he was a Magistrate. If Max calls in a favor or two, then they can find those people who made her a weapon, plus the Plumbers had resources. With their help, they can ensure that Laura remains safe from whatever shadowy group pursued her.
Max looks from Laura to Ben. "Tell you what, since you missed out on so much of your childhood... How about we take a road trip? Like how Ben, Gwen, and I used to do when they were just kids."
Ben's eyes widened, and Gwen choked on her smoothie.
"A road trip?" Ben asks, surprised.
"Now?" Gwen adds, incredulous.
"Yeah! We can show Laura all the wonders of this country!" Max says, his eyes twinkling.
Ben wondered if this could be that road trip. The one from the TV series with the original Ben. He recalls seeing them traveling around, fighting bad guys, and having fun. Although things were out of whack, like getting the Omnitrix early and meeting Animo so soon, this universe had always been chaotic. Marvel characters existed alongside characters from the Ben 10 series. Heck, even his Omnitrix was already very different from the original.
"That sounds awesome!" Ben yells, excitement bubbling within him.
Gwen scoffs. "A road trip? Really, Grandpa?"
"It would be fun, Gwen! Come on! You and I and Laura? Just like old times!"
She looks down, averting eye contact. "I'm not sure if I can. You know, with…" Gwen trails off, not wanting to mention any of her obligations.
Ben pleads, "Come on, Gwen! We haven't done one of these in forever. Do it for Laura! She needs a break."
Gwen sighs, then looks around at their hopeful faces. "Fine, whatever. If everyone is going, I guess I can, too."
"Alright!" Ben cheers, a wide grin splitting his face.
"Then it is settled," Max confirms, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. "We'll head out in about a week. That gives us all time to prepare."
Ben practically vibrates with energy. He shoves the last of his chili fries into his mouth, chews quickly, and swallows. "Alright, then! Let's get going. We should start packing and planning the route. I call shotgun!"
As the group gathers themselves, a genuine happiness spreads among them, a warmth that even Laura can feel. Seeing this, a soft sensation blooms within her, something akin to contentment. Hope sparks, and she allows herself a small, almost imperceptible smile
Ben walked back toward the Rustbucket, the setting sun casting long shadows. Inside, Heartblast waited, her fiery form casting a warm glow against the vehicle's interior. He could feel her anticipation even before he reached the door.
"Ben!" she exclaimed as he approached, her voice bright and filled with excitement. "You're back! Did you get me something?"
He grinned, holding up the Mr. Smoothy and the container of chili fries. "Of course. How could I forget?"
Heartblast practically vibrated with delight, her plasma core glowing brighter. She reached for the food, but paused, looking up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. "Can we eat together? Please?"
Ben chuckled, a warmth spreading through him. "Sure, Heartblast. That sounds great." He climbed into the Rustbucket and settled beside her. The space was a little cramped, but neither of them seemed to mind. He hands her the smoothie and fries. She accepts them gracefully.
As they ate, Heartblast leaned closer, her shoulder brushing against his arm. She chattered animatedly about her day, describing the sights and sounds she had experienced while waiting for him. Ben listened, enjoying her enthusiasm. Her simple joy was infectious.
He couldn't help but notice how clingy Heartblast had become lately. Since that time with Wildgirl, his perspective on his alien forms had shifted. Before, he'd seen them primarily as comrades. But now, he was increasingly aware of their personalities, their desires, and their… feminine sides.
Heartblast, in particular, had become much more affectionate. He wondered what had prompted this change. Was it simply her nature as a Pyronite-Human hybrid? Or was something else at play?
He watched as she devoured a fry, a smear of chili sauce adorning her cheek. "Heartblast," he began, his voice gentle. "Is there a reason why you have been so… clingy lately?"
Heartblast paused, her fiery form dimming slightly. She seemed to ponder the question, her brow furrowed in thought. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice soft. "I just… I feel happiest when I'm with you, Ben. Being beside you is… nice. It feels right."
Her words resonated within him, stirring a mix of emotions. He didn't mind her affection, not at all. In fact, he found himself enjoying it. Her warmth, her enthusiasm, her unwavering loyalty—it was all incredibly endearing.
He reached out, gently wiping the chili sauce from her cheek. "As long as you're happy, Heartblast, I am, too. If you want to stick around, that's fine."
A radiant smile bloomed on her face, her plasma core flaring with renewed intensity. She leaned in, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. "I'll always be with you, Ben," she whispered, her voice filled with warmth and affection. "Always."
Ben wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer. Her body radiated heat, but it was a comforting warmth, a reminder of her fiery spirit and her unwavering devotion.
He closed his eyes, savoring the moment. Whatever the reason for Heartblast's newfound clinginess, he didn't mind. Not one bit. Her presence filled a void within him, a longing for connection and affection that he hadn't even realized existed.
Her intimate actions brought comfort and warmth, and made him feel good about himself. He wouldn't have it any other way.
***
Leave a comment and review of your thoughts
Give some power stones to support this novel.
Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz