Title: Worth

Disclaim Her: No claims.

Notes: Written after seeing 'Framed' and being inspired. Also written because this fandom's starting to piss me off with its GwenxBen shippers. Ugh. Not that I don't love me some 'cest from time to time, but really. At least learn to pick your couples better, people. So, fellow slashers, please join me in saying, "Fic-slapped!"

Warnings: Very, very slight AU, since I can't remember exactly how the episode progressed; spoilers for 'Framed;' weird style of writing, 'cause that's how I swing; and last but not least, obsession of the slashy kind, if you see it that way.

In this instant, Kevin’s entire world crumbles.

Ben’s already walking away, his four arms tense and his four fists clenched with barely suppressed anger. And that’s sort of funny, because it’s just another testament to how different the two boys truly are.

Kevin doesn’t much feel like laughing right now.

You’re not worth it.

That’s not right. He’s always been worth it. Otherwise Ben wouldn’t bother coming back.

You never were.

He always was. The day he met a little brunette named Benjamin Tennyson and helped him, befriended him, trusted him. The day Ben decided he didn’t want any part of something that hurt people, because he was a hero. The day Ben made it his personal agenda to help Kevin in return, to change his view on the world and maybe get him to see that not everyone was against him.

The day that Kevin refused the help.

You’re not worth it.

No matter what the boy ever said, Kevin knew he hadn’t given up on him. That was the type of person Ben was.

You never were.

But Kevin isn’t so sure anymore.

Ben’s a good distance away now, the large muscles of his alien form rippling under the crimson skin, and he hates it, because it’s not the lithe form he’s had memorized for so long. Not the nose he loves to see wrinkle in disgust, not the eyes he loves to see darken in pain and anger as he’s kicked around just enough to come back for more.

Hates it because it’s not the boy he’s come to love to hate.

Not worth it.

This isn’t how it’s supposed to go. Ben is supposed to be down long enough for Kevin to escape, and then the game resets. Then Kevin is on the run again, waiting until the opportune time for their next encounter, and it’s rinse and repeat.

It’s a familiar cycle. A cycle that he never expected to be broken.

Never were.

Kevin’s thoughts are a mass of jumbled emotions and half-finished sentences. Maybe if he turns himself in, he can break out later and--maybe if he chases Ben down and explains everything, explains their game and how he needs it--maybe if he finishes off this stupid alien-capture team, he and Ben can--

A strange anger builds in his chest, constricting his breath and blurring his vision. Instantaneously, his body begins shifting, and this time it isn’t of his own accord. He feels multiple features appear, and knows this is no longer repairable. Knows this game is over, and the reset button can’t be found.

He doesn’t notice Ben moving further away, coming to the very-near rescue of the dangling lieutenant. Nor does he notice Ben’s departure, or the lieutenant narrowing his swollen eyes as he radios to his troops.

A searing heat explodes across his chest, and suddenly he’s tumbling back, back, too far.

Never.

Kevin blacks out before he ever hits the water.

E.n.d.