Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If there's one thing that Benjamin Kirby Tennyson had learned in his 26 years with the Omnitrix, it's that losing your partner is worse than the most excruciating death...and he'd technically already died twice. Julie and Ester never worked out. Blonko was dead. Kai had left him. He was alone with nothing to comfort him other than the toddler asleep on his chest...and broken memories.

---

As they flew back to Earth, Ben looked over at his partner. "Can I ask you a question?"

"You already have," Rook answered, bemused. "But yes, you may ask another."

Ben cleared his throat, feeling a deep flush creep up his cheeks. "So...Rook is your last name, right? Or your uh...family name?"

"That is correct. In my culture, our familial name goes first, followed by our chosen name. Based on your culture's standards, my name would be Blonko Rook."

"Okay..." Ben paused and ran a hand nervously through his hair. "Want me to call you Blonko then?"

Rook...or rather Blonko...glaced at the human and gave a small smile. "I would like that a lot, Ben Dude."

---

The last time Ben had been stuck on an uninhabited planet, his only company had been Reiny. Blonko was substantially better company, but the climate was no less dangerous. He'd never felt so cold before in his life and silently cursed Azmuth for refusing to unlock the Omnitrix until he turned 18...exactly a month from today. Being Articguana or Big Chill instead of plain old Ben would make the experience one hell of a lot easier. Then again, when had his life ever been easy? He was probably even going to miss Thanksgiving and get yelled at by his parents. This fucking sucked.

Ben shivered violently and shoved his hands under his armpits, hugging himself. "If we make it out of here before I turn into a Bencicle, I'm so going Way Big and stomping on Azmuth."

"That would be unwise," Blonko replied. "Azmuth is the only being with the knowledge and means to fully control the Omnitrix. Besides, it is not nearly cold enough on Andor V for a human body to completely freeze within 24 hours."

Ben groaned. "Dude, how have you been my partner for over a year and still can't tell when I'm joking?"

"I am well aware. I was also being facetious. It is, however, unfortunate in the present circumstances that your particular lineage of primates evolved without fur."

Ben sighed and looked up at the sky. "It's getting dark. We should set up camp for the night. I'll make a fire," he said, dialing up Swampfire on the Omnitrix. "Don't you dare fuck with me right now."

After the fire was lit, the pair got ready to sleep in silence. About an hour later, Ben still couldn't stop shivering. "Okay dude, no homo but uh...I'm freezing to death over here."

"No...homo? I do not understand."

Ben huffed and ignored the flush creeping up his cheeks. "Yeah like...not homosexual. Not that there's anything wrong with being gay! I mean, I'm pan, so like whatever. I just...I'm gonna cuddle you for body heat if that's okay?"

Blonko felt himself blush as well. Humans were so much more forward about matters of sexuality compared to Revonnahganders. "I do not mind. I am also feeling somewhat cold. Our species have different definitions of what constitutes as a romantic gesture, in any case."

Ben awkwardly tucked himself under Blonko's arm and half-laid on top of him, finding his partner's steady heartbeat surprisingly calming. "So...what's it like on Revonnah?"

"It is...uncustomary...for individuals of the same sex to pair up. We are expected to have large families in order to distribute labor." Blonko shifted slightly to prevent his arm from falling asleep and hugged the human to his chest. "Males typically initiate courtship between the ages of 16 and 18. It is a several year long affair, and partnerships must be approved by both sets of parents before matrimony can occur."

"Doesn't sound that different from humans, but also doesn't really answer my question," Ben murmured with a yawn, relieved that his body had stopped shaking.

Blonko blushed again. "We...should try to sleep. We still have a long walk to the transport."

"...Fine. But don't think this conversation's over."

---

Blonko awoke to the sound of his communicator beeping. "This is Rook Blonko," he said, groggily.

"Sorry for w-waking you." Ben's shaky voice came through.

Blonko rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Are you all right, Ben?"

Ben sighed heavily and said nothing for a while. "N-no. C-can you come o-over? ...Please?"

"I will be there in five minutes." Blonko threw on a pair of sweatpants and a Plumber Academy t-shirt before heading over to Ben's quarters. After Ben turned 18, he had decided to live at the Plumbers' headquarters full-time. Blonko was sure that the human's parents appreciated their home being damaged less frequently.

Ben was currently sitting on his bunk, head in his hands, shoulders wracking with sobs. Blonko walked over and put an arm around him, cautiously nuzzling his hair. "I am here. It will be all right."

The Revonnahgander was slightly surprised when Ben clung to his shirt and buried his face in his chest. "Do you wish to talk about it?"

Ben shook his head and choked down a few deep breaths. "J-just hold m-me. P-p-please."

"Of course, Benji," he mumbled into Ben's hair, and suddenly realized just how deeply in love that he was.

"If you t-tell anyone about this, you're d-dead."

Blonko completely understood why Ben felt the need to portray himself as unbreakable. "Of course not, but please know I am always available if you need me."

Ben sniffled again and whispered, "Th-thanks, B-Blonko. St-stay?"

Blonko took the risk and kissed the top Ben's head. "Of course, Benji. I'm here for you."

In response Ben relaxed further into his arms, until the Revonnahgander was sure that the human had fallen asleep.

(A/N: Read "Take Me To Church" here.)

---

"Dude, shut up."

Blonko huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. It had been a close call, but Ben should not have come for him. That would have been the smart decision. The safe decision.

The last thing he had expected in this moment was to feel another set of lips pressed firmly to his own.

"I fucking love you, Rook Blonko, don't you know that? I should've said it sooner, but I'm glad I can still say it now. Don't ever scare me like that again, or I'll kill you myself."

Although dumbfounded by the fact that Ben had finally shared his feelings, Blonko sighed and pressed their foreheads together. "I love you as well, Benjamin Tennyson."

"What does this mean for us?"

Ben had been his best friend, confidant, and recently frequent bedmate, for years. It was an easy answer. Blonko smiled and held Ben's face in his hands. "I believe by Earth colloquialism we are 'boyfriends.'"

Ben grinned and kissed him again. "I love the sound of that."

The pair awoke the next morning naked, in each other's arms, and couldn't be happier.

(A/N: Read "No Regrets, Just Love" here.)

---

Ben yawned and nuzzled Blonko's chest. "Are you...purring?"

"What? No."

The human giggled. "You liar."

Blonko huffed. "Alright, it is a sound that my people make when we are content and feel safe."

"I love you too, dummy."

---

"Yield."

Blonko's human boyfriend had him pinned to the floor mat by the throat. Ben was flushed, and panting, and drenched in sweat and...he had never looked more beautiful.

Blonko beamed up at him. "While I may be disappointed that it has taken you four years to win in a fair fight, I nonetheless concede defeat."

Ben laughed breathlessly and flopped on his back. "Fair?! Revonnahganders are stronger than humans by default! But c'mon, don't be a sore loser, love."

Blonko smirked impishly and took the moment of calm to tackle Ben, capturing the human's lips in a passionate kiss.

Jerry from Inhuman Resources groaned from across the gym. "Get a room you two!"

---

Kevin, Gwendolyn, Ben, and Blonko got sent on a long distance mission together.

During the middle of the night, Gwendolyn had to use to toilet. She caught sight the Revonnahgander spooned up to her cousin, with Ben holding one of his hands in both of his own, and couldn't help but smile.

She'd been pretty sure for a while now that there was something more between them, but she didn't want to push Ben before he was ready. They did hella look adorable, though.

---

Kevin and Gwendolyn's wedding was the first event they went to as an "official" couple. Human weddings were certainly different from Revonnahgander weddings, but Blonko found that he was enjoying himself.

"Wanna dance?" Ben asked.

"I would love to."

Ben pulled him onto the dance floor before standing still. "I'm not quite sure how to do this tbh."

"What do you mean?"

"Like...I'm used to leading but...you're taller than me."

Blonko pressed their foreheads together and nuzzled Ben's nose. "You are thinking about it too hard."

"That's probably the first and last time anyone'll say that, love," Ben said, laughing, and rested his head on Blonko's shoulder as they swayed to the music.

It turned out that dancing came naturally.

---

The first time a homophobic slur was thrown at them, Blonko just froze. He did not know how to react, and he also had no idea how Ben would react.

He certainly did not expect Ben to laugh.

"I'm no Christian, but I'm pretty sure Jesus said to love your neighbor. I'm also pretty damn sure that yelling slurs at strangers on the street ain't it, chief. I love this planet, and you calling me a 'faggot' isn't going to stop me from saving it, or from loving my boyfriend. Sue me if that bugs you so much." And Ben kissed the Revonnahgander to cement his point.

---

(A/N: Read "Tell Me When You Hear My Heart Stop" here.)

Even though Blonko was well trained in how to help Ben through his seizures, it still broke his heart to see him in this state. Especially in the bed that they shared.

It was his fault that Ben had to go through this after all.

---

"Brallada! Are you forging matrimony rings?" Rook Ben asked excitedly. "I knew it! I knew this would happen!"

The brothers were visiting Revonnah for the Harvest. Rook Ben was now a Plumber agent stationed on Galvin Prime. Blonko and Ben had, of course, remained on Earth. At the thought of his lover, Blonko turned towards the field in time to see the human's Revonnahgander form get tackled by Blonko's half dozen nieces and nephews shared between his two youngest sisters with their mates. Since Ben was now able retain an alien form for as long as wanted, he maintained a Revonnahgander appearance when visiting Blonko's homeworld. As a result, Ben's relationship with Rook Da had greatly improved.

Blonko chuckled at the sight before returning to the conversation at hand. "Hush, brother, it is supposed to be a secret. I only just discussed it with our parents and I have yet to ask for his parents' blessing."

"No matter, they will say yes and so will he. You are well suited mates." Rook Ben pulled his older brother into a tight hug. "And I expect to be your guardsman!"

Blonko now laughed freely. "Of course you will be, brother. I can think of no one better to fill the role."

---

Blonko got down on one knee and held out a small box to Ben. "I believe it is customary in human culture to present one's lover with a ring prior to furthering their relationship."

Ben took a half step backwards and laughed, somewhat awkwardly.  "Blonko, are you...proposing to me?"

"I am indeed. I wish to spend the rest of my life with you, Benjamin Kirby Tennyson."

Ben knelt down next to his lover and kissed him hard. "It'd be an honor to be your husband, Rook Blonko."

Blonko slid the crude metal band surrounded by amber ogia resin onto the middle finger of Ben's right hand, the traditional ring finger on Revonnah. Usually both partners were presented with a ring at the matrimony ceremony, but something about this deviation just felt...right. In fact, everything in the universe felt right.

It would not last long.

---

Ben finally found something more exhausting than saving the universe: wedding planning. There was only a month to go, and so much that still needed to be done. "All I'm saying is, maybe if we let my mom and your dad duke it out once, they'll get it out of their systems."

Blonko laughed. "I do not believe that would help."

"It'd be pretty funny though. C'mon, admit it!"

"It would not be a fair fight. Sandra is quite formidable." Blonko looked down. "My shoe has come untied. I will just be a moment."

"I'll meet you back at the car."

Ben had just unlocked the driver's side door when he heard a crash.

After that, he could only remember a surge of energy unlike anything he'd felt from the Omnitrix...yet it was familiar nonetheless...

When he came to, he was in the medical wing of the Plumber base and his grandmother was there, with a more serious expression on her face than he'd ever seen.

What the fuck was going on?

Chapter Text

Ben, vaguely aware of the fact that he was in a surreal version of his unmaterialized wedding reception, kissed Blonko softly and whispered: "This is what we're supposed to have, right?"

The dream-Revonnahgander gave him a confused look. "I do not understand what you mean, beloved."

"You're dead, Blonko. And I...I can't figure out how the fuck I'm supposed to move on. It's...it's killing me. I can't do this by myself. Wh-why did you have to leave me? Wh-Why couldn't I have d-died too? It's n-not fair! F-fuck, man!"

He broke down into sobs as the background faded away, and awoke in the same state.

---

In his Revonnahgander form and dressed in traditional mourning clothes, Ben barely registered it when Rook Bralla placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

He'd never given this transformation a name, Ben mused as he stared blankly at the closed casket. He never really used it except for when he was with Blonko, and he was always just Ben when they were together. It felt stupid, but the fact that he didn't have a name in his current form was the only thing he could focus on. Then again, anything was better than concentrating on the fact that Blonko was dead. They would never be together again.

The presence of the casket cemented that fact.

Ten years wasn't nearly enough time to love someone.

After, the ceremony, Ben knelt at his...former...fiance's grave. He was startled by a voice behind him. "Hello, Ben."

"Paradox," Ben greeted the man coolly, not even bothering to look at him. "What the hell do you want now?"

(The time traveler would never tell Ben, but in that moment, all he could hear was Eon's anger and despair.)

Ben felt the man press a hand to his shoulder, reminiscent of Blonko's mother earlier in the day. "I wanted to give my condolences. And also to let you know that this was meant to happen. Don't blame yourself." Paradox paused. "I believe you've known for a while now that his story was destined to end before yours did."

Ben distinctly remembered how he hadn't seen an older Blonko during the Time War. He wanted to believe that his lover was just elsewhere that day, but part of his brain always nagged, What if he'd died?

"Doesn't make it suck less," Ben replied, choking down a sob, and paused to recover. "Are there any timelines where we're happy?"

"Do you really want to know?"

Ben sniffled and shook his head. He wasn't sure which answer would hurt more.

---

Gwendolyn took Ben to see a new musical, hoping it would help break him out of his depression. Before they got to their seats, they stopped at the concession stand. Ben ordered a drink that was very heavy on alcohol.

She touched his arm and asked softly, "Are you sure you should be drinking that with the meds you're taking?"

Ben rolled his eyes. "I can take care of myself, Mom."

"Okay, okay." Gwendolyn replied, holding her hands up in mock surrender, but still worried. She knew that especially his epilepsy meds could have bad reactions with alcohol.

Once the musical started, Gwendolyn realized that she fucked up. Big time. The musical, it turned out, was a romance...not just a comedy.

During one of the songs, which happened to be about losing a partner, she felt her seat shaking. She looked over at her cousin and, taking in the tears rolling down his cheeks plus how he was clutching his engagement ring like a lifeline, placed a hand over his.

Nothing needed to be said.

After the show, Ben did feel bad about ditching Gwendolyn. He just couldn't deal with her pity anymore. Abusing his own celebrity status and getting fucked hard by the the lead actor, a total stranger, was easier to process.

At least he remembered to return to their shared hotel room before things got too awkward.

"Where'd you go?" Gwendolyn asked sleepily.

"It isn't important," he replied, snuggling up to her. "Night, cuz."

---

"Dude, we gotta talk," Kevin said, sitting across from Ben at Mr. Smoothy's.

"Kev, I'm fine-"

"Being suicidal is pretty much the farthest from fine you can be," Kevin replied, staring at his best friend intensely.

"Don't you have to be able to die to be suicidal?" Ben said coolly, dropping his gaze and holding up his left arm. "Cuz as long as I'm wearing this, that's damn near impossible. Otherwise, I would've died two years ago."

"Benji...I see you drinking too much, you're sleeping around, and I know you're cutting again, even if you're trying to hide it under the Omnitrix. I'm worried about you, okay? We all are."

"I-"

"Rook wouldn't want this."

"Wow, okay...you really don't get it at all, do you?" Ben gave a short, bitter laugh. "Kevin, I don't want to die. I want to feel alive again, cuz goddammit I feel like I died with him."

---

In the summer of 2023, we all know Barbenheimer was The Thing™. The Tennyson cousins went all out with their costumes: Gwendolyn dressed up as Nobel Prize Barbie, and Ben as J. Robert Oppenheimer. They were disappointed that Kevin wouldn't dress up too, but at least they got him to agree to drive and see the movies with them.

"Honestly, I like that Ben lost his license. This feels like old times."

Gwendolyn smacked him with her cardboard microscope. "Kevin!" But Ben just cackled. He was glad that his friend could still joke about him.

Through his epilepsy diagnosis and Blonko's death, at least Kevin was still Kevin. "I'm doing really good with these new meds though, so I can get my license reinstated next month if all goes well. Better watch out." And he winked at his best friend through the rearview mirror.

---

"Ben? You good?"

Ben forced a smile as the cousins celebrated their 29th birthday. "I...yeah. I just realized that I've officially lived longer than Blonko. Both of us have."

---

"We have to stop meeting like this."

"Like what?"

"Oh you know, me saving your ass." Ben easily transformed between Jetray and his natural human form, landing beside her.

Kai glared at him and got back up to her feet. Looking over Ben, she realized how attractive he'd grown to become. "I didn't need your help."

"I dunno, it definitely looked like you were about to be impaled by that Knight."

"Fuck you."

"Only if you ask nicely." Ben paused then winced. "Sorry, that came out wrong. I didn't mean-"

"Shut up and come home with me." Kai said before kissing him, hard.

"Okay," he mumbled against her lips.

Kai was definitely going to hate herself in the morning...but she also had to admit that the sex was amazing...

Twenty years of sexual tension were finally resolved.

---

The cousins decided to catch up and get smoothies together. "Hey, you should try dating again. I can help you make a profile online-"

Ben rolled his eyes fondly. "I'm 30, not dead. Anyway, I already have a...situationship."

Gwendolyn frowned. "Please tell me you aren't. You know what's going to happen."

"Hey, the future isn't set in stone! Just because we got married in one timeline that doesn't mean we always have to."

Gwendolyn just shook her head. "Your funeral, doofus."

---

Ben shot off a few mana orbs, illuminating the bedroom in a pink glow, and gave a soft laugh at his success. Practicing had been difficult, but he liked that he could show off to her. "I know you prefer Blitzwolfer, but I can do this without transforming."

Kai gasped and grinned at him. "This is incredible, babe."

---

Two days after Kai told him that she was pregnant, Ben went shopping for an engagement ring. Another week later, he proposed.

"Do I really have a choice?" She asked softly.

He just sighed and slid the ring onto her finger. They both understood now what fate had in store for them. There was no point in denying it anymore. Gwendolyn had been right.

---

"Hey Carl, remember how you told me I shouldn't marry someone just because I get them pregnant?"

Carl looked at his son with a raised eyebrow. "Um...I'm pretty sure I said that you shouldn't rush into a relationship-"

"Ehhhhhh...you and Sandra turned out alright. Anyway, I asked Kai to marry me and she said yes. Congrats grandpa!"

"Holy shit."

---

Just like Ben and Gwendolyn were born on the same day, so were Kenny and Devlin: September 16, 2029.

Ben and Kevin placed a bet on who would give birth first. Ben won.

---

The love that Ben had felt for Blonko and Kai combined was nothing compared to that which he felt when he held his son for the first time.

No matter what happened from here on out, Kenny was the most important person in his universe.

His mother had told him that there was nothing like a parent's love for their child, and he finally understood. This tiny infant was the most incredible being that Ben had ever seen.

"What's the song you're humming?" Kai asked sleepily.

"Huh? Oh, it's an Icelandic lullaby my mom used to sing to me. I can't remember the words, though. I'll have to ask her."

"It's beautiful."

---

Ben and Gwendolyn had grown to become more akin to brother and sister than cousins.

As a result, Ben and Kai became Devlin's godparents, and Gwendolyn and Kevin became Kenny's.

After all, family stuck together.

...Right?

---

"Ben, I can't do this anymore."

Ben shook himself out of his thoughts. "What?"

Kai took his face in her hands. "I know you think we're destined to be together and...I do...care about you. I've tried so hard to make us work for Kenny, but..."

"I can fix this-" Ben started, placing his hands over hers.

Kai gave a small smile. "No, you can't. And that's okay, babe. I know your heart still belongs to Rook Blonko. You still wear his ring, along with mine, and I've never complained...but we have to face facts. This isn't working."

Ben sighed and let his eyes close. He knew from experience that it wasn't worth fighting after she'd made up her mind. "Okay. What do we do now?"

Kai took a deep breath. "I want a divorce, and I want to continue co-parenting our son."

"Deal." Ben swallowed hard. "But I want primary custody. I'll give you literally anything else you want."

"Okay. I also want you to forgive yourself for Rook's death."

"I...I can't."

Kai sighed and kissed his forehead. "I figured you'd say that. I'm gonna take Kenny and stay with my folks for a little while. Will you be okay alone?"

Ben forced a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You know me. I always make it through."

The one thing that Ben, Kai, and Kenny would always keep in common were their handmade ghost bead bracelets from Wes Green. Their protection might be a superstition, but none of them wanted to tempt fate.

---

When Paradox showed up after he defeated Eon, Ben was pretty sure he knew what day it was: He was about to meet his 16 year old self. It had been almost 20 years. Longer than he'd expected.

He barely heard Paradox as he explained the mission. He'd lived through it before after all.

So much had already happened to his past self, but so much more was yet to come. If he remembered correctly, he'd only just defeated Aggregor. He was still with Gwen and Kevin...well at least outside of when Kevin went crazy again...

He hadn't met Blonko yet.

"Are you sure I'll be back at the at the same time I left? I can't leave Kenny alone."

"Absolutely! It'll be like you never left."

As Paradox transported them to the past, Ben made a simple resolution: he wouldn't ruin his younger self's happiness.

"That's right, Ben. I'm you, only even more awesome." If Gwendolyn were there, she'd chastise him for overcompensating, but he didn't care. He grinned, and shook the teen's hand. "Ben 10,000 at your service!"

(A/N: Read "Hello Satan, I Believe It's Time to Go" here.)

Chapter Text

Kai opened her eyes and was surprised to sense a solid body behind her. Rolling over, she came face-to-face with her sleeping ex-husband. Memories came flooding back.

Their son had been kidnapped as a means to manipulate Ben.

Her and Ben fought Vilgax, trapping him back in the Null Void...at least for the time being...

They kissed, and after making sure their son was safe in bed, made love. She'd almost forgotten how intense they were together and shivered with pleasure slightly at the thought...

Although they'd gotten divorced, they couldn't completely get rid of their feelings for each other.

"Hey," Ben's soft and hesitant words shook her out of her thoughts. "I'm glad you're still here, Kai."

Kai met his eyes and tentatively caressed his bearded cheek. "Me too."

---

At Blonko's grave, Ben dug a small hole and dropped his old engagement ring in. After burying the ring, he sat cross-legged and allowed himself to grieve, tears flowing freely down his cheeks.

"Hey love," he whispered. "I know it's been a while."

"Do you remember Kai? Well...we did end up getting married and had a son: Kenny. You'd love him, he's such a great kid. He actually reminds me a lot of a young Rook Ben. But...at the time, I just...I couldn't move on from you, and Kai...she left me."

Ben sighed and pressed his palm to Blonko's name on the tombstone. "It's time though now, love: I have to let you go. If I'm getting another chance, I need make things right for my son."

After a while, he stood, brushed the dirt from his pants, and looked down at the silver and turquoise ring on his left ring finger. "You will always be my soulmate, Rook Blonko. But my boy needs me now and he deserves everything I can give him. I-if you can hear me, I kn-know you understand. I gave h-him your name too for a r-reason. And frankly...I do love her, and I...I think deserve to be loved again..."

---

Ben and Kai entered a complex, if awkward, dance over the next few months: Ben brought flowers, they had dinner, they took care of their son, they made love... They completely avoided any real conversation about their feelings.

One night, as they were having sex, Ben finally gathered the courage to rip off the proverbial bandage. "What the hell are we doing here, Kai?"

"Currently?" she panted. "Currently, we're fucking, Ben. I'm not sure this is the time-"

Ben slowed their pace, ignoring Kai's whine of protest. "I mean, c'mon...we got divorced...five years ago. I sat through the court proceedings and signed the paperwork. Look, I know I royally fucked up, but I need to know what you want from me here and now, because I...I can't keep this up if we don't have a future. I've never stopped loving you and I seriously can't go back to friends with benefits after everything. And Kenny? Fuck. He deserves our best, no matter what that looks like."

Kai sighed and took his face in her hands. "I'm willing to try again if you are."

Ben took a deep breath. "Will you marry me again, Dr. Green?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

The pair then heard a gasp, noticing their son at the doorway, before he ran back to his room.

"Shit," Ben said, quickly jumping out of bed and getting dressed. "I'll talk to him."

Ben knocked on his son's door. "Hey, Kenny? Can we talk?"

The kid opened his door, blushing furiously. "I-I'm sorry. I heard noises and I-I thought you were hurt. I-I didn't know Mom was here...and..."

Ben knelt and pulled his son into a hug. "It's okay. We should've locked the door. I'm the one who should be sorry."

Kenny relaxed into the hug. "So if you two were...you know...does that mean you're getting back together?"

"Yeah, buddy, we are. And I'll answer any questions you have in the morning, but it's waaaaaaaay past your bedtime."

As if on cue, Kenny yawned. "Yeah okay. Night, Dad."

"Love you so much, kiddo."

Ben then headed back to the master bedroom and locked the door behind him before pulling his shirt over his head. "He's okay. I definitely wasn't expecting to have a prelude to 'the Talk' tonight, but thank the gods for Google I guess." He climbed back into bed and kissed Kai's cheek. "You okay?"

She sighed in response. "You're so much better at this than me."

Ben looked at her in confusion. "At what?"

"Parenting."

Ben gently took her chin and turned her head to face him. "Hey, that's not true, babe. We just have different styles." He then gave a small smile. "I know we both want the world for him...and that we do care for each other. That's what's important."

Kai didn't respond except for giving him a soft kiss on the lips, which knowing his wife, Ben took to mean she loved him too.

---

"Kai and I are getting remarried."

Tam looked at him in surprise. "Oh, really?"

Ben rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, we've agreed that it's the best thing for Kenny. And she's sleeping over more often than not at this point anyway..."

"But what's best for you, Ben?"

"It doesn't matter."

"What? Why not?"

Ben sighed. "I knew what to expect when I first asked her to marry me: we weren't doing it for love, we were doing it to be parents. Besides, I'm way too old to keep pretending I'm going to find something like the love I lost in my 20s. Of course, it hurts like hell knowing that I love her more than she loves me, but I can do worse than marrying one of my best friends and reuniting my family."

Tam hummed. "I see you've thought about this a lot."

"I have. I only agreed to the divorce in the first place because I knew it would be harder on Kenny if I didn't." Ben sighed again. "I know we don't have the best relationship, but I doubt it's any worse than a lot of other people. We can be happy enough." He paused and met Tam's eyes. "You don't agree."

"No, I don't. I think you deserve a better and healthier relationship, Ben. But I also know that you're incredibly stubborn and I can't convince you to change your mind. And...how am I really supposed to argue against taking care of your son?"

---

Ben and Kai got remarried in a simple courthouse ceremony in Rapid City, reusing the same wedding bands and everything. Gwendolyn, Kevin, Devlin, and Kenny were the only witnesses.

Ben knew his mother would be pissed by the lack of pomp and circumstance, but they'd already done the big wedding thing. It would just be a waste of money to do it again. Him and Kai were...happy, and that's all that mattered.

---

Kenneth Wesley Blonko Tennyson really couldn't complain about his childhood. He had amazing parents who gave him every opportunity that they could...except for the fact that he was currently grounded and couldn't use the Omnitrix.

He'd been sparring with his parents for years at this point, so even in his human form, he was strong and dexterous.

Paradox gave him a set of armor and he set about helping his parents. He came up with a new name for himself: Spanner.

After defeating Maltruant, Ben cornered Paradox. "Look, I appreciate everything you've done, but if you ever undermine my parenting again, we're gonna have some real problems."

Ben's annoyance at the time traveler was so much easier to focus on than the heartbreak he felt at seeing a young Blonko. Still alive... Completely out of reach... It had been 21 years now, but it still hurt like it happened yesterday.

Paradox smirked in ignorance, being from an earlier point in the timeline. "Of course, Benjamin."

---

As Kenny continued to grow, he became more and more curious about his roots. He knew that, strictly speaking, he was half Diné, a quarter Icelandic, and...a quarter...generic white. He also knew that he was named after his "Aunt" Gwendolyn's brother and his mother's grandfather. But...his father refused to tell him anything about the man he got his second middle name from, even after Ben knew that Kenny had met the Revonnahgander through time travel. Mom had told him not to pester his dad, but he believed he had a right to know. He also could recognize a certain tension between his parents, but they seemed happy enough... He had completely forgotten the time that the two spent divorced by the time he turned 16.

Maybe Aunt Gwendolyn could tell him more about this mysterious Blonko...

Gwendolyn Levin smiled at her godson through the holoviewer. "Hey Kenneth, how are you doing?"

"I um...I have a question for you."

"Okay, shoot."

"Who's Rook Blonko to my dad...really?"

Gwendolyn's smile fell and she cleared her throat. "Well er...that's a bit of a difficult subject."

Kenny huffed in response. "Clearly! Mom and Dad won't tell me anything, but obviously he was important or I wouldn't have been named after him!" He sighed, calming himself down. "Please...I just want to understand."

Gwendolyn sighed as well. "Okay...I guess it's only fair..." She proceeded to tell the teen about the man that his father truly loved...and it broke his heart.

---

"Dad...are you happy?"

Ben snorted. "Of course I'm happy. I have an amazing family and I get to be an awesome superhero. Where is this coming from?"

Kenny paused, thinking about his next words. "Aunt Gwendolyn told me about Rook...about Blonko."

The older human's smile faltered. "I asked her not to."

"I...wish you had told me." Kenny hugged his father tightly. "I was so distracted by thinking that I had to bring you and Mom together, that I missed the bigger picture. I'm so sorry, Dad."

Ben sighed and returned the hug. "I do love your mother very much...but Blonko...he was my soulmate." He took his son's face in his hands and tilted his chin upwards. "Kenny, you're the greatest gift I've ever been given. I'm so proud of you. You're the best son a father could possibly ask for, and I hope that someday you'll be with someone you love and who makes you happy."

Kenny swallowed tightly. "...Is this a good time to tell you I think I might be gay?"

"...Are you really coming out like this and denying me the opportunity to say, 'Hi Gay, I'm Dad?' Wow, I thought I raised you better." Ben smirked and ruffled his son's hair. "In all seriousness though, I've suspected for awhile and I'm glad you feel comfortable telling me. I'm happy to answer any questions you have."

Kenny beamed back at him. "Thanks, Dad."

(A/N: Read "Surprise Siblings" here.)