Ben 10: Alien Force (Reader insert)

All That Glitters

Sitting on the curb, the night shining through the stars dotting the sky and the pull I felt towards it, I ignored it all to stare worriedly at Ben. The lights from the twenty-four hour gas station did little to hide the bags that were starting to form underneath his green eyes, or the fact that his brows were creased in worry. 

I leaned against his shoulder, just as he started Grandpa Max's audio again. 

I had long since zoned out the words, having memorize it since the fifth play. 

It was clear that this one message from his Grandfather was both a good lead in the right direction, and yet a step back for Ben. 

I looked over to my left, right where Kevin was leaning against his car with a slurpie and chatting with Gwen. Gwen beyond worried with her arms crossed, and constant glances at Ben and I. But Kevin was grinning, way to smugly for my liking, not that is wasn't warranted with the fact he found the holoviewer, but...

The message began to play again, and I turned back to Ben.

"Ben, I know this is important, but you've know what he's gonna say, and you know what he have to do next, so why not give it a break?" I nudged him with my arm. "We could load up on snacks and eat to our hearts content. I'll even buy you you're favorite." When that didn't seem to work, I sighed, pretending to shiver against the cold and pushing myself further into his side. 

"It's cold." I murmured. "Maybe we should go inside?"

Ben didn't move.

"Okay, that's it!" I stood up, snatching the recording from Ben who shouted angrily in surprise. He glared up at me, but it dropped when I returned it. Now he appeared like a scolded dog. "That is enough! We're gonna do as Grandpa Max says, not sit here and listen to the directions over and over. Kevin, start up the car." 

I turned and stomped over to the green and black striped car. When I tugged on the handle, the door didn't move. It was locked. I glared at Kevin who shrugged, taking a step back as Ben barreled up, having finally moved for the better half of two hours. 

"Wait, (Y/n), I'm sorry! Can I please have it back?" He held his hands out, eyes wide and pleading. 

"When you actually do something besides stare at the screen! I swear this is as bad as that Sumo Slammer game that came out last year." I huffed, shaking my head in disappointment. 

Ben's head dropped, "I know." Then he perked back up, a fire in his eyes. "But I think I know what to do now."

"Really?" I asked. 

"Really." 

I handed over the disk, and instead of instantly turning it back on, he tucked it into his pocket. Then he held out a hand to Kevin. "Let me see your Plumber's badge." Kevin handed it over. Activating the map, Ben pointed to each of the little dots. "Each of these blips shows the location of another badge." 

"Yep." Kevin crossed his arms. 

"What's your point?" I asked. 

"And where there's a Plumber's badge, we'll find a Plumber, or at least a Plumber's kid." Ben pointed out. 

"Oh!" I snapped my fingers, smiling. "There we go! Our team is literally right here!" I glanced at all the dots, some moving some staying still. 

"Come on, like (Y/n) said, you're driving." Ben said, turning off the map and hitting Kevin playfully against the chest. "Oh, and you might want to ask Gwen out before it's too late." 

"Wait, did I miss something?" I glanced between the two as Ben went for the backseat and Kevin scowled. "Ben, wait, explain!" A beep from the car, lights flashing and Ben and I were sliding into the backseat. "What happened?"