Ballet Shoes

II

Rook's holding Ben's ballet shoes. How's Ben gonna get out of this one? Trick question, he can't lol

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Third Person's P.O.V.

Ben's face was drained of all its colour. A look of shock intricately etched onto it. His grip on the few snacks he had yet to put down loosened slightly as he stared wide-eyed at Rook. More specifically, Ben was staring at what the revonnahgander was holding. His ballet shoes. The same ballet shoes Ben had haphazardly slipped under the couch in an attempt to hide them before frantically running around to get things in order. Letting Rook inside once he had done that to the best of his ability in such a hurried state.

In retrospect, Ben could have put them away properly. He definitely could have taken the time to do so. Rook would have been more than understanding in regards to the delay. Ben has quite the track record for being late after all. However, it's too late to be thinking about what he could have done.

"This can't be happening!" Ben thought, "No one knows I do ballet. Well, no one other than my parents for obvious reasons, but that's besides the point! I wasn't planning on telling anyone else until I finished my training. That's at least another two years considering when I started and the fact that I'm working on pointe. Maybe three because of the few larger gaps of classes I've missed and still have to make up for because of my superhero duties. Aw man! How am I going to get out of this?"

"Ben?"

The questioning, yet concerned, tone in which Rook said his name snapped Ben out of his thoughts. Shortly after, he turned his head away from Rook. Embarrassed as he realized how bad that must've looked. He was staring at his partner in shock with panic probably evident in his eyes for who knows how long. Ben sighed and set the remaining snacks down on the coffee table.

There's no way he's getting out of this now.

"Ben?" Rook inquired again as the brunette sat next to him.

The pair sat in silence for a few minutes. In that short period, Ben collected his thoughts and formulated what he was going to say. Rook also did some thinking. Worry clear as day on his face as he did. He thought about the current situation. How shocked Ben was when he posed that question about the strange shoes he found poking out halfway beneath the couch. 

Rook glanced down at the foreign footwear still gently nestled in his hands. A feeling of guilt creeping up inside him. Perhaps he should have left them where they were. Based on Ben's reaction they were not meant to be found. For what reason his partner wanted them to be hidden, Rook didn't know. Whatever the reason may be, he felt the need to apologize.

"To uh... answer your question-"

"Sorry for interrupting you, Ben," Rook said, cutting his partner off, "but I should apologize first."

"Dude, you don't-"

"I know you are going to insist I do not have to but I feel the need to," Rook continued, interrupting Ben again, "It seems that I was not supposed to stumble upon these strange shoes. As a result of my own curiosity, I have made you very uncomfortable and perhaps revealed something that was not yet meant to be revealed. For that, I am deeply sorry."

Ben was stunned by that apology. It was like Rook read his mind. He picked up on practically everything. The fact that Rook wasn't supposed to find Ben's ballet shoes and in turn find out about his secret hobby. As well as that this whole situation definitely made him uncomfortable. Not only because his secret wasn't supposed to be shared yet but because Ben would probably have to explain ballet to Rook. That wasn't the worst thing in the world to do but ballet can be quite complicated and they don't have all evening.

"I appreciate you're apology Rook," Ben said, "Though it really wasn't necessary, I appreciate it."

The brunette flashed his furred companion a small smile. One the revonnahgander would return. They were okay.

"Now," Ben began, "to answer your question. Those are ballet shoes. Specifically pointe shoes. And I'm assuming you'd put two and two together and figure out I do ballet since I have those."

"I see," Rook said, looking down at what he now knew to be pointe shoes, "What exactly is ballet? I am certain that I did not come across this during my earth studies."

"It seems you still have a lot to learn about earth culture," Ben said teasingly.

"I have only been on this planet for three years," Rook replied, "That is barely enough time to learn everything."

"I know, I'm just teasing," Ben stated, holding back a small laugh.

Rook playfully rolled his eyes at that. The corner of his lips curling into a smile for a split second.

"Ballet is a form of dance that was created some time in the fifteenth century," Ben began, "I forget which European country it started in but ballet soon gained popularity and became widespread. Over the years it's become highly technical and has various styles."

Rook nodded his head in understanding. A thoughtful look on his face. Dozens of questions danced around in his mind. He was very intrigued and wanted to know more.

"Ask away," Ben said, grabbing one of the snack bowls and sitting back, "I assume you have a bunch of questions."

"And your assumption would be correct," Rook confirmed.

With that, he started asking the questions on his mind. Questions like, what are some of the styles of ballet you mentioned? What are the other types of ballet shoes? How long does it take to master ballet? And many more along those lines. Ben was able to answer most of them off the top of his head.

Soon enough, the pair had spent almost the entirety of their hangout time discussing ballet. When Ben realized that, he was a bit disappointed as he wouldn't get to play the newest Sumo Slammers game with Rook but at this point, he didn't really mind. Ben still enjoyed the evening he spent with his partner despite the turn of events. 

"You dance beautifully, Ben," Rook said once the video Ben was showing him ended.

"Thanks," Ben said, his cheeks dusted a faint red at the compliment.

Shortly after that, Rook had to leave. He and Ben did have work in the morning after all. As the pair headed for the front door, Ben asked Rook to keep his hobby of ballet a secret. The revonnahgander assured him that he would not tell a soul. A sigh of relief left Ben upon hearing that. The two then exchanged their goodbyes and Ben closed the door behind Rook.

One week later...

Ben absentmindedly sipped his smoothie as he walked towards his car. Running through the routine he needed to practice more when he goes home later in his mind. That was until his Plumbers badge vibrated in his back pocket. The brunette fished it out and answered.

"Ben, we have a problem," Rook said in a slightly panicked tone.

"Tell me where everything is going down and I'll be there as fast as I can," Ben replied as he hurriedly buckled up.

"No need to rush anywhere," Rook quickly stated, causing Ben to just barely stop his foot before it slammed onto the gas pedal.

"Then... what's the problem?" Ben asked raising a brow at his plumbers badge.

"Just look on the article I am going to send you."

"Okay..."

A gasp left Ben's lips and his eyes went as wide as saucers as he opened the article Rook sent him. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. There was no way. It can't be. Right there in fancy letters the article title read, "Newly Leaked Videos of Superhero Ben 10 Reveal Surprising Hobby. Ballet!"

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Another cliffhanger! Bwahaha!

*ahem* Now that I've got the evil laughter outta the way. The media is gonna have a field day with those leaked videos. Poor Ben, can't catch a break.

Anyway, see y'all in the next chapter. Have a good rest of your day/night!