Ben 23 Oneshots || Cuz they ain't enough on this planet

Cologne

Ben 10 was lounging in his backyard, enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun when, out of the blue, a swirling portal materialized above him. He barely had time to react before a figure came hurtling out of it, plummeting straight into his arms.

"Whoa, watch it there!" Ben 10 exclaimed, staggering backward under the unexpected weight. As he regained his balance, he found himself staring into the tear-streaked face of a younger version of himself.

"Ben 23?" Ben 10's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you doing here?"

Ben 23 sniffled, his voice trembling. "I... I don't know, Ben. One moment I was fighting some weird alien, and the next, I'm falling from the sky."

Ben 10's eyes widened with concern. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

But Ben 23's gaze was fixed on something beyond the present moment, lost in a flood of memories. His tears flowed freely as he clung to Ben 10, his body trembling with emotion.

"Hey, hey, it's alright," Ben 10 said softly, his voice gentle and reassuring. "You're safe now. Whatever happened, you're here with me."

But Ben 23 shook his head, his voice choked with sorrow. "It's not just that, Ben. When I fell... when I fell into your arms, it... it reminded me of something."

Ben 10 frowned, his concern deepening. "Reminded you of what?"

Ben 23 took a shuddering breath, his words barely more than a whisper. "Of my grandfather. His cologne. He used to wear it all the time."

Ben 10's heart skipped a beat. "Your grandfather? But he..."

"He's gone, Ben," Ben 23 interrupted, his voice breaking. "He's been gone for years. But when I fell into your arms, it was like... like he was there, catching me again."

Silence fell between them, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. Ben 10 felt a lump form in his throat as he gazed at his younger counterpart, his heart aching with empathy.

"I'm sorry, Ben," he said at last, his voice quiet but sincere. "I didn't know."

Ben 23 wiped away his tears, a bittersweet smile playing at the corners of his lips. "It's okay, Ben. I just... I miss him, y'know? Every day."

Ben 10 nodded, his own memories stirring as he thought of his own grandfather, alive and well back home. "I get it, Ben. Family's important."

They sat together in the fading light, two versions of the same hero bound by more than just their shared name. And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the lawn, Ben 10 found himself reaching out to his counterpart, offering comfort in the only way he knew how.

"Come on, Ben," he said, his voice warm with reassurance. "Let's go inside. Mom's making her famous chili fries tonight. I think you could use some."

*****************

As Ben 10 led Ben 23 into his cozy home, he couldn't shake the concern gnawing at him. Ben 23's tears continued to flow, silent but heavy with emotion. No matter what Ben 10 said or did, the younger version of himself seemed lost in his grief.

"Hey, Ben," Ben 10 said softly, his voice tinged with worry. "Let's try to get you feeling better, okay?"

But Ben 23's response was a despondent shrug, his eyes downcast as if he were lost in a sea of sadness.

Ben 10 paced the room, wracking his brain for a solution to Ben 23's incessant tears. It was like his younger self had turned into a waterworks factory, and he was running out of ideas to shut it down.