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

A Deadly Sneeze

23 sat slumped on the couch, flicking through channels with the remote in his hand. He had been cycling through the same dozen shows for what felt like hours, the drone of the television a distant hum in his mind. Everything felt dull, lifeless. Prime's place in this universe was comforting, yet today it felt suffocatingly quiet.

Prime, fresh from the shower, walked into the living room, toweling off his hair. The scent of soap and shampoo lingered in the air, a sharp contrast to the stale, stagnant atmosphere. He noticed 23's blank expression, the listless way he clicked through the channels.Concern flickered across Prime's face, but before he could say anything, a sudden tickle in his nose caught him off guard. Unable to suppress it, he let out a thunderous sneeze."AH-CHOO!"

The sound shattered the silence, and 23 jolted upright with a startled shriek. In his panic, he tumbled forward, crashing into the glass coffee table in front of him. The table shattered on impact, shards of glass flying everywhere as 23 hit the ground with a painful thud.Prime's eyes widened in horror, frozen in place as he processed the scene before him.

Prime's heart raced with concern as he rushed to 23's side. He found 23 lying amidst the shattered glass, whimpering pitifully. Carefully, Prime knelt beside him, assessing the situation. The glass shards were thankfully not too small, but they were sharp enough to leave deep cuts on 23's arms and legs.

"Hey, hey, easy now," Prime murmured softly, his voice laced with worry. "Let me help you."As Prime gently tried to lift 23 off the glass, 23 cried out in pain, a high-pitched whine that was almost like a cry. Tears welled up in his eyes, a mixture of physical pain and emotional distress. The cuts stung, but it was the shock and fear that had shaken him the most.

Prime's touch was gentle yet firm as he carefully maneuvered 23's injured body off the broken table. "I've got you," Prime reassured him, his arms supporting 23's trembling frame.With great care, Prime lifted 23 into his arms, cradling him like a fragile treasure. He carried him to the nearby bedroom, laying him down gently on the soft comforter.

"There, let's get you patched up," Prime murmured soothingly, reaching for a first aid kit on the bedside table. He began cleaning and dressing 23's wounds, his touch light and tender.

Throughout the process, 23 continued to whine softly, the pain and shock gradually subsiding but leaving behind a lingering vulnerability. Prime remained by his side, offering comfort with every gentle touch and reassuring word, determined to ease 23's pain and reassure him that everything would be okay.

After carefully tending to 23's cuts and ensuring he was comfortable, Prime sat beside him on the bed, a quiet presence in the dimly lit room. The sting of antiseptic had faded, replaced by a lingering ache in 23's limbs and a deep sense of embarrassment. He couldn't believe he had been so clumsy, causing such a scene.

Prime noticed the tears welling up in 23's eyes again, but this time they weren't from pain—they were tears of shame and frustration. 23 buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

"Hey," Prime's voice was gentle and soothing as he reached out to touch 23's arm lightly. "It's okay to feel upset. Accidents happen."

"I'm sorry," 23's voice was muffled by his hands. "I just—I'm so embarrassed. I should have been more careful."

Prime's heart ached for him. He understood 23's pride, his desire to always be strong and capable. But even heroes had moments of vulnerability. Without another word, Prime gently pulled 23 into his arms, cradling him against his chest.

"It's okay," Prime murmured softly, holding 23 close. "You're safe now. I've got you."

Despite his embarrassment, 23 found comfort in Prime's embrace. He let himself lean into Prime's warmth, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. The steady rhythm of Prime's heartbeat was a soothing lullaby, calming his racing thoughts and easing the tension in his body.

Wrapped in Prime's arms, 23 let himself cry, letting out the pent-up emotions he had been holding back. It wasn't just about the broken table or the cuts—it was about the weight of responsibility, the fear of failure, and the overwhelming sense of loss that still haunted him.

Prime held him through it all, his embrace a silent promise of support and understanding. He knew that healing took time, and he was determined to be there for 23 every step of the way.And so, in the quiet sanctuary of Prime's embrace, 23 found solace—a reminder that even in moments of weakness, he was never truly alone.