#benjamin cetero

No. 2: “You’ve got a lot of nerve to dredge up all my fears.”

Prophecy | Sewer | Taking Accountability

CW: Minor Whump , manipulation

The General stared down at the trio in front of him and really took the time to look at them. Sometimes he forgot that as much as they were soldiers, they were also children. It didn’t matter how much he wanted them to be mature and do their jobs, they were young, bound to make mistakes. They were also bound to make bad decisions. Bad decisions like fighting with the other squadrons, other children. “So, who is going to tell me what happened?” Benjamin had his arms crossed over his chest, leaning back in the chair, his leg was bouncing. The grey of his uniform shirt was stained with small splatters of blood. His knuckles were split open, Zachary could see it, despite the fact that he was trying to hide it. Benjamin’s expression was almost smug, despite the busted lip and black eye. Isobele’s hair was a mess, her face had been scratched with three lines across her cheek. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair and coughed into her hand. There were bruises on her arms as well. Her expression was neutral and she shrugged at him. Zachary sighed and his eyes finally landed on the youngest, Jeremiah. He was small for his age, he looked about seven when he was really ten years old. He was torn up the worst of the three. He was bleeding from his temple and was littered with bruises. His uniform was dirty and looked like it’d been ripped in some places. The kid was sniffling and he was holding his wrist to his chest. There was a picture painted here of what happened. Someone was probably picking on Jeremiah. Benjamin had always been fiercely protective of people in his own squad. It was easy to see that this was in defense of his squad mate and someone he considered a younger brother. But it could have been done smarter, Ben always let his emotions get the best of him. Isobele probably joined in later, when she thought that Ben was in danger. It was an easy story that wrote itself, but he needed them to admit it. “No one? Really?” asked Zachary. “Jeremiah?” Jeremiah averted his gaze to his lap and continued to sniffle, shrugging. God he hated that habit. Ben had started it from a young age and it rubbed off on the other two. Zachary needed to put a stop to that. Later, these were all things he could focus on later. “Do not make me force you all to tell me,” Zachary warned, pushing himself off of leaning against his desk. “Please,” he said, softer this time, “I just want the truth. The other boys claimed that you all started it, though I have my doubts.” Jeremiah glanced at Ben and Isobele and finally, after another minute of silence, Isobele sighed, uncrossing her legs. “They were beating on Jeremiah, trying to drag him to the bathrooms, Ben jumped in. Then I jumped in, and everyone was fighting. It was their fault, they messed up Jeremiah really bad,” Isobele recounted. Zachary knew she’d be the one to answer. Honestly, he was surprised she took this long to answer in the first place. Ben uncrossed his arms and looked at Jeremiah, “Can we take him to the infirmary now? I think they broke his wrist.” “Not yet,” Zachary said, pinching the bridge of his nose, “if you three are going to get into fights, you need to be smarter. You three are some of the strongest on base, you shouldn’t be letting yourself get pushed around in the first place.” “Well that’s why I fucked those guys up. It was Victor and his squad, they’re fuckin-” “Language Benjamin,” Zachary chided. “Yeah whatever, sorry. I mean, I jumped in because they were picking on Jem. They were hurting him really bad and I don’t even know what he did. I think it’s just cause he’s young and small and with the power dampeners he’s not much of a threat. If you would just take them off–” Zachary put a hand up to stop him from talking and Benjamin’s mouth clamped shut. They'd address the lack of respect later too. There was only one thing he needed to focus on at the moment.

“Then Jeremiah needs some extra training sessions with Sergeant Wilder. I’ll set that up.” Zachary glanced at Jeremiah who was still looking at his lap, “I’m not mad about you defending him Benjamin.” “What are you mad about then?” asked Isobele with a scowl, “You said that we should protect each other like family, so what’s the big deal?” “I think you know exactly what I’m disappointed about. Especially you Ben.” Benjamin growled in frustration and his foot tapped faster on the ground. Whether it was nervous energy or out of anger was hard to tell. “Tell me,” Zachary prompted, “tell me what I’m angry with Benjamin.” The boy huffed and took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax, “Did I kill Victor?” “Nearly, but no. A few more punches and I’m sure you would have, and Isobele caused some damage too. I’ll say that choking someone so hard you bruise their trachea is impressive for someone your size.” Isobele straightened a little at the compliment and nodded at him, “Thank you General.” “Don’t thank me. Tell me why I’m upset.” “We,” Isobele paused, he assumed to find the right words, “we lied?” “Is that a question or an answer?” Ben chimed in, “The guards were going to send us all to solitary!” “And I would have gotten you out. You can’t lie to the guards just because you don’t want to be punished. I expected better.” The three of them stayed silent, all of them looking at their shoes. Jeremiah’s expression was blank and Zachary made his way toward him, taking a knee in front of him. Gently he cradled the boy's face with his hand and made him look him in the eye. “You’re okay, you’re safe. I need you to come back now. Can you do that?” Jeremiah’s eyes focused and he nodded. Zachary switched his gaze to Ben and Isobele but kept his hand on Jeremiah’s face. “There we go. Now listen, the three of you messed up. You lied to get out of trouble.” “I mean technically we didn’t lie-” Ben started and Zachary shot him a look. “You didn’t, but you didn't own up to what you did either. If you’re going to almost kill someone, at least take accountability for it.” “Yes, sir,” Ben relented, looking dejected. “After you take Jeremiah to the infirmary, your ration cards are half and you’re not allowed to leave your pod unless it's for meals and training. If I find out you disobeyed this. You will go to The Pit after a whipping. Do you understand?” 

“Yes sir,” said Ben and Isobele together. Zachary looked into Jeremiah’s eyes and gave him an expectant look. “Yes sir..” the boy whispered. They would work on that later too. “Go on to the infirmary. Then straight to your pod. No dinner tonight.” There were no words when they all got up to leave. It had taken them almost two years to finally start bonding like family, to start working together like this. The fact that they defended each other, it was a good sign. Zachary smiled to himself. Yes, this was going to be the strongest squad he ever raised. 

Isobele sat with her head in her hands. Eyes watering as she stared at the ground. Her head pounded and ached. Jeremiah laid in the hospital bed, IV in his arm and face screwed up in a pained expression despite being asleep. The door opened. Benjamin stood there, eyes wide. "I came as soon as I heard.. Is he okay?"

"I didn't even see him. He jumped in front of me. It was supposed to be me," Isobele said quietly. Guilt crawling up her throat. "It's okay Issy. You're okay. He's gonna be okay," Ben said, sitting next to her. He put a hand on her knee, a comforting gesture. "It takes more than a knife to kill people like us."

"You're an idiot." "I know."

No. 4:  “Don’t be scared, I’ve done this before.”

Non-Human Whumper | Iron Rod | Loss of Powers CW: minor whump, kidnapping (kind of?), manipulation

Be brave. Be brave. His mothers voice came to him as the light from the Lector shone directly in his eyes. He blinked away the dots that formed but otherwise stayed still. A strange noise came from the Lector and he fought to keep his face neutral. The man who stood in front of him made a face of surprise and looked behind his shoulder to the General that stood behind him. The General’s eyebrows raised with interest. Be calm, the boy told himself, he knew this would happen. He knew he was strong. Everyone in the little town knew it too. Still, he was sweating from nerves, his makeup was dripping he was sure. The silver marks on his cheeks and chin were being swept away by salty sweat. It didn’t help that it was hot enough that he was already feeling lightheaded. The General in his royal blue uniform came into the forefront of his vision. “What’s your name son?” He opened his mouth to speak and came up empty. Slowly, he took a deep breath and tried again, “Benjamin.. Benjamin Cetero.” “Hello Benjamin. I’m General Baranabus Ranku. I need you to come with me,” said the  man as he held out his hand. Benjamin slowly took it and the man pulled him out of the line. He looked back as they started to walk toward the Rail, hoping to catch a glimpse of his parents. All he saw were young faces like his staring back at him. They would be taken to all of them that were lined up there. He had expected to be separated from them, his parents warned him he would. It was because of his gift, his gift was stronger than the others. “How old are you Benjamin?” asked General Barnabus as they made their way to the Rail. 

“I’m nine,” answered Ben softly. “Do you know what your power is, Benjamin?” Ben hesitated, looking back again at the town that was slowly disappearing behind them. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to answer this question. This was not a question that his parents told him he could answer. “Oh, you do know, don't you? How rare,” the General’s tone was weird. He didn’t know how to read that. “I dunno,” mumbled Ben, wanting nothing more than to tug his hand away. As if General Baranabus could sense the thought, his grip on Ben’s hand tightened, and their pace quickened. He was half being dragged now as they finally made it to the Rail. The steps came out on their own and Ben jumped back in surprise. Did things do that here? Suddenly appear? He didn’t even get a chance to test the steps before the grip of Barnabus changed from holding his hand to his wrist as he was pulled into the Railcar. The inside was weird too. All silver and so cold. It was never this cold, not even in his house. The mud brick was supposed to make things cooler but this was freezing. Instinctively, he pulled back against the hand holding his wrist. 

It was starting to hurt now and a whimper escaped him before he could even stop it. “Hush Ben, you’re alright,” but the voice wasn’t very comforting, in fact it was the opposite. His breathing quickened and he stepped back again fully pulling against the man in front of him. He didn’t like this. Ben didn’t want to be here. He was supposed to be brave but the man in front of him was terrifying. He could feel the anger coming off of him in waves. “Stop. Now,” commanded the General. Benjamin felt the invisible hands rising behind him, their presence about ready to make themselves known. He growled, eyes turning dark. This man wasn’t letting go of him. He should really let go. People get hurt when they try to hurt Ben. They go flying and bones break easy. Bones break far too easy. The invisible hand raised over Ben’s head and he was about to push it forward when something snapped around his wrist with a strange whirring sound. The hand disappeared and his wrist was let go. His eyes went wide. No no no no. His hands. No. The vibration under his skin disappeared, the constant thrum of power that was always there was gone. His eyes watered as he attempted to pull at the silver band on his wrist. “No. No. No. Why? You.. I don’t..” he whimpered, eyes looking up at the General. “So.. what is it then?” asked the General, unbothered as he crouched to Ben’s height. “It has to be something good for the Lector to make that sound.”  Benjamin didn’t like this. He didn’t like this man with his hungry eyes and deep voice. This man was dangerous. His mother said to be brave but he didn’t feel very brave at that moment. Crying was not an option. All he could do was stare. “Answer the question, son.” “I- It’s.. invisible..” he tried. The General sighed and then smiled. “I guess you really don’t know then.”  “What is this?” Ben asked suddenly as he tried once again to take the bracelet off his wrist. Strange bracelet. “It’s a power dampener. You won’t be able to use it while you’re on the Railway.” “Why?” The man smiled as he tilted his head, “Were you not about to attack me just now?” “No,” Ben lied immediately. “No I wasn’t.”  There was a short humming sound coming out of his mouth, “Of course not. I’ll warn you this one time. I do not like liars Benjamin Cetero. I will not tolerate it.” “Why did you take away my gift?” Ben asked, voice cracking as he did. Be brave. He was supposed to be brave.

“A gift? Is that what your people call it? It’s alright son, it’ll come back as soon as that fancy bracelet comes off. You’re special you see. We need to help you control your,” a pause, “gift. Without it? You could hurt me. Or hurt yourself without meaning to. It’s for your safety and for mine. We can take it off back at base alright?” Ben clenched his jaw and clenched his fist. He needed to be brave. Like his mom said. “A-Alright..” 

No. 3:  “I look in people’s windows, transfixed by rose golden glows.”

Isolation | Candlelight | Found Family CW: minor whump, discussion of morality, manipulation

Ben stared at the ceiling and counted the holes in the concrete. How long had he been here? At least a week he knew that. It was hard to keep track of time in the tiny concrete cell. It was always dark in the cell with a single lightbulb that turned on by itself when he assumed it was day. He had a mattress on the floor, a thin blanket and a sad excuse for a pillow. Everything was quiet and the world moved slow. There were two meals a day, he wasn’t sure what time they were given to him, he felt like it changed a lot. So many things had changed in the past year. The power dampeners came off more often, they had started trusting him more and he ruined it with his anger. To be fair, the guy deserved it. General Barnabus was not a good man. He was a General but he wasn’t good. At some point, he had thought that all of them had to be good. Ben was learning that people in charge weren’t always right all of the time. He’d known that before, his father had told him that long ago before he had become a soldier. His father had taken him to meetings with the elders to watch them argue over how to divide supplies, how to protect themselves, which children to give to Oculi. Adults weren’t always right. People aren’t always right. Benjamin was struggling to know what felt right. What he did felt right but he was punished for it. The things he was ordered to do never felt right but he was praised for it. None of it made any sense. How could killing be bad in one form but not in another? No one told him why it was wrong. He was protecting Henrik, he was making sure that he was safe. You always keep your unit safe. Henrik would have died, he was sure of it. So why was he in the Pit when he saved someone in his unit? None of it made sense. There was someone outside his door, he could hear the footsteps. He stayed absolutely still, expecting food to come through the slot at the bottom. Instead the door opened and he sat up. There stood a man with the blue uniform of a general. Ben did not stand at attention, he stared at the man and frowned. They stared at each other in silence for a moment. Benjamin smiled at him. “Benjamin, right?” Ben nodded slowly and the man stepped inside the cell. Trailing behind him was a girl. She was small, her hair cut short to her chin, and her expression was hard to read. He couldn’t tell if she was scared or disturbed. Were those the same thing? He didn’t know. “I’m Zachary Ferrier,” said the General and he gestured to the girl, “this is Isobele.” Isobele. “Hey,” Ben greeted. General Zachary’s face looked hilarious when he was confused. Benjamin knew he was being rude, but he didn’t feel like sucking up today. He was tired and he was angry. “Now. I know you’re probably a little confused about why I’m here and I’ll allow the disrespect for now. You’re probably angry that you’re here right?” That was obvious, thought Ben as he answered, “Yeah. I saved Henrik.” “You killed a general, Benjamin. Your general. That couldn’t go unpunished.” “General Baranbus was going to kill him,” Ben tried to argue and the man put up a hand to silence him. Ben knew better than to keep going. “I know. I’m not saying that you were completely in the wrong. In your position I would have done the same. But it wasn’t completely right either. You should have told another General or gotten help, not taken matters into your own hands.” 

for the ask game you just reblogged :)

From THIS ask game

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Jeremiah stared at the domed ceiling he laid under. All of his thoughts were like painted like stars in the forefront of his mind. He swallowed thickly lump forming in his throat. There were too many to keep track of. They were moving too fast. It was all too much.

Stifling a whimper he bit into his knuckles.

“Jem?” asked the voice in the bed across the room. “You alright?”

Jeremiah couldn’t find it in himself to answer, but he was tasting blood now. Warm and metallic.

“Alright alright I’m coming. Make some room kiddo.”

Jeremiah squinted in the darkness as the figure got out of bed and staggered half asleep toward him. Energy made its way to his hand and shocked his mouth. Tasted like smoke this time.

“Stop biting your hand and move over. If you shock me I’m smothering you in your sleep,” Benjamin’s voice was light. Jeremiah knew he would never. He released his teeth from his own knuckles and moved over.

There wasn’t much room but Ben climbed in anyway. Turning toward him and gently patting his head. Jeremiah frowned and Ben laughed.

“You got to stop thinking so much Jem. It’s gonna get you in trouble,” said Ben, humming a sweet tune.

“I know..” Jeremiah whispered as he scooted closer to Ben, curling into him. Ben wrapped an arm underneath his shoulders so he could run his hand over his hair.

“Go to bed kid I’ll be here when you’re awake.”

“Promise?”

“We’ll see.”