#benken

-Ben would always make sure thier child was comfortable and try to inspire them.

-Kenji would make it his personal mission to make sure his Kids knew they were loved and wanted.

- Both would protect them with thier lives

Classmate: "My Dad was in a movie!"

Kenji's kid: "My Dad defeated a dinosaur."

Be nice please

No gross ships or I’ll block you on sight (no inc*st or p*do ships, I don’t care if they’re not biologically related or the characters are aged up please I really don’t want to see that)

I’m gonna tag my fav ships but you can ask for different ships as long as they’re from something I’m into jvjfjjdks (so like if I tag rupphire you can ask for other Steven Universe ships)

No shipping aroace/aro/ace characters unless you’re aspec tho we respect representation in this house.

Ask box gets closed in February 14th or whenever I want to I guess

The next stuff aren’t rules I’m explaining the dynamic basically

I’m reblogging a bunch of drawing memes and I’ll put a tag in each of them

In the ask you gotta say the ship name and the fandom, if you can please include the names of the characters

Then you have to say the tag of the drawing meme and what the specific pose is

Honestly do those two in whatever order just include all the info cause I need it to do the draw

That’s it lets have fun!

Oh I forgot, no wlm ships unless one or preferably both of them aren’t cishet, I’m not gonna get mad at you I jut don’t wanna bhfhhghfhdjdjw

Kenji cries on the first day of kindergarten

Ben packs healthy lunches everyday

Kenji sneaks in snack cakes and a slice of carob cake

Ben is the superfan at little leagues

Ben teaches thier child how to survive in the wild

Kenji swears its just regular camping

Ben and Kenji take turns cooking and let thier child be thier assistant/little helper

Kenji and Ben always ask thier child if they are comfortable

Kenji keeps giving attention and words of affirmation to thier child

Kenji is the fun parent, but will always give in to Ben's logic

Ben is the PTA parent

Both are open about Jurassic World/Fallen Kingdom/Dominion with thier child

Ben uses this to fight other parents

"My husband's Banana Carob loaf isn't good enough for the bake sale? Please, Barbra! Your brownies are just dried out chocolate cake! Oh? I'm not scared of you! I defeated a carnosaurus when you were busy being a debutant!"

Kenji is often called to collect his husband for Barbra's safety

Both often have one on one time dinners/movie dates with child(ren)

Ben looked up at the make shift fort.

"Nice." He praised and Kenji beamed.

"You can take my bunk if you want." He said.

"Its fine. I'll stay here and keep watch."

"Dude, the bags under your eyes can carry a week's worth of groceries."

"Brooklynn and I can keep first watch." Yaz said. "Kenji's right, Ben."

"Yeah, you get some rest. Sammy and I will get some food going." Darius said with a nod.

"I..." he looked over to Bumpy, who was already curling up near the camp fire with the girls.

He looked at the mattresses, then his arms.

"I see you have a shower." Ben said.

"Its mostly cold water." Kenji said.

"Cold water is still water." Ben said, raising a brow as he and Kenji climbed the stairs.

"I uh...I got some of your clothes." Kenji said suddenly.

Ben paused his walk to the shower to stare at Kenji.

"Why?"

"We grabbed some luggage and found it and...it didn't feel right to let it go." Kenji said.

"Hmm...okay." Ben said and put his spear down. "How does this work?"

*

Ben laid on the mattress and stared up at the sky.

"You good?" Kenji asked.

"I'm clean. I'm in new clothes and on a bed. But I can't..."

Kenji looked down from the hammock they had strung up next to his bed, a foot higher on some sturdy tree trunks.

"I got an idea." He said and held out his hand.

"What?"

"Maybe it could make you feel safe." Kenji said.

"Safe?" Ben asked with a smirk.

"Safe." Kenji answered with a smile back.

Ben took his hand.

"Oh yeah." He teased. "Really..."

Ben suddenly yawned, limbs heavy.

"Safe..." he hummed, eyes fluttering closed.

He felt Kenji squeeze his hand.

"Sweet Dreams, Ben." The older teen said softly, Ben falling into a warm dreamless rest.

*

After a day of planning, the group decided to find a boat or build a raft to the next island over.

Ben was fed and well rested, sitting in front of the fire with Bumpy at rest next to him.

Kenji sat on the log they used as bench next to him.

"...I'm really glad you're back." Kenji said softly, despite the rest of the group sleeping in the fort.

"Thanks. I'm glad you're all okay too." Ben said, looking straight ahead.

Kenji stretched and looked up, smiling.

"Never appreciated stars like this."

Ben blinked and looked up. "Huh. You're right."

Kenji moved closer to Ben, who looked at him with a sly smile.

"Something on your mind?" He asked.

"Maybe." Kenji said. "Maybe I miss how you acted last time we were around a fire."

"I thought you didn't like that." Ben said, leaning close. "Me being all clingy."

"It has it's perks." Kenji said, leaning close, eyes closing as Ben moved to meet his li--

There was a loud chirp and Ben recoiled, shooting up to throw a nearby rock, a lone compy running out from the bush it flew into and back towards the watering hole.

Bumpy huffed, as if saying it was just one.

Ben sighed and got up, then noticed...

"Kenji..." he chuckled. "Your grip is really strong too."

Kenji opened his eyes, noticing his hand in Ben's left, the other in the crook of his elbow.

"I-"

Ben squeezed his hand and sat back down.

"Its okay. I'll keep you safe." He said and Kenji scoffed, but squeezed his hand back.

------------------

I am so sorry this took so long!

Kenji noticed how quiet Ben was as he packed his suitcase again, too focused on folding his shirts a certain way.

“You excited?” Kenji asked.

“About what?”

“The hotel stay?” Kenji asked.

“Oh! Yeah. We’re coming back after the run through, right?”

“Yeah, it’s just a week.” Kenji said and stared at his suitcase.

“Oh…Um, will it be that short?” He asked.

“Do you wanna just…stay here?” Kenji asked. “I mean, we still go in a couple days and make it the night before if you want. Have some time to cool our heads.”

“Will that be okay?” Ben asked.

“Sure!” Kenji said. “Let me just go tell my Dad.”

 *

 Candy hugged him extra tight.

“I hope your cold feels better, Mijo.” She said and smiled at Ben, who smiled back, bundled in pajamas and a blanket wrapped around to his ears.

“Are you sure you don’t want us to take Carmen?” Kosei asked and his daughter huffed.  

“Daddy! I can feed myself and I’ll stay out of the way. Besides. That means I get to know Ben better!” She said. “I can make him caldo and spiced atole!”

“I don’t know what those are, but I’m gonna eat them.”

“Heck yeah, we are!” Kenji said excitedly. “Cause I’m gonna help!”

“You still cook, Mi Bebe?” Candy asked with a smile.

“I…I lived alone.” Kenji said. “It’s not as good as yours but…”

Candy cocked her head and kissed his cheek, pinching it.

“Pobrecito…” She said with a laugh. “Be safe and stay warm.”

“Owen will bring you two back in two days.” Kosei said and hugged Carmen close.

“Okay. Have fun!” Carmen yelled as they left.

She turned around with a grin, scooping up Bumpy.

“I’m going to make caldo for dinner, but for now, me and Bumpy are gonna go watch Ducktales and eat jerky!”

“Floss after!” Kenji called as she ran up the stairs.

“Think they bought the sick act?” Ben asked, dropping the blanket from his head down to his shoulders.

“Nope. But they’re catering to you.” He said, placing his hands on Ben’s exposed shoulders.

“Isn’t that my boyfriend’s job?” Ben asked with a smile.

“Just act sick today and we can do something tomorrow.” Kenji said, turning around to hide his blush.

“Okay.” Ben said. “So…I’m assuming most of this act will be bumming around and cuddling?”

Kenji cleared his throat.

“My parents aren’t here…” He said.

“Practice.”

Kenji blinked and looked at Ben, looking up from hooded eyes.

“I…okay. You wanna read a book while I look at my phone?” Kenji asked.

“You know me so well, Honey.” Ben said with a tilt of his head.

Kenji’s heart thudded as he looked down at his pretend boyfriend.

 *

 Carmen knocked gently on the door and Kenji called out to let her in.

She opened it slowly and peek in, the smell of rich chicken soup wafting through the house.

“Kenji, can you help me with something?” She asked.

Kenji looked down at Ben, who was curled up in another one of his sweaters and sleeping soundly.

“Sure.” He said and wrapped a blanket around Ben, kissing his forehead.

“Aw~” Carmen cooed.

“Shut up. You’ll get it.” He said knowingly.

He followed her to the kitchen, where she had a large crockpot full of shredded chicken and veggies.

“I always get the spices wrong even when I follow Mama’s recipe.” She whined.

“I got ya.” He said and grabbed a rotating spice rack of glass shakers filled with chopped herbs, ground spices and full leaves.

“First off, no cilantro. It taste like soap to some people so just better to nix it. Next, we add cumin, black peppercorn, a whole bay leaf and chili paste.” He said, making a showoff adding the spices and stirring it with a wooden spoon. “I don’t smell that certain…twang.”

“Not everyone can handle your spice!” She reminded him. “But…maybe jalapeno juice?”

“Ding ding ding! Prize to the cutie in Steven Universe socks!” He said and she smiled, getting him a bottle from the fridge.

He added a splash, stirred it once more and covered it. “And now we wait two awful hours.”

“We can start the rice after about an hour and a half, right?” She asked.

“So…what do you say we go all the way with this meal?” he asked.

“You mean-?!”

“Chocolate time, Baby!” He said and she squealed.

He quickly grabbed a few bowls and pans. Carmen placed her phone in a speaker and quick tempered guitar sounded in the kitchen.

It was no secret that the Kon siblings took after their mother’s culture when it came to food. They joked that was how she had seduced their father before winning him over with her empathetic personality. They had explored her childhood hotspots, from the River Walk, to the Art Museum to Fiesta Square and the Quarry Market, they had walked and shopped with their Mama and visit old friends in the barrios near downtown to check on them.

“When I was little, my Tia lived with two other families in a house meant for one. But they cooked together and worked hard so their children could go to school and do something with their lives. And we made sure to return and take care of them.” She said as their old Tia sat in a plush chair, eyes closed in content and body relaxed as Carmen chattered on about her day at school, Kosei watching them worriedly to make sure the old woman did not get overwhelmed in the small hot kitchen.

“But I remembered the food and how good it was. Even if there wasn’t a lot, there was still so much love and flavor in it.” She said, stirring the red rice and a teen Kenji adding peas and sliced jalapenos to it. “So when I cook, I remember the love and care that went into it and remember what my family did, where we came from. How a lot can go into a little still.”

She then held out a small spoon of rice and Kenji took a bite; lemon, tomatoes, and pepper blending together perfectly into the rice and blooming over his tongue. He felt his Mother’s kiss on his forehead and smiled.

He sighed happily as he mixed the chocolate and then held the spoon to Carmen to taste. She took it and happily put it in her mouth with a hum.

Had Ben experienced what his mother had in her childhood?

Had his mother shown him her love in what little she could give. Kenji Recalled how he and Carmen had nice clothes and food growing up. How Carmen asked for a game and got it the same day.

His parents worked their butts off and he…

He had just run away.

No wonder his father was so pissed at him all those years and now…

Now he saw him and Ben and looked hopeful. Like Kenji might pull himself together for Ben and that…that…

“That’s not fair.” He said out loud and noticed Carmen had paused holding out the small desert bowls decorated with diamond.

“Kenji?” She asked.

“I…I’ve been such a dick.” He sighed and hugged Carmen.

“Um, let’s plate these and put them away and then…you wanna talk?” She asked.

“Yeah.” Kenji said and she held the bowls as he filled them.

Carmen placed them in the freezer, and they started on the dishes, washing them by hand this time.

“I’ll wash, you dry.” Carmen said and Kenji nodded, both of them rolling up their sleeves in unison.

As they settled in a nice silence, Kenji looked at Carmen.

“I ran away after the breakup and I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing to me?” She asked.

Kenji took a breath and turned to his sister, leaning against the counter top.

“I know about the bullying.”

“I…of course you do.” She sighed.

“Carm, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because it’s no big deal.” She huffed, handing him a pot.

“It is to me!” Kenji said, aggressively wiping it down with a towel. “My little sister is hurting and I…”

“What would you even do?” She asked.

“I…I don’t know, something!”

“Kenji!” She said and looked at him. “You’re here. You’re here and that’s…”

She sniffed as her voice cracked, eyes filling with tears.

“You’re here and I’m okay.” She sobbed the last word, Kenji gathering her in his arms.

“Yeah…” He said and rubbed her back. “And I’m gonna be here for you no matter what.”

“What about—”

“Shh…” Kenji whispered. “Let me be here for you.”

Carmen nodded into his shirt.

“I have something to tell you.” He said. “About Ben.”

“That you two are obviously not an item?”

He pulled her back.

“What the heck, Carmen?” He yelled.

“I could tell, duh. You two are so not okay in each other’s arms and you are so forced.” She said with a smirk. “You can fool Mama and Dad, but not me.”

“So…”

“Explain.” She said and Kenji sighed.

“Well…”

 *

 Ben woke up to Bumpy licking his face.

He took a deep breath and Carmen was there, eyes watery and clutching her dress.

“Carmen?” He asked, then huffed when the teen hugged him around the neck.

“I’m so sorry!” She cried. “I didn’t know my brother dragged you into this dumb mess!”

“Uh…” Kenji said, his left cheek red from a slap.

“You told her.” Ben said.

“He did and I am so mad and sad and…”

“He wanted to make your parents proud.” Ben said with a sigh. “And I needed to get away for a bit.”

“Do you two even like each other?” Carmen asked.

“I…” Ben bit his lip. “I cant answer that right now. I’m comfortable with your brother.”

“You shouldn’t settle with someone who hurt you!” Carmen yelled and Ben looked up at Kenji.

“You told her—”

“Everything.” Kenji said.

“Carmen.” Ben said and pulled her to sit next to him, taking her hands. “Listen. I hated your brother back then.”

Kenji cringed.

“I thought it was his fault my mom got too stressed and…” He took another deep breath. “It wasn’t. We were just stupid kids doing stupid things at the worst time…And yes. Your brother hurt me. Scarred me in some ways. And you know what happened?”

“What?”

“I dated an absolute scumbag cause I thought, ‘hey, I could take years of abuse from Kenji Kon, I can handle this.’ But I couldn’t…He…” Ben covered his mouth and gagged a bit, Kenji grabbing the trash can and holding it under Ben’s head.

He pushed it away, shaking his head.

“He hurt me so bad.” He said and Carmen covered her mouth. “And I was okay with that.”

“W-Why?” She asked.

“I’ve been a victim,” Ben said, voice wobbling. “Like, my whole life. And I hated it. And now, I’m homeless and leeching off the only people who have ever been nice to me. And I hate it.”

He sniffed and wiped his hot face, vision blurry.

“So when I realized I could find a way out with your brother’s help, I thought, ‘well, he owes me’. And yet…He has shown me something I cant believe. He’s changed, Carmen. And I never thought I’d be excited to see Kenji Kon, than I am when he comes through a door. And yeah…maybe this is fake, but I’m happier that he’s willing to help me stand on my own two feet by showing me that change is possible. He went from an absolute dick—”

“I was.” Kenji interjected.

“—to a kind and devoted older brother who adores his parents, his friends and wants to make up for what he did to me.” Ben said. “And I’m giving him this chance. I’m sorry we lied.”

“This is still really messed up. What if Mama and Dad want you two to…y’know…stay together?” She asked.

“I’d tell them everything. In all honesty, it was mainly to show I had gotten over Brooklynn.” Kenji said.

“Have you?” Carmen asked.

Kenji made a face and Ben huffed, grabbing his boots and coat. “Excuse me.”

Carmen watched as Kenji quickly followed Ben out the hall and to the backyard.

“This was so stupid!” Ben yelled into the trees.

Kenji grabbed his arms and pulled him back. “Dude, you’re in pajamas!”

“I don’t care! This is…This was a mistake, Kenji…” Ben said.

“Ben…please, hate me all you want, but I need you, not just for this stupid lie.” Kenji said. “I…You make me happy, Ben.”

“Happy?”

“You make me calm and like…like I can have this.”

“And what is this?” Ben asked with a shake of his head.

Kenji pulled him into a tight hug. Ben blushed as he felt the other’s chest thudding.

“Kenji?”

“I liked you. Back then, I liked you and I was such an asshole.” He said.

Ben shoved him away. “That is such…You are such a…”

His face was red and his nose wrinkled and Kenji could see tears building again.

“I think I still do…” Kenji said, taking a step forward.

Ben covered his face before reaching out and yanking Kenji down by his shirt collar, kissing him as snow started to fall. Ben pushed him back a bit, to glare at him with almost no heat.

“Then do this correctly.” Ben hissed and pulled him back into another kiss.

After a moment, Kenji put his own coat around Ben.

“Let’s get you into a warm bath. It’s too cold for you here.” Kenji said and led him back into the house and past Carmen, who seemed to be grinning behind her hands.

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