Work Text:
Ben was grateful that the Mballos decided to hospitalize him and his friends, especially after that embarrassing incident. The teenage girl, Zayna, was gushing on and on, happy she had someone closer to her age to talk to. Her and Darius seemed to get along anyway.
Everyone was pleasantly surprised when Aminata came out with some tea, taking their cups excitedly. Ben smelled the heavenly scent of chamomile and honey. Just what he needed really. He’s been so stressed these days… Especially with what he had found out about.. No she couldn’t be. He was seeing things.
Before he could finish his thoughts, Geba, Zaynas pet gallimimus, chirped behind him. Ben was startled, yelping as he dropped his cup all over his shirt. Thank god it wasn’t hot because that would’ve been terrible.
The others laughed while Ben grumbled, trying to wipe off the tea off of him.
“I could get you another shirt if you’d like Ben.” Aminata offered, picking up the discarded cup on the ground.
“That’d be great, thanks.”
Aminata nodded, going back inside to search for something to dress Ben in.
“Well Benjamin, you should probably take that shirt off huh?” Sammy chuckled, taking a sip of her tea while smirking. She always teased him.
“Har har Sammy.” Ben didn’t even think before pulling his shirt off. It was the logical thing to do after all, plus he’s known these people for years. He’s alright being half naked in front of them. Zayna’s pretty chill too really.
Ben slid off his shirt, getting a teasing whistle from Kenji.
“Woah Benny! You’ve changed a lot haven’t you?” Kenji smirked, his shoulders moving with the force of his laughter. He’s grown used to the comments. Ever since he’s hit his growth spurt, that’s the only thing anybody would ever talk about.
Ben rolled his eyes before turning around to fold his shirt and place on the empty chair next to him. But as soon as he did, he heard horrified gasps behind him.
“What? What happened? A dinosaur?!” Ben stood on guard, listening and looking around for threats.
“Ben. How long have you had, um… those?” He heard Yaz’ concerned voice mixed with horror.
“What’re you guys talking ab-“ Oh. Those.
Ben froze. He forgot about them. Fuck why did they have to see them?
“Ben are those from the pteranodons..?” Darius dared asking him, earning a look from Ben he never wanted to see again.
Ben felt uneasy. All eyes were on him and he didn’t like it. They were from seven years ago, it’s no big deal!
“It’s fine really! They were from long ago..”
”No Ben it’s not okay! You never told us about them!” Sammy was on the verge of tears.
Ben couldn’t stop the flashes of memories that tore through him.
-
Darius’ terrified face. His body falling victim to gravity as he failed to hold on. Those wretched things pulling and tearing into the flesh of his back and shoulders.
He remembers waking up in the middle of the jungle. His back hurt like fucking hell and there was blood pooling around him. He registered sharp pains as he stood up, his knees buckling and his body begging him to just fall over and give up.
But he couldn’t. He didn’t want to. He tried his best to care for his wounds that he couldn’t even see but man was it hard. After a few miserable days in the jungle, he finally decided to go through Main Street and attempt to find something to help with chronic pain.
He wandered through the abandoned streets, trying to ignore the half eaten bodies that fell victim to dinosaurs when the park fell into shambles. He hated this. He hated everything.
He sighed when he finally found a med kit, finding a mirror in the process too. He told himself he’d be okay. That he would bandage himself good enough until he got help or he died.
“Okay Pincus, be a man.”
He pulled off his shirt, discarding it on the ground before turning his back to the mirror. Even after all these years, he wished he could destroy that sight from his brain.
He remembers gasping at how gnarly and mangled his back looked. For the most part they had started to scab and heel, but some of them were still slowly oozing blood. They were red and pink, his flesh screaming at him for treatment. They burned. He wanted to claw them off, just like those pteranodons. He felt tears run down his cheeks. He’ll never be normal again.
That thought stuck with him for a while, considering that he successfully hid his scars from his friends. He didn’t want pity. They were already pitying him because of how long he survived in the jungle by himself.
-
Ben jumps into fight mode when he sees Kenji in front of him. His hand on his shoulder. While Ben went down memory lane, he shut down in real life completely.
“I’m disgusting, aren’t I?” Ben couldn’t remember the last time he looked at them without gagging.
“Course not Benny boy. It’s just proof that you made it.” Oh. Well that’s a different thought.
The others joined Kenji, reassuring him.
“Yea dude those things look sick!” Yaz nudged him with his elbow, smiling softly.
“I’m surprised you managed to NOT get them infected.” Sammy joked.
Ben couldn’t stop the flow of tears going down his face. Knowing that his closest friends, his family, isn’t disgusted by his scars made him feel so much better.
“Plus they look hot.” Of course Kenji ruins the moment. Yaz sighs, punching him in the arm, getting a “yeowch” from Kenji.
Aminata returned with the shirt, almost dropping it when she saw Ben’s back. He politely declines it for the moment, wanting to know what it felt like to be comfortable and not having to feel ashamed.
-
Ben and Kenji sat next to the fire while the others went inside to sleep. They talked about whatever came to mind until Ben felt Kenjis eyes on him.
“Need something?”
”Huh? Oh uh nothing.”
Anyone who knew Kenji knew he was a terrible liar.
“Come on tell me.”
“It’s about the scars..”
Oh. Maybe he should put his shirt back on.
As he reached for the clean top that Aminata brought him, he felt Kenjis hand stop him.
“No! Not in a bad way.. I do think they’re hot. Not like that actually! More like admirable? God no that’s not the right word.”
It was funny watching Kenji get flustered.
“They’re gorgeous Ben. You’re gorgeous.”
Ben’s eyes widened just the slightest bit. Then he felt a smile coming on.
“You think?”
Ben leaned backwards, watching at Kenji blush slightly and move away.
“Don’t get cocky with me Pincus.”
“I’m sorry I’m sorry! Won’t do it again I swear!” Ben laughed, struggling to keep quiet.
“You know I kinda had a crush on you before I started feeling things for B..”
Wow. That’s a surprise.
“Shit man me too.”
“Oh yea I know, you were obvious as fuck.”
Ben furrowed his eyebrows, offended.
“Okay jeez.”
He watched Kenji laugh before pulling him into a hug.
“C’mere big guy!”
It was nice feeling someone else’s hands on his back, his scars specifically. These hands weren’t disgusted and disturbed. They were intrigued and warm.
Ben melted into the hug, reciprocating it quickly and wrapping his arms around Kenji. Maybe he still felt something. Maybe not.
“You’re handsome just the way you are Jungle Boy.” He heard Kenji whisper in his ear, his voice low and soft spoken.
Okay he definitely still felt something.
“Thanks Kenj.”
Now he just has to wonder if Kenji would feel the same if he knew what Ben was hiding.