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When he got picked up by that guy with the plane, he didn’t think he’d be in the cockpit trying to figure out how to fly a jet while his friends were getting mollywhopped by a kentrosaurus. Kenji stared at the buttons and switches, confusion embedded in his eyes. Ben wasn’t really helping either, his eyes were bolting around, not knowing what he should do. He reached for the big red button in the middle, because obviously that seems like the best option.
“Dude that’s the button Darius almost killed us with!” Kenji slapped his hand away. Ben pouted, wanting to help in some sort of way instead of just standing there.
“Then check the labels!”
“They’re all in French, Pincus!” Kenji spat back. Okay sure this wasn’t Ben’s fault but Kenji was still pissed about the whole Brooklynn thing.
The plane started to rapidly decrease in altitude. Kenji heard his friends yelling in the back. He grabbed the yoke and tried to pull them back up. Ben quickly sat down and did the same.
They both gritted their teeth in an effort to save their friends and also their own asses.
“Fuck I’m too young to die!” Ben started to lose focus, eyes opening with panic.
“We’re going to die if you don’t pull the damn thing up Benjamin!” Kenji yelled back, his biceps contracting with how much force he was using.
Ben fumbled with the yoke, getting a good grip again and pulling up. Red lights flashed through the cockpit, hazard signs all over the screens.
“Kenji, I have something to tell you.”
“What Ben?!” Kenji groaned. This better be important.
“I had a massive crush on you back at camp.” Ben deadpanned.
Kenji blinked, his own focus flickering away because of shock. What.
“What the fuck did you just say?”
“We’re probably going to die for real this time, so I felt like I should to tell you. I was crazy about you back when we were on Nublar.” Ben rambled on. He probably already has his will written, and he’s only 21.
“I’m sorry, and you decided to tell me NOW?!”
“I didn’t know when else to tell you!”
“Goddamnit! How long?”
Ben stayed silent, gripping at the yoke.
“How long Ben.”
“Until after you and Brooklynn broke up.”
Kenji inhaled deeply, trying not to let his mind focus on such a revelation.
“You’re fucking kidding.” Kenji stared at Ben. His expression was unclear. Was he mad, upset, reciprocal? Ben was never good at reading people.
But Ben was sorely mistaken if he really thought Kenji was going to let them die right after he found out about this.
“Ben I’ll give you the fattest fucking kiss ever if we actually live.”
Ben’s eyes snapped open after being shut in fear again, staring at Kenji incredulously. But Kenji stopped joking around after that whole Nublar incident, and Ben knew that.
Ben’s hands gripped the yoke with determination , the veins in his arms popping as he pulled them up. Kenji smirked, happy he could motivate him. They both managed to land the plane safely. Well, safely enough. The plane was wrecked but at least the kentrosaurus was asleep thanks to Sammy.
The Camp Fam step out into the freezing cold, shivering and all equally traumatized. Again. Sammy rolled her shoulders since she was knocked around the plane walls.
Kenji’s teeth clattered as he declared loudly. “Trains. Only trains from now on.”
Kenji suddenly remembered what he had promised Ben. Ben was panting, relieved. His huffs of anxiety were being let go into the wind, the air from his lungs visible. Kenji struts up, making Ben perk up in fear. He braced for impact but instead Kenji grabs Ben’s face and places a proper kiss right on his lips. Kenji wasn’t used to having to tilt his head upwards for a kiss but he managed. Ben was shocked at first but quickly gave in. His hands came around Kenji’s waist, which Kenji was definitely not used to. Their lips moved desperately against each other, as if they’d been waiting forever to do this. Kenji’s hands migrated to Ben’s neck and one of Bens hands went up to Kenji’s hair. Their friends gasped, incredibly confused and somewhat entertained.
They kiss for a minute too long before separating, Ben panting and Kenji looking seemingly normal, if you ignored the blush on his face. He can say it’s from the cold or something like that…
“Man if I still had my phone…” Darius muttered, clearly still trying to make Ben feel bad. He definitely still had a grudge because of Ben’s previous paranoia.
“Benjamin Fitzgerald Pincus, you’re going to elaborate on everything you said back in that damn cockpit and why the fuck you didn’t tell me sooner.” Kenji flicked his forehead, to which Ben’s response was a silent “Ow.”
“Doesn’t Ben have a girlfriend Kenj?” Yaz was trying to poke fun at Kenji like usual.
“Oh please, she’s not real.”
Kenji dragged Ben along the snow, picking up speed to get away from their friends and get an explanation for that stupid confession.
—
Everyone was shocked when Gia came into the picture. Especially Kenji. He was livid actually.
“Would you look at that. Benny boy wasn’t lying after all.” Kenji glared at Ben, hoping he got the passive aggressive tone in his voice.
The Camp Fam cringed, remembering the kiss from earlier.
Ben saw Yaz mouthing to him from behind Kenji.
“You are so cooked.”
He knew she was right, already dreading the explanation he’d have to give.