[ If he were thinking straight Ben might question whether this is something like what he'd encountered with Peter. But that would require rationality and logic and both of those had flown out the window the second he heard that voice, saw that face. Ben doesn't consider this might be a trick or illusion. It's mysterious how he and his siblings had gotten here. Why couldn't it have happened to his father? Sure he'd been dead, but so had Ben. ]
Dad?
[ And even with how still he's standing, Ben's heart is racing. Fear seeping through him, permeating every inch. And amidst it, wretched, worst of all, hope. He'd reunited with Diego, with Vanya. Spoken to them after all these years. Seen their wonder and devastation at getting him back. Maybe, maybe, just maybe, after he'd died, after what had caused it, and after all these years, maybe his Dad would show just a glimmer of happiness to see him. Even the tiniest sliver of actual love. ]
You recognize me?
[ Before the specter of Reginald can answer, though, Diego is coming around the corner, interrupting, and for one moment Ben feels a stab of white hot anger towards his brother. Ben is so starved for that hypothetical tiny little scrap of affection, and Diego had ruined his chances for it.
Then Diego is tugging at his arm, and Ben pulls away from him, confused, hurt, angry but now not sure which one of them he is angry at. It's getting harder to breathe, he can feel himself panicking, but he can't seem to find the brakes to slam on. To Diego, he asks: ]
no subject
Dad?
[ And even with how still he's standing, Ben's heart is racing. Fear seeping through him, permeating every inch. And amidst it, wretched, worst of all, hope. He'd reunited with Diego, with Vanya. Spoken to them after all these years. Seen their wonder and devastation at getting him back. Maybe, maybe, just maybe, after he'd died, after what had caused it, and after all these years, maybe his Dad would show just a glimmer of happiness to see him. Even the tiniest sliver of actual love. ]
You recognize me?
[ Before the specter of Reginald can answer, though, Diego is coming around the corner, interrupting, and for one moment Ben feels a stab of white hot anger towards his brother. Ben is so starved for that hypothetical tiny little scrap of affection, and Diego had ruined his chances for it.
Then Diego is tugging at his arm, and Ben pulls away from him, confused, hurt, angry but now not sure which one of them he is angry at. It's getting harder to breathe, he can feel himself panicking, but he can't seem to find the brakes to slam on. To Diego, he asks: ]
What're you doing?