Room 204 [afternoon]

[momslilassassin]

Ben didn't have classes on Wednesdays, so he normally went out on a nice long run before climbing the Rocky Bits (yes, for fun, and yes, without safety equipment), so it wasn't entirely unheard of for him to come home with a few scratches on his arms or legs.

Today, though, he was limping heavily and cursing under his breath about big sharp teeth and stupid kriffing bunnies.

He was a Skywalker. Of course something had tried to eat him.

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[momslilassassin]

Ben wrapped his fingers through Ender's hair with a happy sigh. "Could do this all day."

[endsthegame]

"I've noticed you trying," Ender teased. Now that he had a moment, he was reaching back down to take care of those buttons.

[momslilassassin]

"Exercise and spending time with my favorite person," Ben said. "I see no downside here."

[endsthegame]

"You're not eating at the same time," Ender said. His voice was teasing.

He stripped off the shirt and tossed it at the floor.

[momslilassassin]

Ben took his time ogling Ender instead of being bratty in reply.

He finally reached out to trail his fingers along Ender's bicep. "Not bad, Wiggin."

[endsthegame]

"Not everyone can have tree trunks like yours," Ender said, "But I do my part."

Of completely not vanity-oriented workouts.

Though, predictably, he was going to linger here for a moment and enjoy the attention.

[momslilassassin]

Which was why Ben made sure to appreciate the view every time. He leaned out to kiss Ender's bicep.

"I appreciate the work," he teased.

[endsthegame]

"You're welcome," Ender said, only a little dryly, and even that was completely off-set by the smile on his face. He ran his own fingers over Ben's abs. "Same to you. Even if you're a little obsessed with doing it."

[momslilassassin]

Ben reached out to trace Ender's smile. "It'll help throw the next herd of bunnies."

[endsthegame]

"I'm not sure how that makes sense," Ender said with a soft chuckle.

He looked down at Ben's face, something tender settling in his belly. Strangely, it made him feel old.

[momslilassassin]

Ben gazed back at him. "You all right?"

[endsthegame]

Ender shut his eyes and took a breath.

"I just let my thoughts escape with me," he admitted.

He opened his eyes again and met Ben's expression with a small smile. "Sometimes I let you carry me away," he said. "Sometimes I wonder how I got here."

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled back. "You're not the only one," he murmured.

[endsthegame]

Ender leaned down and kissed him gently. "You bring me so much joy," he said. "Every day. Sometimes... I don't know what to do with it. Sometimes it puts me outside of myself like this - I just look at you and wonder how it is this fits into my life."

Apparently he felt like talking. For once.

[momslilassassin]

Ben tightened his arms around Ender to give him a fierce hug, finding himself at a loss for words.

"It's real, kreetle," he whispered softly.

[endsthegame]

"You don't owe me anniversaries," Ender murmured, wrapping his arms around Ben, too. "You do more than good on the ordinary days as it is."

[momslilassassin]

Ben buried his face against Ender's neck and breathed him in for a moment. "I'm going to love you as hard as I can for as long as you'll let me," he replied.

[endsthegame]

Ender snorted softly, but didn't move. "You're stubborn as hell," he murmured. "And I remember the reunion. There's no letting about it."

[momslilassassin]

Ben's hand drifted down to swat Ender's rear. "We've dodged that particular scenario, thank the Force. And not just because of my beard."

[endsthegame]

Ender laughed a little bit, reaching down to grip Ben's wrist to keep him from doing that again. "I had a hard time not thinking about that night for a long time," he admitted.

[momslilassassin]

"Oh yeah?" Ben replied, happy to let Ender take his wrist. He kissed Ender's neck softly. "Guilty pleasure or just guilty?"

[endsthegame]

Ender sighed. "The former," he admitted. "Just because I wasn't putting in requisition orders for tissues that summer..."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed a different spot on his neck. "I'm sure Tony would've sent you some..."

He took a moment to enjoy what he was doing before adding, "I thought about it too."

[endsthegame]

"I thought so," Ender said softly, tilting his head to encourage Ben in what he was doing. "But I avoided bringing it up."

[momslilassassin]

"Why?" Ben asked, nipping gently at Ender's jawline.