The Portal on Shakespeare [a week later]

[momslilassassin]

A mattress had been bought for guests, the house had been scrubbed from top to bottom and then bottom to top, and Ben, even though he knew that Luke wouldn't care in the slightest, had stressed out about what they'd have for dinner for the last three days.

Now he was a half-hour early for the time his father had sent him for the portal, bouncing nervously on the balls of his feet.

He was excited and terrified in almost equal measure.

Sounds like a fun vacation, huh?

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[endsthegame]

"Are you up for it, or do you have a full schedule today?" Ender asked Ben.

[momslilassassin]

"I can do it," Ben said. "We'll go tinker with the skimmers after."

And get Luke out of your hair for a little while, was the unspoken message.

[endsthegame]

"You two have fun," Ender said, "Or I'll send Po over to bug you until you do."

[momslilassassin]

"We'll see you for dinner," Ben replied, leaning in for a quick kiss...and realizing halfway through that he had never done that in front of his father before.

So it turned into a slightly awkward version of a normal goodbye.

[endsthegame]

Ender would have none of it, though, and kissed him back - quick and chastely and properly - a moment later. "Hamburgers," he promised.

[momslilassassin]

"Love you," Ben murmured, cheeks flushing slightly as he knocked his forehead quickly into Ender's and Luke, looking amused, studied the door.

[endsthegame]

"Love you too," Ender said, his mouth quirking. "Now shoo."