Ben & Ender's house on Shakespeare [some evening]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was curled up on the sofa with Ender's rather dry book on anatomy after Ben's research into the subject had brought up suggestions like "Bend Over," "Eating Out," and other titles that had sent Ben into an unhelpful cycle of flail. (Jane had a wicked sense of humor, not that Ben knew that.)

He had a dish of ice cream while he waited for dinner to warm up--his only outward sign of nerves--and kept glancing at the door waiting for Ender to come home.

Just another night, right? If he kept repeating that to himself, maybe he'd believe it.

[OOC: This is going to get waaaaaaay NWS, methinks. For the boy.]

Comments

[momslilassassin]

"Nothing but droid spoken word albums it is," Ben teased but he relaxed a bit in Ender's arms.

[endsthegame]

"Very attractive," Ender agreed, pulling Ben further into said arms.

[momslilassassin]

Ben tipped his head up and kissed Ender under the chin. "I love you more than anybody, too," he murmured.

[endsthegame]

Ender gave him a little squeeze. "You don't have to be afraid of the unknown," he said. "I'm right there with you."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "I know," he said softly, "and I want to do this with you. But I'm just--"

Flailing.

[endsthegame]

"Scared," Ender filled in. "Worried. Your mind is running overtime, coughing up terrible scenarios."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "Exactly. You?"

[endsthegame]

"A little bit," Ender admitted, "But not nearly as much as you."

[momslilassassin]

"Of course not," Ben said with a tiny smile. "No one in the galaxy can flail like me."

[endsthegame]

Ender kissed that smile. "Or show as much care," he said. "Or take as much care."

[momslilassassin]

"I love you," Ben said simply. "I'm going to make sure you don't forget."

[endsthegame]

"Then I think we're doing pretty good," Ender said. "No flail required."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed him again. "There's no hurry, right?"

[endsthegame]

"Absolutely none at all," Ender said, rubbing his nose against Ben's.

[momslilassassin]

Ben closed his eyes. "All right," he said softly, cupping Ender's face between his hands and trying to relax.

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled softly at him. "Do you want me to take control?" he asked gently. "I know we thought maybe your empathy could help us out, but... maybe the last thing you should have is more of a reason to worry."

[momslilassassin]

Ben was quiet for a long moment, thinking it over. "All right," he murmured, "if you're okay with it too."

[endsthegame]

"I am," Ender said, kissing his forehead. "I just want to do whatever you'd be most comfortable with."

And while he had his share of worries about this, he was much better at keeping his cool and not letting stress rule him than Ben was.

[momslilassassin]

"We'll try that then," Ben replied, snuggling closer and relaxing more completely. "You're so nice to rest against," he commented softly.

[endsthegame]

"I try my best," Ender said, hugging him close. "I'm working on increasing my padding and everything." He nodded at the plate.

Like at the rate he usually ate his dinner, he was ever going to be anything other than lean.

[momslilassassin]

Ben snorted. "The first sign of you turning to overeating and I'm dragging you bodily to a doctor," he said fondly. "That's not you."

[endsthegame]

"Or is it?" Ender asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

[momslilassassin]

Ben nipped at Ender's jawline. "I like to think I know you pretty well," he said, "and no, it isn't."

[endsthegame]

"Fair enough," Ender said, cupping his cheek and kissing him properly.

[momslilassassin]

Ben let out a low noise, shoved aside the nervous butterflies in his stomach, and wrapped his fingers though Ender's hair. He didn't want his trepidation of what was coming to ruin how good this felt now.