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

[endsthegame]

"I think he'd be excited," Ender said, smiling a little. "He already complains about most of the adults underestimating him. I think we can relate."

[momslilassassin]

"Maybe a little," Ben said with a grin. "I'll let him get his hands dirty."

[endsthegame]

"He'll appreciate it," Ender said, finishing off his steak with just a few more bites.

Some of the potatoes bit the bucket, too.

[momslilassassin]

"You almost finished your plate," Ben said, sounding pleased. He knew how rare that was.

[endsthegame]

"It was good food," Ender said, smiling. "It felt like a waste to leave it."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed his cheek again. "I'm glad you liked it."

[endsthegame]

Ender's smile broadened a little. "So is this a date?"

[momslilassassin]

"I think so," Ben said. "Should we put on music or something?"

[endsthegame]

"Yes," Ender deadpanned, "Bring on the Marvin Gaye."

[momslilassassin]

Ben blushed. "Well, maybe not that..."

[endsthegame]

Ender leaned in and kissed him softly. "Put on music if you want to," he said more earnestly, "I'm fine either way."

[momslilassassin]

"I think it might be nice to not feel like there's this big silence just waiting to be filled," Ben admitted.

[endsthegame]

Ender sighed.

Wryly, he said, "Poor choice of words, Ben Skywalker."

[momslilassassin]

And cue all the blushing. "Oh."

[endsthegame]

Ender kissed his blushing cheek. "You're very cute," he murmured. "And need to remember I do not have any secret auditors hidden around the house waiting to grade your performance."

[momslilassassin]

"Now there's an image," Ben mumbled, curling into Ender.

[endsthegame]

Ender slid his arm around Ben's shoulders and pulled him close. "Ho, kreetle," he murmured. "I love you more than anybody. I really appreciate dinner. And I'm going to appreciate the rest of tonight no matter what happens. Or what terrible music you play."

[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."