Ben & Ender's bedroom, Shakespeare [Monday evening]

[momslilassassin]

It was old habit that led Ben to sit on asking Ender "what the hell was that?" about their meeting with Cade, their frankly terrifying and surly grandson, what the hell what the hell what the hell, until they were tucked into bed together.

"Soo..." he began. "What the hell was that?"

[OOC: For the boy!]

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[endsthegame]

"Hey," Ender said just as softly. "I love you. There isn't anyone else I'd want to have surprise grandchildren with."

[momslilassassin]

That got him a smile. "Same, kreetle. Even surly ones."

[endsthegame]

Ender kissed the top of Ben's head. "So out with it all," he murmured.

[momslilassassin]

"That makes it sound like I have a coherent thought on this yet," Ben said, closing his eyes, "and instead my brain's trying to give yours a run for its credits. How was our son such a terrible parent? How did he die? What was his name? When did the Sith take over? Was it Vestara? Is it because I'm here and not there? And on and on and on, all of it pointless."

[endsthegame]

"Maybe," Ender said, running his thumb back and forth over Ben's shoulder. "But I know from experience that sometimes it's better to let it out."

[momslilassassin]

"What are you thinking?" Ben asked softly. "This is our problem, not just mine."

[endsthegame]

"Honestly?" Ender said, glancing up at the ceiling. "I'm surprised by how freaked out I'm not. The first time... well, we both know what that did to me."

[momslilassassin]

"I remember," Ben said, linking his fingers through Ender's. "He didn't mention Val once," he murmured. "Think she stayed on this side?"

Because if she didn't exist at all, Ben would miss her terribly, hypothetical child or not.

[endsthegame]

Ender gave Ben's hand a squeeze. "It wouldn't surprise me if she did," he said. "She was bright."

And not quite as Skywalker-y as, say, Cade.

[momslilassassin]

"That's you," Ben said with a little smile.

[endsthegame]

"This Bantha's alive, too," Ender added, smiling down at him.

[momslilassassin]

"Wonder why he's not watching Cade," Ben said.

[endsthegame]

"Cade's universe seems to be overrun with Sith," Ender said. "Fandom might have been the safest place he could think of putting him." His mouth quirked. "And maybe teach the kid a few lessons while he was at it."

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled. "Now that sounds like something a kid of ours would do. Definitely the Wiggin sense of humor."

[endsthegame]

"I'd like to meet Bantha and talk to him about it," Ender said wryly.

[momslilassassin]

"Me too," Ben said. "Guess we should figure out when Cade's due to graduate and stalk him."

That's healthy, right?

[endsthegame]

Common understanding of the word 'healthy' kind of went out the window in these situations.

"Guess we should," Ender agreed. "It'll be good practice for later."

[momslilassassin]

"A decade from now when we've met his dad?" Ben asked a little wryly.

[endsthegame]

"Or his aunt," Ender said.

[momslilassassin]

"Or her," Ben added, kissing Ender's jaw again.

[endsthegame]

Ender slid his hand up to cup Ben's cheek and tilted his head to kiss him properly. "We can handle this," he murmured afterwards.

[momslilassassin]

"I hope so," Ben replied, leaning his head into Ender's.

[endsthegame]

"I know so," Ender said, keeping his hand on Ben's face. "We're tenacious, and loving, and terribly handsome."

[momslilassassin]

Ben choked on a laugh. "The handsomeness will be the most important part."

[endsthegame]

"I know Cade was impressed," Ender joked, kissing Ben's nose.