Shuttle landing zone, Hijra [Six months in stasis, twelve years Earth time gone, Tuesday in Fandom]

[momslilassassin]

After saying their final goodbyes to Ender's parents before getting to Ganges, there wasn't really much point to staying awake between stops, and so all three of them went into stasis for the duration of the flight between Ganges and Hijra, a planet they'd picked for its relative obscurity, warm, dry climate, and sand (but not too much sand, Ben had been sure to check. He hadn't come all this way to end up on another Tatooine. There was obscure and there was "furthest star from anything.") Besides, after their trip back to Kaeleer, Ben hadn't exactly been anxious to be alone with his thoughts for much time.

He'd memorized what little information had changed about their new home planet: very quiet, minimal interference from Earth's government (which was now a few generations past Peter's time, and that was a little hard to get used to), made up primarily of Earth immigrants from the Middle East, and Northern and Central parts of Africa. They'd been drawn to the heat as much as Ben had been. With all of his possessions in the duffel over his shoulder, he stepped down out of the shuttle and took his first breath of non-recycled air in six months. "Sure is hot," he said, tilting his head up to the sun. "Feels good. Where's our house again?"

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[momslilassassin]

Ben let out a low whimper, trying to bury the noise in a kiss.

[endsthegame]

Ender kissed him back enthusiastically, putting most of his focus in that. Even if it meant he was going to run out of oxygen sooner rather than later.

[momslilassassin]

Who needed oxygen? Ben was planning to learn to go without if it meant there would be more kissing...

[endsthegame]

Ender had to break loose eventually, gasping for breath. "Kriff," he mumbled.

[momslilassassin]

"I love you," Ben murmured, moving his hand again.

[endsthegame]

"Love you," Ender sighed, tucking his head against the pillow as he focused on their hands now rather than anything else.

Well, their hands and Ben's eyes, which were still a very pretty blue.

[momslilassassin]

Ben gazed back, smiling softly and moving his hand with more deliberation, trusting years of experience to give Ender what he needed.

[endsthegame]

Ender let out another soft sigh.

He reached out with his free hand to touch Ben's cheek, sliding his fingers up and through Ben's hair.

[momslilassassin]

Ben leaned his forehead in so it touched Ender's and closed his eyes, reveling in the feelings of safety (and...other stuff) that always came with being like this with Ender, regardless of location.

This connection was Ben's definition of home.

[endsthegame]

Ender let his eyes shut too, focusing on both the warmth of this - on several levels - and his struggle to keep from making too much noise.

Somehow, the quiet made it feel... closer.

[momslilassassin]

It did--like it was cementing this as something only for the two of them. After squirrels and Admiral Morgan and to a lesser extent the focus of being the governor, there was something very precious about an experience only they knew about.

Ben moved his free hand to the small of Ender's back, bringing him a little closer.

[endsthegame]

Ender dropped his chin onto Ben's shoulder, panting softly in his ear.

He knew this wasn't going to be long, nor would it be spectacular - but it was comfortable and familiar, and on a new planet, that was good enough for him.

[momslilassassin]

"I've got you," Ben whispered in reply, moving his hand faster. "Let go."

[endsthegame]

That was all it took. Ender let go with a soft whimper and a sigh, his forehead pressed against Ben's.

[momslilassassin]

Ben followed a moment later, letting the wave of Ender's emotions tip him over the edge as well.

[endsthegame]

Ender laid there as his breathing returned to normal, wanting to bask in that sense of comfortable and familiar for a little while longer-- especially now that he was no longer worked up.

[momslilassassin]

Ben had the same idea, snuggling in closer and in no hurry to move anywhere.

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled against Ben's hair. "Welcome to our new home," he murmured, "At least for the next little while."

[momslilassassin]

Ben gave him a quick squeeze. "It's pretty astral so far."

And that was when the doorbell rang.

Ben frowned. "Did Val lock herself out?"

[endsthegame]

Ender squinted at him. "I don't know," he said. "Let me grab my pants..."

He sat up and did so.

[momslilassassin]

"Probably a good plan," Ben agreed with a smile, reaching for his too and scrubbing his fingers through his hair. "I don't think she's ready for naked day."

[endsthegame]

Ender grabbed a shirt - his own, or Val would give him hell - and tugged that on too.

"I'll be back in a minute," he promised, leaning in to give Ben a quick kiss. "You stay there."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed him back, lingering for a second. "I'll bounce on the bed and see if it squeaks," he promised.

[endsthegame]

"You do that," Ender said wryly.

He got up and ran his hand through his hair in a futile attempt to make it look less sex-rumpled. He headed down the stairs - Val wouldn't like to be kept waiting.

With that in mind, he opened the door.

[arcane-delphi.livejournal.com]

"Salaam," murmured the young man on the other side, giving Ender a small, slightly nervous smile. "Have I caught you at a bad time?"