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?"

Comments

[arcane-delphi.livejournal.com]

"If she doesn't discover it on her own, I'll show you where to buy the best dates and pistachios--or what comes close to them, here--in the city," Alai promised.

[endsthegame]

"Thank you," Ender said sincerely.

He glanced towards Ben. "Do you want something to drink?"

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded and stood up. "But I can get it," he said. "I need to figure out our kitchen anyway."

Subtle, Ben. Really.

[endsthegame]

"All right," Ender said. He smiled at Alai. "So where do they house spiritual leaders on Hijra?"

[arcane-delphi.livejournal.com]

"Near the construction for the new mosque," Alai said. "It's not great for meditation."

[endsthegame]

"Time to sound-proof your walls," Ender said.

[arcane-delphi.livejournal.com]

Alai chuckled, "Or stop being stubborn about keeping my windows open for the breeze."

[endsthegame]

"I'll get you a fan for your birthday," Ender promised him.

[momslilassassin]

Ben banged the cabinet he had been investigating a little too loudly at that. "Sorry!" he called out to them.

[endsthegame]

"Haven't you found a glass yet?" Ender hollered back.

For god's sake.

[momslilassassin]

"Nope, but I found the pots and pans!" Ben replied.

For smacking people with. Hypothetically, but it was making the mean, jealous part of him happy.

[endsthegame]

"I can come over and help you," Ender called.

And smack him with a pan.

[momslilassassin]

"Wouldn't want to interrupt your conversation!" Ben yelled back, banging another door.

[endsthegame]

Ender shot Alai a faintly apologetic look and got up. He walked into the kitchen, where he fixed Ben with a Look.

[momslilassassin]

Ben made a face in reply, crossing his arms over his chest. "I didn't know he was here."

And he knew he was behaving like a child. He just didn't want to be reasonable just yet.

[endsthegame]

Ender crossed his own arms. "As far as I can tell," he said, "You don't look like Fandom just turned you back into a five-year-old."

[momslilassassin]

Ben gritted his teeth together. "I know."

[endsthegame]

"I didn't know he was here either," Ender added.

[momslilassassin]

Ben blew out a little breath. "I know," he repeated, softer.

[endsthegame]

Ender's expression softened a little, too. "And you have nothing to fear from him," he said. "Besides maybe a boring tour."

[momslilassassin]

Ben reached a tentative hand out toward Ender. "Sorry," he murmured.

[endsthegame]

Ender took Ben's hand, then took a step closer and kissed him gently.

"Remember," he said, "I love you best."

He didn't usually enjoy paying favor to this kind of stupidity, but reminding Ben of this-- would be good for all three of them.

[momslilassassin]

Ben leaned in and rested his forehead against Ender's for a moment, breathing. "I love you best too."

[endsthegame]

Ender gave him the time to recollect himself. If Alai was as he remembered, he wouldn't ask too many questions.

[arcane-delphi.livejournal.com]

Alai was quite deliberately not paying attention to the kitchen, instead focusing on the door, then the windows, then the ceiling, then his glass of water.

He was content to spend time by himself: he didn't get much of it without advisers interrupting.