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's cheeks turned a brighter red. "Thanks, Val," he told the floor.

[endsthegame]

Valentine shot him a glance, then gave him a little sympathetic tap with her foot. "I meant I'm hungry," she said, her tone soft. "And you guys could use a moment to settle in."

"If you want to," Ender said, flashing her a tiny smile.

[momslilassassin]

"You're my very favorite sister," Ben said, standing up to give her a kiss on the cheek.

[endsthegame]

Valentine slid her arms around him and gave him a firm, warm hug. "We made it," she whispered in his ear. "Enjoy it."

[momslilassassin]

"I love you," Ben murmured back, hugging her just as tightly.

[endsthegame]

"I love you too," Valentine said softly.

Then she pulled away. "I'm going to see about that shower," she announced. "I need a change of clothes."

She picked up one of her bags and headed to the stairs.

[momslilassassin]

Ben watched her go, then wandered over to plop himself into Ender's lap. "Ho, kreetle."

[endsthegame]

Ender wrapped his arms around Ben's shoulders. "Ho, Ben."

[momslilassassin]

Ben leaned in for a soft, slow kiss. "Welcome home."

[endsthegame]

Ender kissed him back and let it linger. "You too," he said, even if the word 'home' was a complicated one.

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled at him as he finally pulled away. "Should we explore a little while Val tries to use up all the hot water?"

[endsthegame]

"Yes," Ender said. "We should get to claim a bedroom before she does, at least."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "The biggest one, or the one closest to a tub, or both if this house has it."

[endsthegame]

Ender patted him on the leg. "Go on, get up."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed him between the eyes. "Race you for the stairs," he said.

[endsthegame]

"No," Ender decided. "You win. Congratulations."

[momslilassassin]

Ben did an obnoxious little dance at the foot of the steps in reply.

[endsthegame]

Ender gave him a little nudge. "But feel free to keep moving."

[momslilassassin]

"Almost done," Ben said, spinning in a little circle.

[endsthegame]

"You know what this reminds me of," Ender said, "Your first gremlin bite..."

[momslilassassin]

"I haven't thought about that in years," Ben said, laughing. "I had never been more embarrassed."

[endsthegame]

"Your dancing was about the same," Ender said, chuckling.

[momslilassassin]

"So you're saying I dance like a six year old girl?" Ben replied, heading up the stairs.

[endsthegame]

"Yep," Ender said, giving him a light poke in the back as he followed.

[momslilassassin]

"Maybe you should be looking for your own room," Ben teased over his shoulder.