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

[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.

[endsthegame]

"C'mon," Ender said, pulling back. "I'll show you where the cups are."

[momslilassassin]

"Probably the only cabinet I didn't slam," Ben mumbled, blushing.

[endsthegame]

Ender reached for a cabinet and opened it. There were still a few glasses and cups sitting in there, though not many.

He picked up a blue one, filled it with water, then offered it to Ben. "Okay?"

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded, making sure his hand lingered against Ender's as he took the cup. "We'll have to pick up some more if we're going to have guests."

[endsthegame]

"Let's see what Val brings home first," Ender said. He shot Ben a wry smile. "If we wind up moving from this planet, we might have to look into keeping a set. If."

[momslilassassin]

"If?" Ben repeated, giving Alai a little glance.

[endsthegame]

"You-know-who isn't so sure about it," Ender said. "It depends on her."

It had very little to do with Alai.

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded, chewing his lower lip. "That's right."

But if she picked here, he was going to resent her for the rest of his life.

[endsthegame]

"We'll go on a trip to the edges of this colony to see if it's workable," Ender promised. "Just you and me."

[momslilassassin]

"It's a date," Ben murmured, squeezing Ender's hand. "Don't let me keep you from your guest any more."

[endsthegame]

"All right," Ender said.

He offered Ben a tiny, heartfelt smile, then walked back into the dining room.

[arcane-delphi.livejournal.com]

Alai smiled at him. "Did Ben find the glasses? New homes can be confusing."

[endsthegame]

"He managed to find every cabinet but the right one," Ender said wryly and sat down. "So tell me - how long have you been here?"

[arcane-delphi.livejournal.com]

"My flight left a few months after yours did," Alai replied.

[endsthegame]

"That doesn't tell me much," Ender said with a wry little smile. "I stayed on Shakespeare for two years, then took flight to another planet, and then to here..."

[arcane-delphi.livejournal.com]

Alai smiled. "The fun of space travel. I've been here seven years."