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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[endsthegame]

"Later," Ender said. He collapsed backwards onto the bed. "I'd almost forgotten I was tired."

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled down at him. "Alai did take us on a really long walk."

[endsthegame]

Ender let out a deep sigh, then reached down to pull off his shirt. "Stasis makes me feel tired," he admitted. "It's strange."

[momslilassassin]

"Mmmm," Ben said, kissing Ender's shoulder. Shirtless Ender should always be encouraged. "Your body's used to being asleep. It just needs to readjust."

[endsthegame]

Ender pulled him in closer. "Nap with me," he ordered.

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed the underside of his jaw, closing his eyes, and wrapped his arms around Ender in reply. "All right," he murmured.

[endsthegame]

Ender reached down and made sure he could shuffle off his pants, then kicked them to the floor. He kissed the top of Ben's head as he shuffled further onto the bed, taking Ben with him.

"And don't let today make you forget," he murmured, "We made it. All three of us."

[momslilassassin]

Ben got rid of his clothes as well, then cuddled into Ender like a kid with his favorite teddy bear. "We did," he murmured. "I love you a ridiculous amount, Andrew."

[endsthegame]

"The feeling is mutual," Ender said, pulling up the blankets before snuggling back against Ben. He slid his arms around Ben's waist. "More than anything."

[momslilassassin]

"I really needed to hear that," Ben murmured, closing his eyes.

[endsthegame]

"I love you," Ender whispered softly. "I love you. I love you..."

[momslilassassin]

Ben shivered and held on more tightly, letting the words and the emotions behind it wash away his insecurities.

[endsthegame]

Ender whispered it softly against his hair until his voice got heavy with impending sleep.

He shut his eyes and fell silent.

[momslilassassin]

Ben wasn't asleep yet but he was content to lay quietly and listen to Ender's heartbeat and the sound of his breathing.

This was where he belonged.

[endsthegame]

Ender's breathing evened out not long afterwards. He was tired and immediate problems had been calmed-- and he never slept as easily as he did like this.

Admittedly, when he woke up, he'd have to deal with red hair up his nostrils. But not yet.

[momslilassassin]

Ben finally dropped off into a less easy sleep, brain working overtime to process the new information.