Hijra [A few weeks later]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was catching up on emails from home--news about the Sith, the latest gossip from Jag and Jaina's corner of the galaxy and whatever Allana had gotten herself up to while being unsupervised (there was a lot of "it'd seemed like a good idea!!!" in her correspondence)--and then poking around scientific journals about advancements in reproductive technology.

You know. For no real reason. Cough.

He drank tea and really missed having those yummy red fruits around. He'd need to ask when they came back the next time he went to the market.

Comments

[momslilassassin]

Ben smile turned more genuine. "You were the most serious six year old in history."

[endsthegame]

"I had my thoughts monitored every day of my life up until then," Ender said. "Never mind dealing with the strains of being a Third."

[momslilassassin]

Ben tapped Ender's leg under the table. "I know, kreetle," he said softly. "You were more than justified."

[endsthegame]

"I'm not trying to defend myself," Ender said. "We both had our reasons."

[momslilassassin]

"And it's nothing I want for Kol, Nat or Val," Ben murmured.

[endsthegame]

"That's what I was thinking," Ender said quietly. "But they'll have their hardships, be they ours or be they theirs. We can't avoid that. I'd just like to avoid the trappings until they're a little older."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded. "Everyone grows up a little broken," he said. "It's what gives them a sense of humor."

[endsthegame]

"We at least have proof Nat will have one of those," Ender said wryly.

[momslilassassin]

"And Val," Ben said, smiling a bit.

[endsthegame]

"Two out of three that we're sure of," Ender noted. "Those aren't terrible numbers."

[momslilassassin]

"We'll just have to pay attention to Kol," Ben said.

Don't overcorrect already, Ben.

[endsthegame]

"We can talk about that one later," Ender said, poking him with his foot under the table. "After we manage the first two."

[momslilassassin]

Ben slid his foot along Ender's leg in reply. "Apparently we'll be astral with the first two."

[endsthegame]

Ender glanced briefly around, but no one seemed to have noticed Ben's maneuver. He relaxed. "Keep that in mind," he said. "I wonder if we'll meet Cade's Nat at any point-- he seems like the kind of guy who'd try to run interference."

[momslilassassin]

"Cade or Nat?" Ben teased.

[endsthegame]

"Cade," Ender said, resisting the urge to poke Ben with his foot again. "Nat seemed happy to see us. Well, his younger self."

[momslilassassin]

"It was genuine," Ben said with another smile. "He likes us."

[endsthegame]

The waiter slipped in and put their dishes down on the table. He vanished back into the kitchen a moment later.

"God knows why," Ender said, "But let's hope that won't have soured in the decades since."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded, biting his lower lip. "He sent Cade to Fandom. It could go either way."

[endsthegame]

"I think we're probably dead in his time," Ender added quietly. "That may help. Or hinder."

[momslilassassin]

"You're just full of happy thoughts," Ben muttered, digging into his food.

[endsthegame]

"It doesn't need to be such a terrible thing," Ender said, taking a bite of his own food. "How would you feel, meeting a younger version of your mom?"

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled. "It'd be weird," he said, "like seeing tiny, spastic Luke."

[endsthegame]

"True," Ender granted. "But I don't think you'd hate it."

[momslilassassin]

"I wouldn't hate it," Ben said. "Not now. A few years ago and it would have been really, really painful."