Hijra, [Let's call it Thursday afternoon]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was settling back into life on Hijra--the busy markets, the gossip he'd missed out on (the carpet dealer had been picked up for fleecing customers)--and starting to wind up some of their life here as Ender looked into the ships available to take them to their next adventure.

For now, Ben was happy to go on his daily runs and return with pastries and weird fruit he didn't recognize.

"Kreetle? Val? I'm back!" he called to the house as he put his purchases into the kitchen.

Comments

[endsthegame]

Ender'd gone on a grocery run of his own while Ben was out; it felt important to make sure there was enough ice cream to go around.

But now he was back in their room, sitting on the bed. "Bedroom," he called. "Please come over when you're done?"

[momslilassassin]

Ben had a bad feeling about this, so he grabbed a couple of the pastries as he headed up the steps, taking them two at a time. "Ender?"

[endsthegame]

"I need to talk to you," Ender said. He patted the spot on the bed beside him. "It's about Fandom," he added, just to relieve Ben of any worries it might have something to do with their life here.

[momslilassassin]

Ben clutched the pastries a little more closely. "Is everyone okay?"

[endsthegame]

"Everyone's fine," Ender said, nodding. "Karla's teaching now. She called me last night because she has a student from your universe in her class. A new one."

[momslilassassin]

Ben chewed on his lower lip, watching Ender's expression carefully. "Jacen?" he guessed softly.

[endsthegame]

"No," Ender said quietly. "It's your mother."

[momslilassassin]

...and that was the pastries hitting the ground.

"Oh," Ben finally managed.

[endsthegame]

"C'mere," Ender said, his voice still soft.

[momslilassassin]

Ben crawled onto the bed and rested his head in Ender's lap, not really up for talking right yet.

[endsthegame]

Ender ran his fingers through Ben's hair in gentle, soothing patterns. He was happy to wait until Ben was ready.

This was why he hadn't wanted Karla to tell Ben, least of all over the phone.

[momslilassassin]

Ben gripped Ender's leg like he was afraid it was going to go somewhere as he wrestled with all of his emotions. "I need to talk to Jaina," he finally whispered. "She dealt with Anakin when he showed up, even knowing what was going to happen."

[endsthegame]

Ender nodded quietly. "I can even get you a portal, if you want," he said.

[momslilassassin]

"Not this second," Ben murmured. "I just want to...lay here for a bit."

Possibly with covers over his head.

[endsthegame]

"Okay," Ender said easily. "But not like this. C'mon."

He shifted away, tugging Ben into a more natural horizontal position on the bed.

[momslilassassin]

Ben nestled his head against Ender's shoulder and closed his eyes, trying to drown a bit in the emotions Ender was projecting. He was flailing and needed something solid to ground himself against.

[endsthegame]

Ender had seen this behavior often enough that he knew what to do; he wrapped his arms around Ben and projected love, warmth and affection as well as he knew how.

[momslilassassin]

"I do not deserve you," Ben mumbled into Ender's chest, hugging him back tightly.

[endsthegame]

"Yes, you do," Ender said softly, "And then some."

He kissed the top of Ben's head.

[momslilassassin]

Ben let out a small, wounded little whimper and stayed where he was.

[endsthegame]

Ender rubbed gentle circles over Ben's back, murmuring soothing nonsense.

[momslilassassin]

Ben let out a deep breath and finally sat back up. "Okay. Better."

[endsthegame]

"Good," Ender said, following his example and sitting up.

[momslilassassin]

Ben leaned in and kissed him, letting it linger. "I love you."

[endsthegame]

"I love you too," Ender said quietly. "So what do you want to do next?"