Ben, Ender& Val's house [Hijra, let's call it Thursday]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was putting the last of his clothing (mostly black, yes, and shush) into a final duffel bag as he waited for Ender to return from saying goodbye to Alai. It was time to move on to the next planet, and Ben wasn't entirely sorry to see this planet in their rearview.

Yes, he was still a little petty. Shut up.

Comments

[endsthegame]

"I suppose it is too late for me to convince you to stay," Alai said with a wan smile. "We could find a place here for you. A better one - for you and Ben. And Valentine."

The pause between those last two names was short, but audible.

Ender smiled back at him. There was nothing wan about it. "Thank you," he said, "But we have other things to do, and other things to see." He touched Alai's hand once, the way he'd done so often when they were children. "I'll miss you."

Alai's smile became a little more genuine in spite of his efforts. "It was good to see you again," he said, "But I think you'll be the only one of your party who'll miss me."

With that, they walked into the house.

[momslilassassin]

Ben came thundering down the stairs, duffel over his shoulder. "I think everything worth taking with us is out of the bedroom," he said with a quick smile, "but if you want to give it a second look..."

[endsthegame]

"I'll be up in a minute."

Ender offered Alai another smile. "Thank you for having us," he said. "I wish you good luck with the colony, but it's in good hands, I think."

[momslilassassin]

Ben's small smile to Alai was sincere, if not exactly exuberant. "You're doing very well," he agreed.

[endsthegame]

Alai nodded. "Thank you for your faith," he said, making the deliberate choice to look at both of them as he said it.

He bowed his head. "Salaam, Ben," he said, "and likewise to you, Andrew. I wish you a good journey."

"Thank you," Ender said quietly.

[momslilassassin]

Ben inclined his head in return. "Salaam, Alai."

[endsthegame]

Alai nodded respectfully one more time.

He opened his mouth to say something - something stupid and childish and crude, a joke from their childhood - but found he couldn't.

He retreated from the house instead, shutting the door behind him.

Ender blew out a breath.

[momslilassassin]

Ben stepped close and wrapped his arms around Ender's waist, offering comfort he wasn't sure Ender would take.

[endsthegame]

When Ender looked up at him, his eyes were red.

He slid his arms around Ben and hugged him back.

[momslilassassin]

"We can stay a little longer," Ben offered, tightening his hold.

[endsthegame]

"No," Ender said quietly. "Putting this off wouldn't change anything."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed Ender between his eyebrows, lingering for a moment and sending out a pulse of empathy and support through the Force. "Goodbyes are the worst."

[endsthegame]

"Not the worst by far," Ender murmured softly, "But not fun."

Especially when you went out of your way to make sure you had as few people you didn't want to say goodbye to as possible.

[momslilassassin]

Ben knocked his forehead gently into Ender's, staying quiet and giving Ender time to regroup.

[endsthegame]

Ender let go of him with a sigh a few moments later. "Thank you."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed him softly. "Of course."

[endsthegame]

Ender patted his hand and pulled away entirely. "I should go see about the bedroom."

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled at him. "I'll check to make sure the kitchen's cleaned out. It wouldn't be nice to leave something behind that will spoil."

[endsthegame]

"You just want a leftover dinner on the shuttle tonight," Ender said wryly before vanishing up the stairs.

[momslilassassin]

"The hummus here is really good!" Ben called after him. "Val, are you done?"

[endsthegame]

Valentine stepped out of her own bedroom with two large bags in hand and a backpack strapped to her back. "I'm good," she called.

[momslilassassin]

"Need any help?" Ben asked.

[endsthegame]

"Can you carry one of these bags up to the skimmer?" Valentine asked, holding it out.

[momslilassassin]

"I can carry all of them," Ben said, taking the first bag. "I was just in the kitchen eating the last of the hummus."

[endsthegame]

"We've got everything," Ender called from the upstairs.

"Do you even have any space left in that stomach of yours?" Valentine said.