Nagoya [a month later]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was still smiling as they walked away from the Portalocity terminal, his hand in Ender's. "That was a nice visit," he said. "Dad's really, really excited about becoming a grandfather, huh? I think the Ewok-themed nursery might be a bit much, though."

[OOC: For the boy!]

Comments

[momslilassassin]

Ben laughed. "Well, it's been a kind of comfort movie few months?"

[endsthegame]

"Maybe we need a larger library of comfort movies," Ender said wryly.

[momslilassassin]

"There's a lot of car movies?" Ben tried.

[endsthegame]

Ender shot him a dry look. "I already know more about cars than I ever needed to."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed him because Ender was adorable. "Part of your mechanical engineering studies."

[endsthegame]

"You're just trying to convince me to do some welding on that ship," Ender said.

[momslilassassin]

"Mmmm," Ben said, smiling. "Please?"

[endsthegame]

Ender laughed. "Maybe I'll stop by when you're working tomorrow," he said. "If you ask nicely."

[momslilassassin]

Ben dropped his head into Ender's lap and gave him big puppy eyes. "Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?"

[endsthegame]

Ender leaned in and kissed him square between the puppy eyes. "Adorable."

[momslilassassin]

"Adorable enough?" Ben checked.

[endsthegame]

"Hm," Ender hummed mysteriously.

[momslilassassin]

Ben tilted his head up to kiss him. "Please?"

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled down at him. "Fine," he said. "But we do actually have to put in work before you get to drag me off."

[momslilassassin]

"I win!" Ben gloated, beaming back.

[endsthegame]

"I can still take it back," Ender warned.

[momslilassassin]

Ben snuggled in. "I'll be an astral, patient person."

For now, at least.

[endsthegame]

"That'd be new," Ender teased. He smiled down at Ben. "So how is progress coming?"

[momslilassassin]

"Good," Ben said, smiling. "I mean, not remotely close to being able to breach atmosphere, but good. It's starting to look like a ship."

[endsthegame]

"You still have plenty of time for that," Ender said. "What's next?"

[momslilassassin]

"Getting an engine," Ben said, "and then learning enough about astronavigation in this galaxy not to blow us up."

[endsthegame]

"I should've gotten an astronav documentary, then," Ender mused. "I know they're out there."

[momslilassassin]

"Next time," Ben said, kissing Ender's knuckles. "What's been keeping you busy?"

[endsthegame]

Talking with Jane, keeping track of the state of the universe and potential targets for the Hive Queen many jumps in advance, Ender didn't say.

"I've been pestering Val about her book," he said, "but preparing for Luke's visit - and Luke's visit - has taken up a lot of my time. Very lazy and unintellectual of me."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed the pad of Ender's index finger lazily. "Think you'll be forgiven."