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 shivered slightly and shifted in Ender's lap. "I thought I should reward good behavior," he said.

[endsthegame]

"You know I'm not Pavlov's Dog," Ender teased. "I'm not going to start shedding my shirt at random if you reward me often enough."

[momslilassassin]

"Way to ruin my dream right from the start," Ben said, blowing a raspberry on Ender's neck.

[endsthegame]

"That's me," Ender said. "I'm a terrible partner."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nipped down hard. "Not ever," he said, sounding a little stern.

[endsthegame]

Ender whimpered, his fingers gripping onto Ben's back. "...Kay."

[momslilassassin]

"You're everything I didn't know I was looking for, kreetle," Ben whispered, running his tongue along the mark.

[endsthegame]

Ender let out a little sigh, moving his hands back into Ben's hair. "That means a lot," he murmured, "even if I want to contest it. But I won't."

[momslilassassin]

"Good," Ben said, smiling at him, whole face lighting up. "Because I love you."

[endsthegame]

Ender's expression softened. "You're beautiful, you know."

[momslilassassin]

Ben rested his forehead against Ender's. "So are you."

[endsthegame]

"Maybe," Ender said, cupping Ben's cheek. "But right now you're shining."

[momslilassassin]

Ben tilted his head to kiss Ender's palm, blushing. "Because you're looking."

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled at him. "It's different than the way you were just a few years ago," he said softly.

[momslilassassin]

"Yeah?" Ben whispered. "How?"

[endsthegame]

"You look content," Ender said quietly, "Instead of torn between 'happy', 'terrified' and 'watching all the exits'."

[momslilassassin]

Ben laughed softly. "There's that. But you're different too, in good ways."

[endsthegame]

"Am I?" Ender murmured. "Well, all things must change..."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed him. "You're more relaxed now, not as worried about whether you should be allowed to feel something good."

[endsthegame]

"You yell at me every time I do," Ender teased.

[momslilassassin]

"Kriffing right I do," Ben said. "You deserve nice things."

[endsthegame]

I don't was still the first thought to jump to mind - but at least he didn't say it now.

"You're a terrible influence," he said instead.

[momslilassassin]

Ben pressed a kiss to Ender's forehead, a silent "stop that," to his brain. "I'm an amazing influence."

[endsthegame]

"I used to be able to watch full documentaries before I met you," Ender sighed, trying to bring levity back in full. "Now you flex one bicep..."

[momslilassassin]

Ben laughed. "What happens if I flex both?"