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!]

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[endsthegame]

Ender smiled, kicking at some of the blankets until they were covering them at least partway. He kissed the back of Ben's head.

Then he settled in, basking above all in Ben's contentment.

[momslilassassin]

Ben let out a soft, happy noise, and dropped his shields so that Ender could feel just how happy he was.

[endsthegame]

"Oh," Ender said softly. "That's good."

[momslilassassin]

"Very good," Ben said. "You make me happy."

[endsthegame]

"That means the world to me," Ender said softly, "I hope you know that."

[momslilassassin]

"I do," Ben said, leaning in and kissing him.

[endsthegame]

Ender sighed, relaxing into it. "I think this might be as good as life gets for me," he murmured, "And it's not bad at all."

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled against his mouth. "I'm glad to be part of it."

[endsthegame]

"I'm so lucky you're willing to deal with my itinerant life," Ender said quietly.

[momslilassassin]

"Kreetle, it's what I know," he said, resting his forehead against Ender's. "You're not making me sacrifice anything here."

[endsthegame]

"I know," Ender murmured, "But sometimes I still feel like I'm having my cake and eating it too."

[momslilassassin]

"You're allowed to have things you want," Ben whispered back, kissing him softly.

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled at him and fiddled gently with Ben's hair. "I used to think the things I wanted were incompatible with the things I needed to do," he said. "I'm just grateful that's not true."

[momslilassassin]

And because it was Ben, he couldn't resist the terrible joke. "You can both want me and need to do me," he said, eyes sparkling.

[endsthegame]

Ender laughed. "I think it's a little early for that."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed his nose. "I know," he said, turning more serious, "and I'm glad you're realizing that this is something you get to keep."

[endsthegame]

"For as long as you let me," Ender murmured.

[momslilassassin]

Ben wrapped his arms around him and held on tightly. "For as long as I can."

[endsthegame]

Ender let out a little sigh and smiled, relaxing into Ben's arms and pressing his face into Ben's shoulder. "Lucky."

[momslilassassin]

"You or me?" Ben murmured.

[endsthegame]

"Me," Ender murmured. "Very much me."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed the top of Ender's head, for once not arguing about who was luckier. "I love you so much."

[endsthegame]

"I know," Ender teased.

He settled in quietly for another few long moments, mostly content - in as much as he ever got.

"How's she doing?" he asked softly, eventually.

[momslilassassin]

Ben paused for a second, reaching out through the Force to check. "Fine," he replied, smiling softly into the distance. "Content. Her brain's getting bigger...she'll be able to reach back soon."

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled. "Now that will be an occasion," he said.