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]

"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.

[momslilassassin]

"There might be tears," Ben said. "Warning you now."

[endsthegame]

Ender kissed his cheek. "Nothing to warn me about," he said softly.

[momslilassassin]

Ben leaned in against him again. "It's a little overwhelming," he whispered.