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]

"Redheads are irresistible," Ben agreed, grinning.

[endsthegame]

"With my smarts and your hair, we'll be unstoppable."

[momslilassassin]

"They'll certainly be brilliant," Ben said, kissing Ender's jaw.

[endsthegame]

"Unless, of course," Ender said, "They get your smarts, and my hair..."

[momslilassassin]

Ben burst out laughing again. "Still not terrible..."

[endsthegame]

"They'd be smarter than your grandfather, at least," Ender teased.

[momslilassassin]

"That's not much of a bar to clear," Ben said with a chuckle.

[endsthegame]

Ender kissed his cheek. "The smart Skywalker."

[momslilassassin]

"Also not a high bar to clear," Ben said wryly.

[endsthegame]

Ender chuckled softly. "Maybe," he said. "But if it isn't, then you're clearing it with a leap that sends you ten feet above it into the air."

[momslilassassin]

"Flatterer," Ben murmured, kissing him softly.

[endsthegame]

Ender kissed him back just as softly. "No," he said, "Just accurate."

[momslilassassin]

"I'm still running full-out to keep up when you and Val really get going," Ben whispered.

[endsthegame]

"Val and I are outliers, Ben," Ender said softly. "Having trouble keeping up doesn't make you slow."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed him again. "Makes me feel a little slow," he admitted. "Like when the jeesh would go from point a to point q without the stuff in between."

[endsthegame]

Ender touched his cheek and looked him in the eye. "You're not slow," he said quietly. "You're sharper than most, and even if you weren't, I could give you a laundry list of qualities you have that are more important."

[momslilassassin]

Ben chewed on his lower lip. "Like what?"

[endsthegame]

"You're kind, dedicated, and responsible," Ender said. "You care enormously about the people around you, and show great empathy." He kissed Ben's forehead. "You're also funny and fun to be around, and you have a well-developed sense of right and wrong."

[momslilassassin]

Ben leaned his head into Ender's and let out a shaky sigh. "Thanks, kreetle."

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled softly. "I love everything that you are," he murmured. "You're more than good enough."

[momslilassassin]

"You know I'm going to need to hear that at least once a year for the rest of our lives, right?" Ben whispered back.

[endsthegame]

"I'll tell you once a month," Ender said softly. "Maybe once a week."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed him. "Get that embroidered along with 'you're allowed to be happy' onto cushions?"

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled. "Yes," he said, "Let's get twin issues pillows."

[momslilassassin]

"Next birthday present," he promised.