Sorelledolce [let's call it Sunday]

[momslilassassin]

Ben was starting to feel at home on Sorelledolce: he had a routine for getting produce for the week at the same store, where the older man behind the counter insisted on spoiling the baby with strawberries, plums or apples, depending on what he had available when they arrived. He'd then get bread at another shop (and a roll for Val to gnaw on), and then a coffee for himself (and an espresso cup full of whipped cream that Val smeared all over her face, to her great delight) before heading back to the ship.

He kept up his normal one-sided conversation with his daughter as they walked. "That's a puppy, Val," Ben explained. "And that's a chicken! And that's a lady who's glaring at us for no real reason but we're going to walk faster anyway..."

Just another Sunday morning. Ben kind of loved his quiet little life.

[OOC: For calls or the boy!]

Comments

[momslilassassin]

"Love you," Ben whispered. "In case the last few hours weren't a clue."

[endsthegame]

"I love you too," Ender said, smiling a little more, "Likewise."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed him softly, needing the closeness.

[endsthegame]

Ender sighed and relaxed further into him, kissing him back slowly.

"We should take a bath," he said finally, softly. "As quick as possible."

[momslilassassin]

"And then sleeeeeeep," Ben said, kissing his nose in reply. "Okay. I'll start the water. You get new sheets for us?"

[endsthegame]

"And say a hope and a prayer that we'll get these clean again," Ender said, with a faint laugh. "Yes."

[momslilassassin]

Ben kissed him again and got up. "See you in five minutes."

He walked on slightly weak knees into the bathroom.

[endsthegame]

And Ender was very happy that he went, because it took him an embarrassingly long time to get onto his own feet.

He scurried around the bedroom for the sheets.

[momslilassassin]

"You okay in there, kreetle?" Ben called. "Bath's ready."

[endsthegame]

"Be there in a second!"

It was in fact about sixty more seconds, but Ender ambled into the bathroom eventually. The beginnings of sheer tiredness were very clear in his expression.

[momslilassassin]

Ben gave him a smile in reply from the tub. "You look worn out."

Why yes, Ben was proud of himself.

[endsthegame]

Ender let out a soft chuckle.

He looked pretty messy, too.

But he sank down into the tub opposite Ben a moment later, sighing happily at the warm water.

[momslilassassin]

Ben gave him an exhausted, lopsided smile. "Hi."

[endsthegame]

Ender dropped his back against the back of the tub and spread out his arms. "Hi," he said, smiling a similar smile back.

[momslilassassin]

"I'll make sure you don't fall asleep here if you do the same for me?" Ben offered, handing over the shampoo.

[endsthegame]

"It's a pact," Ender said wryly. He took the shampoo, scrubbed it into his hair, then passed it back.

Then he reached for the soap.

[momslilassassin]

Ben let out an enormous yawn as he took the shampoo back. "Oh, sorry!" he said, blushing.

[endsthegame]

Ender just smiled back at him. He scrubbed some soap onto a washcloth and reached down under the water.

[momslilassassin]

Ben reached under the water and gave Ender's ankle a squeeze. "Love you."

[endsthegame]

Ender poked his upper thigh gently with his foot as he cleaned up the mess Ben had left downstairs. "Love you too," he said, "But kuso, I'm looking forward to sleep."

[momslilassassin]

"Yeah," Ben agreed, finishing up his own clean-up. "My brain is dead silent right now."

[endsthegame]

Ender squeezed the washcloth into the tub, then put it aside. "Good," he said, smiling fondly.

[momslilassassin]

"Yours?" Ben asked, pulling himself out of the tub with a tired groan.

[endsthegame]

"Pretty close to," Ender said.

He took a moment longer to let the heat sink into his body.

Then he got up, too.

[momslilassassin]

Ben handed him a towel, then kissed his nose. "Bed."