Ta'a Chume'Dun, Hapes, Hapes Cluster, Friday evening

[momslilassassin]

Ben leaned against the balcony of their suite in the Fountain Palace and sighed softly. Hapes really was ridiculously beautiful, and while he preferred Naboo because of the lack of constant political posturing, he did enjoy getting to show Ender and Val off to Tenel Ka, who flatly refused to believe he was old enough to have a baby of his own when she could still remember changing his bottom.

The laughter from her guards at that had almost made the embarrassment worth it. "I think it's time for dinner soon," Ben called into Ender. "It's hard to gage here by the sun because it never gets fully dark."

Comments

[endsthegame]

"That can't have been easy in the slightest," Ender said quietly. "Especially if Allana-- well."

[momslilassassin]

"Yeah," Ben agreed. "I can't imagine leaving Val behind anywhere."

[endsthegame]

"We picked our priorities, and she picked hers," Ender mused.

[momslilassassin]

Ben tucked his head against Ender's shoulder. "Another reason to be grateful to be out of the spotlight. Hapes has a long tradition of political assassinations. Tenel Ka was being strategic."

[endsthegame]

"It is never easy, raising your children and being a leader at the same time," Ender said softly. "Everything that happens in that sphere becomes strategic."

[momslilassassin]

"Don't have to tell me twice," Ben said with a wry little smile. "I don't miss it."

[endsthegame]

"Being a full-time dad looks good on you," Ender said, smiling a little.

[momslilassassin]

Ben blushed. "Thanks, kreetle."

[endsthegame]

"It's not a compliment to thank me for," Ender said. "You look happy."

[momslilassassin]

"I am happy," Ben said, kissing Ender's cheek.

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled softly. "Dinner time?" he said.

[momslilassassin]

"Dinner time," Ben confirmed. "I don't think you've ever had Hapan before, have you?"

[endsthegame]

Ender shook his head. "Anything I should know?"

[momslilassassin]

"The gold wine packs a punch," Ben said with a small, rueful smile, "and the food is delicious. Beautifully presented, of course, and fairly light on the sauce and the mess. It's a culture where appearances are everything so even the food's been adapted to cause no offense. Val will have to stay here--Hapan children aren't seen or heard for years."

[endsthegame]

"Good thing I've already prepared her food, then," Ender said quietly. "We should have brought Big Val."

[momslilassassin]

"Next time," Ben promised. "I'm sure she'd love to watch a hereditary matriarchy in action."

[endsthegame]

"I asked," Ender admitted, "She says she's too deeply into her book to get side-tracked by ogling another culture now."

[momslilassassin]

"Makes sense," Ben said. "Any matriarchal societies getting started out in the colonies?"

[endsthegame]

"Not unless you count the planet Virlomi once governed," Ender said, "They apparently have a strong tradition now of female leaders."

[momslilassassin]

"...yeah, let's give that one a miss," Ben said. "Forever."

[endsthegame]

"We know it's not a suitable location for the Hive Queen anyway," Ender said, "So I wasn't planning to."

[momslilassassin]

Ben didn't try to hide relief about hearing that. "Good," he said, kissing Ender lightly.

[endsthegame]

"You're still worked up about that?" Ender asked.

[momslilassassin]

"Not as a constant thing," Ben said, resting his forehead against Ender's.

[endsthegame]

Ender cupped his cheeks. "I'm fine," he said, "And I look forward to being fine going forward."