Stark Industries [all day]

[momslilassassin]

Ben had been on his way to his job when his comlink beeped with an incoming message. He glanced at the number and didn't need to hear the message to know what it contained--he knew, as surely as he knew his name.

When he got to Stark Industries, he listened anyway.

The store was open, but don't expect a lot in the way of customer service today.

Comments

[endsthegame]

Near lunch time, there was Ender, of course. He had a bag of sandwiches - he thought he'd keep it simple today - and some coffee on him, and a neutral expression that quickly grew concerned as soon as he saw Ben's face.

"Ho, Ben."

[momslilassassin]

"Ho," Ben managed, swallowing hard. "Any news on fixing this kriffing thing?"

[endsthegame]

"We're looking into this auditor thing," Ender said. "Early days."

Ben wouldn't look this wrecked if he hadn't just lost someone important. Aravis was already gone, and he hadn't been able to contact his world in months--

"Tahiri?"

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded, his lips trembling despite his best efforts.

[endsthegame]

Tahiri had been a good woman, and a loyal friend - Ender felt grief settle in for the girl, and he'd give it its time later. Right now, he compartmentalised that, crossing the room with a few steps and putting the bags down before offering Ben a hug in the next second.

[momslilassassin]

Ben came pretty close to collapsing into him: he'd hit his limit between this Tahiri and the one at home who either didn't exist or was doomed when time started up again.

He answering hug was decidedly clingy.

[endsthegame]

Ender hugged him back tightly, choosing not to talk. Instead, he offered wordless support, rubbing his back and providing something to lean on.

[momslilassassin]

"I didn't think it would hurt this much," he finally managed.

[endsthegame]

Ender gave him a squeeze, and didn't give the honest answer - that of course he hadn't thought it, because he'd been so busy repressing, and of course it hurt, because it was the one disappearance he couldn't ignore or shunt aside.

He also didn't say he was sorry.

"You love her," he murmured, choosing his verb tenses carefully. "Of course it does."

[glacial_queen]

Karla had been feeling a bit clingy recently, spending time with her friends almost as if to assure herself that they were still here. Today was Ben's turn--though all ideas of chatting flew out the window when she saw Ben's face. And the grief in his psychic scent.

"Ben," she said softly, crossing over to him, arms out. "Come here, darling."

[momslilassassin]

Ben, who'd been holding it together through sheer willpower, hugged her tightly and buried his head against her shoulder.

[glacial_queen]

Karla clung to him, not even bothering with words at the moment. He knew them anyway. Like he had for her--had it only been days ago?--she lowered her shields and let her warmth and understanding wash over him.

They were going to beat this thing. Dammit. They had to.

[momslilassassin]

Ben took a gasping breath and tried to regain his equilibrium. "I can't put it up on the board."

[glacial_queen]

"You don't have to," Karla promised, holding him until Ben decided to pull away. "I can. If you want me to."

Anything she could do for Ben, she would. It was Ben.

[momslilassassin]

"Jaina was called too," Ben murmured. "She might do it."

[glacial_queen]

Tahiri then. Karla hadn't been quite sure if it had been her that Ben had heard from or his own universe, somehow.

Actually, no. Thinking back on it, it only could have been Tahiri. Ben probably would have been able to hold things together otherwise. But losing Tahiri...

"I'll take care of it if she can't," Karla said. "And anything else you can think of."

[momslilassassin]

"Thank you," he said softly, "but there's not a lot to do."

[dollpocalypse]

"Hey, did I leave my -- whoa, dude, are you okay?"

Hello to you too, Topher.

[momslilassassin]

"Not really," Ben admitted because it was pointless to pretend otherwise. "Bad call from home."

[dollpocalypse]

And that would be Topher really wanting to leave. He wasn't so good with emotions. Obviously.

"Oh. Um." Awkward shifting from foot to foot. "Do you. Um. Need... anything?"

[momslilassassin]

Ben shook his head. "I'll be okay," he said. "What did you leave behind?"

[dollpocalypse]

"Um." Topher bit his lip. "Are you sure? 'Cause I could, uh, get someone, or..."

Too bad the people who would actually be helpful had already stopped by or were going to later depending on thread chronology, huh?

[momslilassassin]

Ben was empathic and a Skywalker. The repression was strong with him, and he could tell how uncomfortable Topher was. "Really, it's fine," he said. "Ender'll be by for lunch in a bit. I'm not going to cry all over you."

[dollpocalypse]

To be fair, Topher's discomfort was probably visible to someone who wasn't an empath too. He was just that obvious.

"Okay," he said, reaching out to try to offer Ben an awkward shoulder-pat. "Um. You can, like. Text me. If you need anything."

Helpful!

[momslilassassin]

"Thanks," he said with a (frankly) really weak attempt at a grin. "Heard you were doing research yesterday. Learn anything useful?"