Stark Industries, Monday

[endsthegame]

Ender was late to work, but he had his reasons. For one, he had finally slept last night, and for more than a few hours; when he woke up, he was already late for his morning routine. For two, after a long period of caring predominantly about fixing things, followed by his stint in Special Collections, he needed a good, long shower.

Now he was back at work, still looking sleepy, and discussing any number of things with Jane while he tried to make sense of what to do with the Jane-backup now sitting on his computer. (And while he tried to make sense of the voicemail he'd gotten, which he was pretty sure came from the recently-late Yakko Warner, but which wasn't any less confusing)

Well. And picking powdered sugar out of his hair. That stuff got everywhere.

[[ open! and an enormous THANK YOU to whatever benefactor bought me paid time yesterday, omg! ]]

Comments

[momslilassassin]

"Ho, kreetle," Ben said with a bright smile as he walked in with coffee, pastries and sandwiches, then tried unsuccessfully to get the powdered sugar off of his hair.

[endsthegame]

"Ho, Ben," Ender said, looking up. "You might as well have left those pastries outside for a little bit - instant seasoning."

[momslilassassin]

"I'm not sure they need more sugar," he teased, trying to wipe some from his nose. "This stuff gets everywhere, doesn't it?"

[endsthegame]

Ender reached over and wiped a whole smudge off his cheek. "Not everywhere," he said, "But I'd guess at least 20% of it."

[momslilassassin]

"Just think of the chafing if it got everywhere," Ben said, grinning.

Someone was still a little giddy.

[endsthegame]

Ender snorted. "Well, it's not as bad as sand," he said.

[momslilassassin]

"Still not stripping down and running naked through town just to be sure," Ben proclaimed.

[endsthegame]

"Sure," Ender said, "Go ahead. Dash all my hopes."

[momslilassassin]

"If it turns into a group activity, I might reconsider," Ben teased.

[endsthegame]

"You're the one with the long, sordid history of drunken mishaps," Ender said, reaching for his coffee. "My reputation might take more of a dent than yours."

[momslilassassin]

"I've seen you naked," Ben said, eyes twinkling. "You won't take a dent."

[endsthegame]

Ender raised his eyebrows. "Now I'm not sure whether I should be flattered or disturbed," he said, though he looked amused.

[momslilassassin]

"I haven't pictured you dipped in powdered sugar, though," Ben said, "so that should be a relief."

[endsthegame]

"Very much so," Ender said, "I think there's a point where you hit diminishing returns on being white and fluffy. As a person."

[momslilassassin]

"And I think you hit that line when you stop being about two years old," Ben decided.

But then he'd dressed as a slice of pizza, so what did he know?

[endsthegame]

"I think you're right," Ender agreed. "Now give me my food and close up."

[momslilassassin]

"I'm going to do it in the other order because you didn't say please," Ben decided, sticking his tongue out at him.

He was back thirty seconds later. "Back room, or here?"

[endsthegame]

Ender shot him a dry look. "I think I'm still recuperating after last night," he deadpanned, "So here will do."

[momslilassassin]

"I didn't hear complaints at the time," Ben said, looking a little smug.

[endsthegame]

"That's because you're a terrible listener," Ender said.

He still wasn't fully back to himself yet, but he could manage jokes. And even smiling.

[momslilassassin]

Ben pulled his chair up next to Ender's and reached out to poke Ender's leg with his foot.

"Brat."

[endsthegame]

Ender poked him back. "Well," he said, changing the subject, "I know Yakko's back, if you're interested in hearing the denouement to that particular fiasco."

[momslilassassin]

"I am," Ben said, grinning. "Was he more coherent this time?"

[endsthegame]

"Depends on your definition of 'coherent'," Ender said, getting out his phone and finding the message. "At least this time, words were used."

He played the message.

[momslilassassin]

Ben snickered. "Didn't you reboot the universe?"