Stark Industries, Monday

[endsthegame]

Ender was late to work today by at least half an hour. Not that it mattered: he usually arrived at the time he did for his own benefit, and it wasn't like Howard Stark was at the door, timing him.

It may or may not have had something to do with the weekend.

Whatever it was, he came in late, set up his laptop, and then began sweeping for blueberries, a smile on his face all the while.

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[momslilassassin]

Ben arrived at lunchtime, a similar grin on his face. "Ho, kreetle," he said, setting the sandwiches down in order to give Ender a kiss.

They were back to the way they should look. Ben might have been a little giddy about it.

[endsthegame]

"And ho to you too," Ender said, cupping his jaw and kissing him again.

It had been something of a relief that morning. Ahem.

[momslilassassin]

"Mmm, it's a much better day now," Ben declared, finally pulling back, then grinned a little sheepishly. "Even if I've been running late all morning."

Wonder whose fault that was?

[endsthegame]

"Well, you made it here in time for the lunch hour," Ender said, smiling back, "So I don't think the problem is that huge."

[momslilassassin]

"Nope, but I did have to cut my run short," Ben replied. "I think I'll live."

[endsthegame]

"I guess that means one less sandwich for you," Ender judged, and handed him one.

[momslilassassin]

Ben grinned at him. "Thanks. I need to save room for food at the frat meeting anyway."

[endsthegame]

"It's a miracle you haven't swollen up like a balloon," Ender said, and took a sandwich for himself. "So what else have I missed in the past two and a half hours?"

[momslilassassin]

"Class with Lord Lannister?" Ben offered. "I get to teach Alice Cullen something over the week."

[endsthegame]

"Any plans?" Ender asked. "And don't tell me 'building droids' or 'where the cafeteria is'."

[momslilassassin]

Ben swatted at his shoulder. "Ice cream appreciation?" he replied.

[endsthegame]

"Also a little shallow," Ender judged.

[momslilassassin]

"Maybe teach her to fly in the flight sim?" Ben said.

[endsthegame]

"That might be interesting for her," Ender agreed.

[momslilassassin]

"Most of my skills aren't exactly things I want to teach people," Ben said with a tiny smile.

[endsthegame]

"I don't think anyone will resent you for keeping your weapons in their lockers," Ender said, smiling a little. Then he took a bite from his sandwich.

[momslilassassin]

"She doesn't really strike me as the type to want to learn a sniper rifle anyway," Ben replied.

[endsthegame]

"Even if she did, I'm not sure it'd be a good idea," Ender said. "How long has it been gathering dust? It might not even work."

He was saying it partly because he knew the fact that it was gathering dust was important to Ben-- there was some heavily disguised praise in the statement.

[momslilassassin]

Ben grinned. "About four years," he said. "I should take it back and just get rid of it, really."

[endsthegame]

"I think that officially makes you a retired assassin," Ender said, smiling back. "Congratulations."

[momslilassassin]

"Thanks," Ben said sincerely. "And only ninety years before Boba Fett decided to do the same thing..."

[endsthegame]

Ender chuckled softly. "You nearly had him there."

[momslilassassin]

"I think he's trying to set a galactic record for oldest human bounty hunter or something," Ben said. "I don't get it."

[endsthegame]

"Some people just can't get go of their work," Ender said. "It happens."

Like Graff and Mazer.

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled wryly. "Like Dad?"