Stark Industries, Monday

[endsthegame]

It had definitely been a Weekend - so far, Ender reminded himself. Some of his guests hadn't checked out yet the last time he'd heard from them, and it would be right up Peter's alley to suddenly turn up again at the shop without asking.

Still, he was hardly going to let that throw him off.

In fact, today was shaping up to be an extraordinarily ordinary work day: besides some tomatoes appearing randomly on the chairs (...sigh), the shop had been quiet. He even had plenty of time to sit down and go through his emails, communicate with the people who weren't visiting him on grounds of operating elsewhere for him right now, and... generally get things done.

[[ open! ]]

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[momslilassassin]

"Ho, kreetle," Ben said, bringing in Thai food.

He'd figured out a while ago that Ender didn't really care what the food was, so he'd decided to go with what he was in the mood for.

[endsthegame]

"Ho," Ender said, greeting him with a smile and the ritual closing-of-the-laptop.

[momslilassassin]

Ben dropped the food onto the counter and leaned in for a kiss, still feeling more than a little clingy after the weekend.

[endsthegame]

Ender was happy to oblige, cupping Ben's jaw with one hand and kissing him a second time before he could go anywhere.

[momslilassassin]

Ben lingered there for a moment before pulling back. "Today's looking up."

[endsthegame]

"You mean you don't have relatives milling around, baying for your attention," Ender teased.

[momslilassassin]

"That certainly helps," Ben said, grinning.

[endsthegame]

Ender's mouth quirked. "Lunch?" he said.

[momslilassassin]

"That helps too," Ben replied like a brat.

[endsthegame]

"Har har, charming," Ender said. "How are you feeling?"

[momslilassassin]

He reached up to rub at a small bruise and looked slightly sheepish. "A bit embarrassed," he admitted. "I didn't need to hit you with my amazing mynock impression."

[endsthegame]

"Considering what happened, I don't think anyone can blame you for that one," Ender said. "Besides, you do less damage than a mynock. I certainly wouldn't invite one into my bed." He offered up a little smile.

[momslilassassin]

"Good call," Ben said. "Mynocks are notorious cover hogs." He leaned into to tap his forehead into Ender's. "Thank you," he murmured. "I'd be a worse mess without you."

He hadn't realized until Sunday what an immense relief was to have one person in the multiverse that he didn't have to pretend with.

[endsthegame]

Ender, smile still on his face, reached up and touched Ben's cheek. "Probably," he agreed. "But I don't mind looking after you every now and again."

[momslilassassin]

"I know," Ben replied, closing his eyes. "It's something that I'm still getting used to."

[endsthegame]

"I think it's supposed to be part of the package," Ender said, his fingers brushing at Ben's bangs. "But I'm not a terribly reliable source of experience about it, I'll give you that."

[momslilassassin]

Ben slid his hands around Ender for a hug. "I figure it if works for us, to hell with how it's supposed to work."

[endsthegame]

Ender slid his arm around Ben's waist, hugging him back. "Just take whatever time you need," he said. "There's nothing to be ashamed about; that's just a waste of time."

[momslilassassin]

Ben rested his head against Ender's neck for a second, breathing him in. "Doesn't mean it's exactly my favorite thing ever. I don't like being--" his hand flailed out, "--emotional, crying guy."

[endsthegame]

"Trust me, I know," Ender said, his hand settling over the small of Ben's back. "And I understand. But us humans, we're emotional creatures. Especially when we get banged up as much as you have."

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded, holding onto Ender for another moment before pulling back. "It'll get better."

[endsthegame]

"It will," Ender said, his hands coming to rest on Ben's arms as he pulled away. "If nothing else, you've got a two-year break scheduled."

[momslilassassin]

"We can't make them build the ship faster?" Ben asked, only half joking.

[endsthegame]

"Eager to get on board, too?" Ender said, shooting him a wry look.

[momslilassassin]

"Eager to start new memories instead of reliving old ones," Ben replied.