The Roof, Tuesday Morning

[endsthegame]

There used to be a time that Ender spent most of his nights up here. He hadn't realized until now that he slept slightly longer, and longed less for quiet and solitude than he once did-- he hadn't forgotten why he used to come up here, but he had forgotten to do so for... over a year now.

And since Ben seemed interested in doing the nostalgia tour of Fandom one last time before they left, well, it was time to change that.

He went up with a thin blanket very early in the morning, shortly after hitting the pool. Wrapping it around his shoulders, he sat down on the ground and waited - for Ben, and for anyone else who might make their way up onto the roof, the way they always had even when he hadn't wanted them to.

[[ open! ]]

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[momslilassassin]

"Would I do that?" Ben asked.

Yes.

[endsthegame]

"Yes," Ender said dryly.

[momslilassassin]

Ben blew a raspberry against Ender's neck. "All right, maybe," he admitted. "But last year's version was fairly exhausting."

[endsthegame]

"The timing didn't help," Ender said. He was the one to tickle Ben under his ribs this time. "Though we did also get plenty of sleep."

And not much else...

[momslilassassin]

Ben laughed and butted his head into Ender's shoulder. "How calm and weird it'll be not bouncing from one trauma to the next..."

[endsthegame]

"I think it'll be good for us," Ender said, quirking a smile. "I think it'll be really good."

[momslilassassin]

"I think we've had enough trauma for a solid few lifetimes," Ben said, kissing his cheek.

[endsthegame]

"And we could use some time to process what's happened."

[momslilassassin]

Ben made a little face. "Sounds like fun."

[endsthegame]

"Beats finding another traumatic event to distract ourselves from it," Ender said, poking him gently in the stomach.

[momslilassassin]

"You're sure there's no other option besides those two?"

[endsthegame]

"You could try repressing for another two years," Ender said softly, "But it'll catch up with you sometime. Might as well be when you have the time for it."

[momslilassassin]

Ben sighed unhappily. "I suppose."

[endsthegame]

Ender dropped his head back onto Ben's shoulder. "But I'll be there," he said, "whistling a jaunty tune to back you up."

[momslilassassin]

"Well, if there's a jaunty tune involved..." Ben teased.

[endsthegame]

"I could probably learn to play the harmonica," Ender said.

[momslilassassin]

"Banthabell," Ben said, snickering. "The instrument of pain."

[endsthegame]

"I'll learn all the classics on the banthabell," Ender promised, "Starting with 'Don't Fear The Reaper'."

[momslilassassin]

Ben burst out laughing. "I love you, kreetle."

[endsthegame]

Ender chuckled along, then raised his chin. "Look, the sun's coming up all the way over the buildings."

[momslilassassin]

Ben reached for his hand. "Not a bad way to start a day."

[endsthegame]

Ender took his hand gladly. "Not at all," he said. "Even if it does get crowded up here."

[momslilassassin]

"And we don't even smoke," Ben said, resting his head against Ender's.

[endsthegame]

Ender smiled. "Think your grandfather will mind that I told one of my students to challenge him at all times? Not that I care."

[momslilassassin]

Ben burst out laughing. "You didn't!"