Stark Industries [all day Friday]

[momslilassassin]

It was Friday, so Ben was behind the counter as usual

Comments

[endsthegame]

"Hope you don't mind Thai today," Ender said, as he came into the shop slightly later than usual. "I went for a walk and wound up there--"

[endsthegame]

"Even if that Mara wasn't your mother, your Mara was," Ender said softly. "You're allowed to mourn your own mother again whenever you need it. You don't even need a reason or a trigger."

[momslilassassin]

Ben hugged him tightly as he nodded.

"So I looked up partner before Jaina called..." he murmured.

[endsthegame]

"Sometimes you're a little dense," Ender murmured back. "Want to talk about it on the way to your shuttle?"

He figured maybe sitting near-catatonic behind a counter wasn't the best place for Ben.

[momslilassassin]

Ben nodded, standing up and slipping his hand into Ender's almost immediately.

He needed the contact today.

[endsthegame]

Ender squeezed his hand, picking up the take-out bag with his other hand. "Come on," he said, tugging Ben towards the door.

[momslilassassin]

Ben stopped only to lock the door behind them before heading straight to the shuttle.

"Are we going up or just hiding inside?" he asked.

[endsthegame]

"What would you rather do?" Ender asked, shooting him a glance.

[momslilassassin]

"Go up," Ben said.

Go home was what he meant, but barring a time machine, that wasn't happening.

[endsthegame]

Ender nodded. "Then up we go," he said. "As far as we need to go."

[momslilassassin]

"How's Naboo?" Ben asked, only half joking as he went through the pre-flight checklist.

[endsthegame]

"A long trip away," Ender said, sinking back in the next seat. "But we have a weekend, if that's the plan."

[momslilassassin]

"I need to finish my shift," Ben said a little stupidly as they broke atmosphere, "and I want to stay close if Tony needs more help at home."

[endsthegame]

"You don't need to finish your shift. I'm sure 'family emergency' is a credible reason to opt out for the day," Ender said, studying Ben's expression more than anything else. "But let's not go all the way to Naboo, then."

[momslilassassin]

Ben took a deep breath. "I just wanted a break," he said. "Here's nice and quiet."

[endsthegame]

Ender reached out and touched his shoulder. "Just put us in orbit around somewhere abandoned somewhere," he said.