"Depends on the timing," Ender told him vaguely.

That should probably scare you, Ben.

This was... kind of flying straight past his original intentions, but Ender was just going to improvise.

Like by biting Ben's stomach again. Harder.

Ender grunted in response as little sparks of pain shot up his back.

He ran his tongue over the mark he'd just left. Sucked on the skin a little.

Okay, he'd definitely gotten distracted again, but he didn't really mind.

"I'm going to remember this one," Ender murmured.

And so not use it for good, no.

But right now he was going to take the invitation and leave a bite mark on Ben's thigh, too.

Ender let go of a harsh breath against Ben's thigh. "I..." he muttered.

Then dropped his chin onto Ben's thigh. "...Hadn't planned to start something again..."

It had seemed a little early.

"I know, but I don't want to overdo it," Ender said, with a shallow laugh, and gave Ben's bits an amused peck.

"Afraid Tony will ask questions if you have to go for a post-engineering shower?" Ender asked, dropping his head onto the leg in question.

"In that case, can the embellishment," Ender said, reaching out and tracing a pattern up Ben's other thigh towards his... parts. "Or I'm actually coming after you with a brand of some description."

"'Skywalker, Ben', Ender said. 'Treat with care'."

Because of course he'd never brand anybody possessively.

Instead he was, apparently, going to trace his finger lightly along... Ben.

"You're nice," Ender said, because apparently his brain wasn't quite in the picture yet.

He curled his fingers around Ben. Leisurely.

"I love you too," Ender said. As his hand started moving, his eyes slid shut.

There was nervous tension still pricking at his consciousness from afar. Being right here seemed to keep it at bay.

Ender sighed softly, tiny sparks jumping through his nervous system whenever Ben's fingers brushed over the right places. He stretched his legs out beneath him, eventually finding the edge of the bed.

He didn't speed up his hand. Especially not after he realized just what drummer Ben was moving to. "I'm keeping this leg."

"I am currently very close to your femoral artery," Ender pointed out.