"Less than you used to," Ender said softly.

Coming to Lusitania, releasing the Hive Queen - it had taken an enormous, horrible weight off Ender's shoulders. He had become lighter. Ben seemed to be heading in the opposite direction.

Ender kissed him back, letting out another quiet sigh at the sensation of Ben's fingers. "If we ever get the opportunity to leave," he said, "I promise I'll take it seriously."

They were more or less at their most vulnerable right now. It made sense, in a thoroughly weird kind of way.

Ender shut his eyes and dropped his head back, done, at least for the moment.

He let out a ragged pant.

"Oh, I'm not going anywhere," Ender murmured.

Ender whimpered softly. He was still sensitive there, even if it wasn't going to amount to much.

He didn't exactly mind looking like something Ben enjoyed looking at.

Ender's mouth curved. "I want you," he said, without hesitation. "I always want you."

Ender kissed him back, shifting slightly underneath him. "That feeling's mutual, too," he said, nipping gently at Ben's bottom lip.

Ender's eyes opened, and he reached out and touched Ben's cheek, trailing his fingers along Ben's features. "That's my Ben," he murmured, half-teasing.

"I want you," Ender said softly. "Every inch, not just down there, but every nook and cranny of you, every hair and every cell and every thought that goes through your head and every feeling that makes your heart beat faster."

He leaned in and kissed Ben again.

"And I mean each and every one of those words," Ender said, smiling up at him gently. "Come here, love."

They were close. They could be closer.

Ender laughed softly. "I don't know," he said. "Why do you?"

Ender gasped again as he felt Ben... enter. But he didn't look away this time, keeping his eyes fixed on Ben's.

He slid his arms over Ben's shoulders again.

Ender's body had to adjust, and he whimpered softly.

"Hi," he murmured.