"Mmmmm, more so now," he said.

Ben moaned low in his throat. "Kreetle."

Ben groaned. "Maybe, yeah," he agreed.

"I breathe, I worry," Ben mumbled. "It's what I do. Less so here than on new planets, at least."

Ben sighed. "Part of why I love here so much," he said. "I know where everything's supposed to be."

Ben sighed again, closing his eyes. "When we're on a different planet, I'm always on alert, trying to figure out what's normal for that place at that time. I know the tempo of Naboo, how things work here, our routine. I can tell more quickly when something's out of place. Other places I worry I'll miss something because I'm not as good at separately the mundane from the out-of-the-ordinary."

"Me too," Ben said, shivering. "I can acclimate as well as anyone on a new planet, but my primary role is keeping you and the Vals safe, so I have to stay alert."

"Really won't," Ben agreed, tipping his head on the pillow so he could smile at Ender. "Not because I don't know you can kick ass on your own, though."

"You've known that," Ben mumbled, smiling.

"Why not do both?" Ben said, kissing Ender back.

"I can do that," Ben said, rolling over and pulling Ender on top of him.

Ben let out a low moan and kissed back just as hard. "Love you."