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Things Change	By : kaguyahime Category: A through F > Ender's Game Views: 3255 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or have anything to do with the Ender's Game series or its author, no profit is being made from this

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
"What the hell is the matter with you?"
"I have a headache, other than that nothing is the matter."
"Headache or hangover?"
Rackham scowled and turned to the greying Colonel, keeping well despite his age but perhaps not as fit as he used to be.
"Unlike you, Graff, I don't keep bottles lying around"
He stalked off without waiting for a reply; Graff didn't follow, merely shook his head and went back to his own work. He hadn't got the time or the patience to worry about trifling matters.
"I was hoping to talk to you last night" Bean said as they wandered out of class "but I couldn't find you anywhere, I tried messaging you but you never replied."
"I was asleep" Ender answered flatly "and they'd locked me in so I couldn't have gone out even if I wanted to."
"They haven't done that in a while"
"Yeah, well I'd pissed them off so I guess it's this places version of being grounded"
Bean gave a snort of laughter then his expression became serious
"Joking aside can I speak to you later? It's pretty important"
"Sure, apart from training this morning I'm not set to do anything."
Ender drifted off to the training area deciding to wait for Rackham there, he actually found himself dreading their meeting, his blood felt as if it had turned to ice and an uncomfortable nausea settled in his stomach. He couldn't remember feeling like this for some time and the mixture of anger and need combined wasn't helping.

He was early and went straight in and sat on the springy black mat on the floor, a small cloud of dust erupted as he dropped his weight on it.

He tried crossing his legs, the way Rackham often sat but after a few minutes his muscles began to cramp and tingle.
"I don't get it" Ender grumbled to himself as he straightened his leg "considering his age I should be able to this easily!"
"That's because my practice is more dedicated than yours!"
Ender jolted at the sudden voice and jumped to his feet, Rackham stood by the door watching him coolly but Ender could have sworn there was a glint of amusement in his eyes.

Ender's own eyes glanced down to the floor, after their last rather unsavoury encounter there was an obvious tension, at least to him there was anyway.
"Morning, Sir..." Ender mumbled
"I daresay you've done nothing of note since I saw you last?" Rackham said moving towards the weapon vault, ignoring Ender's greeting.
"I researched the weapons you showed me and I've tried with normal lasers to keep my hands steadier" Ender retorted "I don't laze around!"
Rackham smiled to himself and opened the door taking the same guns as before, he felt Ender's gaze fixed on him and tried to ignore the sudden nervous chill that coursed his veins.
"Then impress me" he tossed over the gun "the programmes consist of active holographs, miss one and you assume you die and if you remain stationary you can think the same."
"Well I won't" Ender said "I refuse to fail and I'll prove it!" A fixed air of determination was engraved on his face; it was a shadow that often surrounded him when he felt troubled...it was safer.
Despite his confidence the task was harder than he had anticipated; the holographic buggers were brutally fast and incredibly accurate in their own shots.

Even with his skill Ender found himself struggling, incurring several bruises as he went, his lungs felt as if they would burst, a bitter iron taste tainting his breath.

Finally though after what felt like hours the last creature had vanished and he allowed his legs to give in and collapse to the floor.
"Could be better..." Rackham took the laser from him, looking it over carefully "in a real situation you probably would have failed."
"I suppose that's almost a compliment coming from you" Ender heard himself say
"Take it like that if you want" Rackham replied "although I still have doubts you actually take on board anything I say."
He slotted the gun back into place and locked the door, he turned back to find Ender close behind him.
"What...?"
The next thing he knew his back hit the floor, forcing the air from his lungs. Ender moved quickly and sat firmly on his chest, pinning his arms to his side.
"First, disable the enemy" Ender smiled, his intense eyes holding Rackham's captive, he slowly lay down, his body extending as gracefully as a cats.
"Second..."
Rackham tensed. Ender brought himself close enough for his lips to brush his ear
"Make sure you have complete command" He closed his eyes and their lip met, unlike the first time this kiss was gentle, but eager.
"Third" he continued, breaking breathlessly "issue your demands"
"And what are they?"
"I want to make the most of what time I have with you" Ender said after a moment "when my training is through and they send me out I could die" Rackham looked away.
"I know you'll never worship me the way I do you"
"Believe me, Wiggin, the day I start worshipping you would be a very sad one indeed" Ender shook his head, half sadly, half mischievously.
"Then my demands are you prove you're worthy of my devotion, Sir...you may have won an entire war but what have you done since?" He idly fiddled with top button on Rackham's shirt.
Taking advantage of the distraction Rackham threw Ender off, he pinned his legs with one of his own and leant awkwardly on his chest, focusing his weight on the left lung.
"Never give the enemy an opening...I thought better of you, boy" Although his expression had hardly changed there was a noticeable sparkle in his dark eyes.
Ender tugged at his firmly planted arm, the pain in his side preventing him talking, Rackham gave a minute smile and eased off.
"At least you've shown you've learnt something..." He said sitting back
"I've learnt a lot..." Ender rubbed his side "just because I don't care about some of the things you say doesn't mean I don't listen."
"Go take a shower and head back to your room"
"I'll shower if you come with me"
"You know I can't" Rackham sighed dismissively
"That's my demand...or one of them. I beat you and you are obliged to submit"
"And I overthrew you"
"Think about what you'll regret more" Ender persisted, his voice slightly softer "not obeying orders and regiment or not doing what your heart wants."
Rackham seemed to flag, the only thing that could ever bend the iron will was emotion
"Do you have any idea what you're putting me through, Wiggin?"
"Yes, and I don't care, you never did and you one said I'd thank you it...and so will you, Sir"
Rackham didn't respond but his gaze remained fixed on the boy before him. He couldn't help thinking of the ancient book Lolita but with a male lead.
"Just hold me then?"
Ender was at his side and nestled close so he could hear every beat of the others heart which sounded deafening in the silence. Slowly Rackham put his arm round him, stroking his shoulder gently.
"Think about what I said, Sir" Ender whispered, quietly enough to be the nonexistent breeze in space "don't abandon me."
Still Rackham said nothing but Ender felt the tension in every muscle, with the inner turmoil raging like tsunami within Ender doubted his defences could remain standing much longer.
He stood up and went to the door, Rackham stayed on the floor looking at something, anything, but him.
"You know where to find me if...when you want me" he said letting the door close without sound behind him.
"Hey"
"Hey" Ender moved over and let Bean sit next to him "you wanted to talk to me?"
Bean looked around the crowded dining area and shook his head
"Later, it's too loud here and I don't want anyone eavesdropping either" he looked down at his food as if trying not to meet Ender's gaze "come to my room after lunch, I can get rid of anyone in there and well talk then."
Ender must have appeared bemused as Bean added in a lower voice
"It's just something I think you need to know concerning Petra, I know you talk to her sometimes..."
Ender nodded and finished up
"Don't take too long..."
"It may be best if you didn't talk to Petra about certain...err...personal problems" Bean said later when they sat on opposite beds.

Ender's eyebrows knitted into a frown, Bean looked uncomfortable and fidgeted as if sat on stone.
"She likes you, you know that?"
"I like her too, she's a good friend and a good ally" Ender knew what Bean meant but acting dumb was sometimes easier, and it also but the other person in a more difficult position.
"More than that, you know what I mean Ender!" Bean sounded annoyed "she wanted me to talk to you and ask you to not ask her about certain things for a while."
Ender felt himself go cold as if the blood had drained from his body
"What else did she say?" He asked quietly
"Only that she knew you didn't feel the same which is why she wants to be left alone for a bit"
"Nothing else?"
"No, she's not a snitch; she won't tell me anything you spoke about if that's why you look so worried."
Ender breathed a sigh of relief, he hadn't realised he'd even been holding his breath
"I don't know what to say...I feel as if I should speak to her but I think I may be the last person she wants to see at the moment. They never prepare us for things and feelings like this."
"That's what makes me hate them more" Bean stood up "just give her some space for a few days, then see if she wants to talk" he smiled "glad you understand, she was scared you wouldn't."
'Just another thing for me to worry about and understand' Ender thought but all he said
"See you later..."
- 6
- 7
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Things Change