#AAT-rewrites

[satashiiwrites]

WIP Whenever

So. @quietborderline knows this but I’ve been debating a major re-write and finishing of An Andromeda Tale after the whole… taking of my words thing last month and it’s really been sticking with me. I’m currently working on my WIP Big Bang (yay for trying to write 50k in a month!) which I can’t share per the rules of the Bang… and I’ve been outlining my July Rough Trade project which is going to be quite the fandom departure for me as well.

I may have overcommitted to things is what i’m saying… but i’m also seriously going to try and edit AAT… and have a regular posting schedule (yeah I know i’m not great with deadlines). So. For WIP Wednesday/Whenever… have a partially rewritten prologue with some new chapter art (aka procrastination at its finest).

Tagged by @outtoshatter and no-pressure tagging @monsterrae1 @alyxmastershipper @tkwritesdumbassassins @missanniewhimsy @megasaurus-regina @westernlarch @kikiroo @whimsyswastry and whoever else wants to play along.

Banner by radio chatter.

Title: An Andromeda Tale: The Making of a Pathfinder and a King, Book 1, Prologue.

Fandom: Mass Effect Andromeda

Pairing: Endgame for everything is MReyder. There’s a bunch of other pairings that make an appearance in the course of the story including some OCs.

Summary:

Scott Ryder never saw his life going this way, not that anyone ever asked him his opinion. Now he's pathfinder with too many people depending on his young shoulders and trying to figure out what he actually wants for himself. Reyes Vidal, man of mystery, former pilot and now sometimes smuggler. Who knows where he came from or his motivations but he's come to Andromeda to change his destiny. What neither Scott nor Reyes could have predicted is what their lives would be once they came to Andromeda.

Tags/warnings: first revision (aka Grammerly committed manslaughter) version that needs more editing and re-writing, Alec Ryder’s A++ parenting. Aging the Ryder twins up slightly as well as Reyes because I can.

From the journal of S Ryder, 2185 CE December 3rd (2 days prior to launch of Ark Hyperion)

No one asked me what I wanted to do in life or if I wanted to do this. My life’s path has been chiefly decided by forces outside of my control, first my career path into the systems alliance as a marine, then my career determination of spec ops as a biotic, and on to N School for training. Nowhere for me to go but obtain the same designation as my father or else be seen as a failure. No one asked me if I liked my life in the Marines—had I been asked, I’d made do with my options and felt at times that someday I’d be happy with life as a marine and exploring the galaxy one boring posting at a time. 

Sure, my last posting made it clear I would go nowhere once The Arrest™️ happened. 

Thanks, Dad. My career really needed you to participate in and run illegal AI research. You could have at least tried not to get caught with your hand in the government funding cookie jar and make it extra licentious. 

The bottom line? When you’re the only son of a famous N7 Operative, options may seem open, but they really aren’t. 

My twin sister, Sara, somehow got herself out of the situation I found myself boxed into. I love Sara, but some days I hate that she got out. Then again, getting out isn’t what she seems to have wanted in the first place.  

My father, Alec Ryder—yeah, the disgraced N7 who has been in the press and got arrested for illegal AI research—has pulled off the ultimate guilt trip. Sara didn’t require any guilt. She’s joined of her own accord. I’m to report to processing tomorrow at 0730 for the Andromeda Initiative, and I’m going into cryo tomorrow evening. 

Dear old Dad is playing God with my life and has made it clear that Andromeda is the only option left for me. 

Since I’ve lost the few friends I can talk about anything with after signing the non-disclosure agreements this afternoon, I’ve decided to follow the suggestions of an old captain. When you can’t talk about it with anyone without destroying your security clearance, try processing through writing and then destroy the evidence or encrypt the hell out of it. 

I’m going to try writing down my feelings and covering them with enough encryption that Dad can’t get into—I’ve learned a lot more tech skills than the last time Dad decided I couldn’t have my own thoughts as a teenager. Hopefully, he’ll finally have learned to let me have my own thoughts and space (boundaries aren’t a new concept, Dad). And if no one ever reads this? Well, then, this journal is just for me and whoever manages to break into it--hopefully far in the future when I’m dead, and it doesn’t matter anyway. 

In the short time I’ve had to think about this, I’m worried about what we’ll find when we get to Andromeda. Then again, something is coming—something terrible. The rumors that Commander Shepard isn’t dead and that something bad is happening with the Collectors—I’m not sure how much I trust what I’ve heard and not heard. The rumors around the outpost weren’t reassuring before I left, but something has the vets spooked. I suppose running away to Andromeda might be less risky if the rumors are true. But why do I feel like I’m running away from my duty then? I don’t know how to process everything lately. I suppose I’ll just have to be a professional and take the role Dad’s giving me. Maybe I’ll figure things out on the way. 

I did see Sara before she went to final checks today—one last meal together in the Milky Way. She told me she was looking forward to a grand adventure as a family. She’s so optimistic about Andromeda—it’s hard to be concerned when she’s so happy. From my perspective, we’ve never done something as a family that’s ended well. Maybe this time, it’ll actually happen. I haven’t really been around or available for Sara since Mom died. I regret not doing what Mom wanted, but I thought maybe I could make my own choices and be a real, proper adult for once. Mom would be happy I’m going—I just wish I could have had the option to say no or yes. I don’t know if I’d be here if it were my choice. I’m ending things here for today. Hopefully, I’ll have time to write before the deep, frozen sleep of 600 years. 

[juuls]

Juulna’s ‘Hold Onto Your Sanity’ Fic, Book, and Music Recs for the 2020 Dumpster Fire... Part 3!

So you just crash-landed behind enemy lines in a war you know barely anything about except that your role seems infinitesimal and insignificant, and dumped into a year, 2020, that already seems fifteen years too long.

Before you drown your sorrows in some fantastic scotch or wine coolers for days (or weeks)… I have a proposal.

That you step back from the flames, tune things out for a bit, and try to forget about the outside world for a while (but don’t forget to vote or I will be very sad at you!).

These fics are meant to take you out of your head (I’m including more plot/story-minded fics than PWP) for the next few weeks or months as the world goes to hell (even more) but of course there are some bits of solid angst in these as there is wont to be in many a fic. Check the tags, read responsibly, don’t like-don’t read, ship and let ship, and please do leave a kudos and maybe even a comment! :)

This is PART THREE.

Check out here for Part One and most of the Marvel fic recs, along with a selection of book recs too. :)

And here’s Part Two, which has the bulk of my Star Wars and Game of Thrones recs, along with Spotify playlists!

Part Three is this one here, all about the Potterverse.

(Not yet complete) Here’s Part Four, filled with even more shippy goodness from all over the Star Trek universe. So. Many. Ships. :D

(Not yet complete) Part Five is Witcher, Man From UNCLE, Stargate: Atlantis and SG-1, Sherlock, Hannibal, and Doctor Who.

(Not yet complete) Part Six will probably be all for my newfound love of Supergirl, along with some Game of Thrones and Marvel ships I skipped, because I gotta stop somewhere with all these recommendations or I’ll be at it forever. Seriously, how much of this stuff have I read!?

But I think we all need some distractions from the world these days, eh? Or something to console us other than internet rage and a barrel of ice cream and/or hard alcohol.

Potterverse

I’ve chosen to pick fics (mostly) off of AO3 for their easy reading access, though HP fics’ golden years were on sites like fanfiction.net and other independent archives like Sycophanthex and others which have closed their doors over the years, sadly. Some of these fics date back to almost 20 years old, or more, amazingly!

For fics on fanfiction.net, I highly recommend using this link (FicSave) to epub/mobi converter rather than dealing with the frustrating app. It functions like AO3′s built-in download button.

SSHG/Sevmione

Rec assistance by @perrydowning​

Second Life by Lariope

Phantom of Hogwarts by Good_Witch

Romancing the War by Pubella

The Poison Garden by turtle_wexler @turtlewexlerwrites

A Light in the Fog by turtle_wexler

Pride of Time by AnubisAnkh

The Savage by MagdatheMagpie

Snape’s Story by Tbird1965

Recognition by jezzie (krith)

Tedium of Time by oneredshoe

Tango by Desert_Sea

Sense and Insensibility by Desert_Sea

Time Mutable Immutable by Grooot

The Twenty by Leyna Rountree

For the Only Hope by ausland @run-with-me-to-the-sea

Bundle of Joy by LadyTuesday

Our Hands Tied by multilingualism

Choose Something Like A Star by TeddyRadiator

Mistress of the Stacks by Ms_Anthrop

A Derailed Train of Thought by Ms_Anthrop

Antiquities by stormcorona

Watch Over Me by @snapeslittleblackbuttons​

Dropped Down into the Unknown by @q-drew​

Delicate Transitions by @morbidmuch​

Lay Me Low by TeddyRadiator

The Savage by MagdatheMagpie

Another Dream by @dragoon811​

A Chance For Happiness by @corvusdraconis​

Breath of the Nundu by corvusdraconis, Dragon_and_the_Rose

Just to Be by Amarti @amarti-writes-stuff​

Hinge of Fate by Ramos

Forged in Flames by @mswhich​

Days in the Sun by bluespring864

Making sure the boy who lived, actually does by Hold_en @hold-enwrites​

The Problem With Purity by Phoenix.Writing

One Step Forward, Two Decades Back by corvusdraconis

The Headmaster’s Wife by Mrs_HH @propertyofseverustsnape

The Master, the Warden, the Headmaster, and the Deputy by mak5258

Cloak of Courage by Wendynat

Hermione Granger and the Intended Vessels by ShawnaCanon

Augury and Ardor by SnapeySnax

Before the Dawn by snarkyroxy

The Love You Take by Subversa

His Draught of Delicate Poison by Subversa

and sooooo many more if you want them just ask, this is both mine and Perry’s oldest ship lol

Gramander (Original Graves x Newt)

A Gilded Cage is Still a Cage by Anonymous

take a deep breath (and let it go) by lincesque @tumbloncat

Roar by @elenothar

Matchmaker, Matchmaker by @prosodiical

Dearly Beloved by prosodiical

Basic Instincts by @manic-intent

Promised by Miss_Lv

Plan G by Aate

Heat of the Chase by argentoswan @wannahearaboutmycats

Newt Scamander’s Guide to Getting Things Done by arthureameslove

Against all Odds by Maril

Where I Belong by Mishafied

He Wants To Say, “I Love You, Nothing Can Hurt You”  by @obsidionwingsofmidnight

Arranged by Miss_Lv

death of a bachelor by gudetama (elementary)

The Graves Identity by Mishafied

you make me feel this way somehow by gudetama (elementary)

The Nature of the Beast by AntiGravitas @absolutelynogravitaswhatsoever

The Knights, the Newt, and the Rose by @yinyangswings

The Wizard’s Cat by @natecchi

The Color of Boom by gypsiangel

Signalling Theory: Blue Coat by @obaewankenope​

Flame by @esamastation​

And The Tag Read Simply: “Pretty” by @funkzpiel​

Aren’t You Gonna Arrest Me, Officer? by JoyBurd

a little bit lost by shortbread @shortbread-fanfiction​

Dramione

Rec assistance by @cuthian​

Seven Times by kerri240879

Her Beauty and the Moonlight by BrilliantLady

The Fallout by everythursday (orphaned and only available on AO3 now, but complete)

The Eagle’s Nest by HeartOfAspen

Turncoat by elizaye @imnotleavinherewithoutyou

The Virgin Conundrum by AkashaTheKitty @akashathekitty

Bad Faith by Morrighan256

Isolation by bexchan @bex-chan-blog

The Serpent, the Witch, and the Broom Closet by bitchywitchy

Silencio by AkashaTheKitty

All You Want by senlinyu @senlinyu

Static by galfoy @heymanticore

What the Room Requires by Alydia Rackham

And We All Fall Down by @rumaan

Ambition’s End by Hanako A

Wait and Hope by mightbewriting @mightbewriting

Rewriting Destiny by mayawrites95 (mayarox95)

Chronos Historia by In_Dreams @indreamsink

A Muggle-born Magic by Musyc @willhavetheirtrinkets

Hunted by Bex-chan

A Second Look by @riverwriter

The Nietzsche Classes by Beringae

This Too, Is Sacred by HeartOfAspen

Bite First, Ask Questions Later by Daredevilsinthedetails, Kaylessi

Nocturnus by In_Dreams @indreamsink

Broken by @inadaze22​

The Green Girl by Colubrina

Lady of the Lake by Colubrina

Rebuilding by Colubrina (really just anything written by @colubrina)

Presque Toujours Pur by @shayalonnie

Can’t Change the Way I Am by @nauticalparamour

Law and Marriage by DragonGrin (formerly TeenTypist)

The Tower Window by @xodramaqueenox​

Unexpected by Emara88

Something Old, Something New by Kate Dessi

Suppressed Emotions by hopelesslydevoted.xx 

Silver Blood by @freyaishtar

When the Day Met the Night by @bex-la-get

Harmony

A Marauder’s Plan by CatsAreCool (Rachel500)

A Step to the Right by CatsAreCool (Rachel500)

Eighth by lorien829

The Catalyst by lorien829

Harry Potter and the Isle of Mists by lorien829

Knife’s Edge by Celtic55

The Black Book by mosteveryonesmad

Awakening by SweetShireen

The Sword and the Snake by bartonfink1974

Dispelling the Silence by Indygodusk

One Year Later: Return to Hogwarts by Twilight’s Inferno

DraHarmony

Fourteen Thousand Galleons by @frumpologist

The Invitation by hot_elf @hot-elf

Love Love Love by MissELY @misselylux​

Changing Scenery by aethling

East of Eden by msmerlin @ms-merlinblack

Turn Back Time by Dazeventura6

Foxfire by @setissma

Come Together by @nuclearnik

The Soul of the Wolves by LR_Earl @fanficbylrearl

Running From Lions by tryslora @tryslora

An Unexpected Family by ladyroxanne21

The Prophecies by jamcreynolds

Drarhinny

Reconstruction by @aldersprig​

Fell From the Sky by BrandonStrayne @brandonstrayne​ (I really love this one, and not just as a Canadian.)

Demons From the Past by pottermum

Drarry

Rec assistance by @newtypeshadow​

Rarely Pure and Never Simple by birdsofshore

Aural Gratification by birdsofshore

Lost Among and Falling by @bafflinghaze

The Corruption Sequence series by beren @berenwrites

Sentinel ‘verse series by elyssblair @elyssblair-blog

Date Blindness by dysonrules

Starts With a Spin by Maxine @serasarahhhh​

Temptation on the Warfront by alizarincrimson

Paradigm by dysonrules

Here’s The Pencil, Make It Happen by ignatiustrout

Draco Sodding Malfoy by Shewhxmustnxtbenamed @shewhomustnotbenamed

Pieces of What by Jadwiga

Found, Not Lost by inspiration_assaulted

Shared Detention by DadIWriteGayPorn

Dirty Little Secret by Writcraft @writcraft​

19 Years by shilo1364 @whimsicaldragonette​

Morning Suns & Coffee Runs by laugh_a_latte @queer-coffee​

Reus Una by purplepen76

Between Ink and Blood by Candamira

Ginmione

Distractions by @morningsound15​ 

Cissamione

(This seems like it’s a bit cracky, but there’s some good ones, I promise! I sorta stumbled ass-backwards into this ship but really enjoy some of them.)

One Step Left by Cysteine @cysteine

Extinction by @rubikanon​

Blinding Light by @16-pennies​

Somebody Loved by beforeyouspeak

...

..

There. This is much better, isn’t it?

So my challenge to you, if your world is falling, burning down around you in flames... is this:

...if you feel yourself getting anxious or depressed, whether from the news or being cooped up in isolation or bored or on the verge of tearing your hair out or jumping off that roof or grabbing something to go after the dictator-of-the-week.... pause, take a breath, open up this rec list, close your eyes and pick something, and let chance take you somewhere hopefully far away. Let yourself be transported.

Oh, and don’t click on this Google Drive link. Really, there’s not 30+ GB of data on that Drive I’m sharing. Shame. There totally aren’t tens of thousands of books, as many audiobooks as could fit, and a large collection of fanfiction downloaded from AO3 in there. (Also, not all fics have been shared to that folder yet; I’m working on it a little at a time as I download more.)

[awkward-radar-tech]

An Awkward Tech: Part 10

Summary: It has been about a year and a third since Matt proposed to you at graduation. Now it is time for the event you’ve been planning for. Your wedding.

A/N: This is it! The final part of AAT! Thank you to everybody who has been with me from the beginning for hanging on during this long time. And thank you to every single person who has read this very self-indulgent series. I do have plans for a few more fics with Matty and his Angel, so this isn’t the end, completely. Happy Valentine’s Day! (p.s. this is 4972 words...)

Part 1– Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 – Part 6 – Part 7 – Part 8 – Part 9

👰💜🤵

It has been over a year of planning. Over a year of anticipation, over a year of building anxiety over what could go wrong, over a year of patiently waiting to officially say you were married to Matt. Finally, after over a year, your wedding was this week. At the end of this week you would begin the rest of your life. You couldn’t wait to see how all the planning would become your celebration. 

Last week you picked up your wedding dress, and it was now at Ally’s house so Matt wouldn’t be tempted to peek. For Halloween, the kick off for the week of your wedding, you decided to be Frankenstein’s Monster and his bride, fitting since you would be getting married in the same building at the end of the week. You felt oddly calm the whole week, until Wednesday. On Wednesday you woke up in the small hours of the morning to a rope of anxiety wrapping around your chest. Matt woke up with you and just held you close and rubbed your back as you took deep breaths. Later on in the day you woke up from a nap where you had a nightmare about half the desserts for the dessert bar being forgotten. You called your wedding planner just to confirm they were ordered and on the list of what was needed.

On Thursday night, Matt decided he wanted to completely recreate your first date for your 5 year anniversary. He wanted as many details as possible to be the same, right down to your outfits and the table you sat at. James was your waiter, too, and he told you that he for sure had Saturday off for the wedding. At the garden, you and Matt reflected on the five years you have spent together, and then talked about what you each hoped the future held for you. Before heading home, you shared the rough drafts of your vows, saving what you each finally wrote, after at least five rewrites each according to Luke who proofread them, for the actual ceremony. You were pretty sure Matt wrote a fake set just for tonight. There were too many double entendres for you to even believe that is what he first sent to Luke; though the first thing thought of is a different story.

On Friday night you held your rehearsal dinner at Han and Leia’s, then both you and Matt stayed the night, in separate rooms, since you weren’t going out of the area and staying at a hotel. Joy stayed with Tate in your apartment.

After turning in for the night, you quickly fell asleep, only to wake up again after an hour with no hope for sleep to return. After ninety minutes you decided to sneak down to Matt’s room, and you weren’t surprised to find his light still on, meaning he was still awake and also couldn’t sleep. You softly knocked and opened his door, and he responded without turning from his desk.

Matt continued tinkering with a model car, “Mom, I told you I was alright. I don’t need any melatonin.”

You laughed, “I’m not your mom. And I won’t give you melatonin if you don’t want any. Anyways, I think I know what we do need to fall asleep. Each other.”

Matt turned and beamed at you, “I think you’re correct, my sweet Angel,” he stood up and went to hug you, “but first, can we have a dance?”

You smiled, “Of course.”

There was no music for this dance, or not that anybody besides the two of you could hear. And then Matt put words to the silent melody he was swaying to.

We'll do it all/ Everything/ On our own/ We don't need/ Anything/ Or anyone

Matt never claimed to be a singer or have the ability to carry a tune without music, but you loved this moment with him, it was one you would keep in your heart forever.

I don't quite know/ How to say/ How I feel/ Those three words/ Are said too much/ They're not enough

He continued to slowly move you around his room, giving you a small peck on the lips every time he took a breath.

Forget what we're told/ Before we get too old/ Show me a garden that's bursting into life

When he got near his light switch he leaned over and turned off his light, leaving his room in the soft glow of his nightlight.

I don't know where/ Confused about how as well/ Just know that these things will never change for us at all

When he reached his bed he helped you lay down, and then laid next to you, holding you close as he softly sang the end of the song, “If I lay here, If I just lay here, Would you lie with me and just forget the world?”

You both were a bit misty eyed as you shared soft kisses and exchanged “I love you”s. It wasn’t long before the warmth and comfort of being next to Matt lulled you back to sleep, and in your last moments of consciousness you felt a light kiss to your cheek and heard a whispered ��Je t’aime, mon Ange.”

In the morning Leia came in to wake up Matt, and found the two of you curled together, asleep. She quickly took a photo and sent it to both of you, hoping one of you had your phone nearby so that it would vibrate and wake you up, since she couldn't bear to destroy such a sweet moment. Then Leia retreated and began to prepare breakfast for her lovebirds. 

You woke up to Matt's phone buzzing, and it was just like waking up on your first anniversary, it took you a moment to realize it was your wedding day, which had you shaking Matty and jumping out of bed.

"Matty! Wake up! We're getting married! This evening! Matty!"

Matt sat up, and smiled at you, at your excitement, at the fact you probably would say yes to getting married in your pajamas at that moment if he asked. 

When he spoke, his voice held both his grogginess and his excitement, "Yes, my angel! Tonight. I can't wait!"

Leia, having heard your screaming, came back, "Hey, you two lovebirds, I made you breakfast so you can have a meal together before Matt heads out and you're separated for over eight hours."

"Thank you Leia! I love you!"

"I love you too, dear."

After a few kisses, you and Matt ventured out to the kitchen for breakfast. Leia just sat with a cup of coffee while you each ate.

"I see you two couldn't handle being separated for the night like you said you would. I told you that you would miss each other too much."

Matt sighed, "You did mama. But I wanted to try. Tradition, ya know."

"I think it is adorable, you two were always meant to be, and you need each other even in sleep. Oh, and check your phones, I sent you guys a photo you might like."

"Mama, did you spy on us?"

She feigned offence, "No," her demeanor gradually returned to her smiley, excited one, "I came in to wake you for breakfast, and I saw you two curled together, so I had to take a photo and send it to you. I couldn't ruin the moment so I left and sent you the photo, hoping the vibration from the incoming text would wake one of you. And it did."

"Mom, you still woke us up by texting."

"Yes, but I didn't have to disturb you myself, it was your phone that did."

You looked at the photo, “Matty, look, we are so cute!”

He hummed, “Yeah. We are.”

As you were finishing up your meals there was a knock on the door and Leia went to open it, and then the house was filled with loud voices. Into the kitchen rushed Ally, Joy, Ben, and Kylo yelling and screaming about how it was time to separate the lovebirds. 

You and Matt just looked at eachother, you both were still in your matching bride- and groom-to-be pajamas. Matt still needed to change into his street clothes. 

When they came into the kitchen, and quieted down, you greeted them, “I’m keeping him for fifteen more minutes. We gotta finish eating breakfast then he has to change.”

Kylo and Ben came over and picked up Matt’s chair, keeping him in it. Ben spoke while you gripped Matt’s hand, “Nope. He’s coming with us now.”

You waved and pouted, keeping your other arm outstretched as he was pulled out of your grasp, “Bye Matty, see you on the dais.”

Matt waved back with his outstretched arm, “Bye Angel. See you when you walk down the aisle.”

You pouted, “I didn’t get to give him one last kiss as my boyfriend.”

Ally yelled, “Hey boneheads! Bring that man back. His girlfriend wants to give him one last kiss before they are husband and wife. Although I’m sure they will sneak away once they are both in the building.”

They brought him back and sat him down, Ben huffing, “Fine, I’ll allow you to have half an hour together. Come on guys, let's get some food and eat in the dining room, we already have to see them kiss once today.”

They grabbed some breakfast and left the two of you alone. You looked at Matt and laughed. He pulled you over onto his lap and kissed you. You just hugged and kissed him, then went back to eating. 

He grabbed his plate and ate the rest of his food, “Angel, I’m gonna miss you today.”

Ally yelled from the other room, “We can hear you in here! Y’all save it! And keep it in your pants!”

You yelled back, “Just for that we won’t!” 

You heard somebody’s footsteps come down the hallway towards you, so you quickly placed Matt’s plate on the table and smirked at him, speaking softly, “Quick, gotta act like we're getting hot and heavy.”

He chuckled and quickly did as he was told, kissing you deeply and holding your hip but not getting too frisky.

Kylo rounded the corner and groaned, “Ally, you fucking made them make out. Just had to harass them about their love.”

You broke the kiss in a fit of giggles, “Sorry, Ky. Thought it was Ally.”

Matt smoothed out your hair and pajamas, "Can I have my breakfast back, Angel?"

You handed his plate back, "Of course Matty. Kylo, what did you come in here for?"

He cleared his throat and walked in, "Oh, just some juice. And it is alright, she would've deserved it. I don't really mind, promise. Well, with what you were doing. If it was worse than that, yeah…" 

You smiled at him, "Don't worry Ky, we'd never go further with people around. Just kissing. I promise."

He nodded and left with his juice. 

The two of you finished up breakfast then went to change. You kissed him softly and held his face as you smiled at him after he was ready to leave. 

He smiled back, “I love you, Angel. I'm so excited about later. I'll see you in a few hours.”

You nodded and beamed up at him, "Eight hours before we begin the rest of our lives together," you hugged him and nestled your head against his chest, "I love you too, Matty. Have fun, and don't cause any trouble."

He kissed you one last time, “Alright, I’ll miss you. I’ll see you later, my beautiful angel.”

You smiled and walked with him to the living room for his brothers to take away, "Ky. Ben. He is yours to take. Make sure he has everything he needs. And don't cause too much trouble. Please."

Kylo got up and gave you a hug and kiss on the cheek, "Of course, (y/n). Have a good time getting ready."

Ben gave you a hug too, "See you later, (y/n). I make no promises on the trouble though."

Kylo hit his arm, "We are not causing trouble between now and the reception."

Ben huffed, "Fine. No trouble. We will be good."

You smiled at their antics and waved as Matt was ushered out of the room, looking back at you, "Bye you three. Have fun."

Matt waved before he was out of your sight and out of the house. 

Once the guys were out of the house you were immediately enveloped in a hug from Ally and Joy. 

Joy beamed, "My big sister is getting married!"

Ally squealed, "You're gonna look so pretty!"

You laughed, "I know! Let's get started!"

Leia then walked in with a garment bag and handed Ally her car keys, "My silly boys are off to the warehouse to get my little Matty ready. And don't worry, Poe and Rey will be there to keep them on track. Now let's get started on your hair!"

You smiled, Leia has been so excited about doing your hair, missing doing other's hair since Kylo stopped wanting his hair braided regularly. She led you to her bedroom and to the ensuite where her vanity was set up and ready for her to work. 

She smiled at you in the mirror, "Still wanting the same style?"

You nodded, "Yes. Please."

She got to work on your hair, holding small conversation about random topics. Occasionally Joy and Ally popped in to see how it was going and to gush over how pretty you are. When Leia finished she gave you a kiss on the forehead.

She smiled at you in the mirror, “Lunch time. But first, your sister wanted me to make sure you had this.”

Leia handed you a necklace, and you knew exactly what it was. The necklace your mom wore on her wedding day. A few tears escaped and you just hugged Leia tight. She rubbed your back and hummed. 

After a while you had calmed down and she helped you stand up, “Alright. Now lunch time, then makeup. My makeup artist for special events is downstairs getting set up, and she is prepared for any look you want.”

You nodded and followed her downstairs, finding Joy and Ally doing their own makeup in the mirrors the makeup artist had set up already. 

They looked up when you walked in and began to gush over how pretty your hair is. 

Leia went to the kitchen to fix a light lunch, sure you had or would get nervous and didn't want you stuffed. But she wouldn't let you starve on your big day, there would be no passing out due to low blood sugar today. She text Rey to make sure everything was fine at the warehouse and that Matt was getting fed and hydrated. 

You sat and talked with the makeup artist about what look you wanted while Leia cooked and Joy and Ally finished up their own makeup. You had talked with her before about what looks you were thinking about, but you hadn't told her what you decided on yet, not straying far from the examples she had given you for the styles you discussed. 

Before long Leia came out with a plate of your favorite finger foods, and you quickly ate, not realizing how hungry you were.

“Thank you Leia. That was delicious.”

Leia smiled and got up to clear the table, kissing the crown of your head, “You’re welcome, dear.”

Soon after Leia went in to clean up, the makeup artist set to work on your face, Joy and Ally taking the time to tell you funny stories, knowing your nerves were probably rapidly rising since after your makeup was finished it would be time to leave. Leia returned with the garment bag holding your dress and a steamer. She opened the bag just to give it one last look-over to make sure there were no wrinkles or loose threads. 

Once finished, she turned to you and smiled, “You’re going to look absolutely stunning, dear.”

Joy chimed in, “Definitely, you are going to look so damn good!”

Ally jumped up and down, “Yes! My best friend! Probably is going to look better than I did at my wedding.” She began to giggle, “I look better right now than I did at my wedding. But we didn’t want anything flashy and chose to hit the clubs in Vegas before finding a bomb ass Elvis impersonator.”

You laughed, “Your wedding photos are iconic though. And it was such an on brand thing, for both of you. I love them.”

She smiled at you, “They are iconic. And we will have the amazing story forever.”

You were told to stay still as the final touches were put on and then you were spritzed with waterproof setting spray. All that was left now was to pack up the car and slip on your shoes. You began to really feel nervous, afraid that something was going to go wrong, that something wasn’t going to be right.

Leia walked over to you and put a hand on your back, “The triplet handler just text to say they were on the way to the venue. She confirmed no untypical shenanigans were had, although she had to confiscate the rings from Ben and Poe. And Han called while I was putting the steamer away to report that everything is going smoothly with the set up and the ceremony area, including the entry and waiting area, is completely set up, and they are moving to set up the dance floor and reception area.”

You took a few deep breaths then turned to hug Leia, “That is good. And I really don’t want to know what Ben and Poe were doing to cause Rey to take the rings.”

You looked at your dress and smiled, “I’m ready to go.”

Ally and Joy cheered and grabbed their stuff and Leia grabbed your dress and her stuff. You got your purse and phone, then slipped on your shoes.

Ally threw open the front door and ran out, yelling, “Let’s go get my bestie hitched!” 

You smiled and got in Leia’s car, Ally and Joy got in Ally’s car. When Leia parked she turned to you and placed her hand on your arm. 

She smiled, “How are you feeling?”

You turned to her, “Nervous. Excited. Worried?”

“That’s normal. I want you to know there is a small closed-patio and the door is by the offices. After we get you in your dress, if you need some alone time and fresh air, you can go there. The finishing touches are still happening and I don’t want you to be doing anything except relaxing.”

You nodded, “Thank you, Leia.”

She did her best to hug you in the car, “Let’s head in, if you’re ready.”

You hugged her back, “Yeah, I’m ready.”

The two of you got out of the car and Leia got your dress, “Let’s go, my daughter in love. For one last time.”

You smiled, getting oddly emotional, “But soon we will be legally related. And Matty and I will always be in love, so.”

She smiled and led you inside, “I know. You two are like Han and I, times like five. But that is a good thing, I think.”

You chuckled and looked around, “Oh my goodness! It is all perfect. I know it isn’t finished yet, but I love it! Thank you all.” 

You saw Han, Luke, Lando, and Chewie all sitting around eating some lunch and you ran over to say hi and give hugs. Then Leia was pulling you away before you could get wrapped up in a conversation, all of you having other things to do, with the ceremony set to start in two hours.

You heard the tell tale sounds of the triplets and Poe coming from one of the rooms you passed, Rey outside the door a bit exasperated. She perked up when she saw you and waved to you, but did not move from her spot guarding the door.

“I don’t even know what is happening with them anymore. I think they are re-tying his bow tie because I didn’t do it ���right’ or something.”

You chuckled, “Hang in there Rey, you’ll be able to come change in a moment, and be relieved of your triplet wrangling duties.”

Leia tugged your hand and led you to the room that was being used as your dressing room. Ally and Joy already had on their dresses and had your shoes and accessories all set up for you. 

Then it hit you, hard. This was real. This was your wedding. You were getting married to Matt. Almost everything was set up, people would be showing up in half an hour, knowing how early some of the people you invited like to arrive to events. You heard a voice and felt hands guiding you to the love seat in the room.

“Do you need any water, (y/n)? Come sit down.”

You just nodded, taking deep breaths, shutting your eyes, centering yourself, clutching your mom’s necklace.

A bottle was pressed to your free hand and you took a sip. Somebody sat beside you and rubbed your back, and began to talk. You didn’t register what they were saying. You focused on just coming back to yourself, back to the moment. Back to reality.

And you did just that. You don’t know how much time went by, but Rey was now here, sitting next to you. 

You stood and nodded in resolve, “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

Joy gave you a worried look, “Are you alright? What happened?”

“Anxiety attack I think. But I’m better now. Promise.”

The four of them gave you a group hug, then prepared you for putting on your dress. 

Ally stood in front of you, between you and the mirror, holding your bouquet, Joy next to her holding a box of tissues, “Bestie. Sister I chose. Are you ready to see yourself?”

You nodded and took the bouquet, “I am.”

Ally took a few tissues from the box then stepped to the side, letting you look into the mirror.

You gasped, immediately getting emotional, “Oh. Is that really me?”

You got two teary eyed nods from the two women you’ve had in your life forever.

“Oh my goodness. I. I uhh, need a moment alone please.” 

Everyone filed out, and you set your bouquet back in the vase, then sat back on the couch, grabbing your phone, texting the only person you could think of.

3:45 pm: Matty?

3:45 pm: Yeah, angel?

3:46 pm: Can you meet me at the little patio by the offices?

3:46 pm: Of course. Meet there in 5 minutes

3:46 pm: okay

You peaked out the door, “I’m going to get some fresh air.”

Joy nodded, “Okay. Text if you need something.”

You nodded and walked to the patio, sitting on the clearly recently washed bench.

Matt looked to his brothers fussing with each other’s hair, “I’m heading to the restroom, and then I’ll check on things. Make sure the set up is completed. We got an hour.”

Kylo nodded, “Got it. Don’t get lost, little bro.”

Matt chuckled, “You’re only thirty minutes older than me.”

“And I will remind you about that until I die.”

He shook his head, “Goodness, Ky. I’ll be back later.”

Just to make sure nobody thought twice about where he was going, not like anybody was watching him at the moment, he stopped at the restroom to wash his hands. He smiled at his reflection in the mirror, loving how a little sliver of your favorite color is peaking out from inside the bow loops. Thankful Hux was able to get the tie custom made with the backside of the bowtie your favorite color. Then he went to the patio, and knocked on the door before opening it a crack.

“Angel? Are you out here?”

He heard your answer, “I am. Come here. Please.”

He followed your directions and opened the door all the way and stepped in. He looked to the ground until he heard the door shut behind him, then looked to you. His heart soared, a big goofy grin appearing instantly, tears forming in his eyes, but doing his best not to cry, because then you will cry.

“You’re. You’re. You are beautiful, my angel. Stunning. I love you.”

You stood up and hugged him, “I love you, too. You’re so handsome, Matty.”

He watched as you pulled back and touched his tie, making it a bit crooked, probably revealing more of your color.

“It is better like that.”

He smiled at you and kissed you. Softly. Oh so softly. A kiss filled with so much love. He led you to the bench and sat down in silence, holding you close. After fifteen minutes he got up, regretfully.

“We should head back inside, love. I’ll see you in about forty-five minutes.”

You waved, “Bye Matty. I love you, so much. Forty-five minutes.”

He ran back over and gave you one last kiss before he left you alone on the patio. And after a few minutes you made your way back to your dressing room.

Before you knew it, Uncle Chewie was knocking on the door, saying it was time to line up.

Ally, Joy, Rey, and Leia all gave you hugs and went to get in their places, Chewie staying put with you. Ready to walk you down the aisle. 

And then he was helping you up from where you sat and walked you to your spot.

Luke walked down the aisle, thanking everyone for coming to the wedding of the year, reminding everyone to silence their phones and that the happy couple requests nobody but the official photographers take pictures during the ceremony.

Then Matt walked down the aisle, pushing Grandma Padmé in her wheelchair, left arm linked through his mom’s right. Once in the front, he gave his mom and then grandma a hug and kiss on the cheek.

After Leia and Padmé got to their spots, the music started for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to walk in. In pairs they walked down the aisle, Ally and Kylo, Joy and Ben, and finally Rey and Poe.

Then everybody stood as you walked down the aisle. Chewie dwarfing you, but he did that to even the triplets. You did your best to not let any tears escape yet. But as soon as you saw that Matt was crying already, you couldn’t hold it back any longer. You hugged Chewie and restrained yourself from hugging and kissing Matty.

Luke began the ceremony, making you laugh and shed a few more tears. 

Then it was time for the vows.

You went first, getting the book you hand wrote your final vows from Ally. You did your best to keep your voice even and clear while pouring out your heart. Promising to love him, forever and always.

You smiled at him and slipped on his wedding ring, “Je t’aime, mon amour.”

Matt pulled out his book and began, “My Angel. The light of my life. I loved you from the moment I first met you. You may have been grumpy from being woken up from a nap by Ally yelling, but I was still enamored. Just ask my brothers, I wouldn’t shut up about you. Every moment with you has been the best moments in my life. I knew I wanted to marry you from the moment you were crowned science princess and I science prince.” 

He continued on with a couple more jokes and reasons why he loved you, then finished, “A little over 4 years ago, I knelt in front of you with a ring and promised to be there tomorrow until I vowed to be there forever. Now, with this ring, I vow to be there, forever and always.”

He slipped on your ring and looked to Luke to hurry up because he wanted to kiss you now.

Luke finished the ceremony and Matt tipped you and gave you a kiss as soon as he was told he could.

You knew people were cheering, but the only thing in your world at the moment was Matt. The only thing you cared about was Matt. Your husband. Husband.

You two were absolutely giddy at being introduced and Mr. and Mrs. Organa-Solo. Enjoyed greeting everybody. Eating the delicious dinner catered from the only restaurant you could fathom, the pasta seeming to taste even better than it does at the restaurant.

Then it was time for the first dance. Matt held you close, just as you had practiced, and led you around the floor as Chasing Cars played.

We'll do it all/ Everything/ On our own

You smiled at Matty, following your practiced choreography. Mouthing the words to one another.

Forget what we're told/ Before we get too old/ Show me a garden that's bursting into life

You were married to the man you loved. It was now the two of you against the world. Forever and always.

I need your grace/ To remind me/ To find my own

Matt twirled you as the music picked up pace. The two of you laughing and enjoying your dance.

If I lay here/ If I just lay here/ Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

He pulled you into a tight hug as the song ended. Husband and wife sharing a tender moment for all to see. But in this moment, the same as so many times before, and many times to come, they didn’t exist. It was just you and Matt. 

At the same time you moved to look in the other’s eyes and spoke, the same thing. 

“Je t’aime.”

Tags: @bellaren18, @redhairedfeistynerd, @scorpiosun-aquarising

[random-gramander-archive]

Summary:

Senior Aurors decide to make Graves jealous of Newt in the hopes that this might prompt their boss to finally make a move on his favorite magizoologist: A boss who gets regularly laid at home is at work a happy, relaxed boss, who doesn't demand you to rewrite your twenty-page report for the third time just because it has a tiny typo on page seven. Right?

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence

Words: 70 579

Chapters: 16/16

[epic-ash-and-sora-fan]

I really should rewrite AAT one of these days. Maybe when Circumstances is through. :P

[lovinghobwi]

Save us

PAIRING : BTS’ JHOPE x Reader GENRE : 🍯 WARNING/S : light swearing ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Where’s the light switch?” you muttered to Hoseok as the both of you fumbled around the dark room. It was decided that You, Hoseok and Jungkook stay in one room, since there’s three beds you didn’t mind,their your best pals after all. Speaking of jungkook, where the hell is he. “Found it!” Hoseok exclaimed making you jump slightly,light took over giving you a good view of the room. It was pretty spacious and neat looking,instantly making you feel like the bed was calling out to you. You smiled tiredly at Hoseek as you walked quickly to the bed near the little window thanking him in the process for carrying your bag on the way up. “Ah, I’m so tired” you sighed plopping on the bed and then rolling from left to right. You heard Hoseok chuckle, “but it was fun” he added. “Yeah, it is” you mumbled into the blanket, the smile evident in your voice as memories of earlier’s activities flood your mind. silence. “Y/n, are you asleep?” He asked from his bed. “No” you croaked,sitting up. You just sat there facing Hoseok when suddenly a black or brown rather thing caught your attention it was right above Hoseok’s head. So much for being a neat looking room. “Oh my god, what is that?” you muttered to yourself afraid it would scare the hell out of Hoseok too if you make a ruccus out of it,it wasn’t moving which was a good thing, for now. “Y/n, are you okay? what are you looking aAT?, OH MY GOD” Hoseok followed your train of sight and yelped, jumping from his bed to your side which in normal circumstances would be impossible cause well hIS BED WAS RIGHT ACROSS FROM YOU AND THE ROOM IS PRETTY BIG. You stood up, grabbing a pillow from your bed. “Is that a c-cockroach?” he croaked out and you can feel him shudder beside you. Shit. FUN FACT : BOTH OF YOU ARE SCARED OF COCKROACHES. “I think so” you answered gripping tightly to the poor pillow. “What do we do?” Hoseok looked at you. “We need to safely usher it outside the room” you answered. “Are you serious? What if it come flying right at us” “It won’t"you hope it won’t because if it would you’d passed out. You and Hoseok both grabbed a pillow for "protection”, walking slowly near the wall but before the both of you could even come closer the cockroach started flying around. “sHIT, SHIT SHIT!! OH MY GOD” both of you exclaimed as you both jumped on the bed—jungkook’s bed which made a creaking noise. “Oh my god, I told you it would fly right at us” Hoseok quitely hissed,afraid that even the slightest sound would send the poor roach flying again. “I–OH MY GOD, AHHHHHH HELP!!” Before you could even reply, the both of you yelped and jumped on the other bed— his bed,with pillows still on hand and your other hand was already gripping on Hoseok’s white shirt. The roach was making its way rather fast towards the bed You and Hoseok were in, ‘can cockroaches smell fear, i mean it felt like it was following the both of you, no matter how absurd that sounded’ You thought.

Hoseok made a little sound and it startled you so you did the only thing you could think of you jumped on Hoseok’s back, gladly he caught you and it made his pillow shield fall right on the roach. “Hyung, Y/n are you okay? What was all the screaming?” Jungkook said emerging from the door. “Jungkook!” You exclamied still clinging to Hoseok for dear life.

“Thank god, there’s a cockroach underneath that pillow and, and-” Jungkook cut you off. “ A cockroach?” He asked like he can’t believe what he was hearing. “Yes, and it came flying right at us” Hoseok replied. “Seriously?” he asked a grin plastered on his face, like it was the most amusing thing to him next to seeing you cling on Hoseok. “It’s not funny and please get it out of here” you pleaded. On cue, he marched towards the pillow, lift it up and held the cockroach on its antenna thing with his bare hands,wOW. He took it out and came back shortly after, the same grin still on his face. “What?” you innocently asked. “Well, I already took the cockroach out,don’t you think its time to get off of Hoseok hyung? I mean if you guys really don’t want to, I guess its fine” He rambled the stupid grin still etched on his face, but this time it was a teasing grin.

As soon as it hit you, you were scrambling to get off of Hoseok, both of your faces visibly red. “Thought so” Jungkook laughed. “Oh, shut up” Hoseok hissed at the younger one, fighting the smile that was creeping on his face. END A/n : I’m back hehe🌻how have u guys been? Sorry for the long wait ;(,,,, to sort of make up for it here’s short scenario that wasn’t really included in the scenarios that i was talking about lol (im still rewriting it *sobs*) i just had a sudden inspiration bc of a cockroach that i saw earlier and bts bon boyage lol, byeeeee hope you’ll enjoy this one. Tell me what 'chu think :)

[satashiiwrites]

Snippet Sunday

Tagged by @monsterrae1 for a six or seven sentence sunday… and sharing again a bit of the andromeda re-write due to circumstances 🙃. thanks for the tag lovely!

Tagging with no pressure @quietborderline @tkwritesdumbassassins @alyxmastershipper @outtoshatter @westernlarch @missanniewhimsy @whimsyswastry @megasaurus-regina and anyone else who wants to play along.

Banner by radio chatter, chapter art is mine.

Title: An Andromeda Tale, Book One, Chapter One—rewrite edition (DRAFT).

Fandom: Mass Effect Andromeda

Pairing: Endgame MRyder (Reyes Vidal/Scott Ryder) various others

Fic Summary:

Scott Ryder never saw his life going this way, not that anyone ever asked him his opinion. Now he's pathfinder with too many people depending on his young shoulders and trying to figure out what he actually wants for himself. Reyes Vidal, man of mystery, former pilot and now sometimes smuggler. Who knows where he came from or his motivations but he's come to Andromeda to change his destiny. What neither Scott nor Reyes could have predicted is what their lives would be once they came to Andromeda.

Tags/warnings: this is a revised first draft—meaning that things are probably still going to change further. I’ve aged up both Reyes and Scott for this fic by a few years (not hugely).

2818 CE July 2nd

Reyes Vidal, Shuttle Pilot, callsign Anubis 

Location: Andromeda Initiative Shuttle

Status: Increasingly concerned about Initiative short and long term viability

Things were not going as they were supposed to. It's been six months since the engineering and transportation crews awakened to find that the planned arrival in Heleus had not gone according to plan. This was followed by more awakenings than were reasonable, given the dire supply situation. 

A major blow was dealt to the Initiative when the Nexus crashed into the Scourge. Jien Garson and several other high-ranking administrators had all perished in the accident, leaving the Andromeda Initiative without an experienced guiding hand to see them through what had been anticipated to be a critical moment. 

The current administration had made the questionable decision to awaken more and more people than they should have. The resources available with the hydroponics farms were significantly reduced as the entire section had been damaged in the collision that had halted the Nexus—or perhaps the awakenings were not part of the administration's plan if rumors were true about the unauthorized awakenings. 

Decisions coming from the top were slow and of questionable value. Tensions were running at an all-time high between the security and administration teams and everyone else as supplies continued to run low or go missing. Hoarding was starting to be reported, and two humans had been punished severely by security last week for hiding rations.  

Reyes had been one of the first pilots awakened to run exploration teams to and from different planets and had a first-person view of how bleak things were on that front. He'd been the pilot of one of the eight expeditions to explore worlds to see if they were habitable. The system and planet he'd been sent to was a barren wasteland without a breathable atmosphere. 

Two days ago, there had been an announcement from the administration suggesting that people needed to start volunteering to be put back in cryosleep or there would be mandatory re-entrants. 

No one had volunteered, and the atmosphere on the Nexus had been balancing on a knife's edge since. 

Supplies would run out within two months at current usage rates, and selective rationing and meal skipping had been in enforcement for the last two shipboard weeks. Sloane's security forces had been harassing the scientists, who were barely restrained as Corvannis and his cohorts spread malcontent and disagreement with the admins among the other personnel.  

Repetitive threats from the "professional" security staff run by Sloane Kelly had encouraged him to keep his head down and out of the trouble brewing as a valuable pilot with a military background. It wasn't hard to read the tea leaves that a power struggle was going on way over his head. 

The scientist team he'd just picked up from Eos had a defeated air around them and were quiet on the transport despite attempts from the administrative analyst to engage them in idle conversation. Not all of the team had left—three scientists insisted on staying no matter what the analyst had said. 

Leaving the three scientists behind had left a bad taste in his mouth. Reyes wondered if he was leaving them to die on the planet. The last attempt from the analyst to get them to get in the shuttle—that he'd overheard—had been a threat that no further help would be coming and that staying was a death sentence from either the environment or the hostile alien raiders. 

That threat finally got the scientists and engineers to mostly pack it in. As they boarded the shuttle, every one of them refused to make eye contact with Reyes or his co-pilot, Kenax.

He wasn't supposed to have heard what the analyst said. He wasn't supposed to have heard a lot of things lately. 

Scuttlebutt had it that the administration was going to employ the Krogan as mercenaries if things got worse. Reyes had never had a problem with a Krogan and didn't want to find out how painful a disagreement with one could become. His limited interactions with Kesh aside, he'd rather not get anyone's attention that way. 

Entering the course corrections for the Nexus, Reyes takes a deep breath before making eye contact with Kenax. For a Turian, Kenax is a solid pilot with an eye for barely staying on this side of trouble and a penchant for discussing the merits of different sniper rifles. Reyes hasn't worked with many Turians before Andromeda, but it appears that Turian stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason. 

Kenax taps on Reyes' wrist as he finishes inputting the course correction. "Be careful when we get back," he says while glancing significantly back toward the hold where the analyst is trying to get the most senior scientist to engage with him in discussing his favorite types of cheese loudly. 

As if there is any more cheese to be had left on the Nexus to dream about eating.  

Reyes would consider crime if it got him some cheese instead of another chalky protein bar that claimed to taste like chocolate. 

"I plan to stay out of things," Reyes murmurs back.  

"Before we left, there was talk of a meeting to discuss things without admin present—I'd stay away if I was us," Kenax returned his attention afterward flight display. "Us pilots need to stay out of the gunfight when it starts. There'll be enough of a mess to pick up afterward."

"I thought all Turians were genetically inclined to trouble and gunfights…."

Kenax's mandibles flare in the turian version of a smile, stretching the three vertical black lines of his colony marks on the right side of his face until they are crooked. "Us Turians like odds in our favor and keeping our friends at our backs. Kaetus—Sloane's pet—has been implying something will happen soon."

"I'm glad it's you referring to him as her pet and not me," Reyes says with a mischievous and flirtatious wink that he knows Kenax won't take seriously. "I'm going to stay out of things. I plan on helping out the engineering teams with the hydroponics repairs when we get back since the life support repairs are mostly done. It's not like there's any shortage of repairs that a part-time mechanic can't help with."

Not taking the bait, Kenax flares his mandibles into an even bigger smile that resembles staring at a friendly shark. "Yes, your tendency to get completely covered in grease and oil while repairing all things mechanical should keep you out of trouble. It's a good thing I'm not your type. But stay out of the levels below Operations for the next few days."

Exchanging knowing looks, Reyes focuses on the nav panel as they make multiple small jumps to navigate around the odd dark energy tendrils that ensnared Heleus back to the Nexus. 

Reyes trusts that Kenax's connections as a Turian are probably a lot more accurate than the reluctantly forced camaraderie that exists between the three human pilots he shares quarters with. he generally spends more time with Kenax than with the other humans as they have been hot racking until 'more resources can be secured' and more living units provided with power and water. 

Neither Reyes nor Kenax speaks further. They worked well as a team despite never having met before arriving in Heleus and being assigned co-pilots. 

When they reach the limits of Nexus flight control, Reyes hails the flight deck and gets assigned a docking bay which they then guide their shuttle into with minimal fuss and effort. 

As they unstrap from the pilot cradle, Kenax gives Reyes one more significant look before darting his eyes to the human analyst in the back, who was now escorting the scientists out of the airlock and into the bay. "Stay out of trouble, my friend. There are dark clouds on the horizon."

Feeling a forbidding chill that causes a shiver to run down his back, Reyes nods and clasps hands with Kenax in farewell. "And you stay out of it as well, my friend." 

Pausing at the end of the airlock, Reyes watches as his passengers all exit the bay under the close watch of the analyst and several security guards. There is a general lack of people in the area, which is unusual. 

Something is up. 

Kenax glances back again, wondering why Reyes hasn't followed, then turns around and follows the guards out of the bay without drawing attention to Reyes' remaining behind. 

Returning to the shuttle, Reyes grabs his old flight jacket from where he had stowed in his pilot's chair compartment during their preflight checks. It was his Uncle's old leather jacket and is frayed at the cuffs, and he could get a newer Initiative-branded one; however, Reyes swears it still smells of home even though he'd left home behind for Andromeda six hundred and some odd years ago. 

The jacket is one of his few personal possessions and had taken up almost a quarter of the limited extra weight allowance he was granted as a lowly pilot. Pulling the jacket on over his flight suit, he grabs his small flight pack and hits the latch to close the shuttle airlock, initiating shutdown and sleep mode for the engines. 

As the shuttle settles into an electronic version of sleep, he hurries away toward hydroponics instead of stopping at his quarters like he usually would upon returning to Nexus. 

Something tells him to keep his limited personal possessions on him for now and to stay out of the more populated areas where people liked to gather and discuss the ongoings of the administration.