#Reyes x Ryder

[vorchagirl]

Parasite - Chapter 6

“No time to unpack?” he asked casually, his eyes following Sage as she dropped the kett weapon she was still carrying into the weapon bag and lowered herself gingerly onto the bed. 

“Too much to do,” she said casually, and then nodded at her shirt. “Can you help me get this off?” 

Reyes nodded and moved to stand behind her. He lifted the shirt over her head, then unclipped what was left of her bra and slid it off. Her skin was so pale she looked ghostly, and it made the ugly red slashes along her back look almost neon. Gently, he brushed her hair to the side and then lowered himself onto the bed behind her. 

Sage had gone totally still in front of him, and her skin prickled with goosebumps as he trailed his fingers down her bare arms. Her skin was soft and silky, and every bit as warm as he'd imagined. The atmosphere seemed suddenly thick, almost suffocating, and Reyes gave himself a small shake as he cleared his throat.

He shouldn't do this, couldn't do it, wouldn't allow himself to do this. Making a move on Sage when she was injured and vulnerable was low even for him. Not to mention idiotic; she was clearly packed to go on the run at a moment's notice. One wrong move and she'd be gone from his life, and he very much wanted her to stay. 

Read the full chapter at the link below. Art is by @avinox :)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/61322611/chapters/159861322

[cityandking]

personally really enjoying the sense of "we weren't together but we're still going through a breakup" after rejecting reyes vidal post-High Noon

[gemsbokk]

because what better way to make a decision on who to romance than checking who's the nicest to draw

also bonus andromesa sillies

[silurisanguine]

Chapters: 12/? Fandom: Mass Effect: Andromeda Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Relationships: Female Ryder | Sara/Reyes Vidal Characters: Reyes Vidal, Female Ryder | Sara, Keema Dohrgun, Kian Dagher, Jarun Tann, Foster Addison, Nakmor Kesh, Tiran Kandros, Sloane Kelly, Male Ryder | Scott, Umi Henon, Kaetus (Mass Effect), Vetra Nyx, Nakmor Drack, Cora Harper, Liam Kosta, William Spender, Suvi Anwar, Kallo Jath, Jaal Ama Darav, Peebee (Mass Effect) Additional Tags: My Ryder is called Aeryn not Sara, deep delve, During Canon, canon expanded, game typical violence, alcohol use, Drug Mentions, In fact there is a lot of drinking in this story, In a European way not a oh no they had more than 3 drinks they must be alcoholic way, I've taken canon and kneaded it and stretched it like dough that needs time to rise before baking, future explicit sexual content, Adult Themes, Mentions of Death, PTSD

Chapter 12: Floodgates Open

Summary: With no where to go and exhaustion creeping up on her, Aeryn realises maybe this intervention isn't so bad.

[d035th15mak3m3l00kc00l]

Return to Andromeda

I'm back playing Andromeda, because maybe Veilguard was more like it than I remember? Maybe I'm being more critical than it deserves?

(I'm not).

I got swept into my internal story like Bioware used to be able to inspire. My favourite play is romancing Reyes up until he gets Sloan killed (I don't really need to warn for spoilers for a game this old do I??), then breaking it off from the hurt of the deception plus the shitty position he puts Ryder in, then ending up with Jaal.

I just love the story. I can see Keema saying to Reyes "You need to tell them." And Reyes saying, "I will. When the moment is right." Knowing he's being a coward, knowing Keema is right and he risks losing Ryder if he doesn't come clean. He figures he'll get Sloan out the picture, then approach Ryder with the truth, and a gift; the ability to put down an outpost, with his promised protection.

But fate intervenes.

He didn't expect Sloan to bring the Pathfinder to the meeting. Sloan has not been welcoming to them before then, and Ryder showed no friendliness to her in turn. But of course; the outpost. The wildcard. Sloan played it, using it to have the Pathfinder at her side.

Everything is set up; he can't change the course now. And if it was cowardly to hide the truth from Ryder before, it would be even more cowardly to run now. He has no choice but to put on a brave face. He plays the part he's written for himself, hoping Ryder chooses not just him, but a better future for Kadara.

They do, but he loses them in the process.

He knew Kadara would come at a cost. There's a price for everything. He thought he knew what it would be. He keeps up the brave face, but it hurts more than he could have predicted. There is so much he'll never be able to tell them. They put the distance between them, hurt in their voice. He should have trusted them.

He lies to himself about deeply buried hope for the future. Maybe, maybe, maybe he can earn their trust back. What they had between them was special. There is no one else in the galaxy like Ryder.

For Ryder, it was a devastating moment. They feel unclean, thinking again and again about how they could have warned Sloan, knowing that it was an impossible choice. Why couldn't Reyes have told them the truth? They could have avoided the whole situation. Why couldn't Reyes have had an honest duel? Was there really so much at stake he had to use such underhand, dishonest tactics? They wished they'd never been there. When they leave the planet they resolve to do everything in their power to never return. They want to forget the whole mess happened.

They throw themself into work, trying to make choices that make them feel like an honest person again. They tell the Moshae that Akksul can be saved. They want to believe it, believe that no one needs to be left to die again. They take comfort from the trust their teammates have in them; there is only honesty here. It's safe. No matter how they feel about Kadara, it seems like when they're in control of the decisions the right ones are made.

And then Akksul points a gun at Jaal's face.

In the moment they see another person dying, another death because they do not act. But Jaal is telling them to trust him, and it is his life. They hesitate, and Akksul takes the shot.

He misses.

It was the right decision again, but this time it feels like the opposite side of the coin to Kadara. The person who was facing the gun made the choice and the whole time they knew what they were walking into. When Jaal rests his forehead against theirs, the ocean of fears recedes.

With Jaal, they are healed. There's no subterfuge, no games. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He communicates with them, eagerly and openly. They know how he feels, where they stand. They are a team. He goes where they go, and they listen to him in turn.

Reyes will hear about it from his contacts; how Ryder and the Angara ended up together. He hopes they're happy, knows that Jaal is likely better to them than he ever was. He knows from his contacts that Jaal was highly sought after; that he is deserving of the Pathfinder's love. But it stings nonetheless, and for the rest of his life he'll see them as the love that he lost, no matter what his future holds.

[chimeowrical]

A kissy commishie of Ryder and Reyes for Sarah!!!

[scottyrider]

I love these romances on mass effect andromeda! I have an urge to write some mass effect andromeda fics right now as I replay the game making two save runs for them! One would be Ryder broken hearted by Reyes but finding love with Jaal, and the other a Reyes romance that did work out and add in scenes. But I'm sure there's a ton of these already out there. Will see! Still need to continue my ghost recon one as well, is just a big project that one.

[iheartgarrus]

N7 Month Day 6: Meal

(AO3 Link - Doing some Andromeda prompts this year! Ryder tries to cook.)

Reyes was woken up by the sound of pots and pans clanging together coming from his kitchen. He opened his eyes to find the other side of his bed empty, and he reached out to touch the sheets - cold, so Ryder had been up for a while. At a muffled curse, he threw on a pair of sweatpants and padded out to the living area of his prefab. "Rosetta?"

"Hm?" she answered from inside one of the low cabinets. Her long lilac braid was mussed from sleep, and he couldn't help a smile at the sight. He always liked what she looked like after they spent the night together. Still, he asked, "What are you doing?"

"I'm- Ow." She bumped her head on the top of the cabinet and clutched at the spot, sitting back on the floor. "Fuck."

Reyes tsked and knelt down next to her. "Let me see."

"It's fine," Ryder tried to wave him off. "I was trying to make breakfast until your kitchen tried to off me."

"Yes, it's all the kitchen's fault." He held back a chuckle. "Now let me see. I've had enough threats from your crew to know better than to send you back in anything less than mint condition."

She groaned but removed her hand. "Seriously? They couldn't leave well enough alone?"

"They weren't necessarily wrong," he said, parting her hair to check for blood. "I'm very dangerous, you know." He hissed when he found the wound. "Now, this needs medi-gel. Stay right there, and then I'll make breakfast."

"If you insist," she sighed.

[clairedelune-13]

“Graveyard” is about him.

[much-obliged-timothy]

June of Doom #2

Mass Effect Andromeda - #2 - Survivor’s Guilt

*

Reyes thought that some peace and quiet would do them good. Ryder had been granted a week off to heal from an ankle injury, and he’d chosen to use that time on Kadara with Reyes.

He did not, however, expect Ryder to spiral into a depressive episode.

His mood quickly sank after the first day. His appetite disappeared. He could not even pretend to be interested in the activities Reyes found to keep them occupied. 

It was alarming, especially because Reyes didn’t know the cause. The ankle injury was bad, sure, but nothing a week of rest wouldn’t largely clear up. The crutches surely weren’t that bad.

Finally, Reyes woke up one night in a cold bed, no Ryder at his side. He sat up, rubbing his eyes and checking the time. It was ungodly late.

He crawled out of bed and padded through the rooms, no sign of Ryder. Reyes threw on a hoodie and his boots before leaving his room. He went outside into the quiet night.

“Not much of a place for brooding. You’re more likely to get stabbed,” he said, stepping up next to Ryder.

Ryder was hugging his knees to his chest, just looking out at the slums. Reyes sat down next to him, their shoulders brushing together.

“Want to tell me what it is?” he asked.

“My ankle,” Ryder said, his voice distant.

“Scott, it’s not that bad,” Reyes said. “Lexi said you’d be fine in a week if you kept off it.”

Ryder shook his head. “No, it’s not…” He looked frustrated, raking a hand through his hair. “Nevermind. Just…nevermind. You wouldn’t get it.”

“Then help me get it,” Reyes said, catching Ryder’s wrist as he moved to get up. “I can’t understand if you don’t explain it. And I want to understand, Scott. I really do.” 

“I…I just…” And then whatever was inside Ryder just broke, right before Reyes’ eyes. “He gave his life to save me, and I waste time because of a sore ankle. I keep getting everything wrong. I keep wasting time. Cora was supposed to succeed him, but…fuck, Reyes, he shouldn’t have died! He died for me and I can’t even make it worth it!”

Tears were gathering in his eyes now and he was just barely fighting them back. He pressed his face into his hands, gripping strands of his hair so hard that he pulled a few out.

Reyes put an arm around him, pulling him close. “Scott,” he said quietly. “It’s quietly survivor’s guilt. Your father sacrificed himself for you because he loved you. He transferred Sam to you because he trusted you. And he was right to. One man was never meant to save a whole galaxy, but damned if you’re not doing it. No one can blame you for the mistakes you make along the way. You weren’t trained for this. No one was ever trained for this. You’re doing your best, and your best is damned amazing. Take it from a guy who lived on a planet with toxic water until you came along.”

Reyes knew that no words could truly comfort someone going through what Ryder was. But he desperately hoped they eased the sting, at least a little.

“Come with me,” Reyes urged, helping Ryder up.

Ryder felt stiff in his arms, but at least he came along willingly enough. Reyes didn’t comment on the lack of crutches, just pulled Ryder’s arm around his shoulders and helped him limp along.

He took Ryder to one of the ships his men used for patrols. They climbed inside together and Ryder got settled in the copilot's seat. 

Reyes started up the ship and flew them out over Kadara. It was still dark, but the lights of the ship and the lights of Ditaeon in the distance gave some life to the sleeping world around them.

“Look,” Reyes said, flying low over a lake. “That water is safe. My men swam in it yesterday to cool down. It would’ve killed them not that long ago. You made it safe. You did that, Scott. Your father may not be here to tell you how proud he is, but allow me to do it in his place. You’re incredible. And you deserve to rest when you are injured.”

Ryder gazed down at the lake, hardly seeming to see it. The tears had gathered back in the corners of his eyes.

“He would’ve known how to fix it all,” Ryder whispered.

Reyes reached over and took his hand. There was nothing else for him to do but hold Ryder’s hand and show him the world he had saved; words would do nothing right now.

Yet as they flew on, all Ryder could think was how this was yet another world his father had not lived to see because he’d died for a son who could not live up to his legacy.

[vorchagirl]

Moments

Pairing: Reyes Vidal x Cerys Ryder

Rating: Explicit

Summary: Reyes Vidal has always taken pride in his ability to keep his personal and professional lives separate, but all that changes when he meets the new Pathfinder. Cerys Ryder isn't what he expected and she isn't like anyone he's ever met before, and Reyes finds it impossible to keep away from her - even when he knows its the right thing to do in order to protect his true identity.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56477644/chapters/143521081

(Art is by @beemot )

[vorchagirl]

I seriously love leaving comments when I read fics - and if anyone has anything they think I'd like, please send me your fic links. I don't care if your fic has a million kudos or none, I'm always excited to read and comment on something that someone has put work and love into!

oh i love leaving comments on ao3, you gave me pretty words and i give you my little words, oh i loved it, oh i have to tell you i loved it, ohhh do you know which was my favourite part? i'm gonna tell you, also it was a wonderful job and and and

[vaguely-concerned]

having seen at least the rough outlines of all the romances now I have to say that I think emmrich's is probably objectively the best in terms of coherence and completeness of story arc (with the understanding that ultimately the 'best' romance is whichever one makes YOUR heart sing anyway so objectivity is a silly thing to claim that way, it just felt like it's the arc with the most well-paced focused content and the least dangling threads)... but lucanis' is my favourite haha. just. the whole kneeling before your beloved full of reverence but without any of the distance that usually implies??? his complete undramatic certainty and calm in every scene with rook after this, having spent the whole game caught between fear and longing???? mr. lives in a pantry but it says nothing about my psyche don't worry about it it's purely for tactical reasons that I keep myself contained in a small dark room not entirely unlike a cell, love among the parsnips -- finally coming to rook in their room and it's so comfortable and comforting???? after all the times rook supports and comforts him through the game he's finally able to return the same to them when they need it while being so calm and steady and it's so fucking sweet and feels so effortless and with no price attached?????? he basically assigns himself the role of your bodyguard and he WILL stab a god over it??????????????? the turn to protector (which was in his heart all along longing to get out and find a place) of it all????? he sounds like he's found himself unexpectedly stumbling into such a soul-lightening state of revelatory existential relief, full on 'you only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves' mary oliver style, and he goes and he shares that with rook and protectively envelops them in it when they're hurting??????????????????????????? hello for the maker's sake hello can anyone hear me?????

[passionwillow]

POV: You’re dating Judd Ryder

[watmalik]

IT REALLY IS THE END OF AN ERA UGH

[thestarwarslesbian]

TK, lying on the sofa in the 126 with his head in Carlos’ lap: Tell me I’m pretty. Judd, walking past: You’re pretty fucking annoying.