#and Suvi just. staying. they have their adventures but that's not for her

[andsotheuniverseended]

Suvi staying put while Ame and Eursulon go running off after the spirit world; the more things change the more they stay the same huh?

[cozy-fantasy-stories]

Suvi is *by far* my favorite character in WBN. Like I get Ame and her idealism, and I get Eursulon and his passion, the Fox is hilarious and a fantastic foil.

But Suvi. My god Suvi.

I’m on my first relisten and she’s magnificent at every turn.

Children’s adventure and she stays inside. Does as she’s told. Doesn’t go out in the dark. Cleans up the bathroom! Waits. Alone.

She makes it in time—Grandmother Ren calls her my granddaughter and I am slain. Casts identify on the house!

Immediately says yes to helping Ame find the sword. No question. She doesn’t have to. But she does it.

Leaves a coin for the family and helps with the damn laundry! Do you know how practical that is?!

Immediately solves the being stuck problem for Eursulon. Terrifies that horrible little man with a Wild One under his boot. She rescues the music box, no question. Eursulon is free.

And Emliss.

Emliss.

Terrifying.

She ends Emliss, the Chalice, the shadow. The thing that *kills* Ame in a single turn.

The *indignity* of having to pay a hustler (FINLEY) for her mother’s coat lining. Yeah, okay, Eursulon went and made it all right (bet he never pays her back). But Ame talking about payment when she doesn’t even have money?!

Who fights for Suvi? Who defends her? Who thinks of her?

Ame making assumptions about the Citadel. (yes yes we get it institution bad we know what we’re listening to) But come on! Ame has no knowledge at this stage, just judgement!

Will Gallows. The Ace of Wands.

They never get the sword without Suvi in that room. Ice in her veins. Ice.

Who asked for “I’d like to count you among my friends.” Eursulon has the string in his pocket, but Suvi is the one who bargained for it.

Don’t even get me started on the Chantry and Morrow. I’m not doing it.

She gets them SAFE.

Resolves problems and defends her people with confidence and conviction.

She doesn’t deserve that dressing down from Steel. She doesn’t.

And Ame vanishes.

Off to talk to a murderess goddess that would end Port Talon in a heartbeat.

Of course Suvi goes to rescue her. Immediately! NO QUESTION. You think a search party would have found Ame?! With Orima of the Reaching Green as pissed as she was? HA. (but yes she’s thinking of Steel she doesn’t want to let Steel down not again not Steel)

Three days of walking and walking and walking.

(okay but Aabria having Suvi lose it is freaking brilliant and just absolutely incredible role play absolute perfection what a way to lean in)

And then Steel. Again.

Larger than life.

With the yelling. And the power. And the telemet.

Calls her a princess (dismissive) questions her like a prisoner (her adoptive mother really) and knows about the King of Night (suspicious).

And then.

Naram.

The Wild One heeds a call. The Witch arbiters consequences.

Our Wizard saves the godsdamned day.

She doesn’t run when it’s the derrick that’s at stake. She gets it. Even though she’s said awful things (you get what you get what a LINE trap a spirit and you get what you get bet she feels that way about Eursulon she trapped him she deserves it).

Suvi’s brilliance is not about what she says it’s about what she does. Galani mentions Orima and Suvi immediately moves.

Suvi’s quick thinking saves Port Talon.

Actually saves Port Talon.

She’s the one that does it. She’s the one that leads Orima to Naram. The reaching green and its *stranglers* and its indifferent cruelty to those in its way. ON THREE HIT POINTS.

And then Steel has the AUDACITY to act disappointed. (it’s not at Suvi not really but still).

Impossible odds.

Complex character choices and she carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. Always thinking, strategizing, anticipating.

SUVI.

Love Suvi.

She makes the right choice. Every time.

[queerlyvictorian]

CHILDREN’S ADVENTURE SPOILERS — a remembered connection quite relevant to the end of Ep. 22 Bring Them to Me

HOW DID I FORGET THAT THE PATTERN OF SUVI STAYING BEHIND WHILE AME AND EURSULON RUSH AHEAD WAS ESTABLISHED AT THE END OF EPISODE 3 OF THE CHILDREN’S ADVENTURE? Ame, taking on a witch’s responsibility of getting an Honored Friend back where he belongs, runs into the forest to try and take Eursulon back to the World of Spirits, and Suvi stays at the cottage because she promises she wouldn’t go out at night. Euruslon just wants to leave this place. Brennan calls young Suvi and Ame out for being children who understandably don’t think through the consequences of their actions. Ame doesn’t consider what she might be asking Suvi to do by trying to get her to leave at twilight, and Suvi doesn’t consider that if Eursulon is able to return to his home, Ame will have to walk back home through the forest in the dark.

In Ep. 22 they really do make pretty mirrored miscalculations. Ame, trying to do her job as a witch, doesn’t consider the consequences of breaking the rules and disregards promises made. Suvi, compelled by the importance of a promise (this time with an even greater understanding of her world and how it functions), doesn’t consider in the moment that she has placed Ame in greater danger. And all the while, Eursulon shows that he just ready to leave this place.

Obviously, there are so many other details and extenuating circumstances that make the end of Bring Them to Me different from the end of Children’s Adventure Episode 3, but the fact that the first instance of this pattern and the most recent instance of it have any similarities at all is proof of how early we are in the journey of these characters, and how little has changed at the fundamental core of them since childhood.

[theoriginalladya]

Intimacy Prompts #20: a hand written note for rydenko.

from this list

on AO3 here

Thank you so much for this one!  Sorry it took so long - I had an idea, but I got side tracked by other things! :)  Enjoy, my friend!  And thank you for asking about them!

Setting:  Andromeda Galaxy

~~~

It all begins as a joke.

Once his status as Pathfinder is officially recognized, the Initiative administrators cannot act fast enough to guarantee they have Kaidan Alenko on their side.  As the Nexus slowly opens, finally coming out of hibernation, the administrators agree they need to do something.  So, they give him an apartment.  

Scott has his father’s quarters back on the Hyperion, most of the others have their own quarters or stay on the Tempest, but all Kaidan has available to him is a cryo-pod, one that’s no longer useful now that he’s awake.  He doesn’t ask for anything, doesn’t even drop a hint.  Tann reminds him of others back in the Milky Way, even acts similarly, but he’s a crafty one, too.  In a move that is supposed to look as if the Initiative cares about their Pathfinders, they assign their lone Pathfinder an apartment.  Whether or not they actually do care about him and the role is beside the point.  

Kaidan, who detests being used as a political pawn but recognizes he can do nothing about it, hates it on sight.  

Okay, so maybe hate is too strong of a word. It isn’t the orchard back in the BC Interior, that’s for damned sure, and it’s a far cry from shared barracks during his Alliance years.  He has a room on the Tempest, so it he has some choice about where he can stay. But this… this tiny cubicle that they are calling an apartment?  Four walls, open spacing, barely any room to turn around without bumping into something? There is absolutely nothing homey about it.  Home, is something he’s still searching for.

That lasts about three weeks, until the day Scott drops by when Kaidan isn’t there and instead of messaging him to meet up elsewhere, leaves a handwritten note slipped beneath his door.  Kaidan almost misses it when he gets back after his meeting with Tann, Addison, and Kesh.  Just a small slip of paper – where had Scott found actual paper? – written in black ink.  A hint of white on an otherwise light-colored floor which is barely discernable.  Something about it catches the corner of his eye, though.  

K – Stopped by to see you.  Catch you later.  Scott

Kaidan reads it twice, just in case he’s having hallucinations thanks to the burgeoning migraine before setting it on the corner of his desk, thinking to send a reply via omni-tool.  But the meetings with Tann and the others are taking their toll, and even with SAM’s assistance, the pain is such he forgets until the next morning, at which point he decides to just head on over to the Hyperion instead. 

Of course, Scott isn’t there.

Scott – Was in the area and thought I’d save you a trip.  Better luck next time, right? Catch you on the Tempest.  K

The Tempest is scheduled out the next morning and, as typically happens aboard the ship with last minute things to do and distractions of all kinds, neither he nor Scott thinks to mention the messages to the other; almost an ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ sort of thing.  End of story.

Except, it isn’t.

The weeks pass, more notes appear at the apartment and on the Tempest or Hyperion.  Small ones. Silly ones.  Eventually, Scott starts leaving small sketches of different people on them – quick things, some cute, some ridiculous, but always they leave Kaidan smiling.  

A caricature of Tann speaking with Addison and Kesh mimicking him behind his back even as Tann’s head is blown up twice the size of the others.

A small cartoon of Suvi in the galley, laser focused as she points to different Heleus rocks and explains their different tastes to a very confused looking Drack while Lexi stands in the doorway scolding her.  

A stick figure sketch of Kallo and the several of the Tempest at various stages of the ship’s development.

Kaidan cannot hide his amusement at a more realistic looking sketch of Cora and Liam as they lean against one another in the back seat of the Nomad, fast asleep.  He remembers the incident clearly, from their last visit to Elaaden.  Even as he stares at the sketch, he swears he can hear their soft snores echoing in his ears as he tacks it to the wall over his desk next to the others.

Not to be outdone, Kaidan starts leaving quotes in his messages to Scott; from books, movies, and other inspirational sources he’s come across.  He’s been collecting them for years, long before he ever left for BAaT.  Most are saved on his omni-tool, but he has two small, leatherbound journals filled with the most meaningful ones he’s come across. They are about the only thing he was able to bring with him from home when he joined the Initiative.  

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. (1)

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty. (2)

We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated. (3)

Fear profits a man nothing.(4)

With each successive note between them, Kaidan learns a little bit more about Scott.  But the whole situation changes drastically after their adventures on the archon’s ship.  On the way back to the Nexus and after Lexi has cleared him, Kaidan does something he hasn’t done in centuries, if ever…

 ~~~~

 The buzzer to his Nexus apartment sounds, but Kaidan doesn’t bother to answer it.  It’s Scott, and the man has his own key.  The buzzer, he supposes, is Scott’s polite way to warn him that he’s arrived. The fact that Scott uses does it now of all times tells Kaidan something more; Scott is pissed.  

Well, I probably deserve it after what happened.  

He’s tempted to not answer, to see if Scott leaves a note, but decides not to risk it.  Opening the door, he steps to the side to allow the younger man in.  Scott remains silent, though his body language screams in a way that Kaidan easily recognizes.  Taut, tense, his lips tightened in a thin line, the way he won’t look directly at Kaidan… It’s one side of a conversation Kaidan’s been on many times, albeit hundreds of years before and in a different galaxy.

“Do you have any idea what you just did?” Scott demands, blue eyes sharp and snapping with anger.  “Any idea what could have happened back on the archon’s ship if SAM hadn’t been able to resuscitate you?  You-you could have died back there!”

Opting to let the younger man get it out in one fell swoop, Kaidan bides his time.  Well, except for one point of clarification.  “I did die.”

Scott growls in the back of his throat.  An honest to goodness growl.  Kaidan can’t help the small smirk that twists at his lips as a result.  When Scott steps forward, invading his personal space, Kaidan does something he usually doesn’t do; he goads him.  “What? It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

“Not helping the situation!”

Kaidan isn’t certain if he should be worried that SAM is, so far, remaining silent in his head.  “I needed to get us out of there,” he argues instead.  “How else was I going to –?”

“You?  Why did it have to be you?  Why is it always you?”  Scott tosses his hands in the air and turns away, frustration building until his biotic corona flickers around him.  Still grumbling to himself, he turns back, glaring at Kaidan.  “What the hell am I going to do if I lose you like that?”

Kaidan sucks in a breath, recognizing the pain. Sure, things between them have improved since their arrival in Andromeda – no place to go but up, right? – but this…? This is a reinforcement of what he’s hoped for ever since accepting Alec Ryder’s offer.  

Or am I reading too much into this?

On their private channel, SAM replies, “You are not, Kaidan.”

Scott still prowls around the room as Kaidan asks, “Can you come over here for a minute?”

“Why?  So you can die on me a third time?”

Petulance is not a good look for Scott, and Kaidan has to bite back a laugh; as much as he wants to set it free, it would do more harm than good just now.  “I want to show you something.”

Scott grumbles some more, even as Kaidan heads on over, but eventually he follows.  When he arrives, Kaidan hands him the letter.  “Read this.”

The blue-eyed glare returns, heavy with suspicion.  “What is it?”

“Just read.  Please.”

Scott waits another moment, two, then drops his gaze and starts reading.  For several minutes, Kaidan waits patiently, watching.  The letter isn’t long, but Scott is taking his time reading it, but Kaidan knows when Scott reaches the end because the younger man’s spine stiffens, his shoulders roll back, and his head snaps up as he darts a quick look up at Kaidan. “Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth.(5)”  

When Scott says nothing else, Kaidan prods, “So, what do you think?”

Scott is quiet for a minute.  It’s difficult to read his reaction because he keeps his back to Kaidan the entire time, slightly hunched in the shoulders, utterly quiet. “Do you mean it?” he asks, voice soft as if having trouble pushing it out.

“I always try to say what I mean, Scott.”

The younger man turns around, his face a surprisingly neutral mask.  Considering how difficult that has been for him in the past, Kaidan is impressed.  “So, you’re saying you consider yourself the luckiest man on Earth or, in this case I guess, the Nexus, because you survived?”

Ah, so that’s the problem.  Reaching over, Kaidan settles a hand on Scott’s cheek. Scott leans into it, then apparently thinks better of it or at the very least realizes what he’s doing and pulls back. But that’s okay.  Kaidan now has a far better sense of what he is working with. Running his thumb along the corner of Scott’s lips, he says quietly, “I am the luckiest man in Andromeda because you are here with me.”

Tension immediately flows out of Scott and he visibly sags a bit.  “And you really mean that?  Because look, I get that my Dad talked you into all of this without checking with me first, and –”

Kaidan slides his thumb over the top of Scott’s lips to silence him.  “I really mean that.  This has nothing to do with your dad, but everything to do with you….”  

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 (1) The Godfather, part II

(2) Winston Churchill

(3) Maya Angelou

(4) 13th Warrior

(5) The Pride of the Yankees

[lyrishadow]

Fictober 9:

Prompt 9: "There’s no right side to this.”

Fandom: Mass Effect

Title: You bind my wounds.

Pairing: Scott Ryder/Kaidan Alenko

Rating: T Warnings/Tags/notes: grief /fluff

"We came all this way and for what?" Scott was staring at the small group of turians as they packed their camp to relocate to the Nexus. Kaidan was sitting next to him carefully attending to yet another wound in his leg. Scott's body had taken a lot of punishment in the last few months, if it hadn't been for the Alliance gene mods that made him heal faster he would already need weeks of recovery. Yet those mods, Kaidan knew well, could not heal a broken heart.

"He proposed, you know, the day we were leaving. Promised we would make it here." Scott sighed numbly looking down "it's worse that I'm glad he didn't have to deal with this mess, to see people dead and dying, to watch me fail as I try and scrape the initiative's crap together."

"You're not alone Scott."

"I don't know." Scott sighed turning towards Kaidan, his hand reaching out to brush his arm "Sorry Kaidan, you have supported me, been there for me all the way. You constantly patch me up, but except for you…"

"The others are there too…"

"Liam is on a grand adventure to find his place. " Scott shook his head "I'm not mad at him for it but I think he forgets sometimes."

"Maybe so."

"Cora still compares me to Dad, even if she says she doesn't. She still thinks we need someone else to fix things instead of getting on with it ourselves."

"Your Dad knew that, he mentioned it at my interview," Kakdan replied as he wrapped the cut.

" Vetra has her own problems, trying to keep Sid out of trouble, and herself out of trouble. I think she is really apprehensive about whether this is a huge mistake or not."

Kaidan stood, placing a calming hand on Scott's arm.

"Kalo and Gil are at each other's throats. Suvi tends to.. lick.. rocks." Scott shook his head "neither Jaal nor Drack trust us."

"These things take time, Scott."

"That's just it. We don't have time. Time is running out for the other arks, and I really can't fathom what to do to find everyone a home," Scott's eyes glistened an his hands shook, the tell tale signs of someone close to breaking.

"What you have been doing. Look, I have some beer, want me to drop by later and we can talk." Kaidan gestured at their location.

"Yeah. I don't want to be alone tonight."

"You won't be," Kaidan replied softly.

"How's the leg?" Cora and Vetra chose that moment to join them, even though Scott had found his boyfriend's stasis pod when all of them had been there only Kaidan had twigged that his mood had changed,

"I will live." Scott huffed.

"I will head back to the tempest with him tonight, the rest of you can stay with the scientists." Kaidan suggested.

"Sounds good." Cora replied "we still have work to do."

"I wasn't sure you would come." Scott sighed "I sound like I'm 99 and complaining about my life."

"You're fine Scott." Kaida smiled, handing over one of very few cans of beer they had with them.

"Was it like this? The pain .. no I guess it hurt more, "

"There is no right side to this, that question of grief, you shouldn't compare it, your grief when it comes is as valid n real a none elses." Kaidan replied sitting down on the sofa.

"Yeah. Except… God… I'm worse." Scott turned away from Kaidan and sighed.

"You will have to explain, you know, I don't do any actual mind-reading." Kaidan prodded but Scott shook his head.

"My feelings had already changed, I was… am…already in love with someone else."

"So you are angry with yourself?"

"Yes."

"Do you think Tibernus would want you to be?"

"No. He said…" Scott's voice cracked a little "he said remember me but be happy, as if he knew."

"Scott, don't hold on to the guilt for too long. Tell me about this other person?" The question was designed to distract Scott from his misery but to Kaidan's surprise Scott looked a bit afraid, so Kaidan asked "Are they a good person? Would they agree with the guilt you seem to be adding to things?"

"They are the very best person." Scott exhaled, his eyes never leaving Kaidan "And no, he's not letting me stew in my guilt."

"Does he know how you feel?"

"I don't think so. I am scared." Scott sighed "what if…"

Kaidan stood moved towards the end of the sofa where Scott sat with his head in his hands.

"Scott?"

"Kaidan, I don't want to screw up our friendship." Scott murmured into his hands.

" I know."

"You probably think I'm a young kid who…" Scott sighed.

Kaidan reached forward and moved Scott's hands from his face.

"Scott, when they first woke me, told me I was assigned to the pathfinder team, and specifically to you, my heart sank. I already lost a home…when the Normandy was destroyed. I wasn't looking to replace that. "

"I'm sorry." Scott touched Kaidan’s arm with his hand, and Kaidan smiled as he caught it.

"I was hurting, lost, broken…. And even though I was meant to be doing first aid for you… you're the one who was healing me. I was falling for you and I knew about Tibernus, so I have tried to put my feelings aside. This whole time…"

"This whole time I was falling for you."

Kaidan kissed Scott on the forehead with a sigh only for Scott to pull him down as he went to move away into a proper kiss.

"Kaidan?"

"'I'm already staying the night." Kaidan chuckled, a sense of hope in the look he gave Scott "but let's take things slow for now. Let's get used to us. But Scott?"

"Hm?"

"I'm going to say this just once for now: I love you too."

[inquartata30]

Thaia/Lexi #20 for the prompt thing?

20. “You came back.”

“You have to go back out,” said Lexi from where they stood in the kitchen, observing Aella recount her adventures to her sisters.

“What?” asked Thaia. “Why?”

“You’re missing someone.”

Thaia pointed. “No, all four of them right there. I know because I counted five times within five seconds when we came in. Look, I just counted again. They’re still all there.”

“The pallad, Thaia.”

Thaia made a face. Luckily, none of the children had been looking in her direction when she did.

Lexi crossed her arms, which was a warning if there ever was one. “Do you want one or more them to go out looking for him again?”

Fuck. Good point. “No.”

“Then please go bring the pallad home.”

“All right.” Thaia sighed and got up from the stool she’d been sitting on at the kitchen counter.

“You need to promise,” Lexi said before Thaia had even taken a step.

“I promise I’ll bring the pallad home.” Thaia had done her best to sound convincing. She had.

“Alive,” Lexi said, ticking each word on her fingers, “and uninjured.”

“Goddess, fine. I promise to bring the pallad home alive and uninjured if at all possible and, if I can’t, it won’t be from something I did or didn’t do.” She would find him. It was clear her daughters would be pitiful, broken-hearted messes if she didn’t.

It wasn’t until she was outside the apartment again that she realized she had no idea how the fuck to track down a pallad.

Ten seconds later, she belatedly realized that her five-year-old possessed more smarts than she did in the field of biology.

On her omni, Thaia pulled up the extranet article about miniature pallads. It said stuff about Eos, but Snow hadn’t been in the only Eos-like place on the Nexus.

Dead end.

And she was only about twenty centimeters from the apartment’s front door.

Fuck.

The door opened and her dad stuck her head out. “If you’re going to pretend to look, you could at least pretend while out of sight.”

“I’m not pretending. I just don’t know shit about pallads other than they look like fucking arachnids and my kids think one miniature pallad in particular is their pet.”

“Snow is their pet.”

She wasn’t going to fucking acknowledge it.

“Anyway, I promised Lexi I’d look for real. And bring it back alive if at all possible.”

“Good on her to get that specific promise out of you.”

Thaia rolled her eyes.

“Well,” said Sula, “you find him and you can’t bring yourself to get within five meters of him, send me a message. I’ll herd him back home for the low, low price of giving you shit about it for the next decade.”

“What a bargain.” Then Thaia walked away before her dad could add anything else, because Sula always had more to add.

In Hydroponics, Thaia halted again because she still had no fucking clue where to look.

Then she thought about what biologists she knew.

Oh, Suvi.

Thaia messaged her.

> You know anything about miniature pallads?

Suvi answered surprisingly fast.

> Why? Are your daughters looking to adopt a friend for Snow?

> No. And don’t give them ideas. I need to know because Snow’s escaped and is somewhere on the Nexus. I think.

> I’d help if I could, but my specialty is molecular biology. Have you tried asking Ryder? I know that quite a few years back Professor Herik had her catalogue a whole list of Andromeda wildlife. 

> Worth a try.

> Good luck! Say hello to the girls for me.

> Will do. Thanks.

Thaia closed the window and immediately opened another to Ryder.

> Know anything about miniature pallads?

Ryder answered as suspiciously fast and Thaia suspected they were in the same place and possibly had already been messaged by Lexi.

> I know that the one your kids have is adorable and needs a friend.

> No.

> Someone has to advocate for them. Good news is that I know a little more about pallads. If they don’t have a place to nest in like Snow does in its bed at your apartment—

> Snow has a bed?

> If he hasn’t been chewing wires all over your apartment, yes.

A bed. Fuck.

> So what you’re saying is that I should be looking for chewed up access panels?

> Yeah.

> How do you know this?

> Long story.

> On, one of those. Well, I’m going to go find a bunch of sparking wires. Have fun with Suvi and tell Peebee she isn’t allowed to give my kids presents anymore without clearing them with Lexi first.

Thaia closed out the program and began her search.

Her long search.

Fucking hours of searching. 

Hours she spent also constantly reminding herself that she loved her children and if she didn’t find the pallad they would be very, very sad, and Lexi would be sad, and Sula would be sad, and Dr. Aridana would be sad, and Thaia would feel terrible that everyone else was sad.

And maybe she’d be a little sad, too.

Thaia ran across the pallad in a shadowed cargo area in the Ishara Ward, catching sight of his white carapace dully reflecting the low-level lighting. When he saw her, he wriggled out from where he’d wedged himself between two cargo containers.

She did not scream.

However, the opposite side of the room from him wasn’t far enough away.

Staying in the same spot, he lifted his front legs.

Sort of like he was waving.

At her.

But that would be absurd.

He did it again. 

The fuck?

Maybe she should scream.

But then that could scare the pallad and she’d have broken her promise to Lexi and she didn’t break promises.

The pallad slowly made its way to the middle of the room and then stopped.

Thaia stared at the pallad.

The pallad stared back.

She stared at the pallad.

The pallad stared back.

Then he waved one leg and wiggled his—thorax? Abdomen? His butt. It was his butt.

And she had no idea what to think about the rest of his weird-ass behavior.

Well, there was no one else here to overhear and she’d heard all four kids speaking to this thing at one point or another and if she didn’t get him back to the apartment soon and instead was forced to keep standing in this darkened room looking it in the eyes she might have a fucking coronary.

So, she talked. To the pallad. “The kids are sad that you aren’t there.”

He tilted his head to the side.

Apparently her statement called for further clarification. “Not me, to be clear. But when they’re sad, I’m sad.”

He jumped a few centimeters into the air.

Thaia jumped several centimeters into the air and her heart tried to wrestle itself out of her fucking chest.

Then he took a step toward her, a couple steps back, rose up on its rear legs, and then trotted toward the door.

“The fuck are you doing?”

Snow stopped and looked at her. Took another step toward the door and looked ather. Took a step back. Took a couple more steps toward the door and then looked at her again.

Thaia was pretty sure it was a pallad’s version of ‘let’s go!’

He went out the door.

She went out the door, also.

Because she was genuinely curious if he was going to the apartment, she followed from at least three meters back at all times. Also, if he was going to the apartment, she was going to be more than a little concerned.

He did bring them back to the apartment.

She was highly concerned. Frankly, it was worrisome.

Snow trotted to the door, looked back at Thaia, then moved a few meters away and waited.

She rolled her eyes and opened the door. Then she barely had time to leap out of the way when Snow barreled through.

She was going to have a fucking stroke.

“You came back!” the four children yelled as they ran towards them.

Thaia was only slightly offended when they hugged the pallad instead of her. As in, they happily threw their arms around Snow’s neck and snuggled right up close.

It took all the restraint Thaia had not to pull their faces away from those fangs. 

Mandibles.

Things that should never be near the cheeks of small children.

Especially her children.

Fuck it, she was going to gently aid them in not being so fucking close to the pallad’s face.

Then Aella said, “You rescued Dad and brought her back!”

What the the fuck? They thought Snow had rescued her?

Now she was fully offended.

“How was it, being rescued by your worst fear?” Lexi asked as she moved to stand next to Thaia.

And placed a hand on her arm.

It was a firm grip, so it was one meant to prevent Thaia from intervening between the pallad and their daughters because Lexi knew Thaia far too well.

“I rescued him!” Thaia frowned. “Herded him? You know what? We reached a mutual accord to individually return here. And we did. That’s all.”

Lexi laughed.

Thaia kept a wary eye on that weird fucking pallad.

Then Lexi said, “Thank you for finding her.” She paused. “And the pallad.”

“You’re welcome for finding our kid.”

“And?”

“And I’m glad that I did because she’s irreplaceable?”

“And you’re impossible.” 

Thaia took the chance to quickly smile at her. “You love me for it.”

It brought a smile to Lexi’s face. “I do.” Then she drew her down into a thorough, promising kiss.

[mass-effect-a-companions-react]

The team reacts to Ryder knitting something for them

Jaal: Oh! He is so excited to get a gifts from his friend/darling one! He's gushing at the thought of how much Ryder must like him to give him a gift. Ryder knitted him a poncho with a hood and buttons and everything. He will wear it occasionaly if he and Ryder are just friends, but if romanced he wears it all the time. Sometimes over or under his roff-jinn and sometimes just by itself. He cant wait to show his true mother his gift. Romaced or not, he gives them a roff-jinn tailored to them in thier favorite color in turn.

Cora: She's surprised to see a knitted dress in her quaters thrown across her bed. In a little box next to it were knitted earings and a braclet. She pickes up a note and what it says will vary depending on her relationship. If unromanced or F!Ryder the note will say "An outfit for future girls night out"If romanced it will say "An outfit for for dates.Ps: I know its not exactly the roses you planed for, but who knows maybe they will be"She looks over on her desk to find a vase of knitted roses with a packes of rose seeds next to it labled "for the future."She thanks Ryder for the gifts and also kinda jokes about them for being a knitting dork. She totally wears the dress and keeps the roses next to her bed.

PeeBee: She honestly couldn't help but to laugh. The great pathfinder likes to knit like an old person. But by the goddess if that snatchel Ryder handed her didn't look great. She'd take it only use half of the old jokes she came up with and uses it all the time. It's got alot of pockets for her to store any remnant tech pieces and knick-knacks she may pick up on her adventures. As a thank-you PeeBee snags something she thinks Ryder would like and they find it on thier bed in crudely knitted pouch.

Liam: He cracked the dorkiest grin when he received a present box from Ryder and it only got wider when he open it to find a knitted jacket. Although, part of it could just be from him resisting the urge to laugh at the thought of Ryder knitting. He tries it on, and it fits him perfectly. Nice and soft too. He buried his face in the collar of it before giving them a bear hug. If romanced he'll kiss Sara, though putting on the jacket is a waist because it just ends up discarded with the rest of thier clothes in the heat of the moment.

Drack: Nakmor Drack is not a softy. He did not get a little happy when he saw Ryder's note ontop of the knitted pillows and blanket on his bed.He did not get reminiscent of when Kesh would give him little gifts all crumpled in her little chubby hands and he did not smile at the fact that Ryder hand made a gift for him. Nakmor Drack is not a softy. He does not enjoy the pyjack and varren patten. Nor did he change his bed sheets to the new set. Nakmor Drack is not a softy. He did not get Ryder that new gun they were eyeing because of the gift, and did not smile or feel pride when he saw how excited they were to have it. Nakmor Drack is not a softy.

Lexi: She was pleasantly surprised when Ryder presented knitted baskets for her. "You always did say you needed more storage space." They say with a shrug as Lexi thanks them. She asks them how to make make them so that she could create her own in the future. The next time Ryder visits the lab, the baskets are on display in various places full of little medical items and catalogs. A few weeks later Lexi gives Ryder a very shabby looking basket, but they keep it anyway and put all thier knitting stuff in it, much to her enjoyment.

Vetra: Ryder gives her a bright purple scarf, and she purrs in appreciation. Her mandibles clicked pleasantly as she felt how smooth and soft the scarf is. She will switch back and forth from her normal scarf and Ryder's scarf, but if romanced she will wear the purple scarf more often. Regardless of romance status, Vetra will use her connections to get Ryder what ever they want. Sid makes fun of her for it.

Kallo: He honestly almost doesnt register the new slip cover or cushion at first. The chair feels..different some how and the seat is softer and more comfortable. After a hot second he hopped up to find the knitted slip and cushion in his favorite color, followed by a giggle from Suvi, who was obviously in on it (Thats how Ryder learns his favorite color) He doesn't really do anything about it right away, but he will thank them and makes an unscheduled stop on Aya for a quick 1 day shore leave and a good portion of credits.

Suvi: She all but squealed when Ryder gave her red knitted boots, and thanked them profusely as she slipped off her shoes to try the new ones on. If romanced she will kiss Sara then and there, causing Kallo to make a remark about them getting a room and washing his eyes. As a thank you, Suvi (who is a master knitter) will give them a hand made Cardigan with their 2 favorite animals on it. They now have weekly knitting sessions, and the team joins in eventually, even Lexi and Drack. But Vetra is now banned because she got angry becuase she couldnt purl right and almost took out Gil's eye when she threw the needle across the room

.Gil: Gil was a hard person to knit for. What would he even like? Ryder was stumped and just knitted him a sweater, tossing it over his work table with a quciky scribbled note. He thanks them, but didnt do anything drastic.He does like wear it around the ship. Its a bit too big and went loose around the shoulders but he loves it, especially if Ryder is romanced because it kind of smells like him. He also goes just a little bit easier on them at Poker. But, one day Ryder recives a mini cake in their quaters with a bit of it eaten off and a note in Gil's hand writing that says "Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Reyes: Ryder had already left when he found his gift. A little black box with a note next to it on the table. He opens it to find a little knitted ring with a button threaded in the center for the jewl. He smirked as he slipped the ring on already having plans for the next time he saw them. The next time Ryder arives on Kadara port, Reyes imediantly wisked away across the port for a day of drinks and adventure. He flaunts the ring, especially if romances ( he jokes about Ryder proposing to him with string) The day ends with the with the two relaxing in the bar room of Tartarus drinking over a personal bottle of wine. They joke about what ever they did that day, however if romanced Reyes presents them with thier own ring carved and smoothed out of stone, though the pants are lost soon. They left with an unopened bottle (and a kiss if romanced) and memories that they probably won't remember.

Bouns Twin: Ryder walked into the bedbay with a little knitted necklace in thier hands decorated with various beads in the center. "Well bro/sis you always did complain about my knitting abilities. But since you nocked out cold, you cant compalin when I put this on you." You slipped the necklace still half expecting them to complain but wear it for like 3 hours before it mysteriously got stuck underneath a chair. But they didnt and around thier neck it stayed. For some reason every time you saw it around thier neck you couldnt help but to feel a twinge of sadness you spoke to them."The moment I wake up, Im gonna strangle you with this."And for some reason, that made you feel better.

[swindlefingrs]

Vetra: Our father didn’t die. Or maybe he did, we don’t really know. He just didn’t come home. He was involved in some bad things. Bad people. And eventually it caught up to him. There was no where to run. Not like a whole new galaxy.

Ryder: Is that why you came here? 

Vetra: When you’re young and stupid, you make bad decisions. Piss off the wrong people. That sorta thing never goes away. Not for you, not for the ones you care about.

I can’t help but think there’s a hell of a story behind this vague admission from Vetra Nyx. 

By her own acknowledgement, her dad got up to bad things with bad people, and so did she. Maybe she caught herself making his mistakes, the ones that might be the end of her just like it was the end of him. Once she was embedded in the life, maybe she started to see the warning signs in her own life that he missed, or ignored, or both - and she gets scared.

But what exactly happened? What were her bad decisions? Does she have people after her for her bad decisions? She was dealing with people bad enough that when she figured out that Kesh was supplying something big in a new galaxy, far away from her bad decisions, she saw the opportunity to cut and run.

Some folks like Suvi, Gil, and Liam are here for the adventure, but Vetra tells us several times, in several different ways how she sees Andromeda as a way to start over. 

The concept stands in stark contrast to her “you play the hand you’re dealt” motto. Does she delineate between the hand she’s been dealt and the cards she pulled from the deck? Taking care of Sid was the hand she was dealt, but not the smuggling or the people she chose to work with.

Does she ever tell Ryder about what happened, you think? About the bad people and the bad decisions? Maybe it’s something that she unloads one night as Ryder and she stay up late, sharing more and more personal stories, feeling out the depths of their trust in one another. A story not told for sympathy or advice, a story just shared, a history entrusted.

Vetra Nyx - what did you get up to out there in the Milky Way?

[arwenkaboom]

Day 3: Darkest Moment

It was really going to be a bright moment, but yeah here we are.

AO3 link maybe its easier to read it there 

http://archiveofourown.org/works/11317119/chapters/25345842 

Sara was enjoying her morning coffee in her room on the Tempest. Looking at the stars passing by as they were in FTL. Her eyes gazed at the little dots making long lines, she remembered that one of them has her name. She’d just leave Kadara and already she missed him too much.

“Good morning Pathfinder.”

SAM startled her as she was deep in her thoughts remembering all the sweet moments up on that mountain. Her coffee almost spilled on her as she shook.

“You have a new email Pathfinder, I advise you to read it at once.”

Sara raised her eyebrow and nodded. Her omni tool opened and she felt fear in her guts as she read the email. It was from Keema she urged her to come back to Kadara because there’s something wrong with Reyes. Keema didn’t go to detail and maybe that’s what scared Sara so much, not knowing. She left just two days ago, what could have possibly happen to him. Was he sick? He looked fine back then, more than fine.

She didn’t dwell on it for too long, whatever it is, she is going back to Kadara.

“Suvi, Kallo! We are changing the course for Kadara right now. We need to get there as soon as possible.”

They both were confused as they had clear mission ahead of them. But Archon will have to wait, even though she wanted to find him before he did more damage to Heleus, her heart was telling her to go back to Kadara.

She paced around bridge like a caged animal, mumbling something to herself, distracting everyone around her.

“Are you okay Sara?” Suvi stood up and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Something is wrong isn’t it? That’s why we are going back. Did the bad boy do something?” She asked her calmly, like she expected trouble from him.

“No, no… I don’t know. I got an email from Keema telling me there’s something wrong with him. I’m fearing the worst. I sent her back an email but she is not answering.”

“Sara, you should go lay down, we are still far away from Kadara, you can’t pace around here for two days.”

Suvi pleaded with her as well as threating her with calling Lexi. Sara complied, not willingly, but she knew Suvi was right.

Back in her bedroom Sara was eyeing coffee that went cold by now. How did this happen? An hour ago I was happy and now I don’t know what is going on.

“Pathfinder, you have received an email from Keema. Maybe she will shed some light on the situation.” SAM informed her.

Her mind spinning, she felt slight weakness in her hands as she was opening it. What am I going to find? I hope he is alright, please don’t let him be hurt, I wouldn’t handle it. Sara’s mind running hundred thoughts at once.

 -----

To: Sara

From: Keema

  Ryder,

  Reyes is in his room, refusing to come out, or speak to anyone.

  He had an argument with someone at Tartarus last night, that’s all i know, and   since then he is acting weird.

  I have never seen him like this.

  I’m hoping you can kick some sense into him.

   - Keema

-----

Sara felt relieved and confused at the same time. It’s only some argument he had, he is fine. But with who?  Keema didn’t specify anything. Some Charlatan business maybe? Sloane’s outcasts making trouble again? No if that was the case Reyes would just act on it and fix it, this was something else, something personal. She feared it could some ex, what if… “No! Sara stop!” She screamed at herself. “You’ll drive yourself crazy until you land! Just go to sleep, he is not in danger at least.” Shaking her hands like she was trying to convince herself.

Sara managed to stay sane those two damn days spending it in a company of her crew, in hopes she could kill time and put her mind at ease. Some poker with Gil, this time she wasn’t in the mood to cheat. Exercise with Liam, which she really wasn’t in the mood for. She helped Cora to plant new sample they picked up on Kadara. Peebee asked her to join her in some zero-G adventure in her escape pod. And Drack would let her headbutt him, and as she was getting ready to do it, she heard Suvi over the comm.  

“Now orbiting Kadara.”

Sara ran to bridge, to see Tempest entering atmosphere. Her heart started jumping, pounding like she didn’t see him for years, not just few days. The anticipation is over, she can finally face whatever she is about to walk to. 

Keema was waiting for the Tempest to land, standing next to the door. Seeing her Sara rushed towards Keema.

“Come Ryder, I’ll take you to him.”

While they were walking Keema let out a few details about what happened. “One of the dancer saw them fighting, Reyes was furious. Seemed like a man that Reyes had fight with later got drunk.” Keema stopped for a second. “Ryder, please help him, whatever is going on.” Sara nodded and gave a reassuring smile. They approached the room and Sara was leaning on the door, hoping she might hear something... she pounded a few times.

“Go away Keema!”

Reyes was yelling his lungs out, Keema gave Sara a sad look right before she lowered her head, and went away. Poor Keema, who knows how many times she tried to talk to him.

“It’s me Reyes, Sara.. your... dancing star. Please open the door.”

Her voice shivering, but also longing. Door whooshed and he was standing there with his hands on the hinges, like he has seen a ghost. He couldn’t believe his ears at first, but now that he sees her, he was so surprised. She left four days ago, how come she is here? He let this thought go through his mind before realizing Keema probably called her. He pulled her close, kissing her soft lips and gripping her tight that she’d stop breathing for a moment. Oh did he love Keema for being so stubborn right now.

They came in and door closed behind them. Sara quickly scoped the room to see several items broken by the night stand, bed sheets all rumpled and twisted, thrown all around the room. The bathroom was letting out some sour smell. Did he puke? He got drunk? But he knew how to hold his drink. Has to be something else. Sara didn’t really know what to think.

She sat next to him on the couch, he buried his head in his hands and let out a loud sob that made his whole body shiver. Sara held her hand on his back stroking him at the base of his neck. She leaned forward. 

“Reyes tell me what’s wrong? Keema said you had a fight in Tartarus. Do you wish to talk about it?”

He raised his head looking at her, with a fear and sadness in his eyes.

“I did something stupid thinking it’s the right thing to do.” He stood up looking away from her, he shook his head. “Damn was the day I became Charlatan! Damn was the day I got the power!” He looked back at her, and fell on his knees in front of her, he carefully took her hand in his. He was ready to tell her the truth.

While he was in Aliance, Reyes met a guy named Hugo, a shy kid that ended up in the academy to please his parents. Hugo was an artistic soul, gentle, almost girly, but that was the bane of his family that held the honor of five generations of solders. They wanted him to toughen up. Reyes felt bad for him, because he himself was something else, no one could tell him what do, knowing what freedom tasted, how sweet it was, Reyes wouldn’t let this kid lose it completely so young. Hugo drew most beautiful landscapes and portraits and Reyes was more than willing to be his model. He’d hang a few in his apartment, specially the naked ones, ladies would go mad.

Out there in the field, he would keep a close eye on him, protecting him. When Hugo was shot by Vorcha, Reyes wouldn’t leave his side, he’d sleep on a chair for five days, until Hugo woke up, he felt responsible for him. If he didn’t give a damn, that kid would have no one. They developed a strong bond, a friendship that made Reyes a better man. It would make him care for this kid as his parents should. Love him.

As Reyes wouldn’t give up his womanizer role, back then he was very proud of it, it was bound that one day some mad husband is going to knock on his door. He just didn’t expect his commander to be the one. Reyes would curse a thousand time in his head. You had to be a gigolo at the New Years Aliance party. But damn was she irresistible in that red dress. After being dishonorably kicked out of Aliance, Hugo followed him, making his parents mad. Without jobs and money they agreed it’s time to move. The Andromeda Initiative was perfect opportunity.

“WHAT?!” Sara said in a surprise. “Where is he now Reyes?” She started piecing things together. Was he the one Reyes had fight with? He had to be. What was it about? Something important to hurt Reyes this much.

“He came with you, on Hyperion.”

Okay Sara your logic is dead wrong here, what the hell happened then? If not Hugo, who is the guy Reyes fought with?

“I just thought with an outpost here, and Kadara being as safe as it could be, he would enjoy the beautiful view, he could be someone here. I was greedy, I needed him, I was afraid when the time comes for him to wake up, I'd be old and not able to take care of him.”

Reyes stood up, almost mad. His muscles cramping. Eyes squinting. He started pacing and explaining, shaking his hands in short and firm motion.

“I told him not to write artist on his application! I told him soldier or pilot is better.” He would probably be among the first ones to wake up, artists were merely at the end of the list. “He wanted to start fresh, not to hide his true ambitions from anyone. He wanted to be someone else, someone he couldn’t be back on Earth. And I let him, argh! That stupid kid.”

“Why didn’t you say something before?! I can pull some strings at Nexus.” 

How could he ask that of her? Some eyebrows would rise and she could lose her respect, maybe even a tittle. No he would never ask that of her. She was better than to do that, to do.. what he did.

His watery eyes met hers and he looked at her like he is asking her to save him, to make it all go away. He sat in the chair, looking at her eyes, all so understanding, smiling at him, full of love, something so pure in them. How was he going to tell her this? He gathered some courage as he lowered his head down, not able to look her in the eyes anymore. Oh those ocean blue eyes...

“We smuggled his stasis pod of Hyperion…”

She gasped looking at him in disbelief. He did not do that. How could he?! Not to me. 

“…on their way here, they encountered a Kett vessel and… and his pod was damaged”

Reyes paused, his face succumbed to pain as he let out a loud roar.

“He died in that pod! Oh god Sara, I killed him!”

[goo-demons]

ME:A Characters - Hogwarts Houses

So seeing as pretty much every character tells you their motivation for coming to Andromeda, that made it fairly easy to take a stab at what Hogwarts House they would belong to. [insert hopefully unnecessary disclaimer here about how everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and this is for fun and not to be taken completely seriously, etc etc]

Pathfinder Ryder: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff secondary (for my Ryder anyway) reason for coming to Andromeda: for adventure and to be with their family

jumps into holes without knowing what's at the bottom or if in fact there is a bottom

makes inappropriately snarky comments when in extreme peril

50% understanding and empathy, 50% gonna fuck. your. shit. up.

bonus: death evasion level: Harry James Potter

Cora Harper: Ravenclaw reason for coming to Andromeda: to belong.

Asari enthusiast

"Remember Sarissa's manuals!"

"Your father said, 'I get being different. Now imagine being welcome, and making others like you welcome, too.'"

bonus: idk that hair looks very ravenclaw to me

Liam Kosta: Hust1epuff reason for coming to Andromeda: because he believed in the cause.

"I didn't come here so everyone could be goddamn outsiders."

makes it his mission to single handedly get everyone to be friends

unofficial coordinator of recreation, movie nights and shirtless diplomacy

bonus: a great portmanteau

Vetra Nyx: Hufflepuff reason for coming to Andromeda: a new start for her and her sister.

"You're one of us, whether you like it or not."

"Sure I want to explore the galaxy, but I'm really here to work."

good at finding things

bonus: makes sure everyone has snacks

Peebee: Ravenclaw, Gryffindor secondary reason for coming to Andromeda: new discoveries and experiences.

rogue academic

"I live for the unknown. For the never been done."

ejects herself and two friends into a volcano and goes on an indiana jones style adventure to retrieve a cool doodad

bonus: is blue

Nakmor Drack: Gryffindor reason for coming to Andromeda: yolo

"Be nice to have some kind of challenge. It’s the least they could do, making us come all the way out here to kick their sorry asses."

war stories grandpa

literally and figuratively hard-headed

bonus: property damage

Jaal Ama Darav: Slytherin Reason for joining Tempest crew: to be a part of something important.

(“Are you telling me to be weak?”) "No. I'm telling you to be strong. Through your cunning, and heart."

"My family is well known. Our lineage is respected, and many of my kin have achieved great things. I've never been one of them."

(innocently) "I am sorry. Was this not sanctioned?" (Liam: "You weaseling adhi!")

bonus: is sooo extra about Kadara

Suvi Anwar: Ravenclaw reason for coming to Andromeda: science

is a scientist

eats weird Heleus food for science

forgets where she puts things because she’s distracted by science

licks rocks for science

bonus: cute scottish accent

Kallo Jath: Ravenclaw reason for coming to Andromeda: because staying in the Milky Way would have been like leaving the story of the Tempest half finished

"The ship was built this way for a reason. I wish Gil would respect that."

has a photographic memory that’s impressive even for a Salarian

omg this movie is so unrealistic there's no sound in space?!!!

bonus: underrated sense of humor

Gil Brodie: Gryffindor reason for coming to Andromeda: a whim

"Then I got here and... oops, I just made a decision there's no turning back from."

"It was an act first, think later move. I respect it -- well more like I resemble it."

"I want absolute trust. I've never had that in a relationship. Honestly, I'm usually attracted to the danger of not having that."

bonus: could be a long lost weasley

Reyes Vidal: Slytherin reason for coming to Andromeda: to be someone

"Since I left the Nexus, my survival has depended on secrets."

"Being honorable never got me anywhere, Pathfinder."

“You know I prefer to rule from the shadows.”

bonus: dramatic entrance af

Lexi T’Perro: Hufflepuff reason for coming to Andromeda: to study alien anatomy firsthand

"Work-life balance has never been my strong suit."

wants to make sure everyone eats

but not that, Suvi, don't eat that oh my goddess

bonus: that thing her voice does when she's talking about drack

[theotherjax]

Been playing a shitton of Mass Effect: Squad Goals - I mean Andromeda, and though totally fuckable aliens are lovely but more importantly here is a breakdown of the squadmates pairings that have so far occurred to me complete with totally objective evaluation:

Cora/Jaal: A+++++, molto bene, he so flirt, she so fussed, girl didn’t get to be Pathdfinder but gets to bang hottest alien in exciting new culture and find belonging and family w/ dude who adores every speck of dirt she steps on, also so hot, sO HOT, WhaT IS This tHIng.

Jaal/Liam: amazing, delicious, practically canon, romanticest bromance, open heartfelt soft guys, let them watch movies on the couch together, let them try to explain the jokes to each other, THEY SWAPPED CLOTHES U KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS, i don’t need to bang them it’s okay i’ll just, watch

Peebee/Vetra: how good too good, SHE LIKES HER A LOT, badass ladies building into mutual trust, learning to open up and bond, Vetra doesn’t need to always be providing, PeeBee doesn’t need to always be so independent, literally perfect??? like??????? Sid would ship it i dare u to disagree

Vetra/Jaal: a thousand times yes, let me listen to them speak at each other with their voices forever, Vetra now has a million mothers welcome to the family Vetra, you are safe, you are loved, you two can find purpose and a place together, ALSO PERFUME, can anything be more canon power couple of smelling so nice omg omg

PeeBee/Suvi: give me all your fanwork, shove it in my face, blind me with the science so much science so much sensawunda, amazing adventures in the beauty of the universe LICK IT SUVI LICK IT ALL, staying up late trying new Andromeda foods together fall asleep in each other’s arms PeeBee feels so grounded by this so loving woman Suvi feels so swept away and blessed, squad goals life goals 

Vetra/Cora: ship of true life, help I am too gay to endure two such incredible women in one space I will soon explode of Quality Lesbian Content, two outsiders up against the world so much mutual support so much got each other’s backs, so much Cora admiring Vetra’s resourcefulness so much Vetra touched at Cora’s steadfastness and strength, everyone in their way gets shot, good end GOOD END SID SHIPS THIS TOO SID MAY SHIP THE OT3

Lexi/Drack: better for u than vegetables will heal your aching heart like a swooning asari doctor healing ancient krogan who does dumb teenage things to impress her, he hasn’t been in love in so long SHE LIGHTS UP HIS LIFE go ride him like the Nomad Lexi, go take that four-wheeler to a spin climb him like the Sheertop you deserve it so much, Kesh will prioritize your supply requests forever

Kesh/Vetra: yes yES OH MY DHGFKLG, JUST DO IT ALREADY GIRLS, PARTNERSHIP TO FRIENDSHIP TO LOVE IS MY KINK, BY YOUR COMBINED COMPETENCE WILL THE INITIATIVE SURVIVE, YOU MARVELOUS GAY FUCKABLE ALIENS, I NEED YOU IN EED THIIII IISSSSS

tl;dr poly multispecies commune on the Tempest, everyone invited. Except Ryder. They’ve got sidequests to do.

[thunderheadfred]

Kiss Prompt #14 - starting with a kiss meant to be gentle, ending up in passion

Hopefully, parts of this will end up heavily edited for In The Yellow Time Of Pollen. This got really long, still feels pretty unpolished, and also flirts with NSFW content near the end. BUT HEY! I wrote a thing! Huzzah!

It’s getting worse. All of it.

First, the sticky fingers. With Lexi’s help, Kallo masters control of his nuptial pads in the span of a few concentrated hours. He is able to resume his duties at the helm with no one the wiser.

The next morning when Suvi walks onto the bridge with her coffee, she telegraphs Kallo a friendly side-eye and asks about Ryder, but gives up when her third attempt at casual chatter meets a wall of silence. He almost feels bad about it. Almost.

No use spreading rumors. There’s nothing to spread. Nothing is going to happen. He’s not about to mire the Pathfinder in a swamp of uncomfortable biological inconveniences. She has much more important things to worry about. Rebuilding civilization takes precedence over the alarming and foreign developments in Kallo’s crotch. 

Salarian mating season: even he doesn’t want any part of it.

The season should last four weeks at least, eight at most. Hard to say. A few months of hell before Kallo can get back to normal. Lexi forwards more information than he knows what to do with. Terabytes of pamphlets and diagrams, one worrying link to a discreet manufacturer of plastic sheeting and other “interspecies play aides,” terrifying videos of adventurous (and well-compensated) asari maidens splashing around in pools with salarian partners.

Kallo can’t even make it past the video thumbnails, can barely look at those e-mails at all except to freeze in surprise and spend a few brief seconds obsessing over Sara’s body instead of his own. What she might really look like under all that pretense, the scuffed leather and showy grins…

He avoids the terminals after that. No. Thank you, but no. Too confusing.

So, he gets his hands back under control. Fabulous. Also, fruitless. Hours after that victory, his body begins to itch.

Everywhere, every inch of skin alive with pain as if Kallo is due for a terrifying biannual molt. He’s not, Lexi reassures him. His body is just flooding with hormones that are readjusting his natural excretions, he might notice some flare-ups. Nothing to worry about, the doctor coddles, Kallo is only preparing to transform from the outside-in, apparently.

Somehow that thought is less comforting than the somewhat more relatable prospect of shedding his epidermis whole like a snake.

So, he showers. Constantly. Sometimes twice a day, alternating hot and cold. Blessedly, the itching stops.

But then, of course, along comes something worse. His skin begins to… seep. Moisture beads out of every pore, covering him in something clear and slick and flavorless. He’d prefer not to call this newest development lubricant like Lexi does with a clarity and ease he refuses to understand, but he can’t seem to find a better name for it either.

One afternoon while Ryder is off punching lowlifes in Kadara port, Kallo paces across the galaxy map station, desperate for an occupation. Uncharacteristically out of his seat, standing because he can’t bear the pornographic mess that now constantly lines his suit, he grimaces and rubs his fingers together. He evaluates the ease of the slip.

Dammit, it’s lube. It’s definitely lube.

“You have the bridge, Suvi. I’m going to take a long shower,” he announces, bolting for the door.

Suvi jumps. As Kallo sprints aft, she turns to watch his retreat.

“Now? Right now?”

“Yes, right now!”

The doors close over her baffled reply and Kallo throws himself down the port crew ladder, rungs forgotten. He comes to a hard stop at the lower deck and realizes his hands have left a smear on the flawless chrome side rails. He yelps, staring at his palms with accusatory horror, then charges into the shower.

The shower, which is occupied.

By Ryder.

To her credit, Ryder barely flinches, but her face does look plenty startled. She’s not naked, which is a small miracle, but she’s close enough. Only a damp towel between Kallo’s imagination and the hair-covered madness of human anatomy. One of her legs is up on the waterproof bench outside the communal shower stall, and she’s picking at a bright red rash that covers a quarter of her calf.

“You. Kadara. On. Kadara. There. Kadara. Punching.”

Ryder stares at him, blinking with the slow awe of a sunbathing lizard.

Unforgivably, he doesn’t leave immediately. He can’t tear his eyes from the glittering hollow at the base of her neck. Why is she here? Oh just leave. He can’t leave. Her hair is wet. The room smells like her. The soaps she uses, Ryder’s signatures, invisible and private. He’d never realized it before. Of course, it’s the soap. Stop panicking. Leave. Leave.

She takes in a deep breath, apparently on his behalf as well as her own, then slowly says,

“I got some of that local hell water in my suit. Hurt like a bitch, so I called off the rest of the scouting. I needed a break from that place, a nice long shower. I told you that twenty minutes ago when I cleared decon…”

“You… did?”

He can’t remember, which fills him with terror like he’s never felt.

He should say something. Now. Explain. He wrings his slippery hands, wishing they were sticky again. Wishing any single part of his body would pick a setting and stay there for longer than half a day.

“Kallo, are you okay?”

She doesn’t touch him, she’s too polite, but there’s something in her posture that warns she’d prefer to be touching him if given the chance. Would that be so bad? Probably. Should he leave? Definitely. Yes definitely, he should leave. Why isn’t he leaving? 

Sara, fiddling with the top edge of her towel, which has loosened and drooped dangerously down her chest.

Sara, her hair pearled with moisture that drips to her shoulders in tiny droplets that Kallo can’t help but follow with his eyes. 

Sara, staring up at him with her quiet, parted lips, the rock in her throat bobbing as she swallows nervously beneath his unblinking scrutiny. 

Sara, suddenly closer, moving her face into his hand when some rogue internal force compels him to step further into a room he should be fleeing from and touch his fingers to her cheek.

“Your hand is wet,” she says, pushing herself further into his grip. No. Away. Move away.

“Sorry,” he breathes, forgetting other words like weird and foolish and mayday.

She asks carefully, “Did you need something from me?”

He feels his head slowly shaking back and forth no, though he can’t remember any such impulse leaving his brain.

She inches closer and rephrases.

“Do you want something from me?”

He stands there, unable to move forward or back, his only movement the slow horizontal surrendering of his head.

“Well fine," she gripes. "Be stubborn about it. I want something from you,”

Slow enough to grant him an easy escape, she brings her lips to his.

He’s never kissed anyone before. He thinks the event is strangely uneventful, considering all the fuss people make over it.

But, still…

Sara’s lips are pillowy, moistened by the sweat of the shower, and almost painfully warm. Her skin smells distinctly clean, like something uniquely expensive and well cultivated. He thinks of the hydroponics bay on the Nexus, then thinks he shouldn’t be thinking about that at all, then thinks he’s thinking too much to be any good at this and that he should probably stop.

She presses her face against his for a few quiet moments, her lips tightly closed, keeping herself still and careful. After a long pause, she tries to pull away.

She tries and fails: Kallo follows her when she retreats. He follows her so thoroughly that they wind up backed into the shower stall, forehead to forehead, mouth to mouth, arms in a tangle. When Sara’s back meets the wall, she breaks away to catch her breath.

He can’t stop staring at her mouth, the mouth that has just kissed him, the mouth of Sara Ryder, the woman he inexplicably wants to kiss again.

His hand finds her cheek once more, and his thumb trails toward her lips. He stares, enraptured by the automatic certainty of his own movements. A trail of glistening lubricant, his lubricant, tattooing her face with an indecent mystery streak. 

He shudders with disgust or fascination or something newer and more terrifying than both. In one halting breath, he sweeps his thumb over her lips, spreading the moisture across her mouth.

Without warning her tongue darts out, all pink curiosity. He watches her take a sample into her mouth, bold and foolhardy as ever. His fingers tighten on her face and his thumb drags forcefully along her bottom lip, smearing in wider, harder strokes.

Stupid, the both of them. What if he’s excreting poison? Does he care? Does she care? Lexi would have warned him if he was going to excrete poison. 

Maybe.

Sara’s eyelids droop with intoxication, but she doesn’t choke or die. She bites her lip, grazing the tip of his thumb in the process.

He’s wondering when his legs got so shaky. Have they always been this shaky? Sara holds him up, wrapping her arms around his waist and yanking him closer.

He closes what little gap remains, crashing into her open mouth. He doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do with his tongue - if he’s even allowed to use it at all - but he knows he wants to explore the alien sweetness of her, a naked flavor newly salted with his own. In the end it’s little more than a benign mix of spit and skin.

But the feel of her mouth, lubricated and slippery. The press of her tongue. The scrape of her teeth biting his lower lip. The sound when she whines and nudges their hips together.

That… That is something else.

He drags his greased hands along her face, her neck, the wild territory of upper chest that peeks out above her towel. Her skin grows slicker with each grope, and the more freely she slides against him, the more excited she seems to get. He seems to get. They’re both very excited, and everything is slippery. He’s never been this excited. 

Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the excitement itself that is different.

Different, he decides, might not be entirely terrifying. At least with Sara.

AO3 | FFN

[lesserfandomappreciation]

(I was apologizing because it's going to be predominately jaal and vetra asks cause I just like them both and can't decide who i like more also I ramble a lot xD) Speaking of which, how would Jaal and Vetra meet an human researcher S/O. Like likely headcannons as to how they met and what lead up to the feelings.(Not like every little detail cause that's a lot but like general ideas as to how it would go? Does that make sense? Hope it's not to much, Thanks for answering ^-^)

Oh honey, same here. I can literally not pick between them, as well as Liam, Suvi, Peebee- point is, no shame in not being able to pick between any characters.

Also, for Jaal, s/o will be female while in Vetra’s case they’ll be gender neutral- just to keep things canon. 

Human researcher s/o 

Jaal

He meets her at the cultural center when he’s learning about the people of the Milky Way.

Over time, they start to exchange a lot of cool information about their cultures

Jaal tells of Anagran culture, the planets, the history

And she tells of humanity, the First Contact War, the arks lost, how humanity has changed over the course of the years.

After running into each other a bit, Jaal finds himself more excited to go to the cultural center, if only to see her perspective on things.

Eventually they exchange communication information and whenever Jaal is away he gets many letters, of how research is going, asking how he is fairing, about him, about herself- the works. 

And eventually, when Aya opens itself to people, she’s one of the first people to go there. 

Whenever he’s in Aya, they have very looooooong conversations about everything really. 

And it’s here where he falls for her. 

He’s on Aya, and they’re talking, and he starts to talk about himself as a kid, his views on family and such, and she just... the second he trails off because he realizes she might be bored because she’s so quiet, she gets fussy, demanding for more.

“Please don’t stop. I like learning about you, you’re so fascinating!”

And he realizes that she isn’t just talking and listening to learn about the Angara, but also because she’s genuinely interested in him as a person. 

He has a lot to figure out suddenly. 

Vetra

They are a researcher on the Nexus, and they know Sid because sometimes when they stop by Operations, they talk a lot and Sid’s just one of those kids people can’t hate- she’s a sweet heart!

On day, s/o is on the Nexus when they spots Sid, talking to someone.

So they approaches Sid from the front, not realizing they’re approaching the person Sid is talking to from behind.

When s/o suddenly says “Hey, who’s this?” hoping to meet this person, they don’t expect this new turian to suddenly be looming over them, looking like she’s this close to eradicating their existence. 

And that’s how Vetra meets this person her sister talks about a lot.

Given the meeting, it takes a lot of time for Vetra to warm up to them- she’s rightfully suspicious.

Sid’s stories of s/o helping her out and talking to her and just being a good friend does get her to be friendlier, but she stays a bit wary.

Multiple visits to the Nexus wind up with them running into each other a lot since Sid starts bringing them along a lot, and Vetra is able to interact with them more, and she sees that they’re just a sweet little dork who likes to learn stuff, and is nice to her sister.

So she starts telling them about her adventures, and s/o is enthralled. 

They start to talk a lot whenever she’s on the Nexus, sometimes when Sid isn’t there due to work or an appointment, and they learn a lot about each other.

One day, Vetra is out with Ryder and Drack on a mission, and on their way back, she sees a really weird looking rock, and without hesitation, she picks it up.

And its not until Peebee asks why she took a geological sample that it hits Vetra.

She cares about this person so much that without hesitation she got them something she knows would get them rambling with that cute light in their eye that pops up when they get excited.

Yea, she’s got it bad. 

[masterskywalkers]

For the Ryder appreciation week thing: 2, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 20! That should keep you busy :P

(answering questions taken from this post).

2. How does your Ryder feel about their sibling?

Sara is probably the most important person in the world to Scott. She’s his best friend, and he can’t imagine a world without her in it. There have been many times when she’s been the only one who could make him laugh when he’s been in a particularly rotten mood about something, and she understands him better than anyone else ever could or would. 

… Which means he’s pretty distraught and shaken when she’s in her coma. Sara is Scott’s anchor - especially after the loss of their mother - and without her he feels as if he’s floating at sea on his own.

9. What does your Ryder enjoy about being a Pathfinder?

Not a lot at first. Scott sort of resents his father’s decision for going behind all their backs and making him his replacement rather than Cora - but he grows into the role with time. His favourite things quickly become the adventuring and exploration of completely new planets, and Scott also becomes fascinated with both the angara and the remnant. He grows close to both Peebee and Jaal this way - Peebee with her contagious excitement over all things remnant and Jaal with his own fascination in learning about all the new milky way species.

12. What’s your Ryder’s favorite location in Andromeda?

Kadara.

Probably Havarl, or at least it is to begin with. Despite its dangerous plant and wildlife Scott thinks the planet is beautiful in a way that Aya doesn’t quite match up to. He definitely can’t wait to see what the planet will become down the line.

But later on, Meridian takes first place for him. It’s exactly what they all made the journey to find, and he loves it. When he’s not elsewhere on Pathfinder business (or visiting Kadara to spend time with a certain someone) Scott likes to stay there, and when he does he always finds himself thinking that it certainly was worth the fight to save.

13. If your Ryder could give one gift to their LI (if there is one!), what would they give?

Scott’s not … great with gifts. That was always more Sara’s role growing up - she’d take him shopping for mothers or fathers day gifts or she’d just buy them herself. Scott would go to her for advice on Christmas gifts, or complain about what to buy past boyfriends for their birthdays (‘Sara, what can I buy that isn’t just alcohol? Doesn’t everyone like alcohol?’) The only person Scott really knew who to buy for was … Sara herself. And he wanted to put in the effort for her.

He comes to learn over time that although he doesn’t expect anything from Scott, Scott also wants to put in the same effort for Reyes. Love makes people wanna do weird things.

Usually the ‘gift’ that makes Reyes smile the most is the trust Scott shares with him - especially when it comes to Terra, Scott’s dog. If Scott’s travelling to a planet where he knows he’s going to be spending a few months at and it’s a place that Terra doesn’t really adapt well to, he lets Reyes look after her. Reyes loves that, not only because it means he gets to watch over a dog whilst dealing with his own work, but because it means Scott trusts in him enough to know he won’t let any harm come to her.

Scott does bring back the occasional gift for Reyes. It happens rarely, as they’re both don’t really care about material things when it comes to each other.

14. How does your Ryder feel about the fight between Kallo and Gil?

It drives Scott mad.

He doesn’t get why they can’t find a middle ground for the longest time. He understands where both of them are coming from, but honestly, as much as he adores Gil (and he does, seeing as he was interested in him before Reyes came in and metaphorically stole his breathe away) Scott can’t help but wonder if sometimes Gil doesn’t just ‘implement a new upgrade’ just to piss Kallo off.

Scott and Suvi come very close to finding a get a long shirt before shit comes to a head.

It’s also the part of the job Scott likes least, consoling both parties after the fallout. As much as he canonically sides with Kallo, my headcanon has Scott take a more reasoned approach - in which he suggests they talk things out and find a way to mix Kallo’s wishes and Gil’s innovation sooner. Scott doesn’t want to feel like the teacher telling off two students when they both have very good and very stupid points, so he get’s them together and works with them until they decide to work as a team.

He still catches them bickering about the dafter things though but, Scott can let that slide.

20. Which song would represent your Ryder well?

I mean, Scott is basically like Peter Quill in that he has mixtapes he listens to in his (rare) free time, but I guess one song that fits him is Bon Jovi’s Wanted Dead or Alive.

(I still really want to make playlists for ME:A but with 8tracks not as good as it used to be these days, I’m not sure if I will or not :( ).

[aiienzo]

Kadara Suits You

Title: Kadara Suits You

Rating: Explicit

Pairing: Scott Ryder / Reyes Vidal

Summary:  Tactfully avoiding Reyes Vidal has become something of a past time.

Notes:  Ryder is suave and cocky and arrogant when it appeals to him, but I want to see more of the Scott that's cracked around the edges. The Scott that can't sleep without waking up in a cold sweat. The Scott that loses his footing on stability and purpose when control is taken from him. I want damaged Scott, fight-mongering Scott, and a Scott that needs a place to fall apart.

AO3 link: Kadara Suits You

Kadara suits him.

The reasonings for this revelation were stacked high against one another, each more dubious and arguable than the last. Maybe because he was young, full of a reckless, hellfire energy that had him quivering with morbid fascination during each tumultuous encounter with an outlaw. Maybe because he felt useful here in a visceral way he ached for, something that left Lexi frowning during his psych evaluation and the Initiative questioning his tactics. Sure, he was experienced in combat and incredibly well-rounded, but youth still sung through his veins, amplifying his daring nature and fight mongering.

He was the Pathfinder, but he was also woefully unprepared for the job, and expectations were forming an insurmountable barricade as quickly as he tried to take his first tentative steps forward.  

But Kadara, he fit in here. In the badlands, his rash behavior was encouraged, and it allowed him an out he desperately needed. He had been able to find a particular kind of peace within the chaos of uncertainty that granted him comfort in his own skin, uniform notwithstanding.

Andromeda, despite its novelty and unknowns, hadn’t phased his resolve for adventure, and he knew he wasn’t looking to belong anywhere. He didn’t need it. But a spark of familiarity in the otherworldly badlands kept drawing him back, coercing him into finding excuses to dock for supplies or information they only just barely needed. Vetra always accompanied him off the docking bay during these detours, a knowing glint in her eyes and a tease barely hidden under the clamor of the port.

This time is no different.

“Here to enjoy the sights again, Ryder?”

He snarls a half-assed warning at her, far too tense from weeks in space and underhanded questions to deal with the omniscient mirth in her expression.

Because fucking Vetra, with her eyes and ears all over Kadara, had figured out Scott’s rather obvious pattern months ago. Off the docks and straight to Kralla’s Song, where he’d bullshit with Umi for half an hour, coupling her snide remarks about the other patrons with his own lighthearted banter. Two shots down, and he’d wander over to the vendors, bartering for useless scrap he didn’t really intend to buy. He’d eventually settle on some trinket or another for Suvi or whatever illegal part Gil asked him to acquire, just to feel accomplished. And finally, as if by clockwork, Cora would radio him that they’re all secure at the docks, and Scott would relay what supplies they actually needed.

He’d take a lift to the slums, casually, as though it might be an afterthought. Whatever calm he’d be able to fortify himself with would be fractured by the way he’d keep his eyes trained on movement and his inability to quell the static from his muscles. He’d climb the dirty, stained stairway to take note of the decreasing amount of bodies lying in the accumulated waste that's sprawled across the bedrock, tapping his gloved fingers on the railing. Charlatans. The outpost had just been settled, and while The Collective confirmed their best intentions, it would still be a long time before the term “free port” would be believed. His grip would tighten.

After pacing the slums for twenty minutes, his blood boiling as he snapped at any passerby who dared side-eye his rifle, he’d finally radio Kosta, who never needed any other invitation for violence than the order of “let’s go.”

Three hours of carnage would soothe his pulsing nerves, and Liam’s shouts, hisses of pain, and forcibly subdued laughter always made him feel less crazed than he actually was. They’re both a traumatic mess, nerves fried and shredded across the graphite rocks like Karada strove to paint itself in their accumulated breakdowns. Liam has his own reasons. Scott has his. And after the violence is over, with the danger to the port being bitten back just enough, they’d return to the Tempest, grazed with blood, while Scott avoids shooting a single glance towards Tartarus. He won’t.

Tactfully avoiding Reyes Vidal has become something of a past time.

So he’s fully aware that Vetra sees far more than she says, far more than Scott would give her intuition credit for, but he’s still irritated when she keeps talking, despite his stiff silence. He knows exactly what she’s about to say, and it’s entirely his own fault so being so fucking obvious .

“Why don’t you just go see him?” she asks, her voice lowered and unknowingly maternal. “Pretty soon there won’t be any outlaws left for you to take out your frustration on.”

His muscles uncoil just slightly at her blatant concern. Underneath all those teasing remarks and backhand comments, she’s worried about him, and wants the situation resolved. However much she was able to assume, she’s somehow pinpointed exactly what he needs to hear, and Scott pushes his aggravation aside just long enough to appreciate what she gives him. No involvement, no interference. Just acceptance and a firm nudge in the right direction.

“Fine,” he grounds out, because there’s no other words to be said, and he’s apparently given her enough clues to unravel him down to core qualities. “Can’t get anything past you, can I?”

She doesn’t answer, only smiles, and for a moment he feels pained by the lack of verbal reassurance. He’s sat on this for weeks. Months. And nowhere in that long stretch of time during which he imagined confronting Reyes, did he even consider what he wants to say.

He’s really not cut out for this. For any of it.

They part ways as they always do, with Vetra sneaking off to whatever underground mercenary club she’s been itching to delve into, while Scott heads straight towards Kralla’s Song. A few of the locals stop their business to pointedly stare at him as he passes, clandestine whispers behind calloused fingers they think he doesn’t notice. Some of them look pleased to see him. Angaran, mainly. Others looked frightened. Some though, are still pissed, nothing but sneering expressions and trigger fingers, Sloane’s name plastered on their lips like she'd branded it there, to maintain her following ever after her murder.

His fists clench. He remembers his anger, right alongside the glint of the sniper that did her in.

He’d parted quickly that day, before Sloane’s blood had even gone cold, letting Vidal’s words to his associates of “Karada Port is ours tonight,” trail faintly behind him as his pulse pounded in his head. He doesn’t regret not intervening in her death, but Reyes’ mockery of a pistol shot and that look he’d stared Scott down with afterwards haunted his dreams, hungry and lucid. The email he’d received shortly afterwards cemented his concerns, and he’d archived the words I’ll make sure Kadara stays ours both on his terminal and in his waking thoughts. Thinking of you always, Vidal had boldly written. Scott wishes he could say differently.

Umi doesn’t look particularly happy to see him. She remains emotionally closed off, as always, which Scott has learned is a trained habit to avoid unwarranted attention from drunken outcasts. There’s not a lot of places to drink on Kadara, and she doesn’t have to flirt to get her money.

“Hey champ,” she greets, and Scott is instantly reminded that she’s well over 400 years old, and for all his universal experience in the world, he’s still a child in her eyes. He has very little to back up his defense for this, especially when he tells her to leave the bottle, childishly planning on drinking until his words will unfurl and write themselves across his face rather than wait for Scott to try and dig them out of his throat himself.

She watches as he throws back the bottle, tears stinging in his eyes because he’s still a bit of a bitch for this stronger stuff. It hits harder than the human liquor that he’s used to, and the taste lingers in his mouth, a sharp bite that sucker punches his gut into reminding him just how easily he can come undone.

(Bang, echoes in his head, and the appropriately timed parallels have him swigging his next drink before the first is even tolerated).

Umi smiles at him, something rare and treasured. “Well, with that kind of enthusiasm I hope you’re here to pay off his tab as well.”

Scott lowers his bottle and cocks an eyebrow at her. “Don’t you two have some kind of a deal worked out? You booze him up, and he keeps you in the loop?”

Umi scoffs, the shit yellow lighting in the club reflecting the blue of her skin to make a pattern of remarkable hues. “Yeah right. I give him booze in the hopes that he keeps me out of the loop.”

“Come on now, what good is a bartender that isn’t willing to lend an ear?”

She glowers at him, keeping her amusement hidden, and he smiles at the familiarity. His fingertips feel lighter as he brings the bottle to his lips again, social standing forgotten.

“Slow down kid,” she chastises lightly. “If you’re going to pay for it, you could at least try to enjoy it.”

He doesn’t comment, but takes her advice anyway, tapping his fingers on the slightly dusty bottle before looking up at her, aware that his eyesight tracking is starting to lose its competitive edge. Strong shit. She remains quiet, which lets him think. Lets him think about why he’s even here. It’s something he’s been actively avoiding doing, because apparently, he can work through the goddamn exaltation of an entire species with enough reasoning and consideration, but a single fucking human being in the throes of a large population of vigilante shitheads who are insignificant in the face of a galaxy... that has him tripping in his own thoughts.

It’s fucking unfair. He signed up for exploration. For adventure and discovery. Not for the disunion of feelings and purpose.

He narrows his eyes at the corner of the bar, where Reyes hand had brushed up against his in their haste to get information about Zia. If he stares hard enough, he can almost picture the Carnifex that Reyes keeps strapped against his side, modded and customized and nearly unrecognizable. Butcher and executioner, the smuggler had muttered fondly.  

When Scott had first seen it, attached via a leather holster with Reyes’ tan, dexterous fingers dangling gently beside it, he had stared for so long, caught up in something he couldn’t put a name too. He’s heard the term “whirlwind” of emotions, but felt as though“brick wall” would be more apt in this instance. Reyes had clicked his tongue at him, trigger finger moving to point upwards, urging Scott to snap back to reality and meet Reyes’ eyes, a cocky grin bracketing the edges of his expression. The motherfucker muttered something about “bigger than most,” which Scott bracingly ignored.

After they had taken care of Zia and Scott’s share had been transferred, he promptly turned off Reyes channel frequency for three days. Consequences be damned. There were too many already.

“I think I’m gonna kill him,” he blurts out to the scratched surface of the bar, and then smiles, because it’s probably not the first time Umi has heard that here. Probably not even the first time today .

“Okay, sure,” she snorts in disbelief. When she sees his surprise at her unfazed nature, she sighs, leaning forward to support herself with her elbows on the table, forcing Scott to meet her gaze. “Hun, look. Every time you two are in here, I can see the fifteen different things you want to do to him dance across your face. Killing him is definitely one of them.”

She pushes the bottle back towards him, altering her advice now that he’s blown his cover -- and emotions -- wide open. He takes another drink, more bitter than before, but it goes down easier, and he can feel the diluted gold of high quality alcohol sticking itself to the inside of each of his veins. He’s well on his way to tipsy, and it’ll be a quick fall after that. He takes the swig carefully, giving her ample time to finish her thought, but she refuses to say another word until he prompts her with a sigh.

“...But?”

She studies him carefully for a moment, before grabbing his left arm gingerly and tapping his omnitool to life. He watches as she transfers a fair amount of Scott’s credits to herself, both for his bottle and for Reyes outstanding bar tab, before pulling away.

“But, if you kill him, you won’t get to enjoy those fourteen other things. Take the bottle to him. He owes you, so I suggest you make him pay.”

                                                                                                                ///

His comm remains quiet on his slightly inebriated walk to the slums. Normally, he’d be grateful, but it’s too unlikely to be coincidence, and it only serves to fuel his fire that everyone in his crew seems to know he needs to work through something, and that Kadara royalty is draped all over it. He’s half tempted to ask them what they think he’s doing there, with the slim hope that it would relate to violence. Vetra’s comments and Liam’s silence convince him otherwise.

Normally, it wouldn’t bother him. His relations had never been something he kept from public eye. But Reyes stands for everything he’s currently supposed to be dismantling, and it’s the dichotomy of wanting something so substantially antithetical for a Pathfinder to have that’s tearing him apart.

It’s early. Too early for people to be crawling towards alcohol-induced comfort yet, so his walk is quiet. He hates it. He needs the confrontation, and he’s begging for it to be anything other than Reyes himself. But the few people lingering against the railings give him no heed, keeping their heads bowed to their own problems. It’s so unusual. Maybe they see the challenge in his expression, fueled by the bottle that’s held loosely in his grasp, important only for what it’s worth. Maybe the King of Kadara has put a protective order on him, with the threat of torture the Initiative would never condone hanging over Scott’s head like a caution tape mockery of a crown.

Whatever they see, they leave him the fuck alone, abandoning him to walk the trek to Reyes private room in the Tartarus alone, bleakly hoping that the Charlatan would be out, too far away for Scott to have to endure this encounter.

The doorway looks the same as it always has; no addition of armed guards, no tighter security, no change whatsoever to make the “third-rate smuggler” look any more important than he ever had been. A turian slumped against the booth by the door mean-mugs him from afar, shadows cast over his eyes as the music thrums a new pulse through Scott’s system, but it doesn’t feel threatening. He ignores the stranger and mumbles to SAM to bypass Reyes’ door security.

“I’m detecting a moderately high alcohol content in your blood, Pathfinder,” SAM chirps dutifully in the back of his head. “Perhaps this is an encounter you’d prefer to have with a sober mind?”

“If I’d have preferred that, I wouldn’t started drinking in the first place, SAM,” he counters, fully aware of the turian’s eyes on him as he seemingly argues with himself. “You wouldn’t be trying to shoo me away unless you knew he was in there, so open the door.”

“Of course, Scott,” SAM relents, using the informal vernacular he saves for private conversations. “I will be here if you need assistance.”

With that final acquiescence, the glowing red display on the door briefly turns blue, and Scott jerks it open, stumbling slightly in his haste to get into the room and shut the door behind him, landing with his upper body pressed against the cool metallic relief of privacy.

He can hear the telltale rustle of a gun being pulled before he can even turn around, and he smiles into the doorway as it locks itself tightly underneath his cheek. God, the chill feels good. He’s way drunker than he thought he was.

He regains his composure and turns to face Reyes, holding his hands up by his head in an entirely unconvincing surrender, but Reyes is already flicking the safety back on that god-forsaken Carnifex, his eyes rolling heavenward.

“Pathfinder… that’s a good way to get shot.”

“Lots of good ways to get shot here,” Scott reasons, bringing the whiskey back up to his lips for a drink that he hopes looks way more nonchalant than he feels. “Gotta watch out for those snipers, especially.”

Reyes, of course, doesn’t take the bait, and remains sitting, pistol resting comfortably in his lap as he watches Scott meander slowly into the room. His eyes are weary, but sharp, full of a half-tamed desperation that Scott can’t quite pinpoint, and he resists doing a quick once-over to take in the minimal armor and rust-stained pops of color that Reyes seems to favor. They stay silent for a moment, comfortable in their friendly, if not strained, affinity, with Scott clearly working something over in his head while Reyes allows him the small freedom to just focus before jostling him from his thoughts.

“To what do I owe the pleasure, Ryder?”

Scott stops in front of him, annoyed at Reyes casual demeanor, and yet somehow, more annoyed at himself for expecting anything else. He holds out the whiskey, giving the bottle a little enticing shake.

“Thought I’d share. Certainly a king is allowed a moment to unwind?”

Reyes smirks at him, standing up to take the proffered bottle with the beginnings of a small fire burning behind his pupils. “Ryder, we have done many things together, but I can’t confidently say any of them involve...unwinding.”

“Ah, well. Times change, don’t they?”

He’s meeting Reyes’ challenge head on, refusing to back down from the prolonged eye contact and allowing Reyes to push into his personal space with no resistance, rising to the encounter he’s realizing they’ve both been waiting to have. He knows the brazen confidence he feels is fueled entirely by alcohol and misplaced fury, but he’ll take the crutch.

Reyes hums in agreement, finally sliding the bottle from Scott’s fingers. “They certainly do.” He takes a long drink, far more accustomed to the swill than Scott’s virgin liver could ever hope to be, before nodding his head towards the datapad on the couch. “Interesting message I just got from Umi. Some kind samaritan just paid my bar tab in full.”

“Better a samaritan than a charlatan, right?”

Reyes grins at him, and where Scott’s pent up frustration and nerves are misplaced in his anger at Reyes, the man in front of him is level, the weariness he displayed before all but sapped from his expression as he roves over Ryder with hunger in his eyes.

“Why don’t you cut the shit, and tell me what you’re really here for.”

Scott’s stomach bottoms out as a tiny bit of sobriety worms its way through his consciousness just enough to make sense of the situation. He could have Reyes, here and now. He knows lust and need and aching when he sees it, and the liquor that swims through his veins wills him to shut his eyes and fucking give in to it for once.

But unfortunately, he came here to pick a fight.

“I came to tell you that you’re a coward.”

Disappointment flashes across Reyes’ face, but he plays it off well. He steps away with a sigh, allowing himself another swig of whiskey that looks more like a preparation of things to come rather than the enticement it was before. “Not the first time I’ve heard that. Alright then, Pathfinder, dissect me.”

Scott feels that familiar discontent rise up in him again, because he hates smooth talkers. Those keen to the charismatic. He knows how easy it is to manipulate people if you’ve got the ability to put a few key words together with just the right spark of inflection and the twist of a coy, playful smile. It’s a tactic he’s embraced fully, entwining itself with a touch of sarcasm, and to see it thrown back at him is daunting. Alarming. And frankly, insulting.

“Fuck that. You know what this is about.”

Reyes looks away from him, and Scott can’t be bothered to give a damn about the flash of hurt that crosses his face. “Let me guess. Sloane?”

He doesn’t answer, but Reyes doesn’t need the validation, quickly firing off his questions, the dull cut of incredibility and disjointed frustration seeping in through words he tries to portray as sarcasm.

“The more you think about it," he explains, "the more bothered you are, right? Maybe you think, why didn’t I just have her assassinated?” He turns back to look at Scott, a shrug on his shoulders. “Or -- what, better yet -- legitimately dueled her? Like in some terrible vid back on the Milky Way? Pistols at high noon, or whatever trash that was…”

“I could have handled her,” Scott grounds out, annoyed at Reyes' dismissal of his arguments before he was even able to voice him. The smuggler was good at reading people, and Scott is always slightly hurt when he’s no exception. “She could rot in jail on the Nexus.”

Reyes snorts in disbelief before swallowing another shot. “Oh yeah, so her followers could take her place? Rise up in a revolt and try to rescue her, or worse, carry on her legacy? You’re not that foolish, Ryder.”

“I would have taken care of any fallout--”

Reyes puts the bottle down on the table a bit harder than necessary, narrowing his eyes in on Scott’s deliberate wordplay. “What, in the few hours you manage to stop by during your week long expeditions? You’re going to be detailed on the ins and outs of Kadara, the underground mercs, the whispers in the streets? Give me a fucking break, Pathfinder. You’re bigger than this.”

“This is my job,” Scott argues, but he can feel his will to stake up offense falling, deflating, like the balloon of his intentions was leaking with each tiny stab of common sense Reyes was raining down on him. His argument is pathetic, his cover story is pathetic, and the only thing he has left is to faintly wish Reyes’ hadn’t seen through him faster than his own crew. “I make worlds hospitable, Reyes. I should’ve been the one to take her out, properly. It was on me.”

The atmosphere alters, with Reyes picking up on Scott’s failsafe, and there’s a moment of indecision that hovers between them. Scott waits to see the battle in Reyes eyes of whether to take him down one last peg, or to let Scott off easy, but it never happens. Instead, Reyes softens immediately, coy demeanor still intact, but his voice is littered in desperation now, in urgency.

“This needed to be settled internally, Ryder. Now, Sloane’s followers think her weak, and they’re more willing to embrace change. There could be no fallacies. I’m sorry that you think me a coward, I truly am, but I’d rather be a coward and a murderer than a bystander while people are beaten in the streets and a civil war is raged. Surely you can understand that.”

Scott nods, absently. His body feels light, his mind overwhelmed. The alcohol is working beautifully to remind him of the logic in the situation, but he still feels a pang of discontent within him. Of failure. Reyes reaches out and places his hands on Scott’s shoulders, silently beseeching him to focus on the now, to ease into the comfort of words.

“Karada is ours now, Ryder. I can guarantee it.”

“Kadara is yours, your majesty,” Scott quips back, almost forlornly. “Don’t pretend it’s anything but.”

Surprisingly, Reyes smiles at him, and the pressure of his fingers on Scott's shoulders increase just so. He sighs, his eyes roving over Scott in a way that makes him feel stripped and bare-bones and evaluated. That fire is lighting up behind Reyes' dilating pupils the longer he stares, and Scott swallows, trying to prepare himself for whatever Reyes is about to dish out.

“You know what this is all about, Pathfinder?" Reyes begins softly, his accent thick amidst the low tones. "Control. You were thrust into this job, that much I know, and you’ve spiraled your way through hell trying to deal with it.” He shrugs, offhandedly, like Scott’s shitty attitude adjustment is something he can logically explain. “Of course, you’re seeking out control wherever you can get it. Like this shit with Sloane.”

Scott opens his mouth to argue, slightly bewildered at the emotional change, but Reyes cuts him off, releasing Scott’s shoulder momentarily to hold up his hand.

“No -- wait, just listen. You’ve had to assert yourself since you’ve arrived on the Nexus, right? You’ve had to gain respect where it should’ve been considered a right, and the only way you’re keeping your head on straight through all this fucking shit with the kett and death and being a goddamn savior, is to...well, to establish your control over it. To take reassurance wherever you can get it.”

Reyes pauses, trailing his eyes over every inch of Scott’s face, looking for something that Scott can only fathom. Whatever he finds seems to satisfy him, and he continues, his voice turning down a pitch, a brush of sultry and dark.

“The whole time I’ve known you, you’ve been desperate to prove your worth. You’re here now, trying to pick a fight with me to establish some sort of dominance on Kadara; to prove you’re better than some smuggler with power, because that’s what people need.  But do you know what you need, Ryder?”

Scott shakes his head mutely, eyes widening as Reyes moves much too close. He can feel his own blood pulsing beneath his skin, and he can’t quite tell if time has stopped, or if his mind has relented on trying to catch up, floating through a haze of disbelief and anticipation. The gold that shimmers in the brown hues of Reyes’ eyes is startling, some sort of metaphor Scott is too wrapped up in the moment to try and ascertain, but when Reyes nudges him backwards, he goes, like all he had ever been waiting to do was receive the instruction.

“I think,” Reyes continues, voice greedy and inviting, the prickling of things to come seeping under Scott’s skin to warrant a flush of goosebumps. Reyes backs Scott up further. “...that you simply need…” He can feel his back hit the cold wall behind him, a sudden jolt against his rapidly heating skin. Reyes’ hands are moving deftly down his arms to pin his wrists against the wall, though incredulously, he has no desire to fight back against it. Reyes moves in, the ghost of his lips grazing against Scott’s neck, right above the collarbone, and Scott can feel his knees go weak. “...To relinquish that control.”

A switch goes off inside Scott’s head, as though he’s been starved for the opportunity, crazed for the absence of release. He groans in relief and turns his head, begging Reyes to meet him, which Reyes does with fervor, finally closing that precious inch of space between them.

The harsh push of Reyes’ lips against his sets off sparks behind his eyes, and Reyes frees one of his wrists to reach up and run his fingers across Scott’s cheek, as though he were a thing to be cherished. He tightens his grip on Scott’s other wrist, pressing him harder against the wall and tries to coax Scott’s tongue out of whatever shell-shocked abyss he’s fallen into. When Scott regains his senses enough to kiss back, trying to keep up with Reyes’ enthusiastic pace, he can feel the bastard smiling against him, like he’d won Kadara all over again.

Reyes’ thigh is slipping in between his legs, pressing up against him in a friction that shoots wildfire across his skin, and he immediately grinds against it, all pretense of power forgotten. He lets a whine escape him, barely audible, and pulls away from Reyes mouth to bury his face against his neck, losing himself to the beautiful, agonizing torture of rutting against too many layers of clothing.

“Good boy,” Reyes whispers breathlessly, gripping Scott’s sides tightly to urge him down, to ride the hard line of Reyes cock, hidden beneath his pants.

Scott groans at the words, too lost within novelty to feel ashamed. He’d never imagined himself in this situation, with his back against the wall at the mercy of a man who dared call him “boy.” But his already hardening cock gave a significant twitch of interest at the breathless encouragement, and Scott eagerly resigns himself to letting go completely, buried in the thick, gun-metal scent that leaves him in a phenomenal and blissed-out haze.

But Reyes grabs his chin with rough fingers, forcing Scott to meet him for another kiss, and he can feel the shaking plead in his own body, the soft keen and sigh that threatens to unravel him at each soft bite Reyes leave against his bottom lip.

He can hear “Reyes,” coming from his mouth, a soft engrossment and moan that’s laced around disbelief. Of gratefulness. And Reyes’ reaction is instantaneous, turning Scott around with a soft growl to press him up against the wall, hands trailing down past his shoulders, his back, his ribs, to land with a firm grip on his hips. Reyes lips find the back of his neck, kissing his own secrets into the skin he finds there, heavy and promising.

When Reyes finally presses up close behind him, spreading his body heat across Scott's back, the relief Scott feels nearly floors him. Something about being held down, with Reyes’ arousal pressing hard against his ass, unwinds him in a way that being the dominant partner never could, and he’s desperate for more of it. He twists one arm around to frantically grab at the fabric of Reyes’s pants, urging him to thrust up against him. Reyes follows the command on autopilot, wrapping his arm around Scott’s chest to stabilize them as he grinds into Scott from behind, letting out a quiet gasp of pleasure before restraining himself.

“Careful,” Reyes warns, lips against the skin of Scott’s neck. “I have no problems taking you like this.”

Scott shivers, his mind slammed with the image of Reyes sliding his cock into him right here, pressed up against the wall like they couldn’t wait long enough to even make it to the couch. He’s straining against his pants at the thought.

“Do it,” he says sharply, and he can feel Reyes breath hitch behind him. “Right here. I want… I need it.”

Reyes groans and tightens his grip around Scott’s chest, wrapping both arms around every part of Scott he can press against, and it’s too close, too personal, and if he weren’t half as inebriated as he was, Scott would be entranced by what it means.

“Fuck,” Reyes mutters, his accent thick and heavy as he breathes Scott in. “You’re going to be the death of me, you know that?”

Scott smirks, despite himself, overcome with the scintillating knowledge that he’s gotten under Reyes skin just as much as the smuggler has gotten under his. It emboldens him. He rubs himself through his pants, just to relieve some of the pressure, and looks over his shoulder at Reyes, whose cheeks are flushed and eyes lust-blown.

“Come on, baby,” he teases, way more cocky than he feels. “You going to do this, or do we need to change places?”

Something dangerous flashes in Reyes’ eyes, and Scott loves it. He’s thriving on it. And when Reyes pushes him back against the wall, one hand disappearing from Scott’s side with the sound of a belt being undone, it’s all he can do to bite his lip and restrain the groan that’s dying to leave his throat. He follows Reyes lead and works on freeing his own neglected cock, sighing in relief as he pulls himself out and jerks with quick, tight strokes.

Reyes moves to push Scott’s pants down further, uncovering him just enough for what he needs, and Scott pushes back against him, desperate to feel more of Reyes skin, knowing that Reyes’ cock is exposed behind him and so achingly close to where he wants it to be.

Reyes curses under his breath in response, hands running underneath Scott's shirt to touch any part of the heated skin he can reach, like he's desperate for the contact. He presses their bodies together again, testing the boundaries of their intimacy, and buries his face into the bend of Scott’s neck.

“Calm down, you can have it,” he whispers, the shit-eating grin evident against Scott’s skin as he trusts lightly against Scott’s ass, moving his free hand down to run his fingers across the head of Scott’s dick, smearing the precome with his thumb.

Scott is shaking now, torn between pressing back against the thick cock behind him, or thrusting into the deft fingers jerking him off slowly, teasingly. He audibly groans when Reyes shifts his attentions to his balls, sly fingers caressing him and winding him up, promises of what’s to come.

“Reyes, please,” he begs, without prompting, and Reyes laughs darkly against him, tightening his fingers on Scott’s hip in approval.

“Oh I can definitely get used to that,” he mutters, but Scott can hear the ragged edge to his voice, the imbalance before the fall, and if the slight shake of his hand as he moves his fingers towards Scott’s mouth is any indication, he’s as close to the edge as Scott feels.  

He sucks on Reyes fingers dutifully, his stomach twisting in on itself when he hears the appreciative intake of breath behind him. He makes a show of it, running his tongue across each digit, sucking slightly, biting the tips of Reyes fingers, everything to plant the curiosities of what else his mouth could be used for.

“Dirty boy,” Reyes mutters behind him, and a smart comeback is on the tip of Scott’s tongue before Reyes takes his revenge and slides his first finger in deep, without warning. Scott goes to jerk away in surprise, but Reyes holds his hips steady, moving to encircle Scott’s waist instead, keeping him grounded as he groans.

“Goddamn,” Reyes mutters, moving slowly in and out of Scott, lips pressed against his shoulder. “You’re so…” He loses his trail of thought, looking down to watch Scott shift and move himself further down onto Reyes finger.

“Go,” Scott mutters, and Reyes does without question, inserting the next finger and letting Scott adjust to it, planting soft kisses across the exposed skin of Scott’ neck. After a long moment of shifting and small gasps of surprising bursts of pleasure, Scott nods. “It’s fine. Please.”

But Reyes hesitates. “Ryder, you’re so tight. You ever done this before?”

For a horrible moment, he thinks Reyes is going to bail on him, but it passes quickly when he feels the arm around him tighten just a minuscule amount, a reassurance.

“No,” he answers honestly, feeling emptier when Reyes’ fingers slip out of him. “You’re the first.”

He can feel the reaction that garners from Reyes, with the slightly surprised exhale as though Scott's just handed him a gift, coupled with the twitch of Reyes' already straining cock.

“Fuck,” Reyes mumbles, lining himself up. “Scott -- I...I need to be inside you.”

He can feel the head of Reyes’ precome soaked dick pressing against him, and shivers in anticipation. He’s bracing himself against the wall, steel panels that are now warm to the touch, held up only by Reyes’ arm underneath him and whatever purchase he can find on the slick metal under his hands and the ground under his shaking legs. He feels exposed, knowing that Reyes is staring down at him, feeling him tease his cock across his hole, catching on his rim just enough to make him desperate and needy.

“Reyes, please. Please,” he mumbles, turning his head to look over his shoulder. The sight that greets him nearly floors him. Reyes meets his eyes dead-on, pupils dark and blown wide with a flush covering his cheeks. He looks half-crazed, lost in the throes of fervid want, and Scott thrives on knowing he drove him there.

Finally, once he knows that Scott’s eyes are locked on him, he pushes in, slow and deliberately, letting the long drag and sting soften into something tolerable until he is completely sheathed inside of him.

“Fuck,” Scott curses softly, looking away to bury his face in the crook of his arm, trying to overcome the sting of pain. Reyes is there in an instant, bringing his free hand to loop around Scott’s chest alongside the other, easing him into it, draping his body heat across Scott’s back. He’s mumbling things under his breath, things that make Scott’s breath hitch and his heart jump to his throat.

“You’re so good to me, you take me so well, mi querida. So tight for me, so needy… you ready, baby?

Scott registers the nickname, but files it away next to the soft kisses and careful intimacy, to be examined later. He nods his head, feeling more full than he ever expected to, and Reyes moves back just slightly, just far enough away to place a hand on Scott’s lower back to help guide them.

And then, he moves.

Scott’s eyes roll back into his head and he groans at the soft pull inside of him. Reyes precome is doing an excellent job of slicking him just enough to allow movement, while still retaining that rough and dirty tug of unpreparedness that Scott is craving. Reyes feels too big inside of him, blossoms of pain and pleasure shooting liquid fire through his body with each ragged heartbeat. The sensation is entirely new, and he’s desperate for it, pining for it, scraping his fingernails uselessly against the wall as Reyes lets out a filthy curse behind him, his hand moving from Scott’s back to lightly finger the sensitive area around his neck. He’s going so slow, so carefully, and it’s maddening to both of them.

“Scott. I can’t…”

He’s sounds strung out, overwhelmed, and somehow, Scott knows exactly what he means, and what he needs to hear.

“I trust you,” he breathes into the wall, nudging Reyes cautious fingers with his cheek in a quick affirmation.

Reyes growls softly in appreciation and his fingers tighten over Scott’s throat while his other arm curls protectively, greedily, around Scott’s waist.

Then, he sinks in hard.

“Fuck!” Scott chokes out his curse, but Reyes is already pulling back out to slam home again, setting up a pace that screams of their prolonged patience and denial. Scott feels like he’s being torn in half, but it’s countered beautifully by the spasms of pleasure that wrack their way through him each time Reyes’ slides against the tight walls inside of him. The fingers around his throat only amplify the sensation, finding an anchoring grip in one of the most tender and intimate places in Scott’s body.

Being thrust into wildly by a man he’s known only briefly, a man who has proved himself to be deceitful, murderous, and dangerously ambitious, turns out to be the most impressive aphrodisiac he’s ever known. And the danger of subjecting himself to that man, letting him take full control and fuck into him like a toy, hand locked around his throat, just an inch away from pressing in just the right spot to render him unconscious, succumbs him entirely, leaving him completely sated from the desperation he’s been consumed by.  

Reyes is losing control behind him, broken Spanish littering the edges of Scott’s name as he fucks into him ruthlessly, like they’d been waiting for it, like it had been missed. The feeling of being lost in sensation, of just taking what he’s given, lights Scott up like a live-wire, and he can feel the edge of the horizon slipping closer, knowing he’s only moments away from barreling over it.

“Reyes--!”

Reyes adjusts instantly, moving his hand to curl around Scott’s neglected dick, and Scott sees fucking stars behind his eyes, a debilitating combination of Reyes’ taking what he wants from him while ensuring Scott follows him over the edge.

“Come with me,” Reyes breathes, completely undone and entirely overwhelmed, and Scott loses it. He comes across Reyes’ hand with a strangled cry on his lips, a complete white-out that encompasses all the satisfaction of every moment his traitorous mind had left him wondering what it would feel like to have Reyes pressed against him. Reyes follows him, pressing in deep and clinging tightly to Scott, as though he’d never trust anyone else to support him as he fell into complete vulnerability, spilling himself inside of Scott like he was staking a claim, soft compliments still whispered from his lips.

They stay like that, a moment extended in time, wound together and radiating heat and gratification. Reyes is the first to move, peeling himself from Scott’s trembling body to pull out gingerly, pressing an appreciative kiss to the back of Scott’s sweat-soaked shirt.

Scott straightens himself up, trying to will the shaking in his body to subside so he can stand properly, intent on ignoring the sting of pain that shoots up his back as he moves into a more dignified position. He’s barely refastened his pants before Reyes is on him, pulling him into a kiss that he immediately sinks his entire body into.

There’s no heat behind it, only an echo of the crazed desire that led them to this conclusion, but there’s a passion in it that leaves him stunned, quietly dissolving into a grateful mess as Reyes kisses him like he means it, like it might be his last opportunity to do so. There’s a hand on his cheek, caressing his skin fondly before Reyes finally pulls away.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asks, staring into Scott’s eyes like he would be able to find the broken man inside of them. Find him and fix him.

Scott smiles, and he's relieved to find he doesn't need to fake it. “No. Well, no more than I expected. But, um. Thank you.”

He shifts awkwardly, waiting for the moment when Reyes will pull back and end the delicate intimacy that’s only in the beginning stages of infancy. He’s bracing himself for it, building up his strength to avoid succumbing to the distant pang of disappointment, but it never happens. Reyes maintains his contact, keeping Scott as close as possible, as though his desire to be near him had nothing to do with their insurmountable attraction.

“You will never need to thank me for that, Ryder,” Reyes grins, and though he’s back to the vernacular Scott has come to know from associates, there’s a glimmer of something else there -- a tease within a professional air, and Scott is nearly winded with relief. There’s something there. He came looking for something, and he found it.

“Although, I must admit that I’m surprised,” Reyes continues, running his thumb across the bend in Scott’s wrist. “After watching you agonize over it for months outside of Tartarus, I never thought you’d actually come confront me.”

Scott jolts slightly in embarrassment. “You knew about that?”

Reyes scoffs, adjusting Scott’s shirt where it had wrinkled up against his stomach. “Please. I’m the king of Kadara, Pathfinder. And besides, I can never resist watching you pick a fight with the locals,” he winks, and Scott laughs lightly.

“Look, about the thing with Sloane--”

But Reyes waves him off. “Don’t start. I can’t fathom the turmoil your head must be in, but whatever reassurance I can offer you, I’m happy to give it. If you will something for Kadara, I’ll make it happen. We're a team here, Scott.”

Scott raises an eyebrow. “Reassurance? Is that what we’re calling this?”

“Well,” Reyes counters, his voice lowering as he runs his fingers across the back of Scott’s neck, eliciting an enticing shiver. “Do you feel reassured?”

Scott leans into the touch automatically, clinging to that gun-metal scent that’s now laced with the sweet smell of sex. “I feel a lot of things, Reyes,” he admits, and it’s softer than he imagined it to be in his head. He feels more vulnerable now than he did five minutes ago, bent over and taken.

But Reyes is there, gathering up his insecurities before they can flee from the room and out into the vast expanses of Andromeda where the population can find them. His arm curls around Scott’s waist and he kisses Scott’s hand delicately, seemingly just because he feels allowed to.

“Good,” he mutters back, a genuine smile on his face. “But out of concern for your well-being, I ask that you come visit me whenever you need to work through things. I’d rather avoid you being hurt because you’re too prideful.”

Scott grins and rests his forehead against Reyes, basking in the absolute security he feels, finally at peace with accepting it from the least secure source he’s ever known. But Reyes shifts slightly, and Scott can feel the uncertain questions that are haunting him before Reyes even cautiously give them voice.

“Perhaps… maybe, I can be the only one you visit?”

Scott falters, both because he’s never seen Reyes more hesitant, hanging on the changes in Scott's expression like they hold more answers than he dared ask, and because from the very beginning, he imagined this encounter going entirely differently, despite what he wanted.

“Are you asking me for exclusively, Reyes?” Scott teases, trying to hide the pleasant shock that's steadily filling all the empty parts within him.

Reyes shrugs, nonchalant, but the ghost of a smile lingers on the edges of his mouth, and it's all Scott can do to lean in and kiss him, overcome with the knowledge that he might be able to do it freely, without questioning the cons and re-evaluating what led him there.

“And here I thought you were going to be difficult,” Scott remarks, pulling away just enough to speak, content with sharing his air with the man before him, his heart pounding in unexpected, unaltered joy.

“I'm just looking out for my kingdom, Pathfinder. After all, every king needs a --”

“Finish that sentence Vidal, and I will paint this room in your blood.”

Reyes laughs and kisses him through an honest smile, his arms winding around Scott to pull him close.

“Kadara suits you, Scott.”

But they've both known that for a long time now.

[relax-o-vision]

Okay, so here are some of my first impressions of Mass Effect: Andromeda. Not very spoilery, mostly because in the 14 hours I’ve played so far not a lot has happened. Put under a cut anyway, just to be sure.

I’m going to list some good, some bad, and some ugly. Like I said, however, these are only first impressions. I’m 17% in, so a lot can still happen.

Some good:

- I like the profile system, and the fact that I’m no longer restricted by a starting class. The variety of abilities to choose from is a little overwhelming, but that’s just what happens when you start a new rpg. I’m still learning.

- I like that weapon stats are back and more detailed than ever.

- the crafting system looks intriguing, though I haven’t gotten the chance to get into that, yet.

- Vetra. Big heart eyes. I’ve complained in the past that bioware has the habit of creating super goody good male characters and forcing them onto me like I have to care about guys, while mostly trying to make female companions “controversial” to some degree. Garrus and Varric come to mind. With Vetra it seems I finally got the female super good character, who gets to be funny and smart and attractive and strong and cunning and loyal all at once. That’s what I always wanted and I’ll be sure to drag her everywhere with me, always.

- tiddy plates are mostly gone! I mean, Cora still looks like shit but at least my protagonist gets to look like an actual human being.

- the soundtrack is not as memorable as in other Mass Effect games, but I enjoy it quite a bit.

- the dialogue wheel fulfills its purpose fine. it’s mostly clear what the character is going to say after choosing an option, and on the whole dialogues seem much more organic than they did in previous mass effect games

- non-squad members get banter and even though I strongly dislike the no-homo squad rule mass effect has I do not feel like Suvi and Gil are less important than the squad members.

Some bad:

- the story is extremely slow. I can’t even say anything more because after 14 hours I know as much as I knew before starting the game: I’m here to look for a place to stay. and I guess family stuff?

- we left 7 (?) races behind in the milky way and only got 2 as replacements. as a result I can go for seemingly miles and miles on planet surface and only encounter bugs. it’s like no man’s sky except that I get to laugh in that game when I see a giant buttplug hop past me

- the map. the nomad. hazzards. fights in hazzards. hello darkness my old friend. they give me vast places to explore, and then they actively discourage me from exploring.

- timed missions. they come out of nowhere and then it says: “you now have two (2) minutes to drive like a maniac through the desert and if you don’t make it people die.” wtf. I hope this was an exception.

- the characters are mostly flat cliches and for the first time in a bioware game I find myself skipping dialogues. everybody (with the exception of Vetra who is perfect) is kinda nice and kinda funny and kinda has a short temper but nobody means bad. it’s like I’m in a cheap action-comedy with seven bud spencers and a religious lesbian. kill me.

- additionally to the last point: they were aiming for a mature rating but then wrote dialogues clearly targeted at teenagers. no adult person talks like these adult characters. some lines made me physically cringe.

Some ugly:

Shall I say it? Homophobia and misogyny.

When the character creator was first shown off I was disappointed that hair was yet again genderlocked. Clearly you can categorize men and women by how we wear our hair????

Turns out that was just the cherry on top of the shit-cake.

I don’t even know where to start? I’m traveling with three straight men in my squad, as well as three female characters who are available to straight men.

Don’t want to piss off the people who send threats to your developers, huh? I’m sure they’re your best customers and should be catered to.

Of course in the far future we as people have evolved to the point where you don’t have to say the words gay and lesbian anymore and we defy stereotypes with hyperfeminine lesbian side characters, character, singular, one lesbian in the galaxy. But we can’t have dykes and fags running around on missions with the real people.

Or show too much PDA.

My biggest surprise perhaps was that with Andromeda I have found the first female companion who I dislike.

What is up with Cora? She comes along with her libfem kweer undercut and tells you (not directly but by context) that:

a) your relationship to your father is not as important as her relationship to your father

b) she as a human is the true asari on board (what a disgrace; though I’m having the impression that the writing team didn’t really read any asari lore for this game; either that or they really fucking hate them)

c) straight girl whines about being different and feeling unaccepted. in a game that sidelines gays and lesbians. that barely shows any same sex pda and does not feature a single m/m squad romance.

“boohoo I have space magic.”

Somebody needs to stop straight people or I’m using my space magic to open a breach, walk into the fade, and tear down the veil so the spirits of our fallen gay ancestors can come back and give you a reason to be so dramatic.

---

Homophobia makes me angry.

Anyway.

Overall I’m having moderate fun. I’m still looking forward to romance Vetra and getting to know Peebee and Suvi more. And I do see improvements made to dialogues, customization options, and combat in comparison to previous games.

I also think that my impression might be more positive if the game didn’t throw Dragon Age references in my face, thus making me compare the game to Inquisition (which so far is the better game), and if I had not just finished up Horizon Zero Dawn, which was spectacular and does make Mass Effect look last gen. But that’s how competition works. Someone else delivers what you promised and that makes you look bad.

Mostly, and this was very bizarre, I found myself looking for the old gang before remembering that I won’t be seeing them again. I miss the DS9 vibe from the old games. I miss visiting my favorite arsehole on Omega. I miss being part of a multi-cultural intergalactic space adventure.

As of now Andromeda seems pretty large and pretty empty.

Like I said, first impressions.