#ghostxofxartemis

[keriweird]

Warm up request painting of Miranda Lawson for @ghostxofxartemis . The pose made the likeness tricky but it was fun.

[ghostxofxartemis]

Rayleigh Scattering

After a year and some, I have decided to post the first chapter of Rayleigh Scattering.

Tags: Female Shepard, Coats, David Anderson, Kahlee Sanders, house fire, fire, rats and mice, guns, violence, guns and violence, blood, blood and injury Rating: Mature

Summary: She suddenly finds herself all alone.

[theoriginalladya]

AO3 Meme

I was tagged by @dandenbo - thanks for thinking of me, friend!

Rules: Give us the links to your wonderful words with the most hits, most kudos, most comments, most bookmarks, most words, and least words.

Okay, let's see what we've got here...

Most Hits

I was looking at this earlier today because I got a lovely comment on my epic Dragon Age story, Ever Constant. It's been at the top of the hit list for so long, I was wondering how it was doing after I got an unexpected comment on it last night. Turns out, the gap between it and second place is not nearly so big as it was! Ever Constant is still first with 4,432, but my Mass Effect longfic, Destiny's Fate, has nearly caught up - 4,334. It used to be several hundred behind, now it's less than a hundred!

Most Kudos

Again, Ever Constant is at the top at 103. However, Dribbles & Drabs (Mass Effect, mostly Caleb and Abboats, but also a couple other mSheps) is at 100!

Most Comments

A tie this time at 65 each! Ever Constant (thank you to the commenter last night! lol) and (Mass Effect) Destiny's Hand, the first one of the Destiny series with my mShep/femShep pair.

Most Bookmarks

Ever Constant at 43, more than twice the second place one.

Most Words/Least Words

Most words = Ever Constant at 331,923 (will never do another fic that long, I don't think lol)

Least words = Earthbounders - Mass Effect - a fun little prompt/drabble I did for my Parasenko pair (Gianna Parasini/Kaidan Alenko) at 318!

What a fun meme to research! Thanks so much for tagging me!

I'll tag back... @tiny-banana-time @mtreebeardiles @shadoedseptmbr @happychica and @ghostxofxartemis - no obligation, of course!

[illusivesoul]

Was tagged by @quietborderline to take this quiz. Thank you :)

I'll tag @cactihazard @ghostxofxartemis @ladyamesindy and @marythegizka Only if you feel like doing this, of course.

[masweird]

Last Line Challenge

Tagged by: borrowing this from @elleweird

Rules: in a new post, show the last line you wrote and tag as many people as there are words.

“They use octahedra to build this. Precision engineering and mathematics.”

Evidently his blank stare translated through his opaque visor.

Do I know anyone to be tagged? Oh well, if you've been tagged before, add another line! @ghostxofxartemis @cr-noble-writes

[masweird]

Probably won't get to this until my local timezone AM, but that just builds anticipation right? Original IP chars: Asher, Skylar, Ciel ME chars: Hailee Shepard, Jiri Shepard, Sara Rachel Ryder

(apologies if you keep getting tagged, I have about as many tumblr moots as unique letters in "moots") @vorchagirl @silencedminstrel @theoriginalladya @oneterribletruth @keriweird @alchemist-after-dark @ghostxofxartemis

A  PEAK  AT  WHAT’S  INSIDE  THEIR          .    .    .

[  *  ]      writing prompt      )         :             send a number  1 - 30  to take a closer look inside this characters life.        /        below you will find a series of various prompts offering a look inside a characters every day life.        these are meant to invoke character development     &     can also be altered as seen fit to better suit the character in question.         bonus if you explain why it’s there!

01.     pockets. 02.     bag   /   purse. 03.     car trunk. 04.     car glovebox. 05.     closet. 06.     bedside table drawer. 07.     medicine cabinet. 08.     wallet. 09.     “junk” drawer. 10.     pantry. 11.     phone home screen. 12.     frequently used emojis. 13.     to do list. 14.     computer home screen. 15.     bookcase. 16.     cd collection. 17.     calendar for this month. 18.     “secret” hiding spot. 19.     five most recent in contact list.  20.     refrigerator.  21.     home safe.  22.     amazon shopping cart.  23.     bank account.  24.     first aid kit.  25.     five most recent in google search history.  26.     most used playlist.  27.     least used playlist.  28.     five most recent sent text messages  29.     five most recent received text messages  30.     netflix watch history. 

[bioticbooty]

Retrieved this GORGEOUS ami Kaidan where he was temporarily held hostage  by the post office,  sent by @ghostxofxartemis!  Thank you so much, he is SO CUTE and the subtle coy, smirk is *chef’s kiss* I love it​

[shadoedseptmbr]

Kiss prompt 24. a kiss on the inside of the wrist.

This continues on from here: 

Shore Leave part two

Kaidan set the griddle to heat and mixed batter while Aedan grabbed the plates.  He watched her wander back to the window and wondered for a moment if they were going to re-enact the first minutes of their morning all over again.  

But instead she just stretched out the shoulder she’d broken, turning her face up to the warmth streaming in through the glass as she flexed her arms, behind her back and then over her head.  The light caught in the fine golden hair that sprinkled her skin and she was softly haloed as she worked out the stiffness, every movement lithe and smooth.   

A spat from the griddle called him back from his admiration.  

As the first batch of pancakes started to cook, he went to go clean up the dried out remains of his first attempt at breakfast.

 “Don’t throw those away, they’re perfectly good.”  She’d snuck up on him on cat light feet.

“They’re congealed. It’ll take me ten minutes to make pancakes, you don’t have to eat cold eggs.”

"They’re fine."  Aedan snagged the pan from him and deftly dumped the cold eggs into a carton of noodles they’d left on the counter the night before.  He tried to snatch the carton away from her but she danced away grinning and stuffed a bite in her mouth.

"Who raised you, wolves?" He wanted to take it back as soon as he said it but she chortled around her mouthful.

"Worse.  Nuns.” Her voice went crisp, and she looked down her snubbed nose, raising one slanty eyebrow.  “Waste is a sin, Kaidan Elek Alenko.”

“I probably shouldn’t find that sexy, should I?”

“Ooh, no,” she wrinkled her nose.  “Anything but a nun-kink.”

Playful Aedan Shepard was a hundred kinds of delightful and Kaidan suddenly had the urge to see how many faces he could get her to make. “Until a second ago, it wasn’t a problem.”  He watched her out of the corner of his eye as he poured batter into a hot pan, “Now...priest-kink…?”

“Uhhhgh.” He was rewarded in full as she pushed aside the hideous noodle combo and scrunched her whole face up, “Noo, why?” 

“My, uh...my mom used to watch this vid series when I was a kid.  There was one guy in the collar...”  He grinned as her eyebrows lifted.

“Oh….*actor* priest-kink is very different.  Totally acceptable.”  

“Good to know.” He knocked the container into the trash with a tiny push.

“You think I won’t go after that?”

“There is actual maple syrup in that cabinet, please go find it and torment me after we eat?” he resorted to pleading.

“Only because you’ve broken out the big sad eyes.”  She relented and found the canned syrup.  “Hey, you spent a lot of money getting this place stocked on top of everything.  You’re gonna let me split the bill, right?”

“I, uh.  Yeah.  If you want.  You could just let me treat you.” Kaidan kept his eyes on the griddle as he flipped the cakes onto plates  and poured out more batter.  He should probably eat one while the rest cooked; he could feel his energy sapping as he stood over the stove.  The abuse he’d given his amp on the Citadel kept catching up with him.

“I could but I’m not gonna.  Beach was my idea and you could have just found us some hole in the wall motel.”

“Doesn’t seem right for you to have to pay for my sensibilities.” 

“Oh, well, if we’re just here because you’re delicate…”  There was a definite tease in her voice and he nodded solemnly.

“Very.”

“Hmm.”  She slid her arms around his waist and laid her head between his shoulders.  “I really like it.  And those smell really good.”  

He pressed his spatula free hand against hers.  “Couple more minutes.”  He chuckled at her light whine.  “Fruit juice in the cooler if you don’t want coffee.” 

“Beer in the cooler, too.”

“Not with pancakes,” he admonished as he spread a layer of butter on the first couple layers.  

“No fun at all.”   He eyed her curvy backside as she dug around the bottles.

“I am so much fun.”  He added the last of the batter before he spun around to catch her and twisted the energy around him to boost her onto the island behind him and bury his face in her neck as she giggled, her hands full with the bottle and glasses.  

He was tracing a line up to her ear when the room swung around on him.

 He dropped his grip on her to brace his hands against the stone counter.  

“Hey.” The bottle and glasses clattered before she put her hands on his chin and lifted his eyes to meet hers.  “Oof, nope.  Go sit down.”

“I’m okay.” He protested as she pushed him towards the barstool. 

“Uhhunh.  Pull the other one and I’ll break 5’7” next physical. Go sit.  I can flip those before they burn.”  She slid down, filching the spatula from his loose grip and flipped the cakes over, just a hair browner than he normally let them get.  

He poured and sipped at the juice she’d set out.  “So much for fun.” he finally muttered as she finished drizzling syrup across the two plates.

“I’m the one who didn’t let you eat this morning.  Open up.”  

Scowling, he pulled his face away from the offering, “I can feed…”

“Sure you can, but this way?  We’re still having a little fun.”  She straddled his knees and sat down, the loaded fork held carefully over the plate to catch drips.

“I guess.”

“Hey, they don’t call me tactically brilliant for nothin’.” she smirked as he rolled his eyes and took the bite.

Kaidan chewed while Aedan took one for herself and had to smile at the way she closed her eyes in bliss.  He was pretty sure he’d heard her make that noise a few hours before, but it hadn’t been quite that loud.

“Worth the wait?”

“You have no idea, holy fuck.”

The juice was already catching him up as he took another offered bite, he chewed for a minute before sighing.  “I know better.” As the next bite came, he tilted his head to press his lips, still a little sticky from the last, against the blue veins in her wrist.

She nuzzled against his cheek, her own mouth still a little slick with butter as she set the plate aside.   “God forbid you don’t have every vulnerable point on lockdown every single second, hmm?   I got your back, sweetheart.”  She paused a second, adding softly, “Just like you had mine when I should have let you eat.”

He wrapped one arm around her, taking the fork away to set it on the counter with the plate. “This...this is real, isn’t it?”

“This?”

“Aedan.” He’d overstretched more than his endurance this morning.

“Yeah.”  She sat back up and met his gaze.  “Yeah, I think it is.” She cradled his face with her thumbs brushing his cheekbones as he cupped the back of her head, looking up at her.  “Not gonna lie, I kind of thought you’d get tired of me by now but...we’re...I…” Her face scrunched again, this time in frustration and dropped her forehead against his. “I want more time.”

Three days, three months, or three years, he couldn’t imagine ever getting tired of this. Kaidan spread his other hand out over the old scar on her thigh.  “Not getting rid of me that easy.”  

They’d have to drag him away.

[swaps55]

Dealer's choice of 3 questions for oc ask meme for what has not been asked yet 😊

Oooh, fun! Thank you! 

OC Ask Meme

L: lies the most. Kara Pendergrass. She grew up on the streets, lied all the time to survive, and has zero qualms about lying when it suits her. The only thing stopping her is if she thinks, or knows, someone she holds in high regard would be disappointed in her. 

N: needs way more attention from me. Anya Oseguera. As the ‘Yang’s captain, she doesn’t play nearly as active a role in Cantata as the others, so she hasn’t gotten nearly enough love from me. And she deserves it. She’s a grade A human being, and an excellent behind-the-scenes advocate for Sam. We’ll actually get to see more of her in the next Cantata story.  

X: is the most xenial toward complete strangers. I’m not entirely sure what ‘xenial’ is supposed to mean, but I’m interpreting it as congenial, in which case the answer is Clay Beaudoin. He has never met a stranger in his life. He can walk up to a group of people he has never met and slip right in like he’s known them his whole life. He’s a charismatic motherfucker who puts everyone at ease, and everyone likes him.

[mai-nonsense]

OTP Ask Meme: 4, 14, 17, 19, for Vance/ Ashley. 2, 6, 16, 20, Kaidan/Miranda.

From this list

Thanks for asking! Let’s see:

Vance/Ashley

4. When they can’t sleep, what do they do?

Aside from the obvious answer to this one *eyebrow wiggle*; Ashley reads, often aloud to Vance as he lies next to her. On particularly restless nights, Vance makes them both tea. It’s always loose-leaf green tea, Vance has a vendetta against tea bags.

14. Who’s prone to road rage?

VANCE. It’s not like Ashley has never road-raged herself, but on top of being an angry driver, Vance is also a ridiculously bad one. To the point that he’s banned from driving the mako. If you’re wondering who does drive it, it’s his brother Damien, who banned Vance in the first place after they flew over one-too-many cliff sides.

17. who carries all the important documents while traveling?

Both Vance and Ash like to carry their own weight, so it’s usually 50/50. Unless it’s shared document of some kind, then Ashley handles that honor, as Vance is prone to stuffing up the little details on forms.

19. Who puts their cold hands/feet on the other?

Definitely Ashley, especially in the mornings when Vance is half-awake. She likes to lure him in under the guise of kissing him then sticks her freezing hands up his shirt. Vance falls for it every time.

Kaidan/Miranda

2. who wants to stay in bed just a little longer?

Kaidan. Miranda’s a busy woman, her priorities always have to be in order, so she usually gets out of bed first. Or tries to. Kaidan will sleepily wrap and arm around her to get her to stay and suddenly all the things she had to go can wait, if only for a little bit. 6. who falls asleep last, watching the other with a small, affectionate smile?

Miranda. She thinks it’s foolish to let her emotions to get the better of her like that, but she allows herself the indulgence. After all, the first time she met Kaidan he was tightly wound, very upset and angry, so she enjoys seeing him at peace

16. Who reminds the other to put on sunscreen before going to the beach (or pool) ?

They’re both fairly diligent with this, though sometimes one of them will conveniently “forget” to put it on, leaving the other to apply it for them.

20. What do they argue about the most?

Initially, there’s a fair amount of tension between them about Miranda’s previous affiliation with Cerberus, but that’s all pre-relationship and it disappears pretty quickly after they start getting to know one another. Post getting together, it’s omnitool preferences. Miranda’s all about expensive, experimental models that won’t be on the market for years, whereas Kaidan’s decided the Logic Arrest is the hill he’s going to die on and refuses to upgrade. Most of the time it’s just light-hearted teasing on Miranda’s part, they don’t out-and-out argue very often.  

Thanks again for the ask!

[keriweird]

I have a soft spot for this rare pair, and thoroughly enjoyed bringing Reagan Shepard/William Coats to the page for the ever lovely @ghostxofxartemis

Thanks so much for commissioning me!

Also... If you like ultra spicy reads... Mosey on over to her AO3 and check it out!

[ghostxofxartemis]

Recircling this one because I didn't have the chance to write something up for Shepard's birthday. Although there's still time and i might still attempt to finish the second fic i started last year or write up a new one.

In the meantime have some John Shepard/Ashley Williams

Happy Birthday, Shepard!

Rated: G

Pairing: John Shepard/Ashley Williams

Since I didn't get anything ready for Shep's bday, though there's still time, I'm recircling this one.

Shepard is sitting at his desk in his cabin in the Normandy SR1. His chair is hard, uncomfortable, his back is sore, though that’s the least of his concerns; he feels like it should be Anderson in here and not him. His mind is unfocused, his thoughts keep going back to their mission on Feros a few days ago. The Thorian still churns his stomach as he remembers how it was controlling the colonist. It’s not the only thing keeping him distracted, there is an awful lot of commotion coming from the mess hall just outside his cabin, making it difficult to finish his report from their mission on Elatania this morning; those space monkeys were just a pain in the ass to deal with. Having Ashley and Liara giggle away at him while on all fours didn’t exactly help with his mood either. He’s certainly not feeling like someone who spent months and months on end through a grueling program to achieve N7, but more like a serviceman grunt at this moment.

"What in the devil's work is going on?!"

Frustrated, he flicks his stylus onto his desk, then stands up, makes his way to his door and steps into the mess hall. He’s not one to usually lose his temper, but the persistent migraine he’s had the last past two days after receiving the cypher on Feros has been driving him insane. The commotion was just making it worse, souring his mood that much more.

[theoriginalladya]

Goodnight kisses for the Coats pairing of your choice?

from this list

On AO3 here

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!  Sorry it took so long, but here we go!!!  My first Alenkoats piece published!!!  Thank you so much for asking for this!  It works so well for their setup, I couldn’t resist!  Enjoy!

setting:  Far Rim, Milky Way, 2187

characters:  Major Kaidan Alenko, Major Benjamin Coats

~~~

Next Stop...

Kaidan pauses on his way out of the cryo-processing room on board the Vaul.  The first of the new arks based off the Andromeda Initiative schematics they’d found is ready for its maiden voyage, and he is one of the fortunate passengers, but that doesn’t come without a cost.  The room behind him is nearly empty now; he is one of the last pushed through.  With each of the thousands of passengers leaving, the room fills with an eerie silence, one that leaves Kaidan’s nerves a little on edge.  When he reaches the observation window, he stops long enough to simply stare out at the dying sun of Dholen in the distance.  From the safety of the Vaul, everything looks so safe, so peaceful, and yet he knows it is anything but.  With each passing day, the threat of the reapers inches ever closer.  Soon, there won’t be a safe space left in the entire galaxy.

Unformed words, more thoughts than anything, come to his mind in the shape of prayer as the quiet blankets him.  He recognizes the irony of it; he is not, by nature, a praying man.  Too many life experiences, too many years serving in the military, too many personal losses that only prove that if there is a God out there, he has no care for the world, the galaxy, and those who make it their home.  Forget Vyrnnus and the disaster that was BAaT.  Forget the loss of friends, family, innocents, so very many of them over the years and throughout the war.  How can God exist when creatures like the reapers exist to destroy it all due to the whim of some apex race millions of years before?

He is pulled from the steadily increasing downward spiral as a hand settles on his shoulder, another at his waist.  He knows this touch, the weight of it as familiar to him as breathing.  In all honesty, he thrives on it these days.  Right now, he accepts the quiet reassurance it brings and leans into it. “Thinking awfully hard for someone about to take a long nap, love,” Ben murmurs near his ear.

Kaidan huffs softly and pulls his gaze from Dholen to glance over his shoulder.  Concerned steel grey eyes meet his.  “There’s a lot to think about.”

“Enough to get lost in your head again?”  Coats moves to the side giving Kaidan space to maneuver his crutches as they head out of the room together.  

“You know me.”

They chuckle in companionable silence as they head to the cryo storage bay.  It is a daunting sight to see the vast numbers of pods already stowed away for the long journey.  Kaidan pauses halfway into the room, staring up at them.  He knows good and well some of his best friends, his only remaining friends, have already taken to their six hundred year sleep.  He and Ben are among the last.  But along with that knowledge comes lingering doubt.  He looks over at his husband again.  “Are we doing the right thing, Ben?  Leaving the Milky Way?  If the rest get caught before they can leave…?”

Coats slides an arm around Kaidan’s shoulder in a comforting hug.  “What else can we do?  Earth’s gone, or soon will be.  Palaven. Thessia.  Tuchanka.  The rest won’t take long after that.  We have nowhere else to go.”

A small shudder works through him.  Ben’s arm tightens to keep him upright.  Kaidan accepts the support without question.  We’ve lost so damned much…  “Do you really think we’ll find a better life in Andromeda?”

“Hey, now, what’s this all about?” Ben asks, tilting Kaidan’s chin just enough so their eyes meet again.  Kaidan flushes, battling back embarrassment.  It’s been such a long battle, and he hates giving up before the fight is completely over.  “Why all these doubts now?  You helped lead us to this point.  Don’t you want to go?”

“I do,” he agrees quickly and without looking away.  “Of course, I do.  It’s just… The Milky Way is our home.  It feels too much like we’re… being chased away by the neighborhood bully, you know?  We’re quitting.  Giving up.”

Coats guides him over to the side of the room, out of the way of a small group entering the cryo bay after them.  Kaidan peeks over, notices one of the asari he and Ben spoke to after their arrival in the Far Rim.  We’re all in this together.  Human.  Asari. Turian.  Quarian.  Geth. Salarian.  Hanar.  Elcor. Drell.  Volus.  All of us.  

It’s been eighteen months since the battle in London was lost.  The reapers still harvest.  Shepard and Anderson are both MIA, presumed dead.  The Normandy is gone, no sight or sound, another casualty of that battle.  The Citadel, their only hope in keeping the galaxy united to confront the reaper threat, completely destroyed by the reapers.  What other choice do they have?

“Hey.”

Pulled out of his thoughts again, Kaidan returns his attention to Ben, who slides a hand up the side of Kaidan’s neck until his thumb strokes his scruff covered cheek.  Kaidan tilts his head into the touch.  This… this is why.  Neither of them have any family left; the reapers have seen to that.  They only have each other.  Until death do us part.

“Not doubts,” Kaidan whispers.  “Not really.  Just… regrets.”

Ben tips his forehead until it touches Kaidan’s and gently covers Kaidan’s lips with his own.  The kiss is soft, sweet, a memory from the past as well as a promise for the future. When the kiss breaks, Ben’s smile is, as always, present.  “This nightmare will end,” he promises.  “We’ll sleep for a while –”

Kaidan chuckles softly.  “Six hundred years is ‘a while’ to you?”

Ben silences him with another quick kiss.  “A while,” he repeats.  “Then we’ll wake up, the reapers will be gone, and we’ll find a home.  Together. How’s that sound?”

Out of the corner of his eye, Kaidan sees one of the cryo techs approaching.  Their time has run out, it seems.  “Sounds good,” he replies as he takes a step back with the aid of his crutches.  

Ben moves to his side and they follow the technician to find their cryo pods.  Kaidan is first to enter his with his husband’s help.  Getting settled takes a few moments given his injuries.  Before the lid closes, Ben leans over and ghosts one last kiss across his lips.  “Next stop, Andromeda.”  

Kaidan nods, lifting his left hand to trace his fingers over Ben’s face.  “I’ll see you in the morning,” he quips, his fingers lingering as long as they can. By the time Ben backs away and the technician lowers the lid to the pod, Kaidan’s eyes are already closing.  

Next stop, Andromeda…

[illusivesoul]

Was tagged by @quietborderline Thank you :) I'll tag @vulpixelates @elleweird @ghostxofxartemis and @happychica . Only if you feel like doing this, of course. Bold which you prefer. painting or photography // dusk or dawn // spring or autumn // movies or tv shows // chocolate or nutella // audiobooks or podcasts // card games or board games // fiction or nonfiction // cookies or brownies // dragons or unicorns // bath or shower // blue or yellow // rollercoasters or bumper cars // iced tea or hot tea // left side of bed or right side of bed  // zip-up hoodie or pullover hoodie // straight hair or curly hair // gummy worms or gummy bears // rain or snow // sneakers or flip-flops // bowling or mini-golf // pasta or pizza

[ljandersen]

Thank you for the tag @ficbrish! It’s been a while since I’ve seen a new game.  Thanks for thinking of me!

Rules: Pick any ten of your fics, scroll to the midpoint, pick a line (or three) and share it. Then tag ten people. 

[I went with six and a longer excerpt] 

‐----------------------------------------------------

1. Sideways Part 1: Sideways

“Here.”  Shepard grabbed his hand.  He tried to pull away, but she slapped the pistol into his palm and curled his finger around it.  She shoved his hand back at him.  “There, Admiral Alenko .  Feel better now?”

Kaidan considered the pistol in his hand.  He looked up at her. “You know Cicero would like to see me KIA?”

Shepard frowned.  “What?  You think I’m his hired gun?  I’ll take you out while we’re down here alone?”

2. Sideways Part 2: Entwined

Kaidan laughed and cupped her face.  “You know there are cameras in here.”

Shepard realized her hand had brunched up his shirt almost to the shoulder.  Her palm pressed against the hot skin of his chest.

“I don’t care.”  She panted wolfishly and reeled him back to her mouth.

“Whoa.”  He laughed and playfully batted her grasping hands away.  “You want this all over the extranet?  Councilor-Spectre sex tape.”

“Sure.  Aquarium Sex Romp Part 1. ”

“Part 1?”  Kaidan sputtered, backing up, and laughingly batting her hand away again.

3. Sideways Part 3: Prism

“That’s how you got them?  Sleeping gas?”  Shepard threw Feron back a step.  “After I save you, I’m killing you.”

Feron tugged on his jacket and stood taller.  “Then I’m not going.”

“Oh, you’re going.  I’ll knock you out with something more concrete than nerve gas and drag you.”  Shepard waved at Wrex.  “Get over here.  We’ll lift them out biotically.”

Grunt roared and beat the wall approvingly.  Garrus seemed less certain.

“Who’s lifting me?”  Garrus got to his feet.  “Is Kaidan up there?  Do I get a choice?”

4. Sideways Part 4: Abyss

“You sure you should be operating heavy machinery?” Shepard forced mirth into her tone.

“No.”  Kaidan punched another series of buttons.  A hiss and lift in the gravity made her scramble to grab the back of his seat for an anchor.  Just as quickly, the gravity settled.

“Outer doors locked.”  York ran up the gangway to them.  “Why aren’t we moving?”

“Because I’m not a real pilot,” Kaidan snapped.

York shoved past Shepard and leaned down beside him.  “You sure you should be operating heavy machinery?”

“Does someone else want to do this?  Hmm?” He rubbed his temple.  “At least I can name some of these buttons.”

5. About Mars . . .

“Donkey laugh?”  Shepard shoved him away.  “You’ve got it somewhere.  That picture.  Holding out for something you really want before blackmailing me with it?”

Kaidan lifted his Omni-Tool.  The holoscreen image made her cringe.

“Damn.  It’s worse than I remember.  And, oh nice – ha! – I do have hair in my mouth.  Lovely.”

Kaidan laughed and snapped the screen down.

“You found that pretty fast,” Shepard said.  “Got it on shortcut?”

“It’s a favorite.  Won’t lie.”  Kaidan put his hands on his hips.  “It’s a good memory.  Ash was there.”

6. About Horizon . . .

“Yeah.”  Kaidan leaned an elbow on the bar and studied her profile.  “I’ve lost a lot of people close to me. Been years now for some of them.  Still hurts like hell. You know, let’s just talk about biotic ball or turian prions again.  Who doesn’t like a spirited prion debate, hmm?”

Her lips stretched into a weak smile.  “I didn’t mean to dampen things. Damn.  I’m a bad date, aren’t I?”

“You didn’t stand me up.  That strong out the gate, what’s to worry about?”

She grinned sideways at him.  “No one would stand you up.”

“Ha.  Well, thanks.  Go on a date once a year, it keeps the odds in my favor.”

“Once a year?”  Her eyebrows raised.  She rotated on her stool.

Heat flushed in his cheeks.  “Well, I’m deployed a lot.”

Tagging: @rpgwrites @ripley95 @alphahelices @unicorn-farm @jamesholden @ghostxofxartemis @halesshepardn7 @acciokaidanalenko @aricazorel

[ficbrish]

10 Random Lines Tag

Thank you @tealenko for the thought/tag! I love doing these tag games.

Rules: Pick any ten of your fics, scroll to the midpoint, pick a line (or three) and share it. Then tag ten people.

I will have to treat chapters of multi-chaptered fics as different fics. I think I have like seven different fics, but I have more than ten chapters currently posted.

Please mind the ratings/warnings if you click on the links to the fics!

1. Weekend, Chapter 1 - Mass Effect - Shepard x Kaidan

“I’m not—Did you get my letter?” [Kaidan]

He was struggling to pick a lane. Oh God, she was right there. Just like the last time, he was losing control.

“I did,” Shepard admitted, disarmed.

“You didn’t answer it.”

“I couldn’t.”

*     *     *     *      *    

2. Breaking Regs - Mass Effect - Shepard x Kaidan

A few steps later, he kissed her when no one was looking. It felt like hell to tear himself away from her and continue walking. They walked and talked in a shared daydream, detached from the reality around them, and a need broiled between them that was left unspoken.

They’d almost forgotten the purpose of their stroll, and suddenly it hit Kaidan.

*     *     *     *      *    

3. Hanar Hats for the Birthday at the End of the World - Mass Effect - Shepard x Kaidan

“Uh oh,” Wrex shouted playfully from the other side of the table. “Here she comes!”

He gestured to Shepard, who was doing something with her hips and hands. The way she moved about had absolutely nothing to do with the beat of the currently-playing song.

“It’s not a birthday party without some grooves,” she danced, inviting everyone else to do the same.

*     *     *     *      *    

4. Weekend, Chapter 2 - Mass Effect - Shepard x Kaidan

“May I join you?” [Kaidan] asked, dangling [Shepard] so effortlessly she felt weightless.

He felt her hair brush between his thighs in response.

“Are you nodding your head?” he asked, trying to see past her bottom.

*     *     *     *      *    

5. Weekend, Chapter 3 - Mass Effect - Shepard x Kaidan

“So,” [Kaidan] said, “How are you going to save the world this time?”

“If I told you the details, you’d never let me leave this room.”

“That’s not true, I’d let you use the bathroom.”

*     *     *     *      *    

6. Weekend, Chapter 4 - Mass Effect - Shepard x Kaidan

She took his hand, bit her lip, and looked into his adoring eyes.

“I kind of want to show you though,” she said, pulse racing.

The tenderness in Kaidan’s eyes sharpened into want.

“Are you sure, Shepard?”

*     *     *     *      *    

7. Weekend, Chapter 5 - Mass Effect - Shepard x Kaidan

“Uuuhhh? I don’t know. It’s been two years for you and only a few months for me.” [Shepard]

“Sleeping Beauty,” [Kaidan] agreed, grinning and moving some hair out of her face.

“Yeah," she laughed, "Pretty much.”

*     *     *     *      *    

8. Weekend, Chapter 6 - Mass Effect - Shepard x Kaidan

“Wow,” [Shepard] said, water dripping down her face.

“I know,” [Kaidan] responded confidently.

“That’s new.”

“I’ve improved since I last saw you, Shepard.”

“Apparently!”

*     *     *     *      *    

9. Weekend, Chapter 7 - Mass Effect - Shepard x Kaidan

Garrus, the largest of them, was curled up and leaning against Tali, who was the smallest and in the middle. Liara was snug in the bench's corner up against the wall, taking up more space than the other two with her legs spread out.

Shepard patted Kasumi on the shoulder, “Mind if I go join them?”

“Of course! I’ll be good up here alone.” She looked up at Shepard and winked, “I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

*     *     *     *      *    

10. Weekend, Chapter 8 - Mass Effect - Shepard x Kaidan

Kaidan clutched his datapad, holding it in front of him. Shepard put her fingers on her keyboard.

Maybe it was just a message away.

They each took a deep sigh. The same few seconds in the universe passed.

*     *     *     *      *    

Tagging: @acciokaidanalenko @nowandthane @halesshepardn7 @ljandersen @elfishtales @gabrielrexiel @crescentbunny @lauraceaaee @ghostxofxartemis @mrsd-writes