bioticbacon:

(This is entirely @briarfox13​ ‘s fault, from a conversation many moons ago which spurred this little drabble. fShenko ahoy.)

Northern Lights

Shepard found him in the starboard observation deck, hidden in darkness and staring into the expanse of black through the glass. With the lights dimmed, she could make out his figure against the brilliant flashes of colour dancing amongst the stars. There had been something about a storm, Joker had mentioned it, somewhere above – fuck, where were they again? Her exhausted brain complained at the effort, and Shepard gave up. Space weather was always far more interesting than the Earth equivalent, anyhow. The cabin door closed behind her with a soft hiss as she moved to join him, quietly finding his side. It took a moment, Kaidan’s gaze following the latest flash of vibrant green above the distant planet, before he acknowledged her presence.

“Beautiful, isn’t it? Reminds me of the aurora back home.”

“The Northern Lights?” Shepard folded her arms, nudging his elbow gently. “Just a little flaring and some excitable particules, isn’t it?”

Kaidan scoffed, offended and entertained all at once, and his eyes finally met her own. “We’re talking about the aurora borealis, Shepard.”

“Only if you’re in the north.” At his raised brow and unamused pout, she continued with a grin. “Are you getting all romantic on me, Alenko? About space wind?”

“They’re special, alright?” The indignation in his voice only gave way as his eyes became distant, a fond, nostalgic smile tugging at edges of his mouth. “I remember seeing them as a kid… once or twice out over English Bay. ‘Course, it’s too bright that close to the city to really see them. They were always way more impressive out at the orchard, when we used to head out there for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Used to light up the whole sky with greens and pinks…” His gaze shifted back to the darkness beyond the glass, fingertips spreading across it as colour bloomed once more, green twisting . “Spent more than one night watching them dancing in the sky above Okanagan Lake. Dad always had a hip flask handy to keep off the chill, usually some 18 year old rye he insisted was best for the job. Burnt like hell as a boy, used to wonder how the old man drank it and enjoyed it… But he loved watching them too. Always said the best view he ever had was coming home to Earth, and seeing the Northern Lights as they entered orbit…”

His voice faltered, and the pain that wrote itself across his face at the mention of his father did not need words. It had been days since his mother had sent the news, yet she doubted he had even begun to process it. Shepard knew the stoicism with which Kaidan carried himself was a carefully constructed facade, determination and professionalism keeping together the image while behind the surface he could barely tread water; the memories of Vancouver burning haunted him in his dreams, peppered with the guilt of leaving behind those who needed him most. She hesitated before her much smaller hand found his, fingers twisting together and offering him a squeeze of the hand in wordless comfort. As his hand locked with hers, the gentle pressure she received in return was everything his eyes said he could not bring himself to say, could not find the words to knit together to speak out loud. The silent pause hung in the air, tangible and heavy, before Kaidan spoke once more.

“I used to watch them and wonder, y’know? Sounds crazy to say it when we’re standing on a ship capable of going faster than light itself, out at the other side of the galaxy but… I don’t know. Staring up at them, it makes you think what other secrets are out there… what other wonderful things are the stars are hiding that you are so unaware of?”

Another gentle squeeze surrounded her hand and Shepard returned it, tilting her head to meet his warm gaze with a coy smile.

“Are we still talking about the northern lights, Major?”

There it was. The rumble of a laugh that seemed to spill from him so easily, the twitch of the corner of his lips in amusement, the twinkle in his eye of their shared, unspoken understanding. Kaidan drew her to him with practiced ease, hands breaking apart only so his arm around curl around her waist, and she settled against his chest, nestled in the warmth of his embrace. Soft lips pressed a kiss to the side of her head and Shepard sighed, fingers playing with the clasp of his uniform.

“I suppose you’ll just have to take me home and show me these magical lights of yours in person… to convince me.”

His breath stilled beneath her, and Shepard knew every implication of the words she had chosen, of just what kind of a promise that offered. They’d make it out of this. They’d go home. They’d build a life together. There’d be peace. They’d be together. She didn’t have to look to know the grin he was wearing. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. A little camping trip, once we’re done with this saving the galaxy business and all.” For the sake of the moment, she managed to silence the looming darkness in her mind, whispering about failure, and instead leant her chin against him, looking up to offer him a gentle smile. “I’ve heard Canada’s got a lot of beautiful sights, after all.”

tlcinbflo:

vorchagirl:

Shenko all the way! I think because of @tlcinbflo‘s fic Snowed In, which is one of my all time favourite shenko oneshots that became a miniseries. I love it. And a snowstorm with complicated feels and smut? Yessir.

Thanks for the mention! I’m so glad you love Snowed In so much… especially because it never would have been written if not for you.

jawsandbones:

Hurrying through the hospital,
crutch under his arm, limping as fast as he can through the hallways. Pushing
people out of the way, but there’s no time for politeness, no room for
patience. It was Joker who told him, and the instant he heard, Kaidan was up
and looking. Not hard to find the right door, not with the guards right outside
it. “Excuse me sir,” one says, putting up his arm, barring his way, “no one is
to enter.”  

“I wouldn’t do that if I were
you!” It’s shouted from down the hallway, Joker doing his best to keep up. Kaidan
doesn’t care. Leaning against the crutch, a swift stomp to the knee. Pushing
him into his partner, pushing past them, pushing open the door. A nurse gasps
when she sees him.

“You’re not supposed to be in
here!” He doesn’t hear her. He’s too busy looking at the person in the bed, the
one struggling to sit up. The crutch drops as he staggers forward, half falls
against the bed. Hands on her face, pressing his forehead tight against hers.

“I thought I’d lost you,” he
tells her hoarsely, as she reaches up, wraps hands around his wrists.

“Kaidan, they wouldn’t tell me
what happened to you… oh god,” she says, blinking away the tears in her eyes,
the subtle wobble of her chin. Hands that move shift, her arms wrapping around
him and his around her. They hold each other close, shaking in the tightness of
it. His hands splayed against her back, her head buried in the crook of his
shoulder. He breathes her in, that sterile hospital scent but still the
familiarity underneath. Something that could never be buried, hidden, and oh
the warmth of her. Fisting into his shirt, pulling him in even more because
close isn’t close enough.

“Shepard,” and it’s ragged in
his throat. Salt on her lips, sweetness on her tongue.