Work Text:
British Columbia, Canada, 2188
“Kris?” Kaidan waits at the bottom of the stairs, backpack hanging loosely in fingers of one hand, a travel mug filled with strong, hot coffee in the other. “We need to get going!” As soon as the words are out of his mouth, a jaw-cracking yawn consumes him. Vaguely, he wonders if he made the coffee strong enough.
“On my way!”
In the few weeks since Kristofer’s memory has returned, he and Kaidan have been taking a gradual approach back to their former status. Still married, and still every bit as committed to one another as before, so Kristofer assures him at least a handful of times a day, Kaidan insists on the slower approach to give his husband some breathing room, time to readjust to each other and their relationship without any pressure. Kaidan’s retirement and Kristofer’s extended medical leave help, of course, giving them plenty of time together; each day an adventure, enjoying life and the opportunities that unfold before them. All in all, a much more laid-back approach than when they served in the Alliance.
Kaidan glances at the clock on the wall nearby. 4:39 am. Today’s adventure is a hiking trail around nearby Adams Lake, and they really need to get moving…
A scrambling blur of movement lands at his feet before he can back up a step. One minute the space is empty, the next, Kristofer’s tall, lanky form stands before him, eyes shining bright while he catches his breath. The first time Kaidan witnessed this, he was afraid the Savior of the Galaxy would break his neck, but he always manages to land whole and in one piece. Must be that N-school training. That, or he has an angel watching over him.
Something on his face must show, because Kris’ cheeks pinken and his lips curl into a sheepish grin. Though it’s taken Kaidan a few times to come to terms with the recklessness of it, he does recognize no harm has come from it, and it is good to see Kris taking his life back on his own terms. If that means break-neck speeds down steep steps, Kaidan will find a way to deal with it. In a decade… or three. Finding his own smile, Kaidan nods at the door. “Let’s go.”
The drive to the head of the hiking trail takes a couple of hours, and by the time they arrive, the sun is well on its way toward its zenith for the day. The weather is comfortable, if cool, and at the moment, mostly sunny, though clouds are predicted to move in later in the day with the approach of yet another late-season winter storm. Kaidan is ready should it arrive early or he and Kris take longer than planned.
The day, however, passes without incident.
As they head back to their vehicle, preparing to return home, Kris surprises Kaidan by saying, “I’ll be right back.” He then heads back down the trail the way they’d just come.
Confused, Kaidan glances up at the sky quickly – the clouds are thickening and the wind is picking up a bit as the storm approaches – and heads back after him. He doesn’t have to go far, though, finding him standing along the lake’s edge. “Everything okay?”
Kris half-turns toward him, and it’s like the sun breaks through the clouds to shine directly in Kaidan’s face; Kristofer’s smile is so bright and brilliant, such a contrast to what Kaidan has come to expect over the years they’ve known one another. Not to suggest that Kris is never happy, by any means, but this is taking it to a whole new and completely unexpected level.
“Yeah, everything is fine. I just…” Above them, a high-pitched bird cry echoes, and both look up to find an eagle soaring out over the lake. Kristofer sighs, a soft sound but the wind carries it in Kaidan’s direction. “It’s nice to be reminded of the things we fought to protect. You know?”
It takes Kaidan a moment to respond as he is overcome by a wave of emotion so strong it leaves him breathless. Finally, he walks over to stand behind Kris, wrapping his arms around his waist and resting his chin on Kristofer’s left shoulder. Together, they watch the eagle swoop down into the water with a flurry of movement and a splash, only to rise back up again, a fish securely in its talons. “Yeah,” he murmurs, tightening his hold for a brief moment before relaxing again. “I know.”
Kris shifts just enough to slide his right hand beneath Kaidan’s and thread their fingers together, squeezing gently. “I never knew any of this existed; not really. I mean, I learned about it, of course, but growing up on ships and space stations over the years? Never got to see this kind of thing. Not like this. But, thanks to you, I do.”
That admission catches Kaidan off guard, and he blinks before protesting, “I didn’t do much –”
In a lightning quick move, Kris lifts their joined hands and presses a kiss to Kaidan’s knuckles. “You went looking for me when everyone else thought I was dead.”
It’s true, to a point, at least, but it’s more important to have Kris acknowledge that, so he argues, “Not everyone!”
Kris ghosts another light kiss across his knuckles. “It’s frightening to think the Alliance would write me off again so easily as last time,” Kris agrees quietly. “But you’re right, not everyone. The ones that matter most never gave up.”
“And we never will.”
A strong gust of wind slices in from the west, and both men shiver. “Come on,” Kaidan says as he pulls his hand free and starts back toward their vehicle. “That storm is going to be here soon and I’d rather we were closer to home before it hits.”
Kris hesitates again, but not for long. “Home.” He whispers the word, but when Kaidan looks over at him, that brilliant, blinding smile is back, and he can’t help but return it. “I like the sound of that.”