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Steve Cortez was not out right shy, he had no trouble mingling and flirting with guys. It was after all how he met James Vega, grew to trust his judgement and enjoy semi flirting with the guy. James liked to give nicknames, and Steve knew it. He wasn’t an Esteban after all, just that Vega had called him that and he had let it ride.
James Vega wasn't bad to look at but he was by far superseded by Commander Shepard. Plus James was far more interested in flexing for the female crew.
Working in research and development on the Normandy had been a distraction, a chance to slow down and grieve for Robert. With everything going on now he had struck up a friendship with Shepard. He had been a source of comfort and strength in the times it had seemed too hard to let go. Shepard was the one who was always there. Steve had fallen in love with Shepard pretty steadily.
Thing is, Steve did not know Shepard's first name.
He didn't believe the awkward laughter from Garrus who said "Isn't it Commander?"
Frankly approaching Joker was out of the question as he was likely to make something up just to see how far he could push it. Asking Edi might have netted the best result, however, even the thought of Edi reporting it to Shepaord brought a flush to Steve's face.
It was more challenging than flying a trident evenly in a low atmosphere.
The chance to find love again after Robert, even if that is what his husband would have wanted. Robert would have been tickled that it was Shepard too.
He was sorting inventory one evening, Normandy time, when James and Shep went to work out at the mats in the corner of the hold, naturally Steve moved so he had a better view of the fight.
"Let's dance Loco."
"You sure? I've tossed better men on their asses,"
Around the trash talk went but Shep never corrected the name.
Now Steve Cortez spoke Spanish, he had made sure to keep up with it because his mother had always insisted their culture was important. So he knew Loco meant crazy.
He also knew some of Shepard's story, how he grew up on the streets and fought his way up. So one hand it was stupid to think it, and on the other, it made perfect sense.
He stored the knowledge away.
"You done Vega?" Shepard’s rich laugh pulled Steve's attention back to the two men wrestling in front of him. Honestly, who could deny a free show?
"Yeah, fine." Vega squawked he was definitely trapped underneath Shepard " Get off me Loco, I give…"
"Hit the mat, Vega."
"Fine!" Vega slammed his hand down on the mat three times and Shepard let him stand up. "You are good Loco, damn if I'm ever going to be that…"
"Nah, you just need to practice finesse," Shepard replied, making Cortez snort. "Oh hey, Cortez…. Can you meet me at the loft in half an hour?"
"Ah, sure Shepard." The whole flirting together had not been clarified into a relationship, it was definitely time.
"Ooh look at that blush, you got him Loco. Just be good to him." James was walking past to the showers and gave Steve a wink.
The loft was Shepard’s private space, Steve had seen it once in the retrofits when he had been tasked with removing the models - told to toss them but he had packed them carefully instead; appreciating them for the items of value they were. It had seemed empty and now he knew why: it needed Shepard.
He was let in by Edi and could hear Shepard humming in the shower. Now that was a perfect image. Steve walked over to the fish tank and looked at the fish.
For everyone who knew Commander Shepard a fish tank made the least sense. It was strange to think of the man with such a soft side as pets, but the fish tank and the hamster proved otherwise.
“Hey, Steve.” Shepard was right behind him, covered in a robe still steamy from a shower. His breath was warm on his ear. Steve’s heart did one of those jumps.
“Hi, Shepard.”
“Are you talking to Harry and Larry?” Shepard wrapped his arm around Steve so he could point to the fish.
“Yeah, just getting the lay of the land from them.” Steve replied, “you know in case you have any secrets.”
“Oh, a few.” Shepard nuzzled below Steve’s ear with a chuckle.”So we need to talk about what we are then huh?"
"Yes." Steve was certain he had been able to speak before Shepard chuckled again and led him over to the sofa.
"Well, I was never a man for one night stands Steve, I'm good with something longer
if we can." Handed a beer Steve hung on to it for dear life. "I know it is going to be hard for you… for...well you said you want the here and now."
The dance at the club, which he had finally let go and landed in Shepard's lap.
"I want… you." Steve admitted "look Loco it's.. "
"What did you call me?" Shepard asked, Steve sighed. It had slipped out, without being verified or checked.
"It's not your name." Steve stated "I knew I should have just asked Edi."
"You listened to Vega?"
"I know." Steve sighed, his head in his hands, embarrassed did not even cover it.
"Steve?" Shepard was being nice.
"I'm sorry. I should have asked you." Steve managed to say as he found his hands removed from his face and large blue eyes looking into his.
"Going to be a funny story someday." Shepard admitted with a grin, his eyes shining.
"For what it's worth right now however, the name is John, John Shepard."
"John" Steve repeated getting lost in the eyes of the man in front of him.
"Yeah, a stupid simple name." Shepard chuckled.
"Not stupid." Steve finally came back to himself "It's you, beautiful, amazing and yes crazy."
"Yeah the name did fit at least." Shepard sighed, taking Steve's hand and weaving his fingers through it "look I don't make a habit of falling in love…"
"Good. It only needs to happen once or twice in a lifetime." Steve smiled "I don't either. So where does that leave us?"
"With a bunch of first times, a hell of a funny story for our grandkids, and a war we are going to win." Shepard grinned, the kind of grin that said he would take on the galaxy and win it for you like it was a pinball machine.
"We have our right now." Steve nodded at their hands "John, are you promising a someday too.?
"I like when you say my name," he murmured with a grin " and yes, if we make it, all my somedays are yours."