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Kaidan never thought he’d get Eric Shepard to move to the beach. Early on in their relationship, he doubted his ability to get him to return to Earth period. Yet, here they were, proud owners of a beach-side condo in Rio.
Eric had promised Kaidan that he’d take a more stable, less dangerous job once the war was over, but Kaidan would have been lying if he said he wasn’t shocked when Eric gave up command for a spot teaching at the Villa. It was then that Kaidan realized Eric truly loved him. Sure, they had said the words, but for Eric Shepard to show his love in such a tangible way…well, Kaidan wasn’t too proud to admit it sent his heart into overdrive.
A month into their move, and they both had learned to appreciate Rio’s glorious beaches. And Kaidan had learned to appreciate the near daily sight of his partner in board shorts and aviator sunglasses, stretched out on a beach towel. He’d tanned since they moved, his skin now just a shade or two lighter than caramel.
Kaidan approached the spot they’d picked out from the nearby cabana, carrying a beer in one hand and a giant daquiri in the other. It was hard to tell if Eric’s eyes were open behind the dark lenses, but that didn’t stop Kaidan from doing a little shameless ogling. He’d always thought Eric was beautiful, even before they were together and Kaidan couldn’t tell him every day like he did now.
Kaidan’s eyes wandered down his partner’s form, from the dark brown waves that were extra curly due to saltwater and sun drying, to the muscular planes of his chest and stomach. There was a small white scar on his left side, from a geth on Therum. His arms were laced behind his head, hiding the tiny collection of white scars from creeper acid on Feros.
Kaidan loved every inch of him.
“You’re staring,” Eric’s lips curled into a smirk.
“You’re distracting,” Kaidan counted, squatting down and pressing the ice-cold glass of Eric’s daquiri against his side.
Eric yelped, scooting away gracelessly and sitting up, pinning Kaidan with a glare that lost some of its gumption behind the sunglasses.
“You goddamn brat.”
Kaidan grinned, holding out the daquiri. Eric snatched it away and took a sip. Kaidan bit down on his bottom lip to stifle the laugh that threatened to spill out of his mouth. The Butcher of Torfan, Hero of the Citadel, and Savior of the Galaxy was obsessed with tropical drinks, especially ones that contained large slices of fruit.
It never ceased to be adorable.
“What?” Eric asked.
“Nothing,” Kaidan replied, settling on the towel next to him, close enough that their thighs touched. On a whim, he leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to the first part of Eric he could reach, which happened to be the tip of his nose. There was a light spattering of freckles there, brought out by the sun.
“Just thinking about how cute you are.”
Eric groaned, rolling his eyes. “Christ, Kaidan.”
Kaidan laughed, bumping their shoulders playfully. “Hey, I’m allowed to think you’re cute.”
Eric grabbed Kaidan’s beer out of his hand, depositing both of their drinks onto the cooler behind him. Kaidan stared at him, confused, until Eric lunged, tumbling them both to the ground, and straight into the sand.
“I’ll show you cute,” Eric growled, draping himself over Kaidan and nosing at his chin until Kaidan tipped it up to give Eric access to his throat.
Kaidan expected a kiss, or even a light nip, but when Eric blew a wet raspberry against the tender flesh of his throat, Kaidan yelped louder than his partner had, squirming in an attempt to get out from under him. But Eric had him pinned, sliding his hands down Kaidan’s sides to reach the ticklish flesh above his waistband.
Kaidan giggled helplessly at the assault, not that he could have stopped if he tried. Eric tickled him until he was gasping for breath and probably as red in the face as Eric’s drink. The touches eased to tender caresses, Eric’s lips against his neck turning to gentle instead of teasing.
Kaidan hummed happily as they settled into a comfortable position. Eric rolled onto his back, and back on the towel, pulling Kaidan with him until his partner’s head was nestled against his shoulder.
Kaidan relaxed against him, draping one arm over Eric’s stomach. If he stayed here too long, the rhythmic crashing of the waves against the sand threatened to lull him to sleep. Eric squeezed him a little, pressing a kiss to the top of his head, then immediately spitting out the sand that had collected there.
Kaidan huffed. “Serves you right.”
Eric snorted, settling again. “Love you, too.”