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All things considered, their infiltration of the Remnant city was a major victory against the kett. Even if they still had to find Meridian itself, the kett suffered major losses thanks to SAM's quick thinking, using the city's defenses to turn the tide in their favor.
However, despite their triumphant return, Scott was still on edge. The high that he typically experienced after a successful mission had come and gone, but Scott knew how important it was to simply stop and smell the roses.
While it was important to reach Meridian, his crew was exhausted, and everyone needed to be at their best when they made that final push.
It was with that in mind that Scott made an executive decision. Everyone was required to take some shore leave for a little R&R once they reached Aya. While there, they would resupply and repair the Tempest as needed, and Scott would consult with the Moshae regarding their findings.
First things first, though.
Scott definitely wasn't doing all of this as an excuse to spend time with his two favorite angara.
He'd like to think that he was doing this more so to keep himself sane.
After he asked for them to meet him at the tavetaan, Scott stopped by Felaan's stand on the way there, perusing her selection of fruit fresh off the transport. He thanked her again for the samples she sent to the Initiative, but quickly realized that he didn't even know what kind of fruit Jaal and Evfra preferred.
Figuring that it couldn't hurt, he asked for a quilloa, a paripo, and an elmohk —Felaan's three bestsellers. Hopefully, there was something among those three that Jaal and Evfra liked. If not, then it was the thought that mattered, right?
Of course, upon seeing the price converted into credits, Scott decided that he was wrong. It could hurt. His account, mostly, but it still hurt.
Good thing he had some creds saved up.
With the fruit purchased, Scott placed them carefully into his bag and made his way to the tavetaan. He didn't mind looking around for the others, enjoying the calm, welcoming atmosphere while he could. He recognized a few regulars that frequented the place, waving to both them and strangers alike when they greeted the human Pathfinder.
Stopping by the bar, Scott chatted briefly with Roaan, long enough to get his drink before Roaan had to move on to other customers.
By the time Scott found Jaal and Evfra, they were already seated at a table. They chose a spot that overlooked one of the expansive vistas that Aya was known for, and it couldn't have been more perfect.
As Scott approached, he stopped short when Evfra took Jaal's face in hand, turning it this way and that. His eyes narrowed at the sight of Jaal's cheek, where he was now sporting his new scar.
Jaal entertained him for a bit, but he shook off Evfra's grip as soon as he spotted Scott, waving him over.
"Scott!" he called out, boisterous and booming. "There you are!"
"Here I am," he said, scampering to the only seat left. Unfortunately, that left him in the middle of the two, which meant that Scott had nowhere to hide from Evfra's penetrating glare. While he wrung his fingers around the strap of his bag, Scott smiled nervously. "Hello, Evfra."
"Hmph." He grunted. "Pathfinder."
"Ah, I see, so we're using titles now, are we?"
Scott didn't know where that came from. His tone came out sharp and curt. At first, he hadn’t even realized that he voiced that thought aloud, but when he did, his face warmed in chagrin.
Maybe he has been spending too much time with Jaal.
Evfra's glare turned icy cold, enough so to send a shiver down Scott’s spine.
"When you stand by and let Akksul take a shot at my best soldier?" Evfra grunted, arms crossed over his chest. "You bet."
"Evfra..." Jaal trailed off in warning. Evfra's scowl deepened. "Enough. Scott was only following my lead, after all."
"Then you are both fools," he grumbled.
"Well, what does that say about you for putting up with us for this long?" Scott asked.
"That I'm an even bigger fool."
"No argument there," Jaal said, which earned him a kick to the shin underneath the table. Jaal winced and reached down to rub at his leg. "Hey now, you were the one who said it."
"No need to agree with me."
Jaal chuckled, then turned towards Scott.
"So, out with it," Jaal said, catching Scott off-guard with the sudden attention. "What brings us here?"
"What?" Scott tried —and failed— to put on his most innocent expression. "Must I have a reason for bringing you here?"
Jaal and Evfra exchanged a look.
"Yes," they replied.
Scott huffed.
"And to think that I was going to give you a gift."
"A gift?" Evfra regarded him skeptically, yet couldn't keep his curiosity at bay. "What is it?"
"Oh, so now you care."
"Come on, Scott," Jaal said. "You know Evfra always cares in his own way."
"Right," Evfra muttered, refusing to elaborate.
That alone was like a huge compliment coming from him, so Scott decided to share what he had purchased.
As he dug around his bag, Jaal asked, "Wouldn’t it have been more appropriate for us to get you a present, given your recent victory?"
"You're the talk of the Resistance right now," Evfra agreed, his tone surprisingly admirable. Probably even begrudgingly so. "You've already developed quite the fanbase among my recruits, especially the younger ones."
Scott paused, flustered by all the praise and attention.
"Well, as flattering as that is," he said, "I couldn't think of any better gift than to spend my free time with the two of you." He shrugged. "It's nice to be able to actually relax for once, but I have one request."
He glanced pointedly at Evfra, who took the hint.
"What is it?"
"No more talk about the war, please, or work. Later, we'll discuss what we need to, but I've been focusing all of my energy and attention on the kett and colonization efforts ever since we arrived in Heleus.” His voice took on a hint of desperation. Recently, things only seemed to get even more intense. What, with the Archon’s ship, their encounter with the Primus, and the Remnant city. It was a lot to take in. “I need a break. All I’m asking for is an hour at the least, just enough to clear my head.”
While Jaal stared at Scott in concern, Evfra glanced between the two.
Eventually, his gaze softened.
“I think I can handle that.”
Scott smiled, grateful beyond belief. “Thank you.”
Now that they were in agreement, Scott pulled out his gifts for them.
They stared at his offering, taking a moment to process it.
“Fruit?” Evfra asked.
“Well, we do have a lot to celebrate, and Felaan said fresh fruit is shared on special occasions.”
“It is,” Jaal agreed, “but do we even want to know how much this cost you?”
“Nope.”
Good thing that Scott has slowly but surely become more reliant upon the resources he had pouring in than on credits themselves. Otherwise, he would have reconsidered buying even one fruit, let alone three.
“You do realize that this sort of thing is only shared among people who are close to you, right?” Evfra asked. He seemed adamant in getting that point across, still reeling from the surprise of Scott’s gift.
It was as if he couldn’t believe that someone would be sharing something so special with him.
Scott nodded, reassuring him. “I do.”
Evfra gave him a blank stare.
“Evfra? Speechless?” Jaal laughed warmly under his breath. He nudged Scott in the side, then settled in closer to him. “You have impressed him!”
That ripped Evfra right out of his daze. He sputtered.
“Jaal,” he chided, but Scott noticed that he didn’t deny the statement. “Please, allow some of my dignity to remain intact.”
“Where would be the fun in that?” Jaal hummed. “But you choose first. When was the last time you’ve had anything other than nutrient paste?”
Evfra hesitantly reached out and took the elmohk, appearing deep in thought.
“It was when your mother practically dragged me to your home for a visit,” Evfra answered. Jaal took the quilloa from Scott, leaving him with the paripo as they both listened closely. Evfra eyed Jaal, both fond and frustrated. “Someone let it slip that I was making a rare trip to Havarl, and she insisted that I stay there for the duration.”
Jaal grinned sheepishly.
“Then again,” Evfra grumbled. “Sahuna Ama Darav isn’t exactly a woman that you say ‘no’ to when it comes to the family and loved ones spending ‘quality time’ together. That woman wields guilt like a knife.”
“No kidding,” Jaal huffed. Breaking open the quilloa, it revealed an inside that closely resembled a melon. Jaal eagerly took a bite, moaning low in appreciation.
Evfra shook his head at him, despite how the corners of his mouth hinted at a ghost of a smile.
“The whole place was packed,” Evfra explained. “It felt different than being in the barracks with my troops on far-off planets. The closeness, the intimacy... That felt familiar, but I wasn’t used to how peaceful it was.” He pursed his lips, picking idly at the elmohk. “I had forgotten what it was like to be around a family. It was nice.”
Okay, but Scott had to know.
“Did Jaal show you the kaerkyn too?”
Jaal glared at Scott.
“Ah, you mean Alfit?” That was all it took for Evfra's lips to tilt up into the smallest smile. A genuine one that was sly and mischievous, almost roguish in appearance. “Oh, of course. That was when I knew for certain that I was ruined for all others. I had found the man of my dreams.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Jaal swallowed down the bite of quilloa he had lingering in his mouth. “Laugh it up, you two.”
“You’re adorable when you’re flustered,” Evfra praised, knowing exactly what to say to make Jaal melt. He turned back to Scott. “We even shared the bed that night, small as it was. It had been so long since I had even considered a relationship, let alone pursued one."
"But you obviously did."
"Yes, I did." For the moment, his smile stayed in place. "And look at me now. I have two of you snuggling up to me, and one of you is an alien. Never saw that one coming."
"What can I say?" Scott joked. "I'm hard to resist."
Evfra grew quiet as he started to rip into the elmohk.
Eventually, he replied.
"I’m starting to see that now."
After that, they continued to enjoy their snack and drinks together, exchanging stories about their favorite places that they had visited. They enjoyed each other’s company for as long as they could, getting lost in the moment.
And when Scott reminisced about the Milky Way, enamored yet wistful, they listened with the utmost patience.
It was then that Scott realized.
As much as he missed the Milky Way, he couldn't imagine returning. Even if the option was somehow presented to him on a silver platter, he wouldn't take it. Heleus, the Nexus, the Tempest crew, Jaal, Evfra, and so many others...
They were his family now. His home.
And that made all the difference in the world.