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Shep can feel the rhythm in his bones; the music's got a hold on him and isn't letting go anytime soon. And he's not complaining - it's a party and everyone's having fun, so despite his relative shyness, he's not worried.
It's been a little while since he and the Crescendolls escaped from Darkwood's clutches and returned home. On this particular day, the five of them had received special awards from the government, commemorating their heroism during the Darkwood incident - Shep was a hero for saving the Crescendolls even when it almost cost him his life, and the Crescendolls themselves were heroes for exposing and foiling Darkwood's plans to conquer the universe. As awkward as Shep had felt being subjected to so much public recognition all at once, knowing that his friends, his planet, and the whole universe were safe made it a fair trade-off.
After the ceremony, the group of five had gathered with some good friends and associates to have a party, sharing a meal and some fun discussions as they celebrated everything. With dinner having finished by now, everyone is doing their own thing at this point. Arpegius and Baryl are still chatting with some friends of theirs; Baryl is telling dramatic stories of how he and the others valiantly fought against Darkwood and his crew, and Arpegius has less-dramatic stories to tell of what they've all been doing since coming home. Meanwhile, with the music having shifted to more danceable stuff after dinner, Octave took it as an invitation to show off on the dance floor - and he definitely knows what he's doing. All those times he sang about music making him feel free... this proves that, as long as Darkwood is out of the picture, he means it.
Shep, too, found himself unable to resist the allure of the music - and as luck would have it, Stella felt the same way. The two of them are dancing in a more secluded area than Octave is, and it's just as well, since Shep can barely take his eyes off of Stella as she dances. Seeing the sheer joy on her face as she gets lost in the moment, hearing her excited laughter whenever the music includes a bassline she likes, just the sensation of being free after so long... Shep can't blame her at all.
Neither of them is quite sure how it happens, but after a while of individually dancing side-by-side, they graduate to partnered dance moves. The music is as upbeat as ever, and just like in that daydream he had a while back, Shep feels like he's flying.
He gets so caught up in the fantasy that, before he even realizes what he's doing, his face is inches away from Stella's face.
And at that moment, he freezes.
Did he just mess up? Did he go too far, too quickly? Is Stella okay with what he just did?
He's ready to stammer out an apology...
...but before he can, Stella rests a soft hand on his face, gives him an equally-soft smile, and gently nods.
With renewed confidence, Shep leans in and finally fulfills what he's daydreamed about for so long.
It's not the most perfect kiss on a technical level, but neither of them would change a thing about it.
And as far as Shep is concerned, it's even better than his fantasies.