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"Kaidan -" Shepard stopped short as the doors to the lounge hissed closed behind him. The shutters were wide open, stars streaming by, but it wasn't the view of space or his partner that stopped him. "Is that a real candle?"
Kaidan looked up from his book to the offending object. "It's amazing what the Alliance has in req stock."
Shepard sighed. "I assume EDI disabled the fire alarm and is monitoring your pyromaniac tendencies?"
"That is correct, Commander."
That settled, Shepard perched on the seat opposite Kaidan's. "Why are you up?" There were layers of concern in his voice.
Kaidan studied the candle for a moment. "It's Winter Solstice."
Shepard's brow scrunched in thought. "That's like... Christmas for pagans or something?"
Kaidan chuckled. "It's the longest night of the year, back home. Mom always lets me know the date."
"Oh. So...?"
"So it's a tradition, to stay up all night and greet the dawn. Tomorrow the days start getting longer again."
Shepard got up and extended a hand to Kaidan. He set his book aside and let Shepard lead him to the couch. They settled there, Kaidan's back against Shepard's chest, both looking out the window.
"Keeping vigil," Shepard said.
Kaidan nodded. His hair brushed against Shepard's cheek. "Make it through the dark and the light will return."
He snuggled deeper into Shepard's embrace, resting his head back against Shepard's shoulder.
"That's worth staying up for," Shepard said quietly. "EDI, lights out."
The candlelight and stars kept them company until dawn broke over Terra.