Chapter Text
Space, Star Accretion
Shepard leans his head against the cool glass window of the observation deck and watches the incredible spectacle playing before him.
A star accretion is happening in the far distance. A small neutron star is slowly wandering into a big star. Until it is fully absorbed, which would cause the big star to eventually go out in a giant explosion, it looks as if the neutron star is in fact absorbing the bigger one. A trial of light originating from the bigger star circles the neutron star. The whole process would take thousands, if not millions of years.
It isn’t a particular rare thing to happen. But normally a spaceship wouldn’t get as close as they are now, trying to navigate around the emanating heat.
They are burning a lot of energy to hold up the heat shield. A risky maneuver, but if Joker says he could pull it off, no one argues or questions him. It is the fastest way to their destination, after their direct path was blocked by the Reapers.
They have roughly 5 more hours until they could go to FTL again. Then it would be 36 hours to the next relay. It is a lot of time. Not real downtime, because the upcoming mission has to be prepared.
But it is enough time to spend some of it being idle.
He came down to the Observation Deck as soon as they had dropped out of FTL.
Initially, he was a bit nervous, still processing what had happened between him and Kaidan on the Citadel two days before. Their sanity check.
But they hadn’t had a chance to speak afterwards. Once they were back on the Normandy, they had been caught up in several smaller assignments.
Joker had shot him a certain look. One that told Shepard he already knew what was going on between him and Kaidan.
When he entered the Observation Decks he couldn’t suppress a nervous giggle. Kaidan had been studying a datapad. His smile when he looked up send butterflies flying though Shepard’s chest.
They laughed, talked and finally kissed. It was awkward at first. Shepard’s heart was racing so fast, he was sure his whole chest was trembling with it. Kaidan either hadn’t noticed or just didn’t comment on it. Perhaps he was even feeling the same.
Kaidan was so calm and composed. He pushed on, held Shepard close. And Shepard kept going, figured out a way to hold his head and where to put his hands and legs.
Now Kaidan is asleep on the couch, using Shepard’s hoodie as a blanket.
Shepard is too excited to sleep. Watching the star accretion calms him. His thoughts drift between the upcoming missions, their odds against the Reapers and… He turns and studies the sleeping figure on the couch.
He wonders what would become of them. Could this even work out?
He walks over and kneels down next to Kaidan, his hands fidgeting, because he can’t make up his mind about what to do with them.
His omni tool gives a small buzz. With a sigh he stands up and answers the call.
Joker’s voice greets him. “Hey Commander, sorry to interrupt, but something came up. Can you meet me on the bridge?”
“I’ll be there in minute.” Shepard hopes they aren’t running into additional trouble. He gathers up his shirt and pulls it over his head.
He walks two steps towards the door and stops. He struggles, not wanting to leave this little place of solace and peace. He turns and leaning over the couch, breathes a kiss on Kaidan’s temple.
The latter stirs a bit, but doesn’t wake. Shepard leaves his hoodie with Kaidan and exits the Observation Desk without waking him, hoping he would be able to rest a little longer.
