I would have followed you anywhere.

                     Lucien felt…safer, more complete, having Kaidan’s arms around him. The biotic was so much warmer than the infiltrator. It would not be lying to say Sinclair mooched body heat from Kaidan, perhaps 98% of the time they were actually together. Right now, he brushed a cold nose against his lover’s warm neck, biting back an approving noise at the brush of soft, firm lips against Lucien’s neck.

                     Asshole going straight for Lucien’s sweet spot. Rendering him pliable for a kiss that had the lieutenant leaning in, opening up, chasing for more of the kiss, more of the open-mouthed connexion between them. “Anything?” he mumbled before nipping at Kaidan’s lower lip. “Then you have to cook for me. And shower with me. And sleep with me. And not go rushing off into God knows where without letting me know. And kiss me some more. And at some point, answer that question I asked before we both left.”

       Kaidan laughed, and was just about to inquire about what Lucien would like for dinner, but instead responded with an, “Ahhhh...yeah, about that.”  Kaidan took a step back so he could get a better look at Lucien, his warm eyes sincere.  “Sorry I never got to answer, but I’m sure you already know what I was gonna say..er...at least I hope you know what I was gonna say.”

       He reached up, scratching near his implant on the back of his neck.  Sudden panic.

       “Wait, that question’s still relevant, right?!”  A pause.  “I understand if it’s not but, I was gonna answer and--”  Kaidan had to bite his tongue.  Rattling on with no direction was still one of his bad habits. 

                    Shit.

                    Lucien’s stomach clenched at the way Kaidan chewed at his lips, the way he hunched over. He never liked making Kaidan upset, uncomfortable.

                    Miserable.

                    He sighed, hands raking through his hair, a noise of distress wanting to bubble out, but never reaching the world. The lieutenant swallowed, clenched his jaw, before moving–half-stumbling–to practically fall on Kaidan. His arms latched around the major’s shoulders with another stuttering sigh, a groan.

       The apartment smelled like chocolate and Lucien like scotch.  A gentle breeze blew through a cracked window.

       “I missed you too,” he replied, wrapping strong arms around a lithe frame, squeezing tight as if he hadn’t seen him in months...well, Kaidan really hadn’t seen him in months this time.  “How can I make it up to you?” he said, voice low against Lucien’s neck.  Before Lucien could respond, however, Kaidan pulled back and gave the younger man a much needed kiss; warm, like smooth bourbon. It lingered there, filling in the gaps of all the things Kaidan couldn’t say.

trouble in paradise

                     Lucien didn’t want to admit he’d missed Kaidan. Wished for some kind of message from Kaidan. Fuck, he’d laid his heart out for Kaidan before that mission–those missions, really–that separated them for a time.

       “It wasn’t something I could help, Luc, and if it was...if it was...”  He stumbled over his words, an audible exhale cutting him off.  His foot nudged at the heavy bag that he’d dropped on the floor when he entered the room. 

    "Well, uh-- sorry for being blunt, Traynor, but you...always seem a little off when you're around me.

"Kaidan. Good to see you. Want some coffee?"