It's gonna be what it is

Pick up line? Huh. Leave ‘im alone for a day and he’s already brainwashed my— uh, you.

Hah - yeah. [Kaidan smiles a little, having an idea of what Shepard was about to say.] He knew who I was right away - I asked him how, but he just knew.

Uh, yeah. Known ‘im since I was a teenager, actually. We grew up together. Freja and him were kinda… well. Yeah. [He clears his throat.] How’s that headache?

Alright I see how it is Shepard - I won't push, but I'd like to hear more about this guy. He was interesting is all I'm saying. Except he called my pick-up line bad which by the way was not even a pickup line. [He touched the back of his head a little, probably subconsciously at the mention of his headache.] Y'know I think this distraction actually might be working.

[Mark huffs.] Smart. Yeah. That’s the one.

Oh - don't get me wrong. I mean smart in every sense of the word - he's a smart ass too, I could tell. [He smiles.] I got the feeling you two go way back - would that be safe to assume?

Y’were?

Yeah - he knew who I was right away. [He shakes his head, recalling the encounter.] He's a smart guy.

Not really sure what yet. [He smirks a little.] Was plannin’ on lettin’ Finch decide what he’s givin’ me.

Yeah? Well if you get any plans drawn up you gotta' let me see. [He smiles, then nods a little.] Finch - I believe we're sort of acquainted now. I was speaking with him the other day.

..Oh. [He leans back slightly, afraid the heat from his own body would make Kaidan’s headache worse.] It’s, uh. On my hands. Knuckles, if you want details.

[Kaidan leans back in his seat, resting his arms behind his head.] Right - yeah sure I'd love to hear the details. I bet the knuckles will be sore if you get this one.

Yeah? [He takes a seat down next to the other man, sitting forward slightly.] What’d you have in mind?

Well - I was hoping you'd... [He leans in close to Shepard before smirking.] ...Tell me about that tattoo you were thinking of getting.

Lunch is good. [Shepard just shrugs and gestures for Kaidan to take a seat. It’s no big deal; he’s not exactly starving or anything. He could eat, but drinking will do just fine.] Take a seat. How’s the headache?

Lunch it is. [He nods his head before moving to sit down, releasing a sigh as he reaches the seat. He rubs one of his temples with a hand before resting both hands in his lap.] Oh it's - well - you know. Though, I have a good feeling you can cure me, Shepard.

Not at all. Just finishing reading through these reports, but they can wait. [Mark puts the data pad down onto his desk and makes his way over to Kaidan, frowning once he looks at the Major’s hidden hands.] Forget about the sandwiches?

Right - that's good then. [He goes to walk further into the room when he catches the Commander's last point and outwardly groans.] You know I knew there was something I was forgetting - dammit. I guess this just means I owe you lunch next time we're on the Citadel - either that or I've got another elevator trip to make. [He smiles apologetically.]

Blasto

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[Mark paces in his cabin, occupied with the data pad in his hand. Nothing special. Reports on the last assignment. Cerberus bullshit, nothing new. He glances over to the bottle of whiskey on the nightstand and thinks of Kaidan, suddenly wondering if the other man will actually show, when there’s a knock on the door.] Yeah. Come in.

[Kaidan walks into the room with his hands in his pockets and a soft smile on his face.] Hey Shepard - you busy right now? Did something come up..? [Kaidan's hoping there's nothing to interrupt them because he really does have a splitting headache and would appreciate the distraction greatly.]

Kinda. [Stops, breathes out, looks away.] I did work with the Alliance. Honorable discharge. If you could call bein’ let go with the war goin’ on honorable.

Oh... I see. Well they might've done you a favour soldier - it's touch-and-go out there pretty much all the time now. [He scratches the back of his neck, knowing too well that discharge for any soldier can't be sugar coated.] Doesn't change the fact that it sucks, though.