#jaakosta

Liam’s always made overtures to befriend Jaal. He’s always taken that first step, that first outreached hand of peace and friendship -- between two people, but also between two species, worlds, galaxies, universes. Liam’s always known it. He’s always known how important it was for Jaal to fit in with the crew of the Tempest. Liam is the friend you want and the friend you need all in one.

You see, Jaal was the first of the angara to be “assigned” to an Andromeda Initiative ship. The first of many, as it happens. There’s no doubt that the other Pathfinder ships will have as many diverse species on it as the Normandy did.

Anyway, this isn’t about the interspecies relations on a massive scale; this isn’t about how the angara feel about the Milky Way species, or anything quite so... catastrophic with its repercussions.

This is about Liam and Jaal.

“You are a most skilled fighter, Liam. I enjoy watching your prowess in the field.”

“Ah thanks mate you’re all good with that techie stuff. Fixed my shields a few time yeah? ”

“Yes well only because you so expertly kept me safe from wayward by bullets. I simply had to return the favor.”

“Of course, I did. Gotta protect our biggest asset, you know? Wouldn’t be good to let you get hurt.”

“Oh, but would not our crisis response be of greater importance? Where then would we be in a crisis?”

“Ah you would all manage, I bet. But we only got one Angara mate and that makes you priority one in my book.”

“Well, in mine, that would be you. I would not want to be caught in a crisis without you.

"Oh, uh, aha, well ah alright thanks yeah. Back at you.”

Really, no joke, it’s like–and don’t you bloody tell him–it’s like he’s a cat trying to sniff or maybe that little nose of his itches but I swear, I finally figured out that that is what his smile is. It's so great! I can tell if he's laughing at my jokes now! [Liam]

-sent via datapad

Liam I asked you for the duty roster for Eos what the hell [Ryder]

When you drunk and jus tryna watch movies with your cute space cat boyfriend but no one will leave you alone

AH FINALLY I CONTRIBUTE TO JAAKOSTA

It’s during one of the Human Liam’s movie nights. A drama this time and one Jaal deeply understands and finds himself responding to with great effect. It is a war piece; loss and despair but discovery and redemption. He has to hold himself stiffly and fight the emotions in his chest, this was not the place to enter sadness. And he was fine until the scent of salt touches his nose and he turns to discover the human Liam with bright eyes and damp cheeks.

This is distressing, the tears telling Jaal the human is in great pain and he reaches out automatically to pull him in for a comforting hug. A perfectly natural thing whenever a person is exceedingly sorrowful and he hums deep in his theist the way you do to children. He does not feel the human stiffen for it is a reaction he is unfamiliar with. He does not feel the body relax until they part with the human, when Liam, moves away with a smile. “Thanks…” His cheeks are very dark -interesting color reaction!- but he is smiling so Jaal feels satisfied he handled the situation well. “It was my pleasure.”

—-

Liam makes the second move. Angara were touchy right? And man, he is looking really rough. Each time they fought the Kett, freed a few more of his people, he just had gotten quieter and sadder, talking less and less in a way that made Liam frown and itch.

So he imitates the touching first. It’s during movie night, their one constant, and he doesn’t hesitate. He opens his arms and pats the couch beside him, smiling bright and eager. “Come in for one, yeah? Makes ya feel better.” When Jaal doesn’t move for a time, his frown fades, worried that maybe he hadn’t earned it yet as he already forms his apology when the huge cat sits down and pulls him in instead.

“I prefer this, if I may be allowed such.” And the man, that look on his face? Liam can’t say no so he nods “Sure sure” and leans against him, nervous all of a sudden.

—–

They watch two vids like this. During the third, they share a kiss. This time it’s both of them in a way. Jaal is laughing at something Liam thought was rather tragic but he smiles and laughs too just to play along. They laugh until Jaal goes on for too long and reaches over to pull him close to whisper the joke once more while Liam bumps up to get another beer.