#reyesryder

Flynn was almost as nervous now as when he made first contact with the Angara. He couldn’t place why. It was just a date. He’s been on more than he could count, but for some reason with Reyes, even though they haven’t know each other that long, it felt like something more.

“Flynn, is everything alright. You seem to be under some stress.” SAM rang in his head.

“I’m fine Sam. It’s just nerves.”

“Because you like Mr. Vidal?”

Flynn laughed. “Yes.” Then after finishing up getting ready he left for the party. It wasn’t far through Kadara’s port till he got to where Sloane’s party was. He was stopped at the door.

“Hold up. This is a private event.” The bouncer said.

“I’m meeting a friend, Reyes Vidal.”

“That’s me.” Flynn heard Reyes’ voice behind him before feeling his hand on his shoulder. Flynn gave a smirk and looked at him then back to the bouncer.

“Go on in.” He said stepping to the side.

The couple entered the building and were suddenly engulfed in dim light and the rhythmic thumping of dance music. Reyes’ hand didn’t leave Flynn’s shoulder as the walked through the corridor. Flynn couldn’t seem to pay attention to much else. Every loud thump of the bass shook in his body and Flynn could almost swear it was his heart. At the end of the hall they entered the large open room where the party was.

Upon entrance an angara smiled and headed in there direction. Flynn felt the hand fall from his shoulder.

“Reyes Vidal. I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show.” She said.

“Remember what I said about “fashionably late”?”

“Shush.” She rolled her eyes then looked at Flynn.” Introduce me to your companion.”

“Pathfinder. Meet Keema Dohrgun, the angaran representative to Sloane. And a friend.” Reyes introduced with a smile.

Flynn smiled sarcastically. “I didn’t think Reyes had friends. Only contacts and colleagues.”

“Oh, I’m those as well. Who do you think secured him an invitation to this event? I was hoping he’d bring you Pathfinder.” She smirked with a glance to Reyes. “You’re all he talks about lately.”

“Is that so?” Flynn asked with a boost of confidence.

Reyes took a stealthy glance about the room before he said, “sorry to cut this short, but I need to take care of something.”

“You’re abandoning me already?”

“It won’t take long. There are important players here tonight. You should mingle. Make a good impression.”

“Do you treat all your dates this way? Or am I special?” Flynn tried to laugh it off, but it still did hurt a little. He would forgive Reyes though, because even though he never says it he always has a reason.

“I’ll make it up to you. Promise.”

“And there he goes.” Keema sighed.

“Sometimes I wish he’d just tell me what meddling he is up to.”

Keema laughed. “It’s better not to worry about what he does. He’ll be back for you. Enjoy the party for now.”

And here he was. Technically alone at a party, on a planet of pirates, thieves, and exiles, hosted by the leader that almost shot him on their first meeting. This was going grand. Flynn sighed. He drifted around the room talking here and there. He tried dancing for a bit, but he wasn’t very good and doing it alone while he knew Reyes was somewhere doing something killed the mood. Flynn returned to Keema looking for an actual conversation and distraction.

“Good to see your again, Pathfinder.”

“Please, call me Ryder.” He smiled.

“As you wish, Ryder. Is there something you want to discuss?”

“How did you meet Reyes? The only way anyone meets Reyes Vidal— through business. He skills are very valuable in Kadara Port.”

“Have you seen him around?”

“No, but I’m sure he’ll be back soon. He likes you.” She said.

Flynn smiled. “I’ve gotten that impression.”

“And he thinks he’s so subtle.” Keema smirked.

“Nice talking with you.”

“Likewise, Ryder.”

Flynn returned to drifting the room. Talking lightly trying to avoid having a gun pointed at his head again. Eventually he couldn’t contain his growing fear that Reyes wouldn’t come back.

“Reyes? Where are you?” Flynn questioned over his omni-tool com.

“No answer.” SAM informed him. “But I believe he headed to one of the side rooms when we arrived.”

“Lets see what he’s up to.” Flynn sad then headed into the corridor they had arrived from.

There were several doors on each side. All of them Flynn had failed to notice when he walked through with Reyes. Most of them were locked, but one door was ajar. Flynn headed there. Inside was Reyes rummaging through some crates.

“C’mon, take the night off. Have a drink, otherwise this’ll be one of the lousiest dates I’ve been on.” Ryder said in his mix of sarcasm and legitimate feelings.

“Flynn! This isn’t what it looks like.” Reyes turned surprised.

“It isn’t? That means you didn’t use me as a distraction to go through Sloane’s stuff?”

“Ok, yes, it is what it looks like. But I’ll make it up to you. I pro-”

“You’re making a lot of promises. Are you sure you can own up for all of them?” Flynn stepped close so there was only about a foot or two between them. Flynn wasn’t much taller than Reyes, but enough at this distance that Reyes had to tilt his head slightly up to look into his face. For a second however, Reyes seemed distracted.

“Reyes? Are you-”

“Shit! Someone’s coming.” He said looking back up at Flynn. “We need a distraction.”

In a split second Flynn took Reyes’ arm and pulled, forcing him to close the distance. Their eyes met and then their lips. They intertwined together. Hands lingered on hips daring to fall lower. It was a distraction, but one Flynn was happy to create. He heard the footsteps now, but they didn’t let go of each other. Flynn only held him tighter. Reyes let out a soft, low moan.

There gasp and quick “oh, sorry.” From the guard that quickly returned from where they came. They waited just a second more together before they parted.

Reyes let out a breath. “ I think we’re in the clear.”

“Are you sure? Should we kiss again just in case, or regardless?”

“Now your just teasing me.” Reyes laughed. He turned back to his rummaging, climbing a crate to get into one stacked higher. Flynn waited patiently. “Finally!” Reyes said triumphantly. “Here it is.” He held out a bottle.

“You ditched me for whiskey?”

“The only bottle of Mount Milgrom in Andromeda. Triple-distilled and 645 years old. This isn’t whiskey— it’s treasure.

“I hope I get some of that. I did help you get it after all.” Flynn smiled.

“We’ll see.” Reyes laughed with a wink. “Let’s get out of here.” He took Flynn’s hand and they made for the door. They snuck out the whiskey and made for a spot Reyes said one could see the whole city from. And he was right. Late evening and you could see every light in Kadara turn on it was a sight one could only see to understand.

“Gorgeous isn’t it? I sometimes forget. Is Andromeda everything you hoped it would be?” Reyes asked.

“Not exactly, but at the same time yes. There’s never a dull moment that’s for sure.” Flynn smiled and took a sip of the treasure. “What about you Reyes. Why did you come to Andromeda?”

He paused for a moment, thinking. “To be someone.” He sighed with hope.

“Well that’s easy.” Flynn turned to face him. “You’re someone to me.”

“I’m starting to think that kiss was more than just a distraction.” Reyes’ cheeks were flushed, along with Flynn’s, and not all the blame was in the alcohol. Reyes cupped Flynn’s cheek with his hand and they kissed again. Without the need of the distraction, just because they wanted to.

“I feel like I traveled Dark Space and 600 hundred years just to meet you.” Flynn said when they parted for breath.

“That’s a little bit of a stretch, isn’t it?”

“Maybe so. But it sounded good.”