#ryankinkade

for all intents and purposes, I consider Veronica part of the MFEs

I love the MFEs dynamic. I hc that Nadia and Ryan transfered from a dif Garrison base to the current one post Blue Lion, hence why we don't see them in the earlier seasons. Anyway, when Ryan starts making his documentary they're so supportive.

Nadia is obviously very familiar with the process, and while she gives him some shit for it, she helps him out. James is less familiar, but supports his boyfriend’s interests. He's yet to see any of Ryan's work besides the famous fermentation project, as Ryan is kinda shy about showing James his work. Needless to say, he's very curious. Plus the iconic "Kinkades always been an individual most comfortable observing and reflecting on life". (James is 100% a supportive bf)

Later on, at clear day, they're competing, because they always are. Whether it be racing, trying to out lift each other, shoot outs, you name it.

And you just know Ryan has to endure the smugness from James and Veronica for weeks, something Nadia knows and has accepted, hence the exasperated look. James will give Ryan the plush as a present later, but for now, he'll gloat about his victory. Until Nadia beats James at a similar game later thay day.

Veronica is also part of their team, and since the MFEs love Ronny, they welcome Axca (Ronny's crush? Gf?)

there's definitely chemistry when they first meet, a few months before Sam gets back to Earth, its always underlying even during the war, but peaks post-invasion/Sendak's death

James figures out he has romantic feelings for Ryan relatively quickly, it takes Ryan a few weeks of intense moments before the realization smacks him in the face

Keith, being James's childhood bestie and ex, clocks the crush immediately and gives him endless shit for it. especially after he has to endure a few drunken rants about how gorgeous and kind and smart Ryan is (he does record one of these rants, showing the video to Ryan later)

Ryan, being Ryan, has thousands of photos, which he'll show to just about anyone who asks. When showing Hunk, the paladin remarks "there's a lot of Griffin, isn't there?"

when they kiss for the first time, it's post mission where both of them nearly died, rushing to each other after. They hug first, but Ryan decides "fuck it" and goes for the kiss, James absolutely melting into it (Keith and Nadia high-five in the background, Sam slips Iverson a $20)

they are kind of sickeningly cute, both touch-starved, but expressing it differently.

When they're in public: Ryan prefers to have an arm around James, a hand on the small of his back or his hip. James is more subtle, pressing his shoulder into Ryan's when standing next to him, knees together under the table, gentle touches when he thinks no one is looking.

When in private: James is clingy as fuck, leaning on Ryan's shoulder, curling up under his arm. his favorite way to sleep is Ryan completely covering him, head on his chest.

James gifts Ryan a Polaroid camera he finds at the space mall, and soon their room is covered in photos of them and their friends

James loves line dancing, a remnant of his South Texas upbringing, but Ryan, who grew up in New York, is utterly clueless. James teaches him a few, and tries to teaching him how to two-step, but the coordination he has in the air does not carry over on the ground.