I recently commissioned @xla-hainexâ for a portrait of Caleb Shepard because I really needed to see my boy as he should be (though the game images are pretty darned close). The final result is absolutely AMAZING!!!!! ITâS CALEB! COME TO LIFE!!!!! Iâve been in tears all morning since this arrived!!!!! Â
Also a quick shout out and super huge thank you to @swaps55â (you know why!) for dragging me down this âmshenko pitâ as you call it! As youâve no doubt figured out, Iâm happy to be here! lol
With all of this said, I also wrote up a little âthingâ to go with it - because, well, LOOK AT HIM! Â
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU xla-hainex for the lovely job you did on my boy! There are no words as far as I am concerned to do justice to your talent and skill! *hugs*
Stepping off the lift into the CIC, Caleb spotted Traynor at her post. Â He crossed over in his usual casual manner, propping his left arm against the railing of the galaxy map, a smile curving on his lips. Â âDonât you ever take time off when weâre on leave?â he asks, only half teasing. Â Her presence here just days before had been critical to him and his team retaking the Normandy from Brooks and his clone. Â
Sheâs focused, but a hint of sass peeks through. âSomebody has to make sure weâre prepared when we head out again, commander.â
Caleb grins. Â Traynor is a gem â she reminds him of TrĂŠasa back in Shannon; spirit, sass and one who is just as willing to give as take. Â Settling a hand on her shoulder, he pats gently. Â âJust make sure you take some time for yourself. Â I donât need my comms specialist burning out just as weâre about to confront the Reapers in the final push. Â Understood?â Â He releases her and walks on.
Traynor finally gets a look at him as he rounds the galaxy map display. Â Next thing Caleb is aware of is an appreciative whistle aimed at him. Â He pauses, turns back and grins. Â âSomething you need to say, specialist?â
She winks at him. Â âLooking good, there, commander. Â Hot date?â
It takes every bit of his willpower combined with all of his training as an N7 to keep a straight face and not blush. Â Jeans and a t-shirt are hardly worth the attention, and heâs been wearing his N7 jacket ever since the beginning of this war. Nothing new there. Â âAnd if I do?â
Traynorâs grin widens. Â âThen itâd be a crime to keep him waiting. Â Sir.â Â She flashes him a quick salute. Â âSee you later!â
With only the vaguest of head shakes, Caleb turns away. Â Heâs out the hatch in less than three minutes, ignoring a last-minute shout from Joker â he has no doubt Traynorâs said something to him already â heâs out the hatch. Â He scans the dock, identifies his contact and hustles over. Â
Kaidan stands next to a stack of crates being prepped to load into the docking bay. Â He, too, gives an appreciative hum as Caleb walks up. Â âLooking good, commander.â
Caleb snorts softly, eyes rolling. Â âNot you, too.â
One dark eyebrow arches; Kaidan gives his best who, me? look, but Caleb isnât buying it. Â âIs there something wrong with appreciating â.â
Heâs had enough with the teasing and he leans over, ghosts a quick kiss across Kaidanâs lips in a very hit and run style, and when he pulls back, a smirk on his lips. Â He drops his voice an octave or so â a trick heâs picked up from Kaidan recently â as he says, âYouâre not looking so bad yourself. Â Shall we go? Â I seem to recall you saying something about steak sandwiches awaiting as we were coming in?â