Shore leave was something he didn't do a lot of. But things were tense. John expected it, he expected the distance from the people he'd isolated himself from on purpose. Temari knew why and she hated him for it, knowing he'd been prepared to find the worst of the worst and give it one last go against the Reapers.
But things change.
Even now, no one seems to recognize him in civvies and his crew isn't by his side to send up any warning flags with C-Sec. He's just some guy in a crowd of couples on a day he'd nearly forgotten about. Briefly he wonders if he should dare--- Brows knit together and he caves in to that weakness that made his chest go tight watching countless others hold hands, spend time together, and just remember to be human.
[ outgoing message ] : Hey. So. You're probably busy. I get it. Just wanted to say Happy Valentine's day. It's just a weird Earth custom and I I should
John hesitates on sending it when a krogan and an asari couple catch him off guard and his hand slips with his omni-tool. The low chime of the message being sent makes him swear loudly under his breath and roughly a hand slides down the back of his neck.
"Smooth," he mutters. "Absolutely brilliant."
