seen from Israel
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
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seen from Malaysia
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This was such a fun painting to do for the ever wonderful @theoriginalladya of her Caleb Shepard and his Ryan Coats (his rival to friend) for her fic Young and Proud as they go through sniper training.
Thanks so much for commissioning me! 💖🫂 I had a blast drawing your lads.
Give the fic a read here!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
The Extra Mile
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Summary:
Norman has it's fair share of tourists every year, but rarely do people move to the town to stay.
And yet, this year, there's a new tall, dark, handsome stranger every month.
Relationships: Kaidan Alenko/Male Shepard, Coats & Male Shepard, Coats/Abby Williams
Characters: Male Shepard, Kaidan Alenko, Tadhg Shepard (O'Connell - OC), Niamh Shepard (O'Connell - OC), Caleb Shepard (O'Connell - OC), Jacob Taylor, Illusive Man | Jack Harper, Kelly Chambers, Rahna, Harbinger, Samantha Traynor, Urdnot Bakara | Eve, Barla Von, EDI, Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, Conrad Verner, Sarah Williams, Ashley Williams, Abby Williams, Coats, Alec O'Connell (OC), Iain O'Connell (OC), James Vega
Tags: Mass Effect, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Hallmark AU, Established Relationship, Pre-Relationship, Comedy of Errors, New In Town, Meddling Kids, Milkshakes, Sibling Bonding
Excerpt:
Pursing her lips, Ash speared a noodle and held it out to her sister. A peace offering, even if there hadn’t been a fight. “Hey, chin up, buttercup.” As hoped, Abby frowned at the old nickname. “You never know - maybe…things are starting to change. Maybe this new friend of Caleb’s will be tall, dark, and handsome, too.”
“He’s got a heck of a track record. The pair of men who followed him to town are smartass redheads,” Abby reminded her.
“True,” Ash conceded, “but this is our fantasy.” Watching Abby stick to her rule about carbs at lunch, Ash popped the noodle into her own mouth. “So, what do we think Caleb’s friend looks like?”
Abby considered the question, the lines in her forehead smoothing out. “You know…I don’t need him to be tall. Taller than me, but who wants to stand on a box to kiss their man? Wouldn’t mind broad, though.” She grinned at the image. “I like a man with shoulders.”
Ash chuckled, but said nothing.
“And…short hair, I think.” Propping her chin on one fist, Abby shifted her gaze to the maybe-real flowers as she sketched out her maybe-real man. “That military style is pretty sexy.” She flicked a glance at Ash. “I’m going with decent moral standing and base intelligence as a given.”
“You don’t want to date Kevin?” Ash asked, reaching for her own iced tea.
“Service to your country is attractive,” Abby replied. “Community service because you’re a dumbass is not.” A pause. “Dark hair, to go with his eyes. ‘Eyes like the sea after a storm.’”
Ash’s lips twitched. “And does your Dread Pirate Roberts have a scar? A long-faded cut across his cheek, that he refuses to tell you where he got it from?”
“Yes, and don’t forget a nice voice.” Abby grinned so Ash knew it was coming. “Proper British, if you please. And kinda gravelly, like he’s growling when he talks.”
The next installment of The Town of Norman series!
Sunday Snippet
For the snippet this week, have a bit from the next story in the ME/WWII universe for Caleb and Kaidan, Something Wicked This Way Comes, that they shared with me this week...
Setting: London, November 2, 1941, The Crown & Lion, Caleb Shepard, Kaidan Alenko, Ryan Coats
~~~
Shepard’s lips curved into a smirk. “Hammersmith, aren’t you ever on duty?”
Tall and dark haired like Shepard and dressed in the kit of a Royal Marine, the Englishman accepted the pint Reggie handed over and turned towards Shepard with a snort. “Could ask the same of you, Shannon,” he retorted. “Where’ve you been? Are you working hard or hardly working these days?”
Kaidan followed Shepard over to the bar, stepping to the side as the Irishman shook hands with the English soldier. They exchanged a few words in greeting before Shepard gestured Kaidan into the conversation. “Coats, this is Lieutenant Commander Kaidan Alenko. He’s the one who –”
Another snort. “Got your sorry arse out of France. Right. Read the report.” Coats extended his hand towards Kaidan. “Commander Ryan Coats. Nice to meet you. And thanks.”
Kaidan frowned as he released the man’s hand. “For what?”
Shepard’s sigh echoed throughout the room even before Coats said, “For getting him home.”
“Reggie,” Shepard said, positioning himself between Coats and Kaidan as he stepped to the bar, “a pint of my usual, please.” He glanced over at Kaidan.
“I will have the same.”
Reggie poured two pints of Guinness and handed them over.
As the three men crossed the room to an empty booth along the far wall, Coats couldn’t resist teasing Kaidan. “Mate, you’re supposed to be British military here, not bloody Irish!”
Shepard wasn’t surprised by the quick side-glance from Kaidan; he’d warned him about Coats’ unique sense of humor while assuring him they were best of friends.
Kaidan turned his shoulder so Coats could see the badge on his upper left shoulder. “Actually,” he said as he set his drink down and removed his greatcoat, “I am Canadian.”
Shepard bit back a laugh, dropping his coat with Kaidan’s on the back of the booth seat and sliding in with him. The bemused expression on Coats’ face was worth every penny in Britain at the moment.
“Not with that accent you aren’t.”
“C’mon, Coats,” he interjected with a wink as he lifted his glass, “I’d think you know from your own experience a man can be from two places at the same time.” He tipped his glass at Kaidan who had followed suit. “Sláinte.”
“Будьмо.”**
“Cheers,” Coats added as he belatedly raised his own glass. After taking a sip, he glared over at Shepard. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you?”
Shepard’s right brow arched upward dramatically. “Did what on purpose?”
“Don’t you play innocent with me!”
WIP Wednesday
Writing's still coming slowly of late, so here's a bit of something I worked up a while back set in the ME/WWII 'verse with Caleb Shepard.
Setting: The Crown & Lion, London, England, 1940/41 ish (undecided exactly when just yet), Normandy Group HQ, (Ryan) Coats and Caleb Shepard...
~~~
The door to Operations creaked slightly as it opened. It could have been fixed – all it needed was a bit of oil – but the Normandy Group left it as a sort of early warning notification, like Reggie had the bell at the door upstairs. Didn’t make a lick of sense to him considering anyone using it would be on top of them before there was time to act, but who was he to argue?
As he let the door swing closed behind him, Coats bit back a flutter of nerves as five pairs of eyes snapped around towards him. He scowled back, the nerves taking the upper hand, as he grumbled, “It’s just me.” Three pairs immediately turned away, satisfied with the identification. The other two, however…
He sauntered across the room with the air of someone used to leading men; confident, competent, fearless. He didn’t bother to salute – he and Shepard were of equal rank at the moment, as well as best mates, and Alenko he’d put off right from their first meeting. Coming to a stop in front of the desk, his gaze targeted Shepard. “Got a minute?”
If he was surprised, Shepard hid it well. He spared Alenko a quick glance and the man promptly left to join the others. “Here?”
“Mess’ll be fine.”
The galley was small, barely large enough to contain a sink, a stove, and a countertop and shelving, but it served its purpose well enough. There was barely enough room for the two of them as Coats shut both doors, but it was the best he could do to guarantee privacy. Hell, I’m not even supposed to be here, probably, though Anderson didn’t say I couldn’t, either.
“What’s going on, Hammersmith?”
Coats grumbled as he started pacing the tiny room. Shepard leaned his hips up against the counter, arms folded across his chest and waited. “Anderson’s sending me over to France,” Coats finally spit out. One of Shepard’s eyebrows arched and Coats huffed softly in response, adding, “Yeah, that was my thought, too.”
“You aren’t a Spectre.”
Coats shook his head, a wry chuckle slipping past his lips. “Nah, couldn’t pay me enough to be as crazy as you, Shannon. They’re sending me over to liaison with one of the French Resistance cells who claim to have some intel that might help people like you. Command isn’t as convinced, so they’re sending me instead of risking one of you lot.” He made a face. “Apparently, they believe I am expendable.”
Old Friends and Dive Bars sounds amazing XD
ROFL That was a name I created on the fly with this list because it was just "Caleb runs into Coats" under my ME2 file! lol HOWEVER, there is something started for it, and though some of it may change (I wrote what I have like eight months ago when I was still figuring things out), here's a bit that you might find... amusing. (When Coats is involved, it's either a pub brawl or something amusing!)
~~~
Every time they dock at the Citadel, Caleb half expects C-Sec to be waiting, or maybe an STG or Spectre team, to escort him off just as fast. But every time, he and his crew are allowed to enter unmolested. After the warning from the Council to remain in the Terminus on his first visit, he can’t hide his surprise. Either they didn't mean it, or they're waiting for a better opportunity. Probably the latter.
They're going to have to work hard for it this visit. They're here with no particular purpose other than a break. No missions requiring his attention. No deliveries to be made. No meetings to attend. Just time away from the Normandy, for himself. An odd occurrence, and one he rather resents since it leaves too much empty time on his hands.
Still, without restriction he can go where he wants, when he wants. Which is why he ends up deep in Zakera Ward late in the day at the equivalent of a dive bar, somewhat like ones he’s been to in past. It’s not Murph’s, and it certainly lacks for Irish flair, but it’ll do. From what he’s able to discern, it sprung up in the aftermath of the Battle of the Citadel, along with a handful of others. The name isn’t familiar to him, and it’s unpronounceable, but the asari who runs it lets him in without question and lets him park in the quiet, back corner.
He orders a bottle of the ‘good stuff’ – not as good as back home, of course – and is about a third of the way through the bottle when the world around him shifts unexpectedly. Two tables over, a turian and two asari laugh, the volume almost obscuring the change, but just beneath it, like the rumble of the lowest bass notes, he catches it. A familiar rumble, the dry rasp of laughter mixed with incredulousness, the bemused snort that only an Englishman can pull off; one particular Englishman.
Caleb freezes, glass halfway between the table and his lips.
“Y’know, mate, never took you for a dive bar kind of person.”
Without glancing up, he waves at the bartender for a second glass as he replies, “Considering you’re the one who introduced me to them, I’m a bit surprised.” A server drops the glass off and leaves. With steady hands, Caleb fills it two-fingers full and nudges it across the table. “Sláinte.”
“Cheers.”
They toss back the liquid, both gasping for air as it burns its way down. “What the hell are you doing here?”
Coats chuckles and settles back into the seat. “Could ask you the same thing, Irish. Last I’d heard, you were dead. Then I caught wind of a rumor… something about, dead but not really.” He shrugs. “On my way out to the colonies, so I thought I’d check out the rumors. Imagine my surprise to find you in here of all places.”
For the 0C Ask. I'd love to know more about our favourite English Major Coats and Abby. *Puts her Al-Jalani hat on* 😉
💐 How does your OC handle being unwell or forced to rest in bed? Who cares for them and in what ways? Does your OC enjoy being doted on or are they a terrible patient? Reversed: is your OC good at taking care of others who are ill or in need?
🥀 How would your OC decorate a notebook or journal? What kind of things are written in there? Could you give an example of a nice entry?
🌳 What is your OC’s favourite way to relax after a stressful day? Do they have a favourite book to curl up with? A hobby? Or do they have a nice bubble bath and have an early night to bed?
Last but not least:
🌾 Describe your OC through the eyes of someone absolutely head-over-heels in love with them
from this list
*clears throat* Well, ...
💐 How does your OC handle being unwell or forced to rest in bed? Who cares for them and in what ways? Does your OC enjoy being doted on or are they a terrible patient? Reversed: is your OC good at taking care of others who are ill or in need?
Abby - She can't stand being sick. Being sick means Ashley would hover over her, and Ash was WORSE than mom on a good day, so nope, not going there. Always at school, even when sick. The ONLY time she missed school due to being unwell/rest in bed was when she fell out of a tree and broke her arm, but that only lasted an afternoon. (hint: she's a TERRIBLE patient! lol) Now, taking care of others, she's good at - in that, she learned from Mom and Ash, too.
When she and Coats are together, she dreads those moments - she doesn't want him to see her as weak or anything - but the first time she's down with the flu and he takes care of her? She finally, FINALLY, learns that it's okay to let someone take care of you. He's sweet, caring, but not in an overbearing sort of way. He'll make jokes, bring her tea, makes chicken soup for her that's better than Mom's (Mom better watch out!), but the absolute best part is that he'll lie down with her at times and pull her close, letting her curl up on him to sleep. Sometimes he ends up sick as a result, but he insists on doing it, so, yeah, she learns to take the time when she needs it, but it takes a whilte to get there.
Coats - Ryan's Mom (and later sister) is a doctor. There was never any question about it: if you're sick, you're in bed. Fever? Bed. Do NOT pass it on. The sooner you take care of yourself, the sooner everyone else will be taken care of. It's mom who teaches him the family chicken soup recipe. So, yeah, if he's sick or unwell or injured, he'll do what needs to be done. It's been drilled into him from a young age.
Once he and Abby are together, he tries to impart that habit to her but without the whole military drill sergeant side of it. He almost doesn't believe it at first when she starts to listen. When he gets sick, she returns the favor (a slightly ulterior motive, perhaps, in having her use him as a pillow - getting sick gets her to realize both sides of it). In his eyes, it all works out for the best.
🥀 How would your OC decorate a notebook or journal? What kind of things are written in there? Could you give an example of a nice entry?
Abby - Abby isn't keen on notebooks or journals. Growing up with three sisters, a notebook means ammunition to use against her, so nope. Absolutely not. She did try, once, when she was in high school. At the time, she was taking Japanese and she tried using one as practicing for writing it, but Lynn got a hold of it after only three entries and she and Ash spent the rest of the night teasing her about her ability to write it, so she quit. (She did learn enough of the language to communicate, but never again did she write it on anything at home)(though, there is this one tattoo...)
Coats - store bought or Alliance issue is fine by him. Who needs decoration? The only 'journals' he keeps contain his schedules while he heads sniper training. Boring stuff he won't sure.
🌳 What is your OC’s favourite way to relax after a stressful day? Do they have a favourite book to curl up with? A hobby? Or do they have a nice bubble bath and have an early night to bed?
Abby - ummmm... Abby isn't the bubble bath kind. The only hobbies she really has involve sharp, pointy blades. She likes reading well enough, but prefers listening to Ryan read to her. When it comes right down to it, her favorite way to relax is probably just to glue herself to Coats - in the shower, in bed, listening to him read, whatever...
Coats - He likes to read, yes. He likes to read to Abby even more. After a stressful day, time with her is usually the best way to unwind, no matter what they're doing. ;)
🌾 Describe your OC through the eyes of someone absolutely head-over-heels in love with them
Abby - Ryan is the most amazing doofus I've ever met. No, really! Sure, he's dedicated, loyal, and a really good shot. We met when he saved my ass the day the reapers attacked. I'd run out of ammunition and one kept coming at me... until it turned into a ball of flesh and flame. When I found him, he was already three sheets to the wind on stims and morphine for injuries sustained on his way there. Refused to leave when I left. Figured I'd find him dead when I got back, but he was still hanging on. Barely. After that, I knew he was the one I wanted to be teamed up with for our missions around the city. He had my back and i had his. Best damned battle buddy I could ask for (just don't tell him that!) He's also very sweet and kind. One mission we were on, he somehow found an untrampled flower and brought it to me, tucked it right behind my ear. Said something like it couldn't compare to how beautiful I was or something. The man thinks he's Shakespeare or something, I don't know. But he's dependable, and he's saved my ass a number of times. Don't know what else you want me to say about him. (oh, he's got this adorable dimple in his chin and he gives the absolute BEST hugs. Again, don't tell him, but his jokes and puns are... well, decent. Can't let it go to his head, right?)
Coats - Abby is one of the best soldiers I've ever served with, and considering just who I've served with over the years, that's saying something. She's tough, determined, always willing to do what it takes to get the job done. Trust me, you don't want to get on her bad side. (no, seriously, TRUST me!) But underneath all of that, she' has one of the warmerst, kindest hearts I've ever had the pleasure to know. A great sense of humor, too. Hell, she'll laugh at my jokes, she has to, right? (her nose scrunches when she laughs and it is rather adorable) And oh man, is she smart. Too smart at times - it's kind of scary if you aren't expecting it. But there's no one I'd rather serve on the front lines with or have on my team for a mission.
[[I am terrible at this kind of thing! sorry!]]
🍁 Where does your OC go when they need to have some time to themself? Would they ever have their own “comfort corner” filled with all the things they like? Do they have a favourite spot outside that feels like its theirs and theirs alone? (for Abby and/or Coats)
from this list
Ooooo Abby and Coats! :D
Let me see here... Think I'll focus on them after the war once they have time to really focus on themselves as a couple.
Abby:
Having grown up the second oldest of four sisters, finding time to herself was HARD. Someone always needing something or poking their nose in where it didn't need to be, etc. Abby learned early to head outside and find a good, tall tree to climb, preferably one with dense leaves so neither Mom or Ash could find her easily. Once she's older and she takes up sword fighting (started with fencing and worked up through a variety of different blades), she would take training swords to different dummies and targets she set up in the backyard. Once she enlists, she takes solace in things like physical training or running five miles and the like.
Coats:
Coats is the eldest of three and (similar to Ashley) spent much of the time helping out with his siblings because both mom and dad were in the Alliance, too. His idea of taking time to himself (shhh, don't tell anyone! ;) ) is to take a good book and close himself in his room and turn on his favorite music and just lose himself in the pages. In his room, he'd make a 'cozy corner' (for lack of a better description) on his bed where it was pushed up against the wall and cover it with pillows and blankets and settle in for the duration. After he enlists and when there's time (which isn't often), he'll just find a quiet place to read. Spending a while losing himself in the characters and a different universe than where he is goes a long way to recharging his batteries, so to speak.
AFTER THE WAR:
Okay, so after the war, they decide to try out the relationship thing, see if it will stand on its own without the constant struggle and stress of war, life and death, etc. They both stay within the Alliance - Coats taking up sniper training again, this time in Rio, and Abby helping with training of new ICT recruits (at least until the ranks are built back up again). They get a flat together and discover relatively quickly they each occasionally need their own 'space' once in a while. Abby finds hers in long walks (and occasional runs) along the beaches, something she used to do when going through ICT. Coats finds his in heading down to the local park where the kids like to play. He'll hang out with them, play games with them if they ask or just sit and watch. Occasionally, he'll take a book with him (though it rarely if ever gets read).
Now, when they BOTH decide they need a recharge and getting away from it all together will be beneficial for them, they usually end up on the doorstep at the Alenko orchard. Good thing for them, they've always got an open invitation. ;)
WIP Whenever
So, on the drive to work this morning, I suddenly recalled a tidbit about Abby Williams that Ashley tells us in game. She likes big, flouncy skirts. Ashley, if I recall correctly, calls her sister ‘weird’ for that. Well, Abby got into my head, and the song “Shut up and Dance” came on and this sort of just happened... (it’s still ongoing. We’ll see where it ends up ... someday... before the Reaper War is over, I hope! lol)
~~~
Abby peers through the scope and scans the road below. A sliver of pale moonlight shines across the area. Empty. “When this is all over,” she murmurs over to Coats, “you’re taking me dancing.”
His soft snort is as reassuring as it is an acknowledgement. “Is that so?”
A hint of movement to her right has her readjusting her angle. She inhales, holds it, then slowly releases as her finger pulls the trigger. The softest snick is the only sound as the shot zips across the open space, a hundred meters away, right through the skull; one shot, one kill. “Yup. Suit and tie for you, flouncy skirts and glitzy jewelry for me.” Her hands move mechanically as she reloads the rifle, the expended casing popping out onto the ground, a soft sizzle and puff of steam as the heat meets a trace amount of snow. “The whole shebang.”
“How do you figure that? Last I checked, you owe me.”
A soft chuckle escapes before she can stop it. “I paid that debt before I left you the first day.”
Coats huffs as he trades position with her. “Did not.”
Her gaze shifts, slanting up toward his face. “Tourniquet.” Even though the light is dim, she doesn’t miss the twitch at the corner of his lips.
“That just means we’re even,” he insists. He shifts to his left, lifts his arm a bit, and inhales. Seconds later, he drops down beside her.
When their eyes meet, she smiles. “Kensington.”
His narrow. “Doesn’t count.”
She laughs softly. “Does too.”
“That was just a scratch!”
“Did you or did you not require medigel?” She rises to peer over the edge again and scans.
Coats is quiet for a moment. “It was a scratch. ‘Sides, I repaid that.”
“Yeah?” The air around them is still, silent, almost expectant.
“Chiswick.”
