I was tagged months and months ago by @alyssalenko Thank you.
I tag anyone who wants to do this.
I’ve already done this for the following;
Adam Shepard & Kira Ryder
Marc Shepard & Luke Ryder
Amy Shepard & Aleera Ryder
Zena Shepard & Rick Ryder
Ty Shepard & Rose Ryder
---
Eliza Shepard
the dark ~ fire ~ open water ~ deep water ~ being alone ~ crowded spaces ~ confined spaces ~ change ~ failure ~ war ~ loss of control ~ powerlessness ~ prison ~ blood ~ drowning ~ suffocation ~ public speaking ~ natural animals ~ the supernatural ~ heights ~ death ~ dying ~ intimacy ~ rejection ~abandonment ~ loss ~ the unknown ~ the future ~ not being good enough ~ scary stories ~ speaking to new people ~ poverty ~ loud noises ~ being touched ~ forgetting ~ being forgotten ~ hospitals
Erron Ryder
the dark ~ fire ~ open water ~ deep water ~ being alone ~ crowded spaces ~ confined spaces ~ change ~ failure ~ war ~ loss of control ~ powerlessness ~ prison ~ blood ~ drowning ~ suffocation ~ public speaking ~ natural animals ~ the supernatural ~ heights ~ death ~ dying ~ intimacy ~ rejection ~abandonment ~ loss ~ the unknown ~ the future ~ not being good enough ~ scary stories ~ speaking to new people ~ poverty ~ loud noises ~ being touched ~ forgetting ~ being forgotten ~ hospitals
@garrus you’re more than welcome to tag me for character-related stuff any time. ^_^
I’ll tag @alyssalenko @ripley95things and anyone else who sees this.
I’ve done this already for the following;
Kira Ryder & Adam Shepard
Luke Ryder & Marc Shepard
Aleera Ryder & Amy Shepard
Rick Ryder & Zena Shepard
Rose Ryder & Ty Shepard
---
― your muse’s name:
Eliza Jane Shepard
― two headcanons you have for your muse:
Growing up on Mindoir, Eliza was an avid horseback rider who entered competitions with her favorite horse, an Irish sport horse named Pegasus, in between school, helping out her parents (including her veterinarian father), and hanging out with friends. After Mindoir was attacked, Eliza never rode again, but would like to someday. She’s not sure what happened to Pegasus (or the other animals on the farm for that matter), but she likes to think that he managed to escape and live out the rest of his days out in the colony wilds.
During the Reaper War (and not long after Thane died), Eliza was stabbed by a Phantom. She managed to survive, but it left a nasty scar on her stomach.
― three things that your muse likes doing in their free time:
Taking care of her pets, reading cheesy romance novels, and sleeping in late.
― seven people your muse loves/likes:
Thane, Ashley, Garrus, Tali, Mordin, Joker, and James.
Honorable Mentions: The remaining Normandy crew.
― a phobia your muse has:
Failure and, to some extent, needles.
― your muse’s name:
Erron Reid Ryder
― two headcanons you have for your muse:
He has a little bit of biotics, but they’re considered not worth getting an implant for. As kids, he and Rose had a little joke about how Rose probably absorbed all the eezo exposure in the womb. They don’t talk about it anymore ever since their mother fell ill...
An avid fencer, Cora gifted him an asari sword. He soon discovered that the weapon’s powers enhanced his mostly dormant biotics while in combat. He tries not to overuse his biotics since, if he does, it will leave behind an annoying headache... and an appetite that rivaled a krogan’s.
― three things that your muse likes doing in their free time:
Fencing, camping, and hiking.
― seven people your muse loves/likes:
Cora, his twin sister, his mother, Drack, Kesh, Jaal, and Vetra.
Honorable Mentions: The remaining Tempest crew.
― a phobia your muse has:
Being captured and slowly tortured, especially if drugs were involved.
I’ll tag @rpgwarrior4824 and anyone who sees this.
I’ve done this before and was doing two ships per post. I’ve done the following so far…
-Adam Shepard/Tali’Zorah & Kira Ryder/Reyes Vidal
-Marc Shepard/Miranda Lawson & Luke Ryder/Vetra Nyx
-Amy Shepard/Garrus Vakarian & Aleera Ryder/Jaal Ama Darav
-Zena Shepard/Kaidan Alenko & Rick Ryder/Peebee B’Sayle
Any italics refers to one half of the pair
---
Ty Shepard & Kaidan Alenko
height difference | mutual pining | first kiss | first love | wedding | in-jokes | lgbt+ | family disapproves | friend disapproves | would die for each other | fake relationship | arranged wedding | cuddlers | pda friendly | and they were room mates | holding hands | secret relationship | opposing world views | opposing personalities | opposing goals | getting a pet | have kids | want kids | grow old together | relationship failures | rests head on shoulder | share a bed | token dummies | relationship doubts | they have a song | first date | share a jacket | sharing a blanket | mutual interests | study buddies | bathing together | crash into hello | accidental nudity | laundry | same hobbies | cooking for each other | big fancy gala | sibling rivalry | hair stroking | dancing | laying in the grass | watching stars together | watching the other sleep | shared values | friends to lovers | enemies to lovers | lovers to enemies | childhood friends | slow burn | love triangle | toxic relationship | sitting on each other’s laps | can’t be together | hugs | forehead touches | neck kisses | car/motorbike rides | compliments | nicknames | falling asleep together | late night talks | gifts |
Erron Ryder & Cora Harper
height difference | mutual pining | first kiss | first love | wedding | in-jokes | lgbt+ | family disapproves | friend disapproves | would die for each other | fake relationship | arranged wedding | cuddlers | pda friendly | and they were room mates | holding hands | secret relationship | opposing world views | opposing personalities | opposing goals | getting a pet | have kids | want kids | grow old together | relationship failures | rests head on shoulder | share a bed | token dummies | relationship doubts | they have a song | first date | share a jacket | sharing a blanket | mutual interests | study buddies | bathing together | crash into hello | accidental nudity | laundry | same hobbies | cooking for each other | big fancy gala | sibling rivalry | hair stroking | dancing | laying in the grass | watching stars together | watching the other sleep | shared values | friends to lovers | enemies to lovers | lovers to enemies | childhood friends | slow burn | love triangle | toxic relationship | sitting on each other’s laps | can’t be together | hugs | forehead touches | neck kisses | car/motorbike rides | compliments | nicknames | falling asleep together | late night talks | gifts |
Event hosted by @alyssalenko @vorchagirl and @starsandskies
---
“Desert Rain”
Prompt - Kiss in the Rain
Pathfinder Erron Ryder thought he would never see rain on Eos in his lifetime, let alone within two years after the Initiative began to set up on their first settlement, Prodromos. The radiation had long since cleared out on ninety perfect of the planet. What remained were concentrated in low valleys with no additional settlements nearby, so there was no worry over radioactive rain.
Erron and his team arrived in Prodromos yesterday and were helping with supply shipments coming from the Nexus. Tomorrow, they would be heading off to help establish one of the growing colonies on the planet, the main reason they came here in the first place.
Yesterday evening, the director of scientific research and Prodromos resident Hainly Abrams reported some changes in Eos's weather, which was usually dry and arid. The parted clouds above were thicker and darker than and the air felt damp, indicating the coming of rain. Erron believed it, but figured that the clouds would move on another part of the planet and away from Prodromos...
At least until this morning around sunrise when Erron woke up to pouring rain hitting against the window panes. He had seen rain before since waking up from cryo – mostly in Havarl, Aya, and Kadara. But this was the first time he saw it rain on Eos.
Prodromos had long since provided Erron with his own studio apartment for him to crash at whenever he visited. He usually took advantage of it on every visit since it was a nice change from his quarters on the Tempest. It was even better with the fact that Eos was his favorite planet in the Heleus Cluster. On more than one occasion, he thought about permanently settling here once he retired from being Pathfinder.
And he wasn't the only one with those thoughts.
Cora Harper remained asleep on the bed they shared as Erron got up. He took a moment to put on some pants before he sauntered over to the sliding glass door across the way in order to get a better look at the weather outside.
For a moment, Erron watched the rain splash across the glass and along the small patio, soaking everything it touched. The sandy ground was darkened to a moss brown color, and the nearby crimson lake splashed in small waves with all the droplets hitting the water's surface. Around the outpost, the citizens were actually outside, dancing around and enjoying themselves! Something about seeing that alone put a small smile on his face.
“What are you smiling about?” a tired voice was heard from behind him.
Erron turned his head and saw that Cora was already out of bed. She walked over to where he stood as she finished typing the knot of her initiative-issued cotton robe – all white with the blue logo over each arm - around her waist.
“Not much, just watching people dance in the rain,” Erron replied.
“Really?” Cora questioned as she joined Erron by the door. It didn't take her long to notice the small group dancing in the rain nearby. It was clear that they were having fun. Who wouldn't take advantage of the first rain to pour down on this colony?
“Do you notice Liam out there?” Erron suddenly asked her, looking more bemused.
Cora laughed the moment she spotted their teammate. “Yeah... how much do you want to bet he got the whole group to dance out there?”
Erron laughed as well. “Here's hoping he doesn't jump in the lake.”
“Ditto.”
He felt Cora's hand grasp his and, before he realized what happened, Cora opened the sliding glass door and pulled them outside. He gasped as the humidity hit him and the drops of rain started to soak him from head to toe. He was about to say something, but the words left him as Cora pulled him to her by his shoulders before her lips captured his.
Suddenly, Erron forgot about being pulled out here onto the patio and he let him sink into the kiss. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist and he drew her close to him. By now, they were practically soaked to the bone, but neither of them cared. The rain should've been a distraction, but it instead brought them to new heights. Their kiss was tender but intoxicating, and Erron almost didn’t want the moment to end.
Eventually, they pulled back to catch their breath and Erron took in Cora’s beautiful face. The raindrops beaded her blonde hair and he couldn't help but brush his fingers through a few strands, gently pushing some away from her brown eyes.
“What was that for?” Erron soon found himself asking.
“Oh... just something I've always wanted to do for a while,” Cora admitted in a whisper.
“Kiss under the rain?” Erron questioned curiously. “Hmm... now that I think about it, we had plenty of opportunities on Aya, Havarl... maybe Kadara.”
“I know,” Cora explained as she smiled at him. “But... I've wanted to do this for a while... here on Eos. I thought I'd have to wait longer for the rain, but...”
It clicked in Erron's brain – Eos represented so many firsts in this journey – their first planet since waking up from cryo, their first successful outpost and colony... and for them, the first place where Cora planted her future rose garden not far from here and, next to the freshly planted seeds, where they shared their first kiss.
It wasn't far fetched for Cora to want to enjoy their first kiss under the first rain they got to enjoy on Eos.
Thoughts of staying here for good overwhelmed his mind again. Someday, it would happen... but there was still so much work to do while he was still the Pathfinder.
Noting the raindrops on her lips, Erron kissed them, then he felt her smile against him. “Have I told you lately how much of a sweetheart you are?” Cora asked, her breath tickling his lips.
Erron leaned his forehead against hers, feeling his heart swell over his love for her. “You have... but don't ever let that stop you.”
That got a laugh from Cora before she kissed him under the rain once more.
$ financial: // wealthy / moderate / poor / in poverty
✚ medical: // fit / moderate / sickly / disadvantaged / disabled / not applicable
✪ class: // upper / middle-working / poor / slave / unsure
✔ education: // qualified / unqualified / studying / other
✖ criminal record: // yes, for major crimes / yes, for minor crimes / no / has committed petty crimes, but never caught
FAMILY —
◒ children: // has one or more children / has no children / wants children / verse dependent / doesn’t want to have children / can’t have children
◑ relationship with family: // close with sibling(s) / not close with sibling(s) / has no sibling(s) / sibling(s) are is deceased
◔ affiliation: // orphaned / adopted / disowned / raised by birth parent(s) / not applicable / kidnapped
TRAITS + TENDENCIES —
♦ extrovert // introvert // in between
♦ disorganized // organized // in between
♦ close-minded // open-minded // in between/contextual
♦ calm // anxious // in between
♦ disagreeable // agreeable // in between/contextual
♦ cautious // reckless // in between/contextual
♦ patient // impatient // in between
♦ outspoken // reserved // in between
♦ leader // follower // in between
♦ empathetic // indifferent // in between
♦ optimistic // pessimistic // in between // realistic
♦ traditional // modern // in between
♦ hardworking // lazy // in between
♦ cultured // uncultured // in between
♦ loyal // disloyal // in between
♦ faithful // unfaithful // in between
BELIEFS —
★ faith: // monotheist / polytheist / atheist / agnostic / it’s complicated
☆ belief in ghosts or spirits: // yes / no / don’t know / don’t care
✮ belief in an afterlife: // yes / no / don’t know / don’t care
✯ belief in reincarnation: // yes / no / don’t know / don’t care
❃ belief in aliens. // yes / no / don’t know / don’t care / doesn’t apply
❀ philosophical. // yes / no / sometimes
SEXUALITY & ROMANTIC INCLINATION —
> sexuality: / heterosexual / homosexual / bisexual / asexual / pansexual / demisexual / questioning
❥ sex: // sex repulsed / sex neutral / sex favorable
♥ romance: // romance repulsed / romance neutral / romance favorable
❣ sexually: // adventurous / experienced / naive / inexperienced / curious / inhibited
⚧ potential sexual partners: // male / female / other / none / all
⚧ potential romantic partners: // male / female / other / none / all
> drinking alcohol: // never / sometimes / frequently / to excess
> smoking: // never / sometimes / frequently / to excess /
✿ other narcotics: // never / sometimes / frequently / to excess / tried some
> medicinal drugs: // never / sometimes / frequently / to excess / when needed
☻ indulgent in food: // never / sometimes / frequently / to excess
$ splurge spending: // never / sometimes / frequently / to excess
♣ gambling: // never / sometimes / frequently / to excess
For MERweek2018 hosted by @cactuarkitty with fanfic prompts hosted by @vorchagirl
Prompt - Write a late night story involving your characters meeting up, sharing a secret or confessing something to do with a relationship.
Yesterday kept me busier than I thought it would, so I’m a day late with this entry. Better late than never I suppose. This one will focus on a memory of an old friend that my Ryder shares with his lover, Cora.
Trigger warning for mentions of drug use.
This entry is also part of a prompt request for @super-responsible-pancake . Enjoy!
“An Old, Unhappy Memory”
The stars above Eos glittered brightly, so clear and without any light pollution getting in the way. The half-moon above gave some semblance of light across the desert land. With the exception of the sound of wildlife out in the distance, it was mostly quiet.
Right after sunset, the view was only enjoyed momentarily by the pair who chose to pitch a tent within a isolated spot at the top of Blackrock Tande, their rover parked nearby. The beginning of their new adventure after months traveling through this new galaxy brought desires to the surface. It was held back for weeks as they wrapped things up with their work and prepped for their long vacation. They made love twice so far tonight – once under the stars and the other within their tent before they fell asleep in each other's arms.
It was still nighttime when Cora Harper woke up hours later. She still felt exhausted from not getting much sleep, but there was also a kind of weariness in her body that came from love-making – sore, but with a sweet kind of fatigue that made her feel tingly from head to toe. A small smile etched her features as she thought about the passion she shared with her lover tonight.
Underneath the large blanket, she reached out to where her sweetheart should've been, only to find the spot empty. It was still warm, meaning that he got up not too long ago. Snapping her eyes open, and despite feeling tired, Cora lifted her head to get a better look at her surroundings... and frowned when she realized that she was alone.
“Erron?” she called out.
“I'm out here,” she heard him respond on the other side of the tent. He didn't sound stern or worried, so at the very least they weren't in any immediate danger (and he would've woke her up anyway if that was the case). With a yawn, she sat up from where she laid, intending to join him outside. Not wanting to be fully nude, she found Erron's white cotton shirt by her feet and put it on, the bottom hem stopping at the middle of her thighs and the fabric cooling her skin. Once she was ready, Cora pulled the flap of the tent back and stepped outside, careful to not tread on any loose pebbles with her bare feet.
The air was warm, but there was enough of a light breeze to make it comfortable. Cora found Erron Ryder sitting a few feet away from the tent, sitting on the ground in his black sweatpants and looking thoughtful as his blue-green eyes stared towards the dark horizon. Noticing him like this, Cora realized that this was the first time she's seen him this relaxed and content since he became the Human Pathfinder.
“Can't sleep?” Cora murmured in question. She kneeled down behind him before wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Once settled, she gently kissed just below the crown of his head where the longer locks of his caramel-colored hair met with the ones shaved closer to his head.
Erron returned her affection by taking her hand and lifting it to his lips, kissing the back of her palm. “Guess not. I think I got too used to the sound of the Tempest's drive core.”
“I understand that feeling,” Cora said. “I spent so many years on my parents' cargo freighter and I got so used to the engines. I remember when we stayed overnight after a late delivery run on Eden Prime. I think I was... maybe nine or ten years old. I didn't realize until then that being woken up by complete silence was a thing. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well that night. But my parents made it a point to get me a white noise machine the next time we stayed planet side.”
“Maybe we should've brought one with us,” Erron mentioned. “Then again, it probably would've required us to power it up with a generator. At that point, you might as well just use the generator itself for white noise.”
Cora chuckled. “That’s true.”
Erron tilt his head back a little to gaze up at the stars. Cora rested her chin on the top of his head and looked forward towards the horizon. She didn't miss how his fingers moved along her hand and wrist with gentle ease before letting his hand rest on her forearm.
“Believe it or not, the power on Arcturus Station ran pretty quiet when my sister and I were there,” Erron recalled.
“Did you two go there for basic training?” Cora asked curiously.
“Yes and no. Mainly it was for school, specifically their Alliance junior program... that was high school for me and Rose. It also provided an early start to our Alliance training. The training was like after-school sports, but obviously without a football. It... was all Dad's idea actually...”
Cora slowly nodded at that. As much as she looked up to and admired Alec Ryder, she also understood that Erron's relationship with his Dad was strained at best over the years. Alec had wanted certain things for his children, but Erron felt that he wanted to find his purpose on his own. He didn't ask to become Pathfinder, but it turned out to be what he needed... because through the job, he did find purpose just as she had in her own personal journey through life.
“I remember hating how he just... made the decision for us without asking. Because of that, I was seriously considering living with my maternal grandparents on Earth,” Erron continued. “But Rose convinced me to go. She didn’t mind going in the first place and, well... I think she just didn't want to go alone considering we wouldn't know anyone there except a couple of my Dad's colleagues who were stationed there. At first, I somewhat resented her for guilting me into going, but... it turned out to be the right call, at least at the time. The training and the education were good. After a while, I felt like I found my purpose – again, at least at the time. I made plenty of good friends... and my roommate at the station ended up becoming my best friend.”
Hearing that perked Cora's interest. “Who was your roommate?”
Erron shifted a little where he sat and Cora felt his hand gently squeeze her forearm. “His name was Matthis. He was from Mindoir... lost his family when the batarians raided the colony when he was just seven years old. Matthis was still pretty messed up from the experience when I met him... though I imagine anyone would be in some way or another. He went to live with some relatives after the attack but from what I gathered, life there wasn't so great. So he signed up for the Alliance's junior program and ended up at the academy like I did.
“A lot of the other kids there called us 'partners in crime,' especially during the first two years because we were always hanging out. We took some classes together, attended the same training, and occasionally took weekend trips to Benning so we could get some actual fresh air.” He laughed a little. “Dad would’ve killed me if he knew the trouble me and Matthis got into. Harmless teenager-type trouble, mind you, but trouble nevertheless.”
That made Cora laugh, but she quickly stopped when noticed how Erron suddenly stiffened a bit in her arms. She knew then that the next part of his story wouldn't be easy to share... so she simple stayed silent and remained patient.
“Then our third year came along and... Matthis started to change,” Erron continued. “We were still roommates, but, well... we didn't see each other much during the day and he didn't really want to talk at night like we used to. He also started going to Benning more and more without me, even during school hours. Soon, he starting skipping classes and staying out for most of the night cycle. I was pretty certain it wouldn't be long before he was kicked off the station for good.
“I thought maybe something was going on that was making Matthis depressed and unmotivated... that occasionally happened with him during the first two years at the academy. I tried to talk to talk to him and even suggested seeing the station’s psychologist. He would usually either brush me off or say ‘I’ll go.’ But I I doubt he ever did...
“Then one evening during a weekend, Rose contacted me. I knew she and a few of her friends went to Benning for the weekend and I first thought something happened to her or one of her friends. Turned out she was warning me ahead of time that she and the others were heading back to the station to with Matthis in tow... 'drugged out of his mind' were her exact words. You can imagine the shock I was feeling when she told me that. I never suspected...”
Cora's eyebrows raised up at that. “So he was... seeking out getting high on drugs that whole time while on Benning without you?”
Erron slowly nodded as he let out a quiet, long breath. “That's my guess and I just... I idiotically never considered that was what he was doing until my sister called me and said that. According to her, Matthis was with some people – other drug addicts – and he was on something. His 'friends' left him behind when Rose tried to talk to them and she had a gut feeling that he should get him back to the station. That was when she contacted me and I told her to bring him back to our dorm. I should've called the doctor then, but... Rose he was awake and talking and... being young teenagers, none of us understood how bad it actually was...
“Matthis just lost consciousness when they finally got back and we were just lying him on his bed when he suddenly... started convulsing violently. That was when we knew it was really bad. Some of Rose's friends ran off to get the station's doctor. Rose wanted to stay with me to help while we waited – it first time I ever saw her actually be serious about something now that I think about it. But I told her bringing Matthis back was enough and I would look after him while we waited, so she went along with her friends to get help. I glad I convinced her because...” Erron’s head hung low and he whispered his next words. “...He died right before the doctor was able to get there. I tried CPR and so did the doctor, but... it was too late...”
That earned a gasp from Cora and she tightened her hold on him for comfort. “I'm so sorry...”
Erron leaned his head down further to kiss the back of one of Cora's hands. “Yeah... took me a while to get over that. For a long time, I struggled with accepting that it happened and there was nothing I could've done before it got that bad. Even now, I still wish there was something I could've done to help him... but by the time I even realized what was going on, it was far, far too late. The worst part is that I never really found out what happened exactly... how long he was taking drugs, if he took a bad hit, or he took too much, or his body just gave out... I don't know. I... I even blamed those who got him hooked to begin with, but I eventually had to accept that he was at fault too. I wonder sometimes if he had wanted to get out of that hole, but couldn't because the drugs were that addicting. And maybe, just maybe he was much more depressed than he was letting on and... was looking for a way out. Rose and I barely talk about it these days, but... she knows I'm grateful that she and her friends took him back to his room. At least he died safe and in his own bed while I was by his side rather than alone and abandoned on the streets... because that’s exactly what would’ve happened if Rose didn’t spot him.”
Cora pressed her lips to the crown of his head. “Sometimes we think we know someone, but there are things about them they either prefer to carry on their own, or are afraid to share them even with those they know care about them. And even if we wanted to help them, sometimes they just don't wait it and there's nothing we can do. Our natural desire to help people makes whatever happens to them painful, and we end up blaming ourselves for feeling like we sat by and let it happen, even if it’s not our fault.”
“Yeah,” Erron agreed with a sigh. “That was a very hard lesson I had to learn. I was sixteen when Matthis died... and I think what happened made me grow up a little too fast.”
“Some things do...” Cora said.
Erron leaned back into her. “Is that what happened to you after your parents went missing?”
Cora frowned a little. “Yeah... it was hard to accept for a while that I would never see them again. Sometimes, I wish I knew what happened to them. Nothing can be done about that now, so no use in dwelling over it...”
“Yeah...”
There was a moment's pause before Erron groaned. “Damn it... first day of our camping adventure and we're already depressing ourselves with talking about the people we've lost more than six-hundred years ago...” He then chuckled over that last part. “Never thought I'd say that about six-hundred years. Still feels like only a few years, and yet...”
That made Cora laugh. At least that thought lightened the mood. “I don't think any of us who came to Andromeda considered that until now.”
“True enough.”
For a while after, the two of them simply enjoyed the natural wonder around them as well as each other's company. From behind Erron, Cora gently pulled him closer to her, her heart swelling over how much she loved this man. With that thought, she felt her desire for him rise and she wanted to get closer to him than she already was.
“You know...” Cora started as she began to place gentle kisses along the back of Erron's neck. “Since it'll still be a while before sunrise, I wouldn't mind going back in the tent and... have some fun. One.” She then shifted to place a kiss on the side of his head, over his temple. “Last.” She moved behind him to kiss his other temple. “Time.” Another kiss at the crown of his head, his hair tickling the tip of her nose.
Cora suddenly realized what she just said and groaned with some embarrassment. She meant 'more' and not 'last' in that sentence. What a way to ruin the mood... “Well, one last time for tonight, I mean,” she corrected.
Erron chuckled at her words as his hand gently squeezed her forearm. “Well, that's a relief. I was just thinking how final that sounded.”
Cora huffed with humor. “Wasn't meant to be that way, sweetheart.” By now, her knees were feeling a little sore from kneeling so she decided to stand up and stretch her legs. She held onto Erron's hand, which encouraged up to get up on her feet as well and soon they were facing each other.
Erron cupped Cora's face with both hands before he leaned down to press his forehead to hers, the tip of their noses lightly brushing together. “I know we both had reservations about coming to Andromeda, but... I'm glad we both ended up here. I don't think we would've met otherwise and... we definitely would've missed out on this.”
Cora matched his smile. “I'm glad, too.”
He closed the remaining space between them to kiss her, which she returned eagerly. They stayed like this until they were forced to stop in order to catch their breath. With a coy gaze, Cora took Erron's hand in hers before leading him back to their tent.
