34. holding hands while driving [Cam/Liam]
(been a hot minute since I filled a hand holding prompt, but these two smacked me upside the head with this a few days ago, so there's another one down :D)
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If Eos was known for anything, it was the mesas. Also the founding Initiative colony, the acid water that could burn through even armor, Remnant ruins, and a hefty bandit presence. But mostly the mesas.
One of which rose in front of the Nomad, sides flaring out almost beyond their vision in either direction, steep sides with barely any slope rising to a crown at least twenty meters up.
"You wanna try going up and over, don't you?" Liam asked, leaning forward to get a better view out the Nomad canopy.
"What try, Kosta?" Cam snorted. "Over will be way more fun."
He laughed. "Can't argue that. What are you waiting for, Pathfinder?"
Cam rolled her eyes and examined the mesa. "Gotta determine the angle of attack.... Ah, there we go." She punched a couple buttons, smirked at the rumble of the vehicle shifting to all-terrain mode, and adjusted her grip on the gearshift. "Ready, Kosta?"
Liam covered her hand with his, fingers interlacing. "Ready, Ryder."
She gunned it, forgetting--again--about the speed difference in AT mode, and the Nomad lurched forward. Rough as the start was, it barely balked at the angle of ascent when they hit the mesa. The steepness only increased the higher they went, zigzagging a bit for purchase, until they were all but vertical.
"C'mon, buddy," Cam muttered when the Nomad started to protest the strain. "You can do it...."
Liam squeezed her hand, lacing fingers all the more tightly as they both leaned forward, as if that would help with the final third of the climb.
The wheels slipped.
No, no, we're so close, come on. Cam froze for the tiniest fraction of a second before angling the vehicle sideways. Liam's hand was tight around hers on the gearshift, his support goading her on. They slid a few more feet before the tires caught traction and the Nomad lunged upward as if eager to please its driver.
"There we go!" Liam crowded, grinning as he squeezed her hand.
"We aren't there yet," Cam pointed out, but she couldn't help grinning back as she gunned it. "But we will be."
The Nomad rocked and rumbled, up on two wheels for at least half a very harrowing minute in that last stretch. But Cam knew what it could do, knew the controls well enough to make adjustments without looking; her gaze on the road ahead and her hand twined with Liam's on the gearshift.
All four wheels left the ground as they crested the summit, the Nomad briefly airborne before landing with a triumphant bounce.
Cam whooped, letting go of the steering yoke but not Liam's hand. She sank back in her seat with a grin of contentment. "Told ya. What try?"
Liam laughed and unhooked the seat restraint so he could lean over and kiss her cheek. "Never doubted you for a second." He sat back, gaze swiveling toward the canopy. "Some view, huh?"
It was impressive, she had to agree, seeing the mesas and lakes and barren stretches laid out. "Eh, I like the view from our arch better."
He laughed again, the lilt of it making her think he was blushing even if she couldn't tell for sure. "Noted, and agreed."
They sat in silence for a few minutes to enjoy this view, regardless. Finally though, Cam had had enough of being still.
She revved the engine and pointed to a distant trio of overlapping hills. "Wanna see how long it takes us to get over there?"
Liam grinned, refastened his restraints. "I'm with you, boss. Let's do it."
She shifted into gear and goosed the Nomad forward. The AT disengaged with a clunk at the press of a button, gravity taking over barely a meter past the lip.
Not quite a third of the way down the far side, the rock bumped out, almost a natural ramp. Cam grinned and did nothing to avoid it. She and Liam both whooped as they went airborne, hands clenched tight. Her heart pounded in a giddy rush as she used the jets to slow their descent, angle them for contact higher than the absolute bottom. The Nomad rocked, fishtailed, and shot forward en route to the next goal.
"Onwards?" Cam asked, breathless with adrenaline.
"Onwards," Liam confirmed.
And they raced to the looming mesas still hand in hand.
One thing i am charmed about is that Jaal’s best friend and romance routes are basicaly the same thing with p minor differences. I know there can be arguments against this and i wouldn’t necessarily disagree but. While sometimes it can be fun to romance characters, more often than not i don’t really want to and it’s very special to me when i can have meaningful relationsihps with characters without the need to romance them.
So I had a lot of time this year and got super excited about the cap_ironman community gifts prompt list and wrote . . . 12 . . . fics as gifts for the community. And it was so much fun. I’m going to list these by universe, because that seems best. Universes include: 616, MA:A, AA and 1872 and range from very angsty to pwp to very fluffy, with lots of hurt/comfort and pining in-between. Many thanks to @morphia-writes, @comicsohwhyohwhy and @laireshi for their betaing work!
616
Black and Blue - (Gen, 860 words, blood and injury h/c)
Tony is injured on Avenger’s business. Steve helps care for his wounds.
Game Over: Start Again? - Collab with @laireshi <3 (Teen, 2.4k, kisses both consensual and non consensual)
A first kiss is a beginning. A last kiss is an end. Steve and Tony have shared a few of both.
Tales of the Golden Avenger: Return of the Red Skull - (Teen, 11k, 616/Star Wars AU, past breakup and getting back together)
It’s been over a year since Tony left the Rebel Alliance, but when the Wasp calls in a favor, he feels bound to answer. Even though there’s an active bounty on his head. Even though the last time he confronted a real, Force-empowered Sith he lost his right hand. He can deal with all of that.
Jan failed to mention that the mission involved Steve.
These all stand on their own, but they also fit into a sort-of series of Tony and Steve in a friends with benefits relationship, so here they are chronologically:
In the Dark - (Explicit, 2.4k, first times)
After midnight, in a private room, just the two of them and a movie they've both already seen. Anything could happen, right?
Under the Table - (Explicit, 1k, PWP)
Tony's been thinking about Steve too much lately. It's time he did something about that.
Behind Closed Doors - (Mature, 3k, Avengers: Disassembled hurt/comfort)
The Mansion is in shambles. Tony's life is in shambles. And then there's Steve. Solid, dependable Steve, doing his best to keep them all whole.
Sometimes, there are no good answers left.
Off the Record - (Mature, 1.4k, Emotional h/c)
Steve can't sleep, and when he can't sleep, he broods. After too many nights of restless dreams and nightmares, he hopes Tony can be the distraction he needs.
Under Wraps - (Teen, 1.5k, mistletoe fic fluff)
Tony's spent a lot of time planning for this party. He's bought and wrapped gifts, sent out invitations, helped Jarvis decorate and made sure there will be enough food for a super-human crowd. He didn't plan for mistletoe.
MA:A
Heart on My Sleeve - (Gen, 2k, getting together)
Tony wears Steve’s clothes. Steve has no problem with this.
Try, Try Again - (Teen, 1.6k, proposal!fic fluff)
Steve’s plans usually work out pretty well. This time, though? When all he really wants to do is ask Tony a very important question? Not so much.
AA
In Sickness and in Health - (Gen, 1k, sick!Tony h/c)
If Steve has to physically sit on Tony to make him take a rest, he will. He just hopes it doesn’t come to that.
1872
Upon a Midnight Clear - (Teen, 562 words, cowboys and Christmas carols)
The little town of Timely enjoys a quiet Christmas Eve.
Continuing with my fic recs, next up are FemRyder/Jaal. The shortest of my lists so far, but some damn good stuff. Also, should probably mention everything on the lists I’m posting is rated either M or E. So, fair warning.
Anyways, big thank you to the fanfic authors, and again, if I follow you on Tumblr I’ll try to tag you. =)
Mass Effect Andromeda Fics
Galaxies Apart by CoupdeJarnac. The main character is a human woman specializing in interspecies societies. The main angara protagonist has disabilities, and they are well written, not fetishized, and treated with respect. Honestly a fun read.
The Misadventures of Aria Ryder by Amariahellcat. Fun take on a Female Ryder/Jaal romance. Covers the game and goes into the events following the defeat of the Archon.
Chronicle of a Soul by eveninglottie. This fic is currently on hiatus, but is honestly incredibly well written, with really fleshed out characters. The Female Ryder and Jaal in this fic are super cute, and the slow burn is just. So. Good.
Convergence by Octobig. Want some sweet, smutty Female Ryder/Jaal goodness? Then look no more! This author has several incredibly hot Fem!Ryder/Jaal fics. Smut with feels for the win!
@commandershepardvasfuckit @octobig @eveninglottie @cousinslavellan thanks for the awesome fics =)
