Title: Like a Wave
Fandom: Mass Effect
Rating: PG
Length: 484
Pairing: Kaidan Alenko/male Shepard
Content notes: Post canon, subsequent to Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut, destroy ending
Author notes: This takes place approximately seven months after the Reaper War was won. Shepard is making progress in his recovery from being found barely alive. He and Kaidan are in Vancouver and it's Shepard's voice. The title and end quote are from "The Fiddler of Dooney" - W.B. Yeats.
Summary: Commander Shepard doesn't dance.

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"What are you thinking about?"

"Is it that obvious? I guess I'm not very good company tonight."

"Kaidan, you don't have to entertain me. You just look kind of far away. Can I help?"

He doesn't turn as I step out onto the deck beside him. He's watching the tide roll in, the sound of the waves splashing on the rocks below us breaks the stillness of the night. The cloudless sky over the bay is sprinkled with stars. It's not the first time I've found Kaidan lost in a star-view, and his preoccupation tonight reminds me of something.

"Just thinking about how we thought things might go... after the war was over."

I remember now – the night in Starboard Observation when Kaidan told me he'd heard that his father was MIA. Despite that unsettling news, our conversation that night had ended on a tenuous note of hope.

"You're thinking about that reunion party we thought there'd be..."

"Yeah. Haven't seen much of that. No dancing in the streets... just some hugging and crying."

Closing the distance between us, I rest a hand on his back, feeling his tension in the muscles there.

"I guess we missed that part. Saw some vid recordings of it... in different cities, even on other planets... people celebrating when the Reapers fell. Soldiers mostly. Maybe realizing they were going to live after all. That was good to see."

Kaidan slides his arm under mine to circle my waist, hugging a little. But it seems more like he's the one seeking comfort tonight. I can try. He never asks for much of anything for himself. Just being being together is enough.

"You almost didn't live, Shepard. And there wasn't any dancing on the Normandy on whatever the hell that planet was where our last jump sent us. Everyone was pretty dazed. Yeah, most of us were alive. But the empty places were too much... you know?"

I rub small circles on his back, hoping it helps a little, just letting him talk.

"Then we heard they found you alive... and we got back and I got to hold you again. The news... gave me my life back. And holding you... that felt amazing. When all the tubes and wires were gone and I could sit down on the bed and just pull you close... feel your heartbeat. Know for sure I hadn't lost you again."

He turns, gathering me into both arms, his warm brown eyes meeting mine. "I'm not sure what I'm even asking for here... Seems like I have everything I need."

I know this is going to sound pretty improbable coming from me. But there is one small gift I can offer him. A celebration of life and love.

Leaning my head close to his, our foreheads touching, I lift my arms to circle his neck, and press my body against him.

"Dance with me, Kaidan."

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Dance like a wave of the sea – W.B. Yeats