[Citadel] In Confidence

Des grinned, giving a last nip before pulling back. "Yeah...optimism is really working for me tonight."

He pulled off his shirt, throwing it at Raelon as he fiddled with his new omni-tool. "Fuck camping. Better living through technology, right?"


***

When Raelon wakes up, Des is wrestling himself back into his suit. "Morning."

He sounds stuffed up, and his eyes are kind of red. "They're still charging us by the minute."

Raelon stretches, not the least bit self conscious of how his augments tug at his flesh. "Worth every second."

He might not be able to hit the broad side of a barn, but there can't be a war hero in song or story happier than he is right now. Warrior's reward, indeed.

Though he's even more partial to "better living through technology."

He runs a quick diagnostic before getting his ass out of bed and retrieving his clothing. His systems are running optimally. Des on the other hand....

"How you doing?" he asks softly. He can tell the quarian's weepy and not just because of being emotional...

Not that long ago, Raelon might have been needy. Might have expressed a desire to do it again, as soon as possible, or wheedle a time for a repeat performance. Now, and much to his own surprise, he feels the nudging of responsibility on his shoulders, and he is secure in his decision. Yes, he'd like to do that again. On Des' time. No matter how "worth it" it might be, Des carries a disproportionate share of the cost.

"Not dying." He turned his head to cough. "Just quarian."

He attached a series of sensors to his arm, checking the readings before pulling his sleeve up. "For a new clean room and a new partner this is incredibly good."

He wouldn't have been able to do this two years ago, but he doesn't feel the need to belabour the point. Pulling the strap of his omni-tool tight, he wiggled his fingers, sending a shiver up Raelon's spine. The quarian grinned. "Not changing your codes?"

"See, changing my codes, that's what I would call a challenge. Though if you're going to make a habit of...interfering...with worship services then I'll either have to change my codes and hope I can stay ahead of your hacks, or else pledge my allegiance to a sex god." He grins. "I'm sure there's one or two who wouldn't mind if I..."

He's a little on edge that Des mentions "a new partner" so easily, despite the fact that he knows damn well the quarian is both older and more experienced than he is. What he doesn't know so damned well is that he had so much of that turian pack territoriality in him. He keeps control of it - being a jealous ass will wreck this relationship faster than any theoretical interloper - but be damned if he won't defend against anyone who gets too pushy on his Des.

Here's where Raelon needs to figure out what to do next. Clinging and hanging around won't help his cause, but he's out of his depth here, being far too used to just being walked out on at this point. "So, uh, you need any private nursing with that cold, you call me, okay?" Though what is he going to do? Des can't eat Vindi's soup.

"A quarian wouldn't interfere with someone else's suit without permission. It isn't done. Though that offer does count as an invitation, and if you can get through my security, I deserve to get messed with a little."

Des smiled, then picked up his mask. "I'll be just fine. But I have a lot to get done at the shop, remotes to repair, people to call." He set it in place with a hiss, then began a seals check. "I'll call you tonight and we can make plans."