#aidenshep

[kaidans-alenko]

Boyfriends 🙈💕

[kaidans-alenko]

This is the least platonic platonic goodbye

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My step mom says he looks like keanu reeves ^^;

[kaidans-alenko]

No but this was diabolical of the mod creator

[kaidans-alenko]

After years of saying I was going to I finally romanced Cortez (/▽＼)

[kaidans-alenko]

My Sheaprds have to be the hottest people at the reaper invasion

[kaidans-alenko]

I wanna braid flowers into his hair

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I feel like i'm committing treason

[kaidans-alenko]

this is exceptionally funny to me because canon Aiden would just not understand this was directed at him, he legit assumed this was a general statement. Like Kaidan's response to this would make absolutely no sense to him 😂😭

[kaidans-alenko]

Can you belive there's only 20 days left till Christmas? Thank you to my bestie @inquisitorlavcllan for helping me with this chapter <3

Kaidan took a deep breath and walked through the front door to his parents' place. Finding his mother in the kitchen, organizing dishes. “Hey mom.”

Lorraine jumped and turned around “Kaidan! What brings you over dear?”

Kaidan rubbed his hands down the front of his jeans “well…remember how when grandma died she left a couple rings for when I’m ready to get married?” Lorraine nodded, quite not understanding “can I see those?” 

The dishes slipped out of her hands, startling Kaidan and he immediately went to grab a broom. “Michael! It’s happening!” His mother called out into the living room.

“‘No, not that one.” She snapped, smacking his hand away from a simple and dainty diamond ring. 

“Lorraine, don't crowd him, you're making him nervous.” Michael chuckled.

“She’s like a daughter to me, I want her to have the best ring possible.” She responded.

“She’s Kaidan’s fiancé, I’m sure he knows better than we do.” He reasoned. 

“Exactly, whichever one she picks she’ll have to look at for the rest of her life.” She argued. “Actually you know what,” she hurried upstairs leaving Kaidan and his father confused at the kitchen table.

 “This was your grandmother’s actual wedding ring.” She said as she walked back down into the kitchen “I think Lily might like it.” She opened the box and Kaidan’s eyes went wide.

“That’s a real ruby?” He asked and his mother nodded.

“Indeed, they didn’t have much money back then but he wanted her to have at least one nice piece of jewelry.” She closed the box and handed it to him “she’d want you to have it.” 

“Okay,” Lily twirled in front of Aiden. “What about this one?” She asked, fixing her hair.

“It’s cute.” He said with a shrug.

Lily’s hands fell to her side and she gave him a disappointed look. “You said that about all of them.”

“You’re a very fashionable girl Lil.” He responded, not wanting to anger her further.

Lily stopped her foot “ugh! You men are useless!”

“Lily what’s wrong?” Aiden asked, his sister was a diva sure but this was different than normal. 

Lily sat on the couch with a huff, her arms crossed across her chest. “This Christmas doesn’t feel too Christmasy Aiden.”

Aiden frowned “what happened? Are you and Kaidan okay?” They live together so he likely would’ve heard if they weren’t but even still.

Lily nodded “it’s not Kaidan it’s….I don’t like that new Sarah girl.” 

“Sarah?” He didn’t really talk to her much, to be fair he didn’t talk to a lot of people here much. Preferring to keep himself occupied in the store. She seemed nice enough though. 

“I have a bad feeling about her, that’s all.” She said, She didn’t have proof after all. She couldn’t just outright accuse either of them of anything. Not that Aiden was much for gossip. Still if it was bothering her enough it must be more than gossip. 

“Why don’t we take a hot chocolate break and we can brainstorm more outfits?” He suggested and she gave a solemn nod. 

Lily stepped back and snapped a picture of the hot cocoa bar she had set up. “That’s gonna look great in the town paper.”

“Isn’t anyone who reads the paper going to be here anyway?” Kaidan asked.

“Sure but-“

“Oh wow Lily! This is quite the set up.” Sarah exclaimed, avoiding eye contact with the bottle of peppermint schnapps Lily had set out as well.

With an eye roll she put her phone back in her purse “thanks…Sarah.”

“Ideas like this are gonna make you such a fun mom.” She complimented before walking away, leaving the pair stunned.

“Kaidan. Lily said, shaking in her heels.

“Yes?” He responded.

“I’m getting my tubes tied.” She grumbled before storming off.

Lily looked towards the door to the refurbished barn, spotting Pershephone who was being flocked by the townspeople. She looked happy, standing there with Thomas and her siblings. Lily reached for her phone and discreetly snapped a picture. She had a gut feeling that this would be the last time she’d see Persephone smile for a while.

Thomas caught a glimpse of Sarah standing alone, he hadn’t had much time to see her now that Persephone was back and he missed her. “Excuse me a moment Percey, I see a client from work.” He kissed her cheek and gently detached himself, making his way inside and over to Sarah. 

He had decided to break up with Persephone tonight, maybe not during the party. But he couldn’t keep this lie up any longer. 

—-----------------------------------

Kaidan and Lily stood in the back, watching the nativity play “if I were to cast her as either of the marys it’d be Magdalene but whatever.” She said, sipping her drink.

Kaidan chuckled, “I feel like she’d stroke out if she got that role.” 

Lily shrugged “oh well.”

Kaidan took her hand “this play might be going on for a little longer, why don’t we go take a walk.” He whispered. 

Lily raised an eyebrow at him “lead the way Alenko.” 

She left her drink on the table and Kaidan led them outside. “I’ve never seen it this quiet.” Lily commented, looking around.

“Yeah, it’s nice.” He reached into his jacket pocket, making sure this ring was still there before making their way to the park. 

“The park?” Lily asked, eyes wide as she looked at all the lights.

“Yeah, it’s where we had our first kiss, remember?” He asked. 

Lily gave a sly smile and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Aw Kaidan, you wanted a re-enactment, did you?”

Kaidan took her face in his hands and kissed her “yes but also,” he pulled away and got down one knee “I also want to do this.” 

Lily watched him, confused “Do…what?” 

He took out the ring box and opened it up “Lily Shepard, will you marry me?” 

Lily covered her mouth with her hand and nodded, she was speechless. A rare occasion for her. 

Kaidan smiled and slipped the ring on her finger, standing up to hug her. “Is this actually happening?” She asked, voice muffled by his chest.”

“I think so, unless we’re both dreaming.” He responded. 

Lily pulled away “I have to tell Seph!”

Kaidan kissed her forehead “go ahead, I’ll catch up.” 

Lily turned and ran off back to the party, Kaidan watching her with a smile on his face. “You can come out now, Aiden.” 

Aiden poked his head up out of the gazebo “sorry…I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.” 

Kaidan laughed, “I don’t think she'd be mad if she knew you witnessed the proposal.”

Aiden looked down, “I suppose not.”

He looked over his shoulder at him “but I won’t tell her I saw you, she’d probably try dragging you back to the party.”

“Oh, thank you…” he twisted his gloved hands together “congratulations.” He mumbled before hurrying back home. 

“Thomas we…I think we need to talk.” She said sternly, dragging him away from Sarah by the arm and through the crowd. He flocked to her the moment she got off stage. Without any regard to Persephone. She wasn’t so selfish Thomas couldn’t hang out with his friends but she wasn’t a friend. She knew that now. 

“What the hell Percey?” He asked once they were outside, yanking his arm away.

“At first I thought I was crazy, I could look past your not picking me up, the gaps in the journal entries…but you had the *audacity* to mention her in what entries you did fill out.” 

“Percey let me-“ he started but she cut him off.

“Don’t Percy me! If you were gonna sneak around behind my back you could’ve at least been smart about it!” Persephone rarely yelled, and didn't like to let her emotions get the best of her. But she couldn’t help it, she was angry, at herself for being so stupid and Thomas for doing it in the first place. 

“Don’t like I’m the only one to blame, you left for a year.” He argued back and Persephone’s jaw dropped.

“I was on deployment! Of course I was gone!” She shouted. 

“And you promised when you got back you’d take a break so we could get married. But now you’re going on about this new training program and.” He sighed “the truth of the matter is that right now Sarah can offer me something you can’t.” 

Persephone let out a breath like she’d just been punched in the stomach. “Are you….are we?” She couldn’t get the words out but he knew what she meant. 

“I’m sorry, Persephone.” He said, walking back inside leaving her there in the snow. Shell shocked.

“Seph, you’ll never guess what just-“ Lily stopped short when her friend turned to her, tears silently streaming down her face “Seph?”

“I accepted that spot with the training program.” Persephone told her and Lily watched confused as she took her ring and launched it into the snow.

Lily watched it land before whipping her head back around “Oh! That’s…great?” 

Persephone nodded and wiped her tears “yeah, it is isn’t it?”

[kaidans-alenko]

Return of the hallmark au! I haven't posted anything in so long but it makes sense the first thing I do post is Christmas related ^^;

Kaidan, Aiden and Lily stood at the gate for Persephone’s plane. Unlike them Lily was wide awake and dressed to the nines. Standing out next to Aiden’s bunny slippers and Kaidan’s candy cane printed pajama pants.

The intercom let out a series of pleasant chirps alerting everyone of an announcement. “Shut up you two!” Lily snapped despite the men next to her being too tired to form a single coherent thought.

“Plan 137 from Germany is now landing.” A woman's voice came over the intercom followed by another series of chirps before repeating the same message. 

Lily turned to her brother “Aiden! Pick me up!” She demanded and she only got a sleepy nod in response before he bent down and wrapped his arms around her legs, lifting her up so she could better watch for her friend. 

Lily’s eyes narrowed as she searched the crowd before her eyes landed on her best friend. “Let me down!” She demanded, kicking her legs back and forth to her point across. 

Flinging the tin of cookies into Aiden’s arms she ran for her friend “Seph!” she called, jarring her out of her sleepwalking state and before she knew what was happening Lily attached herself to her. 

“There’s your competition.” Aiden whispered to Kaidan as they went to join the two ladies. 

“Are you crying?'' Persephone asked and Lily looked up at her with teary eyes.

 “I missed you so much, I was so lonely.” Lily answered.

“You couldn’t have been that lonely, you had Aiden and…” her eyes landed on Kaidan and she gave him a curious look “who are you?”

“Oh that’s just Kaidan,” she answered “here, I made you cookies.” She ripped the tin from Aiden’s grasp and presented them to Persephone.

“Kaidan who?” She pressed, staring him down and making him slightly nervous.

“Kaidan Alenko,” he offered his hand, “it’s nice to finally meet you.” 

Having been raised with manners she didn’t have it in her to deny him a handshake but she didn’t remember either twin ever mentioning him. “Are you the town Uber driver or something?” 

Lily detached herself from Persephone and wrapped her arms around Kaidan “he’s my boyfriend,” Lily grinned bigger than Persephone had ever seen before. Lily was generally a cheerful person but most of her boyfriends usually dimmed that. So often that she was waiting for Kaidan to scold her for being too ‘loud’ but that didn’t happen. 

"Oh huh. Nice to meet you then." She said, holding her hand out to shake his in a tight gripped handshake.

She wasn't *really* trying to intimidate him. Just show she meant business.

“Now let's get you home, I made the guest bedroom all nice for you.” Lily said with a smile.

“I appreciate it but Thomas is probably waiting for-” she started and Lily’s expression darkened. 

“He’s out of town, you don’t want to return to an empty house do you?” She asked and while she made a good point she couldn’t help but notice something was up. 

“I suppose not…” Seph knew arguing would get her nowhere and even if it would she was too tired. 

“Okay so here’s some pajamas I bought for you.” Lily said, handing her a pair of neatly folded pajamas.

“I have my own Lil.” Seph said, accepting them anyway.

“Sure but these are fresh,” she turned away from her, “oh and I left you a stuffed animal just in case.” She gestured towards a plush duck sitting on the bed.

Persephone smiled “thanks Lil,”

“Of course, oh and you have your own bathroom as well,” she opened the door and showed Persephone inside “I know what products you like so I bought those for you.”

Something was definitely up, Lily was a great host but for her to go all out for what’s just a one night stay was suspicious. “Lily is something up?” She asked.

Lily lowered her head and Persephone leaned in and placed a hand on her shoulder “Lily?”

Lily looked up “it’s nothing!” She hurried back into the room and picked up Seph’s bag. “I’ll do your laundry so you just rest up, night!” 

Lily closed the door and left Persephone standing there with her pajamas. Something was seriously wrong. 

Kaidan yawned as he walked down the hall to their bedroom but came to a halt when he heard what sounded like crying from the laundry room. “Lil?” He asked, popping his head in he found her standing there holding one of Persephone’s shirts. Her tiny frame shook as she cried.

Lily turned around to face him, wiping her eyes with her hand. “Hey Kaidan.”

“Hey,” he frowned and walked over to her “what’s wrong?” He asked, taking the shirt and placing it gently on the washer. 

“I…” she sniffed, “I don’t like lying to Seph.” She answered, breaking down into sobs.

“About her fiancé?” Kaidan knew Lily had been suspicious of Thomas and the new girl but he had no idea it was bothering her this much. 

Lily nodded “she really loves him and as her friend I want her happy but…” she was inconsolable by now and he could barely understand anything she was saying but he listened anyway. 

“I know…” he wrapped her in his arms and that seemed to calm her down “but she needs to know, it’s gonna hurt but you’re going to feel even worse if you let her stay with someone who’s cheating on her.” 

Lily buried her face in his shirt and if she didn’t tell her it could possibly end their friendship. She knew that which is what made this so hard.

“You don’t have to tell her now but eventually,” he said, holding her until she finally calmed down. “Come on, let's get to bed.” Pressing the button on the washer he picked Lily up and carried her to their bedroom. 

“I don’t know if she called already or if you care but Persephone is home.” She said over the phone to Thomas and was met with silence.

“Why do you think I wouldn’t care, Lily?” He asked, fear running through him instead of annoyance.

“I don’t know, dip shit maybe cause you declined the invitation to pick her up with us.” She snapped.

“I told you I took a last minute job I didn’t intentionally-“ he argued but she wasn’t hearing it.

“Shut up! We’re doing dinner at my house so if you really wanna prove you love Seph you’ll be there.” She said before hanging up. 

Turning back around she walked into the kitchen and took a sip from her mocktail. Her eyes laser focused on Persephone. She wanted Thomas to show up, she really did but if she caught even a whiff of that skank’s cheap perfume there’d be hell to pay. 

The door rang as Lily was setting the table and she stopped for a moment, it was him. “Kaidan, baby could you get that?”

Kaidan hopped off the couch “sure thing!” He made his way to the door, revealing Thomas who greeted him with a smile.

“Kaidan right? Good to see you again.” He shook his hand.

“Uh yeah, you too.” Kaidan stepped to the side and allowed him inside. Watching as he headed straight for Persephone and greeting her with a kiss. And he finally saw what Lily was talking about. It didn’t seem like he was happy to see her but more like he was playing a part. 

“I got these for you,” he smiled, handing Seph a bouquet of flowers.

Persephone was surprised by the gesture but happy all the same. “Thank you, they’re beautiful.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and they stayed like that for a while. A touching scene but it made the ache in Lily’s chest worse. 

Thomas turned to look at Lily and presented her with a bottle of wine. “And I brought this for our gracious host.” 

Lily gave him a fake smile and discreetly reached for a steak knife on the table. He was definitely hiding something, this wasn’t the usual Thomas.

“Oh you’re too kind,” he set it on the table and went in to hug her. Lily wrapped her arm around him and raised the one with the knife up but Kaidan grabbed it from her before she could do anything with it.

“Why don’t you take a seat in the living room? I set up snacks there if you’re hungry.”  She offered and he turned back towards the other room, taking a seat next to Persephone.

Lily handed Kaidan the bottle and he followed her back into the kitchen. “A Cabernet, isn’t that your-“ 

“My favorite? Yes.” She answered, arms crossed as she leaned back against the counter. “He knows that too.” 

“Are you sure it wasn’t just a nice gesture? I mean most dinner guests bring-“ he started but she cut him off again.

“No, he forgets it’s always Seph.” She tapped a long nail on the counter behind her. “He knows I’m suspicious of him.”

Kaidan kissed her gently “you just gotta get through dinner okay?” He whispered “then you can cry and drink all you want.” 

Persephone leaned back and peaked into the kitchen, Lily looked sad as Kaidan whispered something in her ear. It could’ve been paranoia, and Lily was prone to depressive episodes but they always seemed to be worse when her boyfriends were involved.

She didn’t want to assume the worst and if Lily needed her help she’d come to her. But she was going to keep an eye on him.

“Amazing cook as always.” Thomas complimented from across the table.

Lily smiled and poured herself more wine, her nails digging into Kaidan’s hand from under the table. “I’m glad you like it.”

“You really went all out, thank you Lily.” Seph said and Lily set Kaidan’s hand free.

“Of course, anything for you Seph.” She looked happy, really happy. As she should, but she knew that a majority of it had to do with Thomas and it made her sick. She drowned her nausea with more wine and it seemed to work. For the moment. Kaidan was right, she just needed to get through dinner.

After dinner Lily and Kaidan saw the couple out “thank you so much Lily.” Her friend said with a hug, slightly tipsy. 

“Of course,” she took Persephone’s hands in hers and looked into her eyes “you need anything at all just call me okay?”

Persephone looked at her a tad confused but they had both had a bit to drink and thought nothing of it. “I will, but don’t worry too much about me.”

Thomas helped her down the porch steps and the girls waved to each other one last time before Persephone and Thomas started down the sidewalk.

Lily watched until her tears made everything blurry. “I shouldn’t let her go with him.” She mumbled. 

Kaidan placed his hands on her shoulders and rubbed them, attempting to comfort her. “What was that?”

Lily placed her head in her hands “I shouldn’t let her go.” She sobbed and if it wasn’t for Kaidan’s strong arms holding her up she might’ve collapsed right there in the entryway. 

[kaidans-alenko]

Wip Wednesday

tagged by @ficbrish thank you bestie 😘

Because it's been a hot second i'm gonna share a snippet from willow 🤭

Lily pulled the body of a man out of the group, gore and who knew what else was spilling from the pile in the process and onto Lily’s heeled boots and coating her gloved hands. The man had tan skin and black hair like Kaidan. She prayed it wasn’t him…but if it was, she had at least found him. Lily swallowed hard and took a deep breath, preparing for the worst as she flipped the man onto his back.

“It’s not him.” she breathed out, both relieved and a tad disappointed.

Aiden slowly approached her and hesitantly placed a hand on her shoulder “Lil, come on we have to-”

“He could be in the other one!” she exclaimed, hurrying away. Not finding it in her to be bothered that she could’ve potentially alerted the collectors to their presence. Lily frantically searched the second pile of bodies. Garrus gagged and continued further into the base while Aiden approached his sister.

“Lily calm down, please.” he ordered but there wasn’t much force behind it.

“No!” she yelled, knocking him onto his back. “For all we know he could be here, among these bodies or,” she gestured at the ceiling “in one of those pods!”

“I sense no signs of life in the pods Shepard.” EDI informed them, likely in an attempt to calm Lily down.

“That doesn’t mean anything!” she snapped “he could be dead along with the other colonists and he…he doesn’t deserve that.” Lily hung her head, shoulders shaking “I should’ve gone with him.”

[kaidans-alenko]

Not me writing shit out of order sfghjkl for context Kaidan gets nabbed on Horizon instead of frozen and left alone

"It seems to be the vessel you encountered on Horizon." EDI informed them over their comms and Lily froze.

"Horizon?" She pressed her fingers against her ear and turned to the side. 

"Yes, the EM signatures are-" EDI started but it was clear Lily wasn't interested.

"Could Kaidan be here then?" She asked.

"Unknown, though I sense no sign of life in the pods." EDI explained and rage bubbled up in Lily. He wasn't dead, he couldn't be. He wouldn't just leave her like this, he promised.

"Then scan for him damn it!" She snapped and Aiden jogged over to her.

"Lily-" he grabbed her shoulders but she pulled away. 

"His name is Kaidan Alenko, he's a biotic, thirty-four years old." She placed around the vessel "six foot two hundred and nine five pounds blood type A." She prattled off the information so fast that if EDI weren't an AI she'd be struggling to process it. 

Aiden grabbed her again and turned her around "Lily," he calmly. "If Kaidan is here EDI will find him but for now I need you to focus." 

Her hands fell to her side and she looked down at the ground "You don't get it Ai…" 

"I do, I understand you're scared but it'll-" he reached out of comfort her but she smacked his hand away.

"No, you don't, you don't fucking get it!" Lily hated when people did that, even Kaidan she's told off a few times for it. 'I understand' no they didn't, no one ever understood and she didn't need anyone pretending they did. It was a stupid waste of time. 

"Kaidan was the only one there for me when you died, sure I had Anderson and Ash, but he stayed beside me. Even when it was hard, even when I knew he wanted to, he never left my side." She clenched her fist "so I'm not going to abandon him, he might just be some random lieutenant you worked with a couple years ago and that's fine but for me he makes staying in this galaxy a little more bearable."

Aiden had the feeling they'd end up this way, even with how much she claimed to hate him. He was surprised how quickly they moved though. Getting married only after two years "I'm sorry Lil, I didn't mean…" he sighed "I'm sorry."

"Whatever, we have a mission to do, let's hurry up and get it over with." She said, turning away from him.

 

Their relationship wasn't what it had been prior to him dying. She seemed so distant, he knew she didn't fully trust Cerberus or that Aiden really was who he said he was. Her motivations for joining weren't because she genuinely wanted to help her big brother like it would've been in the past.

Her attitude towards him was indifference, he'd lost his best friend and he didn't know how to get her back.

[kaidans-alenko]

I had way too much fun with this one

AO3 or read under the cut ☃️

"Kaidan, think fast!" Lily shouted at her boyfriend, catching him off guard.

"What are you-ah!" He flinched and instinctively held up his shovel, stopping the snow ball from hitting him in the face. 

"Nice reflexes babe!" Lily called as she crossed the street.

"Uh thanks?" He responded, confused as she ran over "what are you doing?" 

"Practicing." She answered, picking up rocks and placing them in a pouch. 

"Practicing…?" He asked, even more confused.

"For the local snowball fight," she said holding up a rather sizable rock "I lace mine with rocks and haven't lost since." 

"You...what?" He blinked. 

Lily stood back up "Yeah, *pretty sure* I'm not supposed to but," she shrugged "no one has stopped me yet." 

"Likely because you haven't been caught." Aiden said, joining them.

"Well there's that too." She said, waving her brother off.

"Wait, hold on," Kaidan said, holding his hands up and drawing the attention of the twins "you have a yearly snowball fight?" He asked. 

Lily and Aiden looked at each other and back at him, nodding "yeah?" They responded in unison. 

"It's a last man standing kinda thing," Lily explained "hence the rocks." She said, holding the sack up.

"It's completely illegal so I just make sure she doesn't aim for anyone's face." Aiden looked over at her, brow furrowed "which is precisely why she never gets caught."

Lily leaned against him, smiling as innocently as possible "best big brother ever." She said, making him roll his eyes. 

"So it's a town wide ordeal?" Kaidan asked, intrigued. 

"Yeah! Everyone joins in," she paused.'' Well almost, obviously the older folks don't but there's still a pretty good turn out."

"Do you want to join Kaidan?" Aiden asked "there's no sign up sheet you just kinda show up."

Lily deflated "awwww, I guess that means no rocks this year." She said, dropping the sack on the floor and letting them spill onto the ground.

Kaidan snorted "sorry love." 

Lily signed dramatically "Oh it's fine, all relationships require sacrifice after all."

Aiden shook his head at his sister's dramatics "so you'll be there?" 

Kaidan nodded, "Sure, sounds fun." 

Lily kissed him "but just remember, I'm not gonna be nice just because I like you." She winked.

Kaidan chuckled, "I wouldn't expect you to be babe." 

---------

"Mom, dad?" Kaidan asked, surprised to see his parents setting up shop in the park.

"Oh hi sweetie!" His mother said, walking over to him.

"What are you two doing here?" He questioned.

"Since we can't participate we always set up our little booth here so we can still enjoy the festivities." His father explained from his chair. 

Kaidan looked around the park and it looked like his parents weren't alone in that thinking. Every elderly business owner had set up food stalls and beverage stations. "So this is quite the event huh?" 

"It is! I'm sure Lily explained it all to you didn't she?" His mother asked, setting up the canisters of coffee and various other hot drinks along with some baked goods.

"Well sure but this is like a sporting event." He gaped. 

His mother giggled "we never do anything by halves in this town." 

"Yeah, I'm starting to pick up on that." He chuckled. 

"Kaidan!" Lily came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist, nearly knocking him over "you made it!"

Kaidan reached around to wrap his arm around her shoulders "someone's excited." He laughed.

"You're joining us right?" Lily asked, grinning up at him.

"Sure, go easy on the new guy though." He joked, leaning down to kiss her. 

"Hmm we'll see." She replied standing up on her tiptoes to meet his lips. 

---------

"Good to see everyone again for the Crystal Wood annual snowball fight!" The mayor announced, earning cheers from the crowd.

"I think it's cute how every year the same people participate to take me down, it's humbling really." Lily taunted.

The mayor rolled his eyes "yes Lily we know, you win every year." 

She flipped her hair "just thought I'd give everyone a reminder." 

Not that Lily wasn't a confident person, she very much was and Kaidan loved that about her but this was totally different. She was downright arrogant and most would probably be turned off but he kinda liked it. 

Once the speech ended a whistle was blown and everyone scattered into different parts of the park. Taking cover behind trees or benches to safely build up their stash of snowballs.

If Lily was careful she could still use her rock method but she'd never forgive herself if her target dodged and the rock laced snowball hit Kaidan instead. "No...I can still win this." Lily muttered to herself. She wasn't going to embarrass herself like this. She hasn't lost since she was a teenager. That wasn't going to change. 

Starting with her brother, Lily peaked from her cover "psst Aiden." She whispered.

"Yeah?" He answered, looking over at her and immediately being hit in the face with a snowball. Followed by the sharp blow of a whistle and a sigh from Aiden.

"Nice try Ai!" She cheered as if she wasn't the one who got him out.

"Damn…" Kaidan said under his breath as he watched from behind a bush.

"Yeah, Lily is cut throat." Another disqualified contestant said on their way off the field "good luck." 

"Thanks…" Kaidan replied, Lily said she wouldn't go easy on him and it looks like she wasn't kidding. 

Lily stuck her leg out and tripped a contestant who was, from what she could tell, running from another contestant. She could knock them both out if she was lucky. 

Lily hit the downed contestant with a snowball to the back of the head and the other in the stomach, making them fall over like they've been shot. 

"Damn you Lily…" they cursed, voices muffled by the snow.

"Sorry!" She called, running to hide behind a tree. 

After what felt like hours every other participant had been disqualified leaving only Kaidan and Lily. 

"Honestly I didn't think it'd end like this," Lily said dramatically, looking away from him "I was hoping someone would take you out first and spare me the pain." 

"I'm sorry Lil, I never wanted it to come to this." He said, playing along.

"It's okay, I'm just glad to have met you Kaidan." She said, both of them bending down to make a  snowball. 

"I'll always love you Lily." He said, raising up his arm to throw his snowball.

She threw her own snowball "And I you." 

The park was deadly silent as they watched the pair make their declarations of love. Anxiously waiting to see who would go down first. When the referee blew the whistle allowing them to finally breathe. 

"And once again, the winner is Lily Shepard!" He called and the woman in question stood up. 

"You put up a good fight babe!" Lily called to her boyfriend as he brushed the snow off himself. 

"Should've known I wouldn't stand a chance next to you." Was the game close enough that he could claim he let her win? Probably but he wasn't petty and based on the way she was taking people out left and right there's no chance anyone would believe him. Hell, he wouldn't believe him.

"And this concludes the annual snowball fight." The mayor announced, the crowd clapping despite not being even remotely surprised by the turn out.

"Aw don't worry babe, you might get me next year." She winked. 

Kaidan snorted and kissed her head "I appreciate the vote of confidence Lil."

[kaidans-alenko]

Dropping this then going to bed 🥱

Aiden made his way over to the awaiting shuttle, already feeling anxious about this special mission Hackett was sending him on. The same feeling he got on Virmire. A mission resulting in his death. He shook his head, not wanting to dwell on that much longer. "The collector base was less nerve wracking than this." He mumbled to himself as he stepped onto the shuttle. 

The sound of humming caught his attention and he looked up to find Lily making herself comfortable in one of the seats. Swinging the legs that barely touched the floor of the shuttle as she snacked on her usual bag of candy.

For someone so scared of the dentist she sure likes giving herself cavities.

"Oh! Aiden!" She exclaimed, smiling happily at him as he joined her. 

"Hey Lil, what're you doing here?" Not that he wasn't happy to see her but from what he knew this was on a need to know basis per Hackett's orders. 

"I came to help obviously." She said, setting the back of candy haphazardly on the seat next to her. 

"Did Hackett say something to you?" He asked, taking a seat across from her.

Lily shook her head "No." She replied, sticking a gummy worm in her mouth and sucking on half of it. Letting the other half dangle out of her mouth like a bird. 

"Then how'd you know about it?" He asked, reaching for the bag and grabbing a piece of candy for himself.

"I hacked into your comms." She told him, slurping the rest of the candy into her mouth.

Aiden sighed with an eyeroll "of course you did…."

"I wouldn't have to if you had just told me in the first place." She said, crossing her arms and flopping back in the chair as the shuttle took off. 

"I didn't tell you because-" He started but she interrupted him.

"Because they're batraians." She finished and was met with silence. 

"Your psychiatrist made it very clear to avoid anything that could trigger your-" but once again she didn't let him finish.

"I'm not a baby Ai!" She snapped, "I'm not frail either, I can deal just fine with my PTSD and...that  other one too." 

"I'm sorry Lil, I didn't mean to imply you couldn't," he gently nudged her ankle with his foot. "I just worry about you." 

Lily looked out the window, taking in the scenery "I know, but I wouldn't go if I didn't think I could handle it." 

Aiden nodded "Fair enough, then thank you, this'll be much easier with some back up." He told her.

Lily looked over with a smile, "my thoughts exactly." 

"Gotta say I'm surprised Kaidan didn't tag along too." 

Lily leaned back on her hands "Oh he wanted to, but Chakwas said it was better if he didn’t overexert himself." She snorted, "He wasn't happy about it though." 

Aiden chuckled "No I can't imagine he would be." 

[kaidans-alenko]

Lily: What's the color of Kaidan's shirt?

Aiden: Gray.

Ashley: Gray.

Lily: Now, boy scout, why don't you tell the crew what color *you* thought it was.

Kaidan......dark white.

Joker:.....dude.