Title: Taste of Home
Fandom: Mass Effect
Rating: PG
Length: 225
Pairing: Kaidan Alenko/male Shepard
Content notes: Post canon, subsequent to Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut, destroy ending
Author notes: This takes place en route to the Alenko family orchard in British Columbia, approximately 8 months after the end of the Reaper War. It is Shepard's voice.
Summary: Everything's better with...

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"I can't believe we'll be at the orchard soon. It's been what... maybe five years since I was there."

It's hard not to smile at his excitement. It's contagious, despite my own experience growing up on spaceships that never allowed for that kind of homecomings.

"What are you looking forward to most, Kaidan? Besides seeing your mom."

I should have expected his reply from the way he licks his lips. "Mom's cooking. I don't know how they're doing for food supplies there, but if I know Mom, she had a freezer and pantry filled at the first rumors of war. And it's a farm community. They can be pretty self-sufficient."

"What kind of food? Let me guess – a steak sandwich?"

Kaidan nods in agreement. "You know me too well, Shepard. But that's not the only thing. I know Mom will find a way to make my favorite dessert."

I hook my arm around his neck and meet his eyes. "Hey, I thought that would be me."

The slight reddening of his cheeks and ears confirm that it might be a close race at least. "Sorry, John. This is one of those Canadian delicacies we've talked about."

I kiss him, running my tongue over his lower lip. "Wait... I thought that was you! Always tastes like that to me."

"Shepard... you've never had maple bacon ice cream."

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