essenceofdeadlybeasts | [ximilia] ic inbox

Of course. They were all very thoughtful.

[And perfect. Very perfect. If Kaidan was paying attention he would notice the color of Zhao's nails had changed for the night.]

Speaking of which... I almost forgot yours getting caught up in mine.

[It had taken him some time to come up with presents for his new friends here on the station, and a few last minute additions for people who had surprised him with unexpected gifts as well. But he had eventually decided on something for each individual and taken the time to box, wrap, and make them presentable by his own hand. Now he tossed Kaidan something in merry colors, a small rectangular box done up pretty. He shrugged and glanced away as if he were too cool to care if Kaidan liked it or not.]

[He had, in fact, noticed the new color of Zhao's nails. He smiles a bit more at that. Kaidan catches the present and shoots Zhao an amused look. He tears into the gift, eager to see what Zhao got him]

Nice view, huh? All this needs is some chairs, maybe a couch.

[So basically the starboard observation lounge back on the Normandy. Zhao will no doubt remember that was Kaidan's peaceful place when they were stuck together in the dreamscape]

[There's a small sampling of books within the gift once Kaidan gets it opened all the way. Most of them are in the language Zhao saw Kaidan reading the few times he caught the other at it. But one of them was most definitely in an Asian script.]

Sounds cozy. A familiar setting for you, ne?

[It may have pinged his memory of Kaidan's dreamscape. But he was going to play it smooth, let Kaidan talk as much or as little as he wanted about such things.]

[He lights up when he sees them. He's really looking forward to reading them on his down-time, especially the ones in the Asian script]

This is great. I can't wait to read them, thanks.

[He hums in response, leaning against the glass] I spent most of my time hanging out in the starboard observation lounge back on the Normandy. It's nice and quiet there, peaceful. A good place to go to think, and when my migraines are really bad I just stretch out in one of the chairs and look at the stars until it's over.

I looked for a while before I found this spot. There aren't any chairs, but there isn't much foot traffic that comes this way. So it's my hang-out.

[He could just come right out and say "if you are ever looking for me, try here first", but he's hoping Zhao will take the hint]

No problem. Let me know if you need any assistance... ah, with the different one.

[He started off strong, failed in the end. So much for smooth. He glanced out towards the stars as he cleared his throat. Thankfully, he could just listen for a moment.]

It's not bad. [He definitely noted down the area for strolling by more often. Or to quite purposefully bump into Kaidan, too, honestly. He liked the guy. He felt like they had a good rapport by now with all the missions and talking and hanging out. Then there was the note with the gift... which led them to this.] Maybe you can request some sort of fold-out chair and bring it here. Maybe two in case of company.

[His expression softens and he runs his finger along the binding of the Asian one. He hadn't missed that it was in a script he couldn't read, or that he would need someone to translate it if he ever hoped to understand, or that Zhao is one of two people he knows for sure could help with said translation]

That's not a bad idea. I tend to live in my head a lot, so having company would be good for me. Especially if that company was a little snarky and could keep up with some teasing banter.

[Why doesn't he just come out and say it? Because it's a game, a chase, a challenge. He doesn't really know which of them is the one running and which is trying to catch, but maybe they'll somehow crash into each other? He'll keep navigating this winding path a while longer, in any case]

[A short chuckle.]

Well, I do know someone who's into that sort of thing. Maybe he'll bring some drinks... help loosen tongues a little.

I wouldn't say no to that, though... I've never needed drinks to loosen my tongue. Apparently I just need a pretty face and being asked the right questions.

[A beat. He's measuring his words, debating on if he should do it. Yep, he's going for it]

What about you? You think you need a drink to, ah... loosen your tongue?

[Zhao's head cocked to one side as he considered the question, an amused glint in his eyes as he stared at Kaidan.]

That...depends on what you want from my tongue. I've been known to blab a bit more with some alcohol in me. But other things... hardly need that sort of encouragement to get me going. I'd rather be sober for that sort of endeavor. Feels less cheap that way. [He laughs it off.] Not just because I'm usually the one paying the tab, mind you.

Yeah, I'd rather be sober, too. I'd rather mean it.

[Yes he used that phrasing on purpose because yes, he did go back and listen to that drunken conversation once he sobered up]

[That caught Zhao's attention. Kaidan had definitely been drunk the first time he'd said that phrasing but he was not even close to intoxicated right now as he repeated the line. Very clearly, very deliberately.]

Oh yeah? [The smile on Zhao's lips was the usual crooked thing he gave out, but if there was a hint of cautious curiosity...well, it wasn't the imagination.] Is that your preferred method? Making it count as something...special?

[Sending a limerick as a dorky way of asking Zhao out was also very clear and deliberate. Well, maybe not as clear as he could be. The limerick didn't come right out and say this was a date. Still, asking Zhao to come to his new hang-out spot is a meaningful gesture.

He glances briefly out at the stars before turning back to Zhao. There's no denying he's attracted to the guy-- both physically and as a person. A part of him worries, though, that admitting he wants more will ruin whatever it is they're doing now. And he likes this, and he would miss it if it was gone.

He sighs. He's gone this far with it]

Maybe it's because of what I am, or my past. But yeah, I'd make it count; I'd make it special.

[Come on, Kaidan, whatever happened to friends with benefits? Not enough? Too hard to handle? Zhao wouldn't be opposed.

Zhao's little smile doesn't fade. Instead, his head tilts backwards and to one side slightly. Whatever he's thinking he keeps to himself though even as the conversation continues.]

Isn't that cute. You are something special, Kai-chan.

[Again he has to take a moment. Even now he can't tell for sure if Zhao wants what he's offering. Maybe a more blunt approach?]

If you think so, why don't you do something about it? Or are you all talk and no action?

[Maybe that was the game. But now Kaidan was being a little more direct. Or at least it sounded like he was trying to be more blunt. It could have been a tease to get Zhao to do something embarrassing--but Zhao was not embarrassed about his preferences or advances.]

You're asking for it, Kai-chan. [He said with a move forward that was quick and fluid, like that of flowing water. Not meant to be intimidating, but get the blood flowing in its own right.] I'm not going to hold back if that's what you're asking.

[He got close, uncomfortably close, chests practically touching, and placed a hand on Kaidan's hip. His other hand reached up to touch Kaidan's face, fingers running along Kaidan's jaw until his hand was behind the marine's head. He stared into Kaidan's eyes.]

Yeah. That's exactly what I'm doing.

[He especially likes the sound of "no holding back". He promised to himself he would stop doing that. And so he waits, but isn't just standing there while Zhao makes a move on him. Kaidan's hand moves to gently grip onto Zhao's wrist and pull his hand a little more firmly on his hip. He meets Zhao's eyes steadily, wetting his lips a little.

He doesn't know if closing those last few inches is him winning or losing this game they're playing with each other, but screw it. A part of not holding back is kissing Zhao like he's wanted to for... a month? Maybe even longer than that. And it's not a chaste kiss, either. Kaidan is already putting heat into it, making damn sure Zhao knows he means it]

[That broke whatever barrier was left in Zhao. There was no denying a reaction like that meant it was wanted. There was the hint of a smile on the gangster's lips as Kaidan began the kiss. Zhao kissed back in return. More than that, he pressed further and very clearly reacted to the heat of it with plenty of his own.

He pushed his body into Kaidan's body, too. His hips pressed into Kaidan's and eventually he forced the other backwards into the hull of the ship. His grip on Kaidan's head was strong though not necessarily meant to cause harm of course, but as the kiss progressed and the heat took over, that hand slid down and began to explore other parts of Kaidan's body.]

[Once he's sure Zhao's hand isn't going anywhere, he slides his own up the length of Zhao's arm and around to his back to pull the other even closer to him. Kaidan nips at Zhao's lower lip, a silent ask if this can get even more heated. He is very glad now he didn't wear anything bulky like a sweater or hoodie so he can actually feel Zhao touching him.

At some point during this make-out session, he quite literally gets turned on and his biotics flare up. The energy will just be a tingling sensation to Zhao wherever he touches Kaidan. For his own part, Kaidan is too busy enjoying this to notice or care that he's glowing blue]

[That was cute. Asking for permission. In such a sweet manner. Zhao would laugh if he wasn't too busy responding with a more forceful action. However...

Before he can get too into the deepened kiss, his eyes flutter enough to notice the strange blue glow surrounding Kaidan. He pulls back, a bit startled. Of course, he recognizes the glow as familiar a second later and regrets the reaction. But now that he's aware of it--there's no way he's ignoring it.

His head tilts to one side as he stares at Kaidan with amusement and he giggles (yes, that high pitched laugh can only be described as an outright giggle) as he runs his hands very slowly, very deliberately across Kaidan's body. The tingling sensation of that flair of power played across his fingertips and entertained the gangster as he experimented with it.]

Well, that makes things interesting.

[Kaidan had warned something like this would happen, but he thought it was going to be a static shock. He wasn't expecting to light up like this. He's a little embarrassed when Zhao pulls away. Kaidan is about to drop the barrier when Zhao reaches to touch him.

Kaidan goes still and hardly breathes as Zhao's fingers move over him. His breathing is a little uneven but he doesn't interrupt the touching]

It's, uhm. It's been a while.

[He can drop the barrier but Zhao doesn't seem to mind it. Kaidan pulls him close, kissing his lips, his jaw, his neck. Letting him feel the tingle of biotic energy]

[It's a strange sensation but not unpleasant to say the least. It's when Kaidan goes for his throat though that it tickles Zhao and the Chinese man giggles again due to the feeling.]

That's a shame.

[To Kaidan's words, to the fact that it's been a while for him, not any of the rest of what they're doing. If anything Zhao has decided he likes it. The concept of being able to literally feel the power Kaidan wields has a certain appeal that Zhao won't dwell too much on, but he definitely enjoys it. He wondered, briefly, if he could match Kaidan's biotics with his own Heat aura. The idea quickly fizzled though as he knew that sort of intense aura typically only came whenever in battle. He didn't want to that right now.

He wanted to explore more. Feel more. Kiss more.]

Why don't we do something about that, hm?

[Zhao brought a hand up and gripped Kaidan's jaw, redirecting Kaidan's mouth towards Zhao's own lips, and reengaging their earlier kiss.]

Edited 2022-02-06 18:57 (UTC)

[He doesn't seem to mind the man-handling Zhao does by gripping his jaw. If anything, he seems to respond well to it. Though that may just be the touching in general he's responding to. His eyes are already dropping half-closed before Zhao even gets close enough to kiss him.

And this time Kaidan's lips are parted, ready to make the embrace deeper. His hands slide along Zhao's arms, trying to position the other to touch him. He's still glowing and he can't seem to turn it off. If Kaidan wasn't more focused on wanting Zhao close, he'd think more about why this is. But really, he just doesn't want to. He wants to make out with this very hot guy]

[Zhao has no objection to diving right into Kaidan's mouth, asserting his claim to the other man. Nor does he have any qualms about using the momentum to touch Kaidan's body, pressing against Kaidan and shoving him boldly against the wall. His hands slide over Kaidan's torso as he feels the electricity sparking through Kaidan's form, presses firmer on a second bypass to feel more of the muscle beneath.

It was a public area but hopefully no one would come across the two men making out. Because Zhao was only getting started.]

[He shivers just a little as he prods back, wanting a claim of his own. Wanting Zhao pressed up against his body, those hands touching him. Maybe the biotics are a result of all his pent-up feelings. Brain Camp didn't really have a biotic sex-ed class. Whatever the reason, he's still glowing.

Eventually Kaidan pulls back enough to take some much-needed breaths]

Not bad.

[He couldn't resist being a little bit snarky]

Oh, that sounds like a challenge to me.

[He countered with a gleam in his eye. But he had a wry smirk on his lips that he couldn't quite keep locked down. Snark was his bread and butter, and receiving it back was as much fun for him as dishing it out. He liked this side of Kaidan. It was interesting.]

Is that what that is? You want to provoke me into more?

[Not that he really needed to be provoked to do more at this point. He was into it. He was into Kaidan. Definitely.]

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