After the Battle of the Citadel, the Alliance calls the Normandy home to Vancouver to face an inquest. Things get...complicated. On every possible level. Especially when Kaidan discovers an unfortunate misunderstanding with his parents.

~

“Have to admit though,” Shepard says, swallowing the rest of his shot, “I’ve been called a lot worse things than your boyfriend.”

Kaidan blinks. The whiskey’s definitely caught up to him. It’s warm in here, and he has to have imagined what just came out of Shepard’s mouth. “Really.”

“Compared to getting shot at and having an inquest shoved up my ass? I’m pretty sure holding your hand, going home with you and eating your mom’s risotto is a considerable improvement, yes.”

Kaidan laughs. Or tries to. It comes out as more of a hoarse squawk. “Sure, I’ll just avoid this whole mess by bringing you home with me. They’ll never have to know.”

“Maybe they don’t,” Shepard says, and Kaidan nearly chokes.