Commander John Shepard doesn't realize it yet, just shy of thirty and scars still relatively few in number, but there are a lot of things he doesn't know when he first hits the decks of the SSV Normandy.
Aside from the newly polished onyx armor and his prized custom shotgun, he comes armed only with two expectations–one, that nothing ever goes as planned; and two, that the food will only be one step up from the cakes of mud encrusted on the soles of their boots.
He'll be right on both counts, of course. Which means there will be an endless string of wrongs–some of them his own mistakes, some of them messes others created, and all of them his responsibility.
But some things, he won't mind taking credit for someday. Like being the first to stick out a hand and extend an offer of camaraderie to the solider quietly manning his workstation, who won't feel comfortable making more than a stiff salute or reverent nod for another several weeks.
Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko isn't one to stand out at initial glance. Even after Shepard encourages a little laxness and the lieutenant assumes the casual military stance, his feet remain steeled in place with hands tightly clasped behind his back. He often doesn't speak unless spoken to, and it will require a handful of awkward conversations for Shepard to understand his tendency to use reserved tones is a sign of careful contemplation and respect rather than an indication of aloofness.
After all, there's only so much a dossier can tell someone, and Shepard, while he knows enough to avoid a bullet in the ass, is never as good at reading a person as he likes to think. The file on the Alliance sentinel boasts of several special commendations, of "extraordinary potential" and "exceptional perseverance despite overwhelming odds," but words…words mean nothing until they become flesh.
"Extraordinary," for these two, starts when that second palm slides up against the first and fingers lock into place. They exchange the token "good to meet you" and "looking forward to serving with you" cordialities, of course, but they're giving away more than just a gesture of good will with a firm pump of the hands. They're giving away their lives.
Shepard has already come to terms with the possibility that he'll one day have to sacrifice himself for the other man. What he isn't quite prepared for, however, is learning that there are more ways of giving one's life unto another than through mere duty and obligation.
One day, it'll be as much about giving his life as sharing it.
One day, he'll know the heated pangs in his gut, murderous and razor-sharp, when he hears Alenko cry out in pain–and the fervent clenches in his groin when he hears him cry out in ecstasy.
In time, though there's so little of it, Shepard will come to realize just how much he doesn't know–and how much he wants to know–about the man standing before him. But right now, all they have is this moment of steady eye contact and a solid handshake.
Even so, Shepard picks up on something unexpected as hands fall back to their sides. Alenko is the first person in a long while who hasn't brought up Akuze when being introduced to the commander.
Sometimes, it's less about what a person says and more about what he doesn't choose to say.
Along with a fixed grip and strong shake, it'll be the first reason of many Shepard has to trust this man more than most–until he breathes his last.