"He's suicidal, Mr. Krios."
"You mentioned that already," Kolyat replied, forcing himself to remain impartial to the information. His whole meeting with Feron still left him feeling off guard, with a hundred different questions circulating in his mind, he felt he should've been prepared for at the very beginning.
That is, if Father wasn't so cryptic when he asked me for this liability.
Did Father, or Shepard, know that Feron tried to kill himself, or better yet, still remain with the motivation to do so? If they knew, why would they give him custody over Feron? Didn't they realize Kolyat wasn't equipped to deal with that kind of responsibility? He really had no clue how he'd be able to help someone with that kind of mental health issue. Shit … he barely even knew what to do with himself half the time, just finally getting his own life together.
And now, I'm someone's legal guardian….
Would it be better if he was a child?
No … Goddess, no….
Kolyat sat back in his chair silently, crossing one leg over the other and made sure to keep the best stolid expression he could muster. Not that it mattered, Dr. Bennet and he were alone in the human's office to discuss Feron's medical history. Although there was something about the human doctor that just didn't sit right with Kolyat, and he didn't want to give the man any leverage against the uncertainties he possessed over Feron.
"Yet, you still request for him to remain off the midazolam?" the human asked, almost critically, like he was accusing Kolyat of something.
Dr. Bennet made it sound as if he was signing Feron's death warrant. In truth though, that could actually be the case. How many attempts did Feron already initiate? What was the provocation? What happened for him to feel as if Kalahira's Shore was the only solution? Should he really be taking him off the anti-depressants? Maybe he could just keep Feron asleep until he figured out what to do with him.
Yeah, like that's ethical...
Fuck, I really need to see his medical charts.
"Do you realize the dangers and consequences of that kind of decision?" Dr. Bennet stressed, probably getting impatient with Kolyat's silence and lack of rise. "What if he tries again? What if the next time, he succeeds? Could you live with that guilt? Of failing someone you are trying to protect?"
Bile rose in Kolyat's throat. Acid residue burned his tongue and ignited his lungs. The human knew nothing about failing to protect someone, helpless and afraid and forced to watch. Not like him.
Not many did.
"Trust me," Kolyat finally spoke, "If Feron wanted to kill himself, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
Bennet shook his head and sighed. "Mr. Krios. Have you ever been suicidal?"
Is he really asking me this? Who agrees to that?
"Most individuals who are suicidal-" Bennet started.
Ah, rhetorical.
"-or have attempted suicide, remain suicidal or harbor their longing to die for extended periods between attempts. Sometimes months or even years. They are good at hiding their emotions."
Kolyat snorted, "Feron doesn't seem like he's capable of hiding anything, if we're being honest."
Father did warn him about that after all.
"Yes, well … Mr. Takei is a very … vocal individual, but he also lies and tries to sweet talk his way into getting what he wants."
Kolyat grinned without meaning to. Only a half hour with the man, and he could already tell Feron was a handful.
"How well do you know Mr. Takai? Enough to bet his life on it?"
Kolyat blinked stoically and remained quiet. He shouldn't admit that he'd spent generally the same amount of time with the drell as he did with the human doctor, right? Maybe he should just keep Feron on the medication until he reviewed everything?
Kolyat just didn't like the desolate look on the other drells face as the nurse came in. It was brief, barely noticeable, but it was there. The look in Feron's eyes stirred something within Kolyat. Some kind of innate urge to protect the man from anything that would've made him unhappy. His subtle smell, drowned out with antiseptics and medicine, tightened his chest with a defensive backlash when the woman showed a tendency to cause Feron harm.
The automatic response even confused Kolyat, but by the time he thought about his actions, it was too late to turn back.
Another sigh, another disapproving shake of Bennet's head. "Mr. Krios-"
"His medical charts." Kolyat interrupted, growing tired of hearing the man's endless questions and clear rejection. "Forward me all of his records. I want all of the psychological reports, too, and a list of every medication you pumped into him and why."
"Mr. Krios, I think-"
"I heard enough of what you think." Kolyat cut the doctor off again, growing impatient with Bennet's tangent. "I will take into consideration everything you have told me, once I review all of his records, I - as his legal guardian- will make the decision on what I want done with him."
Bennet frowned deeply, his pudgy cheeks flushed crimson. Adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose, the doctor turned towards his computer, fingers moving rapidly over the keys. Kolyat stared at him in perfect civility, even managing to force a smile, which probably didn't come out as friendly as he planned, but it was all he was able to muster.
He didn't like that Feron was on the midazolam. Didn't the human doctor take into consideration that the drug had a side effect to make his symptoms of depression worse? If he really suffered from that? The drug also caused a problem with breathing, and the cold air in the hospital would not help Feron if he started developing Kepral's as a result.
Kolyat's omnitool beeped with an incoming message, and he looked down at the interface to see the flood of documents begin to fill his screen. Opening the first file, he glanced at the reports of an incident that happened when Feron first came to the hospital. Apparently - according to the document - he became hostile, injuring one of the nurses and cut himself with his fingernails. After he was restrained, Feron was given twilight and midazolam to keep him calm.
The next report was dated a week later. Another bought of hysterics when a physical therapist tried to help him from the bed. Feron had lashed out and fell to the floor, the doctor stated that he was trying to make a break for it and alerted security. Afterwards, he was restrained and wasn't able to be subdued until given tranquilizers. A day later he spiked a fever and became very ill.
Kolyat took a deep breath to calm his racing heartbeat. There was a lot of information here, and he needed time to sort through all of it. Looking up at Dr. Bennet, Kolyat closed his onmitool and began to rise, the human doctor following his lead.
"Please see me when you are done reviewing all of the files. You will understand my concerns."
Kolyat let his gaze drop in uncertainty. Even though he didn't want to, Kolyat knew he lacked any other choice, but to listen to Feron's doctor. As far as he knew, the files were fact. Only two documents in, and he already saw why the staff treated the other drell the way they did.
Did Feron bring this on himself?
"Dr. Bennet," Kolyat started, turning back to the man just as he made it to the doorway before leaving. "Perhaps it would be best, for now, to leave Feron on the medication, but I would prefer it, if his nurse is changed."
Bennet smiled and nodded, motioning to shake Kolyat's hand. "Of course, I wouldn't allow Lisaya anywhere near Mr. Takai now. I assure, you are making the right decision, Mr. Krios … Feron is a danger to himself. You want to keep him safe, as do I."
"Thank you," Kolyat said, with a numbness starting to envelope his lungs. Was he really making the right decision? He didn't know what else to do.
Stepping into him, Dr. Bennet shook Kolyat's hand and placed his palm on the drells shoulder. Glancing at the human's hand, Kolyat narrowed his eyes, not appreciating being touched in such familiarity. Did he not know drells at all?
Touching….
Wait … were they touching him? Maybe he didn't want to be touched? Most drells avoided contact, unless comfortable with the person.
"When you come back, I think we should also discuss the possibility of transferring to a psychiatric ward."
Kolyat stood frozen. His eyes snapped to Bennet's, unable to process what the doctor was telling him. Surely Feron wasn't that far gone, was he?
"I …" Kolyat blinked several times as he tried to wrap his mind around the scenario. How the hell did he end up having to make these kinds of decisions? No … Feron didn't need a psychiatric ward. He had lost himself for a moment, it was true, but it was nothing that couldn't be avoided with the proper intervention. A distraction.
He said they didn't even allow him a tv.
He's bored….
"I need to think this over," Kolyat shook his head. "but I need something done before I come back."
"Of course, Mr. Krios." Bennet smiled. One of those slow, over-confident, smiles. The ones where someone knows they have you right where they want you.
Kolyat knew he was a master of those smiles, because he was the one normally giving them. Licking his lips, Kolyat narrowed is gaze and turned, making sure Bennet's hand was jerked from his shoulder. "I don't want anyone touching Feron from now on. You can give him his medicine. You can take his blood, if you need it, but … do not. Touch him."
Bennet stared at him for long time, his gaze turned stern and flashed with something Kolyat associated with defiance. "How do you expect-"
"Do you know drells are territorial?" Kolyat cut in. He would make sure the man knew exactly the possessiveness they were capable of.
What he was capable of.
"Territorial?" Bennet blinked, shaking his head in rejection.
"Feron belong's to me now. If anyone touches him, I will know, and you will be the one held responsible for harassment on your patient. If he has another episode, before I get back, contact me. If not …" Kolyat squared his shoulders, curled his lip back, and flashed his teeth on instinct. A low hiss released from his throat in warning as he bent down to stare into the human's eyes threateningly.
"I better not smell anyone else on what is mine … do I make myself clear?"
Kolyat's heart was racing a mile a minute, and his knees felt weak. Resting his hand on the metal paneling, he dipped into an empty corridor and caught himself as panic overwhelmed his senses. Resting his back against the wall, Kolyat bent over and placed his hands on his knees, taking in deep, steady, pulls of air, to calm the frantic pounding in his chest.
Why in Arashu's name did I say that? Why … why did I say that?
Rubbing a hand over the top of his head, Kolyat let his palm run over the ridges before letting it fall to his stiff neck. He forced himself to stand up, despite his muscles threatening to lock into place with the weight of his regret. Dr. Bennet probably thought he was an overbearing, jealous, lover now. What possessed him to lash out like that? Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut - nod and smile, like a normal person?
Kolyat groaned and pushed himself off the wall. Opening his omnitool, he checked the time and tried to decide whether he should see Feron before he left. If he even maintained the mental fortitude to do so.
The things that came out of his mouth - the unabashed teasing and sexual innuendos … Feron was definitely worse than Shepard.
Sighing deeply, Kolyat shook his head in frustration. No … he needed to make sure the man was okay before he left. He owed Father and Shepard that much with what he promised.
Kolyat steeled his nerves and made sure to force one foot in front of the other, making his way back towards Feron's room, almost on autopilot. If their positions were reversed, Kolyat would've hoped someone would give him a chance, too, and not just throw away the key. Like they were trying to do to Feron.
Wait … was that why Shepard wanted him to help? Because Kolyat experienced this in his own way? It was a possibility.
The voices were unexpected when he arrived. Not taking into consideration that this was a hospital and Feron would've expected doctors to visit throughout the day. Feron's voice flowed towards Kolyat, the smooth, lively, pitch, with a melodic ring, hard to ignore. Kolyat wasn't pleased that he actually liked the sounds the other man created.
Approaching slowly, Kolyat hovered right outside the doorway, not wishing to disturb the conversation that unfurled within.
"Is there anything that can be done?" Feron asked quietly, his tone flat and empty.
"We will give you all of the possible treatments available," the person answered.
A female. Maybe a doctor from what they were discussing? Kolyat peeked around the corner briefly to verify, seeing a human woman before he pulled back and pressed himself against the wall once more.
"For now, we need to take it slow, but you have to be aware of the possibility that the treatments might fail."
"My, aren't you optimistic," Feron answered almost heartlessly.
"We will do everything for you, Mr. Takai. Just think of this as a stepping stone."
"That I have to drag myself across," his voice strained. Kolyat could hear the curtness of his subvocals.
"You need to stop fighting your physical therapy. You need it to get stronger. After a few months we will start with spinal injections but … You. Must. Do. Your physical therapy. If you ever want to walk again, you will take my advice."
There was silence for a moment and Kolyat peeked back around the corner. Feron grinned wide and true, his eyes sparkling with something Kolyat couldn't decipher. Something just didn't sit right in Kolyat's stomach with his detached expression.
"Do you feel sorry for me?" Feron purred. His throat releasing a seductive trill. "Will you sit on my lap to console me? It might make me feel better."
"Mr. Takai," the doctor huffed, clearly not happy with Feron's response. "I suggest you listen to my advice. We will not be able to begin treatments until you have completed the sessions with the Physical Therapist."
"How about a kiss, then?"
"Do you take anything seriously, Mr. Takai?"
"Oh, I take kissing very seriously," he purred again.
Kolyat frowned from Feron's antics. Did the other man know how lucky he was that the staff wasn't slamming him with sexual harassment charges?
The doctor shook her head and released a huff of annoyance before she turned towards the doorway. Pushing himself back against the wall, Kolyat watched the human leave and storm away in the opposite direction, too preoccupied in her annoyance to notice him.
Waiting several heartbeats, Kolyat pondered on Feron's overly callous attitude. Maybe the doctors weren't wrong? Maybe Feron was just too far gone to care about anything anymore? In his C-Sec training, Kolyat learned that individuals who showed no interest in their own well being, were more susceptible in taking their own life.
The warning signs for Feron were very real.
Waiting another moment, Kolyat peeked around the corner again, expecting Feron to be smiling, or most likely laughing about the doctors reaction. What he saw instead, stopped his heart mid-beat.
The colorful drell was staring at his lap, as if unseeing. His throat contracting while he fought to keep his vocals and trill silent. What got Kolyat though, was the anguish on Feron's face. The utter despair as he grit his teeth, bottom lip quivering while tears filled his eyes. Feron's chest heaved and he choked back a silent sob, covering his face with one of his hands, his shoulders shook rapidly as he began to cry. Clamping his mouth shut, Kolyat could tell Feron was doing everything to prevent himself from making a single sound. Even his subharmonics were completely cut off.
Kolyat pulled himself back, his gaze dropping to the ground, as his chest swelled with emotion and regret for the other man. His father's words and Feron's demeanor, making more sense now.
'He hides his pain through jokes and false smiles, lies and ambiguity. He suffers much, Kolyat. He needs your help.'
Sighing deeply, Kolyat let out a long, steady, breath and leaned his head against the wall to stare up at the ceiling. What could he possibly do right now? Should he even be here? Why did his father think Feron and he were destined to meet? Kolyat just didn't understand how he could go about helping the other man. What could he say? What could he do? What the hell did Shepard and his father hope for him to accomplish?
"Fuck…." Kolyat mouthed silently and grimaced, before he turned and walked away.
"And then he just burst into song!"
"Song?" Kolyat tilted his head in interest, listening to Shepard tell a story about the Normandy's genius, yet eccentric, resident doctor.
"Song," she deadpanned. "We were talking about the protheans and collectors, and then the subject veered towards arts and culture, and then he lets it slip, that he did some singing. So I backtrack and ask him about it. He nods, smiles, and then bursts into song … and I'm not talking about a little tidbit, I'm talking, a full-glory song, and chorus."
Kolyat smiled widely as he listened to Shepard. He always enjoyed the wild stories she would tell him about their adventures, missions, or the colorful crew that lived on the Normandy. Shaking her head, Shepard lifted her water glass and rolled her eyes, letting her gaze fall back on Kolyat.
"I had no words, Kol. I stood there dumbfounded."
Kolyat laughed into his fist to keep his voice low, noticing the human waiter who slipped himself silently beside him, handing out their menus. "What did he sing about?"
"He was in a musical - did some acting. He performed Gilbert and Sullivan"
"Seriously?"
Shepard grinned and reached her arm across the table mischievously. "I had Edi save the conversation and forward it to me." Pressing a button on her omnitool, she let the short segment play grinning widely as Mordin's voice came over her replay.
"Holly," Thane said, brushing his hand against Shepard's elbow to gain back her attention.
Turning her gaze towards him, Thane tilted his chin up to bring her focus on the waiter who stood patiently next to them.
"Oh, sorry," she grinned towards the tall human man, as she pulled her arm away from Kolyat.
"No need to apologize, Madame. I am here at your convenience tonight. Take your time and enjoy yourself." The human man smiled back gently. Light brown eyes, soft and serene stared at her, before he nodded politely and placed the leather bound menu down in front of her, opening it to the front page. Readying the next one, he moved fluidly beside Thane and repeated his actions until making it to him.
Placing the last menu down in front of Kolyat, he felt the human's eyes linger on him, before he drifted them back to his father. "My name is Adam, and I will be your personal server tonight. If you require anything, please do not hesitate to ask."
"Personal server?" Kolyat quirked his eyeridge at Adam, who moved his gaze to focus solely on him. He figured the request to dress up was because they were going someplace expensive. He didn't realize the extent Shepard extended herself for their outing tonight.
"I booked us a private gig kiddo. I thought it would be a nice change from the usual dine and dashes we normally do." Shepard blinked rapidly and turned towards Adam. "Not that we'd run without paying or anything. I only did that in my college years, honest."
"Holly," Thane said sternly. "Perhaps we should leave those details out."
Kolyat covered his mouth and turned his face, doing his best to keep his chuckling to a minimum. At first he wasn't sure about Shepard - minus the fact that she punched him in the face the first time they met - the woman was someone Kolyat never would've imagined his father to fall in love with. To be honest, he wasn't happy in the beginning. His father disappearing for all those years, only to resurface with this human woman in tow, wanting to reconcile.
Sometimes, he still wondered if the peace he found was forced or truly genuine.
"I understand Madame, playing adult is not always as exciting as we hoped it would be in our youth." Adam licked his bottom lip, the corners of his mouth quirked stiffly as if he was trying to prevent himself from grinning.
Kolyat blinked up at Adam in surprise, the witty comment making Shepard snort and laugh in delight. The human man's eyes flashed mischievously and he glanced at Kolyat catching his gaze longer than considered polite. Kolyat couldn't help himself, and tilted his head to the side in interest. Narrowing his eyes in curiosity, he returned Adam's smile with a slight one of his own.
"While you look over the menu, would like to order a bottle of wine for the table? We have an exquisite collection of, vale'sht and hiss'vass, or if that is not for your taste, we have an extensive collection of Thessian wines, and of course a thorough vintage selection from Earth. All can be found on the selection pad." Adam reached towards his side and pulled a small datapad from his belt and placed it down beside Thane. "Take your time, I am here at your convenience."
Adam bowed politely in the usual drell custom, and turned to leave. Kolyat kept his gaze on the tall human, his tight back muscles flexing - just barely visible beneath the cut of his tuxedo - his movements graceful and fluid. He was impressed by Adam's perfect pronunciation of the words he spoke in Rhaka, and Kolyat did his best to contain his surprise at the leather bound menu in front of him - also in his language.
"You want wine?" Shepard asked Kolyat, taking the datapad from Thane as he passed it to her. "What kind do you like?"
Kolyat glanced between them wondering if his father would drink, too. "What would you prefer?"
"I'll drink anything." Shepard grinned. "But Thane and I are in the mood for fish. So, let's pretend we're sophisticated and get a corresponding wine."
"I don't know what this pretending is, I am completely sophisticated." Kolyat sighed dramatically and closed his eyes, turning his nose up at Shepard.
Her laugh was pure and joyful. The sweet melody her howl produced always made him have trouble stifling a grin from the sound. Kolyat opened his eyes and glanced at her, and then his father, the corner of Thane's mouth quirked up in his own automatic response to Shepard's cackling.
Taking a deep breath, Shepard pressed a few buttons on the datapad before she rested her elbows on the table and linked her fingers together. Placing her chin upon them, she flashed her teeth in mirth at Kolyat. "You think so? Your hot shit now that you finished Academy? Congratulations by the way."
Kolyat purred and nodded. "Thank you. If it wasn't for you, I would've never been presented with an opportunity."
Shepard let the smile fall but grinned at him coyly, her eyes darkening with something Kolyat couldn't place. "You made that decision on your own, Kolyat. I just opened a door. You were the one who walked through and followed it's path."
Thane brushed her arm in that moment and Shepard turned to stare at him, his hand reaching below the table which grabbed her attention. Mouthing something barely audible towards his father, Kolyat turned his head to give them privacy, catching Adam's gaze as he came through the door and towards their private table.
Kolyat couldn't help but stare at the human as he approached, his tall lean frame, light tanned skin, dirty blond hair - slicked back, nice and neat, - perfect posture and slow sure stride's.
Now that's sophistication.
A small black box slid across the table and caught Kolyat's, eye and he turned towards Shepard just as her fingers fell from the rectangle package, housed within a gold ribbon, and motioned for him to take it.
"For me?" Kolyat asked in uncertainty, looking between his father and Shepard, losing focus off of Adam who started to set up small plates and an elaborate bread basket.
"A gift, Kolyat," Thane spoke. "From the both of us."
"Why? I mean …" Kolyat shook his head to clear his thoughts, picking up the package in trepidation. It wasn't his name day, and even then, gifts were never usually given. "What is the reason?"
"Jesus Kolyat," Shepard huffed. "It's a graduation present. Stop staring like it's going to bite you, and open the damn box."
Blinking at the human woman, Kolyat snorted and stared at his father in disbelief who only shrugged at his future hara's forceful way of speaking. Grinning, Kolyat slipped a finger below the fabric tie and proceeded to remove the covering. Once it was off, he lifted the lid and glanced inside, noticing a tiny data chip and a small card. Confused, he placed the box on the table and lifted the chip within. Pinching it between his thumb and forefinger, he picked up the card and flipped it over to see if there was writing on the other side.
"Holy shit," Kolyat gaped, staring at the text in wide-eyed shock.
"Uh, oh. I think I'm turning into a bad influence on him." Shepard grinned wickedly, flashing her teeth at Thane, who grinned softly and met her eyes briefly before they both stared back at him.
Kolyat couldn't find his voice, and he fell back against his chair while he read the card three times in a row, expecting the words to change. "This … this is a Zenovo ST9."
"I sure hope so. I'd be pissed if the salesman mixed up the registration with something else." Shepard shrugged, as if it wasn't a big deal. "I hope you like Cobalt Blue. If not, we could always get the color changed. Thane was going to get you black, but I think that was just him being boring."
Kolyat's jaw dropped and he looked between his father and future mother, shaking his head again. This has to be a joke. There's no way…. "This is a X3M-" Kolyat held up the chip towards his father. "Zenovo ST9?"
"Do you like it?" Thane asked.
A car … they bought me a car … but not just any car … a car worth over a million credits! "I … holy shit…."
"Hm?" Shepard hummed, tilting her head to the side. "If you don't stop cursing, Thane is going to get really pissed at me.
Kolyat jumped up from the table and in three strides was throwing his arms around his father who already moved from the table to swiftly accommodate him. "Thank you! Thank you!" He short of yelled in excitement, pulling away enough to see his father smiling widely, before he went around the chair and hugged Shepard as well. "This is crazy … why would you spend so much money?"
Pulling away, Kolyat righted himself and looked between them in disbelief. Shepard only shrugged and glanced at Adam who kept his gaze down and worked around them as if he was trying to be invisible, even though Kolyat was aware of every single movement he made. The man's subtle masculine cologne hit his nostrils like temptation in the form of a soft slap to his senses. The human continued to work as he set up a metal stand with an ice bucket attachment.
"Don't worry about the credits. I cashed it out as a work expense. I'm making that fucker really pay for my services." Shepard huffed, and picked up her water glass, drinking deeply.
"Kolyat," Thane called to him. "I am incredibly proud of you - of the man you've become - and I know the gift will not replace the time we lost … but I am hoping it'll be a start. You deserve so much more than I can ever give you."
Kolyat fell silent and stared at his father in surprise. He experienced so many years of anger and hatred, misinformation and lies. Dropping his gaze, Kolyat thought about his childhood and adolescence, of thinking he was never wanted, his failures and misperceptions. "Father …" he started. "I don't want anything, but you." Kolyat noticed the breath catch in Thane's throat, his father's body completely still as Thane stared up at him without blinking. Smiling slowly, Kolyat suddenly felt as if he was a little boy again, clamoring for his father's approval. "I don't want a gift if it means you won't be there to share it with me."
Thane swallowed thickly, his gaze dropping momentarily. Shepard remained silent and glanced at Thane, her hand reaching beneath the table, most likely to give him a touch of reassurance. "The future is uncertain, Kolyat, but I promise … I will be there every moment I am able."
Kolyat released a trill for his father to hear - reassurance and love. Lifting his head again, Thane looked at him, expression softened into emotion he didn't see too often on the older man's face. Returning the trill, Kolyat smiled and nodded in understanding.
"Don't worry, Kolyat. I promise I'll do everything in my power to get us back home." Shepard reassured.
Kolyat nodded solemnly and took his seat again. "That's all I can ask."
For several moments they sat in silence while Kolyat inserted the chip into his omnitool and registered the car under his identification. A stupid grin on his face as he logged in all of the required information. When they finally looked over the menu and finalized what they wanted to eat - their menus closed to signify their completion - Adam took a step forward as if on cue, and listened to their orders. Never once did he open his omnitool or write anything down, only nodded periodically and asked questions to make sure any changes to their meals were done to their liking and offered suggestions in response.
What really caught Kolyat's attention about him though, was when he handed the menu to Adam, a slow heated smile curled over the human's mouth as their eyes met again. Kolyat couldn't help but glance away and grin, unsure if he was being friendly, or trying to hold his attention for some alternative motive.
Was Adam trying to flirt with him?
Out of the corner of Kolyat's eye he saw Shepard nudge Thane and wrinkle her nose playfully at his father, who glanced at her and returned Shepard's smile with a soft chuckle.
"I will be back momentarily with the wine." Adam bowed and excused himself.
Kolyat kept his head down, but lingered his gaze on the attractive, refined human, staring almost transfixed as his tall, thin, form, disappeared around the corner.
"So, what did you think of him?"
Kolyat lifted his head and snapped his attention towards Shepard, his frills heating with the guilt of possibly being caught checking out the human man. Did they notice?
"Who?" he asked as casually as possible, observing his father stare at him with a penetrating pull. Although his expression gave nothing away.
"You know who. Did Feron give you a hard time?" Shepard pressed, picking up her glass to sip at her water again.
Kolyat grimaced thinking back on the colorful drell and everything he experienced and witnessed in their short time together. "Feron … he's .…"
"An experience?" Shepard finished.
"Yeah … " Kolyat trailed off, unable to think of another phrase to sum up the man and his over the top attitude. "That's a word for him. I … don't know what to make of him. At least … not yet."
"I imagine Feron was not happy to hear the news." Thane added, his gaze studying Kolyat carefully.
"What did you expect?" Kolyat frowned. "No one told him he was registered as incapacitated and that someone was now his guardian. You have no idea what I walked into there. I should've been warned a little more about the situation." Kolyat huffed in irritation, wondering why he was given such a task in the first place.
"Kolyat-" Thane started.
"I got it." Shepard cut in, her hand resting over Thane's upon the surface of the perfectly-pressed, crimson tablecloth, urging him into silence. "Kol ... Feron was in no shape to listen to anything when we brought him there. He needed time to heal."
"I understand that, but what can I do for him?" Kolyat almost spat succumbing to frustration. "I accepted to help, but I still don't understand why you asked it of me to begin with."
Adam came around the corner in that moment with a small tray, carrying two bottles of wine and three large goblets. He moved towards the table and placed the glasses down, dropping one of the bottles in the bucket and proceeded to uncork the other.
"Kol..." Shepard started again, letting Adam work, while her focus fell back on Kolyat. "You can blame me, if you want. Feron is my responsibility, but the Normandy is just not capable of supporting what he needs right now."
Kolyat scoffed. So they did know about his condition. Did Feron try and off himself on the ship, and that's why they brought him to Huerta? As soon as he got home tonight he would read the documents and get a good idea of what he was really dealing with moving forward.
"I wouldn't have agreed with Thane's suggestion, if I didn't think you could handle it … or if I didn't trust you." Shepard added the last part softly, expression filled with deep emotion. "Thane and I truly feel that you can help."
And there it was….
The faith and reliance that Kolyat wanted since his father and he started healing together - finding a relationship again. Thane's trust in him, and now … his future mother's, too.
Kolyat's frills heated and he dropped his gaze bashfully, anger slipping away. "I appreciate your faith in me ... but I think your just trying to get on my good side because you're about to be my mother." He looked up at her towards the end and grinned.
"Kolyat is more like you, than you might realize." Shepard laughed and tapped Thane, leaving Kolyat to share the lopsided grin with his father.
Adam's presence distracted him in that moment, and Kolyat was barely aware of Thane and Shepard share a gentle look, his father's palm turned up for the red headed woman to lace her fingers through his. The human man leaned closer than normal, wood and some kind of foreign spice hitting Kolyat's nostrils as he watched Adam pour their wine.
When he finished with Kolyat's glass, Adam grinned almost coyly and whispered, "enjoy" towards him.
"Thank you," Kolyat murmured, their eyes meeting again briefly, finalizing in his mind that the human man was indeed trying to flirt with him.
A polite smile and Adam pulled away fluidly, making the closeness seem natural and needed. Placing the bottle to join its counterpart in the bucket, he left once more. Kolyat turned his head as he left, unable to stop himself from watching the human walk away, that time not caring if anyone caught him staring.
The rest of the meal went well, with Father and Shepard telling him of their explorations and experiences with their fellow crew mates. They spoke to him about the collectors, the protheans, and the reapers. Kolyat asked questions when he could, realizing in the end that they were close to their final course.
Their suicide mission.
Conversation ended with something more pleasant, drifting away from Feron and probable doom, towards wedding plans - if they survived, or course. They wanted to do something simple and small, close friends and family beside them. Possibly on the Citadel. Earth, or a tiny resort planet nearby.
By the end of the dinner, Kolyat excused himself to use the restroom, not surprised when he emerged to see Adam waiting for him on the other side of the dark corridor. He didn't need to look around to know that he was finally alone with the human man.
"So, your name is Kolyat?" Adam asked, his gentle smile inviting and almost playful.
Kolyat mirrored the look and took a step towards him, the man's presence comforting and filled the air with a pleasant richness that made Kolyat's hands itch with the desire to touch him. "So, is that going to be your pick up line?"
Adam's smile grew into a full blown grin, dimples appearing while his cheeks flushed pink. He pushed himself from the wall he leaned against, and glanced away as if he was being bashful. "I'm not good at witty one liners. I was trying not to make it too obvious before, but I wanted to make sure I got your attention. I know it was unprofessional … but I really wanted to see if I was reading you right."
Kolyat hesitated in responding at first, touched by the sincerity in Adam's voice. "I hope you don't make a habit of it at work. Do you normally reserve your flirting for the bar's instead?" Kolyat asked, hoping that Adam wasn't into the party scene, or that he made a habit of the behavior at the job. Kolyat knew it was a direct question but games -when he was interested in someone, which was few and far between - was not his thing.
The look on Adam's face fell, and he met Kolyat's eyes with trepidation. "No … I don't make a habit of it and I don't really drink. Never got a feel for the stuff. It just leaves me groggy and disrupts my studies."
"I don't like to drink, either." Kolyat licked his lips, his mouth felt parched and his breath grew heavy in his chest.
"Really?" Adam returned, eyebrow arched like he was challenging him.
Chuckling, Kolyat shook his head. "Tonight was a special occasion, but I rarely drink, too."
"You're celebrating your graduation and your father's coming marriage. Why shouldn't you drink?"
"Yeah, well … my future mother enjoys it, she can be very persuasive to my father and I when she wants to be. What do you study?"
"Engineering." Adam narrowed his gaze and tilted his head like he was thinking about something.
"You go to University or are you Alliance?"
Adam took another step closer and grinned again before saying, "you know, you're asking really direct questions. Shouldn't that be saved for a first date? Your not a cop or anything, right?" He laughed.
Kolyat's smile dropped along with his gaze, saddened by the human's joke. Maybe he didn't like cops? Maybe Kolyat's profession would be a deterrent? "Actually … I am."
The human stopped laughing and paused, his eyebrows rising while his jaw dropped slightly. "Really? That's actually… pleasantly surprising."
Pleasantly?
Kolyat raised his gaze back to Adam's, the human's sly smile coming back as he inched a little closer and lowered his voice.
"Well, Kolyat … if you would allow me to, I would really love to take you out for lunch … or maybe tea? Get to know you a little more."
Another step closer, another seductive smile from Adam, and Kolyat's heartbeat sped up in excitement.
"I'll even let you continue drilling me." Adam smirked and then blinked as if catching himself. "Wait, that sounded a lot better in my head." Shaking his head he sighed quietly. "That wasn't as suave as I thought it was going to be."
Kolyat licked his lips and grinned, glancing around to make sure no one was listening before he leaned even closer to Adam. So far, really liking this human. "I would like that, and if it leads to an opportunity to drill you … than I'm up for it. And that probably didn't come out as suave, either."
Another smile and Adam's dimples returned. "I didn't think drells were anything but reserved." Opening his omnitool he hit a button and tapped it against Kolyat's, sending his contact information to the device. When he clicked on the link and accepted, Kolyat sent his information in exchange.
"Send me a message later. Let me know the next time you are free." Kolyat purred his sentence in the end, earning him another appreciative look from the human.
Taking a step back, Adam nodded politely before bowing in the customary drell etiquette. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Kolyat. Enjoy the rest of your evening." Turning, he left in the opposite direction of the exit, disappearing back into the restaurant.
Kolyat stared at Adam's back as he left, excitement gripped his chest with the possibility of a date with the man. Opening his omnitool he glanced at the humans contact info and extranet address.
Adam Mason.
Kolyat grinned widely and walked around the corner, smacking staright into something hard and unmoving. Startled, Kolyat jumped back and looked up. "Goddess." He breathed heavily, surprised to see his father staring at him calmly.
Thane eyed him slowly, a slight smile curling the edges of his mouth, hands linked behind him, eyes flashing with some kind of hidden mischief before he asked, "Making friends?"
Kolyat's voice died in his throat, frills blazing as he clicked his omnitool closed to hide Adam's contact info, unsure how to respond.
