XV.
Cora glances at Scott when she feels the palm of his hand gently rest against her shoulder, his touch light on her skin but enough to get her attention. She notices that he lowers his hand to grip the back of the sofa again that they are both sat on, but that he continues to touch her skin gently with his fingertips. She notices that his attention is still on Sara and Liam who sit across from them, but she knows his actions are intentional. She continues to watch him and sees a smile tug at the corner of his mouth, and then let out a laugh as he continues to join in with the conversation.
Cora crosses her arms over her body and settles back against the sofa, leaning closer to Scott so it settles his arm around her shoulders and she can lean against his chest. She can feel the cold material of his shirt against her bare arm as she does, but it soon warms from their combined body heat and the warmth of his hand that he rests on her again.
"I mean, it could be any day, right? We are nearly a month late." Liam begins drawing Cora's attention away from the man beside her and across the low table that they sit at to Liam and Sara that sit on their own sofa.
She lets her eyes move around the room, noticing that the number of people in the restaurant has begun to dwindle as it gets later into the evening and that there are no longer any tables of people eating their meals. She spots that a few that have decided to stay after dinner are now sat at the seating areas close to the bar, talking loudly and enjoying their time. She feels Scott's hand on her shoulder and that he's felt her cuddling closer to him, she turns her attention to him again and sees his eyes on her face, he smiles at her when she notices him looking at her.
"I doubt we'll get much notice." Sara nods and Cora looks back over the table to Scott's twin. "It feels like they were prepared for everything but a delay." Sara adds and Cora watches her reach for her glass of wine that she has set on the wooden surface, she lifts it to her mouth to drink some of the dark red liquid.
"True." Liam nods and Cora watches him smile at Sara. Cora had decided there was definitely something going on between them; by the way, they were looking at each other. Cora smiles to herself wondering if people thought that about her and Scott when they saw them together. "All went to shit didn't it?" Liam grins.
"Feels like a lot of panicking at the top." Scott replies and she hears him sigh. "Doesn't help keeping us in the dark." He adds making Cora nod lightly and move her hand to his leg, stretching her fingers over his knee.
The Initiative had managed to cover up their Pathfinder being unwell, and the need for the delay to launch day, by telling them all there had been some 'teething problems'. Cora knew that meant very few people knew the real reason, and those that did had been sworn to secrecy. The decision had been made to leave those that had already been put into cryo as they were, but since then, no further word. The Initiative had also unfortunately not shared any additional information with the Pathfinder team either, so they really were in the dark.
"And your Dad hasn't said anything?" Liam asks and Cora watches Scott shake his head. "Surely he must know what's going on?" Liam adds which makes Scott laugh.
"Not that he's shared with us." Sara laughs too and she notices him grin at her brother.
"If he was going to tell anyone.." Scott begins and she feels his eyes on her as he nods in her direction. "It would be Cora, and he hasn't." He adds making Cora shake her head to back up his statement, Alec hadn't said a word. She'd very noticeably stopped being invited to his meetings too, but she knew he was still attending them with those at the top and with the funding.
"It must be a secret." Cora smiles. "I'm just glad we are still going first." Cora giggles and sees the pair opposite her nod in agreement and Liam drink from his glass. Cora smiles to herself when she feels lift his hand from her knee to scratch his chin before lowering it back onto her leg, his fingertips on her inner thigh.
"Can you imagine being in the second wave?" Sara laughs and she gives her a smile and a slight shake of her head. They all knew they were lucky for this opportunity, and many hadn't made it through the selection process or had enough credits to pay their way in, but the AI was very different than what they were used to.
"Twenty-Thousand-And-First person into Andromeda doesn't quite have the same ring to it." Scott chuckles, making her giggle at his comment, which makes him look at her again and smile.
The people that they were leaving behind this time, that were still working on Theia, would be in the second wave of people to come to Andromeda and in six months they would be making the same journey, their roles being filled by another wave of new workers waiting for their time. That meant everyone spent six months in the sterile environment and preparing for their journey. That also meant that no matter what they found in Andromeda, there were going to be lots of people joining them shortly after and expecting them to have found them a new home. Failure was not an option.
"Top ten will definitely look better on my résumé." Cora watches as Scott just nods agreeing with her and grins before turning his attention back to Liam and Sara who are both laughing in agreement.
Cora knew that part of her wanted to be the first but she knew that honour would probably be Alec's, closely followed by Scott and Sara. Maybe she would be forth, that would still be a great achievement. Cora couldn't help but feel a little jealous of the benefits of being Alec's children Scott and Sara had, but then they'd had to deal with the worst parts of being his children too.
"Sara's been arguing with me for months about which of us will get down there first." Scott laughs making Cora smile at his words. "Haven't you Sar?" He adds and Cora hears Sara laughing.
"It will be me. I'm older." Sara begins and Cora sees Scott sigh and shakes his head at her, a smile tugging at his mouth. "Much prettier too." She adds and she sees Liam nod which makes Cora laugh.
"Are you taking bets?" Cora giggles and sees him shake his head and smile at her. "That's a shame, I was going to put some credits down on Sara." Cora adds hearing him snort and Sara laugh loudly.
"You should." Sara laughs as Cora smiles at her and moves forward and out from being under Scott's arm, she leans towards the table and picks up her glass and draws it towards her mouth. Cora takes a polite sip to look like she is involved with their drinking and notices that Scott hasn't touched his, claiming he wanted a clear head for when they were back at their apartment.
"I'm hurt." Scott laughs gaining her attention again when she settles back against his chest and he wraps his arm around her. Cora sees his eyes on her and he feels him rest his hand on her leg, offering his hand to her.
"I thought I was your favourite twin." Scott adds and she feels him link his fingers through hers when she lowers her hand to join his. Favourite twin? Yes. Favourite Ryder? Definitely.
"You are my favourite." Cora replies glancing at him and giving him a small smile seeing that her words make him grin. She reaches her hand up to his face and draws him closer to her, leaning their heads together for a moment.
Cora knew how much she wanted to make this journey and she trusted the Initiative would get them there, but when they did finally wake everyone up, everything and everyone they'd ever known back home, would be gone. It was quite daunting and could also make you feel very alone if you let it. Cora smiles to herself and looks at Scott, because of him she wasn't so alone anymore. She had Alec, Sara, and the rest of the Pathfinder team too.
"You are mine, too." Scott replies making her sigh when he turns and brushes his mouth against the top of her head and kisses her gently. As big and unknown this new adventure and universe was, she now had her new favourite person to take with her. Cora smiles to herself when she feels him lift his head and tangle his fingers with hers.
"See, I told you they are unbelievably cute together." Sara laughs and Cora glances back over the table and realises she been too caught up in Scott again, she notices that Sara is motioning towards them to Liam.
"Your just jealous." She hears Scott begin with a smile in his voice as he lifts their hands towards his face and kisses the back of her hand making her smile. "You can all see what a good thing we've got." He adds and turns to press a kiss against her cheek, which makes Sara sigh dramatically and then laugh.
"A really good thing." Cora smiles, nodding her head in agreement. "Scott, don't forget our picture." Cora adds lowering her voice and she sees him smile when she's reminded him.
"Yeah, we'll need to record how good you look tonight." Scott replies making her feel her cheeks redden at his always, sweet words. "Thanks for reminding me." He whispers and she watches him select the camera on his Omni and raise his arm to get them in focus. Cora feels him wrap his arm around her again so she lifts hers to wrap around his neck. She sees how much they are both smiling as he takes the picture.
"What's that for?" She hears Sara asks them as Scott lowers his arm and she sees him quickly swipe through to check it's come out okay. Cora feels his eyes on her to see if she's happy with it.
"It was Scott's idea." Cora begins and nods at him to show she thinks it looks good. "He wanted us to take a photo together when we first met." She adds, not going to expand on the exact location and state of undress. "Now we take at least one every day we are together." Cora adds struggling to keep the smile from her face, glancing at Scott and then back to Sara.
"It was just a bit of fun." Scott nods and she feels him hold her against his chest again. "But now we have loads." He laughs as Cora places her hands on him again. She notices that Scott can't take his eyes off of her so she grins at him and lifts her hand to his face to turn it back to Sara and Liam making him chuckle.
"That sounds like a nice idea." Sara laughs. "What are you going to do with them all?" She asks and Cora notices she is watching her twin.
"That we haven't decided.." Cora giggles when Scott nods in agreement and she feels him squeeze lightly when she looks at him. His idea had been to adorn the walls of their apartment with them.
"So Cora.." Liam begins and she moves her eyes to him. "Sara was telling me that you're lined up to be the next Pathfinder.." He continues so Cora nods. "Was that your plan all along?" He asks and she sees Sara watching her.
"Always the plan since I've been with the Initiative." Cora nods and pauses for a moment, she feels Scott's eyes on her face from beside her. "I was originally with the Alliance, and when that didn't work out I spent some time with a group of Asari Huntress'." She adds and sees Liam nod and then notices that Sara still has her eyes fixed on her.
"That must have been wild." Liam grins and nods his head, Cora sees him nudge Sara with his knee to get her attention. "How did you get picked by the Pathfinder?" He asks and she feels Scott tense beside her.
"It's a long story." Cora laughs lightly and glances at Scott. "Probably just the same way everyone else did." She mumbles. "Hard work, and potential I guess." She adds and smiles weakly. "My biotics of course was what first attracted Alec.. I mean the Pathfinder, to me." She lowers her eyes for a moment, not by sleeping her way to the top as some people had whispered about her.
"Cora's biotics are incredible." Scott begins next to her and she looks into his face when she sees his eyes on her and he smiles. "You've never seen anything like it, trust me." He adds and she gives him a grateful smile.
"Like I said Scott, we're lucky to have Cora." She sees Sara smile and nods lightly, glad that they were moving the conversation away from how she'd met Alec and to safer topics.
"I do have a question though." Liam chuckles and Cora looks at him, as does Scott and Sara. "Do you glow blue when you're being fuc.." He continues until Scott quickly shuts him down. Cora lifts her hand to her face for a moment and presses her fingers to her forehead and closes her eyes. Here comes that question, as always.
"Liam, seriously?" Scott huffs lifting his hand and motioning for Liam to stop where he was going with that question. "You can't ask Cora that." He adds with a smile and shake of his head and Cora feels him tighten his hold on her against his side.
"Why not? I'm curious." Liam laughs as Cora lowers her fingers from her head and shakes her head and smiles when she sees Sara is looking at her. "Didn't you ask her before you fuc.." He adds before shutting his mouth when Scott glares at him.
"Because Cora is a lady." Scott begins making her giggle when she hears it. "Mostly." He adds and she feels his eyes on her and a smile, she slaps her hand lightly against his thigh making him grin. She really wanted to kiss that gorgeous face, but he turns it back towards Liam. "I didn't need to ask because I've seen it first hand, many times." Scott adds with a laugh making Cora sigh dramatically and Liam laugh.
"Wow, too much information guys." Sara laughs. "I do not need to know about my brother's sex life." Sara adds and Cora sees her knock her shoulder against Liam's.
"My man." Liam laughs and Cora watches him lean forward from his seat and hold his hand up to Scott, waiting for him to high-five him.
"Scott.." Cora smiles watching Scott look at Liam and then to her when he hears his name. Cora leans closer to him and lowers her voice. "If you want to continue our sex life tonight.." Cora whispers and places her hand on his thigh, feeling him tense when she moves her fingers higher and against the fabric of his trousers. "You don't need to high-five him." She giggles quietly and sees his eyes fixed on hers; he bites his bottom lip and nods as he settles back into his sofa, leaving Liam hanging.
"Why don't you two get lost and go and get us a top-up?" Sara begins dragging Cora's attention away from Scott and back to the pair across from them. Cora watches Liam look at Sara and nod.
"Fine, fine." Liam begins and motions towards the table and their glasses, she sees that he doesn't notice they aren't really drinking. "Same again, guys?" Liam asks.
"Oh no, I'm fine." Cora smiles and shakes her head to back up her response. "It'll go to my head." Cora laughs lightly and sees Sara nods. "We'll never find our way home otherwise." Cora adds and glances at Scott who grins.
"I'll give you a hand." Scott replies and she feels him lower his arm from around her and watches as he climbs to his feet. "You sure you don't want anything?" He asks and she feels him bend and kiss her cheek briefly.
"I'm good." Cora smiles fixing her eyes into his, she sees him nod and move away from her, walking across the restaurant to the bar to get more drinks.
Cora watches him for a moment more and sees him lean against the bar and begin talking to Liam again, the pair becoming animated as they talk about something that makes them both laugh. Cora smiles to herself when she sees Scott glance over his shoulder at her, he gives her a small smile and nod of his head.
"So, Cora." Sara begins and Cora looks back to Scott's twin, she sees her shuffle forward in her seat on the sofa and places her hands on her knees. "I'm sure you know what I'm going to ask you." Sara adds and Cora is sure she feels her blood go cold, please don't be about Alec.
"I'm not sure what you mean?" Cora laughs lightly and reaches for her drink, lifting it to her lips to buy her some time and maybe have an excuse not to look Sara in the eye. Cora sees Sara sigh and smile.
"What are your intentions with my brother?" Sara sighs dramatically, making Cora feel a wave of relief wash over her when she hears it. "Don't look so worried." Sara smiles. "Surely you had to know I'd ask?" She adds and Cora hmms lightly and places her drink down.
"Well, I don't know." Cora replies and gives Sara the best smile she can manage. "You didn't see it as a bad thing all that time ago when we were at the party together." Or when she was hiding in the bathroom from Sara, Cora thinks to herself.
"I know." Sara nods. "But that was different, and no offence Cora I didn't think we'd be where we are now." Sara smiles but Cora waits for her to continue, unsure if she's being attacked or complimented. "I meant when I said Scott doesn't do dates. I figured you two were hooking up and he'd get bored of you." Sara continues, her words making Cora wince internally when she hears them.
"Bored of me?" Cora replies, trying to not change the smile on her face to anything else. "That doesn't happen." Cora whispers and lowers her eyes for a moment until she hears Sara laugh lightly and nod. Apart from Alec, maybe he'd gotten bored in the end.
"I like your confidence." Sara smiles and Cora returns it. "It's no reflection on you, it's just how he is," Sara adds and Cora nods. "When I saw you together at the party he looked smitten." Sara adds and Cora watches her lower her eyes for a moment.
"I was too." Cora smiles and glances over at Scott again who is busy talking to Liam, she feels the butterflies in her stomach when she looks at him. "He really is something special." Cora sighs and sees Sara nod when she turns her attention back to her.
"Well, that's good to hear you say that. He's my brother, and I want what's best for him. " Sara smiles.
"I assure you my intentions are all good." Cora laughs lightly. "He makes me very happy, and I hope I do the same." She adds. "What do you mean, where we are now?" Cora asks remembering Scott's twin's words.
"Just that you've been together a while now, and I think his feelings for you have changed." Sara begins making Cora smile lightly; hers had too. "Surely you've seen the way he looks at you?" Sara laughs and Cora pauses for a moment, he did gaze at her sure, and it wasn't often that their eyes weren't on each other.
"I hope it's the same way I look at him." Cora laughs. "I know he always looks happy when he does." Cora adds it was more than Alec had ever looked at her. Scott's eyes were always kind and sincere; she knew what he was thinking by his eyes.
"Cora, Scott clearly loves you." She adds and Cora turns her attention back to Sara when she hears this.
"Really?" Cora whispers, she sees Sara smile before Cora turns her gaze to Scott again. "I think I love him too." Cora adds and she hears Sara laugh but she doesn't take his eyes off of him. "Oh my god." Cora sighs and brings her hands up to her face for a moment. "I love Scott." She mumbles. "I've never felt this way about anyone." She adds and turns back to Sara.
"I'm sorry for saying anything." Sara sighs lightly but Cora shakes her head. "I know it isn't my place but just thought you should know." She adds and Cora nods, looking towards him again.
She watches as Scott slides his hand into the pocket of his trousers and laughs at something Liam has told him. She sees him nod and lift his hand to chin, rubbing it beneath his fingers before looking back towards the seating and to her. Cora smiles and blows him a kiss, seeing him catch it and pat his chest pocket.
"No, thank you." Cora replies and leans over the table and takes hold of Sara's hands in hers. "Thank you for telling me." She nods and sees Sara smile. "This has all happened so quickly." Cora whispers. "But do you know when you meet someone and you just know? That you are supposed to be with them and they are everything you've been missing?" Cora adds and she sees Sara nod and glance towards the bar too, and knows she is watching Liam.
"I know." Sara smiles and she feels her squeeze her hands. "Even if he is a bit of an immature dick, sometimes." Sara laughs lightly and Cora nods giving her a sympathetic smile before lowering her hands and sitting back onto the sofa.
"Does Liam know?" Cora asks her and she shakes her head lightly.
"Not yet." Sara smiles. "I was planning on telling him once we are out of stasis." She adds and Cora smiles to herself, which was a good a time as any if they were all going to be having this new start together. "Sort of like 'Surprise, I love you even after 600 years'. I think he'd like that." Sara laughs.
"I'm sure he will." Cora laughs before pausing. "I know we haven't spent much time together Sara, but I hope we can be friends." Cora nods and she sees Sara smile wide and nod.
"I'd like that, Cora." Sara smiles again and Cora notices her lift her eyes when she hears Scott and Liam approaching them. Cora watches Sara move up and make room for Liam beside her but that he stays standing. "Where's my refill?" She asks him as Liam holds up a full bottle.
"Thought I could walk you home.." Liam grins and shakes the bottle gently. "For a nightcap?" He adds and Cora sees Sara look to her and roll her eyes making Cora giggle.
Cora feels Scott lower himself onto the sofa beside her, lifting his arm around her and drawing her close to his side. She feels his hand on her arm as she lifts her head to look into his face, a gorgeous smile on his lips and his eyes on her. Oh yes, she loved him.
"Sounds good." Sara replies and Cora turns her attention away from Scott and to his twin. "We should leave these two love birds in peace." Sara adds making Cora and Scott laugh. Cora gives Sara a thankful smile as she stands and takes Liam's hand that he holds out to her.
"Nice to see you guys." Liam grins and lifts the bottle in his other hand as a wave to them. "Sure we'll hear something soon." He adds with another grin and turns his attention to Sara.
"Be good." Scott nods head up to Liam and then smiles at Sara.
"Always am." Sara smiles. "This has been fun, we should do it again soon." She adds with another smile and waves to them both as she walks away hand in hand with Liam, and his bottle of wine for their nightcap.
Cora waves to them as they walk away, both of them not as steady on their feet as they thought they would be and Cora knows it will take them a while to stagger back to recruit towers. She feels Scott move beside her, getting comfortable which draws her attention back to him.
Cora brings her leg up onto the sofa beneath her and turns her body towards him, suddenly feeling like they were back in Alec's lab like earlier in the day. Only he didn't have his armour on, and they weren't rushing back to the apartment and tearing each other's clothes off, and they were actually alone. Well, apart from the few people left in the restaurant. She places her hands on his leg and she sees him smile.
"This has been fun." Scott begins and she watches him stretch his long legs out in front of him and under the table. "I've had a great night." He adds and she sees him give her a smile that makes her stomach flutter again.
"Me too." Cora nods sighs when he wraps his arm around her and draws her closer to him; she rests her head against his chest and listens to it beating beneath her ear. "Sara is great." Cara adds and she feels the rumble of his chuckle.
"I'm glad you like her." Scott replies and she feels him lift his hand to her hair and brush his fingers through it gently. "We are sort of a package deal." He adds making her giggle and she feels him press his mouth into her hair.
"I better stay on her good side then." Cora laughs and she hears him do the same, closing her eyes when she feels his hand move onto her back and he begins rubbing gently. Cora lifts her hand to his chest and cuddles closer to him.
"She knows I'm happy." Scott replies and she feels him tuck his finger beneath her chin and tilt her head so he can see her eyes. "You make me so happy, Cora." Scott whispers and she watches him dip his head and kiss her softly.
"Scott," Cora mumbles and sits up, feeling him unwrap his arm from around her but bring it to rest on her knee as he nods and waits for her to continue. "I think I love you." Cora whispers and watches his eyes widen slightly and notices the surprise.
"Wait.." Scott laughs and she watches him lift his hand and shake his head as if he doesn't believe his ears. "You love me?" He asks and she sees that he is trying to stop the smile at his mouth.
"Yes." Cora nods and bites her bottom lip, giving him an unsure smile not entirely being sure what his reaction will be. "I love you, Scott Ryder." She adds lowering her voice.
"Wow." Scott huffs. "Wow." He says again and Cora sees he can no longer stop the grin and his eyes are on her. She feels him fidget in his seat beside her as he turns to face her completely. "I love you, too." Scott finally says making her suddenly feel overwhelmed and relieved that Sara was right.
"I love you." Cora giggles as she feels him lift his hands and place them on her face, his fingers stroking her skin as he draws her face to his and kisses her. "I love you." Cora sighs when he wraps his arms around her, his hands on her back and pulling her closer. She'd never told anyone that before, and now she knew she'd never felt like this before.
"I love you." Scott mumbles against her lips and she feels him grin again, unable to keep it off of his lips. Cora feels him break their kiss and lean back from her for a moment, and that he just looks at her. His blue eyes full of love when he looks into her eyes; that was the way he looked at her, and now she knew why.
"Show me." Cora sighs when he leans towards her again, his lips finding hers in a deep and passionate kiss that she returns. She feels his hands rest on her waist as she lifts hers onto his neck, she settles back against the sofa and takes him with her, their mouths still together as they continue to kiss gently and forget about everything but each other.
"Cora." Scott sighs when they finally remember they are still at the restaurant. Cora feels his eyes on her face as he brushes her hair back from her face. "Can I walk you home?" He whispers with a smile.
Cora laughs lightly when she hears it and sighs happily when he nuzzles his mouth against her cheek. She feels him lean back to look at her again as if he is waiting for her answer.
"I'd like that." Cora nods and she sees him gives her a flirtatious smile. "But on one condition," Cora whispers and sees him look at her with a questioning smile, she lifts her hand to his chin and strokes her thumb against his bottom lip. "That we make love, all night long." Cora whispers and sees him grin and nod.
"That's not a condition." Scott laughs and she feels him take hold of her hand and tangle his fingers with hers. "That's the perfect end, to a perfect night." He adds and she feels him kiss the back of her hand.
"Are you trying to make me fall in love with you?" Cora smiles. Mission accomplished, Scott Ryder. She was already there, and all in.
She watches him lower his eyes from her for a moment, and then back to her face. She feels him moving his fingers against hers as he smiles like he is thinking of something.
"Cora, I've wanted that since the airlock." Scott finally replies making her smile. So much had happened since then. "Since the first time I saw you." He adds and dips his head to kiss her, making her sigh against his lips.
"I felt it too." Cora whispers when she feels him lean back and sees him give her a lopsided smile. "It's just so intense and so strong." Cora adds and brushes his cheek briefly and sees the happiness on his face.
"It's because it's real." Scott replies and she nods in agreement, the first real thing that either of them had found since joining the Initiative. "I have a surprise for you when we get home." Scott whispers.
"Oh really?" Cora smiles and sees him nod again. "Is it in your trousers? Because although lovely, that isn't a surprise." Cora giggles and hears him laugh. "You better take me home then." Cora whispers and she sees him smile as he agrees with her.
Cora feels him unwrap his arms from around her and she watches him bring his legs back closer to him, as he starts moving off of the sofa and climbing to his feet. She watches him lift his hands to the bottom of his shirt and checking it is still tucked into his trousers before holding his hand out to her with a smile. Cora takes hold of his hand and lets him guide her up, trying not to wobble as she does in her heels. She sees Scott lower his eyes to her feet and then smirks.
"I'm trying my best." Cora sighs dramatically and gives him a gentle push, which receives a laugh from Scott. "If you can wear a shirt, I can wear heels." She adds with a positive nod. "I just need practice." She mumbles as he starts to move away from her and leads her behind him and out of the restaurant.
"I think we'll be in Andromeda before you get the hang of it." Scott chuckles making her snort. "Wearing a shirt isn't hard." Scott laughs and she notices he is watching her closely. "I imagine those are a challenge." He adds and gives her a sympathetic smile.
"We can wear hoodies and pumps tomorrow." Cora giggles as he lets go of her hand and lifts his arm around her shoulders, drawing her against his body as they walk. Cora wraps her arm around his middle and rests her hand on his waist.
"Those are my favourite kind of days" Scott smiles, and she feels him move his up and between her shoulder blades. "Apart from the naked ones." He adds making her giggle. They were having a lot of days recently while they are all left waiting for their next instruction. Cora had never had so much free time in her life, and she had to admit she was enjoying spending these weeks with Scott.
"Oh yeah, I like those." Cora laughs and she feels his eyes on her when she squeezes him beneath her palms. "Probably won't get too many once we've left." She adds and watches him nod.
"Probably not." Scott nods and lowers his eyes for a moment. "I mean once we're living together again.." He continues making Cora laugh lightly when she hears it. "What? Don't you want to live with me?" He laughs.
"Of course I do." Cora sighs, a smile in her voice. She lifts her hand to his chest. "But we are going to be in tents, and transports, on ships, in bunks.." Cora continues and sees him smile and shake his head. "Sleeping on the ground, roughing it." She adds and hears him huff.
"Don't remind me." Scott smiles. "Even more reason for us to get down there first." He grins. "We've got to pick where we want to live." He adds with a smile that she returns. "Then every day can be a naked one." He mumbles and she watches as he dips his head to kiss her cheek.
"ATTENTION! ATTENTION!" Comes the loud sound over the speakers, music systems, and their Omnis; making Cora flinch when he hears it and she feels Scott be caught off guard too and lift his head. Cora watches as Scott lifts his Omni when he realises the sound has come from there too before glancing at her. Cora does the same and looks down at her wrist. "ATTENTION! ATTENTION!" The announcement sounds again.
"What is that?" Scott asks as she watches him trying to activate his Omni and glance at her, Cora just shrugs lightly and begins looking at her own; trying to bring up the menus but sees that she isn't able.
"A-DAY LAUNCH DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED AT OH-EIGHT-HUNDRED HOURS TOMORROW. REPEAT A-DAY LAUNCH DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED AT OH-EIGHT-HUNDRED TOMORROW." The announcement continues, Cora lifting her hands to her ears when she notices how loud it is and that they must be using a station-wide emergency channel.
"Launch day?" Cora asks, her stomach suddenly in knots when she realises they could be closer to the launch than not now, and finally they would know tomorrow when they'd be put into stasis.
"Already?" Scott whispers and she watches him lift his hand to his face and rub it against the scruff on his chin. "I'm kind of nervous now." He laughs and she hears him scoff at himself.
Cora glances around them as they walk through the commons, noticing that the small groups of people that are still out this late are all looking at the announcements and she can see them chatting excitedly and that there is suddenly a buzz of noise and excitement in this part of the station.
"Me too." Cora smiles and she feels his eyes on her, a grateful look in his eyes that he wasn't alone in how he felt. "Before it just felt exciting." Cora adds and she sees him nod. "But now I'm worried about being put into the pods." Cora mumbles and doesn't voice anything more, she feels Scott draw her closer to him as they continue to walk and he presses a kiss against the top of her head.
"I signed up for an adventure." Scott sighs. "Now all I want is to be with you." Scott adds and she smiles lightly and lowers her head for a moment. "I think that's why I'm nervous." He mumbles. "Not looking forward to being apart from you." He scoffs again and then she sees him smile when she strokes the back of his head.
"Aren't we a pair?" Cora smiles. "I'm scared of cryo, you're worried about us being apart." Cora laughs lightly and sees him smile. "We won't be apart for long." Cora whispers and rubs her hand against his back. "We'll be together until cryo." She adds, trying to make herself feel better as much as him. "Then every day with the team." She sees him smile.
"I know." Scott nods. "I'll just have to make sure I'm there when you fall asleep so you aren't scared. When you wake up too." Scott grins, which makes her smile at the idea of his silly face being the first thing she saw after 600 years. She feels him unwrap his arm from her and take hold of her hand firmly in his, his hand comforting.
Cora sighs and glances at Scott. It wasn't entirely comforting to know he was nervous too; she'd so far found him pretty fearless. Cora knew she was brave, she knew she had thrown herself into everything head-on and had never faltered on the battlefield but this was different.
She had been anxious about being put into stasis from the moment Alec had told her about it, she knew they did it all the time but she couldn't help but feel she wasn't in control of what happened to her. And now she couldn't help but feel her priorities had changed; she was worried about Scott, too.
Cora knew she was excited about what was to come, but when she looks into Scott's eyes she couldn't help but wonder why they were going and how quickly they could be on a ship and off of Theia together. She loved him, and the thought of him being any danger or afraid was enough to give her doubts.
"I'm not supposed to feel scared." Cora whispers and she sees that he gives her a slight shake of his head. "Just like I'm not supposed to voice my feelings." She laughs and sees him grin wrinkle his nose at her.
"Yeah well, things change." Scott chuckles. "Being scared is okay." Scott nods and she lets him guide her down the stairs into the lower level of the station so that they are heading to the apartments.
"Not for the Asari." Cora whispers and glances at Scott when she hears him laugh lightly.
"Well, what do you usually do when you are afraid?" Scott asks as she feels his shoulder bump against hers as they walk. "What did the Asari train you to do?" He adds giving her a small smile encouraging her to share with him.
"They trained me to breath, to evaluate, to overcome." Cora nods and sees Scott smile at her reply and nod. "But I don't think I was a very good student." Cora whispers and lowers her eyes for a moment, glancing up at him when she feels him kiss the back of her hand.
She had spent the four years completely integrated with the Asari until she almost felt like she was one of them. Apart from the fact that they told her time and time again that she was too emotional and let her feelings guide her actions. But she knew deep down she was good, she was better than good. She was an Asari Huntress and a trained and highly skilled warrior.
"Are you kidding?" Scott laughs drawing her attention to him again. "You don't get a reputation like yours, for nothing." Scott adds, making Cora stop in her tracks when she hears his words. What did he mean by that?
"A reputation?" Cora asks narrowing her eyes slightly, she watches Scott stop walking too and turn back to look at her when he notices she has paused. He steps closer to her when he sees her frown. "Someone had already mentioned me, to you?" Cora sees him nod.
"Alec told me about you." Scott replies making her sigh lightly. Alec Ryder, and his big mouth. "He mentioned you'd been recommended to him and told me about your time with the Alliance and the Talien's Daughters." Scott continues. "But he called you Harper." Scott mumbles. "I didn't know it was you until we had.." Scott trails off. Had slept together, is what he was going to say, she imagined. Or, something similar.
"Yes, well." Cora huffs lightly making him laugh. She'd almost fallen over herself trying to get away from Scott when she'd found out he was a Ryder and Alec's son but now here she was hoping for a very long and happy future with him in it.
Cora turns her head away from him for a moment, she had never intended to get involved with Scott and this certainly hadn't been her plan for Helius. But there was just something about him that made her want more. She feels him tuck her under his arm again as they make their way through the station, now much quieter than it had been and they are almost completely alone.
"It wasn't just Alec." Scott continues and she feels him place his finger beneath her chin and turn her to look at him again. "Everyone back in the Alliance was talking about this most powerful biotic that was on board with the Initiative. Obviously, that's why I signed up." Scott adds giving her a large smile.
"You're lying." Cora laughs when she hears it and lowers her eyes. People usually talked about her because they were scared of her, scared of her power and that she could be unpredictable and dangerous. Cora tries to continue walking but feels Scott take hold of her hand and keep her with him.
"I'm not." Scott chuckles. "You were causing quite a stir when people learned you were not only a Biotic but a Huntress too." Scott grins and she watches him move his hands to gently rest on her neck. She feels how warm his palms are as he trails his thumbs along her jawline. Cora feels his gaze on her face and she is sure she is blushing. "They failed to mention how gorgeous you were though." Scott whispers, making her snort. Yeah right.
"Now I know you are making that up." Cora huffs again hearing him chuckle before he leans forward and attempts to kiss her, she quickly lifts her hand and presses her finger against his lips. "But flattery will get you everywhere, Scott." Cora places her hands on his shoulders and shoves him gently backwards and away from her making him laugh and lift his arms out to the side in question.
"You are breathtaking." Scott continues making her sigh. "Don't you want to kiss me?" He asks making her giggle when she sees him clutch as his chest as if she has wounded him and he is in pain.
"Of course I do." Cora sighs trying not to laugh when he steps close to her again and presses his mouth against hers, she wraps her arms around him completely forgetting their walk home when his hands move to her hips.
"Do you want to know what I do when I'm scared?" Scott asks as he breaks their kiss and gives her a lopsided grin. She nods lightly, suddenly wondering what it could be. He usually appeared calm and collected.
Cora watches as he steps away from her and lowers himself to the floor, she sees him lean back so he is laying on his back with his eyes closed tightly.
"Scott.." Cora laughs when she watches him open one eye and motion for her to join him, making her giggle. "I can't be rolling around on the floor in public." Cora giggles stepping one foot over his body. "Not when I have my reputation to uphold," Cora adds lifting her other foot and pressing it gently into his chest making his eyes open and look up at her.
"I promise I'm worth ruining your reputation for," Scott replies and she feels him fix his eyes on her. "Come join me on the floor and I'll show you." Scott adds making her giggle again, she didn't think she'd ever met anyone so unafraid to be silly. Cora tries to lift her foot off of his chest but feels him place his hand on top of her shoe that is keeping him pinned to the floor.
"You do realise there are cameras everywhere in this part of the station." Cora laughs again when she sees him shrug, Scott had no issues with not being sensible all of the time and it was nice to be with someone that didn't take himself so seriously all the time. "How long do you think it will take for the Pathfinder to find out his son is misbehaving?" She laughs and she shakes her head at him when she feels him slide his hand up to her calf.
"Look, you breath and overcome when you are scared." Scott smiles. "I lay on the floor and try to take my mind off of it." Scott chuckles making Cora laugh, some coping strategy this was. She wondered if he'd do the same in the middle of a fire-fight or if he was saving this just for her. "I'm not worried about being without you right now." Scott nods confidently and gives her a small smile, which she returns. "Because I'm distracted and slightly turned on by knowing how easily my new badass Biotic Asari Huntress girlfriend could crush me into tiny pieces if I pissed her off." Scott gives her a big grin, which makes her roll her eyes. "Just saying." Scott whispers when she watches him lift his arm and motion her towards him and the floor.
"You better not piss me off then." Cora giggles lifting her foot off of his chest and placing it down on the floor in the same spot it had previously been. She shakes her head lightly at him and glances around to check they were still alone. "Just saying." Cora adds hearing him laugh when she mimics his words. This was ridiculous, Scott was ridiculous and she wasn't sure why she was enjoying it so much.
Cora sighs dramatically making him laugh even louder as she slowly lowers herself to the floor placing her knees either side of his waist, she places her hands on his chest and sees he grins when she spreads her fingers over his pecs. She uses his body to help keep her steady until she is straddling his hips and is balanced on top of him. Cora feels him place his hands on her waist and sees another large grin at the corner of his mouth. She leans forward and over him, pressing her chest against his.
"Happy now?" Cora whispers seeing him nod and she feels him bend his knees slightly beneath her. "All this effort just to get me to kiss you, Ryder." Cora smiles when she feels him move a hand from her waist, she watches him lift his head slightly as he raises it to her face and draws her mouth to his.
"It worked didn't it?" Scott grins and she feels him slowly move his hand lower and onto her behind, his hand warm through the material but making her skin warm as he touches her. "But don't you feel less scared about getting into those pods now?" He whispers.
Cora sighs to herself when she feels him tangle his fingers gently into her hair and kisses her again, his kiss urgent and demanding. She wasn't scared anymore either, Scott's floor method was now tried and tested and she was a strong supporter of it.
Cora returns her palms to his chest and takes hold of handfuls of his shirt in her fists when he deepens their kiss, his tongue and lips teasing her mouth open and drawing a sigh from her. She feels him squeezing her beneath his hands and when she moves she hears him groan into their kiss. Cora removes her mouth from his and fixes her eyes on him, she feels how hot his body is beneath her and realises they are in too much of a public place for him to be making such enticing noises like that.
"Maybe you are worth ruining a reputation for." Cora mumbles and hears Scott laugh lightly and lift his hand to her face to draw her back into another kiss, she feels his hands slide up her back distracting her from anything but him.
"I am, you'll see." Scott grins and kisses her again until Cora lifts her hand and places it over his mouth, stopping him. She sees him give her a questioning smile.
"But what if I'm too emotional?" Cora sighs and closes her eyes when he moves his mouth to her neck. "What if I can't control my biotics and I lose control again?" She mumbles and feels him pause his mouth. "What if these feelings for you make me weak?" She whispers and watches him lean back against the floor again and fix his eyes on her, making her smile lightly when she sees how flushed his face is.
"Cora, as incredible that it is that you have all of this training and have lived this amazing other life." Scott pants. "Your human, and having feelings and being scared is part of that." He adds and she sighs lightly and places her hands on his chest again. "It doesn't make you a failure as a Huntress, or as a human." He mumbles.
"That's easy for you to say." Cora sighs lightly and lowers her eyes from him. "You seem to be doing the human thing well." She adds and feels his body move beneath her as he chuckles. "I was always too human, too Asari, not human enough, too Biotic." She mumbles and feels Scott place his hands on her shoulders and draw her closer to him. Cora moves her hand to either side of his head, feeling how cold the floor is under her palms.
"You will never be too anything to me." Scott begins and she feels him bring his hands up to her cheeks. "Or not enough anything else." He whispers and she looks into his eyes. "Anyone that ever said that was wrong, Cora. They underestimated you and all it shows is that they were scared of what they didn't understand." He adds and she sighs again.
"Aren't you scared of me?" Cora asks and she feels his eyes move around her face and that he shakes his head lightly. "How can you not be? I could hurt you." She whispers and hears him laugh lightly.
"Because I love you." Scott smiles making Cora shake her head at him, loving her wouldn't keep him safe if it all went wrong. Cora lowers her hands and places them on his face, letting her fingers move against his jaw.
"I love you, too." Cora whispers and sees this makes him smile. She leans forward and rests her forehead against his. "More than anything." She adds and hears his happy sigh.
"I know how hard you've worked to find a place in the world, to better yourself and understand who you are." Scott continues making her nod lightly. "I understand you, how could I ever be afraid?" He asks making her smile, maybe he was the only one that did.
"This is all just so much bigger than I could ever have imagined." Cora gives him a light smile before he leans up and wraps his arms tightly around her. "I never expected this." She adds and feels him nod.
"Me either." Scott laughs lightly. "But we just have to breathe, Cora," Scott replies and she sees him smile. "We'll do it together, nothing will be scary if we're together." He adds and she feels his hands on her cheeks, his eyes on hers.