Scars
I have no idea where this Andromeda fic came from but here it is. Featuring Jaal and Scott Ryder it’s mostly fluff with some sap cause Scott is a hopeless romantic lmao
Cross posted on ao3!
“Jaal, are you staring at my tits?”
Scott, in the midst of towel drying his hair, had found Jaal watching him from the doorway of the crew quarters. And considering Scott was currently only wearing pants, it was a logical assumption that Jaal was staring at his tits.
Obviously.
Jaal chuckled, shaking his head. “Can I not admire my partner’s body?”
Scott felt his cheeks flush, but kept it together. “I’m sure we can think of more inventive things for you to do.”
Nailed it.
“Hmm, I’m sure we can.” Jaal’s eyes swept over him once more, landing on his chest. “I had a question, if that is alright?”
Scott blinked, not expecting the abrupt change in topic. “Sure, Jaal, what’s on your mind?”
“You have markings on your chest where Liam does not. Is that typical?”
Scott looked down at his chest and then looked back up. “Wait, have you seen Liam naked?” He wasn’t sure how he felt about that.
Jaal waved a hand like it was nothing. “We were learning about each other’s species by asking weird questions we could not ask others.”
“And you had to be naked for that?”
“You’re avoiding my question.” Jaal titled his head. “Was it offensive? I apologize if that is the case.”
“No! Well, I mean, maybe, depending on the person. People don’t always like to talk about their scars.”
“Oh! I did not realize they were scars. They are very well healed.”
“Thank you I worked really hard at that.” Scott was only half kidding. Scar care was important and he had been very diligent about it to minimize the scarring after surgery. “I honestly don’t know how to word this so I’m just gonna go for it. Do y’all have transgender people?”
Jaal frowned. “Trans gender? That word did not translate.”
Off to a great start. “People who are born one gender but realize they’re a different gender.”
Jaal brightened. “Oh, yes, we have many, many genders. Children are encouraged to explore and find an identity that is correct for them.”
Alright, that was promising. “I’m not sure how much it matters for Angara, but humans who are a different gender will sometimes change things about their body so that they feel more comfortable in it. So that’s why the scars.” Scott paused. “Lexi also gives me a hormone shot once a week, so you’re not allowed to strand me anywhere.”
“I would never strand you, dearest one,” Jaal said, laughing. He moved towards Scott, pulling him in by the waist and resting their foreheads together. “I appreciate your candor with me.”
Scott felt the tension slip out of his shoulders. “I try. Humans aren’t always… accepting of people who are different from them. Makes it hard to know who’s safe to come out to.”
Jaal furrowed his brow. “But our differences should be acknowledged and celebrated!”
“You’re preaching to the choir, man.”
Jaal’s brow only furrowed deeper. “What does that mean?”
“Oh, uh-” Idioms not translating properly was a real pain in the ass. “Just that I understand what you mean, I suppose.”
“Ah, I see.” Jaal kissed him gently, bringing a hand up to cradle Scott’s face. Scott leaned into him, eyes sliding closed as he melted against Jaal. They hadn’t known each other for long, but if anyone asked, he would have said Jaal was the other half of his soul. Which was crazy, since they had come all the way from the Milky Way, but it felt true. Despite everything, they fit together in a way Scott had never felt before.
When they broke apart, Scott gave Jaal a dopey smile. “I love you.” He felt the blood drain from his face. Oh god, that was supposed to stay in his head. “I, uh, fuck, was that, I didn’t mean to say that.”
A large smile broke out over Jaal’s face, his eyes sparkling brightly. “I love you as well, dearest one.”
The blood rushed back to his face instantly, and he was sure his cheeks were burning red. Jaal’s openness was still something he was getting used to. “Good. Great! Uh, oh no, I’m failing, I’m doing so bad right now.”
Jaal looked concerned, cupping Scott’s face with both hands. “You are perfect, dear one. Never forget that.”
Scott didn’t think his face could get any redder. “Right, right, okay, sure.” This was, actually, he wasn’t sure if this was going well or not. He could barely think straight at the best of times, nevermind when Jaal was telling him he loved him and he was perfect. It was like something out of one of his fantasies.
“Scott, are you alright?” Jaal asked.
“I’m spiraling a little, not gonna lie.”
“Spiraling?”
“Overthinking, I think.” If that wasn’t proof that he was overthinking he didn’t know what was. “I’m not… used to this, yet.”
Jaal blinked. “To what?”
Scott almost laughed at Jaal’s confusion. It must seem so simple to him. “The overabundance of affection, I suppose.” Scott knew that part of it was his own fault. He kept people at arm's length. Him and Sara were affectionate of course, but sibling affection was a lot different than this. This was exhilarating and intoxicating.
“You deserve all the affection in this galaxy and yours, my heart.” Jaal was looking at him so sincerely, with such bright eyes that it made his head spin.
“God I really do love you,” Scott managed to get out after a moment.
Jaal chuckled, kissing him again. “And I you.” After a moment he spoke again. “Next time we are on Aya, there is a place I want to show you.”
“Oh? What place?”
“It’s a surprise.”
Scott pouted, putting on his best puppy dog eyes. “But I wanna know.”
“Do not, what did you call it, use your dog eyes on me,” Jaal admonished, laughing. “It’s a surprise.”
Scott stuck his tongue out at him. “Fine. Be that way.”
“You’ll know soon enough, dearest one, I promise.”
“I will because I’m gonna tell Sara to set a course for Aya asap.” No one ever accused Scott of having patience.
“A S A P?”
Scott grinned. “As soon as possible.”
Jaal rolled his eyes. “You are a menace.”
“But I’m your menace.”
Jaal’s face softened as he looked at him. “That you are.”
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