Mass Effect 3: Before the Storm

Steven Cortez remembered his husband, Robert, fondly. He was large man with huge biceps and dirty blonde hair who never managed to tan no matter how much he stayed out in the sun. He would instead turn this piglet pink; a thing Steve always made fun of him about. They met through work, but didn’t exactly work together. Robert did maintenance strictly on survey equipment while Cortez could fix up anything from the transport vehicle to the radio towers. Still, despite Robert’s large hands, he always had a kind smile and somehow managed to do some of the most delicate repairs Steve had ever seen.

They would smile and nod at each other’s passing or awkwardly stand next to each other while changing out of their jumpsuits into something more causal in the locker rooms. In fact, the only reason they ever spoke at all was because they both enjoyed taking a dip in the community pool during off-hours. There, Steve’s skin would turn a beautiful golden brown while Robert’s would turn into a light shade of red despite the layers of sunblock.

 It was on a typical sunny day when Robert was busy walking and talking with his friends when he noticed a glimmer in the pool. He stopped, taking in the sight of a man doing laps all by himself. It was sad, but breathtaking. Every splash sparkled like a diamond and caught Robert’s entranced gaze.

That was the end of Robert.

He broke off from the pack of other soldiers and cut through the grass to get to the edge of the pool. Crouching down, he waited like a predator. It took a moment for Steve to realize that he wasn’t alone anymore and came up for air, but his breath was taken away when he was kissed.

That was the end of Steve.