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Vacations with Tami are nice.
It’s early, the sun barely having started to break through the halfway lowered blinds and haphazardly pulled closed curtains, when Saker steps out of the shower. He’s humming to himself, some song he distantly remembers from his time in the Ascendancy, the words long lost to him- but the melody remains.
It’s a small comfort, a reminder of his roots apart from his looks, always evident as bright red eyes stare back at him from where he looks in the mirror.
He doesn’t sit on the thought, instead proceeds with his bathroom routine. Somewhere in the back of his mind he can hear Tami complain when he shaves his stubble, laughs when he imagines the Mirialan’s disappointed pout, eyes growing twice their regular size in the futile hope of getting the stubble to grow back through pity.
His song grows wings; made up lyrics as he muses about Tami, secret confessions leaving his lips to the melody of his past.
It’s a benefit of being on vacation, the moments of privacy he gets, early at dawn when not even the Mirialan dares to interrupt his own sleep. Saker’s song comes to an end, finishing up his routine and toweling his hair dry as he walks around the corner, only for his eyes to lock on the bundled up form on top of the bed.
Tami lies peacefully, soft snores coming from him, his long legs kicked out from beneath the thin sheets. He's illuminated by the first rays of sunshine, gold bouncing off his warm green skin, his messy waves catching the light in a rainbow of reds and orange hues.
Saker moves closer, careful as to not wake Tami as he approaches and slowly sits down on his side of the bed. A smile tugs at his lips when the Mirialan shifts in his sleep, causing the sheets to move further down his body, exposing more of his skin, dusted in small freckles that Saker wishes he could kiss individually.
The song almost bursts out of him again. He’ll remember to include them next time.
It's then that he allows himself to touch, flattening one broad palm over the expanse of Tami's back, running it up along the smaller man's spine and leaning down to bury his face into the crook of his neck. He takes in a deep breath, letting the other's scent fill his lungs as his hand moves to grasp the Mirialans face, kissing along his jaw until the other starts to rouse.
There's a faint whine, Tami's personal sign of protest at the prospect of having to wake up, before he curls in on himself, the Mirialans hands coming up to cover his face, closely followed by a groan.
“Good morning,” Saker begins to sing, a different melody this time, the tune shifting into laughter as Tami tries to make himself smaller.
“No,” Tami grumbles out in protest, two pools of molten gold staring back at Saker as his hands come down. The Mirialan is pouting, plush lips more inviting than ever and Saker doesn't stop himself from catching them in a kiss, sighing as Tami kisses back.
He basks in the brush of their lips, the small gasps leaving the Mirialans mouth yet another song he'll hope to always remember.
When they part, a satisfied smirk ghosts over Saker's lips as he takes in the Mirialan. He's flushed, a deep blush dusting his cheeks, eyes wide and lips wet.
“How about now,” Saker asks, taking note how the Mirialan shifts closer to his side, nimble hands grasping at Saker’s to interlace their fingers. He runs his thumbs over the diamonds tattooed on the back of Tami’s hands, his calloused skin rough against the seemingly flawless green.
“You’re being sappy,” Tami states, the pout back on his lips and Saker has to stifle a laugh, watching the man blush even harder as he moves to nibble on his ear, “Stop that- I just woke up.”
“Like that’s stopped you before-”
Before Saker knows, the Mirialan has their fingers unlaced and a pillow thrown into his face, knocking him back into the sheets with the moment of surprise.
He feels Tami move on top of him before he sees his face hover above, messy waves framing the Mirialans features, a mischievous glint sparking alight in his eyes. He’s keeping him pinned by his wrists, if Saker wanted to he could escape, free himself from the weak grasp the other has on him- but he doesn’t, yet.
Another song starts as Tami lets out a triumphant laugh. Saker joins along, letting their voices mingle for a second before suddenly he’s free of the Mirialans gasp and the fight is on.
They twist and turn, more laughter bubbling from the smaller man as Saker gets his hands on his waist, tickling Tami until the other admits defeat, his slender arms fighting their way out from between their chests to cross behind Saker’s neck, a gasped “You win,” prompting Saker to let go.
He lies them down on their sides, runs his fingers through Tami’s thoroughly disheveled hair as they catch their breaths, working out the tangled strands and watching the early sunlight wash his partner in dreamy gold.
“Good morning, by the way,” the Mirialan then says with a smile, cupping Saker’s face in his hands, his thumbs stroking over the Chiss’ cheekbones.
The fondness with which Tami meets his gaze is nearly enough to make him cry. Covering one of the Mirialans hands with his, Saker leans into the touch and starts singing, a faint sob breaking his voice as he forms words he’d never speak in basic.
Saker’s a stranger, but with Tami, he belongs.