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The shimmering specks of stars across space were easy to get lost in. Both figuratively and literally. It made for a most ideal meditation spot and allowed the mind to truly wander in the endless void. The serenity of space was beloved by many and among its adoring audience was Samara.
The asari justicar enjoyed the quiet thrum of the Normandy’s inner workings as her meditation commenced. “White noise”, it’s known to be called. It added so much to focus where dead silence would leave too much to echo (including one’s own thoughts). Decades of meditation experience allowed the asari to make peace and sanctuary within a busy spaceship.
Samara’s concentration was so deep in tranquility that the sliding door was undetectable. Nearly.
“Vakarian.” She addressed the party without looking.
“What gave me away?”
“I could sense the clink of your armor and recognized the rhythm of your footsteps as Turian.”
Garrus would have chuckled at the observation if he wasn’t already burdened with a problem. Samara supposed this much as neither of them had much time to mingle. Meditation, calibrations, oncoming intergalactic horror… There was very little time to converse outside the realm of importance.
“But you did not come here for guessing games, Garrus. How may I help you?”
“It’s Shepard. She hasn’t come out of her quarters since the Omega mission.”
Context wasn’t needed. Samara was there. The intense confrontation with Morinth had left their Commander exhausted in every sense of the word. Dr.Chakwas made sure she was alright but rest was needed.
“I take it she is not at peace.” The asari inquired. Had she known before Garrus even said it?
“I’ve asked EDI to check in on her and each time she did, Commander was restless.”
“I do not think a simple meditation session will cure the commander’s unease.”
“Maybe I should bring her some medicine.” Garrus sighed and turned to leave, but stopped when he saw Samara stand up. She wore a knowing smile across her blue lips.
“I may have an idea, Archangel…”
Morinth’s hold over Shepard’s mind had faded the moment she was assasinated. Hearing Morinth’s voice calling to her inner consciousness just like Liara had done years ago. Embracing Eternity was not at all an unpleasant experience and that was what bit her in the ass. Feeling so close to someone without even touching them filled a void inside of Shepard she didn’t even know was there…
Knock knock knock.
Unless Morinth had that herself. Enslave some poor sap or leave them empty forever.
“Look into my eyes and tell me that you want me. That you’d kill for me. Anything I want.”
Knock knock knock.
A chill rippled in Shepard’s core and she sunk deeper into her blanket in search of a warmth that couldn’t be reached. Even the obsidian aesthetic of her room lacked the usual comfort as it only reminded Jane of those deadly, beautiful eyes that Morinth possessed.
“Commander Shepard. Apologies for the intrusion. Garrus Vakarian is requesting entry.”
EDI’s notification had startled her out of the spiraling thoughts.
“Let him in.”
Jane sat up in her bed as the scarred Turian made his way through the door. It slid shut behind him before he spoke.
“How are you feeling?” His voice was a godsend after the daunting silence.
“I’m… I can’t sleep.”
“What do you say we fix that, Commander?”
Garrus stepped over to the side of the bed and took a seat on the floor. Given his height, he still loomed over Shepard as she nestled back into the covers. Had it been anyone else, she would have sent them away. He wasn’t just anyone, though. It took a moment to realize that he wasn’t in his armor, either. The first time she ever saw him in casual attire.
“If you’re staying, I take it that Chakwas or Mordin didn’t give you medicine to give me?”
“I spoke to Samara, who had some medicine of her own to share with me, if you’re comfortable enough with that. She mentioned how the aftershock of facing Morinth might’ve left you rattled and that this was a good way to ease your tension.”
Hearing it from Vakarian actually made the confrontation less scary. Commander of the Normandy felt her eyes water in the presence of someone she trusted. Trusted enough to put her shields down as he placed a comforting hand over her’s. Warm.
It was much easier to get lost in the sniper’s blue eyes than Morinth’s. Rather than a predatory gaze, the look Garrus had was precise and focused like any soldier worth his bullets would be. And yet this wasn’t a shoot-to-kill stare, no, it was mindful and soft. It may have surprised her that she could read a turian’s expression like that.
“We need our commander in the proper mindset. “ Garrus nodded. “And not with just any old bedside pep talk.”
Jane actually snorted at his proposal. “I don’t think calibrations and guns are the answer.”
“No… But this voice is.”
Looks like Tali’s wish for him to be more self aware finally came true. Wait until she hears about this one!
“There’s a lingering side effect to having your mind probed like that. It’s like popping the heatsink… So let’s cool you off, Shepherd.”
The bedside lamp was shut off, but where total darkness should have been was the gentle blue hue of Vakarian’s visor. It made focusing on him so effortless that it made Jane momentarily forget she was in her quarters wearing nothing but a shirt and some pajama bottoms.
Before she could even ask what he was doing, her verdant eyes were caught in that alluring blue glance and whatever question was forming on her lips had fizzled to nothing. The lingering terror of their suicide mission was fading with each passing moment as Garrus allowed the woman he admired to get lost in his eyes.
“There’s no room for anything but us right now. So put everything aside… And go deeper.”
“Deeper…?” Jane whispered in confusion.
“Deeper. Let your mind, body and spirit sink deeper. I’ll hold you together if you fall apart.”
Realization glimmered in Shepard’s green eyes as her senses gave way to contentment and warmth. Garrus carefully reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. His touch sent another relaxing ripple throughout her form and vanquished any remnants of hesitation. She was ready to be enveloped by Archangel’s wings. Who else in the galaxy, if not Garrus, could she let her shields down for?
“Yes, Garrus…” Her voice was barely above a whisper. As if unwilling to risk talking over him. Could turians smile? If she wasn’t entering a trance right now she’d swear he was.
“Let my voice guide you to a better place. Safe and sound.”
Observational as ever, he could see the way her torso was rising and descending under her covers. Breathing nice and slow. Samara’s advice was working! Or so he thought until Shepard moved away from him and released his hand.
Garrus opened his mouth to apologize- maybe he was treading on thin ice with his Commander. But then she made a space for him and pulled her covers down invitingly.
She gave him a slow blink and a nod. It was okay. She wanted him close to her. Spirits!
Vakarian slowly and softly nestled into her bed and felt his eyes go wide as an arm draped across his chest. If their superiors caught them like this… He knew damn well it wouldn’t stop him.
“Hmn… Garrus…” Jane purred as his talon traced her arm in a circle.
“How do you feel, Shepard?”
“… Better.” The redhead’s replied as the rippling tranquility went on. She could almost feel her brain stirring in synchronization with how Garrus was stroking her arm.
He couldn’t believe this was actually working. His voice consoled her weary senses all while commanding their focus.
“Control is a burden that I’m taking on tonight. Hear my voice and let it take you deeper and deeper. Lose yourself in it. Drift down, down, down…”
The light in Jane’s eyes was absent and in its place was the reflection of his visor. The beautiful neon hue was as equally mesmerizing as the voice possessing her. Vakarian shifted to face her directly and readjusted the blanket to cover them equally.
“Now you’re getting it…” His mandibles twitched in amusement. His Commander looked so submissive like this it was rather jarring.
“Archangels’ got you under his wing. And there you’ll stay until it’s time to get up. Now close your eyes…”
Jane blinked as her eyelids felt heavier.
“Close… your eyes…” He cooed and watched her resistance vanish at once. “At ease, soldier. Close your eyes and sink deeper and deeper into me…”
A three-fingered talon delicately moved Shepard’s fringe and hovered down to hold her face with all the gentleness of water coloring. Garrus felt his face plates blush at how she moved into his touch as a sleepy grin spread across her sweet, freckled face.
Spirits, had anyone ever seen her so calm? It was so out of character for her to be in such absentminded bliss. It made the former C-Sec officer wonder if she ever allowed herself to be swayed and lulled into contentment. Suppose no one could offer such comfort.
Until Garrus.
“Let’s get some rest now…” Vakarian tucked himself above her head to physically assure her that he was to be stationed in her bed. “When I count down to one, you’ll fall into a dreamless sleep… Nod.”
Without losing her smile, Shepard replied with an obedient incline of her head. It was rewarded with a gentle stroke across her cheek.
“Three…” He began as his Commander’s arm remained across his chest. “Two…”
Before he got to one, the woman gave a soft whine and her sleepish hold grew tighter. It made Garrus chuckle quietly.
“There, there. I’m still here. And I always will be.” He soothed.
While she didn’t release her embrace, it did lighten up. That was all she needed. One last bit of reassurance that her slumber would be spent in the arms of Archangel.
“…One.”
Green eyes fluttered open as the formerly troubled Commander yawned. She slept so soundly it made her want to immediately go back to sleep. That’s when she saw what (or who) she had been sleeping on. Crimson flush overwhelmed her face as the faint purring of a snoozing turian sniper finally registered to her ears. Either she was having that dream again or… Nope. Garrus-Freaking-Vakarian had his arms around her and his chin tucked cozily atop her hair.
As soon as the surprise wore off, Shepard snickered silently to herself. Handsome and charming as ever. Almost enough to make her forget that his little ritual had put her to sleep like a baby.
Moving as slowly and carefully as she could, Jane began to inch her way out of bed. That is until her body was snuggly pulled back beneath the covers.
“Forgive the insubordination, but you need actual sleep, not a nap.”
“How long was I out?”
“Only two hours… Back to sleep, Commander.”
“Are you going to make me, Garrus?”
He broke their embrace, shifted his position and touched her forehead to his own. In turn, Shepherd gave it a loving nuzzle.
But her amusement and defiance was stunted the moment that voice and those eyes possessed her once more.
“Why, yes… I most certainly can.”