Work Text:
Day Eleven
You Keep Me Safe
What had begun as a lazy, quiet Sunday had quickly shifted to the usual chaos which they were more accustomed to. The silence had been replaced with the rowdy cries of the Normandy's crew members, old and new, as Shepard had called them all to attend the impromptu wedding she and Kaidan had agreed upon.
And they had all accepted the invitation with enthusiastic fervor. This group of people who had helped Shepard through so many impossible things over the past three years. Some of them had been there since the beginning, when Kaidan had first been so skeptical of Shepard as shakedown had begun on the Normandy SR-1. Others who had only recently joined the fray, but had become just as important.
Now those same people had dispersed themselves throughout the apartment. All gathered in assorted groupings, under varying states of inebriation.
Despite the late hour, Shepard had asked Glyph to play some music and keep the party going as she and her new husband stood together in the kitchen. Kaidan's arms were wrapped around Shepard as she leaned back against him, watching their friends as they danced nearby. The atmosphere that filled the apartment was one of pure exuberance.
Shepard sighed contentedly as she turned to face Kaidan, wrapping her arms tightly around his muscled torso. His eyes met hers and a smile spread across his face. It was a bit lopsided as he sat another empty beer bottle down on the counter beside them.
"Penny for your thoughts," he whispered softly, resting his forehead against hers affectionately.
"I'm just... exquisitely happy. Today was everything I ever could've hoped for, Kay," she replied, gently squeezing her arms against him. He let out a soft huff and chuckled at her.
"It was pretty perfect, wasn't it?" he asked as his lopsided grin widened, his words slightly slurring as he spoke. Shepard reached up to kiss him softly, her heart fuller than it ever had been before.
"Holy shit. Are we really doing this, Nat?" Kaidan asked breathlessly. He could hardly contain his joy and excitement. His arm lay draped behind her on the back of the couch as they watched the fire dance rhythmically in front of them.
She leaned against him, his hand clutching hers as it rested against his chest. She turned her head and smiled at him, pulling her hand from his grasp and cradling it against his stubbled cheek.
"You said 'yes', didn't you?" she countered, running her thumb across his bottom lip before reaching up to kiss him. She felt the edges of his lips pull against hers as he fought to contain his smile.
The doorbell rang loudly and she pulled away.
"Ah, they're finally here."
Kaidan's expression showed his curiosity as he watched her stand up and cross the room, a slight skip in her step as she approached the door. She ran her hand over the access panel and the monitor above it lit up, revealing the identity of their visitors. Liara and Jeff looked into the camera with expectant smiles on their faces.
"Hey, Nat, we're here. Let us in!" Jeff demanded, his voice so loud there was some feedback on the comm.
"Yeah, yeah. Get your asses up here already!" Shepard replied with a smirk, pressing the button that would allow them to enter the building. The monitor went black before she turned toward Kaidan with a joyful expression.
"Oh, you didn't," he sighed as he stood up and walked toward her. The space between them closed quickly, and Shepard was smiling up at him innocently as she snaked her arms around his torso.
"Yes, they'll be our witnesses. Unless you had someone else in mind?" she prompted with a raised brow, pointing her finger against the center of his chest. He shook his head slowly from side to side before he leaned down to kiss her softly in the middle of her forehead.
The doorbell rang throughout the apartment, signaling their guests' arrival at the door. He gave her a wary glance before pulling away from her and walking toward the kitchen.
"So, are you guys incredibly wasted or are you serious about this?" Jeff asked almost as soon as Shepard opened the door for them. She gave her old friend a reproving look as he made his way across the room and slumped down heavily onto the couch, grinning at her as Liara placed her hand in the crook of Shepard's arm.
"I'm afraid that we're incredibly serious about this, Jeff," Shepard answered as she and Liara walked in step toward the second couch that sat beside the fireplace. They sat down together and Shepard's eyes were drawn to Kaidan as he bustled around the kitchen. She knew he was preparing drinks and snacks for their guests. Ever the perfect host.
"Ah, damn. Guess I lost that bet then," he said as his bright green eyes turned to Liara. She smirked at him knowingly, and nodded.
"I will expect those credits by the end of the night, Jeff." She held her head high as she spoke, her eyes sparkling as Jeff sighed in frustration.
"Yeah, yeah." He waved his hand at her dismissively, crossing his arms against his chest as he sunk lower onto the couch.
Liara's attention shifted back to Shepard. She reached for her hand and smiled softly at her. "I am honored that you have chosen me to be a part of your Human ritual of companionship. I have always wished to attend such an event in person, but have never had such an opportunity present itself." Shepard returned her smile and squeezed her hand affectionately.
"Of all the people you could've chosen, you picked her?" Jeff asked incredulously, his head falling back as he let out an exaggerated laugh. The look Liara shot him was sharp, but she didn't say anything. She merely bristled at his words, ignoring him.
"Who was I supposed to pick to be my Maid of Honor, Jeff? You?" Shepard asked with a giggle. Jeff rolled his eyes at her as Liara stifled a laugh of her own. "Either way, I'm grateful to both of you for agreeing to do this for us. Now, let's get this wedding planned! We only have a few hours until everyone else arrives." Shepard pulled her hand from Liara's grasp and clapped them together enthusiastically.
"Everyone? Who's everyone?" Kaidan asked as he approached, a tray laden heavily with food and drinks balanced in his hands. He placed it down on the coffee table that rested between the two long couches and met her gaze with an expectant expression.
"Oh, you know, Kay... Just a few friends."
The bedroom was bursting with the women of Shepard's life, all of them except Hannah. She made a mental note to call her mother first thing tomorrow morning, before she could hear about it from anyone else. She hoped her mother would understand the rush of this wedding, that she would be placated with the fact that she and Kaidan had already discussed hosting a more official ceremony after the war. Though it may have been foolish of them to hope for any sort of happily ever after, it was all that kept her going as they were nearing the end of the Reaper War.
In the meantime, Shepard was surrounded as everyone helped her prepare for her pending nuptials. Miranda had brought a beautiful dress for her to wear, and was micromanaging Sam as she styled Shepard's hair in the bathroom. All while Tali and Liara watched tutorials on their omni-tools as a crash course on how to apply make-up. Kasumi was sitting in the corner of the bedroom, focused on the bouquet arrangement after volunteering herself for the task.
"So, you're really doing this, Shep?" Jack asked as she sat on the counter of the bathroom vanity, watching closely as Miranda and Sam worked on her hair. Shepard's eyes shifted toward her and she smiled softly.
"Yes, I really am, Jack. You know I've never stopped loving him, and facing the unknown with the Reapers has certainly changed my perspective on things," she explained as Tali applied some blush to her freckled cheeks. Her eyes moved to meet the glowing orbs behind Tali's mask. The orbs narrowed and Shepard knew her friend was smiling at her.
"Yeah, I guess. You did keep that picture on your desk for forever. Even after you started fucking Thane. He really didn't mind that?" Jack asked as she kicked her feet absentmindedly and leaned back against the mirror.
Everyone crowded in the room gave her a reproving look, and Miranda added a tsk to emphasize her disapproval of Jack's tactless words. Shepard chuckled at the sudden shift in the room.
"Thane knew too. And he understood. He's a good man, and I'll always love him. But Kaidan..." She sighed as she searched for the right way to explain how she felt to Jack.
"Oh fuck, if you're gonna tell me about how he's your soul mate or how you complete each other, just save it," Jack quickly added as she crossed her arms against her chest and gave Shepard a determined glare. Shepard chuckled again.
"That's pretty much it, Jack. He constantly challenges me and makes me a better person," she replied as she held her hand out toward her friend.
Jack eyed her hand for a moment before sighing heavily as she took it. Shepard pulled against it until she was standing beside Tali in front of her and she reached up to cradle one side of her face as she looked into her brown eyes pointedly. "It's the kind of love everyone deserves to have. Even you, Jack."
Jack looked taken aback for a moment as she listened to Shepard. Her eyes briefly showed a vulnerability she kept locked away from the world as she stared back into Shepard's bright blue eyes.
"Yuck. You're turning soft on me, Shep," she responded with a guarded tone, her vulnerability disappearing as quickly as it had arrived. Shepard gave her a pointed look before letting her hand fall to her side. Jack stood in front of her for a moment before returning to the counter and resuming her pose, crossed arms and all. As everyone's attention returned to Shepard, her eyes drifted back to Jack and their gazes met, a softness lingering between them before Jack gave her a wink and a smirk.
She felt her heart swell with affection as she basked in the presence of all her friends. They were all doting on her and trying to make this perfect for her. She found herself wondering if Kaidan was having a similar experience downstairs as the men of their lives helped him prepare, or if they were all just sitting around drinking beer and waiting for her to finish getting ready.
Shepard stood on the landing at the top of the staircase closest to the door, trying to focus on her breathing as wave after wave of emotions rolled over her. The dress Miranda had lent her was gorgeous, and somehow fit her curves just right. The off-the-shoulder neckline reminded her of the dress she’d worn to the Council victory party after they’d defeated Saren, making her smile at the memory of how that evening had ended with Kaidan in her hotel room. Her hair had been curled and pinned up carefully, and her make-up could’ve passed as professionally applied after the care her friends had taken in its application. She clutched the bouquet Kasumi had arranged just for her, the aroma of the fresh flowers filling her nose as she held it close to her body.
“Siha, you look- You are breathtaking,” Thane’s voice came from behind her. She hadn’t even heard him approach, of course. She turned to see him standing a few feet away, his hands clasped behind his back as he stood rigidly straight. The same stance she was accustomed to seeing him in. She smiled gently at him before glancing down at herself.
“Thank you, Thane. I’m so glad you agreed to be here. It’s not… Too hard for you, is it?” she asked as she walked closer to him. She looked deeply into his big, dark eyes, her heart aching as a small smile tugged at the edges of his lips.
“No, Siha, it is not too hard. I am happy for you, and for Kaidan. He is an honorable man, and your love for one another is singular. I am pleased that you invited me,” he responded in his gravelly voice. A wistful smile spread across her lips as she took a few steps closer to him. She reached for his hand and grasped it in her own, a cascade of memories flooding her mind as she felt his cool skin against the warmth of her own.
“Thane, my love for you was singular too. I’m not sure I could’ve survived my time with Cerberus without you,” she admitted softly. Thane looked at her steadily and she felt him squeeze her hand lightly.
“You could have, Siha. You are stronger than you know, and Kaidan makes you stronger. I hope the two of you have a long and happy marriage,” he responded assuredly. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before pushing forward. "Cherish him, Siha. Do not make the same mistakes I did with Irikah. Just promise me that."
Shepard held back the tears threatening to escape as she looked into his eyes. "I promise, Thane. I'll never take him for granted." Thane nodded his head, satisfied with her answer.
“I must rejoin the other guests downstairs. I just wanted to speak to you one final time before you belong wholly to another.”
Shepard felt the breath leave her lungs at his words. He meant well, but they stung. He pulled his hand from her grasp and turned to walk away. He was a few paces away before Shepard took a few steps after him.
“Thane, I-” she began as her hand reached toward him again. He stopped, his back still facing her. His head lowered as his gaze fell on the ground in front of him. Seeing him hang his head made her heart ache again. “I’ll always think of you fondly, Thane. I hope you know that. I’ll always remember our time together, and cherish it.”
He turned around to meet her gaze, staring into her eyes before closing his own for a minute. He let her words resonate as the sounds of the other guests drifted up from the floor below them. He opened his eyes again and cleared his throat with a guttural sound.
“For you, the memories will fade. But I will remain tu-fira, Siha,” he responded in such a soft tone that she could barely hear him.
“Shepard, it is almost- Oh, Thane, I did not expect to find you up here,” Liara said as she reached the top of the staircase. Her eyes darted quickly between the two of them. Thane’s gaze didn’t waver as he kept his focus on Shepard.
“Pardon me, Liara. I was just heading back downstairs,” he replied before turning again. He walked away swiftly and Shepard took a deep breath to steady herself before turning back toward her friend. Liara’s expression showed her concern, but Shepard waved her hand at her dismissively.
“Don’t worry about it, Liara,” she whispered reassuringly as she draped her arm across her shoulders and led her back toward the staircase. Liara’s gaze lingered uncertainly on Shepard for a moment before a smile spread across her face. She nodded her head and began descending the stairs before the bride.
The apartment had been transformed. Shepard wasn’t sure how everyone had pulled it off with such little time to prepare. There were flower arrangements placed throughout the apartment and a long trail of silk served as a makeshift aisle for her and Liara to walk on as they made their way toward the intricate arch set upon the first landing of the second staircase.
Shepard felt her heart leap as her gaze rested on Kaidan, standing on the landing with the officiant and Jeff. Her eyes were glued to him as he and Jeff fussed over something between them, likely the ring.
As a reverent silence fell across the room Kaidan and Jeff both straightened and turned, their eyes falling on Shepard as she stood at the beginning of the silken aisle. Shepard smiled affectionately as her gaze met Kaidan’s, his eyes widening as he took in her beauty. Her heart fluttered as she looked at him in his suit.
Glyph began playing Liara’s song again and she slowly began her march toward her groom.
She could hear the soft whispers of their friends as she crossed the room, but her eyes remained on Kaidan. The soft smile on his lips and the look of complete infatuation on his face made this moment completely perfect. As she eventually reached him, he grasped her hands and brought one of them up to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. With the soft smile still on his lips and her hands clasped in his they faced one another as the officiant began the ceremony.
After the officiant had concluded his introduction for the ceremony, he turned his attention to Shepard and announced that she would now say her vows. Shepard turned slightly to grab the folded piece of paper she’d written her vows on from Liara’s grasp and opened it with unsteady hands.
She was glad so many of their friends had shown up, but now she was incredibly nervous to declare her love in front of them all. They’d all known about her relationship, but this really made it official. It felt equally freeing and terrifying to finally admit how much this man meant to her in front of the people she loved most in the galaxy.
They certainly wouldn’t need to sneak around anymore after this.
She cleared her throat and glanced up at Kaidan, his whisky-colored eyes sparkling and a tense but encouraging smile on his face. Her eyes turned downward to the paper in her hands and she began to read:
Kaidan, in a world that continues to demand too much of me, you are my safe place to land. When I have to risk everything for the sake of the galaxy, I do it so I know you’ll be safe. From our very first mission together I knew I could rely on you, and since then you’ve proven that time and time again. I’m not sure what we’ll face with the Reapers and Cerberus, but I do know that there’s no one else I’d rather have by my side. You keep me safe. Thank you for being you. I love you.
She finished reading and folded the paper back up, looking up at Kaidan with an uncharacteristically timid expression. She handed the paper back to Liara as Kaidan reached for his own from Jeff. His hands were as steady as his unflinching gaze as he unfolded it and took his turn reading:
Natasha, no one has ever loved me the way you do. It is the most breathtaking, incredible, boundless love and I am the luckiest man alive to be on the receiving end of it. Three years ago, you let me into your heart, which wasn’t the easiest thing for you to do after everything you had lost. You took a big risk by letting me in, and I hope to prove myself worthy of that trust every day for the rest of our lives. I’m going to fight like hell to win this war, and I’ll follow you anywhere it takes us. Remember that from this day forward, you’re not alone.
Shepard wiped away a tear that had fallen as he’d read his letter to her and smiled softly at him as he folded it up and handed it back to Jeff. They took one another’s hands again and turned their attention to the officiant as he began speaking again.
“So, you think L2 will keep our girl happy, Scars?” Shepard heard James ask quietly from above. Her gaze met Kaidan’s as he chuckled. Clearly James didn’t realize they were standing just below him.
“I do, Vega. Remember, I’ve been here since the beginning. I was there even after Horizon and Omega. They’ll be okay,” Garrus replied, his voice slightly louder than James’. Shepard watched as Kaidan’s face changed momentarily at the mention of their hardships, a subtle frown pulling at his lips.
“Hey,” she whispered softly as she rested her hand on his cheek, leading his face closer to hers. “I wouldn’t change a single second of our love story, Kaidan. It’s brought us here to this moment, surrounded by our loved ones.”
He looked at her and leaned down to kiss her as the chatter of their friends rose around them.
“I couldn’t agree more, Mrs. Alenko,” he responded with a grin.