This is just a silly little thing I cocked up, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. Rated T for minor suggestive themes.
Liara recoiled. "What is that thing?!"
Shepard stared at her, slightly incredulous at this thoroughly unexpected reaction. "It's a ring…" replied the commander hesitantly.
Liara's eyes were wide with alarm as Shepard cautiously made to rise from the floor.
"What… why are you… what..." stammered the asari. Shepard made a motion to extend the hand in which the small black, open box was placed, but Liara automatically took a step backwards, as if convinced the golden circle was a lethal weapon of sorts.
"I uhm… bought it for you" the Commander managed after a moment. An insistent trickle of sweat was seeping slowly down her cheek and she quickly brushed it away; a nervous tension threatening to make her insides implode. Oh dear!
"How long have you…What do you expect…"
Shepard couldn't help but find the stutter in her voice adorable, but the distraction was only temporary, since she sensed that her proposal had evidently been a huge mistake.
"I love you, Liara. I want to make a life with you. Is that really so weird?" asked the very confused Commander.
Liara was trembling with nervousness, unable to form a response, as she opened and closed her mouth persistently without emitting a single audible sound. Shepard closed the box and threw it haphazardly on the bed, prompting an immediate sigh of relief from the extremely uneasy asari. Uhm okay, think Commander! Shepard took miniature steps towards her bond-mate, slowly drawing her arms out as if to catch a large but pleasantly shaped bluebird. Slow steps now! The distance between them was narrowing. Yes, almost there!
"Shepard, stop!"
The commander froze in her tracks, arms still extended to each side. "Yes?" she croaked.
"Where does that go?"
Sheppard furrowed her brow with puzzlement. "On your… Oh!" Everything was suddenly clear. "On your finger Liara, on your finger!" she replied, feeling her tension quickly evaporating.
"Oh… so that vid I caught James watching with uhm... women with rings in their…"
"Yeah... hmm… I'm going to have a talk with him about that" replied Shepard, sensing a slight flush coloring her cheeks. "So, will you marry me, Doctor?"
The asari almost slumped to the floor from the relief of the tension in her muscles. Shepard quickly caught her and drew her closer; the very thankful recipient of a smile from her lover.
"Only if you promise not to ever even suggest that I get my…"
"I'll take that as a yes" Shepard interrupted, promptly immersing herself in the sweet taste of her bond-mate's lips.
That's it. No more extranet-time for James!