This story has already been posted on kinkmeme, but I'm working on polishing the rest of this for my profile. The prompt asked for some more angst for the Garrus/Shepard/Kaidan love triangle, and I couldn't resist taking it on. I'm just a sucker for these three. Updates should be coming :3!


"Officer Vakarian, your presence is requested for a ground assignment."

Garrus glanced up towards EDI's chirping voice before he closed one of the cannon's metal panels. Shepard hadn't mentioned anything to him earlier about leaving the Normandy, but he was already tentatively excited. Those small ground missions with her had started to feel few and far in between lately.

He stood, sliding his gloves off and peeking up again, "I'll be there, EDI."

After cleaning up the battery, he made his way to the shuttle bay. He was seeking out that familiar mop of red hair when the door slid open for him to find Kaidan sitting across from where Garrus stood. He was loading a pistol in his hands, letting the clip pop into place as his eyes focused in recognition. "Hey, Garrus."

"Oh, Kaidan." He tried to contain his surprise by turning nonchalantly to his locker, pulling out his rifle before loading it quietly across his folded knee.

"Not expecting me?"

Garrus didn't look up, but did pause his stewing hands, "I never know what to expect when I get called up here."

Kaidan gave a breathy, single note laugh, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

What he had said was mostly true, but Garrus had nearly forgotten that Kaidan had recently come aboard in the first place…and he hadn't exactly processed that he was part of the crew again. Garrus still pictured him best standing on Horizon's dusty surface, scowling with his arms crossed as he spoke to Shepard. It wasn't that Garrus didn't have the utmost respect for him, but it had been a long time since they had worked alongside each other.

Footsteps behind Garrus relieved him of having to say something else. He turned to see Shepard in full armor already, putting her hands on the hilt of her waist as she examined the two men.

"Sorry for the short notice, guys. We got intel about some possible reaper tech at a small research facility nearby. All we're doing is picking it up for the Alliance," She paused to elegantly set her assault rifle on her back, "But, we always liked to be prepared, don't we?"

Both Garrus and Kaidan nodded obediently and finished getting ready. Garrus glanced at Shepard, who gave him a small wink before disappearing to talk to Steve. She did that often to him, especially after they started seeing each other. It was a strange human custom, but oddly comforting as a silent affirmation of their camaraderie, and was not unlike the small encouraging smiles his mother used to give him. He always tried to wink back, but she usually turned away by the time he mastered it.

They soon dropped down on the chilly green planet, landing a hundred or so meters from the facility. It was an unpopulated world except for the archaeologists who had found Prothean relics years ago, but the site seemed to be thriving with new finds recently.

"No breathers today, boys. Try to enjoy the fresh air," Shepard patted Garrus on the back as the hatch opened, before all three of them hopped down to the soil. They started their short trek over to the entrance, the sound of boots on grass and the hum of the facility keeping them company.

"Smells fresh here…like Vancouver," Kaidan fell to Shepard's side as Garrus did the same, letting her lead from the center.

Shepard grinned slyly, "You say that whenever we're on the ground and not in a desert."

"I guess when you're used to recycled air, any fresh air smells like home."

"Maybe for you, but this hardly resembles any of Palaven's odors," Garrus snipped, increasing his pace to be alongside Shepard.

Kaidan snorted and Shepard turned to him momentarily, giving him a look before focusing again on their destination.

"Alright, they should be expecting us, and they agreed to hand whatever it is over. I'm not expecting any problems, but the reaper memorabilia business isn't a friendly one, so keep your guard up."