My supporters on voted for me to continue this story for the month of June. Here is the result! This chapter is Aria/Liara, and it looks like I'm doing Shepard and Tevos's first meld for the third chapter.
If you wanna know what I'm talking about: www dot dot com / raedmagdon
. . .
Chapter Two: Aria/Liara
Aria watched Liara and Shepard converse on the security monitor, trying to avoid Tevos's unhappy glare at the same time. Her bondmate really had no right to be annoyed over something so trivial. Of all the crimes she had committed, eavesdropping ranked pretty low on the list. 'If reading lips can even be considered eavesdropping,' she thought sulkily, ignoring Tevos's folded arms and her long, drawn-out sigh. She stayed focused on the screen, staring as Liara reached out to caress Shepard's arm. The gesture was clearly meant to be comforting, and the pit of Aria's stomach sank. If Shepard needed reassurance, that meant things weren't as good as she had hoped.
A hand settled on Aria's shoulder, and she flinched until Tevos began kneading the stiff muscles there. "They haven't even rung the bell yet. Give them a moment to talk."
Aria didn't respond. She relaxed under the touch, but her eyes remained fixed on the monitor. She didn't know enough English to understand Shepard, but even without activating the audio, she could tell what Liara was saying.
'Are you sure?'
Those three simple words made her heart sink. She hadn't realized how invested she was in melding with Liara until being confronted with the possibility that it might not happen. In the past, rejection had never mattered to her, and was practically nonexistent anyway. Few people said no to the Queen of Omega. But the thought that she might have come so close only to be turned down...
Aria watched Shepard's face carefully. There was a slight furrow in the middle of the Commander's brow, and her stance was even more rigid than usual. But as soon as Liara's hand brushed her sleeve, her face melted into a smile. She let out a deep sigh, and whatever weight she was carrying seemed to lift. When Shepard nodded her head yes, Aria let out her own sigh of relief. She finally allowed herself to look away from the screen. "Done spying, are you?" Tevos asked with a mixture of fondness and disapproval.
Aria didn't answer. "Why wasn't there any tension before Liara melded with you?" she asked instead, tilting her head a little so Tevos could continue rubbing her neck.
"Is that supposed to be a rhetorical question?"
"Do you always need to be so sarcastic?"
Tevos laughed and shook her head. "You prefer me that way. And I think it's more than obvious why Shepard might be uneasy about allowing Liara to meld with you."
Although Aria hated to admit it, Tevos had a point. She was selfish where Tevos was generous, stubborn where Tevos was diplomatic, brash where Tevos was subtle. She was not an easy person to meld with, nor was she an easy person to trust. The fact that Tevos had grown to trust her, even love her, was a minor miracle in and of itself. Expecting the same trust without any signs of hesitation from an established couple who already had a daughter and a life apart from hers was, perhaps, expecting too much.
As always, her bondmate read her emotions. Warm lips brushed the knot of her spine, and Tevos's hands cradled her hips, guiding her in a slow sway. "I don't need to meld with you to know what you're feeling right now," she whispered. "You're afraid. And you're afraid of what being afraid means."
It was true. In her experience, fear and sex mixed together usually meant bad things. There had been Liselle's father, Nyreen, Tevos... especially Tevos. Fearing for her bondmate's life on a regular basis wasn't exactly pleasant. Whenever someone new was added to the short list of people she cared about, they became another chink in her armor. Another opportunity to be hurt. But with Liara and Shepard, it was too late to reverse the damage. Melding was only the culmination of what she already felt.
Before she could give voice to her thoughts, Tevos's chin tucked over her shoulder. "Look again," she whispered, letting go of her hip and pointing.
In a rare show of obedience, Aria looked. Liara held Shepard's face in her cupped hands, and their foreheads rested together. Although her eyes were closed, Aria knew they were shot through with black. For once in her long and colorful life, she felt guilty for intruding on something that wasn't her business. Perhaps Tevos's feelings on the subject had taken root in her after all. If Shepard was a disease that spread compassion where it wasn't wanted, Tevos's moral streak might very well kill her.
When Tevos's lips touched her throat again to provide enough contact for a meld, Aria didn't resist. She lowered her barriers, letting her lover sift through her insecurities, her confusion, all the unstable emotions she usually buried. Tevos was skilled at what she did, and Aria allowed her to pick apart the knot. 'You don't have to be afraid of this. Caring for someone else isn't weakness.'
Each reassurance put her heartstrings back in order, and she went limp in Tevos's arms. She didn't often seek comfort, even in the safety of her bondmate's mind, but she couldn't deny that she needed it this time. Since she was already vulnerable, she sent Tevos a rare, affectionate thank-you without worrying about how it would make her look. 'What did I do to deserve you?'
'You're not as prickly as you seem from the outside. And the way you wear that jacket helps.'
Gently, Tevos withdrew from her mind, and Aria returned to herself feeling much calmer than before. She turned in Tevos's embrace, and the two of them shared one last mental caress before they parted. "Thanks, babe."
"Another rare occurrence," Tevos teased, lacing their fingers together and squeezing her gloved hands. "You're unusually affectionate and polite today. I should invite Liara and Shepard over more often."
Aria didn't take the bait. Instead, she continued studying the soft contours of Liara's face. Her eyes had opened, and their color had returned to a lighter blue. "What was it like?" she asked, folding her hands over Tevos's to keep them firmly on her hips.
Tevos didn't ask her to clarify what 'it' was. "Intense. I've never known a mind like hers before. But if you're concerned she won't be strong enough to handle you, don't worry. She's more than up to the task."
"Really?" Aria asked, allowing a little skepticism to creep into her voice. "From what I saw on that vid you sent, the two of you fell into each other's arms like old lovers. You could've played the Blue Azure soundtrack from Vaenia and it wouldn't have been out of place."
Tevos laughed and let her go. "I'll admit you're right, but don't feel obligated to meld with her the way I did. You don't have sex with her the way I do. Why should the union be any different?"
It was a good point, but before she could say so, the bell rang. The noise sent a spike of startled anticipation through her chest, one that she tried valiantly to ignore. She didn't want to appear too nervous or too eager. It simply wouldn't do for the Queen of Omega to be anything but calm and cool, even in front of those she trusted. Besides, she knew Liara was somewhat sexually invested in her performance. With centuries of practice, she was able to collect herself and press the button beneath the screen. "You're late, T'Soni," she drawled.
An adorable look of annoyance crossed Liara's face. It was almost identical to the expression Tevos gave her whenever she did something objectionable but unsurprising. "Isn't it a bit hypocritical of you to complain about my tardiness? You never make any of your appointments on time."
Tevos stifled a laugh behind her.
"True," Aria admitted, "but I'm always late on purpose. You're just late."
"What about Shepard?" Liara asked, nodding over at her bondmate. "For all you know, it could have been her fault."
Shepard held up her hands in protest. "No. Uh-uh. I'm not getting involved in this. You two do whatever you need to work through your sexual tension, but I'm staying out of it."
Aria opened the door and stepped aside, allowing their guests to enter the apartment. Liara went in for an embrace first, and she returned it, trailing her fingertips along the column of the maiden's spine. She knew she had been successful when Liara sucked in a sharp breath beside her cheek. "It's only a hug, T'Soni," she teased, enjoying the way Liara shifted against her, torn between pulling away in embarrassment and snuggling closer.
The points of Liara's cheeks flushed a vivid shade of purple beneath her freckles. "You know, lies aren't nearly as effective when they're the only thing coming out of your mouth."
Aria let her lips hover a few inches away from Liara's, but she didn't dip forward. It wasn't quite the right moment. "And how much time do you spend staring at my mouth?"
Liara huffed and didn't answer, but they lingered in each other's arms for a few more moments as Shepard and Tevos shared a kiss beside them. It was much deeper than a simple greeting between friends required, but also clearly affectionate. "How does a stiff drink and some Blasto sound, Shepard?" Tevos asked once they pulled apart. "I think I could be persuaded to watch a few explosions."
"Can we watch Blasto Cures The Genophage?" Shepard asked hopefully.
"Do you want your blowjob before, or after?"
A strangled sound of embarrassment caught in Shepard's throat, and she coughed several times. "I, uh… I didn't mean..."
"Well, I'm not going to do it during the vid," Tevos teased. "Blasto isn't exactly what I would call erotic." She let go of Shepard and turned toward Liara, opening her arms. "Come here," she murmured, and Aria felt a small sense of loss when the warm body against hers shifted away. She surrendered her hold on Liara's waist, watching with interest as she and Tevos melted into each other. The kiss they shared was sweet and familiar, and Aria was reminded once again of the vid Tevos had sent during her last trip to Omega.
When the two of them didn't part after several moments, she shared a sidelong glance with Shepard. "Should we kiss too, or is it awkward without Tevos on her hands and knees between us?"
Shepard let out a snort of laughter. "Omega, Petrovsky, a kiss I totally wasn't prepared for... Ringing any bells?"
"You enjoyed it," Aria insisted. She had to admit that Shepard's sexual energy was a refreshing contrast to Tevos and Liara's, but tonight, she was far too on edge to play those sorts of power games with another top.
Fortunately, Shepard was her friend as well as her occasional lover, and seemed to understand that she wasn't in the mood without being told. "As one of my former squadmates once said: In another time, in another life..."
"Really?" Aria's forehead tattoo arched in surprise. "Which squadmate was that?"
Shepard's embarrassment returned, and she rubbed the back of her neck. "Uh..."
"I believe we'll save that story for another day," Liara interrupted. She left Tevos's embrace and stepped smoothly between them, giving Shepard's arm the same reassuring caress she had used earlier. Shepard relaxed in an instant, and Liara leaned in to tuck a wisp of choppy red hair behind her ear. Her voice stayed low, meant only for Shepard, but it wasn't quite soft enough to hide what she was saying. "Go enjoy yourself with Tevos. I love you." Her fingers toyed with the woven band around Shepard's wrist, stroking the skin there with her thumb. "Your wife loves you."
Aria's eyes darted over to Tevos. From the glowing smile on her face, she could tell her bondmate had heard the whispered reassurance as well and approved. While Liara pulled Shepard in for one last kiss, Aria let her hand run across the firm swell of Tevos's backside, stopping over her tattoo in a possessive gesture. She knew its exact placement even while it was covered. "Don't wear that pretty mouth of yours out on Shepard," she said, letting her breath skim along Tevos's neck until she had earned a shiver. "I've got plans for it later once I put T'Soni through her paces."
"Be gentle with her," Tevos whispered, a hint of warning in her voice.
Aria did a double take. "What? She'd be disappointed if I was gentle. Besides, she's used to Shepard. The woman's stronger than a fully-grown alpha varren."
"I meant with her mind. It's... well, you'll see."
Tevos didn't have time to explain further. Shepard and Liara had parted, both looking happy and more than a little disheveled. Sensing her cue, Aria gave Tevos's ass a light slap before sliding her arm around Liara's waist instead. "I'll bring her back in a little while, Shepard. She might have a few new bruises once I'm done, but I promise to return her to you in good working order."
Thankfully, there was no hint of jealousy or insecurity on Shepard's face. The moment outside the apartment and their farewell kiss seemed to have done the trick. She winked and took Aria's place, cupping Tevos's ass on the side without the tattoo. "Hey, take your time. Between Tevos and Blasto, I've got plenty of entertainment."
"You were wise to list me first," Tevos quipped, nipping affectionately at the lobe of Shepard's ear. The Commander made a low moaning sound, and Aria felt the vibration of Liara's laugh against her side. Holding her felt different than holding Tevos, but they were still an excellent fit. "Come on, Shepard. I'll pour your drink."
"How many credits do you want to bet that they end up on the counter?" Liara wondered aloud as Shepard and Tevos disappeared into the kitchen.
Aria snorted. "I don't make stupid bets." She paused, preparing to offer a choice between the dungeon and the bedroom, but she didn't get another word out. Warm lips caught hers, and she completely forgot what she had been going to say. She held perfectly still at first, taken by surprise. Although Liara had kissed her countless times before, it felt different with the understanding of what they were about to do. What should have been familiar suddenly wasn't, and Aria's heartbeat picked up speed. She never would have admitted it aloud, but she felt out of her element despite her centuries of experience.
Soon, her instincts took over. She draped her arm around Liara's waist, pulling her even closer, and teased apart the seam of her lips. This time, it was Liara's heartbeat that thundered. Aria could feel it where their bodies touched. As she re-learned the sweetness of Liara's mouth, the maiden's hands came up to clutch the collar of her jacket, making sure she couldn't pull back. Normally, Aria would have complained. Tevos was the only one who could get away with treating her favorite piece of clothing so roughly. But something restrained her, and the only punishment she offered was a firm nip to Liara's lower lip as their kiss broke.
"Bedroom?" Liara murmured, her blue eyes already much darker than usual.
"Dungeon. If you wanted gentle, you should have asked Tevos."
A sweet, deceptively innocent smile spread across Liara's face. "Later. Right now, I want you."
Aria was almost tempted to pull Liara into another kiss. Tasting her once hadn't been enough, but remembering how responsive the rest of Liara's body was convinced her to hurry. She slipped into the role both of them were most comfortable with, fixing Liara with a hungry, half-lidded stare and nodding her head in the direction of the coat closet. "Elevator. Hurry."
Liara gave a reluctant whimper as they parted, but she obeyed without question. A shiver traveled through her as she turned toward the coat closet and opened the door. Aria had planned to avoid more physical contact until they made it downstairs to heighten the tension, but she couldn't resist the firm swell of Liara's ass. Her hand skimmed its curve, much the same way she had touched Tevos earlier, and she had to swallow a groan as she imagined covering it with several of the bruises she had promised Shepard.
After what felt like an eternity, the elevator opened. Instead of stepping, they stumbled, and Aria's hands found their way to Liara's hips. They were kissing again before the door closed, and this time, Aria didn't bother checking her reactions. She couldn't play the cool, disassociated top tonight, and she didn't feel like forcing it. Liara was going to get a glimpse of her mind anyway. She might as well use the chaotic storm of emotions she felt.
As soon as the lift stopped, she fisted the hem of Liara's shirt and dragged her into the dungeon. She savored the sweet cries spilling into her mouth, the burn of Liara's lips against hers, and the trembling shudders that rocked them both. Their hands knew each other, and they left a trail of clothes behind as they staggered toward the couch. Liara's lab coat came off first, tossed aside without a single glance. Her shirt was next, and Aria helped her take it off between short, hard kisses, groaning when she saw the beautiful strip of blue skin above her pants. A little more of her control slipped, and she wished she wasn't wearing her gloves. Her palms ached to feel Liara without any barriers. She let go long enough to peel them away, determined to drink in the warmth of her lover's flesh uninhibited.
Liara set to work on the rest of their clothes as they tumbled onto the nearest couch. Buckles and straps loosened, and several zippers were pulled down. Aria noticed with some smugness that Liara wordlessly urged her to delay the removal of her infamous white jacket until the last moment, and appeared almost regretful as she moved to throw it into the pile on the floor. "I can keep it on if you want," she teased as she finished unfastening her corset. "I know you've got a thing for leather."
"Unfortunately," Liara sighed as she kicked off her underwear. "But I also have a 'thing' for you, so my taste might be questionable."
Aria had to swallow a laugh. She pulled the jacket back on instead of setting it aside, enjoying Liara's delighted expression as she climbed onto the couch. "You've been spending too much time around Tevos. I don't know where this sarcastic streak is coming from. What happened to the shy, innocent maiden Shepard told me you used to be?"
"How can you miss her if you've never even met her?" Liara asked, shifting beneath her on the couch. Their naked thighs brushed, and Aria shivered, letting her hands wander up the landscape of Liara's body to cup her breasts. They were more than a handful, and beautifully firm, with thick nipples that pushed insistently into the center of her palms. "And honestly, would you have been interested in an awkward, virginal scientist? I doubt I was your type then."
Aria stopped squeezing for a moment to circle the stiff tips with the pads of her thumbs. "Definitely," she murmured between wet kisses to the line of Liara's jaw. "I enjoy corrupting innocent maidens, even if I am a bit out of practice thanks to Tevos."
Liara gave a happy sigh, arching further into the attention. "Have you forgotten that I'm the Shadow Broker? I'm afraid I've already been corrupted."
"I don't mind." Aria dipped down for one last deep, tongue-swirling kiss before she untangled herself from Liara's arms and left the couch. Liara bit her lower lip and aimed a pleading look in her direction, but she ignored it. "It opens up… interesting possibilities." Her expression hardened, and she adjusted her posture, holding herself in a way that allowed no room for argument. "On your hands and knees, T'Soni. I'm going to warm you up a little before I fuck you."
Liara's teasing, flirtatious aura faded, and Aria waited to see what it would be replaced with. She didn't know whether she would receive obedience or stubborn resistance, and she wasn't even sure which she wanted. After a moment's hesitation, Liara followed the order. She flipped over onto her stomach and rose to her hands and knees without a word. Aria smirked. "Good girl," she said again, watching carefully for a reaction to the praise. When Liara's lips twitched into a smile, she was satisfied. She walked the length of the couch, approaching the end and pausing to enjoy the view.
The sight before her was almost too lovely. She stared in awe at the curve of Liara's ass, her sleek legs, the twin dimples at the base of her spine. The smooth expanse of her back was beautiful despite the bullet scars, and her full breasts swayed a little with every shaking breath she took. Aria let her fingers ghost over the unbroken skin of Liara's thigh, trailing up until she was one slip away from the maiden's glistening lips. With Liara in this position, she could see everything. Every spill of wetness, every shudder.
A hint of the tenderness she felt finally broke through. "I think I might be a little in love with you, T'Soni," she said before she could think better of it.
Liara turned to look over her shoulder, and Aria met her eyes. She hadn't thought any part of Liara's body could be more perfect than the prize between her legs, but the soft, delighted expression of surprise on her face was too beautiful for words. She opened her mouth to speak, but Aria didn't let her. Instead, she brought her hand down across Liara's backside in a sharp slap.
The cry that fell from Liara's lips was sweeter than anything she could have said. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she bit her lower lip, flushing once the initial flinch of pain passed. Aria smirked as she pulled her palm away. The mark there was an even deeper shade of purple than the blush on Liara's cheeks. It was almost the same color as the swollen ridge of her clit and the velvety inner folds that hid her entrance. It was such a gorgeous color that Aria couldn't help herself. She broke another blow across the other side of Liara's ass, digging the edges of her nails in afterward.
"Aria!"
She had made Liara cry out her name before, but this time, the victory was especially satisfying. She trailed her fingertips around the twin handprints she had left, tracing patterns over the hot skin. "Good girl," she purred, smirking with satisfaction as Liara melted under the gentle touch. "My name is one of the only words I want to hear from you until I'm finished. Aside from your safeword, the two others you're allowed to say are 'please' and 'more'."
A visible shudder traveled along Liara's spine. She gasped and arched, spreading her legs further apart and lifting her ass higher. With such a tempting target, Aria couldn't resist giving her one more quick tap, more promise and sound than substance, before heading over to the display wall. "Stay," she ordered, forcing herself not to glance back as she examined the various crops and paddles. Eventually, she chose something simple: a black leather crop with a wide tab, perfect for tracing between Liara's legs when she wasn't using it for its intended purpose.
"Aria, please..."
The soft sound of Liara's voice tugged at the knot in her chest. It was a little entitled of Liara to speak without being given permission, but at least she had restricted herself to the right words. Aria gave the crop a quick snap across her palm to test its speed and give, and the cracking noise earned her a quick intake of breath. "Calm your tits, T'Soni," she laughed, turning around in time to see Liara's eyes dart away from hers. "I haven't even touched you with it... yet."
Even though Liara wasn't watching her, she approached the couch with a confident sway in her hips. After a few steps, she stood in her earlier position, running the edge of the crop between the vivid purple lines her nails had left on Liara's thigh. Liara's body swayed, torn between pushing into the light, feathery contact and pulling away from it in preparation. Aria corrected the behavior instinctively, giving a light tap with the crop's tab. The strike was hard enough to sting a bit, but soft enough to leave her wanting more. Liara stiffened, then melted a split second later.
"Hold still. Otherwise, I'll give you a real punishment instead of a reward."
Liara's head sank in acknowledgement. She straightened into a comfortable position and stayed there, waiting breathlessly. Aria made her suffer in silence for a few seconds before snapping the crop again. Her second blow was harder than the first, and the sound was sharper, but Liara's reaction was the same. She shivered, struggling to stay still, and Aria could tell that the urge to push back had almost won out over the instinct to pull away.
"Gorgeous," she sighed without thinking, letting the leather tab tease the flesh she had struck. Liara hissed a little, but the noise quickly became a whimper as Aria dragged the crop inward, following the trails of shimmering wetness that had begun sliding down her thigh. She paused for a moment at the outer lips of Liara's azure, but temptation won out. She let the tab slip over the stiff sweep of Liara's clit, trapping it underneath.
"Please," Liara begged, the muscles in her shoulders and arms bunching as she struggled to hold still. Her body locked up even tighter than it had after the stinging slaps of the crop, and Aria didn't have to see the darkness in her eyes to know that her head had to be humming with the need to join. "Aria, more..."
"That almost sounded like an order," Aria said. She pulled the crop away, letting it graze near Liara's entrance. "Are you the one giving orders here, T'Soni? I'll add 'yes' and 'no' to your approved vocabulary list."
Liara rocked her hips, completely forgetting the command to stay still as she searched for the contact she had lost. Even though it was endearing, Aria gave her another swift tap to remind her. It left a beautiful bruise on Liara's soft blue skin, but it also coaxed out another pulse of wetness that slid over the shining ridge of her clit. "No…"
"Right. Then shut up. You're going to take ten more without making a sound, and if you're good, maybe I'll give you what you want." She paused, waiting for any objections, but none came. Liara was being surprisingly pliant tonight, and Aria could tell that she was desperate enough to obey almost any order. Under other circumstances, she might have taken advantage of it. It wasn't often that she had the opportunity to seize so much control from Liara. But something held her back. Perhaps it was her own desire to push further, to know Liara's mind as well as her body.
She waited for just a few more seconds, enough time to make sure Liara wasn't going to move. Then, when the maiden was completely still, she began her count. The first was sharp, a test of how hard she could go. Liara flinched, but managed to remain silent. Aria circled the imprint she had left with the edge of the tab, waiting for her to relax. "That's one." The next several swats came in quick succession. "Two. Three. Four."
Liara began breathing heavily, and Aria paused, trailing the crop up along her spine and circling to check her face. Her eyes were dark and glistening with unshed tears, but she didn't seem to be in much pain. As a reward, she dragged the leather tab back down and teased it through the slick, pouting lips of Liara's azure. That nearly made her forget her orders, and she was barely able to swallow a moan. Aria pretended she hadn't heard, but left her clit alone. For once, she didn't want to make Liara fail.
"Five. Six. Seven." The blows broke across the backs of Liara's thighs, where there wasn't quite as much cushioning. It was enough to make her stiffen and shake, but she kept quiet. "Eight. Nine…" Aria paused, smiling even though Liara couldn't see. She wasn't often a grateful person, but many of her other feelings tonight had already veered out of character. She was lucky to have a woman like Liara in her life, annoying quirks and all. "Ten."
Liara let out a sigh, sagging forward at the last strike. Aria tossed the crop aside, not caring where it landed. She knelt behind Liara's thighs, sliding her fingers through the wetness she had only teased before. As soon as they came into contact, she felt pressure inside her head, pounding like a frantic heartbeat and searching for a way in. "You can scream my name now," she murmured, bending over Liara's back to whisper beside her crest. The more their skin touched, the greater the pressure grew. "In fact, I insist. And you can meld whenever you want."
"Ah-" '...ria.'
Suddenly, she wasn't alone in her head. She had melded with Liara once before, but not like this. Not with lashing claws of desire and white spikes of heat scoring through her, devouring everything they touched. Liara's need blazed hotter than she had expected, and she had to root herself to keep from being burned away. And then all the raw power, all the want, all the fire yielded. Liara presented it as a gift, and the surrender almost stopped her heart.
In an instant, she understood what Tevos had meant about being careful. Beneath the strength was softness, and the scars that streaked across the landscape of Liara's mind still protected a shimmering sort of innocence. Liara was very much a maiden despite everything she had endured. 'There you are,' Aria thought as she sought out those places, keeping well away from the deep gouges that she sensed only Shepard could touch. 'You aren't as corrupted as you think.'
'No.' Liara's want faded to a slow simmer as she adjusted to the new connection. 'Shepard keeps me honest.'
Aria laughed. 'Honesty is overrated. I'll leave that job to her. But…' She latched on to Liara's desire, the flame she had held earlier. 'There might be something else I can help with.' Her focus returned to the physical realm, and she pushed her fingers forward until Liara's azure accepted them. It didn't take much. Liara was too wet to offer much resistance. Aria sought out the swollen spot along her front wall, enjoying the flashes of red that blossomed behind her own eyes when she found it.
'Oh, Goddess…' Liara began rocking to meet her thrusts, adjusting her hips without being told. Her inner walls fluttered, and Aria had to add more force to the movement of her wrist as the tight muscles gripping her fingers clenched.
'Those words weren't on your approved list,' Aria teased, trying to ignore the swiftly growing fullness between her own legs. Even without direct contact, the sensations coming from Liara were more than enough to push her toward release.
"I know. Please, just take me," Liara hissed. In the midst of the meld, obedience didn't come as easily.
Instead of being disappointed, Aria savored the slip of control. 'You're getting punished for that later. But first, I want my orgasm.' She used the joining to her advantage, testing different speeds and angles until she discovered a motion that sent bolts of pleasure through them both. Once she found the rhythm that worked, she stuck with it, rolling the edge of her thumb over Liara's clit at the end of every thrust. 'Since you're so eager to speak, tell me what I want to hear.' She sank her teeth into the tight cord of muscle that ran along Liara's shoulder, determined to leave at least one mark besides the purple stripes on her ass and thighs. 'Tell me you're mine. Tell me you're mine, and I'll let you come...'
All at once, everything shifted. The word around her spun into something strange and unfamiliar, and Aria grunted in surprise as she lurched forward into Liara's mind. Gunfire, showering sparks from every direction. Dust and smog and screeching beams of bright red light. Oh Goddess, her head hurts. Hurts even though she can't tell where the warm, wet blood running down the side of her face is coming from. Someone pulls her back, urging her up the gangplank with an arm beneath her shoulder.
Shepard. She has to find Shepard. Ashley can't take her until she finds…
There. Charging toward her through the fog, familiar as ever, swathed in flickering blue light. Shepard. Alive, although her armor is dented and scuffed. Her green eyes are burning, tortured. "Williams, get her out of here."
"I'm all right, Shepard." She tries to slip from beneath Ashley's arm, to reach out, but Shepard shakes her head.
"Don't argue with me, Liara."
No. Not now. Not when they're so close. She won't leave. Can't leave. "You're not leaving me behind!"
"No matter what happens, you mean everything to me, Liara." Shepard's gloved hand cups her cheek in the softest touch she's ever known, brushing away the blood and tears. "You always will."
"Shepard…" And then her love is gone, gone from the safety of her arms, backing down the ramp and away from the ship. She's never known such hollow emptiness, or such pride and devotion. "I… I am yours…"
"Mako!"
It took several moments for Aria to find some sense of balance when the memory ended. She remained caught somewhere outside herself, and she had to think of Tevos to remember who and where she was. After several slow, steady blinks, she removed her hand and sat back on her heels, still reeling from what she had witnessed. Beneath her, Liara collapsed onto her stomach, shuddering with ugly sobs and curling her forearm up to protect her face.
Aria reacted on instinct. Liara had never cried like this during any of their previous sexual encounters, and she had never used her safeword, but it didn't matter. She couldn't stand to see this. She shored up the fraying edges of the meld and dove back into the darkness, clutching the most familiar part of Liara's soul that she could reach. The Liara she knew was still there. She was hidden away, blanketed in grief, but at the first gentle touch, she opened up again and accepted the comfort being offered.
'I - I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to see…'
'It's fine.' She turned onto her side, settling onto the couch and looping an arm around Liara's waist. 'I wouldn't have said that if I'd known what would happen.'
Liara stayed quiet for a long time. She simply breathed, and Aria held her, brushing a soft kiss against the back of her neck as she waited. "Just because I don't belong to you doesn't mean I don't love you," Liara said at last, speaking outside the meld. "I want… I need you to know that."
Aria smiled. She had known about Liara's feelings thanks to her melds with Tevos, but hearing them spoken and experiencing them through the meld was different. 'I know.' She gave her own love without words, a little grudgingly, but honestly. As uncomfortable as she was with caring for other people, she couldn't let Liara think her feelings weren't returned. Not while she was so vulnerable.
'So… what now?'
Cautiously, Aria began exploring the rest of Liara's mind. She searched for the desire she had felt before, and was pleased when it began to glow again at her touch. They wouldn't be able to pick up where they had left off, but perhaps there was another solution. "Flip over and spread your legs," she said, running a soft hand along Liara's stomach. "I have an idea."
Liara asked, and Aria answered with an image of what she had in mind. The suggestion met with instant approval, and Liara flipped onto her back, sniffing a little and wiping away the wet streaks on her face. Her tears had only been a brief shower, and Aria was relieved to see that she was already smiling behind them. 'You don't do that for me often,' she said, resting back against the arm of the couch. 'Are you sure?'
Aria didn't respond with words, or even thoughts. Instead, she draped one of Liara's knees over her shoulder and lowered her head. Sweetness spilled over her tongue at the first touch, and she groaned as she pulled the stiff ridge of Liara's clit into her mouth. Resisting the impulse to tease the base with her teeth, she formed a seal with her lips instead and sucked as gently as she could. Liara let out a breathy sigh, spreading her legs even wider and canting her hips up. The gesture of trust and acceptance was reassuring, and Aria knew she had made the right choice. Still, she wanted to be careful.
'Tell me if it's too much. Tell me if I…'
'No.' Liara reached down to caress the back of her head, not guiding, but urging her to continue. 'No, please, don't stop.' Aria slid her palm up along Liara's inner thigh, making sure she was aware of what was about to happen before reintroducing her fingers. It was still a tight fit, but Liara accepted her eagerly, squeezing down as soon as she pushed inside. 'You're fine. More, Aria, I want-'
'Okay.' She began a steady curling motion, catching the same spot she had found before. Her tongue swirled in circles, and she slid her other hand in a soothing line from Liara's hip to the top of her knee. She grazed a few of the marks she had left along the way, but the slightly painful tenderness only seemed to heighten Liara's desire. Sensing she needed one more push, Aria pulled just a little harder with her lips and hooked her fingers up one last time, holding them in place. 'Come for me. You don't have to be mine, but come for me.'
Liara's spine arched, and her inner walls began to flutter. She froze, and for a single moment, Aria felt as though she was holding a small star in her hands. It was beautiful, and for the second time that evening, she found herself grateful. Grateful for the trust Liara had placed in her, even though most people would say she probably didn't deserve it, and grateful for Tevos. When she was surrounded by so much love, she couldn't help but think of the woman who had opened her heart to it.
Then Liara's release swept over her, and she couldn't think at all. The sharp contractions rolled through Liara's body and into hers, rushing across the meld as a flood of wetness spilled over her chin and into her palm. The clinging silk around her fingers pulled even tighter, pulsing in time with the small heartbeat against her tongue. It stretched on and on, filling her and draining her all at once, and she dug her nails into the soft skin above Liara's hip, unable to help herself. Thankfully, neither of them minded the slight pain. It was a perfect contrast to the gentleness of her mouth.
Too soon, it was over. Their shared orgasm faded to aftershocks, and Aria rested her cheek on Liara's shivering stomach. She withdrew her fingers, placing a kiss over the swell of Liara's hipbone to cut off a whimper of protest. 'Better?' she asked without looking up. She didn't need to see Liara's eyes to sense her relief.
'Better.'
They remained still for a long time, lingering in the meld, but the connection couldn't be sustained forever. Liara drew back first, and Aria let her go with one last reassuring caress. "What do you think Shepard and Tevos are doing upstairs?" Liara asked at last, shifting into a sitting position and forcing Aria to give up her comfortable pillow.
"They're probably watching Blasto by now. Shepard's stamina isn't that impressive."
Liara rolled her eyes, and Aria waited for her to ask if they could go upstairs. Instead, Liara surprised her by lying flat on her back. "Good. Then they'll be busy for a while."
"You don't want to go up and check on them? After what I saw, I wouldn't blame you."
"In a little while. Shepard will be there." The certainty in Liara's voice never wavered, and Aria knew it was something she would never take for granted. "But I think I owe you an orgasm first. Come kneel over me. I haven't gotten to taste you yet."
Aria smirked and rose onto her knees as Liara had requested. Sharing Liara's release had been intense, but one wasn't nearly enough. "Hey, if you're offering..."
"I am," Liara murmured, sliding a hand around her hip to draw her closer. "After that, I think you've earned it."