Chapter Ten:
"And since I'm terrible at these 'feeling' things you always want to talk about, Shepard, I just want to say that you two deserve each other. Just don't forget your old pal Garrus when you both retire somewhere tropical and live like royalty." There was loud applause and tapping of glasses as Shepard embraced Garrus and Liara gave the turian a friendly kiss on the cheek.
"Not a bad speech," Grizz said. "I didn't get the whole 'King of the Bottle Shooters' bit, though."
Aria wasn't paying attention. Instead, she was glancing at another table. Tevos and Sha'ira were sitting with Sparatus, Valern, and several other diplomats. So far, Tevos had only gotten through one glass of wine, and was just starting her second. Once the toasts were over, she would probably circle the ballroom for a while, doing the whole politician thing. Of course, Aria had other plans. Tevos's socializing would just have to wait.
The clearing of a throat interrupted her thoughts, and Aria reluctantly tore her eyes away from Tevos as Matriarch Aethyta stood up from the main table, voice-projecting mic in hand. "I think this is the part where I'm supposed to thank you all for coming and shit. My kid is kind of a priss, so she gave me a whole fucking list of things I'm not allowed to say in this speech, but... this is too good an opportunity to pass up."
Aria watched with amusement as Miranda Lawson nudged Jack below the ribs. The tattooed woman stood up, her eyes shifting back and forth lazily from Liara's rapidly deteriorating expression to the matriarch.
"Fuck, I'm not joking. She literally gave me a list. To give you some idea about just how much of a headcase you married today, Shepard, I'm going to read a few select items from this datapad..." she held it up, "that my daughter conveniently shoved in my face this morning. Let's see... we've got 'Benezia's tits'... in quotation marks. Y'know kid, I'm really glad your mother and I were able to recreate those for you. One of the only worthwhile things I did with my life. I bet Shepard's glad, too. Then there's, 'speculating about what Shepard and I are going to do on our honeymoon'. No quotation marks. I don't need to speculate. I've walked in on you twice now. But if you ever want some pointers..."
Liara shook her head and buried her face in her hands, obviously mortified. Jack kept glancing to Miranda, wondering if she should step in, but the brunette held up one finger, urging her to wait.
"No? Okay. Then we have, 'DO NOT' – capital letters – 'threaten to kill Shepard. Seriously. Don't do it.' All I have to say is that a lot of people scarier than me have tried to kill her, and she's still sitting there, staring at me and wondering whether to get up and stop me or comfort you. Finally, at the bottom, there's the word 'Fuck'. Actually, there are a lot of swear words below some italicized text saying 'No Profanity'. It's a long list. I wasn't sure you knew that much profane language."
"Fuck!" one of the tiny krogan flowerchildren repeated in a gruff baritone voice.
Aethyta gave a full belly laugh and walked over to pat the child on the head. "Wrex, this kid is all right." Fortunately, Wrex only seemed amused. "So... I've been a shit parent, Liara. I thought I was doing you a favor when I let your mother raise you. She was smart and beautiful and kind, and I thought with a mother like her, you wouldn't need me. But somehow, even without me, and eventually without Nezzie, you grew up intelligent, brave, and strong. I'm damn proud of you, kid. You're already done more for this galaxy, your friends, and yourself than I thought was possible. And if I'm proud, I know Nezzie would be ecstatic."
Jack, who had been about to intercept the microphone on Miranda's cue, leaned back instead and kept listening. Liara peeked out from between two fingers, although her hands still covered her face. Shepard looked torn between amusement and fear.
"And Shepard. You've done good by my Little Wing. We don't always agree, but I know she loves you like crazy, and you'd go to hell and back to take care of her. So do what I should have done and give her everything she deserves, because it's a hell of a lot. Now, at the end of this speech, I think I'm supposed to give you advice about marriage or something. But I'm not going to, since the two of you are probably already better at relationships than I ever was. A thousand years old and I still don't know crap. Keep doing what you're already doing, and be happy, because you've earned it. I'm proud of you both. And take a fucking drink already, Liara, you look like you're about to cry or fall over or something."
What followed was enthusiastic applause and whistles from about half the crowd, and stunned silence from the other half. For her part, Aria watched with amusement as both Liara and Shepard took long, deep drinks from their wineglasses, obviously thinking that they deserved it. Perhaps, Aria thought, having a parent like Aethyta was punishment enough for Liara's various sins against her and she didn't need to plot her own revenge. It would certainly leave her time for more interesting activities.
Once the toasts were finished and most of the guests had cleaned their plates, Aria figured it was time to give the happy couple her good wishes. The sooner she congratulated them, the sooner she could corner Tevos somewhere and…
And she wasn't sure exactly what would happen next. But she was determined to find out.
It took her about twenty minutes, since both she and the newlyweds were beset by various friends, acquaintances, and all-around nuisances, but finally, Aria managed to make it over to the main table. Shepard and Liara seemed fairly pleased to see her, perhaps because they were tired of the simpering and worshipful ardor some of their other guests had displayed. It was one disadvantage of becoming heroes.
Aria had no such delusions about either of them. She had watched Shepard get drunk off her ass and pass out on her divan twice now, and knew Liara was kinky enough to give Tevos a run for her credits. They were heroes, but also mortal, with their own flaws and quirks just like everyone else. Shepard in particular hated being deified. Liara tolerated it, barely, but only because she was polite.
"Nice little ceremony you had earlier," Aria drawled as she shifted her weight to one hip. "Congratulations. The quilt was a nice touch. I'm guessing your favorite part was when Williams smacked your ass with her sword, though."
Liara was unable to hide her rapidly spreading blush. "I suppose I was expecting too much when I assumed you wouldn't get around to teasing me on my wedding day." She turned to Shepard, obviously expecting the Commander to defend her honor.
Shepard held up her hands and shook her head. "Oh no, I'm not getting involved in this little love spat. Come on, Liara. You have more than enough dirt on Aria to hold your own against her without my help."
"Just try it and see what happens," Aria said, but she didn't sound particularly threatening. Her attention had wandered to the other side of the ballroom, where Tevos and Sha'ira had begun making their obligatory social rounds together. Tevos had a certain light about her, a draw, something that pulled her audience in and enthralled them. Shepard had a similar effect on people, although she was forceful where Tevos was subtle.
"Your outfit is quite... striking, Aria, but I have to say that you don't wear jealousy nearly as well," Liara offered. "If seeing Tevos with someone else bothers you that much, perhaps you should do something about it."
The last shreds of Aria's false bravado unraveled. "Honestly? That's why I haven't had anything to drink tonight."
The curved markings above Liara's eyes lifted in surprise. "Really? Perhaps Shepard could learn a thing or two from your example."
"Hey! I've only had half a glass so far, and it was after your father's speech."
"I was referring to other incidents involving you, alcohol, and sensitive information."
"Information about where you're sensitive," Aria deadpanned. "So, I have no idea what I'm going to do. This is all new to me." She paused. "Some advice from one of those boring couples I always looked down on wouldn't hurt."
"I think I can do better than advice," said Liara. "If you walk out the far doors and find the main stairway, the first bedroom to the left on the second floor–" Shepard coughed the word 'Miranda' into her hand, and Liara quickly corrected herself. "Oh, right. Never mind. And Jack does have a tendency to... destroy things... so try the third floor. Second door to the right is a bedroom. And the first is a linen closet."
Aria was strangely touched, but also amused. "Destroy things?" she repeated, shooting the tattooed biotic a sidelong glance. A very vivid memory of Jack flipping over four tables with just a careless toss of her wrist during a night of drunken debauchery on Omega surfaced for a moment. Shepard's biotics were strong, and her strategic use of them made her absolutely deadly as an opponent, but Jack's raw power could rival an experienced asari Commando's.
Shepard shrugged. "I lost count after two beds, the antique dresser, a couple of mirrors, and the door."
"That's not fair, Shepard. Miranda has been running herself ragged trying to make this day special for us. Of course a dent in the door wouldn't be at the top of her priority list."
"Two dents. In the shape of a pair of forearms. But since they're staying for another two weeks, it's probably better to wait."
"As... interesting... as this conversation is," and it was interesting, Aria had to admit, but not nearly as fascinating as watching Tevos out of the corner of her eye as she debated something with Dalatrass Linron, "I think I see someone else who needs my attention. I'll avoid the second floor," she added dryly. "And I promise not to destroy the furniture."
"Don't forget to confess your undying love and devotion," Liara added, just to see the annoyed twitch of Aria's facial muscles as she prowled away.
"Enjoy my wedding gift," Aria shot back without turning around.
. . .
"Damn it, I've lost her," Tevos said as her eyes scanned the ballroom. Aria's outfit was certainly attention grabbing, and it had been easy enough to follow her progress during the reception until now.
"Do you think she left?" Sha'ira asked, deliberately brushing her fingertips against the small of Tevos's back just in case they were being observed.
"Without coming for me? No. She wore that suit for a reason."
Even though she hoped her friend was right, Sha'ira couldn't help offering a word of caution. "Are you sure she wore it for you? Aria does love attention..."
"She wore it for me. She'll come," Tevos said, trying to sound confident even when she felt the exact opposite. She and Aria had exchanged a few messages over the past two weeks – mostly dirty ones, and a few that were surprisingly tame – but no visits.
"You're playing a dangerous game here, Thea. Falling in to bed with Aria is a lot different than falling in love."
Tevos couldn't bring herself to confirm or deny the fact that she was in love with Aria out loud. She had admitted it to herself long ago, ever since the destruction of the Citadel, and had spent the past year learning to accept her feelings even as she tried to protect what was left of her heart. But there was no clean way out, and she didn't want to say the words aloud, even to a friend. If she could get Aria to say them first, that would be different, but for now…
"Look. There she is," Sha'ira said, instinctively pulling closer to Tevos and tightening her grip around her waist. "I can see her over your shoulder. I'll let her get a bit closer, and then back up just enough for her to surprise you from behind."
"How do you know she's going to do that?"
Sha'ira smiled. "Experience, my dear. Hold still and expect to be touched in about thirty seconds."
Her estimates were right on, and a few moments later, Tevos felt firm hands settle on her hips. That in itself didn't surprise her, but the unmistakable bulge pressing into her from behind made her eyes shoot open and her breath catch. "Having a good time?" Aria's voice whispered beside her crest.
Tevos held perfectly still, neither leaning back against the familiar curves of Aria's body or pulling away. "Could be better," she said coolly.
"Consort, I'm afraid I need to steal the councilor away from you."
Sha'ira gave her a long look. "Any particular reason?"
"Reasons that are none of your business."
"Thea?" Sha'ira asked, giving her friend one more chance to back out.
"It's all right. I'll go." It was hard for Tevos to keep her voice steady when she could clearly feel exactly what Aria had planned for her. The fact that Aria had just deliberately, obviously, and unapologetically staked her claim only excited her more.
"Damn right," Aria said as she pulled Tevos backward against her pelvis. "Now, if you'll excuse us..." As they walked away, Aria made sure to steer Tevos by pressing against the bare skin at the small of her back, claiming the spot she had watched Sha'ira touch before. The message couldn't have been clearer: She's mine. Back off.
"Where are we going?" Tevos asked, partially to cut through the tense, lust-filled silence. Other conversations were carrying on around them, but she didn't seem to be picking them up, and everything felt eerily quiet.
"Somewhere private. I thought I made it clear that your body belongs to me a few weeks ago, but apparently you need a refresher course." Tevos felt a heavy throb between her legs and valiantly resisted the impulse to tackle Aria to the floor in the middle of the crowded ballroom.
Finally, they escaped through a side door and stumbled into a narrow hallway. Desperate for contact – anything more than the maddening presence of Aria's hand on her back – Tevos tried to maneuver Aria against the nearest wall and kiss her, but found her wrists trapped between their bodies. "Ah ah. Someone might see us here. Unless you want everyone to watch while you suck me off..."
So that was what she wanted. Somehow, Tevos had known this was coming the second she felt Aria press against her from behind while wearing the toy. And she definitely didn't object to the idea. It was an activity she had grown to enjoy very much over the past year. "Then where can we –"
"Be quiet and hurry," Aria said, practically dragging Tevos down the hallway.