"All the Time in the World"

MaleShep/Miranda

Written for "Leather & Lace Challenge 2019" - Prompt - Morning Cuddles

Summary: One early morning, Miranda makes a realization as she and Shepard share a morning cuddle.


Miranda Lawson loved waking up before Marc Shepard did. It was opportunity to seize those rare little moments with him while he was asleep and vulnerable. The stress lines that were there during the day were hardly visible when he was relaxed. He always did look at peace when resting.

Generally though, she loved watching him sleep.

On this morning, he was on his stomach - his face turned in her direction - and he clung to his pillow with both arms. She admired his broad shoulders, the curve of his back, and the way the sheet their shared barely covered him. Half his face was practically buried in his pillow, and his lips were slightly parted in deep slumber.

'Adorable' probably wasn't the right word, but it was the only one she could think of.

Slowly and quietly, Miranda moved closer to Shepard until there was barely any space between them. Upon reaching up with her hand, she carefully brushed a finger over his temple to trace a hairline around that spot. She did the same along one of his thick eyebrows, a feature she had come to find endearing since they started their relationship.

Unable to help herself, Miranda leaned just a little closer until she placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. A small groan escaped his throat and he began to stretch his limbs a little. She couldn't decide whether or not she was disappointed that she woke him up… but there wasn't anything she could do at this point.

One tried eye opened to look at her and Miranda gave him a soft smile. "Good morning," she greeted softly.

He smiled back - something he didn't do very often, and she relished the sight every chance she got. "Morning, gorgeous," he replied, his voice low and groggy.

She loved it when he mentioned her beauty, as vain as it was.

Miranda noticed Shepard moving his left arm, which was almost completely healed from the burns he received at the end of the Reaper War. She welcomed it when his hand went to her waist. He pulled her closer to him until there was barely any space between them. Her own arm encircled around his back, and her fingers lingered over one of a handful of scars from past surgeries that saved his life.

They both closed their eyes and simply laid like this for a while in silence. It was easy to just fall into their own world. Their new home on Elysium was quiet and isolated – the right kind of place for Shepard to recover both physically and mentally after he resigned from the Alliance. A year ago, this new and quiet existence would've drove Miranda crazy, but now? If it meant waking up like this with Shepard everyday for the rest of her life, then she could definitely get used to this.

They finally had a normal life together, something they both wanted for far too long…

Miranda nearly fell asleep, but a soft kiss to her forehead woke her up. It served her right for doing the same thing to him a few minutes ago. "I think it's your turn to make tea…" Shepard said tiredly.

She groaned a little, and she did not bother to open her eyes. "Hrm… not now. Besides, I thought it was your turn," she grumbled.

"Hmm… no, definitely you. I made that cinnamon flavored coffee yesterday morning, remember?"

Damn… he was right. "Mmm… later. Maybe in five minutes…"

"…Too comfy?"

"Mm hm…"

"Same…"

"…What time is it?"

Shepard's arm pulled her just a little closer to him. "Hmm… who cares. We have all time in the world now…"

Miranda smiled at that. She could definitely get used to this new life, she was certain of it. "Yeah. We do…"