WARNING: It's nothing over the top.

"Get over here, Scars."

"Look who's talking."

The scars on her figure told a tale. One of epic proportions with their fire-like wisps. The discolored shapes were like shadows of her past that melded into her skin. They covered her more than he had expected, and it tore him apart to see them. She must have caught the look in his eyes because she frowned and looked down at herself with a sense of insecurity.

"It's bad, right?"

He stepped toward her and gingerly ran a hand along her neck and shoulder.

"Hm, at least we're matching. No need to get tattoos." She gave him a confused look and then she laughed. "Vega told you he suggested that he and I should get matching tattoos didn't he?"

"He did, and he also mentioned something about 'flirtatious crap'. Then he tied it up with an impressive apology."

Romantics weren't something that Garrus was particularly good at. It wasn't a secret that it was a developed insecurity in him.

"Good. You don't get anywhere in life with no follow-through."

Garrus didn't like her response and it showed on his face. "Mhh, sorry- my translator is glitching. Do you mean that you wanted him to follow-through?"

She laughed and shook her head with a smile. "Hell no. Even if he had followed-through with his flirting ass, he wouldn't have gotten anywhere with me. I was already gunning for a certain Turian."

He acknowledged her with a hum and ran his hand along her side and down the curve of her hip. She shifted her position to share the water with him, yet he didn't get under the water, he kept his hands on her and even tightened his grip on her love handles. She could feel the sharpness of his talons pressed against her skin.

"Alright, Vakarian- what did you actually come in here for?"

She raised an eyebrow and he scoffed. "Wh-what!? Do you not trust me? I came to wash your hair for you... hmm... and take a shower myself."

Even though she smirked, she doubted his intentions. "Uh-huh."

He reached for the slime that she traditionally cleansed her hair with and proceeded to sift it around in her hair until it began to emit suds. It was relaxing and she was happy to not be alone for once. They bathed together in a sultry silence. Post shower- she had dressed into a robe and was sitting on the bed watching a news replay when he came out of the bathroom. He had gotten half dressed in his pants when he came and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Honey, can we talk?"

Her face held emotional neutrality even though her heart began to pound. She set aside the distractions to give him her attention.

"Of course."

He reached out and took her hand, caressing her palm. The hand that had pulled triggers, saved lives, and took others. His breath hitched in fear.

"I- I am not here to stay."

She raised an eyebrow at him and shifted her position, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. "Palaven command wants me back. They said that Victus wants me as his assistant to his position as Primarch. It sounded like he wanted me to take over his job." Maybe at a time when things weren't as sensitive- she would have laughed at the notion because she had actually mentioned something to him before about being the Primarch. Back then it was more of a joke, but now that it was real...

Her face couldn't hide the look of utter conflict that plagued her mind.

"I- that's great, Garrus. But how is that even possible? Does the Turian hierarchy allow this?" He seemed to think for a moment before giving a definitive answer- which he downplayed.

"I'm sure that command wants me to be involved in rebuilding Palaven. I don't think the job would be too intense, but I won't know until I see for myself." She hesitated to say anything. She was running a thousand lonely scenarios in her head.

"S-so, are you going back to Palaven then?"

His eyes searched her own green ones. He could register the uncommunicated hurt in her demeanor, so he gave her hand a squeeze of reassurance.

"Only if you come with me."

Her doubt evaporated upon hearing his words. The expression of love and admiration on her features signaled Garrus to relax. She reached up to rest a hand on his bicep and leaned forward to kiss him. "Garrus, you have followed me to hell and back on more than one occasion. I think it's time that I follow you for a change. You say the word. I'm right behind you."

His mandibles fluttered, and with ease he had pulled her into his arms. She straddled his waist while he nuzzled her exposed neck. Her hands massaged the muscles in his arms and neck.

"Damn. Well, in that case..." He pulled away from her for a moment to connect their gazes. "If I asked you to stay with me forever, would you?"

Her smile seemed to brighten the room, not only that- but his body came undone at her touch. Her hands rested on his crest, her eyes as soft as love could make them.

"Yes. I would."