Chapter 20:
Andromeda
I slowly came to, my body both heavy and weightless. I opened my eyes, looking up at the ceiling, blissed out of my mind. I don't know how long I stayed like that, but the lighting in the room changed, lessening. Growing darker.
I dozed on and off, reveling in the feel of my body, the memories of earlier. They played in my mind, even when I was asleep, on repeat. Flowing through the air, weaving around my thoughts. Finding space in my very DNA.
"Do you think she's awake yet?" Garrus's voice drifted in from beyond the door.
"We should see." Thane's voice was closer than his.
The door slid open, and the light was turned on. I squinted against it, waiting for my eyes to adjust.
"You're awake." The turian said, approaching the bed.
Quiet. Please.
His voice dropped to a murmur. "Do you have a headache?"
Yes.
The light was flipped off, and I relaxed again, breathing out a sigh of relief.
"Are you alright, baby?"
A gentle hand rubbed my arm. Another, from my other side, pressed against my stomach, splaying fingers.
I am. Just really tired. And probably dehydrated. And feeling exceptionally good.
"'Thoroughly fucked'?" Thane was amused.
A quiet hum left me. Pleasantly so.
A kiss pressed against my forehead, followed by another. And murmurs of love from them both, praise for being so good for them earlier.
...
Finally, I was able to sit up on my own, able to get to my feet. It had taken another hour or so, but I did it, and that's what mattered. The two of them reassured me with that.
I sat on the couch, all curled up on Thane's lap, dozing again, when the smell of chicken reached me. It enticed me enough to wake up, and I snatched the tender from Garrus's hand, devouring it in a matter of seconds. They both laughed, the turian giving them to me one at a time, until I was sated. Dozing off again the moment I was done.
Hours later, I was carried to bed, curling up around Garrus, Thane at my back. I drifted off on a blissful cloud.
...
I woke up refreshed, finding our bed empty. They were in the kitchen, making breakfast. I stood in the doorway of our bedroom, watching them interact. Brush against each other. Steal kisses. It was sweet, and it melted my heart.
"Morning." I greeted softly.
Their eyes snapped to me, roaming my bare form. Nothing but the collar.
"Am I distracting you?" Amused.
"Yeah."
"No."
They exchanged glances.
"Oh, yeah?" I turned. "I'll go get dressed the-"
"No!" Shouted from both as they stepped closer to me.
I opened my mouth, but a ping on my omni-tool interrupted what I was going to say.
"Kolyat is on his way over." I informed them. "I really do need to get dressed, then."
With that, I disappeared back into the room, throwing on my lounge around the apartment clothes. When I came back out, Kolyat was walking through the door. I gave him a little wave, which he returned. Also smiling.
My guys served us food while we got ready for our classes to start. Thank the goddess yesterday had been Tuesday. With this new schedule, I had Tuesdays and Saturdays off. If I had missed a day of classes... Half of me didn't care. The other half would have been upset. And I didn't know which side would have won.
We ate while our first classes were underway, the two older men retreating to our bedroom so they wouldn't disturb us. I could hear the soft buzz of the tv in the room, not loud enough to cause a bother.
Around noon, they came out and made us lunch. A much-appreciated gesture.
Finally, the end of the classes came, and I let out a groan, pushing away from my desk and getting up.
"I don't envy you." Kolyat said as he closed the tabs on his laptop before shutting it down.
That comment earned curious looks from both men.
"I skipped almost two years." I explained, flopping onto the couch between them. "I spent the last two months catching up in my spare time, while taking also taking classes for the final six months of the course. I, ah, used my family standings with the Council to get it done. I want to be a doctor before the Reapers show up."
"Where will you want to be?" Garrus asked.
I moved to sit between my guys, resting my head against Thane's shoulder. "I'm thinking a lesser clinic. I mean, there's always funding for clinics on the Citadel, but there are varying degrees of it. If I could be on Omega, that would be my ideal location."
"What about... the Normandy?"
I tilted my head, glancing over at him. "You have Chakwas. I doubt I would be of any use to you guys, other than the times she needs to sleep."
A knock on the door had us all exchanging glances. Before anyone could get up, there was a shout.
"Oi. Open the door, Meda."
I flew off the couch to the door, opening it and throwing myself at Nyreen. She grabbed me up against her, holding me tight. We stood like that for a while, before a tapping on my shoulder caught my attention. Kasumi was standing beside her, a smirk on her face.
"What, nothing for me?"
I laughed, switching between the women. "I missed you both." I wailed. "I would've reached out, Kas, but you were on the mission with my men. I didn't want to distract you."
The turian tsked. "And what's your excuse for me?"
"I didn't know what you were up to. If you were still on Omega or not." I bit my lip. "I didn't wanna be a bother."
She rolled her eyes, amused. "You're never a bother, wolfie." A pat on my head.
A few moments later, I pulled back and invited them into the apartment.
"What brings you both here?" I asked, grabbing some drinks from the fridge as they moved to the living room with the stools from my kitchen island.
"We just wanted to see you in the flesh." She explained, nodding to the guys. "Wanted to see how you were doing and all that."
"I'm doing well." I assured with a smile, handing out drinks, before sitting between my mates. "Been busy with schooling. Spending time with my guys. My family is coordinating the packs, getting them to pledge their strength against the Reapers, when they come. So, yeah. I've been busy but well."
"Don't you look like a happy little family." Kasumi teased, her smirk growing.
I blushed, unsure how to respond to that. Kolyat and I were technically step-parent and child, but we'd never acknowledged that. We were friends.
"Picturesque." He nodded, chuckling.
I wasn't sure if it was my pride or Thane's that filled me- maybe both.
"Does that mean I can give you a curfew and tell you I don't like your friends?" I asked, unable to stop the grin from pulling at my lips.
He looked back at me with a snort. "Only if it means I can complain to my father about you."
We dissolved into laughter, our interaction surprising the older men. The two women shook their heads, but it was clear they were relieved to see me happy.
Their visit went through until almost midnight, and they only left because I was dozing off. Goodnights were exchanged, and before they'd even walked out the door, I was gathered up and carried to the bedroom. I snuggled up between the two, falling into a blissful sleep.
...
"I love you." I murmured, pressing kisses to his mandibles.
His fingers dug deeper into my hips. "I love you."
"I'll be here. Just a call away." I reminded him.
"I know." He sighed. "Are you sure you won't come with me?"
"I have schooling here, love. I need to attend labs. And you need to focus on your mission. You have to rally the turian government, and that's going to take all your time. Don't worry about me. I can manage. I've gotten good at waiting for you."
I started nipping at the edges of his mandibles now. He shivered.
"You have to go." I murmured softly. "If you don't go soon, the ship will leave without you."
Still, he didn't move. I did it for him- stepping away, moving out of his hold.
"I love you."
"I love you." He echoed.
He'd already said his goodbyes to Thane and Kolyat- who he got on rather well with. I watched as he walked into the airlock with one last backward glance.
An arm wrapped around my waist, and I smiled up at Thane.
"Let's go." He said quietly.
I nodded, letting him lead me away.
...
Four months passed, where Garrus kept us up-to-date on how things were going on his end- the government hadn't been so keen to listen, but he'd laid it all out for his father and was given a taskforce to get things done. They were strengthening comm lines, bolstering caches throughout the colonies. Making sure the early detection system was working the best it could. I was so proud of him.
Today was the most harrowing day of all. Something I hadn't been looking forward to for months. A day that I was dreading.
"Andromeda." Low, as he walked through the bedroom door. "It's nearly time to go."
I looked myself over one last time. A deep red skater dress, silver flats. My outfit matched my collar, something I'd really wanted.
"You don't want to be late."
"I know." I bit my lip. ""Do you think I look good?" Twirling for him.
"If I told you how much the sight of you in this dress affected me, we would not leave this room."
I blushed. "Right. Okay. Let's go."
Kolyat rolled his eyes at me when we walked out into the living room. "It's like you're on your way to your death or something."
"I know." I frowned. "I can't help it. My anxiety is through the roof."
An hour later, we climbed out of the sky car and parted ways. I went to the dressing rooms, and they went to the auditorium. Another two hours passed, before everyone was ready, and people took to the stage. One by one, people were called up. One by one, they received a physical copy of their M.D. Finally, my name was called. Taking a deep breath, I took my turn walking across the stage to shake the Dean's hand, as well as all of my professors'.
And just like that, it was over. My anxiety vanished, leaving me deflated and tired. I went to find Thane and Kolyat after the ceremony had finished, only for my wrist to be grabbed, jerking me into a little alcove. I melted against him.
"You're here." I breathed.
"I wasn't sure I'd be able to, so I told them not to get your hopes up." Garrus murmured by my ear.
"You're here." I relaxed further, overwhelmed.
"I am."
The other two found us moments later, with me crying into his shoulder. They didn't say anything, just stood around.
Finally, after I'd calmed down, we went out to eat. I tried arguing against it, because I just wanted to be home with them, but Thane used that tone, telling me they wanted to show me off in this dress. And who was I to argue with them? The memory of that sent a shiver through me. Maybe, if I was good, they would reward me before Garrus had to leave again. Before I got my assignment and possibly had to relocate.
They took me to that fancy restaurant on the Silversun Strip, the one with the fish tank as the flooring. I loved it- seeing all the fish swimming around delighted me. I didn't care much for sushi, but I ate it anyway. I wasn't about to turn my nose up at their thoughtful gesture.
I was so wrapped up in them after we left the restaurant, I didn't realize Kolyat wasn't with us anymore until we got to the apartment. I blinked, looking around.
"Where's-"
"He's staying in a hotel for the next few nights." Garrus cut me off.
I tilted my head. "Oh?"
The door opened, and I was guided through it.
"Strip."
My heart leaped into my throat, immediately rushing to do as I was told. Thane made a circle with his finger in the air, and I twirled for them.
"Sit."
I dropped down on my heels, looking up at them with a sweet smile.
"You're so good for us." Garrus murmured, running fingers through my hair.
A quiet purr left me at the praise.
"Would you like a repeat of our last time?" The drell asked, fixing the leash to my collar.
I let out a soft whine, nodding. "Yes. Yes, please." A pause. "If it pleases you."
They regarded me, eyes glazed over, for a few moments.
"On your hands and knees."
I did as I was told.
"Come with us."
Again, it should have been degrading, being made to crawl through the apartment to the bedroom, but it was clear they were pleased by my compliance. And that's all I wanted.
"This is going to be a long night." Garrus chuckled darkly. "We've gotta reward you for graduating, don't we?"
I tilted my head.
"Tonight is all about pleasing you." He explained.
I was even more confused, letting out a soft whine.
"What do you want to do tonight?" Thane asked.
Glancing between the two of them, I forced myself to think about it. If this was what they wanted, then I would try.
"I want..." I cast my mind about, trying to find something that I wanted. "You said a repeat. I would like... I would like a repeat."
"Is that right?" A light tug on my leash, and I was raised up, on just my knees now. "Who are we to deny you?"
And they were right- it was a long night. And morning. And afternoon. I wasn't able to do much more than snooze until the morning after that. And that was only because Garrus was leaving, and I wanted to be there to see him off.