"Liara!" Chief Williams barged into the room like a furious tornado, eliciting anxiety within seconds.
Startled, the poor asari practically jumped meters away from the lab equipment, her hand over her thundering heart. She tensed and braced herself to be hit when Ashley stomped over to her, but only grabbed and shook her by the shoulders.
Soon enough, superstition was added to the collection of traits that humans apparently were predisposed to possess.
"Do you know what today is? Do you two want your relationship to fail? Why aren't you out there with the Commander?!"
The Presidium. The sheer majestic size and elegant glamour to it all still intimidated the archaeologist to this day, for it reminded her too much of home. She took a brief moment to glance over the railing, a small smile formed in comfort by the familiar sights of fish and vast pools of water. Then she set off again, unable to be a tourist right now, though tried to pretend that she was one as she casually wandered down the corridor where a familiar figure strolled far ahead. The lack of a crowd forced her to keep this distance between them.
"Where is she going, anyways?" Liara thought. "Are we heading to the other side, to the financial district?"
We. Yes. This activity was a joint effort.
Lucy just didn't know it yet.
However, this activity was threatened to be aborted when the Commander had taken it upon herself to be a tourist. She abruptly went to the railing and did the same Liara had, seeming to find comfort as she leaned and observed the fish.
"Of course she would," T'Soni smiled to herself. "She is likely yearning to catch them."
This situation presented another problem for her. She didn't know where to go so as not to give herself away, and instead latched onto the nearby Hanar as she pretended to be interested in it's preaching of the Enkindlers.
It wasn't long before she was lost to thought.
"I understand the concept of religion, but would the Hanar not be more appreciative of finding out why there are Prothean ruins on their homeworld? Ruins are everywhere, to say that the Protheans are inherently responsible for uplifting them with little study and evidence is somewhat naive. Wouldn't the truth be more valuable than belief?"
"Dr. T'Soni."
The cold-as-stone voice rung clear and nearly made her jump in her skin. Musings interrupted, Liara turned with a sheepish smile.
"Hello, Commander. I didn't expect to see you here."
"You expected me to stay by the railing?"
"Ah... I should have known better than to stalk a Spectre and believe I could get away with it."
Nervous chuckles bubbled out of Liara. She grew awkward over the rhetorical question that seemed to now ask for an answer, with the way Lucy stared as if she expected something. The archaeologist's hands swung behind her for fingers to fidget and grab the hem of her suit for a small scrap of comfort in this embarrassing situation. For some reason, her mouth acted without accordance with her brain.
"What do you mean, Commander? I did not know you were in the area."
There was the slightest curl of lips. "I see." Lucy turned brusquely, her tone a finality to this humble definition of conversation. "Well then, see you later."
Panic set in. Liara was caught for following, though it seemed her lie earned a pass. It wouldn't if she were to get caught again. There was no way to play if off casually and there was still nowhere to hide. If she was going to be discovered regardless at this point, then she might as well get it over with. She picked up speed and walked after Lucy. No words were exchanged between the two, and the soldier didn't seem the least bit curious or perturbed that she was being so blatantly followed.
Liara felt ridiculous for it all, but if she didn't have to explain herself or her intentions, it made her task much easier. She wasn't being evaded or being ordered to cease this triviality.
"I must find out if Lucy has ever celebrated this peculiar 'Valentine's Day' that the humans aboard the Normandy are celebrating. She did not state our objectives here, only that shore leave is in effect. There must be a purpose behind it. It's Lucy, after all. If I can just get a glimpse of her personal agenda..."
Curiosities and ideas dared to circulate as to how this stalwart soldier would celebrate such a day, though many ideas were terrifying. T'Soni found it far more likely that she was going to be taken to a battlefield rather than a restaurant, or thrown all over the gym mat in another blasted 'training session' to teach the marines on how to combat someone with biotics.
No.
It would not happen. Liara would seize the upper hand as soon as she verified it was something Lucy would be intrigued in partaking in, and had her own ideas of how to celebrate. A trip to the markets to find the strongest and sweetest wine would be the first objective, and then a trip to anywhere but the blasted apartment attached to Chora's Den. She didn't have any other plans, otherwise, for she'd learned long ago to cherish what little time she did get to spend with the busybody.
Nothing betrayed Lucy in what she thought of Valentine's Day. They passed many humans and interracial couples celebrating with their human partners, and there was just barely a fleeting glance spared. They visited businesses and the soldier asked Liara to wait nearby while she'd gone to discuss classified matters with Alliance superiors. The archaeologist deflated upon the grim realization.
"She would have never had anyone or any interest to celebrate it, growing up. Today is just another day at work for her."
That just wouldn't do. This issue needed to be rectified immediately. T'Soni engaged her omni-tool and utilized the times she was left alone, researching as much as she could about Valentine's Day. She made it a mission to engrave the history and origin within her mind, knowing Lucy would appreciate and relax with educational material, for she was sure to get tense and awkward once she'd realize what the archaeologist was up to.
One look over the shoulder, and Liara was left scrambling to find where Shepard disappeared off to. She cursed herself for being led to the Citadel's food court hub, the perfect place to blend in with crowds of civilians and soldiers alike. She paid acute attention to arms and eyes, in hopes to catch glimpse of synthetics or illuminated green lines.
What she'd hoped for was some romantic mad dash out as the Commander realized there was something 'immediately more pressing' than work, but alas, she was spotted sitting at a table with a couple of officers, where more business seemed to be discussed.
"Wouldn't she be worried about conversing of classified matters in such a populated place?"
This simply didn't make sense, and there was no way that the soldier would agree to sit here to discuss it. T'Soni continued on hoping, coming over to settle nearby at a standing bar. She ordered a cup of coffee and nursed it as she glanced over often, smiling and shyly waving when she'd met Lucy's eyes. The Commander wore no expression, stone-faced as ever as she seemed to respond to one of the other officers. Then she leaned back in her chair and rested her elbow on the chair's arm, stroking her chin as if in thought, before her hand rested over her mouth to hide it, for some reason. When next their eyes met, Liara couldn't help but turn away to chuckle to herself.
There was a subtle curl at the corners of those lips.
"She's trying to hide her smile."
Every time Liara looked over, those eyes were fixated on her. Shepard was beginning to look bored out of her mind, while the officers seemed more exuberant amongst themselves in their chatter. The soldier's mouth would flicker like a light switch, the smile on when she'd look at Liara, the smile off when she'd look at the officers.
It was a most amusing and endearing observation.
"Mm hm. It seems like this interaction makes her feel like conversing with the Council. I'm surprised she doesn't have her omni-tool engaged to shop for robes again."
Whatever they discussed surely did not seem to be classified if it did not compel or intrigue Lucy to engage. To be able to watch this was very informative - it seemed that the soldier was less prone to relax if the situation did not yield anything productive or, as she'd likely put it, tactically advantageous.
"I would like to spend this day not working, however... Is that really what I will have to do in order for her to celebrate and enjoy it, though?"
It was seeming likely, but Liara refused to give up. She glanced around the court and observed all the other human couplings, her heart yearning to switch positions. Many expressed affection openly, sharing meals and hand touches together. They closed the distance, and instead she was forced to maintain distance. She prayed that the Commander's agenda had some time allotted for unscheduled activities, in which T'Soni could then strike. She had to formulate a plan, organize an attack. Her gaze shifted to the railings at the far end, knowing that what waited beyond them was fish.
She smiled victoriously.
"I know how to help her spend this day not working."
Okay, but, apparently Lucy didn't know how to spend the day not working.
It was a grave error on Liara's part, and she was growing sluggish in her efforts to keep trudging on from one business to another. Any time she tried to suggest visiting another place, the soldier would insist she needed to stop by another.
They had even gone to a postal office, for crying out loud.
"At this point, I believe the only way we'll celebrate is if I put my foot down and be direct with her. No more tasks for her."
"Are you hungry?" Lucy asked out of nowhere.
The question broke the asari's intense musing, caught off guard and stumped. She stared. It brooked concern as the human's eyebrows pinched in a scold.
"Dr. T'Soni, are you okay? You need to keep your strength up."
"What? I'm fine."
"No you're not."
"I think I'd know that I am."
"Yes, but, I noticed you hadn't eaten anything. Come. We'll go to the cafeteria, I'll buy you something."
Off on another mission. Shepard's assertive pace was a reckoning for the asari's to keep up. She waged war upon herself as instinct and hope battled it out, trying to deduce the source powering the feeling brewing inside of her. There was something definitely amiss, either way. Lucy seemed to have changed, for a second, a crack in her usual posture and steady gaze.
Liara didn't bother arguing over the state of her own well-being. Regardless if it was just naive hope or not, she too wanted to sit at the table and exchange meals or touches.
When they reached the cafeteria, her food was ordered for her, and it was yet another war thrust upon her to not roll her eyes the many, many times that she wanted to. She'd followed along, this space between them chilling, and deflated again when they'd reached their table - where the soldier sat opposite to her. Perhaps all these expectations needed to be cast out the window. From the beginning, she'd known this human wasn't 'normal' by any species' standards.
"I am only going to set myself up for disappointment if I continue to observe others, and expect the same from her. She's likely not even aware or finds any meaning in this Valentine's Day of theirs."
Soup was nudged towards her, the gentle sloshing breaking her thoughts. She chuckled, amused by the annoyed poke, and smirked up at the soldier who wore her expression a little more freely than she had with the officers. She decided to tease a little and did not pick up her spoon to eat. Her mirth grew exponentially when Lucy seemed to crack again, grabbing the spoon with a huff as she dipped it in the asari's soup. The spoon was lifted, mouth height.
Liara still didn't budge.
"Have you lost that much strength that you no longer have the capacity to feed yourself?" Lucy asked, genuinely exasperated by the notion. "I told you that you aren't fine."
"Yes I am," T'Soni cheekily murmured, delighted that the stone-face had all but disappeared.
"No you aren't, you can't even lift your-"
With a point to make, biotics handily snatched the spoon and levitated it closer, taking a dainty sip. She never broke eye contact. Laughter bubbled out of her at the incredulous gawking, and she'd nearly made a mess of herself when the soup spilled off the spoon, splashing against the table. This was too much. Lucy was too much, and not enough. There needed to be more expressions like this.
"I feel obliged to point out that energy does not simply dissipate over a quarter of the day of not eating," Liara stated, smirking when the soldier rolled her eyes. "I truly am fine."
With an irrefutable point made, Shepard huffed as she diverted her focus to her own meal. She seemed to be thinking - of a comeback, likely, to still attempt to refute - but said nothing in the end. The silence that grew between them was... Surprisingly comfortable. They'd each observed their surroundings, though T'Soni tried to focus more on her soup so that she could ignore all the expectations still lurking in.
"This atmosphere should be as clear as it gets - an anomaly that even she must be aware of. But she isn't commenting on it."
A beat. She almost betrayed her thoughts with a laugh.
"She isn't panicking over such affectionate displays either, like 'behemoths' and civilians rushing to hug her. So... I suppose she truly is unaware."
Then again, it wasn't like they spent many shore leaves out at the Citadel, and she was certain that - after their time in Thessia - the Commander would never be doing this.
...Never... Be doing this?
Memories sparked and flashed too quickly to adequately grasp, and Liara tried to remain subdued upon her realization. Lucy was so tense in Thessia, and rightly so, after the asari had learned more about the Mindoir attack. The soldier was always vigilant of her surroundings, preparing herself for an attack at any moment.
T'Soni dropped her spoon on the ground. She was quicker than the Spectre - having planned this in advance, after all - and leaned over to pick it up, glancing to see what was under the table. Sure enough, there was a pistol at the ready, resting across the lap.
"I'll go get you another-" Lucy started, but the archaeologist popped back up in her seat with a smile and shake of her head, rising.
"No need, enjoy your meal, Commander. I could use the walk."
Never before had Liara felt so wooden-headed and insensitive. She'd forgotten something so crucial and was expecting miracles, for more interaction - and thereby encouraging distraction from one who felt compelled by the need to stay vigilant, in order to afford what relaxation could be spared. The archaeologist ejected all ideas and plans out the airlock. She shifted her focus, grabbed her new spoon, and marched back to the table with a determined smile.
"I know how to help her spend this day not working or anxious."
Lucy had disappeared.
Liara's head fell in defeat. She was so sure she had it right, then, by encouraging their return to the Normandy - and then along the way, she was ordered to go back on her own so that the soldier could wrap up her business. Work, work, work. Anxiety, anxiety, anxiety. It was a wonder that nobody was shot or punched in order to relieve all that pent up stress.
"Chief Williams... This relationship is doomed to fail..."
Superstition lurked to plague her thoughts. She felt horribly incompetent of a partner who couldn't even help figure out how to relax her Siame.
Despondent, Liara wandered aimlessly. She crossed the mess, and immediately sought to take cover when familiar concerned eyes all fell upon her. She shooed Lucky off when the pyjak instinctively jumped to latch onto her shoulder, and she hid away in the Commander's quarters. She didn't even deserve to be here.
Everybody on this ship was well aware of this relationship between them, even without public displays of affection or scuttlebutt. She had hoped the ferocity of their care for each other would balance out this doom to fail curse now hanging over her for her inability to celebrate Valentine's Day with Lucy - one of humanity's most crucial dictation that today was the peak day for them to celebrate and appreciate love, as Chief Williams explained it. It was a strange ritual, now thinking of it, but she was sure the asari had rituals that would be deemed strange to humans too.
"Regardless, I've failed, and now this relationship will too."
Liara fell on the bed with a sigh, stretching her arms and legs out as she stared the ceiling, numb with the weight of realization sinking in. After all their work, their efforts, their trials and tribulations, this was over. Perhaps they just weren't meant to be with how much effort has been needed to grow and nurture this relationship.
"Have I forced this, all along? Were we doomed to fail from the start, even without today?"
Doubt crept in. She wanted to do today over again. She wished she had spoken up back when she was caught following Lucy, to say what she'd learned, and what she wanted to try. Perhaps the soldier would have cast aside her missions and her agenda. Perhaps.
But not likely.
Duty would always be the dictator of their relationship. These pessimistic thoughts were drilling droves, and she curled up on her side as she closed her eyes, trying to think of happy memories instead. Her mind kept going back to Thessia - and though they were happy memories, they now served as painful reminders of her failure to remember something that was so important to Shepard, even if she wasn't consciously aware of it.
"I should have taken her away the moment she had squared away her duties. Perhaps it became too overwhelming for her at the end, and now she's suffering in solitude so that I won't see it."
Knocks broke her wretched thoughts, and she glanced over at the door, forehead pinched with confusion when she heard Helen giggling on the other side of it. She fell back with a huff and elected to slide under the sheets to burrow away, having no mood to deal with jaunty antics. She was miserable and determined to stay as such, as some measure of repentance for her failu-
"Open up the door, already, Li! You're makin' this delivery guy wait and he's got like a billion flowers he's got to hand out today."
"Delivery? Flowers?"
T'Soni shot up. She all but raced to the door and fixed her suit last second, coming face to face with a beaming grin.
...And a large crate.
"Actually, this delivery is for Commander Shepard, but she'd given permission for a 'Doctor Liara T'Soni' to sign in her stead." The bored man held out a holographic board. "Sign here, please." He kicked the side of the box, gum smacking in his mouth. "It's fragile, so be careful movin' it."
"Then don't kick it, you twat," Helen hissed at him.
They exchanged heated looks. Liara quickly signed where needed so as to dissipate the tension sooner rather than later, and was absolutely floored when the mood shifted between them. Helen winked at him, and he clicked his tongue at her, walking off with his board without any more instructions for the asari.
"See you at the Den later," Helen yelled out. She turned back to face the archaeologist, her grin growing over the obvious signs of bewilderment. "We hooked up once. Great fun in the sheets, ain't no better way to celebrate today, am I right?" She tilted her head as if to spy inside the quarters, then deflated as she looked at T'Soni with concern. "The Commander isn't with you?"
"No," Liara sighed, her despair coming back already. She looked down at the wretched crate and glared at it, kicking it a little herself. "And this is her new toy to play with on the battlefield."
"Oh..."
Helen seemed to be feeling awkward, with the way she shifted her weight from leg to leg. It was obvious that she was groping for words of comfort and encouragement, despite her own bewilderment, but came up empty handed. It was clear that even she believed in the superstition that the relationship was doomed to fail if it was not celebrated today. Her sudden laugh was quiet and strained, and she grabbed hold of the crate.
"I'll uh... I'll help you push this in?"
"No need," the asari grumbled sullenly, turning her palm upwards as she lifted the crate with her biotics. A weapon couldn't be that heavy.
What she'd forgotten was that Lucy bought a missile launcher.
The sheer weight had her straining, and then panicking when she'd realized that nuclear payloads would've been provided with this. She was eternally grateful when Helen inserted herself anyways, grabbing hold of the floating crate from the bottom to take the edge off. They safely moved it over and decided to leave it beside the Commander's work table.
Awkward laughter chased after Helen as she skittered away before this depressing atmosphere suffocated her want to go celebrate. That she couldn't think of anything to help lift spirits or maybe even hopefully blast this apparently-not-a-superstition fact was a telltale sign that this relationship was doomed to fail.
Liara fell in the chair at the worktable, idly signing in to try to distract herself from these visceral thoughts. She refused to give up without a fight, but her motivation had been drained. She was always working and working and working herself - granted, it was on this relationship, but still. Lucy may as well have been a full time archaeological job herself. The asari clasped her hands in front and rested her forehead against them, too exhausted to even go searching on the ethernet for ideas.
"Whatever ideas they will suggest will be for 'normal' humans." A small quirk of her lips. "Lucy is most definitely not anywhere close to that definition."
Suddenly, there was a resounding thud, and she yelped in fright. She nearly fell out of her chair, her eyes growing wide upon the next series of thuds - all originating from the crate.
"D-did she... Did she deliver the varren instead...?"
The most terrifying weapon of all, perhaps - especially one where the Commander had a dreamy look as she actively brainstormed things she could outfit the varren. It would be a mobile arsenal for her to train to stay by her side so that she'd have an infinite supply of grenades at the ready. Liara ruthlessly cursed the delivery man and their blasted trip to the postal office, wishing she'd paid more mindful attention to all the business trips to be aware of what exactly was packed in the crate now.
"Please don't tell me she's packaged the grenades in here as well..."
Self-preservation kicked in, and she held her breath as she crawled backwards as quietly as possible. She didn't want the varren to smash out the crate and rip her throat out. She viciously suffocated a whimper when the entire crate moved a couple inches upon the next hit inside. She went for the bed, pulling the blanket off so that she could drape it over the crate. It'd hopefully slow the varren down by blinding it. As she moved to flutter it over top, she screamed when the crate lid popped off.
And up popped a human.
Centuries passed by as Liara stared. Her heart still thundered, and her mind completely escaped her, having deemed it too difficult to decipher this stupendous puzzle before her. She minded her jaw before she'd gaped at Lucy's scandalous outfit, where her only saving grace was the annoyed look etched on the soldier's face.
"I told them not to use so many nails on the lid," Lucy grumbled, shaking a hand in her hair to free the pieces of wood embedded in between the blonde tresses. She didn't seem to have any other plan beyond that as she stood and stared back, as if expecting something from the asari.
"What on Thessia is she expecting me to do or say to this?"
"Well?" Lucy crossed her arms, and it drew attention to the flowers she held in her hand - albeit upside down.
"W-well... What...?" Liara's question slothfully lingered, dazed as she continued to absorb the wealth of information. She peered into the crate, amazed. "How did you fit in there?"
"It's important in my line of work to be flexible, that way I am efficient at all ranges of movement. And-"
"Luce." T'Soni looked pleadingly. "I'm no longer in possession of my brain, there is no way I can comprehend whatever she is about to tell me."
As they stared, the precarious nature behind the soldier's racy lacy outfit settled in, and Liara flushed hot. She immediately threw the blanket at the soldier and looked away.
"Why are you giving me this? I'm not cold." Shepard asked seriously, as if she had zero awareness. "You on the other hand look ill, I can feel you warming up from here. Dr. Chakwas should-"
"No," Liara squeaked, turning away sharply. "For the love of the Goddess please do not go trekking around in that outfit, Lucy. Why on Thessia are you even dressed like that?"
"What? That's what my research showed me I should do. I-" a series of clunky thuds, followed by a couple curses. "Fuck... How do I walk in these, Liara? Have you ever worn this?"
"Walk in what?" The grave mistake was made as curiosity compelled the asari to look over, following the gaze down to thick boots with massive heels. The absurdity of this all was too much, and instead of slinking away with embarrassment, she'd burst out laughing. She stole the blanket back and took it upon herself to wrap it around Lucy's shoulders, leaning in on her toes as she pressed a swift kiss to the soldier's nose. "You're positively ridiculous right now."
"Thanks," Lucy grumbled wryly, "Ridiculous because of you, you know." She twisted the ends of the blanket to tighten it around her, and used the stability of Liara's offered arm to walk over to her closet. "To answer your question, my research indicated that this was what one typically wears on Valentine's Day."
"Mm hm, there's me regretting I ever asked," Liara chuckled with a shake of her head. She helped retrieve the soldier's uniform, and they'd tumbled over to the bed so that Shepard could sit on it to remove the offensive boots first.
There was great entertainment to be had with all of this, though.
"Did it ever mention why, Luce?"
"I didn't have enough time to go into details. I'm assuming it's supposed to offer some tactical advantage-"
There it was.
"Stop," Liara crumbled with laughter, putting a stern finger on the soldier's lips. She replaced her finger with a kiss, and as the weight of realization crept in inch by inch, so too did she as she pushed harder and harder. The flowers were tossed on the bed, and she cupped Lucy's jaw. Hands slid over to steady her by her hips as she'd climbed on Shepard's lap, moved by the endearment of gesture more than some thoughtless raunchy attire.
When lips pressed to her throat, trailing down to the curve of her clothed shoulder, she'd noticed the clothing's label poking out down Lucy's back.
This One's Intimate Apparel.
Mental images bounced about in her head of a hanar helping Shepard shop for this, and she was both equally mortified and amused. She sighed with content as gentle ministrations rubbed circles around her hips, and she wound her arms around to pull Lucy into an embrace.
"I was beginning to think we were doomed because we haven't celebrated Valentine's Day today," Liara whispered her confession. She was then intrigued, curious if Shepard believed that the curse was real, or if it was superstition. If even she celebrated today then the curse must be real, right?
"Not if I have any say in it, I won't let anything get in between us," Lucy promised fiercely. She pulled back with a serious and determined look in her eyes. "I don't want our relationship to fail." Then she looked down, between them, and Liara made the mistake of following the gaze. She blushed hot again upon getting ample view of skin, scars, and cleavage. "Can you help me get out of this wretched thing? The hanar put me in one size too small, so I can't reach the zipper in the back."
Were it anyone but Lucy, Liara might have interpreted that as a flirtatious invitation, but the struggle was real in those pyjak eyes. She laughed her embarrassment away as she climbed off the lap and circled around, undoing the zipper. Knowing what was next, she looked away at the wall and promptly sat on the bed as she tried not to listen to the sounds of the soldier changing back into the creature comforts of her uniform. She was desperate for a distraction - more so because she was beginning to yearn to touch, and knew Lucy wouldn't be at all ready or receptive to it, based on her feedback when her stomach was touched.
But... She also thought Lucy wouldn't be receptive to Valentine's Day.
"I must admit, Luce, I didn't expect you to know about today."
"I didn't," the soldier confessed bluntly, "Or rather, I knew of it, but never kept track of it." She came back into view from the corner of the eye, and T'Soni looked over to see her rummaging in the crate. She blanched when she saw a launcher pulled out, and her head fell in her hand upon seeing it lovingly stroked.
"Do I want to know how she managed to fit that in there with her?"
Some things were better left unasked. She'd learned her lesson long ago.
"Someone reminded you?" Liara guessed, and smiled when the soldier nodded. "Did that someone happen to be Chief Williams barging in with a superstition, saying that our relationship is going to fail if we don't celebrate Valentine's Day?"
At that, Lucy's head snapped to her, eyes widening as she breathed incredulously. "Yes... Though I'm not really superstitious, but... H-how did you know? Is it because of the melds? Are you able to read my mind all the time, now?"
Laughter erupted, and she had a pretty strong idea as to why there was panic. As tempting as it was to make the soldier stew in anxiety, she shook her head and got off the bed to approach. She nonchalantly took the launcher into her hands, watching what it did to Lucy's eyes as she did. T'Soni smirked, especially when the light in those eyes died upon seeing that the weapon wouldn't get to be played with tonight, abandoned on the worktable.
Liara's plan fell into place without thought or effort. All woes and worries ceased to exist upon a simple realization.
"You know, Commander... I have something to wear for you as well."
"Oh?" Lucy's eyebrow arched, intrigued. "Is it fishing gear?"
Oh.
Well then.
"My plan has already been decimated by a single question," Liara inwardly lamented. She tried to stammer some kind of answer out, only to resort to a pitiful shake of her head. "Damn it... That would have been an excellent outfit as well. Why didn't I think of that, back when I was thinking of taking her fishing?"
To be fair, there was no way she would have ever thought of the racy notion of wearing something for someone - except thank the Goddess it wasn't truly all that racy, thanks to Lucy. Perhaps their biggest challenge in the future would be trying to be intentionally seductive or sensual, with Shepard sooner to look baffled and blunt as she'd stand there and deadpan-face ask if what she was doing was erotic.
"I can see that happening so vividly, honestly."
"Are you okay, Liara?" Her voice fell to a hush, her pyjak eyes hitting at full sullen force. "I'm assuming it isn't fishing gear, then?"
"Could you try not to sound so disappointed?" Liara bemoaned, sighing as her head fell forward to rest again the soldier's shoulder. "And here I finally found my confidence that I've come to know you so well."
"Well... What did you have in mind, then? Why not try it anyways? Maybe you'll surprise both of us."
"Maybe," the asari huffed under her breath. "Doubtful."
Cold cybernetic fingers felt refreshing against flushed skin, where she'd now been growing hot under the collar over frustration instead. Her chin was carefully cupped and lifted so that their eyes met, though she'd soon closed hers upon lips caressing hers. Her tension was coaxed away through patience and persistence, and Lucy seemed to have something of her own to say, investing it all into action. She gradually circled them around and pushed towards the bed.
One simple push, and Liara let herself be carried by the current that swept them up now, falling on the bed. She grabbed a wrist to ensure the soldier fell with her, and as the boulder of a body slithered harshly up against hers, she relaxed under the weight pressing into her. She closed her eyes when Lucy leaned down, expecting a kiss, but instead warmth tucked into the crook of her neck and shoulder. She tried to look to see as much as she could, but the sandy locks - freed from their containment of a ponytail - blocked her view as the tresses spilled down. Before she could ask if everything was alright, the soldier inhaled sharply, exhaled slowly, and spoke carefully.
"I'm not like anybody else. I do not mean it in a condescending manner, that I am exempt and special, but... I am aware it causes you a great deal of stress because you work so hard to understand me. Sometimes this line of work accrues casualties like any other - where the casualty is your confidence, in this instance."
"She's still soldiering," a melancholic thought plagued her. Did it have to? She'd learned to embrace it at times, too, because it was just how Lucy made sense of the universe.
"In the end, I appreciate you greatly no matter what you do or say, Liara. If your confidence is shaken, then draw from me to replenish your own." She pushed up into sitting, smiling warmly. "No matter what others think or say, we'll never fail. We'll only grow stronger, together, because we have something many others don't have. You have built us a bridge, something that allows us to meet and connect in a way no others can. An unbreakable bridge that can withstand any amount of punishment, be it water crashing against it, or the earth cracking beneath it."
Warmth dissipated from the air and a chill shuddered through Liara upon abruptly missing the improvised heat source above her, and she almost laughed at the silly little thought - then shivered upon the traumatic memory of her melted sieve. It truly was precious and expensive, the best in its line.
Lucy had pushed to slide off the bed, holding her hand out. "I'm certain you'll surprise us."
Something compelled Liara to believe - that little voice of hope, reigniting the embers. She took the hand and yelped from the sheer force of being pulled right up, where she swore she'd gotten airtime. The world spun dizzily for a brief moment, but it didn't stop her from walking towards the closet, however clumsily. She was grateful for the steady hand that followed and fell upon the small of her back. She glanced over and smirked at the curiosity vibrant in the soldier's eyes, even more so when Liara had pulled out one of the uniforms from the closet.
The shirt was taken away from her.
"What, why?"
"Is that a rhetorical question?" Lucy fired back, casually hanging the shirt back up.
"Oh no... Is this... Is she implying..." T'Soni's blush struck with a searing vengeance. "She wants me to remain topless?"
One look, and the soldier frowned upon deeming it was, in fact, a genuine question. The blunt explanation had to be repeated several times for it to sink in.
"You'll rip my shirt."
"Wh-what?" Liara's brow pinched, her brain racing feverishly to decipher the cryptic code. Her cheeks inflamed dizzying degrees hotter when a finger nonchalantly rested atop a breast.
"You'll rip my shirt," Lucy parroted, as if re-iterating was going to shed any further enlightenment.
The archaeologist wished she never got it.
"And even if you don't, you'll constrict your lungs and suffocate yourself."
"How big do you think my breasts are?!" Liara stammered incredulously. "I won't die just from putting on a shirt, Shepard!"
"Lucy, please."
"Oh for Goddess' - not the point right now!"
"I don't want you to die."
"I'm not going t-to die due to a shirt."
This couldn't be happening. This had to be a silly dream.
Then Lucy walked over to her own abandoned lingerie, a terrifying thoughtfulness in her eyes as she'd picked it up. She turned, confusion tilting her head as Liara furiously shook hers. "Why not? This fabric seems like it will stretch an adequate amount."
"It's lace, it's see-through."
"The cups aren't, here. It will still protect your modesty if exposed breasts are what you are fretting over - as I had fretted as well, and planned accordingly." The soldier held out the scandalous garment, her stone-faced seriousness making it impossible to do anything but. "I think it will look more complimentary on you than it does on me, Dr. T'Soni. You at least have the grace to pull this garment off."
"I'd like to hope I possess enough grace to not pull such a garment on," Liara rushed, backed to a wall when Shepard pressed forth. "I-I'm not... I'm not like that."
"Like what?" Lucy's bewilderment was endearing, and she truly didn't seem to have a clue as to what the issue was.
The timid archaeologist really didn't have the heart or courage to explain it, this time.
Goddess, this was back to a sheer amount of work and effort. It wasn't helping her confidence return. Something clicked for Lucy, then, when it seemed as though she scrutinized the answer out of the asari's anxiety-driven eyes. Whatever conclusion she reached was poorly executed, however.
"Our relationship will fail if you don't wear this."
"Then let it fail," T'Soni hissed without thought. "I thought you weren't superstitious?"
"That is correct. I'm a little-stitious."
"That's not a thing, Luce!"
"So what did you mean by 'like that'?"
Anxiety clouded Liara's mind, stripping away her need to keep it all secret. She'd realized too late that she'd fallen into a trap the second her mouth opened, and the soldier's mouth curled in a smile.
"I'm not provocative nor arousing like that."
Hums purred as hands got grabby with her wrists again, pulling her close at breakneck speed. A grunt escaped her on impact, instinct burrowing her flushed face into hiding as arms wound around her. Pleasing tingles danced down her spine as steady breaths puffed and warmed her aural.
"I disagree," Lucy husked, "You always have been, in my eyes. Do you think normal couples would find it equally sensual to find their partner equipped with fishing gear? I wager not."
A small laugh was drawn out, though the raunchy topic did little to quell the heat throbbing in her cheeks. She sought solace in this darkness, this firm embrace, especially with such honest thoughts flowing freely. She grew squeamish then, her confidence shaken for a different reason, as she'd begun to at least try to imagine wearing the lace lingerie.
"You're combining two loves, Luce, the fishing gear doesn't count."
"Hm... In that case, I love lace too."
"I fail to see how that's helping your case if you're countering yourself," Liara chuckled.
"Did you find what you saw pleasing to the eye, at least? Or need I embark on finding an outfit for myself?"
"Goddess, she's very persistent for somebody who did not seem enthralled by Valentine's Day." The asari shyly shook her head - unfortunately, not an adequate answer in the slightest.
"Is... That a no to the first part or second part?"
"It-" T'Soni cleared her throat to try and rid the rapid-growing lump lodging in it. And failed. "I think i-it was... Complimentary... It, erm, it suits your name, almost. Lace and Luce."
Lucy hummed thoughtfully, and then there was a resounding nod. "I like it. That will be the name of my brand when I design my first outfit. Or Lacy Lucifer. Or-"
"P-pardon?" Liara broke free and leaned back, terrified by what she thought she'd just heard. "You're going to what?"
"Design my first outfit," the soldier stated seriously, thinking cogs alight in her eyes. "They would serve a better purpose for saboteur missions, where you can reliably store gear in-"
A finger planted on her lips to stop her in her tracks. Liara didn't trust her aurals right now, but she trusted her eyes and the subtle smirk dancing behind her finger.
"I see you are feeling particularly mischievous today, keeping me constantly guessing. Have you found yourself a new hobby?"
"It's become one of my new favourites."
"I can tell," T'Soni chuckled. "Reminds me of the time you smiled at your 'happy looking' fish when you introduced yourself as Xio-" she clicked her tongue off the roof of her mouth "-Mara."
Silence fell, for some reason, and the thinking cogs spun for a seemingly different reason now. It was strange, this peculiar look set upon the soldier's face. Liara shied away from the intense scrutiny, wanting to hide. The fingers cupped her chin again and lips pressed to hers, kissing her as if with awe and reverence. She felt a tightening in her chest and a sentimental burn behind her eyes, closing them when Lucy whispered in between loving kisses.
"See how far we've come? I think that's what should be celebrated more - and a celebration of how far we'll still go. Here, I have an idea for that now, too."
Much to Liara's dismay, the sensual kiss was broken, favoured instead by being pushed and guided to sit at the table. Many memories were created here - happy and pleasant, melancholic and desolate. It was the site of the first, a somewhat terse conversation, followed by a decision Lucy had made on faith and instinct, rather than her suspicion of the asari being a security risk.
Unbeknownst to her, she was already starting to learn what it meant to be human, in that moment.
T'Soni was ushered to sit, and she'd laughed when more things were pulled out of a crate. Several wine bottles of varying percentages and tastes, followed by loose missiles that were swiftly tucked in the closet when she'd shot deadpan eyes at the soldier. She chose one of the strongest wines, poured them each a glass, and helped herself as she waited, ignoring the obvious clattering of such arsenal as Shepard rushed to organize her closet to make room for her growing collection.
Finally, after what seemed like a century flying by, Lucy re-emerged from the depths and wore a... A goofy smile, almost, as if she was both sheepish and proud at the same time.
"I'm waiting to see the varren pup," Liara teased.
Her heart raced when it seemed to remind Shepard, who rushed to the crate.
"Goddess, no... Don't tell me you already-"
A hand reached inside the crate.
"Lucy, what told you that was a good idea?!"
And out came a little glass cage, housing a hamster.
"Lucky isn't allowed to play with her," Lucy stated sternly, cradling the cage close to her chest. "I want to name her too." She eagerly came over as she put the cage on the table to display.
It took an exceedingly long time of staring before Liara snapped out of it, shifting her gaze back to the soldier - still stunned though. "What... Do you want to name her?"
Checkmate, as it was screamed in the smile that poorly veiled it's triumph.
"Arial S'Toni."