Little displays of affection like this were frequent between them. Small, light touches, bright smiles and sideways glances that always held more significance than they looked to have on the surface. They weren't very common in public. Shepard and Garrus were nothing if not professional in front of others, only giving in to the occasional round of friendly banter.
Their relationship, though, was well known, particularly due to the accomplishments of the members of the Shepard-Vakarian brood.
The first Turian in the Alliance, the first Krogan Spectre, and eight other young, up-and-coming individuals of multiple races were lucky enough to be claimed as the children of Rita Shepard and Garrus Vakarian. Many thought that the only reason for their successes was because of their parentage. Those that said it outwardly were quickly proven wrong. All ten were skilled in their own rights, and they all had worked hard for their accomplishments.
But just because everyone knew that the two saviors were bonded as closely as two individuals could be, didn't mean that they wanted to make it completely visible to the rest of the world.
The skycar pulled up to the banquet hall, decorated in lights and holo-displays. There was already a crowd outside, as if this were some celebrity event that they just had to see. Only those invited to the official memorial were allowed in, along with a few members of the press (Shepard was particularly enthusedabout that part).
The older woman sighed as the car stopped, staring out at the tinted windows.
"This is irritating." she murmured, fidgeting slightly.
Garrus just shook his head, turning his hand to give hers a reassuring squeeze.
"It's just a few speeches and a couple of hours of politicians. Isn't that your favorite type of event?"
She couldn't help the wry smirk she gave him.
"It's a star-studded show, Garrus. It's all 'look at me, look at me'. It's not a proper memorial."
She turned away from him, but Garrus knew the look of pain on her face.
"They don't deserve something like this."
It was so quiet, he could barely hear it, but he had heard it clearly.
He knew about the burden of sorrow she carried for their fallen friends. For those who wouldn't be able to have what they had. He knew that she held the loss of every life on her shoulders, even now, and probably would for the rest of her short life. Still the nightmares woke her at night, screaming and gasping for air. The fact that she wasn't completely broken by all her experiences was a testament to how truly strong she was.
He took her cheek in his palm and turned him back towards her, gently pressing his forehead against hers. He felt some of the tension she had drain out at the familiar and comforting gesture.
"We still have that memorial after this, with everyone. A proper one. But you don't have to do this if you don't have to, Shepard."
His voice was low, soothing.
"You ARE the most heroic figure in the galaxy, after all. I doubt anybody would be able to say anything about you skipping out on a party just this once."
Ah, there was a smile.
She leaned her cheek into his hand, her eyes finally meeting his, the spark of life and mischief returned just as quickly as it had been gone.
"The press'd hunt us down before we got very far, and I honestly do not want to deal with fighting through them. I suppose I can stand being here for a while, as long as you've got my six."
He chuckled, finally pulling back and moving to hand Shepard her cane.
"I always do."
With that, they put on their game faces and stepped out onto the literal red carpet that led into the banquet hall, flanked on all sides by screaming and the flashing of cameras. It was going to be a loooong night.