So, we wrote an epilogue. (Or possibly just an excuse for more fluff and smut, but that's what happens when you let the two of us write Shep/Liara) Enjoy.


"Are you sure you want to do this, sweetheart?" Shepard asked, looking up nervously at Liara. She shifted on the bed, trying to find a more comfortable position, but relaxing was impossible. Simply posing the question was enough to make her anxious.

She'd thought she was over this. Thought she'd buried the memories of Maya Brooks and her evil clone deep enough that they couldn't hurt her anymore. But even though the Reapers were destroyed and the galaxy was beginning to rebuild, part of her still didn't feel whole. Remembering what she had done, what they had made her do, still kept her up more nights than she wanted to admit. It felt selfish to brood over it, especially since so many across the galaxy had endured far worse, but she couldn't help it.

The sound of her bondmate's voice broke her train of thought. She looked up, forcing herself to meet those soft blue eyes. "I am. Completely. I wouldn't have suggested using it otherwise. But it doesn't seem as though you are." Liara knelt beside her, reaching out to stroke her arm, but even that gentle touch made her muscles clench and she flinched before she could stop herself. An expression of pain flashed across Liara's face, but only for a moment. "Help me understand what's wrong, love. I hate to see you hurting like this."

Shepard flopped back onto the mattress, staring up at the ceiling. She wasn't sure she could give voice to the thoughts in her head if she had to look at Liara's face. At times like this, the love and trust she saw there only made her feel worse. "My cock… When I think about wearing it again, it doesn't feel right."

The bed dipped as Liara leaned back, curling up beside her. A slender arm draped over her stomach, and Liara's cheek rested on top of her chest, right above her heartbeat. The warmth they shared was comforting, making Shepard feel less vulnerable. "I know," Liara told her. "But I'm not sure I understand. We've made love many times since that day, and you always seemed to take comfort in my touch."

"You're right. It's just…" Shepard sighed. Explaining her feelings to Liara wasn't going to be an easy task. She still barely understood them herself, and Liara didn't think about gender and sex the same way a human might. "For a lot of people, there's this connection between having a cock, or wearing one, and power. Domination, even."

Liara shifted on her chest, pushing up to kiss the shell of her ear. "I'm not sure I understand, Shepard. It is simply a different sex organ." Although she was trying to be reassuring, she couldn't completely hide the bewilderment in her voice.

Shepard laughed, the humor loosening a little of the tension in her gut. Liara was no longer the innocent archeologist she had first rescued on Therum, but there were still definitely gaps in her knowledge, especially when it came to humans. She sat up against the pillows and tried again, wrapping an arm around Liara's shoulder. "It's not easy to explain. Males run, or used to run, a lot of societies on Earth. Their, uh, parts were associated with strength and women's with weakness. I guess that would seem pretty strange to a monogendered society."

"Indeed it does," Liara agreed. She hesitated, as if she was unsure of what she wanted to say next. "I have sensed in the meld that you feel passionate, perhaps even possessive, when you make love to me that way. But I still don't understand why a body part would have such negative associations. Before Brooks and her mercenaries threatened our lives, it never seemed to bother you. Wearing it made you happy."

Shepard felt an unexpected stab of regret. Although it had been a somewhat recent addition to their sex life, wearing the strap-on had made her happy. Until Brooks. Until she had found out about her clone. It was one more reason to be grateful that both of them were dead. "It did," she said, trying to hide her disappointment. "I loved the way it felt when I was inside of you. The sense of connection."

A soft smile spread across Liara's face. The lids of her eyes lowered, and the hand that stroked down from her chest to skim over Shepard's abdomen was clearly seductive. "I enjoy the way you feel inside me, too. Very much so."

Shepard's clit twitched at the low purr of Liara's voice, but the pleasant sensation was accompanied by a guilty lurch of her stomach. She didn't want to want Liara that way. It was a terrifying reminder of what her clone had been, of what she had pretended to be. "My clone didn't use her cock the same way. Those shows she put on… She was hurting people, Liara. Degrading them. Raping some of them. That's what she used it for."

Liara's hand rested on her stomach, the pressure comforting. "You're not her."

Her voice cracked. "I had to act like her. I had to take you in front of all those people. God, when I… when I came all over you, and they were cheering…"

Shepard felt her cheeks flush, a mixture of shame and unwanted arousal filling her at the memory. She had been appalled by what she was doing, but her bondmate had still felt so good. Even though she hadn't really hurt Liara, she still flinched at the associations when she considered wearing her cock again. All the prejudices about what being strapped meant, prejudices she'd never worried about before that day, were now lodged deep in her brain.

Liara shifted above her, leaning down to rest their foreheads together. "It's all right," she whispered, her breath warm against Shepard's lips. "I adore making love with you, no matter how we do it. If you aren't ready to be with me that way right now, it's nothing to be ashamed of."

"I know you enjoy it, though," Shepard replied. Perhaps she was projecting, but she thought she could see disappointment in Liara's eyes. Or perhaps she was simply disappointed with herself. It certainly wouldn't be the first time. "You just told me so."

"I won't enjoy it if it hurts you."

"No." Shepard's voice was quiet, but firm. She hadn't let Cerberus or the Reapers beat her. She'd be damned if she was going to let her psychotic rapist of a clone and Maya Brooks take away something she and Liara both loved. "I want to try. You're right. It did make me happy before, and... and I want to be happy again. I want you to be happy. You deserve it. You went through even more than I did."

"Oh, Shepard." Liara closed the last distance between them, taking her mouth in a tender kiss. "Don't minimize what you had to do. It would be far harder for me to pretend to hurt you than the other other way around. You've been through so much," she whispered between soft brushes of their lips. "Another kiss. "Sacrificed so much." A third kiss, this one slightly deeper. "I've been inside your mind and..." A final kiss, accompanied by a soft exhale that tickled her cheeks and nose. " Nothing about you is like that twisted copy Cerberus made."

A little more of Shepard's guilt dissolved. Liara had been her light, her strongest source of support for the past several years. They shared everything. All their thoughts and all their fears. If her lover still saw something worthy in making love like this, surely there had to be some truth to it. "Okay," she said, running her hand up and down between Liara's shoulder blades. It wasn't quite as nice while Liara's shirt was still on, and her hand wandered down to the hem, beginning to tug it up so she could feel the warm flesh beneath. "You're right. I'm not like her. I have you."

"You have more than that." Liara helped ease her shirt up over her head, before pulling off her pants, leaving her clad in only a matching set of white underwear. "It's not as if you were a vicious sadist when we first met." She tugged off her bra next, exposing her full breasts. "You were the hero who saved me. When I first heard those footsteps on Therum, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that since you weren't Geth, I had to take a chance on you. But from the first moment your eyes met mine, I knew you weren't there to hurt me."

"I'd never want to…"

"And you didn't." Liara's fingers slid through her hair, pulling her forward into a kiss. Her lips parted for her bondmate's tongue, and the welcoming heat started to relax her. Nothing short of the meld could convey reassurance quite so well, and she felt confident enough to cup those perfect breasts, enjoying the fact that Liara's nipples were already stiff against her palms. Liara moaned into her mouth, and Shepard felt her body flush with desire once more. This time, she let herself enjoy the feeling. One hand ventured upwards, caressing the scaled skin of Liara's neck on the way to her crest. She took her time, running her fingers along each ridge and fold, both soothed and aroused by the sounds her touch drew out. It was easier for her to give pleasure than to receive it, emphasizing the contrast with the way Liara had been forced to service her that day.

After a little while, Liara stopped her, brushing her hand away and breaking their kiss. "As good as you are at that, I think you may need a little warming up of your own." She began to protest that touching Liara was all she needed, but when her bondmate's hands slid under her N-7 hoodie, her objections melted away. Even when Liara had been a shy virgin, her inexperienced touch had been enough to drive Shepard wild, and she was definitely no longer that.

Her torso was soon stripped bare. Liara bent down, and Shepard gasped as warmth closed around her nipple. She moaned, her hand slowly caressing Liara's back. Her own flesh still bore the scars of her last battle, faint lines visible there in spite of the extensive medical treatment she'd received, and Liara's fingers traced along them. "You've given everyone so much, Shepard. Let me help you enjoy your victory."

Liara moved down her body, her mouth replacing her hands on the scars. The feel of a slick tongue on the still-sensitive skin was enough to make Shepard gasp. By the time she kicked off her pants, she wasn't surprised to see a damp spot already forming on her underwear. Liara slid those off as well, cupping a hand between her legs. "Mm, you're nice and wet for me," she said, her voice dripping with seduction. "Your cock will slide right in. Just like it's going to slide so deep inside of me."

Shepard's clit throbbed against the heel of Liara's palm. Her assertiveness was reassuring as well as arousing, so different than the frightened victim she had been forced to play while they were being held at gunpoint. Shepard's back arched as Liara's fingers spread her open, teasing every inch of her before settling at her entrance. She clutched at Liara's crest, her desire building with each light stroke. She still wasn't sure if she would be able to go through with this, but she was more than turned on enough to try. "Please," she whispered, staring up into Liara's dark eyes.

"Please, what?" Her gasp became a strangled cry as Liara slid inside of her, forming a hook to curl against her front wall. "Please go inside of you?"

The fullness was blissful even though it wasn't what she had meant to ask for. "N-no... I mean, yes... I..." Her hips rocked as Liara began a shallow, rhythmic thrusting motion. It felt wonderful, but she couldn't get Liara's voice out of her head. Your cock will slide right in... just like it's going to slide so deep inside of me...

That thought was too tempting to resist. Her eyes flicked down along Liara's stomach, stealing a glimpse between her legs. She was still wearing her underwear, but the front was wet enough to provide a clear outline of the flesh beneath, her full, parted lips and the hard ridge of her clit. She wanted to feel Liara's heat wrapped tight around her. Willingly this time, not while they were in the middle of a hostage situation. "No," she said at last. "I want to be inside of you."

A brilliant smile spread across Liara's face. "Good. Because I want you inside me just as much." She withdrew her fingers and shifted back onto her heels, turning toward the nightstand. Shepard's muscles clenched at the loss, but she forced herself to hold still as Liara opened the bedside drawer. Her fingers tugged the sheets as she tried to ignore the uncomfortable emptiness. Liara's touch always left her aching, especially when it was taken away.

Some of her nervousness returned as Liara faced her again. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the tan shaft in her bondmate's hands, and she forced down another surge of guilt. She hadn't taken out her cock in months, hadn't even looked at it since... A lump stuck in her throat, and she glanced away, wondering how arousal could turn to fear and self-loathing so quickly.

"Shepard?"

The concern in Liara's voice only made her feel worse. It reminded her of the false pleading, the fake anger and pain. Worse still, it reminded her of her failure. She should have been over this by now. Should have dealt with it like all the other tragedies she had endured. But something about this one stuck with her. It wasn't the worst thing she had gone through, or even the worst thing she had done. It only felt like it was. Hurting Liara, or failing her, was her single greatest fear.

But Liara had told her over and over again that she hadn't. That she wouldn't. If she couldn't trust herself, at least she could trust her bondmate.

She took a deep breath and sat up straighter on the mattress, spreading her legs again. "Put it in. I do want this. But..." Her voice cracked, and she swallowed before trying again. "Could you maybe finish undressing first? I want to see you." I want to see how much you want me. Maybe then I can convince myself that this is okay.

"Of course." Liara shot her a smile somewhere between innocent and sultry, and Shepard felt desire push back her fear. She stared in awe as Liara shimmied out of her panties with a little shake of her ass. Even at a distance, Shepard could see wetness glistening along the lips of her azure. Liara slid her free hand between her legs, parting herself to offer a better view. "Is this what you wanted? To see how much you turn me on?"

Shepard's voice stuck in her throat at the sight. All she managed was a nod, but the wordless gesture was good enough. Liara knelt between her legs, placing a wet kiss on the tip of her exposed clit. She trembled at the contact, and while she was distracted, Liara pressed the short end of the toy against her opening. Shepard gasped as it slid effortlessly inside, but the sound shifted into a low groan once the sensory transmitting function activated. She could feel the warmth and pressure of her bondmate's hand wrapped around her as though the cock was part of her. Every movement sent a pulse of pleasure right to her clit.

In spite of how good it felt, she winced at the rush of unmistakable sensations. Wearing her cock didn't feel quite like anything else, and it stirred up uncomfortable memories once more. Before she could work herself into another guilty panic, the feel of Liara's other hand on her hip relaxed her. "It's all right. Just breathe for a minute. We can stop if you need to."

Shepard took another deep breath to loosen the knot in her chest. "No, it's okay. It's just… It's so hard for me to resist you like this." She looked down, and her abdominal muscles tensed at the sight of Liara's fingers wrapped around her cock. The shaft was already full, straining with need in her bondmate's soft hand. "I couldn't even stop myself from coming while they were pointing guns at us."

Liara's other hand stroked up and down her side, easing some of the tightness. "I didn't want you to hold back then, and I don't want you to hold back now," she whispered, lowering her head. Shepard shuddered as her Liara's mouth hovered near the tip of her cock. "Please, let yourself enjoy this." There was a definite hunger behind those blue eyes, and Shepard exhaled, focusing on that as she steadied her emotions.

And then Liara started. Soft, dark lips wrapped around the head, and Shepard couldn't restrain the sounds of her pleasure. With as much time as she'd spent agonizing about using the toy again, she had let herself forget just how good it felt. Liara bent down, taking her cock deep into her mouth before running her tongue along its length. The shaft twitched, and Shepard gasped. "Oh God, sweetheart, that's incredible."

Liara purred at the praise, and the vibrations only made Shepard pulse harder. She was already close from what they'd done earlier, and it was harder for her to keep in control while she was strapped. The pleasure was not only intense, but different from what she was used to. She didn't know how long she would last, especially with what her bondmate was doing. Over and over, Liara took her deep before sliding almost all of the way up again. The gain and loss of sensation was enough to drive her utterly wild.

"You don't have to do this," she mumbled, offering her lover one last way out.

Liara stopped. She pulled her mouth back, replacing it with slow strokes of her hand. "I know. But I want to."

"I mean, you… you don't have to service me. You said you wanted me inside you. We can just do that."

"We will," Liara assured her. "But not quite yet. And don't look at this as me servicing you. This is for me. I want to do this. I want to feel you come in my mouth. Will you do that for me?" Without waiting for an answer, she dipped back down, running her tongue along the length of Shepard's shaft. When she reached the tip, there was already a drop of fluid gathered, and she smiled. "See? You're already close."

That wonderfully wet mouth engulfed her once again, and Shepard knew Liara was right. Her clit was already rock-hard against the sensory plate, and there was an almost painful ache in her shaft that was growing worse by the second. Liara had kept her fist wrapped around the base, pumping it while she focused her mouth on the sensitive head. The remaining threads of her resistance frayed with each passing second, and then Liara did something that snapped them completely. She spread her legs, dipping her free hand between them. Shepard couldn't see exactly what Liara was doing with her fingers, but from the moan she let out, she had a pretty good idea.

The demonstration of just how much her bondmate was turned on by pleasing her was too much. Her inner muscles clenched around the end of the toy inside her and her hips thrust up as she came. One powerful jet after another shot from the aching head of her cock, and Liara took it all, sucking eagerly on the throbbing tip as it filled her mouth. Each pull of her lips only made Shepard come harder. By the end, it was nearly too much. Her cock was so sensitive that she couldn't take any more.

Only then did Liara pull off of her, licking her lips clean with relish. "There," she cooed. "That's better." Her hand ran along the taut muscles of Shepard's abdomen. "Now, do I seem degraded to you?"

"No," she managed to croak. Indeed, Liara looked more beautiful than ever. Desire and affection shone in her face, and she was obviously proud of what she had just done.

"That's because I loved doing it. So, do you think you're ready for more?"

This time, the question made Shepard smile. Seeing Liara's reaction to her pleasure made all the difference. Instead of feeling selfish, she was simply grateful for the chance to connect with the woman she loved. All thoughts of Maya Brooks, her clone, and the mercenaries vanished from her mind as she gazed into Liara's eyes. They were overflowing with love, and it eased her fears a little. "Yes. Please?"

Liara climbed back to her feet, swinging one sleek leg over her lap and straddling her hips. The sight of her bondmate's full breasts just inches away from her mouth sent another pulse along her shaft, and it stiffened again, pounding with the same pleasant ache. She blushed, and Liara laughed, reaching down to stroke her length again. "Please? I don't usually hear you quite so desperate," she teased, skating her thumb over the tip. It was still slick with saliva as well as her previous release, and the extra smoothness only made the touch more unbearable. "I think I like it."

Shepard groaned as Liara lowered her hips, shifting into an even more inviting position. Part of her wanted to grip her bondmate's waist and force her the rest of the way down, but she still didn't trust herself enough to follow that impulse. Instead, she clutched the edge of the bed, fisting the sheets in her hands. "Please," she said again, praying that Liara would close the remaining distance between them. The glistening lips of Liara's azure hovered mere inches above the head of her cock, and the hard ridge of clit was already exposed. "I want to feel you."

"Like this?"

Warmth slid along the underside of her shaft, painting it with even more wetness. The smooth glide coaxed a strangled cry from her throat, and she clutched the covers even tighter. The fullness in her cock swelled, shuddering and threatening to spill with each pass. She hadn't thought it was possible to rise so quickly, but Liara was constantly proving her wrong.

"Oh, Liara, you feel so good," she panted, finally giving up her hold on the mattress and clutching Liara's hips instead. She did not try to direct her movements. All she could do was hold on for dear life. "Wait... I mean... no. I want..." She could barely remember how to speak. All the blood in her body had left her brain to rush between her legs. The heat sliding along her cock was blissful, but it wasn't quite enough to satisfy her. She wanted pressure. Clinging muscle. She wanted to be buried deep inside the woman she loved, and none of her fears were great enough to overshadow that need.

At last, Liara took pity on her. She changed the angle of her hips, positioning the head at her entrance. Shepard felt a tense shudder rush along her length, and she only managed to hold back by closing her eyes. Feeling Liara rubbing against her was torture enough. Watching what was happening between their bodies would be unbearable. "Is this what you want?" Liara asked, tickling the outer rim of her ear. Shepard kept her eyes closed, but she could feel warmth clasping at the head of her cock, sinking down a centimeter at a time. "To feel me wrapped around you?"

"Y-yes... please..."

Shepard didn't need to beg anymore. Before she even finished speaking, Liara sank the rest of the way down, bringing their bodies together in one slow stroke. The tightness and heat sent her reeling, and she forgot herself, digging the edges her nails into Liara's flesh. Her eyes snapped open, and even though she knew she shouldn't, she looked down. Liara had taken her all the way inside. The dark lips of her azure were stretched open around the base of her shaft, and the violet ridge of her clit jutted out from beneath its hood.

Shepard couldn't help herself. One of her hands left Liara's hip, slipping down to touch, but Liara's fingers threaded with hers, forcing her to stop. "Don't," she said, bringing the digits up to her lips for a gentle kiss. "Let me." She placed the wandering hand back at her hip and slid one of her own down to take its place, rolling her stiff bud beneath her fingers. At the same time, she began a gentle rocking motion, deliberately squeezing her inner muscles.

Shepard wasn't sure which was better; the sight of her gorgeous bondmate riding her while touching herself, or the way her shaft was being gripped. Either way, though, there was no doubt as to how much Liara was enjoying this. Wetness was dripping out of her with each motion, her mouth was open, and already, glossy darkness was forming in her eyes.

"Mm," Liara purred, "I missed feeling this full, taking you so deep inside me..."

Her heart swelled at the words and Shepard started pushing up her hips, trying to give Liara more of what she craved. "I… I did too," she admitted. "Even when I didn't want to want it. But I do now."

"Then show me."

Blackness eclipsed Liara's eyes, and Shepard opened up her thoughts without hesitation, falling into the deep pools. The warmth of her bondmate's love enveloped her mind, melting away her uncertainties.

Liara clenched down even tighter around her. See how good you feel in me?

I, I can't last very long if you keep that up.

Then you should help me get there, too.

Liara moved her hand aside to make room, and Shepard brought her thumb up to the hard ridge of her bondmate's clit. It trembled under her touch, and while she traced little circles over it, she also thrust up harder. Her cock dragged against the front wall of Liara's azure, sending a surge of need across the meld.

Oh, Goddess, yes. Keep doing that.

She pushed up again and again, biting her own cheek as she tried to keeping the pressure around her shaft from overwhelming her too soon. If she came, she'd bring Liara along with her, but she wanted the climax to begin from her lover's end of the meld. After everything Liara had done for her, she deserved that and so much more. With her free hand, she caressed the soft swell of Liara's ass and her mouth sought out her skin, lavishing kisses everywhere she could reach. The ghost of those touches came back to her, and feeling her bondmate's bliss joined with her own, she was nearly overwhelmed.

I love seeing you like this. It's so beautiful.

So are you…

The words dissolved as Shepard pressed her thumb harder against Liara's throbbing clit. Her bondmate's climax bloomed out, a light that spread out of her mind even as her body trembled with pleasure. Warmth ran down onto Shepard's torso, and sharing that ecstasy melted the last of her own reserve. She buried herself in that wonderful, tight heat as she came, but even as the first bursts spilled from her cock, Liara lifted up her hips, forcing her to slide out.

What are you doing?

Showing you one more thing. Trust me.

Liara slid against her cock, applying a little more pressure while she kept coming. Her release ran along the lips of Liara's azure and covered the smooth curve of her torso. For an instant, she wanted to recoil from what she'd done, but then she felt the reaction across the joining. Far from disgust, she felt a little spike of pleasure in her bondmate's mind every time her cock pulsed against her skin.

I'm yours , Shepard . I enjoy the reminder. And I enjoy how warm you are against my skin. Just like I did that day.

I don't know what to say.

There's nothing you need to say. Just trust your instincts. I know what you want.

This time, Shepard didn't hesitate. Even as the bond weakened in the aftermath of their orgasm, she moved to deepen their physical connection. Taking hold of her lover's hips, she reversed their positions, flipping Liara onto her back and sliding into her again. Her azure was still soaked from their last climax and the thick shaft pushed in easily in spite of the tightness.

She didn't need any more encouragement. The last of her inhibitions had dissolved. She had been inside Liara's mind, sharing her pleasure and taking it for her own. And she knew without a shadow of a doubt that her bondmate loved this - loved her. Without the weight of guilt hanging over her, she was able to forget the past and lose herself in the moment.

"I love you," she whispered, resting her forehead against Liara's.

Liara smiled up at her, running a hand through her hair and urging her to close the last few inches between their lips. I love you, too. I always have. Now, please... She tilted her pelvis up, and Shepard groaned into the kiss as she felt Liara's muscles squeeze down around her.

Finish what you started.

Shepard fell into a rhythm, rocking slowly at first, but swiftly picking up speed. At first, her goal had been to please Liara. Even coming in Liara's mouth had been at her bondmate's insistence. But the way Liara moved beneath her, even hooking a knee around her waist, drove her crazy. She surrendered to her selfishness, taking her own pleasure with every thrust.

It was easy to lose herself in the physical sensations. Liara felt so amazing around her, pulsing with every pump of her hips. The heat was almost unbearable, and so was the pressure on the length of her cock. Being inside of Liara made her forget that she had already come twice before. Her shaft ached with fullness, and even though each thrust brought her closer to the edge, she couldn't bear to slow down.

A shiver ran through her when she realized that she didn't have to. Liara was completely open to her, whimpering and gasping against her mouth between kisses. The leg around her waist pulled tighter, urging her to push as deep as possible. Feeling her bondmate's reactions was even more overwhelming than the clinging silk sliding along her shaft. She kissed away from Liara's lips, panting heavily against her neck until she lost control and bit down.

"Shepard!"

The sound of her own name echoing through the cabin, not just in the remaining traces in the meld, made Shepard thrust forward even harder. She couldn't help it. The desperate note of need in Liara's voice was beautiful. She wanted to hear her lover cry out for her again and again, wanted to feel Liara come undone beneath her. Pleasing Liara and following her instructions had been comforting, and her own selfishness was liberating, but mutual pleasure was even better. They belonged to each other, body and soul, and no one else could sever that bond.

A tickle started at the back of her skull, and she smiled as the warm glow of the union washed over her again. There were no barriers left as Liara pushed deeper into her mind, shoring up the weak connection left over from their first meld. Coming together this way was like home. While they were wrapped up in each other, the rest of the universe disappeared, and there was no room left for sadness. Shepard sobbed with relief as she felt Liara's love pouring into her. She tucked her tear-streaked face into Liara's shoulder, trembling as she unraveled.

I love you, Liara thought, although she didn't have to. They were already at a place beyond words. Shepard didn't need to repeat it back. The tenderness and fierceness of her love - their love - was obvious. And it was more than enough to send her into hard spasms. She bucked one last time, catching Liara's lips in a final kiss as they tipped over the edge.

The heavy pressure throbbing along her cock finally burst. Thick streams of warmth spilled from her shaft, and she clung to Liara's hips, desperate to stay buried as deep as possible. Liara's muscles clutched even tighter, drawing a flood from the twitching head. As she filled Liara with everything she had, a fresh burst wetness splashed out around the base, running between their bodies with each pulse. Feeling Liara come with her, for her, finally made her move. She shifted her weight to one elbow and shoved a hand between their bodies, rubbing the hard ridge of Liara's clit to extend her pleasure as much as possible.

At last, neither of them had anything left to give. Shepard emptied herself with one final thrust and collapsed forward, trapping Liara against the mattress. Thankfully, her bondmate didn't seem to mind. She seemed perfectly relaxed despite the weight on top of her and the aftershocks that were still rippling through her azure.

Once they finally stopped, Liara wore the most blissful smile, seeming as content as Shepard could remember seeing her. There was no trace of sadness or pain in her eyes, only joy as she brought one hand up to her hair, tangling it in the messy red tresses. "I'd ask how you're feeling, but…"

She grinned. The meld did offer several advantages. "You already know. How did I get so lucky to have a bondmate like you?"

Liara kissed her once more, a light press of their lips that was more soothing than arousing. "By being the incredible woman that you are. I told you before, I knew you were a hero from the moment I saw you. And that was what I wanted. Your strength and your gentleness. All of you."

"You have it. Always." Shepard brushed her hand over the side of Liara's crest, enjoying the soft purr that her touch coaxed out. With a satisfied sight of her own, she settled back down, letting the warmth of her bondmate's embrace wrap around her. The war had been finished for more than a month, but now, at last, she felt like it was finally over.