CHAPTER 42
"So I hear you stabbed someone today," Oliver teased his sister, helping her put up a framed picture on the wall, next to the fireplace.
Rosemary shrugged. "It was just a scratch," she lied smoothly, stepping up on a chair. The picture was rather large, and heavy. It was a weird time to put up a picture, after a party, but it seemed like a task she shouldn't put off.
The whole gang had gathered at their townhouse after that bit of business at Wakey Brews had concluded. Everyone was there. The Normandy crew in its past-and-present entirety, her C-Sec and Wakey Brews colleagues, Doctor Chakwas, friends, old and new... It had been tough, getting them all squeezed in for a photograph, but Kaiden had insisted.
"It'd be kind of one we took at a party Shepard once held," he explained to the curious. After hearing that, Oliver badgered everyone to join in the experience. Rosemary had no doubt that he would ask to see that Shepard-party picture afterwards.
The townhouse was different, with C-Sec moved out of the main living areas. She'd miss the company of the officers she'd befriended, but it was also nice to have the space back. Her family would always be targeted by Divide, but without Saeli, the threat had been lessened a significant amount. Also, it helped that Balint now lived with them, and Yadai, the infamous Spectre, now lived in the townhouse two houses over.
Oliver cocked his head, examining the picture's placement. "That'll do, I guess. … You know, I kind had wanted you to end up with Garrus. He's kind of my hero."
Rosemary rolled her eyes and put her arm around her brother. "Please. You 'kind of' have a ship-ful of heroes."
Her little brother grinned. "Heh, yeah. Balint's cool, too. They're both awesome, though. How did you choose?"
Rosemary had wondered about that herself months ago. Balint and Garrus were both strong, intelligent, magnificent in bed... "I hold great respect for them both," she admitted to her brother. "I suppose the deciding factor was that going into my... thing with Garrus..."
"Ew."
"Hey, you asked," she said, grinning. "But going into... it, I knew that his heart was already taken. We were attracted to each other's..."
"Ew."
"Yeah, yeah. Besides that, we were attracted to each other's personalities. But we're... friends."
Oliver shrugged and sat on the couch. "That's still awesome, though. You're friend with a hero."
"You are, too," she pointed out.
Oliver smiled. "Yeah... I am awesome!"
Rosemary chuckled. It looked like she wouldn't have to worry about his self-esteem for a while. After a hug, Oliver left to hang out with Keeya and CARD.
She leaned back into the couch and stretched. "How long were you listening, Garrus?"
The blue-marked turian appeared from the hallway. "I heard most of it. Nothing embarassing, though. Shame."
"Uh-huh."
He took the place Oliver had just vacated. "You're a good friend, Rosemary. … Benefits would have been nice, though."
Rosemary smiled and shook her head. "Heh, sorry. I don't think Balint would be up for that."
Garrus appeared to think on the problem. "Yeah... me neither. But if the three of us were to be in the same bed, I could ignore him, and concentrate my... efforts into his mate."
"That wouldn't work," Balint announced, appearing out of nowhere to sit on the other side of Rosemary, in closer proximity to her, of course.
Rosemary sighed. "How long...?"
"Long enough. Sorry Garrus, but you... just don't get me going," Balint informed Garrus dryly, completely unapologetic."
Garrus sniffed. "Racist."
"More like sexist," Balint corrected him. ", and I'm okay with that."
Rosemary rolled her eyes. "Do you guys even need me in this conversation?"
"Of course we do," Garrus assured her. "Without you, it'd be... what did Joker call it... a sausage-fest."
Rosemary snickered. "You two are impossible."
"In bed, yes," Garrus agreed.
Balint reached across Rosemary and shoved Garrus off the couch.
"Ow!"
"Balint! You could have hurt him," Rosemary chastised her lover, trying to keep her lips from twitching with merriment.
"Exactly. He's a delicate flower – there's no room for flowers in our bed," Balint declared, picking up a truffle from the coffee table and popping it into his mouth.
Rosemary's brows rose. "Then what am I?"
"Not delicate. You're a golden flower... with thick-ass petals and thorns of steel!"
Rosemary snorted with laughter at Balint's words and ill-matched serious expression. "Oh, you're good."
Garrus had propped himself against the coffee-table, and had rolled his eyes so many times Rosemary had worried they'd pop up and out of their sockets. "I'm still here, you two."
"I know. Stay a while, Garrus," Balint drawled. "You might learn something."
"You're just showing off," Rosemary whispered to him, exasperated.
"It's called competition, and I'm winning," Balint said, grinning.
Rosemary grinned right back, the devil in her eyes. "Which is why the three of us – "
Balint silenced that horrible sentence with a kiss. Rosemary chuckled before returning his affection, flame for flame.
FIN
Author's Note: Yes, the epilogue is missing. :) While playing Mass Effect: Andromeda, my fingers started twitching, as my mind buzzed with ideas. THERE WILL BE O-N-E SEQUEL, "Wakey Brews: The Palaven Branch". The outline is already underway and the first chapters will be released within the next week. Wish me luck! Until then... please leave your reviews of the story! I so appreciate any input! :D I hoped you enjoyed the read!
