* DELIVER ME.

he is nothing if not calm.  impeccably.  dr. chakwas will walk him through, as she says, and   shepard will be fine.   ‘i know basic medical aid techniques,’   he says conversationally, hands tightening the tourniquet he’s created for her.   ‘it’s useful knowledge to have when you’ve been as alone as i have.  you learn not to depend on others.  even doctors.  although .. that didn’t work in my favour, in the end.’   he receives his instructions, and begins work with prompt fingers.   ‘don’t forget to breathe, siha.  the pain is temporary.  try not to think of it.  when you wake, things will be better.’      /   @greatprotector.

he doesn’t know where that is.  earth, maybe?  where she’s from?  somewhere she’s been?  somewhere she remembers.   ‘take me there,’   he says.  it’s not an order, or a request—it’s an open door, a   yes, i’d love to go with you,   a subtle answer to the question she’s asking without actually saying the words.   ‘when this is all over, we could go wherever you’d like.  i’d like to travel with you.  there are places i’d like to take you—places i haven’t been to in years.  places i always associated with .. happy memories.’   we could make new ones together.      /   @greatprotector.

‘i’m fine.  minor scratches, at best.’   he gives her a meaningful glance, hand over hers, fingers brushing her knuckles.   ‘and you?  you took a hard hit from that krogan.  don’t think i didn’t notice.’   he looks for a bruise, eyes scanning her body;   eyes settle on her face, on her eyes, pretty beneath her hair.   ‘it won’t hurt, from time to time, to let   grunt   charge first.’      /   @greatprotector.

‘none taken.  humans don’t have the vocal range we do, so that’s only to be expected.’   he gives her a patient, pleasant expression:   not a smile, but not something that conveys he’s anything but happy to be chatting with her.   ‘it’s nice to speak with someone in my own tongue again.  translators make things easier, of course, but there’s .. something comforting about one’s mother tongue, and in people who understand it.  more of a personal connection, i find.’

he soaks in her warmth like he’s starving for it, as though he hasn’t felt a drop of affection in a decade.  he hasn’t, of course, but he doesn’t think of it like that.  this is a new lease on life---what little of it he has left.  with her.  like this.  undeserved, but wholly wanted.   ‘kepral’s syndrome isn’t common,’   he supplies, arm around her waist.   ‘to find a cure would be nothing short of a miracle.  it’s been many years since i’ve stopped believing in those.  but i believe in   you,   siha, and in your love.  i don’t mean to sound .. dismissive.  but your resources---your time---i’m sure it’s better spent on other things.’

sorry, mutuals only!!!! please read my rules

‘forgive me for being so tired,’   he says, settled on three pillows, two blankets at her insistence.   ‘i .. cherish our time together.’   if only things could let us be.   ‘i know you’re looking for a cure.  you don’t have to prove anything, siha.  it’s been many years now since i’ve come to be at peace with where my path will lead me.’      /   @greatprotector.

it’s not quite like him, to lay so vulnerable like this.  on a human.  one he’s come to feel so fond of he can’t imagine an easy path forward without.  he rests, quiet silence around him:   he doesn’t dream.  he hasn’t in years.  he hears her quiet murmur, feels her finger along his skin.   ‘i don’t understand,’   he says, a silent confession that he’s been only lingering in rest for the last few moments.   ‘i didn’t know you spoke another language.  what does it mean?’      /   @greatprotector.

he only needs a moment to think about it.  not that much time, really.    ‘—i’d like that, if i’m .. not too much of a burden on you.  kolyat has an apartment of his own, as well.  we could visit him.  i’d like for him to get to know you better.  the doctors at huerta memorial are .. among my favourite.  it would be a good solution to many loose ends.’   he pauses, glancing up at her from where he sits.   ‘and .. any time spent with you, siha, is time i wouldn’t trade for much else.  thank you.’      /   @greatprotector.