** Garrus POV **
Garrus sat outside the Council chambers waiting to be summoned. He and the rest of the family had just settled at home when Garrus received the message from Nihlus.
His father had told him not to worry about the registration, that he would take care of everything before coming over to the Citadel.
"Hey," Solana greeted, coming to join him. "How's the family? I heard from mom that you kept a secret grandson from her."
Garrus scoffed. "There is no secret grandson. Aster was looking after a turian child when the child's mother abandoned him."
"What?!" Solana exclaimed. "What's going to happen to him?"
"Dad is taking care of everything on Palaven," Garrus replied. "Including the registration."
"Sorry, I couldn't be there," Solana continued. "Work has been busy. I couldn't get away."
Garrus stared at the door, feeling nervous.
"Don't worry," Solana said, noticing his nervousness. "I'm sure everything will work out."
Just then, Nihlus and John walked out.
"They're making their decision," John announced, taking a seat.
"How's the vacation treating you?" Nihlus also asked, taking a seat.
"Well enough," Garrus replied. "Went to visit the wife."
"Must be nice," Nihlus muttered.
Garrus chuckled. "It was."
While the group spoke, one of the attendants had John and Nihlus go back inside the Council chambers. A few more minutes went by, and one of the Councilor's assistants came out asking Garrus to enter as well.
"Good luck," Solana called out.
Garrus steadied his nerves and entered the chamber.
"Garrus Vakarian, step forward," Councilor Tevos beckoned.
Garrus waited in anticipation to hear his fate.
"The Council has decided to uphold your Spectre status," she continued. "You were being manipulated by the late Councilor Udina. You will not face any charges or be reprimanded."
Garrus released his breath that he didn't realize he was holding.
"Thank you, Councilors," Garrus replied.
"The evidence is irrefutable," Councilor Tevos continued. "The security bypasses, the illegal A.I, the encoded communications... all linked directly to Udina's private comms. Through his activities, Dr. Chakwas is clearly involved.
"John, you are tasked with bringing in Dr. Chakwas for questioning."
"I will depart immediately," John said, taking his leave.
"Additionally, we have made a decision regarding Captain Shepard," Councilor Tevos announced. "Councilor Udina and Dr. Chakwas were in cahoots to frame Captain Shepard. All charges against the Captain will be dropped, and we will compensate her for the trouble.
"We have released a statement to the public regarding this issue. We do want to speak to her regarding the A.I if she is willing to speak to us."
"That's very generous of you," Garrus said carefully. "If I hear from her, I will inform her."
After they were dismissed, Nihlus and Garrus went back to Nihlus's apartment.
"Congratulations on your reinstatement," Nihlus said, offering him a beer.
"I wasn't worried about it," Garrus replied, taking a swing of his beer. "If I didn't get reinstated, I would move to Palaven with my wife."
Nihlus chuckled, clearly jealous. "I need a wife."
"You should," Garrus agreed. "By the way, have you found an apartment for me?"
Nihlus nodded. "I did find one. Don't worry, I've already bought it under your name. You should be getting the paperwork soon."
"Good," Garrus said. "I need a place to live before Aster and Galvus arrive on the Citadel."
"Galvus?" Nihlus questioned. "Who is that?"
"Someone Aster is taking care of," Garrus replied, not really explaining the situation since he didn't know much either.
Nihlus decided not to probe.
"I'm going to head out," Garrus said, finishing his beer.
"See you around," Nihlus called out as Garrus headed out.
After a long day, Garrus found a nearby hotel and booked a room for a few days. He didn't know how long it would take for the apartment paperwork to be sent to him. Instead of going out again, Garrus ordered some take-out and went to take a quick shower. When his food arrived, he ate, sent Aster a quick message, and headed to bed.
Although sleeping early was not something that Garrus normally did, he had been traveling all day, and the journey had tired him.
*
Garrus wasn't sure when he fell asleep, but when he tried to roll over to his right side, he was met with some resistance. In his groggy state of mind, he sat up a bit and removed the covers from the bed. His eyes popped wide open once he saw who was in bed with him. It was none other than Aster.
"I'm cold," she said without opening her eyes. "Hurry up and come back to bed."
Garrus didn't know what to say; he just stared. Aster opened her eyes and smiled at him.
"Did you miss me?"
Garrus quickly covered her, and he lay back down on his back. He felt Aster move and fit herself under his right arm, one arm draped around him.
"Go back to bed," Aster mumbled. "Unless you want to play."
Garrus wasn't sure if he would be able to sleep with her so near his erogenous zone. Before long, he heard Aster's breathing slow down, indicating she had fallen asleep.
The next morning, Garrus woke up to the softest skin pressed against his chest. A smell of vanilla and sweetness lingered around him. His left arm was draped around something soft. Garrus felt his body beginning to react to the smell and the soft skin. He had missed his wife.
"Hmmm," a soft said from under the covers. "It's good to see you, too."
Garrus draws his wife to his chest. "I missed you."
Aster chuckled and turned around to face him. "I missed you, too."
"You know," Garrus began, his voice a low rumble, "we never really explored… everything… about each other's anatomy, did we?"
A mischievous glint entered his yellow eyes.
Aster's cheeks flushed. "I… well, we haven't exactly had a formal lesson. Unless you count that one time we used the pamphlet."
Garrus remembered the scene.
"Then let's start one now," he murmured. "And I think the best way to learn about a Turian is to teach you through… you."
He gently lifted her hand, placing it on his carapace just below his mandible plating. "Feel this. This area is surprisingly sensitive." He closed his eyes, a soft sigh escaping his lips. "Experiment. See what you discover."
Aster hesitated, then cautiously traced the smooth, cool surface with her fingertips. Garrus shuddered slightly, and a low growl rumbled in his chest. Aster pulled back, surprised.
Garrus chuckled, taking her hand again and guiding it back to the same spot. "See? Learning already. Now, let's move lower." He guided her hand down to the ridges along his neck, explaining how Turian nerve clusters were distributed differently than human ones.
He showed her the subtle nuances of pressure and touch that brought him pleasure, using his own reactions as her guide. Then, he mirrored the exercise, gently exploring her own body, pointing out areas that responded to different types of touch.
Garrus showed her how the delicate skin behind her earlobe could send shivers down her spine, how the curve of her neck pulsed with anticipation, and how the soft flesh of her inner arm could ignite a fire within her.
He lightly brushed his fingertips over the exposed skin of her arm, feeling the surprisingly pliant flesh beneath the smooth fabric. Her skin felt warmer than he remembered and had a softness that intrigued him. Aster let out a small breath, a sound that vibrated through her chest, a low thrum against his touch.
Aster took her turn to explore.
"And I've never quite had the chance to appreciate… this." Aster's other hand, emboldened, moved from his cheek down the intricate plates of his neck, tracing the ridges and valleys. She paused at the junction where his neck met his shoulder, a place of surprising sensitivity he hadn't known he possessed. A low rumble, involuntary, escaped his vocalizer.
"Interesting," Garrus murmured, his voice a bit deeper than before.
He mirrored her exploration, his touch becoming bolder, moving from her arm to the curve of her hip, feeling the subtle give of muscle and the gentle swell beneath the fabric. Her skin was so… continuous, without the sharp angles and defined plates of his own species. It felt vulnerable, yet also incredibly inviting. He leaned in, letting his mandibles brush against her temple, feeling the soft strands of her hair against his chitin. The scent of her intensified, a heady mix of humanity and something that was just her.
*
"I'm glad you're here," Garrus said, as he rested his head on her stomach.
"Me too," Aster replied as she rubbed his fringe.
"Don't worry," she continued. "I'm not leaving any time soon."
"Why's that?" Garrus asked, looking up at her.
"The Councilors summoned me," Aster replied.
"Hmm, I remember," Garrus said, breathing in her sweet scent. "I didn't think you would get here so fast. I sold our last apartment, and Nihlus bought us a new one."
"Is it bigger?" Aster asked.
"I haven't seen it," Garrus admitted. "But I'm sure Nihlus knows what he's doing."
Aster shrugged. "Alright then. The extra space would be great."
"Yes, for the babies," Garrus yawned.
"Babies?" Aster questioned.
Garrus yawned again and felt his eyes begin to close. This was the life.