Work Text:
I finally finish filing my reports and reading my emails and look up at the clock. It’s getting late and I still have work to do, but it can wait. I push away from my desk and stand up. I go put on my old N7 sweatshirt and my favorite sweats that are the most comfortable things I own. I brush out my hair and tie it in two simple braids. Looking at myself in the mirror and I shrug. There are circles under my eyes, but I know better than to try and hide them. He’ll notice them regardless.
I head to the crew deck and run into Garrus. “Hey, Nella. Time for tea?” he asks me. I just look at him, nod, and smile. I head to the kitchen area and look for my mug. I mutter to myself “where is it?” Garrus calls out to me “I saw him fussing around over there about an hour ago, Shep. He probably has it.” “Thanks, Garrus,” I say giggling. That man can hear a pin drop from a mile away.
I head over to Life Support and walk inside. I can smell the tea brewing; it smells of lemon and honey with a hint of gunmetal in the background. I feel more at ease in this room than any other on the Normandy.
“Siha. You’re not wearing shoes. Were you trying to trick me? I would know the sound of your footfalls no matter the shoe or lack thereof” Thane says to me, standing up and walking towards me. He looks down at me and sees the circles under my eyes and shakes his head. Taking my chin in his hand, he leans down and kisses me. “Little one, you need to rest more” is all he says as he takes my hand and guides me to the table.
We sit down and he pours me some tea. We sit in silence, holding hands, just enjoying being together. Thane stands up and goes over to his gun case. “Nella, you and I have traipsed across this galaxy and always find each other again. This is the first time in many years that I feel at home. The Normandy, here in Life Support and being with you is home. Even your oddly made-up crew is becoming family. Spending my remaining time with all of them, and especially you make this home worth everything I can give” he says to me.
I walk over to him and lean up against his side. He wraps his arm around me and pulls me close. “I don’t like talking about your remaining time, Thane. I’m not fighting you on it, but I have learned that we need to focus on the now. And right now, we are together with a ragtag family, and I am happy” I say to him. I stand on my tiptoe and kiss his cheek. “Come on, let's go eat,” I say as I pull him with me to the kitchen area.
“Aww look! It’s the love birds” Jack says as we approach the kitchen. I just glance at her and grin. “You two are so cute! It’s kinda gross, actually” she says loudly. I just shake my head and go to the fridge.
“What do you think you’re doing, missy?” Mess Sergeant Gardner asks me. “Go sit down and I’ll bring you something,” he says to me. “You’re supposed to have the night off,” I say to him. “Yeah, but then you probably wouldn’t eat a decent meal. After you’re fed, I’ll call it a night” he says looking at me while smiling. I just nod and sit down at the table.
Garrus and Tali walk in next both heading straight to the dextro rations. They grab their food and come join me at the table. Next, I hear Grunt walking and talking loudly down the hall. “Move!” he yells, “I’m starving and need food!” Everyone clears the way for our giant baby.
Kasumi and Samara come to the kitchen area next. Kasumi goes to the fridge and pulls out her soy milk and grabs a bowl of cereal. “That’s not very healthy,” Samara says to her. “It’s okay, I’m not a very healthy eating person,” Kasumi says back. I just grin at them both.
Zaeed, Miranda, and Jacob can be heard arguing before the elevator stops on our floor. It seems like their favorite pastime as of late. Today it sounds like they’re arguing over the best way to kill salarians. The next voice I hear is Mordin telling all three of them that they’re wrong and what the best tool for the job is. I just look down at my tea and shake my head.
I look around and notice that Thane is gone. Everyone is settling into their seats at the tables and the sound is a steady but quiet roar of talking. I stand up and say over the din “has anyone seen my husband?” Everyone stops talking and looks at me. I hear Joker over the comm “hey Commander! Close your eyes”.
“What’s this about, Joker?” I ask him. “C’mon Shepard, just close your eyes!” he says back. “Okay fine! They’re closed. This better not end up with someone getting hurt…” I say to the room.
The next thing I hear is everyone singing happy birthday. I open my eyes and see Mess Sergeant Gardner coming to the table with a birthday cake and a huge smile on his face. I see Thane standing by the fridge, smiling at me. “Happy birthday, Siha,” he says to me.
I look around and everyone is wishing me a happy birthday, giving me hugs, and starting to celebrate. I wipe a tear from my eye, one of happiness. I walk over to Thane and hug him. “This is all your doing, isn’t it?” I ask him. He looks down at me says “Yes. I’d never forgot your birthday.” I nudge him and say “It’s not possible for you to forget. Me? I forgot what today was. Thank you.”
“Hey, Nella!” Garrus yells at me. “You might want to come and cut this cake before Grunt decides to eat the whole thing!”
“I’ll be there in a minute!” I yell back at Garrus. I look up at Thane and smile. “I love you so much,” I say to him. “I love you too, Siha. Now go cut your cake and enjoy your day.”
Home is where you make it, and my home and family are the Normandy and her crew.