Chapter Text
The rest of their dinner went without issue. With their more serious talk out of the way, they shared some lighthearted stories about their families and a bit of laughter as they ate. Shepard attempted to pay for their meal, but Garrus declined. With his mother now refusing to receive more treatments, he had some extra credits to spill. They walked out of the restaurant after paying, hand in hand. It was about time to take their vehicle back to the rental center. Though both were mutually dreading to get back to work, they knew that it didn’t really matter what they wanted in the end. They still had a galaxy to save.
As they were coming up to their vehicle, Garrus heard a stray pair of footsteps coming from behind them. His instincts sharpened, he quickly spun around and was met with a hostile face. “Alenko.” Garrus grumbled through gritted teeth. “How about a rematch, Garrus? No AI to save your ass here.” The Turian scoffed. “I’m not stupid Alenko, this is your turf. I won’t give in to your petty request.” This seemed to anger Kaiden. “ Then I won’t give you a choice.”
Kaiden suddenly took a swing at Garrus, landing a solid blow straight to his raw scars. This makes him stumble back and sends a burning ache through his cheek. Garrus let out a pained groan, and he felt a warm liquid running down the side of his face. Garrus touches his scars, then looks at his talons, now covered in his blue blood.
“The fuck is your problem, Kaiden!?” Shepard yelled frantically, rushing to Garrus’ side. Her eyes looked at him widened in concern as she inspected his face. “Shit, your wounds reopened.” Kaiden quickly rushes over and forcefully shoves her away from Garrus. “Stay out of this, Jane. This is between me and the giant cuttlebone. I’ll deal with you later,” he spat.
Garrus could feel the murderous beast inside of him growing once again from Kaiden's threats. He glanced at Shepard crumpled on the ground and wanted nothing more than to protect her from this monster, forever. Garrus storms over to Kaiden, giving him a quick punch to his face and a knee to his gut. The man collapsed to the floor. “What did I say about laying your filthy hands on her?” Garrus roars. Kaiden smirks and suddenly pulls out a concealed pistol from his jacket, cocking it at Garrus’ face. “Always knew you were a coward, Alenko,” Garrus then witnesses Shepard getting up and quickly pulling out her own pistol, from a hidden thigh holster under her dress. Humans and their damn concealed weapons.
She shoots the gun out of Kaiden’s hand and as it clatters to the ground, Garrus makes his move. He pins Kaiden to the ground by his neck and begins squeezing, nearly digging his claws into the man’s jugular. Kaiden struggled beneath his strength, his face nearly turning a shade of purple. Garrus was determined to deny him another breath, but Shepard walked over and put her hand on his shoulder. “Garrus, let’s just go, please.”
The Turian snarls in frustration. As much as he desired to stain his hands in this Human’s blood, he didn’t wish to ruin the rest of their night. He lifts up Kaiden by his neck slightly, lowering his face close to the Human’s in intimidation. Garrus' eyes were filled with rage. He then shoves Kaiden back into the ground by his neck and the man begins desperately gasping for air. Garrus gives him a hard kick to his side before they hop into the vehicle.
“What is his deal? Does he enjoy getting beat up?” Garrus furiously asks, as his mandibles flicked in clear agitation. His face still burned intensely, but his wrath overpowered the pain. “Easy Garrus, he’s just a loser with a big ego.” He shakes his head, “A loser with Spectre status and a gun. He’s dangerous and corrupt, Shepard, just like Saren was.” Shepard ripped off a piece of her dress, handing it to a now wide eyed Garrus. It wasn’t sterile, but slowing the bleeding was more important right now. “Here, hold this firmly to your face. I’ll drop you off at the Normandy so Chakwas can patch you back up.” Garrus takes a look at her now tattered dress and is saddened by the sight. “Shepard, your dress...” “It doesn’t matter.”
Now back in the Battery Room, Garrus flopped into his cot. His body sinks deeper into the soft material as he relaxes. An hour had passed after Shepard had left him at the Normandy. Dr. Chakwas helped repair his cybernetic skin and rebandaged his face. Thankfully, the damage wasn’t terrible, but he would definitely need more pain killers. The low hums of the drive core beneath him helped soothe his pain and the hurricane of feelings inside him. Garrus didn’t know if Shepard had made it back yet, but he really wished that she was here to comfort him. His eyelids began to grow heavy. As thoughts of her cloud his mind, he slips into slumber.
Almost instantly, he woke to a metallic knock coming from his door. Garrus shot up from his cot, immediately opening the door. As if his wish was granted, it was Shepard, still in her torn up dress. An exhausted expression was painted all over her face. She looks up at him, her gaze darting to his bandage and her eyes begin to water. She says nothing, only closing the door behind her and pulling Garrus into a tight hug.
Garrus couldn’t help but purr with Shepard’s face buried into his chest. He places one of his hands gently on the back of her head, petting her silky red hair. He wraps his free arm around her waist, pulling her close. It seemed like she was the one more in need of comfort right now. Everything about this moment would’ve made him lose control before, but he was only focused on soothing her.
“You okay?” Garrus asks quietly. She shakes her head. “It's been rough lately. Feels like we never can catch a break.” She pulls apart from him, a single tear falling from her eye. Garrus cups her face within his talons, gingerly wiping the droplet away. “Everything is alright, Shep. I’ve got you,” he says softly. “Garrus, will you come up to my cabin with me? I don’t want to be alone.”