Art Trade - Reminiscing

Title: Reminiscing – Art Trade
Author: xRebel666x
Game: Mass Effect
Characters/Pairing: Ruby-Cloe Bradley (human female) and Arlin Australis (turian male), both OC's of hanyogirl on deviantart, meeting Garrus Vakarian.

Reminiscing

  In a secluded booth near the back of a Citadel café, a turian in blue armor was nervously waiting for his guests to arrive. Garrus Vakarian had not seen Ruby-Cloe Bradley and her husband Arlin Australis since he was little. Yet no matter how long ago their first meeting took place, he could still remember every detail. From what she looked like to what he was wearing. And especially taking notice in the way his father addressed her. Ruby was a very important person to the Vakarian's… she saved Garrus's father during the First Contact War. His family would forever be grateful for her altruism.

  The bells on the door rang, chiming the entrance of the café's patrons. A human with red eyes entered, her one arm holding onto the dark grey turian beside her. Recognizing Ruby and Arlin, Garrus waved at the older couple and summoned them over to his booth.

  Once they arrived, Garrus respectively gave Arlin a firm handshake and greeted Ruby with a warm hug. Her one arm wrapped around and squeezed him as tightly as she could. They situated themselves into the booth, Ruby and Arlin sat together on one side while Garrus sat on the other.

  "Well this is a pleasant surprise," Ruby smiled, "it's been a long time since I've seen you. My, how the years just slip on by…"

  "They have, haven't they," Garrus added.

  A young female human came to their table and asked what the newcomers would like. Arlin ordered for both Ruby and himself. The waitress asked Garrus if he needed a refill, he just shook his head and pointed at his untouched cup. When the two cups of coffee arrived, Ruby grabbed the small container with cream inside and poured a small portion into her cup. Her hand searched for the spoon on the plate, knocking it off and creating a loud sound as it dropped onto the table.

  Noticing Ruby's difficulty, Arlin lightly placed his hand atop hers… reassuring her. He took the cup away and stirred her coffee, adding two packets of sugar into the mixture. He gently returned the cup in front of Ruby and guided her hand towards it.

  "Thank you," she replied, bringing the cup to her lips. "So… how is your father doing?"

  "He's fine… at least that's what he tells me. We rarely talk anymore," Garrus confessed, his talons tracing the rim of his drink.

  "I am so sorry to hear that."

  "Don't be, I'm nothing but a disappointment to him… especially since I spent the last few months running around the galaxy with a Spectre. All he ever wanted was for me to follow it by the book but I can't even keep my position at C-Sec…"

  Her caring eyes stared through him, "I'm sure he'll come around."

  "I hope so," Garrus nodded, breaking away from her gaze and eying his drink.

  The sounds of the café around them echoed loudly around them as they quietly sat amongst themselves. Ruby took another sip of her coffee and broke the silence, "I am getting the feeling that there is something bothering you… or something you need to get off your chest."

  "Am I that obvious?" he asked, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

  The red-eyed woman nodded, "I've gotten pretty good at distinguishing the different tones in people's voices… and your tone says it all."

  "I meant to get in touch with you sooner…" Garrus started but froze up. He took a deep breath, then muttered, "I, um… wanted to ask about… your relationship."

  She cocked her head, "There's someone special in your life isn't there?"

  "There was someone…"

  "What was her name?"

  "Shepard… Commander Reblicah Shepard."

  "That's quite a strong name."

  "Yes… for such a strong woman. She fought for what she believed in, all the way to the very end. She… her ship recently got attacked… they couldn't retrieve her body so the Alliance declared her deceased… Now I wish I had my chance to tell her how I felt."

  "Why didn't you?"

  "I didn't think it would be possible since she's a human and I'm a turian… Then I thought about you two…"

  Arlin squeezed Ruby's hand, causing her to blush. Even with their love being displayed in the simplest of gestures, it spoke volumes between them. The years they spent together further sealed their undying bond… proving love knows no boundaries.

  "It was rough at first. Especially since the Contact War was fresh on everyone's mind. That's one of the reasons why we came to the Citadel. If there was one place that would be accepting about our relationship, it would be here. Once things between our species started settling down, we began being more open about it. We still get the occasional sneers of disapproval… but it doesn't matter as long as I am happy. And Arlin," she paused, taking a moment to embrace her partner's hand, "is the only one that makes me happy."

   Arlin lowered his forehead to the side Ruby's face and delicately nuzzled her ear with his nose. Shyly revealing his eternal affection to the woman he spent his life with.  

  "I don't know where I'd be without him," she glowed, "Especially now that I have become fully reliant of him."

  Garrus looked at her confused but she didn't notice his expression, so he asked, "What do you mean?"

  "I'm blind, Garrus."

  "Blind? Since when?"

  "For quite some time now. I lost my vision shortly after our first meeting. At least I got to see you before it left… even if you were a little boy."

  "But you hardly act like you are," Garrus had difficulty in repeating the word, "blind."

  "I know. I guess that comes with having a great guardian. Arlin is my eyes now… He guides me, takes care of me, and keeps me away from harm... I know I am safe in his hands."

  Garrus idly stared, witnessing their powerful relationship. Deep within his heart, he ached to have the bond their love held. Feeling enlightened, he admitted, "I don't think I'll ever find anyone to replace the void Shepard left behind. But if I do… I hope I can have a relationship as meaningful as yours."