Typerhappy: Mass Effect ffic... wip... thingie...
name: [working title] Round One
fandom: Mass Effect
characters: female Shepard (vanguard)/Kaidan Alenko Shep tops, no questions, Garrus Vakarian, Urdnot Wrex, Ashley Williams, the crew of SSV Normandy-SR1
rating: Could this be... *gasp* kiddy safe??
word count: 744
author’s note: I remembered my literature lessons, namely Niebelungenlied. Combined with boredom, less-than-respectful attitude towards Kaidan and a near-worship of Garrus... yields interesting results.
Rushed ending is ruuushed oh well. Will revise. Later.
Likely will rewrite half of it. Started to hate on it in the middle.
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In retrospect, Garrus should have thought better of partaking in the seemingly incidental single combat event in Normandy’s cargo bay.
He had been aware he was missing a piece of information, but didn’t attach too much importance to it. To him, it seemed like a common fighting ring, something he felt familiar with. So what if it was basically just Shepard against every man on board? So what if they jeered at Alenko especially when he ended up flying through air like a rag doll?
So what if everyone went silent when he asked to join in? He was turian on a human ship. He was used to being treated with distrust and caution.
Shepard giving him a strange look as well was still somewhat disheartening. But then she shrugged and grinned, and he was dodging a swift right hook before he knew it.
In retrospect, Garrus should have made sure he knew all the rules, though he quickly learnt that biotics were obviously allowed and adapted, enjoying the challenge of taking down a biotic without other tools than his body. It was invigorating, and judging from Shepard’s expression, the commander was thinking the same thing.
It was a long and surprisingly even fight, but in the end Garrus still had the advantage of denser muscle structure and longer reach, and eventually wore the woman down enough to land in a dizzying blow. After that it was over quickly, and the cheering crowd went quiet.
In retrospect, taking a few telekinetic blows was the least of his problems. He had Shepard’s smaller body pinned and squirming fruitlessly underneath his own, one hard-plated forearm pressed against delicate throat to immobilize her. The commander gave up and went still after a moment longer and returned his look, breathing harshly through her nose.
“I wish you many strong sons and fertile daughters, Shepard!” Wrex was first to break the silence, and the former C-Sec officer blinked in confusion, looking from the human to the krogan and back. He was baffled even further when he saw blood filling the woman’s cheeks, and she averted her eyes.
“S-Shepard? Are you alright?” Garrus quickly drew back, afraid that he had been perhaps pressuring her jugular unconsciously. Humans were so damn delicate... Standing up he offered a helping hand, which was accepted after a moment of hesitation, the Spectre suddenly strangely subdued. Still, barring a few bruises and scratches she seemed to be unharmed.
“Hey, LT, I guess this makes you Gunther.” Williams chuckled nervously, and earned a glare from Alenko.
“Shut it, Chief.” The biotic retorted over the murmur that broke out among the watchers, and Garrus shuffled on his feet with growing agitation. Had he overstepped some boundaries he wasn’t aware of? Was he supposed to let Shepard win? Or was it because he was a turian? Maybe he shouldn’t have-
“Quiet, everyone. Garrus has beaten me fair and square. Anyone have a problem with that, they can stuff it where it belongs. I can provide assistance.” Shepard added meaningfully, cracking her knuckles.
The room fell quickly silent again, and the human Spectre gave the ex-cop a long, unreadable look.
The turian almost jumped away when the commander outstretched a fisted hand towards him. “To the victor go the spoils.” She explained, and dropped something small and silvery onto his palm.
Garrus stared dumbly at a simple ring, and when he looked up he noticed Shepard’s cheeks were growing red again. “It was my mother’s, given to her by my father and it is the only thing I have- had left of them. Treat it as it deserves. I’m afraid I need my belt, however.” She added with a strained chuckle.
If he felt confused before, Garrus was completely lost now. “W-what? Shepard, it was just a-... I can’t possibly-... Not something this- I didn’t mean-“ He was babbling, and trying to return the obviously precious memento. He found himself wishing he had never come down into the cargo hold.
“No.” The commander held up one hand to silence him, and closed his clawed fingers around the ring with the other. “It’s okay, really. Now, I believe explanation is in order.” She cleared her throat, and tapped her comm piece. “Joker, would you be kind enough to forward a translation of Niebelungenlied to Garrus’ private terminal? Thank you.”
“Show’s over! Everybody not supposed to be here, scram. If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my room, dying of mortification.”
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Niebelungenlied and its connection to this story in a nutshell: Brünhild (read: Shepard) is a powerful warrior sworn to marry only the one who beats her in a fight. Gunther (read: Kaidan) wishes to marry her and employs the help of his friend Siegfried (read: Garrus), who cannot be harmed due to a dragonblood bath. Unsurprisingly Siegfried wins, and takes Brünhild’s ring as a proof/memento. On the wedding night he is asked to fight the blushing (read: screaming and kicking) bride again, which is when he acquires Brünhild’s belt.
Fun fact: Woman’s belt is a symbol of her virginity. Oh yes. Naughty Garrus Siegfried.