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The deep crimson light of Omega’s synthetic sunset permeated the half-drawn windows, giving the entire apartment a sinister feel. Aria wasn’t superstitious in the slightest but even she took it as an omen. Tonight wasn’t going to go as she’d planned. Whatever that meant.
Tevos was gone.
Not in a severing-their-bond type of way. Hardly. That woman had fought tooth and nail to even make it out of the Reaper invasion alive. No, this was a diplomatic trip to one of the moons orbiting Palaven to appease the turian aristocrats. Well, the ones that hadn’t been turned into an avian paste during the war. Either way, she was lightyears away and Aria was left alone to wallow in self-pity.
Regardless, Aria was in a bad way. Before the blue-faced thorn in her side, she’d loved silence. Hell, she still appreciated gagging Tevos and making her squirm. But this was different, she was lonely. It didn’t happen often, considering half of Omega would queue to kiss her boots in the snap of a finger. The other half of the population was likely forming some half-cocked plan to overthrow her rule. Either way, being the head bitch wasn’t the most amiable of positions to be in.
Shepard and her potpourri of miscreants were alright but Aria would rather peel her fingernails off before admitting it aloud. Shepard herself was fine, if not a little too chipper for Aria to see every day. Liara was so incredibly deceptive and masterful at emotional subterfuge that Aria actually wished she saw her friend more. She’d written the book on faux exteriors and non-reactions, but Liara put a nice, fresh spin on things that piqued Aria’s interest.
Aria, impatient and sitting on a pile of nameless emotions that begged to be unpacked, stood from her lavish settee and downed the rest of her tumbler. She sucked a heady ice cube into her mouth and crunched, swallowing the watery booze and smacking her lips when she was done. It was too dark in the apartment, too quiet. She and Tevos split their time between the Citadel and Omega, but she hadn’t been alone in her apartment in a very long time.
She hated this, knowing that she was on an emotional precipice with Tevos out of reach. Sex usually led to some profound insight that miraculously put her feelings in check. That wasn’t something she enjoyed hashing out over messages, and if her bondmate wanted to speak via vidcomm, it wouldn’t end well for her.
Aria enjoyed a bit of voyeurism when her bondmate was gone, but Tevos couldn't come without a meld, which was impossible at the current moment. In the past, Aria would appear where Tevos was staying as a sort of surprise, but this was a diplomatic mission and Aria had caused enough professional problems for the asari Counselor.
Shepard and Aria were similar in that they kept emotions tucked very close to their hearts.
It was partly why they got along so well in and out of the bedroom. While Aria had melded with Shepard on occasion, she wasn’t an expert on the Commander. From the small interactions and scenes, Aria knew that Shepard’s true emotions took some coaxing. Likewise, Tevos usually waited until Aria had come a few times before broaching anything serious. Though, any serious discussions happened outside of their group scenes - some things were a little too personal to share with more than her bondmate.
Shepard, on the other hand, seemed content to tell Aria every detail about her relationship. Perhaps it was because she could not meld, perhaps she just lacked the boundaries. Liara’s mind was quiet - wise beyond her years. She was eerily similar to Benezia, which Aria loved to tease her about.
Thinking about Benezia made Aria think of her own fucked up parentage. She’d ditched those fuckers centuries ago, but their words had stung a young Aria before she had even adopted the moniker. Benezia had loved her daughter for a century and ruined it all for a turian, Aria’s mother had hated her from the start and never tried to make amends. They weren’t the same, but their pain was similar.
Fuck, I hate thinking about her.
The ice in her mouth hit a sensitive spot on her tooth, which snapped her out of her wallowing. With a self-deprecating shake of her head, she set the glass in the sink before she shattered it and began to strip out of her clothes as she walked down the hallways to her bedroom. A nap would help her get past the funk she’d begun to fall down. However, to get one of the good naps, she had to come first - even if she had to throw arousal to the wind and go straight for the end game. Sometimes she grabbed the little vibrator from the back of Tevos’ drawer and just went at it until her body finally relaxed.
The state of their bedroom was a comforting monotony. For someone who appreciated change and deviation in most things, a solid foundation to come back home to helped her immensely. Tevos’ night slippers on the other side of the bed and a flowing shawl draped over the mirror made her smile the tiniest bit. She missed Tevos, she would know how to coax the emotions out of Aria without a fuss. With a grunt, she stripped out of all but her underwear and laid across the bed with an impatient glare. Her hand went wandering south while she propped herself up to dictate a message to her bondmate. Hopefully, she would answer it quickly - Aria was quickly losing her patience.
“How’s the bird moon?”
The reply thankfully came quickly. “The rebuilding on Menae is admirable considering the hardships.”
“You sound busy.”
“I’ve sent you one message, Aria. I am working, did you need something?”
“I need you. That’s the point. Should I have sent one of those annoying smiley faces that Shepard uses? Those always seem to get her laid.”
It took a moment for Tevos’ little picture to switch to the “typing” icon. Aria, impatient and ready to sleep, slid her first and middle finger on each side of her clit and began to rub back and forth aimlessly. Little passive jolts of pleasure began to pulse through her body, which made her muscles relax. Even in the worst of uncomfortable bouts of emotions, sex was safe. It was basal - as natural to her as breathing. Yes, she liked to dive in head first, but she’d forgotten how comfortable touching herself could be.
“Please do not. I cannot respond quickly, but my workday is over in thirty minutes so feel free to leave me any messages for me to look at when I go back to my hotel room. If you’re good, I’ll call you as soon as I lock the door.”
“I don’t want you to get worked up babe, I can’t come to fuck you sideways in your hotel room this time.”
“Unlike you, I am capable of seduction without focusing on myself.”
“Hey - I like focusing on myself!”
“I’ll read anything after this later, Aria.”
Aria huffed and rolled onto her back. Her hips wiggled as she tried a few different angles to see which one she wanted tonight, only to cry out in frustration when her body wouldn’t cooperate. The feelings that teetered on the edge began to seep into her mind, making her chest tighten and her hand shoot out of her pants. She yelled in frustration before rolling petulantly onto her side and activating her Omni-tool once more.
“I’m so fucking frustrated, Thea. I can’t even finger myself without thinking about all the shit in my head. I need to sleep, but I can’t sleep without coming and I can’t come by myself.”
“Call a friend.”
“I thought you were busy.”
“You know I was going to read the messages as they came in, Aria. I simply wanted to make you wait. ‘You don’t always come first or fast’ - that’s what you said to me last night.”
“Who am I supposed to call? Shepard is with you!”
“I seem to remember a maiden that rather enjoys your attention. In fact, she’s likely just as lonely considering her bondmate is three chairs over from me.”
“I don’t want to spill my guts to T’Soni!”
“Then go to sleep, darling.”
“I hate you.”
“You do not. I do have to go, please let me know how it goes!”
Aria growled and threw off her Omni-tool. Now she was mad, which meant that masturbation was out of the question. She needed to control someone, let loose on someone who would listen to her every word. T’Soni was a good submissive - though Aria liked a little fight in her partners.
Thankful that she was alone and no one could see her obvious desperation, she picked up the metallic bracelet on her bed and slipped it back on. Briefly, she considered downloading the newest Amara Anjali vid, but even that didn’t seem right. She wanted to come, fall asleep, and wake up without the dark cloud that hung over her head. T’Soni will understand, she’s been in my head. Giving into her needs, she tapped out a message to her friend.
“Hey, you busy tonight?”
“I just finished dinner with my father, why so?”
“I have some *things* I need to work out and Tevos is with Shepard.”
“What kind of things?”
“Nope - you don’t get to know that. I just need to come and sleep. You can even share the bed.”
“You’re so chivalrous, I don’t know how Thea stands it.”
“Well?”
“I can be there in an hour, let me shower and get my affairs in order. Is this one of the nights where I need to bring the good wine?”
“Fuck it, why not? I’ll drink your prissy wine. Just don’t tell Shepard, she’ll use that fuel until she croaks.”
“I hate you sometimes, you know that?”
“Funny, T’Soni, Thea says the same thing.”
Ω
When Liara entered the familiar apartment, she noticed two things. One, that Aria had turned on every light possible, making it look like early morning instead of almost midnight. The other thing was that there was a ring of condensation around the glass of rum on the table. Aria was not someone who let good booze sweat in a glass and furthermore was absolutely against rings on her nice furniture. A glance into the kitchen showed that Aria had already gone through most of the glasses in her pantry.
“What’s wrong?” Liara asked as she was ushered further into the apartment. She’d been there enough to feel at ease with her surroundings, but it always felt like a sleepover when she and Shepard stayed the night. She’d never stayed alone before, which wasn’t to say that it wouldn’t be fun. She just wanted to clear any air beforehand, given how sour Aria had sounded over messages and how conflicted she currently looked as she locked the door.
“I’m horny and Thea isn’t here,” Aria deadpanned as if Liara had asked her what color the sky was. “And you’re always an eager little slut, so it just made sense.”
Liara was incredibly perceptive. She’d learned early on how to read people via her mother’s lectures about being a public figure. Moreso, years of people watching and being the Shadow Broker had given Liara an almost paranormal ability to read someone down to their most basal thoughts. So, when Aria’s pseudo-ire didn’t quite have the normal bite, she knew something was seriously wrong.
“Before I get naked, I want to know at least a little bit of what’s wrong.” Liara sat on the couch and crossed one leg over the other, careful to show just enough leg to keep Aria’s focus. She’d originally planned on taking some holovids for Shepard when she’d gotten home from dinner, however, just knowing that Liara was with Aria would be enough to have Shepard walking funny for a few days.
“You’re too much trouble, I should have just grabbed a vibrator and gone to town.” Aria shook her head and sat down on the opposite end of the sectional. “It was something Thea’s mother said in passing. I hate that I let that dusty windbag get under my skin. She’s never liked me and the feeling is very mutual. I can’t stop thinking about it and I just want to sleep.”
Liara was familiar with Thea’s mother but had only interacted with her for moments at a time. She’d dealt with enough disapproval simply walking through Armali with Shepard on her arm - she didn’t need another upturned nose in her direction. However, she did understand how a mother’s words could bite, even if it was a mother-in-law. Aria never cared about anyone’s approval but it was obvious that Tevos’ feelings were the only ones she ever considered.
“What did she say?” Liara leaned back against the arm of the couch and brought her knees up to her chest. She deliberately didn’t move her dress to cover up the fact that she had chosen to forego underwear in order to help Aria focus on something else if things went south. If anything it was a treat - an appetizer for later.
Aria’s nostrils flared as she looked away, seemingly too proud to admit what had stung. Instead, she shook her head and downed the rest of her drink. “I don’t want to think about that hag right now. You’re right there with your azure ready and wet. I didn’t even have to grab my belt this time.”
Liara blushed. “It’s not my fault that I love the smell of leather!”
“And you like being hit with it,” Aria snickered. “You haven’t been good enough for that, though.”
“What would you like me to do?” Liara put on her best innocent face.
“How about you let me have that ass?” Aria’s eyes lit up. “Your little vids with Shepard make me a little envious, you know? I miss exploring a new hole in someone. She’s so obsessed with sending us those, really makes a girl think, you know?”
Liara grimaced. “That sounds awful, just so you know. It might actually be worse than any pickup line I’ve heard - and I served on the Normandy! Exploring a new hole? Sheesh!”
Aria pressed her hands into the cushion and launched herself into a standing position. Her hands went to her pants, where an alluring bulge had begun to grow. Liara licked her lips - she loved being on the receiving end of Shepard’s cock at any given time. Aria’s cock was like a vacation - a decadent dessert that could only be appreciated in moderation.
“Thought you had a dry spell?” Liara motioned to Aria’s pants. “That must have been fun to put in. I would have brought lube if you’d needed it.”
“Fuck off,” Aria’s brow knit, telling Liara everything she needed to know about the situation. Aria wasn’t in the mood to lead their scene, even if she had tried to put on the bravado to convince her otherwise. It was commendable, but anyone who knew Aria intimately knew that she was unable to admit when she wanted to be on the submissive side of things.
“Aria,” Liara began softly, rising to stand in front of her. “We don’t have to do this. We can drink our wine and laugh at stupid vids of volus stunt doubles. Or, I can blow you while you relax. It doesn’t have to be a whole scene.”
“I need to sleep off this fucking funk,” Aria spat with a bite. “And I can’t sleep without coming. I tried, okay? Couldn’t even get wet. I used the rest of my lube putting the cock in for this.”
“Do you need to cuddle?” Liara offered, though she wasn’t totally keen on the idea. They didn’t have that type of dynamic and Aria never let her guard down around anyone but Thea. Cuddling always helped her fall asleep though.
“No!” Aria shot forward, unzipping her pants as she stalked to the bedroom. “Come on. I’m gonna make you understand..”
Ω
The fact that Liara had offered her a cuddle did not sit well with her. She was a boss - a bitch, even. She did not cuddle and if she did, it was with her bondmate, who would have already been ass-up and squirming. But this was T’Soni and she didn’t have a set role with Aria. Yes, most of their encounters had Liara participating as a background noise - which was her preference. She usually got her treats when the group had been sated, which made her release a sort of closing ceremony for them. It was what they did, it was expected.
But that was in a group setting where arms and legs tangled and everyone wore someone else’s fluids. Of course, she’d fucked Liara numerous times, but it was different right now. It felt…strange. More intimate now that they were alone.
“You know,” Liara raised one adorable eyebrow while she spoke. “I’m not always a writhing submissive.”
“I’ve seen and heard you and Shepard in your scenes, you’ve got the chops for both,” Aria admitted. “It takes a lot to move between both ends of the spectrum, especially with the same partner. I struggle with being submissive, but that’s because control looks sexy on me.”
“It does, but we all have our comfortable roles,” Liara began as she sat down on the corner of Aria’s bed and looked at her with those big, knowledgeable eyes. “And our uncomfortable ones. Being submissive is an emotional cleanse - a physical catharsis. There’s no shame in it.”
Panic rose in Aria’s chest. “What the fuck do you mean by that? I’m not bottoming for you if that’s what you’re asking. I wanted your ass, so that’s what I’m getting.”
Liara pursed her lips and lost her seductive aura. “Aria, you’re walking around like someone took a dagger to your heart. I know for certain that you and Thea aren’t fighting and that the crime on Omega is still relatively low. So, you can be honest with me out loud, or you can show me in a meld, I don’t care. Either way, I’m not comfortable entering this arrangement without at least some context. I don’t want to do more harm than good. Also, I never said you had to bottom - you mentioned that.”
Aria grumbled. “At least kiss me a bit before getting into my head, damn. No wonder you’re such a good Shadow Broker.”
“It will be okay,” Liara smiled softly as Aria sat down on the bed next to her. “We can go slow.”
Aria snorted. “I’m not sixty losing my virginity on the beach, I don’t need soft reassurance and tender touches. I want to come in your ass and fall asleep.”
Liara pressed her hand to Aria’s cheek and swiped her thumb over Aria’s tattoos. “Yes, but something is bothering you and while Thea is usually your go-to, I’m honored to help how I can. You called me for a reason and it’s not unrealistic for me to want to know what that reason is.”
“Nothing leaves this room,” Aria hissed before pulling Liara in for a hot, sloppy kiss. Their breaths puffed in each other’s faces as they slowly found a rhythm to their union. Damn, why is she such a good kisser?
Liara kissed her cheeks and pressed their foreheads together, rubbing her thumbs over Aria’s cheekbones and sucking on her lips as they parted. Aria felt like she was re-enacting some overly purple prose in an asari porno. So many feelings, not enough fucking. Even the humans know when to get to the good part.
“You’re safe with me. Are you ready?” Liara whispered as her eyes blackened. Aria stopped for a moment, caught off guard by the wording. She was never safe, she was on Omega. She was Omega.
“Embrace eternity.”
Ω
The tumultuous and heavily saturated landscape of Aria’s mind looked basically untouched. A missing memory here, a few redacted patches there. The colors seemed less pigmented than normal, but that was expected. She’d been in here a few times, but usually under a time constraint to get off or get Aria off.
A dark patch covered all of the colors around her, making it a mundane monochromatic atmosphere. A disembodied voice echoed through the walls.
“...It’s a good thing that she doesn’t want kids, she obviously isn’t the type to split her time or money on anything but herself. I still can’t believe she managed to keep the first one alive for so long. Poor thing never stood a chance. It’s not like Aria had the best parents growing up, she won’t even talk about them. Oh, Thea, I just wish you’d picked someone more settled and less starved for attention…”
“...Mother! She’ll hear you! You have no idea what kind of mother she would be. You don’t get to hang her mistakes over her head like that. You aren’t the most picturesque example of parentage either…”
“...I only want you to be happy. If that means raising a child alone because your partner had her chance and failed, so be it. How can she raise a child without ever knowing how? Even the matriarchs gave up on her…”
“...Please, mother. Just stop...”
The meld ended abruptly, making Liara’s eyes swim with dizziness. She hadn’t gone anywhere in Aria’s mind without permission, but Aria had kept the memories too close to the top of her thoughts - a maiden’s mistake. Those words had hurt Aria more than she’d let on - Liara could feel the pain. Pain from losing a daughter and an ever deeper pain of never once being taken care of. Liara couldn’t relate exactly, but the insecurity that stemmed from it was familiar enough for her to identify.
“Everyone, including myself, knows I’m a shit parent,” Aria raised her eyebrow tattoos sarcastically. “Didn’t have the best examples, you know? Never even got a hug from mine. The most attention they paid to me was throwing me out of the home at thirty-five and sticking a knife in my ribs.”
“You were a child!” Liara said quickly with an incredulous scowl. “Has no one ever cared for you?”
Aria snorted as she lost her steam. “Sometimes I let Thea coddle me, but that’s to make her feel better. It’s always been me, myself, and I.”
Liara scooted backward on the bed and laid back against the pillow. Her hand drifted outward until she brushed Aria’s fingers and she tugged gently. Aria didn’t speak, but she did lay back against the pillows in a similar way. They lay there for a little bit with intertwined hands while Liara tried to work out how she wanted to approach their issue. She’d gotten the answers that she wanted and felt how wounded Aria’s pride was. The worst part was just how foreign the concept of being parented was to Aria.
“It hurts to think that you’ve been on your own for so long,” Liara said with no mirth in her voice. “I’ve seen you tend to Thea - you’re already quite capable of looking out for her. You radiate that energy and you’re quite good at it, even if it’s not something you realize you’re doing. You aren’t lacking in that area, Aria. It’s okay to ask for things that you need.”
Aria turned her head away from Liara but didn’t let go of her hand. “Nope. I never learned how to accept help. It’s why I was a shitty fucking parent.”
Liara squeezed Aria’s hand and rolled onto her side, taking Aria’s hand and pressing it to her chest endearingly. “Do you trust me?”
Aria stiffened for a moment, before relaxing a bit. “Should I?”
“I have yet to betray you - ever,” Liara reminded her. “Come here, let me wrap my arms around you. I won’t hurt you, let me comfort you. Let me show you how to be comforted. You deserve that, you aren’t lesser than for needing things.”
Aria snickered, though it lacked the punch she normally had. “Yes, I am. Imagine knowing that the ruler of Omega can’t accept a fucking hug without squirming.”
“One, those people out there,” Liara pointed vaguely towards the window. “Don’t need to know that about you. Two, I’ve seen you smash leagues of people just to wrap Thea in a hug, so that won’t work on me. You’re wallowing, Aria.”
“I’m not the trophy bondmate you seem to be describing,” Aria snapped, a furrow between her eyebrow ridges. “You heard Tevos’ mother, I’m bad.”
“Bad at waiting, bad at cooking? Yes. Bad at caring? No. You’re not,” Liara kissed the side of her head before sliding down the bed and standing on wobbly legs. “Give me a moment. I’ll be right back. I need a minute to collect myself before I start this. Do you need a minute?”
Aria waved her away. “I’m fine, just do whatever.”
Ω
When Liara entered the room again, Aria was surprised to see the softness of her expression still in place. If she was planning on dominating the scene, that wouldn’t work. She’d been apprehensive about letting Liara lead, but now she was just curious.
“You came in here like a nymph,” Aria mouthed off, testing Liara’s ire. “What kind of scene are you reenacting? Blasto Fairy Princess? Am I supposed to fall to my knees and whimper?”
“I brought you some things,” Liara said evenly, laying a pile of things on the bed. “You obviously haven’t eaten and I can only imagine how dehydrated you are after all that rum.”
“What?” Aria sat up with an incredulous look. “What are you getting at? Snacks?”
“I’m taking care of you,” Liara insisted, motioning to the blanket that usually laid across the back of her couch. “Just trust me, please. That’s all I’m asking.”
“I wanted an orgasm, not dinner,” Aria swiped the snack and ripped open the packaging. She was pretty hungry. “Feeding me in my own damn apartment.”
“Because I want you to feel comfortable,” Liara raised her hands calm Aria down. “And after you do get that orgasm, I’m going to care for you as well. Let it happen.”
“Don’t go all motherly on me T’Soni,” Aria sassed between bites. “I’m not calling you ‘mommy.”
Liara shrugged. “You don’t have to, just let me coddle you. Besides, that title is reserved for Shepard.”
“Shepard calls you that?” Aria’s chuckle died in her throat. She wanted to laugh her ass off and message Shepard all kinds of things, but she thought that might be a step too far. Toying with names went hand-in-hand in their type of situation and very often those titles were given with a lot of respect and safety. Suddenly, what Liara was doing made a lot more sense. Liara was always the one with extra rations and medigel in her armor, so it just made sense that her endless fussing would bleed into her sex life as well.
“I’m not acting like a child,” Aria said with no room for negotiation in her voice. “I’m vehemently against making myself seem younger than I am.”
Liara screwed up her face as she handed the bottle of water to Aria. “Oh Goddess, please do not. Just be your normal, charismatic self. Only this time, I’m in charge and you’re going to listen to me, okay?”
She’d never heard the request said in that way before. Normally, she told Thea what to do and how. That little slut loved her authoritative voice, but she had to admit, being coaxed into submission by Liara had its appeal. The verbal tug-of-war was new territory, but not unwelcomed.
“Okay,” Aria agreed before she could change her mind. “I- nevermind. Just do whatever you need to.”
Liara sat down on the bed next to Aria and took the snacks back, placing them on the side table and turning back to her. “How are you feeling?”
“Curious and turned on,” Aria admitted, feeling a little exposed. “You’re suspiciously good at this. Shepard’s been holding out. I should watch you dominate her soon.”
Liara smiled, not offended by the statement. “All my life, I’ve yearned to care for people. I coddle sometimes and make people feel a little cornered, but I’ve learned to tame and hone that as I aged. It comes from being so surrounded by caregivers as a child - taking care of and attending to people, especially lovers, fulfills that in me.
“And somehow, you make it into a scene?” Aria was genuinely curious. “This is new territory for me, which is strange because I haven’t said that about anything sexual in centuries.”
“More like a role within a scene,” Liara specified. “But don’t worry about this, just keep telling me how you feel and listening to me, okay? Your comfort is paramount to everything.”
Aria bit back a sarcastic quip - she knew how aggravating it was to redirect a person multiple times, even if it was part of the dynamic. Instead, she nodded once and whispered, “Okay.”
“Now, you’re hurting and I’m here now to make it better - at least for a little bit,” Liara smiled at her and held out her hands. “Take my hands and close your eyes.”
Every synapse in Aria’s mind told her that it was a trap - you never closed your eyes. It’s why Huntresses trained to run for thirty-six hours straight before sleeping for four. However, this was not a battle and she was not in danger, so she complied. Her vision went dark as her heart began to hammer.
Liara’s hands were soft and kind. She pressed Aria’s palms together and spent a few seconds rubbing and caressing each finger until she gently pried her hands apart. Soon, her thumbs were releasing tension in the balls of her hand. Next came her wrists, arms, and shoulders. Aria’s body felt pliable, more so than it had in months, all from a gentle touch. Aria’s other senses began to take over without her sight.
She could hear the rain outside the window and the crackle of lightning in the distance. Yes, Omega had simulated weather patterns, but the rain was recycled filtered water from the station and it helped keep the foliage alive. It added to the mystery of the night.
She could smell the rum in the other room and the pine scent of Liara’s perfume. Before Liara’s hands had even moved from her arms, goosebumps broke out over her body. Her first feeling was shame. How dare she react so quickly? It was pathetic. But then she realized that Liara somehow knew what she was doing and didn’t seem fazed by what Aria could feel.
“I know it’s hard to let go,” Liara spoke out of the blue. “You’re strong and relentless because you have to be. It’s all you know. You’ve never had someone kiss a scrape or wipe your tears. All of your comforts came from yourself. Now that you have Thea, she’s amazing at reading you. But, she isn’t here right now and I’m not sure she’d be comfortable doing this. So, please, Aria just try to maintain an open mind and try to let yourself relax. I’m here to take care of you and only you.”
“I don’t like feeling exposed,” Aria deliberately took the bite out of her words, it wasn’t Liara’s fault she felt so defensive. “But that doesn’t mean I want to stop.”
“We know each other’s safe words,” Liara assured her. “And I don’t plan on taking you to any emotional edges. You’re much better at that than I am. I’m simply here to take care of you. Okay?”
Aria nodded, her voice stuck in her throat. She didn’t know what she was feeling but it was fucking scary and a little nice. Mostly scary.
Liara’s hands went from her shoulders to slide up her neck, leaving a small twinkle of biotics behind. It felt so sensual, which confused the hell out of Aria. She wasn’t even naked and yet her body had begun to relax into the familiar feeling of arousal. The bulbous end of the toy inside her began to feel like less of an intrusion and more of a stimulation.
Warm, wet lips placed delicate kisses there until Aria let loose a dreamy sigh. Liara laughed coquettishly and let her hands slide up and down Aria’s body.
“I’m going to take off your shirt,” Liara said quietly. “Keep those eyes closed, sweet girl.”
The pet name rolled off Aria but it was pretty cute coming from someone centuries younger than her. She jumped a little when Liara’s hands met the skin of her belly and tugged on the hem of her shirt. A jolt of pleasure from the simple touch shot through Aria’s body and made her azure pulse. Her muscles clenched around the end of the toy, making her moan softly.
“I’m so proud of you for letting yourself experience this,” Liara whispered, her lips so close to Aria’s ear that she could feel the moisture of her breath. “Keep those eyes closed. I’m going to take your clothes off and turn off the lights, okay?”
“Okay.” Aria was shocked to hear how little her voice sounded. Never in her life had she sounded like a maiden, but here she was a vulnerable mess after some pleasantries and food.
The shirt came off and the cool temperature of the room made her tense. She loathed feeling vulnerable, which didn’t happen often considering her love of being naked. A soft blanket found its way around her shoulders, which made her smile. Of course, she brought me a fucking blanket.
“You can open your eyes if you’d like, otherwise keep them closed.” Liara’s voice startled Aria.
“Are we going to fuck or what?” Aria said defensively. She knew that Liara would see right through it, but aggression was the only language she knew.
“Soon,” Liara assured her. “Pants next, okay?”
“I still have the cock in,” Aria said, cursing herself for how awkward it sounded. Where had her confident banter gone?
A sweet hum came from Liara’s direction as Aria felt the clasps of her pants being undone. Liara’s hand gently caressed the bulge than began to grow and ran her fingers up and down the shaft through her pants.
“I know.”
Ω
Liara had held power in her hands many times in her life. When she’d been deep into Broker feeds, she kept secrets that would make matriarchs weep. But, at the current moment, keeping Aria T’Loak’s well-being safe and sound gave her a rush that nothing else had. The Queen of Omega was currently supine on a soft blanket and gasping quietly as Liara placed kisses around different places on her body. The cock that hung flaccid in her pants before was now half-erect and slowly rising. It was sweet, honestly. I love azure and the human correspondent, but those are fun too. Especially from someone who is so talented with them. It just seems like an extension of their anatomy, which is why Shepard’s looks so darn good on her.
“I’m going to touch your cock, is that okay?” Liara hovered over the head, purposely breathing heavily onto it. “Let me love you.”
Aria gulped and nodded with her eyes still closed. Liara knew how pleasant it was to be unable to see, but she also likely wanted to keep Aria from seeing her eyes already black. She was also enjoying this, for other reasons.
A little pearl formed on the slit on the head of the toy and Liara regarded it affectionately. “I know you were uncomfortable at first and I’m so, so proud of you for letting yourself even get this far.”
“Don’t antagonize me,” Aria warned. “Fuck me instead, since your greedy ass wanted to top.”
Liara shook her head, though Aria wouldn’t be able to see it. “I’m not, I’m being genuine. You’re doing something you don’t normally do and you’re letting me do things that would otherwise be very taboo.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Aria tapered off. “Suck it.”
Liara felt a warmth bloom in her chest - her love for Aria was unique and not the same as her love for Shepard. They weren’t bondmates or even committed, however, they’d been through hell as a group and there was a spark of romantic love there. Asari didn’t need labels for their relationships, so she didn’t overthink it. Instead, she trailed her fingertips up and down the shaft, tracing the ridges and swirling her thumb over the head. An innocent flick turned on the sensation-transmitting piece, which made Aria’s body jerk as energy went straight to her clit.
“How are you feeling?” Liara stopped her ministrations and laid beside Aria on the bed, careful not to overstimulate her. Their night had the potential to go one for a while and she needed to be careful.
“Better,” Aria’s voice was incredibly quiet compared to her normally boisterous self. “Weak.”
The admission made Liara’s heart clench in sympathy. Aria had gone her entire life without a single shred of love - no wonder why she’d been ill-prepared for a child. She needed to know just how strong she was.
“You’re not weak,” Liara moved from her position and crawled up Aria’s body. When their faces were finally even, she put a hand on each side of Aria’s face. “Please open your eyes, sweetheart.”
Aria once again tensed up between Liara’s knees, but she complied. A single beam of artificial moonlight illuminated the room, showing just how far gone Aria’s eyes were. They were nearly obsidian with the urge to meld.
“Look at me,” Liara demanded gently. When Aria didn’t make eye contact, Liara put her fingers on Aria’s chin and angeled her eyes to make contact. As soon as they locked gazes, Liara felt Aria begin to tremble below her.
Liara moved so close to Aria’s face that their noses nearly touched. “You are strong. You deserve love. You are powerful. You can relax because you’re safe in here with me.”
Aria jolted at the words and squeezed her hands into fists so Liara moved her hands to press Aria’s wrists to the bed at her side. “I won’t restrain you, but I need you to tell me those things. Repeat them. I don’t care if you don’t believe them yet, but saying them aloud is the first step.”
“No,” Aria’s eyes narrowed. “Make me.”
“Please?” Liara sat up and took off her shirt. She knew that getting naked was playing dirty, but she needed to meet Aria in her court where she was comfortable. “If you say one of them, you can touch my breasts. If you say two, you can use your mouth. Three gets you a surprise.”
“And four?” Aria challenged demurely.
Liara grinned, her plan had worked. “I’ll put your cock in my mouth.”
“What were the words again?” Aria looked nervous, which was comforting to Liara. It meant that she was in new territory.
Liara kissed her cheeks and cast a quick glance down between their bodies to line up their pelvises. Before she answered Aria, she pressed her azure to the rigid shaft of Aria’s cock. “Strong, deserving, powerful, and safe.”
“I am strong, I deserve love, and I am powerful,” Aria began with a pained expression. Her mouth opened to repeat the fourth one but instead moved without sound.
“You are safe,” Liara reminded her, though she knew full well that Aria remembered it. She moved up and down the shaft without taking it in, growing wetter with each movement. “Please?”
“I can’t,” Aria admitted, her forearms flexing under Liara’s grasp.
Liara leaned forward, presenting her chest to Aria, who looked up at her with confusion.
“Three out of four isn’t bad,” Liara praised her, let go of her wrists, and used her hands to pluck her own nipples into peaks. “You aren’t in trouble, and we aren’t done. We have all night and we can take our time.”
That seemed to please Aria, who surged forward and wrapped her lips around Liara’s nipple. With newly freed hands, she held Liara around her ribs and swiped her thumb up and down Liara’s back gently. It was a small tell - a signal that Aria was okay. The gentleness coming from her movements spoke louder than any of her words, which is what made Aria such a talented lover.
Liara sat back, pulled her nipple out of Aria’s mouth, and sat gingerly on Aria’s torso. “What makes you feel unsafe?”
Aria didn’t hesitate. “I do.”
Liara bent over and kissed her. This time, she left her mouth open for Aria’s tongue and let her lead. When they parted, a string of saliva connected their lips still. Liara wiped it away with a devious smirk before trailing her fingers up and down Aria’s bare chest. “You think you’re not a safe person?”
Aria’s head fell to the side, eyes staring out the window. Liara kept playing with Aria’s breasts until she finally answered.
“Yes.”
“You’re wrong,” Liara pressed her lips to Aria’s neck and sucked. “You’re safe in here with me. Nothing leaves this room and you’re going to come, so there’s nothing here to harm you.”
“I don’t believe you,” Aria’s nostrils flared as Liara replaced her fingers with her tongue, lavishing both nipples alternatively until she felt Aria’s chest move with deeper and deeper breaths. Aria moved her head to the side again, refusing to make eye contact once more. Liara slid off of Aria’s pelvis, noticing the smear of fluids across her hips, and picked some of it up with her fingers. She presented her fingers to Aria, who sucked on them before releasing them with a loud pop!
“You aren’t unsafe, and you aren’t the reason for the pain in your life,” Liara assured her. When Aria looked at her with wide, fearful eyes, Liara relented and slid back on top of her. She laid her body across Aria’s, tucking her chin on her shoulder and lacing their fingers together. “Let me take care of you, Aria T’Loak. I want your cock in my mouth and you’re the only one making that not happen.”
“I admit it,” Aria said quickly.
“Don’t lie,” Liara bit her neck and suckled, taking care to leave one of the marks Aria was so fond of. “Good girls tell the truth, and you’re very, very good. You have to believe it, Aria. You’ve experienced more than I can even imagine, but you carry all that weight on your shoulders. Let it go, even for now.”
Aria’s eyes were wide and frightened as her body shuddered and her breaths turned into heaves. She was getting close to the emotional release of being taken care of, which also told Liara that while Aria was sorting through quite a bit below her, she was still there in the present and not lost in her mind.
“Ready to meld again?” Liara whispered, still sprawled out over Aria’s body.
“I-I’m…nervous,” Aria whispered, though her voice was stronger this time. “Some of the fears in my head are ones I haven’t touched since Thessia. They’re so old.”
Liara pulled back and kissed her once more. Not one meant to entice and arouse, but one meant to tether her - to make sure she found her way back home. It was a promise and a future.
“I won’t snoop,” Liara assured her. “Please? You’re doing incredibly well, Aria. Better than I imagined, truly.”
“Enough with the praise,” Aria scowled, but her watery eyes still glistened In the moonlight.
Liara shook her head and kissed Aria again, lingering with their lips brushing as she spoke. “I won’t stop until you genuinely believe it, Aria. Ready?”
Aria continued to scowl but all maintained eye contact, so Liara took that as permission.
“Embrace Eternity.”
Ω
Aria knew that Liara would win in the end, especially when she kissed her like that.
Damn, Shepard is one lucky bitch. Except T’Soni is here right now, so I’m a lucky bitch too. Tevos is gonna piss herself after this story. Me? Mewling like a maiden and letting T’Soni coddle me? Who would have thought?
Having Liara in her mind was rare, but not unheard of. They melded occasionally, still saving most of their orgasms for their partner’s melds. However, Liara seemed to know exactly what she was doing, which was semi-frightening considering she was so young, and being a sexual caretaker was not something you learned in school.
“Aria, you’re safe with me,” Liara’s presence was a soothing balm - a cold blanket to the inferno of dredged-up thoughts she was suffering from.
“Heard that before,” Aria mentally replied, showing Liara mere seconds of her upbringing and how affection was so rare she didn’t even learn how to hug until her thirties. She didn’t say the words “I love you” until Nyreen - the first time - which was embarrassing.
Instead of a wave of pity, Aria felt Liara’s mind - which was stronger than any maiden’s would typically be - wrap around her and just exist. There were no platitudes, no pandering. Just an overwhelming feeling of support and affection. It was nice, which felt like a stupid way of describing it, but that was what she felt.
“Your inexperience with love and caring is not the reason you lost your daughter and the fact that you worry about future children, means that you aren’t a monster. You’re a woman who was consistently failed by those in charge of caring for you and left to learn and you did the best with what you had. I am so proud to know you, Aria and I am moved by your resilience and perseverance.”
“That only goes so far.”
“Aria,” Liara spoke with an authoritative tone that was still calm. “You are a good person. You are safe with me. You can let those fears go, at least for tonight. Let me take care of you, let me love you. Tevos loves you, Shepard loves you. Just remember you always have us. No matter what.”
“Until you all die too.” Aria began to shudder, surprised that she was willing to verbalize it.
“We aren’t dying, Aria. All of us are very alive. Tell me that you’re safe, otherwise, you’ll be teetering on the edge for quite a while. I won’t deny you anything - not tonight. But you need to feel safe in order to heal. Let me protect you, even just for tonight. I can stay in the meld or I can physically cover you - you pick.”
“I think I would like to be alone in here right now. My mind’s a mess and I can’t sort through this while I’m so frustrated.”
A mental wave of acknowledgment came through, instead of words.
Liara kissed her as the meld faded, this time biting her lower lip hard and suckling on it. “You’re being so good for me, and good girls get rewarded. I am so unbelievably proud you even come this far, Aria.”
When she felt Liara’s lips move down her neck and throat, Aria finally let the wave of emotion crest over her. Panic rose in her chest and made her fingertips tingle while fear made her heart stammer. What were these emotions and why couldn’t she name them?
Liara, the devious maiden that consistently impressed Aria, littered her tits with kisses, before turning her attention to her nipples. She hated to admit it but watching T’Soni’s freckled cheeks hollow out and her lips pucker, was really, really hot. A wave of wetness coursed through her azure, which also meant the tip of her cock began to leak slowly.
“Aria, Aleena,” Liara said tenderly as she repositioned herself over Aria, hovering her mouth over Aria’s cock. “You’re working so incredibly hard in that mind, I can feel it. Even if you can only say three out of four right now, I think you deserve the best I can offer.”
Hearing her name from a different life shocked Aria and left her unbalanced. Though by the shit-eating grin Liara was flashing her, she supposed that was the point.
“This is what good Aria’s who feel their feelings get,” Liara murmured as she lowered her mouth to Aria’s cock. Slowly Aria felt the comforting heat embrace the toy, sending waves of pleasure through her, but also hugging her close. This was intimacy, not just fucking. Tevos was a pro at this but Aria had never truly felt this connected to Liara before.
“Hmmm,” Liara hummed with a smile. Her eyelashes fluttered as she rose back up and took Aria in once more. When she looked up with those big, blue eyes and swollen lips, the familiar inferno of desire began to sear in Aria’s body. Soon, the fear was intermingled with the need to press Liara’s crest until her lips touched the base of the cock.
“Oh, you’re so fucking good with that mouth, especially when you’re not being so fucking sarcastic,” Aria moaned and brought her hands to her nipples. Liara simply laughed quietly, the noise vibrating through Aria’s cock and shooting pleasure through her limbs.
Liara was making the most delicious noises in sync with the viscous slap of their bodies meeting. She knew how to suck and fuck well. This is why Aria felt marginally better about letting T’Soni dictate how their night went. The rest was textbook fucking until Aria came, hopefully in Liara’s ass.
After a few minutes of thrusting and moaning, Aria felt the burble in her stomach begin to build. Liara was a mewling mess with her hands rubbing furiously over her own clit. Her poor mouth was glistening with Aria’s fluids in the light and her body was bucking against the bedspread below her.
“Tell me you’re safe,” Liara keened as she pulled away from Aria’s pulsating cock. “Do it. Believe it. You’re not evil and you’re not harmful.”
Aria’s resolve was waning. The urge to let go was right there - just out of reach. She’d always pushed it back and out of sight because needing was a weakness and weakness got you killed. “No.”
Liara sighed and pulled herself away from Aria, only to flop beside her hips on the bed. Aria’s hips took a few thrusts to stop their rhythm and her cock bulged with fullness. Liara’s fingers began to glide up and down the shaft once more. “You’re being so stubborn about this.”
“I was so close!” Aria’s temper was rising again. “What the fuck!”
Liara kissed her and pressed an azure-soaked finger to her lips. “I want to be close to you right now. Is that okay?”
Aria nodded so Liara began to stroke her up and down lazily. Her hands slid with no resistance up and down Aria’s cock, making the most delicious friction.
“Fuck,” Aria grunted. “Don’t stop.”
Liara nuzzled Aria’s neck, kissing and sucking gently on the skin below her ear. “I won’t stop, not this time. I have no tricks up my sleeve unless you surprise me and believe that you aren’t in danger, here in this room.”
“I am the danger,” Aria tried to growl but Liara had started pumping her slowly and it was incredibly arousing and very distracting.
“I’m safe,” Liara whispered into her ear, before rubbing her thumb over the split of the head of her cock. “You’re safe with me. I’m going to take care of you. Tell me your needs. Or we can meld again if the words are too hard to say aloud.”
“I want to fucking come,” Aria nearly yelled, her body humming with pleasure. “Come on. I’ll repeat whatever you need once I’m in your ass.”
Liara shook her head. “I think we’ve gotten as far as we can this time, so you’ll just have to wait until next time to get your surprise. Don’t worry, you’ll still get to come. This time it’s just in my hand though.”
“Fine!” Aria felt anger rising in her blood. “Just get me the fuck off and go the fuck home.”
“Aria,” Liara warned her. “I know you’re just scared because this is all new. But, you can’t be rude to me. How about we meld again, only this time you just take a little reprieve in my mind. You don’t have to think - just join me, okay?”
Aria stiffened before nodding. “You’re so relentless, definitely a T’Soni.”
Liara let out a twinkly laugh. “Embrace eternity.”
Ω
Liara entered Aria’s mind for the third time that night and was genuinely surprised by how different it appeared after their time together. The pain and agony were still there, only now they were sorted and waiting patiently on the sidelines. Front and center was a burning pile of lust, which seemed on brand for Aria.
“I need to come, T’Soni,” Aria growled in their meld.
“You have done a remarkable job tonight,” Liara praised her, watching the piles of sorrow shrink with every kind word. “You’ve made me very proud and I know Tevos will be over the moon when you tell her about all of this hard work.”
When Aria didn’t respond, Liara knew she was pushing the edge of her patience. Instead of teasing her or asking her to repeat words, she slid down Aria’s body, still connected to their meld, and ran her tongue up and down the eager shaft between her thighs.
Aria moaned in the meld and out loud, which made Liara smile as she honed in on her target. Soon, her lips were puckered and forming a seal around Aria’s cock. She bobbed with a steady rhythm and even allowed Aria to press her hands into the back of her crest.
“Fuck!” Aria grunted and began to tremble.
Liara felt the beginning of Aria’s orgasm in the meld so she bunkered down and waited it out as they both crested. Aria’s come sputtered down the back of Liara’s throat and she swallowed it the best she could. It took a few seconds for Aria to relax, but when she did, her entire body lost the tension that had been building.
With a final kiss on the head of Aria’s cock, Liara wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and slid up to lay beside Aria once again. She was still panting with exertion and her eyes were mostly closed. If she hadn’t been moaning quietly, Liara would have assumed she was asleep.
“That was good,” Aria said after a brief recuperation period. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”
Liara rolled on top of Aria and pressed kisses to her forehead. “I’m not done yet.”
“I got my orgasm, but I won’t decline another one,” Aria smirked. “We already know that you’re capable of a few before you tire out.”
“But tonight isn’t about me,” Liara bit her lower lip as she reached between their bodies. When she found Aria’s cock still hard and throbbing, she dragged her azure up and down the shaft. “It’s about you letting all those feelings out with someone you feel safe with.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Aria’s eyes, still fading from the meld, met hers and showed her thanks that Aria would not likely verbalize.
“You didn’t have to repeat that you were safe, you showed me your progress,” Liara revealed to her. “You tried, and that’s all I wanted. I know miracles don’t happen overnight and Tevos can help you with a lot, I just want to make you feel taken care of.”
“How do you plan on doing that?” Aria asked with a strained tone as Liara lowered herself onto Aria’s cock.
Liara slid onto the cock with relative ease after their lengthy foreplay. “I’m going to ride you until you come again and then I’m going to cuddle you, bathe you, and maybe give you a parting gift.”
“Hnng,” Aria went to speak but moaned instead as Liara flexed her muscles around her cock. “Do I get your ass?”
Liara chuckled as she slowly slid up and down, finding a nice, gentle rhythm for the time being. “Not this time, but if you’re honest and open with me, I’ll come up with something.”
Aria nodded, eyes screwed shut in pleasure. Liara was no longer in a meld but could tell that Aria was already close to coming a second time.
“Come for me, don’t prolong it,” Liara fell forward a little, changing the angle Aria hit inside her and feeling the ripples of her orgasm building again.
They fell into rhythm, Aria meeting Liara’s azure thrust for thrust. The sticky noises of their bodies bounced off the walls and echoed down the hall. Liara’s fingers slid down her body and began sliding over each side of her clit. She pressed her cheek into Aria’s chest to balance herself on one elbow. Each thrust from Aria made the top of her crest touch Aria’s chin. It was intimate, it was perfect.
A gentle nudge at her mind let her know that Aria was nearing the edge. When Liara accepted it, she felt the gratefulness and overwhelming respect coming from Aria. The only issue was that the feelings she’d pushed aside seemed to gain traction as everyone raced towards the finish line.
“Augh!” Aria cried out, very obviously frustrated as the orgasm evaded her. Liara still was close but didn’t want to come without her friend.
“You just need a nice shock to chase those memories away,” Liara kissed Aria’s lips and smiled when she realized what she wanted to do. “Bet no one’s ever done this.”
Before Aria could question her motives, Liara slid down to where the cock met Aria’s skin. She wiggled her finger under the seal gently until it released with a small pop!
“What the fuck?” Aria stopped writhing and looked down at Liara with an adorable confusion. “But?”
“My turn, since you were so good for me,” Liara drawled as she slowly took the toy out and switched directions with it. “You’re always so willing to be adventurous.”
“I hate you,” Aria began to laugh with tears in her eyes. “You’re going to fuck me with my own cock? The audacity - I love it.”
Liara slid the bigger bulb in, but didn’t turn the plate on - she was too close and wanted Aria to catch up with her. With a few small adjustments, she angeled between Aria’s legs and grabbed the underside of Aria’s knees before hitching her up just a bit.
“Missionary too? You’re a woman of wonder, Aria sighed decadently when Liara slid inside her. “Ooohhh, that’s good. Don’t you fucking stop.”
“Didn’t plan on it,” Liara promised as she began to find her rhythm. She wasn’t normally someone who wore the toys - she preferred to be filled with Shepard’s cock when they used it. However, tonight was about challenging their routine and caring for Aria.
Each slap of their bodies connecting brought Aria’s pitch higher and higher. Liara very rarely saw Aria as anything other than completely domineering, so she watched in wonder as Aria began to unwind and shake.
“M’close,” Aria shook her head. “Meld quick but don’t stay.”
Liara leaned on her elbows and began to kiss Aria’s neck. “I’ll be in and out in a flash.”
Aria snorted. “If you use another one of Shepard’s shitty puns in bed, I’m chaining you to the wall.”
“Not tonight you’re not,” Liara put her thumb on one side of Aria’s neck and her fingertips on the other side. Slowly she began to increase the pressure. “Still feel like chaining me up.”
Colors and sounds flew by Liara’s eyes as she entered a very shallow meld with Aria. She didn’t look for the memories or feelings and instead focused totally on Aria’s pleasure spiking between them.
“Who’s the little eager slut now?” Liara teased.
“Still you,” Aria teased back in a much higher pitch. “Fuck, this is good.”
“Let go,” Liara bit the lobe of Aria’s ear and began to thrust even harder. “One last time. Make it count.”
“Fuck you!” Aria cried out, hands gripping the sheets around her and knees nearly touching her shoulders.
“No,” Liara admonished, pushing herself back up and finding Aria’s swollen clit. “Fuck you.”
Ω
Liara taking the toy from inside Aria and putting it in herself was something so unexpected that Aria was genuinely impressed. She hated to admit it, but she was nearing the end of her rope. Her body ached from too much alcohol and not enough water plus her muscles ached from holding in so much tension throughout the night.
You’re not a spring chicken like Liara. Fucking maidens and their sex drives and joints that don’t ache.
Her orgasm washed over her with less fanfare than the first one but it still helped relax her anxious mind and body. The effort Liara was going through to see to her needs was truly admirable and - as much as Aria loathed to admit it - helping. There was a palpable clarity in her mind and emotions - one that had not been there earlier in the night. Perhaps it was Liara’s tender words and exhilarating touches, perhaps it was just from talking her issues out within a meld. Either way, Aria felt better than she had in days.
It also reminded her that she needed to have an honest-to-Goddess conversation with Tevos about what her mother had said. Just because she didn’t want children in the immediate moment did not mean that she was a shitty parent or spouse. Yes, her child had died and she had a string of failed relationships longer than a Krogan’s stubborn streak, but that wasn’t something to hold against her.
“All better?”
“Not completely, T’Soni, but I’m getting there. We should move, I’m laying in a puddle of my own come and I’m getting cold.”
“I want to stay in you for a little longer, if that’s okay? Just a few minutes. I want to make sure you’re all right after that scene. It was…intense.”
“Nothing that a bath and a smoke won’t cure.”
“I’ll grab your robe and tobacco when I get up. For now, let us just decompress and let our hearts stop pounding.”
“And before I forget, Liara. Thank you.”
“My pleasure, Aria.”
Ω
After Liara had disentangled her limbs from Aria’s and cleaned up their mess, she sat on the edge of Aria’s lavish bathtub and tested the water to make sure it wasn’t too hot.
“Gonna watch me bathe too?” Aria snickered as she sauntered in with nothing on but an untied robe. “You could at least put on a show - I like live entertainment.”
Liara briefly considered it - it did sound rather fun. In the end, she decided against it so their night didn’t extend longer than it already had. Granted neither of them had partners in town, but she was pretty sure Aria and Thea would be having quite the discussion later.
“Rain check?” Liara winked as she nodded towards the bath. “Get in, I’ll put lotion on your crest.”
“Nope,” Aria laughed as she let the robe fall to the floor. “Get your ass in there. You want to coddle me? Sit behind me.”
While she had definitely not intended to be with Aria in the bath, the salts and scents did smell rather enticing. Liara nodded and slid into the bath first, opening her legs and arms for Aria. When Aria slipped into the water, Liara wrapped her arms around her collarbones and tugged her close. She wasn’t quite the same shape as Shepard, but they still fit together quite comfortably.
“You know,” Aria began after a minute of silence. “Tevos is pretty territorial over our bathtime routine. You might have to treat her to a night of this too.”
“I’m sure it will happen eventually,” Liara laughed softly, placing small kisses on the back of Aria’s neck. “We talked about it before I came over, you know? Ironed out all the details, even though we’ve been intimate more times than I can count.”
Aria nodded, the tips of her crest sliding gently across Liara’s cheek. “I figured. This was different than anything else we’ve broached, a conversation beforehand was good thinking.”
“I know,” Liara murmured, biting at a tender spot below Aria’s ear. “Do you feel better?”
“I do,” Aria said immediately. “I appreciate what you’ve done for me. I still find anyone caring for me wildly uncomfortable, but I never once thought about making it sexy. Thea’s going to have a field day with this.”
“Let her take care of you sometimes, yeah?” Liara leaned back a bit and began to knead at the muscles in Aria’s upper back. “Let’s get you nice and relaxed so you can sleep.”
“M’kay.”
Liara smirked, she recognized Aria’s adorable sleepy voice. She’d accomplished what they’d both wanted. She rubbed Aria’s shoulders and traced gentle patterns on her skin until Aria’s head began to loll back against her chest.
“Aria.” Liara stopped the massage and scooted back a bit. “Let’s get you into bed.”
“Yeah,” Aria agreed sleepily. “M’tired as fuck.”
Liara chuckled at that. “Good.”
They rose from the bath and trudged the distance to Aria’s bed. Before anything else could happen, Liara stripped the bed and changed the sheets, tossing the laundry in the hamper in the corner.
As soon as Aria’s head hit the pillow, she was out. Liara changed back into her clothes, laughing quietly at Aria’s snores, and sent off a quick message to Tevos - who had been asking for updates all night.
“Aria is sleeping, I’m sure she’ll tell you all about it when she calls you next.”
“Thank you again, Liara. I’m sure she will. Goodnight.”
When the front door’s lock clicked behind her, Liara activated her Omni-tool and placed a call to Shepard.
“Hey babe,” Shepard said with a sleepy voice. “Night go well?”
“You have no idea,” Liara started her story as she unlocked the skycar and looked up at Aria’s darkened bedroom window. “I’ll tell you when you get home.”