themainframe | [video] now with extra dragon hugs

[Well, there's a face we haven't seen in a while. Shepard is holding the D-Terminal fairly close to her and looking rather grim, and not just her facial expression. Her hair badly needs a trim and a wash, there's dirt on her face and what's visible of her clothes, and she even appears to have lost weight.]

Commander Shepard reporting in.

[Her voice is the same strength as ever, though.]

Looks like randomly ditching me all the way across the damn island by myself is this place's idea of a joke, so I'm going to need an update. And preferably a check in from a few of you, just to make sure nobody's gotten themselves blown up while I was gone.

[This means you, heroic-type friends and boyfriend. There's a quick flash of purple at the bottom of the screen, and Shepard's expression shifts from solid irritation to a sort of rough affection.]

Stop nuzzling me, Cadet.

I've been looking everywhere for you, Commander!

[Shepard pauses before reaching down to pat her partner on the nose. She looks back at the screen.]

I should go.

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[Shepard nods firmly and examines it for another moment before grinning.]

Untested weapons, huh?

Weapons?

[Marley blinks and looks down at her crest.]

But...But I got mine when I was with Donnie...

[Just the memory alone, of the two of them broken and looking for comfort after the Dark Field incident brings a light blush to her cheeks and a smile to her lips.]

I don't think...they're weapons...

[. . . Oh there's a story here.]

Ed made them sound like weapons. Maybe yours is different.

[She raises an eyebrow, sliding her crest into her tag.]

I get the feeling there's some details of that story you're not telling?

...Ed did? Maybe his--

[Oh that question gets Marley to turn bright pink. Her fingers tighten around her crest and she motions to the couch as she closes the door behind Shepard.]

I'm--That's...that's one of the things...

[She settles down on the couch and immediately brings her knees up to her chest.]

I'm...I'm really confused and I don't know what to do...

[Shepard follows Marley's gesture and moves to sit on the couch.]

What happened? Besides what you've told me.

[Marley takes in a deep breath before pressing her forehead against her knees. ]

I... I think I like someone. But I don't...know what to do. I-I shouldn't like them. I have... Jake, he's my boyfriend back home...

[Oh thank god, that's so much more manageable than any number of other issues. Shepard immediately discards her more paranoid fears. Shit, she really is turning into a fretful mother, keep a level head, woman.]

Woah, woah, stop right there. You don't have to beat yourself up over this, there's nothing wrong with noticing other people. You're taken, not dead.

[Alright, disclaimer out of the way.]

But if it's more than a little thing, then you have to remember that your boyfriend? You don't owe him anything. You're young and you're hardly married, so if pursuing this crush is what will make you happy, then that's okay. Relationships end because of distance or lack of contact all the time. But if you still love your boyfriend, it's possible this is just a wandering eye. Happens to the best of us.

...I haven't thought of Jake since the Dark Field...

[It's soft and mumbled into her knees, barely audible.]

But...the guy I like here, he's...he's just--I don't even know. That first week after we got out, I stayed with him and there...there was no pressure. The nightmares for both of us weren't...they weren't as bad. And h-he knows about me being sick...and he just wants to help me w-without making me feel cornered...

[She can feel her cheeks burning even more, though Shepard can't see since she has her face hidden from view.]

B-But he likes someone...someone where he's from. So I guess it doesn't matter...

[Shepard finds herself smiling. Yes, everyone come be supportive of her babies.]

Alright, so we won't worry about Jake, then.

[Oh, but that last bit makes her frown.]

Marley. Your feelings always matter. So, maybe he isn't into you right now. Feelings change. And until they do or even if they don't, it sounds like you've made a really good friend.

[Shepard scoots over on the couch to put an arm around Marley's shoulders.]

Is there anything I can do to cheer you up?

[Her usual tactics of alcohol and shooting things don't seem applicable here.]

[Marley just sighs and curls up against Shepard. She's missed this. She's missed having her mom hold her when she needed someone to tell her things would be okay, and even if Shepard isn't her mom, she's a VERY good stand in.]

Just...it's going to work out, right? I-I mean, should I tell him? Or should I--Would it be okay to tell him even if he doesn't feel the same way?

[And it hurts, realizing that she hadn't really thought about Jake since they came back from the Dark Field, and it's not like she did it on purpose. After all, Jake had helped her a lot back home.

But this isn't home. This isn't Lima, Ohio. This isn't McKinley. And she's...she's not the same girl she was before. She's seen things, done things that she never thought possible and suddenly...things just seem to click.

Oh god, Shepard, she's missed you so much!]

[Shepard gives the younger girl a gentle squeeze.]

Of course it'll be okay. He cares about you, at worst, it'll make things awkward for a little while.

[She's old enough to have had plenty of these incidents in her past.]

And if he turns you down, I'll be right here to help you through it.

[Marley nods her head slowly, her arms moving to wrap around Shepard.]

I...don't know if I'm--if I can tell him now...

[Or ever, but baby steps.]

[Baby steps are still good!]

There's no rush. You can tell him whenever you're ready.

[There's a sigh of relief before Marley cuddles more against Shepard. She's glad she doesn't have to speak up now. Or soon. She probably couldn't, not with everything going on. Not after everything that's happened.]

I've missed you, Commander.

[It's a hushed whisper, but one that hint at Marley getting ready to cry again.]

[Shepard gives Marley an affectionate squeeze.]

Missed you too, kid.

[One of these days, she'll probably think through the implications of adopting all these kids. For now, she's just glad they're all still here.]

And you're here to stay? At least for a little while longer, right?

I'm not going anywhere.

...Okay.

[It's a comfort, despite the fact that Marley knows that anyone can leave at any time. She closes her eyes as she rests against Shepard, trying not to fall asleep, but it was really hard to do when Shepard was so comfy.]

[video] now with extra dragon hugs

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