**Garrus POV**
Garrus lay in bed staring at the ceiling. He was having trouble falling asleep.
His mind was in turmoil; finding out that Mina was Aster, the mark that he left on her without remembering why or how, and now the potential consequences of his actions.
After the dinner at Solana's place, Garrus returned to the apartment and took another look at the video the Councilor had given him; the image didn't change, it just showed a woman lying on the table connected to a lot of wires.
There were no restraints visible. But as he continued to look at the video, he began to doubt that the woman was even Aster. You couldn't really tell if it was her or not.
Garrus sat up, the mattress groaning softly under his weight.
What am I going to do? He wondered. Aster. My mate. How did this even happen?
At this point, it really doesn't matter anymore. What's done is done.
His fingers drummed a frantic rhythm against his leg. This was no longer some casual arrangement that they had agreed on; it was something fundamental, biological, forever. It was everything he'd ever wanted for his future… Now it had become everything he feared.
He imagined his father, Castis Vakarian's reaction if he found out. "Garrus," he could almost hear him booming, "you have bound yourself to a… Human? Consider the strategic implications, the biological incompatibility! How can this possibly serve the Hierarchy?"
Garrus winced. His father wouldn't understand the deep connection or the fact that it had been a mistake. He would only see his son screwing up his chances of finding a turian mate.
His mother, on the other hand… Vakarian matriarchs were known for their intuition and strength. Would she accept Aster? Would she see past the skin color and species difference? The thought offered a sliver of hope, quickly doused by a wave of self-doubt. What if she, too, was disappointed?
He stood and paced, the metallic click of his talons against the floor echoing in the small apartment. He looked out the window at the glittering cityscape of the Citadel. It was after midnight when Garrus finally felt tired enough to sleep.
In the morning, Garrus slept in. He was awoken by a soft chime coming from his omni-tool. Garrus yawned and looked at the notification. It was a message from Solana. She wanted him to stop by later, something about an emergency and pastries.
After he showered and got dressed, Garrus stopped by Solana's favorite bakery shop to pick up a few things. If anyone asked, he was just buying snacks for his sister, just like he always did.
"Mr. Vakarian," Vatina, the pastry chef, said, seeing him as soon as he entered. "You're here for the usual stuff?"
"Of course," Garrus replied. "Don't forget those twist things filled with crème, those are her favorites."
"I'll make sure to add some extras ones for her," Vatina replied, heading toward the back to prepare the snack box.
Garrus knew that he couldn't arrive at his sister's place empty-handed; he was always known to bring her some sort of treat.
A few minutes later, Vatina came out with a closed box in her hands. From the aroma, Garrus could tell it was filled with all of Solana's favorite snacks. Garrus handed her his credit chit while he took the box from her.
"You're all set," Vatina said, handing the credit chit back to him. "See you next week?"
"You bet," Garrus replied as he headed out the door of the bakery and made his way toward Solana's apartment.
When he arrived, Solana opened the door.
"Garrus! You're a lifesaver." She pulled him inside. "Listen, work has sprung up. Emergency diagnostics on a crucial life support system. No way I can get out of it."
"And you needed… pastries?" Garrus inquired, holding up the box slightly higher.
Solana grinned. "The real emergency is keeping Mina occupied. I was going to take her shopping for recon purposes before…" she trailed off, gesturing around the living room. "Well, this whole thing got sprung up. But I still need someone to take Mina to the Council ward shopping district. For surveillance, of course."
Garrus' mandibles twitched. "Surveillance?"
"Exactly! Look for gaps in security, observe patrol patterns, and see what vendors are closest to the ball entrance. Plus, it will give her a chance to find something for the council ball." Solana gave him the look. "Think of it as intel gathering. And an excellent bonding experience."
He sighed. "And what, precisely, should I be bonding about? Mina and I won't be attending the Council Ball."
"You have to attend so that you don't become a suspect," Solana reminded him.
Mina walked out of the kitchen, peering at Garrus from behind a datapad. "Solana told me you would be assisting me. I have identified three boutiques with suboptimal security."
She paused, then her eyes flicked to the pastries. "Are those... strawberry pastries?"
Garrus offered the box to Mina. As she reached for the box, her arm brushed against his. It was brief, insignificant, but a wave of disorientation washed over him. Her scent marker. Activated. And amplified.
Shit, I forgot that the marker activates when I approach.
"Take care of her for me," Solana said as she quickly grabbed her things and rushed out the door. "I'll be back for dinner!"
While Mina enjoyed the pastry, Garrus took one for himself and ate it silently. He was feeling a bit awkward. Garrus's mandibles flared involuntarily.
He swallowed hard, trying to regain control. The air in the apartment suddenly felt thick, heavy. The primal Turian instinct within him roared to the surface, demanding he claim her, take her to the nearest secluded space, and lose himself in her scent. He clenched his fists, the delicate pastry box crumpling slightly. He had to get out of here.
"Right, shopping then! Lead the way, Mina," He forced a casual tone, hoping Mina hadn't noticed his sudden discomfort.
Mina blushed, "I don't need to go shopping."
Garrus stared. Had he misheard? "What?"
"Solana just wanted you to come over and keep me company," Mina explained, looking guilty. "I don't need to go shopping."
Garrus handed her the box of pastries and left. There was no way he could stay near her and keep his composure.