thievinghippo:

47 is Thane/Collins!

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“You look really tired,” Collins said, brushing her bare foot against Thane’s.

“I shouldn’t need to remind you, Siha, that since coming back from the Collector Base, we haven’t been spending our nights sleeping,” Thane said, leaning back on the couch in her quarters, folding his hands over his stomach.

Collins felt heat rise to her cheeks. Good lord, did the man just make her blush like she was some sort of school girl? She had told the Illusive Man to go to hell just three days ago, and since then, she had spent every moment not fixing the ship or dealing with those loyal to Cerberus still on her crew with Thane.

How was it she couldn’t get enough of him? She had been in relationships before, but never had she felt this consuming need, this overwhelming desire for another being. Collins had to admit she was slightly worried. There was a thrill in falling in love so quickly, but she knew their time was limited. Thane measured the rest of his life in months, not years, and the thought of picking up the pieces after he was gone terrified her.

With a quick move, Collins went to straddle Thane’s lap. His fingers dug into her hips as she rested her forearms on his chest. “Suppose we should actually get a good night’s sleep tonight,” she said with a grin.

Thane nodded. “That would be agreeable,” he said. “But will your mind be clear enough to rest? Something is worrying you.”

She bit her lip, slightly pleased that he had noticed. Maybe talking to him about the mission wouldn’t be too big of a security breach. “I got a message from Admiral Hackett,” Collins said, deciding to lay it out. “He wants me to infiltrate a batarian outpost. Solo.”

“You have many gifts, Siha, but subtlety is not one of them,” Thane said, his voice soft. “Soldiers rely on brute strength, not stealth.”

“I know, I know,” Collins said. “That’s why I’m worried.” She pushed herself up back into a sitting position. Letting a grin slip into her voice, she added, “Think you can teach me the art of being a covert assassin in forty-eight hours? That’s when we’ll be at Aratoht.”

Thane simply mouthed the word ‘no.’ Collins swatted him on the shoulder. “Suppose I’m not meant to be an assassin, then.”

“You would not be you, if you were anything other than a soldier,” Thane said, his hands sliding up her back. Collins let him pull her close, and reveled in simply being held. “Your shoulders must be broad enough to carry the weight of the entire galaxy.” He kissed her temple and Collins pressed her cheek against his. “I will share your burden as long as I am able.”

The lack of sleep over the last few nights hit her all at once. Or maybe it was knowing that Thane would be there beside her for all the madness ahead. At least, until he wasn’t.

For now, though, she was determined to enjoy the time they had and not mourn the time in the future they wouldn’t share. With a yawn, Collins said, “Bet I’ll be able to carry those burdens more easily after a nap.”

She could feel Thane nod in agreement, so she closed her eyes, ready to get a bit of rest.