The apartment has never been this lively. The lights are dimmed just enough to create a warm, inviting atmosphere, and the hum of casual conversation mingles with the upbeat music playing softly in the background. Laughter echoes through the room as Shepard’s crew and friends gather, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

At one of the tables, Garrus leans back in his chair, a half-empty glass in his hand, his mandibles twitching in a rare grin. Tali sits beside him, her helmet tilted slightly as if she’s smiling under the visor. Across from them, James Vega and Grunt are engaged in a friendly argument, their voices overlapping in a mix of bravado and humor.

Garrus: Taking a sip from his glass, Garrus nods toward James and Grunt. "You two want to settle this with an arm-wrestling match? I’ve got credits on the Krogan."

James: Laughing, James shakes his head, flexing his arm. "Oh, you think so, Vakarian? I’ll have you know I’ve been hitting the weights. Grunt here doesn’t stand a chance."

Grunt: Leaning forward with a toothy grin, Grunt growls playfully. "Hah! You humans and your delusions of strength. I’ll crush you like I crushed that Thresher Maw!"

Tali: *Chuckling softly, Tali adjusts her helmet, the sound of her laughter muffled but clear. *"Careful, James. Grunt’s got a point. Maybe you should try drinking contests instead—you might have better luck."

The group laughs, and the atmosphere lightens even further as Garrus leans back, observing the banter with a satisfied nod.

Garrus: Turning to Tali, his tone becomes more reflective. "Hard to believe we’ve all come this far, isn’t it? I remember when we first met on the Citadel, Shepard pulling us all together to stop Saren. Now look at us, celebrating like it’s not the end of the galaxy."

Tali: Her voice softens, a hint of nostalgia creeping in. "We’ve been through so much. Sometimes, I wonder how we’re still standing. But… I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Especially not with anyone else."