#mehalloween

[cactuarkitty]

Mass Effect Halloween Spooktacular Incorrect Quotes.

Scream.

[shotce]

I would frequent this bar.

Sam was really fun to draw, I need to draw more of her.

[vorchagirl]

Mass Effect Halloween Spooktacular!

When: October 24th - October 31st Tag: #MEHalloween   (remember to put this tag in the first five so we can find them when we search!) Who: @vorchagirl, @cactuarkitty & @joufancyhuh Why: because it’s going to be a lot of spooky fun! ^_^

Welcome to the second annual Mass Effect Halloween Spooktacular! This event is all about the ‘what if’ idea of the Mass Effect world embracing the commercialism and silliness of Halloween! 

But most of all - it’s about us having fun! We know this is a holiday not celebrated everywhere on Earth, but the spooky pumpkins and skeletons invade a little more of the Earth each year … it’s only a matter of time until they spread to the stars too!

So, this Halloween it’s all about creating awesome Halloween themed fanworks and head canons, and sharing them! Fics, art, gifs, drabbles, head canons, musings - feel free to let your imagination run wild - though please be culturally sensitive with your works.

@joufancyhuh is hosting Fanfic Prompts here!

@cactuarkitty is hosting Incorrect Quotes here!

@vorchagirl is hosting Art Prompts here!

Signal boosts appreciated - and remember to tag your work! :)

[katajanokka]

“Fearsome request: I want CANDY!”

[spacesquirrel]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! From Kaidan "Captain Canuck" Alenko, Brooklyn "I-Guess-I'll-Be-A-Black-Cat" Shepard and three Hanar trick-or-treaters.

[poweredbycoffeeandwine]

It’s Halloween, Kaidan Alenko!

Here is my small contribution of MEHalloween! It’s fluffy, silly, and features my Tavrien Shepard! I didn't use any of the MEHalloween prompts, just one I found, but can't find again to link to... ah well. Hope you enjoy! Kaidan Alenko x Commander Shepard - Pre-Relationship - Fluff - ME 1

After hours of kneeling, body cramped, trying to fix the faulty console in the Normandy, Kaidan stood and stretched. Actively reminding himself to stay calm, otherwise kicking the damn thing was a real possibility. As much as that small part of himself wanted to, his rational thought was to avoid the pain kicking metal would cause him. His weary eyes and hands needed a break from wires and components, and the console would likely short circuit again soon. He was starting to believe the machine was being tampered with.

A loud thump pulled his attention toward the mess table. Shepard stood, hands on hips, eyes narrowed, bottom lip caught between her teeth. A number of crates filled the table, causing him to wonder how long she had been in the shared space. Fighting the idea that she looked ridiculously adorable, surely that was a dangerous line of thought, and approached her. “Commander, do you need any help?”

Her face turned to him, intense blue eyes sparkled, and lips turned up in a full smile. Kaidan worked hard to keep his breath even, and ignore the rising tempo of his heart. “Alenko,” she greeted, “I will gladly accept your help, on one condition.”

“Ok, I’ll bite.”

“What you see here is not fodder for teasing,” came her deadpan reply.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Commander.”

“Great!” she replied ripping the lid off the first crate. Kaidan didn’t know what to think as she began unloading various items from inside. Black fuzzy crows, bats, cats, strings of lights and other decor formed piles on the table.

“Um, Shepard?”

“Yes?” she questioned sorting through a new crate.

He lifted a plastic skull from the nearest pile, eyebrow lifted, and asked, “What exactly are we doing with this stuff?”

“Stuff?” her voice filled with disbelief. “Alenko, don’t tell me you haven’t ever decorated for All Hallows Eve before? I lived on a ship all my life, but mom and I always made time for Halloween. When I was young, crew members played along, and gave me candy door to door. As I got older we settled for popcorn and Halloween vids.”

Kaidan chuckled. “Well, yeah, I understand Halloween, but what are we planning on using these things for?”

Shepard gave an exasperated sigh, and shot him a look full glee, “Well Lieutenant, we are going to decorate the Normandy of course!”

Her enthusiasm, he found, was infectious, and honestly he would do whatever he needed to do to keep the happy glow on her face. She did a lot for the crew, and the Alliance. Holiday fun was well deserved if that was what she wanted. “What do you want me to do first?”

If the looks she gave him earlier got his heart racing, this one nearly stopped it. She grabbed his hand, put a string of lights into it, and beamed at him. “Will you hang these across the entry way, please?”

Kaidan nodded, small smile on his lips, not trusting his voice with her hand still covering his. Searching about, he located a small step ladder, and proceeded to place the lights where she had asked. “Is this about right?” he asked turning his head over his shoulder to look at her.

Shepard jumped, blushed furiously, and answered, “Yup, um yes. That’s - that’s great, Alenko.” Stammering a bit more, and grabbing the first item off the table within reach, she finished, “I’m just going to take this, um, this cat over there.” Her brisk pace took her across the room near the console he had spent the entire morning working on. Kaidan’s face flushed as he turned back to the lights. Had she been looking at his ass? He wasn’t trying to be smug, but he certainly felt, due to her reaction, that she may have been checking him out. That was ludicrous though. Tavrien Shepard would not waste her time on a subordinate like him. He shook his head, and continued working, determined to get over his silly infatuation with his CO.

Time passed; they made small talk, discussing various topics. She spoke more about how she spent holidays aboard ships, and her personal life. He shared a few of his own childhood memories, although he had a hard times remembering those since BAaT. However, with her, it seemed they flowed out easily, the joy back in the memories rather than the pain he had begun to associate with the past. A startling revelation to be sure. He had become so used to being reserved around colleagues.

“So, you said you watched Halloween vids with your mother. Which one was your favorite?” he asked, no longer concerned over personal questions.

“Hmmm,” she paused her actions, looking thoughtful while pressing a single finger to her lips. Kaidan watched the finger in fascination, before remembering his job to hang the paper bats she was making. “I have two, no way to choose between them. First, Hocus Pocus is a classic, and I watched it repeatedly.”

Kaidan remembered watching that vid once. It was older, and had been a favorite of his mom’s. She didn’t make him watch it again, he hadn’t shown much interest. Maybe it was a good time to watch it again. He cleared his throat, “And the second?”

She leveled him with a serious stare, as if determining if he was worthy of the answer. “Okay, Alenko, but again, no teasing.”

“Cross my heart, ma’am.”

“Ok,” Blowing a stray hair out of her face, eyes on the table, she answered quietly, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

“Shepard, isn’t that for kids?”

“Yes,” she replied as she put her forehead on the table. “I love it. Nothing anyone can say will ever make me change my mind. Lucy is my favorite. She is snarky, and I wanted to be just like her as a kid.”

“I remember her being very bossy, Shepard.”

She laughed, and he knew he hadn’t ever heard a sound so beautiful. “She was a handful, but she knew what she wanted.”

Kaidan stepped off the small ladder he had been on most of the afternoon. They had decided he should do all of tasks requiring height. He looked around the room, and couldn’t believe all they had accomplished. His family’s Halloween activities revolved around the scarier aspects of the season, all nightmares and haunting, yet Shepard had turned the place into a fairy tale come true. It was downright cute, and he was starting to find a new appreciation for the holiday. “Wow, the place looks great Shepard; but, can I ask you one question?”

“Shoot,” she replied, digging through the last box.

“Well, like I said, you did a great job,” he started hesitantly not wanting to ruin the mood. “But, you know it’s still September, right?”

Shepard walked toward him, laughter in her eyes, and said, “Of course I do.” She plopped something on top of his head, and leaned in to conspiratorially whisper, “I did mention how much I love this holiday.” She turned and walked back to the table collecting crates and packing up unused items. Kaidan was not at all surprised to find a black and green sparkly witch hat perched on his head.

[kestrelsansjesses]

Spirits

[[Did someone say Halloween Shakarian angst? No? Well, too bad. This is for the Mass Effect Halloween hosted over here . I accidentally followed an art prompt- whoops! As it’s now the 24th in at least one of their time zones, I can post this. :p]]  

The veil grew thin.

This time of year was always difficult. The days grew longer, and Shepard longed for the strictly regimented cycles of the Citadel. It rose above them, the largest skeleton of all, obscuring every paper figure stuck on London’s many doors. One day it would be habitable again, but for now it was still a work in progress, visible only when the moon was heavy and full.

It was not the only thing under construction. Shepard swung herself out of her wheelchair with practised, false ease. It still hurt her legs to even put the slightest weight on them, but to feel them respond was something she was supposed to appreciate, even as every footfall sent a lance of fire down her. This had to be done though. This couldn’t happen from the chair, where she felt so confined.

The row of candles sat on the small seat of the bay window, overlooking a quiet square that could have been five hundred years in the past, careful, curated plants and historical white trim. It was only when you looked closer that you saw the lamps were solar powered, that people buzzed to and fro checking omni-tools and tablets.

Garrus didn’t break Shepard’s silence, placing a hand on her shoulder and squeezing once, lightly before pulling her chair back and tucking it into an alcove where it couldn’t be seen. They might have trick or treaters tonight, a custom that had taken curiously long to come to this part of the world but had returned with a vengeance over the past year, where parents clung to anything that would make their children’s lives easier, more normal.

The first candle lit, flame flickering once before going strong. Before it, Shepard placed a single shell.Garrus was behind her still, head bowed. “The Jurassic Coast. You would have liked it, Mordin.” There was no time to pause and reflect on him; if Shepard stayed her hand, she wouldn’t be able to continue.

The next one smelled faintly of the sea, of salt and something left by the high tide. There was little Shepard could say. “I miss you. You would have made sense of this.” She wasn’t religious, had never found much comfort in it, but through Thane, she perhaps understood it a little better. He wasn’t alone, however, another candle pushed next to his own. “And if he didn’t, you would. You’d make me see.” A fond smile down at what remained of Ashley, distant memories of a life burnt out too soon.

Three wicks on a single, large wax cylinder, meant to symbolize so many lives lost when Shepard had made her choice. She hesitated, hand holding a match and shaking slightly. “You made the right choice,” Garrus said from over her shoulder, the lightest of touches letting her know she wasn’t alone.

“I’ll bring you back one day. All of you.” EDI. Legion. The geth. They all had souls, as far as she was concerned, and they were clamoring to press through just as much as all the rest.

The last one was the hardest of all. No words could sum up Anderson, and Shepard kept silent, jaw squared, eyes refusing to blink, staring into the flame as it caught, burning merrily. The window was lit up now, enough that it would attract curious eyes if she didn’t draw the curtains.

Every death pressed towards her now, beckoning her to join them. Shepard had come so close not just once, but twice. She didn’t belong here, had no right to be so vibrantly, painfully alive when they were gone. It would be so easy to slip through and follow them, especially tonight. They would welcome her with open arms and tell her there was no more pain left.

“Shepard, come back to me.” But there was Garrus. He was always there, always had been there even from the very beginning. If she slipped away, where would that leave him? He was her constant and her anchor, and she dragged her eyes away from every tiny flicker, from the hands that could puncture through that last barrier between life and death and bring her through.

“I’m here, Garrus, I’m here.” It was a reassurance not only for him, but for herself. It was time to be Commander Shepard again, the sound of giggling children sweeping in from the street outside. Soon there would be a knock on the door, a demand for tricks or treats and she had so much work yet to do.

The candles would be lit next year, and with Garrus hand pressed against her cheek, Shepard said goodbye once again.

[shaken-veil]

Lucy & Reyes for ME-Halloween. Steampunk Outfits for the halloween party ^^

[starsandskies]

Hallo… what? (AO3)

It takes place during Mass Effect 2, somewhere near to the Crescent Nebula. I’m assuming they spent Halloween aboard the Normandy, though I don’t know if that would be even possible.

Shepard’s name is Evelyn. Joker refers to her as Evie or Evs.

I want to thank @ilyasvieltrevelyanshepard, @nalimeria, @innercherryblossomsoul and @conqueringthespace for encouraging me to write and share it. I usually get quite anxious about these things and their support is very important to me.

“It’s almost Halloween,” Shepard mumbled to herself, her gaze lost between flickering stars, purple nebula and the infinity of the space. Like every night, she was resting on the copilot’s seat, covered with a smooth blanket and cradled by the muffled hum of the Normandy’s engines. She was trying to get some sleep taking advantage of the relaxed mood of the cockpit. Tali was sitting on the floor with her back against her legs, reading a fan fiction based on Fleet and Flotilla as Joker, focused on his task, was running the last diagnostics of the ship before the end of his shift.

“Hall-o-what?” Tali inquired turning off her omnitool, her question directed at Joker. Her voice sounded curious even though her expression was impossible to read through her helmet. “What’s that Hall… whatever thing?”

“Oh boy, here we go…” Joker laughed keeping his eyes fixed on the data sliding across the screens. “This one’s for you, Evs!” Stretching on the chair, Shepard chuckled staring at him. His left hand was covering his mouth, trying to -unsuccessfully hide a giggle. She could spend hours watching him work, his graceful hands flying over the controls, barely brushing them with his fingertips.

“It’s an old tradition from Earth,” Shepard answered studying Joker’s face. Tali tilted her head to the right, visibly interested in hearing more about human culture. She was still amazed every time Tali asked them about their history or customs, eager to learn and embrace the diversity between them. “On this date, Celtic people honoured the end of the summer and the beginning of their new year. They also thought during a few hours, the souls of the dead people were close to the world of the living.”

“Like… to communicate to them? Keelah!” Tali exclaimed, jumping to her feet, her voice trembling.

“That’s not even possible, Tali'zorah.” EDI’s orb blinked as her metallic tone filled the cabin. “Shepard, the dead can’t talk. And the metaphysical conception of the soul has been long discussed throughout the human history…”

“Geez EDI! We already know. It’s just a popular belief!” Joker interrupted EDI rolling his eyes, shaking his head in disapproval but smiling at the same time. “That little wise-ass orb… Anyway, that was many centuries ago. Now it’s just about having fun decorating homes, celebrating with your friends, wearing spooky costumes or watching old horror vids. That kind of thing.”

“Have you ever worn a costume, Shepard?” Tali sounded excited, her glowing eyes widening through her violet helmet.

“That’s the big question, Tali!” For the first time in the last hour, Joker stopped working to stare at Shepard with a naughty grin drawn on his lips. His green eyes darkened by the shadow of his cap. “No pressure, Commander.”

“Yep, long ago. It wasn’t too scary though.” Shepard answered lowering her gaze, her cheeks flushed. Few people could see beyond the Commander, but Tali and Joker? They were different, unique. It was natural to talk to them, even when it was about things she’d rather forget. “A somewhat… sexy nurse?”

“Who would want to dress up as a sexy nurse? What’s the point of that…? I mean, I can’t even imagine how…” Despite the initial surprise, Tali seemed more intrigued than shocked. Her answer hadn’t been for Tali, though, she wanted to tease Joker and see his reaction. “Wait, do you have any pictures?”

“Oh yes. I’m wondering the same thing.” Joker’s youthful voice was deeper as usual, almost like a groan. His gaze never leaving her face.

“Oh, Shepard! Could we have a Halloween party? I know it’s not the proper time, but it sounds fun!” Tali was rambling, pacing behind Joker’s chair as she frantically typed on her omnitool. “Could I dress up as Shalei? Oh Keelah, I wish I had more time to get the perfect pattern for my shawl… Ah yes! I need to call Liara!”

“I don’t mean to be picky, but maybe Shalei is not the most spooky costume for a Halloween party?” Shepard asked. Tali was right. It wasn’t the best time, but those relaxed moments were positive for morale, and it was possible that they wouldn’t have another opportunity like that.

“Said the sexy nurse.” Tali stretched her body as she crossed her arms over her chest. If Shepard had to bet, she would’ve said she was smirking, raising her eyebrows. In case quarians have eyebrows.

“Headshot!” Joker crowed shooting an invisible rifle aimed at Shepard, turning then to Tali. “So, if you’re Shalei, who’s gonna be your Bellicus? Wait, let me guess, maybe some turian with a peculiar kink for calibrations?

For a few moments, all they could hear was Tali’s quick footsteps across the cockpit while her six fingers brushed against each other. "I… I have to go!”

Still laughing, they watched Tali walking in a rush towards the elevator. “I bet she was blushing.” Shepard chuckled softly, punching him in his right shoulder. “You’re impossible Jeff.”

“Yeah… And you know what? You love it.” Joker grabbed her arm, tugging her towards the chair, forcing her to sit on the armrest. She leaned on him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, resting her head on his. “And… speaking of that, when are you going to show me that nurse costume? I’m free tonight…”

“Keep dreaming, flyboy!” With a quick movement, Shepard stole his cap, putting it on her head as she messed up his short reddish hair.

“Ah c'mon Evie! Let me show you! I could be your creepy zombie doctor!”

[cactuarkitty]

The Mass Effect Halloween Spooktacular Incorrect Quotes

The prompt is simple:

Step 1: Take a line from one of your favourite scary or halloween movies/tv shows/books. 👻

Step 2: Find some cool caps to go with it, or make some gifs. 👀

Step 3: Add the line to your caps or gifs. 👌

Get creative. You could add props to the edits/gifs, such as halloween decorations etc… or you could cut the Mass Effect characters from the caps and add them directly to the movie/tv show in edits or gifs. The world is your jack-o-lantern! 🎃

Runs from October 24th - October 31st 🔮

Make sure #MEHalloween is the first tag you use, so I can find your posts easily. Feel free to @me as well if you’re worried I won’t see it. 🕸️

Now lets have some spookytastic fun! 🕷️

Mass Effect Halloween Spooktacular 🐍

[vorchagirl]

A commission present from @bbb35 of my Zi Shepard that was done by Carrinth - it seems appropriate to share this Mass Effect / Shining crossover again in time for Halloween! Especially since it’s the Mass Effect Halloween Spooktacular! ^_^

[queen-scribbles]

My Kind of Party

Just under the wire contribution tor ME Halloween feat. an extremely domestic and fluffy  Emily and Kaidan. :D Title to come if I think of one. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

“Is this really necessary?”

“Oh, come on, Em, it’s not Halloween without a jack-o-lantern,” Kaidan said with a grin as he centered the large pumpkin in the house’s bay window.

“Yeah, a jack-o-lantern,” Emily retorted playfully, tracing the jagged mouth of the one in her lap. “I feel like fifteen might be overdoing it, babe.”

He chuckled and tossed a small stuffed spider at her. “Overdoing it, says the woman wearing candy corn socks.”

Emily caught the spider and shrugged. “If I’m not gonna eat it, I have to pay homage to the traditional holiday treat somehow.”

“Some would argue you really don’t,” Kaidan said, still grinning as he crossed the room and kissed her forehead before taking the jack-o-lantern from her. “Where’d you get those, anyway? I don’t remember seeing them before.”

Emily curled the spider in one hand, the other raking absently through her bangs. “Nora. Bumped into her at the rehab center.” She snorted. “Almost literally. Her dad’s appointment overlapped with mine.”

“How’s he doing?” Kaidan asked as he positioned the last jack-o-lantern.

“Almost done,” she replied, hearing the envy in her voice. She glared at her feet and concentrated until, with an absurd amount of effort, her toes curled and uncurled. Yay for progress. “He’s definitely ready to never set foot in the building again.”

“Hey.” Kaidan must have caught something in her voice--or he just knew her too damn well--because he left the pumpkin he was arranging and sat next to her on the couch. “Em, Eric got hurt months before you did. He started therapy and rehab months before you did. Of course he’s going to finish before you do.”

“That’s only part of it,” Emily admitted, playing with the spider. “I know all... all that, but I still wanna be done. And I’ll miss Eric  when he stops coming.”

“Uh-oh, should I be worried?” Kaidan teased, tugging her legs into his lap.

“Don’t worry, he’s not my type,” she shot back, grinning. “I tend to shy away from guys with kids my age. You’re safe, Major.” She reached over and sat the spider atop his head.

“That’s a relief, Commander,” he returned, rubbing her foot. “Ooh, these are soft.”

“Too bad they’re mine, not yours,” Emily said, sticking out her tongue triumphantly. She couldn’t really feel the socks that well, not with her feet, but she’d take what victories she could get.

“You know what else is too bad?” Kaidan whispered, leaning close. The spider slid off, back into Emily’s lap.

“What?” she whispered back, almost instinctively reaching to cup his jaw with one hand.

“I promised Mom we’d be done decorating by the time she got home.” He turned his head slightly to kiss her palm. “We only have another half an hour left.”

“She’s knows I’m distracting....” Emily murmured. “The decorations can wait...” She pressed forward for a kiss.

“You’re wicked is what you are,” Kaidan mumbled, resting his forehead against hers.

“Mm. Should I paint myself green?” He hand sank into the sofa cushions as she pressed against them for leverage. 

“You’re too pretty to be a witch,” he protested, fingers sliding through her hair.

“Only bad witches are ugly,” Emily pointed out in a mischievous whisper.

“Last time I checked, the green one was bad,” Kaidan countered.

“Depends on who’s telling the story...”

He grinned and kissed her forehead. “Wow, someone’s been hitting Mom’s classic movies hard.”

“They only make sense to watch one after the other,” Emily shrugged, idly toying with the spider once more.

“Do I want to know when you held this mini marathon?” Kaidan asked, frowning slightly in concern as he sat back. One hand rubbed lightly along her leg.

“Last night,” she admitted with a sigh. “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Em, I told you to wake me if the nightmares-”

“It wasn’t nightmares, Kay.” Emily rested one hand on his arm reassuringly.  “Y’know those weird pinchy-pains Dr. Ahn warned I might get as I work on getting my legs back? Had just a little bit of that. Barely enough to be an annoyance. And you worked so hard yesterday, I didn’t have the heart...” 

Kaidan cut her off with another stolen kiss. “Next time, wake me. Even if I fall right back asleep on you,cuddling and watching classic movies doesn’t sound like a half-bad way to spend the wee hours of the morning.”

“Noted,” Emily smiled. “Now, didn’t you say something about needing to finish decorating...?”

“You are a distracting little minx,” he complained good-naturedly, stealing one last kiss before shifting her feet back to the floor so he could stand.

Emily grabbed the front of his shirt before he moved out reach and tucked the spider in his pocket. “I think you’ll need this. There’s a distressing lack of spider representation along the window valance.”

Kaidan glanced in the direction she’d indicated, then back to her with a grin. “You just want to, um, appreciate the view.”

She smirked. “It’s a view worth appreciating, babe.”

“Touche,” he laughed. “You’re lucky I don’t mind.”

“I’m lucky for many reasons, but that is one of the ones I’m most grateful for. Now get back to work,” she ordered teasingly. “We need to be ready for your mom’s party.”

--O--

They--Kaidan mostly--finished just in time. Kaidan’s mother thanked them warmly when she returned and reiterated her invitation for them to stay for the party, especially since they’d worked so hard on the set-up.

“Thanks again, Rae, but I have an early doctor’s appointment tomorrow, so I’m probably going to turn in soon,” Emily said as Kaidan helped her from the couch to her chair. “Might watch a movie while I give Mo her brushing.” At the sound of her name, the dog curled in the corner of the living room hopped up and stretched before trotting over. Emily smiled and ruffled her ears.

“We’ll try to keep it down, but no promises,” Rae said with a chuckle.

“Don’t worry, they both sleep like logs,” Kaidan interjected.

On a good night, Emily mentally completed the sentence. “You have fun, though.”

“Oh, we will.” Rae pulled a pointed black hat from one of the bags she carried and looked bemused when Emily and Kaidan glanced at each other and laughed. “I’m sensing a private joke here...”

“It’s nothing, Mom, don’t worry,” Kaidan grinned. “Just enjoy your party and we’ll enjoy ours.”

Emily snapped her fingers on the way out of the room, and Mo fell in step behind Kaidan. “You know you could have stayed,” she commented as the three of them made their way down the hall. “Just ‘cause I’m going to bed early doesn’t mean you have to, too.”

“I know.” Kaidan paused for a second to let Mo scamper ahead of them to the bedroom. “I want to come with you. Your party sounds more my speed-”

“Brushing the dog and watching a movie?” Emily said skeptically.

“-and I have a bit of a headache starting.”

“Kaidan-”

“Don’t Kaidan me, it’s not a migraine, Em, just a headache. It’s not that bad, I just don’t want to spend the evening in a room full of people and music and flashing lights when watching a movie with you until one of us falls asleep on the other’s shoulder is an option,” he explained, smiling faintly.

Emily pursed her lips, fingers tapping against the arm of her chair. “Are you sure...?”

“I’m sure it’s just a headache,” Kaidan promised, helping her maneuver the turn into their bedroom. “And I’m sure I want to curl up with you and watch a movie.”

“Well, I’m sold,” Emily said, laughing as she caught sight of Mo. The dog was sitting on Emily’s side of the bed, ears perked up as she looked toward the door expectantly. “Someone’s eager. Bet she hid her brush again. Babe, why don’t you pick out a movie while I find what she did with it.” 

“You didn’t already have something in mind?” Kaidan raised an eyebrow.

“Nothing specific, just something Halloween-y. Y’know, monsters, ghosts, vampires, somethin’ like that,” she replied absently, looking around for Mo’s brush. “But not gory.”

“I don’t think we or my mother own anything gory,” Kaidan said wryly.

“Well, that makes your job easier, doesn’t it?” Emily joked. She spotted the dog brush under the bed and signaled Mo to go get it. Mo happily obliged, her tail wagging as she crawled past two dog toys and a squeaky ball to retrieve the brush. “Good girl,” Emily cooed as she emerged, triumphantly clenching the brush handle in her teeth.

“D’you feel like horror or comedy?” Kaidan asked, turning slightly to look at her.

“Seriously, Kay, I don’t-”

“I have it narrowed down to two and can’t decide,” he interrupted with a smile. “So, horror or comedy?”

Emily bit her lip as she took the brush from Mo and ruffled the dog’s ears in reward. “What kind of horror?”

“The synopsis calls it ‘romantic’. Whatever that means...”

She shook her head. “Not in the mood for that one tonight.”

“Well, then.” Kaidan used his omnitool to turn on the vidscreen and start the movie. “Bloody Mary it is.” He caught the look Emily was sending him and grinned. “What?”

“Bloody Mary? Really?” she needled as she moved from her chair to the bed. Mo scootched over, tail still wagging.

“It’s a vampire buddy comedy,” Kaidan pointed out as he settled on the bed next to her, the dog in between them. “If you want something Halloween-y but not horror and no gore, this is a good choice. Besides, I seem to remember walking in on you watching Call Me Sally once, so I don’t think you’re in any position to critique.”

Emily snorted, beginning to brsh Mo when she butted her hand impatiently.  “Once. When I had almost died and thee was nothing better to watch ‘cause it was, like, a week after the Reaper invasion.”

“Shh, Em, you’re gonna miss the movie,” Kaidan teased, dodging the pillow she tried to whack him with. “This is a good movie. It’s funny, and it has vampires.”

“What more could we want?” Emily joked, leaning over to steal a kiss. 

“Peace and quiet to watch our movie?” he said impishly. Emily rolled her eyes and lightly punched his shoulder, but stayed silent as she continued brusing Mo. It was a funny movie, and she enjoyed it, it was just fun to tease him. 

After she’d finished with brushing Mo and the dog was laying curled up between her legs, chin resting on Emily’s knee--a favorite position for them both--Emily stored the brush in the drawer of her nightstand and pulled something else out. “Almost forgot; I have something for you.”

Kaidan took one look at her impish grin and raised an eyebrow. “Thanks. Or should I be concerned?”

“Gratitude is fine,” she laughed as she handed over the small bundle, wrapped up in a shopping bag.

Kaidan quickly shook it loose and couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Emmy, you shouldn’t have.”

“Technically I didn’t,” Emily said with a smirk, reaching over to feel the black and orange argyle socks. The black diamonds sported carved pumpkins, and the material felt just as soft as the ones she was wearing. “Nora did, with my candy corn ones, and they were both supposed to be for me. But they’re ‘one size fits most’ and I can only wear one pair of novelty socks at a time, an’ like someone very wise told me recently; it’s not Halloween-”

“-without jack-o-lanterns,” Kaidan finished with her. “Thanks, sweetheart.” He leaned over for a kiss, then traded his plain black socks for the jack-o-lantern ones. 

“My pleasure,” Emily said, smiling broadly as she pulled him in for another kiss. “You think you have enough jack-o-lanterns now?”

He laughed into the kiss at her gentle ribbing. “Plenty. And we have candy corn-” he nudged her foot with his- “and vampires. I think we’re all set.”

Emily snuggled closer, leaning her head against his chest. “I like our Halloween party.”

Kaidan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Me, too.”

With that, they both turned their attention back to the movie. They also both fell asleep long before the credits rolled. As Halloween parties went, it wasn’t fancy. But it was perfect for them.

[shotce]

Taking a break from other projects to draw Andromeda’s sweetest nerd!

[vyrenrolar]

My contribution to the Mass Effect Halloween Spooktacular

“Be me a little,” from Let the Right One In, a Swedish vampire movie that everyone should watch

Screencap Sources:

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[kestrelsansjesses]

"Did you seriously eat all of the candy..." For whoever you want 💕

[[Yessss. This is gonna be quick and dirty but

The night of Halloween and Shepard lurked near the pantry, attempting not to look guilty, wheelchair stuck. She could stand enough to adjust it, but in the process was making a great deal of noise. Garrus wasn’t home yet though, wasn’t due for another few hours… She was in the clear until…

“Did you seriously eat all the candy? The candy you insisted we buy for trick or treaters?” 

Guilty as charged. Falling back into the chair with a muffled noise of defeat, Shepard tried to look as innocent as possible, all blue eyes through red hair. “Not all of it. Just some of it.” The mountain that surrounded her wheels stood in stark contrast to her words. 

Garrus’ glare said more than words could. “I got hungry,” she added hastily, “and I didn’t even touch the dextro stuff. Or the coconut candies.” 

Shaking his head, Garrus pulled her out from her mess. “Shepard, you’re allergic to coconut and dextro would make you vomit.” 

“How many trick or treaters do you think we’ll even get?” Most people still weren’t letting their children roam the streets, rubble a constant danger. 

As if answer to her question, a pounding started at the door, a chorus of demanding ‘trick or treats!’ coming from what sounded like at least three distinct voices, human and turian. 

“Just put on the costume. Hurry up.” Tugging her pyjack ears on, Shepard elbowed Garrus, wheeling to the door to open it. Grumbling, Garrus followed, a sheet pulled over his head, struggling to find the eye holes. 

“Look at all of you! We’ve got plenty of coconut candy left. Happy Halloween!” Wasn’t a Commander entitled to a few treats of her own?