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He lifts the cylindrical foodstuff to eye level, squinting at it. "And you're sure this is safe for human consumption?"

"Careful," Shepard teases, already digging in, "you'll offend the chef." She leans a little closer, her voice a stage whisper. "I think mostly humans eat here anyway. But I hear krogan are pretty fond of the fish."

He gives a light snort. She *hears*. "One can never be too careful." And a sniff for the road before popping it in. The bustle of the rest of the ward behind them seems muted when they talk, just the two of them. And while he might not be the biggest fan of seafood (not that he told Shepard that; god forbid he actually show *preferences* and *opinions*), but he'd take any chance to have a casual meal with her.

"If it wasn't fine for humans, they wouldn't serve it to us. It's literally plain old Earth sushi, I promise. Nothing's going to wiggle out at you," she jokes with an added wiggle of her chopsticks at him. "If you're this picky about any Citadel food, you probably shouldn't take any leave here. Might starve."

Malcolm scoffs. "I'm not *that* bad."

"You're pretty bad."

"Not bad enough to bother you, it seems. Maybe picky is charming."

"Don't push your luck."

"I wouldn't dream of it. You," he adds, thoughtfully dipping another into some soy sauce, "do *enough* luck pushing for the both of us. For the entire ship and a good chunk of the Alliance, I should think."

She doesn't grin wicked or laugh like he thinks she might, just smiles and chews thoughtfully. Dabs at her mouth as a delay tactic. They both know the silence that's hanging between them has turned a little awkward rather than comfortable. He very nearly apologizes, though for what, he hasn't any idea, when she pipes up: "Only because I have to, Malcolm. Because it's asked of me." She mocks a salute with her sticks. "Commander Shepard, miracle worker, at your service."

There's a frown forming on his lips, almost a pout. "They know you can get the job done. You go above and beyond - and so does your crew. Against impossible odds, they'll follow you until the end of the line. It's never *just* you. Even if sometimes it feels like it."

Her smile turns less bitter, and while there's a subtle shake of her head - not here, not now, we can get schmoopy and talk about it later - she does clap him on the shoulder. "Believe me when I say I appreciate it fully. I *also* appreciate you picking up the tab."

"...Wait, I'm doing what now?"

"Such a good friend."