One common theme is the clash of cultures. Shepard, being human, and Garrus, a Turian, come from very different backgrounds. Their parents also have different values and traditions. So, in these fanfictions, there's often a focus on how Shepard tries to understand and respect the Turian way of life while Garrus' parents try to accept Shepard as someone important in Garrus' life.
Another theme is acceptance. The fanfics usually show Garrus' parents gradually accepting Shepard as a worthy partner or friend for Garrus. It can be a slow process filled with doubts and misunderstandings at first, but eventually leading to a positive outcome. For example, in some stories, they start to see Shepard's courage and loyalty which are qualities they admire.
Family bonds are also a big theme. These stories often explore how important family is to both Shepard and Garrus. Meeting the parents is a big step in their relationship, and it can strengthen or test the bond they already have. Some fanfics show how Shepard, who may have lost their own family, finds a new sense of family with Garrus and his parents, while others focus on how Garrus' parents' approval affects their relationship.
There's also 'Garrus' Homecoming' where the encounter between Shepard and Garrus' parents is filled with both humor and some tense moments as they navigate their different outlooks on Garrus' life choices. The author does a great job of portraying the complex relationships within the story.
Family acceptance is also a big theme. Given that they are from different species (if Shepard is human), their families or respective species' communities might have different reactions to their relationship and the new baby. So, stories often explore how they deal with that. And of course, there's the theme of love and protection. Garrus and Shepard would be extremely protective of their baby in these fanfictions, and their love for each other and the child is a central aspect.
One common theme is the power of friendship that turns into love. They start as comrades in arms and gradually develop deeper feelings. Another theme is sacrifice. They are often in situations where they have to make sacrifices for each other or for the greater good of the galaxy.
Another theme is the exploration of different species' cultures. Since Shepard is human and Garrus is a Turian, their relationship in fanfiction often involves learning about and respecting each other's cultural differences. For example, how they deal with Turian and human social norms in their relationship. This adds a layer of depth and complexity to their interactions.
Adventure is also a common theme. Since they are both from a universe full of action and exploration, many fanfictions have them going on new missions or exploring uncharted territories together. And of course, there's the theme of mutual respect. They respect each other's skills and abilities, which is shown in various ways in the stories.
One common theme is the development of their relationship during their adventures in the Mass Effect universe. They face many challenges together, and the fanfictions often explore how these challenges bring them closer.
Another theme could be the challenges they face as a couple, such as dealing with the politics and social norms within the different species in the game. Their different backgrounds as a turian (Garrus) and a human (Shepard) can create interesting storylines regarding acceptance and understanding.
Common themes in fanfiction about Female Shepard and Garrus in Mass Effect 3 include loyalty. They are both extremely loyal to each other and to their cause. Adventure is also a big theme as they go on various missions together. Their relationship development is another key theme. It could be a gradual process from colleagues to something more, like lovers. There are also themes related to the challenges they face together, such as dealing with the distrust of other species towards their relationship and how they overcome those obstacles in the story.
Some popular themes include their adventures during missions. They are often shown as a strong team, relying on each other's skills and instincts. Another theme could be their friendship development, from initial comradeship to a deeper bond.
The theme of sacrifice also appears frequently. Since they are both in a dangerous line of work in the Mass Effect world, there are stories where one of them has to make a difficult choice to sacrifice something for the other, whether it's their own safety, a promotion, or something else, which really showcases the depth of their connection.