For the Shep ask (whichever Shep you like!): 1 // Forget my Name:, 3 // Starchild: & 11 // Undercover Lover: .
Thank you for asking! I have two Shepards - Harrison and Caleb. I’ll answer for Harrison!
1 // Forget my Name: What is Shepard’s first and middle name? Are they important or meaningful names? How do they feel about their name?
His name is simply Harrison Shepard. He grew up on earth as an orphan, having been dropped on the doorstep of an orphanage when he was just a few days old. The main carer of the orphanage - a kind elderly biotic named Dorothea - allowed the other children to choose his name. Shepard doesn’t particularly like or dislike his first name, no-one ever uses it anyway. It’s always “Hey, Shepard!” and never “Hey, Harrison!”
3 // Starchild: How was Shep’s childhood? Friends, schooling - did they like where they grew up?
Despite living in an orphanage, Harrison’s life wasn’t as bad as one would assume. He attended a graffiti-filled public school where he had a few friends. One thing he hated, though, was the constant robberies at the orphanage. He wouldn’t let himself get too attached to the latest toy because it’d disappear within days. Although, it’s not like they had the best toys on the market, the orphanage funding only just covered basic living.
Harrison realized that he was lucky to have a warm bed and food to eat, but that didn’t mean he liked the orphanage. Sure, there were other children living on the streets, but they didn’t have to deal with Molly Russo who kept putting gum in his hair. However, they all had to deal with the violent workers that were labelled ‘Policemen.’
11 // Undercover Lover: Who is Shepard’s love interest? Why?
Commander Harrison Shepard’s love interest was originally gunnery chief Ashley Williams. They immediately clicked after meeting during the investigation into the Prothean Beacon on Eden Prime. They continued their unofficial relationship until Shepard perished in the attack against the Normandy. After being revived by Cerberus and not seeing Ashley for months, Harrison assumed that their relationship was over. It wasn’t until she reappeared on Horizon that their relationship seemed to come to an official close.
Later on in Shepard’s lifetime, Harrison felt an attraction to Steve Cortez, a pilot aboard the Normandy. Having not considered being bisexual, Shepard pushed these thoughts aside. However, every time Steve dropped Shepard and his crew on their next mission, seeing the man smile at Shepard just made his affection grow even more. He wanted to say something to Cortez - he really did. There had been signs that Steve showed interest in the commander, too, but he didn’t want to shove himself onto a man who’s husband had just died.
It was only when the pair met up at Purgatory that Shepard realised Steve’s affection for him. He finally understood everything. Steve didn’t want to make the first move because he believed his ex-husband, Robert, wouldn’t forgive him, if he did. So, Shepard stepped forwards and pressed their lips together. Soon after, they were officially boyfriends and Harrison had never felt so lucky. Ashley and Shepard became best friends after this, with her fully supporting Shepard’s new relationship.