[Garak's presence, so close, made Julian's skin prickle in a way that wasn't unpleasant, certainly. But he wasn't sure if that was due to his changed biology, or something else.]
At least there's that.
[The question of exactly how he felt about this stayed in his mind as they approached DS9, went through the by now sadly familiar routine of "where in the world have you been, what happened?" If Kira's eyes on him and Garak were a little sharp, well. She knew full well what had happened the last time he'd vanished for a few days. She was probably thinking only of that.
She certainly wasn't when the airlock door rolled back. Surely she could smell the change in him--and Garak all over him, judging from her glances between the two of them. He begged off explanations with a tired smile--bless Kira, she had enough tact to not ask, with Odo and Dax right there--and said that medically he and Garak were both fine, merely tired, and an exam could keep until tomorrow. Being Chief Medical Officer did have its advantages.
But of course, she had to tell the Captain, and his debrefing the next day was an exercise in emotional torment which had ended in a gentle but firm suggestion that he take some leave time (his protests that he was fine and only wanted to find a way to reverse this as soon as possible fell not on deaf ears, but ones certainly inclined to disbelieve him.) Kira had stopped him as he left, already angry and worried that the longer this went on, the more ramifications it would have--and offered to ask Odo to post security, to ensure that Garak stayed away from him. He was sure the offer was meant kindly, out of concern, but the idea raised a cold fury in him (that he fervently denied as being angry at the thought of being separated from his mate, no, it was just the implication that he couldn't take care of himself...) that he couldn't shake. He was perhaps a bit more curt in his dismissal than was warranted. Surely she could forgive him his high emotions.
So with all-but-orders to rest and recover, Julian retreated to his quarters and collapsed into bed.]
no subject
At least there's that.
[The question of exactly how he felt about this stayed in his mind as they approached DS9, went through the by now sadly familiar routine of "where in the world have you been, what happened?" If Kira's eyes on him and Garak were a little sharp, well. She knew full well what had happened the last time he'd vanished for a few days. She was probably thinking only of that.
She certainly wasn't when the airlock door rolled back. Surely she could smell the change in him--and Garak all over him, judging from her glances between the two of them. He begged off explanations with a tired smile--bless Kira, she had enough tact to not ask, with Odo and Dax right there--and said that medically he and Garak were both fine, merely tired, and an exam could keep until tomorrow. Being Chief Medical Officer did have its advantages.
But of course, she had to tell the Captain, and his debrefing the next day was an exercise in emotional torment which had ended in a gentle but firm suggestion that he take some leave time (his protests that he was fine and only wanted to find a way to reverse this as soon as possible fell not on deaf ears, but ones certainly inclined to disbelieve him.) Kira had stopped him as he left, already angry and worried that the longer this went on, the more ramifications it would have--and offered to ask Odo to post security, to ensure that Garak stayed away from him. He was sure the offer was meant kindly, out of concern, but the idea raised a cold fury in him (that he fervently denied as being angry at the thought of being separated from his mate, no, it was just the implication that he couldn't take care of himself...) that he couldn't shake. He was perhaps a bit more curt in his dismissal than was warranted. Surely she could forgive him his high emotions.
So with all-but-orders to rest and recover, Julian retreated to his quarters and collapsed into bed.]