carpe uh whatever floats your boat

“Y/n’s upset again,” a voice said, “I’m not sure how long we can keep them entertained.”

Doctor Julian Bashir sipped his drink in Quark’s bar and hummed softly to himself, intrigued by the conversation happening near him.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” another voice asked harshly. “They’re our child! It shouldn’t matter whether or not they’re...augmented or not. And besides, isn’t that what we wanted when we agreed to get them enhanced?”

Julian straightened up in his seat, his eyes widening. He quickly turned around and found the couple that was talking.

They were humanoid, likely from Earth, and upon closer inspection, Julian decided they were indeed a couple, due to their body language.

He took a deep breath and walked up to them, smiling down at the Asian couple. “Hello,” he said charismatically, “I just happened to notice you were talking about an augmented child.”

They both stiffened up, and Julian quickly waved his arms at them. “No, no, no, I mean- I’m augmented too! I just thought that maybe I could help you two with your child?”

The couple looked at each other, and Julian patiently waited for them to decide.

“Please, sit down,” one of them said. “Doctor Bashir, right? The station’s doctor?”

Julian sat down happily and nodded. “Well, one of them. I am the chief medical officer, yes.”

The couple smiled at him, and Julian smiled back.

“Hey, Hoshi!” you said, sitting down next to Hoshi as she ate her lunch.

You took a bite of your food as she rolled her eyes.

“Come to brag again?” Hoshi asked.

“No, why? Have I done anything recently that’s worthy of bragging about?” you asked innocently.

Hoshi sighed, staring down at her food. “I just don’t get why we have to be so competitive all of the time.” “What’s wrong? Scared of a little competition?” you teased.

“No, of course not,” Hoshi said. “Are you? Can you handle what you’re dishing out?”

“Hell yeah,” you said, laughing. “Bring it.”

Hoshi smiled at you, then narrowed her eyes. “What do I get if I win?” she asked. “I mean...when I win and learn more languages in a month than you?”

“Well,” you said, “I win, I get a date with you. I lose, and I leave you alone.”

Hoshi considered your offer carefully. “Well, how about we go on a date regardless? I think we can just use this friendly competition as a motivation to learn, don’t you?”

You stared at her, surprised that she was being so forward, and that she was into you as well.

“I...yeah! Yeah,” you said.

“Great! Then meet me in my quarters once our shifts end tonight,” Hoshi said.

“Great!” you said, smiling at her.

“I’m glad we could meet up today,” Nerys said. “I’ve missed you! How have you been?”

“I’ve been okay,” you said. “You know how things on Bajor are. I just got a job on the station, actually, I’m not just visiting. I’ve missed you too, and that did influence me taking the job honestly.”

“That’s wonderful!” Nerys said, laughing. “We used to do everything together, we went through the worst together. And now you’re here! I’m so glad!”

“Me too,” you said, reaching over and taking her hand in yours. “How have you been, staying here and working here?”

“It’s fun working here,” Nerys said, “and Commander Sisko is great! You’re going to love it here.”

“I really am,” you agreed, “it seems so fun!”

“It is, it is!” Nerys said, squeezing your hand and laughing. “You totally have to meet all of my friends, I know you’ll get along so well with them and everyone here- but keep in mind that Quark the Ferengi is totally disgusting. Watch out for him,” Nerys said.

“I would love that!” you said. “And thanks, I’ll definitely avoid him.”

Nerys smiled at you before biting her lip and staring down at the table. “So, where are your quarters?” she asked, looking back up at you. “I could help you with your moving in?”

“Yeah, I’d like that, thank you!” you said. “I have some free time right now if you want to go talk there?”

“Lieutenant y/ln, are you alright?” Commander Spock asked you while you two were standing in the turbolift together.

“Define “alright”,” you muttered.

Spock opened his mouth and you sighed. “I’m sorry,” you said quickly, “that was rude of me. I know what you meant, and no I’m not,” you admitted. You didn’t know why you were telling him about it, but he did ask so you figured you might as well.

“Ah,” Spock said awkwardly.

You didn’t even know Vulcans could be awkward. It made you feel a little better. You took his awkwardness as a sign to take the lead in the conversation.

“I have anxiety,” you explained, “and it’s extremely hard to deal with, that’s all.”

Spock considered your words, tilting his head thoughtfully. “I see,” he said.

You nodded at him slowly. “Yeah…” you said.

“May I make a suggestion?” he asked.

“Please, go ahead,” you said.

“Meditation is a tool that Vulcans use to help stabilize themselves,” Spock said. “Perhaps that would help you with your anxiety.”

“Thank you, Mr. Spock, but I’ve attempted to meditate before. I’m not quite sure how to do it properly,” you said.

“If you would like, I could assist you,” Spock offered.

“That would be wonderful,” you said, trying not to sound too surprised or enthusiastic.

“We could meet in a neutral location on the ship,” Spock said, “but I am not sure that any of them would provide the privacy meditation would require. If the idea does not make you uncomfortable, may I suggest using my quarters?”

You took a deep breath, not knowing what to say. Spock was being so kind to you, you weren’t really prepared for such a reaction.

“Yeah, that’d be great!” you said. “Would tonight be okay? If that’s not too forward of me.”

“It would be, in your words, okay,” Spock said. “I believe our shifts end at the same time. Meet me in my quarters thirty minutes after. That should be a sufficient amount of time for the event.”

“Okay,” you said, “I’ll see you later then.”

“Yes,” Spock agreed.

The turbolift doors opened, and you recognized that it was your destination. You hesitated as you wondered whether or not to say goodbye, then decided that would be illogical.

You stepped through the doors, and when they closed you let out a deep sigh.

You and Jadzia laughed at a joke she just made, Jadzia touching your shoulder.

You typed on the panel next to her, smiling. Jadzia was always making you laugh, and you two were always finding some way to touch each other, to comfort each other. It was nice, and Jadzia always so sweet to you.

You were a Bajoran security officer, and your job was never easy, but Jadzia always made it fun somehow.

“Hey, y/n,” Jadzia said, walking up to you and rubbing your arm.

“Hey! What’s up?” you asked nervously. You loved it when she was close to you, it made you feel safe and secure, but you were still trying to get used to it. You weren’t a very touchy-feely person- somehow Jadzia was the exception to that.

Jadzia laughed. “Nothing! I just wanted to see you. Will you be done with your work by lunch? I was thinking we could eat together.”

“Yes, I’ll be done by then,” you said, smiling and moving to entangle your fingers with hers.

“Great! Meet you in my quarters?” Jadzia asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

You laughed, nodding. “I’ll see you there,” you said.

“Not if I see you first,” Jadzia said playfully, rubbing her thumb on your hand before gently moving away. “I gotta go- but don’t worry about bringing food! I’ll make something.”

“Really?” you said, surprised. “I didn’t know you could cook.”

Jadzia scrunched her nose at you. “Well...save that thought for tonight,” she said, and you laughed.

She winked at you before twirling around dramatically and walking away.