Star Base 000: Parted but Never Parted
Sa'Vin arrived at the home he shared with his wife. The sun sat a deep orange slit on the horizon turning the lavender sky of day into an inky dark blue. T'lara would be rising from her second sleep, and he would have to greet her. It was illogical to wait but he lingered at the front door a moment longer before typing in the access code.
Coolness swept up the staircase far more welcoming than the steely gaze of his mate. Who waited for him in the main living area. She was still in her house robe, fresh tea in her grasp, hair precision cut into the traditional style.
"Husband." She stated. " I did not expect you until the morning." Removing his boots he approached her offering his two extended fingers to her.
She did not stand to touch her fingers to his, it was then he noticed she had not prepared tea for him. "How long will be home?" She asked.
Sa'Vin sat on the sofa keeping his back straight. "Not long, I have been promoted to Commander. I will be joining Captain Solok as his Number One."
T'Lara raised an eyebrow. " Captain Solok? I have admired his essays since I was a child." He nodded in recognition. " I thought it would please you, although he is no longer allowed an all Vulcan crew. It was a special allowance given the circumstances." T'Lara could only spare so much of her attention on her husband's work. " A pity. The adjustment for him will be a challenge." She said before standing. " Follow me husband I have something I must show you."
Perhaps another man would be captivated by the shape of their wife wrapped in thin clinging fabric. Even the most stoic Vulcan man could be stirred by the knowledge her bare skin lay underneath, especially after so long apart. Sa'Vin simply noted that she'd had the floor tiles replaced.
His mother had picked those tiles. Glossy deep green circles had been replaced by white, rather dingy looking, hexagon tiles.
Down the hall was the room they kept for guests. She opened it without ceremony revealing the crib with a still sleeping infant.
Sa'Vin's clenched his hands into fists.
"The product of your last visit."
He forced his feet closer to the crib, he had to see, had to look at what he had done. A beautiful child, round apple cheeks, perfect pointed ears, and fair brows that had not darkened yet. Sa'Vin swallowed the urge to be sick.
" I thought it wise not bother you while you were away. Her name is T'Vara, she is healthy, her Katra is strong-"
Sa'Vin snapped his eyes at his chattering wife.
"I can feel it." He schooled his tone to keep it even. "You should have told me. I could have taken leave." T'Lara blinked languidly. "Illogical, you were not needed."
Sa'Vin waited until his wife settled in for the first sleep at noon when the suns were high, to depart for town. A short drive by shuttle car given that most of Vulcan was at rest. T'Lara had begged Sa'Vin's father to have transporter installed but he had refused. He had enjoyed traveling it gave one reason to meditate on the surrounding life.
Sa'Vin's focus was elsewhere. He left the shuttle parked in the designated area outside the studio. A modern glass dome type building. He was already waiting outside, dark skin dappled by a tree in need of pruning.
They greeted each other silently with the salute. It was poor manners to speak outside during the resting period. " K'Var." Sa'Vin mouthed just to feel the movement of his name on his lips once again. K'Var cocked his head gently at the action before stepping aside to allow Sa'Vin to pass.
Once the door swished closed K'Var had his back pressed against it. Their hands danced together as Sa'Vin pressed his forehead to K'Var.
" You are troubled?" K'Var pulled away as his mind tasted the distress at the edges of Sa'Vin's thoughts. A strong broad hand cupped the back K'Var's neck.
"Please, just allow me a moment. I have been without you too long."
K'Var squinted his eyes softly. A Vulcan smile.
" It is never only a moment with you Sa'Vin."
They reclined in the pile of cushions K'Var kept near what was the back of the dome. Sa'Vin cradled K'Var in his lap, letting his head rest against his bare chest. " You changed your hair." Sa'Vin traced the tight braids that lined his scalp. " I turned fifty while you were away. I thought a change was appropriate."
Sa'Vin flinched as K'Var tousled his already messy hair. "Perhaps we should match?" K'Var jested dryly. Sa'Vin snatched his fingers and pressed them to his mouth making the man in lap shudder.
" I do not think it would suit me as well as you." His breath ghosted over his knuckles. K'Var moved to straddle his lap, facing him fully, his green eyes bore into Sa'Vin's brown. " Tell me what happened. My concern is growing."
Sa'Vin leaned forward to take the open bottle of champagne off the low lying tea table. His former shipmate had recommended it. " My wife goes crazy over the stuff." He had said wiggling his brows in an bemusing manner. Sa'Vin had thought K'Var might like it.
He drank it straight from the bottle, and K'Var crossed his arms. "You will not charm me by forgoing proper etiquette, this time." Sa'Vin sighed through his nose. " I am a father."
K'Var almost stumbled in his rush to stand. He grabbed his robes from the floor to cover himself.
"Get out." He said it like a hammer hitting a nail. His face perfectly held to halt even the slightest twitch.
"K'Var, please. Let me explain." When he stood K'Var refused to look at him instead snatching the Star Fleet uniform from where it laid. " Put on your clothes, and leave." He insisted.
"Ashayam." Sa'Vin tried to capture his hand.
"Don't." K'Var jerked away from him. " Do not. go." He commanded for the final time.
Sa'Vin did not return home until the small hours of the morning. His wife did not acknowledge him as he stalked past her to the nursery.
He held his daughter who stared up at him with large curious eyes. " I would have named you Vreena after my mother." He spoke in gentle tones. " I was not meant to be a father, I hope one day you can forgive me, although it is not logical."
