Drab-let (Guess it, pick next): “Stunning”
From/for @cheile in 378 words (she also requested the location and POV cause she’s an overachiever). First to get the episode right will hear from me about choosing next.
“Neelix says the lei represents the flowering of love,” he relays, giving me a chaste kiss on the cheek and threading delicate blossoms over my head. His fingers linger on the back of my neck as he frees my hair.
“Is that so?”
“Mm hm,” he hums. He leads us toward an isolated palm tree, away from prying eyes.
“I think the party is that way,” I remind.
“Is it?”
“Yes.” I can’t help the smile playing over my lips. “This isn’t appropriate.”
“I’m sorry,” he apologizes half-heartedly. “I’m being moved by emotion.”
“You said that about the nebula.”
“Did I?” he asks, spreading his hand dangerously low across my bare back.
“Yes, you did. Don’t think I didn’t read between your lines.” He pushes closer to me.
“What lines?” he jokes, dimples appearing. “That nebula was stunning.”
“It was.” I feel the tree against my back now. I’m deliciously trapped.
“Not as stunning as you are in that dress,” he says in between laying kisses along my exposed shoulders.
“Speaking of lines….”
“Not nearly as stunning as when that dress is on my floor,” he whispers into my ear.
“Chakotay, we said not in public,” I reprimand, but secretly I hope that he ignores me. The danger of this situation – of being found out – is more of a turn-on than I had expected.
“I know, and I’m done,” he says finally. Standing upright he offers me his arm again.
“Well, let’s not be too hasty.” Then I reach up on my tiptoes to kiss his wonderful lips.
Free from distraction we may have heard footsteps growing closer, but we don’t until it’s too late. With my lips still touching his I hope whoever has caught us is holographic.
Chakotay is blushing now. This is bad.
I turn slowly and am greeted by the best possible person.
“Ah, Captain. Commander,” Neelix says. “I figured the lei was mostly ceremonial. But maybe there’s something to it yet,” he winks. Then he sees mine has broken and fallen to the ground. “We’ll have to get you another.”
I can feel my face flush completely. “Neelix, this isn’t –“
“Your secret is safe with me,” he vows. “But perhaps I should be careful how many more of those I give out.”













