"I can't believe he used to annoy me," said Miles, watching as Julian chattered animatedly with Nerys and Keiko across the room. "Now it's just nice to see him like this again. It's quite the change, isn't it - but then, I guess you've got used to it by now?" He turned to Ezri, smiling. "Clearly, eight months with you have been good for him."
It took a few moment for Ezri to respond, and Miles had no idea what her expression meant. He'd never known her particularly well, and since returning to Earth they'd only exchanged a few words over subspace if she'd walked in on one of his conversations with Julian.
"I don't think I've ever seen him like this," she said eventually.
Well that was unbelievable. Julian was resonating with the sort of energy he always did when he was in love, so Ezri had to be doing something right.
"What do you mean?" he asked, brow furrowing.
"He's so bouncy. And talkative. Usually he's more - I don't know - restrained, I guess? It's suddenly like..." She paused, thinking. "Well, like he's back planning your Alamo battles with you, but more, and for everything - even in the staff meeting earlier! He's been smiling the whole day."
Miles' frown deepened. "That's just Julian being Julian," he said. "I know the war took a lot out of him - it took a lot out of all of us - but..." He trailed off. "I just assumed he'd managed to get back to normal. You've really never seen him like this?"
Ezri shook her head, then stopped herself, wincing a little. "I know Jadzia did?" she said cautiously. "But her relationship with Julian was so different, she always saw him as so much younger than her. And honestly, I try not to pry into her memories of him too much. It doesn't seem fair."
"How would you describe him, then?" Miles asked curiously. "What's usual for you?"
She smiled. "Kind, sweet, gentle. A little awkward, sometimes. Not as much as me, though," she added with a soft chuckle.
"He makes me laugh," she continued, "but I wouldn't call him 'funny'. He's usually quite a quiet, serious person - or not quiet, perhaps, just... reserved? If we're alone, we'll talk for hours, but at gatherings like this, he'll try, but ends up getting kind of distant. That's why it's felt so odd the past two days. He seems almost... manic?"
"Probably just the suprise of seeing us," Miles replied, a little unsettled. Humming in unconvinced agreement, Ezri's gaze returned to watch her partner, who was now allowing Molly to drag him over to inspect the tower she'd been building with Jake.
"It's like he's forgotten to be sad," she said suddenly. "Is that what it is? He seems lighter, in a way."
Miles chuckled nervously. "I can't believe our visit is having that much of an effect on him," he replied. "Has work been busier than normal lately? Maybe he just needed a break."
"No, it's definitely more than that," Ezri responded firmly. "I know Julian. He's--"
"Dad, come and look at my tower!" Molly interrupted, dashing over to their sofa. "Julian said it's the best one he's ever seen!"
"Well, if Julian said that, sounds like you don't need my opinion," Miles teased, causing his daughter to roll her eyes.
"But Julian's just a doctor, you're an engineer."
"I suppose I am," Miles replied. "Sorry, Ezri, do you mind if--"
"Not at all," she said easily, waving him off. "I've... got a lot to think about."
