(Day 2)
The later in the day it got, the more problematic their situation became. The drop in temperature and lack of airflow had caused condensation and ice to build up along the walls and surfaces of Garak's quarters which had the unfortunate side effect of continually shorting out the remaining functioning systems (doors/lights/refresher etc) which they'd still had access to. It also appeared to have sealed them in, not that either of them was in any rush to wonder around the now freezing station.
Julian found himself gravitating closer to Garak. Despite his mortification about this morning, he concluded that they really needed to start thinking seriously about huddling together for warmth. He didn't want to broach the subject directly, but Garak was probably even less likely than he was to admit that he needed help. If Julian was starting to struggle, he could only imagine how his reptilian friend was coping.
Garak had spotted the Doctor's slow but deliberate movements to bring them nearer to each other early on, subtlety wasn't exactly one of his companion's strengths. They had started this afternoon sat on separate sofas, then opposite ends of the same sofa, then Bashir had casually leaned towards him when rewarming the stones but hadn't resumed his original position, and now he found himself within touching distance of the good Doctor. Not that he was going to suddenly bridge the gap and cuddle up to the young man, despite his cold arms and fingers practically itching to claim some of that mammalian heat for himself.
Garak could sense Bashir's warmth as it rolled off his exposed skin and could even discern the excess moisture his companion exhaled; it was all so wasteful. The little puffs of humid air only served to heighten his awareness of how cold and parched his own skin was. His scales were drying out and had started to become somewhat uncomfortable. He had to resist the urge to scratch, knowing that it would only make things worse.
Garak sighed softly, internally shaking his head at how pathetic he had become. "Doctor, I am hardly in the mood for this dance. Move over here if you would?"
Julian eagerly closed the distance between them, glad that he hadn't had to ask. He slid sideways on the sofa until his knees and shoulders met Garak's before he sat back and opened his arms wide, exposing his torso. Julian was trying not to visibly shiver as the air of the room hit his previously covered neck and chest. He stilled to allow Garak to control and negotiate their positioning, knowing that the Cardassian wouldn't actually tell him where he was most feeling the chill. He sighed contentedly as Garak leant his head against his shoulder before he felt sturdy arms wind themselves around his middle.
After a further bit of wriggling, Garak tucked his legs up onto the sofa. Both of his knees now leant against the outside of Bashir's thigh. The Doctor mirrored him and brought his own legs into a similar position before covering the pair of them back up with his blanket. Garak noted that Bashir took care to ensure that he was completely enclosed in the sumptuous material, from top to toe. Ever the caregiver, the Doctor was always putting other people in front of himself. Why on Earth was he wasting his precious time and energy here with him when he could be safely down on the surface with his friends and colleagues? Garak would never be able to comprehend the depths of the man's empathy. One never knew when that strangely stubborn sentiment of Bashir's was going to make an appearance and he was regularly caught off guard whenever it did, even more so when it was inexplicably extended to include him.
Julian placed his arm around Garak's shoulder, revelling in the soft hum Garak seemed to be emitting. He smiled smugly and looked down to catch his friend's eye. "Feeling better?"
The Doctor was so unguarded with his touches and expressions, Garak hardly knew what to make of it. He should probably reign them back in a bit before things get any further out of hand. "Really, my Dear, there's no need to look so pleased with yourself. But yes, if you must know, the temperature has become somewhat more tolerable under here with you. I was well aware that this was your plan all along, you aren't a master of misdirection and manipulation just yet. I blame myself; I mustn't be a very good teacher. I haven't even passed on the most fundamental lesson: patience. The way you inhale your food is proof alone of that. In all honesty though, I wouldn't have thought you would be this desperate to recreate what I had assumed was an embarrassing situation for you this morning? Given your hasty retreat from my bedroom."
Julian flushed, why was Garak trying to needle him? He had been quite happy to just sit there and quietly enjoy their closeness and shared heat. Oh, of course! The Cardassian had to take at least a verbal step back given that he'd conceded that he needed Julian's assistance. Why did Garak always have to try keep him at arm's length? Was it such a bad thing that they were getting along and were comfortable enough with the other to sit in this way without it being awkward?
Julian shrugged. "This is different. We are both conscious now and able to give clear consent and set our own boundaries. I wouldn't want to impose my presence on your person in the same way I did with your living space. I am aware that I can come across a bit too full on at times and I freely admit that I have trouble reading people. Especially when it comes to noticing that moment when the mood shifts from actual pleasantries to just being polite. I don't always register or recognise the subtle hints and signals that most people unconsciously pick up. I'm not actively trying to be annoying… no matter how it may seem."
Garak was chagrined to hear his words from yesterday repeated. He eyed Bashir's gloomy demeanour with interest, this was obviously something the young man considered a personal failing. Garak was aware that other people seemed to find something lacking in their interactions with the Doctor, but he didn't share their opinion. To be blunt, most of their fellow residents on the station were idiots who preferred the dull company of other idiots. Anyone who had spent any time around the Doctor and hadn't found his mixture of exuberant intelligence and positive idealism appealing, wasn't worth worrying about.
Garak took a calming breath, he was going to have to go against his instincts and try to be honest with Bashir. "I don't find you annoying. Passionate, determined, and persistent, perhaps, but these are not bad things as far as I'm concerned. Plus, I would hope you have spent enough time with me to know that I enjoy your company. I don't suffer fools lightly and I know my own mind. It is, shall we say, difficult to get me to do something that I truly don't want to do against my will. You have never done anything that would fall into that category, nor do I believe you would be capable of it. Doctor, while I appreciate your concern, please know that it is misplaced and unnecessary." To reinforce his words, Garak tightened his grip around the Doctor before patting his hand lightly against his chest.
Julian was dumbfounded, Garak was now trying to make him feel better? Affection for the man swelled in his chest. If he was honest with himself, Garak was his only friend who always seemed happy to see him (even if his jokes or attitude often suggested the opposite). There was a light in Garak's eyes whenever they were debating that he knew was equally reflected in his own. Julian struggled not to show just how much he relied upon the time they spent together. Despite his attempts to reduce his enthusiasm, he was sure Garak must be aware of his regard.
Even when they were apart, the Cardassian was never far from his thoughts. Julian spent his days either thinking ahead to their next interaction or talking about him to anyone who would listen. When he'd lamented to Jadzia the fact that Garak spent more time arguing with him than anything else, an odd expression had crossed her face which infuriatingly she'd later refused to explain. Jadzia had insisted he needed to figure it out for himself, but he wasn't sure what was he supposed to be seeing. Garak loved a good argument and seemed to relish in being disagreeable. Julian figured it was his way of relaxing and winding down from his customer-focused persona that he had to don when working in his shop. He knew himself how taxing it was to maintain his own reassuring and pleasant doctor's façade, no matter what pressure he was under or how loud and obnoxious the patient.
Julian smiled and returned the gesture, fondly squeezing Garak's shoulder before leaning his head over to momentarily rest on top of Garak's. "I enjoy your company too, Garak. You will probably find this amusing, but you are the person on the station that I consider myself closest to. Despite not actually knowing all that much about you!"
Garak couldn't help himself, smirking he looked up at the Doctor. "Agreed. That is, you're certainly the person that I'm closest to right now."
Julian laughed; glad the tension had broken. "Well, yes. Admittedly, I am the only person within several thousand kilometres. Lucky for you."
Settling into their new position, they sat quietly for a few minutes. Both savoured the comfort and warmth of the other's embrace while mulling over what had been said. Before, inevitably, Garak disturbed the moment with some of his previously withheld comments on the disaster of Shakespeare's collected works and his incredulity that they were revered back on Earth, given their inherent poor quality. The Bard had never been one of Julian's personal favourites either, but he found himself rising to the challenge of staunchly defending the historic plays anyway. He could have simply agreed with Garak's critique, but where was the fun in that?
