A/N: Watching Picard has had the unexpected side effect of inspiring me to write more Icheb/Naomi stories. Anyway, this has very, very minor spoilers for that series and was inspired by a scene from the 2001 TV series Victoria & Albert and some of the end dialogue was borrowed from Frasier. The title came from the song quoted at the start. Hope you enjoy it :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Yours
…
I've never loved anyone the way I love you
How could I, when I was born to be
Just yours
This night has music, the sweetest music
It echoes somewhere within my heart
I hold you near me, oh darling hear me
I have a message I must impart
Yours 'til the stars lose their glory
Yours 'til the birds fail to sing
Yours to the end of life's story
This pledge to you dear, I bring
-'Yours', Vera Lynn
…
"I have been considering consulting the Doctor for his assistance in covering my implants," Icheb began in a conversational tone as Naomi brought their dinner to the table.
He suppressed a start as she put the plates down with more force than he was expecting.
"Are people still making things difficult for you?" she demanded, "Because that is unacceptable, you worked hard to get where you are and discrimination is not only uncalled for, it is downright wrong. Starfleet is better than this – the Federation is better than this…"
She stopped as she caught sight of his face, "Why are you smiling?"
"You're wonderful," Icheb said simply, looking up at her in admiration.
Naomi crossed her arms, "I meant it."
"That's what makes it so wonderful," Icheb replied smoothly, turning in his seat to face her fully. "Nothing has happened," he assured her, "it's just something that I have been thinking about and I wanted your opinion."
Slightly mollified at the thought that he wasn't being bullied, Naomi regarded him for a long moment. "I supposed concealing them would make things safer and easier for you," she conceded.
Icheb raised an eyebrow, "But?" he prompted.
"But," she continued, "being a former Borg is part of who you are. If you removed them you wouldn't be my Icheb," she said softly, reaching out to trace the implant on his nasal ridge.
"Then it's settled," Icheb said firmly, pulling her into his lap, "they stay."
Naomi's brow furrowed slightly as she wrapped her arms loosely around his neck, "Are you sure?"
"Of all the things in my life, being yours is all I really care about," Icheb explained easily, pulling her closer.
Naomi smiled and, with practiced care, leaned forward to rest her cranial ridges gently against his forehead, "What did I do to deserve you?" she asked softly.
"Don't be ridiculous," Icheb replied, just as softly, "clearly I got the better deal in this relationship. The question is what did I do to deserve you?"
"You love me," Naomi replied simply.
"Very much," Icheb agreed, before he closed the distance and kissed her.