AN: I don't know if I'll do another version of this eventually, but this is a possible depiction of the wedding night. It can be read alone, but it also follows my story "Shared Space." Please note that this does not follow canon exactly.

I own nothing from Star Trek.

I hope you enjoy! If you do, please do let me know!

111

The wedding was done. The reception was through. They had danced, eaten their fill, and there had been laughter and congratulations. Together, Saru and T'Rina had enjoyed themselves. They'd enjoyed being married, if even for such a short time so far. They'd enjoyed showing each other affection, freely, and even testing out a few things that were popular among other species and, therefore, were things they wanted to experiment with, now that they'd determined that their marriage, as an interspecies marriage, was going to be a place where they were free to create their own customs and traditions, blending those that each of them brought to the marriage with those that they wanted to incorporate into their lives.

And, then, Saru had brought T'Rina back to the quarters aboard the station that would now become home. Their home. Their shared home. One of two that they would frequently share together, but the one that they would know first.

A part of Saru felt like he must be dreaming. He felt like he couldn't quite believe it was real. He already felt like T'Rina was his home. Now, they could truly build a home together.

"I keep asking myself…how did I get so lucky?" Saru offered, letting some of his thoughts have a voice.

T'Rina gave him a soft smile—the true extent of it shining in her eyes.

As part of marriage, she was allowed to choose what she gave to him, as far as sharing her emotions. Saru could sense them, like he could practically taste danger on the air when such a thing was necessary, no matter how much she suppressed them. Still, he treasured that she chose to share them with him, because he knew that was a choice.

"I am the lucky one," she said, sincerely and simply.

"I hope—everything will be to your liking," Saru said, looking around at the bedroom of his quarters. "I made some changes for you. If you need anything, or if I didn't think of something…"

"Saru—I sense that you are exceedingly nervous. I assure you that I am quite comfortable here, and I am aware that, should I ask, any needs that I may have will be met. Now—is there something that I may be able to do to help you?"

Saru stared at T'Rina. She was sincere. He knew that she was. Even as a Vulcan who focused on logic and chose to suppress her feelings, for the most part, she never held his feelings against him. She wasn't, as some Vulcans were, the kind that found others sharing their feelings to be illogical. In fact, she only really worked to suppress hers as much as she did, he suspected, because letting them go, as strong as they were, might be overwhelming for her and for others. Beyond that, she didn't want to let them overpower her judgment. She remained in control, but she never scolded him for having feelings.

And Saru loved her enough that he could imagine that his love for her could overpower all logic for him—if he allowed it.

"It is our wedding night," he said.

"It is," T'Rina agreed.

"As such, it is…customary…that we consummate our marriage."

"In most cultures, yes," T'Rina agreed. "I do believe that's accurate. Were you hoping to…follow some other practice?"

"No…no," Saru said quickly. "It's only—I have never taken a mate before."

T'Rina's face gave nothing away, if he was searching for any visual indication of her feelings. Saru tried to sense what she was feeling, but he felt nothing strong, stirring in one direction or another. All he felt was what he had felt all along—her love for him.

"I have never taken a husband before," T'Rina offered. "It will be a new experience for both of us."

"But you have taken a mate," Saru said.

"For the purposes of Pon Farr, I have," T'Rina said. "I have also volunteered to…help others in their time of need."

"You have a great deal more experience than I do," Saru said. "It is only that—I do not wish for you to be disappointed."

T'Rina looked at him and, after a second, she nodded her head gently. Then, she turned and looked around the bedroom, taking in the space that was now hers as much as it was Saru's.

"Fulfilling the requirements of Pon Farr is something entirely different than the intimate acts of marriage with your chosen partner," T'Rina said. "Your partner for Pon Farr may be your chosen partner for marriage, but it is not required when you are simply doing what is required for survival."

"I understand," Saru said. He did, after all, understand the concept, even if the practice was foreign to his species. "I will help you, when it's time."

He sensed her amusement, though she hid it well.

"I am sure that you will," T'Rina said. "And I will apologize to you, in advance, for the side of me that…you may not appreciate seeing."

Saru reached out. He caught her hands.

"You are safe with me. Every part of who you are. I will always appreciate everything about you," he said, as sincerely as possible.

T'Rina looked at him holding her hands and he realized that the act, in itself, was quite intimate. She had adjusted, however, a great deal, to his need for touch and his particular ways of touching her. She held his hand, often, and appreciated it. He treasured it, because he knew that each time, it was it far more intimate for her than it might be if he'd fallen in love with someone from another race.

She turned her hands, tracing his fingers with hers in the way that most gave her pleasure. Saru's pulse kicked up. He could feel her affection and there was something else—something that hadn't ever been quite as strong as it was at this moment. He could sense her arousal. It seemed to crackle in the air around them like electricity. He let her stroke his fingers with her own. He closed his eyes a moment, too overwhelmed to look at her. When he did, finally, look back, she continued with the gentle stroking of his fingers, but she held his eyes steadily with her own.

"I will always appreciate everything about you," T'Rina offered quietly. "And you are also safe with me. I will honor every part of who you are. I have never known…the intimacy of a wedding night with you, Saru, and I am excited to know you as my husband."

"What—am I to do next?" Saru asked.

"Whatever you feel led to do," T'Rina said simply. "There is no correct answer. Likewise, there is no incorrect answer."

Saru nodded his head to show that he understood. He did, of course, understand. They had talked about traditions, practices, and expectations. They had agreed, together, to be open to things that they enjoyed, or thought they might enjoy, from any culture. As a Kelpien and, particularly, as a Kelpien that had previously eschewed the idea of romantic love entirely, when he'd been with his people, Saru had never really been educated in mating practices. He had, at the basest level, instinct and desire—and he had what he'd learned from his own pursuit of knowledge, which he'd kept mostly hidden, given the somewhat taboo nature of his research, in the mating practices of various cultures.

T'Rina seemed to relax, slightly. Her demeanor shifted, even as she raised an eyebrow slightly and tipped her head to the side.

"I require…your assistance," she said.

Saru felt his entire form flood with a sense of relief. He didn't know how to begin mating, but he would do anything he could to fulfill any need that T'Rina presented, especially since she rarely allowed him to help her with anything.

"Of course," Saru said quickly.

"Will you—help me unfasten my dress?" T'Rina asked.

Saru nodded. She turned and verbally directed him as to how to unfasten the dress. It wasn't difficult, but he imagined it may be difficult to do when one was wearing the garment. Other, outer layers, had been easily removed by each of them upon entering their quarters—shed like second skins for both of them. T'Rina worked her way out of the dress as Saru unfastened it. As he finished, the weight of the material pulled it down, and it immediately puddled to the ground. T'Rina stepped out of it, reaching for him for the physical support she needed—or wanted—to do so.

For a moment, Saru was stilled entirely, unable to move or even feel capable of function. Since she'd begun shedding layers, to this moment, T'Rina had gone from a very ornate dress to, now, simply wearing gold underwear that Saru had no doubt was designed to match the dress and to have some ornamental properties—a callback to a common tradition across many races that would liken each of them as a gift to the other on this night.

"Do you require assistance with your clothing?" T'Rina asked, drawing Saru out of his reverie.

"Uh—no," Saru stammered. "My clothing is…a great deal less complicated."

T'Rina stared at him. He stared at her. He realized that she was doing her best to prompt him, then, to remove what he was wearing. He felt his whole body tense, and she turned her eyes away from him, as though she suspected he might benefit from privacy. She picked up her dress and, turning her body from him with more purpose than she pretended to have, she went about finding a place to put it, for now, where it wouldn't get damaged.

Saru removed his clothing, putting it to the side, as well.

"T'Rina—I fear—I may not be what you expect," Saru admitted.

She kept her back to him, fussing needlessly, he was sure, with the dress. The pantomime was for Saru's benefit, only, and he felt himself flood with affection to think that she would do something so entirely illogical. Of course, she would probably argue that it was logical to perform whatever simple task was necessary to provide him with some comfort.

She was quiet for a moment, but Saru didn't rush her to respond to his confession.

"I expect," T'Rina said, when she did speak, "that—you will be Saru. And, as you know, I…love you."

Saru felt some of his tension dissipate.

"I love you, too," he said. "More than…anything. More than life itself."

He sensed she was pleased. Perhaps, he could somehow see it in the way she carried her shoulders. Perhaps, it was in the way her spine shifted as she slightly changed position—starting to turn, but holding herself back in case it benefited him for her to remain as she was.

"As Saru," T'Rina said, "I expect that you will be…kind, loving, gentle…a touch over-emotional, at times, protective, though it is quite unnecessary…erudite, amusing…need I go on?"

"I mean—physically," Saru said, somehow sensing that she already knew that.

"Oh—well—that is a very different matter," she said. "I expect that you will be a Kelpien, as I know you to be. Handsome. Strong. Quite tall. And if you are not these things, then I expect to be informed, because I have been deceived to this point."

"T'Rina…" Saru said.

"May I…face you? Or would you be more comfortable, Saru, if I remain in a position only to study, very carefully, the constructive panels of this room? It is our wedding night, and I am quite open to suggestion and preference…if you would prefer that I remain facing this wall during our mating."

Saru sensed her teasing. It brought up a bubble of humor in him, and he was thankful for it.

"Please, turn," Saru said. "But—do know that…my clothing lacked the layers that yours had."

With her back to him, T'Rina nodded and hummed her understanding. When she turned, she would see Saru in a fully disrobed state. She reached her hand up and unclasped the bra she was wearing. She let it fall to the floor before slipping down the underwear she was wearing, and stepping out of them.

"Now, we are equally disrobed," she said, before turning.

T'Rina turned. Saru's pulse raced.

"Oh…" was all that he managed to say, and he immediately knew that it was inadequate. Still, she smiled. Granted, it was only the soft smile that she only occasionally gave him, but it was a smile, and it meant the world to him.

"You are quite handsome," T'Rina said. "However…if I were…given to expressing such illogical thoughts…"

"I want to hear all of your thoughts," Saru said quickly, "even the illogical ones."

She stared at him and then nodded.

"Very well," she said. "As my husband, I am permitted to allow you to know any of my feelings. Saru—you have not said anything reassuring about me, and I have been mostly disrobed until…the chill in this room is very unpleasant."

Saru jumped slightly—brought abruptly back to reality.

"I have been—quite self-absorbed," he said. He reached for the robe that he'd replicated to keep T'Rina warm. As a Vulcan, after all, she was used to warm, dry climates, and often dressed appropriately to keep herself comfortable in locations that were less harsh and, therefore, less adapted for her personal needs. She had told Saru, specifically, that she was adaptable enough for an environment that was more comfortable to him, but he'd still replicated plenty of items to try to keep her warm.

"My apologies," he said, moving to hand her the robe. She took it. "I assumed—you knew how I felt about you. You know that I think—well—that you are remarkably beautiful." He gestured to her. "And like this? You are…as beautiful as ever."

T'Rina didn't immediately put the robe on. She did, however, hold it in her hands.

"You must understand, then, that I simply assumed that you would know how I feel about you," she said. "I believe you are exceedingly handsome. You have—always been handsome, to me. You remain very much the same, just as you are now."

Saru was surprised at how relaxed, suddenly, he felt. The effect was very nearly instant. She was looking at him—entirely as nature made him—and she did not look at all bothered by that. She lacked, even, the uncomfortable sort of curiosity that Saru had always noticed, out of the corner of his eye, from so many people as they regarded him.

T'Rina only looked at him with love, and when he tried to sense any hidden feelings, reaching out to try to practically taste them in the air around him with his skin, he found nothing but the love that he saw.

And, suddenly, none of what he had feared seemed to matter.

For Saru, at that moment and entirely, only T'Rina mattered.

"You are cold, my love," he offered, feeling the thrill of the words.

She looked at him with the soft smile on her lips.

"Very," she said, nodding her head gently.

"Please…" Saru said, gesturing. "Put on the robe. I—cannot bear to think of you being uncomfortable or…worse…taking ill."

"Tonight is the night of our wedding. We have a marriage, then, to consummate, do we not?"

Saru felt something begin to build inside him—something very different than the anxiety he'd felt before.

"We do," he said.

"And we are both disrobed because—I am to offer my body to you, and you are to offer yours to me, for the act of consummation…mating. I believe…humans are fond of the terminology 'making love'?"

The stirring inside of him grew. The suggestion of it—the mere suggestion of it—with T'Rina here…so beautiful, so perfect, and so very aware…suggesting that they would soon mate—was enough to arouse Saru in ways that, admittedly, he'd never quite felt before. He shifted, physically uncomfortable and a touch overwhelmed. T'Rina watched his movements.

"We are," he managed, though his throat felt hot and dry.

"I am still…learning Kelpien anatomy," T'Rina said, very clearly looking at a particular part of his anatomy before bringing her eyes to meet his. "And—I am anxious for a more…complete…study of it. Am I correct in my assessment that…you are aroused, Saru? Prepared, perhaps, for mating?"

Saru practically shook with the sensation that coursed through his body. He wondered if this was normal. He wondered if everyone felt so very undone by the slightest appreciation shown by their mate.

"I am. Are you?" Saru asked, even though he was sure that he could practically sense her arousal. She reached a hand down and touched herself, looking at him while she did so. Then, she stepped closer to him. She reached her hand out, and he instinctively placed his hand in hers. She brushed their fingers together, tracing his with two of her own—two damp fingertips—and he only felt his arousal grow.

A sound escaped her—a quiet, stifled groan of pleasure.

"Do not hide from me," Saru said, quietly. "I ask that of you. As much as you…are willing to grant me, share with me."

"Touch me," T'Rina said. "You will see that—I am not hiding anything from you."

She guided his hand to where hers had only just been. The warm wetness felt wonderful. It felt smooth, and slick, and inviting. Saru closed his eyes and flicked his fingers. The sound his touch elicited from her made certain ganglia—mostly dormant for the majority of his life—begin to emerge from their hiding places in his body. She shivered, and he felt the shiver against his hand.

"You are cold," he said. "Please…"

"You…wish to take care of me," T'Rina said, her words coming out as neither fully a question nor a statement.

Saru started to withdraw his hand, but she'd wrapped her hand around his wrist, and she was, he discovered, stronger than he'd really realized. He knew, of course, that Vulcans were quite strong, but he had the sense that she wasn't truly attempting to hold him there beyond the simple instinct that drove her to want to prolong her pleasure and, yet, he felt genuine resistance.

"It is one of my greatest desires," Saru said. "And, I daresay, something I'm coming to truly understand is an instinct—a drive—of mine. If you would only allow me to do so."

Her breathing was faster. The rise and fall of her chest was visible. Her eyes seemed to have darkened.

"Then—take care of me," T'Rina said, a touch of force behind her words. "Saru—I do not wish to put on a robe. If you desire me, then I…wish for you to warm me with your body, your love…the consummation of our marriage. If you…desire me, as you say you do, then…don't hesitate any longer. Take me to bed and show your feelings to me."

Saru found that the touch of challenge to her tone only heightened his arousal. He didn't move his hand for a moment. Instead, he moved his fingers as he had before, this time with more purpose, and he shivered when he saw her open her mouth—in a seemingly involuntary reaction.

Saru had enjoyed the kisses from earlier—shared at their wedding and reception. He bent, requesting another, and found that he was granted what he desired. He moved his hand, while she kissed him, to place one hand on either side of her ribcage. He lifted her—she was far lighter than he even imagined, and he fought a moment against the nervous feeling that he might somehow break her—and he placed her on the bed. She reached forward, wrapping around him, still sharing her mouth with him in a variation of the kisses that he enjoyed so much.

With her body—her arms and her legs, reaching for him—she begged him to come to her. Saru—completely aware that he was powerless, and would be for all the rest of his life, to say no to this woman, not that he could ever imagine himself wanting to say no to her—gladly came, ready to become her husband, entirely, and to take her, once and for all, as his wife.