As agreed, he met Garak for breakfast in the Replimat and, as he sat down, vaguely wished for something more romantic. A small cafe by a river, soft morning air, an antique city view. Bashir had never had that with any lover but he realized he'd trade it all if he could just wake up next to Garak in the morning instead of sneaking around like this. If he could just admit that he loved the Cardassian and announce it to the world at large, or station at large or something at large. Bashir, so deep into this meditation, failed to notice its object's arrival. "Good morning, Doctor," Garak said, standing over him, looking as bland as ever. And the tailor was completely taken by surprise when Bashir dragged him down and kissed him hard in front of anyone, which was mostly everyone on their way to work, passing the Replimat that morning. After the initial shock wore off, Garak pried the doctor off his lips. "I see sodomy makes you bold, Julian," he remonstrated in a whisper, removing Bashir's hands and straightening his tunic. He was unsure whether to flee or simply act as if nothing had just happened. "I love you and I don't care who knows it," Julian said calmly, but loud enough to be heard by the neighboring tables, whose occupants would disseminate it throughout the station before lunchtime. Garak sat down and took a sip of his tea. "I love you, too, Julian. Eat your eggs before they get cold." That evening, one of Quark's regulars repeated for the nth time the story of Bashir kissing Garak in the Replimat with the usual punchline, that Dr. Bashir was announcing his engagement. Quark's only comment on the subject was and continued to be: "Finally." ***end*** Back to the Start |