Territorial pt 1: A Garashir pre slash drabble
Trigger warning: Unwelcome advances
This idea came to me pretty randomly don’t ask me when in the series it takes place whoops
If Garak was bothered by the Gul’s presence in Ops, he didn’t show it. Kira, however, made her own displeasure quite plain. Her expression alone would probably send a lesser Cardassian running, but Dukat seemed to take pleasure in it. Julian affectionately wondered if he should make a medical recommendation for her to try some Vulcan anger management techniques. But he decided to table them for a situation where her feelings were less justified. Besides, he rather enjoyed when she needled him expertly, poking through his Cardassian exterior and genuinely bothering him. Dukat’s presence always left a bad taste in Julian’s mouth, but today that taste was particularly bitter. Ever since he had come to Ops to help Miles examine the biological component of a gel pack, he had felt Dukat’s eyes on him. The Gul seemed to take every excuse to step over to him, to stand too close, and well…smell him? It was absolutely strange, and Julian didn’t like it at all. He tried his best to keep his expression blank and his mind focused on Miles’s dilemma.
“Alright, let’s regroup!” Sisko called out. Julian and Miles quickly came to join everyone else around the main screens of Ops. When they reached where the others were standing, Dukat left his space next to Kira to stand next to the Doctor. Julian tried to catch Kira’s eye to shoot her a pleading look, but she was determinedly looking away from the Gul’s general direction. Miles wouldn’t be of any help for this sort of thing. He looked at Garak instead, hoping that he was making his plight evident through looks alone. Garak raised his eye ridges and gave a small nod of acknowledgement. Feeling a bit better, Julian turned his attention to the Commander.
“Alright, we need to,” Sisko began, before he was interrupted by a bleep on the padd in his hand. “Damn, hold on one moment please” he cursed before turning heel and hurrying into his office. Julian crossed his arms and tried to look like he wasn’t uncomfortable. He hoped his expression was relatively blank. Where was Garak’s nagging about openness when you needed it?
“Doctor, I must admit, you impress me.” Dukat said lightly, turning to Julian. Julian tried to suppress a sigh of disappointment. He had really been hoping Dukat wouldn’t speak, but apparently he was determined to make a nuisance of himself.
“Well, I’ll take that as a compliment,” Julian tried to say nicely. He chose to look at Dukat’s nose instead of meeting his eyes.
“You should be, especially as I don’t give compliments often. Certainly not to men such as yourself. “ the alien continued.
“Men such as myself?” Julian replied, trying very hard to remember Sisko’s orders to ‘play nice’. Kira had an excuse to ignore such orders, Julian didn’t.
“Oh please, don’t read me incorrectly, I meant that as a compliment as well!” Dukat backtracked. He rested his hand on a console and leaned in. Julian, surprised by his openess, felt glued to the spot. ‘What the hell is he doing, is this some kind of joke?’ he thought
“I don’t feel complimented,” Julian replied after a moment, all politeness. Dukat smiled, which was honestly a horrid expression on his twisted face. Julian felt slightly nauseated, and considered briefly feigning a more serious stomach ache. He wondered if anyone else was witnessing this, but he didn’t want to look around to check. Silly as it may be, he didn’t want to appear weak to the Gul. Especially not when he was being so insufferable.
“Doctor, if I may be frank with you,” Dukat was barely speaking at a whisper now “I have never met a man quite like you before. You smell absolutely delectable. I assure you, given the opportunity, I can make you feel much more than complimented.” he insinuated, reaching one hand out and gently grazed Julian’s upper arm. Julian couldn’t help but flinch at that. He opened his mouth to retort, but his throat suddenly felt very dry.
“I think you may want to take a step back, Dukat.” a friendly voice made Julian jump again. He turned to see Garak had appeared behind him, thank the Gods someone had been paying attention!
“Is that so?” Dukat said, pulling his head back but his hand still hovering slightly above Julian’s arm. “Mister Garak, I know it is your nature to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong. But in this case, you are not needed.” he continued smoothly. Julian took a step back closer to Garak; if his voice wasn’t going to work then he could at least put up some kind of fight. Thankfully, Garak took his body language as a ‘you are very much wanted, don’t you dare leave me’
“Your persistence is well suited to a man of your standing, Gul.” Garak said smoothly. His voice was very friendly, but Julian noticed the way his eyes widened slightly. “However I can assure you that our dear Doctor does not welcome it.”
“Can you?” Dukat asked incredulously, laughing loudly. Julian could see that everyone was watching now, and he very much wanted to sink into the floor. Garak did not laugh, but smiled warmly and placed a hand on Julian’s shoulder. Dukat’s gaze zeroed in on this movement.
“I see” he said tersely after a moment, “Doctor Bashir, please know that I meant no disrespect.”
“Only a bit taken, Gul.” Julian replied, eternally grateful for his voice returning. He couldn’t help but credit it to Garak’s presence, the presence of his friend gave him a bit more gumption. He leaned instinctively into Garak’s hand, enjoying the pressure.
“Of course, my apologies,” Dukat continued “But do keep in mind, if you become bored of your current…situation…my offer stands.” Wait, what?
“Well, in the meantime, you haven’t bothered the Major in about five minutes, perhaps you should stop neglecting her,” Garak replied before Julian could frame a response. Through his confusion, Julian was surprised by the sharpness of his tone. I’ve obviously missed something important here,he thought, but I want it to end!
Dukat sniffed, then turned on heel over to Kira. Predictably, she exploded as soon as he came within two feet of her. Julian reached up and squeezed Garak’s hand.
“Thanks for that, I appreciate it.” he said quietly.
“Of course, no trouble.” Garak answered, still watching Dukat with steely eyes. Julian expected Garak would pull away, but as Sisko reemerged from his office he stayed in place. “But, if you please, stay near me for the rest of the Gul’s visit. It would ease an old man’t mind.”
Julian didn’t have a chance to respond, but he nodded and let Garak keep near. Julian truly did his best to listen to what the Commander was saying, but he couldn’t help but be distracted by what had just occurred. And by Garak’s closeness. The two of them always stood closely, Julian didn’t think much of it normally, but this was different. This was…he wasn’t sure what it was.
Whatever it was, Julian was determined to deal with it later.
