Pairing: Julian Bashir x reader
Prompts: “Don’t be scared, I’m right here.” + “Come cuddle.”
Notes: so yeeeeeah, this was requested a while ago, before my life became the absolute mess it was, but hey, I’m finally getting it done? Dear anon, I’m sorry and I love you! But also… 1000+ words… I kinda snapped
It was rare for you and Julian to go on an away mission together, but every time it happened, it proved to be an interesting journey.
Being the chief of security of the station from Starfleet’s side and Odo’s right hand person, your work often involved long walks around the promenade, when you weren’t sitting in your office. Those walks, more or less, ended in you wandering into the Infirmary, for a friendly chat with the ever-cheerful doctor Bashir. Over the course of your time spent on the station, he had become one of your good friends. It was no secret that the two of you were particularly fond of each other, there was even speculation going around the crewmembers that there was something more between the two of you. In reality, it was nothing more than friendship, but everyone was wondering how long that was going to last.
You were sent to check up on a research team stationed on a remote planet. Because of the dense ash cloud produced by the planet’s irregular volcanoes, communications with the scientists was cut off and the transporter was rendered useless. The only way to reach them was the way they got there: landing a shuttle through a thinner part of the cloud and hiking 25 km to reach the research site.
After packing all the supplies and loading them onto the runabout, you set off. You tried to relax on the way there, since you knew there was a difficult two-day trek waiting for you on the planet.
“So, it’s just you and I.” He said, as he leaned back on his chair.
“Seems like it.” You giggled.
Even though it was certainly not the first time the two of you were alone, this time it felt different. Maybe it was because you knew there wasn’t a crowded station around you and nobody count interrupt you. There were butterflies in your stomach, but you couldn’t tell if it was because you felt awkward, anxious or excited.
Julian finally broke the silence.
“Captain Sisko couldn’t have found a better pair to send on this mission.”
“Well, we knew that not only would we get it done, we’d also have fun along the way.” You remarked.
Silence fell again as you both smiled, but looked away from the other.
“You know, we make quite a good team.” It was your turn to speak up.
“We really do.” You could see that there was a spark in his eyes he desperately tried to hide. “We could be more than that, too.”
For a second, you made eye contact. There was longing in both of your gazes and there was just a step separation you. You thought he’d make the first move. You wanted him to make the first move. But he was waiting on you.
“We already act like a married couple sometimes.” You said when you felt like the tension could be cut with a knife and you needed to divert the subject. Again, you both laughed, but this time it was a painful, forced chuckle. You both quickly erased the moment from your memories, in an attempt to not ruin the whole trip because of it.
You ended up having one of your usual, never-ending conversations about life, each other, and the hour-long journey seemed to fly by. You had a great connection, that was undeniable, and both of you could see it, feel it. Just when you were having the most fun, the computer warned you that you reached your destination.
You carefully landed the runabout in a small field. You took all the equipment and began your hike, while continuing the banter with the doctor. You trekked through the plain, wandered through a forest and then began climbing a mountain, on the other side of which was the research site.
At dusk, it was time for you to find shelter for the night. You spotted a cave nearby, so you and Julian decided to camp out there.
The cave was dark and damp. You had been briefed about the conditions on the planet’s surface, you knew what to expect, but the thought of entering an unexplored cave still unsettled you, but you were used to this, as a security officer. Julian, however, wasn’t necessarily known for his bravery. Of course, he’s a passionate individual, always ready for action in his own field of expertise, but is he fearless? Definitely not.
As you entered, you noticed he began trailing behind. You glanced back, seeing the slight fear in his eyes.
“Don’t be scared, I’m right here.” You chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
“I’m not scared!” He retorted. “I’m just making sure… nothing follows us in.”
“My knight in shining armor!” You flash him a coy smile as you skip walking.
“Don’t make fun of me!” He turns towards you and sees that you’re much farther ahead. “Hey, wait up!”
You finally found a good spot for camping. You set your gear down, made a small fire and ate. Soon it was time to get some sleep, you both knew there was still a long way to go.
It was not your first time sleeping in a standard issue sleeping bag on cold stone. It was never comfortable; no fabric could make the floor feel less hard. But somehow, this time you thought that could be easily fixed. After half an hour of twisting and turning in your own makeshift bed, you sat up and called out to Julian:
It was no surprise that he was already half asleep, you were certain that man could fall asleep anywhere, anytime.
“Alright, alright, I’ll invite myself in then.”
You stood up, quickly tiptoed over to him and snuck into his sleeping bag. That was the moment he woke up and realized what was happening. You had a content smile on your face as you closed your eyes and snuggled into his chest.
He took a second to register your presence. He stared at the peaceful expression on your face. The sight of you brought so much joy to him that he suddenly forgot that you woke him up. He forgot about the freezing temperatures, the icy cave surrounding you. He was just happy that in your frustration and exhaustion, you decided, to hell with protocol, and make the first move towards what could be an actual relationship between the two of you.
“You’re right, we do make a good team.” He whispered, but you were already fast asleep in his embrace.
He placed soft a kiss on your nose, careful not to disturb you and settled to join you in the comforts of dreamland.
