The Romulan Republic story arc dragged me back by my ankles and I’ve been reminded how much I despise Cryptic for not ever letting us romance one of the best bridge officers in the game.
God, I love these idiots. I replayed this quest just for the silly shenanigans with the player character and Tovan
The silly little dude next to Tovan is my transmasc rat (very affectionate), Centurion* Voxek and I love him a lot. I’m convinced he and Tovan have kissed. Several times.
*In OC lore, he’s a Centurion, but ingame he’s currently a Commander
Here’s a sneak peak at my Tovan Khev x OC fic. A particularly heart felt moment leads to an impulsive action.
[As a WIP this is subject to a potential rewrite later and may be different than the final published fic]
The food is quickly cleared from his plate, Tovan being hungrier than he originally thought. He quickly gives his plate for the replicator to retake. When he turns around to walk back to the table, S’Lihra is standing right in front of him.
S’Lihra is still wearing that smile, but Tovan sees in his eyes whatever he’s about to say isn’t going to be pleasant.
He doesn’t immediately start speaking. Instead, S’Lihra extends his hands out, palms up. Tovan, curious, lays his wrist in S’Lihra’s palms and grabs his wrists. S’Lihra grasps his wrists as well. For a second they both stand silent, simply holding each other. They stare into each other’s eyes, feeling the warmth of their hands.
“You, you don’t have to explain anything. You don’t have to justify yourself, or even say anything,” S’Lihra prefaces, causing Tovan to brace himself for what’s next. “I know you’ll tell me when—if—you’re comfortable. I only want to ask how I can support you. You hold an important position in my crew not easily replaced, and with the Republic’s current enemies I need you focused and alert.
But more than that, I’ve known you for years. We’ve survived D’Vex’s crazy patrols in his old Bird-of-Prey. We’ve escaped Virinat and risen up from the ashes of our colony. We’ve gotten way too drunk on Romulan Ale and nearly got ourselves banned from an entire sector in Federation space.” Tovan and S’Lihra both chuckle fondly at the memory. Never a dull adventure with this Romulan.
“Anything before the Republic seems like a different life. But neither of us would be the same without our history.” S’Lihra’s grip on Tovan’s wrists tightens. “I’ve seen some of your best and some of your worst moments. I’ve seen you grow from an impulsive young man into a dependable, intelligent, compassionate, and ambitious officer. You are stronger than you know.”
Tovan’s throat starts to close. Kind words from the man he’s shared most of his life with threaten to break his weak resolve. Tovan bites his lip trying to steady his jaw and hide its shaking.
S’Lihra pauses, looks off to the side for a few seconds, then takes a step closer to Tovan. They are almost chest to chest now, holding each other's wrists by their side. Tovan feels the Commander’s warm breath hit his nose.
“Tovan Khev—” uh oh, S’Lihra is using his full name. Tovan visibly tenses this time, prepared for the worst. “I care about you. Back on Virinat, when I first woke up from the initial bombing and I couldn’t find you—I could barely breathe I was so scared you were dead.”
Oh.
Any thoughts, any feelings, anything going on mentally with Tovan has come to a complete halt.
“Wh-when I-I,” oh Elements no S’Lihra’s voice is cracking and getting shaky, “I saw you laying on the m-medbay table af-after our fight with Th-tholians on Mol’Rihan, I didn’t know what to d-do. I don’t think I could’ve li-lived with myself if you, i-if y-you ha-ad—” S’Lihra chokes out a small sob. His eyes glisten under the ship's light, tears ready to fall.
It’s too much, too goddamn much to see S’Lihra breaking down in front of him; over him.
Tovan doesn’t even realize what he’s done until he hears a surprised gasp from S’Lihra.
Their lips rest against each other. A gentle kiss that neither makes a move to pull away from. Tovan opens his eyes and sees S’Lihra’s wide, staring into his own.
