“The doctor has informed me that hugs are a common form of social interaction between friends.”
The statement is made in Seven’s typical fashion- no preamble or context, thrown into the room as soon as Janeway asks Seven what she can do for her.
Wondering exactly what sort of philosophical discussion she might be in for tonight, Janeway decides to just roll with the abruptness of the topic introduction. She’s used to Seven’s manner of conversation anyways, and she’s unfazed. She nods and replies, “Yes, that’s true for many.”
The question is accompanied by an inquisitive quirk of Seven’s ocular implant, and Janeway is stricken again by just how many simple things the Collective robbed Seven of. An understanding of a hug between friends, to name one.
But this is neither the time nor the place for a trip down that awful memory lane, so she pushes the thought away, shrugs, and helpfully supplies, “Not everyone enjoys hugs.”
Seven catalogues this new piece of information before speaking up again to ask, “Do you?”
Janeway smirks playfully, and crosses her arms as she observes Seven. “As a matter of fact, I do. They can be very comforting as well.”
The next thing Janeway knows, she’s being pulled into a hug. She supposes she should have predicted this, given Seven’s opening statement, but she had been expecting a lengthy conversation about the oddities of human behavior and the absurd notion of pressing one’s body against another’s for friendship. Instead, she finds strong arms wrapped around her shoulders, the warmth of another body close to hers, and the cool press of a metallic implant against her cheekbone. Janeway doesn’t dwell on her surprise long, though. She unfolds her arms from where they’d been pinned between their bodies, and she wraps them around Seven to return the hug.
If Seven is new to hugs, then she wants to give her as positive an experience with this facet of her humanity as she can. She snuggles just a little closer, holding Seven’s torso with her palms flat against the muscles over the woman’s shoulder blades, and resolves to let Seven control when they break apart. Her thumbs stroke the rough material of Seven’s biosuit absentmindedly, and she realizes that if she tips her head up just a bit she can rest her chin on Seven’s shoulder.
She allows herself to settle into the hug, only just then realizing how sorely she’s missed this kind of human contact. Being the captain can be lonely, and being held in someone’s arms is soothing that ache in a way she hadn’t been aware she needed. Seven doesn’t let go for several long moments more, but eventually she begins to shift away.
Janeway follows her lead, and pulls back as well. She offers Seven a bright smile, cups the woman’s cheek for a brief moment, then takes a step back as her arms fall back to her sides and the hug ends. Seven isn’t smiling, not exactly, but her eyes are bright and the corners of her mouth are turned up slightly. Just enough for Janeway to see that she’s pleased with herself and this foray into her humanity.
The gears in her mind are also clearly turning, and Janeway observes as Seven evaluates her thoughts on the experience. Only a few seconds are needed for Seven to draw her conclusion. “I find this to be an intriguing method of expressing friendship. Thank you, Captain.”
Janeway fights back a small chuckle at Seven’s clinical approach to the concept of hugging, but her smile remains. “Any time,” she says, and she hopes Seven takes her up on the offer.
