Curiosity cocks an eyebrow. “Yes.”
“Does whiskey know you’re cheating on it?”
Amusement dances around his stare while his thumbs gently stroke my cheeks. “Sometimes on it,neveron you.”
Rather than let relief over the proclamation settle in, I nervously inquire, “Have youevercheated on a chick before?”
“No.” His lips gingerly feather mine. “And I’m not about to start now.”
This time comfort manages to capture hold as one more press lands against my lips.
Claps of approval indicate the end of Bryn’s singing and aid in us separating again.
Afterward, J.T. joyfully states, “I got you something from one of the booths Bryn and I stopped at on our way here.”
“It isn’t jewelry, is it?” Flopping down into the chair he’s pulled out occurs on a defeated sigh. “Because-”
“You don’t really do jewelry,” finishes my pretend other half. “Between what was allowedforyour performances and watching Gammie have to pawn off her collection when times got tough, you just never developed an affinity for it.”
“Her last boyfriend couldn’t evenspellaffinity let alone use it in a sentence,” my brother needlessly chimes in, attention still scanning the themed menu.
Flashing him my middle finger leads to J.T. chuckling prior to proceeding, “I also didn’t do ‘feet gloves’ knowing your distaste for them too.”
“Feet should be free to move and groove about the bridge, Captain.”
Another round of snickers is attached to him retrieving the object from his pocket. “Which is why I settled on this.”
The long red rectangle iron on patch featuring the phrase “Make It So” instantly causes me to clasp both hands over my mouth to catch my gasp.
“Notonlybecause of the inside joke we have about it, but because when it comes to wherever your career takes you next, I want you to have something to remind thatyouare the captain of your course.Youget to choose when to give the order and what that order is. And that those of us who care about you will always support that just like the crew supported Picard.”
Not allowing tears to come to my eyes requires every ounce of energy in my body.
This is the sweetest thing anyone who isn’t family has ever done for me.
Said to me.
Yeah, I’ve gotten flowers and candy and cards and a bunch of other material bullshit meant to communicate care or affection, but no one has ever gotten me something this…warm or personal.
Fuck me, if this isn’tNext Genthoughtful, I don’t know what is.
“Thank you,Imzadi,” I barely manage to croak out at the same time I reach for it. “This means everything to me.”
The tint of red that hits his cheeks appears alongside a bashful shrug. “No problem, Beloved.”
Bryn’s sudden return doesn’t allow for anymore sentiments to be swapped, “There, I did it.” Her hands fall to her jean shorts covered hips. “I nutted up.” She shoots her best friend with a smug smirk. “Your turn, Puppet Boy.”
He groans and grumbles and eventually lets his attention gravitate back to me, “Duet?”
“Can I pick the song?”
“Since I’ve never done this before you can take the lead on everything.”
“You’ve never karaoked?!”
“Hey, Bryn hadn’t either!”
“And I put my big girl thong on and did the damn thing.”
