Tribble Troubles [One-Shot]
Stardate 8503. This is Captain Alfred Jones, newly appointed command of the starship Enterprise. Our continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no one has gone before.
Alfred paused the recorder, grinning. Yeah, that sounded good. Very smooth. The perfect introduction to his new position as captain of the Enterprise. He was about to start the recording up again and continue his log entry when the computer chimed that there was a visitor at his door. Alfred pushed himself to his feet, straightening out the collar of his uniform. “Enter,” he called.
The door slid open to reveal the ship’s first officer. Alfred had met him back at the Academy, and though they had been anything but friends at the time, nowadays their near constant bickering had evolved into something far more amicable, and sometimes even frighteningly… warm. He tried not to delve too deep into those feelings. “Hello, Commander,” he greeted with a wide smile, standing up straight and tucking his hands behind his back. “Anything the matter?”
Arthur raised one impressively thick Vulcan eyebrow. “Captain, your communicator badge seems to be tilted sideways. You’re breaking the Starfleet uniform code.”
“What?” Alfred glanced down at his chest, surprised. He had taken extra care to make sure his uniform looked perfect that day, and something as important as his communicator could not possibly have escaped his attention. From his angle, though, it appeared to be perfectly straight. “I think you’re imagining things, Arthur.”
“That would be illogical, Alfred,” Arthur said, voice smooth and neutral even as it hinted at amusement. “Here, allow me.” He crossed the room in quick, measured strides, drawing to a graceful halt directly before Alfred. His hands lifted to Alfred’s chest, his gaze focused as his slender fingers straightened Alfred’s communicator by a very minute degree.
Alfred’s breath caught at the first brush of Arthur’s fingers against his chest. The warm feelings were back. He closed his eyes and attempted to calm his heartbeat, which had begun to pulse rapidly beneath Arthur’s hands. He was not stupid, he knew what this meant, but he refused to acknowledge it. Doing so would only complicate their relationship, as both friends and commanding officers. He couldn’t risk that. “Thank you.” There was so much more that he wanted to say, and he said none of it.
“It was no trouble.” Arthur’s voice shook as he stepped away, and Alfred watched in pained silence as those wide eyes narrowed and glanced to the side. He sometimes forgot that Arthur was only half Vulcan. It was at times like this, where those human emotions shone through his carefully neutral façade, that Alfred wondered whether he was really doing the right thing. Arthur could feel, too- what if-
Shaking those thoughts away, Alfred tried to reclaim the light-hearted atmosphere of before. He ran a hand through his hair and smiled. “So, I’m thinking that fixing my uniform wasn’t the only reason you had for coming down here. Is something up?”
Arthur did not smile back, but Alfred had known him long enough to catch the faint creases around his eyes. “You would be right in thinking so. Doctor Williams found something odd in the sick bay this morning, and he thought you might want to take a look.”
“Something odd?” Alfred started out into the hall, Arthur falling into step beside him. A young engineer greeted them as they passed. They made their way along the familiar path towards the sick bay. The maze of corridors was nearly second nature to the both of them. “Is that Vulcan-speak for ‘something incredibly dangerous that might kill us all’?”
“I seriously doubt that this find could kill us,” Arthur replied, and this time his lips did quirk upward.
“Which means that was Vulcan-speak for ‘Mattie found an orphaned puppy dog in the sick bay and we wanted to laugh at you cooing over it’.”
“Far closer.”
The sick bay doors slid open before them. Matthew Williams glanced up at the sound from where he had been leaning forward over one of the various tables adorning the room, and he grinned at them and beckoned them forwards. “Alfred, I think you’ll enjoy this.”
Alfred shot an accusing look at Arthur. “It is a puppy, isn’t it?” But he moved over to the table nonetheless, and bent to peer at whatever was sitting in the small cage on top of it. Matthew had done a good job of creating a miniature landscape, a very tropical one, full of plant shoots and vibrant leaves and even a rock or two. What attracted Alfred’s attention, though, was the large brown puff of fur seated in the midst of it all. He leaned closer, eyes wide. “Or maybe not. What is that?”
“It’s a tribble, Al. Don’t you remember learning about them at the Academy?” Matthew reached one finger in between the bars of the cage and gently stroked the creature’s soft fur. It shuddered and pressed close to the touch. The air filled with the sounds of soft purrs. Matthew chuckled. “It’s hard to believe that such a cute little thing could cause so much trouble.”
“Oh, right, I do remember that.” Alfred stuck his fingers between the bars as well, joining Matthew in the gentle petting of the tribble. The purrs only increased in volume. He grinned and turned back to Arthur. “Come on, don’t you want to pet it, too?”
Arthur shook his head. “No. We Vulcans find tribbles useless and undesirable.” Even as he spoke, his eyes strayed to the ball of fur.
“I guess it’s a good thing you’re only half Vulcan then, isn’t it?” Grin widening, Alfred shuffled sideways to leave a bit more of an open space, then gestured Arthur forwards.
“You are unbelievable,” said Arthur, and stepped forward nonetheless. There was a fondness in his voice, something warm and subtle, that would not have been noticed by any but the two other men in the room with him. Matthew just smiled. Alfred’s heart leaped within his chest. He watched as a pale finger slid into the cage alongside his own, and stared at the way Arthur’s face seemed to soften when the tribble’s purring grew even louder. For a long moment, it was the only sound in the room. Only once Arthur’s fingers brushed gently against Alfred’s own did they pull away, slowly, quietly, and avoided each other’s gaze.
“We’ll have to send it back to its home planet,” Matthew said after a few seconds of awkward silence. “If it begins to breed, who knows what kind of trouble we could get into.”
As soon as the words left his lips, there was a strange popping noise from inside the tribble’s cage. Alfred chuckled. “I think we might be a little too late for that.” Sure enough, instead of the one soft lump of fur from a moment earlier, there were now two cuddled up close within the cage. Alfred poked at the new one, which purred at the attention. “Come on, Mattie, aren’t you supposed to know these things?”
Matthew rolled his eyes. “Al, I’m a doctor, not a zoologist. Tribbles aren’t exactly my area of expertise.”
Alfred opened his mouth to fire another shot back, but before they could escalate into brotherly taunting, Arthur scooped the tribbles’ cage into his arms and fixed Alfred with a pointed look. “Captain, we should bring this down to the transporter immediately. I trust you still remember the stories of past crews that were overwhelmed by a tribble infestation?”
“Yeah, you’re right. It would be a pretty bad mark on my record if my first voyage was swamped by tribbles.” Alfred grinned at him, but it faded as Arthur looked away, towards the door. He bit his lip. “Well, Matt, thanks for bringing this little guy to my attention.”
“No problem, Al.” Matthew cast a quick glance at Arthur, who appeared completely engrossed by the two soft creatures within the cage in his arms, then leaned closer to Alfred. “Don’t worry about him. I know he feels the same, so just give him a little more time.”
Alfred sighed as he watched the Vulcan in question, those green eyes soft and thick brows lowered while he brushed a finger along the side of one tribble. A tiny smile lifted his lips. Alfred’s heart throbbed. “More time? It’s not the time that I’m worried about, Matt.” He kept his voice low, barely a whisper, but he inside he wanted nothing more than to scream out his frustrations. “I’m the captain. I shouldn’t feel like this, not towards him. Do you have any idea how much could go wrong?”
Chuckling lightly, Matthew just shook his head. “You’re over-thinking things. Now go on, take those little critters to the transporter.” He winked and nudged Alfred forward.
“Hey, hey, I’m your captain! You can’t just push me around like that.” But Alfred was smiling again, however wryly, and he clapped a hand to Matthew’s shoulder before turning away towards the door and falling into step beside Arthur. “Thanks for that,” he called back.
“Anytime.”
The sick bay doors slid closed behind them, and Alfred and Arthur again started off into the winding corridors of the Enterprise. The walk to the transporter was silent save for their footsteps and the occasional purrs of the two tribbles. Alfred could not stop glancing over at Arthur. Matthew’s words echoed around in his mind. Arthur felt the same? Alfred felt a faint flush creep along his cheeks. The walk, though short, felt as though it went on forever, and he had never been happier to see the transporter up ahead. The ensign seated at its control panel greeted him cheerfully.
“A little pest managed to sneak aboard when we were exploring its planet,” Alfred explained, gesturing at the cage that now contained three tribbles. He smiled down at the ensign. “We need to send them back before they can cause any trouble.”
The young woman blushed at the smile directed towards her, nodding and turning to the controls before her. She quickly pushed the sequence of buttons that would direct the teleportation system back to the tribbles’ home world. Her face still a pretty red color, she moved once again to face Alfred, her lips opening to speak-
“Pardon me,” Arthur said abruptly. Both Alfred and the woman turned to him, startled by the annoyance so plain in his tone. He was seated on the lowest step up to the transporter, his hands reaching into the opened tribble cage and removing them one by one. One was held gently within his hands. His bright eyes were narrowed. “May I have a moment to speak alone with the captain, Ensign?”
“O-of course, Commander.” The young lady nearly jumped to her feet, then hesitated, looking between Arthur and Alfred. Her fear of Arthur won out over her apparent attraction to Alfred, and she scampered away down the hall.
Alfred watched her go, almost afraid to look back at Arthur. What would he see? He had not heard Arthur sound so irritated since their first year at the Academy, when he’d spilled his soda all over Arthur’s lap in what was possibly the clumsiest moment in his life. His stomach fluttered with sudden nerves. “What was that about?”
“I wanted to speak to you. Alone.” The anger was gone from Arthur’s voice, but instead of the usual calm, now it sounded almost as anxious as Alfred felt, despite an obvious attempt to keep it neutral. Slowly, Alfred turned to lock eyes with him. Arthur had abandoned the tribbles, and moved himself to his feet without breaking their eye connection.
“About what?” The question was breathy and unsure.
Arthur paused, and an unusual uncertainty passed across his face. He drew in a deep breath. “I heard what you said to Doctor Williams.”
Alfred choked on whatever words he might have said, heart stopping, eyes wide. “I- You-” Every possible resolution to the situation flashed before him, each one worse than the last.
“I knew you had… feelings for me, but I did not realize that they had grown to such an extent.” Arthur closed his eyes, eyebrows drawing together. “I cannot say that I understand why you chose me of all people to bestow them upon-”
“I didn’t choose,” Alfred blurted. Where before his tongue had been tied, now it babbled on without his consent. “I had no choice. It hit me like a meteoroid. I just- You were always so-”
“I have tried my hardest to figure out why,” Arthur continued, as though he had not heard Alfred’s interruption. “But I cannot. It does not make sense. Why me? There are so many more worthy of your affections. Why not give it to them?”
Alfred’s feet carried him forward before he knew that he wanted them to, and he found himself grasping the sides of Arthur’s shoulders, staring into wide, deep, wonderful, green eyes. “None of them are you,” he said. His voice was raw.
“But why?” There was no longer a trace of the Vulcan neutrality in Arthur’s question. He looked so human standing there, so afraid. And in his gaze Alfred saw something, something that he had always known, somehow, and had never allowed himself to truly recognize. It broke down every barrier that he had erected, a rushing flood of emotion barreling forth and giving voice to the words he had stopped himself from saying.
“Do you love me?” His grip upon Arthur’s shoulders loosened, but he didn’t step away. “Please, Arthur, tell me, because I love you, and even if you don’t feel the same I have to know.”
Arthur’s body seemed to spasm, his hands jerking upward to cup Alfred’s face, eyes wide and almost wild in their intensity. “Yes, you idiot, I love you!”
Alfred lunged forward and kissed him. It was not the kind of first kiss that he had seen in the ancient movies- there was too much pressure and relief and brokenness within it. But he couldn’t move away, and Arthur didn’t pull back either. Arthur’s fingers were digging into the sides of his neck. His own hands held Arthur close with a brutal strength he hadn’t known he possessed.
It was Arthur who drew away first, breathing heavily through his mouth and staring at Alfred in a way that was familiar and different all at once. “I love you,” he said again, like he didn’t believe he was saying it. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Alfred laughed, and it bordered on slightly hysterical, but he was grinning and holding Arthur and there were five tribbles on the transporter now, all purring in a symphony of beautiful sound. He brushed his thumb across Arthur’s lip. “Is this- Are we starting something, here? Because I really want to.”
Arthur stared at him. His lips twitched, and then he was smiling. “If you are willing to risk the consequences of pursuing these emotions, then I am as well.”
Alfred laughed again. The sound was pure joy this time, no nerves clouding it. He pressed a soft kiss to one of Arthur’s pointed ears. “You have no idea how happy you just made me.”
“No,” said Arthur, his smile softer. “I believe I do.” They kissed again.
Behind them, there was a quiet popping noise. Six tribbles purred in tandem upon the transporter. Alfred chuckled. “I guess we should send them home now.”
“I suppose so.” Arthur pulled away from the gentle circle of Alfred’s arms to move over to the controls. A short sequence later, the tribbles began to flicker, shimmer, and then vanished. Both men stared at the empty space. Arthur shook his head. “Troublesome pests, aren’t they?”
“I don’t know.” Alfred drew Arthur close again, smiling widely. “I think I might have developed a soft spot for them.”
At that moment, Alfred’s communicator badge spoke in the heavily accented tones of Lieutenant Braginsky. “Captain, a fleet of Klingon Warbirds has been located on the radar. You are needed on the bridge.”
“On my way,” Alfred replied. He hesitated, though, as he stared down at Arthur. “This really happened, right? I mean, we’re not going to pretend that this was all fake, right?”
Arthur, face expressionless once more, raised one thick eyebrow. “I suppose you will have to wait and see for yourself.” He pulled away from Alfred again and strode off down the corridor. Just before he disappeared from Alfred’s sight, he paused and cast a long look back over his shoulder. “Coming, Captain?” There was something in his voice, in that tiny quirk of a smile, that set Alfred’s heart alight, and he nearly tripped over himself in his haste to follow the commander down the hallway.
It may have taken them a minute or two longer than usual to reach the bridge, but when Alfred stepped through the doors, appearance spotless, and made his way to his chair, none of the officers complained or questioned him. Arthur took up his position at the computers. Their gazes met, briefly, and Alfred smiled, before turning his attention to the window. “We don’t have the firepower to take on a full fleet of Warbirds and survive, much as I hate to admit it,” he announced to the crew. His voice was loud and commanding, without a hint of doubt as to his words. “For now, we’ll have to return to Starfleet and report this.”
“A wise decision, Captain,” Arthur said, nodding.
Alfred nodded as well. “Lieutenant Honda?”
“Yes, Captain?” Kiku glanced up from the control panel.
“Warp speed ahead.”
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A/N- A birthday gift for my super awesome bro, Bellanova Skies. :D I love Star Trek and so does she.
Hope you enjoyed!
Alfred paused the recorder, grinning. Yeah, that sounded good. Very smooth. The perfect introduction to his new position as captain of the Enterprise. He was about to start the recording up again and continue his log entry when the computer chimed that there was a visitor at his door. Alfred pushed himself to his feet, straightening out the collar of his uniform. “Enter,” he called.
The door slid open to reveal the ship’s first officer. Alfred had met him back at the Academy, and though they had been anything but friends at the time, nowadays their near constant bickering had evolved into something far more amicable, and sometimes even frighteningly… warm. He tried not to delve too deep into those feelings. “Hello, Commander,” he greeted with a wide smile, standing up straight and tucking his hands behind his back. “Anything the matter?”
Arthur raised one impressively thick Vulcan eyebrow. “Captain, your communicator badge seems to be tilted sideways. You’re breaking the Starfleet uniform code.”
“What?” Alfred glanced down at his chest, surprised. He had taken extra care to make sure his uniform looked perfect that day, and something as important as his communicator could not possibly have escaped his attention. From his angle, though, it appeared to be perfectly straight. “I think you’re imagining things, Arthur.”
“That would be illogical, Alfred,” Arthur said, voice smooth and neutral even as it hinted at amusement. “Here, allow me.” He crossed the room in quick, measured strides, drawing to a graceful halt directly before Alfred. His hands lifted to Alfred’s chest, his gaze focused as his slender fingers straightened Alfred’s communicator by a very minute degree.
Alfred’s breath caught at the first brush of Arthur’s fingers against his chest. The warm feelings were back. He closed his eyes and attempted to calm his heartbeat, which had begun to pulse rapidly beneath Arthur’s hands. He was not stupid, he knew what this meant, but he refused to acknowledge it. Doing so would only complicate their relationship, as both friends and commanding officers. He couldn’t risk that. “Thank you.” There was so much more that he wanted to say, and he said none of it.
“It was no trouble.” Arthur’s voice shook as he stepped away, and Alfred watched in pained silence as those wide eyes narrowed and glanced to the side. He sometimes forgot that Arthur was only half Vulcan. It was at times like this, where those human emotions shone through his carefully neutral façade, that Alfred wondered whether he was really doing the right thing. Arthur could feel, too- what if-
Shaking those thoughts away, Alfred tried to reclaim the light-hearted atmosphere of before. He ran a hand through his hair and smiled. “So, I’m thinking that fixing my uniform wasn’t the only reason you had for coming down here. Is something up?”
Arthur did not smile back, but Alfred had known him long enough to catch the faint creases around his eyes. “You would be right in thinking so. Doctor Williams found something odd in the sick bay this morning, and he thought you might want to take a look.”
“Something odd?” Alfred started out into the hall, Arthur falling into step beside him. A young engineer greeted them as they passed. They made their way along the familiar path towards the sick bay. The maze of corridors was nearly second nature to the both of them. “Is that Vulcan-speak for ‘something incredibly dangerous that might kill us all’?”
“I seriously doubt that this find could kill us,” Arthur replied, and this time his lips did quirk upward.
“Which means that was Vulcan-speak for ‘Mattie found an orphaned puppy dog in the sick bay and we wanted to laugh at you cooing over it’.”
“Far closer.”
The sick bay doors slid open before them. Matthew Williams glanced up at the sound from where he had been leaning forward over one of the various tables adorning the room, and he grinned at them and beckoned them forwards. “Alfred, I think you’ll enjoy this.”
Alfred shot an accusing look at Arthur. “It is a puppy, isn’t it?” But he moved over to the table nonetheless, and bent to peer at whatever was sitting in the small cage on top of it. Matthew had done a good job of creating a miniature landscape, a very tropical one, full of plant shoots and vibrant leaves and even a rock or two. What attracted Alfred’s attention, though, was the large brown puff of fur seated in the midst of it all. He leaned closer, eyes wide. “Or maybe not. What is that?”
“It’s a tribble, Al. Don’t you remember learning about them at the Academy?” Matthew reached one finger in between the bars of the cage and gently stroked the creature’s soft fur. It shuddered and pressed close to the touch. The air filled with the sounds of soft purrs. Matthew chuckled. “It’s hard to believe that such a cute little thing could cause so much trouble.”
“Oh, right, I do remember that.” Alfred stuck his fingers between the bars as well, joining Matthew in the gentle petting of the tribble. The purrs only increased in volume. He grinned and turned back to Arthur. “Come on, don’t you want to pet it, too?”
Arthur shook his head. “No. We Vulcans find tribbles useless and undesirable.” Even as he spoke, his eyes strayed to the ball of fur.
“I guess it’s a good thing you’re only half Vulcan then, isn’t it?” Grin widening, Alfred shuffled sideways to leave a bit more of an open space, then gestured Arthur forwards.
“You are unbelievable,” said Arthur, and stepped forward nonetheless. There was a fondness in his voice, something warm and subtle, that would not have been noticed by any but the two other men in the room with him. Matthew just smiled. Alfred’s heart leaped within his chest. He watched as a pale finger slid into the cage alongside his own, and stared at the way Arthur’s face seemed to soften when the tribble’s purring grew even louder. For a long moment, it was the only sound in the room. Only once Arthur’s fingers brushed gently against Alfred’s own did they pull away, slowly, quietly, and avoided each other’s gaze.
“We’ll have to send it back to its home planet,” Matthew said after a few seconds of awkward silence. “If it begins to breed, who knows what kind of trouble we could get into.”
As soon as the words left his lips, there was a strange popping noise from inside the tribble’s cage. Alfred chuckled. “I think we might be a little too late for that.” Sure enough, instead of the one soft lump of fur from a moment earlier, there were now two cuddled up close within the cage. Alfred poked at the new one, which purred at the attention. “Come on, Mattie, aren’t you supposed to know these things?”
Matthew rolled his eyes. “Al, I’m a doctor, not a zoologist. Tribbles aren’t exactly my area of expertise.”
Alfred opened his mouth to fire another shot back, but before they could escalate into brotherly taunting, Arthur scooped the tribbles’ cage into his arms and fixed Alfred with a pointed look. “Captain, we should bring this down to the transporter immediately. I trust you still remember the stories of past crews that were overwhelmed by a tribble infestation?”
“Yeah, you’re right. It would be a pretty bad mark on my record if my first voyage was swamped by tribbles.” Alfred grinned at him, but it faded as Arthur looked away, towards the door. He bit his lip. “Well, Matt, thanks for bringing this little guy to my attention.”
“No problem, Al.” Matthew cast a quick glance at Arthur, who appeared completely engrossed by the two soft creatures within the cage in his arms, then leaned closer to Alfred. “Don’t worry about him. I know he feels the same, so just give him a little more time.”
Alfred sighed as he watched the Vulcan in question, those green eyes soft and thick brows lowered while he brushed a finger along the side of one tribble. A tiny smile lifted his lips. Alfred’s heart throbbed. “More time? It’s not the time that I’m worried about, Matt.” He kept his voice low, barely a whisper, but he inside he wanted nothing more than to scream out his frustrations. “I’m the captain. I shouldn’t feel like this, not towards him. Do you have any idea how much could go wrong?”
Chuckling lightly, Matthew just shook his head. “You’re over-thinking things. Now go on, take those little critters to the transporter.” He winked and nudged Alfred forward.
“Hey, hey, I’m your captain! You can’t just push me around like that.” But Alfred was smiling again, however wryly, and he clapped a hand to Matthew’s shoulder before turning away towards the door and falling into step beside Arthur. “Thanks for that,” he called back.
“Anytime.”
The sick bay doors slid closed behind them, and Alfred and Arthur again started off into the winding corridors of the Enterprise. The walk to the transporter was silent save for their footsteps and the occasional purrs of the two tribbles. Alfred could not stop glancing over at Arthur. Matthew’s words echoed around in his mind. Arthur felt the same? Alfred felt a faint flush creep along his cheeks. The walk, though short, felt as though it went on forever, and he had never been happier to see the transporter up ahead. The ensign seated at its control panel greeted him cheerfully.
“A little pest managed to sneak aboard when we were exploring its planet,” Alfred explained, gesturing at the cage that now contained three tribbles. He smiled down at the ensign. “We need to send them back before they can cause any trouble.”
The young woman blushed at the smile directed towards her, nodding and turning to the controls before her. She quickly pushed the sequence of buttons that would direct the teleportation system back to the tribbles’ home world. Her face still a pretty red color, she moved once again to face Alfred, her lips opening to speak-
“Pardon me,” Arthur said abruptly. Both Alfred and the woman turned to him, startled by the annoyance so plain in his tone. He was seated on the lowest step up to the transporter, his hands reaching into the opened tribble cage and removing them one by one. One was held gently within his hands. His bright eyes were narrowed. “May I have a moment to speak alone with the captain, Ensign?”
“O-of course, Commander.” The young lady nearly jumped to her feet, then hesitated, looking between Arthur and Alfred. Her fear of Arthur won out over her apparent attraction to Alfred, and she scampered away down the hall.
Alfred watched her go, almost afraid to look back at Arthur. What would he see? He had not heard Arthur sound so irritated since their first year at the Academy, when he’d spilled his soda all over Arthur’s lap in what was possibly the clumsiest moment in his life. His stomach fluttered with sudden nerves. “What was that about?”
“I wanted to speak to you. Alone.” The anger was gone from Arthur’s voice, but instead of the usual calm, now it sounded almost as anxious as Alfred felt, despite an obvious attempt to keep it neutral. Slowly, Alfred turned to lock eyes with him. Arthur had abandoned the tribbles, and moved himself to his feet without breaking their eye connection.
“About what?” The question was breathy and unsure.
Arthur paused, and an unusual uncertainty passed across his face. He drew in a deep breath. “I heard what you said to Doctor Williams.”
Alfred choked on whatever words he might have said, heart stopping, eyes wide. “I- You-” Every possible resolution to the situation flashed before him, each one worse than the last.
“I knew you had… feelings for me, but I did not realize that they had grown to such an extent.” Arthur closed his eyes, eyebrows drawing together. “I cannot say that I understand why you chose me of all people to bestow them upon-”
“I didn’t choose,” Alfred blurted. Where before his tongue had been tied, now it babbled on without his consent. “I had no choice. It hit me like a meteoroid. I just- You were always so-”
“I have tried my hardest to figure out why,” Arthur continued, as though he had not heard Alfred’s interruption. “But I cannot. It does not make sense. Why me? There are so many more worthy of your affections. Why not give it to them?”
Alfred’s feet carried him forward before he knew that he wanted them to, and he found himself grasping the sides of Arthur’s shoulders, staring into wide, deep, wonderful, green eyes. “None of them are you,” he said. His voice was raw.
“But why?” There was no longer a trace of the Vulcan neutrality in Arthur’s question. He looked so human standing there, so afraid. And in his gaze Alfred saw something, something that he had always known, somehow, and had never allowed himself to truly recognize. It broke down every barrier that he had erected, a rushing flood of emotion barreling forth and giving voice to the words he had stopped himself from saying.
“Do you love me?” His grip upon Arthur’s shoulders loosened, but he didn’t step away. “Please, Arthur, tell me, because I love you, and even if you don’t feel the same I have to know.”
Arthur’s body seemed to spasm, his hands jerking upward to cup Alfred’s face, eyes wide and almost wild in their intensity. “Yes, you idiot, I love you!”
Alfred lunged forward and kissed him. It was not the kind of first kiss that he had seen in the ancient movies- there was too much pressure and relief and brokenness within it. But he couldn’t move away, and Arthur didn’t pull back either. Arthur’s fingers were digging into the sides of his neck. His own hands held Arthur close with a brutal strength he hadn’t known he possessed.
It was Arthur who drew away first, breathing heavily through his mouth and staring at Alfred in a way that was familiar and different all at once. “I love you,” he said again, like he didn’t believe he was saying it. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Alfred laughed, and it bordered on slightly hysterical, but he was grinning and holding Arthur and there were five tribbles on the transporter now, all purring in a symphony of beautiful sound. He brushed his thumb across Arthur’s lip. “Is this- Are we starting something, here? Because I really want to.”
Arthur stared at him. His lips twitched, and then he was smiling. “If you are willing to risk the consequences of pursuing these emotions, then I am as well.”
Alfred laughed again. The sound was pure joy this time, no nerves clouding it. He pressed a soft kiss to one of Arthur’s pointed ears. “You have no idea how happy you just made me.”
“No,” said Arthur, his smile softer. “I believe I do.” They kissed again.
Behind them, there was a quiet popping noise. Six tribbles purred in tandem upon the transporter. Alfred chuckled. “I guess we should send them home now.”
“I suppose so.” Arthur pulled away from the gentle circle of Alfred’s arms to move over to the controls. A short sequence later, the tribbles began to flicker, shimmer, and then vanished. Both men stared at the empty space. Arthur shook his head. “Troublesome pests, aren’t they?”
“I don’t know.” Alfred drew Arthur close again, smiling widely. “I think I might have developed a soft spot for them.”
At that moment, Alfred’s communicator badge spoke in the heavily accented tones of Lieutenant Braginsky. “Captain, a fleet of Klingon Warbirds has been located on the radar. You are needed on the bridge.”
“On my way,” Alfred replied. He hesitated, though, as he stared down at Arthur. “This really happened, right? I mean, we’re not going to pretend that this was all fake, right?”
Arthur, face expressionless once more, raised one thick eyebrow. “I suppose you will have to wait and see for yourself.” He pulled away from Alfred again and strode off down the corridor. Just before he disappeared from Alfred’s sight, he paused and cast a long look back over his shoulder. “Coming, Captain?” There was something in his voice, in that tiny quirk of a smile, that set Alfred’s heart alight, and he nearly tripped over himself in his haste to follow the commander down the hallway.
It may have taken them a minute or two longer than usual to reach the bridge, but when Alfred stepped through the doors, appearance spotless, and made his way to his chair, none of the officers complained or questioned him. Arthur took up his position at the computers. Their gazes met, briefly, and Alfred smiled, before turning his attention to the window. “We don’t have the firepower to take on a full fleet of Warbirds and survive, much as I hate to admit it,” he announced to the crew. His voice was loud and commanding, without a hint of doubt as to his words. “For now, we’ll have to return to Starfleet and report this.”
“A wise decision, Captain,” Arthur said, nodding.
Alfred nodded as well. “Lieutenant Honda?”
“Yes, Captain?” Kiku glanced up from the control panel.
“Warp speed ahead.”
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A/N- A birthday gift for my super awesome bro, Bellanova Skies. :D I love Star Trek and so does she.
Hope you enjoyed!