writertobridge:

Human Warmth

Humans are quite warm, Garak thinks as his fingers first grip Doctor Bashir’s shoulders. He can feel the man tense beneath his touch. A shame. He’s beautiful. Perhaps Garak’s gone too far. That thought’s only there for a second though. He can feel those wide, naive eyes on him the moment he walks away. Garak can’t hold back his smile.

Humans are quite warm, Garak thinks as he sits next to the shell-shocked Doctor. The wire’s off, the transition’s done, and Doctor Bashir has helped him through some of the most unpleasant days of his life. Yet, somehow, after a bit of coaxing, the Doctor can still smile. Resilient, bold, impressive. A natural sun. Garak smiles in return.

Humans are quite warm, Garak thinks as he glanced at the suit-clad Doctor out of the corner of his eyes. The world is drowned and yet the man has won. The glory is spread like a fire across the Doctor’s smile. The victory is their’s to share. Garak pulls on a smile of his own.

Humans are quite warm, Garak thinks as Doctor Bashir’s blood slips through his trembling fingers. The Doctor whispers apologies that his Cardassian ears barely catch. Garak forgives. The Doctor smiles and then he exhales one last breath and extinguishes the golden warmth that danced within his eyes. With his dear Julian’s death, Garak is certain he’ll never smile again.