Oh Night Divine
by Kathy P
The bar was crowded, full of people bursting with good cheer, laughter and conversation. Quark, the Ferengi bar owner, beamed with greed as drinks were ordered and food devoured. The bar had never been so busy before. It was the annual Christmas party on Deep Space Nine and spirits were flying high.
In the middle of the gathering, a select group of Starfleet and Bajoran officers, along with their families, traded gifts. Laughter erupted as Chief O'Brien opened a box revealing a bottle of old whiskey and clutched it to his chest in a mock gesture of maternal comfort. Sounds of appreciation echoed throughout the room when Captain Sisko opened a present from Jadzia, an antique baseball bat autographed by Sisko's favourite batter from the 2012 world series.
Off to one side of the core group, Julian Bashir, the station's doctor, watched as his friends opened their presents, exclaiming over the gift that was given. He watched in pleasure as the others opened the gifts he had picked out for them, his blushes over their exclamations hidden in the dim light of the room. Opening the presents given to him, Julian admired the offerings, thanking everyone in turn.
As much as he was enjoying himself, Julian couldn't help but let his attention, as well as his gaze, frequently wandered around the room. He had invited Garak, the station's only Cardassian, to join him at the Christmas party. Garak, as usual, didn't commit himself, giving vague promises to attend, but Julian still eyed the entrances to the bar, hoping to see the familiar form of the tailor.
A feeling of loneliness settled over him. Suddenly, the bar was too noisy, too crowded for him. Making his excuses, Julian grabbed the brightly wrapped present that sat beside him, then asked Jadzia to hold on to the presents he had just received. Smiling at his friends invitations to come back, Julian simply shook his head no and pointed at the upper level of the bar. Moving over to the stairs, Julian climbed up to the upper level, taking a seat that afforded him a view the scene below him, as well as most of the entrances.
Putting the present down on the table in front of him, Julian brought his elbows up to rest on the table as well. Folding his fingers together, Julian rested his chin on them. Closing his eyes, he absorbed the atmosphere around him. The sounds of the busy bar were somewhat muted up on the higher level.
Opening his eyes, Julian glanced around at all the entrances again. Lifting his head up, he craned his neck around to look out the doorway that was located behind him. Through the door he could see Garak standing in the corridor.
Julian started to wave the other man over when he noticed something was wrong. For as long as he had known the tailor, he had never seen him look anything but confident. But, standing in the corridor, Julian couldn't help but notice the awkward stance, the uncertainty that seemed to radiate from him.
Rising from his chair, Julian grabbed the present laying on the table, and moved though the door, making his way over to where Garak stood holding a box in one hand. "Garak," he said simply, unsure of what to say.
"Dr. Bashir," Garak replied softly, his blue eyes searching for something in the younger man's face. He must have found what he was looking for as he smiled and gestured to a bench the sat in front of one of the large windows that afforded a spectacular view of the surrounding star system.
They sat side by side, and silence reigned for a moment. Julian cleared his throat. "I'm glad that you could make it, Garak."
"Yes, I wasn't sure if I could, Doctor..Julian," Garak replied, looking down at the box that was balanced on his knees. "I did some research on your Terran holiday, Christmas, and I saw that it was customary that you exchange presents with those closest to you. Is that so?"
Garak looked up and pinned the younger man with another searching look.
Julian felt himself fall into the blue orbs. He blushed at the frankly appraising look Garak was giving him, excitement stirring in his belly. "Yes. Yes, that's right, Garak."
"Well then," Garak said brightly. "This is for you then, my dear friend."
Lifting the brightly wrapped box up, Garak handed it to Julian who took it with a slightly shaking hand.
"This is for you," Julian said, as he took the box from Garak and handed the older man his own present.
Garak accepted it with a nod, holding the small box in his hands. "Why don't you open yours first?" he asked.
Julian nodded, forcing himself to tear his eyes away from Garak's face. Looking down at the present that sat on his knee, he took a moment to appreciate the effort Garak put into wrapping it. Colourful bows adorned the box and ribbons over the top, falling to one side. Seeing that the lid of the box lifted up, Julian slowly lifted the lid off.
Sitting in the box was a soft bundle of amber silk. Placing the lid to his side, Julian reached in and lifted the material out of the box. The silk tumbled free, falling open in a watery cascade. Taking it in both hands, Julian held the silk up, noticing that it was a short robe, with a belt looped around it. Holding it up to his body, Julian could see that it would fall to about mid-thigh. As the silk caught the light, he noticed that gold threads had been shot through the material that glittered as the light struck them.
Turning back to look at Garak, he was thrilled by the frank look of appreciation on the older man's face. "The colour will look stunning on you, Julian," Garak said huskily.
Still holding the robe up to him, Julian realized what it was. A lover's robe. He could picture himself lounging around in the robe, the style perfect for intimate occasions.
His gaze still locked with Garak's, Julian raised one hand to caress the soft material. "Thank you, Garak. It's beautiful," he said simply.
Lowering his eyes for a moment, he bit his lower lip, then looked up again, his eyes' half lidded. "Would you like to see me in it sometime?" he asked daringly.
He smiled as Garak reached out to touch the fabric. "Yes, I do believe I would, Julian."
Julian smiled and lowered the robe back into its box. "Open you present, Garak," he ordered gently.
Garak simply smiled and withdrew his hand, picking up his present and opening it. Glancing down in the box, Garak lifted his eyes up to look at Julian with surprise.
Julian moved closer, until his thigh rested against Garak's. "Do you like it?" he asked.
Reaching into the small box, Garak pulled out a simple silver bracelet. A pattern was engraved into the metal, looping around in an endless pattern.
"Like it? It's lovely, Julian."
Julian smiled with relief. Taking the bracelet from Garak's hand, he opened the clasp. Pushing up his sleeve, Garak offered his bared wrist to the younger man. Reaching forward, Julian placed the piece of jewellery around the offered wrist, then closed the bracelet.
Raising his arm, Garak looked at the design that was etched into the silver. With a quizzical look at Julian he said, "Do you know what these symbols mean?"
"You're not the only one who did some research, Garak," Julian replied happily. With one finger, Julian tapped a symbol, "This represents friendship," he said.
Then, tracing the other symbol that was intertwined with the first, with his forefinger he said, "And this represents love."
"You're right," Garak replied softly, reaching forward to caress Julian's cheek with his thumb, his fingers cupping the younger man's chin. "Do you think we're ready for this?"
Julian looked deep into Garak's eyes, accepting the challenge that he saw there. "Yes," he said simply.
Julian felt himself fall into Garak's eyes again. Behind him in the bar, he could hear voices being raised in song. Closing his eyes, Julian listened to the joyous sounds as he revealed in Garak stroking his cheek.
O holy night!
The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Opening his eyes again, Julian was caught by Garak's loving gaze. He felt his chin being grasped by the tailor's strong hand, while the voices continued to sing in harmonious gaiety.
Fall on your knees!
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine
O night when Christ was born.
O night divine
O night
O night divine!
Leaning toward each other, their lips about to meet, Julian whispered one last phrase before Garak's lips touched his and they shared their first kiss, the stars shining brightly behind them.
"Oh night divine."
END