#taurik | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

crowfootwrites · 5 months

Text

Diel

I am definitely not capable of writing a fic every day in the month of December, but today I came across @creativepromptsforwriting's December Prompt List and was immediately struck with an idea, so I picked a handful of prompts for the month of December and am going to try to put out some fics inspired by them!

Diel (adj): of or relating to a 24-hour period, especially a regular daily cycle, as of the physiology or behavior of an organism.

December 1: Starry Night (Taurik x Fem!Reader)

Warnings: none; not beta'd we die like men. | Words: ~870

One of the things you missed the most about Earth was night. On the Enterprise, drifting through space for long stretches of time, there was no day or night. Only the inky vacuum between pinpricks of distant stars.

You weren’t really one for being homesick. Your exploratory nature made every new discovery, every new command to explore some previously unknown area of space, a reason for excitement. Nebulas, anomalies, first contacts – they all made your heart race in a way that stopped you from dwelling on what you might be missing out on back home.

But sometimes, when all was quiet and you were between missions, or there was some occasion that needed remembering (birthdays, holidays, anniversaries), it tugged at your heart that there was no sunrise to greet you. That you couldn’t really remember what dusk was like. That the Terran moon was lightyears away.

You’d mentioned it once, to Taurik, who merely reminded you that it was illogical to dwell on what was missing and to instead focus your attentions on the present circumstances. And you’d sighed and rolled your eyes, affectionately damning his Vulcan logic, before moving on to other topics.

You supposed he was right after all, but you were Human, not Vulcan, and you couldn’t really help the occasional bouts of nostalgia that filled your mind with memories of camping beneath starry night skies, or watching shooting stars fall over the horizon, or mapping constellations on your very first telescope.

---

Your days had been busy recently, and you didn’t notice how Taurik watched you, far more observant than he’d allowed you to think when you first spoke to him about missing “night”. Taurik had always valued your resilience and, although he didn’t particularly understand your current plight, it was apparent to him that your discomfort was lingering more than was customary for you. And so he did as any dutiful mate would, and sought a solution to your distress.

“I think it should be just about ready,” Geordi announced, handing Taurik the isolinear chip as he rushed around the central console in engineering. “You might need to tweak a few of the parameters for the environmental controls, but other than that, you’re all set.”

“Thank you for your assistance, Commander LaForge,” Taurik replied, standing at attention. He’d given his commanding officer little information when he’d first approached him about creating a holodeck program to a very specific set of criteria.

“Happy to help, Taurik.” Geordi glanced up at the Ensign from where he’d busied himself making long-overdue adjustments to the EPS. “I think she’ll love it.”

With that, he strode toward the warp core, leaving Taurik standing alone in Engineering with an eyebrow raised in surprise. It seemed that his commander was more perceptive than he’d previously given him credit for.

---

You smoothed your sweater nervously as you arrived outside the doors to Holodeck 3. You weren’t sure what you were walking into; you only knew that Taurik had requested your presence via combadge for an outing he’d called a “courtship event”. Supposing that meant “date”, you’d changed out of your uniform once your shift had ended and made your way to the holodeck, wondering all the while what Taurik could possibly have planned.

You pressed the control to open the doors and as they slid quietly open, your jaw dropped.

Taurik, dressed down in casual pants and a soft-looking shirt, stood before you in front of a sky bursting with color – deep oranges blazed across a backdrop of dark blue that plunged into black night overhead. His stoic expression gave way to the barest hint of a smile as he observed your response to the holodeck program.

He held a hand out toward you as you stepped into the holodeck, still speechless. The prickle of tears pressed behind your eyes.

“I was hoping,” Taurik offered quietly as you slipped your hand into his, “that you might enjoy experiencing a Terran night with me.” He guided you carefully through the tall grass that covered the hillside he’d chosen. A lone tree, its limbs heavy with green, presided over the hillside, stretching its branches toward the darkening sky, and Taurik led you to a blanket laid out at its base.

Lying on your back on the blanket, you could just make out the sparkle of the emerging stars between tree branches. It was strikingly similar to a childhood memory of yours – you gasped as realization dawned on you, before staring slack-jawed at Taurik, who was settling himself beside you.

“You saw it?” you asked softly.

Taurik nodded as he reclined, his arm pressed against yours in his closeness. He turned to look at you.

“I have seen this memory many times in your mind, ashayam,” he murmured. “It would seem to be very important to you… When you expressed that you missed experiencing the Terran cycles of day and night, I was able to perceive the depth of your longing. And as your mate, it is my duty to protect your well-being.”

At your side, you felt Taurik’s fingers brush against yours, and you returned the gentle caress, the ozh’esta sparking a warmth that flooded your limbs. Overhead, the sky settled into a gentle black, flecked with the stars you now called home.

#star trek #star trek tng #star trek the next generation #ensign taurik #taurik #taurik x reader #taurik x fem!reader #vulcan #vulcans

53 notes · View notes

vreenak · 2 years

Photo

Vulcan himbo twins Taurik & Vorik and their respective chief engineer crushes.

#star trek #startrekedit #trekedit #taurik #vorik #lower decks #blood fever #pon farr #alexander enberg #star trek voyager #tng #*myvorik #*mystartrek #my edits

715 notes · View notes

ensignsimp · 3 months

Text

Games: TNG Taurik x GN! Reader (One-Shot)

A/N: This is such a cute request I made it into a One-Shot.

Prompt: You teach Taurik to play different Earth games, tonight is one of great skill! (Takes place before TNG S7 EP15: Lower Decks)

It was your turn to pick the game for game night again. This had become your Friday Night tradition with your friends. One of you would pick a new game to play at the Ten Forward. Last week Sam brought Monopoly which ended badly. So it was put on the Banned Games List. Sito wanted to try to play a Table Top Role Playing Game but only you and Alyssa seemed interested. (That became your Saturday Night.)

You were digging around in your locker looking for something to do when your fingers gripped a little box. You pulled out the box and looked at it. It was the size of a deck of cards, red, with a black stripe across the front reading, "UNO".

"Perfect." You laughed, thinking of the looks on everyone's faces.

Later that day you joined your friends at the Ten Forward. You were met with a few casual waves by Sito and Sam, Alyssa was already sipping on a pink cocktail, while Taurik gave you a familiar nod.

"What have you got for us this time?" Sam asked "Can't be as bad as your last pick."

Alyssa playfully slapped Sam's shoulder.

"I figured after The Monopoly Incident, we could play something more fun." You said pulling out the deck of cards.

"A card game, how old are we?" Sam asked, "Next time you'll want to play poker with the Senior Officers."

"Are you afraid you will lose again like last time?" Taurik asked raising an eyebrow.

Taurik always found ways to defend your choice. You always did the same for him. He would usually pick strategy games that would take forever to finish because Sam would insist on playing until he beat him.

"No, let's play." Same said

After reading the rules, and dealing out the cards it wasn't long before a few rounds had passed. You had gone through three synthehol drinks before you were completely dizzy and unable to focus.

"Gin Rummy." You said throwing down your plus four card to Sam.

"You mean Uno." Sito giggled watching you sway slightly in your seat.

"Yeah, that." You laughed while Sam begrudgingly took four more cards to his massive stack.

You saw Alyssa get a big smile on her face before writing something down on a blank card and then passing it to Taurik. He looked back at her and then to you only to look back at her. You could feel her swinging her feet underneath the table. She was up to something. You watch as Taurik then pulls twenty-five cards out of the deck only for Sito to let out a snort when she sees the card Alyssa played.

"What's so funny?" You asked playfully narrowing your eyes at them.

"Nothing." Alyssa said innocently, "Just playing to win."

Sito drew a card from the now diminished deck. You looked down and noticed you also had to pull one as well.

"So much for your winning streak," Sam said laying down a card.

Alyssa played another card, "Color change blue."

Then suddenly Taurik was slapping down cards. Before you knew it he was completely empty-handed.

"I believe I have won yet again." He stated proudly.

You all let out a groan throwing your remaining cards in a pile.

"How does he do that?" Sito asked, taking a few sips of water.

"Every time." Sam banged his head on the table.

"I was so close." Alyssa sighed, "I was hoping that card would work."

"You tried your best." You consoled laughing "Let's face it, we're never going to beat him."

"Whatever, let's go again," Sam said but before he could gather up the cards Guinan walked over.

"Time for bed you guys." She said, "Almost everyone else has left."

"She's right, I don't think I could play another round." You said picking up the cards and putting them back in the box.

"You'll have to wait until next Friday, Ensign Lavelle," Taurik said rising to his feet.

Sam let out an annoyed groan, "I think I already know what I'm going to bring next time."

You chuckled and walked out of the bar with your friends. Just as you were about to split up to say good night Sito grabbed Alyssa and Sam's sleeves and called over her shoulder.

"Hey Alyssa why don't we help Sam feel better and grab a quick late-night snack at the Replicator, we'll see you guys later." She said before quickly pulling your other two friends away leaving you a Taurik alone.

You questioned why the sudden change in plans, "I better be heading back to my quarters. I have an early shift."

"Allow me to escort you while the Synthehol wears off," Taurik said, you noticed a light green tint to his cheeks and ears.

You nodded and started walking together. The two of you talked about the game. It wasn't until you were just outside of your quarters you decided to ask.

"What did that card say?" You raised an eyebrow feeling more sobber.

Taurik stood in front of you sheepishly. He folded his hands in front of you and the corners of his lips twitched slightly.

"It was of a personal nature that was illogical to share." He said looking down slightly.

"Oh, well, it is always logical to tell me." You said, your curiosity was burning.

"It may compromise a relationship with someone I hold in high regard." His face was turning a dark shade of green.

"Please, don't play with my curiosity." You said pulling on his arm, "Who is it?"

"(Y/N)," He said unfolding his hands and placing one over yours.

You were shocked this was the first time he'd ever called you by your first name. He looked deep into your eyes. His sweet umber eyes were filled with so much emotion, sadness, longing, and admiration.

"I declare koon-ut so'lik, my desire to be your mate." He shut his eyes tightly, and he gripped your hand as if he was afraid you'd slip away.

"You're not playing games with me are you?" You asked reaching your free hand up to caress his cheek.

"I would never play games with you like that, Tal-kam." He said releasing his grip slightly and leaning into your touch.

41 notes · View notes

harley-rose25 · 9 months

Text

the sexual preferences of vulcan males

Vorik is 'step on me leather mommy' submissive

Taurik is a bisexual switch leaning towards 'boss me around' submissive

Yuris is 'acts of service' submissive

Solok is a bisexual switch, unclear which side is stronger, also with a fetish for emotional humans.

Soval without his * vulcan logic *, is one bad day away from quiting as a diplomat and just being a complete hoe.

Sarek is a mess

#Vulcans #vulcan #ensign vorik #vorik #dr. yuris #dr. yuris of vulcan #yuris of vulcan #Solok #captain solok #taurik #Taurik lower decks #Sarek #Soval #star trek headcanon

89 notes · View notes

bug-and-such · 5 months

Text

Alexander Enberg?! In my 1994 mpreg, pro-choice film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Devito?

#why do i have to get attached to a character then look up the actor that plays them and then research everything that actor has ever been in #WHY?!#why did he have to look so bbygirl as vorik #i hate it here (my mind)#alexander enberg #vorik #ensign vorik #taurik #star trek voyager #star trek tng

21 notes · View notes

akamitrani · 1 year

Text

Taurik and Vorik luau edition, I'm deceased after doing this one. They look so damn cute.

#drawing #art #illustration #star trek #fanart #vorik #ensign vorik #taurik #star trek vulcan #hawaii #luau deck #original art #star trek voyager #luau #star trek the next generation

121 notes · View notes

autisticburnham · 1 year

Text

Voyager fans going back and watching tng's "Lower Decks"

#vorik #taurik #voy #tng #queue #my post

93 notes · View notes

vulcanlovetriangles · 2 months

Text

Head cannon that Vorik and Taurik are Sevet's great grandsons; and because T'Pril won't let Sevet exist with her permission he has to live vicariously through the Starfleet adventures of Vorik and Taurik.

#vulcans #star trek #ensign vorik #taurik #vorik #sevet

8 notes · View notes

leagueofakimbo · 1 year

Text

Good morning to them only .

#taurik #vorik #star trek tng #star trek voyager

36 notes · View notes

rsclopez · 1 month

Text

This would definitely happen! Will you be my boyfriend goes straight to husband…

@ensignsimp @deepspacedukat

32 notes · View notes

starfleetspacecadet · 2 years

Note

I've just watched TNG Lower Decks for the first time and I'm emotionally compromised, thank you for my sweet kids content <3 love your art of them sm!!

YESS thank you i love that episode and Them.. happy to provide

#they are bastards to sam sometimes but they love him and his pathetic white boy swag #ending of lower decks does kill me emotionally every time!#tng lwd gang #tng #star trek tng #taurik #sam levelle #tng lower decks #orig #cadet responds

178 notes · View notes

deepspacedukat · 2 years

Text

Artifice Becomes Substance

So...this is a thing that my brain came up with... In my defense, Alexander Enberg plays two very sexy Vulcans.

Cross-posted to AO3 here.

~*~

Taurik (ST:TNG) x Reader

[A/N: Or what happens when you put a Vulcan in a fake dating situation with someone they already have feelings for and have been trying (unsuccessfully) to flirt with for a while.]

Warnings: Fluff, kissing, questionable use of logic to justify a faux dating scenario (blame the Vulcan, not the writer), interspecies friendship becomes interspecies relationship, human/Vulcan relationship, cultural exchange (wink wink nudge nudge), mildly suggestive language, pre-relationship fluff.

~*~

“Why do you remain largely silent when your parents are present, Ensign?” Taurik’s question caught me off guard as he took a seat beside me in Ten Forward. I looked at him over the rim of my Samarian Sunset, but the Vulcan proffered me no more than a curious look.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Forgive my impertinence, but you have never been a very successful liar.” Taurik stated looking as impassive as ever. “The last time they visited, you barely spoke in conversation when they were present, and the same has been true today. Why remain silent when you are quite capable of contributing your thoughts?”

“Sometimes I forget how perceptive you are, Taurik,” I murmured staring at my drink as though it held an answer. “It’s just...well, they’ve never been very accepting when it comes to my decisions. Anything that doesn’t conform with their ideas of what my life should be is instantly wrong to them. The same is true of our conversations. If I try to insert differing opinions or thoughts, they just talk over me anyway, so what’s the point of even attempting to speak up? They’re just going to interrupt me or ignore me, so why bother?”

“You are their daughter. Do they not respect you?” The Vulcan looked thoroughly perplexed.

“I think they still see me as a child who doesn’t know nearly as much as they - the perceived adults - do,” I explained tracing the pad of one of my fingers idly around the rim of my glass.

“You were near the top of our class at Starfleet Academy. You have received commendations and are serving on the Federation’s flagship. I do not understand how they could see you as any less than the accomplished officer that you are,” Taurik stated, but all I could manage was a shrug. “Ashayam, I–”

“There you are. We’ve been looking for you all over this infernal ship. Why you had to join Starfleet in the first place, I’ll never know.” Oh no. The sound of my mother’s voice sent me shrinking in my seat. So much for a few minutes alone with my best friend. Both of Taurik’s hands reached across the table and grasped mine firmly. When my eyes met his, there was, dare I say, an almost mischievous twinkle there to greet me.

What was Taurik doing?

“We were told that yo–oh? Who might this be?” My father asked looking pointedly at the Vulcan who was very obviously holding my hands. Taurik brought my fingers to his lips before releasing them and standing. Offering my parents a traditional Vulcan greeting, Taurik behaved as though they weren’t giving him a once over.

“Sir, Ma’am. It has been a long time, but we have in fact met before. I am Ensign Taurik, though the last time you saw me, I was a Cadet at The Academy,” he informed them as I took a subtle, bracing sip of my Samarian Sunset. “Would you care to join us? We were just discussing our plans for further intimacy later this evening.”

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head, and I barely managed to avoid choking on my drink. Glancing quickly up at my parents, I saw they were faring no better. My mother’s cheeks were burning, and my father looked as though he was going to grind his teeth to dust.

“Taurik, my parents don’t need to hear about that,” I said, and he turned to face me just long enough to toss me a wink.

“My apologies, Ashayam. I simply thought that they would be glad to hear that their daughter’s needs are well met in all areas by her mate.” I bit my tongue hard at the Vulcan’s implication, and my mother cleared her throat.

“W-We didn’t mean to interrupt. We’ll find you later, sweetheart. It was lovely meeting you, Mr. Taurik.” The way she practically fled, dragging my father along with her out of Ten Forward made a giggle burst from between my lips before I could stop it. Taurik resumed his seat once the doors had hissed closed behind them.

“That was extremely presumptuous of me, I apologize. It appeared that the only reason your parents continued to behave disrespectfully toward you was because they felt comfortable doing so. Logic suggested that if I wished to stop them, I simply needed to make them...less comfortable,” he said, and I looked at him with a silly little grin on my face. “As they enjoy belittling you in public, I thought that making them feel foolish would accomplish the task efficiently.”

“Taurik...” I trailed off as I struggled for words. How could I possibly express my gratitude when a ‘thank you’ wasn’t nearly enough? “I-I don’t know what to say.”

“I understand. I deserve your censure for taking such liberties–”

“No! No, you don’t. That’s not at all what I meant,” I said reaching over and placing my hands over his. “I’m trying to thank you, but I don’t think words are adequate. You took a risk to try and help me, and I’m more grateful than I can express.”

“You...are not offended?” The Vulcan sounded astonished even as he turned his hands so that our palms met. Taurik wasn’t usually a very tactile person, and I’d forgotten that for a moment. He didn’t seem to be in any rush to discontinue the contact, though. In fact, he seemed to be encouraging it. His fingers closed gently over mine and he leaned a little closer over the side of the table.

For a moment, and not for the first time, I wondered what it would be like to kiss him, to truly be in a relationship with him. Taurik was my closest friend, but...there had always been a desire for more than friendship on my part. Even now, I was terrified that I might do something to jeopardize our friendship. We’d met back when we were both in The Academy, and we’d gone so far as to make sure we took postings together when we graduated. Suffice it to say that I didn’t think I could take it if I lost his friendship.

“No, I’m not. I promise. I...I should ask, though, wouldn’t your betrothed be angry about this if she found out you were faking a romantic relationship with a non-Vulcan?”

“I no longer have a betrothed to anger. She ended our engagement during the final year of our Academy studies when the revelation of her sexuality rendered our arranged marriage illogical,” Taurik explained in a quiet voice. Vulcans were very private beings. I hadn’t meant to make him reveal something so personal. Hell, we’d been friends for years, so the fact that he’d chosen to hide that from even me proved that it had to be something causing him discomfort. Guilt lanced through me, but before I could express my regret, Taurik’s voice knocked me out of my thoughts. “Ensign, you have no need to apologize. There was no way you could have known. In any case, your thoughts are, as always, loud enough for me to perceive your regret.”

Oh. Oh, right. Touch telepathy was a thing for Vulcans.

“Do not be sorry for that, either. It is...enjoyable to feel your thoughts in such an unguarded manner, as illogical as that may be,” he stated, and I let out a surprised little laugh.

“And here I thought you Vulcans didn’t like chaos.”

Before Taurik could respond, however, the red alert sirens began to blare and the computer called all hands to battle stations. We were both sent sprinting to our stations, all thoughts of mischief and faux relationships forgotten for the moment as we concentrated on our duties.

Hours later when the ship was out of danger and my shift had ended, I managed to get to my quarters and steal a moment of quiet in the sonic shower. Scrubbing the day off provided a modicum of peace and helped recenter me after the chaos of the battle. Wrapped in a soft robe, I put my hair up in a clip just in time for the door chime to sound. Tying my robe a little tighter, I called for whoever it was to come in.

A slightly battle-ruffled Vulcan stood just inside my door when I exited my bedroom. Taurik seemingly froze when he saw my state of dress, and his eyes skimmed the length of my body. Although the robe was the only article of clothing I was wearing, everything was covered, and he’d seen me in less when we were in The Academy. I didn’t know what was stunning him so much, but clearly this was a new experience for him.

“Taurik? Is everything alright?” The sound of my voice seemed to shake him out of his reverie.

“I came to make sure you were alright, and to ask if you would like further assistance,” he said taking a few slow steps toward me. Tilting my head curiously, I leaned against the edge of my desk.

“With what?” Instead of answering right away, Taurik walked slowly over to me and stopped only inches from me.

“On the way to my own quarters, I overheard your parents making plans to come to yours and berate you for your lack of availability and choice of partner earlier in Ten Forward. I wondered if you’d like me to be present to...what is the human expression? ‘To take some of the warmth off of you’?” I couldn’t help but giggle a bit at his attempt to use human slang.

“Close. It’s ‘to take the heat off’ of a person,” I clarified, to which he raised an eyebrow. “Taurik, you’ve already done so much for me. I couldn’t possibly ask you to endure more of their unpleasantness.”

“You should know by now that I value our closeness, and that to assist you in such a manner is in no way taxing for me.” Taurik spoke with such ease, as if he was discussing the weather, not talking about whether or not he should continue to pretend to be intimately involved with me. I’d agreed before I’d even realized I’d spoken. “Then it might be advantageous for you to teach me how to kiss you, in case the skill should prove necessary during our deception. I do not wish for my inexperience in human courting practices to compromise you.”

I blinked in surprise at his suggestion.

“You don’t have to do that. I know you’re not too comfortable with touching and being touched on even a platonic level. I can’t imagine kissing would be any more enjoyable, especially considering the physical intimacy involved.” I didn’t want him to feel he had to do anything he wasn’t comfortable with.

“If you were the one teaching me, I do not believe I would feel uncomfortable,” he said catching my hands in his. “I assure you, Ashayam, I am a quick study.”

Feeling a whisper of anticipation fluttering in my chest, I nodded my head in agreement. I’d wanted to know what his lips felt like for so long, but...was it wrong to take advantage of his offer under these circumstances? It would be immoral to take pleasure in something he’d most likely despise, wouldn’t it? Then again, he had been the one to offer, and I’d finally have the answer to a question I’d been asking myself for years–

“Teach me, Ashayam. Please,” the Vulcan murmured looking into my eyes with an intensity I’d never seen from him before. Blinking quietly up at him, I freed one of my hands and reached slowly up to cup Taurik’s cheek.

“There’s no algorithm or formula for kissing, so just close your eyes and do what feels right,” I advised. He agreed closing his eyes, and I leaned carefully up to brush my lips against his. Taurik tensed up, and I paused, pulling back to put a little space between us. When he showed no signs of changing his mind, I kissed him a bit more solidly. After a moment’s hesitation, one of Taurik’s hands rested lightly on my waist.

A flash of thought that wasn’t my own flitted across my consciousness - broken whispers of soft...more...Ashayam.

Touch telepathy indeed. I couldn’t keep from smiling into our kiss. He wanted more? I’d happily give him what he wanted. I moved my lips gently against Taurik’s, deepening the kiss in a manner that I hoped he’d enjoy. When we eventually separated for air, Taurik looked at me through half-closed eyelids, and he gave no indication of a desire to move away from me.

Somewhere in my subconscious, I was vaguely aware that the door chime to my quarters had sounded.

“Enter,” Taurik called in a low, rough voice. If he’d been human, I’d have said that his first kiss had stirred up some emotions. As it was, though, I didn’t get a chance to mull that fact over for long. The door to my quarters hissed open and in walked my parents.

“...all the impertinence. Really, dear, you expect us to believe that Vulcan at lunch was really interested in y–” she broke off when she caught sight of Taurik and how close he was standing to me. “Oh.”

Taurik turned to face them keeping his hand on my waist. He raised one harsh eyebrow as if challenging her to finish her thought. Seeming to think better of her action, she glanced at my father and cleared her throat.

“I...We came here to invite you - er, the two of you - to a late dinner in Ten Forward.” Dinner with my parents was the last thing I wanted, but it was probably only polite of me to accept. I couldn’t possibly expect Taurik to endure such suffering, though.

“It really depends on what you’d like to do, Taurik. I know we had plans,” I murmured.

“I see no reason why our plans cannot be postponed until after we eat, Ashayam,” the Vulcan answered tilting my chin up so I was looking into his eyes. How the hell could I argue when such a handsome Vulcan was being so persuasive?

“Does she ever cease talking, Ashayam?” The question in Taurik’s voice floated into my mind, and made me blink in surprise. Schooling my expression, I glanced over at the Vulcan holding my hand and he raised an eyebrow as if to give me a subtle nudge toward answering the question. So, I hadn’t imagined it.

“No, I’m afraid she doesn’t. What does ‘Ashayam’ mean, anyway? I’ve been wanting to ask you that for years.” I projected the thoughts his way, hoping he could hear me. With a gentle squeeze of my fingers, Taurik stole my breath with his answer.

“I would not have asked the question if I would not be able to hear your response. The term means ‘beloved.’” I felt my cheeks start burning at Taurik’s implication.

“Taurik, you’ve been calling me that since we graduated. There’s no way. Are you trying to tell me that you’ve been calling me your beloved all this time?” Trepidation gripped me at the possibility that I’d been unaware of something so significant for such a long time. Had he felt how much I wished that he had meant it? Taurik silently brought my hand to his lips.

“I did, and I have been, although, I fear I have not made my position clear. We must talk when your parents retire to their quarters for the night. I have not been as forthright as I intended to be.” Taurik’s grip on my hand tightened just a little, and I took comfort in the physical contact for the moment.

“Are you even listening to me?” My mother’s voice snapped me back to reality, and I replied with a dutiful ‘yes, mother.’ She began to drone on again, and my thoughts drifted back to the first time I’d ever heard him call me that.

About a week before graduation, I’d caught up to Taurik after class. He’d been chatting with Boothby in the courtyard when I took a seat next to him beneath the shade of the tree they were both sitting under.

“Well, hello there, Cadet. I was beginning to wonder when you were going to show up. You and Mister Stoic here are practically inseparable,” the groundskeeper said with a sly smile. “Taurik was just telling me that you both got assigned to the Enterprise.”

“Yes, sir,” I confirmed giving both my companions a little smile.

“You’ll have to tell Jean-Luc that his old friend Boothby said hello.” Jean-Luc? As in Captain Picard? We’d likely never get the chance to speak with him, but I heard Taurik agreeing to pass the message along.

“How was your final examination, Ashayam? It was temporal mechanics, if memory serves, was it not?” Taurik inquired, and I blinked. He’d never called me that before. It sounded like a Vulcan term, but I didn’t want to make myself seem any more foolish than he probably already thought that I was.

“I think I did alright, but only time will tell, if you’ll pardon the expression,” I answered, and Boothby let out a rough huff of amusement. He’d doubtless heard that before. Taurik merely raised an eyebrow in his usual, sardonic, Vulcan way.

“I’ve got some rose bushes to tend to. I’ll see you kids at graduation,” Boothby said as he drew himself to his feet. “Don’t celebrate too hard, y’hear? And Cadet Taurik...think about what I told you. I may not be a Vulcan, but I am an old man who’s seen his fair share of people. Only a fool would let go of something like that without a fight. So are you a Vulcan or a fool?”

“A Vulcan, sir,” Taurik answered as his cheeks went green, and with an approving nod, Boothby ambled away to attend to his duties.

I had always wondered what that comment had been about, but knowing he’d called me his beloved right in front of Boothby...that changed the way I viewed our friendship’s evolution.

Before I knew it, dinner had ended, and my parents were heading back to their quarters, leaving Taurik and I to our own devices. Once we had returned to my quarters, he coaxed me into sitting with him.

“I...thought that given our history together, my intentions would have been obvious given my behavior. As I am not familiar with human mating rituals, I was quite clearly mistaken,” Taurik said looking at me carefully for a reaction. “Over the years of our friendship, I have found you to be singularly diverting. Our hours together have been most enjoyable, and I do not seem to tire of your presence as I do with others. I have been wondering with increasing frequency if you would be interested in altering our relationship from platonic to romantic.”

Was he asking me out?

“Taurik, how long have you felt like this?” I asked as his hands covered mine on my lap.

“The thought first occurred to me briefly several months into our acquaintance and has only gained a stronger foothold since the day my betrothal ended. After which, I attempted to make my feelings known by behaving in a more familiar manner with you than with anyone else. I cannot imagine myself being bonded to anyone but you,” Taurik explained skimming his thumbs over the backs of my hands. “When you kissed me earlier this evening, I found it exceedingly difficult to control my emotions...and, if I may be so bold, your thoughts indicated that you enjoyed it as well.”

“I did,” I admitted barely louder than a breath. “I’d wanted to do that since the day we met.”

“Then would you like to give the new parameters an attempt?” He asked sounding almost hopeful. Biting my lower lip nervously, I nodded my head. With my hands in his grasp, Taurik gently manipulated my fingers until both hands were forming some sort of reciprocal gesture against his. Two fingers were straight and two fingers were bent beneath his. Before I could ask, Taurik touched his forehead to mine and spoke as his two extended fingers caressed mine. “You taught me how humans kiss. This is the Vulcan equivalent.”

Carefully, and a good deal slower, I copied his movements. Somehow this felt even more intimate and meaningful than kissing. After a few long moments, Taurik caught my hands in his and threaded our fingers together. My lips parted to ask if I’d done something wrong with the finger gesture thing, but before I could, he kissed my thoughts away. My heart thudded so loudly in my chest that surely Taurik could hear it.

By the time we separated for air, I was trembling lightly in his grasp. Bracing my hands lightly on his shoulders, I looked up at my Vulcan lover curiously.

“Taurik? What was it that Boothby said to you that day? Not much could have made you blush like that.” Even now, the question brought a flood of bright green to his cheeks.

“He suggested that I...’get a move on’ and ‘snatch you up’ before someone else beat me to it,” he admitted, and I couldn’t stop a surprised laugh. Of course Boothby had seen through him. He’d seen through me easily enough, so why not Taurik too? “Can I assume that I did not wait too long?”

Instead of a vocal answer, I caught his lips in a gentle kiss.

#deepspacedukat fic #taurik #ensign taurik #taurik x reader #fluff #pre-relationship fluff #fake dating #a Vulcan tries fake dating #to try and help his best friend who he just happens to have feelings for

114 notes · View notes