Obsessive Behavior
Garak takes a deep, slow breath and reminds himself not to kill his husband. Counting backward from ten, he thinks:
- People were bound to notice one of the most brilliant medical minds in the Alpha Quadrant suddenly vanishing.
- It would undoubtedly create political havoc, considering Julian is currently the Head of Medical Research at the Lakarian City Medical Center and the diplomatic attaché of the Federation to Cardassia.
- In the long run, it would make Garak very sad since he did love the man.
Satisfied that he’s made his mind up not to slaughter the man he married, he walks into the kitchen to Julian, who is nose deep in one of the hundred PADDs that now scatter their space.
“Julian,” he begins.
“Elim,” Julian says, turning to him with a distracted smile. His eyes don’t leave his data, but he moves in Garak’s direction.
“Do you have any idea what time it is?”
Julian actually looks up at him now, “2100?”
“An interesting guess,” Garak concedes, “however, an incorrect one. It is 0100.”
“Goodness!” Julian says with a huffed laugh. “I must have lost myself for a moment there, darling, my apologies. But I must say! I am just so close. I can feel it!”
Garak sighs. Even before they were romantically involved, Garak was aware of Julian’s tendency to fall headlong into an obsession about what project or person he’s currently working on. It makes him a remarkable researcher. The fact that this prodigious scientific mind had come to Cardassia for him is a cause of great pride. But once they began living together, the challenges of living with a person who can spend twenty straight hours thinking and obsessing about a problem proved to be a bit exasperating.
(Two days ago, Garak had been trying to engage the good Doctor on his thoughts on the most recent literature that has come out of Cardassia, which purposefully experiments the repetitive epic in response to cataclysmic destruction. Garak had thought Julian would love it.
What Julian had said that night was, “yes, I found their use of the familial framing particularly… Hmm, but would their leucocytes evolve quickly enough given the rate of virus mutation–”)
“I’m sure you are, my dear,” Garak replies. “Nonetheless, you are required to engage in basic self-care… Things like eating and sleeping factoring highly. And of course, one should consider speaking to their spouse.”
Julian quirked his lips up into a smile and stood, walking over to him. “Feeling a bit neglected, love?”
Garak scoffs, both at the implication that he’s become needy enough to depend on the Doctor’s usually focused attentions and at the pet name. Love always felt like too revealing a word to be dropped casually in the place of a name. Garak had explicitly requested that Julian not call him that in public, lest his political enemies hear. Julian was always quick to point out that his political enemies likely already know that he loves his husband, but it is a moot point.
“What I am,” Garak says instead, “is concerned. It would be fairly bad optics if the most effective medical researcher on Cardiassa suddenly dropped into a faint at the hospital from overwork. Why, what would the Federation think? That we’re abusing our poor, innocent scientists?”
Julian huffs a laugh and runs a long finger over Garak’s cheek. “Of course, it’s just good politics.”
“And,” Garak continues, “service to the state.”
Julian’s amused grin grows even more expansive. “Of course, service to the state.”
“Naturally.” Garak responds to the sarcasm with a pout.
Julian turns his face down to his PADD and closes his eyes for a moment before seemingly making a decision. “And you’re right. I’m no use to anyone if I’m not rested. Besides, I would hate to be executed by the state for not fulfilling my husbandly duties.”
Garak twists his lips into a patronizing smile. “Of course, dear. After all, I intend to bring you up on charges relating to leaving your… unfortunate clothing organization habits. I would hate to have to add complaints.”
“And I am on Cardassia; to be charged is to be guilty,” Julian replies with a quicksilver smirk.
“As you say,” Garak agrees. “Though, Doctor, there is much change on Cardassia today, as you well know. Perhaps your accuser would be so kind as to offer you a trial.”
And then begins herding Julian into the bedroom. Julian resists his hand at the small of his back for a moment to turn and kiss Garak gently. His warm hang stroking down one of his neck ridges.
His eyes are earnest as they study Garak’s face, and a sense of tenderness blooms right under his skin at being looked at like that. With those eyes, golden and green.
As quickly as it comes though, it goes- and Julian smiles at him again, light-hearted, and says, “Mr. Garak, I’m fairly sure my trial is having to smell Rokassa juice in the morning.”
“No, Julian,” Garak replies, “that is your punishment.”
Julian’s answering laugh leaves a buzzing tingle on Garak’s skin, and he smiles. He’s certainly glad he decided against killing him.
