Heart of Steel

Posted on 31 Oct 2016 @ 10:55am by Lieutenant JG Braxton MacKenzie & Lieutenant JG Jonas Flynn PsyD
Edited on on 21 Nov 2016 @ 8:15am

1,063 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 12 - Recluse
Location: USS Galileo - Holodeck 1, Deck 5
Timeline: MD -01 at 1315 Hours

[ON]

For his part, the counselor had found a place on the ground to study in depth while Wiggins said his piece. He hadn't even looked up when the Commander left, and now he could feel Braxton's eyes on him. He knew he needed to speak, but he couldn't find the words, and he found he couldn't even look up. Damn, if he could just step back in time to his last night aboard Oceana and just stay in his quarters. That would be an acceptable violation of the Temporal Prime Directive, right?

With a sigh and a slight tremble in his voice, Jonas softly said, "Brax, there's something I need to tell you before we discuss the meeting any further."

He sighed. He was tired, he was upset. He was feeling just fed up and he wanted the one solid thing he could hold on to. He was glad Wiggins left. He thought back to the dinner and the tarot cards and...reaching out he grabbed Jonas and pulled him into his arms. The touch of his lips was hungry, desperate, filled with a need to just taste something real, beautiful, and achingly sweet.

Resisting for all of a second, Jonas surrendered to the embrace, his left hand moving up to hold the back of Brax's head as he leaned in himself. As usual, his mind lost its focus and he felt nothing except the rush of deep affection he refused to label 'love' this early on. He could even care less if Wiggins would return, it didn't matter, all that mattered was...

"Wait," Jonas whispered, breaking away. "I have to, I mean, I need to tell you something. I... I can certainly help you work through whatever happened at this meeting one-on-one, but I can't get officially involved in any... um, wow," he interrupted himself, still reeling from the emotion of the moment before. "I cannot involve myself in any conflict resolution, follow-up, or even any required disciplinary measures in this matter involving you, Rahl, and Nemo."

Braxton rested his forehead against Jonas'. The kiss had been...earth shattering, it had been passionate and for a moment he felt...as if his spirit were floating. He felt as if...Jonas was in his very blood. He was breathing a bit hard and smiled, "Yeah...wow." He brought his hand to cup Jonas' cheek. "I...I think my brain is still a bit...preoccupied. I don't understand..."

"Well, for starters," Jonas began, savoring the slight pressure on his forehead, "... there's this, this thing between us. That hardly makes me unbiased, and regardless of what happened, that isn't fair to Lieutenant Rahl." He held their closeness for another second before stepping back. "Then there's... well, neither of us knew we were going to meet and begin, well, begin the beginning of what could be a relationship. And you know I've had partners in the past, but..." He didn't want to confess this to Braxton, especially now, but he knew that if nothing else he would never lie to this man. "The night before I transferred to Galileo, I slept with Nemo. I had no idea that he was transferring too, and it was meant to be a 'one night only' kind of thing. I'd hoped that even though we were serving together, our indiscretion would have no effect on our new duties."

Braxton gave a nod. His brain still held on to the words Beginning of what could be a relationship. That filled him with warmth. Then the Nemo comment came up. He smiled. "I can understand with Nemo but...do you feel you would like to start something with him? Do...Do you think he has feelings for you?" He asked secretly praying that Jonas said no. He wouldn't hurt anyone. He wanted Jonas more then his next breath but...

"No! No, not at all!" Jonas asserted. "It was strictly physical, enhanced by a bit too much alcohol. In truth, I barely know him, and really have no interest in him other than the fact he's a member of the crew and therefore I'm as interested in his well-being as anyone else on board." He offered a smile after he'd spoken, hearing the uncertainty in the question that had been asked and feeling his heart break at Brax's concern.

Braxton felt a flood of relief. He smiled then, a genuine vulnerable smile. "Is it bad that I...I'm glad you don't have interest in him?" He gave a bit of a chuckled and turned towards his bag of tools on the work bench. He opened it and stared at the heart he made. He pulled it out and looked at Jonas smiling sheepishly. "I...I was making this...." He blushed a bit.

Jonas froze, admiring the craftsmanship. He wasn't a blacksmith but he thought it was quite impressive, and he was somewhat amused that Brax had literally been hiding his heart when Wiggins was with them. "It's beautiful," he said at last. "You're beautiful. I'm even tempted to override the safeties again to let you finish, but..." He took hold of both of Brax's hands, the hands that had created this token of affection, and kissed each one of the gently. "I rather like it as it is. Something you've created for me, that isn't finished... kind of like us at the moment, you know? Still 'under construction'."

Braxton smiled. He leaned in and kissed Jonas once again, quickly on the lips. He handed him the heart. "I entrust this heart to you. It was made for you." It wasn't lost on Brax as he handed to Jonas the Damascus Steel heart that he was also handing him his very own, very real heart. He was entrusting someone with it after all these years and like the heart of still that was yet to be quenched and polished, he felt as if his very real beating heart was made for Jonas.

Jonas was quiet for a long time. Then he simply said, "It's safe with me."

Braxton smiled "I know it is." He leaned in and kissed Jonas. He looked at Jonas shyly. "Sorry I just...can't seem to stop myself."

[OFF]

Lieutenant JG Jonas Flynn PsyD
Chief Counselor
USS Galileo

&

Lieutenant JG Braxton MacKenzie
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

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