#I do love leeta and rom though

[idonotbitemythumbatyou]

Dr Bashir I Presume is sort of the quintessential DS9 episode in how it casually drops a world shattering character reveal as just one element of the A plot. It’s like

Bashir has been chosen to be the model for a holodoctor!

They need to interview people who know him well to create a psychological profile for the program but - uh oh - he doesn’t get along with his parents because

They had him genetically engineered when he was six to “fix” the perceived flaws in their perfectly healthy child in his natural state which is highly illegal and stigmatized and he’s lived in fear of being found out since he was 15

he considers himself a fraud and a monster and in all the years we have known him he has been stifling his abilities to appear more normal. he has carried this secret for so long it is almost a relief to be free of it and when he walks to his captain’s office to tender his resignation it is not with anger or sadness but rather a weary resignation.

Will Leeta and Rom get together?

[a-most-beloved-fool]

For the writing prompts;

19. For luck - Rom and Leeta

"And then," Bashir was saying - though in truth, Rom was paying only half attention, far too busy thinking about Leeta - "she came right up to me, and kissed me on the lips!"

"Oh, she did, did she?" Chief O'Brien said, scoffing good-naturedly.

"It's true!" Bashir insisted, though he didn't look insulted by the Chief's doubt. He was smiling into his glass, seeming quite delighted by the disbelieving frown on O'Brien's face.

Rom didn't quite understand what was supposed to be so 'unbelievable' about the story. In fact - "It seems pretty believable to me," he said. "Doctor Bashir's always kissing beautiful women." (Including, at one point, Leeta - though not anymore, Rom thought with some pleasure.)

"Yes, but this one was out of his league," the Chief said, batting his hand playfully across the table.

Bashir just smiled bashfully, ignoring the swipe. "Ah, well. You're right about that. She wasn't really interested in me after all. Turns out, she'd just misconstrued the human concept of a 'good luck kiss'".

"Ohh! A 'good luck kiss'!" Rom said eagerly. Then, after a pause, "Uh, what's a 'good luck kiss'?"

The Chief sat back, idly crossing his arms. "Well, it's pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It's a kiss that you give someone to wish them luck."

"Oh," Rom said, considering that. Luck was always a good thing to have. Perhaps... "Oh! Leeta!" He stood, sending his chair clattering backwards. "I'll be back!" he shouted, then raced from Quark's bar, ignoring his brother's parting shout out dismay.

He needed to find Leeta.

--

"Leeta! Waaaait!" Rom hollered, shuffling through the crowded promenade as quickly as he could manage, chasing after her familiar voice. "Leeta! I need to give you something!"

This would be easier, he thought, if Bajorans could hear as well as Ferengi could.

But, at last, Leeta stopped, turning to find him. "Rom? Rom, what's the matt-"

The rest of her sentence trailed off into a hum as Rom reached up, pulling her down to plant a kiss square on her lips. One of her hands cupped Rom's cheek, soft. Rom didn't really know how long a 'good luck kiss' was supposed to last for - he really should have gotten more details before running off (for example, does it need tongue? Bashir never specified.) - but he thought that this should satisfy it.

He pulled away, grinning toothily up at his wife. "Hi, Leeta," he said.

She smiled down at him, cheeks flushed and lovely as always. "Hi, Rom. What was that for?" she asked, looking bemused and delighted.

"It's a kiss," Rom said, perhaps unnecessarily. "For luck," he added. "It's a hoo-man tradition!"

"For luck? Rom," she asked, laughing, "what are you wishing me luck for?"

Rom blinked. "Uhhh... For your day?"

Leeta beamed at him, and then leaned down, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Well, I think it worked. I do feel pretty lucky now."

Rom grinned. "Me, too."

--

(also if anyone else wants to make a request, the ask game is here. i can't promise they'll get done as quick or be as long as this one is, though!)

[andromedaexile]

Are They a Stoner? DS9 Edition:

Captain Sisko: Being raised in the south means he has most definitely lit up, and I refuse to believe otherwise. However, after his father caught him smoking and he got stuck on clam duty for a month, he learned his lesson.

Jadzia Dax: Let’s be so real, if she played Tongo with a bunch of Ferengi why would she not own a Betazed bong??? She definitely begged Worf to try it but after his experience with Deanna he only fucks with Blood Wine.

Kira Nerys: OH 100% she was a stoner during the occupation. How would you even attempt to relax in that situation WITHOUT weed? Once the occupation ended Kira stopped messing with weed, but Kira would often hangout with Jadzia, who no doubt brought something to share with Nerys on multiple occasions.

Worf: Blood wine and prune juice.

Dr. Bashir: Before knowledge of him being an augment was made public he never touched anything that could potentially make him not in full control of himself (he did drink a little though). After the knowledge was made public Dr. Bashir and O’Brien definitely were lighting up in the holosuites. That’s why they don’t remember the Alamo.

Erzi Dax: She was straight edge through and through before she was joined with Dax. However afterward…Let’s just say Dax would never turn down an edible.

Odo:

Elim Garak: After the wire was removed Garak decided to stay relatively sober. However, for harm reduction reasons, and to help him cope with his headaches Dr. Bashir prescribed him some medical gummies. He eventually waned off of them completely once Erzi started helping him (he still some times smokes and sews which is why sometimes your trousers don’t always fit right).

Miles O’ Brien: He swore off the “devils lettuce” when he first came aboard the Enterprise. But once stationed at DS9 he quickly realized he would need some of Keiko’s supply of Cannabis-infused tea to remain sane.

Quark: Being a bar owner (best bar on the promenade btw) he is not a big supporter of weed because his main source of profit is alcohol. However, Nog explained to him what a cart is and how you can make a profit from selling them to hoo-mans so he is looking into that as a possible new business opportunity.

Rom: You can’t be a leftist and not have at least tried weed. Also an engineer, so yeah.

Leeta: Oh 10000%. In fact, she’s the plug for the other dabo girls. She even bags her “merchandise” in handmade baggies she makes from recycled textile/fabrics from Garak’s (he owes her because she gave him boy advice).

Nog: No. He follows the rules of StarFleet academy to a T.

Jake Sisko: Hes going to school for writing so yeah. Definitely an edibles kinda guy. His dad has yet to find out despite how many times Jake has come home and slammed an entire pot of jambalaya in 10 minutes.

Keiko O’Brien: Who do you think on DS9 is growing it in the first place?

Gul Dukat: No, he is a snitch who hates fun.

Weyoun: Yes, he is a snitch who loves fun.

Kai Winn: She gives me cop vibes more than Odo does so I’m saying she is a snitch who also hates fun. She also unironically calls weed the Pah-Wraiths Herb or something like that.

Kasidy Yates: Yes, but stopped after jail.

Ziyal: Art school attendee/ art school drop-out. You tell me.

Damar: He’s only a fiend for Kanar (someone help that dude).

[gallavichsreddie1128]

The Price of Love (Quark)

Description: Quark is an asshole but Y/N loves him and will always come crawling back to him.

Warning: Implied smut

Word Count:1,690

Author’s Note: Not a lot of Quark x reader out there so....also I might write a part two and a part two to “Not Him”

“You can’t follow Ferengi traditions, we can't be together.” “Women don’t wear clothes or work.” “I am not giving up my beliefs for you.” Sick and Disgusting was what Quark was. He was an asshole. He truly believed that she should just not have a say in anything and that was hurting her. Rom changed for Leeta, why can’t he change for her?

Tears brimmed her eyes as she stood in his bar past closing time. She stared at the liquor that was placed on the shelves. What Quark thought was more important than her. She turned to look at the counter and memories flooded her senses.

She was on her knees in front of the ferengi as he poured the drink down her throat. Her red lips wrapped around the bottle as the drink hit the back of her throat. He watched with a smirk as she stood up and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her lips brushed against his. “I want you to take me to this counter.” She whispered and pulled him towards her as she got onto the counter. Their lips moved together as the both tasted of alcohol. Tipsy as can be she pulled him on top of her. “I want you to take me everywhere in this bar, Quark.” 

She shook her head at the sexy memory of them and turned back towards his bar. The anger that she felt while looking at the bottles was crazy. Jealous of bottles of alcohol? She growled and grabbed a bottle and smashed it on the ground. One, Two, Three almost every bottle was shattered to the ground.

Alcohol and Wine all over the place as she let the tears fall. “What the hell are you doing?” She looked over at Quark as he stood there in shock. Most of his alcohol was gone. She looked at him with a broken heart and a mad look. Blood dripped down her arms from the cuts that she hadn’t noticed yet. She didn’t care about the trouble she was about to be in. 

“You do realize I have to punish you somehow, right?” Odo asked her as she sat in his office. “Yeah but he’s an asshole and a thief.” Odo agreed with her, more than anyone would but what she did wasn’t okay. “I hate him just as much as you do, Y/N but I still have to follow rules.” She nodded and was willing to accept whatever punishment.

“Luckily, Quark isn’t holding this against you like he would anyone else.” Odo said and she looked confused. “It’ll be 2 weeks in a holding cell and you do have a ban on the bar until Quark releases it.” That doesn’t sound so bad. She sighed and let Odo take her to the cell. 

2 weeks was a long time when you had nothing to do. Julian and O’Brien would visit her everyday and tell her how badass that was. Kira said whenever Quark lifted the ban she would buy her a drink. Rom and Leeta even visited her. The last person she expected to visit her walked through the door on the last day she was being held.

She glared at him. “Why are you here?” She asked. He sighed, “I want you to know that I’m not gonna press charges or ban you from the bar.” He told her. She looked very confused by this information. “Why’s that?” She asked. “I haven’t been the nicest to you and even though I have traditions I’m gonna be nice and not charge you.” She wanted to laugh in his face. He was being nice? That was the first! She just stared at him, tears lining her eyes.

He was truly the last person she wanted to see. She didn’t say anything, Not a thank you or anything as he nodded and left. She had hoped that would be the last time she would say anything to him. But it seemed that the universe didn’t want that. Nearly a year later she stood as Odo told her that nothing mattered anymore, not even their relationship. All of Starfleet besides her was off the station thanks to the Dominion. She was a spy for Starfleet durings these times and Odo was supposed to help them but he was too distracted by the founders and his changeling friend that was clearly manipulating him and he’s given in.

She let the tears fall as she ran away from him. Odo and her found each other through the pity of being in love with someone who doesn’t love them back. It was supposed to be just sex but a few months into it that changed. But now all of that was gone and she found herself crying in Quark’s bar. She stood as she watched him finish closing the bar. She let out a sob that caught his attention. He turned to see her and frankly he was shocked.

He knew that she was with Odo and even though that killed him, he couldn’t do much. But that last thing he expected was to see her in the bar as he closed it in tears. He walked towards her, “What’s wrong?” He asked. He sounded concerned and he truly was. She shook her head as the tears flowed. “Y/N-” But she cut him off with her lips. His eyes widened for a moment but he kissed her back. The kiss was passionate and built up from all the emotions they have felt towards each other. She pulled away from the kiss, breathing hard.

“I love you Quark. I love you so much but I know you don’t feel the same.” She said in a whisper and went to walk away but his hand caught her arm. In a second he pulled her back in for a kiss. She laughed in the kiss through the tears and Quark smiled. “I love you so much. I always have.” He told her in a soft voice. Their lips locked again and the both of them got on their knees kissing on the bar floor. They were really about to have sex on the floor. 

Y/N woke to people knocking on the door of the bar wanting it opened. Quark was asleep in her arms, head on her chest. “Quark.” She says and tries to wake him but of course he was in a deep sleep. She sighed and touched his lobes, “Ooo that feels nice.” He nearly moans. “QUARK!” She yells and he jumps up.

He looks around the bar and realizes what happened. “The bar. Shit I have to open it.” He says and gets up. He quickly adjusted himself before trying to get everything set up. Y/N quickly got up and grabbed her clothes for the floor. “Ya know you can stay naked.” He winks at her and she rolls her eyes.

“You’d like that wouldn’t you?” He nods, “You have no idea.” She chuckles and puts her clothes on before he opens the door to let his employees and customers in. Y/N leaves the bar and heads for her quarters. 

The war was over for now and Starfleet was back on the space station. She knew that Dax would be in for a treat once they got to talk. Little did she know that Dax herself had a big surprise. “Worf and I are getting married!” “Quark and I are together!” They both look at each other in surprise. “Wait what?” Dax asked her.

Y/N nodded and took a sip of her drink that Quark made and refused to let her pay for. “What about Odo?” Y/N sighed and began telling her everything. Dax was in shock and she wasn’t sure what shocked her more. “But anyway congrats on you and Worf!” She says and little did she know Quark was cleaning a cup and staring at her with a smile. 

“Okay I know you hate surprises but I had to do this.” Quark told her as he led her into a holosuite that he set up for her. She was wearing a blindfold and a gold dress. Her hair was half updo and she wore red lipstick. Quark sighed and told her she could remove it. She did and gasped. She looked around for a moment and smiled. He programmed it to look like a beautiful dark and sexy ballroom.

“Quark, this is beautiful.” She says and walks around the place. “I’m glad you like it.” He tells her and tells the computer to add to the program. She watched as a table with a white cloth appeared and a bottle of champagne appeared with two glasses. She looked at him and he motioned to the table and they went and sat. “Champagne? What’s the occasion?” She asked. He shrugged and poured the drink in the glasses, “Oh you know I have a little something planned.” He said and she smiled. “What’s that?” She asked, eager to know.

He cleared his throat and stood up. “With the war over and everything being back to normal and us finally being together, I just want to say that I love you and I am happy that you have accepted me.” He tells her and she smiles. “I love you too, Quark.” She says and he moves from his seat and asks her to stand up. She does and he gets on one knee.

She gasps and she wasn’t sure if it was from him proposing or the fact that he was on one knee. He pulls out a box from his suit and opens it. The ring was beautiful and shiny. “Quark.” She whispered. “Will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife?” He asked her and she smiled and nodded.

“Yes.” She said and he got up and she kissed him. He kissed back and pulled her closer. She giggled against his lips and pulled away. He took the ring from the box and placed it on her finger. “It’s beautiful, Quark.” She told him. “It costs a lot of golden latium.” He said and she squealed and hugged him.

[walkingstackofbooks]

DS9 5x07 Let He Who Is Without Sin thoughts (I’m re-watching, so beware spoilers for future episodes!) [14 Sept ‘23]

Odo and Sisko ribbing Jadzia about her sex life XD

It's so cute that Worf still calls her "Commander" around others.

Hmmm, I was firmly against Worf last time - and I still don't like his whole thing against Boday - but also Jadzia is pretty disrespectful to what he wants, immediately telling people after Worf says it's a private matter.

"Have you ever noticed all the stars look the same?" I love Leeta so much, I can't wait to see more of her when she and Rom pick up.

"What's jamaharon?" "I'll show you later." XD that look!

Their "casual" outfits! Oh, 90s fashion crimes... I miss you

"Aren't you uncomfortable in your uniform?" I mean uniforms and not having to decide what to wear are The Best. (And also I am very much on the autistic Worf headcanon and can imagine uniform gives him a sense of comfort in a very uncomfortable environment.)

Worf! That was Very Romantic! I did not expect you to compare Jadzia to a nebula, ngl.

As much as I think Jadzia should be allowed to reconnect with a friend without Worf's jealousy, she's also not very considerate of his feelings. Blagh.

I actually kind of like this episode more now that I'm not just anti-Worf? I do wish Jadzia was allowed to just be the single, flirtatious woman - or polyamorous, flirtatious woman - she was meant to be, though.

Worf's scowl upon finding his "bathing suit" is Very Justified.

Worf's dumbfoundment at Leeta not being with Dr Bashir is hilarious. I do still like messing with his sense of what is "right" and "wrong".

Ugh, this man wants to paint himself as a "victim", doesn't he... "I can only imagine what you must think of me." Yeah, no, it's not that people hate you because you know some secret "truth" they don't want to hear, but because you're an awful, paternalistic, condescending killjoy.

"I may be wrong, but didn't he just insult us?" I love Julian.

Boy, do I want Jadzia or Julian to stand up and speak about their experiences with the Klingons or Dominion that he couldn't begin to understand.

"You two dishonour each other with your actions!" "You mean... We didn't tell you why we came here." Actually hilarious, Julian, how?

"I hope we proved our point." You wouldn't have if Worf hadn't stopped Jadzia attacking back, you'd be on the ground.

"I did not say you were doing anything wrong. It's just that some of your behaviour-" Aghhhh, I actually hate understanding Worf because this speech is awful but also it's coming out wrong. What he *wants* to say is he's feeling hurt by her disregard for his feelings but he can't put it like that.

And what he actually says IS awful - "At times, your are too impulsive. You act without thinking. You have no self-control." - because HE'S just as impulsive as her, and in ways that have actually hurt him and Starfleet - look back to his trial!! His fight with the Jem-Hadar when working together on the Defiant! He cannot stay himself when it is his Klingon pride at stake.

And Jadzia is rightfully hurt by these words, and how Worf has generally been acting, because if he meant it the way it sounds it would really not be great of him! I hated him the last timei watched this, and I really wasn't expecting that to change!

"Jadzia you are my par'machai... and everything you do reflects on me." That was not how that sentence was supposed to end 😅

I hate it but I'm actually liking this episode quite a bit - it's the classic miscommunication trope, but genuinely not from lack of trying on Worf's part, simply from lack of ability.

Leeta's so vicious in smashing the dish!

Quark is so hopeful with Leeta's revelation that he might see some of those "fireworks" he was taking about... xD

Hmm, not so sure even the Bajoran ceremony quite makes one ready for that sort of honesty, quite so soon, Leeta...

Worf calling her "Dax" as he spots her with Arandis. Seeing her as the symbiont and Curzon, not Jadzia.

Ugh, "you're too much work". Why did you have to say that? Though I guess if the situation was reversed and it was Jadzia saying it, I'd just take it as good natured teasing...

"What I want is Worf." "Why?!" "Because he has the courage of a beserker cat and he has the heart of a poet." "And the brain of a pigheaded idiot." "Yeah, sometimes." She says that last sometimes so fondly though... maybe if she loves him that bad she does jut need to put more effort in... (Also loving 'beserker cat' rather than simply 'beserker' or 'beserker warrior' XD)

"Maybe we have forgotten how to deal with adversity." Maybe the point of having a civilization where adversity is rare is making the most of happiness? And maybe those who do face adversity - like the Starfleet staff - deserve a fucking vacation? Most people on Risa are on holiday - they have jobs and other life stresses, even in automated space communism utopia. I think Fullerton is probably the one who needs a little experience of *true* adversity. -_-

Last time Worf's story made me go "booo, a little not of tragedy doesn't mean you're allowed to be a massive misogynist." But actually, Jadzia is right, it does explain a lot. And I do give most of the other characters some slack in the misogyny area given they were written in the 90s...

"Or at least get out of this room." "... Very well." Fullerton actually sounds disappointed to be asked to leave the room that's about to collapse. Oh god, he wants to be a martyr, doesn't he? 🙃

"I will do as I please." *throws him across the room* FRICKING IMPULSE RESTRAINT WHAT, WORF?

"I am on holiday." I'm glad that amused you, Jadzia, but what?!

"I better go find Bashir. He brought a horga'hn down to breakfast and that's the last I saw of him." Quark looking out for Julian is not something I realised was a thing? But that definitely sounded a little like concern. (Unless it's a hope he can join in, I guess... 😅) (Was not expecting to get on the Quark/Julian train either but if there was a time when it was going to happen...)

Huh, the worst thing this time was actually not Worf, but Julian and Quark objectifying Jadzia... and at least on Julian's part, I think it was in jest, given I don't think she was being her best self at that time?

Alright, well - for all that people hate that episode, which had included me… I enjoyed that, genuinely! Surprises never cease...

[ds9jack]

My Intro Post!!

Hi Welcome to my blog I'm insane abt Jack and Julian. Learn more about me under the cut

My name is Jack, but you can call me whatever else you feel like. I go by he/him. I have autism, so if I accidentally encroach on a social rule, give me some grace and make me aware.

Most of my art is centered around my favorite ship Jackshir. I fucking love Jackshir. I'm also a really big fan of Rom/Leeta, Garashir, Spirk (who isn't), Chahura, Lon/Tuvok, Quark/Odo, Geordi/Data, Mariner/Jennifer etcetera. I LOVE GAY STAR TREK PAIRINGS!!

I started watching Star Trek in 2021, and in that time I've finished these series:

The Original Series

The Next Generation

Deep Space 9

Lower Decks

I'm currently on season 5 of Voyager.

I also like:

Repo! The Genetic Opera

Revolutionary Girl Utena

House MD

Scott Pilgrim

Heathers

Death Note

Spore (the game)

Sims 4

Moths

Doll collecting

Plague history/plague doctors

Astrophysics

Biochemistry

Genetics

I'm not 100% on all of these so even though I really like them I might mess up some stuff sometimes okay Okay

Jack is my favorite character, I think he's really underappreciated, so here's a section in my about me dedicated to him and why I like him. I related to Jack heavily, I see a lot of my traits reflected in him and find comfort seeing a character similar to me. A central part to what makes a character likeable is seeing emotional similarities in them, allowing for catharsis in the viewer. I find these similarities in Jack. He's a good place for me to place my more irrational thoughts, into a little contained pod of a character. I've been focused on Jack since about February 2022. In this time I've watched Statistical Probabilities and Chrysalis over 100 times combined, read nearly every fanfiction involving the members of the Jack Pack, and read every official novel/short story containing them with the exception of the Typhon Pact books past the first and the Section 31 novels. I've also photo-scanned the pages of the DS9 Companion and the DS9 Technical handbook pertaining to the Jack Pack. My sketchbook is full of portrait art of Jack. My inner voice sounds like Jack most of the time. Not only do I find emotional catharsis (also the name of a song I heavily associate with Jack btw) in Jack, I also find him a motivating character for me. Whenever I feel like not doing work or self-improvement, I think about Jack and I find a new eagerness to power through whatever I might be hung up on. I also find a sense of confidence from him. Since I view genetic engineering (in the episode of Statistical Probabilities and Chrysalis at the very least) as an allegory for autism, when Jack talks about finding pride in his genetic identity I can draw a sort of pride in my autism from that as well. Jack isn't just a charaxcter to me but a part of my soul. Okay

Okay, thank you for reading! If you want some of my other socials, I have a Twitter, and my own personal website. My Discord is Jack.scr

[udaberriwrites]

Fic Writer Self Rec

Fic authors self-rec! ✨ When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you’ve written, then pass on to at least five other writers ❤️

Oooh, a chance to ramble about my fics, I see, well let's do this! Thank you, @sliebman10!

Let's tag... @mikaharuka , @alpaca-clouds , @thememoryofthatday , @sapphosewrites , @axolotlsupremacyowo , @0nelittlebirdtoldme , @kayedium-writes and @tsunderewatermelon !

Ok, ok, so... as usual, I'm going to be jumping around, because you guys know how my attention span can be xD

1. Life is a Rollercoaster; or Tao Xu's Fight Against the Big Butterfly of Doom (Heartstopper | 11.1k | Fluff, Humor, Time Travel)

Tao got the chance to go back in time and undo his worst mistake. Tao prevented Charlie from being outed or bullied. Tao changed things enough that, the second time around, Charlie didn't get assigned the seat next to Nick Nelson in form.

…Fuck.

Or: the Butterfly Effect sucks, and if Tao has to take desperate measures to ensure his friend's happiness, he will. He draws the line at Iron Man 2 though, someone has to keep some standards around here.

I binged the show and immediately got the urge to write something for it, but I didn't expect it to blow up as it did! I had fun with this one, and the readers were super nice and encouraging, plus sharing this one is what led me to eventually meet @mikaharuka as we rambled over our fics, so for that alone it's always going to have a special significance for me 😁

2. Neither Grief Nor Glory (TSOA/Hades | 7.6k | Angst, Smut)

Dying had been a relief, but death is turning into its own kind of torment.

Dying was just the beginning. Achilles' journey back to Patroclus is a long and twisted one. Along the way he'll have to confront his unaddressed grief, face his many regrets and learn to truly become a man worthy of Patroclus' unconditional love.

But like all journeys, eventually he'll reach his safe harbor.

My first yuletide! This one took months and a couple of minor breakdowns, but the end result is something I am very proud of, both in terms of the prose and the worldbuilding. And my giftee left the loveliest comment ☺️

3. All That Matters (Asterix the Gaul | 2.6k | Character Study, Queerplatonic Relationships)

Asterix has always felt different, but he has Obelix, and that is usually enough. Everybody else has questions, however, and he grows tired of answering.

"He wants to shout, even if he still doesn't know what he wants to say, even if he knows that if he lets his frustration take hold of his tongue, he will regret the harm he will cause."

This was... very, very cathartic to write. I remember rewriting sections of this so often, and I am humbled by the response it had. It was a very validating experience.

4. Life is a Flower, Love is the Honey (Deep Space Nine | 9.5k | Romance and Fluff)

“I don’t think Julian would like that,” Leeta said, without pausing to think about it, but… “We could ask him,” Rom had replied. And wasn’t that an interesting idea?

(A self-indulgent, mostly Rom-centric, Julian/Leeta/Rom fic because I was re-watching ‘Bar Association’ and this happened. I have no regrets.)

The one that brought me back into writing, after several years of hiatus... and the one that gave me confidence to push on, even if I nearly backed out due to it featuring a strange rarepair. This story is always going to be special for me <3

4. When You Speak, I Hear Silence (Deep Space Nine | 1.8k | Friendship)

Terok Nor is no more, and strange new aliens are coming to the newly named Deep Space Nine. Nog doesn't expect life to change; but then he finds a friend, who gives him the greatest gift he will ever receive.

If there's a fic where I wouldn't change a single word or a moment of the writing process, it has to be this one. I'm so glad I didn't go with my initial idea, because this version with Jake&Nog just made things click for me ^_^

[a-stitch-in-time-and-space]

"Dad," Jake begins, shuffling a bit from foot to foot.

Uh-no, he thinks. He can pinpoint how worried Jake is by the mixture of movement, tone of his voice, and inability to look him in the eye. Did someone die?!

"Yes Jake," he says, giving him his full attention -- earnest and soft.

"Dad, I... have something to tell you... um... and you can't get mad about it or weird about it. And you can't interrupt until I've finished telling you, okay?"

"Sure."

Another second. Two. "Dad I've been dating-"

"But that's great news Jake," he says, relief no-doubt visible on every inch of his face. "Why would I be anything but happy for you?"

"Dad!" Jake interrupts. "I'm dating Nog. And have been for awhile..."

That makes him pause for a second. Okay, Nog. Makes sense. They've been inseparable since Jake first arrived on the station.

"Why didn't you tell me before? I might have opinions about his uncle on occasion, but that's nothing to do with him. He's a fine Officer, bright, loyal, brave-" as he speaks he warms to the whole thing more and more. A few years ago he might have had his doubts, but... and sure, he'll invite Rom and Leeta around, which means having to invite Quark around, but it's a small price to pay. Overall a good family, good people, and some people who grow on you if you're on a space station with them for years on end.

Jake clears his throat. "I also... am dating... Ziyal."

He stops dead in his tracks.

"Tora Ziyal?"

Jake nods. "Do we know another Ziyal?"

"Dukat's daughter?"

Jake frowns. "Dad, I said you couldn't do anything until I was finished."

Ben's own frown mirrors his son's, but he breaks it to hold up his hands. "Alright, alright. You're dating Nog and Ziyal. I'm sure Commander Kira will be happy about it."

Yeah. Yeah, okay. Dukat's daughter, but hasn't he long abdicated the right to come calling for in-law heart to hearts? Ben certainly won't be busting out the real peppers for him if he ever does mysteriously find out, but Kira has been Ziyal's default parent for awhile now and is naturally always welcome - and Ziyal herself is an up-and-coming artist, lots of groundbreaking work being platformed on Bajoran-Cardassian identity, explains why Jake's been writing so much on the subject for awhile now. Kira has every right to be proud, and even though the Dukat thing niggles in the back of Ben's mind, he's sure he can put it aside for hers and Jake's sake.

Ah, and Elim Garak would have to be invited too, come to think about it... he'll have to think about that one, but at least it'll make for an interesting dinner at this point.

"And Ezri."

"What about Dax?" Ben asks, jolted out of meal-and-seating-planning (well obviously Kira and Quark can't be seated next to each other and he doesn't trust Garak next to Rom, and he thinks Leeta and Ziyal might get on well)--

"I'm also dating Ezri. Well, it's early days, we're still... but I asked if I could tell you and she said yes, but she didn't want to be here when I did. I think Dax- uh, Worm-Dax that is, isn't sure how you'll feel about it, because you've known each other for a long time. But. Ezri's her own woman, you know."

He says the last part very seriously, like he's expecting disapproval, but Ben's not halfway through processing the first part, when the second part belatedly careens into him... "Dax?" he says, a little strangled.

Jake shrugs. "Ezri said if you could keep Jadzia and Curzon out of it, that would be great." A pause. "Especially Curzon. I know there's some memories or... but. I mean, if Dax accepts it then everyone should!"

He bites his lip a little, like he used to when he was much younger and was worried he'd gone too far with something or other.

"Dax..." Ben says faintly. And under his breath: "oh the trill-commission are going to love this..."

"We haven't broken any laws," Jake says, defiantly.

Ben puts a comforting hand on his shoulder. "A four-person interspecies romance? Oh, I'm sure you are."

Then pulls him into a hug, and adds: "the variation on cuisine and custom within a single meal will be an interesting experience for us all though. I think I know how I can make it work..."

Jake laughs, relieved, and hugs him back as he continues to talk.

*

*The big problems don't start until the wedding planning several years later... meal prep really is the least of it.

Jake and Ziyal: softTM, bond over shared sad-mother stories, being young civilians during wartime, art, both of them are connected to Bajor - bonus points that dukat and sisko would be in-laws

Jake and Nog: friends to married, ultimate tol and smol, worried Jake when Nog’s away, long-distant relationship, they already know they can live together - bonus points quark and sisko would be in-laws

Jake and Ezri: their brief interactions were Good Chemistry, he’d help her find her bearings as Ezri, so supportive, they’ve both come off age pretty similarly, soft beans, bonus points sisko and the worm would be confused as heck 

[fictionkinfessions]

me, a noncanon romulan who petitioned the federation for asylum from the empire and lived on ds9: welp. good thing i don’t bother looking for canonmates, because the likelihood anyone would remember my gay little ass is Fucking Abysmal.

still, though — i hope nog, quark, rom, and leeta are doing well, regardless of whether or not they’re from my timeline. they were my family, and i love ‘em all to bits. hugs for all of you <3

🌷

[holodeckprotocols]

really forgot how badly ds9 treated leeta for most of the show. it’s tough to watch! we just got to doctor bashir, i presume which is obviously a big Ugh Of An Episode (TM) for several reasons, but i forgot how vile dr. zimmerman was to leeta, and it was just treated as some kind of amusing b-plot! and to think she was going to leave with him! and quark is extra misogynist for no good reason! and then she’s naked, randomly! wretched! bad!!!!

[quarkslobes]

deep space 9!

ok here we go:

blorbo (favorite character, character I think about the most)

it used to be odo but now by far sisko, mainly because the benny russell plotline is my absolute favorite star trek plot ever. is he sisko or benny.... if he ascended to the prophets or whatever did he create benny?? if benny russell was a real author in strange new worlds... what does that mean. "you are the dreamer and the dream" is rotating in my microwave brain constantly. odo is still my emo repressed babygirl though.

scrunkly (my “baby”, character that gives me cuteness aggression, character that is So Shaped)

if couples count, worf and jadzia. yes they can and have gotten away with murder yes i still want to put them in a little jar on my desk. they're legitimately one of the best written tv couples ever. worf is the wife and jadzia is the husband though

scrimblo bimblo (underrated/underappreciated fave)

damar, im not saying hes a good person or anything but his arc was so interesting to me and he did have his very good moments at the end

glup shitto (obscure fave, character that can appear in the background for 0.2 seconds and I won’t shut up about it for a week)

rom and leeta. roms development was also SO good and leeta is the cutest side character ever i love her. like star trek does not get better than wimpy alien man finding his passion for engineering and falling in love with his hooters waitress wife who helps him form a union. that was peak cinema

poor little meow meow (“problematic��/unpopular/controversial/otherwise pathetic fave)

i cant think of a character that's necessarily unpopular... maybe lwaxana?? i know she was like a minor villain in tng but i loved her in that ep where she hung out with alexander, and her friendship with odo later on in the show was actually super cute to me. she is a queen idc what tng says. headcanon she's still like alexanders cool aunt and worf is very tired.

also near the end... kai winn?? i do not like her or think she was a good person at all but i did feel bad for her for maybe two seconds near the end. i dont know she spent her life wanting to talk to god only for some alien guy to become emissary so while shes evil and i hate her i kinda have pity for her so shes my meow meow idk

horse plinko (character I would torment for fun, for whatever reason)

dukat for sure. i would drop dukat in hot soup. definitely the best written star trek villain though and marc alaimo is such a good actor, every time i watch a dukat ep im like how does alaimo act so well that i genuinely hate this man with a passion

eeby deeby (character I would send to superhell)

kai winn. i know i just said shes my meow meow but i hate her i hate her. same thing with marc alaimo though, louise fletcher was such a good actor that for 45 minutes i hated her like she was real dude

[astrangergivingthestrangewelcome]

Oh second thought if I'm Dr. Julian Bashir. And I start dating Leeta and she asks to borrow Kukalaka bc he's cute and I give it to her even though I absolutely don't want to that's my bear Leeta bc I'm a ball of insecurity and just want to do the things that will keep me in a relationship, any relationship. And then she breaks up with anyway and I think maybe for once I can be ok about bc it's not like I was feeling like she was the love of my life anyway and sure yeah we can be friends with our exes I am Paragon of Healthy Romantic Relationships ha HA. but actually she broke up with me for Rom and like 3 months later they're engaged to be married and I'm still """"""dating Julian Bashir"""""""". Oh my god I'm not as good as Rom I can't keep a partner but ROM can I'm fundamentally wrong everyone will find love but me I'm going to die alone. And before I can bring up Kukalaka I head out to this medical conference which should help distract me right except no I'm kidnapped. and in prison for over a month and in the meantime there's a changeling on the station and it's like well what if Leeta DID offer to return Kukalaka to the changeling and he said no. Finding out would require bringing up to Leeta the time I was replaced and none of my friends noticed which sends me into a ✨spiral✨. So yes of course the most reasonable thing to do is to pay two teenagers to break and enter into her house with illicit medical supplies that are at least a little dangerous. What would you have done???

[nostalgia-tblr]

ds9: bar association

Does 'Bar Association' count as a Ferengi episode and if so is it the best one? It is the one where Rom leads his fellow employees out on strike, leading to violence and mayhem and Leeta falling in love with him. And they win the strike! (Technically they dissolve the union but they do get all their demands met.) Worf crossed the picket-line though! D: I am so disappoint! I thought you were an honourable man, Worf! Morn did too but he's Morn he has literally nothing else to do on this show except sit at the bar and be a running gag.

And Vulcans are too ethical to cross picket-lines! Canonical fact now! And no shock to anyone that Miles Proletarian O'Brien is descended from striking miners. He has the luck of the working-class, after all. "He was more than a hero, he was a union man," he says of his murdered ancestor. I think Rom a bit loves him now. Certainly Rom has got a job with him now, so clearly I am right about that.

Other things that happened were that Worf and Jadzia clearly fancy each other now, and Worf has moved onto the Defiant to live alone away from other people and that's quite a big mood.

9/5 would unionise again.

[vonkarma2]

deep space 9 for the show ask? (i have not seen ds9 but i still enjoy reading ur thoughts on it)

favorite male character: I think I’m going to say Jake Sisko but Bashir (yeah yeah I know he’s annoying and all which is true but 1) That makes him funny 2) he’s also representation for people who own plushies) and Ben Sisko are close. I like a lot of them though I like Rom, Quark, O’Brien, Odo if you count him as male… Damar even though he’s overrated as all hell. So is Weyoun but at least he was gay. And purple

favorite female character: For main characters I think I’m still going to say Kira even though I feel like they ran out of things for her to do for a while, her whole backstory is very interesting + sympathetic and it’s crazy how they portrayed her as such when just a few years later people would have lost their minds yk. Also she’s a lesbian and all etc etc and her oh outfit and haircut were cool and I really liked her personality. For side characters Lwaxana Troi I loved the fake marriage with Odo episode 

least favorite character: besides like the irrelevant boring ones like shakaar bareil eddington etc… I dislike the way they wrote Kai Winn towards the very end I feel like she would have been a better character with more nuance considering everything she went through during the occupation. I dislike the way the Pah-Wraiths subplot ended up being handled in general tbh like it’s not 100% bad but I don’t think they ended up building it up as as much of a threat/as interesting as the dominion so it felt kinda anticlimactic and black and white/contrived in nature. Especially since only Sisko was really involved with it out of the main cast. Don’t get me wrong I think being the emissary is a very interesting part of his character, but there’s not much that interested me abt the plot other than that and that made it feel small and self contained rather than the huge scale of the dominion conflict. Sorry that got off track.  Also I hate Sloan for being boring and for being in the CIA. As a person rather than like as a character it’s Gul Dukat and it’s not even close  

prettiest character: hmmm it’s close but I have to say Ezri. Wait I take it back it’s Leeta

funniest character: this one’s even more difficult… weyoun and quark are contenders… Sisko sleeper candidate for #1 but even then it’s hard to say. I think everyone has really funny moments at times. I’m going to say Dukat  (< even though some things he did were fucked up not in a funny way. But overall he’s just so deranged and out of touch with reality it’s really funny to watch a lot of the time)

favorite season: seasons 5 and 6 were fire I think I’m going to go with 6 though it was amazing lots of great episodes 

favorite episode: Rapture is my favorite (Dr Bashir I Presume being second) it’s so good literally look at this 

my third place is take me out to the holosuite fourth is in the cards and fifth is just the scenes where Odo had the baby changeling that one time that was so cute. I do hate Dr. Mora though I feel like it’s disengenuous to characterize him as completely sadistic and evil bc yk he was a bajoran living under the occupation and he had no idea what the nature of the sample was at first but he still fucking sucked he was such an asshole me when I refuse to admit I was wrong and don’t ever change or take others’ feelings or experiences into consideration or apologize for physically harming my liquid son. + I feel like the show was way too willing to present him as right when a lot of the time he just was not 

favorite romantic ship: I wasn’t on board with Kira/Odo at first at ALL but I was kinda sold on it eventually, although I do have some problems with its execution (mainly I don’t think they focus on Kira’s feelings and perspective nearly enough I really loved the episodes leading up to them getting together. Actually I take it back I still think in concept it is pretty sweet but a lot of what they did with it in execution was not it to me, what I like abt it in the actual show is more abt what it said abt or contributed to or whatever to Odo’s character, it really didn’t add much to Kira’s in my opinion which is very sad bc she was my favorite character in the earlier seasons. So I guess that leaves Lenara and Jadzia as my favorite. I might be biased for obvious reasons but I genuinely really liked their relationship, like the way it was written and acted during the episode. Ofc it only had to last 1 episode so it wasn’t the most in depth or anything but I really enjoyed watching it. Idk if it should be #1 though. Jadzia and Worf were pretty hit or miss, Miles and Keiko I actually liked but they were kinda dragged down by shitty writing on occasion. Sisko and Kasidy I like but I wouldn’t say theyre my favorite I feel like they didn’t have that good of episodes together, like they did have some but there weren’t that many times when they were on the same side which is a shame (and they have the same thing as Kira/Odo where they don’t focus on her perspective enough in my opinion but it’s to a lesser extent). Kasidy was based for helping the Maquis though. Non canon ones I don’t see a lot of evidence for so I’m not including them (like I’m not against them I can see all of them but I don’t think that in the actual universe of the show they are romantic in nature. Well romantic and reciprocal at least Garak was definitely into Julian at least initially). Ok I guess I’m going to say Miles and Keiko whatever whatever they were cute ok I don’t care what people say I liked them. I liked them in Time’s Orphan and the badminton or raquetball or whatever it was episode.

favorite family ship: do I even have to say it Jake and Ben Sisko <33 their relationship was like my favorite part of the show since s1. I haven’t talked abt Worf in this whole post so I’m going to talk about him here, I think it’s funny how he did not parent his son whatsoever. That’s mean I’ve only said negative things abt him on this post I like him. The episode where Jadzia almost fucking died was good and the one where he was babysitting Kirayoshi was also good. The one with like his brother or whatever was bad though

favorite friend ship: julian and miles aren’t my favorite but honorable mention for their strangely gay moments that was great always loved to see it on screen. I like them all it’s so hard to pick just one. Kira and Dax was probably my favorite though I loved like all their conversations and whenever they would just like hang out. They were also kinda gay as well like that holosuite scene

^although ofc I strongly disagree with the she doesn’t swing that way part. I’m referencing homosexuality too many times I swear that’s not the only or main reason I like this show the plot is really good 

worst ship: I’ve talked abt this before many times so not to beat a dead horse but Garak and Ziyal makes me cringe he’s so much older than her its so awkward not to mention it’s completely out of character. Jake/Ziyal should’ve happened instead it would have been so cute. I know I just undermined this man’s credibility but he was right to regret this

Also Ezri/Worf (ofc that was only for like 1 episode) and Ezri/Bashir made me very uncomfortable I watched their scenes like this 😐 it sucked that they retconned him being over Jadzia too like I actually really appreciated the way he moved on initially 

[autisticburnham]

Profit and Lace

Literally the only reason I'm not skipping this episode is bc on Women at Warp's episode abt transness in Trek, one of the guests said the way Rom pays attention to gender presentation stuff like how to move your hips when you walk gives credence to a genderqueer Rom reading

Why do I just know this is leading up to Quark harassing this girl?

Jesus christ

Honey, please tell Benjamin about this and have him kill Quark

Isn't Leck the assassin? Why does Rom still talk to him?

Oh, Ishka. You're usually a fashion icon, but I hate this look

Actually, now that we've got a close up, I love all the rainbows. I still hate the boob outline though

Gross. The women should have rioted and one of them depose Zek. Oh my god, Pel should have come back and deposed Zek. Much less transphobic crossdressing

When I was rewatching Enterprise I went to Memory Beta to see if there was any info about the slug (named Sluggo) that Hoshi introduced to an alien planet to see if there was any environmental consequences, and it wasn't there. But what was there was the history of Sluggo, the founder of Slug-o-cola and it reads like a gay tragedy. He bought a house with his business partner and they raised cats together but then he betrayed him to make more money

Nobody cares about you because you're a self-centered, misogynistic, asshole, Quark

I do love when Julian gets bitchy on behalf of his patients

They really should have brought Pel back

Quark's outfit looks like about three pride flags threw up on him

Granted, I haven't done much research into top surgery, but I don't think it should affect your hormones this much, especially when you can turn into a Klingon with no problems in this universe

Sorry, Women at Warp contributer whose name I've forgotten, while I do like this episode, it doesn't come close to redeeming this episode

Love that Leeta loves it. Rom's nonbinary and he and Leeta are t4t

Oh!

Nog, your dad's gnf af

Rom, please start wearing a Bajoran earring

Slug-o-cola for her

I realize they had Quark harass that Dabo girl at the beginning so they could turn the tables on him, but it's still gross

Truly the worst thing about this episode is the knowledge that the writers wanted the assault to be portrayed as more comedic and Siddig's the only reason it's as serious as it is and that Armin fought against some of the sexist stereotypes in the script

Wish we could get the gay Quark rights without the transphobia

He tried to rape you, Quark

Wish we could get the quodo rights without the sexism and transphobia

Damn, didn't realize this chick was trying to fuck Quark in exchange for a raise

It is cool that they touch on the idea that oppression has an economic factor and that horrificly, they best way to get better legal rights is to appeal to rich assholes, but they should have leaned way harder into that instead of "man in a dress" and sexual assault jokes

I'll take Move Along Home over this any day. 1/10

[walkingstackofbooks]

DS9 3x25 Facets thoughts (I’m re-watching, so beware spoilers for future episodes!)

(06/06/2023)

I love Nog's determination to join Starfleet, he really is putting his all into it, and good for him.

"Why can't you take after your friend here? He knows enough to stay out of Starfleet. Even a human can see that there are a lot more profitable opportunities out there for a young man with ambition." "Uncle, he wants to be a writer. There's no profit in that." XD yep Quark's argument definitely backfired there - surely he knows humans work for enjoyment, not profit!

"I've noticed they've [Jadzia and Leeta] been spending quite a bit of time together." Oh I can really see them being excellent friends, I wanna read more about Leeta&Jadzia...

Oh I've just realised what episode this is - hell yeah! Definitely looking forward to seeing this again!

"If you don't mind... I'd like to borrow your bodies for a few hours." I'm sure they've all heard of stranger things, but also That is Quite The Request to just come out with. 

Leeta being the one person super informed about the Trill is everything - and Julian looks at her so admiringly, it's sweet :3

The way Kira says yes is somehow so intimate, I can't with the way she smiles at Jadzia.

Ughh, I HATE oomax being used to force Quark into doing things, at any time, it's just gross - but especially here, when he's being asked to do something uncomfortable with his body but is expected to agree straight away without being given thinking time.

The special effects are so weird - the memories glow?

"I was one of the first women to serve as a council member. When I started out, I talked with my hands a lot. Lots of emphatic gesturing. I discovered some of my male colleagues were imitating of me, so I started to do this." It's always strange but interesting to see alien societies have the exact same problems as Earth - though for Trill, this was in the mid-late 2100s, so (god I hope!) long after women were treated equally on Earth. I'm curious now about how Trill society treated joined women whose symbionts had lived in male hosts, or if they once had a strict gender binary that meant symbionts were only passed down in same-gender lines? 

"It's so strange. It's like you really are Lela." Actually I had completely forgotten it was Kira's body too - Nana Visitor is an incredible actress!

I love how tenderly Shimerman is acting as Audrid - he isn't playing this for laughs.

I cannot take Torias' American accent seriously I'm sorry XD I can't tell if it's believable or not but at the very least it sounds wrong coming out of Julian's mouth!

The music and Sisko's soft voice... Chills

"I think that's enough of Joran for now." And you just believed him, Jadzia? That didn't even SOUND like Sisko!

I do love it when there's a scene and someone's head just pokes around a corner. 

Rom's bumbling about is very endearing no matter what Quark says

Rom ordering a uniform! So cute!

Odo kissing Quark on the forehead! Odo saying "Did I ever mention you're a magnificent scoundrel?" WELL THEN

This Curzon/Odo thing is quite a lot of fun though. 

"He's right, you know. And it's not fair. Starfleet has no idea who it's passing up. Nog, you would have made a good officer." Quark! That's so sweet?

"Yes, but the truth is, I felt sorry for you." FUCK YOU CURZON

QUARK YOU DID WHAT?!!! THAT'S WHY YOU WERE SO NICE TO HIM EARLIER?? YOU'RE THE WORST!!!

"And if you ever do anything to hurt Nog again, I'll burn the bar to the ground." "You wouldn't dare." "Oh yes I would. My son's happiness is more important to me than anything, even latinum." Rom is just so good. (Also, makes me think of when Angelica sings, "I love my sister more than anything in this life, I will choose her happiness over mine, every time!" in Hamilton.)

He's definitely far more Curzon than Odo imo - he's got Odo's mannerisms but Curzon's enjoyment of life and personality.

"You can't intimidate me, Curzon. And I'm not a little girl anymore." YOU TELL HIM, JADZIA

The music.. Are we supposed to feel sorry for Curzon about his revelation he loved her? Because nope. No. 

I love how we get to see Julian and Miles playing darts and Sisko, Kira and Jake having dinner together just cos. That scene could have started with any generic Quark's bar shot but it didn't :3

ROM IS SO SWEET. 

Everyone's fond smiles <3

Nog it's too :3333 "I know I haven't earned the right to wear it yet, but my father got it for me." He's obviously a little uncomfortable knowing he shouldn't be in uniform yet but he still wears it to make his father happy <3

"It just occurred to me. As soon as that kid graduates from the Academy, I'm going to have to call him sir." I love how O'Brien says this with fond amusement.

"What can I get you, Nog?" "A root beer. It's an Earth drink. Something they serve at the Academy." "A root beer. This is the end of Ferengi civilization." Always so dramatic, Quark.