#someone please steal this idea for SPONES

[talshiargirlfriend]

A gesture can have multiple meanings across cultures

“This calls for a drink,” Jonathan declares as he stands to retrieve glasses. “Trip?”

“Two fingers for me, Cap’n,” Trip indicates with a salute of his index and middle fingers.

T’Pol mimics the gesture automatically. Her fingers brush against his, and he stares at her in surprise.

She freezes mid-caress as realization flashes across her face like lightning. Slowly and deliberately she brings her hand down to grip its counterpart in her lap.

The captain turns around and places a glass of whiskey on the table in front of Trip.

“T’Pol?” he prompts.

She blinks and is once again the very picture of composure, “None for me, thanks.”

Jon nods and fills his own glass.

Trip looks down in a vain attempt to conceal his amusement. Oh, he is going to enjoy teasing her about this later.

He has experienced some incredible things over the past few years, including being possessed by a non-corporeal entity, being cloned, meeting his 100 year old son, facing death and resurrection, and even zip-lining from one starship to another at warp speed. Somehow, T’Pol slipping up and kissing him right under the captain’s nose still defies belief.

Thinking of her startled-deer expression and the bronze blush of her cheeks ignites a powerful protective feeling in him.

That they have reached a level of ease where she is so accustomed to casually and habitually expressing her affection for him that she could slip? After all the false starts, miscommunication, and heartbreak, that is perhaps the most remarkable thing of all. He doesn’t take it lightly.

Trip flashes T’Pol a private little smile as he reaches for his glass and turns his head to focus on what Jon is saying.

Her secret’s safe.

He’ll never tell anyone.

As the whiskey burns its way down his throat, he reconsiders slightly.

Maybe he’ll tell their kids one day.