Rockin' Christmas Party Part 3, Forced Honesty

Posted on Sun Feb 9th, 2025 @ 4:06am by Lieutenant JG T'lenn & Ensign Charlotte Dawes & Sub-Lieutenant Osirin Acainus & Lieutenant JG Kasper Andersen M.D & Lieutenant JG Jason Williams III & Ensign Tyler Williams & Ensign Quinn L'khet

1,902 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Happy Holidays
Location: Aft Lounge
Timeline: Christmas Night, after Part 2

On the other side of the lounge, T'lenn and Jason were just getting to the party. "There have been many celebrations for the last several weeks surrounding this holiday. I am surprised that Humans don't grow weary of them," T'lenn commented as she and Jason entered the aft lounge. From her observations, this one seemed a bit more chaotic than the other celebrations she had made appearances at throughout the season.

Jason gave T'lenn a warm grin as he replied. "It is interesting, especially as most of Earth's religions have become less mainstream as they once were, back in the late 21st Century. While there are still observers of the various religions, thankfully, we no longer war with one another about the differences in how one prays." He looked out at the parry, which seemed to be going full-on, then continued to speak.

"This gathering, however, while owing it's origins to the Christian faith, has become an all-encompassing one, where everyone can exchange gifts with everyone else. Now, the difference here, is that no-one knows who their gift is going to be given to." He saw that there was a decorated tree in the corner, that has a sizeable pile of colorful giftboxes under it. "I'll go put ours over there and then be right back. Why don't you go to the bar and grab us a couple drinks?"

"Of course. What shall I order you?" T'lenn asked.

Jason considered the question for a beat, then smiled. "Surprise me, sweetheart." He gave her a quick wink, then moved off to deposit the gifts that they had brought.

T'lenn nodded walked over to the bar, and placed their drink order. They were still being prepared when Jason returned. "I believe I noticed your cousin, Tyler with a group of people he appears to be friendly with," T'lenn stated on his return. "Do you see anyone else you wish to mingle with?" she asked.

The bartender returned with their drinks. T'lenn handed Jason his drink and picked up her glass of springwine - a beverage she had come to appreciate for its low alcohol content.

Jason took the drink, a mojito, and took a sip as he listened. "Let's go hang with Tyler? See if we can broaden our friends base." He gave her a warm smile, full of love, then gently took her hand and led her towards the group in question.

Charlie was explaining to Aya that the "elephant" in the "White Elephant" gift exchange didn't really mean anything at all, and that as far as she new elephants didn't have anything to do with Christmas, but that humans had a few strange expressions like that when Jason and T'lenn approached.

"Hey, Ty!" Jason calked out to his cousin aa they approached.

Relief flooded Tyler's features as there was finally someone there who hadn't been present for his rather intimate embrace with Osirin. Watching Jason walk in with T'lenn, they made a good couple, so Tyler took in a deep breath and walked back over to the group, "Hey Jase, hi T'lenn," giving him a bro hug and her a familial kiss on the cheek, "It's good to see you both."

T'lenn reflexively stiffened slightly at Tyler's kiss, though showed no reaction on her face. She was aware that Tyler had meant no violations that Humans were simply more physically affectionate than Vulcans.

"It is agreeable to see you as well, Tyler," T'lenn replied.

Jason caught the momentary flinch from T'lenn. He gently rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand supportively. He then looked back at Tyler, replying as he looked around the compartment. "This is really a smashing party, Cuz'. Who's idea was it to throw it together?"

Dani interjected herself, popping up on the opposite side of Tyler from Osirin. "I think a couple of different friend groups we both doing similar things tonight, and word started to get out, and we just kind put them together and invited everyone."

"Hi, I'm Dani. I work with T'lenn. You must be Jason," she said extended her hand to Jason. "It's good to see you guys out. I don't see T'lenn much outside of work."

Jason took the offered hand, and spoke it with a polite grin. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Dani." He then glanced briefly at T'lenn, before acting as if he was whispering conspiratorially to Dani, "I'm trying to get her to got out more. Don't scare her off!" He gave Dani a friendly wink, then straightened up, looking over at T'lenn, like the cat who ate the canary. "What?" He asked with a toothy grin.

T'lenn simply raised a singular eyebrow as Dani gasped in reply, "I would never!"

"It is true that Jason has suggested that we socialize with more of our fellow crewmembers," T'lenn agreed.

"Jase, T'lenn, it's been great seeing you both," Tyler stifled something that was like a yawn, "I'm sorry for that. I'll play catch up with you later, I'm going to head back to the bar and then my quarters... not feeling the greatest," he added as cover.

Jason's grin faltered as he moved over to his cousin's side. "You alright? If you're not feeling well, you should head down to Sickbay, let the doc give you a once over."

Tyler waved his cousin off with a grin, "I'll be fine, probably just something I ate, nothing to worry about, really. We'll catch up another time for sure."

Jason gave Tyler a concerned look. Then, after a few beats, he finally replied. "If you're sure. However, if you get worse, you better get checked. Aunt Emily would tan my hide if I let anything happen to you." He grinned, then gave his cousin a hug, before releasing him.

Tyler embraced the hug and then looked at Jason with the matching Williams grin, "I promise I won't tell ma if you don't." He then gave Jason a wink to throw him off, and left the party once he'd been to the bar for those extra bottles.

Kash noticed Tyler duck out of the party without Osirin and after swallowing his nerves he decided to approach Osirin and attempt a conversation.

"So..." Kash began somewhat awkwardly. "Everything okay? Do you like your assignment here?"

"Kash," the Akadian responded all smiles, not feeling nearly as awkward as the Andorian, or nearly as awkward as he should. "I'm doing great. I love it here so far. It's good to see you here."

"What about you? How do you like it here?"

"Yeah. I'm in the Bridge rotation fairly often, which I didn't expect so soon out of the Academy," Kash replied casually, and with a half shrug. Truth was he was thrilled to have been given so many opportunities, felt an inexplicable need to temper his eagerness with his ex-lover.

"I never would have thought I'd see you here," Kash finally admitted, despite the two crossing paths at a similar party almost two months earlier.

"Maybe we could go out for drinks, sometime. You know, just the two of us. Talk about old times. What do you think?"

Despite himself Kash felt himself blushing his cheeks flushing a deeper shade of blue momentarily. "I'd like that actually. I wasn't sure you'd want to. And you and Tyler. I don't want to get in the way..."

"You won't be. Not yet anyway," Osirin said. "I'm still trying to navigate this new Federation culture."

Kash smiled warmly, "That may take a while. It's hard to say there is a 'Federation Culture.' There are a lot of different cultures in the Federation, some are more similar than others. And a lot of people who spend a long time in Starfleet may consider themselves having taken on a blend of cultures, if they are here more than home," he explained.

Kash paused before continuing. "It uhh... looked like maybe you and Tyler might be dating or something is all. Humans don't really have a set rule. I think most of them seem to partner up. But that's really not always the case. So I don't know. I don't know Tyler that well, either."

"We are dating. I think we are anyway. I like. I'm not sure yet if I like him like I liked you. Like you. With Akadians we don't have any hard and fast rules. Just like you said was true for humans. I could be dating both of you. We could all be dating each other. On my world things are pretty fluid."

Kash felt his heart skip a beat and suddenly feared that no matter how hard he tried that this man would always have some type of hold over him. Kash reached behind his ear with his right hand and nervously ran his fingers along the hairline. "I still haven't... I mean, it's probably for the best if you and Tyler figure things out first. He might want to know that we used to uh... If you are dating I mean. He might think you were trying to hide something if you wait too long to say something."

Kash gave Osirin the advice against his better judgment. What he wanted to do was possibly ambush the whole thing and take Osirin back to his quarters right now, but Kash would only be hurting himself if he tried to start something up again that he couldn't finish.

"I wish we were all Akadians," Osirin said, "it would be so much better that way. No confusion, no hurt feelings. No jealousy."

"But we're not. And in any event, you're right. Even in my culture hiding things really fucks up a relationship. I do need to talk to him and tell him about us."

"Is there still an us?" Osirin asked.

Kash looked at the floor before casting his eyes up at Osirin. "Are you asking me how I feel about you? That's irrelevant, isn't it? I don't know that I can do this again."

"That is what I was asking," Osirin responded after a pause. "Did I hurt you Kash? That's the last thing I wanted to do."

Kash took a step closer toward Osirin. "Of course not. You didn't do anything wrong. You are maybe the one person... " Kash stopped himself unsure of whether he would say what he was really thinking. "My parents, they've arranged this thing. I don't think I can handle leaving you again, Osirin."

Kash looked away before turning back to Osirin, "I know you wouldn't know what it did to me the first time, but it was rough. And seeing you here a few months ago. Talking to you tonight. You do something to me."

Though he knew Kash didn't mean to hurt him, the Andorian's words cut deep.

"Can. We. At least. Be friends?"

Kash took a moment to lock eyes with Osirin. "I would do anything for you. Anytime. Anywhere. I know I'm not making much sense right now, but I'll always be your friend. I... I won't ever stop loving you."

"Anyway, I should probably go. I think this party is probably over for me," Kash said, the conversation having taken an emotional toll on him. "I'm glad you are doing well."

Osirin nodded and watched the other man leave. He couldn't get Kash's words of his head. The Andorian loved him.

Kash brushed past the servers, avoiding his friends on the way out.

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