Smoke on the Water

Posted on 06 Aug 2013 @ 4:49pm by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Oliver Sylver & Verity Thorne

1,646 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 04 - Exodus
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 4 - Arboretum
Timeline: MD -01: 15:00

[ON]

Oliver smiled to himself as he looked at the picnic blanket. He had invited Verity to meet him, but this was a surprise aspect of it all. He had chilled champagne...the real stuff. The only bottle he had of it actually. And there were small things to pick at, sandwiches and scones. A surprise. He had decided they needed to have a proper date again. Over the weeks, he had gotten emotionally closer to Verity. And he loved it. He loved being so relaxed around a man. It had been awhile after all.

Verity moved into the Arboretum to meet Oliver, smiling at the prospect. He wore civies rather than his uniform, not really one for wearing it when he didn't need to. He didn't feel the same attachment to the uniform as many other's did, or to Starfleet for that matter. He was a chaplain. He still, oddly, felt like a civilian most days. So he wore black jeans and had originally put on a black shirt too. Then he had realised it made him look like a Priest again, so he had replaced the black shirt with a dark red one.

Walking in, Verity looked out for Oliver amongst the trees and plants. He smiled warmly when he saw him, sitting by the pond, under a tree, complete with basket. The smile turned into a grin as Verity made his way over to him, kneeling at his side. They had been tentative around each other since he'd been honest with him about his doubts of being here, his doubts of leaving the priesthood, since Oliver had been honest with how he felt, and since they'd kissed to seal the deal. For a while, actually. But, even though they were room mates, they'd been somewhat on tiptoes with each other since, as if worried the other regretted the honesty that night, but not wanting to bring it up either. This was the first indication he'd had otherwise. "Oliver?" there was clear question in his voice, as well as a growing grin on his features.

Oliver smiled as he looked at him, his eyes warm as he patted the picnic blanket. "I thought we could sit down...feed the ducks...talk," he said, looking him over. He himself wore black trousers and a blue shirt...and he approved of what Verity was wearing. He looked, as always...sexy.

"I'd like that," Verity smiled widely, his large blue eyes shining with it as he shifted to sit close to him. "Champagne!" he said softly with surprise, laughing warmly.

He nodded as he opened the bottle, grinning at that. "I thought we could make this a bit more special," he met his eyes, searching them before leaning close to steal a kiss.

"You're spoiling me. I bloody love it," Verity laughed softly as he took the glass from him, watching the ridiculously handsome man with warmth. "You could have anyone," he reflected softly, more thinking out loud with awe really.

Oliver watched him for a moment, his eyes taking him in before he looked down. "Nah. But even if I could, I still think I'd choose you. You're beautiful. And smart. And funny. And a good man."

Verity smiled warmly as he settled to rest close against him, leaning back against the tree, but also against Oliver's side as he tapped his champagne glass to his. "I take it this means you don't regret the other night."

"Of course not," he said and smiled as he leant to kiss him lightly.

Verity's smile grew even wider if that was possible, touching his throat. "Good," he whispered, stealing a kiss back before sipping his drink. "I haven't felt this good in a long time," he whispered.

He grinned at the words, stroking his arm as he watched him. "Then I pretty much achieved what I wanted," he said softly. "I just wanted us to have some time away from everything."

"I think it's a great idea," Verity assured with a grin, settling into his arm as he watched the plantlife in the arboretum and the pond. "I planted that area up over there," he said lightly, pointing to a bed of camomile and then flowers behind it. He came and planted and tended what he could in time alone. It felt good, to nurture life.

"It's beautiful," he laughed softly, shaking his head as he took the plate, offering the food to him. "I like it here. It's all green..." he knew he was stating the obvious, but for him it mattered.

Verity laughed warmly, taking one of the pastries. He took a mouthful, moaning softly at the buttery, flaky treat. He took a sandwich too, but picked the outside crust off, throwing bits of it to the ducks in the pond, letting them eat it up before throwing a couple more bits. "You spend a long time looking into the expanse of space," he said softly.

Oliver smiled as he nodded, his eyes gentle as he watched his face. "Yeah. I do...prefer looking at you though. Just so you know," he winked and took a pastry, moaning as he took a bite. "So...plans for later?"

"None," Verity grinned at that, watching him with shining eyes as he straightened up. "Sunday is my day of rest, even though some of the activity groups had to be cancelled yesterday. Tomorrow is the singing group, if I remember rightly. But today? I am free. Great, huh?"

"Very..." he said and smiled, his eyes warm as he watched him. "Maybe we could curl up and watch a movie, if you feel like it?" he suggested gently. He'd like to spend more social time with Verity if he could. He sipped the champagne, enjoying the flavour, although the company made it even sweeter.

Verity searched his features for a long moment, his breath hitching for a moment. "So you meant what you said?" he asked quietly. "You and me. Together. Not just fun."

Oliver met his eyes for a long moment, taking a deeper breath. "I mean it," he said, in a serious tone. "Verity, I like you...I...don't want it just to be a fun little thing."

"You can never be quite sure with a flyboy," he teased, but with warmth in his eyes and smile as he pinched his chin.

Oliver grinned, leaning to kiss him quickly. "You have a way of capturing men..." he said playfully. "A good way."

"And I was out of practice for so long, not bad," Verity joked back, laughing warmly as he stroked his chest. "Oliver, I think you're pretty amazing actually."

"Good," he said and leant close, brushing a kiss against his cheek. "I think you are better."

"Would you believe me if I said I was nervous?" he asked quietly, tilting his head so he could see him properly.

"Why?" Oliver asked, meeting his eyes with clear surprise. "I...do I make you nervous, Verity?"

"No! No," Verity laughed warmly, touching his neck quickly with nimble fingers. "No. It's - being on the edge of what could be a relationship," he grimaced, shaking his head as he realised what he'd said. "Now there's a way to scare a man off, using the word 'relationship'. I didn't mean...."

Oliver leant close, grabbing his hair as he kissed him to shut him up. His heart had skipped a beat when he had said that. Edge of what could be a relationship...what he felt echoed that. So he kissed him, both to silence...but also to show he agreed.

Verity kissed him back with a soft moan, the warmth and feel of the man making him sigh with something close to relief against his lips as he wrapped an arm around the back of his neck. He smiled widely as the kiss broke, resting his forehead to his, his finger coiling around a piece of his dark hair. "I've not been - in a relationship with someone for a long time," he whispered. "That's why I'm nervous. It's not you."

He smiled as he watched him, his eyes shining as he reached to stroke over Verity's jaw, enjoying tracing the shape of it. "Well...I want this, you know. A relationship. With you. Just you...I...I trust you. With everything. And it does help you are absolutely stunning too."

Verity laughed warmly, his eyes sparkling with humour and warmth as he slapped his arm playfully. "Bloody flyboys...."

He grinned and pinched his chin, shaking his head as he watched Verity. "So...is this us becoming boyfriends? By the pond?"

Verity laughed softly, almost blushing as he looked down. "If you can be patient with me, and my - doubts, yes," he said softly, holding his eyes with warmth. "The doubts are never over you though."

Oliver smiled gently as he reached to caress over his neck, searching his face. "I understand. And...I have to say...I am a flirty flyboy...but I am also faithful."

Verity searched his eyes for a long moment. He believed him. "So I'll try not to scowl at the people you flirt with then," he chuckled softly, throwing some bread to the twittering ducks on the water.

Oliver grinned as he reached to do the same, taking a deeper breath. "Good man..." he said and grinned.

Verity glanced to him with slightly narrowed eyes, but also a small smile. "Don't think I'll roll over and take a lot of messing around though."

Oliver laughed as he looked at Verity, his eyes lighting up at that. "I like a man who can put up a fight..."

Verity grinned at the words, his thoughts clearly in his eyes before he stroked his knee. "Careful what you wish for..."

[OFF:]

WO Oliver Sylver
Pilot
USS Galileo

PO2 Verity Thorne
Chaplain
USS Galileo

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