Betazoid Holiday Part 1

Posted on 29 Dec 2015 @ 9:23pm by Lieutenant JG Grayson Jones
Edited on on 29 Dec 2015 @ 9:30pm

3,929 words; about a 20 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: Galileo, Transit transport, Betazed
Timeline: MD30 - MD 52

ON:

Tyrion was excited and nervous at the same time. Not long ago he had re-established contact with his youngest sister, after a period nearly 20 years of no communications. He had no idea whether his sister would even recognize him or he her for that matter. At least, he wasn’t going alone; Grayson was going with him. Both for moral support as well as introduction to his family.

The Betazoid could no longer imagine a life without the hybrid Trill by his side. He looked sideways, studying his partner. “How do you feel about this?” he asked quietly, while they walked towards the transporter room.

“You really need to ask?” Grayson responded sarcastically, the nerves clearly coursing through his body. He had loved their time together so far, when it was just the pair, their quarters and their friends. It was now the natural time to widen that circle to homeworld friends and their families. As Grayson had no real family to speak of anymore, he could not help but feel vulnerable to his emotions on this trip. He knew it would be a mixed bag, sorrow of no longer having his own, joy at seeing his partner with his and anticipation of hopefully being accepted to this one.

“I’m scared, really scared. Happy you get to see yours again but… I think it is going to throw a whole lot of emotions up in the air for me. That is the scary part and I don’t know what to expect.”

“Again? Gray, I haven’t seen any of my family since I was seventeen years old. I’m extremely nervous and I’m absolutely terrified about how they’ll react. I mean, Danyelle agreed to meet with me but that’s not a given that Rickya and Analynn or even my parents will see us.” He rubbed his hands together as he tried to hoist his bag up on his shoulder at the same time. “I don’t know what to expect either love, this is new for me too.”

Grayson lifted his own satchel style bag around him, almost clinging to the strap for support. People always think he packs light, it is more the case his clothes tend to be on the thinner side and really he is a master at making things fit almost like an old Earth game called Tetris. “You still have all of them at least,” Grayson replied frankly, “the options are there, or the chance at least. I know I would change a lot of things with my father if he was still here.”

“I know you would but things are as they are,” Tyrion soothed, reaching to rub his arm affectionately. “And I wish sometimes that I had reached out to my family sooner but I haven’t, because I couldn’t and given how long it took Danyelle to even respond to me...I’m not even sure on how welcome we’ll be.”


“I’m sure it will go much better than you think it will. At the end of the day, family is family. We all have our fights and such, but you get there in the end. You might not like each other all the time, but, you will all still love each other.”

“I’m not so convinced but I’m glad you are.” He leaned over to kiss his cheek. “One of the reasons I love you so much. You’re my moral support now, better get used to it while we’re on Betazed. I haven’t been there since I left you know...not even on any leave.”

“Hey, worst comes to it, show me around. Show me where you remember. We can make our own good times and fun,” Grayson began to rest his head between Tyrion’s neck and collarbone.

“Oh I have every intention of showing you around,” Tyrion smiled, leading him up to the transporter pad. “It’ll be a few days travel, I hope you don’t get space sick in smaller transports? This was all I could arrange so short notice.”

“Ty, I’m an engineer. I don’t get space sick,” Grayson giggled, “but it is sweet of you to think of me and look after me like that. Heck give me a shuttle pod for the travel and I would be fine. It would be cosy.” He leaned in to kiss the spot where his head lay not a few moments ago.

“And we do like cosy,” the older man teased in return, “not much privacy on that transport but we do have a bunk of our own. It’s only for a few days though, I’m sure we can manage. We’ve managed for so long now, but after this...I do hope my parents will accept you because they’ve always envisioned marrying me off to some girl or the other. Me being the only son and all that…”

“We can squeeze together if needed,” Grayson snuggled in, “Anyway, they will love me! I’m awesome!” He laughed a little nervously, Grayson’s bravado trying to cover his nerves which were becoming deeper, “If we got married, it is to the son of a Trill Ambassador, a Chief Engineer and to, in my case, the person that completes me.”

“That’ll mean something I’m sure,” Tyrion smiled as he nodded to the transporter operator. The scenery of the Galileo was soon exchanged with the scenery of an old transport, and along with it the smells changed too. “I’m sure mom can find something around the house that needs fixing. Isn’t that what all sons in law do? Fix things?”

Taking a look round his new surroundings, “Much like I want to do here,” he sighed. “I must remember, I am on holiday though,” he continued while thinking he must hide his portable engineering kit. “Fixing things I can do, upgrades I do even better,” Grayson gave a mischievous grin.

“Oh?” Tyrion grinned back as he dumped his bag down onto the bed in their small bunk. “What sort of upgrades? You do realize that my family is rather well off right? They probably have the latest technology around, and they may even show off too. If we’re lucky.”

“I always find something to do, you know me,” Grayson grinned as he dumped his own bag. “Ok, I’m going to admit right now, not sleeping beside you for a few days is going to bug me a little. You are my big safety pillow.”

“Fortunately for me, yes I do know you,” the intelligence officer teased, poking the other man between his ribs in a playful manner. “And why wouldn’t you be sleeping beside me? What makes you say that?”

Grayson fell to his bunk, pretending to be in pain, “You wounded me, I need kisses,” he laughed. “I don’t do well in bunks. I can fall out of one on my own, a certainty if someone is with me. Imagine my surprise when I did it sharing on a top bunk once!”

“Well don’t go sharing top bunks then,” Tyrion laughed, crawling up on the bunk beside him. “Where does it hurt? Where do you need kisses to make the ouchies go away?”

“You’ll need to hold onto me tight during the night then, make sure I don’t fall anyway,” he said as he slipped himself into Tyrion’s arms, almost to practise the way they would cuddle up in the night. “I also hurt all over, so, many kisses please,” Grayson giggled.

Rolling his eyes, Tyrion wrapped his arms around the half-Trill, knowing exactly where to kiss him to make him melt in his arms. “We could use a sleeping bag,” he suggested quietly, almost too seriously. “That way neither of us can fall out, or you can take the side near the wall…”

Grayson’s neck came alive at the touch of Tyrion’s lips. “Good think I know you are semi-joking about that,” he smiled, “and in at the wall would be nice, have me right where you want me all night long,” his voice trailed off to a whisper as he quite playfully and suggestively teased his lover.

“And you can keep me from falling out,” Tyrion grinned, “though I wasn’t kidding about the sleeping bag. It would keep you close to me, not to mention warm, and safe. And...it’s more private than a set of blankets….” He kissed the spots at the nape of his neck, gently tugging his collar aside. “Not that I care if someone watches...apparently Betazoids have no sense of privacy but then what do I know, right?”

“Soon to know even better I guess,” Grayson suggested turning to look lovingly into Tyrion’s eyes before allowing his head to droop some and rest his own forehead in the middle of his lover’s collarbone. “You are making me think seriously about that sleeping bag. But then again, anything to get me naked, eh?” He gave a short giggle with a snort at the end that took Grayson by surprise. It had been years since he had done that and the last time it, he was happy and content with a former partner who he thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with. He knew this time though, Tyrion was that man, no thinking about it, he just knew.

“Hmm almost…” He tilted his head up to look at him, having sensed the surprise and a slight shift in body language. “You alright?” he asked carefully, letting his fingers slide along the inside of his collar.
“Yeah, it has just been a long time since I have done that,” Grayson began, “It just brought back a few memories is all.”

“Done what?” Tyrion sat up a little, watching him closely.

“Snorted at the end of a laugh,” Grayson almost winced at being dragged away from his comfortable spot.

“You know, I hadn’t even noticed that part. Nothing wrong with it though, I guess it’s actually cute. What kind of memories did it bring back?” He continued to stroke his spots, his touch feather light. “I’m not reading your thoughts remember? I won’t invade your privacy like that unless I really have to, like in an emergency.”

“You get a sense though and I like it,” Grayson began, “Was just a past moment I was sitting like this, very happy and content. But in the past now and nothing really that needs to be dwelled upon.”

“I guess not…” Tyrion drew Grayson back against him, wrapping his arms tightly around his shoulders. “No sense in dwelling no..but memories are there for a reason, and obviously, it’s a happy memory. Nothing wrong with that, is there?”

“Nope, just happy to have a happier one replace it now,” Grayson snuggled in tight and finally began to let his body relax now they were on leave together. “We may have a lot to do, but I am looking forward to us spending time together away from the ship and away from daily routines.”

“The travel is only for a few days, if there’s no delays,” Tyrion promised, “and Betazed, insofar I remember it, is rather beautiful. And I do intend on showing you around on the times we’re not spending in our room.” Now it was his turn to giggle. “No hiding bedroom endeavours from other Betazoids I’m afraid, though anyone properly raised and trained knows how to ignore it. No shame among telepaths, right?”

“Oh no,” Grayson said, “I’m going to be like an open book to all these people aren’t I? I won’t be able to hide anything.” His forehead almost came out in a cold sweat.

“Not much no. Betazoids don’t really know the concept of ‘secret’ to be honest. But they know when not to pry…” He caressed Grayson’s cheek lovingly, trying to soothe his frayed nerves. “You’ll be alright, and you’ve me to tell everyone off. Don’t worry, your secrets are safe.”

“What if we are walking around though and I think to myself how good your butt is looking that day, a trademark sarcastic comment or a passing thought of one of our previous night’s activities?” Grayson was in a mild, yet adorable panic attack. “I’m doomed. They will hate me. What if they hate me already cause they know I have thought about them thinking about this?” He took a breath, “Give me time paradoxes any day over this.”

“Your secrets are safe,” Tyrion promised with a wink, “and I wouldn’t mind you thinking that at all. I wouldn’t mind seeing their faces if they do choose to pry…” He slid down onto the bed, resting his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. “Their loss for sure! Seriously love, don’t be too worried, you’ll be alright there. And like I said, I'll tell anyone to mind their own business.

“I can’t help it. I know you want this to go well, I just don’t want to be the one that lets everything down because I like your butt and fancy hair or well...because I feel...you know...and want some alone time.”

“Some things are easily remedied.” Tyrion winked at him with a grin. “No tight clothing in your presence, and I’ll wear a hat when outside. But...what compromise will you make? Because you know...I might think the same.”

“Hmmm,” Grayson teased. “Separate beds and I wear as much as possible to cover up? I skip the gym for a few days so muscles aren’t as tight around me?”

“Oooh no, you’re not sleeping anywhere but next to me,” Tyrion challenged, “though skipping gym might not be bad….saves me having to share you in terms of stares...I don’t like others staring at you in a certain way.” This was the first hint of being capable of jealousy from the Betazoid.

“I only got eyes for you though. I don’t notice the rest,” Grayson pulled himself up to give Tyrion a kiss on the lips. “They can stare all they want, you are the only one that gets to have me and that is the way it will stay,” he cuddled in more. It was true, he never noticed the rest, Grayson did need the gym though, it was his stress relief and his own personal zen.

Savouring the kiss, Tyrion only shifted his gaze to capture Grayson’s eyes. “You might not notice, but I do,” he continued, “but alright, you can have the gym.” He smiled, “you know I’m only teasing right? I love to see how they look at you, but I’m the one who you go home with in the end.” He sat up a little. “Perhaps we should get married…”

“All in good time, and certainly not here in this ship,” Grayson said in all seriousness. “Feel free to propose whenever, just...not on a dingy old ship. We want that moment to be the stuff we tell kids and grandkids for years and years to come.”

“All the more reason to do so on an old transport,” Tyrion teased, shifting his gaze to the ceiling again before closing his eyes. “Do you want children?” He actually never considered that idea until now if he had to be honest.

“In time,” Grayson replied casually as he lay in his lovers arms. “For that, I really want to be settled, partner, our own place and been functioning well for a while. So no sudden break ups or fights cause everything to fall apart.”

“Why would we want to break up?” Tyrion asked softly, “but I agree on being settled. And there’s the matter of how because well...neither of us can carry a child…”
“We can work on the logistics when we get to that point,” Grayson wearily smiled, “I don’t think we would want to break up, but I can’t help being a little bit of a realist...practical almost when it comes to things like this. As much as we would all like to, we can’t see into the future. Plus, we would have to talk to Temporal Logistics if it happened.”

“You’ve been burned too often,” Tyrion supplied, drawing him closer, “but I made you a promise and I intend to keep it.” He chuckled as he thought about the future. “Well if it gave us any insight into our future I’d happily risk it.” He sat up and took Grayson’s hand, facing it palm up. “I foresee a happy and long future together,” he said mysteriously as he drew his index finger along the lines on Grayson’s palm.

The touch warmed and reassured Grayson’s heart that this was meant to be and his worries were nothing to be concerned about, “I guess you are right. I have been burned a little too much and too often. It is letting all these barriers I put up fall, they are coming, slowly, down.”

“We have time,” Tyrion promised, “all the time in the universe. Well within reason of course but you know what I mean.” He leaned over to kiss him. “For now, let’s enjoy this little trip to Betazed as best as we can.”

“Between all the mind numbing panic and sense of impending fear and doom you mean?” Grayson joked.

“Between all that,” Tyrion agreed.


== Three days later ==

Despite their time of bonding in more ways than one, Tyrion was never more glad than to leave a transport and smell fresh air again. “Welcome to Betazed,” he snickered as they departed their transport, holding out his hand towards Grayson. “Danyelle should be waiting for us here somewhere….If you spot a young woman with black, long curly hair….give me a shout?”

“Shall do babe,” Grayson said, avoiding the hand completely yet linking arms together. He too was glad to be out of the transport, it gave his body extra room to move and stretch after some vigorous bonding time. Grayson used his other hand to raise his bag up over his shoulder while adjusting his grey, oxford cut blazer jacket. He began to scan the room and gave Tyrion a nudge in the side with his linked arm, “Is that her over there? Between the plants and next to the fountain?”

Tyrion laughed and shook his head. “Most Betazoid women have long black hair,” he pointed out, then pointed towards a reasonably tanned young woman. “That’s her right there, come on.” He dragged his boyfriend over to the young woman and lightly tapped her on the arm to get her attention.

Danyelle turned to look her older brother over, her face a mask devoid of any emotion. “Tyrion,” she greeted without any kind of warmth, “and this is….?” Her eyes fell to Grayson, waiting for him to introduce himself.

Feeling a moment of panic, he released their touch and went to offer a hand in the only real greeting custom he knew, “Grayson Jones, Chief Engineer, USS Galileo.” He could have kicked himself, why did he need to bring rank into it? Nerves. Nerves was the only acceptable answer he could think of, other than being a great bumbling idiot.

Danyelle studied him for several seconds, while accepting the offered hand. “Danyelle Faye,” she answered coolly, “so you’re my brother’s...partner? Mother is going to be very upset…” her black eyes shifted back to the culprit in question. “She had selected a suitable wife for you years ago, and then you left and you never contacted us. And now you expect us all to just treat you as if you never left?”

Swallowing, Tyrion shifted closer to Grayson as if for protection. “No Dany, I don’t expect all to be well and as if when I never left. But I’m not here to argue. I’m here to show my beloved around and introduce him to my family. It’s time that you all accept me for who I am. Also...we need help...Gray here suffers these terrible headaches, and we can’t cure them. I think it’s best if he explains this to mother himself…”

Grayson began to shift uncomfortably on the spot, “It is nothing, just something that seems to be taking medical science a while to discover. I keep telling Tyrion things are fine, but, he insists.” Dropping his bag, Grayson went to adjust his clothing again, this time pulling his t-shirt down a little and fiddling with the waistband of his jeans. He tried to smile, act casual and cool, but even for a non telepath the atmosphere was tense and he couldn’t help but blame himself a little.

Danyelle studied him closely for a moment, peering right into his eyes like Tyrion often did. “Something isn’t right,” she said abruptly. “He’s untrained, serves him for turning his back on his heritage.” She shrugged. “I should leave you here for just that alone but mother said to bring both of you home. Come with me.”

Tyrion gave her a surprised look, then looked sideways at Grayson. His mother wanted them home? Both of them? I hadn’t expected that love, he thought at his partner, I honestly didn’t believe mother would welcome us.

Grayson, at least verbally stayed silent for the time being and only responded in thought to his partner, hoping the bond between them shielded them from the intrusion of others. I honestly think the best thing for me to do right now...is remain completely silent. Things seem rather...tense to say the least and I don’t think my presence is helping much. It would be a much better idea for me to stay in the back, be here for you and just keep myself to myself. The whole, do not speak unless I am spoken to seems like a good idea. If they will speak to me that is? Don’t most Betazoids use telepathy as their main means of communication? Will everyone around be able to hear what I am thinking to you? If so, I am already very, very sorry people who are listening. He finished his mild mental panic attack.
Tyrion leaned in to him and kissed his cheek. “Don’t worry about people reading you, they won’t without your permission. Dany only reads me because she’s my sister and thus as family is rather...permitted to. Sort of. And they’re not as rude as to speak to me telepathically, if they’re even inclined to do so to begin with, and shut you out. They won’t, they won’t breach etiquette simply because I’m a bit of an outcast here.” He pulled Grayson along and scant minutes, and a short shuttle ride later, they arrived at the Faye home estate.

“Are you ready to meet my mother?”

As ready as I will ever be, Grayson thought, still hesitant to speak.

“Lead the way please Dany,” Tyrion suggested, gesturing for the younger Betazoid to lead the way.

To be continued

Ensign Tyrion Faye
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant j.g. Grayson Jones
former Chief Engineer
USS Galileo

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