Chapter Text
The MACOs aren’t on the ship for very long in the grand scheme of things, no matter how drawn out those few months seem in hindsight. It was never really long enough to build a relationship, but the two of them had made an effort, right up until Hoshi was taken, and suddenly all of Malcolm’s time was filled with an effort to find her, to get her back.
When they did get her back, McKenzie was killed in the ensuing firefight.
Hayes pulled back after that, pulled away from everyone, even the rest of his team, even as they mourned her as well. And Malcolm, scared of the rejection he could sense coming, didn’t try to push back.
He was reassigned when they got back to Earth anyway, took with him the MACOs that had experienced enough space, that weren’t willing to transfer into Starfleet, and left Malcolm with the rest. Those that remained shouldered their new ranks with pride, wore their new uniforms with excitement, and it didn’t take long for him to start forgetting who had been MACO and who had always been ‘fleet.
*
Three Years Later:
“Malcolm, come on.”
He pushed lightly at Hoshi’s shoulder, still frowning at the lacing on the back of her dress. “Why am I doing this? Why didn’t you ask Travis?”
She craned her head round to look at him. “Because last time, Travis did an awful job.”
“At least he’s had practice.”
“It’s just lacing! Like on shoes!”
Whatever response Malcolm was going to form was knocked away with the sound of someone requesting entry.
“You expecting someone?”
He met her eyes. “No.”
The last person he expected to see on the other side of the door was Hayes, and yet there he was. Clothed in his dress uniform, the insignia on his shoulders revealing his promotion to full-bird Colonel.
“Hi.”
Hayes glanced up. “Hey, um,”
“What are you doing here?” Malcolm steadfastly ignored the presence of Hoshi at his shoulder.
“Me?” Oddly, he seemed surprised by the question. “I was invited to the celebration, for the signing of the Federation… whatever it was.”
“Oh. I didn’t know.”
“Yeah,” there was clearly something on Hayes’ mind, “uh, have you read this?”
“The agreement? That they signed today?”
“Yes.”
“Bits of it,” Malcolm leant against the doorframe, blocking Hoshi’s view, “why?”
“Uh, well, there’s one section… it, um. ‘All marriages carried out on Federation planets will be considered valid on all others.’ So…”
“Oh.” Malcolm said. And then. “ Oh. ”