Chapter Text
Garak had just finished a long work day. The shop was closed for the evening, and looking for a little excitement he found himself heading towards Quark’s. A glass of kanar would be the perfect way to unwind. Of course, it was always foolish to bank on relaxing in the bar. Even on the quietest nights Quark still found a way to add an element of chaos. This particular evening, Garak found Rom in the entryway, struggling with an armful of glittery, feathery something .
“Hello, Garak.” Rom managed to say over the top of whatever he was carrying.
“Hello.” Garak responded, stepping over some of the glitter that had found its way onto the floor. He knew better than to ask Rom about it. The half baked, confused explanation wasn’t worth asking for.
There was more of the glitter just inside the bar, stuck to the wall. There were bunches of some leafy plant strung over every table, its nearly translucent white berries catching the artificial light and glowing. Most noticeable was the sign over the bar that read: “December Holiday Special. Reduced Prices!”
Garak took a seat under it and waited for Quark, who was down the other end of the bar. When he spotted Garak, he came over leaned across the bar, propping himself up on his elbow. There was some more of that infernal glittery substance stuck to his sleeve.
“What do you think?” He asked Garak.
“Of what?”
“The tinsel, the mistletoe, the holiday special! Do you think it will attract business?”
“I would gladly share my opinion, if only I knew what it were all in aid of.” Garak responded.
“You don’t know? I thought the doctor would have told you.” Quark said. “It’s Christmas season. That Terran holiday that some of the humans celebrate.”
“Of course. I hadn’t realised it was that time of year again. But why are you decorating for it?”
“Business is always better during a holiday.” Quark grinned. “The Bajoran festivals bring in a lot of revenue, and this is going to be a smaller affair but I thought if I decorated I’d attract more attention from humans looking for ways to celebrate. I’m thinking of purchasing a Terran calendar next year. They have too many holidays for me to keep track of on my own.”
“Do you really think it will work? They seemed to celebrate it just fine on their own last year.”
“I don’t see why not.” Quark said, somewhat defensively. “I even lowered prices. Of course, I raised them first, but no one needs to know that.”
“Your grasp of the Christmas spirit is remarkable.” Garak said dryly. “From what I can remember, it’s a holiday about giving.”
“There's nothing wrong with charity... as long as it winds up in your pocket."
“Which rule is that?”
“144. Now, what can I get you? Kanar?”
“Yes. But don’t bother with the discount. I wouldn’t want to take advantage of your generosity.”
Quark laughed, and went to pour a glass for Garak. When he returned he had a determined look on his face that set Garak’s scales on edge.
“You really don’t think I can turn a profit with this whole Christmas thing?” Quark asked, setting the glass down in front of Garak.
“No, I don’t. I think you may have a handful of people interested but not enough to sustain this nonsense”
“Well why don’t we make a bet. If I can get a party booked in by tomorrow evening, then I win the bet. If I can’t, you win.”
“A bet?” Garak mused. “That could be fun. What are the stakes.”
“Whoever wins gets to use the other’s storefront as advertising space.” Quark responded promptly.
This was exactly the kind of excitement Garak had been looking for. Quark never failed to entertain. “It’s a deal.”
***
“Come on, it will be fun. I know not all of you celebrate Christmas, but it would be nice to get the senior staff together and Quark’s doing a holiday special.” Captain Sisko looked hopefully round at the assembled crew, dragged from all corners of the station to bear witness to his holiday fueled proposition.
“You don’t have to convince me, Benjamin. I’d love to go out with everyone. When did you want to go?” Jadzia smiled supportively. The only smiling face in a sea of confused looks.
“I was thinking about tomorrow? We could round everyone up and head down at the end of the day.”
“I have dinner plans with Garak.” Julian cut in. He’d been looking forward to it all week and he did not want to have to cancel it for this.
“By all means, bring Mr. Garak along.” Sisko said. “The more the merrier. Chief, you won’t disappoint me, will you?”
“No, Sir.” Miles said, cracking a smile. “I’m happy to go. Molly and Keiko won’t be back until later in the month and it’s too lonely a time of year for me to turn down drinks with friends.”
“Good Man. Major? Odo?”
“I suppose it couldn’t hurt to go.” Odo replied gruffly, trying to cover a slight smile. He was clearly pleased to have been asked.
“If everyone else is going, count me in.” Major Kira said.
“So it’s decided? Drinks at Quark’s, tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow it is.” Jadzia grinned. “Julian, you’d better see if you can catch Garak on his way home so you can fill him in on his change of plans.”
“I suppose I don’t have much of a choice.” Julian sighed. “He’s probably at Quark’s now. I’ll go let him know.”
“While you’re there, can you book us all a table?” Sisko asked. “I’d hate for us to have to stand tomorrow.”
Julian nodded, wondering how he’d managed to be talked into this. In a matter of minutes a quiet dinner with Garak had been turned into a ridiculous holiday drinking party. Garak probably wouldn’t want to join them, and Julian would have to spend the evening with the shadow of canceled plans hanging over his head.
He hurried down to the Promenade, passing Garak’s quiet shop. It was closed for the evening, its doors shuttered and its pristine storefront dark. Julian hurried past and on towards Quark’s which was still lit up.
Quark was clearly celebrating something. Julian practically had to wade through tinsel to get through the door. Only once he was free of the scratchy, glittery garlands did he spot Garak perched on a stool at the bar. He was talking to Quark about something, a glass of kanar in hand. Julian fought his way through some more gaudy decorations to get to him.
“Good evening, Garak.” He said, taking the seat next to him.
“Julian, my dear! Quark and I were just having a debate, maybe you can settle it.”
“I’d be happy to.” Julian said. “What is it?”
“Quark’s been decorating for a Terran holiday. Christmas--”
“Oh, so that’s what’s going on in here.” Julian said. “I thought your replicators must be malfunctioning to have produced such a monstrous amount of tinsel.”
“A décor crime of this nature could only have been done deliberately, my dear.” Garak responded before Quark could defend himself. “Quark thinks that by decorating for Christmas and by offering a Christmas discount, he’ll get more customers. I think--”
“Christmas discount! That’s what I’m here about.” Julian said, cutting in before he lost his nerve and told Sisko that Quark was booked solid and wouldn’t be able to find them a table. “Garak, we’ve got to change our plans around tomorrow. The captain wants the senior staff to come here for drinks. I’m supposed to book us a table.”
“You want to book a table?” Quark asked, eyes wide.
“Yes. Why, should I not?”
“No, no, please! We’d be delighted to have you.”
“Wonderful. It’s a party of six.” Here Julian paused, turning back to Garak. “Unless, of course, you want to join us. You’re invited, and I’d rather have you there. I’d feel awful knowing you were stuck at home because I cancelled our dinner plans.”
“I’d be delighted.” Garak said thinly.
“Really?” Julian asked incredulously. “I mean, great! That’s great. I’ll pick you up at your shop tomorrow then, at around 1800 hours. Is that alright?”
“Perfectly.”
“Now, you were asking me something about a debate. What was all that again?”
“Nevermind, my dear. You’ve settled it.”
“I have? Well, I’m not sure what I did, but I’m glad I could help.”
“So am I.” Quark grinned. “Rom! Get those posters out of the back! We’re going to be needing them!”
***
Julian passed the next day in anxious anticipation of the time when he could pick Garak up. Not only had he not been forced to cancel his dinner plans with Garak, he would now have to take him to spend time with all his friends. While the idea had filled Julian with apprehension earlier, he was now so excited over the thought of Garak being his arm candy at the party that he had to remind himself constantly that their relationship did not exactly support that fantasy.
Nevertheless, he was excited. As the time approached, he made his way over to Garak’s shop. It had been so closed and dark the night before, but in the light of day it looked gaudy and commercial and--
“What happened to your shop?” Julian asked, bursting in through the storefront that was now crammed with more pictures of Quark than Julian had ever wanted to see in one place.
“I lost a bet.” Garak responded, closing the till.
“Why--” Julian sputtered, looking around at all the posters and cutouts and paraphernalia that now filled the Clothier's.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Garak said, pushing a life sized cardboard image of Quark out of his way. “Help me close the shop and then we can be on our way. We wouldn’t want to be late to keep our reservation with the man himself.” He handed Julian a brochure for “Quark’s Bar, Grill, Gaming House and Holosuite Arcade” and then finished closing the shop with a bit more venom than Julian had hoped for.
Clearly the evening was off to a great start.