Work Text:
The sound of an electronic clarinet chimes as ensign Harry Kim’s alarm goes off at 0800 hours. He wakes and opens his eyes, only to be confused when he is met by more darkness. Momentarily panicked, he reaches to touch his face and his fingers touch soft plush satin. Some realization dawning, Harry gently pushes the starfleet sleep mask up from his groggy, adorable face. The gentle, artificial space light is just the right brightness to wake him, but not so bright as to be a shock to his bleary system.
Kicking his feet to disentangle himself from the spiral of sheets that have him ensnared, Harry finds his way to his feet and heads towards the ensuite bathroom of his quarters. He pads across the floor in his boxer briefs (his pace strangely uneven thanks to the single fuzzy sock he’s sporting) with his sleep mask at his hairline as he yawns hugely, starting to wake up and get excited for the day ahead.
It’s Harry’s day off, and he has plans to enjoy it!
As he brushes his teeth (hard to do when smiling) Harry thinks absently about what he might have for breakfast at the mess hall. After scrubbing his shiny, handsome face, he moisturizes while picking out a comfy outfit of casual pants and a starfleet academy gym tshirt.
Harry walks with unhurried, confident steps as he heads towards the mess hall for the most important meal of the day, smiling at the crew members he passes. The automatic doors woosh open and the hungry hunk is met with a boisterous greeting from Neelix. The morale officer is always happy to see his friend up bright and early, ready to make the most of a day all to himself. It’s good for morale! The two friends have a light, animated conversation while Neelix prepares more breakfast items for the rest of the crew, who stream steadily through the mess hall.
After enjoying his final bite, Harry offers to help Neelix with some tidying before he goes about his day. Neelix waves away that particular kind offer, knowing that Harry could help him with another favour. The cheery chef holds up a small parcel, pointing to the label to indicate that it is addressed to Kes, and likely was delivered to the mess hall in error. Could Harry help out a pal and deliver it to Kes on Neelix’s behalf? Harry positively beams at the opportunity to be helpful, and leaps up to begin his new mission with a purposeful stride to the door. He hears the telltale woosh before Neelix calls him back over, reminding him that Harry might want to actually take the package he’s trying to deliver. Harry thanks his friend for the helpful hint, and heads for the wooshing door once more.
As Harry makes his way along the corridor, he runs into his good friend Tom Paris. The two stop to chat, and get distracted making plans for their hangout in the holodeck later on. An announcement from the Computer beckons Tom to the bridge, and the helm officer gives his friend a cheeky little salute before heading to his post.
Harry watches his friend until he turns a corner out of sight, then returns his attention to the parcel in his hands. Where was he going again? He’d lost track of his mission in the excitement of his conversation with Tom. How could this be? How could Harry have forgotten such a key detail? If only there was some sort of clue to help the anxious ensign find his way!
AHA! In a flash of delayed brilliance Harry has the answer. He’ll check the label so cleverly placed on the package: surely that will hold the answer. Success! Harry sets off again with renewed purpose, armed with the knowledge that he’s headed towards Kes’ quarters.
He arrives and knocks on the closed door. Harry is a polite person who wouldn’t think to intrude on someone’s private space uninvited. After just a few moments, the doors open with a woosh. Kes greets Harry gently and welcomes him into her room, sitting on her bed and patting the space next to her to indicate that Harry was welcome to sit there as well, if he likes. Harry plops down, his weight shifting the bed enough to jostle his smaller pal, and hands Kes the package with which Neelix had entrusted him. She opens it excitedly, and is thrilled to discover that it is some special supplies from Engineering, designed to help her with her work in the airponics bay.
Kes thanks Harry and tells him that he did a very good job bringing her the package. The ensign feels warm bubbles fizz in his tummy at the praise: Harry really likes to do a good job!
As much as Harry would enjoy spending more time with Kes, he had a holodeck hangout to get to! He couldn’t wait to join his best buddy Tom in another chapter of their ongoing adventure serial about Captain Proton, “The Adventures of Captain Proton”. He made sure to give himself lots of time to get to the room in case he got lost, but Harry arrived right on time. His friend was already there, queueing up the program and selecting the chapter where the two of them left off at the end of their last playdate.
They have a super fun time together, blasting robots with laser pistols and winning the day. They run around and get all sweaty, enjoying themselves immensely. Eventually, Harry’s capering counterpart claps him on the back and gives him a hearty congratulations on such good fun. Tom has to get going if he is going to make his shift on time, and so the two pals wrap up their game and shut down the holodeck room. Harry waves to his friend as Tom heads off to get back to his other responsibilities.
Harry, totally tuckered out after such a fun time playing pretend, heads back to his quarters. He is feeling incredibly ready for a nap, and is pleased when he notes that it is only 1300 hours. The perfect time for a nice space-nap before enjoying the rest of his day off. After a quick shower, Harry puts back on his fuzzy socks and curls up into his bunk, his trusty eye mask waiting for him on the little bedside table. He sets his alarm for the perfect amount of time for his snooze, tugs his plush mask over his sweet sleepy face, and drifts off.