Chapter Text
Data sat there in the shuttle thinking things over. He often thought about human emotion and how he could interpret body language to understand when someone was feeling something but this exchange was an entirely new emotion. He had come to the conclusion that Ard'rian McKenzie had a “crush” on him.
Crush /krəSH/ : a brief but intense infatuation for someone, especially someone unattainable or inappropriate.
Yes that was the word for it. She had kissed him in “support” and while it was somewhat out of support, there were clues that led to the kiss meaning more than support and that puzzled him. She was not intoxicated like Tasha was so he was at a loss for why Ard’rian decided to crush on him. He did not engage in flirting nor did he display any body language that could be read as interest in her as he did not know how nor did he want to. He would have to ask his friends about this when he got back.
With that he paused the thought and set to starting the shuttlecraft. He relayed the proper message to the Enterprise and began his flight up to the shuttlebay.
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Riker walked into Ten-Forward and glanced around trying to find his android friend that invited him to talk. Data was near the window looking out of it, Riker smiled a little thinking that Data looked so peaceful almost like he was daydreaming. He walked over to Guinan at the bar and ordered something before making his way over to the table.
“Hey Data, watcha looking at?” Swinging a leg over the chair Riker plopped down into the seat across from the android.
“Oh hi Commander, I suppose I was not looking at anything particular. I have observed that people tend to look out the window and I wanted to try and see the appeal of it.” Data was no longer looking out and instead was looking at Will.
“And?”
“I do not understand it yet.” With a tilt of the head and most of the statement coming from one side of the mouth Data admitted his failing.
Riker beamed at him. “What did you want to talk about my friend?”
“Ah yes. I wanted to ask; What is appealing about me?”
Riker choked on the drink he had the misfortune of drinking at that moment. “What?”
“While down on Tau Cigna V my guide kissed me and showed signs of liking me. I wanted to know why that was to better understand how to read body language.” Data looked serious and that made Riker chuckle even more.
“Why did she kiss you?” Will wiped the liquid from his chin.
“She said that “I looked like I needed it”.
“Did you need it?” A smirk followed.
Data cocked his head to the side. “I do not need affection. But I am puzzled with what made her think I needed it. I think I am able to understand when someone else looks like they need it, as I was able to tell she needed one when I was leaving.”
“You kissed her back?” Riker sat back with wide eyes. “Well uh, how could you tell she needed one?”
“I am unsure how to describe it. She just looked unhappy about me not having feelings and I concluded a kiss would make her feel better. But I cannot feel unhappy so I fail to understand why she kissed me.”
“Well Data, maybe you looked unhappy. You are right that she likes you though.”
Data hummed, “Why?”
“Why does she like you?” Riker cocked an eyebrow and sighed when Data nodded. “Uh, well I suppose she found you attractive and liked that you wanted to protect the colony. People tend to like a partner that has a good personality and is easy to talk to. And despite you having no emotions you have a very human personality.”
“Ah I see. How do you tell whether someone wants a kiss for support or if it would be inappropriate.”
At this point Riker was itching to leave this conversation. It wasn’t because of Data per say, just the overall awkwardness of explaining when to kiss someone that was getting to him. He drained the rest of his drink. “I’m not sure that there is a way to explain when the right time to kiss someone is other than you just know it. I don’t recommend kissing anyone if they look unhappy.”
“Understood Commander.” Riker clapped his shoulder before leaving Ten-Foreword leaving Data sitting alone again. “The right time.”
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Geordi wiped his cheek on his shoulder as he laid on his back under the main table in the engineering room. The temperature control of the ship wasn’t working and he had to try and fix it before it got too hot in some rooms and too cold in others. The engineering room happened to be on the hot side because of all the working machinery that was constantly on, when he fixed the problem he was never going to take the temperature control for granted again.
“Data how’s it looking out there?” Geordi was hoping for some good news.
“Temperatures continue to increase and decrease. I have figured out what is causing the issue however.”
“That’s amazing Data, what’s the cause?” He slid himself out from under the table and stood up next to the android.
“The radiation for Tau Cigna V seems to have affected our entire mainframe but only the temperature control system was severely affected. Luckily this system is the only one that has not fixed itself.” Data tapped some buttons on the panel.
“So we just need to replace the system, that’s great! I knew I should’ve done the system checks last week.” Geordi put his hand on his friend’s shoulder before hissing and quickly removing it. “Data you’re burning hot, did the radiation affect your temperature control too?”
“No, although my temperature control has been affected, it was not radiation that did it. I believe it is just coincidence however the heat from the outside is slowing my self maintenance process and causing me to overheat even faster as I have no proper way to cool down fast anymore.”
“You can’t sweat, so you have no natural way of cooling yourself at the moment, that’s right.. What if you take off the uniform shirt? Could that help so the heat isn’t so insulated?” Geordi was worried because if the temperature control system needed removing and replacing Data was the only one that could carry and remove it. But that meant his own systems would overheat even more from the extreme heat of the broken chunk of system.
“Geordi that goes against the rules. Uniforms must remain on at all times during on duty hours.”
“Look Data, if the captain gets mad then we can explain that it’s necessary. And it is necessary. Now come on, top off.”
Data looked uncomfortable as he removed his uniform top, folding it and laying it on the center table. Geordi was just stuck staring. He couldn’t think of the last time he saw Data out of uniform, Data was wearing the standard black t-shirt under his uniform.
“Ok Data,” Geordi swallowed and moved his eyes back up to the android’s face.” You’re going to have to be the one to remove the broken system from the mainframe and carry it out. What are we going to do about your problem though?”
“Geordi?”
“Well your temperature control is already messed up and it’s going to be introduced to more radiation and it’ll be a bit before the ship’s system will be working.”
“I will simply have to find a way to cool my body to allow my systems to fix themselves.”
Geordi huffed before clicking his communicator. “Captain, we've discovered the problem. Our systems have been exposed to radiation from Tau Cigna V. Luckily only the temperature control system has been affected, Data is going to remove it and we’ll replace it.”
“That’s wonderful Lieutenant, get it done as fast as possible.”
“Aye captain. But sir after this Data is going to be unavailable to work for a bit, his temperature system was also affected and he needs to allow his systems time so they can cool down and fix the problem.”
“Of course La Forge, and Data. Get to the removal.”
“Yes captain.” Data replied before walking over to where the damaged system is and laying down to get under and reach it.
Geordi just watched as Data worked on removing the system from it’s connected slots. He could see the automated breathing of his friend and contemplated over how human it was, Dr. Noonian Soong did a wonderful job with giving Data human-like looks and actions. The way the stomach stretched and dipped as the android stretched further, how the muscular structure flexed on the arms and abdomen, the hairs on Data’s arms and chest. Geordi couldn’t tell if he was hot from the heat of the outside or the heat from embarrassment as he realized his growing attraction to his friend.
Data worked on separating the many wires and cords that attached the temperature control system to the main systems of the Enterprise. He could feel his body heating up and noticed the slowness of his actions, evidently he was hotter than he had originally thought if it was affecting his motor skills. While he worked he thought of ways that would effectively cool his body quickly, decided that he would lower the temperature of his quarters and lie there. Disconnecting the last set of wires he slid out from where he was with the system and stood before stumbling.
“Woah there buddy.” Geordi reached out to help steady the android but retracted his hand when he felt the heat coming off of his body. “Are you ok?”
Data blinked before running a quick diagnosis. “My motor functions seem to be slow and my balance system is off. I will still be able carry this to the transporter to be removed.”
“Hmm. I’m going to come just in case, I hope you don’t need my help though because your body’s really hot.” Geordi gestured to the corridor.
“I am hot?” Data began walking out of engineering.
Geordi chuckled a little, “Yeah buddy you’re hot, your body is also too hot to touch.”
“You think I am hot.” Data mumbled this to himself, noting the slowness of his thoughts. He should tell Geordi about this. He entered the transporter room and set the system down on the standing spot. The person working there gave a thumbs up before sending the removed system out to space. Geordi motioned towards the door and allowed Data to walk through, or stumble through.
“Geordi, my… motor functions are… slowing.” His voice was slurring. “Might I use... your room as it is closer?”
“Yeah of course buddy, come on.” Geordi led the way to his quarters opening the door as his android friend nearly fell in. “Computer lower room temp to 0* celsius. Is that going to be low enough?”
Data nodded and lowered himself into one of the table chairs in the room, as the room cooled Geordi watched as seam raised off of him. Geordi walked over to the food replicator and ordered a hot tea before grabbing a blanket and sitting in the plush chair near his friend.
“It will take… for my body to adjust… to the cold and stop overheating. Until then… my functions will remain slow.” Data slurred out. “You do not… need to stay as it will… be too cold for you.”
“Hey you can’t get rid of me that easily. I’ve got a blanket and a hot drink. Plus I want to make sure nothing goes wrong.” He took a sip of his tea. “Are your thought processors also slowed or just your speech and motor functions?”
“Thoughts are… slowed as well. Geordi, might I… ask a question?”
“Sure thing bud.”
Data took some time processing how to phrase his question. “How do you… know the right time to kiss… someone?”
“Where’s this coming from?” He felt heat rise to his cheeks. “Use as few words as you need to.”
“Planet side guide… kissed me in support. I later kissed her… in support. Seems she had crush. I do not understand… crushes, asked Commander… Riker. He told me of them… and of when to kiss.” Data did not look happy about his vocal issues.
“Boy Data I don’t know how to explain the right time to kiss. Other than you just know.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Like you’re standing with someone looking out at the stars and see them reflected in their eyes, or your hands touch while you both reach to grab something. Times when things feel,” He paused trying to think of ways to phrase this, “intimate and you know it isn’t just you who thinks that.”
“Instinct?”
“Yeah instinct helps.”
They fell into a silence as the room finished lowering itself, the only sound coming from Data’s fans. Geordi sat there looking at his friend and sipping his tea noticing the steam slowly disappearing which led to him admiring his friends physique again. He shivered from the cold and wrapped the blanket tighter around himself, he wistfully wondered if Data was cooled enough to touch again.
“How’s your temperature Data? Have you cooled at all?”
The android nodded, “Yes my outer temperature has cooled to a manageable temperature again and my inner temperature has almost reached the point where I can finish fixing the actual control system.”
“Oh that’s great Data. About time huh?” He smiled wide before shivering again.
“Geordi we can turn the temperature back up if you wish now. Computer-”
“No, no. It’s fine Data. I don’t mind the cold. Just wish I had a thicker blanket.” He chuckled and took another sip of his drink.
“But you wishing for a thicker blanket means you want to be warmer, no? Computer-” Once again trying to raise the room temperature.
“Wait, there's no need for that Data. How do I explain this.” He shifted in his seat and took a second to think, “Some people like to be in the cold as long as they have a way to be warm, like blankets or sharing heat with someone.”
“Would ‘sharing heat with someone’ be one of those intimate times people might kiss?”
Geordi sputtered on his drink and felt himself blush once again, “Uh yeah I suppose that could be one of those times, but again it depends. It can also be a friendly thing as a mutual way to stay warm.”
Data stood abruptly and walked over to where Geordi was sitting and cocked his head to the side. “Then might I join you so you can use my heat to stay warm?”
“Uh yeah, yeah.” Geordi stared up at his friend who currently towered over him. Taking a deep breath he stood up to allow Data to sit down first, and then slowly lowered himself onto the android’s lap. He adjusted himself so that his butt was on one thigh and his legs on the other, he hadn’t leaned onto Data yet and instead sat straight up. Another deep breath to prepare himself and then two arms wrapped around him and brought his shoulder to a steady chest and his cheek to an even steadier shoulder.
He chuckled to himself nervously, “You’re not uncomfortable right?” He understood that Data couldn’t feel uncomfortable but he needed to say something before he got too embarrassed.
“I cannot feel comfortable or uncomfortable.” Beat passed. “Are you uncomfortable?”
He shook his head on his friend's shoulder and, for the third time since his friend offered to share a seat he took a deep breath. However being this close to the android he noticed something.
“Do you have cologne on Data?”
“Yes Geordi. In a conversation with Counselor Troi she stated that people may find the smell of something, human more welcoming than the nothing that I smell of.”
“You don’t smell of nothing Data, you smell of… Well I don’t know I suppose of bioplast sheets and fresh laundry. It’s certainly subtle though.” Geordi yawed and settled deeper against Data’s body and moved his hands and blanket closer under his chin. “How’re your systems Data?”
“Functioning fully within standard parameters and my temperature control system is almost finished being recalibrated.” Data’s right hand began rubbing circles on Geordi’s back while his left rested on Geordi’s upper right thigh. He wanted to make sure that Geordi was secure on his lap and would not fall.
Geordi hummed, “Are you trying to make me fall asleep? ‘Cause it’s working.”
“Yes. It is late and you are tired.” The android continued rubbing circles on the blind man’s back. He looked down at his friend and processed the moment. Could this be an intimate moment or a platonic moment? He decided to wait and observe longer before he made a judgement, heeding Commander Riker’s words. “If you would not mind, we can move this to a better location. The bed perhaps?”
“The bed?” Said tiredly before a louder exclaim, “The bed?”
“Yes, staying in this chair you will most likely get a stiff neck or a stiff back and that would not be good to work with tomorrow.” With that he moved his arm under Geordi’s knees and stood swiftly before making his way to the bed.
“Wait, wait. Data are you sure?” He was set on the bed and sat there as his friend walked to the other side of the bed.
The android sat himself down and then laid flat on his back, his face scrunched before he brought his arm out and rested it on the bed behind Geordi. Geordi watched before lowering himself so that his head laid on the arm of Data. He really needed to get his breathing under control; he chuckled as he sighed again and pressed his head against the mechanical muscle he rested on. He yawned before turning his head towards the body connected to his pillow, squeezing his eyes as the VISOR pressed against the connector point.
Data hummed and used his free hand to remove the VISOR to set it on the bed next to him, glancing at his tired friend. He felt a spark within his brain and once again wondered if this was the time to kiss. That then led to the thought process ‘why is Geordi the only one I want to kiss?’, he thought about his relationship with the Engineer Chief and how much of it correlated with a normal human relationship. He hummed again.
“What’re you thinking about Data?” Geordi nearly whispered this question and it went through the entirety of Data’s circuitry. “You’re humming a lot.”
“I was just reflecting what Commander Riker said again.” The response in a whisper.
“About the right time to kiss?” An even quieter question.
“Yes.” Data blinked and looked at the blind man’s eyes, despite them being white he could see where the eyes moved to look, without seeing where he was.
“Oh.” Heat crept up Geordi’s face and his breathing sped up. “And?”
“I believe this is one of those times. May I?” Data moved his face closer so that the last question had his lips brushing Geordi’s as he spoke.
“Please.” Spoken so quietly any regular human would have thought it was a breath. And with that the distance was closed and android lips met human.
Slow at first, just a meeting before Data pulled back and, taking in the half lidded eyes and opened lips, he went back in. Deepening it each time Geordi came back after taking a breath. Finally after a long period of time passed, 23 minutes and 52 seconds to be exact, Geordi pulled back for the final time and panted. He rested his cheek on the chest that was now beneath him and swung a leg and arm over the connected body.
“I think you’ve learned when to kiss someone Data.” He smiled wide.
“Yes, I would be inclined to agree. More experiments to test out my timing will need to be done to be sure however.” Data smiled and tightened the grip of his arm around the man on his body.
“I’d be happy to help with those experiments.” Another smile followed by a yawn. “If you’d want me to that is.”
“I would prefer you to help.”
“Good.” Geordi snuggled in and quickly fell asleep, dreaming of future kisses with his best friend.