Work Text:
Kira can’t believe this is happening. It’s just a holosuite reservation, they’ve done this plenty of times, and yet, here she is, nervously prowling around her quarters and unable to decide what to wear. Of all the things to be worried about, this is what her brain has chosen?
“Just wear something that’s comfortable to dance in!”, Jadzia had said, which somehow leaves Kira utterly stumped. It’s not like her closet doesn’t have enough options, but every time she decides on an outfit, she can’t stop her mind from thinking about what it’ll be like to dance with Jadzia in that outfit. If she wears that short-sleeved dress, would Jadzia’s hands touch her bare shoulders? If she wears this cropped top with the high trousers, would her fingertips brush against her exposed back? If she puts on a long-sleeved jacket, will Jadzia tease her about it and argue her into taking it off?
Kira groans and puts her head in her hands. Every option invariably leads to thought of dancing with Jadzia, and the idea of being that close to her is unbearably tempting. She thought she’d managed to clamp down on her ridiculous crush, but it just keeps growing – if only her friend wasn’t so damn smart, so kind, so beautiful! If only her teasing smiles didn’t send shivers down Kira’s back every time! If only she wasn’t so easy to talk to, so fun to be around!
Another sigh escapes her and it almost makes her laugh. This really is ridiculous! She’s a grown woman, for the prophets' sake, not a blushing teenager. She’ll pick an outfit, she’ll meet her friend, she’ll have fun – of course she will, if Jadzia is involved – and she won’t embarrass herself with this stupid crush. In fact, she’s just decided on the perfect solution: She’ll just wear her uniform! It’s comfortable, after all, and she can just pretend she didn’t have time to change. It’ll be fine.
****************************************************************************
…It isn’t fine.
When Jadzia catches sight of her approaching the holosuites, she shakes her head with a small smile and chides: “Nerys – are you really going to wear your uniform to go dancing?”
“I’m sorry, Jadzia – I didn’t have time to change, and it really is a comfortable uniform.”
“Nonsense, Nerys, we left ops at the same time!”
“Well, I had some things to deal with in my quarters and I, uh, lost track of time.”
“If you didn’t have anything to wear, you could’ve just told me – come on, I’ll lend you something of mine!”
“What do you mean – something of yours? I can’t –”
“Of course you can! I’m a bit taller than you, so my pants probably won’t fit, but I’m sure I have a dress or two that would fit you just fine – in fact, I think I have the perfect thing in mind.”
“But – what about the holosuite reservation?”
“Eh, it’ll be here – I booked two hours, we can spare ten minutes to find you something fun to wear!”
With that, Jadzia grabs her hand and pulls her towards the exit, and Kira lets herself be pulled, all the way to Jadzia’s quarters. Her mind is blissfully blank until they get there, until her brain catches up and she realizes that they are standing in Jadzia’s quarters. They are in Jadzia’s quarters and she’s about to put on Jadzia’s clothes. It’s a wonder she isn’t hyperventilating from sheer overload – they’re now in Jadzia’s bedroom, Jadzia pushes a dress into her hands and leaves the room with a grin and a wink, and Kira has to sit down for a moment, because this really is too much. How is she supposed to do this? She takes a few deep breaths and then looks at the dress Jadzia has given her. It really does look nice – a dark shade of green, simple and unembellished, made from a soft and flowing fabric. Has Jadzia worn this? Has this touched her skin – Kira shakes her head emphatically. That is definitely not helpful thinking. She’ll put on the dress and act normal, for the prophets’ sake – her friend is doing a nice thing for her and she won’t spoil it.
A minute later, Jadzia calls out: “Are you done, Nerys? Can I come in?”
Kira replies: “Yes, it’s – I’m done.”, and she doesn’t like how shaky her voice is. She turns towards the bedroom door as it opens to Jadzia standing outside the room. Her friend looks at her appraisingly and there is something – appreciative and almost hungry in Jadzia’s eyes for just a second, but surely she just imagined that? It must be wishful thinking, but then, why is her heart suddenly beating like this?
Jadzia steps closer and Kira clears her throat nervously. She turns around to avoid Jadzia’s gaze and says, “I couldn’t get the zipper closed all the way – would you?” And – goodness, that was a mistake, because now Jadzia is right behind her, her left hand on Kira’s shoulder, her right hand pulling up the zipper, and Kira can feel her body heat through the dress, much too close. Surely it can’t take this long to pull up a zipper? She’s about to step away when she feels Jadzia’s breath ghosting over her ear, and hears her whisper: “This really looks very good on you.” The next moment, she’s pressing a kiss to the side of her neck and Kira jumps away like she’s been shocked, quickly turning around to face Jadzia and exclaiming:
“What are you doing?!”
Jadzia steps back, blushing, and tries to explain –
“I’m sorry, Nerys, I thought – I thought you felt the same way, but I can see I’m mistaken. It won’t happen again.”
There’s something dejected and sad in her eyes, which is the last thing Kira wants, but she has to ask, has to make sure:
“Feel what way?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I like you, Nerys, and I mean that as a friend, but also in a different way, the way that makes me miss you every second that you’re not in ops, that makes me want to hold your hand, to kiss you and, frankly, to take that dress off you even though I just helped you put it on. But I can tell when I’m not wanted and I promise I’ll get it under control. I would hate to lose you as a friend.”
Kira is stunned. She feels unreal, almost detached from her body as she tries to process the words – Jadzia likes her? And she thinks Kira doesn’t like her back? It’s so absurd that a hysterical short giggle escapes her. But now Jadzia looks hurt, and that isn’t right at all, so Kira hurries to clarify: “I’m sorry, I’m not laughing at you, I’m just so relieved and, well, happy. I’m happy that you want me the way I want you, and to think that you think I don’t like you when I’ve had the most ridiculous crush on you for years is just – well, it’s absurd!”
Jadzia grins and steps close again.
“So you like me?”
Kira blushes.
“Yes. Yes, I like you, of course I like you, and I –”, her eyes flicker to Jadzia’s lips, and she smiles, “I think I’d like to kiss you now.”
And she does.