Chapter Text
The planet of Vediwa is, objectively speaking, one of the most beautiful planets Jackson has ever seen.
He has an undying loyalty to Earth, of course - a couple of his fondest memories involve the beauty of the Bund at night or the breathtaking view from one of Hong Kong’s many high-rise buildings, and he’ll always remember the first time he saw the swirling whites and stunning blues of Earth from space.
But Vediwa - at least from here, on the ship’s main deck - is gorgeous, with its shades of purple and pale yellow and egg white. Jackson activates the tech attached to his contact lenses to take a few pictures for his parents, making a mental note to forward them to his brother as well. His niece has finally started to show interest in his job, after all.
Jaebeom clears his throat from his usual perch on the captain's chair. Jackson reflexively snaps to attention.
“Okay, guys. We’ll be on Vediwa in about an hour. Remember that we’re here to make a good first impression and hopefully get them to join the Federation. Behave.”
This is sternly and wearily directed at Bambam and Yugyeom, who both blink innocently at their captain. Jaebeom looks like he wants to sigh, and Jackson moves closer so that he can lovingly massage the slightly older man’s neck. He gets waved off very quickly, but Jaebeom shoots him a little appreciative smile, so Jackson decides magnanimously to let the brusqueness go. It helps that he knows his hyung tends to have his hang-ups about receiving affection on the bridge when everyone can see, even though Jackson is pretty sure none of the crew members care. Honestly, it still baffles him that Jaebeom hasn't realized how much the crew loves him yet.
They hail the planet to get landing instructions, and Mark, as always, expertly maneuvers the ship into the designated station with Youngjae’s help. Jackson doesn’t hide his sour look at the warp devices, exaggerating his disgust until the others laugh.
“Hyung, it’s been 3 years,” Yugyeom says after his giggle peters out, “how do you still hate warping?”
“Easily,” Jackson sniffs. “I don’t know how you guys don’t hate warping, but some of us don’t like having our molecules disintegrated and rearranged.”
He ignores Bambam’s slightly offended noise at the notion of anything being wrong with the ship’s technology. The man is weirdly protective of the Eclipse, which Jackson gets, to be honest (it is their home away from home, after all), but he still likes to poke at Bam sometimes.
“It doesn’t feel like anything.” Jaebeom’s exasperation sounds a little confounded, as it always does when Jackson brings this specific issue up. Jackson counts this as a win - it’s a lot better to hear than the tension that comes from being the one to initiate direct contact with a promising distant planet as one of the youngest Starfleet captains ever.
“Well, it’s still terrible,” Jackson complains, pushing his bottom lip out into a practiced pout. Jaebeom’s answering smile almost seems reluctant, a completely involuntary response, and Jackson obligingly shrieks when their captain pushes him through the device first to the giggles and whoops of the landing party.
Jackson is about 95% sure that they are being tactically shown its most beautiful parts, but Vediwa seems to be an absolute paradise. It doesn’t stop him from being slightly wary, even as he compliments the sights effusively and genuinely, because they have visited similarly wonderful planets in the past and then suddenly found themselves fleeing desperately back to the ship.
Their tour guide, who speaks both Federation-Standard and a whole bunch of other languages, is a kind and funny older Vediwan, a native of the country they’re in. Jackson strikes up a conversation as they walk and ignores Jaebeom’s subtle long-suffering look (an expression he has perfected through the course of their missions) when they start switching through as many languages as they can, mostly because they can - the Universal Translator will do its job, after all, even if Jackson maintains that it does that job way too shoddily sometimes.
Their guide likely notices the way they’re all doing their best to avoid staring too long at any of the citizens and, pointing at his own dark indigo sclera and slitted pupils, kindly launches into a discussion of the apparent differences between Vediwans and the races represented by the current landing party. His golden-amber irises, which are bright to the point of almost glowing, are apparently common to the Vediwans of this particular land, but he explains that this varies heavily by area.
So too, apparently, does height. The inhabitants of this country have a taller average height by perhaps a foot or two when compared to the landing party (unfortunately), which kind of quashes Jackson’s hopes that their guide was just on the bigger side. His longer and thinner ears are pierced, and the two big pairs of horns protruding from the sides of his head have small adornments hanging from them that match the color of the scales at the base of his neck and at his elbows - common fashion choices for a bachelor, he explains with a grin.
With a cheeky wink, their tour guide casually slips into a much lesser known language to joke that the group might consider finding other differences for themselves.
The little Universal Translator is tripped up by the slang, so Jackson is the only one to get the joke, breaking into his typical laughter. Their guide grins, easily delighted, and heads off Jaebeom's strict disapproving captain face by hailing his attention.
“The leaders of many lands have come to welcome you.” His expression turns sly, very reminiscent of the crew’s youngest members. “They quarreled a little over the right to host you, you know. It was all very funny, though I am very proud to welcome you to our lovely city after all the squabble.”
“We’re honored as well,” Jaebeom replies, sounding completely at ease even though Jackson knows he’s definitely anxious about meeting so many important people. It is a hard, hard life for a starship captain.
“Yeah, and it’s beautiful here!” Jackson’s repeating himself, but the place deserves the praise and then some. He smiles at the shopkeepers who dare to make eye contact, and it does wonders for his ego when some of them actually appear to blush.
“I thank you,” their guide says, inclining his head, “and I implore you to let our royals know what you think of all you have seen. And I am letting it be known that I am not averse to being mentioned if you have a good review to give.”
“I’ll tell whoever will listen to me that you were awful,” Jackson teases, giggling when the man gasps in faux shock. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding! I’ll tell anyone who’ll listen to me that you were amazing and they should give you a raise.”
Their tour guide laughs as well. “Now you get it. Lucky me, as your contingent has been invited to dine with all the forty-something big important people at the palace.”
Jackson turns to exchange an excited look with the others - of course there’s the faint stirring of nerves for him too, especially upon hearing that, but he knows his role in the landing party. His ability to keep the mood light is almost as important as his official job as a communications expert; he cannot afford to show any restlessness here.
“Gaga.” Mark’s voice is low. Jackson just barely resists the urge to jump, because the bastard is pretty much breathing right in his ear and he knows that Mark knows that he’s sensitive there, dammit.
Their pilot gives him a shit-eating grin, because sometimes Mark likes to pretend he’s the youngest in their tight-knit group of six and not the oldest, but his hand is gentle on Jackson’s arm.
He doesn’t move away, even when Jackson slows his pace to gawk up at the giant castle they’re heading towards, the vast entirety of it already visible from this distance. The tall buildings seem to be constructed using something like off-white marble and a dark and elegant silver-blue trim, windows grand and imposing, especially the gorgeous mosaics on each outermost structure.
Mark only pulls away when Jaebeom barks at them to get into formation at the bottom of the stairs to the palace. Jackson smiles at him and squeezes his hand before Mark goes to his spot, and they both have to fight down a snicker when Bambam quietly groans at the sheer number of steps he’ll have to climb in his heeled boots (the tallest ones their resident fashionista could get under Starfleet’s regulations).
Their tour guide leaves them in front of the huge main doors with a fancy movement that somewhat resembles a bow. Jackson calls a quick goodbye before following Jaebeom in, their captain trailing respectfully behind one of the guards who had been standing near the entrance to the castle.
He fidgets with his suit, just a little, and takes a breath to ground himself.
It’s showtime.
Jackson very surreptitiously knocks on the probably-wood frame of the chair under him. Things are going very well - so well that he almost wants to be suspicious, because they have had too many surprisingly life-threatening missions for him to be comfortable with apparent success.
That said, it’s hard not to enjoy the experience. Even with the pressure of attempting to get this planet’s inhabitants to join the Federation, the obvious splendor of the banquet hall and the amazing entertainment make him feel like he might have entered some kind of fairy tale.
Jackson peeks at the others to check in on them under the guise of taking everything in. It makes all of them a little nervous to be separated, and the landing party has been essentially scattered amongst the fourteen circular tables, with two to three crew members and three to four Vediwan leaders at each one.
Mark appears to be giggling at Youngjae, who is (and has been, at least for the past few times Jackson has glanced at him) staring unabashedly at the musical performers. Their youngest two friends keep catching each other’s eye and communicating in their strange secret language despite being separated by several tables. To his left, their captain seems to be doing better - even though Jaebeom’s posture is straight-backed, which shows off his broad shoulders quite nicely in Jackson’s humble opinion, it’s not quite as stiff as it was before. One of the four rulers of this land sits with them - they seem delighted by Jackson’s tales and Jaebeom’s summary of what the Federation has to offer, and Jackson is starting to feel good about the impression they’re making.
He’s in the middle of taking a long sip from his allotted pretty stem glass when someone sits down in the seat next to him. Jackson chances a look at the newcomer and almost chokes, quickly clearing his throat as unobtrusively as he can and setting down his drink before he accidentally breaks it.
The Vediwan, simply put, is breathtakingly handsome - his facial features are perfect, his frame appears strong under his heavy-looking robes, and Jackson’s throat is suddenly very dry despite his glass being three-quarters empty. It doesn’t help that the Vediwan’s horns are gorgeous, the inner pair arching gracefully into the air like an antelope’s while the outer pair, noticeably thicker, boasts elegant curves and twists.
Wow, those are probably really helpful to have when you wanna get your dick ridden is Jackson's first thought. Oh, do they have dicks? is the second.
The third, sounding a lot like Jaebeom, is get a hold of yourself, Jackson!
Jackson desperately attempts to stop staring, but it’s difficult, especially when the horns are so decorated with beautiful jewelry that they seem to be glittering in the bright lights of the room. He hopes his blatant gawking isn’t too offensive in this land’s culture and is almost thankful when Jaebeom steps on his foot hard enough to make him wince.
“Ah, and here he is. This is my youngest son, Prince Jinyoung.”
Oh. Oh no. This is starting to look like that one mission on Telem. The maknaes still like to tease Mark about it. He can’t let the same fate befall him, no matter how kissable those lips look.
“It’s nice to meet you.” The prince’s voice is strangely soothing, and Jackson scrambles to bulldoze right past any faux pas he may or may not have committed, waiting just long enough for Jaebeom to introduce himself first as the captain of their ship.
“I’m Jackson Wang from Earth, lieutenant and communications officer. It’s a huge honor to meet you, Prince Jinyoung. I promise I didn't mean to offend you just now, if it’s rude to stare.”
“It is not,” the prince says, his impassively polite smile curving into something a bit more amused, a bit more real. “I would not have held it against you, either way.”
He makes Standard sound so elegant. Jackson stubbornly resists the urge to swoon.
“Our visitors were telling us about some of their adventures,” the older Vediwan royal explains, bright irises shining in the light. “I’m sure you’ll find them lovely, so listen well, darling.”
They pretend to impart some great secret to Jaebeom and Jackson, lowering their voice conspiratorially. “My son loves learning about the universe, you see. We often find him with his nose in a book somewhere, and we can hardly get him to pay attention to any of our broadcasts, but if it is about the world beyond ours, then we can hardly remove our curious youngling from the screen.”
“Please, my honored parent, not in front of the guests.” Jackson can almost feel the prince’s mortification - he may be biased because he likes the way his parents light up when they recall things that might be (or should be, since Jackson can be shameless sometimes) embarrassing for him, but he tries to send some sympathy vibes at Jinyoung without offending the very powerful and very amused royal in the process.
Strangely, it seems to work. Jinyoung turns to him, and his eyes seem to soften slightly when they stare at each other.
“Lieutenant,” Jaebeom says. Jackson struggles to take his eyes off of the prince despite his usual conditioning, smiling a little guiltily at his leader after they make eye contact. “Please recount our time on Fasowdun for our esteemed hosts and their guests.”
“Of course, captain.” Jackson loves Fasowdun - or, well, the part of the small planet that they visited. The mission had been a standard check-in by the Federation, but Jaebeom had managed to wrangle a week of leave afterwards for the crew to relax and have fun on one of the most popular tourist planets.
Bambam had especially loved it, claiming that the beaches they played at were incredibly similar to Thailand’s. Jackson pauses just briefly to gather his wits before he weaves his tales and works his magic, reveling in his audience’s rapt attention. He finds himself the sole focus of Jinyoung’s rather intense gaze, and it sends a thrill through his blood.
He fights the urge to shiver and the feeling settles in his stomach, warm and electric.
By the time one of Jinyoung’s other parents calls for dinner, Jackson’s voice is even hoarser than it usually is. The attendants have been dutifully refilling his glass almost constantly, but Jinyoung had expressed interest in more stories of their travels, and Jackson is already willing to bend over backwards for him (pun intended).
Plus, the prince’s frankly adorable laugh might be his new favorite sound in the entire universe. He does keep covering his mouth with his hand when he laughs, though, and Jackson wants to pout and whine at him until he finally lets Jackson see the shape of his laughter.
(He’s not quite sure what to make of Jinyoung’s parent’s reaction. They seem a little too pleased about something, and not knowing what it is makes him slightly uneasy.)
There’s a gigantic buffet table in the middle of the hall, and Jackson's attention is drawn to it when quite a few Vediwans come marching in with trays and carts laden with food, skillfully and quickly transferring all the fancy bowls and plates to the table.
It all smells divine. Jackson just barely keeps his lips from curling up into a grin when he looks over and notices that Jaebeom’s eyes have widened in anticipation and obvious interest. His eagerness seems to please their hosts anyways, the Vediwans immediately taking the opportunity to boast about their respective land’s specialties as their table is ushered to get up and move towards the food.
There’s a gentle but firm touch at his elbow. Jackson blinks up at Jinyoung and tries his best to pretend like his heart didn’t skip a beat at the sight of those striking eyes.
“Come with me? I will help you choose what to eat.”
Jackson’s already planning on getting everything, but, well, he would be a fool not to take the prince up on his offer.
“Of course! Please take care of me.”
His face warms a little. That last part had been unintentional, a habit from his days at the academy in Korea.
It makes Jinyoung pause. The hand still on his elbow tightens its grip just slightly, and Jackson opens his mouth to explain, but Jinyoung speaks first, strangely solemn.
“I will.”
Jackson stares, but the prince simply turns away and starts walking. His strides are longer than Jackson’s already, so Jackson hurries to catch up before he has to run to do it, because the crew could and would tease him forever because they’re all assholes and that just won’t do.
True to his word, Jinyoung does do his best to briefly introduce each dish. On the other hand, Jackson, already incredibly distracted by those smooth syllables in that deep voice, struggles to stop staring at the prince's mouth and throat as he speaks.
It's only when he finally manages to look away that his eyes widen in sheer shock - at the sight of the prince of one of the biggest lands in Vediwa carefully piling food on his plate and filling up his soup bowl for him. Jackson immediately launches into a series of polite but urgent protests, but Jinyoung ignores every single one of them, only offering him a strangely boyish grin over his shoulder.
(It looks unfairly good on him. Jackson despairs.)
He can feel the stares from some of the other guests, including members of the crew. Bambam and Yugyeom have matching shit-eating grins, and Jackson just knows that Mark is waiting for him to establish eye contact so that the older man can send him a greasy wink.
“I hope our cuisine is to your liking. Many lands are represented here.” Jinyoung seems completely unaffected by the eyes on them; Jackson, a little sulkily, reasons to himself that the guy is a prince, after all.
When he digs in, however, Jackson can feel his face light up in genuine awe. They have been to an unfortunate number of planets with regional delicacies that didn’t quite agree with the general human palate and he had been prepared to try and give the prince a little white lie if this were to be the case here, but the food is actually orgasmic.
He can’t quite help the sound of absolute bliss he makes after trying a particularly delicious pastry - whatever the meat inside is, it’s tender and slightly juicy and flavorful, while the flaky layers on the outside are buttery, with hints of something that tastes like cream.
(It is almost like a char siu sou. Jackson’s constant low-level homesickness flares briefly at the thought.)
He’s sure that the sudden spike in longing doesn’t show on his face, and yet Jinyoung frowns a little. “Are you alright? Is it not to your liking?”
“No, it’s good! It’s really, it’s so good,” Jackson hastens to reassure him. “It just reminds me a lot of something I used to eat back on Earth, especially when I was a kid.”
“I see,” the prince says, features smoothing out into something less severe. “Will you tell me about it?”
I would make it for you if you wanted. Jackson consciously does not make the offer - he isn’t a bad cook, especially if he has a recipe in front of him, but he definitely should not be cooking for any princes from planets they’re trying to make allies of.
“Yeah, I can,” he says instead and does his best to recall the little pastries from home. Jinyoung seems to find his halting description fascinating, even though Jackson is more than slightly frustrated at his inability to find the right words and at the way he can’t quite seem to fully recall the taste of the filling.
“I think I would like to try it one day,” Jinyoung says thoughtfully afterwards, primly cutting apart a piece of meat, and Jackson is so focused on the purposeful movements of those very nice big hands that he almost forgets to reply.
“Earth’s a great place to visit, but I think you can get them at a few places closer to here too. I can show you if you want.”
And really, he means on a projection, but Jinyoung’s considering gaze is so heavy that he is almost sure that the prince is on an entirely different page.
“I mean - if. If everyone is okay with that.” Jackson fiddles with his assigned fancy napkin, just to have something to do with his hands, and then glances at Jaebeom. He isn’t surprised to find the captain shooting him a what the fuck are you doing kind of look. After all, it’s usually a pretty terrible idea to have any big important people on the ship, what with the huge risks with big huge very scary potential consequences. The smarter thing to do would have been to clarify that he meant a map.
But Jinyoung is clearly interested, and Jackson absolutely hates disappointing people, even when they are not supremely hot princes. Besides, the Vediwan royal seems to be of the rational sort, so he’ll probably regretfully decline -
“I would like that very much,” Jinyoung decides, a slow smile curving his pretty lips. Jackson slightly absentmindedly notes that he’s a little in love with the way the prince’s eyes scrunch when he smiles. Wait, wasn't there something wrong? Why is this a bad idea again?
“Oh, how wonderful!” Jinyoung’s parent chimes in, sounding genuinely pleased, and Jackson winces out of his Jinyoung-induced daze when Jaebeom kicks his shin none-too-gently under the table. Their captain keeps a polite smile on his face, however.
“We would be honored to have Prince Jinyoung aboard our ship, of course. Please come aboard when it’s convenient for you to choose a room for your trip.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Jinyoung says, and Jackson feels that same thrill from earlier when the prince’s beautiful eyes meet his again. “If it’s possible, I would like to stay with your lieutenant, Captain Jaebeom.”