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Odo entered Quark's quarters.
"Quark, I did something today."
Quark looked out from the bathroom, partly dressed in sleep wear already, sending him a leer.
"Is it drugs ?" They both knew Odo wouldn't be affected by them, but he still hadn't given up on neither the idea or the joke. Under different circumstances, Odo might have responded in a number of ways. Rolled his eyes, for example, a stable go to from the time they hadn't been together. Or he could have replied with a joke. Or even played along. But not today. Today, right now, it was serious.
"Lwaxana Troi is on the station, desperate to keep her unborn son. I want to help so I agreed to get married to her under Tavnian law."
There, now it was out. He didn't want to keep Quark guessing more than he had to.
Quark stopped trying to get his night shirt on, looking at Odo, the first surprise now changed to a seemingly neutral mask. Quark was thinking underneath that mask, Odo knew that expression on his husband. He resumed putting on his clothes, then walked out and sat on the bed. Odo sat down close by, trying to correctly read the situation.
"Tavnian marriage law is just an addition to the Ferengi contract. You can check again, but it won't alter or contradict it." Odo finally said what he had prepared to put Quark's mind at ease.
"That's why the marriage fraud market is booming..." Quark said very evenly, not looking at him. Both worried Odo. He kept himself from saying anything, waiting for Quark to react. This was about him having the proper time and opportunity to react.
The unspoken moments stretched into minutes.
"For how long..will you be married?"
"As shortly as possible." Odo fired back immediately, not wanting to have Quark get any ideas.
"I know.." Quark started, still strangely even, "..you don't want us to be public about our marriage."
Odo had to stop another response coming from him. He still regarded Quark highly for tolerating his job in security to take precedence over their relationship status being public knowledge and all the open displays of affection this outruled. Hadn't Quark agreed, they wouldn't even be having this talk right now, the knowledge of his marriage making faking this marriage to Lxwana impossible. Another reason he felt bad for making him agree to keeping it secret.
Suddenly Quark turned to him on the bed, attitude switched, fire in his eyes.
"If you plan to have this wedding with the Ambassador, then I have demands."
"I'm listening." Odo said as solemnly as possible.
"First of all, I'm going to marry you so hard after this. I'm saying every ceremony known to civilization, so no one can find any loophole every again ! AND I want us to be public about it! Everything! Us, being together. I want to feel that you are proud of being with me, that- why am I crying, I didn't plan to do that, that's all your fault, you stupid Changeling with your stupid plan.."
Odo pulled Quark into him, smiling. He didn't know if he could really go through with all demands. He probably shouldn't fulfill the public part. But at the same time he had never seen how strongly Quark felt about this. Holding him in his arms right now felt good. Doing so in the middle of the station for all to see whenever he felt like it, would probably feel even better.
"I am proud of you." Odo told him, searching his gaze. Quark brushed away tears, mumbling, "And you better be."
"I am proud of being with you." Odo continued, placing a kiss on his head. "I'm proud of what I can do to you." This brought a chuckle from Quark.
"I will tell everyone that you are my husband." Odo declared. He was very glad to see a playful grin start on Quark's mouth.
"As the first thing when you meet delegates and politicians and royals at the air lock ?"
"Of course, even before they can do a greeting."
"You could hand out a flyer for the bar while you're at it."
"Hmm, good idea."
"I know, you wouldn't have married an idiot."
"I ..wouldn't?"
"You do intend to stay on this bed, right ?"
"Frankly, I was heading for under the covers with you."
"...lead the way !"