Work Text:
The mess hall on the Steadfast was unusually loud at the moment. A group of off-duty crew were clustered around a uniformed Lieutenant; they all seemed excited about something, but their Cheunh was coming a little too fast for Eli’van’to to catch exactly what was being said. When Vah’nya came in and joined him, he turned to her, curious.
“Hey, What’s going on with them?” he asked, gesturing to the group.
Vah’nya listened for a minute or two, then smiled. “It seems Lieutenant Lasioten has been matched with someone she has known for many years. She just received confirmation of it today.”
“Matched, huh?” Ivant said, returning the bulk of his attention to his soup. “Good for her.”
“Yes, she is very happy.” Vah’nya continued to listen in, eyes widening in surprise. “It seems her match gifted her a journal.”
Ivant paused, spoon halfway to his mouth. “A journal..? Like, to write in? Is that a typical engagement present?”
“No, his own journal,” Vah’nya explained. “One of the most significant gifts you can give to someone in our culture is your thoughts. To share something like that is to choose to make yourself vulnerable; they are your most personal, private aspect. It is considered to be a sign of absolute trust, so journals are only granted to those you deeply value.”
“..Value?” Ivant repeated softly, his soup forgotten as realization and understanding struck in a moment of perfect clarity.
“Love, Ivant,” Vah’nya confirmed. She placed her hand on his arm, her smile kind and sympathetic. “You only grant a journal to those you love.”