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“Now, ain’t that just the cutest thing,” Trip whispered.
T’Pol turned her head to glance at him—it was the only way she could move without disturbing the man currently fast asleep on her arm. She and Malcolm were in the lounge, on the couch facing the stars. “Trip,” she greeted.
“Here I am with hot chocolate for him, and he’s fast asleep.” Trip laughed softly and approached them. He set one mug down on the table in front of the couch and sat down on T’Pol’s other side, cradling the other mug in his fingers. “You sure you don’t want a sip?”
“Chocolate tends to effect Vulcans… rather negatively,” T’Pol answered.
Trip grinned. “You get drunk, that’s what you mean.”
T’Pol hesitated, then nodded slowly.
“I get it. Don’t worry. Being drunk’s no fun when you don’t wanna be.” Trip took a sip of his drink then leaned forward to get a look at Malcolm. Malcolm was leaning against T’Pol, his head pillowed on her shoulder, eyes closed. He breathed evenly and deeply. “He really is cute like this, ain’t he? You’d hardly guess he works our guns.”
“Indeed,” T’Pol agreed.
“That away mission must’ve worn him out.”
“It was a difficult mission,” T’Pol pointed out.
Trip laughed. “‘Specially for him. How long did he have to stand guard for?”
“Nine hours.”
“Phew.” Trip huffed and leaned back. “Never would’ve guessed those aliens would be so strict about somethin’ like that.”
“It was in the database,” T’Pol said, turning to look at him.
Trip waved his hand. “You know I only skim these things.”
“Maybe one day you should read the whole thing,” murmured Malcolm suddenly.
Trip jumped. “Malcolm! How much did you hear?”
“Only that.” Blinking open his eyes, Malcolm straightened up and rolled his shoulders. He stretched his neck from side to side and let out a breathy groan. “How long was I asleep?”
“Approximately fifteen minutes,” T’Pol provided.
“I brought ya hot chocolate,” Trip said, gesturing.
Malcolm’s eyes flicked to it and a smile ghosted across his lips. “Oh. Thank you.” He reached for the mug and wrapped his fingers around it. He brought it up to his lips. “Oh, that’s good.”
“Standin’ guard must’ve tuckered you out,” Trip observed.
“I can never be tuckered out,” Malcolm said with a wink.
Trip let out a surprised laugh. “You know what I mean.”
Malcolm chuckled. “Thanks for, erm, letting me use you as a pillow, T’Pol. I really didn’t mean to fall asleep like I did.”
“You’re welcome. I understand,” she replied. “You were exhausted and needed the rest.”
Malcolm’s smile grew, and he glanced back and forth between his two lovers. He still couldn’t imagine what on Earth he’d done to deserve them both, but he was glad he had them. They looked out for him, and he them. Never in his life had he felt as much love as he did from T’Pol and Trip, nor had he ever had someone whom the thought of being without was simply unspeakable.
With them, life was more than just bearable. Life was lovely.