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The sun had a special brightness that day; Honestly, it would’ve been uncomfortable if not for the trees by the pathway. Not so far, a melody that fainted slowly was sung by a goldfinch, looking for his mate.
Since the last upgrade, the Holodeck had become strangely realistic.
And there they were, Geordi and Data, walking side by side as they talked about anything; their last mission, some random investigation they were doing, trying the new dish in ten forward. It didn’t really matter what they talked about, the common subject was always the time spent together.
The last few months had been like that. Their friendship had been like that. It felt like they were made for each other. Ever since they met, their relationship would only grow stronger, bonding over hobbies, science talks till late, missions. They didn’t really know when that had changed, but those months, the past half year or so, there was something else in the air; as if their friendship wouldn’t suffice for describing their bond. They were friends, best friends. Or something more, way more. They were soulmates, platonic soulmates.
They were nothing more than platonic, they thought.
“Geordi,” Data said as he looked at the path, there was definitely something up to his mind. “Why do you think Counselor Troi sent us for a walk? I do not object, but she was strangely specific with having a.. "heart-to-heart"”.
“Yeah, it was a bit weird,” Geordi admitted, “maybe she sent us to count the trees.” He chuckled.
Data didn’t. He looked at the other with a trace of intrigue. “What would that be for?”
Geordi let out a soothing laugh; that made something inside Data soften, which did not seem to surprise him, he was far used to that feeling. He found a nice comfort in his smile and joy, like a bunch of butterflies in his stomach, although that wouldn’t make sense for an android.
“..maybe we could kiss for every tree in the park.” Geordi joked.
There was a part of what he said that got lost along his thoughts. “What?” Data asked, taken aback, and suddenly stopping the pace.
Geordi stopped too, looking for the right words to explain what he just said, which did not make much sense.
“No, like, you know that phrase?” He tried to explain, as the words seemed to be crumbling upon each other in a nervous attempt to not make things worse “"For every tree that we see we could kiss"? That..?”
“Oh! That does indeed have a certain appeal to it ”Data said, not getting the joke.
“Oh, I mean- what?” He supposed he should have expected that. He wasn't really thinking when he made the joke.
But then again, Data was not against the idea.
Data tilted his head to the side “Is everything alright, Geordi?”
“Yeah, it's perfect” He responded quickly and smiled.
“I estimate there to be approximately 150 trees in this specific park” Data said, looking around “We could ask the computer for the specific number”
Data discarded the idea when Geordi approached him, putting a hand on the back of Data’s head. His grasp was soft, but firm, enough to make Data feel what humans would call “blushing”, as his systems started heating slightly.
Carefully, and very shyly, their faces were getting closer; Data can only recall feeling Geordi’s breath, while his glance could do nothing but go back and forth between the lips of the other and his VISOR. He had the urge to cut that very small but killing distance, and without realizing, he laid both his hands on Geordi's hips.
Giving him the reassurance he needed, Geordi chuckled a little before finally, in a rushed move which made both almost lose their balance, closed the gap that was not only separating their mouths, but the feelings that were bottled up for so long;
This was not only their first kiss, this was the reunion between two souls, destined to be with each other. All the glances, the giggles, every nudge, every discarded “signal” that was thought not to be corresponded. All that was the very moment of collapse between two stars who had been orbiting each other for centuries, and in an ending passion could put an end to the agony that kept them apart, and so would rise a fire within, an indestructible new type of something, a supernova, filled by the moving energy of love; pure and crude love.
And with this, the two stars separated. One grasping for air, not letting go of the touch of the other, not being able to undo what was already done.
Geordi took a deep breath, eyes wide open under the visor. He hadn't actually expected that to happen. What was he supposed to do now, considering that he felt warm inside like he had never felt before, and that his mind was just asking for more?
Data was standing still, just a few centimeters away from where they separated. He was repeating the last seconds in his mind, again and again and again and again. He felt like he could repeat them forever. There was no reason to stop, after all. Everything else was secondary.
It was Geordi who broke the silence, even if none of them felt uncomfortable in it.
“Data” He whispered “That was…”
“I know” He reassured “Geordi, would you like to discuss this?” He added softly. just a few centimeters away from Geordi.
“Later” Geordi decided, closing the distance between them for a second kiss.
And then there was a third one. And a fourth. And a fifth. And then they ignored the trees, whatever number they were, and poured all their newly discovered feelings into each other, and they were so invested in it that they felt like it could never stop.
But eventually it did stop, and they found themselves sitting under one of the trees, simply enjoying each other's presence.
Hugging, or more so, cuddling, Geordi had his legs wrapped around Data’s, while resting his head on his shoulder. There hadn't been much words after that, only a fresh air, like a pressure that unloads and is now a tranquil breeze.
“This is nice” Geordi said, breaking the silence, but making sure not to break the peace as well, talking almost in a mumble.
Data nodded, letting out a sound that could be interpreted as agreement. “Yes, very much so.”
Once more, a few seconds of silence invaded their space, there was something else that was needed to say, and they had avoided it now for too long.
“So… wanna talk about it?” Geordi asked, under this same pressure. He let go of the cuddle, not enough to be completely separated, but to see him face to face. “This is.. different. To say the least. It’ll change a few things here and there for sure.” He gave him a shy smile, and waited for an answer.
Sitting in a branch nearby, the song of the goldfinch that was gone, had come back now, along with another singing. There were two goldfinches, in the making of a new melody.
“Agreed,” Data said, after taking it in. “There is definitely a lot to "unpack", as you would say.” Geordi chuckled. “But, we do have enough time now that it has changed; I would suggest to… enjoy the rest of our evening, and talk it out later.”
“Perhaps with some dinner?” Geordi proposed.
“Perhaps.” Data smiled.