Overture

Posted on Tue Jul 1st, 2025 @ 12:53pm by Lieutenant JG Riaothren (Ren) ch'Shaorhs & Commander Cornelius 'Kit' Hanlon

1,929 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: To Boldly Go
Location: Rome
Timeline: June 2386

[ON]

A breeze out of the southwest ruffled the hair of the two men as the two men topped the stairs from Piazza del Popolo and walked out onto Pincio Terrace. Ren's antennae weren't rotating, though someone who didn't know the Andorian well might have assumed they were. They were vibrating as he said, "Wow," he said to Jarin, in a hushed tone, reaching for the Orion's hand, "this is so much better than a holodeck program. But, I thought you would have wanted to be someplace more exciting, like climbing the Eiger."

Jarin laughed as he gave the hand a squeeze before lifting it to kiss the knuckles. "It can't always be an adrenaline trip," he said sweetly before he lowered his hand and looked around. "We're surrounded by humans at work, their culture has left a mark on Starfleet...why not go and explore real places on their planet?" he winked, the smile charming and warm and his eyes sparkling with joy at Ren's reaction. This was what he had hoped for. While others flocked to the Colosseum, he had taken Ren with him to Villa Borghese. To overlook historic Rome. Not that he wasn't going to drag him to the other sights too, but this...he had heard was magic.

"I know you said you had dinner plans later, and that's cool. I'm looking forward to it. But right now, I want to stand here beside you and watch the sunset."

"Dinner is later," Jarin said and wrapped his arm around him, to keep Ren close as he watched the sunset. "It's almost as beautiful as you are," he whispered, meaning it, but the words were more sugary sweet than what he usually would say. Maybe it was the place. Maybe it was what he had in his head.

Ren leaned his head on Jarin's shoulder. It wasn't a gesture he performed often, but it felt right in the moment. "Flattery will get you... Well, you know where it will get you. God, I love you. Have I told you that today?"

"Maybe you did and I just forgot," Jarin said teasingly, his hand going to stroke the back of Ren's neck. "Tell me again, my life."

Ren lifted his head off the Orion so he could fully look into his eyes. Both antennae curled toward Jarin a wide smile on his face. He knew it had been less than two hours since he'd said it and knew that Jarin knew it as well

"I really can't remember either. So, maybe, I should just say it again. I love you, Jarin."

Jarin looked at him at the words, taking a slow but deep breath, an inhale and an exhale. "How much?" he asked softly. "Enough to spend the rest of your life with me, Ren?"

At first, the Andorian's only visible response was a subtle shifting of his antennae. Then he turned so he was looking directly into the Orion's eyes. "Are. You. Asking. Me. To. Marry you?"

Jarin smiled as he looked at him, nodding. "Yes. And before you say anything, I promise, there will be no spouse-to-be kidnapping..." he searched his eyes, finding himself oddly nervous. "So...will you marry me, Ren?"

"When we first met, I wanted to kill you. Not literally, but close. We've sure come a long way, haven't we?"

"Hell yes, I'll marry you. You're the love of my life and I'm never going to leave you."

Jarin laughed with joy and pulled him close, kissing him in the sunset, his arms wrapping around him to keep him against him. "Thank you," he said, with awe, searching his eyes. "You've made me the happiest Orion that ever lived."

"And I'm the happiest Andorian," Ren replied as he leaned back into his lover. This is amazing. What do you have planned for dinner?"

He grinned as he looked at the sunset. "Now now, Ren...why do you think I have planned anything?" he asked innocently. But he had. A private dinner on the rooftop of where they were staying, with actual musicians and cooked food. A romantic place where he had originally planned to propose, yet this place had been too perfect to turn away.

"I wouldn't go into uncover work if I were you. You're not a very good liar. At least to someone who knows you. You've got what humans call a tell. Whenever you lie, your right eye twitches."

"I'd work on that if I were you."

"Not that I mind. I'm sure whatever your non-plans are, it's going to be wonderful."

He turned and ran his finger down Jarin's jaw. "Besides, I have a few ideas of what we can do later myself. You know if you're interested."

"Ren..." Jarin leant into the touch as he watched him, his eyes shining with it. "I love that you know all my tells. I think you're the only one who has ever...truly seen me," he leant close, pressing a tender kiss to his lips. "And yes. Ideas are brilliant and yes...I am interested. First...let me romance you a little. Here, on this strange planet."

Ren's smile grew wider. "You're already romancing me; the proposal, your saying I'm the only one who sees you, bringing me here to this place, whatever plans you have in mind. Who am I to tell you no?"

"And you know, seeing people as they truly are goes both ways. you're the only one I've really let into my life, the only one I'll ever let into my life."

Jarin grinned at that, the words warming him as he watched him. "I will never abuse that trust. I know I can be a pain in the ass half the time, but I promise you...I will never abuse the trust you've shown me, Ren."

"I' hold you to that promise, babe," Ren replied, reaching out his hand to entwine his fingers with his lover's. "Now whisk me away to some of that romancing you were talking about."

Jarin laughed, smiling as he lifted his hand to kiss as he started walking. "For you, Ren...I'd give the universe," he whispered, and in that moment, nothing could be more true.

"You know," Ren replied as the two men walked down the steps, the fading sun now at their backs, "we've come so far from when we first met. I never expected things to turn out this way. I thought we might wind up killing each other, and instead, we're going to have a happily ever after story."

"I think..." Jarin's voice was quiet as he walked, smiling as he enjoyed the moment. "That the friction was necessary. You never shine as brightly as you do when you argue, Ren. I fell in love with you in those moments."

"It took me a little longer in the beginning, but I can't disagree with you. It has made our relationship stronger."

Then his smile turned wicked. "Oh, and speaking of friction, I can think of a few ways we can generate some after dinner. We might even do one during."

"Good thing I have a private one planned," Jarin said with promise in his voice, his eyes warm with it. "After all, I know you, Ren."

"Just like I know you. You want to tell me where we're going?"

Jarin just smiled, leading him with him. They went past buildings, up old roads laid by a people long gone. Until he led him down a side street and up some stairs, where a table was laid. Flowers had been put out in pots too, filling the air with their scent. "Here. We're going here, overlooking the Colosseum."

"This is amazing. You know I enjoy history. How did you find this place?"

"Research," Jarin said and pulled the seat out for him, chuckling with warmth. "I'm not just a pretty face."

Ren sat in the chair that Jarin was offering. "You're much more than that. I've known so for a long time."

"So, what's for dinner? it smells amazing."

He smiled as he looked at him, his eyes warm as he moved to the side. He pressed a button to let them know they were seated, even as he opened the bottle of wine. Real wine. "To start, a Panzanella Salad..." he said as he looked at Ren, pouring the wine. "I wasn't sure when we would be coming here, so a cold starter seemed right."

"Wow," Ren said as he took in the aroma with both his nose and his antennae. He took a sip of wine, then continued. "You've thought of everything, it seems. How long have you been planning this?"

"Remember when there were rumours about shoreleave in the Sol system?" he asked, looking at Ren as he picked up a fork. It had been months. "That's when I decided to do this."

"You have a twisted and devious mind, Jarin. Not that I'm complaining. I like that in a man. Well, at least I like it in you."

"I thought I'd be the one doing the asking, putting all this effort in. You beat me to it."

"Did you have a date in mind?"

He touched his hand, watching Ren with love before he shook his head. "As soon as we can," he finally said. "I want the universe to know our love."

"You'll get no argument from me, I want it to happen quickly, too. I mean, we could get our new Captain to do it. I'm sure he'd be glad to do so. Are you going to invite any of your family?"

"Well...in theory I could, but why would I spoil a perfectly nice day?" Jarin asked with a smile, raising an eyebrow. "But saying that...inviting and waiting for them are two different things. I'm not going to wait that long."

"I don't expect you to wait," Ren replied, both antennae curling toward the man he loved. You and I both know they aren't going to show up. Or at least I'd be surprised if they did. But it doesn't matter. We'll be there for each other."

Jarin watched him, his eyes gentle, before he touched his cheek. He stroked it for a moment, taking a moment just to watch him. With love. He leant to rest their brows together, closing his eyes. "We're family. You, me, and Jaric...nothing else matters. No one else matters."

"Well then, since we're going to be married, I have a confession. I know I denied having anything to do with our being assigned together, I did, as humans say, put my thumb on the scale. I hacked the system. I hope you're not going to turn me in."

He watched Ren for a long moment, emotions flickering across his face: Awe, worry, humour...it was a cascade of them, but the one that won was a look of gentleness and warmth. "That's my Ren, never leaving quite everything to chance...a master of his own destiny."

Ren's smile was half mischievous, half shy, all genuine. "We've got lots of plans to make. I want our wedding to be perfect. Not so perfect that I'm going to stress about it, but you know what I mean," he said.

"But those can wait. Right now, I just want to focus on us. On you. Right now."

Then he leaned in and kissed the Orion with heat.

A Mission Post by

Commander Cornelius Kit Hanlon
Executive Officer
USS Fenrir
As Jarin

&
Lt. JG Riaothren (Ren) ch'Saorhs
Asst. Chief Operations Officer
USS Fenrir

 

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