Showing Deep Inside Part 1

Posted on Wed Jul 26th, 2023 @ 11:07am by Leiddem Kea (*) & Delaney O'Callaghan

Mission: Fractures
Location: SS Mary Rose
Timeline: MD -05
3517 words - 7 OF Standard Post Measure

Leiddem strolled along the serene shores of a Betazed lake that he did not know, a symphony of sights, sounds, and sensations engulfed his senses. The air was infused with a gentle breeze and azure waters sparkled under the warm sun, casting dancing reflections on the surrounding vegetation. A chorus of vibrant birdsong filled the air, their melodies harmonizing with the rhythmic lapping of waves against the pebbled shore.

The vibrant flora that flourished along the banks seemed to sway in tune with nature's melody, painting the landscape with an array of vibrant hues. For a second, he was home and he was not so sure he liked how that shifted uncomfortably in his stomach. He turned as a familiar noise interrupted the uncomfortable feeling he was experiencing and made him smile as the arch appeared and in stepped his date. “Hey…”

Wear something comfortable but not too warm, though it could get a little windy, so maybe add a layer.

It had taken Delaney more time than she cared to admit to throw together an outfit that matched the vague instructions she'd been given as she and Leiddem had parted ways at the end of shift. It wasn't unusual for the redhead, whose job gave her a pivotal role as the connective tissue between two departments, to finish slightly later on evenings where Operations also required her to check-in. The idea of spending time on the holodeck before a later dinner had instantly appealed but it had occurred to her, as she stood in front of her neglected wardrobe in the quarters that really needed cleaning out and reallocating now that she only used it as personal storage, that she probably needed to work on Leiddem's love of cryptic vagueness. It was entirely intentional, of course, because he knew how much she absolutely failed to manage her impatience with not knowing what was going on, but when it started to boil down to questions of whether she needed full ski-gear or a swimsuit, there was probably room for improvement.

As it happened, the minute she stepped into the scene, Laney could kind of see his point. There was a lingering humidity but the breeze was veering towards brisk. Stuffing her hands under her arms, which pulled the jacket she'd picked up at the last minute around her a little tighter, (it was one of his, of course, or at least had been one of his), Delaney took a moment to regret leaving her hair loose and blew a strand of hair upwards away from her eyes as she made her way towards him, turning at one point to walk backwards as the archway closed. She wasn't sure where they were, but it was instantly her kind of place. Anywhere this decked out in natural splendour always was. "For some reason, this is a lot more water than I expected." It wasn't a complaint. If anything, she was somewhat regretting the second thoughts about her swimsuit.

Leiddem laughed at the water statement and shrugged. “Betazed is more water than land but we are not going in. Or at least I had not planned to. I just wanted to go for a walk and show you a little of my planet.” He said as he noticed the occasional ripples in the water, caused by playful aquatic creatures darting beneath the surface. The tranquility of the scene was only interrupted by the occasional soft murmur of holograms around them as he moved to join her. “Can confirm that my jacket never looked that good on me.” He admitted admiring her before leaning close to kiss her cheek.

"Well, we already established," started the mischievous referral to a conversation from the previous night, "that you look better out of clothing than in it." Without context, it was a snapshot into the deeply intimate side of their relationship though an actual explanation may have revealed an element of typical tomfoolery. Fingers found his stomach to tickle briefly before Delaney dragged his arm around her shoulders and returned her attention to their surroundings.

Now that she had a reference for where they were, Laney surveyed the lake with renewed interest. "Is this somewhere near where you grew up then?"

The man laughed as her fingers found his stomach and he flinched away from the attack before he retaliated. The touch and the flirt were just them, it was perfect and spoke of deep affection. "This is where I grew up," He admitted with a smile as he held out a hand to her.

"Really?"

It was hard to know what to look at first and, just as was usually the case when Delaney was freshly inspired by something, there was a stop-start to her initial exploration that made walking hand-in-hand something more of a gentle tug-of-war. Beyond the external fidgets was the unabashed and entirely sincere enthusiasm that radiated from her core; Laney wasn't very good at faking her reactions and was arguably less gifted at hiding them. Even though it had descended into unintentional mayhem, sharing her childhood stamping ground had been important to her and there was significance now to the fact he was willing to reciprocate. From what she'd been able to gauge, going home even to visit was a tender subject.

The first place she stopped, having practically dragged him over, was right on the water's edge. "And this is true to life?" Blue eyes, almost as bright as the water itself, darted about the reeds. "It's so vibrant."

“Pretty much. A couple of decades out of date but very much. Betazed is vibrant for the most part.” It had take a while after the occupation to get back to the vibrancy but it was there. “We live here for a bit seven years or so before my parents got a ships posting and we moved off world.” He had very nearly been left with his grandparents but they had gotten more elderly before hand and would not have been able to cope with pre teen him.

There was no need to reiterate her desire to visit the place. By now, the conversation had come up often enough, especially as they counted down the weeks to their big trip back to Earth, that Leiddem could hardly profess to be ignorant of his girlfriend's enthusiasm to share and experience a similar perspective from his own upbringing. There'd always been a slight hesitation about it, something Delaney couldn't pin down but didn't think had anything to do with a reluctance to introduce her specifically to his family, and thus she opted for holding her tongue. Instead, she appreciated the compromise, especially as it seemed quite spontaneous. They hadn't discussed Betazed for a while.

"What's it called?," she asked, gazing out at the lake.

“Lake Seatar. It about 200 miles away from Rixx. My parents used to transport to the base there as there was not enough family accommodation at that time.” He explained as he tugged on her hand and started to lead her along the shore. “My elder sisters used to swim out to that island and leave me here.” He said looking crossly out to the island that was only a couple of 100 feet away from shore but to a young child it would be impossible.

Giving his hand a squeeze, Delaney leaned her head against his arm for a moment to acknowledge the wounded remnants in that recollection. "For me, it was the trees in my grandparents' backyard. Mind you, I was probably only 3 at the time and wouldn't have made it far even if they did drag me up onto the first branch." She glanced down then, noticing the smattering of wildflowers, and asked, "So what was little Leiddem's favourite thing to do here?"

“I liked to people watch to be honest. People watching as a member of my species is completely different to how it is as a human, but both are nice past times.” He revealed bending to kiss her hair softly. “When I was doing my marine training on Mars, I was the strong silent type as I just watched and waited before making my move. Just sat on a rock, watching the world go by is perfect.”

It was not, if Delaney really thought about it, much of a revelation. Part of getting to know Leiddem on a deeper level had been burrowing through the layers of stoicism that could sometimes parade as him taking things a tad too seriously. He had his playful side, she'd discovered that fairly early on, but what she was gradually coming to appreciate was the fact that he didn't always share that with others. In retrospect, all it really proved was the emergence of their mutual attraction well before they'd actually done anything about it but even that seemed like the better decision. It did, of course, allow ample room for wondering what he made of her extroversion but finding the balance had never been much of a struggle. What people often didn't realise was just how introspective Delaney was, especially for a woman who found it very hard to stop thinking about...well, everything.

"So, in other words," she teased him gently, "you just got taller and started wearing pants on a regular basis. Something my grandfather used to say," she added. "No comment on the specific reference he was making."

“You forget I am the youngest.” He laughed quietly. “I learned from my sisters and parents so yes you are correct but really do I wear pants that often.” He had never thought on it that way but it made sense.

"Well, if you're asking me, you wear them far more than you should." A glance upwards through fluttered lashes was intentionally exaggerated in its attempt to beguile. It was, like a lot of their banter, exceedingly ridiculous once it got into full-swing. "But I suppose the new recruits are already looking slightly bemused by what they've got themselves into, no need to tip them over the edge."

He could not blame them or her for either point. He was trying to grow up but being the youngest always left him with the need to rebel. “Yeah let’s not send them over the edge. We need them.” He assured stepping further away from her to climb up onto a rock.

Whilst it was a simple thing, there was something deeply indicative of their relationship in the way that Delaney allowed him to seek his outcrop without making immediate moves to clamber up beside him. In many ways, it wasn't even a conscious decision to give him the space he needed, just the innate recognition from a likewise-independent soul that not every reverie needed to be shared. Instead, still utterly captivated by the location, the human crouched by the water's edge to dip her hand into the water, drizzling droplets through her fingertips as she considered the warmth. "A lot of the colours are similar," she observed eventually, "but in Ireland, this would spend half the year partially frozen. This is almost like bath water."

He nodded in agreement as he watched her. How had he gotten so lucky in being with her. “It is like this all year around. It’s tropical in my opinion despite the wind.” Leiddem called over before he jumped down and joined her by the water.

"I'd say so." Delaney trailed her fingers through the water. "Which really begs the question," she started, squinting somewhat at the sunlight that backlit him as she turned her impish expression towards his more pensive one. "How many times have you gone skinny dipping here?" The ongoing insinuations of his status as a nude man were partially Leiddem's fault, though Delaney would have entirely blamed him. Neither of them would have recalled how the conversation had veered the way it had. Something about stereotypes that had devolved into intentional misconception that all of Betazed wandered around in its birthday suit.

"Many times." The man assured quickly to keep the legend of him going. "But I was a horny teenager, to be honest. We used to come back here after the Occupation when my parents helped with the rebuilding efforts so there was not much else for teenagers to do but be wild and do wild things whilst the grown-ups picked up the pieces of our species." He had no shame in his past. It was him and everything about him she had seemed to like so far.

Right on cue, Delaney flashed him devious grin. "Some things really never change." It was enough to gift him her full attention, rising from her crouch to slip her arms around his waist. With open scrutiny, another default, she studied his expression for a moment and her features relaxed into a far more gentle smile. "Given how you've turned out, I'd say it must have done you some good to be here." On a purely surface level, Leiddem was an attractive man and Delaney was in no hurry to remove that as a contributing factor to his appeal. But it was still difficult for her to grasp how few people took the time to even see what went on beneath the surface, much less exert any effort into understanding it. Briefly, her expression changed to a mockery of deep thought and then, with the bob of her head back and forth as she considered several recollections, she confessed, "I grew up with a lot of older brothers and male cousins and all their friends. I was pretty much considered one of the boys until suddenly they realised I wasn't." Her deadpan spoke volumes. "By that stage I knew all their weak points."

The man laughed and shifted a little to bring her into front of him so he could lean his chin on her shoulder and enjoy the soothing view. "Oh I loved being here and just being... free. Ship life never really suited me, I could never settle on any of the ships and ran away to the easiest option as soon as I could which was how I ended up as a Marine. It was easy and the Marines on any ship accepted me with no questions or commitments." He let the thought settle before he commented on her what she had said about himself. "Can't blame them either. You make me weak." He flirted just a little.

It earned him a playful jab to the stomach with her elbow, though Laney tilted her head to angle a gaze up at him far more preoccupied with everything else he'd said. "And now you're not a marine anymore but you're still on a ship. I understand the family connection," she added, "But every time you talk about this, it just sounds more and more like you compromise everything to be what you think other people need you to be." She raised her eyebrows at him. "You know I'll kick your ass if I ever catch you doing something you hate just because you think I want to do it."

"Ship life as a child never suited me. Ship life as an adult suits me very well." He assured ignoring what she said to simply go to the point of the fact that he loved his life for the most part of being onboard with her, Jeassaho and everyone else on the ship. It was brilliant and exactly what he had wanted from Starfleet. Seeing her looking at him he frowned. "Okay okay but I am not doing anything I hate but sometimes that is part of being in relationship that you compromise and do what the other person wants even if you hate it."

Delaney screwed up her nose. "Maybe the small things, like making someone watch Fantasia multiple times in one week." She supressed a grin to continue with her point. "I don't know that I could enjoy myself knowing that you hated what we were doing. Though," she added, "I'm stuck trying to think of anything I'd want to do that I think you'd loathe."

“So stop worrying.” He said kissing her cheek. “Come on I want to show you more things.” He added changing the subject. He tugged on her hand leading her further along the coast walking in silence past holographic families and couples enjoying the scenery as programmed to. He led them to a set of stairs and jogged up them leading to a promenade that eventually led to what could be classed as a Betazed village.

One of the best ways to guarantee silence from Delaney was to flood her with external stimuli. It was never a given, in the right mood she was just as likely to commentate the entire experience, but this was different and she wasn't a teenager anymore. Of course, to a telepath the inner-monologue was just as vibrant, curiosity and intrigue piled on top of a natural spring of enthusiasm that only ran deeper because this was his childhood they were exploring. Up until now, she'd got tiny pieces of it amongst her own ramblings, it seemed only fitting that she allowed him the space to open up without interruption.

“And this is where I lived.” He finally said stopping outside a large building that was all glass and white stone. “Would you like to go inside? This is my parents program and they… well they get nostalgic sometimes about when is big kids were adults and made this. It’s pretty realistic.”

Whatever she'd expected, this far and away blew it completely out of the water. Wide eyes scanned his face for a moment before Delaney turned to devour the exterior of the building with ravenous fixation on detail. In one cascade of revelation, she realised why Leiddem had seemed a little distracted all afternoon, and why his suggestion to hang out on the holodeck had been a little odd at least in terms of timing. As much as she'd done everything reasonable to express a desire to understand his culture and his people, she'd also been resigned to biding her time. Leiddem was protective of his vulnerable side, which made her equally as inclined to keep it out of harm's way, even if that threat was her own curiosity. Overwhelmed by a surge of endearment, and touched to the point of having to blink back moisture, she wrapped her arm around his waist and cuddled into his side in silent thanks for the trust he was bestowing. "I'd love the guided tour."

Leiddem stood nervously as he could feel the cogs going in her head as she tried to work out what was going on and why he had taken her to where he had. He had just had the thought to end the program and change the date night setting when she cuddled close to him and requested a tour. “Sure. You aren’t going to cry right?” He checked seeing the strange expression on his face.

It earned him a predictable slap on the arm with the backs of her fingers. "If I do it's because you keep doing these things that make me feel five times more important than I probably am." It was a jest, if a little feeble. Strong sentiment wasn't something Delaney had grown up knowing how to articulate and though she was much better now than she'd been as a teenager, she still fumbled. Inside her mind, an open-book as far as broadcasting her mood, the tumble of sentiment tangled into a mess where a deep sense of abiding affection was central. She certainly wasn't upset, far from it. She was proud of him. And grateful. Exceptionally grateful. All evidence suggested this wasn't easy for him.

“Because you are important, Lan. Most important in my universe.” He said quietly taking her hand and weaving his fingers through hers. “I want to share this all with you. I’ve never done this before and I’m not overly sure I am doing it right but I am doing it.” He said with a shrug trying to not sound blasé about it but was sure that it sounded cocky like he normally did. “I want to share but you are not telepathic the same way as me so I am trying to do things this way.”

Not for the first time, Delaney somewhat regretted the accuracy of that last part. It wasn't that she thought being telepathic made life somehow easier but there definitely seemed to be times where it would have made things between them a little more clear-cut. Things tended to happen to their thoughts somewhere between their brain and their mouth, she knew she didn't always get things out in a way that felt ultimately satisfying. "Definitely not complaining," she reassured him with a squeeze of her hand. "I'm here to see whatever you want to show me."

“Everything. I want to show you everything.” He said simply and led her inside. It was that simple to him.