Star Trek Imagines

[ENT] Malcolm Reed - In Our Own Company

It wasn't often there was a crew birthday, so parties were rare in occurrence. However, it was Hoshi's birthday and the captain had decided it was cause for celebration, and told the crew they were welcome to join in the fun if they chose to. This would have been the acceptable time to say no, if not for the fact that Hoshi was your best friend, and had been for years.

You's always had a problem with big social gatherings, and in all honesty you had problems with small ones too. Socialising just wasn't one of your strong points; you avoided it wherever possible. This one, however, seemed to pose no actual way out. On one hand, you didn't want to go because of the crowd, but the other half of you didn't want to let Hoshi down. She was your best friend after all. However, you weren't on your own with these thoughts, and so you payed a visit to someone you knew could help, someone who was also in the same boat.

"Hey, mind if I sit?" you asked softly, not wanting to scare the ships armoury officer. Malcolm looked up at you and smiled, nodding his head to invite you to join him. The two of you sat in comfortable silence, finishing your food and drinks together. It was like this most days; you'd eat together, drink together, and with each other you had found an unlikely bond.

"Are you going to Hoshi's party?" you decided to break the silence. Malcolm looked at you as if in thought, and then looked down. Anyone within five feet could tell he was nervous at the mere thought. 

"I don't know, I don't want to, but then I don't want to upset Hoshi.." he trailed off, and he began fiddling with his fingers. You placed your hands on his to stop him, and squeezed them lightly, trying to offer his anxiety some comfort. 

"I feel the same. We can go together? After all, a problem shared is a problem halved, right?" you spoke, trying to ease the mood with some light humour, which seemed to work. Malcolm let out an airy chuckle and looked back up at you.

"That sounds great."

The days rolled on, and you became more anxious as the day came closer. Finally, it dawned and you dreaded the next twenty four hours aboard the ship you'd come to call home. Sighing, you took your papers and headed out of your door to start the day.

"Hey, Y/N, wait up," you heard a voice shout, Hoshi joining your side with her ever present and rather infectious smile. "Will I see you tonight? Are you excited?" She nudged your arm, and you tried your best to be enthusiastic about what was essentially your own personal hell.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, Hoshi" you replied, as she sent you a happy grin. 

"Bring Malcolm too, you can have a nice little date night" she remarked, voice dripping with friendly fire.

"Hoshi!" She said nothing, rather she giggled and winked, before walking off down her corridor, leaving you stood outside of engineering, red faced. She knew how you felt about  Malcolm, and teased you mercilessly about it. 

The day went far quicker than it should have, and before you knew it it was 7pm and you found yourself getting ready to attend the party. You looked lovely, though you were far too humble to admit it. Despite your dread, you made an effort. Heading down to the mess hall, your anxiety rose higher and higher with every footstep, and hit its peak when you stepped inside. The whole of the ship must have turned up. A few familiar faces caught your view, none of which you'd wanted to interact with.

"Boo," Malcolm said quietly, meeting you just inside the door. "You look amazing, Y/N, I'm glad you're here." You smiled gratefully at him, blushing slightly from the compliment.

"As do you, I'm glad you're here too, you're half my sanity." He laughed, a sound that was music to your ears.  After grabbing a drink, you both found a table that was in the dark and out of sight for the most part. 

As you sat, Malcolm paid mind to your hands on the table, which were shaking slightly, and he knew from experience how you were feeling. Your head rose at the feeling of him placing his hands on yours, and the two of you took comfort in each other.

"God this sucks, you're my saviour honestly, I don't even know what I'd be like without you here" you chuckled and looked down, and by doing so you hadn't seen the smile he gave you upon hearing your laugh. At least he was managing to calm your nerves somewhat, despite his own feeling about the situation. Right now, he saw you as more important. 

"It's nice to be in our own company, but we can leave if you'd like? We've been here a while and I'm sure Hoshi won't mind." You weighed up the decision and took him up on it, the two of you making a quiet and discreet exit. It wasn't until you'd been walking through the corridors for a fair while that you noticed Malcolm had yet to let go of your hand. Not that you had minded, of course.

Malcolm and yourself had wandered the halls of the ship just chatting about everything and nothing all at once, just enjoying each others presence instead of the pressures of the party. It got later and later as you chatted more and more. 

"Thank you, Malcolm, not just for tonight, but for everything. You're far more wonderful than you give yourself credit for." He looked at you, battling the urge to dismiss the compliment, given that it was unexpected. You shot him a genuine smile, receiving one back.

"I believe I have to thank you too, you gave me an air of confidence tonight. Without you, I wouldn't have even entertained the thought of turning up there.." he trailed off in a laugh, you joining in with him. 

"What are we like?" You laughed together once more.

Time had decided that the night should come to an end, and Malcolm was kind enough to walk you to your quarters, your arm looped through his. It was comfortable, it was always comfortable, and neither of you complained, you were each others comfort in times like this, and that was all either of you really needed.

Turning to face him upon reaching your door, you gave him a hug, and he pulled you in gently, as if you were a pane of glass that could break at any minute. Malcolm's hugs were always warm and inviting, but more so tonight you felt it. Pulling back, you instinctively rested your head on his chest, and you just stood there in silence.

"This is nice" Malcolm spoke quietly, breaking the comfortable silence between you. You pulled up to look at him, and your heart acted before your brain. You kissed him, expecting him to pull back; instead, he placed his hands either side of your head and pulled you closer. The kiss lasted seconds, but for you it lasted years. He pulled away, and you were definitely blushing. Malcolm looked shocked, but happy. The look you shared suggested this was the start of something wonderful. The two of you stood, processing what just happened, when a smug voice came from the left of yourselves.

"Finally."

"Hoshi!" 

--

A/N: Thank you for reading! :) x