Star Trek Imagines

[ENT] Malcolm Reed - Don't Be An Idiot

Joined at the hip was an understatement for the bond between yourself and Trip Tucker. All throughout your youth, the two of you stuck together through everything. Wherever one was, the other was sure not to be too far behind. That was the way you both liked it. A mutual bond between you, you truly were best friends.

This included the two of you working to get accepted into Starfleet Academy, a dream both of you had wished on for years. Trip had taken his course in engineering and you had taken the medical path, having always had the want to help others where you could. Both of you were accepted, and through the years of hard work, your bond only got stronger. 

Stationed aboard the Enterprise, you were glad to still be with him. Despite your opposing fields, you spent as much time with him as you could still, savouring the hours you had. Through Trip, you had met others aboard the ship, and made some good friends. You'd also met Malcolm, a quiet man who was a weapons expert. Small conversation here and there often occurred between you, though he seemed far too nervous around you to engage in any more than small talk. Even as the months went on, he stayed the same. 

"Hey," you began, stepping into engineering and greeting Trip with a hug, which he gladly returned, lifting you off your feet as you laughed. "We still on for tonight?" 

He placed you down and grimaced. "If I can get this sorted out then absolutely. I don't know how long this'll take, darlin'," 

"That's alright, I'd rather the ship didn't explode if that's okay with you, Trip." You both broke out in giggles as he pushed your arm playfully. What neither of you did notice was Malcolm, stood not too far away and hearing every word.

Malcolm had, for the longest time, felt something more than friendship for you, though never would he consider acting on it. He thought you and Trip had something going on, and he couldn't be blamed, really; outside eyes could be easily led to believe that. He saw how you looked at Trip, how you laughed with him, how you acted with him. It looked like love to Malcolm, so he kept to himself.

Lingering a little longer to waste the rest of your break, you decided to talk to Malcolm whilst Trip went back to the ship's problem of the week. Sitting beside him, you smiled politely at him.

"Hi, how's your day been, Lieutenant?" your voice was soft, trying to be as friendly as you could.

"Malcolm, please," he corrected with a shy chuckle, and you nodded in acknowledgement. It's been alright, thank you, Y/N. Yours?"

"All the better for seeing you."

Malcolm's cheeks turned red at your words, and he excused himself by 'returning to his duties'. Standing, he walked off and you found yourself staring after him. Why is he so nervous around me? Your mind wandered to what you may have done, and you hadn't realised you were still staring at the door long after he'd left.

"You in there, sweetheart?" Trip's voice brought you back to reality, and you blinked a couple of times to reground yourself. "Thought we'd lost you for good, there. Everything good?"

Before you could answer, Trip followed your train of sight to the door and chuckled. "Ahh, just tell him. Lord knows he ain't gonna tell you."

"Tell him what?" you feigned innocence, and Trip shot you an incredulous look, one that told you without words that he believed none of your act. "No."

"Oh, come on, I see how you look at him, and he does the same, you know. You two are both far too stubborn, Y/N. You get nothin' if you wait for it."

With that, Trip walked off, and you stuck your tongue out behind his back. Your walk back to the medical bay was short, leaving you with your thoughts for a while longer. Did Malcolm really like you like Trip had said? So far into your thoughts as you were, you hadn't realised someone walking the other way, and you walked right into them.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" you protested, looking up to the poor soul; Malcolm. He was on his way back to engineering.

"It's quite alright, the fault was mine." He offered a hand which you took, and you couldn't help the warm feeling you felt inside. Your hands lingered together a little longer, and your eyes fell on his, which were filled with a sparkle you hadn't noticed before. Malcolm's cheeks reddened again, and he nodded at you before heading down the corridor again.

"You alright there, man? Did you run here?" Trip slapped a hand down on Malcolm's shoulder as he entered engineering and laughed, his friend letting out a small chuckle. "You know, Y/N just headed out that way if you- oh my god."

"What?"Malcolm asked, genuinely confused. He was met with Trip's laughter once again.

"You bumped into Y/N, didn't you? You know, you could just mention you'd like to get married."

Malcolm's head shot up and he raised a brow at his friend. 

"I would never," he began. "You're with Y/N, I wouldn't come between that."

"I- what?" Trip spoke, with a tone that screamed Malcolm's statement was incredulous. "You think me and Y/N are- here I was thinkin' you were smart."

"I don't-"

"Y/N's my best friend, we've been close since we learned to walk. There's nothing there but a family love, and you're blind if you haven't seen the way Y/N looks at you. I've never seen a gaze linger longer, never seen someone so concerned over a guy who won't even have a proper conversation 'cos he's too scared. Don't be an idiot, man. Go."

As Malcolm took to the corridors of the Enterprise, he pondered Trip's lecture. Had he been that blind? To him, there was no logical reason you would choose him over Trip, not to him. What he was unaware of was how you felt. Reaching the medical bay, he entered, greeted by Dr Phlox and his always present smile.

"What can I do you for, Lieutenant?" he asked, and Malcolm shook his head, looking past Phlox at you, who was currently tapping away at a report. Phlox followed his train of sight and grinned. "In you go, I'll see you later."

"Ah, hello," he began rather quietly, even for him. "How's your report going?"

"Very well thank you, Malcolm. Is everything alright?" you chuckled at his attempt at small talk, and for once, saw him smile at you, a real smile. 

"I was wondering if you'd perhaps like to join me tonight for dinner?" 

Eyes widening, you took a minute to process if this was happening. The pause, however, was too long for Malcolm, who began to stutter and backtrack. Silencing him with a finger to his lips, you smiled again at the nervous man before you. Placing a hand on his, you entwined your fingers together to calm him.

"That sounds lovely, I'd really enjoy that."

From there, that dinner made history. Neither of you really knew how you had been so lucky to have the other, though it was never a topic for debate. All that mattered was that you had each other, and through anything, that was enough.

--

A/N: these endings are getting worse, lord help me. Thanks for reading! :) x