“I don’t know if I’ve ever really dealt with it, you know.” Julian looked thoughtful for a moment, then he smiled his most self-deprecating smile and shook his head. “Although there are some who would say this whole relationship is compensation of a sort. No one had my back, so I partner with an assassin. An older man, no less.”
“And is that what you think, my dear?”
“Of course not. Elim,” Julian leaned over and kissed him. “You know better. I’m not looking for someone to take care of me.”
“Though I do it so well.” Garak threaded his fingers through Julian’s hair. “Hm, a bit dry. Do you need more hair lotion?”
Julian ducked his head. “The way you take care of me.” He kissed the scale that always made Elim shiver, just below the hairline. “And if I’m to be entirely honest, I do like the idea that you could take out any threat. I mean, any physical threat. Although, if you could take a phaser to internalized doubts and self-loathing that would be lovely.”
“I’m working on it. Give me time.”
“What did I ever do without you?”
