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Major Kira marches through the promenade. These past few days the whole station has noticed a change in Odo’s behaviour. Little things that look huge considering Odo’s track record. Things like putting off paperwork, submitting half written reports, forgetting protocol, snapping at strangers who touched him trying to get his attention.
Odo’s well known for keeping to routine and following protocol, so when he stops doing something or starts doing something else, it becomes everyone’s concern.
Kira has been tasked with checking up on him. She’s got several excuses and cutting remarks up her sleeve depending how Odo reacts. Hopefully he’s just dealing with some emotional hardship that the crew can guide him through. Prophets know he’s bad at handling his feelings.
Kira makes it to his office and doesn’t think twice about storming in, totally ignoring the folded blinds and lack of lights.
She jumps and everts her eyes at what she walked into, gasping at the sights she convinces herself she must have seen wrong. Words simply failed her as she found Quark on his knees and Odo leaned against his desk, holding the back of Quark’s neck. “Odo, what are you doing?” She asks in the most offended tone her voice could handle.
Quark continued as if she wasn’t there, and Odo didn’t seem to respond as usual either. “I got bored,” Odo dryly responds.
Kira did her best not to look, covering her face with her padd, but the situation is so absurd, she has no point of reference for moving past it. “Odo, isn’t there a law against this?” she says, trying to reason with him.
“Probably.” Odo doesn’t move. He just watches Quark with a level of passiveness and disregard for their friend standing in the room.
“Odo, anyone could just walk in here-”
“They should call first.”
Kira was once again at a loss. Is she supposed to tell Quark off? Does she tell Sisko? This behaviour is not like Odo. The situation looks much worse than originally anticipated.
Almost without warning, Quark choked and pulled away, clearly spitting out some form of white fluid. Odo looked mildly panicked for a millisecond after it happened, but encouraged Quark back toward his crotch as soon as he was breathing straight.
Kira shook her head, disgusted and confused as she was, she couldn’t stand here and watch while Odo publicly commits sex acts on Quark.
She stands outside the office holding the padd to her chest. Partially in case she can catch Quark on his way out and get some answers, and partially to stop other people walking in.
She tries her damnedest not to look suspicious, but she can actually hear through the glass separating Odo’s office from the rest of the promenade. Quark is very loud, but Odo’s voice is distinct. Kira is determined to wait it out. There has to be a reasonable explanation.
*
It took nearly an hour, but Quark was finally allowed to leave. Kira watches him slip out a crack in the door. The fact the doors didn’t automatically open the way they did when she walked in implies they disabled the sensors.
Kira caught up with Quark as he power walked back to the bar. “Hey,” she called, trying to get his attention.
Quark didn’t pay her any mind, continuing his awkward jog in the opposite direction.
“Quark!” she tries again.
Quark makes it to the bar with Kira in pursuit. “Major, I know I’m in trouble, just send me the fine or whatever and let's move past it.”
Kira stands on the opposite side of the bar, still focused on her mission. “Quark, we both know that Odo’s been acting weird and THAT is the final straw-”
“Sshh.. He’ll hear you.”
Kira leaned in. “So you know why he’s acting differently?”
Quark looked around nervously and ushered her closer.
Kira offered her ear.
Quark raised a hand to cover his mouth from prying eyes. “That’s not our Odo.”
Kira froze. That explains a lot but also produces a long list of questions. “Where’s our Odo?”
Quark continued to whisper but started pottering about with cups and glasses. “He told me he’s safe, but not where he is.”
Kira sighed. “It’s been 3 days, Quark. Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“I don’t know.” He sighs. “It was fun at first, but he’s getting more and more … aggressive? He’s never done that before today.”
Kira watched Quark put a drink in front of her. “Why’s he here?”
“I don’t know. He told me who he was, and that my Odo is safe, but called himself the more fun version and I liked the sound of that.”
Kira sipped her drink. She’s not sure how best to go about this. “We’ll get a team together and send security to get a full statement, okay?”
Quark nodded. Kira marched away.
*
Sisko had the whole team quietly prepare to incarcerate mirror Odo. Kira was incharge of security just until they knew where their Odo was, and just until they knew he’s okay. They asked Bashir to hold out just in case Odo isn’t okay, or his counterpart lashes out. Dax rerouted commands to Sisko and O’brien prepared the back up traps, just in case he tried to escape.
Sisko took a deep breath and pressed the button to call the security office’s console.
Odo hesitantly answered. “Commander?”
“This is commander Sisko ordering a full lock down of the security office, code alpha-beta-7-4-2-Omega-9.”
The room was suddenly cut off in all directions, but the Changeling didn’t move.
Sisko continued. “As of this moment, your status aboard the station is a violation of several Bajoran and Federation codes.”
The Changeling raised his hands in defeat but didn’t move. “Did Quark tell you?”
Sisko gives his next direct order. “Put yourself in a holding cell and wait for further assistance.”
He sighed dramatically and threw himself up. He casually wandered to the brig and locked himself in, making a small show of crossing his legs and folding his arms. “There.”
The room was just as quickly disarmed.
*
Sisko and Kira stood before the Changeling they had in custody.
“You seem like a reasonable man-” Sisko began, but was cut off.
“Pft.”
He continues anyway. “Having said that, you’ve spent the past 3 days impersonating an officer!”
“Fine. I’m very sorry I took security chief Odo’s place. Happy?”
Sisko frowned. “Where are you hiding him?”
“There's a stasis chamber in the sick bay. Stuffed him in one of those.”
Sisko frowned again.
Kira looked just as lost.
Sisko tapped his badge. “Sisko to Bashir, can you check the sick bay's sensor logs for Odo’s presence three days ago?”
“Ur .. yeah, three days ago Odo was in sick bay for less than 5 minutes at about mid- Oh…”
Sisko covered his face in a moment of disappointment. “We need to update our security protocols. Bashir, open all the stasis containers that might be able to hold about 3 litres of liquid. Thank you.” The com link ended.
The Changeling remained completely unphased.
Kira took the lead next. “What are you doing here?”
“Doesn’t it seem obvious?”
“You might be a spy, or a thief.”
“I’m here for Quark.”
That took both officers off guard.
“Huh?”
“What?”
Odo sighed again. “My Quark’s dead so I came for yours. Since I can’t take him home, I decided to move in.”
Sisko stood up. “You can’t just take the place of one of our team!”
“I did for three days, until the intend- I’m sorry. I mean Kira … caught me choking Quark with my-”
Sisko stopped him. “-Yes, we all read the report. But that still doesn’t explain how you got here or why you can’t go back.”
Odo smuggly put his hands behind his head and bounced one leg over the other. “I’m claiming asylum.”
Both Kira and Sisko sighed again. “Damn it.”
“Can we even do that?”
“There's nothing we can do to stop it.”
“But .. our Odo?”
Other Odo huffed. “He’ll get over it. He doesn’t want Quark and I don’t want his job. We both win.”
Sisko quints. “Did Quark want you is the real question?”
“He hasn’t stopped me yet.”
That last sentence put Kira and Sisko at a subconscious level of discomfort.
*
Elsewhere, Bashir opens each biochamber one at a time. Most of them are empty, but eventually he finds one full of amber liquid and turns the device off.
Odo peels himself up and unceremoniously takes his humanoid form. “Bashir, the mirror version-”
“We know Odo, it's been three days-”
“Three days! And no one noticed that I’d gone?”
Bashir winced. “Yeah .. we noticed that something was off, but we didn’t know what. Kira went to go ask you but found you … well, she found Quark performing oral sex on your counterpart in your office.”
Odo blinked. “Excuse me?”
*
Quark shoved several members of security away and hissed as he tried to do his job like nothing had happened. The faster their regular boring Odo gets here, the better.
And speak of the devil.
“Quark!”
Quark wasn’t sure whether to smile or not. “Odo …”
Odo marched right past every single deputy and slammed his hands on the desk. “MY office?! Really?!”
“Oh. You heard about that?”
“I should lock you up for conspiring with a dangerous criminal, but I’ve also been told that he’s been arrested and I wouldn’t want to put both of you anywhere near each other in a holding cell!”
Quark’s mouth straightened to a line. “If it makes you feel better, I did tell the major that that wasn’t you.”
Odo balled his fists up.
*
Kira paces back and forth. “And you’re telling us that you broke both universes laws just to get to some Ferengi bartender? You were one of the most powerful men on Terok Nor. Why’d you pick him?”
Odo shrugs. “Comfort girls just didn’t do it.”
Sisko shook the image out of his head. “Nevertheless, you have to admit that jumping between universes is tad extreme.”
Odo cocked his head. “Considering that my universes Garak and Kira remain unharmed, I was expecting praise for my restraint.”
The beige Odo comes skidding into the brig. “You son of a bitch!”
“Oh there he is.” Other Odo comments. “Did you enjoy your vacation?”
Odo addresses Sisko. “Why’s he still in my uniform?!”
Other Odo sighs and shifts naked. “How’s that?”
Every other person looks away. “Be decent!” Sisko orders.
Other Odo huffs. “We’re always naked anyway. What does it matter?”
Regular Odo points without looking. “I had to win a court case to prove I’m sentient in this universe-”
“Me too”
“- So, I’d appreciate you following the same rules as the people you live amongst!”
Other Odo rolled his eyes and shifted his old uniform back on. “You look ridiculous in yellow by the way.”
Odo looks mildly hurt by that.
Kira whispers. “I think your mustard yellow uniform suits you.”
Sisko looks confused and Other Odo looks insulted.
Odo snaps out of it and addresses the commander. “Quark in his universe was his comfort person. They kept it quiet because his failures would land in Quark getting hurt or removed entirely. What he didn’t know was that his Quark was smuggling Terrans off the station right under his nose, playing the part of the cowardly Ferengi barkeeper.”
Sisko gave their prisoner a hell of a look. “You were trying to protect him.”
Other Odo looked away. “He should have told me what he was doing.”
Kira scoffed. “So you could have stopped him and saved your own skin.”
“I could have helped him! I could have covered his tracks or got him off the station. I could have- I could have been better.” Other Odo yells. “He just didn’t fucking trust me!”
Kira, Sisko and Odo step back to quietly discuss the matter.
“What do you think?” Kira whispers.
Sisko shakes his head. “He could be lying but his story isn’t even my biggest concern.”
“According to Quark, he has a bit of a bad boy reputation. This version of me is considerably more self absorbed and thrill seeking, having never seen boundaries in his life.” Odo adds.
Kira shakes her head. “He’s not a threat but we can’t have rogue figures just showing up and causing trouble.”
Sisko nods. “I agree, but he clearly wasn’t doing any good in own universe either. This could be his second chance.”
The group agree and turn back to their captive.
“Mirror Odo, we have chosen to accept your request for asylum on the grounds of good behaviour. One word from Odo, and we’ll zap you back home regardless of the intendant’s wishes. Understood?” Sisko announced.
Other Odo stood up. “I don’t like babysitters, but as long as I have access to Quark-”
Odo steps forward. “Quark .. is the only person who can make that decision.”
Other Odo grumbles. “Fine.”
*
Odo’s first stop is the bar. Quark spots him and smiles. “Odo?”
New Odo hops over the bar and bends Quark backwards. “This version. And this version is staying with you tonight.”
Quark hummed. “Didn’t they offer you a room?”
Odo runs a nail down Quark’s front. “I declined it.”
Quark shudders. “Oh.”
Other Odo excitably laughs. “The things I’m going to do with you … but right now I’m going to go introduce myself to the rest of the team.”
Quark was subsequently dropped and abandoned.
chapter
Other Odo has been a resident for nearly a week. In that time, the most he’s done or talked about has been Quark. He’s been known to shapeshift into dangerous animals, but the only reason he does it is to speed up journeys between places. He scared the life out of Nog into the jefferies tubes as a dog sized rat. Quark's bar panicked when a tiger jumped from the top floor and reformed as new Odo. Sisko pulled a phaser as he fell out of a vent in his office.
“Wrong turn?”
New Odo peeled himself off the floor and brushed himself down. “No, close enough.” Then fearlessly pushed the phaser away as he passed him.
He’s a hell of a conversation starter at the replomat too.
“I have been meaning to ask; didn’t you kill him?” Garak asks.
Bashir raises his eyebrows. “Well I thought I had. Apparently Odo can reform after getting shot.”
“Hm. It does concern me slightly that shapeshifters are immune to energy weapons.”
Bashir sighs. “Well, for all the work that Odo has put into giving us answers, we’re still not fully sure how shapeshifters operate. Biologically I mean.”
Garak spots the man in question flying around overhead. “Well, it's not his form that has piqued my interest.”
“Come again?”
“Isn’t it interesting to think Odo’s upbringing had so much effect on his .. confidence. His demeanour.”
Bashir looked puzzled for a few seconds. “Eh?”
New Odo hit the ground and became his regular self, walking into Quark’s and barging through the crowd unperturbed.
Garak sat back a little and enjoyed the view. “I’m just saying this version of Odo has all the same skills and abilities, but … well, look at him.”
Bashir thinks he understands, but he doesn’t agree. “Oh yeah … So rugged?” He says sarcastically.
“Isn’t he just.” Garak’s eyes light up.
“Whatever floats your boat Garak, but consider for a second where he’s from. This man slapped me in the face as a slave driver.”
Garak was still gawking at the new Odo. “Oh let bygones be bygones. One could argue this universe's occupation was worse.”
Meanwhile, Quark’s new favourite person skips into the bar. “Well hello,” he greets him.
Mirror Odo swings Quark back to front against his chest. “I’m feeling excitable. Maybe tonight we utilise these holo-thingies you rent out.”
Quark shuddered. “Aren’t there other people you can distract from their jobs?”
Odo runs a finger along Quark's ear. “Well I did just hear Garak verbally jerking me off. I might see where that’s going.”
Quark removed Odo’s hand. “Garak? I thought we were-”
Odo spun him to look him in the face. “Oh we are but we shouldn’t be exclusive. What kind of deal would that be?”
Quark pulled away. “But you said in your universe that we were together.”
“I said I took you as my comfort person. I buy you nice things and you come home with me every now and then.”
“That sounds like a sugar daddy.”
“I don’t know what that is, but since I don’t have access to my funds back home, I’m not going to hold you exclusively. You’re a Ferengi. You should be sticking your finger in all the .. proverbial pies..”
Quark’s not sure why, but that made him quake. “Well.. who am I to question my own nature.”
Odo bit his lip. “As much as I would love to drag you into a quiet corner and have you claw down my back, I need some information first.”
Quark whispered. “What’d ya need?”
Odo whispered. “That .. doctor of yours. He seemed jealous when Garak spoke of me. Will this become an issue if I say … took advantage of the tailor?”
Quark’s confidence was washed away. “It’s more complicated than that. They- They’re … Garak started it, but Bashir’s not advancing it, if you know what I mean.”
Odo considered for a moment. “Has it been long?”
“They’ve been doing a weekly lunch date for a year.”
“Perfect. Thank you, Quark. I will return.” He kisses him on the head and wanders back out of the bar.
*
Mirror Odo saunters casually on a mission. He’s been keeping an eye on this universe's Garak especially. Back home Garak was a sadistic monster with a fine line between wanting to fuck and wanting to kill terrans. It looks like this Garak has picked a terran but then waits for those feelings to be reciprocated. Mirror Garak knew that to get what you want, you have to ask for it. This Garak plays submissive while his interest plays the same role.
Mirror Odo stretches his body out a little. He might need to show off a little if everything goes to plan.
Through the door, Garak looks surprised to see him. “Odo. Or should I call you something different?”
Mirror Odo confidently walks around the room, eyes completely focused on Garak. “Where I’m from, you’re worse than I am. And I’ve read Bashir’s report.”
Garak hums. “Well, the good doctor is known for his honesty. I was shocked to hear about yourself and Quark.”
Odo continues to circle him. “We have sex. That shouldn’t be a shock to anyone, but speaking of, I was thinking about getting him a little gift.”
Garak backs himself up against his work bench. “Ah. And you were thinking of purchasing something from my collection.”
Odo stops and cocks his head smuggly in Garak’s direction. “Purchasing wouldn’t quite be the right term.”
Garak frowns. “Stealing?”
Odo starts his walk again, this time in Garak’s direction. “More like … trading…” That last word came out almost as a growl.
Garak didn’t have a response before Odo trapped him against his desk, one arm on either side, faces just inches apart. “I … was hoping we could -- exchange something we both want.”
Garak tried very hard not to react. “I’m not sure Quark would appreciate-” Odo tipped him backwards over his work space and sat over his lap.
“We’re operating on a different set of agreements. Now I can either ride you here and now or I can bend you over and fuck you in your store room. Which is it?”
The look in Garak’s eyes was that of a flight and flight response. He was breathing in sharp shallow bursts and frozen as he considered his options.
Odo decides to give him a few seconds before giving up.
Garak blinks. “Well, I’m not sure what you’ve heard about Cardassian anatomy-”
“I’ll work it out as we go.” Odo rolled himself over Garak and took Garak with him, landing them both on their feet and closer to the back room.
Garak’s not sure how it happened, but he found himself backed into a wall, one hand gripping Odo’s hair and the opposite leg on his hip. Naked from the waist down. There was something blinding his judgement. Something so exciting it was competing with the wire in his head. Odo’s mouth takes control of his swollen scales while his body presses Garak into the wall hard enough to set off his claustrophobia.
With every thrust, Odo shoved air out of Garak’s body and pushed him closer to the edge. There was no time to think or talk, just noise and sensation swirling around like a tornado, bringing out some animalistic urge to take, not give. To bite, not kiss. To dominate, not submit. Garak was pulled over the edge by force, shuddering hard and falling weak within a few seconds of each other.
Odo held him in place, waiting for Garak to call the shots. Considering how quick that was, it looks like this version of Garak doesn’t get out much.
“Well,” Garak began, still trying to regulate his body. “I .. was certainly not expecting that.”
Odo slid out and shapeshifted decent. “As long as it covers our deal …”
Garak had almost forgotten why this happened. “Oh, right. Your present for Quark.”
Odo started walking out. “I would appreciate you having something ready by tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Or tonight. I know you have his measurements, and I know the replicator does most of your job for you.” Odo waves him off as he walks away. “Just make it look expensive if that is at all possible.”
Garak watched the curtain close behind him. He’s not sure how he feels about what he just did.
*
Kira and regular Odo sat at a table in Quark’s. Odo’s not been the same since his counterpart showed up, but who can blame him. Mirror Odo walks around the station like he owns the place and has no issue reminding everyone while he’s at it.
“You wanna talk about it?” Kira offers.
Odo huffs.
She rolls her eyes in response. “I know it’s been difficult, but it won't get better until you start talking about it.”
Odo’s always appreciated her forwardness. “What is there to talk about? I was incapacitated by another shapeshifter and put everyone in harms way.”
Kira frowns at him. “That’s what you’re mad about?”
Odo frowns back. “What did you think I was mad about?”
Kira makes a very unsubtle nod toward Quark.
Odo’s eyes flick between them. “Why would I be mad about that?”
Kira looked surprised to have to spell it out. “Because it’s Quark. And it’s you.”
Odo remained confused. “But it’s not me.”
“Well, it's kinda you.”
“So if the intendant showed up with mirror Garak and started enslaving Terrans, you’d allow me to call you one and the same?”
Kira frowned even harder. “No.”
Odo nods to himself. “Right. That,” he points to Quark. “Has nothing to do with me.” He stopped pointing. “But station security is my job, and had the other universe decided to begin an invasion, or smuggle unsuspecting civilians, or kidnap one of our own officers, I'd have failed in my duty to stop it.”
Kira sighs. “You’re not responsible for what he did. The fact is he used his knowledge of you and his version of Quark to his advantage and even had a back up plan for when he got caught.”
Odo sighs. “And you think that sounds like me?”
Kira had to stop and think about that. It’s smart, like Odo, but malicious, not like Odo. “Just the impressive parts.”
Odo wasn’t sure how he felt about that.
“I did have one question, Odo. If your counterpart is attracted to Quark, why aren’t you?”
Odo is even less sure how he feels about that. “Perhaps in his universe, Quark is a better person?”
Kira smiles. “So if our Quark-”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then explain it to me.” She leaned in on her elbows, hopefully to hear the inner workings of Odo’s head.
Odo looked around nervously. “I -- I’ve never liked the idea of coupling. It comes with emotional risk, physical risk, social risk and a host of other problems. I -- I can’t ever see myself …” Odo made a vague gesture with his hands.
Kira thinks she understands. “Then what happened to other you?”
Odo shrugs. “The man was untouchable. On his side, he was a dangerous high ranking member of a dictatorship. Those risks never applied to him.”
“But,” Kira said, thinking about her words carefully. “If those risks were no longer applicable, would you be more open to the idea?”
Odo frowned at the table. “Probably. You know I can’t feel sensation, and you know I don’t produce the chemicals that drive feelings like lust … so under the right circumstances, I might one day find myself-”
“Hello, fuckers.” Other Odo leaned over Odo and picked up Kira’s drink.
Regular Odo and Kira sighed at the interruption.
Other Odo drank the drink then sneered at it and put the glass down. “Why are all the carbonated drinks Terran?”
They ignore him.
Other Odo looks between them. “Is this a date?”
“What?”
“It’s the most pathetic looking date I’ve ever seen.”
Odo balls his fists. “Stop making assumptions. This is not a date.”
“Oh.” Dark Odo says, disappointedly. “Shame.”
Odo and Kira look up at the new Odo who has already got distracted. “Where’s Quark gone?” Then he walked away.
Odo and Kira quickly look at each other, each waiting for the first to comment.
“It- It was probably a sexual comment.” Odo reassures.
Kira nods. “Knowing him, yeah, it probably was.”
Odo looked at his own interlocked hands. “I- I should go.”
Kira also looked away. “Sure, I mean, if you’re busy.”
“Yes. I .. Also wonder where Quark is.” He stands to make his point.
Kira cocked her head, blurting the words out before she had a chance to change her mind. “Are you busy later on?”
Odo stopped dead in his tracks.
Elsewhere, mirror Odo has gone walkies. His little arrangement with Garak might get him in trouble with Bashir, but honestly he couldn’t give a damn. What he is interested in is giving Quark a little gift so when he takes him to the holosuites tonight, he can really show him how much he means, but first he’s got to find the little fucker.
Elsewhere, Quark steps out of a changing room. Garak inspects him, just to make sure everything still fits since their last measure up.
“Wow, Garak, this looks … expensive?” Quark compliments.
Garak rocks his head, still brushing Quark down. “Well, Odo told me it was a special occasion.”
Quark scoffed. “Special or not, it’s not like you to do favours for favours.”
Garak raised his head to the compliment. “He was quite persuasive.”
Quark gave him a side glance. “He’s good, isn’t he?”
It’s not often shock shows on Garak’s face but, “Oh, you knew?”
“Yeah,” Quark said, checking himself in the mirror. “He gave me a heads up. Who’d have thought being a comfort girl had these kinds of perks.”
Garak felt himself blushing. “Yes, well, I can’t imagine everyone agrees with the premise in today’s society.”
Quark brushed it off. “Oh relax. I’m not gonna tell Bashir. Also, if he does mention it, they call them ‘sugar daddies’ on earth.”
“I’m not familiar with the term.”
“Couples who only stay together while one funds the other. I’m very surprised Ferenginar hasn’t picked up the term.” He slaps his leg. “Anyway, I got a reservation to make. Thanks Garak.” And with that, Quark ran off.
Garak folded his arms. The word ‘Sugar daddy’ running around his head.
*
That night, Kira and Odo made arrangements. Kira waited in her quarters, since Odo still lives in his office, but she’s still not exactly sure what she signed up for.
Odo arrives, but he looks very nervous.
“Come in,” Kira suggests.
Odo awkwardly wanders in and circles the perimeter of the room. “Thank you for the invitation. I’m sorry other me is … like that.”
Kira replicates herself a glass of wine. “Oh, you know some people actually like that kind of behaviour.”
Odo cocks his head like an owl. “Oh?”
She gasps. “Oh, not me. Bad boys never really ticked my box.”
Odo takes a seat and watches her take hers. “Considering you spent your youth fighting …”
Kira tucked her feet up under her legs casually. “Bajor is very spiritual. You know yourself growing up in just one province over how we feel about those kinds of power imbalances.”
Odo smiles. “I grew up being guarded by Cardassians and studied by loveless Bajorans. I was always fascinated by the domestic lives of the people I met.”
She breathes a laugh. “Oh really?”
Odo felt himself getting giddy. “Since I had the choice of appearance, I tried to match my personality. Since Mora never discussed … relationships with me, I … it was nice to hear the real life applications of theory I’d read about.”
Kira relaxed against her arm. “You mean, you like affirming your romance novels?”
“Something like that.” Odo playfully brushed it off.
Kira laughed. There's something special about Odo opening up like this. He’s usually so reserved and miserable, especially when discussing personal topics. “I’m surprised you let me invite you over, Odo. You’re not usually one for social time.”
Odo rocked his head while he thought. “I- I’m not, typically. But, since mirror me is walking around the station -- Well, you asked which parts we share. I- I thought now might be a good time to - differentiate myself.”
Kira whispered. “You know I didn’t mean to upset you if this is what this is about.”
Odo shook his head. “No, Kira, but while he’s making a show of … his preferences, I would like at least one person on this station to know who I am.”
Kira reached over and took his hand. “You can talk to me about anything, you know. I’m your friend and your colleague, Odo,” she said warmy.
Odo looked down at her hand overlapping his. “Then, would you mind if I told you the truth?”
“Of course not.”
“I- I really like you, Kira. I’ve wanted to say that for a very long time.” Odo kept his head down, expecting anger or insult at his comment.
Kira took a deep breath. “Okay, yeah, I didn’t expect that. How long, exactly?”
Odo shrugged. “A few years. You kept showing up on Terok Nor, Dukat would ask me to keep an eye out for you, and I just hoped that you never got caught.”
Her mouth straightened to a line. “Oh .. Odo, why did you never say anything?”
He sank even further. “You .. When I saw the charges against your head … I got scared. I saw you complete these huge tasks and evade every form of security. I watched you inspire a whole generation to stand up to tyranny and fight through it long enough to see it pay off. I felt like such a coward next to you.”
Kira sighs to herself. “We could have done with a few on the inside, Odo.”
“I know, but being so close to the opposition … The most I could do was turn a blind eye when I saw one of your resistance cell planting a bomb or stealing weapons.” Odo froze up, thinking very deeply about something. “But then other me shows up … Is this really as good as I get?”
Kira knows exactly what he means. His mirror counterpart saw injustice and joined the winning side. He took a comfort person in Quark. He actively intimidates to get what he wants. This Odo has never been sure of himself, but his counterpart is sure of himself even when he can clearly see he’s in the wrong.
“Odo,” Kira begins. “Why did you really bring me here?”
Odo closes his eyes while he says it. “Because you should know I like you for who you are.” He lets a deep breath go. “Other me likes Quark for what he represents, and I like you for what you represent.” He finally looks up. “We’re the same in that regard, but what we’re attracted to must have been defined by our experiences.”
She cocked her head, trying to figure out where this is going. “So .. you like me because I represent a strength you need, but he likes Quark because he saw him as vulnerable?”
Odo thinks it over and nods. “Yes? I think so.”
She smiles and whispers. “Then I had a question? If you don’t have any nerves … Why does he … interact … with Quark the way he does?”
Back at Quark’s, Odo waits casually against the bar, arms folded, completely disinterested in his surroundings. But when Quark comes gallivanting in, Odo’s focus shifts.
“Do you like it?” Odo asks, referring to his gift.
“Odo, it's beautiful.” Quark makes a small show of his new outfit.
Odo looks down on Quark proudly. “I hope you don’t mind that you won’t be wearing it for long.” He grabs Quark by the hand and twirls him into his embrace. “Where we’re going, you won’t need it.”
Quark shuddered hard.
Elsewhere, Odo and Kira lay on her bed together. Apparently Odo has never been cuddled.
“- So when I imagine my first … Well, I’m getting the impression my people don’t reproduce this way, so if I ever did -- It would be for their benefit.”
Kira stroked through his hair. “You think he only does it because Quark likes it?”
Odo keeps his eyes closed, his arms wrapped around his midriff. “I think it gives him an ego boost.”
“So what about you?” Kira’s fingers spiral a lock of hair. “What would you get out of it?”
“I never thought I would. Sometimes I used to think that the only reason anyone would ask that of me would be for my abilities.”
Kira sighed. “Odo, I hate to say it, but that’s not a very healthy outlook. You know how Bajor sees the subject. I can’t imagine how Ferengi see it.”
Odo huffs. “It’s a selfish act that can be bought and traded.”
She smiles. “You think that’s why mirror you likes Quark so much?”
“Probably. They’re both getting something they want out of it.”
Kira looks down at him. “What would you want out of it?”
“That’s … complicated.”
Back in the holosuite, Quark lays completely naked in a mossy pool, arms and legs spread, under a dark willow tree in the depths of a Ferenginar forest. The rain pours and drips from the leaves, ripples through the water and trickles down Quark’s exposed body. He moans quietly to himself and writhes in the shallow water.
Odo’s head rises from the depths, his hair still releasing the excess water. “Getting there?”
“Obviously.” Quark puts his hand back on Odo’s head and pushes him back under the water.
Meanwhile, Kira lays on her back naked barr socks and shirt. “Are you sure this is what you want? I can’t see how this benefits you at all.”
Odo shuffles down the bed, completely focused on studying her form. “Theory is as far as I ever got.” He lays down. “I am very excited by the practice.”
Kira sighed in agreement. She never saw Odo like this. She never expected it either. After he told her how he feels, it only feels right that they try it out, and maybe Odo’s point about his mirror self and Quark has a point. If Quark is other Odo’s perfect match, she might be missing out on something that's been staring her in the face for years.
Her hand continues to fiddle with Odo’s hair, but Odo rests somewhere between her knees. His tongue works its way around and up then back down, almost following her fingers tracing through his hair. He twists his head to the side and sucks lightly, earning a gasp and relieved sigh from his partner.
“Oh.. Odo, do that again.” She gasps. “Perfect.”
Odo’s lips leave just enough gap to reintroduce his tongue. Her reaction is more than worth the effort.
“You know, you’re really good at that.” she mumbles.
Odo gently leaves her body, but remains close. “Are you getting there?”
She laughs to herself. “I could do this all day, but I wouldn’t mind moving on.”
Odo peels himself up and helps Kira to her knees. She tips them over and pins him to the bed. With her over his hips, he closes his eyes and leans up for a kiss.
“You taste like me.”
“I can’t taste.”
“Then don’t worry about it.” Kira presses her lips to his again. “What do you think other you and Quark are doing right now?”
Odo scoffs. “Probably not the same thing we’re doing.”
Meanwhile, Quark bounces like a spring over Odo’s lap. The look in Odo’s eyes is ravenous. He can feel his excitement. He can feel him building. He wants it for him.
“Say you’re close!” Odo smiles with teeth.
“Close!”
Odo groans to himself. He shape shifts his cock while Quark’s still riding him, putting a few ridges along the top side. “Better?”
“Make the head a little- Oh! That!” Quark drops hard and heavy on each word, spitting cum at Odo like a pump. “Is. Perfect.” Quark comes to a dead stop over Odo, trying to catch his breath.
Odo licks the drop of jizz that made it to his face off. “You want me to put it back inside you?”
“Oh my god yes,” Quark groans.
“On your knees.” Odo demands.
Meanwhile, Kira pulls the straps on her harness one last time, saddling her up for their next event. “You’re okay on your back?”
Odo sat naked, watching Kira get ready. “I think so.”
“Then I say we start with fingers.” She crawls over him and pushes him down onto his back. “I’m gonna need that lube.”
“Top draw.”
Kira retrieves the little bottle. “You know, most people prefer to warm this stuff up,” she says, spreading it along her fingers. “But I guess it doesn’t bother you, does it?”
Odo opens his legs, displaying a pair of lips to her. “Not really, but I’m grateful that you told me.”
Kira uses two fingers to part his seams. “Really?”
Odo can feel her feeling for the hole, but has no idea how it’s supposed to feel. “Hm. I could have looked very inconsiderate of my future partners' needs if you hadn’t told me.”
Kira pushes one finger inside. “You need to relax these muscles, Odo. If these were real, you’d get hurt.”
“Oh, sorry.” Odo changes the density to stretch a little more. “How’s that?”
She pushes for a second finger. “That’s much better. You might wanna make the walls wet too.”
Odo reaches for the bottle of lube and absorbs a handful. “On it.”
Meanwhile, over the sound of a thunderstorm and heavy rain, Quark makes the ugliest sound this forest has ever heard. Odo holds his torso down outside of their pool and rams himself as far and as fast as his body will allow. He likes the warm rain contrasting the heat of Quark’s depth. He likes Quark’s nails digging into the dirt. He likes feeling him pulsate and construct around his specialist cock.
Everything around them is so slimy and natural. He likes the freeing primal feeling of fucking Quark to completion 3 times in the last hour. It only makes him more desperate to hear him scream and feel him drip one last time. His pleasure is derived from Quark’s, and Quark is feeling phenomenal.
Meanwhile, Kira gently pushes the toy strapped to her hips forward. Odo watches with her as she slides all the way into him.
“It’s in?” Odo asks, surprised he got this far.
“It’s in,” she confirms, rewarding him with a kiss. She’ll never forget that nervous excited mix on Odo’s face. Today has broken so many of Odo’s usual boundaries, and he’s feeling the full benefit of opening up to someone.
“Tell me if it hurts, or doesn’t feel right, okay?”
Odo nods, giving his consent and appreciating the care she’s shown him today. Everything from listening to him rant and rave about his mirror counterpart to discussing anatomy and physical boundaries. She pulls back and gently slides forward.
“Doing anything for ya?”
“It feels .. nice? I like it inside me.” Odo reflects as the toy repeats the motion. “Is- Does it feel good for you?”
Kira bites her lip. “It will when I get moving.”
Odo shuddered at the thought of this feeling getting faster.
Meanwhile, Quark cuddles up completely naked against Odo’s chest. This Odo has a heartbeat he can listen to. He can hear the gentle swirls of his internal body moving liquid around. He can feel his body actually producing heat. He can feel his skin, textured and waterproof, holding him tight as they rest against a tree.
Odo can feel Quark’s breath slowing down. His heart rate lowers. His grip weakens. Quark is falling asleep. He’s not shivering, but his body is still wet. There are some things he never got to treat his version of Quark to, so this version is going to get everything Odo can give him.
“Computer,” Odo whispers without his usual gravel. “Remove scenery, continue rain. Raise temperature by 5 degrees.”
(Add more??)
Chapter
Kira woke up to find Odo preparing breakfast. She smiles, considering how easily Odo has fallen into a domestic life. Maybe she was right about her decision last night.
Meanwhile, Quark wakes up and has a small heart attack. He’s in bed. He doesn’t remember going to bed. He’s in his pyjamas. He’s clean. He doesn’t remember showering either.
Later, Kira and Odo made their way to work. They stand smiling side by side in the turbo lift. She offers her hand. He smiles and takes it. To hell with the gossip.
Quark skids into his office to watch last night's security footage. His version of Odo wrapped him up, turned the holosuite off, locked up and carried him home.
Outside his office, Odo gives Kira a quick kiss goodbye. The world is looking slightly brighter at the moment. Then Bashir comes running in. “Odo?”
Odo smiles. “Doctor.”
Bashir frowns at him. “Odo, where does Bajoran law stand on prostitution?”
“It’s a little murky at the moment, considering the occupation only ended a few years ago. Why?”
Bashir looked momentarily angry, but then scrunched his face up and conceded. “It doesn’t matter.”
Odo watched the defeated man walk out the room and sulk down the corridor.
*
Mirror Odo swans into Garak’s shop. It's a little early, but he knows he’s in here.
“Come for another favour have we?”
Odo parks himself, very rudely, on Garak’s workbench. “No, I came to say thank you. Quark was very happy with his present. A new waistcoat and jacket was a very good idea.”
Garak rolls his eyes. “Well it won’t be happening again. You were lucky that I know Quark’s wardrobe well enough to guess what fabrics would match his usual attire.” He mumbles at his current task, “Given my time constraints, I wouldn’t have managed anything more anyway.”
Odo rolls his eyes. “Fine. I’m very sorry I only gave you a day. Stop moping. I came in here to give you a compliment.”
The room goes very quiet, like each person was waiting for something from the other.
Garak eventually broke the silence. “Who am I where you’re from?”
“What?”
Garak’s face darkened. “You said I’m worse than you. Who am I?”
Odo considered his words. “Where I’m from, you’re the son of the great Enabrin Tain. Despite your perfect record on Cardassia, you ran away to Terok Nor claiming you were still serving the state, even without an army to lead or spouse by your side, you are very defensive of your position. You want the Intendant dead but she keeps foiling your plans which only angers you further. You have a stupidly high death toll on your hands and frivilously waste the lives of others, on your side or not. You are distant, and violent, and snarky, and manipulative.”
Garak closes his eyes. “I’m alone, aren’t I?”
“By choice.”
Garak takes a moment to drink in what he’s been told.
Odo waits.
“Thank you, Odo. I hope your truthful reputation is a quality both of you share.”
Odo shrugs. “It might be a Changeling thing.” Then walks away, leaving Garak with his thoughts.
*
Mirror Odo walks around the promenade. It didn’t feel good to recite such a dark history to a man who lives such a comfortable life. This Garak must be so happy, Odo thinks, to have no military responsibilities, to live surrounded by friends, with no subjugation happening on his front door. Maybe there's a reason that he’s not asked that doctor out. Probably scared of rejection.
Then Mirror Odo spots said doctor at the bar, talking to Quark.
What would Bashir have to talk to Quark about? He’s not ordering a drink. It can’t be medical. It’s entirely possible that he’s just discussing holosuite programs or mundane life events, but considering his closeness with Garak … Odo decides to go interject.
“Gentlemen,” Odo greets, sliding in behind Bashir.
The doctor immediately looks away in an attempt to ignore the man right by his side.
Quark’s mouth opened slowly, focusing his attention on Odo. “Odo, can I help you?”
Everyone involved can see what’s going on, Quark is trying to distract him from Bashir. “Have I interrupted something?”
Bashir stands up. “I was just leaving.”
Odo has two options. He can either let it lie or he can confront him. There’s only one option really. “Well that’s bullshit.”
Bashir freezes up. “Excuse me?”
Odo cocks his head in the doctor's direction. “I’m not stupid. You were talking about me, and now I’m here, you don’t want me to hear it.”
Bashir grumbles under his breath. “I thought you liked being center of attention.”
“Say it to my face, Terran.”
Bashir turned with fire in his eyes. “Why can’t you keep to your fucking self?!”
The bar went quiet.
Mirror Odo stood his ground, looking at the angry little man in front of him sneering through unbridled emotions. Quark stood behind the bar with his finger on the trigger to security. Odo finally decided to let it lie. He doesn’t know enough about this doctor to get involved, and if it’s not worth fighting over, it can’t be very serious.
“Fine.” He steps back. “You were leaving.” Odo concedes.
Bashir loosened his posture. His breathing changed. He looked Odo up and down, as if searching him for a hidden motive, but after finding nothing, he swerved out of the situation and walked away.
The bar slowly regained its noise, mirror Odo being the new centre of attention. Quark was first on the scene. “Odo, what in the vault was that?”
Odo shrugged. “He wanted a fight. I couldn’t let that happen.”
Quark relaxed. “Oh. That’s very grown up of you.”
“I’d have probably had to kill him if that were the case. And if I step too far out of line, they might send me back. I’m not going without you.”
Quark was shaken by the sweet and scary sentiment. This version of Odo’s behaviour entirely relies on him. If he breaks up with him, or something hurts him, Odo will become this station's biggest liability.
*
Another time, another place, Kira and Dax gossip in Ops. It’s Dax’s favourite place and time. Just the two of them spilling the beans and learning about each other. Jadzia scooches in close at Kira’s console, as is tradition at this point and whispers “So, you and Odo, huh?”
Kira playfully rolls her eyes. “We’re just seeing where things go.”
Jadzia nudges her friend. “And where is it right now?”
Kira sniggers. “It’s not going very far very fast, and I’m okay with that. I think he just wants to separate himself from his counterpart, if you know what I mean.”
Dax awkwardly hisses through her teeth. “I don’t think he needed to do anything to make that happen.”
Kira finally gives Jadzia eye contact. “What do you mean?”
Dax looks over both shoulders before she says it. “You not noticed that other Odo likes guys, and ours likes girls?”
Kira sighed. “It’s more complicated than that, but as you’ve noticed, a sample size of one isn’t exactly accurate.”
Dax scoffs. “Not what I overheard.”
Kira freezes up. “Jadzia?”
Dax whispers even quieter. “Garak.”
Kira begins looking over her shoulders this time. “Garak? Odo and Garak? Really?”
“Psh. How’s that for complicated.”
Kira gasped. “How in the celestial temple did that happen?”
Dax smiles smugly to herself. “Let’s just say I know someone who may have overheard things they shouldn’t have. And then someone who has considerably looser lips than Garak may have let word slip.”
Kira winced. “But- I thought- What about Bashir?”
“No, I don’t think Odo likes Bashir.”
“No, I meant the lunch dates. I thought after everything they went through Garak would have made the move, or Bashir would have said something by now.”
Jadzia shrugged it off. “If it’s not happened yet, even with everything they’ve done for each other, I don’t think either thinks they’re going to do it.”
Kira blinked. “You think they’re both waiting on the other.”
“Julian goes after things he wants. Garak lets those things come to him. Neither are willing to make that jump for their own personal reasons. You can’t blame Odo for doing what is normal in the other universe.”
Kira leans in. “But it’s not okay over here. What if Bashir finds out?”
Jadzia gave her a look. “Who said he doesn’t know?”
*