Chapter Text
“Cardassian poetry?” Julian accepts the tube from him and sits back against the couch. “I didn’t realize there was Cardassian poetry.”
“My dear Julian!” Garak’s outrage is half-feigned. “That is one of the most close-minded things I’ve ever heard you say. Of course we have poetry. Cardassian culture is extensive and varied.”
Julian grins at him. “I’m sure it is. Novels about patriotism. Sculptures of patriots. Paintings of patriots. Patriotic ballets—”
“Well, yes, we do have those. Naturally.”
“Patriotic ballets?” Julian grins again and darts forward on the couch to kiss Garak before he can answer, then retreats. “I can only imagine.”
“The point, my dear, is that there is a great range of Cardassian culture that I plan to introduce you to. I take it you know some Cardassian?”
Now Julian looks insulted. “I learned it when you gave me that first novel, Garak. I didn’t want to read it in translation. I consider myself quite fluent, at this point.”
There’s been something unfurling in Garak’s heart for quite some time now—filling it, even—and the realization that Julian bothered to learn Cardassian years ago only speeds it. “Well. I imagine it didn’t take you very long,” he says acidly. “What with your genetically-enhanced brain.” At Julian’s guilty look, he adds, “Perhaps you had a little head start?”
“I—did learn to speak it before I arrived on the station,” Julian admits. “But only modern Cardassian! I taught myself the expanded literary vocabulary for The Never-Ending Sacrifice and Middle Era Cardassian for Severance and Solitude.”
“Well,” Garak says, mollified. “I suppose that’s all right. That should be adequate, for modern poetry. You’ll need some more vocabulary to fully grasp the beauty of the classics.”
“I’m sure you can help me through it. I’m a fast learner, you know.” There’s a little bit of innuendo in his voice.
Garak pulls him closer on the couch. “After that, maybe you can teach me something.”
“Oh, yes, I’ll introduce you to the ghazal poetic form, you’ll have to learn—”
“That’s not exactly what I had in mind,” Garak says, and stops his mouth with a kiss.