Chapter Text
It was their first formal banquet together as a couple, and Worf was still stinging about the fact that he had to wear a dress.
Or close enough to one. He tugged self-consciously at the hem of his dress uniform and met Deanna’s eyes. Her sparkling eyes. As if she sensed his embarrassment. With a grunt, Worf joined her, and was mollified a little when she looped her arm through his.
“You look fine,” she said in an undertone. “Sit with me?”
Worf grumbled his assent. Others were starting to file into the room now, so he and Deanna made their way to two empty chairs on the far side of the table. She leaned against him as they sat down, hiding a smile against his shoulder — close to the very edge of professionally acceptable behavior, but Worf let it slide. She seemed to sense his discomfort anyway, because she pulled away and straightened up, casting him an amused sideways glance.
Was she acting extra-formal just to tease him? Yes, he decided, she most certainly was. He could tell by the way she lifted her chin and gave Captain Picard a mock-haughty nod. But before Worf could defend himself, the doors slid open and Commander Riker stepped inside, looking irritatingly comfortable in his too-feminine dress uniform.
Riker glanced around the room, searching for a place to sit. Normally, Worf realized with a prickle of unease, Riker would sit next to Deanna. And if Deanna weren’t here, he would sit next to Worf. But Riker’s eyes fell on them, nestled together, newly dating, and his step faltered. He took a single step forward and hesitated, his thumb rubbing at his forefinger.
“Will—“ Deanna started to call.
Riker abruptly turned away and raised his hand, greeting the first person he saw. “Mr. La Forge! Mind if I sit with you?”
Geordi and Data glanced at each other. “Uh…” Geordi said, but Commander Riker was already upon them, and Data obediently shifted his chair aside to make room. Worf and Deanna shared a bemused glance, but they didn’t get the chance to comment on the strange behavior.
The visiting admiral clinked his fork against his glass and cleared his throat. Across the table, Riker sneaked a look at Worf and Deanna, his expression naked and strangely sad. Then he realized Worf was watching him and stared down at his feet, a blush stealing across his face.
Was he jealous? Could he be jealous, after seven years of absolutely failing to stake his claim as a Klingon would do? Seven years of acting like he was too Human and highly-evolved to even think about marking Deanna as his own? Worf had heard a dozen speeches from Riker over the years about how all he wanted was Deanna’s happiness, and now here he was, sneaking glances and staring miserably into his glass like a child. And Worf couldn’t even begin to question him!
The banquet had begun.