A Goodnight Kiss

Posted on Mon Apr 13, 2026 @ 11:04pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer Alexander Rylan EMT-P & Lieutenant Bronwyn P’ril

1,385 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Jubilee
Location: Hallways
Timeline: Just after Marine’s Ball

ON

It had certainly been an eventful night. P’ril had to admit that getting all dressed up had been a welcome diversion and spending the evening in Alex’s company hadn’t been as confusing as she had feared. There were moments, it was true, but mostly, she had enjoyed herself. In fact, she had enjoyed his company enough that she had consented to allow him to walk her to her quarters.

“Thank you for inviting me,” she told him as they walked. “It was a very enjoyable evening.”

Alex had offered his arm when they got up to leave and P'ril had taken it, which made the walk to her quarters a sort 'intimately formal', which was nice. Alex knew that P'ril was generally less than comfortable in social situations, and he did his best to make her feel more comfortable. However, Alex also knew that his attempts to charm the Vulcan made her a bit confused, and he was okay with that. He felt that was an okay thing to encourage, since it also meant she found him intriguing. Intrigued was good. Alex could work with intrigued. He flashed P'ril a smile, laying on a charm with a remarkably low 'ick' factor.

"Thank you for agreeing to go with me," he said. "I can't think of anyone whose arm I'd rather have been on. You were clearly the most lovely of all the women at the Ball. And I'm very glad you didn't run off and leave one of your shoes behind, forcing me to use it to track you down. I mean, hard to get is sometimes a fun game to play, but I'll take this walk with you over games any day."

While she looked and acted very Vulcan, P’ril had been raised mostly on earth and so understood the reference. “Thank the stars I do not have stepsisters,” she replied with the barest hint of a mischievous grin. “Only a brother. And he is not the sort to cut his feet to fit into my shoes.”

Alex laughed. "You know," he said. "My father read me those types of fairy tales, the originals, I mean. Cinderella, Pinocchio, Puss in Boots. Some of them were great. Others horrified me. Though, if you really want a laugh, you'll get one if you ever cross paths with... I think he's a Lieutenant Commander or Commander now, Arturo S'Rohass. He actually dresses like Puss in Boots, rapier and main gauche and all, when he's off-duty. Except when he dresses down in something more like an upper class Regency or Victorian gentlemen. Then he settles for a sword cane in his hand and a dagger in his boot. He's a master of Italian and Sicilian martial arts. Of course, he's only about a meter and half tall, maybe just a smidge shorter, so when he's dressed like that and warning you be alert for 'Road Agents' in the corridors, it's incredibly hard to keep a straight face."

The mere thought overwhelmed P’ril enough to offer half a smile for half a moment. She recovered quickly, though. “Thank you for the warning,” she replied. “I look forward to meeting him.”

"So..." Alex said. "Does this evening's success mean we get to spend more time together? No pressure. But I want you to know that I really enjoy your company."

“I believe I would enjoy that,” she admitted. And she meant it. She had enjoyed the evening with Alex, even if he did sometimes baffle her. Perhaps, though, that was why she had enjoyed his company so much. Most people did not confuse her even half as much as Alex did. It was possible that she liked being confused from time to time. That was an interesting thought, and one she would have to explore sometime. “What did you have in mind?” she asked after a beat.

"Excellent question," Alex said. "Walk through the arboretum? How do you feel about jazz? This place must have a jazz club. If not, I've got a few different jazz club programs for the holodeck. Is there some other form of music that might interest you more? Or anything at all, really." Alex said. Then he grinned. "Except golf."

“What a shame,” P’ril deadpanned. “Golf is a favorite pastime of all Vulcans.” She barely controlled a half grin, then continued, “jazz is fine. Especially if it is cocktail jazz piano. It allows for conversation.”

Alex laughed. "Isn't everything on Vulcan a sandtrap?" he said. "Anyway, I'll find a place or program one. Some time this week? Dinner? Or there are places that do a sort of Jazz brunch, if we have a morning off..." Alex smiled, his lips closed, sparing P'ril another look at his annoyingly perfect teeth. "Or want to pretend we have the morning off and have brunch at night on the holodeck."

P’ril honestly did not have a preference. She briefly attempted to imagine which scenario would be better, but quickly gave up. “I am certain whatever you plan will be fine,” she replied

"Excellent," Alex said. "Thanks for putting your trust in me. I'll come up with a plan and let you know." Alex flashed P'ril another of his winning, charming smiles. "You really do look amazing in that dress," he said. He was fairly certain she'd look amazing out of it, too, probably even better, but he kept that thought to himself. He wasn't sure they were there yet.

“Thank you,” replied P’ril. “I only wish I had more reasons to wear it. It is surprisingly comfortable.”

"Maybe we'll have to make an opportunity sometime," Alex said. They were closing in on P'ril's quarters, which made Alex a little sad. He didn't really want the night to end. He grinned mischeivously. "We're almost to your quarters. Pretty soon you're going to have to decide if I get to kiss you goodnight."

P’ril pretended to consider this for a moment. Truthfully, the thought thrilled her more than she would ever admit even to herself. “I believe I will allow it,” she replied. “But only one.”

Alex laughed. "I'll take it," he said. He was so taken with the idea of kissing P'ril goodnight, he almost missed her quarters. "So... this is you."

“Indeed,” agreed P’ril, and she was surprised to find herself disappointed at the prospect. “Thank you again for a lovely evening. I enjoyed it.”

"So did I," Alex said, turning to face P'ril. A lock of P'ril's hair had fallen across her brow. Alex used that as an excuse to touch P'ril's face. He brushed the lock of hair back behind one of her ears and then caressed her cheek as his hand slide to her chin. He gently tilted her face upward, smiled, his eyes locked on hers. He leaned in and kissed her.

P’ril nearly stepped back, but reminded herself in time that she liked Alex and wanted to kiss him. And she was quickly glad that she did. The kiss was almost chaste, but held the promise of a hunger that could surface at any moment. Tempted as she was to keep it going, but thought it much more prudent to stop before she did something she may regret.

And then, when it was over, she felt very awkward. What does one say after kissing? She had no idea. She felt her cheeks go warm and she quickly looked away. How did he do this to her? How did he make her feel so… human?

Alex smiled at P'ril. "I've been wanting to do that for a while," he said. "It was worth the wait. Good night, Lady Bronwyn," Alex said gallantly. "I look forward to when next we meet."

And then, for the first time in her life, Bronwyn P’ril stuttered. “L-likewise,” she replied, then blinked in surprise. “I- goodnight, Alex.”

Alex grinned. "I like it when you say my name," he said. "Goodnight." Then he winked as he turned and walked away.

P’ril watching him walk away, enjoying it perhaps a little too much. “Goodnight,” she said a bit belatedly. “Alex.”

OFF

Senior Chief Alex Rylan, EMT-P
Independent Duty Corpsman
Deep Space Five

&

Lieutenant Bronwyn P'ril
Chief Engineer
Deep Space Five

 

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