Date Night: Part 1/2

Posted on Sun Sep 13th, 2026 @ 9:32pm by Staff Warrant Officer Oliver Sylver & Civilian Verity Thorne

1,842 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: Behind the Curtain
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: En Route

[ON]

Oliver had never understood why arranging a date with a man he had loved for years could make him more nervous than flying a damaged fighter through enemy fire...it wasn't like he was going to get hurt. But as he stood inside Holodeck Two, adjusting the cuff of his dark shirt for the third time, he started doubting. London stretched beneath a clear summer night, the lights of the city softened by distance from the rooftop garden. A small table waited between the flowers, set for dinner, while music played quietly from somewhere near the glass doors. Beyond it, there was just enough open space for dancing. Verity liked dancing. Oliver had remembered that, along with several hundred other things he probably worried about more than Verity ever did. They were still getting used to being so close to each other again, after so long apart. And Oliver wanted to keep this...romance, this warmth, going while things were quiet on the ship in transit.

He heard the doors open and turned, his shoulders relaxing the moment he saw him come in. "So...I thought we could enjoy a proper dinner...replicated, of course..." he searched his eyes. "God, you look so beautiful."

Verity watched him with surprise, looking around with awe at the surroundings Oliver had chosen for them. He brushed the dark blue shirt down to make sure it was straight, moving in closer so he could touch his cheek. "This is beautiful," he corrected with a soft chuckle, kissing him gently.

Oliver kissed him back, stroking over his shoulder before he broke the kiss. "I wanted to make sure that date night felt like a...date," he said softly.

"You picked a great spot," he smiled warmly, holding his hand as he looked out over the river. "I miss it sometimes," he admitted gently.

"I know," Oliver smiled as he lifted the hand to kiss, before he shook his head. "Not that I would be able to get into a place with this view. Luckily...holodeck doesn't care."

"And we didn't even have to wait three months," he laughed softly, stroking his hand gently. "I didn't realise you knew that...."

"You told me...a while ago, yes, but you did tell me," he said and smiled as he led him through to the table. "And I thought why not. The London skyline has always been...beautiful."

"Like you then," Verity grinned, mischief shining in his eyes at the way he'd delivered it. "You look...although honestly, you always look...."

Oliver blushed as he looked at him, his eyes shining as he pulled the chair out for him. "It's a three course meal, there's a menu...you pick what you want," he said with warmth.

Verity grinned as he settled into the chair, enjoying the chivalry. "When we said about going on a date, I didn't think you'd go to all this trouble...."

"There was spare holodeck time just...waiting to be taken," Oliver said and took a seat, smiling as held his eyes. A hologram waiter came over, with the chilled wine to pour for them both. "English sparkling wine. Synthehol."

"Perfect," Verity smiled warmly, nodding his thanks to the waiter. He looked back to Oliver with gratitude for how much he'd thought about it. "You don't know how much I missed you," he said softly.

"About...as much as I missed you?" he asked as he held his eyes, searching them. "Verity, these last weeks together? It's been amazing. Just...waking up next to you."

Verity glanced down as he let out a soft breath, chuckling gently. "Glad the flyboy didn't enjoy his taste of freedom..." he teased him with love.

"Ah, you know me..." Oliver said softly as he picked up his glass. "I'm loyal..." he met his eyes, searching them. "And I am so glad that you're here with me."

"Me too," Verity caressed his hand reassuringly before tapping his glass to Oliver's. "To being in the same room again..."

"To being face to face rather than via subspace," he whispered and smiled, sipping his drink as he watched Verity with shining eyes.

Verity sipped his wine, looking down over his menu with a warm smile. "Although maybe I should go away more often if I'm going to get treated like this," he teased, glancing to him over the top of his menu with a wicked smile.

"Don't you dare, I don't think I can deal with the long distance relationship..." Oliver said with a soft chuckle, looking at his menu as well before he tilted his head.

Verity laughed gently, watching him fondly for a long moment. He didn't take it for granted anymore, not after the months they'd had apart. "I appreciate this though," he said softly. "The effort. The consideration."

"I think while we're in transit, we might as well enjoy this," Oliver admitted softly, his eyes shining as he watched Verity with love. "Before we're reduced to date night being replicated pizza in bed. Which...has its place."

"Like the time you came back from a 12 hour flight and collapsed in bed," he whispered with a smile, remembering the evening far too fondly considering how tired they'd both been.

Oliver blushed as he lowered the menu, looking at him. "I am not entirely sure who thought it was a good idea to go that close to a black hole and an asteroid belt..."

"You looked like you'd run a marathon when you got back," Verity laughed softly, watching him fondly. He'd been pretty exhausted himself, having been helping out during the power cut on the ship.

"I felt like that...and I bet I smelled like that, we had to divert power from the environmental controls," Oliver teased, eyes shining as he leant closer to him.

"When you finally got back, you never looked more handsome," Verity assured softly, shaking his head with a grin. "Face smudges and all."

He blushed at that, reaching out to touch his cheek. "I remember you looking very handsome as well...that stubble..."

"We just about managed to share a sonic shower before collapsing into bed with pizza," Verity laughed warmly, stroking up his hand, squeezing it gently. "I'd never felt so comfortable with you."

"It was the time I realised I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you," Oliver admitted as he looked at him, smiling gently. "Because nothing mattered except that moment. You in my arms. So tired...and just...loved."

"Knowing we could just be like that with each other. No masks. No effort," Verity agreed, his foot nudging to his under the table. "It...means a lot to me."

"It means a lot to me too," Oliver admitted as he met his eyes, searching them before he let out a breath. "Someone who chose me for me."

"Well I certainly wouldn't choose you for anyone else," Verity teased him, wanting to make him laugh, see him grin.

Oliver laughed, shaking his head as his eyes shone, sitting back. "Cheeky," he teased, raising an eyebrow.

Verity smiled warmly, pleased with his attempt to make him smile as he looked back to the menu. "What are you thinking? This looks expensive," he noted. Or at least, it would be in the real world, out in the galaxy.

"Oh, I am thinking...the gnocchi for starter," he said and smiled, watching Verity. "And pie for main. And yes, I suspect it would have cost an arm and a leg in the ancient times...or if you step into Ferengi territory..."

"There was this amazing Earth cuisine restaurant I came across on a starbase after I left Earth. It was so good, but...the price caught me off guard. They probably saw me coming a mile off," Verity chuckled softly, picking his courses.

"Maybe...but I like the idea of taking you somewhere...real," Oliver admitted with an almost shy smile. "Where I have to pay with latinum like...some sort of old holoprogramme."

Verity grinned at that, shaking his head lightly as he leant closer. "You'd pay then? Treat me to a night out? Leave me grateful and mellow."

"Of course I would," Oliver softly, as if it was obvious. "I'd love to take you out somewhere that wasn't Starfleet approved or...holographic. Somewhere with non-replicated food...with live music."

Verity chuckled softly at the look on his face, squeezing his hand with gratitude. "For now, this is a little piece of heaven," he assured.

"And the food is not holographic," Oliver laughed and squeezed his hand in return. He smiled as the waiter came over, handing over the menu. "Gnocchi for me, followed by the pie. Desserts are for later."

"I'll have the gnocchi too, followed by the pasta," Verity nodded to the waiter with a warm smile before reaching for his wine. "Have you ever had Italian food in Rome? It's pretty special."

Oliver looked at him with a small smile before he shook his head. "But we should...next shoreleave. Go to Rome," he said softly.

Verity sucked in a soft breath as he looked into his wine, swallowing tightly. It would be the first time returning there since he'd left the priesthood. He finally nodded though, looking to him with a gentle smile.

Oliver looked at him, seeing the change in him...and realising what it might be. He let out a soft breath before he nodded. "If you want to," he said, quietly. "I'd be just as happy being...anywhere else with you."

Verity shook his head lightly, offering him a soft smile as he shrugged gently. "Maybe it's time," he replied quietly, but meaning it.

Oliver nodded and nudging his foot to Verity's. "Maybe we should do it properly," he said softly. "If you want to. Go to Church."

"Wait for the lightning bolt to hit me," Verity met his eyes, but with a soft chuckle, nodding gently. "Together."

"Hey, God won't strike either of us down," Oliver said with a small, knowing smile. He shook his head, frowning slightly. "Because honestly, if it worked like that, there would be a hell of a lot less people in the universe."

"True enough," Verity whispered with amusement. "No...I'd....like to show you around. There's some beautiful history to see."

"You sure I can handle it?" he asked playfully, meeting Verity's eyes as the starters arrived. "History? I'm just a simple London boy..."

"And London is full of history too, so it must be right up your alley...so don't give me that," Verity teased in return, sipping his wine with a sigh.

"I don't know..." Oliver laughed softly and nodded his thanks to the waiter. "I've existed almost entirely in...institutions. From civilian to Starfleet. But at least you know I can quote the Songs of Solomon to you almost flawlessly..." he winked and picked up his fork.


TO BE CONTINUED...

Verity Thorne
Chaplain
USS Fenrir
(PNPC Blake)

&

Staff Warrant Officer Oliver Sylver
Flight Control officer
USS Fenrir
(PNPC Hanlon)

 

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