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Julian closed the door behind his back with a sigh of relief. It was midsummer and Cardassia was sweltering.
"Hello, my dear" said Elim, standing up to welcome him with a kiss.
Julian moaned against the cool lips.
"Ah, I needed my favorite ice cube!" he murmured happily, placing his hands on either side of Elim’s neck.
"I know that my shape is not what it used to be during my youth, Doctor, but I hardly look like a cube!" Elim protested haughtily while sliding his cold hands under Julian’s shirt.
Julian leaned into the touch. It was the best thing, after walking for half an hour under Cardassia’s sun.
"Of course not, it’s a figure of speech" he explained hurriedly. Elim was already way too insecure about his looks as it was. "Ice cubes are something we put in drinks"
"And then what do you do, you eat the ice?" Elim asked skeptically.
"No, the cube melts slowly and that way the drink is kept cool. Oh, but we do eat ice!" he realized suddenly. "It is called a popsicle, it is a frozen dessert on a stick. Well, you usually don’t bite into the ice but rather suck on it and then it melts into your mouth. Of course you must be quick, otherwise the popsicle will completely loose ist shape and melt into your hands, and you will make a mess"
"Really?" Elim asked drily.
"Yes, really" Julian answered, not quite understanding why Elim found it so hard to believe. "They come in different flavours, too. My favorite ones are very sweet but also a bit tart... like lemon popsicle. Oh, no, there’s actually one kind of popsicle I like even more... "
"My dear, your wantonness never ceases to amaze me" Garak finally said, bewildered.
"What does it have to do with..." Julian started.
"A frozen dessert on a stick, indeed" muttered Elim.
Julian was silent for a long moment, wondering what on Cardassia his husband might mean.
Then it clicked.
Julian jerked back and stared at Elim, as red as a beet.
"You are...! I...! You...!" he stammered, while Elim stared at him with a placid smile.
Finally, Julian managed to regain control.
"I meant to say that I like cranberry popsicles even more than lemon ones, you wicked man!"
Elim made a face.
"So these popsicles are real?" he inquired politely.
"Of course they are real" Julian snorted "do you think I would conjure up such a story, as if I needed an excuse to give you a..."
"Doctor!" Elim cut in, scandalized, his eyes impossibly wide.
"And don’t Doctor me when we are talking about..."
"About what, my dear?"
Julian looked intently at him, a small smile forming on his lips.
"About popsicles"
THE END