[ The headache was still safely at bay, but his caution wasn't remotely about the temperature of the cocoa. Instead, his mind was on the mistletoe, as hers was. If he used up all his power, and the mistletoe did somehow make an appearance, it might take every ounce of strength he had to dispel it. He would certainly try.
But he does pause to watch her for a moment as she loosens and then plaits her hair, carefully - but not entirely - concealing the warmth he feels at what he perceives to be a certain familiarity. She seems almost relaxed. Shocking, really. People didn't relax around him; it was part of Starfleet's mandate, no doubt, in that naughty little post-it note concerning the Q: don't ever relax. But here she was, uncoiling from her ever-readiness.
He hands her the mug quietly, and maybe because he's feeling self conscious, spares one more trick on warming it back up, despite the threatening pinch he feels at the bridge of his nose. Just you try it, the discomfort said, I'm watching you, Q. ]
action
[ The headache was still safely at bay, but his caution wasn't remotely about the temperature of the cocoa. Instead, his mind was on the mistletoe, as hers was. If he used up all his power, and the mistletoe did somehow make an appearance, it might take every ounce of strength he had to dispel it. He would certainly try.
But he does pause to watch her for a moment as she loosens and then plaits her hair, carefully - but not entirely - concealing the warmth he feels at what he perceives to be a certain familiarity. She seems almost relaxed. Shocking, really. People didn't relax around him; it was part of Starfleet's mandate, no doubt, in that naughty little post-it note concerning the Q: don't ever relax. But here she was, uncoiling from her ever-readiness.
He hands her the mug quietly, and maybe because he's feeling self conscious, spares one more trick on warming it back up, despite the threatening pinch he feels at the bridge of his nose. Just you try it, the discomfort said, I'm watching you, Q. ]