𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐊 ━━━ IMAGINES

Tuvok | VOY | An Exception

You had worked alongside Tuvok on missions before, so when he came aboard the Voyager, you understood that the Vulcan was stoic and dispassionate. He was a great Lieutenant and voice of logic. So when you entered a relationship with a Vulcan, you knew it would be difficult emotionally, although lately, it seemed harder than in the beginning. Perhaps after dating for over a year, you wanted more than being the only person he would eat meals with. You understood he didn't like small talk, and when you would join him, he didn't object, and you ate in silence as he read.

B'Elanna knew it was hard for you, and it was hard not to speak up at times when Tuvok came across rude when you were sure he didn't intend to be. You believed there were small glimpses of emotion in him at times. Mostly when you were alone, how he felt flickered in his eyes before disappearing again and leaving you to question whether it was indeed there.

Sometimes those glimpses were enough, but most of the time, it made you question if your relationship had a future. Was it doomed to fail? Or did you have a future together?

That was the dilemma you ran over in your head as you sat with Harry and Tom, looking over your shoulder at Tuvok, who didn't appear to notice you weren't sitting beside him for lunch.

Tom's voice made you look away from Tuvok, "It says here that it's your birthday today." He said.

You nodded, "Yeah, it is."

"We should have a party!" He grinned.

"No. I don't want a party." You told him.

"Not everyone, just the bridge crew." He said. "Come on...I have an idea that you'll love."

You sighed at the excitement in his voice, the pouted lip and pleading blue eyes swaying your decision. "Alright. Fine. But just the bridge crew."

"Yes! Okay, meet me at the Holodeck tonight at 1800." He walked out the Rec room, calling for Harry, who sighed, reluctantly following him. You smiled at the two men as they left, waving goodbye.

"L/N, to the bridge." You heard Janeway through the speaker.

You stood up to get rid of your trash and left the Rec room to go to the bridge. You were walking down a corridor when the ship lurched to the side, and you fell against the wall. You rubbed your forehead and headed to the bridge, Tuvok catching up to you at the door. He relieved the other Lieutenant, and you took your seat beside Tom, trying to figure out what had caused the ship to move forcibly.

"There is a ship approaching, Captain 20,000 kilometers." You reported.

"Raise the shields. Go to Red Alert." She commanded.

You nodded, following orders, holding onto your station when the Voyager suffered another hit.

"Shields at 89%, Captain," Harry stated. Another hit shook the ship, and you shared a look with Tom, knowing it was going to be one of those days. "Shields now at 76%."

"Put it on screen." She ordered.

You nodded, hands gracefully pressing buttons to bring up footage of the spacecraft. You looked over at Tuvok and saw he was curiously looking at the ship while the Captain sent for Neelix to be brought to the bridge. "Captain, they're preparing to fire again." He warned.

"Fire phasers." She commanded.

You gasped when your panel sparked, falling to the side when the ship tipped to the left, your back sliding across the floor, a groan leaving your lips when your head hit off the steps. Tom stabilized the Voyager and Chakotay helped you stand. "You need to go to sickbay." He said.

"I will take you." Tom volunteered with a sigh when Tuvok was focused on the enemy ship, and you thanked him, leaning on him for support as he led you off the bridge.

You didn't return to the remainder of your shift, and although you believed that Tuvok never even noticed you were gone, you were wrong. He felt the absence of your presence, and when he was granted leave, he sought you out, passing B'Elanna in the corridor.

"Lieutenant Torres." She stopped to turn to him. "Have you seen, Lieutenant L/N? I went to sickbay, but she was not there."

"She is in Holodeck 3 with Paris," B'Elanna told him. "He was throwing her a birthday party. The Doctor told her to take it easy, so he canceled the party and took her to France."

Tuvok nodded, and B'Elanna noticed the slight lowering of his eyebrows, resembling disappointment and conflict as he appeared to consider the possibility of seeking you out briefly. "You could join her?" She suggested. "I know she would be surprised and pleased to see you."

B'Elanna walked away, and Tuvok watched her walk away, most likely heading to the social gathering. Tuvok walked to the Rec Room where Captain Janeway was sitting, beckoning him over when she noticed he was deep in thought about something.

"You look more in thought than usual..." She trailed off. "I thought you would be at the Holodeck."

"I prefer to keep away from social gatherings. Y/N understands." He said, taking a seat beside her.

"That may be so. But I know that she would enjoy your company on her birthday." Kathryn told him. "Her day hasn't gotten off to the best start. This day will certainly be memorable for her, after ending up in sickbay."

She was summoned to the bridge, so Tuvok was left contemplating for a few minutes as he gave her insight some thought. You always respected him, understanding that he was different and being Vulcan meant he behaved differently, not as affectionate in comparison to a human. But perhaps he had mistaken that respect for silent yearning. You wanted more from him emotionally, and Tuvok realized that he hadn't made his feelings crystal clear as he believed he had.

The Holodeck went silent, the music stopped, as did the chatter and the laughter. You raised an eyebrow at Paris when he stared over your shoulder with a slow grin forming on his lips. "Turn around." He told you.

You looked over your shoulder, and your eyes widened when you saw Tuvok looking around the room curiously, his eyes finding you. Standing up, you walked over to him, meeting halfway. "What are you doing here?" You asked. "Am I needed on the bridge?"

"No." He said. "Luitenant Torres informed me about the party. I thought it logical to attend, considering we are dating."

"You hate social gatherings." You smiled softly.

"I can make an exception." He said.

You looked like you wanted to hug him but contained your excitement, not wanting to do anything to make him change his mind. And he could see this in your eyes. So he leaned down to kiss your cheek and you were frozen in place, Tom and Harry approaching with beverages. "To the birthday girl." Tom smiled, and you thanked him.

Tuvok glanced around, raising his glass when he saw others doing the same. "Happy birthday." He said.

"Thank you." You leaned up to kiss his cheek.

Perhaps there was hope for your relationship, after all. And Tuvok started to see that the more he showed he cared, daring to say it while in the company of crew members, only made you love him more, knowing that he was trying, for you, to be more emotionally available.