while huge swathes of garak's heart are probably just like... the emotional equivalent of the aftermath of the chernobyl disaster. I think that right in the center of it there's a little julian bashir sitting at their usual table, and it's always the moment right before he glances up and breaks into a smile. and probably he's wearing a slutty little sexy halloween version of a doctor's uniform too but we don't have time to unpack that right now
julian: say ...
julian: you don't really believe in all that "ghost" nonsense, ... do you?
asra: (mild surprise & mischief)
asra: i don't know. anything's possible really.
julian: !
asra: plus i mean, even so, what's the worst he could do?-
asra: -possess you or something?
julian: (julian stops walking, visibly nervous)
julian: i-i mean .. that's not possible, right-? surely you're just joking.
julian: ... you are kidding, aren't you?
julian: ... asra?
asra: (gone)
julian: ah.
Julian and Keiko headcanons because Keiko gets sidelined so much and deserves the world and I wish we got to see them interact more
when they get stumped on their respective projects, they'll do late night work sessions together and bounce their research off each other to see if the other can help them figure out where the problem is. they'll do this in person when theyre both on the station, but also over call if one of them is away, and after the O'Briens move back to Earth
they edit each other's papers (Keiko marvels at Julian's ability to spell out complex chemical compounds with his eyes closed, and somehow use 'their' instead of 'there') (in his defense he wrote that bit at 4 in the morning after going 2 straight days without sleep) (she threatens to sedate him)
Julian sometimes brings back plants from planets they explore in the Gamma Quadrant and gives them to Keiko. sometimes he does it because the plant has medicinal properties and the two of them can do a joint research project, but most of the time he does it just to give her a nice gift
when Miles goes away for particularly dangerous missions, Julian will keep Keiko company and help keep her mind off of it. sometimes she has trouble sleeping because shes so worried, so he'll hang around and start rambling on about whatever he's currently working on until she falls asleep. he jokes he's boring her to sleep, but it actually means a lot to her
they have a weekly tea date. this is their prime gossip time. sometimes Jadzia is invited
when Keiko's mad at Miles she'll rant to Julian about it. Julian learned very quickly that this is not a time where advice is wanted, so he sits back and lets her get it all off her chest, because she really just wants someone to listen and let her blow off some steam
Julian makes a concentrated effort to learn more about plant husbandry and care after the incident where he accidentally killed some of Keiko's prized plants because he actually does feel very bad about it
Julian hovered over Keiko nearly as bad as Miles did when she was pregnant with Kirayoshi (and then he hovered over her even more after the pregnancy transfer, and he wouldnt tell anybody why, but Keiko knew it was because nearly losing her shook him up pretty bad)
when Julian gets outed for being augmented, Keiko goes to him and gives him the tightest, warmest hug he's ever gotten in his entire life
Julian gets invited to girls nights with Keiko and Molly (steady surgeon's hands make him the best one to paint nails) (he pretends to complain but he loves it)
anytime Julian has to go away for a scientific conference of any kind, if he gets to bring someone with him, his first choice is always Keiko
in short: theyre besties they told me so themselves <3
i was flicking through qoaad the other day for the funsies and THIS SCENE WAS REALLY GIVING THE SAME VIBE AS THE RUNNING AWAY SCENE FROM TITANIC AND I'M LIVING FOR IT
(like i just imagine those fools skiddadiling away while giggling and holding hands)
PAUL McCARTNEY with JULIAN LENNON and MARY McCARTNEY at the private view of Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm at the National Portrait Gallery. London, England. June 26, 2023
I think finding yourself getting life advice from quark in his PJs in the middle of the night (and desperately needing it) is how you officially know you've hit rock bottom
+ just us girls together at the sleepover right. anyway get your life together bitch you're scaring the profit margins
Sometimes I remember that Asra told us he loved us in the prologue and we immediately pass out so he has to reboot us so we don't go comatose and I Scream because can you imagine loving someone so much and being their caretaker and you sold half your heart for them and you just have to sit idly by with your feelings?? I'd go BALLISTIC!! And you could just not choose him??? Wild!!