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Dreams never seemed to change in their levels of obscurity. Data's dreams were no exception. They were odd and confusing, but also intriguing. If he traced each dreamed concept back through his, for lack of a better term, ‘subconscious’, he would reach a sensical place, and have learned something new about his own perceptions of the world. Not only that, but he could reflect on his own actions and thoughts, determine whether different actions could have been taken throughout the day in order to achieve more optimal results and, thus, plan for similar future scenarios. It was a profoundly useful exercise.
As well as that, though for a while he only admitted as much privately, dreaming was an enjoyable experience too. A time of recreation he never had to work for. He found painting to be pleasant, and he truly enjoyed playing the violin, but for all forms of art there were rules to follow. Data followed these rules, but nothing about it came naturally to him. His own research into the great masters acted as a guiding hand, moving the brush across the canvas for him, giving and leeching it of life in proportions he’d always found difficult to predict.
Physically, his technique appeared perfect from his first portrait. He hadn’t the learning curve to overcome like all human painters, and without that journey, he sometimes pondered, how could he expect a destination?
Dreaming was different from his other recreational activities in that he hadn’t decided to pursue it: it was something that happened to him. As expected, there hadn’t been a learning curve. -He didn’t build up to more and more complex dreams over time. In fact, there was no sense at all, it had seemed, to his dreaming. Fortunately, as Geordi had kindly informed him, humans had the same experience. Humans couldn’t practice dreaming, nor choose what dreams would take place. Dreams simply happened.
“Sounds like it’s a very human experience you’re going through, Data,” Geordi chuckled, after his explanation.
Data found himself lost for words for a moment. He creased his eyebrows, conveying concentration, and tilted his head.
“Yes, Geordi, I suppose it is.”
Geordi slapped his back (conveying ‘comradery’, not hostility) and grinned supportively. Data relaxed his face and let himself smile smally. If he’d been able to feel at the time, he believed he would have been pleased at Geordi’s comparison of his experience.
"Had any really weird ones yet?" Geordi asked, folding his arms and grinning.
Data thought for a moment, but replied instantly.
"I am afraid I cannot say. I have no frame of reference for comparison."
"C'mon, Data! Just tell me about a random dream you've had, I'm curious,"
Data considered his options. He hadn't yet had the chance to have many dreams, so these options were limited.
“My dream from two nights ago was rather strange,” he began, before looking at Geordi, who nodded aggressively (a sign he sincerely wished Data to continue, so he did.)
“I was at my post on the enterprise, but it appeared my optic sensors were damaged, as I could only perceive the world in black and white. My station had been… ‘transformed’ into a musical keyboard, which the captain demanded I play,”
Geordi was laughing softly now, and Data continued, encouraged by this response.
“Apparently I performed well, as my performance was followed by enthused applause. I also appeared to be in engineering at this point, though I had not travelled anywhere, and was sitting approximately where you are currently standing. You were also present, standing nearby. The floor began to melt under my feet, and I looked to you for aid, but you shook your head. I believe you were disappointed.”
Geordi seemed thoroughly invested, though he was no longer laughing.
“And then?”
“It was at this point I ‘woke up’."
Geordi stroked his chin, deep in thought.
“Wow… that is interesting… what d’you think a dream like that could mean?”
“Again, I have no frame of reference. Perhaps, I am perceiving on some level that the captain believes I should take up the piano. Or perhaps, it is a reflection of the entire-”
“No, no, Data, I mean- well, yes, those are probably valid points, but I mean the part with me. Why was I shaking my head? Why wouldn’t I help you?”
“It is rather… curious. I do not believe you would have done the same thing had the situation occurred outside of my dream programme."
“Of course not, Data! Why is your brain telling you I would?”
“Geordi, my brain cannot directly inform me of anything via my dream programme.”
“Well then why do- why did-” Geordi sighed and sat into his chair, “I don’t know.”
Data creased his eyebrows closer together.
“I have upset you. I apologise."
Geordi massaged his temples and smiled softly.
“No, no, Data, don’t apologise, you’ve done nothing wrong at all. I’m just… it’s just…”
Geordi paused for another moment.
“You’re infinitely logical, Data. If there’s a part of your brain that believes a situation like that is conceivable, then it probably is, and that really bothers me."
Data tilted his head in response, slowly formulating a course of action. Situations like these were quite delicate, he knew. He’d have to be careful.
He got up, and walked toward Geordi, standing just in front of his chair, where he’d been standing a moment ago.
“I apologise for the noise,”
Before Geordi had a chance to ask him what he was talking about, Data lifted one of his legs upward, and slammed it into the floor, letting out a piercing bang, even through the carpet.
Geordi stared in dumbfounded silence. The two ensigns who were still nearby at that hour stopped what they were doing and stared too, before hurriedly walking away.
Data looked down at the floor (which remained completely undamaged due to careful calculations), and continued, “Outer layer of nylon and polypropylene concealing aluminium alloy and novex felt,” he glanced up at Geordi, to check if this was working.
Geordi appeared confused.
Data recalculated briefly and moved to rectify this confusion. He leaned down until he and Geordi were at eye level, and put a hand on Geordi’s shoulder, a comforting gesture which Geordi often showed him.
“Geordi, it is statistically improbable this floor will undergo a partial change in state and swallow me. I believe you need not worry.”
Understanding dawned on Geordi’s face, and mild relief mingled with amusement.
“Data… is that why you did that just now?”
“Correct, Geordi. That is not, however, the end of my experiment.”
Data removed his hand from Geordi’s shoulder and used it to cup Geordi’s face. He felt a significant increase in Geordi’s temperature and made a mental note to suggest he visit sickbay.
“Geordi, you are very important to me. A lot of what I have learned about humanity, I have learned from you. You have also been imperative in my journey of personal discovery. Am I important to you?”
Geordi swallowed nervously.
“Without a doubt.”
He reached up to touch Data’s cupped hand.
“Then, Geordi… please do not worry. You need not prove yourself beyond that.”
They stayed where they were for a moment, in silence.
Data made to move his hand away, but Geordi held it where it was and squeezed his eyes shut behind his visor.
“Wait. Just a minute.”
“Of course, Geordi.”
Data didn’t much want to move away either. He didn’t know what it was he wanted exactly. He couldn't want. He was confused. But he couldn't be. He stared into Geordi’s face, a breath away from his own, and realised perhaps he wanted that distance even shorter, so leaned his forehead against Geordi’s, and closed his eyes too.
Another moment passed.
“Data?”
“Yes, Geordi?”
“I think I might love you.”
Data had already begun to close the final distance between them before Geordi replied.
Warm and soft. That’s how it felt to kiss Geordi. One of Data’s hands gently held his face while the other found the back of his neck and began to run his fingers through the hair at its base. This elicited a pleased hum and a sudden burst of movement from Geordi who stood and grabbed Data’s waist, pulling their bodies closer together without breaking their lips apart for a moment. Data gasped in… surprise? He wasn’t sure why he gasped. This was pleasant. His grip on Geordi’s neck became more forceful, more desperate, though ever gentle, as he leaned in harder, and Geordi sighed with pleasure. One of Geordi’s hands moved up Data’s front until it reached his head where he began to tangle his fingers in his hair.
As quickly as it started, it ended, as Geordi needed to breathe. He looked down at their interlocked fingers and laughed, throwing his head back.
“Geordi? Is something amusing?”
Geordi snorted good naturedly and reached his hand to Data’s chin, tilting his gaze down to him again while wearing a half lidded expression.
“Why, Data? Are you not amused?”
Data arched his eyebrows to convey continued confusion.
Geordi sighed patiently.
“Oh, you know, Data, this is just… just so crazy! I mean I guess I’d always thought about it a little, but, I mean, wow! This is really happening,”
Data nodded slowly, politely.
"I'm happy, that's all. I'm so... I'm so happy with you right now."
As Geordi spoke he appeared to already be becoming distracted. He moved his hand up just a little, until it was holding Data’s cheek and rubbed his thumb once along his lips, as if to confirm they were truly there. Data suddenly found he couldn’t stay there any longer.
“Geordi, I regret that I cannot continue this conversation at this location,” he looked as if he were confused by the very words he was saying, “Allow me to escort you to your quarters?”
Then he stopped, took Geordi’s hand in his and kissed it softly.
“Allow me to stay the night?”
Geordi swallowed, breathing heavily.
“Please.”