I love this so much! I just started watching DS9, and Garak and Julian are always so dear. It's amusing how Garak insists he's just "plain, simple Garak", but speaks in cryptic riddles. His background in intelligence is apparent, and his conversations with Julian are always so friendly and fun. I'm really glad I was able to come online and find something so satisfying for them 7 years later! I'm not sure if you're still around or writing, but I hope this review finds you well, and please know that you brought my hours of enjoyment and smiles!

same person from the last review, but nOW WITH 500% MORE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAA

i have EVERYTHING to say

but just aAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaAAAAAAAAa can suffice

I don't normally ship Dr. Bashir and Garak...ok I've *never* shipped Bashir and Garak. Romantic relationships between characters that didn't happen in cannon can often come off as forced and sometimes a little icky to me, and finding a story I actually like which features that sort of relationship is a rare thing. Actually I'm not a fan of romance in general, so I'm pretty hard to please in that genre.

But your story developed the relationship between Garak and Bashir so organically that I found it completely believable and not weird in the slightest. The characterizations were very well done, the romance wasn't overly-mushy, and to top it all off, you really fleshed out Cardassian culture.

Now as I watch interactions between Garak and the good doctor on the show, I think, "omg, he's *totally* flirting and poor Bashir is just happily clueless!"

I don't know that you've made me a permanent fan of Garak/Bashir, but I definitely enjoyed your story. Great job!

You have actualized Cardassian culture, integrated believable original characters while furthering the existing relationship of pre-existing characters, and written a lovely romance that, thank everything, is NOT a Cardassian epic.

What a lovely and charming story.

That was beautiful, just perfectly captured their relationship! Thank you for writing this. 3

Argh, all the feeeeeeels! I love it, thank you for qriting it :D

Excellent fic. :) Many thanks for sharing it. I loved the subtleties of Cardassian language and gesture.

This was fantastic! Love Julian's friendship with Zhuni and the way he can confide in her, and yet hold back some confidences until he's emotionally ready. Loved that so many Cardassians seem open to working with offworlders, despite their pride. I liked that Julian's growing understanding of the Cardassian language and culture is what prompted him to make choices about his future. It's wonderful and I think in-character, if rather unusual in fanfic, that he's so reflective and self-aware, even though he often acts on instincts like fleeing DS9 after breaking up with Ezri. And Garak was wonderful as well. I like the idea that he's mellowed somewhat, now that he's home.

I love the fic. It is one of the best post war i have found.

Let me know if you ever decided to write more garak and bashier

This was a very well done and very believable way to bring these two characters together. I really enjoyed this story, and I'm going to have to go find more of your work now...

Absolutely brilliant. I can't help but echo everything what others have said, the depth and color you've brought to Cardassian culture would make a Cardassian proud (not that they need any help). I think you portrayed Julian and all the cannon characters well and accurately alongside creative and interesting original characters.

The way you tell the story is entrancing. Everything flowed and you were descriptive without being too verbose. I couldn't have stopped reading if I'd wanted to. I think you did a good job tying everything together at the end, but I would love to hear more. Although you could have stretched this into a whole novel and I would want to hear more. :)

Please keep up the good work!

I love the second half just as much as the first. This story is complete and whole as written, but I still wish there was more. Beautifully written, and definitely one of my favorites!

This story has such a beautiful depth and careful attention to detail and pacing. It's really one of the best DS9 fics I've read. I hope it isn't the only one you write!

I really love this, it is so sweets and at the same time real -

EXCELLENT !