More thoughts about why I found Elim Garak so compelling in The Crimson Shadow.

Because as a shipper, I have no idea what he’s like as a romantic in canon–not really. I tend to subscribe to the “Ziyal had a crush, Garak found it kind of awkward” school of thought, but even if they did have a romantic relationship, we never really saw any of it. We saw Garak out in the open, being pleasant and cool and joking with her, clearly enjoying her company, just as clearly in full control of himself.

We never saw him vulnerable.

And here with Parmak, we see how Elim is in private when he’s with someone he loves. We see Parmak tease him and Elim smile; we see them touch each other; we see Elim’s need to see him as soon as possible after the Very Bad Thing happens; we see Elim apologize through tears; we see Parmak embracing him, steadying his hands, breathing with him through a panic attack, comforting him.

We see how he can’t bear the idea of Parmak being angry with him.

Elim Garak gives no shits about what ninety-nine percent of the universe thinks of him. But he can’t handle the idea of upsetting Kelas Parmak.

It’s potent stuff.

I still think it’s going to be a relationship with Problems, but any relationship with Elim Garak is going to be a relationship with Problems. I do hope he can live up to the person Parmak thinks he is.