Work Text:
“It was funny!” whined Dr. Bashir, throwing both hands in the air melodramatically.
“No doubt it would be, Doctor,” said Garak, with utmost generosity, “if I had any idea what ‘immediate acute post-prandial upper abdominal distension’ was.”
“It’s a classic among Starfleet Medical students, said Bashir, shifting to sheepishness. “Banned between officers on active service, of course.”
Garak blinked. “I wasn’t aware that Starfleet banned bad jokes. How shockingly sensible of them, if a little out-of-character. They should consider extending the ban to officer interactions with poor, unsuspecting civilians.”
“It’s not a bad joke just because you didn’t understand it,” grumbled Bashir. “And, anyway, the ban is just for today. The first of April. April Fool’s Day.”
“An Earth holiday, I assume.”
“Traditionally celebrated with pranks, tricks, and general tomfoolery. It’s meant to be a bit of harmless fun. But there have been a few, er, incidents. Some cross-cultural misunderstandings. Hurt feelings. Starfleet started a list of prohibited April Fool’s practices after the unpleasantness on Gothos, and it’s grown so long over the years that there is now only a single Starfleet approved inter-collegial mode of celebration.”
“And that is?”
Bashir reached across the table with a grin and poked Garak squarely on the nose. “Boop!”