Jim had just finished putting out the pumpkins and gourds all around his quarters and had a bag of artificial leaves to scatter around when there was someone at his door.
He was not expecting anyone, but he was captain so he could hardly ignore whoever it was.
“Yeah. Enter.”
And he was surprised to see Spock step inside.
“Oh. Hey.” Jim paused, thinking about the possibility he had forgotten some plan. “Were we supposed to play chess tonight?”
“There was no specific plan,” Spock assured him. “But I did think to ask if you were interested in a game.”
The Vulcan’s gaze darted to what Jim had clutched in his hands.
Jim felt himself blush. “I…I was decorating. For um. You know, fall.”
Spock’s brows furrowed. “There is no change of seasons in space on the Enterprise.”
“Yeah. I know. I just…” Jim shook his head. “Never mind. Aren’t you doing something with Uhura?”
“Jim, Nyota and I are not together.”
“Uh. I thought you…I mean yeah I heard you broke up, but I figured you’d get back together. Like you always do.”
“We are not. We care for each other, but we are not resuming our romantic relationship.”
Jim hugged himself, feeling weirdly vulnerable. Realizing he was still holding the leaves, he set them down on his desk. “I had planned on carving a pumpkin too.”
“Carving a pumpkin?”
“Back home it’s October. I got a message from my Mom and we were talking about the seasons and I got a little homesick. I replicated all this. I was going to make a Jack-o-Lantern. And maybe some pumpkin pie. Stuff like that. But sure, if you want to play chess, that’s cool.”
“I would like to spend the evening with you in any capacity. I am amenable to assisting you with your décor.”
“With me?”
Spock visibly deflated. “I had hoped…it is nothing.”
Something occurred to Jim then.
“Wait. You…you’re not going to resume a romantic relationship with Uhura and you’re…Spock. Are you?”
Spock sighed. “Yes.”
Jim allowed a smile to play on his lips. “Bones is right.”
“About?”
“My thick skull.”
He opened his arms and moved toward Spock. “Yes, I’d love for you to stay.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 
October 16, 2020 at 5:16 am
Oh oh oh. I love this! Love! The whole vulnerable Jim, and him being homesick, and decorating, and Spock just wanting to spend time with him. No matter what they’re doing. Happy sigh. I just love it!
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October 16, 2020 at 7:05 am
thank you! I love vulnerable Jim too!
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October 16, 2020 at 5:46 am
We’re so attuned to Earth time and everything that goes with that. When they’re traveling among hundreds of planets, each with their many cultures and traditions and customs and climates and all. Each with their own length of days and years, probably impossible for any other planet’s travels around the sun or their own circumference being nothing like anyone else’s.
It’s nice to know that each being can hold to what comforts them most.
And that’s why for the most part, in the real universe, starships would be crewed by beings mostly alike, or all those timings could crash and make so many of them uncomfortable to downright miserable. Or so it seems to me it will be if the day comes we actually do get out there.
And so back to Jim. I love that he was sharing these memories with his mom and wanting to run to them, rather than from them.
And bringing Spock into those comforting traditions. I be they’ll be even that much more comforting and triggering of amazing memories from now on!
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October 16, 2020 at 7:07 am
That’s the way I viewed it, we never get away completely from our own traditions, our own preferences, I think, and I imagine that would be that way even in space, So yes, talking with Mom mad Jim want to take that little bit of home and put it there with him. And now he can share that with Spock.
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October 16, 2020 at 8:59 am
“I would like to spend the evening with you in any capacity. I am amenable to assisting you with your décor.” Is Vulcan for “I really enjoy being with you no matter what we’re doing. You complete me.”
Jim being caught by surprise decorating makes him feel awkward and and vulnerable. He’s feeling nostalgic after talking to his Mom. Bringing the Autumn season to his quarters makes him feel connected to Earth and it’s traditions. He doesn’t want to feel judged as being peculiar for this. Spock is accepting Jim as he is, and his traditions, without understanding them. This is a sure sign of deep affection. When Jim seems to not get it, Spock appears crestfallen. He’s also not sure where Jim’s affections lie. Thinking perhaps he misread Jim’s interest in him. I’m glad that Jim figures it out towards the end. ❤️💚😘🖖
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October 16, 2020 at 9:18 am
Yep it took Jim a little bit of time but he got it. Spock’s a little bit too subtle. He should just come out and say I love you can I be here? LOL
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October 16, 2020 at 9:12 am
Do you see a comment made by me just now.? I made one, . hit post comment, got a message that I have made a duplicate comment, Got a notification asking if I wanted to follow the comments and now I can’t see anything written by me. WTF!?
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October 16, 2020 at 9:16 am
Yes it’s there, sometimes I have to approve them, have no idea why, but it’s okay, patience grasshopper! LOL 😀
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October 16, 2020 at 9:33 am
Patience is not amongst my virtues. 😛
Now I see it.
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October 17, 2020 at 2:05 am
I’m so glad Spock wanted to help Him decorate. Jim’s a cutie and yeah, does have a lil bit of a thick skull lol but now he has Spock ❤
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October 17, 2020 at 8:17 am
he sure does
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October 17, 2020 at 8:27 am
Hey, you wouldn’t let us comment on your new post. I just wanted to say about the 25 chapter December fic (or 31 chapters if you do what you did last December).
You know, those daily chapters don’t have to be long or have a thousand-word limit or anything. Don’t think our Christmas gift has to be monumental and epic. It will be glorious, whatever you do. But I want it to be fun for you too, not torturous and a miserable, dreaded chore.
Just something you want to give us daily. Not nearly as long as every day’s was last year if you don’t feel it.
We’re just going to love everything, every day. Have fun.
Lord knows we’re going to!!!!
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October 17, 2020 at 8:52 am
Thank you! I greatly appreciate that, but I am trying to make it completely epic, ha ha. we’ll see if I can manage that!
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October 17, 2020 at 12:36 pm
I agree with j! I’m happy seeing any new stuff you create. Heck I’m happy rereading your older “classic Ivan” stuff. Don’t fret!
❤
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October 17, 2020 at 3:31 pm
Oh, poor Jim is homesick! Yes, experiencing holidays in a completely different environment from what you’re used to is very weird. Good thing there’s replicators. And aw. Spock just wants to spend time with Jim, That is so sweet! They really are adorable.
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