“How’s the new place?”

Spock paused in the middle of cutting his asparagus spears in half. He was seated in the cafeteria at a table across from his fellow cadet and friend, Nyota Uhura.

“It is…an interesting experience.”

Nyota smirked. “What does that mean exactly?”

“The last two nights the neighbors in the building next door have had loud parties that have not ceased until one in the morning. While I do not need as much sleep as full Humans, I do find the experience troublesome. Jim acquired ear plugs and has visited there a couple of times to request they cease. He said if they do not his next choice is to acquire a phaser.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh dear. He’s threatening to become violent?”

“I believe his words are in jest.” Spock shrugged. “Otherwise the living situation is manageable.”

“Hmm.” She tapped a manicured fingernail on the table. “Did you sign a lease?”

“A six month one, yes.”

“Too bad. Or I’d tell you to move.”

“Who’s moving?” Jim slammed down a lunch tray, causing the fries in the little paper container to jump and spill on the table. He didn’t seem to care, because as he wedged himself in next to Spock, he scooped one off the table and popped it into his mouth.

“No one. I was simply telling Nyota about our neighbors.”

“Oh. Right. They’re going to be moving if I have anything to say about it.”

“I’m surprised, Kirk,” Nyota spoke up, leaning back in her chair with her frappe. “I expected you to ask to join them.”

“Me? Nope. I’m actually a bit of a nerd,” Jim said. “Not the partying kind.”

She didn’t seem convinced, but she didn’t pursue the topic.

Jim looked at Spock’s plate. “You’re gonna get asparagus pee.”

Spock could practically hear Nyota’s eyes rolling. Her chair scooted back and she rose. “I have to get to class. Tea later, Spock?”

“Yes, that would be agreeable.”

Jim watched her leave, his lips pursed. “Don’t think she likes me much.”

Spock was surprised by this. “She has never said so.”

Jim smiled. “What are you up to tonight? After tea with Uhura.”

“I have no specific plans. I might go to the Science Library.”

“Mm. Okay.”

“What about you?”

“Nothing I guess. There’s a Rom Com marathon on tonight and I thought I might veg on the couch and watch that with a big bowl of popcorn. I thought maybe you’d like to veg with me, but if you want to study, that’s cool.”

Spock absolutely should not ‘veg’ with Jim on the couch watching Rom Coms. He should stick with the idea of studying at the library. Because he needed to have at least some distance between himself and Jim.

But as he was about to say that he would commit to studying, he glanced at Jim, and those sapphire eyes. His stomach hurt again.

“I can go to the library tomorrow night instead,” he heard himself say.

“Sweet.”   

Spock inwardly sighed. But on the other hand, it also meant he would not come home to a sock on Jim’s door.