Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

And for the final one, these guys are from Would You Rather?

“Oh my God.”

Spock glanced at his captain. His boyfriend, Spock amended in his mind. Of six months now.

“Could it be any hotter? It’s like two days before Christmas for heaven’s sake.”

Spock acknowledged Jim looked exceedingly hot and uncomfortable. He was sweating profusely, his uniform marked by large wet patches. His face was alarmingly red too.

“I do not believe Dioxie 3 recognizes Christmas.”

Jim ignored him, predictably. “Man if I was back in Riverside it might be snowing.” He leaned against a large tree and panted. Wiped his brow. “How are you not dying?”

“A Vulcan’s temperature—”

Jim suddenly doubled over clenching his stomach. “Damn. Ugh.”

“Jim!” Spock rushed to him. “You do not look good.”

“I feel kind of faint.”

Spock took out his communicator. “Spock to Enterprise. Two to beam up immediately.”

****

Spock tensed only slightly when Leonard’s hand clasped his shoulder. He had definitely gotten used to the Human need for physical contact. Between his past with Nyota and his present and future with Jim, he’d had to.

“It’s all right, Spock. Just a nasty bout of heat exhaustion. We weren’t prepared enough for those burning temperatures there. Or I wasn’t. If I had been, I could have given Jim a shot to help with it. He just needs rest and hydration. Extra care. I’m going to keep him here in the medbay for another night, maybe two.”

 Spock nodded, his gaze fixed on Jim who was lying on his back, staring at the ceiling.

“And you are sure?”

“I’m sure. Could have been much worse if he’d gone into heat stroke. We got to him in time.” Leonard smiled. “I’ll be in to see him in a bit with some food. You can have a few minutes with him.”

Spock offered Leonard his gratitude, and then went over to Jim’s side.      

“Jim?”

Jim’s gaze shifted to Spock and he gave Spock a ghost of his usual smile. “Hey.”

“How do you feel?”

“Okay. A bit weak I guess, but mostly a lot better.”

“The doctor will be bringing you food soon.”

“Good.”

“Are you sad?” Spock asked him, after observing Jim for a moment longer.

“Yeah. I mean, it’s Christmas and I’m in the hospital. It kind of reminds me a bit of the past.”

“How so?”

Jim shrugged. “When…when I got off Tarsus IV, it was this time of year, you know, and for a long time they kept me in the hospital, to get my strength back. This feels like that. Just a little.”

Spock held Jim’s hand. “I understand, but I assure you it is not, and you will be out soon.”

Jim’s smile was more genuine this time. “I know.”

****

A bit later, and with permission from Leonard and the rest of the medical staff, as well as some necessary crew members, and the admiralty, Spock returned to Jim’s side.

He was sitting up now and looking much better. He’d recently had eggnog ice cream, he’d told Spock.

“Jim, I have something to ask you.”

“Ask me?”

Spock nodded, and took both of Jim’s hands in his. “Would you rather get married right now in the medbay with all of our friends as witnesses or wait until some other time in the future?”

Jim stared, wide-eyed. “Spock?”

Behind him Leonard snorted. He had just come in, followed by Nyota, Sulu, Chekov, Scott, and Keenser.

“Well, kid?” Leonard demanded.

“Uh.” Jim sucked in a breath. “Now?”

“Excellent answer, Cap’n.” Scott said, then he held up a device and pushed the button.

Snow, artificial, of course, began to fall lightly on Jim and Spock.

Jim looked up in wonder. “How…?”

“Mr. Scott’s ingenuity,” Spock explained.

He watched as Jim looked around and saw that the crew, Nyota mostly, had brought with them a decorated Christmas tree. Nyota set it upon a nearby table.

“A Christmas wedding?”

Spock nodded. “If it pleases you.”

Jim grinned. “It does. But who’s going to marry us?”

“Keenser. He is, apparently, authorized in ten galaxies.”

Jim laughed. “Always learning something new about him, I guess.”

Spock leaned down to kiss Jim, eyes shining. “Are you ready then?”

“A thousand times yes.”

And their friends drew near, Keenser stepping closer, and Admiral Barrett onscreen to witness it too. Snow falling and whimsy everywhere.

“One more thing, Jim.”

“Yes?”

“Would you rather bond with me now or later in our quarters?”

“Our quarters?”

Spock nodded. “They are being set up right now.”

Jim beckoned Spock closer and then as Spock leaned down, Jim whispered, “Later. When you claim me.”

Spock shivered and straightened. “Let us begin.”

And that, my friends, is a wrap on 2021’s Christmas in July….see you in December for more holiday cheer