“That’s probably the ugliest Jack o’ Lantern I’ve ever seen.”

“Shut up, Bones. It has character.”

Bones frowned. He tilted his head this way and that as he studied the carved pumpkin on the dining room table of the apartment that Jim shared with Spock and their son, Satok.

“I’m surprised that Satok carved this. I thought he’d be far more careful.”

“Satok didn’t carve it.”

“Oh.” Bones nodded. “I assumed a child had so—”

“You’re just hilarious. You know it was me.”  

Bones chuckled. “You never stop making me laugh. Don’t ever change.”

Jim grinned. “Oh, go home, would you? They’ll be here any moment and I’m making butternut squash soup and Kreyla.”

“You’re so domesticated.”

“Yeah yeah. I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.” Jim walked Bones to the door. He grabbed a chocolate bar and thrust it at his best friend. “Trick or treat. Bye.”’

As soon as Bones was gone, Jim went to the kitchen to finish making dinner. About thirty minutes later, he heard the door to the apartment open and then footsteps as his family arrived home.

“Dad, I thought you were going to wait for me for the squash.”

“All I had to do was bake it and then puree it,” Jim called.

“I meant for the carveable one.”

Jim left the kitchen and saw Satok looking at the Jack O Lantern.

“Well, uh, I left another one for you to do.” He picked up another medium sized pumpkin and set it on the table.

Spock leaned over and kissed him. “It does have character, Jim.”

He grinned. “Yeah?”

“It is…interesting,” Satok said diplomatically.

“How was school?”

“Acceptable.” He put his books down and sat at the table. “But now I am anxious to begin cutting up the squash.”

“Mm. Pumpkin. Dinner will be ready in thirty.”

Satok nodded. “I calculate I can be finished by then.”

Jim kissed the top of his son’s head, laughing at his scowl, and then went back into the kitchen. Spock followed him.

“How were your classes today?” Jim asked as Spock began making himself tea. “Acceptable?” he teased.

“Indeed.” Spock’s lips twitched. “And your time at headquarters?”

“Annoying. Sometimes I want to smash Barker’s face in. I didn’t, of course.”

“Of course.”

There was a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it,” Satok called.

A moment later,

“Trick or Treat.”

Spock shook his head. “An illogical tradition.”

“Probably,” Jim agreed. “But I’ve saved some chocolate out for you.” He winked.

Spock pulled him close. “You are still, technically, of childbearing years.”

Jim laughed. “Er, yeah, maybe. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“Satok might desire a younger brother or even a sister.”

Jim pulled back and gave him a look. “Spock.”

“I realize the last time was during Pon Farr,” Spock acknowledged. “Satok is nearing seven.”

Jim’s eyes widened.

“Do not worry. We still have some time.”

“I hope so. Go help our son carve his squash, will ya?”

Spock kissed him. “Very well. Happy Halloween.”

“Happy Halloween.”  

Photo by Toni Cuenca on Pexels.com

And that’s a wrap on October Flashes. Thank you!