“You know you should be with Spock.”
Jim looked up, annoyed at the interruption from Uhura as he sat in an isolated corner of the mess choking down what passed for his dinner while he attempted to file multiple reports that were due yesterday at least.
“Yeah because I’d definitely rather be doing this,” he snapped.
She wrinkled her nose. “I just mean…today’s the anniversary of his mother’s death.”
“I know. I was there.”
She sighed and sat down. “He’s upset and trying not to show it.”
“I know, Uhura. But this has to be done. Komack is breathing down my neck and I’m so behind on this shit, I’m getting my ass chewed and spit out.”
“I could do them for you,” Uhura offered.
He shook his head. “It’s classified. You aren’t allowed to touch them.”
“Since when do you care about regulations?”
Jim snorted. “I’ve cared for a long time. And so should you. I don’t want you getting into trouble.”
“Okay, but…”
“You could go and spend time with him.”
“Sure, I could. But he’s stopped wanting me around for comfort a long time ago, Jim. He needs you. He wants you.”
Jim pinched the bridge of his nose, eyed his half-finished fried shrimp and fries and grimaced. “Okay. I can spare a few minutes.”
She covered his hand with hers. “I’m sorry you’re feeling so much pressure. You know I would help if I could. We all would.”
“Yeah, I know. They send the Enterprise out for everything these days.”
She smirked. “Our famous command team.”
“It’s creating way too many headaches. I don’t know why they need all of this.” He turned off his PADD and stood.
“You go on to Spock. I’ll clean up here.”
He nodded. “Thanks.”
****
When he got to his quarters, Jim wasn’t surprised to find Spock there and meditating in his alcove.
So Jim sat down at his desk and turned his PADD on, continuing to work. He’d learned long ago not to interrupt Spock when he was meditating.
Since they’d gotten together, though they had separate quarters, Spock spent all his time with Jim. They both slept better together, and they had decided not to bother fighting that.
He worked for an additional hour before he saw movement where Spock had been, so he paused his work, and rose from behind his desk.
“Spock?”
“Jim.”
He approached the alcove and without a word, opened his arms.
Spock hesitated only a second before he stepped into Jim’s embrace. He wrapped his arms around his Vulcan boyfriend and just held him wordlessly.
Finally Spock whispered, “I will help you with your reports.”
“If you want to.”
“I need a distraction and you need help. No better solution.”
Jim drew back and offered a soft smile. “I love you.”
“And you own my heart,” Spock responded. “Thank you. Let us finish your reports.”
Jim took Spock’s hand and led him over to the desk.
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 
March 7, 2022 at 4:12 am
Oh you’re all about my true catnip these days. I love it!
This was great. The feels here gah. The balance they need to have and how you sometimes can’t do what you want for your partner but just taking a minute, just being there in silence, can make a huge difference. Excellent and well done!
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March 7, 2022 at 7:39 am
Yep the last two have been hurt comfort! Glad you liked 🙂
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March 7, 2022 at 8:34 am
Well, the night is young. It probably will end with them shedding tears in each others’ arms since now the reports actually will get finished with 2 working on them, and there will be time to grieve together for a while. It was a horrible anniversary for both of them. Spock’s mother, yes, but most of their academy friends were killed by Nero too when they were sent to Vulcan. Were it not for Jim, everyone on the Enterprise probably would have been killed too.
I know it’s hard to have to work when someone else needs you. I’m glad Jim decided to go to Spock. I’m sure just having Jim near while he meditated was a comfort to Spock, too.
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March 7, 2022 at 8:39 am
Absolutely the Enterprise would be gone because Pike and Spock at first didn’t even want to listen to him. And Earth would have been destroyed too, if not for Jim. So yes, while Vulcan was destroyed, Jim saved billions of people, literally
But yeah Jim knew he could do the reports there near Spock at least.
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March 7, 2022 at 8:44 am
I think – if you were agreeable to the idea – you should post this on AO3 on May 8, in honor of the 13th anniversary of the US premiere of Star Trek 2009.
(Or you could go with April 7 for the Australian-ites. Why did they release it there a full month ahead of the rest of the world, anyway? What? Does Sydney have more trekkies than the US? SMH)
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March 7, 2022 at 9:14 am
That’s a good idea, I’ll try to remember to do that!
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March 7, 2022 at 11:12 am
I had typed part of a comment, but my phone screen went to sleep and lost it. 🤦🏻♀️
Sometimes it’s difficult to know how to help someone that is struggling. Sometimes you just need the comfort of being with someone. Jim’s silent presence comforts Spock as he meditates. I love how he silently opens his arms inviting Spock into them and Spock just as silently steps into Jim’s embrace.
Upon rereading this, I noticed that Spock is in Jim’s quarters. He sought out the comfort of being in Jim’s space, even without Jim being there to help him through this difficult day.
Spock offers to help Jim with his reports to distract him. A burden shared is a burden lessened, for both of them.
Love the ending! Jim tells Spock, “I love you.”
Spock’s reply is everything!
“And you own my heart,” Spock responded. “Thank you. Let us finish your reports.” Romantic Vulcan!!
Love the artwork. It works well here. Miss that artist’s beautiful paintings.
I noticed two tiny typos: You wrote “friend” shrimp. And also you wrote I don’t know why “the” need all of this. But now I want fried shrimp! Lol!
I agree with j, it should be put on ao3 for the anniversary.
❤️💚😘🖖
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March 7, 2022 at 11:15 am
thanks
I’ll fix it if I post it there but I’m too lazy to bother here as I’m pretty sure you all get the intention 🙂
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