AKA Totally Modern Jim

For a long time, the Human who’d introduced himself as Jim just looked at Spock. There was no fear on his face nor even open curiosity. His expression was simply blank. He rivaled any trained Vulcan Spock had known.
When the silence stretched on, Spock finally spoke.
“You do not seem surprised.”
“Well. I’m not sure exactly where Vulcan is,” Jim said honestly. He really was quite a handsome man. “Is it part of another country?”
Ah, that explained it.
“Do you not see my ears?”
Jim nodded. “Cosplay?”
“Cosplay?”
“Uh-huh. Like for an elf. Lord of the Rings I’m guessing. You just come from a convention?”
Spock frowned. “I am not an elf. My ears are…real.”
Jim cocked his head. “Plastic surgery? It’s cool. Whatever gets your goat.”
“Gets my…”
Jim smiled then. It was an appealing smile. “So not a monk?”
“I am not.”
Jim opened the pizza box. “You have any paper plates?”
“They are wasteful.”
“That a no?”
“It is, yes.” Spock gestured to his dining room table. “Perhaps we’d better sit down.”
Jim moved to do just that as Spock got out two non-paper plates from the apartment’s cupboard. He also poured himself a small cup of Sake.
“Do you wish a glass for your malt beverage?”
Those plump lips curved. “I’m good.”
Spock brought his Sake to the table and took the offered plate from Jim with a slice of pizza.
In truth, since his unexpected arrival there, Spock was not in the habit of explaining his appearance. Both in theory and physical. Most Humans would have trouble believing anyway. So Spock was uncertain what cause himself to lower the hood to expose his ears.
In general when leaving his apartment, Spock wore a hat or hood to cover his nonconformity.
“New here huh?”
“I have recently come to occupy this apartment, yes.”
He had been stranded on Earth for several months now, but found it necessary to leave the first place he stayed.
“I resided on the Eastern side of town until recently.”
“Rent increase?”
Actually, the warehouse he had been hiding in had been demolished.
“Something like that.”
“What do you do?” Jim asked. “Like I said before, I’m a teacher. I teach physics. Full name is Jim Kirk.”
Spock nodded. “As it happens, I am looking to get a position as a teacher myself at the Science Institute. I have interviewed and expect a decision at any time. In the meantime, I am waiting tables at an Asian Fusion restaurant on the corner.”
“Oh, yeah, I know that place. Good food. So are you a scientist?”
“Correct.”
“Cool. I’m glad we have so much in common. What’s your name?”
“As I said, Spock.”
“No, I mean, your whole name.”
“Spock.”
“Oh. Okay. Like Cher or Bono. Gotcha.”
Spock did not know what Jim got but he let it pass.
After he finished a couple of slices of pizza and his cup of Sake, Spock waited for Jim to decide to leave. He liked Jim and didn’t mind the company, but he hadn’t failed to notice several yawns from the Human.
“Sorry, long week. And my dad’s in the hospital, so a bit stressful.”
“I am sorry to hear it. Is he gravely il?”
“Not anymore. He had bypass surgery though. I’m going to drive out there to see them next week.”
“Where is out there?”
Jim laughed and it was a pleasing sound. Not that Spock could get close to Jim. Or anyone. His main goal was to return to where he came from. If that was possible.
“Originally Iowa. Riverside. But we moved away from there a few years back. The family unit now lives in Napa. My dad has a small vineyard. Sam helps him run it.” Jim smiled. “Sam’s my older brother. And now I’m babbling my life story. It’s just…you’re really easy to talk to.” Jim stood then and picked up his empty pizza box. Spock noted he had eaten quite a bit of it.
“I’ll let you get back to whatever you were doing. I hope to see you again, Spock. It was nice to meet you.”
“It was nice to meet you as well, Jim.”
April 4, 2022 at 3:47 am
I love the juxtaposition in this story. And Spock as a fish out of water. But also I love how Jim just rolls with it. Their chemistry is sparking!
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April 4, 2022 at 8:33 am
thank you so much
Yeah I don’t think Jim would immediately think, yeah this dude is from outer space, his brain would go to some place that makes sense
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April 4, 2022 at 5:57 am
I love Jim just being like ‘cool ears, so anyway….” and keeps going like everything is just fine and dandy. Love it. Can’t wait for more!
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April 4, 2022 at 8:34 am
Yep as I said, most people wouldn’t think “oh alien” so he finds a reason for the pointed ears 🙂
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April 4, 2022 at 10:03 am
“Actually, the warehouse he had been hiding in had been demolished.” – I have no idea why that hit me as hilarious, but it did! a true LOL.
I’m so happy you’re continuing this! I need it like water.
And ditto everyone else AND you – that Jim just goes with something that makes sense physics-ly and rolls with it. And they’re so easy with each other.
I also love how Spock notices as pleasing the very same things I do!
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April 4, 2022 at 10:06 am
You know that Eagles song “Peaceful, Easy Feeling”?
That’s the only lyric that fits, but I love sometimes when you write a fic that makes me think of that line and like, “Yeah” and I just sigh into it. That’s this one. So far anyway!
But, the month’s still young.
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April 4, 2022 at 10:33 am
one of my favorite Eagles songs!
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April 4, 2022 at 10:34 am
LOL I don’t know why either because it is kinda funny. You think about Spock ending up on Earth, many years in the past, and finding a place to hide only to have it a condemned building they tear down! It is pretty amusing. Probably not for Spock though!
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April 4, 2022 at 11:04 am
Well, it’s getting ready to be! The best thing that ever happened to him!
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April 4, 2022 at 11:22 am
Wow I just absolutely love this story. Jim just randomly showing up at Spock’s door bringing his pizza and his beer with him. Thinking he might be a monk or cos-player because of his wardrobe and then his ears. Jim is attracted to Spock despite all the uncertainty. That Spock is comfortable enough to let his hood down, just gets to me. Spock just inherently knows that Jim can be trusted with his secret. Their conscious minds don’t realize it yet, but they are meant for each other. Jim even says it, “I’m babbling my life story. It’s just…you’re really easy to talk to.” Yes Jim! You have no idea!! ❤️💚😘🖖
This is the second installment of this story, correct? I scrolled back to read it.
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April 4, 2022 at 11:32 am
Yes this is the second installment, third will be on Wednesday
thanks ❤
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