Flash Fic, July 21, 2023

“We’re about to close, Professor.”

Jim stood at the edge of the little alcove where he always found the Vulcan professor seated at a table. Since the Academy’s fall session started Jim found Professor Spock in the library almost every night going over the Academy’s science texts on a terminal there.

Spock glanced at him. “I did not realize how late it was.”

“Last night before the winter break,” Jim said, leaning against the wall to observe him. “Going to go home to Vulcan?”

Spock paused for a moment, then closed all his notebooks and signed out of the terminal. “Vulcan is no longer my home. San Francisco is.”

“Yeah. I mean to see your folks or whatever.”

“They are not on Vulcan at present. My father is ambassador to Earth. They are in New York.”

“Mm. So—”

“No, Cadet. My intention is to stay here during the semester break. And yourself?”

Jim smiled. “I’ll be here too. I’ve got no family on Earth right now to spend any time with, so might as well stick around here.”

He moved into the alcove and noticing Spock didn’t seem to be getting up yet, Jim took the chair next to him.

“You probably don’t really go for holiday celebrations.”

“As Vulcans, my father and I follow Vulcan culture and history. My mother is Human, however.”

“Yeah?  What about her then?”

“She gave up most Earth celebrations to adapt to life with my father.”

Jim snorted. “I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to change your whole way of thinking and being just for one person.”

Spock inclined his head. “Indeed but it was a choice she made when she accepted my father’s marriage proposal.”

“Why’d they get married?”

“My father indicated it was a logical decision.”

Jim outright laughed. “Yeah okay. If you’re using logic to figure out your relationships, well…good luck.”

“You don’t appreciate logic?”

“Not when it comes to two individuals connecting on a deeper level. What have you been studying here anyway? A guy like you? I’d think you had pretty much all the modern equipment and knowledge in your own residence.”

He was surprised when Spock appeared to be blushing, and then hurriedly stood up.

“I should be going as you are wanting to close the library.”

“Hey, it’s all right. You have a few minutes.” Jim rose too. “In fact, I don’t know. Maybe you want to get some coffee with me?”

“That will be acceptable.”

Jim smiled. “Great. Let me just go take care of a few things and I’ll meet you at the exit doors.”

Jim met Spock there about fifteen minutes later and after locking up, they made a short walk to a coffee and tea place.

Jim got a peppermint chocolate latte and Spock got a gingerbread spiced latte with cashew nut milk.

“So, what are you going to do with your winter break then?”

“I do not know,” Spock admitted. “Most of those I have become acquainted with have other plans.”

“Except me.”

Spock’s gaze rose from his coffee. “Except you.”

“You never did say what you’ve been studying at the library since September.”

Spock sighed. “I have been studying you.”

Jim blinked. “Me?”

“I have been fascinated by you since I first laid eyes on you.”

Jim laughed. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“I am…shy.”

He reached over and put his hand on Spock’s. “We are definitely spending the winter break together.”