Flash Fic, August 16, 2023

Spock was a little surprised when Doctor McCoy had shown up at his apartment door along with the captain, though he supposed he shouldn’t be. In the years they’d all been acquainted, McCoy was usually around when Jim was.

In the early days, Spock had a hypothesis that they were more than friends, or at least the doctor had wanted to be, but that was early on and Spock no longer believed there was anything between them but a brotherly bond.

Still Jim hadn’t mentioned inviting McCoy to breakfast the night before when Spock had been tending to Jim’s wounds.

Although that had been unexpected and rather mildly annoying, what was more alarming was the cool look Jim had given them as Spock stepped out of his apartment to join them for breakfast.

“Morning,” Jim said, without any trace of warmth.

In the beginning of their contentious relationship, Spock had been somewhat used to cool looks from his captain. He’d found Jim rather moody.

But as they became friends, he got many more smiles and laughter.

Until right before Krall, that was. Something had changed between them then and Spock never really knew what it was.

It was then he had made the decision to leave for New Vulcan.

All that had changed again though and he was staying. Things had begun to look up for them again, including as recently as last night, and yet this morning cold Jim was back.

“Where are we going for breakfast?” Spock made himself ask. He had very little appetite now.

“The Yorktown base cafeteria works for me, if does you two.” Jim eyed him. “It’s got plenty of vegetarian choices.”

Since they were hardly going to have a private table for two now with McCoy along where they ate really didn’t matter so Spock agreed.

Since it was cafeteria, it was serve yourself, and when Spock had selected oatmeal with raisins, he made his way to a table where Jim had already sat himself.

The captain had a cup of coffee and a cinnamon streusel muffin.

“Is that all your are going to eat?”

Jim nodded. “All I feel like this morning.”

“Are you suffering any ill effects from last night?”

“Nah, I’ve been beaten worse. By your girlfriend’s thug defenders for instance.” Jim smiled at him this time but there was hard steel behind it.

McCoy chose that moment to slam his tray of food down before plopping down in a chair. “I’m pretty sure these scrambled eggs have been under a heat lamp for three days.”

Jim snorted and took a sip of his coffee.

McCoy looked at Spock. “You and Uhura reconcile again?”

Spock frowned and shook his head. “Negative. My romantic relationship with Nyota will not continue. Why do you ask?”

“She was there this morning in your apartment.” McCoy shrugged.

“For ship business concerning the roster of the Enterprise when we depart Yorktown.” Spock glanced at the captain. “There have been some that have chosen not to continue.”

Jim nodded, but Spock could not help but notice Jim’s eyes appeared suddenly warmer. “I figured that. Altamid was pretty traumatic for a lot of the crew.”

“Yes,” Spock agreed, then turned back to McCoy. “Not only do Nyota and I still serve under the captain onboard the Enterprise, but we also remain on good terms.”

McCoy smirked. “Good to know. Isn’t it, Jim?”

Jim shook his head but he smiled. “Speaking of ship’s business, we really need to get together with Scotty and discuss—”