This one almost applies to the November theme, but anyway….

“Are you sure I should be going with you, Spock?”

Jim had asked this of Spock twice before. Spock understood that Jim was likely nervous at the prospect of meeting Spock’s father so he allowed allowances for those nerves.

They were already preparing to step onto the transporter pad when Jim asked this latest time.

“I wish for him to know my mate, Jim,” Spock said, simply, also for the third time.

“Yeah. Well. About that.”

Spock arched a brow.

“Are you absolutely sure—”

“Yes,” Spock interrupted, not allowing him to finish.

Jim blew out a breath, then reached for Spock to give him a quick kiss.

“On Vulcan, that will not…”

“Yeah. I know. No open affection. I know, I know.”

Spock knew Jim was irritated by the reminder, but there wasn’t time to apologize or explain his own apprehension before they were told the transport was ready.

Unbeknownst to Jim, Spock had yet to tell Sarek that Jim was his mate. This brief trip to New Vulcan was to accomplish that.

“Energize,” Jim called to the transporter technician.

On New Vulcan, they were greeted by Vulcan attendants, before making their way to a tram that would take them to the neighborhood where his father’s house was located in mere seconds.

Jim had fallen silent. His color was already high from the heat, though New Vulcan did not have quite the same temperatures as Vulcan Prime had.

His uneasiness was affecting Spock as they approached the door to Sarek’s home. He’d been advised by his father that he could simply use his own code to enter the house in case Sarek was otherwise occupied when Spock arrived. Spock did so.

The inside of the house was mildly cooler and he could see the quick relief in Jim’s gaze.

Sarek came from within the deeper part of the house at that moment.

“Ah, Spock, you have…” His gaze flicked to Jim. “Captain Kirk.”

“Ambassador.”

Sarek looked to Spock, his expression carefully blank. “I was unaware you were bringing your superior officer, Spock. I thought this was a personal family visit.”

Spock could feel Jim’s shock through their link and he struggled not to shrink in on what was clearly a rebuke from his father.

He doesn’t even know?

“Father—”

“Excuse me,” Jim spoke up. “I’ll be outside.”

“Jim…”

But Jim practically ran from Sarek’s house.

“Explain,” Sarek demanded. “Why have you brought your superior here?”

Spock clenched his jaw. “Because I came here to introduce you to my mate.”

“Your…”

“Yes. Jim is my bondmate.”

“Why was I not made aware of this? To choose a bondmate who is both Human and male while our species is in danger of extinction is illogical and clearly made with emotional considerations that should not—”

“Kroykah!”

Sarek blinked.

“We are T’hy’la. It is not a simple choice.”

“I…see. No Vulcan has had such a bond for many hundreds of years.”

“Since I am only half Vulcan, that record still applies,” Spock said, stiffly. “I must seek out Jim.”

Spock turned away from his father but paused at the door. “If we were not T’hy’la, I would still choose Jim.”

Once outside, Spock did not see Jim. He feared Jim had gone back to the Enterprise.

“Jim? Jim? T’hy’la?”

“Here, Spock.” Jim appeared from around the back of the house. He looked red and overheated.

“We must get you to some place cooler,” Spock said quickly. “I apologize for my father’s unkindness.”

“I can apologize for my own failings, Spock,” Sarek said from the porch of the house. “Captain Kirk. Jim. Please accept my apology for my rudeness. It was illogical to act that way and I can only admit to being a somewhat foolish old man. Will you come into my home where I assure you, you are most welcome.”

Jim looked to Spock.

I am sorry, Jim. I should have told my father we were bonded before we arrived.

You were nervous too.

Yes.

It’s all right, Spock. I get it. This is all…strange to you, too.   

Jim looked back to Sarek. “I accept your welcome, Ambassador.”

Sarek stood aside while Spock and Jim reentered the house.

“Call me Sarek, Jim. And let me prepare a meal of welcome to honor my son and his bondmate.”

Jim smiled. “Great. Thank you. Sarek.”

Sarek nodded. “Even old dogs can be taught new tricks.” He paused. “I got that from my wife.”

And Jim burst out laughing.

Sarek turned to Spock. “Sometimes I foolishly forget her, only for a moment, of course, as I have done just now. She would feel shame for me. I believe she would say if she were here, Spock, ‘you will always have a proud mother’. And you will always have a proud father, also. Come, let us settle and become acquainted as a family.”