So this is a bit of a Vanik AU in that everything I have established in other stories does not apply here. I thought it would be fun to kick off October with him. Enjoy!
“What is that man doing?”
Spock slowed his pace and glanced toward the patio his nephew pointed out. They were on their way to pick up some dinner as Vanik was temporarily staying with Spock while Spock’s brother, Sybok, was being diplomatic on some planet. He’d been rather vague about it and Spock figured whatever it was must have been illegal because Spock knew his brother.
The man Vanik referred to had a very large pumpkin on a patio table and he was, rather gleefully, cutting it up.
“He is carving a pumpkin into a Jacko-Lantern.”
“What is that?” Vanik wondered.
“A Halloween decoration. On Earth, Halloween is celebrated in October and Mr. Kirk is creating one of the ubiquitous decorations seen at this time.”
“Mr. Kirk? Then you know him?”
Vanik had stopped walking so Spock was forced to do the same.
“He is my neighbor,” Spock said, evasively. “And he attends Starfleet Academy.”
“I am curious to inspect the pumpkin closer.”
Spock stiffened. He didn’t exactly object to Vanik meeting his neighbor, but it was…complicated.
“I do not think we should disturb him.”
“Oh, I don’t mind,” his neighbor called through the patio fence. “Bring ‘em over. My Jack-o-Lantern is nearly finished.”
Given that, Spock could hardly refuse.
A moment later, Kirk was opening the gate to his patio for Spock and Vanik.
Kirk gave him a funny look but smiled engagingly at Vanik.
“Hello there. I’m Jim.”
“My name is Vanik and I am Spock’s nephew,” Vanik moved over to inspect the pumpkin.
“Vanik, huh?”
“My brother’s son is staying with me temporarily.”
“I see. Is that why you said we had to stop seeing each other?”
“Temporarily,” Spock reminded him.
Vanik glanced their way. “Is Jim your boyfriend, Uncle Spock?”
“No,” Kirk said.
“Yes,” Spock said at the same time.
Kirk said, “Yes.”
Spock said, “No.”
Jim shook his head and went to where Vanik stood.
“You did not have to stop seeing him because I am visiting,” Vanik told his uncle. “I have speculated that Jim first said no because he does not wish to label your relationship if Spock is not ready to do so. Spock said yes, because he wished to seem ‘cool’ by using a term familiar to Humans. Given that Spock said yes, Jim switched to yes because he felt it was safe to admit to their emotional connection after all and Spock pivoted to no because he feared Jim did not view their situation as seriously.”
Jim laughed. “Give me a break kid.”
Vanik shrugged. “It was the logical conclusion. Do you have more pumpkins to carve? I would like to attempt one myself if permissible.”
“I don’t but I guess I could get more if you’d like.”
“We were just on our way to dinner.”
Vanik said to Jim, ”Perhaps you could join us.”
“Well I…”
“I am sure Mr. Kirk has other plans.”
“Do you?” Vanik asked.
“Nope.”
“Then you can come with us. And then after, perhaps we can get additional pumpkins.”
Spock inwardly sighed. “Very well. Let’s go.”
As Jim fell into step beside Spock and his nephew he said, “Can we get pizza?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Damn. I mean…darn.”
Spock felt his lips twitch. “Perhaps a small one.”
Jim grinned and they continued on their way.
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