If you can stand another post from me, here it is!
Of course today I posted a short story called Always Shall Be on AO3. Most of you have already read it. I was contacted on tumblr last night by a reader who follows me there and discovered my secret identity (kidding). Anyway, she asked if I would write something to go with her Spirk art and I agreed. Fortunately she was okay with just a short piece because I just don’t have time for long requests right now.
I finished the next chapter of All I Ever Wanted and I will post that tomorrow to give anyone who wants to read Always Shall Be a chance to focus on that. I’ll probably add the other Valentine story I did to my one-shot collection either tonight or tomorrow as well. The one with the Vulcan card. I swear I can’t even remember what I called it anymore. Ugh, Anyway, I posted it here last Friday!
Long time followers know that me and M aren’t huge huge on V Day. I got him a small present (candy) and he’s making me dinner. But he’s not making it until Friday because we have our WW meeting tomorrow. I requested chicken and mushroom pie (it’s an English thing made with puff pastry) and mashed potatoes. He is also going to make me Pot Au Creme (some fancy creamy custardy lovebird dessert, ha)
I got my one-shot done for Friday and it’s super dupery cute if I do say so myself. Hope you guys will like it.
I may get some garage cleaning done this weekend. We shall see. It’s supposed to rain through Friday and again possibly Sunday, so it’s a small window of opportunity there. We’ve had a rainy season so far. And COLD for us. We’ve had more fires in our fireplace (M’s mistake on NY’s notwithstanding) this year than we’ve had in the last ten, I swear. Tonight I am off to Target and will likely buy a couple more logs.
And that is definitely it for now (well until Friday obviously)
There are stories I want to write. I also want to write the second part of Hello Darkness. It will be set about 6 years in the future. I am thinking of combining it with a previous idea I had with the song ‘Dancing on My Own’, so that when Jim becomes the captain of the Enterprise after not seeing Spock all these years, he finds Spock is with Uhura. I haven’t fully decided on this yet because at the end of Hello Darkness Spock does call Jim his T’hy’la. Men, as we know, are stupid though, so we will see. I also said I would take up ‘The Thought of You is Consuming Me’ again, which was my Regency/Victorian set Pinto story I deleted. I also want to write the one that began in First Footing that was requested by a reader. And others, too. My head is spinning with ideas.
But I can’t write any of those until I give my readers and myself some relief on current stories. I just hope the ideas and mojo doesn’t leave for those unwritten stories.
My plan is to have The Experiment finished in the not too distant future. Perhaps only a few more chapters more. I’m also thinking of ending My Heart’s a Virgin sooner rather than later. Nine Lives will be done, hopefully, before the summer and, perhaps, Bitter Frost, as well. That’s the potential of 4 stories (If I know how to count, ha)
I also need to finish The Love of a Lifetime.
As for, Didn’t We Have it All. Well. On the one hand the guys are together, finally, but I don’t know if I am at the point where I want to say goodbye to them.
Anyway, so I plan to get some of that stuff done before tackling on another. I also have Revealing to finish here, but I will be honest, it won’t be this week. I am sorry. I’ll have something else up on Friday. I know…I suck.
Work is crazy too right now, so I am busy busy here. Anyway, that’s it for now!
Went for my walk this morning. Here’s a shot of my area as I approach the park. See how it’s partly cloudy? More about that later!
Wash by House
I don’t know if you folks in other areas called it the same thing, but we call these things “washes”. This one is right by the park and with the rain we’ve been having it’s so full of water parts of it have become waterfalls. This is from the bridge you take over it to get through the park and to the houses.
Apartments
Years and years ago M and I lived at these apartments you see over the wall.
Neighborhood
Uh oh the clouds are becoming more threatening! Is it going to rain again?
Yep, it started raining shortly after I took this picture. If you are on my walk with me, I hope you brought your umbrella. I did not! ha
My Favorite House in the Area
Think they’d let me buy it for $10,000. No? Damn, Wait, Where would I get $10,000 from anyway? Bummer.
And now I head home as it begins to rain on my poor little head.
“Huh?” Jim’s steps faltered in the grocery store where
he walked beside Bones.
“You know. For Valentine’s Day.”
“Oh. Um. Sure, I guess. Does she like chocolate?”
Bones smirked. “Doesn’t every kid?” He stopped
before a display of brightly colored heart shaped boxes. He eyed Jim. “What
about you?”
“Me? Since when have we exchanged Valentine’s Day
gifts?”
“Not with me, genius. Aren’t you…well whatever…?”
“Involved in a sexual relationship? Yes.”
“So, there’s like no feelings there or anything.”
Jim eyed the glittery boxes with a baleful stale. “None
worth these monstrosities.”
“A romantic to the end, our Jim.”
“Well. It’s not, um, you know. Not like that.” He
felt himself turning hot and red, probably to match the candy boxes. But
really.
“I see.”
“Well, it’s not like we have, you know,
conversations and stuff. Candlelight dinners.”
“So, it’s just bend over and take it?’ Bones chortled
and Jim turned redder. His friend held up his hands. “Kidding. You know what? I
just don’t care that much about whatever goes on between you guys.” He made a
face. “Maybe chocolate is a bad idea. A toy? Like a doll? Or maybe jewelry.”
“Or maybe a gift card and let her pick out her own
gift.”
“That’s no fun. And not much thought into it.”
Jim shrugged.
“I know, look who I’m talking to.”
“You know my family isn’t much into gift giving
and celebrations.”
“I know. That would mean you’d actually have to
see each other.”
“Exactly. And God knows why we’d want to do that.”
Jim picked up a large pink, sequined box. “How about this one?”
They watched the tall, slender Vulcan enter the
story and briefly pause in the doorway as he surveyed the store.
Jim opened his mouth to call out to him but Bones
elbowed him in the stomach. He gave Bones a look.
“Let’s see what he does,” Bones whispered, drawing
Jim away to the next aisle.
They watched as the Vulcan, Spock, stepped over to
the display of heart shaped chocolate boxes. Jim frowned but Bones grinned.
“Isn’t that too sweet?”
“Shut up,” Jim whispered furiously.
Spock chose a big red heart with a ribbon bow and
then walked up to the front of the store to the register. He quickly paid and
left the store.
“Well?” Bones said.
“Well, er, what?”
“Come on, Jim. You have to get him something now.”
Jim bit his lip. He was so sure Spock wouldn’t be
into Valentine’s Day. It was so unlike him. They’d even talked about it before
and how stupid it was. It made no sense.
“I can’t get him chocolate, Bones.”
“Get him something else then.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, do I?” Bones laughed suddenly. “Sexy
underwear.”
“Sexy…what?”
****
On Valentine’s Day, Jim went to Spock’s apartment.
After a particularly vigorous sex session, Spock said he would get them takeout
for dinner, and that Jim could take his time getting out of bed and getting dressed.
Jim got up, grabbed his clothes and went to go into the bathroom when he saw the big red heart box Spock had got for him. With a smile, he walked over to it. He’d left the wrapped package of the red silk boxers he’d bought for Spock in his book bag when he’d first got there as it had felt a little weird to give it straight away to him.
His smile widened when he spotted the tag Spock
had included. He flipped over the heart
shaped tag.
“To: Nyota, From: Spock.”
Jim dropped the tag and backed away, disappointment
coursing through him.
Of course it hadn’t been for him. What had he been
thinking, anyway?
Nyota was just a friend. That much Jim had known. So he knew there wasn’t any grand romantic
gesture on Spock’s part in giving her the candy. Likely, his mom had told him
to or someone like that.
His disappointment didn’t come from romantic jealousy.
But from his own foolishness at thinking he was getting a present. Gifts were
for suckers. Jim’s family had taught him that. And expectations were for fools.
He went to his book bag, took out the package and
stuffed it into the back of Spock’s sock drawer. Then he texted Spock.
“Oh, hey. Can’t stay for dinner after all. Sorry.
I’ll be in touch.”
Jim hit send before he chickened out.
He was on his way out when he spotted a white
envelop on the coffee table. He stopped. From where he stood he could see his
name in Spock’s ridiculously neat handwriting.
Jim bit his lip, walked over, and picked up the unsealed
envelope. Inside was a card.
It was a rather artistic drawing of a Vulcan with
a pulsing heart at his side, beating, or the drawing was meant to imply a beating
heart anyway. Inside were the words,
I want
you to live long and prosper…with me.
Just then the door to Spock’s apartment opened and
Spock stepped inside holding two bags of takeout. He stared at Jim.
“You are still here. I received your note and—”
Jim rushed over to Spock and threw his arms around
the Vulcan, kissing him hard. Spock
seemed startled a moment, but then returned the kiss with equal fervor.
“Bones is right. I am an idiot.”
“I do not understand.”
“I know. But I swear, from now on, I’m going to be
better.”
“About what?” Spock asked cautiously.
“About everything.”
“Then…are you staying?”
“I’m staying. And there’s something else.”
“What?”
“I’ve been practicing this. Um.” He leaned in and
whispered in Spock’s ear.
Spock’s arms tightened around him.
“Did I say it right?”
“What were you trying to say, Jim?”
“Happy Valentine’s Day, I love you, in Vulcan.”
Spock’s lips twitched but his eyes were shining. “I
love you as well, however, you did not say Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Jim frowned. “No? What did I say? I got the words
from your family and they said—”
“You said that you were mine forever, that you
were obedient, that you loved me…”
“Oh.” Jim smiled and nodded. “That’s okay then.”
“And you like to cluck like a chicken.” Spock
paused to let Jim laugh. “Sybok?”
“How did you know?”
Spock shook his head. “An educated guess.”
“We can reheat the food,” Jim said. “I have a present
for you in the room. I’m dying to see you wearing it.”
Spock arched a brow, but he hurried after Jim, leaving
the food containers on the coffee table as he passed by.
To say Jim was startled when he entered to see Spock
already waiting there would be an understatement. It was true that he was a few
minutes later than he’d said he’d be. He could chalk that up to Bones, who took
ten minutes longer than usual to tell some story Jim had already heard before.
It was a funny story though and with Bones latest embellishments, added for purely
showing off purposes, it had amused Jim even more.
But he had told Spock they could play chess at 1900
hours and clearly Spock had taken him quite seriously.
It was unusual for Spock to access Jim’s quarters when
Jim was not there though.
“Oh. Hi, Spock.”
“Hello, baby.”
Jim blinked. He could not have just heard what he
thought he’d heard.
“Uh. Give me a moment, okay? I want to get out of this
uniform.”
Jim pulled off his tunic and walked over to the laundry
chute. He felt Spock’s gaze on him, and wondered at it. He shook his head and
dropped his tunic into the chute. Then reached for the hem of his undershirt.
As he did so, his gaze fell on the open heart-shaped box
of chocolates lying on his desk. At least half of the wrappers were empty.
Jim turned quickly to stare at Spock and almost ran into
him, for he’d moved a lot closer.
“I can assist you with that,” Spock murmured.
“Spock, have you been eating those?”
Spock followed Jim’s gaze. “I received them as a gift.”
Jim frowned. “From whom?”
He was not jealous. At all. Because he completely did not
have a right. Spock could receive gifts from whomever and Jim had nothing to
say about it.
Spock shrugged. “Anonymous.”
“Anonymous,” Jim repeated.
“I suspect that they are from Nyota, however.”
“Wouldn’t she have just put her name on it?”
“There was no name, but they are similar to chocolates
she has presented me with in the past.”
“Oh.” Jim turned away and pulled off his undershirt. “I
wasn’t aware you guys were, um, you know. Still exchanging gifts for you know,
that stupid day.”
“You believe Valentine’s Day is stupid?”
“Pretty much.” Jim dropped his undershirt, so he bent
over and picked it up. Spock’s hand landed on his butt. Jim froze. “Commander.”
“Yes, baby?”
Jim laughed, straightened and turned around. “Have you
really eaten all those chocolates? I guess you have. Why would Uhura give you
those of all people? I mean she has to know.”
Spock nodded. “She does. They are for courage.”
“Courage, huh? Take it from me, Spock, using intoxication
for courage is never a good thing.” Jim stepped over to his wardrobe, took out
his t-shirt, and pulled it on over his head. Then he went back to where Spock
stood. “Baby, huh?”
Spock looked unexpectedly intense and sincere as he stared
into Jim’s eyes. “I will use whatever your preferred endearment is.”
Jim smiled. “You don’t need endearments. You know why I
keep inviting you over for chess?”
“To improve your obvious lack of finesse in playing?”
He laughed. “No. I don’t even really like it much. I
used to play with Sam before he left and before I took up with you, I hadn’t
played in years.”
“Then why—”
“To spend time with you,” Jim said, carefully. “Baby.”
Spock straightened a little, but green had splashed across
his cheeks. “I apologize for my earlier assault of your person.”
“My–”
“My accosting of your…derriere.”
“Oh.” Jim nodded. “It’s only assault if I object. And I
don’t.”
“That is good to hear.” Spock made an odd sound between
a burp and a choke.
“Uh.” Jim stepped back. “I think you might want to sit
down, Spock, while I get you a trash can.”
“But I wish to—”
“Yeah, me too. It’s
going to have to wait, though, honey.”
Oh.” Spock’s eyes widened. “I like that better.”
Jim laughed again. “Sit down. I’ll get the trash.”
Spock nodded, staggered toward the bed, suddenly covered
his mouth, and with a pained cry, threw up all over the coverlet Jim’s mom had
sent him.
“Damn.” Jim eyed the half eaten box of chocolate. “This
is definitely going in the trash.” He stepped over to it. “After I try one, of
course.” He took a bite and closed his eyes. “Oh, my God. No wonder you ate so
many.”
“Jim,” Spock moaned, sagging to the floor next to the
bed.
“Oh. Um. Yeah. Sorry.” Jim went over to Spock. “Are you
going to barf more?”
Spock shook his head.
“Okay, then, um, let’s get you cleaned up. And the bed
obviously, too.”
“I am sorry.”
“No, no, it’s fine.”
“But my declaration—”
Jim smiled. “Was perfect. I’m not a subtle guy, Spock.
Patting my ass and calling me baby is the kind of blunt declaration I go for.”
He helped Spock to his feet and started toward the
bathroom. “Hang on.” He leaned Spock against the wall and hurried over to the
chocolate, popping it into his mouth. “These things are insanely good.”
“I thought you wished to throw them away.”
“Er, yeah. But um, why waste food?” Jim brushed hair out
of Spock’s eyes. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”
“Even with vomit—”
Jim laughed. “Well, not as beautiful.” He rolled his
eyes. “Come on, Mr. Romance. Let’s clean you up.”
It was 28 degrees at my house this morning. That’s way too cold for me. It’s warmed up to 34 at work. Brrr. No clue who this kid is in this picture, it just seemed cold! ha
At least the rain seems to have stopped for now. It rained so much my wood garage door was finding itself too heavy to operate as it was too bogged down by water.
No idea what I will update next, so we will see. But I have updated When I Loved You and Didn’t We Have it All, which is what I said I would do. Anything else is extra!
Today at lunch I wrote a Flash for this Friday, giving myself another week on Revealing. This one is Valentine’s Day themed. I hope you will like it.
Up next for updating will be Didn’t We Almost Have it All, but for today, I am done. I need to do some actual work and mental healthing (yeah that’s not a real word).
I don’t think we are going to the movies this week, but there’s plenty of things I need to get caught up on watching, so I am sure that’s how I will spend the time for my usual Tuesday night viewing.
Friday we are meeting friends after work for happy hour. I will try to contain my enthusiasm for this endeavor. Otherwise, just a normal week.
I updated My Devotion, The Mysterious One, The Sight, Nine Lives, and finished Hello Darkness, My Old Friend. Also a flash fic.
Coming up this week will be another chapter of The Experiment, When I Loved You, Didn’t We Almost Have It All and another Flash. Hopefully it will be the last part of Revealing but if not I’ll get something up.
This past Saturday was my second great niece’s first birthday party. We had to build an ark to get there but we made it. I was lucky that they changed the location to a closer place. An Italian restaurant in Los Feliz (fun fact, Chris P lives there, no not at the restaurant, and no I didn’t see him).
Another fun-filled work week is ahead of me (and some more rain too), but at least I have a three day weekend next week as I took the 11th off just for the hell of it. We also booked M’s trip to Idaho to see his aunt who’s husband passed away just a few days before Christmas. He’ll be going the first week of April (her birthday is that week too).
I saw Phil did NOT see his shadow so Spring is coming. Yay. LOL. He’s a cutie. Kris, you should get one of HIM. HA HA
All Jim wanted to do was go home, get undressed, and soak in a tub full of bubbles for hours. Maybe days. He was beat. Exhausted beyond imagining. How he was still walking, Jim didn’t know.
When he reached his building he stopped at the door
and looked up. Half the time the lifts didn’t work and he had to take the
stairs. He might just cry if that was the case today.
Jim pushed open the doors and stepped inside the dark,
shadowy lobby area. He eyed the lift with a baleful eye, noting the sign that
declared “Out of Order”.
Dejected no doubt unreasonably, Jim turned toward the
stairwell. The door handle was covered in someone’s slobber or something. With
a grimace, he wiped his hands on his pants and went up the first flight.
It became a near thing that he just gave up and sat
down on the landing when he’d reached the third floor. But he trudged up to the
fourth floor, holding onto the railing, breathing heavily.
At the fifth, he opened the door onto the corridor and
walked down toward the opposite end of the hall to Number 512.
He waved his hand vaguely across the door and it clicked open, allowing him entry. He made it just the few feet to the sofa and sank down gratefully. He closed his eyes.
“Jim!”
His eyes flew open and he jumped. “What?”
Spock stood there staring down at him. He wore a long
white robe that honestly resembled one of Jim’s own terry cloth bathrobes.
“When did you get home?”
“Just a moment ago.”
“You are wheezing.”
His lungs, damaged from one too many radiating
missions, had decided he had asthma some months back. “Stairs.”
“You should have contacted me.”
Jim smiled slightly. “To do what? Climb on your back
piggyback style while you race up the stairs?”
Spock sniffed. “Where is your inhaler?”
“Forgot it.”
Spock walked away. Jim watched him bemusedly. He returned
a moment later holding out Jim’s inhaler.
“We need to move.”
“Again?”
‘Well.” He sucked in some air. “The lift never works.”
“It is close to headquarters and allows you to walk.”
He sucked in more air and then set it on the cushion
next to him. “At least let’s think about it. God, I’m exhausted. I have to get
up and start a bath.”
“Already started.”
Jim smiled. “Yeah?”
Spock nodded. “I have also poured you a glass of
whiskey and have your favorite meat casserole in the oven.”
“Now if I can just move.”
Spock reached down and hauled him to his feet. But it
was gently. Jim leaned against him anyway. Spock’s arms came around him.
“I believe it is time to talk to them about decreasing
your hours, adun.”
“Hmm. Maybe.” He sighed. “Ugh. I’m so tired. Carry me.”
Suddenly everything shifted and he was uplifted into
Spock’s arms.
“Spock! I was kidding!”
Spock carried him into the bathroom and started lowering him into the tub filled with hot sudsy water. In a manly scent, of course.
Jim laughed. “Spock! I was kidding. Put me down. I’m still wearing my clothes!”
I don’t have any AOS OMS pictures so use your imagination. You got this because I’m just not at all prepared to post the last part of Revealing. So sorry the time got away from me.
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 