This is as good a time to update you as any since there is no flash today
I should shortly be posting an updated chapter for A Heart Needs a Second Chance. I’m a bit behind on A03 update but am working on it.
I have just 5 more Christmas in July flashes left. Time flies!
I have no particular theme for August. Or any particular posting schedule for it. I’m away July 28-30 (a beach trip this time not a gambling one LOL). I’ll post at my whim for August. I hope to get everything that needs updating in August. I hope to finish Cosmic Love entirely.
I might do an Academy theme for September.
Once October comes around I will begin writing a lot of holiday stuff as I have at least two full fics to do for the holidays, but I’ll see what I can get up for flashes related to Fall/Halloween etc.
Beginning in September, my company is requiring us to go back into the office at least one day a week so I don’t know yet how that will affect my productivity.
If you’re still with me and reading my little slice of heaven of AOS Spirk, I truly appreciate it. It’s been a long time since there were any movies with them (even longer since TOS of course), so I know it’s easy to move on from reading stories about them, so if you love them anyway like I do, thank you!
Spock was engrossed in correspondence from his father when a tiny hand touched the sleeve of his upper arm.
“Fix it.”
He turned his gaze to see his daughter with Jim staring at him with wide eyes and a tear-stained face. She had in her hand the stuffed reindeer Jim had secured for her for her birthday. At first he could not see any issue with it, but then noticed an ear clutched separately between her fingers.
“What happened?” Spock asked, as he scooped her up into his lap. She instantly looped her free arm around his neck to snuggle closer.
“He got his ear caught in the gate of his reindeer pen,” Amanda told him.
“Did he? And how did that happen?”
“Trying to escape.”
Spock frowned. “Why would he want to escape? Is he not happy here with you?”
“Sure he is,” she told him, her bottom lip trembling. “But Martin misses the other reindeers.”
“I had not thought about that. No doubt he wishes for a companion of some sort. Other than a humanoid one of course.”
Amanda smiled a little. “Exactly, Father. Fix it.”
Spock took the reindeer and his ear and examined it. “Give me one moment while I see what I have for this.”
He carefully untangled his daughter from his neck and set her on his chair by herself, taking the reindeer with him.
“Wait there. I will be back.”
Spock went into the bathroom and examined the contents of the medicine cabinet. He also took a moment to message Jim.
When he returned to the living room, Amanda waited expectantly with her hands folded neatly in her lap.
“Can you fix Martin, Father?”
Spock held up a box of bandages, a thermal generator, and super glue.
Amanda shook her head. “No. You gotta sew his ear back on!”
“Not just glue it?”
She huffed.
“I admit that sewing is not a skill I ever learned.”
“Daddy can sew.”
Spock withheld a sigh and just stopped himself from sarcastically and illogically saying ‘Daddy is perfect’. Vulcans were by nature not given to fits of childishness.
“Then we will wait for Daddy to come home to repair Martin.”
She made a face but Spock distracted her with a promise of reading a story while they waited for Daddy.
An hour later, Jim appeared, looking gorgeous and sunny, and stealing both of their hearts all over again.
Amanda ran to him, flinging herself straight into his arms. He laughed and spun her around. Spock went and kissed him much more sedately, though with just as much enthusiasm.
“Martin’s ear got torn off, Daddy.”
“Mm. So I heard. We’ll sew that right up.”
Amanda shot Spock a smug look. He arched his brow back at her.
Behind his back, Jim shoved a bag at Spock.
Spock stepped back as Jim brought their daughter further into the living room. He opened the bag and pulled out another stuffed reindeer.
He followed them to the living room.
“Guess what,” Spock said.
“What?”
“Just a moment ago Santa dropped another reindeer down so that Martin could have a companion,” Spock told her, feeling fairly silly, but happy to do so when she smiled excitedly and clapped her hand as he presented it to her.
“Yay!”
“What’s this one’s name?” Jim asked.
Amanda pursed her lips. “Cornelius.”
Spock nodded. “A very wise name.”
Jim smiled. “Okay, let’s sew up Martin’s ear and he can show Cornelius the reindeer pen.”
Barely withholding a smile of his own, Spock returned to his seat as Amanda and Jim went to the sewing machine.
I uploaded a story called Whom Gods Destroy (after the episode) “anonymously” for a couple of reasons.
It’s intended to be angsty due to the subject matter and I wasn’t sure my current “beta” reader wanted to deal with it. I have been thinking of the story for a while and couldn’t stop so I decided to go for it. And yes I could have asked but was a little nervous to do so.
I wanted to see how well a story not connected to my name on AO3 would do. Apparently badly as I have almost no hits and no kudos, LOL
Anyway, so I don’t know. I started chapter 2 already but now given the decided lack of apparent interest I may just delete it and call it a failed experiment. I wasn’t intending to maker certain details super graphic but again there would be some pretty heavy angst.
J wanted some Regency Pinto and though I didn’t feel like setting this little snippet of their life at Christmas (I’ll get something like that done at actual Christmas time), Christmas IS mentioned so I decided this qualifies for Christmas in July!
It was a lazy summer day with Chris spending most of the day in his parlor reading.
The day was warm in the country, warmer than he generally enjoyed, so he decided to stay inside.
He was half asleep on the settee when there was a brisk knock on the parlor door.
“Hmm?”
“Sorry, milord, but you have a visitor.”
Chris straightened and wiped his eyes. “A visitor, Lang? Who is it?”
Lang was one of only three servants he kept at the country estate regularly. The other being his housekeeper, Mrs. Dunphy, and the cook.
“Viscount Quinton, sir.”
Excitement and happiness bubbled up inside him. “Zachary? Wonderful. Show him in at one, Lang.”
He stood and smoothed down his cotton lawn shirt, discarding his already loosened cravat in a nearby chair.
Zach came sauntering in a moment later, looking the picture of perfecting in fawn colored breeched and coat with a cream colored shirt and cravat. His hair had gotten a touch longer and he held it back with a neat bow.
“Lord Christopher,” he called out, smiling.
Lang stood just behind him. “Tea, milord?”
“Tea, Zach?”
“Not just yet, Lang. I’ll ring for it later if required. Just some privacy if you please. Have Mrs. Dunphy set up the bed chamber next to mine. And do tell Cook there will be an extra person for supper.”
Lang bowed and closed the door.
Immediately Zach came to him and folded him into his arms.
“This is unexpected,” Chris murmured against him. “Though not unwelcome. I thought you were in London.”
“And I was. But I haven’t seen you since Christmas and I’ve missed you so.”
“You are staying?”
“For at least tonight if not a second night. Then I must return to London.”
“Whatever time we can have together is wonderful.”
They found each’s mouths then, enjoying a long lingering kiss. Zach touched Chris’ jaw.
“You’re quite bristly.”
“No need for shaving when there’s only me.”
“I don’t mind it, believe me.” Zach closed his eyes. “It’s been far too long.”
“Agreed. But it can’t be helped. Come lie here on the settee with me. We can have a lazy day together. Dreaming of more Christmases to come.”
Spock opened the door to his nephew wearing a “Squad” T-shirt. For a moment, Spock just blinked at him.
“I am here for the celebratory festivities,” Vanik announced with aplomb.
With a slight hesitation, Spock stepped aside to let the boy into the apartment he shared with Jim.
“Jim has not yet arrived home.”
Vanik frowned slightly. “I was certain of the time I was told to arrive.”
“Yes, I realize,” Spock replied. “Jim is late.”
And Spock had been growing concerned.
When Vanik had knocked, Spock had briefly felt a sense of relief, figuring Jim had knocked because he had his arms full of purchases he wished assistance with. But, alas, no, it was only Vanik.
He had sent messages to Jim’s communication device with an increasing sense of desperation. He figured when Jim finally saw the messages he’d think Spock was his stalker.
“What time was Jim expected?” Vanik wondered.
“An hour ago.”
Even as the words were out of his mouth, Spock’s communicator chirped.
A moment later, he closed it. “There has been an accident.”
****
“I’m perfectly sound, I assure you,” Jim said, as Spock brought him to their apartment sometime later. “I just have a few bumps and scrapes.”
“It’s the bumps that concern me. To bed with to rest, at once.”
“Spock—”
“It is the only reason they released you to my care, was my promise you would rest in bed for the night.”
Jim glanced in Vanik’s direction, who followed glumly behind them. He looked back at Spock. “Christmas in July—”
“Will have to be canceled,” Spock said shortly. “Rest.” Spock practically carried Jim into their room and set him on the bed. “You nearly gave me a heart attack which for a Vulcan is not easy.”
“Well.” Jim smiled and clasped his hand. “I didn’t do it on purpose.” His gaze went once more to the boy standing just inside the doorway. “I could rest on the couch.”
“Uncle Spock is right. You’re staying in bed is more important.”
But even Spock heard the waver in Vanik’s voice as Jim stared at Spock with raised eyebrows.
Spock sighed, getting his mate’s thoughts loud and clear. “I have an idea.”
****
A short time later, Jim was propped up on the bed, wearing his Christmas in July T-shirt, and two chairs had been brought into the bedroom, one occupied by a more cheerful a Vanik munching on a gingerbread Vulcan, and the first movie starting on the large screen Spock had moved there.
“Thank you,” Jim mouthed to Spock and then blew him a kiss. “Want a cookie?”
“Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane. Vixen and Blitzen and all his reindeers pulling on the reins. Bells are ringing, children singing, all is merry and bright. So hang your stockings and say your prayers, cause Santa Claus comes tonight.”
“It is difficult to believe that once more you are indulging my nephew with this.”
Jim glanced up from the cookies he was rolling out on a wooden board to look at his boyfriend who stood just outside the kitchen looking as grumpy as Bones.
“This?”
“Christmas in July. Vanik has filled your head with this non—”
Jim arched a brow.
Spock stopped, cleared his throat. “Notion. This notion.”
“You were going to say nonsense.”
“A poor word choice.”
“You bet it was,” Jim said, coolly. “What in the world makes you think it’s only Vanik that wants to do this?”
“Well.” Spock stopped and looked quite uncomfortable.
“Sometimes Humans like to do silly things they consider fun and as my mate it is your duty to indulge me.”
“I was unaware that you desired to participate in Christmas in July on your own without influence of my nephew’s wishes.”
“You didn’t ask,” Jim said. “And you know what? Even if it was just him, what’s wrong with indulging a child once in a while?”
Spock closed his mouth.
Jim snorted. “That’s what I thought. I know logic dictates that brain of yours, babe, but sometimes you need to set aside logic and just have fun. Or pretend you’re having fun anyway. And it’s not even a big deal. All we are going to do is have a few decorations, some holiday food like cookies, and watch Christmas movies while wearing our Christmas in July shirts.”
“Christmas in July shirts?” Now his boyfriend looked dumbfounded. It was a good look, Jim decided.
“Yep. Yours is on a hanger in the bedroom.” He smiled.
Spock blinked. “Very well, Jim. I will do my best to…have fun.”
“Excellent. Now let me get back to my gingerbread Vulcans.”
This time Spock snorted, but he turned and walked away, appropriately chastened, Jim decided.
Though AO3 is “technically” back it’s having many many issues. Given that I chose to go back in and delete A Soft Present. I will put it back up when the site is functioning better at some point in the future.
Thanks!
In the meantime, no worries, a Flash will be here in the morning
In the continuing saga of what’s going on with me….
Finally after jumping through more hoops than a show horse, the HOA lady finally advised last Thursday evening that she was sending our request to replace the HVAC to the “Architectural Committee” for approval (you can’t make this up). This afternoon we were advised the committee has approved it and she will send the “official letter” in a day or two. Whatever!
Now I guess the drywall guy comes and gives us his estimate for tearing out our ceiling so that the HVAC people can put part of the unit there (part goes on roof, part in ceiling) and then he will tear it out, they will put it in, and then he puts the ceiling back. Anyway we are waiting for him to contact us now.
Progress, at least.
Fun fact, the dude that wrote all over our ceiling to tell the drywall guy what was needed for the HVAC job is unable to spell ceiling. He wrote down cieling three times. I shake my head every time I see it which since it’s written in black on my white ceiling is every day.
More fun facts: Our sliding glass door out to our patio decided on its own it didn’t want to work anymore. Wouldn’t close and lock, so we had to stick a stick in it until we could get a company out to fix it. That guy came today (Monday). $275 later it is fixed.
Over the weekend I went on a lovely little wine tasting day trip hosted by a friend of ours. Had a lovely time. Like a dummy I sat in the great outdoor SO Cal sunshine wearing a tank top. I am FRIED. Hurts like the Dickens I am not going to lie.
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 