Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Jim knew he had to be the adult here, but adulting was hard. At least in some circumstances.

He had never planned to have kids. He had decided long ago he’d make a terrible father. Sometimes he revisited that opinion but even still such a thing hadn’t been in his plans.

Being faced with Sam’s son, therefore, hadn’t ever even been something he considered. Sam had abandoned Jim long ago. Jim hadn’t even known there was a kid until he’d been notified after the end of the five-year-mission that Sam and his wife had been killed in a shuttle crash on some planet called Deneva.      

Their son, Peter, now seven years old, was living with Jim’s mom.

Jim approached the boy as he sat on the back porch of the Kirk’s farmhouse. It was late October, but at the moment it was still relatively light outside.

Jim carried a largish pumpkin with him.

“Hey.”

Peter glanced at him but did not smile or greet him in return. He was seated on the bottom step of the porch.

Jim sat down beside him. It wasn’t as easy as it used to be.

“I brought a pumpkin. Thought you might like to help me carve it.”

“Okay.”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to, though. It’s just Spock’s going to carve one and we’re going to have a contest as to whose looks the best.” Jim sighed. “He’ll probably cream me without your help.”

Peter looked at him. “You don’t wanna carve it with him?”

Jim smiled. “Too much competitiveness between us. I mean, sure, he’s my husband, but he likes to prove he’s better than me.”

“Seems illogical.”

“Sure does. And if you don’t help me, I’ll be stuck with your grandma and she’s the world’s worst pumpkin carver.” He gently ruffled Peter’s hair. “We can have hot apple cider while we do it. And cookies.”

Peter looked like he was thinking about it and then he nodded. “Okay, sure.”

Jim patted his leg and stood. “Grab that pumpkin and let’s go.”

His nephew had lost both of his parents and was devastated. Jim knew. It wasn’t much, Jim guessed, but a bit of progress with Peter was better than nothing. He put his hand on the kid’s shoulder and smiled as they entered the house.    

“No. Come on. No.”

Spock did not move from his position in front of the building with the Cat Rescue. On the window was a picture of a super cute black cat that declared, Needs a Good Home.

Jim had known it was a mistake to walk this way with his husband. But it was the shorter route and with the cold wind he had been, admittedly, in a hurry to make it home.

“Spock, we already have four cats. In that tiny apartment.”

“It is two bedrooms. The cats have their own bedroom.”

Jim sighed. “I know but—”

“We have a good home. The cat will have friends.”

“You aren’t going to let this go, are you?”

Spock arched a brow.

“I thought so.” He moved toward the handle of the door. “Let’s go get another cat.”

“What are those?”

Jim looked down at his plate then up at Bones. “Pumpkin rolls. Similar to cinnamon rolls but they had gooey pumpkin in them.”

Bones reached for one and Jim smacked his hand away. “Hey!”

“Did you ask if you could have one?” Jim smirked.

Bone grimaced and sat across from him in the booth. “I just wanted a bite.”

Jim reached for a knife, cut off a small bite and handed it to Bones on a napkin.

“Don’t be overly generous or anything.” Bones rolled his eyes. He popped it into his mouth and chewed. “Oh those are good. I want some.”

“I got the last.”

“Figures. Anyway that’s hardly a nutritious breakfast.”

“What are you my doctor or something?” Jim laughed. “I know. And Spock will give me a lecture when he finds out.”

“Where is lover boy?”

Jim shrugged. “Beats me. I woke up this morning and he was already gone. Came in late to bed, too.”

“Maybe he’s the boogeyman.”

Jim took a sip of coffee. “The what?”

“Well, you know, there have been all kinds of rumors about a mysterious figure that appears in the fog.”

“And does what exactly”

Bones shrugged. “Scare people to death? Sounds like Spock’s MO to me.”

“MO?”

“Modus Operandi.”

“I know that. I’m not a dummy. I’m merely doubting your sanity.”

“Was a girl found last week in the park, covered in soil.”

“Soil.”

“Yeah I guess there’s been more than one like that. Weird huh?”

“Beyond weird. And implausible too. Why would the boogeyman throw dirt on his victims?”

Bones ignored him. “Her hair turned white, too.”

“Hmm.” Jim considered. “Come to thing of it he did smell like dirt last night when  he came to bed.”

Bones stared at him. “You’re kidding.”

“Of course I’m kidding. Gimme a break.”

“Good morning, Doctor.” Spock appeared next to their table.

“Hiya sweetheart,” Jim greeted him as he slid in next to Jim. “Scare any girls lately?”

Spock arched a brow. ”There was a cadet who failed my test yesterday. She seemed frightened.”

“Only one?” Jim laughed. He gestured to the pumpkin rolls. “Have a roll.”

“Hey,” Bones protested. “I get one tiny bite and Spock gets a whole roll?”

Jim smiled. “It’s called love.”

“Bullshit is what you mean.”

Jim laughed. “Maybe I should feed it to you, Spock.”

“I’m outta here.”

Spock watched the doctor leave. “What is with him?”

“He thinks you’re the boogeyman.”

“I will never understand humans.” Spock tore off some of the roll.

“Me either.” His gaze went to Spock’s hand. “Hey, is that soil under your nails?”