Jim looked up from the contraption he’d set up in their side yard. He was on his hands and knees, inspecting it. He was dressed in old beat up jeans and a yellow plaid flannel shirt. Over that he had a jacket, as, though it was only November, the chill in the air was quite pronounced.
“Yeah?”
“Perhaps we ought to pre-order our Thanksgiving meal from CJ’s.”
CJ’s was a restaurant in the city nearby that Jim quite liked. They had a sparing amount of vegetarian dishes also. They had been advertising their “Heat-N-Serve” meals since the beginning of the month.
Jim frowned. “CJ’s? Why?”
“You like CJ’s,” Spock reminded him, rather than directly answer.
“I do, yeah. But we can get CJ’s any time. This is special. I want to use this.”
Spock pursed his lips. “But…”
“Bones will appreciate it too.”
“Perhaps then you ought to wait for Doctor McCoy to arrive before you…”
Jim leaned back on his haunches a bit and glared up at Spock. “What are you getting at, Mister?”
“Last year, attempting to deep fry your turkey did not…go well.”
There had been a fire and burns. Both of Jim’s hands had to be bandaged. They were fortunate that was the only part of him burned.
“I’ve learned a lot since then. I won’t do that again.”
“You also like roasted turkey. We could put it in the oven. I can assist.”
“I want a delicious, juicy turkey.” Jim pouted a bit.
“And it will be, roasted in the oven,” Spock assured him. Not that he knew anything about eating turkey. Jim had already made a menu for them that included many vegetarian dishes. Far more than they could get at CJ’s, admittedly.
Jim sighed then. He struggled to his feet. He looked mournfully at the fryer he had obtained after the one from last year burned up. “But what’ll I do with this?”
“Return it?” Spock suggested gently.
“Return it? But…you don’t think I can handle it, do you?”
“I would rather not take the chance, Jim. It was very frightening last year.”
“Fine.” Jim sighed again. “Fine. I don’t want to freak you out.”
“I appreciate that. Come inside. I’ll fix us something warm to drink.”
Jim cast one last glance at the fryer, then went up the steps to follow Spock into the farmhouse.
It was all over except the goodbyes. And they were happening.
It was, admittedly, a huge relief to Spock. He’d never really wanted everyone over, of course. It wasn’t that he had a problem with their guests. Really, he did not.
But life with Jim was still so new and special, he didn’t really like anyone interfering with that. And then there was all the fuss Jim had gone through.
His boyfriend had risen early and spent all day cooking and fussing. They had so much food left over, even with giving care packages to their friends and family, it couldn’t put a dent in it. They would never eat it all.
The pie contest had been called as a tie, thankfully. And perhaps Spock had a little something to do with persuading the judges to declare it so. But at the end of the day, Jim and McCoy seemed satisfied.
Jim lingered at the door, hugging everyone. Well, except for Spock’s dad.
Finally, Jim closed the door, with promises to have breakfast with his mother in the morning, and dinner with Spock’s parents’ tomorrow night. Still far too much socializing.
Spock looped a finger in the belt-loop of Jim’s pants and pulled him away from the door, turning him around to face Spock, then drawing him into his arms.
Jim sighed wetly against Spock’s neck, snuggling close. “God, I’m exhausted. I think I’m barely standing.”
“It is no wonder. You were up early and overdid everything.”
“Anything worth doing is worth overdoing,” Jim muttered against him. “Everything was so good too. I’m happy about the way it turned out.”
“You should be. I believe everyone considered it an enormous success.”
Jim pulled back to smile at Spock. “Yeah?”
“Very much so.” Spock kissed him. “What are your plans now, my love?”
“Clean up and then veg on the couch with a big turkey sandwich.”
Spock stared at him. “You wish to continue eating?”
“Well.” Jim laughed. “Sure. It’s a tradition.”
Spock shook his head. “You go relax on the couch, I will clean up.”
Later, when Spock was done, he went to check on Jim, who was snoring away. With an affectionate sigh, he leaned down, scooped Jim up and carried him to their bed.
“Didn’t get the turkey sandwich,” Jim mumbled.
“Tomorrow.”
“For breakfast.”
Spock shook his head and leaned down toward Jim. “Goodnight, Jim.” Spock kissed his forehead. “And happy gathering. Next year, I hope we will be in space.”
thank you, this concludes this little short series of vignettes on this Academy couple.
They were getting a rare bit of shore leave. And on Risa, of all places. But Jim didn’t feel at all happy about it. Partying hard was the last thing he wanted to do. More like drowning in his own sorrow.
But Jim took his rotation and made his way down to the planet surface. He spotted his favorite Risian bar right away. It was ridiculously crowded and not at all what he wanted. So Jim turned away to seek another establishment.
While he tried to figure out where to go, Jim was surprised to see Spock beaming down as he’d always told Jim he didn’t need shore leave. So being surprised, Jim invited him on instinct.
“Mister Spock. Surprised to see you here.”
“Indeed, Captain.”
“I’m about to go sit and have a drink. Want to join me?”
He hesitated for the barest of maybe ten seconds, but his gaze moved beyond Jim to where Jim noticed, for the first time, Uhura stood waiting. She had changed into a blue dress with a deep vee, exposing an ample amount of her breasts. The dress had a handkerchief hem and reached down to about the middle of her calves. She had little matching blue slippers on her feet. She wore her long hair loose. She looked pretty. Ready to take on the pleasures of Risa.
Spock glanced back at Jim. “Nyota and I have plans to attend the concert in the garden courtyard. Would you care to accompany us? You are welcome.”
Jim would rather eat boiled slugs. But he made myself smile and shook his head. “Nah, that’s okay. You go ahead. Enjoy the concert.”
Spock inclined his head but then said nothing further as he quickened his pace to join her. They spoke briefly about something before she linked her arm with his and they continued walking in the direction of the garden center.
For a brief time Jim had thought…but no. Bones had said there had been trouble between them during the Krall incident. But whatever it had been had obviously been resolved.
And really, it was not Jim’s business. It never would be.
He turned away from the sight of them and kept walking until he found a fairly quiet bar. Jim sat at the far end of the bar counter and ordered two whiskey sours.
“Two drinks when you’re drinking alone is not good.”
He glanced at his best friend and smiled. “How’d you find me?”
Bones took the seat next to him. “Followed the smell.”
“Ha.”
He gestured to the drinks the bartender had set before Jim. “What’s up?”
“It’s his birthday, you know.”
Bones frowned. “Who’s?”
Jim stared at the drinks, left them untouched for now. “Sam.” He picked one up and swirled it in the glass. “Or was.”
Bones was quiet for a while. Then he said, “I’m real sorry about your brother and his wife.”
“I hadn’t seen him in years.” And yet his loss still hurt.
“Have you heard from your nephew?”
And that was weird, wasn’t it? Having a nephew but no brother.
“This was his favorite drink.”Jim took a sip.
“You’re ignoring the question.”
“I haven’t. It’s difficult with him being on Earth. And Aurelan’s parents are raising him now.”
Jim heard the low whine of the tricorder Bones held in his hand as it scanned him.
“Bones.”
“Damn fool thing. According to this, you’re dead.”
Jim smiled slightly. “I guess you need a new one. Unless I am.”
“You aren’t. And I’m going to see it stays that way.”
He pushed the other whiskey sour toward Bones. “Have a drink with me for Sam.”
He picked it up and they clinked glasses, both taking a sip.
“I resented him, you know. For leaving.”
“I can imagine.”
“Mostly because he got away.” Jim swallowed heavily. “He never had to go to Tarsus either.”
“No,” Bones agreed.
“But he went to Deneva.”He sighed. “Birthdays suck.”
“Yeah.”
Jim finished the drink, letting it burn down his throat and then pinched the bridge of his nose. “God, this is a shitty day.”
“Want me to get Spock?”
Jim laughed. “For what? So he can parade his girlfriend in front of me? No thanks. I think I’m just going back to the ship and sleep for twelve or fourteen hours.”
As Jim rose, Bones put his hand on Jim’s upper arm. “You’re depressed.”
Jim snorted. “You think?”
“I’m concerned, goddamn it.”
“I’ll be fine, Bones.”
“Jim—”
Jim hugged him then, because at the moment it really felt as though he was the only one who cared. Stupid and wrong, Jim knew. But even still.
“Why can’t I love you instead?” Jim whispered.
He shook his head. “I wish I knew. Life doesn’t work that way.”
Jim nodded and pulled away. “Not for me. I do love you.”
Bones paused, his eyes becoming very sad. He nodded, then looked away. “I love you, too, kid.”
Jim looked at the now empty glasses on the bar. “Happy Birthday, Sam.”
****
A few days later, Jim found himself on the Observation Deck
He’d come up here to get away from everything. The celebrations. It was Valentine’s Day and the rec room was decorated with glitzy red hearts and cherubs holding arrows. Pink frosted cakes. Bad candies with sayings written on them. It was too much to take. Especially when as he was preparing to leave anyway, he saw Uhura come in wearing dangly red heart earrings. He heard her asking people if Spock had arrived yet. That was definitely Jim’s cue to leave.
So here he stood on the Observation Deck looking out at the stars. And speaking of stars, Jim still had to file his report on that star that turned out to be an undiscovered planet. He added it to his mental to do list. Sounded like a great way to spend a night about love, when he had nothing else to do.
He sighed and crossed his arms, leaning slightly forward so his forehead touched the glass. What the hell was wrong with him? He didn’t waste time feeling sorry for himself. It never got him anywhere but more depressed. And if he didn’t knock that off, Bones was going to insist he talk or some shit.
And as if on cue the door to the room he was in slid open. He knew he should have locked it.
“What’s up, Bones?” Jim asked.
“I am not the doctor.”
That had him turning sharply to face Spock. His first officer was dressed casually in black slacks and a maroon sweater. Very Valentiney looking.
“Uhura’s not here, Spock.”
Spock looked slightly puzzled but then tilted his head. “I am not at present seeking to locate Nyota. I am aware of her location in the rec room.”
Jim nodded. “What are you doing here then? Orders from the ‘Fleet?”
“None that I am aware of, at present. My purpose is of a personal nature.”
Jim gave what he hoped was an encouraging smile but he feared it was not. It was Valentine’s Day. And his mind conjured up Spock asking Jim for permission to go to New Vulcan to bond with Uhura or something. And Jim would die.
Spock approached him and stood next to him, gazing out at the stars. “I trust you enjoyed your shore leave on Risa?”
So, small talk was it? Great.
“No. Not particularly.”
“You did not?”
“I only spent a very short time there with Bones before I went back to the ship and spent the remainder of the time catching up on sleep. How about you? Did you and Uhura enjoy the outdoor concert?”
“Yes. It was stimulating.”
“Stimulating,” Jim repeated. He did not want to think of what they did after they were stimulated by the concert. “So what is it? Uhura was looking for you, so you probably want to go.”
“You are troubled.”
That surprised Jim so much that he glanced at Spock in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“If there is anything I can help you with—”
“Did Bones put you up to this?” Jim saw from the quick flash of guilt that was barely there in Spock’s expression that he had got it exactly right. “Well, I’m fine. And you can tell him that too. I don’t need you running interference for him or whatever it is you are doing.”
“I just don’t wish for you to be overwhelmed.”
“Overwhelmed?” Jim repeated incredulously. “I’m not overwhelmed, Mister. And I’d thank you to mind your own business.”
Spock straightened at that and maybe Jim ought to take it back. He didn’t know.
“I have reports. Enjoy your evening.”
Jim left the observation room with Spock’s mouth hanging open.
He almost stopped to give Bones a piece of his mind but decided he was just better off letting himself cool down and he went to his quarters instead.
Lying in the middle of the bed was a single long stemmed red rose.
A single red rose shows love.
Jim had read that somewhere.
He went to the bed and picked it up but there was absolutely no indication where it came from.
If there was one thing Jim didn’t care for it was games. He wanted people to be straight with him and not hide behind anonymity. He’d never had a secret admirer and he wasn’t about to start. He tossed the rose in the trash.
Valentine’s Day was for fools and suckers. And Jim wasn’t about to be either one.
Okay, maybe his mood wasn’t the best. Jim could admit that.
His door chimed and he turned with a sigh.
Ship’s business would surely distract him from this ailment.
“Enter.”
When Spock stepped inside he quarters, Jim nearly ordered him out. But then caught himself. Spock was not responsible for Jim’s bad mood. Maybe indirectly, sure, but not really Spock’s fault.
“Hey.”
And after that brilliant opening, Spock remained silent, his gaze going past Jim to the little trash bin next to Jim’s desk.
“You did not appreciate the rose?” Spock asked.
“That?” Jim snorted. “Someone’s idea of a joke, I guess.”
“A joke?”
Jim crossed his arms in front of his chest. “What can I help you with?”
“I confess I am at a loss at present.”
He frowned. “A loss? About what?”
“Romantic gestures. The advice I have been given is apparently wrong.”
“Advice? You mean Uhura?”
Spock nodded. “Indeed.”
He tapped his fingers on his sleeve. “You got bad advice on romance for Uhura?”
“Negative.”
Jim blinked. “But you said—”
“From Uhura not for her.”
“Huh?”
Spock sighed. There was no other word for the sound his first officer made. “Everything I have tried has been unsuccessful. I can only come to the conclusion that my interest is not reciprocated after all.”
“Everything you’ve tried? For who?”
“You cannot be this obtuse.”
“Excuse me?”
The sigh again. “The rose, a declaration of affection, was left in your quarters by me. Since only a very few senior officers and your yeoman have access to your quarters at all, I would have thought it was fairly obvious.”
Jim stared at him.
“I attempted to ask you to a concert on Risa which you refused.”
“Wait, what? You were with Uhura.”
“Nyota and I were attending the concert as friends. It was her suggestion that I ask you, as it would be a casual, relaxing atmosphere in which to learn your interest.”
“My-my interest?” Jim felt a little faint.
“I also invited you to play chess last night, you refused the invitation. There were other attempts if you would like me to mention them.”
“Spock, I had no idea you wanted me to go the concert with you. I thought you were being polite.”
“I am not known to care for such social graces.”
Jim licked his lips. His heart was hammering. “That-that day was not good for me. It was Sam’s birthday and—”
“Yes.” Spock took a step closer. “I thought perhaps you would like to be distracted from your melancholia. But you did not appear to wish for a distraction.”
Jim bent down and retrieved the rose. “This is from you?”
“Yes. I was told it was an appropriate gesture for Valentine’s Day. I confess I have no notion how to be romantic in any way.”
Jim smiled and stepped up to Spock, holding the rose. “I don’t know, Mister Spock. I think maybe you’re doing okay.”
Spock stared at him, dark eyes unreadable yet intense. “Then may I presume my interest is reciprocated after all?”
“Are you kidding?”
“Vulcans do not—”
Jim laughed. “Yeah, I know.” He kissed Spock, right on the lips, the lips he’d wanted to taste, well since, forever, really. In all his forevers.
Spock’s hand curled around the nape of Jim’s neck, drawing him in closer.
“In fact—”
“It is time to be quiet now,” Spock murmured against Jim’s lips.
He tried to be affronted, but damn Spock could kiss. “Okay, I get it. Live in the moment. Because—”
“Jim.”
He smiled against Spock’s mouth. “Shutting up.”
Another Spock sigh. This one sounding warmer and softer somehow. “At last.”
Thanks for reading the throwbacks…this is the last one
Spock watched as his boyfriend frantically ran back and forth through their apartment, making food for their friends and family. He did what he could do to assist him, but Jim often shooed him away, declaring he wanted to do most of it himself.
Spock had finally been sent out to get more tea, he thought they had plenty, and whipped cream. It was a little chilly out, so Spock had dressed himself in the sweater Jim had given him for his last birthday.
But as he stood there, Jim didn’t even seem to notice he had returned. And he smelled something burning.
“Jim. Something has burned…”
Jim stopped and gave him a look. He looked crestfallen. “I know. I burned the crust of one of my pies. Now I have to start all over.”
“Start all over…Jim. Didn’t you make three pies?”
“Yes.”
“Won’t the other two pies be enough? Considering McCoy is making a pie as well, that seems more than enough.”
Jim sighed. “It’s not. And anyway I can’t possibly let Bones beat me in pie making.”
“What is the difference?”
“You just don’t know me at all!” Jim threw up his arms and turned away from Spock.
Spock decided he desperately needed meditation. He loved Jim. He did. So much it was nearly overwhelming in the best of times. These were not the best of times. When he got like this, Spock just did not know what to do.
He put the tea and whipped cream on the counter and left to their bedroom to meditate and leave Jim to overdo.
Spock reemerged later to find Jim lying on the couch, asleep.
He saw three perfectly baked pies cooling in the kitchen and many other dishes Jim had made ahead of time. Many of them were vegetarian.
Spock knelt down next to Jim on the couch. His recently acquired glasses were crooked on his face. Spock carefully removed them, set them aside, and leaned down to kiss Jim gently.
Jim opened his eyes and stared at Spock. “Hi.”
Spock smiled very slightly. “Hello Jim.”
“Are you mad?”
“Not at all. Are you?”
“Course not. I didn’t mean to make you leave.”
“It was best for both of us that I meditate. May I suggest that tomorrow you allow me to assist you?”
“I’ll try. Want to join me here?”
Spock looked at the small couch. “Not a lot of room.”
Jim smiled. “Not a lot needed. Come on. I see you’re cold. Sweater looks good on you.”
Spock kicked off his shoes and placed himself on the couch after Jim moved over. He was right, there wasn’t really enough room, but as Jim’s body was mostly on Spock’s, he found he did not mind.
Tomorrow all their friends and family would invade, and he would have no time alone with Jim, but for now…this soothed him.
Starting today through the 20th I’m doing a series of sorts (13, 16, 18, 20). I am combing suggestions made by Jay, Evening and Kris to make this short series of November flashes. This is basically a new Spirky Academy Couple created for these four fics.
Jim laughed at the disgruntled look on Spock’s face. He knew that Spock didn’t really understand any of this, but he appreciated Spock’s efforts to indulge Jim in it.
“To pick apples. It’s an apple orchard.”
Spock looked at the trees before them. “Obviously.”
He smiled. “I’m going to make an apple pie. You know for our gathering.”
The “gathering” as Jim called it was to take place that Saturday at Jim’s and Spock’s apartment in San Francisco. Their friends were coming. More importantly the parents were coming. Well…Jim’s Mom. And Spock’s Mom and Dad. Jim had been rather surprised Sarek was coming, but Spock had advised he was.
Jim was getting rather carried away, he knew. Had plans of roasted turkey and stuffing for those who ate that way, and several vegetarian dishes. And pies. Two or three kinds.
“Jim, do they not sell apples in the market?”
He laughed as he climbed up on a ladder to pick apples. “They sure do, Spock.”
“Then I fail to comprehend the hassle of coming all the way to this orchard.”
“Apples in the stores are not the same. This pie has to be amazing.”
Spock pursed his lips as he held up the basket for Jim to drop the apples into. “Do you not think you are getting a little carried away with these extravagancies? All of this trouble for just a couple of hours on Saturday?”
“Yep.” Jim grinned.
“You agree that you are getting carried away or that it is too much trouble?”
“To both.” Jim gazed down at Spock indulgently. “I want to make a good impression. Besides our family and friends are worth a little bit of trouble, don’t you think?”
“You are overstressing yourself. Your headaches—”
“Are something I can deal with.” He got off the ladder and took the basket from Spock. “It’s gonna be great.” He leaned in to kiss Spock. “And I’m going to be fine.”
“Very well.”
“We’re done here. We can go back to the city now.”
Spock nodded, seeming pleased.
“There’s a Harvest Festival right next to the Academy. If we hurry, we can make it.”
Spock’s steps faltered and he barely hid his grimace. But to his credit, he simply said, “if you wish.”
Jim laughed. “You look like you might actually mean that. Bravo.”
“Jim—”
“I’m kidding, Spock. Well, there is a Festival, but no, we’re not going.”
“If you really want to go I will make no objection.”
“Nah, I’m good. Let’s go home. We can spend the rest of today in bed.”
I want to thank all of our Veterans for their service for our country. And I want to thank the family of Veterans for the sacrifices they have all made in support of their loved ones.
Jim kept by his mother’s side through the entire service dedicated to her deceased husband and son. George of course many years ago in service for Starfleet. George Samuel, far more recently. Though his death was as a result of an invasive alien organism on the planet, Deneva, he’d been working for Starfleet in the labs there.
His mother remained fairly stoic throughout the service until they handed her the folded United Federation flag. Then she had collapsed into Jim’s arms.
They went to her hotel room after. He’d asked her if she wanted to go to a restaurant, but she hadn’t wanted to be on display there, and Jim couldn’t blame her. She would be returning to Riverside in the morning.
Jim ordered room service instead. Tea and coffee and all kinds of food that the four them likely could never finish.
Spock stepped up to stand beside them as they both watched Winona Kirk speak softly to Peter Kirk, Sam and Aurelan’s surviving son. He would go to Riverside with her in the morning, to be taken care of by her now. Aurelan’s parents had passed on more than five years earlier.
“You are well?” Spock asked, softly.
“About as well as can be expected.”
“I know what it is like to lose a sibling.”
Jim looked at him. “Yeah?”
“One day perhaps I will tell you about them.”
“Them?”
“Mm. The important thing is you and your family now. I was surprised they’d never had a service for your father.”
Jim shrugged a little. “They had one for all those lost that day, not Dad specifically. At the time, she didn’t want one. But with Sam’s death, well, she arranged it for both of them.”
Spock touched his fingers to Jim and Jim smiled a little.
“Thanks for being here.”
“I could be nowhere else.”
Jim squeezed his arm, kissed him lightly, and then turned to his mom and nephew. He walked over to where they sat talking, kneeled down, and hugged them.
Spock looked up from the terminal at his desk to see Vanik standing before him. “When did you get here?”
“A moment ago.”
“I have told you before that you do not have permission to just let yourself in.”
Vanik straightened. “Acknowledged. But I had concerns.”
Spock leaned back. “Concerns?”
“Where is Jim? He has been missing for a few days and does not respond to my attempts to contact him.” Vanik paused. “I have two theories.”
Spock arched a brow. “Do continue.”
“Either he has, as humans would say, ‘dumped you’, and is ignoring me due to our personal connection.”
Spock was torn between amusement and outrage over the notion that Jim had ‘dumped’ him. Amusement won out.
“Or?”
“You have committed a grievous act of violence against him and you have buried the body somewhere.”
This time Spock rolled his eyes. “I did not murder Jim.”
“Then it is true. He has dumped you.”
“No, it is not true. Jim went to Riverside.”
“Iowa?”
“Indeed. To visit with his mother and brother over the Terran festival of giving thanks. Neither Jim nor his mother have had contact with George Samuel Kirk for many years so this was a big deal for them.”
Vanik looked pensive. “And why did you fail to accompany him on such a momentous occasion?”
“I was not invited.”
“You were not invited?” Vanik exclaimed. “But I thought your romance with Jim was progressing appropriately.”
“And it is. This is a time when it is important for them to bond as a family.”
“But are you not Jim’s family?”
Spock shook his head. “Not as yet. Our relationship is satisfactory and we are mutually invested in the continuous nature of it. I was perfectly fine with Jim going to Riverside for this trip. As for not contacting you, I assume that he is either busy or communication is not ideal there.”
“And have you heard from him?”
Spock had not and said so. “But I had not anticipated hearing from him. The trip is brief and he will be back on Sunday.”
“That does not bode well.”
“How so?”
Vanik shrugged. “At this point, had you been providing the emotional support Jim surely needs as a human, he would have asked you to accompany him. That he did not…”
“Do you not have something to attend to other than harassing me regarding my relationship with Jim which is most certainly not your business.”
“Yes, unfortunately I do. I must go to class.”
Vanik left then, but Spock was dismayed to realize that he made Spock begin to doubt his relationship with Jim. He had thought nothing of Jim going to Iowa by himself.
He had been convinced that everything was good between them. Should he have pressed Jim for an invite? Insisted on going with him? Was he failing to emotionally support his lover?
Spock hadn’t even bothered to check that Jim made it all right. Was that wrong of him? He had assumed…
He tapped out a message.
Jim, my apologies for not checking in with you prior to now. Did you make it safely? And it there anything you need from me?
There was, of course, no immediate response, and so Spock returned to working on his coursework.
He was searching out something to eat when he finally heard from Jim.
Yeah, I’m here. No trouble at all getting here. Mom and I are fine. Things are a little more tense with Sam. Hey, tell that nephew of yours I said hi. I’ve been meaning to respond, but with the family drama…
Understood. Vanik did express concern for your welfare. I will advise him. Jim?
Yeah?
Would it be…permissible for me to board a shuttle to Riverside to join you?
When no immediate response was forthcoming, Spock began to hastily type a message taking it back.
What time can you get here? I’ll pick you up from the shuttle bay?
I will leave immediately. I will text you my arrival information.
K. See you soon.
Spock made his arrangements, closed out of everything and packed a small bag. Before he left, he sent a message to his nephew.
Spock came home late one night from a lengthy visit with his visiting parents to his shared dorm room with Jim. He expected one of two things. Either Jim would be asleep already or Jim would be out doing his own thing.
Neither turned out to be correct.
Jim was crying.
At first Spock was completely alarmed and rather panicky. He was not sure how to handle an emotionally overwrought Human. The only excessive emotion he had ever experienced with his mother was joy.
There was a part of him who wished to slip back out of the room, pretending he had not witnessed this bit of weakness.
Jim was sitting on their couch, watching television, crying into tissues. His blurred blue eyes glanced over at Spock and Spock was caught. He could not leave.
“Oh. Hi.” Jim sniffed and then blew his nose. “How’d your visit go with your folks?”
Spock was not sure how to respond for Jim seemed so distraught. But he answered, “It went well.”
“Good. Great. I’m glad.”
Spock was now confused. Perhaps it had to do with Jim’s mother again. He recalled how upset Jim was when he wasn’t going to see her. Though, Spock had made sure he had. Spock approached the couch and sat down on the edge.
“Jim, what is wrong?”
“Huh?”
“You are crying.”
To Spock’s surprise, Jim laughed. He waved a tissue.
“Oh. I was watching a movie. It takes place at Thanksgiving on a homestead. And the mom has cancer, their house is hit by a tornado, and then the dog dies and…”
“Why would you watch that?” Spock asked.
Jim laughed again. “Cause I’m crazy. I didn’t know it would make me cry. Stupid I know.”
“If that was the only reason…I am relieved.”
“Yeah that was it.” Jim yawned then. “Gosh, it’s late though. I didn’t realize.”
Spock inclined his head. “I…I intended to make myself some tea before bed. It is herbal. Would you care to have some?”
Jim’s smile made his heart pick up pace. “I’d love to.”
Spock rose to prepare their tea and Jim followed him into the kitchen. He felt so much better knowing Jim had not really been upset.
That was good. They had tea, spoke more about their day, and then went to bed. Spock meditated for a while on his growing attachment to Jim, but he slept at last.
More to come with the roommates (either later this month or perhaps in January we shall see)
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 