Jim Kirk stopped before the sign attached to an auditorium on the Academy’s campus.
“Pie contest,” he read.
His best friend, Leonard “Bones” McCoy finally caught up to him as Jim read the words out loud. Bones had been lagging behind per usual.
“Ooh. I could do a pie eating contest.” He patted his belly. “Now that’s the kind of Harvest fun I can get onboard with. None of this other stuff like a carnival. Do you know how dangerous those old rickety rides are?”
Jim smiled. “Not a pie eating contest, Bones. A pie baking contest.”
“Baking? Oh forget it.”
He shook his head and laughed. “My mom used to make a mean pecan pie.”
“Mean, huh? Did it bite you? Forget it. You don’t want to enter. Maybe we could sign up to be judges.”
“What qualifications do you have to judge pies, Bones?”
He patted his stomach again. “I know how to ‘em. What other qualifications do I have to have?”
“Well—”
“There you are, Jim.” Spock came up behind them, hands clenched behind his back. “Doctor.”
“Spock,” Bones returned.
“I hope you were not waiting long,” Spock said.
“No, just got here. Was thinking about the pie contest. Bones wants to judge.”
“I believe I heard they had all the judges they required.”
Jim smiled. “Spock’s on the Harvest planning committee.”
“Reluctantly.” He eyed Bones. “I believe they are still looking for volunteers for the dunking booth at the carnival.”
“Harty har har. No thanks.”
“Also someone to dress up as a clown in the funhouse.”
Jim grinned as they started walking. “You’d make a good scary clown, Bones.”
His friend snorted. “I think I’ll stick to being a guest. All that greasy makeup messes with my beautiful skin.”
“Maybe I’ll be a clown.”
“You are a clown.”
Jim just laughed and caught up with Spock’s long strides, leaving Bones behind.
Spock reluctantly went to the sickbay to speak to McCoy. Generally their discussions ended up being somewhat acrimonious and he was truly not in the mood for a sparring match with the doctor.
But he had heard the way to a Human’s heart was through his stomach and he realized, to his embarrassment, he did not know what Jim liked to eat. What his favorite dishes were. And he wished to declare his affections in this manner, as thus far, all his attempts had been unsuccessful.
Spock did not want to think that Jim was simply not interested. He preferred to hold onto the belief that Jim was oblivious. He was not used to subtle attempts to be wooed.
“Spock, what can I do for you?” McCoy looked up from studying a medical report.
It bothered Spock that there were things McCoy knew about Jim he simply did not, but he tried to remind himself that one’s favorite food dishes were trivial things.
“Can you tell me what the captain enjoys eating?”
“He eats everything, he’s not picky.” McCoy was once more studying his report.
Not at all helpful. He inwardly sighed.
“Yes, but what does he like in particular?”
McCoy glanced at him. “What’s this about?”
“I want to know what the captain likes to eat. His favorite.”
“Why?”
“Does it matter for you to give me the answer?”
McCoy snorted. “It’s October, right? So, if um, your idea is to impress him, pumpkin cheesecake.” The he smirked. “That is what you want to do, right? Impress him.”
Spock decided to be noncommittal. “Is it difficult to make?”
“Not for a genius like you.”
Spock decided it was time to depart before things became more difficult. He turned and left without another word.
***
“Uh.”
“It is pumpkin cheesecake,” Spock told Jim as he presented the slice of runny orange colored cheesecake to Jim.
They were in his quarters about to play chess.
Jim stared at it, took it from Spock, and smiled. But Spock could tell it was one of his fake smiles.
“Well…this is a surprise.”
“You do not like pumpkin cheesecake?”
“I love it but…uh…this is nice. Why the cheesecake, Spock?”
Spock stared at it. “It is not supposed to be this consistency, is it?”
“No.” Jim smiled and put the plate down without trying it. “Did you make it yourself?”
“I attempted to.”
That earned him a genuine smile. “That’s very sweet of you. Let me try it.”
Spock watched eagerly as Jim stuck his fork into the gooey runny mess and put a forkful into his mouth. But Spock’s spirits deflated when he couldn’t miss Jim’s wince.
“Well.”
“It is terrible, isn’t it?”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“Because you are attempting diplomacy.”
Jim laughed. “It has nice pumpkin cheesecake flavor but it’s not cooked through. Cheesecake can be difficult if you don’t know what to do. Did you put it in a bath?”
“Why would it need a bath?”
Jim laughed again. But this time to Spock’s utter delight, okay reserved delight, Jim threw his arms around Spock’s neck and kissed him.
Vanik was pleased when Jim stepped aside to allow him to enter the apartment Jim shared with Vanik’s Uncle Spock. He glanced around, already anticipating Jim’s Halloween decorations throughout the apartment.
Jim closed the door and turned to Vanik with his usual congenial smile. “Would you like a snack?”
“I would, yes.” He followed Jim into the kitchen. Jim always kept the best snacks. Spock didn’t prior to meeting Jim. Vanik was responsible for their relationship and he was quite proud of that.
“Cheese flavored chips or pretzels?”
“Where are the decorations?” Vanik asked rather than respond to the question. He didn’t really want to make a choice, he wanted them both.
“Hmm?”
“The bats, the skeletons, the ghosts. It’s October.”
“October third.”
“Yes you had two days to begin.”
Jim shrugged. “I’m going light on decorations this year.” He pointed to the coffee table. “I have a pumpkin.”
“That’s it?”
Jim smiled. “Chips or pretzels?”
“Both?” Vanik said hopefully.
“A kid after my own heart. Both it is.” Jim got out a giant plastic bowl and filled it with the cheese chips and pretzels.
Vanik started munching as he sat on the bar stool next to the kitchen counter. “Uncle Spock won’t eat these, huh? Since it’s got cheese dust.”
“Well, yeah, and he thinks their messy. His loss.”
“Indeed.”
Jim eyed him with a sudden frown. “Put those chips down.”
“What?”
The adult grabbed his arm, surprisingly gently, and brought him into the kitchen, pointing to the sink. “Wash those hands. You’re wearing your school uniform and your Uncle Spock and parents are gonna kill me if you get stuff all over it again.”
“But I want—”
“I’ll put you in a big T-shirt. Just clean up and we’ll take off that shirt.”
A few minutes later, back perched on the stool munching chips and pretzels, Vanik said to Jim, “You are wise.”
Jim laughed.
“You’ll need more decorations for the party though,” Vanik said, returning to the reason he had come.
“Party?” Jim paused with a beer bottle halfway to his mouth.
“Halloween. If you will recall you had one the last two years. It will, admittedly, be difficult to top last years.”
“Uh.”
“What does uh mean?”
“I hate to break it to you, kid, but we’re not having a Halloween party this year.”
“You…are not?” Vanik scrunched up his face.
“Nope. Parties are a lot of work and expense, Vanik. Your uncle and I decided not to have it this year.”
Disappointment washed over him, but with a heavy sigh, he popped another chip in his mouth. “Got any strawberry milk?”
Jim rolled his eyes and went into the fridge for a small bottle that he handed to Vanik. They kept the milk especially for him and Vanik loved that.
“What are the plans for Halloween then?”
“Scary movies, snacks, and cuddling on the couch.”
The door to the apartment opened then and Vanik’s uncle entered. He stopped short on seeing Vanik, then shook his head and reclosed the door.
“Did we expect you today?” Spock asked.
Vanik watched as he came to Jim and gave him a quick kiss. Spock had definitely changed. Thanks to Vanik, of course.
“No. I came to check on the Halloween plans.”
Spock frowned. “Halloween plans? We are not—”
“I know. Jim told me no party. What snacks are we having?”
“What?”
Vanik took a sip of his milk. “I’ll skip the cuddling. I can sit on a chair instead of the couch.”
Spock glanced at Jim, who smiled serenely. He turned away then, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I am getting a headache.”
Vanik looked to Jim. “Snacks?”
Jim laughed. “We have time to think about it.:
He nodded satisfied and realized, mournfully, between he and Jim, the chips and pretzels were gone. He sighed regretfully and slipped off the stool.
:”It is fortunate that Mother, Father and I now live in the same apartment building as you,” Vanik declared as he made his way to the door.
“Yes it is,” Jim agreed, amiably.
Jim was a good egg, Vanik thought. And he said his goodbyes, retrieved his school uniform shirt, and left.
Surprise! Today actually concludes our September story, I Knew You Before. I’m sorry to say that means no flash for Friday but look for this story to appear soon on AO3.
But as Spock watched Jim open the pizza box to remove a slice, Spock knew there was yet more he ought to bring up with Jim.
“There is something else.”
Jim frowned as he held up the slice to his mouth. “Can I eat this while you tell me?”
“Yes. Of course. I apologize. I know you are hungry.” Spock pursed his lips. He walked into the kitchen himself and prepared to make himself some rice and a pot of tea. The pizza was, of course, for Jim. He did not eat pizza himself.
Jim chewed and nodded. “When you’re ready, come sit at the table with me.”
He took the pizza box to the table and sat eating while he waited for Spock.
A short time later, Spock brought his tea and rice to join Jim.
“Well?” Jim was smiling.
It occurred to Spock that Jim was a very amiable mate.
“I did not mention this on Vulcan when you were there as I did not wish to overwhelm you.”
“I was already pretty overwhelmed.”
“Mm. I came on strong.”
“You did. But it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. You never forced me.”
“Perhaps your aunt would not agree.”
“When we invite her to the wedding she’ll see how perfect you are for me.” Jim winked and he was smiling again.
Spock fought the answering smile. He was Vulcan after all.
“We are…T’hy’la.”
“Are we?”
Spock frowned. “Do you know what that is, Jim?”
“I know Vulcan. Gilda taught me before we went to stay there. You think that’s us?”
Spock would never get over how surprising Jim was. He nodded. “I believe so. A Vulcan priestess would need to examine our minds together to fully confirm my suspicion but everything that is between us convinces me that we are.”
“Vulcan soulmates.” Jim grinned. “I think that sounds great.”
“You do?”
“Look, I mean, even with the T’Pring thing, you deciding on me at that exact moment, her being there at that exact moment, you coming to me, me agreeing, doesn’t it seem…meant to be?” Jim sighed. “I don’t know, Spock. Even then I couldn’t quite shake this feeling that I knew you before.”
“Knew me?”
“Yeah. I mean we’d never met before yet…it felt like we had. Like I’ve always known you. In another universe, maybe? I don’t know. But my heart knew yours. Even then. If that’s T’hy’la, I have to welcome it.”
Spock blinked and he felt warmth blossom all over. He held his fingers toward Jim and was gratified when Jim immediately touched his fingers to Spock’s.
“Taluhk Nash-Veh K’dular.”
Jim leaned in for a Human kiss. “Ashau Nash-Veh Tu.”
Look for more of these two in the future! A sequel will be coming where we will even get to meet Aunt Gilda!
Jim sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Spock, are you breaking up with me? Because I gotta say since I just moved in here that’s going to be—”
“No,” Spock said immediately. “Of course not. Why would you anticipate that was the subject of our discussion.”
“Because on Earth when someone says that it usually means the end of a relationship.” Forcing his heartrate to calm, Jim attempted a weak smile. “Guess the pizza can wait, huh?”
“For now. I do apologize but there is something I feel I need to tell you to allow us to have complete honesty.” Spock gestured toward the couch. “We should sit.”
Jim did and waited until Spock joined him there.
After a bit of a silence where Spock appeared to gather himself, he said, “The day I approached you in the teashop on Vulcan was not entirely random.”
Jim frowned. “Okay.”
“What I mean by that is I did pick you out due to overwhelming attraction but it was more calculated than that. My betrothed, T’Pring, was in the area at the same time, and I wished for her to see me making an assignation so that she would decided to end our betrothal bond.”
Jim nodded his understanding and then let out a long sigh. “So you used me to convince T’Pring you were unworthy of her.”
“Yes,” Spock admitted. “I did desire you, but my forwardness was due to the urgency of having T’Pring witness my attempts to woo you.”
“Woo,” Jim said, neutrally. “Fuck me is what you mean.”
“Jim—“
“Did it work?”
Spock blinked. “Yes. She chose to sever our betrothal bond as she, too, prefers someone else.”
“Well then.” Jim shrugged. “Everything worked out for the best.”
“You are not angry?”
Jim smiled. “Do you want me to be?”
“No.”
“Look, Spock, I never thought…I mean it worked out, right? After that one night we kept seeing each other because we wanted to.”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s all good. I’m glad you aren’t betrothed any longer. That’s good. Can I have that pizza now?”
Bones did not reply, but he did glance up at Jim as he continued to wrap Jim’s middle.
Jim sighed. “Okay, I’m sorry. I should have told you. I just…” He trailed off when Bones glared.
Spock had departed right after Bones had arrived and assured the Vulcan Jim wasn’t seriously injured and wouldn’t require hospitalization. Jim suspected Spock’s goal was to confront Owens for what happened to Jim. He tried not to be anxious about it.
“The truth is…the whole thing is humiliating,” Jim said, softly.
“What? Why?”
“Because, I’m not a victim, Bones. I hate that these assholes got the best of me at the bar and—”
“It was like three against one, Jim.”
“I know. And nothing happened to them. They were allowed to come into that bar and gang up on a civilian and they got away with it. If Pike hadn’t come in, I don’t know what would have happened.”
“I get it. I agree the Fleet should have done something.”
“Yeah, I mean I keep wondering what I should have been differently. I thought when I made a joke about them going to get more guys, I meant to diffuse it but it had the opposite effect.”
“Those guys were going to be macho dickheads no matter what you said or did at that point, Jim. They were spoiling for a fight and they set their sights on you.”
“I know that, but that’s where the humiliation comes in. I didn’t think I’d have to deal with them here, let alone have one of them come after me. So I wasn’t prepared and they got the best of me again. And it made me feel weak.”
“Jim, you are a lot of things but you aren’t weak or a victim. Being victimized doesn’t mean either. Now I can’t pretend to understand what thugs like Owens are thinking, but you can bet you won’t have to deal with him again.”
“Indeed, the doctor is correct.”
“Spock!” Jim smiled as Spock reentered the apartment holding a pizza box. “If that’s really a pizza, I’ll marry you.”
Spock arched a brow. “It is, so I look forward to the ceremony.”
Jim laughed.
Spock put the box down on the kitchen counter and then turned toward Jim and Bones.
“Cadet Owens is now former Cadet Owens.”
Bones finished wrapping Jim and stood. “Does that mean he’s no longer with Starfleet or that he no longer lives?”
Spock shrugged. “Take your pick.”
“Spock!”
“He has been expelled,” Spock said. “And his accomplices are even now working on formal apologies to you if they want to remain with Starfleet. They expressed regret over Owens’ behavior and no direct knowledge of it.”
“Apologies huh? You accomplished all that in the short time you’ve been gone?”
“I work fast.” Spock paused. “Which you are personally aware of.”
Jim laughed again. “Boy do I.”
Bones snorted. “On that note, I’m outta here.”
Jim frowned up at him from where he sat. “You don’t want to stay for pizza?”
“And interfere with your wedding dinner? No thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Jim got up and followed Bones to the door. “Okay see you.”
He turned back to Spock with a smile.
Spock suddenly looked uncertain. “Jim, we need to talk.”
Spock stared in dawning horror at the boot-shaped bruise on Jim’s abdomen just above his pelvis. His gaze rose from the bruise to Jim’s face.
“Who has done this?”
“Spock—”
“That was quite clearly done by someone. You cannot pretend you injured yourself. I want a name.”
Jim nodded and exhaled, lowering is uniform to once more cover the bruise.
“I also want to take you to the hospital for medical attention.” Spock put his fingers on Jim’s wrist, but just as a light touch.
“I saw my friend, Leonard McCoy. He’s a doctor.”
Spock narrowed his eyes. “And what did he say about that?”
Jim took his wrist away. “That’s not fair.”
“You are in a relationship with a touch telepath. Some things you should get used to.”
“How am I to have any secrets?”
“Secrets pertaining to an injury of your person are not acceptable, Jim. Were the situation reversed you would not desire for me to hide an injury or illness from you. There is no need to protect the abuser who has done this to you.”
Jim sighed. “I know. And no Bones didn’t know about this. Just the scrape to me knee.”
“What happened?”
“One of those giant assholes from that bar in Riverside spotted me on campus. I never saw him before he stuck his foot out and tripped me. Tore up my knee, which Bones fixed. While I was lying on the ground, he came up to me and stomped on my stomach with his boot. Then he left. Hurt like hell too. But I’m fine.”
“You are not fine and we are going to contact your doctor friend to examine you right now.”
“Spock—”
“If you prefer, we can take you to the emergency room.”
Jim closed his mouth.
“That is what I thought. After the doctor examines you and assures me of your recovery I will seek out the giant asshole and see that he is expelled.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“In fact, I do. His name?”
“I think that one’s name was Ben Owens.”
Spock nodded. “Very well. Contact Doctor McCoy please.”
“Okay.” Jim reached for Spock’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m okay.”
“I prefer to get a medical opinion.” Spock squeezed his hand. “I do not like bullies.”
Spock had gotten home only a short time ago and he was expecting Jim soon so he knew he didn’t have a long time to contact his father. But it was best he get it over with than have Sarek do something stupid like show up at Spock’s apartment.
“Live long and Prosper Father.”
Sarek managed to look grumpy without his expression changing. He was good at that.
“The same for you, Spock. You received my message.”
“I did.”
“I sent it nearly twenty-four hours ago, it seems you did not find it terribly important.”
Spark inclined his head, ignoring the rebuke. Instead he said, “It is not.”
Sarek arched a brow. “Your bond to a Vulcan female is not important?”
“Former bond, Father.”
“You had your bond dissolved?”
“Negative, T’Pring did.” Spock paused and steepled his fingers.
Sarek’s eyes narrowed. “Why would she do that?”
Spock gave a slight shrug. “She felt that my attentions were on someone else. And in fact, she was correct.”
“James Kirk. A Human.”
His voice dripped with his version of sarcastic derision. Spock was quite used to it.
“Yes,” Spock admitted.
“That would not matter. There are many Vulcans that take other lovers besides those they are bonded to.” He sniffed.
Spock wasn’t sure how many did and he did not feel like asking Sarek if he happened to be of those.
“She also prefers another. Given that we both do, it made logical sense for her to seek the sever of our bond, which she has done.”
“And when were you going to tell me?”
“When you brought it up,” Spock admitted. “As you have done now.”
Sarek stared silently at him for some time without response. Spock could almost see the wheels turning in his head.
“Your mother has informed me that James Kirk lives with you now.”
“That is correct.”
Sarek nodded. “Very well. Live long and Prosper, Spock.”
And he was gone before Spock could provide any response.
It went better than he expected, but Spock couldn’t deny some measure of anxiety still pooling in his gut. Talking to his father tended to do that for him and no amount of meditation seemed to help.
Spock turned as he heard Jim at the door and a moment later his boyfriend entered their apartment.
Jim smiled at him and came toward him, arms outstretched. It was his typical greeting whenever they saw each other after a short separation. At first Spock had been uncomfortable with such displays, even in private, but now he looked forward to them, even if he would not admit it.
He pulled Jim close, leaning in to smell the vanilla bean shampoo Jim used.
“Oof.” Jim stiffened and eased back a little.
Spock frowned. “What is wrong?”
Jim’s tongue came out to lick his lips. “Well…”
“Well…what?”
Jim sighed and stepped back. His fingers going to the tunic of his cadet’s uniform. “Let me show you.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 