April Flashes

Flash Fic, April 20, 2022

“What the heck is that?” Jim asked Nyota as she unwrapped her lunch in front of him.

They were sitting on a park bench in the park directly next to the university where they both taught. While Jim was all physics, Nyota taught linguistics.

“It’s a veggie wrap, Einstein. The wrap itself is made from spinach so it’s gluten-free.”

“That doesn’t look like real mayo.”

“It’s a vegan alternative. And before you ask, no of course there’s no cheese.”

Jim wrinkled his nose. He opened his paper bag. He’d picked up McDonald’s on the way to the park. It was literally right next door. He’d gotten two cheeseburgers and a small fries. After all he didn’t want to overdo it.

“How’s the visit go with your folks?”

“Good. My dad’s on the mend. It was good to see them, but man traffic was a bitch.”

She eyed him as he took a big bite of his cheeseburger. “Smaller bites or you’ll choke.”

“Mm.” Jim chewed and swallowed. Took a sip from his coke. “You ask Scotty out yet?”

“No. I mean I want to, but…” She shrugged. “I guess I’m old-fashioned and I want him to pursue me.”

Jim rolled his eyes. “Let me know how that works out.”

“How about you and that weird neighbor?”

“I was making some sort of progress, but I screwed it up and now it’s a no go.”

“How so?”

“Remember his cosplay ears?”

Nyota nodded, biting delicately into her wrap. “Sure. Legolas or whatever, right?”

Jim sighed and shook his head. Took another fortifying bite, slightly smaller since she was giving him her judgmental eye, and then chewed and swallowed. “It’s not.”

“Not what?”

“For cosplay. I guess it’s like a birth defect or something. I mean, he said he was born with the pointy ears. Anyway, I, um, I asked if he spoke Elvish.”

“Elvish?”

“Some of them do. You know they get into all that. Absolutely the wrong thing to ask him as he got obviously offended and told me he was born with his ears and it wasn’t cosplay. The rest of the evening was pretty strained. We were supposed to maybe have dinner together tonight, but he mentioned not a word of it. So…”

“Hmm. Might be for the best.”

“How so?”

“As it happens.” She paused to smile. “I have the perfect girl for you to go out with. She’s free Friday night and you could take her to see the latest Marvel movie. She loves them.”

Jim groaned. “Marvel? Man, those are so stupid. All those stupidly bulked up actors.” He popped a fry into his mouth. “What’s her name?”

“Candy.”

He gave her the side-eye. “Like cotton candy?”

Nyota laughed. “No. Well, her name’s Candace, but everyone calls her Candy. Since she was a little girl. Anyway, she loves wine.”

“So?”

“So? Your family has a vineyard.”

“My dad and brother do, yes. But I sure as hell don’t.”

“I’ve told her all about you and I showed her your picture from my phone and she thinks you’re hot.”

“Which picture?”

“The one from last year’s Halloween.”

Jim sighed and sucked down more coke. “Does she know I’m bi?”

Nyota rolled her eyes. “It’s not like that’s the first thing I say about you, so no. But why should it matter?”

He shrugged. “It does to some. They don’t like thinking of me sleeping with guys.”

“I don’t think she’s like that.” Nyota took out her phone and swiped her finger across the screen. She then handed it to him. On her screen was a picture of a long-legged model type brunette.

“She is pretty,” Jim admitted.

“Then you’ll go?”

Something was making Jim hesitate and he just wasn’t sure what it was.

“I’ll think about it and let you know tomorrow.”

Nyota sighed, but returned her phone to her purse. “Fine. But if you don’t go out with her, someone else definitely will. You aren’t my only hot friend.”

“Yeah, yeah. You surround yourself with hotness.”

She sniffed. “Just let me know as soon as you can.”

“Will do.”

April 20, 2022

Flash Fic, April 19, 2022

Jim was still curious about Spock though and he realized he actually knew very little about Spock other than him being into elves from Tolkien.

“Do you speak Elvish?”

This time he saw Spock’s spine stiffen. He did not turn back around though.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Elvish. I mean, there are a lot of people into fandoms that learn to speak the language of the characters, right, and I know there are a bunch of people who speak that from the Tolkien books. So I thought given your ears, you might—”

Spock did turn around then, and he was waving the spatula he held somewhat threateningly. “I do not speak Elvish, Jim. And I did not have my ears altered to be pointed on the end.”

“No?”

“My ears have been like this from the moment I was born,” Spock said slowly and carefully as though Jim was a buffoon. And at the moment Jim thought maybe he was.

“Oh. Um. Sorry about that. Stupid assumptions.”

Jim could only imagine the teasing Spock must have had from other kids because of his ears. He knew kids could be cruel from his own experience with severe acne.

“Your apology is accepted. If you will go sit at the table, I will shortly bring the waffles to the table.”

Jim did, feeling pretty foolish. Spock had set the table with butter and syrup too. He kept his mouth shut and drank his coffee.

A few minutes later, Spock arrived with two plates with large Belgian Waffles.

Jim smiled uncertainly. “Looks good. Thank you.”

They ate in silence for the most part. Other than a few comments about whether they’d get the rain that was predicted for the next morning.

When they were done and Jim was assured Spock needed no help cleaning up, Jim decided to excuse himself to his own place. He really was tired and a bit discouraged, though he wasn’t sure why. Spock was still polite and nice to him.

“Do not forget your Bisquick.” Spock handed it to him as Jim picked up his empty thermos.

He sort of remembered Spock had mentioned him coming for dinner Monday night but as he headed for Spock’s apartment door, Spock made no comments to remind him, and Jim didn’t want to push his luck.

Still he lingered for a moment there, hoping Spock would come close enough for Jim to try a little kiss. But Spock kept his distance and somehow made it look as though it really wasn’t deliberate.

“Okay, thanks for dinner, Spock. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Jim.”

Jim went back to his apartment and basically straight to bed. And in that bed, he stroked himself to images of Spock, and afterward he fell into a fitful sleep.

April 19, 2022

Flash Fic, April 18, 2022

Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com

Jim had been thrilled when Spock invited him over. It was totally unexpected and after the too long drive south which had exhausted him and made him irritable, it was definitely welcome.

Before being banished from Spock’s kitchen, Jim had found himself a cup to poor his coffee in. The cup looked like something maybe Spock had for a long time or had gotten second-hand as the lip on one side was chipped and it had World’s Best Dad written on it.

Jim frowned. Was Spock a dad? He hadn’t really thought about that. To Jim he’d been giving off gay vibes, which he guessed was silly considering he’d told Nyota he hardly had gaydar. Of course he sure could be bisexual like Jim himself was. But he guessed there was also the possibility Spock only liked women. He wouldn’t have thought so given the looks he’d given Jim, but hell, Jim had been wrong before.

There was always the chance that Spock had an ex-husband too and they had a child together through adoption or surrogacy as the Sulus had.

Only one way to find out. At least about the dad part anyway.

He took said mug full of coffee and made his way back to the kitchen. The edge of it anyway. Jim leaned against the counter and spent a moment or two watching Spock work the waffle maker.

Jim didn’t know why but there was something about watching Spock work that he found appealing. Maybe it was the man’s ability to super focus on it.

“Hey, Spock?”

And yet Spock didn’t jump or anything like he hadn’t known Jim was there. He simply turned around and looked a question at Jim.

Jim held up the cup. “You get this from your kid?”

“Negative. I secured it from the Goodwill as I did this waffle maker.”

“Oh, okay. I wondered. So, uh, you aren’t a dad?”

“I am not, no.”

Apparently though Spock must be of fairly low income prior to getting the job at the Science Institute if he did so much shopping at the Goodwill. Which was cool. But Jim was glad he’d gotten a better job.

“You paying alimony?” he asked, rather unthinkingly. It was probably a bit of a rude question. But Jim knew a guy whose much younger husband decided he was just too hot to be married to one guy and up and left him to move to New York. Even though it had been that young stud’s choice to end the marriage, Jim’s friend was paying a whopping amount of alimony for his ex to live in New York City.

Spock’s brows furrowed. “I am not.”

“You’ve never been married?”

“No.” Spock paused. “Have you?”

“God no.” Jim laughed. “Er that came out wrong. I’m not like completely opposed or anything, but I’ve never found anyone good enough…” That sounded bad too.

“For you?” Spock asked.

Jim laughed again, feeling his face heat. “That came out wrong too. I have foot in mouth disease.”

“Foot and mouth?”

“In. You know, the saying?” But Jim could see Spock did not. “Anyway, you know what? Never mind. I just haven’t found the one who makes me want to get married.”

Spock nodded then and turned back to pay attention to the waffles. Probably a good thing for Jim.

Still, Spock didn’t order Jim out of the apartment or anything so that was good.

April 18, 2022

Flash Fic, April 15, 2022

His co-pilot, Suroc, had been the closet to one he’d had and Spock had to bury him.
Not that Suroc had been a friend in the sense Humans thought of friends. The older Vulcan had kept to himself, generally only responding to Spock when spoken to, and while he had not been rude or unpleasant, Suroc and Spock had very little in common.
Before their supply run, Spock had spent the night with another Vulcan, Senra, a male Vulcan who generally had no more use for Spock than Spock did for him, but they did meet occasionally for physical release.
The rest of Spock’s life was spent in study at the Vulcan Science Academy, or had been before his ill-fated flight. Spock’s own father, Sarek, had asked him to make the cargo run, it was expected to be routine, and as it happened, it was anything but.
Now faced with meeting an enigmatic Human like Jim Kirk, Spock found that he could not resist the pull, though he should.
Spock located the cheaply acquired small appliance, made sure it was clean, and the plugged it in to heat up to make Jim waffles. With a quick search for recipes on his laptop, Spock figured he was reasonably prepared.
A moment later, Jim tapped on his door, and Spock called out for Jim to just come inside.
When Jim did, Spock noticed he carried two things. A box about the size of a cereal box, and a thermos.
Before Spock could make any inquiries, Jim explained.
“I figured you didn’t have any means to make coffee, so I brought my own.”
Spock agreed that was correct, but he vowed he would rectify that in the very near future. He was aware there was an online business that often guaranteed purchases would be delivered the next day. He would see to that later.
“Pancake and waffle mix,” Jim held up the box that was labeled “Bisquick’. “I’m guessing you don’t make waffles often and this is probably way easier.”
Spock took the box from Jim and eyed it. “Thank you. This probably will be sufficient.”
“Cool.”
And Jim gave Spock such a warm smile that Spock had to tamp down his arousal. He turned abruptly and went into the kitchen to see if he had the ingredients required to add to the mix,
He counted to ten in his head, finally getting his logical mind back in order.
He could do this.
“Need any help?” Jim asked from right next to him. He smelled like he maybe had just showered and Spock realized that indeed his hair was a little damp, though he had a smattering of a what Humans of this period referred to as a ‘five o’clock shadow’.
Spock’s mouth went dry.
“Spock?”
He cleared his throat. “I do not need help. You should sit in the other room and wait where you will not be in the way.”
That surprised a laugh out of Jim which did nothing to slow down the rapid pace of Spock’s pulse.
“Okay, sure. I’ll go do that.”
Spock let out a relieved breath, and tried not to notice was a great ass Jim had. This might have been a mistake.

Back with these guys on Monday

April 15, 2022

Flash Fic, April 14, 2022

Spock found himself thinking of Jim the entire weekend.

It was not ideal.

Jim was gorgeous, Spock could not deny. And there was something primitive in Spock that made him want to claim the Human. He fought it though.

Spock was going home. Or he intended to, anyway. Entanglements of the sort Jim represented were not something he should even consider. But he was being drawn to Jim like a moth to a flame.

He had been on a routine cargo flight. Bringing a shipment of supplies to the other side of Vulcan when his ship had begun to malfunction. He’d thought he was going to crash on the surface of Vulcan, but suddenly Spock and his co-pilot had lost consciousness.

When Spock awoke, his co-pilot had informed him of some kind of time warp they’d passed through, he could not explain it, and then suddenly they were in the air space of some planet Spock later learned was called Earth and their ship had been shot down by fighter jets.

The co-pilot had been killed on impact, but Spock survived, and was forced to hide all evidence of the crash when it became clear he was in a time and on a planet that definitely did not accept him.

And now, here he was. Trying to find a way back to his own time and Vulcan.

Ever since Jim had left to see his family though, Spock could not stop thinking of him. He did not exactly regret not going. It had been for the best, but Spock found himself on Sunday night listening for Jim to arrive home.

Worse still when he did hear Jim, Spock opened his apartment door and stepped into the hallway. It occurred to him belatedly that he might have startled Jim. Too late.

But Jim, who was at his door sticking his key in the lock, greeted him with a warm smile.

“Hey Spock!”

“Good evening, Jim. I was coming to see how your weekend with your family was.”

“It was good. I’m bone-tired though. And hungry. I should have picked something up on the way home.”

Spock heard someone who sounded just like him say, “I have a Belgian waffle maker.”

He did. He’d purchased it at a Goodwill store.

And Spock realized that not only did he not wish to be alone at that moment, he wished specifically to be with Jim.

Jim’s smile widened. “Do you? Do you happen to have mad waffle making skills?”

Spock’s lips twitched. “They are acceptable.”

Jim nodded. ”Good enough. Let me just put this stuff down in my apartment and I’ll be right over.”

“Excellent.”

Spock went back into his apartment to dig out that waffle maker. His heart thumped wildly in his side and he had to remind himself, it was just a few waffles among friends. A friend. Yes, Spock hadn’t had one in…well, perhaps, never.

April 14, 2022

Flash Fic, April 13, 2022

Jim had to admit he hated seeing his big strong dad sitting in a recliner chair with a blanket draped over his shoulders and he felt the need to punch Sam in the nose for his earlier assurance their dad was okay. It brought home for Jim that his parents weren’t going to live forever. No one did, of course. But…

“There’s my baby!” His mom rushed at him, pulling him into a very tight and long hug.

“Don’t maul the boy, Win,” his dad grumbled.

“I’m not a baby or a boy,” Jim protested as his mother dragged him forward.

“Sit down on the couch there across from Dad. What can we get you? Are you hungry? Do you want a sandwich? I have fish in the freezer. Or maybe you’d rather have steak?”

Jim laughed. “Mom. I’m good.”

“You left right after work though right? You didn’t eat? You didn’t eat one of those awful, greasy fast food burgers while you were driving, did you?”

“Mother, leave him alone.” But Sam was grinning.

“Well.” She sniffed. “He’s probably hungry.”

“In a bit, Mom. I want to see how you and Dad are.”

“Fine, fine. You didn’t have to come all this way,” Dad said. “But since you did, how about a game of chess later?”

“You’re supposed to rest.”

“Chess isn’t going to wear him out, Mom.”

She stuck her tongue out at Jim’s brother.

“Jim almost brought someone with him.”

Jim almost did kick him then. “Shut up. Why did I tell you?”

“Because you tell your brother shit like that.”

Mom looked at Jim doubtfully. “You met someone, Jim?”

“Why do you all react like that?”

His father chuckled and patted Jim’s leg. “Because you’re bookish.”

“I am not bookish. I’ve had plenty of dates and things. They’ve all just not worked out.”

“Who are you sweet on?” his dad asked.

Jim groaned. “I’m not sweet on anyone. I just…I like my neighbor. I only just met him which is why I didn’t bring him.”

“If he’s like that Gary person, no thank you.” His mom shuddered. “He gave me the creeps.”

“He’s nothing like Gary.”

“What about Ruth? She was snooty,” Sam pointed out.

“I still say she stole my bracelet.”

Jim buried his face in his hands. “He’s not a snooty thief either.”

Dad laughed outright. “What’s loverboy’s name?”

Jim stood. “You know what, Mom? I am hungry. Starving in fact.”

“Okay, okay.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the kitchen. “You do look too skinny.”

Jim loved them. He did. But man was he glad he hadn’t brought Spock.

April 13, 2022

Flash Fic, April 12, 2022

I’m going with Sam looks quite a bit like Dad

Jim decided to seek his brother out first when he arrived at his family’s home in Napa. He found Sam in one of the vineyards, bent over at the waist, and speaking.

“What are you doing?” Jim asked, frowning with puzzlement.

“Talking to the grapes.”

“Lost it have you?”

Sam snorted and straightened. “Funny. Been at the house yet?”

“No. Wanted to see what you had to say about things. Mom and Dad aren’t as forthcoming as they could be.”

Sam nodded and eyed him. “You’re looking tired, little brother. You didn’t have to come up here this weekend.”

“I think Mom wanted me to and besides I wanted to check on Dad.” Jim pointed to the grapes. “What are you the grape whisperer?”

“I prefer wine whisperer, thank you very much. I just think talking to your plants helps.”

Jim smiled. “Okay. So what’s the situation?”

“They let him leave the hospital last night. He’s doing good. Has to take it easy for a while. Which you know he’ll hate.”

“He’s especially going to hate not being out here with you. The two of you love putzing around these vineyards.”

“Yep. But he’ll be well enough soon. Keeping busy down there in the city?”

The city was always San Francisco for Sam. Jim knew his brother seldom went there, didn’t like it there, couldn’t understand why Jim did.

“Yep. “ Jim smiled. “My physics classes are going well. Teaching a bunch of geniuses keeps me on my toes.”

“Bet none of them are even close to you, though.” Sam rubbed the top of Jim’s head.

Jim was by no means small, or he didn’t think so, but both his dad and brother were giants and liked to remind everyone around them of their superiority.

“Come to the house then. Oh, and I’m going to ask Aurelan to marry me soon. You remember you met her last time you were up here.”

“I do, yeah. Congratulations.” Jim had liked the pretty petite brunette.

Sam grinned. “She hasn’t said yes yet.”

“She will.” Jim fell into step beside his brother as they hiked uphill a bit to the house from the vineyards. “I almost brought someone with me this time.”

“Oh?” Sam asked, surprised.

Jim laughed. “You make it sound like no one would want me.”

“Hardly. You’re a brilliant scientist that comes from a great family and you’re not bad looking. You just never seem to settle on someone you want us to meet.”

“Not sure I’m to the point of settling in this case either,” Jim admitted. “Just…a guy moved into the apartment next to mine and he’s pretty cute and I like him.”

Sam nodded. “So why didn’t you bring him?”

“We’ve only seen each other a handful of times. I think he got a little freaked when I made the suggestion he could come with me. Hell, we haven’t even had a first kiss. So I don’t know. Seemed pretty fast.”

“Well, you’ll know when and if it’s right.”

“Like you have with Aurelan?”

“Exactly. “

They reached the back door of the Spanish style villa. Sam opened the door and let Jim go in first.

“Mom? Dad? Look what followed me in!”

April 12, 2022

Flash Fic, April 11, 2022

The minute the words were out of his mouth, Jim wanted to take them back. He knew they were idiotic. They barely knew each other and it was just way too early for “meet the family”. He wasn’t even sure anything they’d done so far even counted as an actual date. And he’d put Spock on the spot to have to come up with a polite way to decline. Jim would be doing that himself if the shoe was on the other foot.

“Forget I said that,” Jim said, forcing a smile. “I know that was crazy and way too soon. Sorry.”

He could see signs of relief in Spock’s expression though he was trying to fight them. “It is only that—”

“No.” Jim laughed. “I know. We just met a few days ago. Sometimes my mouth works faster than my brain. Some other time, maybe, but for now, I’m good.”

“When you return, perhaps, on Monday evening, I would like to have you over to my apartment for dinner,” Spock offered.

It was a nice Segway into getting out of the way too awkward gaffe Jim just did.

“That sounds great.”

Spock nodded. “I hope all goes well with your family.”

“Thanks. My dad is doing better already. Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll serve dinner?”

The evening turned out to be very nice once they got over Jim sticking his foot in his mouth with the stupid invitation. Dinner was delicious if he did say so himself and they spent the meal talking about each other’s work.

When it was over, Spock helped with the dishes, and then excused himself to go home.

All in all slow progress, progress, yes, but slow. Jim was pretty impatient sometimes so it was hard to force himself not even to try a kiss with Spock, but he had held back, figuring even that might be a bit too fast for this strange guy. Because yes Spock was different somehow then anyone Jim had ever met. But he liked him.

April 11, 2022

Flash Fic, April 08, 2022

Now that he was faced with returning to Jim’s apartment for dinner, Spock regretted accepting the invitation to dine with the Human.

It wasn’t at all that Spock didn’t like Jim. In fact, he did. Which was precisely the problem.

Spock was infatuated with Jim. He was gorgeous and interesting. He was exactly the sort of “type” Spock would be interested in on a normal basis. But his situation was anything but normal.

Spock had wished to work at the Science Institute for the simple reason it would afford him the use of the Institute’s extensive science knowledge. Extensive for the primitive period Spock found himself in anyway. His hope was that there would be some way to discover a way for him to return to his own timeline.

And if he reached that hope successfully, anything Spock found here in the present would need to be “ditched”, including any friendships forged.

Spock’s ship had somehow crossed into this primitive time in the 21^st Century and crashed. The ship was unsalvageable, but he had hidden the pieces in the warehouse he’d taken shelter in that he had later been forced to vacate. He’d buried those pieces underground in that area in case there would be something he required to return.

Still the plain truth of it was that Spock did want to spend time with Jim. He was the only one so far he’d forged any kind of friendship with and Spock was a bit lonely. So, after getting things settled in his apartment and removing the knit cap and setting it on a nearby table, Spock left his apartment for Jim’s.

The door opened only seconds after he tapped on it and Jim, smiling so brightly his little rabbit front teeth showed, stepped aside to let Spock in.

Jim had changed out of the suit he’d been wearing into what was called sweatpants and a gray tank top with the words California Dreaming written across the chest.

“Something to drink? I don’t have Sake, but I have some beer or wine. Iced tea and soda too.”

“Iced tea would be ideal.”

Jim nodded. “I’m a strictly unsweetened guy but I have sweetener if you want. I keep it on hand when friends come over. I have Sweet & Low, Equal, Splenda, and like regular sugar.”:

“I prefer unsweetened as well.”

Jim took a glass out of cabinet, filled it with ice from the freezer, and then poured tea from a pitcher.

“The food smells good,” Spock said as he took the tea from Jim. And it did. Spock hadn’t eaten much all day and he realized he was hungry.

“It’s a pretty simple stir fry but I think you’ll like it.”

“You are not a vegetarian, are you?”

“Nah. And I bought some shrimp to cook up on the side for me that I’ll toss into my portion. But I knew you would only want the vegetables.”

“Did you anticipate inviting me for dinner?” Spock asked.

To Spock’s surprise, Jim blushed a bit and then laughed.

“You found me out.”

“Found you out?”

“Yeah, I mean, I did want to invite you. Truth is, I really like you and wanted to ask you out. I even went to the restaurant where you said you worked. Congrats on getting that Science Institute job by the way.”

Spock felt a bit nonplused. But the longer he remained silent the more uncomfortable Jim looked.

“Uh, did I say something wrong? Not interested in guys?”

“I am,” Spock admitted.

“Not interested in me?”

Spock blinked. “You have looked in the mirror, have you not?”

Jim laughed. “Uh yeah, but—”

“I am very interested in you,” Spock said bluntly.

“Yeah? That’s a relief.”

“It is a bit…complicated.”

“You’re married? In a relationship?”

“No. Nothing like that. My time here in the city might be short.”

Jim deflated some, but he nodded. He was still smiling. “Okay. Well, we can just see where things take us. As a matter of fact, tomorrow after work I’m driving to Napa to see my family. I’ll be back Sunday evening.” Jim shifted a little and glanced away and then back at Spock. “You, uh, you could come with me.”

The guys will be back Monday!

April 8, 2022

Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Fan Fiction and Personal Ramblings

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