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Christmas Flash

Flash Fic, December 23, 2024

Here is the full flash

Ten years earlier…

“Don’t walk away from me in the middle of this!” Jim shouted. He was furious. He couldn’t remember when he was this angry.

Spock took a step back and shook his head. “I require meditation.”

“Meditation? Are you fucking kidding me? Right now?”

His eyes were impossibly dark. “I require meditation at this exact moment so that I do not give into the desire to strangle you.”

Jim gasped. “Are we really fucking back to that? Just try it, mister, and I’ll have you court martialed before you can say Kobayashi Maru!”

Bones stepped in and put his hand on Jim’s arm. “Jim, take a deep breath. Calm down.”

Jim felt enraged. “I don’t want to fucking calm down, Bones. I’m done.”

“Jim—”

“Nope. Fuck you, Spock. You can go straight to hell.”

And with that he stormed off and away.

Ten years later…

“It was great having dinner with you, Captain. I mean admiral,” Sulu quickly corrected himself. He glanced at his husband and now young adult daughter, Demora. “We all enjoyed it.”

Jim smiled. “Jim will do. It was great for me too. I can’t believe you’re entering the Academy, Demora.”

She blushed a little. “Yes, sir. I hope to be a pilot like Dad.”

Jim winked. “You have lofty aspirations, but I have no doubt you’ll succeed.”

They stepped outside of the restaurant and on to the San Francisco street. It was a little cool, so Jim pulled his coat around him.

“You want us to give you a lift to your apartment?” Sulu asked.  

“No, that’s all right. I don’t mind the walk and it’s not that far.”

Sulu hesitated but then nodded. “You ever hear from Spock, sir?”

“Spock? No. We don’t keep in touch.”

“I just thought…never mind. I guess he’s probably on New Vulcan.”

“Maybe so.”

Ben spoke up then. “If you aren’t doing anything for Christmas, Jim, we’d love to have you over to our place. I make a great turkey.”

Jim shook his head. “Actually, I’m meeting Bones in Aspen, Colorado. I leave in a couple of days.”

“Oh.” Sulu’s expression brightened. “That’s good. Give Leonard our best.”

“I will.”

He gave Demora a quick hug, and then her parents too. “Merry Christmas.”

Then despite their offer again of a ride, Jim continued on his way.

****

After Jim stopped at the check-in desk at the Aspen resort to be told that his room wasn’t quite ready yet, he asked about Bones.

“I’m supposed to be meeting Leonard McCoy here. Has he arrived?”

The desk clerk smiled. “There is someone waiting for you out those double doors on the patio. We have heat lamps out there and you can order drinks.’

“Great, thank you.”

It was cold out but the only snow at the moment was already on the ground, so he felt going outside with heat lamps would be just fine. The place was supposed to have an indoor bar too so if it got too cold, he and Bones could move inside.

The double doors opened automatically at his approach, and Jim stepped outside. It was late afternoon so much of the patio had started to be in shadows, but then Jim spotted him, and his heart nearly stopped.

As though in a dream he walked over.

“Spock?”

Spock stood and looked as startled as Jim felt. “Jim?”

He didn’t to look around to know Bones wasn’t there.

“Sit down.”

And Jim pulled out the seat across from Spock, which was just under a heat lamp. In front of Spock was what looked apple cider and in front of Jim was a hot buttered rum.

Spock returned to his seat. “What are you doing here?”

“I had plans to meet Bones.” Jim paused. “And you?”

“Nyota,” Spock said softly. “I was even told to order that drink.”

Jim’s heart rate went somewhat back to normal. “I think we’ve been had.”

“I would agree.”

Jim picked up the drink and took a sip as he surveyed Spock. It was as though ten years hadn’t passed for the Vulcan. He looked just the same. And Jim knew that wasn’t true for him. He had more wrinkles and more gray hair.

He swallowed his pride. It was a tough thing.

“I miss you. All the time. Every day.”

When Spock didn’t reply, Jim chanced a look at the other man and saw that Spock had his eyes closed and wore a pained expression. As Jim observed him, Spock opened his eyes and there was unmistakable pain there.

“It has never been the same without you. I miss you.”

Jim took a chance and put his hand out toward Spock, who grasped and held it.

“Have we wasted these ten years, Spock?”

“Yes.”

Jim laughed, a miserable laugh. “No one has been you. Believe me I’ve tried.”

Spock nodded. “I have not tried.”

“Not once?” Jim asked, surprised.

“Never. You were the only one for me then and still.”

“Oh, God. Spock, I’m so so sorry.”

“It is I who owe the apology.”

“No. It was me. You know what? Let’s not do that. How the fight started or who was wrong or right, does it matter? God, just seeing you…I don’t know why I’ve stayed so fucking stubborn all this time.”

“Sirs?” A waitress stopped by their table. She handed Jim a red envelope. “I was told to give this to you.”

Then she walked away and Jim slid it open. There was a holiday card with a note inside.

“Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and Happy New Year. By now you must know we’re not coming and we set this up for you two lugheads to get back together. You should never have been apart let alone for this long. We booked you two into the honeymoon suite from now until the end of the year. Don’t waste this opportunity.”

Jim put the note down. “Well. Lugheads. That was Bones.”

“Most certainly. And Nyota would be responsible for the honeymoon suite.”

Jim took another sip of the hot buttered rum. “It would be stupid not to take advantage of this opportunity.”

“Agreed.”

“The note even says so.” Jim looked at Spock. “Do you-do you want to?”

“More than anything,” Spock whispered. “These last ten years…not to be dramatic or illogical…have been torture.”

Jim frowned. “Wait. Pon Farr?”

“Since I had no bond, I did not experience it,” Spock admitted. “You and I never completed a bond and the one I had with T’Pring was severed upon her death in the destruction of Vulcan.”

“I…I’m glad you didn’t have to find a way to survive that.”

“It ended up being a fortunate thing we had not bonded prior to our estrangement.”

“Yeah, fortunate,” Jim whispered. He released Spock’s hand, stood and went to stand before Spock. “I really want to touch you now.”

Spock stood also and pulled Jim into his arms. They held each other very close and very tight for a long time.

“I love you,” Jim said softly.

“I love you,” Spock returned.

Snow began to fall in that moment which made Jim shiver in Spock’s arms.

The double doors opened.

“Gentlemen? Your room is ready.”

Jim laughed against Spock’s neck, pulled back and kissed him deeply. It was like coming home. “Shall we?”

“Yes.”

And with their arms wrapped around each other they entered the resort to go to the honeymoon suite.  

May the holiday season warm you. Happy Holidays!

Flash Fic, December 20, 2024

The First Noel, the angels did say…

Jim smiled faintly at the music playing from speakers as he walked along the sidewalk directly outside of the shuttle bay on his way to try to catch a shuttle to Riverside.

Admittedly it was last minute. Only two days until Christmas. He’d left it too late, he knew.

But he hadn’t known until very recently that Bones, his roommate at the Academy, was going to Georgia for Christmas, nor had he known the Vulcan he was sort of seeing, Spock, one of the instructors at the Academy, didn’t do holidays. Like at all.

Spock had explained, rather stiffly, that he didn’t believe in a deity, had never celebrated Christmas since his mother was Jewish, and he didn’t celebrate any Jewish holidays either. He planned on catching up on grading mid-terms and some research he’d wanted to do but hadn’t had time during the break.

Since theirs was a very new relationship (meaning they’d had sex twice), Jim chose not to push it.

He hadn’t really wanted to spend Christmas alone in San Francisco.

Jim had visions of the song “Mr. Lonely” in his head. Yeah, true, he could be overly dramatic sometimes.    

Unfortunately, his mom wasn’t going to be on Earth for Christmas. And at first Jim decided he wasn’t going to go to Riverside after all. But then with nothing else to do and no one else willing to spend it with him, Jim had decided to try to get a shuttle to Riverside anyway.

And just as he did, he heard the weather was going to be terrible and the shuttle might not even depart.

So he entered the bay, waiting for a shuttle to depart that was more likely to be canceled than not. And if it was, Jim guessed he’d go back to his dorm and drink spiked eggnog until he passed out.

Well, maybe not.

With delay after delay, Jim found himself dozing off. He jerked awake when his communicator beeped.

Where are you?

And that was Spock.

He typed back, “Shuttle Bay waiting for a shuttle to Riverside.’

I did not realize you were going to see your mother.

Eh, I’m not. She won’t be there. But I had no other plans so I thought…why not?

I see.

There was nothing else for a while, so eventually, Jim typed, “I don’t think I’m going anywhere. Bad snowstorm. I’m just waiting for them to officially cancel.”

If you find yourself seeking an alternative plan, you could come to my apartment.

And honestly he almost typed back he wasn’t in the mood to be Spock’s booty call but he wasn’t actually sure if that was entirely true.

Sure.

Another hour passed before the shuttle to Riverside was officially canceled. He was told he still could get a seat on one going out the next day, so Jim departed and headed off to Spock’s apartment. At least he’d have something to do tonight and then he could try again the next day.

So Jim was pretty surprised when from the street in front of Spock’s apartment he could around the window was a string of old fashioned Christmas lights. The kind with bulbs rather than the tiny ones.   

He rushed inside and up the stairs, since the lift was always breaking down, and to the door on the end of the third floor. He knocked.

A moment later the door opened, and Spock stood there. Beyond him, Jim spotted the lights on the window.

“Spock, what—”

Spock stepped out of the way and gestured for Jim to come in.

To his surprise, it didn’t stop at the lights on the window, but Spock also had a small, artificial Christmas tree decorated with lights and red bows.

“I…”

“You said you wished to observe the holidays,” Spock explained quietly.

“Yeah but you said you didn’t celebrate. Or anything,”

“And I never have. However you wished to and I am not opposed to indulging your preferences.”

Jim smiled, suddenly feeling warmth in his chest. “You did this all for me?”

Spock tilted his head. “Who else, Jim?”

Jim stepped into his arms and Spock closed his arms around Jim, holding him close.

“I have mulled wine.”

Jim laughed and pulled away slightly. “Yeah?”

“Indeed. Do you…are you still going to Riverside when you are able?”

“No. I’m staying right here with you.” Jim kissed him. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome, Jim. Come let me get you that mulled wine.”

Photo by George Dolgikh on Pexels.com

Flash Fic, December 24, 2023

There won’t be a flash tomorrow, so this counts as your Christmas Flash

“I wish Daddy was here.” Peter’s bottom lip trembled as Jim looked down at his three year old nephew. There were still tear tracks on his chubby cheeks.

“Me too, kiddo.”

In truth, Jim was on the brink of tears himself.

The last twenty-four hours had been a disaster.

Jim was currently in Riverside tasked with taking care of his three-year-old nephew while his brother Sam was on assignment for Section 31.

And Jim was waiting to see if the Enterprise would go out on a second five-year mission. If they did, would he retain the same crew, most importantly Spock. He wasn’t sure, considering Jim had confessed his romantic feelings for Spock at the end of the first mission. For the last few months of that mission, he and Spock had been engaged in a “sex for pleasure only” affair, or so they had insisted on calling it. Wasn’t supposed to involve emotion. Only for Jim, it always had.

He’d gone and cocked it up but admitting this to Spock. And Spock had left to go to New Vulcan.

So, when Sam had asked Jim about watching Peter, he had agreed.

Peter’s mom had passed after an illness.

Whatever. All of this was the lead up to the disaster of the day. There’d been a fire in the living room at the farmhouse, thanks to the Christmas tree, and though the whole house hadn’t been destroyed, the recommendation  had been that they spend the next two weeks away from the farmhouse to avoid smoke inhalation and water damage. It would take that long to make everything livable.

So here it was Christmas Eve and he and Peter were about to check into a hotel in the city proper.

Jim guessed it wasn’t the worst Christmas ever. But maybe it was close. He had no gifts for the little tyke either. They’d gone up with the Christmas tree.

After getting them settled into a hotel room that included a kitchenette, Jim asked Peter, “What would you like to eat for supper?”

“Chicken nuggets! And ice cream.”

There was a twenty-four hour café attached to the hotel, so they went there. Fortunately he was able to get the chicken nuggets and ice cream for Peter.

“Will Santa find us?” Peter asked as he dipped a nugget into ketchup.

Yuck, Jim thought.

And his heart sank. What was he supposed to tell the little guy?

He had notified Bones what happened. And Bones had offered his sympathy, but he was in Georgia with his own kin so there wasn’t much he could do.

And most stores were already closed so how was he supposed to get anything for the child?

He needed a Christmas miracle.

“Well.” Jim smiled. “How’s the chicken?”   

He himself had chosen meatloaf with mashed potatoes.

“Yummy.”

“Good. As far Santa…well. I think he’ll find us eventually, but it might be hard tonight or by Christmas. It might be when we go back home.”

“Okay.” But he looked so sad and forlorn that Jim’s heart just broke.

He was a terrible uncle.

After they finished eating, Jim took Peter around the area to look at Christmas lights, which did cheer both of them up considerably.

By the time he got back to the hotel, he had to carry Peter, as the boy had fallen asleep. He was surprised to see a wreath pinned to the outside of his hotel room.

Maybe something the hotel did?

He opened the door and stepped in carrying Peter. It was then he noticed the small artificial tree next to the kitchenette. It had been decorated with hundreds of white lights and little red bows. Beside it stood a very familiar Vulcan.

“Spock?”

“Merry Christmas, Jim.”

“How—”

“Leonard contacted me. It was not easy, but I made it in time.” Spock walked over to gaze upon Jim’s zonked out nephew. “Perhaps you should put him to bed before we place the presents under the tree.”

His breath caught in his throat. “You brought presents for Peter?”

“Indeed. Isn’t that expected by a child of his age for Christmas?”

Jim nodded, suddenly feeling tears sting his eyes. “Yeah. Let me put him down.”

Jim walked over to the bed and drew back the covers, setting Peter down on the bed, and covering him. He was very happy to see the boy remained sleeping. All the better to surprise him in the morning.

Jim then turned and went back to where Spock waited. The Vulcan was holding on to a Santa sack.

“I can’t believe you did all this.”

“Clearly you were in need of assistance, Captain.”

He swallowed heavily. “Yeah, I was, but…”

Spock glanced away. “In truth, I was coming to see you anyway, so it was fortunate Leonard contacted me in time to at least save some part of your holiday.”

“You were? Why?”

Spock looked at him again. “Because I find that I too had emotional involvement.”

It was Jim who arched both brows this time. “Yeah?”

“Yes,” Spock said, softly. “I apologize for it taking me this long to realize it. And I am sorry that you had a fire at your farmhouse.”

“Yeah, it sucked.” Jim stepped closer. “But this doesn’t.”

And he kissed Spock.

****

“Santa came!” Peter squealed, running toward the tree.

Jim exchanged a look with Spock. “Yes, he did.”  

I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas

Advent Day 20

There is a a novelty song with that title that never fails to make me laugh.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

 “Who the hell gets married at Christmas?” Jim demanded as he walked side by side with Bones.

“Your dumbass brother as you would call him.”

“Well. Can you blame me? He’s always pulling something like this.”

Bones eyed him. “Is he really pulling something? I mean maybe he just wanted to marry Aurelan.”

Jim shrugged. “But why pick that day? Sam’s always making it about him and now he’s even making Christmas about him.”

They stopped before a building and Jim looked it up and down. Two days before Christmas and his brother’s wedding to Aurelan.

Just as he was about to go in to view the place, a Vulcan was coming out.  A really cute one. Jim recognized him.

“Professor Spock.”

“Cadet Kirk.”

Knowing this was a wedding venue, Jim frowned. “Uh. Are you, uh, getting, uh, you know.”

Spock arched a brow. “I do not know.”

“Married.”

Jim hoped not. Not that he had a damn thing to say about it, of course, but he had the hots for Spock and Spock never gave him the time of day. He’d hate to think of Spock marrying someone. Other than him of course and now he was getting ahead of himself.

“I am not. A friend works at the venue.” Spock paused. “And you?”

“Nah. I’d never be serious enough to get married.”

Bones made a choking noise and Jim glanced at him to see his friend giving him a strange look.

Jim cleared his throat. “You know. With, uh, with anyone I’m currently seeing. Not that I’m seeing anyone at present. I’m not. I’m completely up for grabs. Well, not for grabs. But if you want to grab me—”

“Jim, perhaps we should go inside to meet your brother,” Bones interrupted Jim’s babbling.

“That’s who’s getting married. My idiot brother.”

“I see.” Spock nodded. “Good day to you then.”

“Wait!”

And when Spock stared down at the hand that had, actually, grabbed Spock’s arm, Jim knew he should let go. Sure.

“Would you, uh, Christmas Eve. Would you want to have dinner with me? I could make you this zucchini lasagna thing.”

“You are inviting me over for dinner?”

Jim nodded, afraid to say too much for Spock didn’t immediately refuse.

“Very well.”

“You mean you’re coming?”

“I believe I said as much. Cadet.”

And as he moved away, Jim called after him, “Six O’clock.”

When Jim turned around and saw Bones was shaking his head.

“What?”

“You do know Sam’s rehearsal dinner is Christmas Eve, right?”

“What? Damn. God, he’s just ruining Christmas.”

“You sound like you’re a character in a holiday special,” Bones said dryly. “You’ll figure it out.”

“Right. I think they can do that rehearsal without me.”

“Jim—”

“I can’t help it. I just go nuts at Christmas.”

“If only it was just Christmas. Come on, we’re late.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

O Tannenbaum

Advent Day 19

“It is illogical for us to be obtaining a Christmas tree when we do not normally celebrate Christmas,” Spock’s father told his wife, Amanda, Spock’s mother, as they arrived at the tree lot to do just that.

Spock’s father, Sarek, a full Vulcan celebrated nothing. Spock’s mother had been born and raised Jewish but as far as Spock could tell, she likewise celebrated nothing.

Yet here they were.

“Susan converted to her husband, Tom’s religion and they do celebrated Christmas,” Mother said as they passed through the open gate.

Susan was Mother’s sister and Spock’s aunt. They were on Earth at present in San Francisco near the Federation Head Quarters. Aunt Susan and Uncle Tom lived there and at present Spock and his parents were staying with them.

“I told Susan we would get the tree for them,” Mother continued.

Spock was aware that his father knew all this and yet Sarek chose to complain anyway, which Spock found most illogical. A part of marriage, his mother would have told him had he asked.

Spock had decided some time ago he had no intention of ever being married.

“Spock, why don’t you look around and see if you can find a tree? As soon as you find one you like, come and get us and we’ll take it home.”

“I can choose the tree?” Spock decided to clarify the point.

“Yes.” Mother smiled. “There’s a stand over there selling hot cocoa. I’m going to make your father buy me one.”

Spock nodded. “Very well.”

Spock walked away from his parents and down the next aisle. He quickly noticed two Human boys on the same aisle. One was about his age, but the other was a few years younger and wore some sort of elaborate Christmas tree costume. On the top of the boy’s head was a star and only his face and feet were uncovered by a giant fabric tree upon which glittery applique ornaments had been glued.

“You look ridiculous,” the older boy said.

Spock had to agree.

But the boy noticeably deflated and his bottom lip trembled.

“Oh don’t cry,” the older boy snapped. “You had to know how stupid you would look in that dumbass costume when you chose to wear it, Jim. Why Mom agreed to let you wear it when we came to get a tree is beyond me.”

“Because she made it, Sam. It was for the pageant at school.”

“I know what it was for. I just don’t know why you had to be such a dork as to wear it tonight.”

“Because we were coming for a tree and I thought it would be funny.”

Sam grimaced. “Well, it’s not. It just makes you look stupid. I’m going over to the next aisle so no one sees me with you. Don’t follow me.”

“Sam—”

And the older boy left the younger one standing there by himself. For a moment the young boy did nothing, just stared at the ground. His cheeks were so red, Spock feared he might have a fit.

When Spock took a few steps closer, he noticed a single tear had fallen onto the boy’s cheek. And he realized then that he not only did not agree with the bully “Sam”, he actually hated the other boy.

The young boy suddenly looked up and Spock saw that he had the bluest eyes Spock had ever seen. And they were…beautiful, even as they glistened with tears.

“Uh.”

“I am sorry I overheard that other Human picking on you.”

“That’s my brother,” he said. “I’m used to it. He doesn’t like me.”

“He is a fool. My name is Spock.”

“J-Jim.”

“Hello, Jim.” Spock held out his hand. “Come with me.”

Jim frowned though he put his hand in Spock’s. “To where?”

“I was told that I could choose any tree on the lot,” Spock explained. “I have chosen you.”

“Me?”

“You are a tree, are you not?”

“Well…”

“Spock? Oh there you are.” Mother came down the aisle toward them. She smiled widely at Jim. “Oh who is this?”

“His name is Jim and he is the tree I have chosen.”

Mother actually laughed. “Hello, Jim. Spock, Jim is a boy, not a tree.”

“But he is dressed as one and you said—”

“Jim! James Tiberius! Where are you?”

Jim’s eyes widened and he dropped Spock’s hand. “That’s my mommy.”

Suddenly a blonde Human woman appeared together with the bully “Sam”. “There you are. Don’t get separated from the family.” She glanced at Spock and his mom. “And you shouldn’t bother other people.”

“He’s not bothering us,” Mother assured her.

The woman smiled. “Oh, well, good. But we do have to go. Say goodbye to your friends, Jim.”

“K. Bye Spock and lady.”

Spock nearly took hold of an ornament on Jim’s tree to pull him back, but at that moment, Mother put her hand on his shoulder and stopped him. They watched the Humans walk away.

“Spock? What’s gotten into you? You know you can’t keep another child.”

Spock nodded. “Yes. But I have not chosen another tree.”

“I know. It’s all right. Your father has found one. Let’s go.”

Spock trailed after but he did not forget the Human boy dressed as a tree and in fact he was certain he would meet that boy again some day. He was right.    

Last Christmas

Advent Day 18

Photo by Irina Iriser on Pexels.com

“Well, Jim, you went and broke your leg but good.”

Jim grimaced. “You don’t have to tell me. I was the one who came crashing down those stairs.”

Bones patted his shoulder. “You want the good news or the bad news?”

“Both.”

“Your leg can be fixed so you won’t have any long-term issues.”

Jim nodded. “But?”

“It’s broken in so many spots that we need a specialist to come in and use the regeneration on it.”

“You mean you can’t just do it?”

“Correct. I’m calling in an orthopedic surgeon. He’ll get you fixed up, no problem.”

Jim smiled. “Good. When does he get here?”

Bones sighed and squeezed the shoulder his hand still rested on. “That’s part of the bad news. He’s on Rigel 3 at the moment.”

“Rigel 3?”

“Yup. Won’t get back to Earth until after the first.”

Jim frowned, taking that in.  ”Of January?”

“Exactly. So you got a few weeks to wait. Now, you’ll have a full cast on that leg, so my recommendation is—”

“No way, forget it,” Jim quickly interrupted. “I am not staying in the hospital until then.”

“Jim, it’s going to be hard for you to get around with your leg in a cast like that. You live upstairs.”

“You live on the first floor of your building. I could stay with you.”

“Maybe but I’m supposed to be going to see Jo.”

“Okay, so I’ll stay at your place by myself.”

“Jim—”

“It’s a broken leg, Bones. I’m not paralyzed.”

“Still. Maybe I should see if someone can stay with you.”

Jim shook his head. “There’s no one.”

“How about—”

“Don’t even finish that sentence. No. I’ll be fine by myself. You can set me up with food and I’ll stay inside and not bother anyone. Before you know it, you’ll be back and taking me to see the surgeon.”

“This is against my better judgment, Jim.”

“Duly noted.”

****

By the time Jim struggled to the door of Bones’ apartment, he was out of breath and sweating. He couldn’t say his leg hurt exactly, but the whole experience was extremely uncomfortable, and if it was just some delivery person he was going to be pissed because whoever it was kept ringing the bell repeatedly.   

Jim couldn’t deny he was cranky. He just wanted to be done with having his leg fixed and back to his own place and his job back at HQ. It was Christmas Eve and he was alone, heating up left over mac and cheese.

“What do you want?” Jim demanded as he yanked open the door.

To his dismay, it was no delivery guy but instead a Vulcan. A stupid, arrogant, asshole one. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Jim—”

He started to close the door but Spock stopped the action.

“Please. May I come in?”

Jim was in no condition to fight him, so he moved back far enough to let Spock in.

Spock closed the door after himself.

“Look, last Christmas—”

“That is why I am here.”

Jim shook his head. “I gave you my heart, but you threw it away. Didn’t want to have anything to do with me and my illogical Human heart.”

“I was wrong and I have come to tell you—”

“Save it. This year I’m giving my heart to someone special.”

Spock, momentarily nonplussed, frowned. “Who?”

“I don’t know, but definitely not you.”

“Jim, last year was a mistake. When I learned of your injury…”

“Did Bones contact you? I told him not to. Look, I don’t want anything to do with you and your too logical Vulcan heart. Get lost.”

“Please. I…know I deserve your disdain, but this past year has taught me that I cannot live without you. I am in love with you.”

“That’s too bad because…what?”

Spock moved closer to him, took Jim’s hand. “I am irrevocably in love with you. I cannot change the mistakes I have made in the past, I can only spend the rest of our lives loving and worshiping you.”

Jim blinked. “I don’t need to be worshipped.”

“Loving you only then. And only loving you. From now until the rest of our lives.” Spock paused. “And beyond.”

“That’s pretty romantic coming from a Vulcan.”

“You bring it out in me. Please. Give me a chance. And allow me to care for you until your leg is repaired. I will wait upon you hand and foot.”

Jim bit his lip. “Well.”

“Whatever you want for your meal for Christmas Eve and Christmas and every day beyond, I will make it happen.”

“Spock—”

“Please.” Spock looked down at their entwined hands. “It is not in my nature to beg, but I realize it is required in this situation. If you ask me to leave, I will do so, but I am, in fact, begging you, not to send me away.”

“Spock, I have only one thing to say.”

Spock squeezed the hand he held.

“Kiss me.”

Little Drummer Boy

Advent Day 15

“Jim, say you’ll come.”

Jim pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. He was seated at Spock’s favorite vegetarian restaurant waiting for Spock to come back from the bathroom.

“Mom—”

“Please. Just for a few days. Peter—”

He frowned. “Who? Who’s Peter?”

She sighed. “Sam’s little boy. He’s three and a half. I know I told you about him. It’s just going to be me and Peter. So it would be so nice if you can come. And Spock, of course.”

“Where’s Sam then?”

“He and his wife have to be off planet, so they asked me to watch the baby.”

“Of course they did.”

“Jim.”

He spotted Spock headed back to their table.    

“We can get a tree, like I said. And all your favorites. We can get Spock’s too. It would be so nice for you to meet Peter. He’s such a sweetheart.”

“Fine, okay.”

“You’ll come?”

“Yes, Mom. When?”

“Can you be here the 22nd?”

Jim glanced at Spock as his boyfriend slid into the booth to sit across from him. “Yeah, okay. I’ll be there.”

Spock looked his question after he disconnected. “Your mother?”

“Yes. Invited us for the holiday. On December 22. I guess Sam saddled her with his kid for the season.” Jim blew out a breath. “You don’t have to come but…”

“I will accompany you.”

***

Peter was cute. Even Jim had to admit it.

He looked like a miniature Kirk. Which is exactly what he was.

His mother had arrived at the shuttle bay in Riverside to pick up Jim and Spock and she’d, of course, brought Peter.

He had a mop of blond curls and big blue eyes with chubby cheeks dotted pink from the cold.

Until that moment, Jim had never thought about having kids, but he couldn’t deny if he had one like Peter, it might be okay. Of course being with Spock, that was highly unlikely.

Jim crouched down next to the boy to talk to him at his level. “Hi, Peter. I’m Jim.”

“Daddy’s brother.”

“Yes. And that’s Spock, he’s with me.”

“Hello, Peter,” Spock greeted him.

Jim straightened up and made to move away, therefore he was surprised when Peter reached for and took Jim’s hand. He smiled down at the boy.

“We’re all going to get a tree on the way home if that’s okay.”

“Sure.”

On the way to the tree farm, Jim asked the kid, “So what do you want Santa Claus to bring you for Christmas?”

“A drum!”

Jim laughed. “A drum? Yeah?”

“Uh-huh. Wanna bang it.”

“I sure hope your daddy’s around when you do,” Jim said. “I bet Santa gets it for you.”

Peter smiled happily.

Jim ended up going around with Peter at the tree lot, holding onto Peter’s hand the whole way.

Winona watched them and moved closer to Spock so she could speak to the Vulcan.

“Thank you for bringing him here.”

Spock shook his head. “I had nothing to do with it. He would have come without me.”

“I’m not sure.” She smiled. “But I appreciate you’re coming too. I think it makes it easier for him. He and I have our problems.”

“He has not mentioned it.”

“Really?” she asked, doubtfully. “We’re not…close. I want to be but Jim…anyway, thank you.”

Spock inclined his head as Jim approached with Peter.

“All right, Peter has chosen the tree he thinks is perfect for us.”

Winona laughed. “All right let’s get this done.”

****

“Your mother is concerned about your relationship.”

Jim glanced at Spock as they shopped in a store for Christmas gifts.

“She brought it up?”

“She did.”

Jim sighed. “I’m sorry she involved you.”

“It was no issue for me. I was not aware that you and your mother do not get along.”

“We do actually. I think…she just wants us to be closer than we are.” He shook his head. “There’s too much in our history, I think, for us ever to be the shining example of Mother-Son she wants us to be. Years where she wasn’t there.”

“And your stepfather was.”

“Yeah,” Jim said softly. “I love my mom, but there’s still a lot of pain there. I guess she’s gotten past a lot of Sam’s walls, but I’m not Sam. And Sam left and wasn’t there for a lot of Frank’s shit.”

“Understandable. Was this why you were reluctant to come here for the holidays?”

“Sure. Part of it. Anyway, I’m having a good time and it’s nice to spend time with Peter.”

“Indeed.” Spock stopped before a display of drums. “And here we are.”

***

“A drum! Santa gave me drum!” Peter exclaimed excitedly Christmas morning.

Winona beamed happily and rested her hand on Jim’s leg. He sat beside her on the floor, each of them clutching a cup of coffee. Spock sat in a chair right behind Jim’s back.

Peter sat directly in front of the Christmas tree.

“Thank you,” she whispered to her youngest son.

He smiled. “You’re welcome, Mom.”

Peter started right in banging on his drum.

Jim chuckled.

“Now, honey, Santa brought you other presents. Why don’t you open those?” Winona asked indulgently.

“Wanna play my drum!”

“Sam’s gonna kill me,” she mumbled.

“Pay back’s a bitch.”

“Jim.”

He laughed again. “Now how about I put those cinnamon rolls in the oven?”

“Okay, but one more present for you.” Nervously she handed him a small, wrapped box. She had no idea how he was going to react to it.

Jim raised both eyebrows at her but finally he tore off the green and red plaid paper. He opened the box and stared down at the contents.

“That was your dad’s Starfleet insignia.” She bit her lip. “Not the one he wore that-that day, obviously. But before.”

His gaze flew to hers. As usual, she could not read him.

“Thank you.” His hand closed around the symbol, his thumb rubbing the command part. He nodded. “Thanks.”

She smiled. “Merry Christmas, Jim.”

“Merry Christmas.”

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Advent Day 5

Photo by Trang Pham on Pexels.com

“I didn’t even realize how late it was getting,” Chris declared, as he stood up from Zach’s sofa. “I really need to get back to my hotel. My flight’s supposed to leave early in the morning.”

Zach glanced toward the windows of his apartment.

“It’s starting to snow.”

Chris grimaced as he set his wine glass down. “All the more reason I need to get moving.”

“It’s really cold out there,” Zach pointed out. “You might want to stay over.”

“It’s been great to visit while I was in New York, but I gotta get back to LA.”

“Sure, sure,” Zach said, soothingly. He moved closer to Chris and took hold of his hands. “I’m really glad you dropped by. But man, your hands are just like ice.”

“I don’t have gloves either.” Chris worried his bottom lip with his teeth. “Or a coat. I didn’t really think about being here as long as I was.”

“Fortunately, I have a fireplace with a roaring fire.”

“Uh. You could lend me a coat?”

Zach saw the snow was coming down harder. “It’s getting worse, Chris. You’ll never get a cab in this. You’ll freeze out there. Might as well stay here with me where it’s warm and safe.”

Chris gave him a look. “Do you know how much talk there will be if I’m seen leaving here in the morning?”

“Talk?  What talk?”

“At least there will be plenty implied.”

“Ah, but, fortunately for me the paparazzi don’t hound me like they do you. No one’s going to see you. Pretty soon it’s going to be up to your knees.”

“Which is why I should leave.”

Zach put his hand on his heart. “Think how I’d feel if you got pneumonia and died. My name would be plastered in the Enquirer saying I killed Captain Kirk and Steve Trevor.”

Chris laughed at that. “You’re such a dork. Well, maybe just a cigarette more.”

Zach took his arm and brought him close. “You’re eyes are like starlight right now. Your lips look delicious.”

“Zach—”

Zach pulled him into his arms and kissed him. “They are delicious.”

Chris sighed. “Well, I guess it would be touch to get a cab.”

“Yep. And there’s never been such a blizzard before.”

Chris laughed again. “Okay, okay, I’ll stay. But keep this quiet, will you?”

“My lips are sealed.”

Mistletoe and Holly

Advent Day 4

Spock detected the sound of rustling inside the apartment just before the door opened.

He had thought he was prepared to see Jim Kirk after these few years and so he was momentarily startled by his speechless reaction to the sight of the man who’d opened the door.

Jim had a bit of gray at his temples, but otherwise looked much the same as when Spock last saw him. He did have a five o’clock shadow, but somehow that just made him look better. The crinkles around his eyes as he smiled his greeting made Spock’s heart do a summersault.

“Spock! Wow, it’s so great to see you!”

And for a moment, Spock hoped Jim would pull him into a hug, but Jim aborted the action before he actually did it, and instead stood aside to let Spock inside.

Spock did step inside, his gaze sweeping the apartment Jim inhabited. In the corner by the window was a noble fir. Set in front of it but not yet assembled was a string of decorative lights and several boxes of holiday ornaments.

“I did not intend to interrupt anything,” Spock said hesitantly. He had come here on a whim, that now seemed unwise. He was in San Francisco for the first time in years and should have let Jim know ahead of time, perhaps, so they could meet at a restaurant or some neutral place.

“You didn’t,” was Jim’s assured reply. “Was just getting the tree ready. You can even help, if you don’t mind.”

Spock didn’t but his gaze also fell on two wine glasses sitting on a nearby end table. Both were partially filled with red wine.

“You were entertaining a guest?” And even though Spock thought he had control, he heard the unmistakable accusation in his tone. Which he absolutely should not have.

Jim glanced at the glasses. “No.”

“There are two glasses.”

Jim smiled slightly. “Earlier today.” He shook his head, but did not elaborate. Spock found that he wanted him to.

If Jim had a paramour, then Spock had come for no reason. Perhaps even if his former captain did not, there still had been no reason.

Jim was looking at him in that way he had of stripping Spock of all his shields, all his controls. It had always been that way and yet Spock had fought it to this point, to his own ultimate detriment.

“May I inquire who had the other glass?” Spock asked, even though he had decided not to.

For a moment, Jim looked downright mutinous, and Spock was certain that he had somehow overstepped in his inquiry, but then the hardline of Jim’s mouth softened, his shoulder sagged a little, and he looked rather lost in a way that hurt Spock.

“Sam, my brother. He was here. It didn’t…let’s just say our relationship hasn’t improved much. I thought after Mom’s death…but no. We’re never going to be close, and I just need to accept that I guess.”

“I am sorry that he continues to cause you pain.”

Jim nodded. “Yeah. So, are you going to stay and help me with the tree? I can make us something for dinner.”

“I would like to.”

“I didn’t even know you were in San Francisco.”

Spock exhaled slowly. “My mother’s sister passed away and I came to represent my mother. While here, I could not resist coming to see you.”

Jim smiled. “Well, I am sorry about your aunt, but I’m glad it gave you the excuse. It’s been far too long. How are things on New Vulcan?”

“Lonely,” Spock said plainly. “Though I did not believe it to be possible, I find that I miss my life in Starfleet. I miss the crew.”

“They were our family.”

“I…miss you.”

Jim’s lips parted slightly as he stared at Spock.

“Most of all,” Spock added.

Jim’s lips curved upward then. Just a small bit. “We were good friends.”

“Yes.” And perhaps there was a message there, Spock didn’t know. “And the admiralty? Starfleet is treating you well since your promotion?”     

“Well enough.” He glanced toward the noble fir. “Let me get you some hot tea and we can get started.”

As Jim made to move past him, Spock found himself reaching out to grab Jim’s wrist.

“Jim, I…”

Jim’s startled blue gaze flew to his. “What is it, Spock?”

“I came here because I…not merely because I was already in San Francisco and not because I missed you as a friend.”

“No?”

“I find that I can no longer deny the truth that I have known deep within myself for years, though I surely have tried.” Spock briefly closed his eyes, then opened them to see Jim watching him, blue eyes wide and uncertain. “I had convinced myself to reveal the truth would cost me your friendship, but in all honesty we have not kept in touch since the end of our second mission anyway, so our friendship has suffered due to my decision to leave Starfleet for New Vulcan.”

“Spock—”

“I am in love with you. I find that I have been in love with you for so long, I no longer care to think about when I was not. And though I am taking perhaps the greatest chance in my life telling you this, if I did not, then I would always wonder if there was any chance that you returned my feelings.”

Jim’s lips had parted again and his tongue came out to trace his bottom lip. “Hold that thought.”

Spock blinked. “What?”

Jim pulled away from him and stepped over to the counter in his kitchen while Spock watched him in confusion, his heart thundering in his side.

Then Jim walked back over to where Spock stood and held up something over their heads.

“Jim, why are you—”

Jim kissed him. Hard, deeply, thoroughly. It was the best, most intensely promising kiss of Spock’s life.

When they pulled away, Spock was panting.

“What is the significance of the fungus?”

Jim laughed and kissed Spock breathless once more.

“Mistletoe.”

“Does this mean you return my feelings?”

Jim linked his arms around Spock’s neck. “What do you think?”

“I think…decorating the fir can wait.”

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