In the morning, Jim woke to realize Spock had been lying beside him watching him.
“Hey,” he said, his voice sounding raspy.
“I did not mean to wake you.”
“No, you didn’t. How long have you been awake?”
“Just a short time.” Spock paused. “Jim?”
“Hmm?”
“I suppose it would be premature to ask you to share my apartment.”
Jim smiled. “Yeah.”
Spock nodded.
“Are you asking?”
“I would like to.”
“Then try me.”
Spock looked slightly confused but then asked, “Will you share my apartment?”
“I would like to,” Jim responded in kind.
“Truly?”
“Sure.”
“But you said—”
“Well.” Jim shrugged. “Probably people will talk. Bones will. Maybe Uhura. Others. But really, do we care? This is our life, we get to decide.”
Spock looked thoughtful but then he inclined his head. “I am pleased you have accepted. Speaking of decisions, my parents would like to have dinner with us tomorrow night.”
“Okay.”
“You accept?”
Jim laughed. “Don’t look so surprised. I knew we would be doing that at some point. And while we are talking about it, my mother will want to meet you.”
“Have you told her about me?”
“Not yet. But she’s already hinted at having me come to Riverside for Thanksgiving. That’s just a few weeks so I thought maybe you’d like to come.”
“Of course I will.” Spock cupped Jim’s bruised cheek. “Does it hurt overmuch?”
My apologies for the delay. It’s been a challenging week. But I’m back with an update on the chess guys. So here we go. (and paid up for another year here too)
Jim wasn’t looking forward to Spock’s reaction when he noticed his injuries but he wasn’t going to hide it either. He wanted to see Spock as much as Spock apparently wanted to see him.
So he wasn’t surprised when the door of Spock’s apartment opened when his knuckles had barely rapped on the outside.
“Jim,” Spock said. “I am…what happened?”
Jim walked into Spock’s apartment, dodging Spock’s grabby fingers. He lifted his shirt to expose the bruises all along his torso. He didn’t see the point in not getting right to it.
“There was a fight.”
Spock’s dark eyes flicked up and down his body. “A fight? You can tell me about it on the way to the hospital.”
Jim laughed and backed away. “Nope. I had a doctor with me. I’ve already been treated as best I can. I’m okay, just some cuts and bruises.”
“You should sit.”
Jim didn’t argue with that and went to the couch, not surprised when Spock joined him there, and began to inspect Jim’s injuries himself.
“Who do I need to challenge?”
Jim laughed again. “No one. It’s over, okay?”
Spock’s gaze rose to focus on Jim’s face. “Explain.”
“The party was okay. Lots of chess geeks. One of them made a few stupid comments, I got pissed, and we got into a physical altercation.”
“Who and what was said?”
“That guy Chester. He said basically I was sleeping with you so I could win the chess tournament next week. Which,” Jim paused to roll his eyes, “is absurd, because I don’t even care.”
“That caused you to get into a fight?”
“No. It was when he implied that was the only reason someone would sleep with you and he called you a bunch of names and I just lost it,” Jim admitted.
“I see,” Spock said quietly.
“He’s just an ass. And you’ll be glad to hear Waincott kicked him off the chess club.” Jim smiled crookedly. “Me too, actually.”
“Jim—”
“I don’t care, Spock. All I care about is being with you. The stupid chess club is nothing. I hate bullies.”
“I have had my fair share of run-ins with bullies. When I was a child some of my schoolmates made comments on my mother.”
“What? You never say something about a guy’s mom.”
Spock nodded. “Indeed. I resorted to physical assault on the ringleader. They notified my father.”
“Did you get in trouble?”
“Not really. It was just stressed that I needed to control my emotions and remain logical.” Spock took hold of Jim’s hand. “In the future, there is no need to get into fights over insults directed at me. I would prefer you remain safe.”
“I wasn’t really in danger and I’m not going to let assholes shoot their mouths off.”
“I am requesting that you do.”
“Spock—”
“Jim.”
“I’ll try to avoid confrontations,” Jim said grudgingly.
“Thank you. And I have your assurance you are not suffering too much from your injuries?”
“Just a little sore and tired is all. But I’m really glad to be here with you.”
“I am glad too and I regret not attending the party with you.”
“Nah, you would have hated it. It was lame.”
“Perhaps, but I would have liked to have handled Chester myself.”
“I thought you wanted to avoid confrontation,” Jim said with a laugh.
“On my behalf, certainly. I can offer no such assurances when it comes to yours.”
“What? Now wait a minute.”
But Spock quieted him with a kiss and the truth was Jim didn’t mind.
Probably the end of these flashes for this month. I’ll pick it up again in November. Reminder, I do have an unrelated Halloween flash for Thursday.
Bones looked at Jim after he spoke to Spock. “What are you going to tell him when he sees this?” He gestured to Jim’s black eye and cut him.
Jim held the werewolf mask in his hand.
“The truth.”
“That’ll be refreshing,” Bones cracked as they left the party. He had dressed as the mummy to kind of match Jim in his old Hollywood type monster costumes. “How are those ribs I bandaged?”
“Painful but manageable.”
“Maybe we should go by the hospital.”
“Nah, they aren’t broken. Just bruised.”
“Think he’ll be mad?”
Jim shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s not like I was looking for it. If that guy hadn’t opened his big mouth—”
“I know. He’s a douchebag. I think you still should have let me stick him with a hypo.”
Jim laughed. “We both know you’re way too ethical for that.”
“I could have given him a good case of the shi—”
“Bones.” He laughed again. “Not that I don’t appreciate it. But no. And here we are at the dorm, so good night.”
“All right but let me know when you get to Spock’s.”
“I will. Like five minutes. I promise.”
“Okay. That was a sucky party anyone. Worse beer I ever had.”
“Same, Bones. Same. Talk soon.”
He waved at Bones and headed to Spock’s, ready to face the Vulcan’s million questions, he was sure.
“What’s on your mind Spock?” Nyota asked him as she sipped her soda across from him while they met for dinner. “You seem particularly lost in thought.”
“I believe it is possible I made an error in judgement.”
She looked surprised. “You? How?”
“Tonight was a Halloween Costume Party and Jim is attending with his friend Leonard McCoy. I did not wish to go.”
She nodded. “Was he upset?”
“Not at all. It was his suggestion from the beginning that I would not need to attend. But now I am questioning whether I made the correct choice.”
Nyota shrugged. “I admire him for giving you that out. That was good. He recognized that it wasn’t what you would enjoy doing and told you it was all right not to attend.”
“Indeed,” Spock agreed. “But in relationships is it not normal to often have to participate in something you prefer not to do in order to support or spend time with the other?”
“Oh certainly. But it sounds like Jim didn’t mind.”
“What would you have done?”
She remained silent for a few seconds, then sighed. “We are not the same person, Spock. And Vulcans are different from Humans.”
“You would have gone.”
“I would have. But that doesn’t mean you should have. Like I said, I give him props for recognizing it was something you wouldn’t feel comfortable doing. He went with a friend. I don’t think you did anything wrong and neither should you. If you want, you can contact him and offer to see him after the party is over. But, honestly, Spock, you’re fine.”
Spock decided after dinner to contact Jim to see him after as Nyota had suggested. He found himself quite relieved when Jim picked up his communication device nearly right away.
“Hey Spock!”
Spock could hear a lot of noise in the background.
“You are having a good time?”
“Hm? Well. It’s okay. What’s up?”
“I was wondering, if after the party, you would wish to see me. Perhaps come to my apartment? However, if you are too tired or having too good of a time—”
“No, that sounds good actually,” Jim said quickly. “I think Bones and I are ready to get out of here anyway. I’ll, uh, I’ll see you soon.”
They were leaving the hall where they’d just had another chess match, Jim won again, but admittedly he used certain methods to distract Spock, when Jim saw the sign outside.
He stopped to read all about a Halloween Party the club planned to host.
“You are not interested in such frivolities, are you?” Spock asked, sounding somewhat, amusedly so, alarmed.
Jim laughed. “You bet I am.” He eyed Spock. “Not you though huh?”
“I have no particular desire to pretend to be something I am not.” Spock paused. “But you enjoy that experience?”
“Yep. I love a fantasy life. Life’s far too short not to have fun with it. I’m going.” Jim shook his head. “Don’t worry, you don’t have to come.”
“No?”
“Look, I’m not the clingy type who has to drag his boyfriend along everywhere he goes.” Jim paused as he considered his words. He turned a little red. “You know, if-if that’s an appropriate word to use.”
“Boyfriend?”
“Yeah. I mean so far we haven’t really labeled it. Us. So.” He shrugged.
“I think it is an appropriate designation.”
Jim smiled. “Okay then. So anyway, I’ll get Bones to go with me. That way you won’t feel obligated.”
“If you are sure.”
“Very. Bones will love it.”
They began walking again, leaving the sign behind.
Spock glanced his way. “What will you dress up as?”
“Hmm. A Harem girl?” He laughed at Spock’s expression. “Kdding. A Werewolf, I think.”
“A fictional monster vulnerable to a silver bullet.”
“That’s the one. I’ll try to avoid any of those.”
Spock nodded. “If that is the sort of event you look forward to, then I am happy you are able to attend.”
Jim laughed again. “Uh-huh. That’s a sort of weird, backhanded attempt at being supportive.”
“Jim—”
“Hey, I’m joking. Not everything has to be so serious, Spock.”
Spock pursed his lips, but he nodded. “Do try to stay out of trouble.”
“I’m an exemplary citizen. I never get into trouble.”
Spock arched a brow, but provided no further comment.
Jim woke to the sound of knocking. He stared up at the ceiling for a moment, trying to get his bearings. Distantly he heard the shower running and realized Spock had risen and went to shower.
He blinked, about to doze off again thinking he must have been dreaming. Then he heard the knocking again.
With a frown, Jim sat up, swung his legs out of bed and stood.
“Hey Spock? I think there’s someone at the door.”
But Spock didn’t respond.
Jim looked around for his clothes but couldn’t immediately find them, so he picked up a discarded bathrobe of Spock’s and left the bedroom to go to the door.
He had just finished tying it around his waist when he opened the apartment door.
Standing there looking as shell-shocked as him were Spock’s parents.
“Uh.” Jim shut the door in their faces. “Shit, shit, shit.”
He hurried back to the bedroom and over to the bathroom door. Fortunately it was unlocked and he burst through it.
“Spock! Spock!”
“Jim?” The shower curtain moved and Spock’s head appeared. “What is wrong?”
“Gad, your-your parents are here.”
“They are here?” Spock turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, reaching for a towel.
“Yes. And, uh.” Jim ran his hand through his hair. “I think, I mean, I just…”
“Jim, calm down. I am certain they are all right. My mother is likely making tea in the kitchen as we speak. Tell them I will be right out.”
“I sort of closed the door in their faces.”
“You…”
“I know. I panicked. I’m not dressed. My hair is messed and—”
Spock gazed at him. “And you have what I believe you would call hickeys just below your neck on your chest.”
“Shit.”
“I suggest you get in the shower,” Spock told him. “I will dress quickly and let them in.”
“Are you sure?”
Spock nodded and gently pushed him toward the shower. “I will make you coffee.”
Jim had just selected a plate of Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes at the Academy cafeteria and was headed to a table when Bones scooted up to him to join him.
“Did you see that?”
“See what?”
Bone smirked. “Seems like Spock is back from his field trip. And he’s cozying up with Cadet Uhura.”
Jim followed his gaze to see Spock indeed at a table in the cafeteria with Uhura seated beside them.
He laughed. “So?”
Jim found them a seat at a small table fairly close to the cafeteria line. After all he might be still hungry and want something more.
As Bones sat across from him, took that opportunity to eyeball his friend’s plate to see what he’d selected for lunch. Generally Bones was one of those eat your veggies kind of guy, being a doctor after all, so Jim found he rarely picked food off the other man’s plate. Still he was curious.
“At least you covered those vegetables in cheese sauce,” Jim commented. “It saved them.”
“You should eat more veggies, young man,” Bones said, waving his fork at Jim. “You’re not worried?”
Jim cut off a piece of Salisbury steak. “About?”
“Spock and Uhura. They look a bit cozy.”
Jim laughed and shook his head. “Some people say that about us.”
“What?”
“You and me, Bonesy. That we look a little…close.”
Bones pulled back and grimaced. “That’s gross.”
“Hey!”
“I don’t mean it like that. I mean you’re like my brother from another mother. I don’t think of you like that.”
“Same. And that’s my point. What makes you think those two are any different?”
“Well. I guess you have a point. And being a Vulcan I suppose he wouldn’t be wining and dining you and her at the same time. Or I don’t think so anyway.”
“Not likely, yeah. I think they met at the chess club, too.”
“She plays chess?”
“Why wouldn’t she?”
His friend shrugged. “Just thought that chess club was for dweebs like you and Spock.”
Jim rolled his eyes.
Bones chuckled. “What do you suppose her chess name is?”
“TooStuckUp?” Jim joked. “I’m totally kidding. I only met her once, I don’t really know her.”
“If she really is a close friend of Spock’s you’ll probably have to get to know her.”
“True. And same with you and Spock.”
“Grr.” Bones looked up. “Speak of the devil.”
“Jim. Doctor.”
Jim grinned. “Hiya! You’re back.”
“Indeed. I arrived back from the excursion an hour ago. I was having lunch when I noticed you over here with Doctor McCoy. Do you have other courses for the day?”
“Yep. One more after I finish here. You?”
“I am done for the day but will be taking advisory appointments at my office for an hour. If you are available after your class, perhaps you might meet me at my apartment.”
“Of course, I will. See you in a bit.”
Spock nodded at Bones. “Doctor.”
Bones scowled. “Professor.”
Jim shook his head and smiled as Spock walked away, leaving the cafeteria with Uhura who had waited for him by the exit door.
“Play nice.”
“I’m always nice. Weird she didn’t come with him to say hi.”
“Nah, I’m not bothered by it.”
“Since when did you get so mellow?” Bones demanded.
“Hey,” Jim called after the Vulcan boy who was now running away from him at a rapid pace. “Are you following me?”
“Jim, you can’t just run after children and scream at them,” Bones told them as they walked along the quad area at the Academy.
Jim ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “I know but…you saw him, right?”
“I saw a Vulcan kid, yeah. I don’t know for sure he’s following you specifically. He seems young though. Wonder why he has no supervision.”
Jim snorted. “They probably don’t think they need it. All that independence stuff.”
Bones smirked. “Well, you’d know I guess. With all your experience with Vulcans and all.”
“One Vulcan and it was a disaster. Or I guess it was.”
Bones waved his hand over the automatic door that led into their dorm room and it opened.
“Did you ever think to actually confront Spock to find out what you did wrong?”
“What makes you think it was something I did?”
“Because I know you. Anyway, try a little communication. He may tell you the old, ‘it’s not you it’s me thing’ and then you’ll know for sure it is you.” Bones chuckled. “But it might give you closure if you ask.”
“Who said I need closure?”
Bones sighed. “Whatever, kid. You’re seeing Vulcan spooks wherever you go, but if you think you’re okay who am I to tell you different?” Jim scowled and went into his dorm.
The thing was, from the first moment he’d spied Spock across the campus of Starfleet Academy, Jim wanted him. He’d done all he could to pursue the Vulcan, probably making an idiot of himself at least a dozen times.
Bones had assured him that he had.
But in the end it paid off and he had two dates with Spock. One was just for dinner and a movie. They’d had a great time. Or Jim thought so. Spock had agreed to see him again.
The second time, they’d had sex in Jim’s dorm. Luckly Bones was out. It had been great. Amazing. Jim was sure it was the start of something more serious. He wanted it to be.
After they were finished, Spock had hastily dressed, told Jim he really needed to go, something about someone waiting for him, he didn’t really know who or even exactly what Spock had said. But he scrambled out of Jim’s dorm like his ass was on fire, muttering that he’d contact Jim.
He hadn’t.
When Jim messaged him, he’d received no response.
Jim spotted him across the campus and knew Spock had seen him on approach. Spock had turned and gone in the other direction. It had seemed deliberate.
He told Bones all about it and Bones agreed. Spock wanted nothing more to do with Jim.
Jim had been sad and disappointed but he wasn’t about to wallow in self-pity. Spock wanted nothing more to do with him, so be it.
He’d been ghosted. Probably fair. He’d likely ghosted others.
But he simply had no idea why a Vulcan child would stare at him and even seem to be following him. Likely that was his imagination.
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 