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Flash Fiction Fridays

White Christmas

TOS OMS

“I want to go to Riverside for December.”

Spock paused in reading the missive he’d been sent by the Federation. He glanced up from his PADD. “What was that, Jim?’

He had, of course, heard what Jim said, but he was still having trouble processing the idea. Iowa was cold in December and sometimes even had…

“Snow, Spock.”

He stared at his husband.

Who smiled.

Jim sat in his favorite chair, sipping at a glass of brandy in front of a fire in their San Francisco apartment. It was November and to Spock it seemed pleasantly cozy there without having to add something like cold and frost in Iowa.

“I do not understand.”

“Of course you do.”

Of course he did. He knew what Jim said. OF course. But that didn’t mean he agreed with the idea.

“My ambassadorial duties…”

“Can be done from the farmhouse. You aren’t due to go off for any conferences or meetings until after the first of the year, Spock.”

“But—”

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. Like the ones I grew up with.”

Spock opened his mouth.

“The trees glisten with that white stuff. Like sparkling diamonds.”

“The temperature drops to freezing,” Spock said dryly.

Jim chuckled. “Yeah. Yeah, it does. Sweetheart, you don’t ever have to leave the house if you don’t want to. I’ll happily pamper you and allow you to take up the sofa wrapped in luxurious blankets and sipping tea and eating sugar cookies as you please.”

Spock had to admit that did sound rather nice.  Perhaps his little Vulcan heart was melting to the idea.

He opened his mouth.

“We leave in the morning.”

“What?”

Jim smiled slyly and sipped his brandy. “I figured you’d agree. It’ll be great, Spock. You’ll love it. And I’ll take care of all the outdoor stuff. Firewood, shoveling snow, whatever.”

Spock inwardly sighed. “Very well, Jim.”

“Thank you. You’re the best.”

He shook his head and went back to his missive, but he could not concentrate, and instead got up to pack whatever passed for warm clothes in his wardrobe. He packed for Jim too.   

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Fall Guys

Jim woke with his Vulcan lying on top of him. It had sure been surprising to learn how clingy and cuddly Spock was. He could feel there was a chill to the air but with his Vulcan blanket he was anything but cold.

With a turn of his head he could see through the window the snow falling pretty heavily. Spock wouldn’t be amused.

“Ashaya?”

“Hi baby. Guess you’re awake.”

Spock shifted off him. Sort of. He remained very close and touching Jim still. “It is cold.”

“Yeah. Snowing. A lot.”

Spock made a sort of harrumphing noise, turned to lie on his back, and pulled Jim to lie atop him. “Then we should stay in bed.”

Jim chuckled. “Can’t totally argue with you there.”

“You will miss this when we return to the Enterprise.”

“Yeah. I know you won’t, though.”

“I will miss living here with just you, having nothing but time on our hands to do whatever it is we wish. But the cold? I will not.”

He smiled. “It won’t be long now. Our leave is up soon.”

Spock greeted this with a silent moment, then a heavily released breath. “Do you wish to see if it can be extended?”

“Extended?”

“I am not certain you are yet fully recovered from your injuries.”

With a sigh, he shook his head. “Nah. I am. Good enough anyway. They’ve been more than generous. More than I expected.”

“Yes,” Spock agreed. “But you have been enjoying our time here.”

“Sure. It’s been wonderful. And I’ve never had a better Christmas. So, yeah, I’m sad our time together is almost over.”

Spock stiffened beneath him.

Jim rose a little and looked down at him. “Not our time, Spock.  That’s never going to end.” He paused. “Is it?”

“Not for me, no. Never.”

Jim took Spock’s hand in his. “Then what is it?”

“It is difficult for me sometimes to remember that this is real,” Spock said, softly. “That you really feel for me similar feelings to the way I have harbored feelings for you for so long. When I was with Nyota I was content.”

Jim searched his face. “Okay. Then why didn’t you stay with her?”

“Contentment was not enough for Nyota. She wanted to be happy.” Spock lowered his gaze. “She had guessed my feelings for her had changed to more of deep companionship rather than romantic and that I had fallen for you. That was not enough for her and she did not believe it was enough for me.”

“And?”

“At first I did not believe she was correct.” Spock’s lips curved as he lifted his gaze to Jim’s. “But now that I have happiness with you, I know she made the correct decision for both of us. I have not experienced what I have with you with anyone else and that is, of course, because you are my T’hy’la.” Spock raised the hand Jim was not holding to Jim’s cheek. “I want to marry you. I want to bond with you. My brother, friend, lover, my everything.”

Jim brought Spock’s hand to his face. “You’re my everything too. I want that. I want it all with you, Spock. Forever.”

Later, after they did get out of bed, Jim talked Spock into helping him make gingerbread men. And then sugar cookies.

Then they sat on the couch, next to the tree, with a fire going, munching on the cookies with some mulled cider.

Jim laughed. “I never did any of this as a kid.”

“Nor did I.”

“Did your folks celebrate anything?” Jim wondered.

“No. My father thought such celebrations were very un-Vulcan. Mother mostly acquiesced to his wishes on that. I believe when she herself was young and still on Earth she observed the Jewish feasts, remembrances, and holidays.”

He smiled faintly. “I’ve never done any of this as an adult either. So, thank you. It really has been the most wonderful time. Not just now, but for the couples of months we’ve been here. I’ll cherish it, for a long long time.”

“And I will cherish you, my James.”

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

This one is a little sad, but it’s thinking of all those who don’t get to be with their family every holiday season.

It was completely illogical. And ridiculous besides.

Spock acknowledged that. He could do little else. But he was feeling entirely melancholy ever since he’d received Jim’s message.

Oh, he had expected it.

His husband, bondmate, and T’hy’la had been away from home for six months already. And Spock knew Jim’s diplomatic undertakings on Starbase 56, a new base in a new sector, and therefore, so far, unnamed, were ongoing. In their weekly video calls Jim had advised that everything was going well, but wasn’t nearing completion any time soon.

They’d faced separations before, but never this long.

And not during Jim’s favorite time, the holiday season. Spock hadn’t ever cared about it. Jim had always rushed head first into any celebration they’d ever had. Jim’s family had celebrated Christmas during the good times, and even, he’d said, during some of the bad ones, but Spock’s family hadn’t celebrated anything. His mother’s background had been Jewish, but she never mentioned anything with regard to it to Spock, and Spock was certain that was by agreement with Sarek. Spock had been raised as though he were fully Vulcan, and perhaps stricter still than Spock’s siblings because of Sarek’s disappointment in them.

Spock had told Jim early on he had no interest in holidays only to be faced with the desolation Jim sometimes wore on his face and then, even worse, the resigned defeat, and so Spock quickly changed his mind and let Jim be in charge of all the celebrations he desired. And if Spock still found them somewhat absurd, they made his T’hy’la smile, and that was enough for him.

Until now, Spock hadn’t realized how used to it all he’d become. And as he surveyed their lonely San Francisco loft apartment, devoid of decorations, warmth, and Jim, he realized he had not only gotten used to Jim’s celebrations, he’d learned to like them.

Spock sat down heavily on the couch with his tea and PADD and once more read Jim’s message.

Hi Sweetheart

This message is particularly hard for me to write. I’m sorry I missed our video call. It’s just gotten so crazy busy with the talks lately. Plus there’s some instability in the sector. Nothing to worry about though, Spock. I see your frown. I’m safe.

But it means I’m not going to get away from even a week for the holidays. I don’t know, now they’re saying we might be here until spring. I hope not, but there it is. I can’t get away.

I know the holidays and all the decorations and celebrating is really my thing, but still I do them because I love doing them, and everything really, with you. We don’t get that this year and I’m feeling really sad about it.

I guess, next year, we’ll be together. I’m not going to take any more assignments like this, I can promise you. But until then, I guess we’ll have to muddle through, somehow.

Try not to be too sad without me. I know how you get. I love you. So much.

Yours always,

Jim.

Jim was right, Spock would get through it. But it would be the worst holiday he’d been through for many years.

Spock thought about putting up their tree and the menorah Jim had insisted they get years before, but it just was not the same, not without Jim. And so he did not.

The morning of Christmas, Jim did video call him. He looked very tired, but beautiful. And Spock ached for him.

“Hi sweetheart,” Jim said with a bright smile. “Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukah.”

Spock smiled slightly. “You are not sleeping. You appear to be exhausted.”

“Yeah,” Jim admitted. “This is my sleeping time but I…”

“Ashaya, please. I wish for you to sleep. We can talk another time.”

“But Spock…”

“The way that you can help me to be okay with our separation, this time, and any time, is to take care of you when you are able. Please. Knowing you are eating right and sleeping well is what I need now.”

Jim sighed. “Okay, Spock. I get it. I do. I feel the same about you. It’s just…I miss you.”

“And I miss you, my James. But we will be together again soon. And in the meantime, I will hold you in my heart and you will hold me in yours.”

Jim grinned. “Wow. You do miss me. That’s about the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Jim.”

“I love you. And we’ll talk soon. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

Spock walked away from his PADD and to the windows overlooking the park and the ice skaters at the temporary rink they’d set up. The prior year he and Jim had gone ice skating.

With a sigh, he turned and went to get his coat. He wouldn’t like it as much without his mate, but he would go. For both of them.     

Let it Snow

Fall Guys

“I hate to admit it but the song you played earlier is quite correct.”

Jim eyed his boyfriend, who admittedly looked quite grumpy at the moment. He looked adorable, of course. Spock was bundled up in a down jacket with a woolen cap, thick waterproof gloves, and earmuffs as though they were camping out in an igloo instead of merely standing outside in the yard.  Oh. A scarf around his neck too.

Jim was pretty sure before this moment he could not be any more in love. He’d been wrong.

“How’s that, babe?”

“The weather is frightful.”

He said it was such a straight face and so deadpan that Jim fought the laugh that wanted to spill out. Instead he nodded. “The snow bothering you, Spock?”

Because yes a little bit ago, the snowfall had become harder than when they’d first come outside. It had snowed overnight and Jim had suggested that they come out and build a snowman.

“A what?”

“A snowman.”

“A man made out of snow?”

“Right.”

Clearly the concept had been quite lost on Spock, but he bundled up, thusly, and accompanied Jim outside, somewhat begrudgingly.

“And it does not show signs of stopping.” Spock tilted his head to look up at the sky. “I have also noted a marginal decrease in the optimal temperature.”

Jim smiled. “I love you so much.”

That earned him the raised eyebrow. “And I love you as well, though I do fail to make the connection with what I just said.”

“I know. Well. The good news, Spock, is we have no place we need to go and I can build us a fire. Just like in the song.”

Spock seemed troubled by this, which Jim was unsure why.

“Spock?”

“In the song, they kiss goodbye. I do not wish to do that part.”

Jim laughed. “Well. No. We won’t. Babe, we’re not actually living the song. It’s okay. We’ll just have a nice fire and cuddle on the couch.” Jim’s smile widened. “I noticed you like to cuddle.”

Spock turned green. “Well. There is the plain fact that you are quite tempting to cuddle with. I did not notice a prior need to cuddle.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to mention he could see why Uhura wouldn’t be very cuddly, but decided not to go there. He liked her. And Spock did too. Loved her even. And well, Jim didn’t like to be reminded that they’d been very close to marrying or the Vulcan equivalent. Or at least he thought they had been.

“Want to go back inside?”

“You do not appear to have finished your snow humanoid.”

“Er. Right. But I can finish him tomorrow or something. By myself if you don’t want to come out into the cold. No big deal.”

“Very well. Then I would enjoy spending time inside with you.”

Jim eyed his half-finished snowman regretfully and linked his arm with Spock’s to go back into the farmhouse.

In some ways the place was haunted by memories, not ghosts or anything, and not all of them bad. When he was that young guy who’d Pike picked up off the floor, he’d ended up enlisting in Starfleet to get away from this place more than having an interest. Sure, the dare had something to do with it. To young Jim, anyway. But he’d grown up since then. And analyzed himself in those days a lot.

He got Spock situated on the couch, made them hot peppermint mochas, and then built up the fire.

By the time he joined Spock on the couch, he could tell his first officer was losing patience. But he instantly pulled Jim closer to him on the sofa.

“This is much more delightful, as the song says,” Spock said softly.

Jim laughed, kissed him and murmured, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”

“I would not go that far.”

Flash Fic, November 29, 2019 (Fall Guys)

“Okay,” Jim announced after breakfast following their gratitude feast. “Thanksgiving is now over, so it’s time to think about Christmas.”

That morning, Spock had toasted pumpkin bread with vegetarian spread on it while Jim had made himself a turkey, broccoli, and cheese omelet.

“It is not yet December.”

“Right, but there’s a lot of planning. Gotta get a tree, decorate it, get stuff for you, find something for Hanukkah, watch holiday movies…”

“Holiday movies?”

“Oh yeah. I have copies on my computer of every A Christmas Carol ever made. And lots of other things too. Rudolph, Christmas Vacation, Prancer—”

Spock frowned slightly. “Am I expected to watch all these as well?”

Jim’s smile brightened. He looked suddenly quite dangerous. Spock put his PADD down.

“Well…you don’t have to.”

Spock allowed himself a moment of relief.

“If you love me, however…”

“I will watch them,” Spock said quickly.

“That’s the spirit. It’ll be fun. And we can drink egg nog, well I can, you can have, um hot chocolate, and then there’s the night we go caroling.”

“Carol…what?”

Jim laughed. “Not like, um, you know, Carol Marcus, we’d go singing. Holiday Carols.”

“I do not sing, Ashayam.”

“Okay, okay, maybe I’ll let you slide on that.”

“Thank you.”

Jim’s smile suddenly disappeared, and he went to where Spock sat on the couch and perched himself on Spock’s lap. Spock eagerly pulled him closer.   

“I never really got to celebrate too much, you know? Growing up. It was no fun without Mom. And Frank…”

Spock put his fingertips on Jim’s lips. “Do not think on him, Ashayam.”

Jim nodded.  “And I ‘m always so busy on the ship, I don’t allow myself too much merriment there either. We may not get an opportunity like this for years, if ever, so…I’d like to make it kind of special.” He leaned down to kiss Spock quickly. “With you.”

Spock cupped Jim’s jaw then. “We will do anything and everything you wish to do, Jim.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes. Everything.”

“I love you, Spock.”

“And you are everything.”    

Flash Fic, November 22, 2019 (Fall Guys)

Dear Nyota

Things are going extremely well. The captain and I are becoming increasingly comfortable with each other and quite close.

He shows signs of being weaker than normal, due to his extended recovery time, but we have become completely involved with each other (pause to blush), and I am aware you will know what I mean by this. It is…gratifying.

Recently, Jim announced that we would partake in the tradition of being thankful. In ancient history, Humans in this locale took part in the feast-gathering holiday known as ‘Thanksgiving’. The captain wishes to participate.

Therefore, we went to the grocery store to purchase the necessary provisions.

“That is an eight pound turkey,” Spock said as he watched Jim place the frozen headless bird into their cart.

Jim grinned. “Yep.”

“Since you are the only one consuming the turkey is that not a lot of meat for one individual?”

“This is the smallest I could find. Don’t worry, I like leftovers. Turkey sandwiches, turkey omelet, turkey soup, Turkey Tetrazzini.” Jim patted Spock’s arm. “I got it covered. Now…cranberry sauce.”

“Over there.” Spock pointed to a display of cans.

“No, no. Not those. Yuck. I want actual cranberries. Let’s go to produce.”

Spock followed after Jim as he wheeled their cart to the produce section. Besides the turkey in the cart, Jim had already placed a package of cubed cornbread, and packages of powdered gravy mix Jim planned to doctor with some of the cooked turkey juices.

“Aha!” Jim stopped the cart at a display of numerous bags of fresh cranberries. “Now we’re talking.” He added two bags to their cart.

“Do you know how to make those?” Spock asked with no little skepticism.

“Of course I do. You add sugar and cook them in a pan. Besides, I can follow a recipe, babe.” He moved on to potatoes. “You’ll eat mashed, right? Without the gravy?”

“I will.”

“Great. And we’ll get you some acorn squash and green beans too.”

“That is satisfactory.”

“I’ll make a pumpkin pie too. Completely vegetarian, no worries.”

“I am not,” Spock assured him.

Jim picked up a few other things, checked out, and they made their way back home just as the sky opened up and started to rain.

“Ha!” Jim declared triumphantly. “We made it. Barely, but it counts.”

Spock turned toward the window as it started to downpour.  “It does indeed count.”

“Now, let’s get this stuff put away so we can snuggle under the covers upstairs.”

“And perhaps a little more than snuggling.”

Jim laughed. “Yeah, okay. You found me out. Way more than snuggling.

Our time here is peaceful and uneventful for the most part. I believe if we spent more than the allotted time here, Jim would become extremely bored. Even now I see at time that he stares off into nothingness, often with a wistful look on his face.

Having experienced so much uncertainly and danger on missions that have risked all our lives, I find this extended version of shore leave quite appreciated.

My final bit of news is that I have made the discovery that Jim and I share an ancient revered bond. We are Telsu. T’hy’la.

It all makes a lot of what I have experienced and felt make more sense.

It is fitting that this is the time of year to be thankful, because I can only be filled with gratitude for Jim and for your urging of me to advise him how I felt. For that and your endless love, support and kindness, I thank you.

I have informed him I am writing to you, so he sends his best, and advised he looks forward to the reunion of our family on the Enterprise.

I am likewise pleased that your relationship with Mr. Scott is progressing at a satisfactory pace.

I must go now, as he has asked for my assistance with the pumpkin pie.

With great affection,

Spock

Flash Fic, November 15, 2019 (Fall Guys)

NSFW

Jim woke in the darkness feeling restless and horny. Not that unusual really. Spock slept beside him, his heavy limbs still partially covering him. And Spock sleeping beside him is what made him this way.

They hadn’t done much more than hand jobs and blow jobs because Spock was being very careful. But Jim had discovered Spock had this amazing self-lubricating cock he was just dying to try out.

Maneuvering himself on the bed, he got his sleep shorts off and then the ties of the sleeping robe Spock wore undone. He pushed Spock gently until he was lying on his back, legs slightly parted. The Vulcan was half hard already and Jim decided he’d see to it that he got Spock hard the rest of way.

He placed himself between Spock’s spread thighs and opened his mouth over the tip of Spock’s thickening penis.

Spock came awake instantly as his cock hardened fully in Jim’s mouth.

“Jim,” Spock moaned. His fingers reached down to thread in Jim’s hair as he pushed himself deeper with Jim’s mouth.

This…they had done. But this time Jim wanted more.

He rolled Spock’s testicles between his thumb and forefinger, adjusting his gag reflexes the further Spock thrust into him and just when he knew Spock was becoming almost unbearable aroused, he pulled his mouth off Spock’s engorged member.

“Jim,” Spock whined.

“Ssh. I know. I have something else in mind.”

He stretched across Spock to reach for the tube he’d left on the bedside table and squeezed a small amount out.

“Ashaya…”

“It’s okay.”

“But—”

Jim shoved his lubricated fingers into his own hole. His erection jumped eagerly as his digits moved within himself, preparing himself to take that big Vulcan cock.

When he thought it was enough, he straddled either side of Spock’s legs.

Spock stopped him just as he was about to lower himself down. “Are-are you sure, Jim?”

“Yes, babe. I’m sure. Trust me. Want you so much.”

Spock, instead of letting Jim go, helped him to lower his ass down onto Spock’s hard throbbing member. They both let out needy moans as Spock became fully embedded within him.

“Spock, oh my…”

“Yes, Ashaya, you-you feel so good.”

Spock pounded up into him, holding Jim down as he thrust up, hard and deep. When Spock’s hand wrapped around Jim’s erection, he mewled.

“I can’t-I can’t stop…”

“Do not,” Spock urged.

Jim gasped, his whole body vibrating as pleasure coursed through him. He released all over Spock and himself, jisms of spunk splattering everywhere. With just a few more thrusts, Spock spilled into him, crying out hoarsely.

After Jim collapsed on him, Spock held him tightly.

“Are you certain you are all right, Jim?”

Jim chuckled. “Lost a few brain cells, but yes. You?”

Spock was quiet for a moment, and the said, almost reverently, “I am amazing.”

“Yeah you are.”

“While I appreciate the sentiment, that is not my intent. I have…never felt such…contentment…with anyone. I am so thoroughly captivated by you I cannot and will not imagine any circumstances that do not have us together for the rest of our lives.”

Jim leaned up to gaze at him. “Me too. I’ve loved you for so long, this hardly feels real.”

“It is the same for me.” Spock paused. “T’hy’la.”

Jim smiled. It whispered around him, warmed him, like a secret embrace. “I like that word. It’s…”

“You. Me. Us. You are my mate, now and always.”

His smile widened. His gaze went to the window. “Looks cold and windy today. How about we spend the day in bed, just being together.”

“I can think of nothing I want more.”

Flash Fic, November 08, 2019 (Fall Guys)

“What exactly is a…hayride?”

Jim smiled as he pulled on a heavy, quilted plaid shirt. The plaid was a sort of umber color and he wore khaki cargo pants and combat boots with it. Spock was dressed in black jeans and gray sweater that appeared to have metallic silver threads through it. It might have looked a little too dressy on anyone other than Spock, but somehow it suited the Vulcan.

“You never did one as a kid?”

Spock arched a brow. “On Vulcan?”

Jim laughed. “No, I guess not. But I thought, you know, on Earth, when you’d come with your mom or something.”

“Generally, when we visited, it was with Father for his diplomatic visits,” Spock explained as he wrapped a gray scarf around his neck. “Even if we saw Mother’s family, which was rare, they always came to us in the hotels and accommodations provided to us for Father’s diplomacy.”

Jim frowned. “So your mother never really got much time to visit where she was from?”

“She did not.”

“Well…that sucks.”

“She never expressed such a sentiment.”

“Maybe your dad never gave her much of a chance.” Jim shook his head. “I don’t know, Spock. I’m glad you aren’t like him and try to, I don’t know, logic away every ounce of my humanness to conform to expectations.”

Spock stepped close and tugged the collar of Jim’s shirt into place. “I suspect such methods would have little to no success where you are concerned.”

Jim grinned. “You’re right about that.”

“You did not answer my question.”

“Oh. Yeah. Sorry. You get into this wagon full of hay and you’re dragged behind a tractor or a truck while you ride in it.”

“For what purpose?”

“Fun.”

Spock simply stared at him and so Jim’s grin widened.

“Come on, babe. Let’s go.” He went to move forward and swayed as he got lightheaded. Spock was right there grabbing onto him.

“Jim…”

“I’m all right.”

“You are not. You are doing too much. You are supposed to rest and you have done nothing of the sort.”

“Spock, I am fine. I just…as my grandmother used to say…had a spell.”

“You are not your grandmother and you were recently severely injured.”

“Babe, it’s fine, I swear. Okay?” He leaned in and kissed Spock on the corner of the mouth. “Can we go?”

“Very well.”

But Jim noticed that Spock held onto Jim’s arm as they left the farmhouse and made their way, on foot, down the road to where the planned hayride was to be held.

When they arrived there were already several others, including families excitedly waiting for their turn, so they had a while to wait in line for it. Spock still held on to Jim, like he could keep him standing by sheer will. Jim supposed Spock could.

There was a crispness to the air that was normal for November here, and soon enough it would become crisper still. Something Spock was definitely not looking forward to.

Finally they made it to the front of the line.

“Our turn,” Jim said cheerfully to his grumpy Vulcan.

They piled into the wagon full of hay with a family that included four rambunctious children. One of which kicked Jim in the side, accidentally as they scrambled around the wagon.

Spock gave the child’s mother a death glare.

“Uh, sorry. Sorry,” she said hurriedly, pulling her little boy away from Spock. “Anthony, watch your feet. You kicked that man.”

Jim smiled. “It’s all right.”

Spock glanced at him, stonily.

“Behave,” Jim whispered.

Spock pursed his lips, but said nothing as the tractor started up and began to pull along the wagon.

“Sometimes they’d use horses,” Jim told him.

“They would be far less smelly.”

Jim laughed. “I don’t know about that. Horses have a tendency to go when they gotta go.”

They were pulled around the field at a rapid speed that made Spock hold onto the side of the wagon, his face looking even paler than normal. Jim thought it was exhilarating.

When they finally stopped, Spock was the first one out of the wagon, practically hauling Jim right off his feet to take him out of it.

Jim put his hands on Spock’s arms. “Fun, yeah?”

Spock actually rolled his eyes. “I will be picking hay out of parts of me for hours.”

He couldn’t help but laugh again as they headed back down the road toward the farmhouse, their hands locked together.

“Corn chowder for dinner?”

Spock nodded. “Yes.”

Jim knew their domestication wouldn’t last. Eventually they’d be back on the Enterprise, returning to missions and danger and all of that, and truly, he could not wait. But this was nice too.    

Flash Fic, November 01, 2019

Photo by Matt Bignon on Pexels.com

Jim had loved November most of his life. He really had. The month had some of his better memories when he was a kid. For years, prior to his eleventh birthday, he would leave Riverside and travel to San Jose in California where his grandparents lived, his dad’s parents, his only connection really to the Kirks for the most part, and he’d stay there from November 01 to November 30th.

In those days, Sam came with him too, though already he had an attitude. He couldn’t understand why Grandpa and Grandma Kirk wouldn’t or couldn’t keep them full time instead of them having to live in Riverside with Frank, with Mom gone most of the time.

They’d never had any real explanation either. Sam had asked. Their grandparents had gotten silent and weird about it and it had been the worst of the Novembers they’d spent there, so the next November, Jim had begged Sam not to say anything, and to his relief, Sam hadn’t, and everything had been normal.

The year Jim turned eleven, though, that October, his mother had come home for a time and had taken them aside to tell them that Grandpa Kirk had ‘passed away’ as she’d said, and Grandma couldn’t handle a visit with them that year. That meant the previous November was the last time Jim had ever seen either of them, because Jim was sent to Tarsus IV the following year and when he came home from that nightmare and it became just him and his mom, no Frank, no Sam, no one, his mom had the task of informing him Grandma Kirk had died too.

For a while, when November came it only brought Jim sadness, but time brought distance from his sorrow, and he didn’t feel that way anymore.

“Captain?”

Jim looked up from the box of stuff he was going through in the basement. He sat on the ground.

“Are you down here?”

“Yeah, Spock, I am. Come on down.”

He smiled faintly as Spock’s footsteps descended the stairs. Spock appeared, still wearing the scarf he had wrapped around his neck earlier.

“Done with your walk?”

“Yes. What are you doing?”

Jim looked down at the box. “A box of my grandparents old things.” He shrugged. “I didn’t get much. Or I…didn’t save much, I should say. I was just a stupid kid when they died, you know? And I received these boxes. I didn’t open them for a long time, because, well I was stupid, like I said, and angry too. Because they died. Some were addressed to Sam, too. He was already gone though and…” Jim closed his eyes and shook his head.

Spock crouched down next to him. “What, Ashayam?”

“While I was gone to-to Tarsus…” He paused at the sharp intake from Spock, but the Vulcan wisely said nothing. “Well, Frank got rid of all of Sam’s stuff. He wasn’t coming back, not ever, and we all knew that. But he also got rid of the boxes from our grandparents. Threw most of it away without ever even opening any of them. Sold some stuff he did go through.  When I got back from that place, I went through some stuff, and I was just, I was so messed up then, Spock. I saw so much horror, I didn’t care about anything.”

Spock reached for Jim’s hand then, closing his fingers around Jim’s palm. “I grieve with thee.”

He smiled a little “The point of that long rambling is to say that this box, well, it’s all I have left of them. It’s just…knick-knacks mostly. Mementos that aren’t worth anything. Like this.” He reached in and took out a marble seal. “When I was six, I wanted this. We were at a store, you know, and I asked for it and she got it for me. But I was six and the moment we brought it back to her house, I completely forgot about it. But she kept it. And it ended up in this box of stuff sent to me.”

“For her to have kept it, she must have found it important,” Spock said softly.

“Yeah. Sam was convinced they didn’t want us and that’s why we spent a month with them every year and that was it. But I-I’m not so sure. Guess we’ll never know now.” Jim moved to stand up and Spock straightened and pulled him up. “Hungry?”

“I could eat.”

“Let’s go into town and have dinner at Eric’s Restaurant. They have some good choices for both of us. And I need to get out of this space for a bit.”

“This house or the space in your head?” Spock asked, drawing Jim near.

“Both I suppose. Sorry, I don’t mean to be melancholy. November just gets me thinking of them. They were really all I had of my dad. Mom didn’t like them around much because she thought about him, too, but that wasn’t a good thing for her.”

He leaned down and reached into the box again. He pulled out a small stuffed white cat. It was yellowed now. It was that old.

“Yours?” Spock guessed.

Jim smiled. “Nope. His. Dad’s. When he was a little boy. She sent it to me.” He rubbed his chest. It ached but it was emotional ache. He blinked away the moisture in his eyes. “Never mind. I’m glad you’re with me. I love you. So much. Thank you for being here.”

“I will always be by your side, Jim.” Spock drew him up the basement stairs. “Come dinner waits.”

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