Flash Fiction Wednesdays

Flash Fic, October 21, 2020

Remember the Spock who picked Jim up on September 30th? This is them!

Spock spotted his dorm roommate Jim Kirk sitting by himself on the patio of the teashop. In front of him were two beverage containers and two scones. Looked like the current pumpkin spice scones the teashop had for the season.

He’d only known Kirk briefly, since picking him up on the side of the road on his way to San Francisco. They’d had some food together and during their brief time as roommates, Spock had only seen him sparingly.

But Kirk looked sad today. Like that night Spock had picked him up. And for some reason, Spock found himself compelled to check on him.

It was a Saturday and as Spock approached Kirk’s table, he noticed the fellow cadet wore a black T-shirt with the word Boo written across it in white. With a shake of his head, Spock stopped at Kirk’s table.

“Are you all right?”

Blue eyes lifted to his. Yes, sad.

“Oh. Hi Spock. Want to sit?”

Spock didn’t really. He had intended to get tea and be on his way. But those eyes made him change his mind and take the offered seat.

“I presume your intended companion will be along soon.”

Jim smiled wryly. “Nah. I’ve been stood up.”

Spock found that very hard to believe. Who in their right mind would stand up Kirk?

“Truly?”

“Yes.” He sighed. “Been here for a while. She was supposed to come about an hour ago. Tea’s cold now. Guess I’ll be taking the scones and the tea to go.”

“I am…sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’m kind of used to it.”

Spock frowned. Why would he be used to it?

“What are you doing here anyway?”

“Came to collect some tea on my way back to our dorm.” Spock hesitated. “If I may, who were you intending to meet?”

He had not actually seen Kirk dating anyone. Not that he paid that much attention, due to his own studies. But still…

“My mom.”

And as Spock stared at Jim, he realized the sadness made a lot of sense now. Jim had vaguely mentioned on the night they’d met that he rarely got to see his mother. And that he hoped he would in the next few weeks while her ship docked in San Francisco briefly.

“She could not make it?”

Jim shook his head. “No. She messaged me a bit ago and said her captain needed her to fix something on the ship and she couldn’t get away after all.”

Spock didn’t know what to say. He knew Jim had looked forward to it. “Perhaps tomorrow…”

“They leave again tonight.” Jim sighed. “Wasn’t meant to be.”

“When-when was the last time you were able to see her?”

“I don’t know. A few years, I guess.”

Spock pursed his lips. “My hover car is outside. Why don’t I take you to where her ship is docked? Perhaps you can have a few moments with her then.”

Jim’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Really.”

****

Spock didn’t like to speed. At all. But the sight of Jim Kirk hugging his mother, an engineer on the USS Excelsior, shortly after they arrived, was worth any discomfort he had at bending the law a bit.

Jim had a security guard call her off the ship, and after a short time, Winona Kirk had come out, looking a little frazzled, but smiling big as she greeted her son.

“Jim!”

They had hugged for a considerable amount of time.

When finally they’d stopped embracing but still had their arms locked, Jim turned to Spock.

“Mom, this is Spock. Spock, my mom.”

“Commander Kirk, it is a pleasure.”

“The pleasure is mine, Spock. Thank you so much for bringing me my son.” She turned back to Jim. “I have to go now, sweetheart. But God it was so great to see you and feel you.”

Jim nodded. “I know. Here.” He handed her the bag with both pumpkin scones. “Love you.”

“Love you more.” She dabbed at her eyes with her uniform shirt and then went up the ramp back to her ship.

Jim smiled at Spock. His eyes were shining, his cheeks flushed, and Spock thought just then, he might be a little in love.

Illogical.

“Let’s go back, Spock.”

They left the hanger.

“Can we get a pizza?”

Spock shook his head and sighed. “Yes, Jim.”

October 21, 2020

Flash Fic, October 14, 2020

Once more we visit these two from Who Does Spock Wake Up With/Hospital

Jim sits at a table at a teashop with Spock and his friends. He has stopped paying attention to whatever it is they talk about because over the few weeks of their relationship, Jim is aware Spock’s friends dismiss him as though he is nothing. Pretty much a passing phase for Spock.

Or so they all seem to believe.

Two of them are also Vulcan, a male and female, who Jim knows are a bonded pair. They have made references to Spock bonding someday to a mate, and they barely spare Jim a glance when they do, most often alluding to the fact Spock will bond with a Vulcan.

The other one is Uhura, who, apparently, since she could not consider Spock her boyfriend any longer, has decided to insert herself in his intellectual group of friends who meet weekly over tea as they are now.

Every one of them, including Uhura, like to pretend their intelligence is far superior to Jim’s. It’s complete bullshit and he knows it. He’d match wits and knowledge with any one of them and he’d likely win too.

But whatever.

They always share an enormous pot of tea that tastes like a combination of licorice and smoke. Jim hates it.

After two times of barely drinking it, he brings his own thermos of coffee to drink, and besides ignoring their superior sneers over it, he also ignores the proprietor of the teashop’s side-eye.

This time he brought pumpkin spice cookies with him and he munches on them while they continue to blather on about subjects he has no interest in.

Once in a while one of them says something to him about whatever it is they are speaking about, certain he will get the answer wrong. He can see it in the superior way they address it to him. When he answers correctly and without hesitation, he can see they are surprised.

Spock never is.

Finally, the evening wraps up and the two other Vulcans make their exit first.

Uhura still sits with them and she is now eying Jim’s cookies. “Are those good?”

He smiles and scoots two of them over to her, they are shaped like pumpkins and have frosting on them.

She bites into one. “You were quiet tonight.”

Jim shrugs.

“They are good. You should bring more next week.”

Jim thinks about saying he’s had enough and won’t be coming next week, but doesn’t. He doesn’t want Spock to feel weird about his friends and including Jim.

“Okay.”

Uhura eats a few more cookies and then rises to leave. She leans down toward Spock as though she plans to kiss him, but straightens and pulls away at the last second with a look at Spock.

“Goodnight, Nyota,” Spock murmurs, his eyes on Jim.

When she leaves, Jim smiles. “You want some of that tea to go?”

“No, I have had my fill. Jim.”

“Yeah?”

“If your uncomfortable at these gatherings I will make no objection should you choose to skip them.”

He gets up and so does Jim. They leave the teashop then and Jim is certain the owner is happy so she can clean up after them.

“I don’t. Want to skip. It’s fine, Spock. You like them.”

“But I am aware you do not care for them. Nor the tea. I don’t wish for you to be unhappy.”

“Eh. You put up with Bones and Finnegan. That bunch.”

Spock’s lips twitch. “Barely. But very well. Should you change your mind, I will not be offended.”

Jim nods. He can’t wait to return to the apartment because usually on such evenings, Spock likes to make up for Jim’s boring evening by being very enthusiastic in their lovemaking.

He is glad, later, to discover this pattern has not changed.

He lies on his back in their bed, naked, sweaty, and sated. Two recent orgasms have blown most thoughts out of his head. Spock has risen to get warm, wet cloths to clean them before they sleep.

Jim stares rather sleepily at the small pumpkin he has decorated the end table with. He loves how Spock indulges his nonsense. And yes, that is certainly part of the reason he indulges Spock’s friends.

And this…aftermath.

Spock returns to their bed, leaning down to kiss Jim’s mouth even as he wipes him down with the wet cloth. “Ashaya.”

“Love you,” Jim whispers, his eyes closing, exhaustion taking over and rendering him even more senseless than usual. He laughs.

“Jim?”

“Nothing. Just happy.”

Another kiss. “Go to sleep. I love you too.”

You will see them again at the end of this month!

October 14, 2020

Flash Fic, October 07, 2020

I did promise a continuation on these two.

Jim was surprised how fast the time went since he’d arrived on Vulcan with his mom and Sam.

The original plan had been to stay in ShiKahr to see how well a non-dairy ice cream shop, Tastes Like Real Ice Cream Co., would do there.

His mom was one of the executives of the company and had been charged with making it successful on Vulcan. To pretty much everyone’s surprise it had worked. The Vulcans were…literally…eating it up.

The Kirks had trouble keeping every flavor stocked and usually customers were out the door. It had meant very little free time for Jim and his brother Sam.

From the beginning Sam had announced his intention to leave for Chicago where he was going to meet his fiancé Aurelan on September the first, but after Mom begged and begged, Sam had postponed leaving.

Now they were in October and Sam still hadn’t left. Jim hadn’t made any decisions about joining Starfleet either. The thing was, he wasn’t sure what his Mom was going to do if both of them left. Either of them really. But he knew Sam wanted to. Saw the far off look in his brother’s eyes when he thought no one was looking.

Jim for his part had met someone pretty much right away.

Spock.

They’d gone on a date, well, sort of. Spock was very reserved at dinner and Jim hadn’t known how to act with a Vulcan.

But it was nice, and Jim thought they’d see each other again.

Only at the end of dinner, Spock announced he was leaving in the morning for an extended mountain retreat.

Dumbfounded, Jim had asked, “For how long?”

“Uncertain.”

And that had been that. The whole summer passed with Tastes Like Ice Cream becoming a raving Vulcan success. Only he hadn’t seen Spock again.

And now it was October. Jim felt both disappointed and foolish for having gotten his hopes up.

Exhausted as the three of them were, Mom finally had to hire additional help in the shop, so there was now a young Andorian male working there, and also a Vulcan female.

Jim was on a break, sipping iced coffee, sitting at a table outside the shop, when Sam approached him, looking determined.

“I’ve had it,” Sam said, flinging himself into a chair.

“Had what?”

Sam rolled his eyes. “You know what. It’s already a month past the time I said I’d blow this rock. Mom’s so successful there’s no way she’s leaving anytime soon.”

“You think?”

His brother smirked. “I just overheard her, brother mine. She’s actually looking into buying a house here.”

“She…is?”

“Yep. And that’s fine for her if she wants to live on a melting rock, but I have plans with Aurelan. I told her today, end of week, I’m on the shuttle back to Earth.”

Jim bit his lip. “What she say?”

“I should do what will make me happy. And you know what? You should too. You wanted to join Starfleet. I know you said you hadn’t made up your mind, but I think you did and you’re just staying to help Mom.”

Jim scowled. “What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing. Except that you’re living someone else’s life, not your own. Just because she wants to stay here, doesn’t mean you do or should. Don’t let helping Mom keep you from your dream. And anyway, I don’t think she would want that either.”

“Easy for you to say. Dad died because of Starfleet.”

Sam sighed. “Dad died because of who he was, Jim. And he knew the risks. And so did Mom.” He patted Jim’s leg. “Just think about it. You could be on that shuttle with me back to Earth. Mom can hire others to take up the slack. There are plenty of people on Vulcan willing to work here.”

Jim opened his mouth to reply when he spotted a familiar face, well attached to a whole body of course, coming toward them. It was the Vulcan, Spock.

Sam followed Jim’s gaze, frowned, and then shook his head. He rose from his seat, squeezed Jim’s shoulder, and then moved off.

“Jim.”

“Hello. Long time no see.”

“Indeed.” Spock gestured to the seat that Sam recently occupied. “May I?”

Jim nodded.

“I apologize for my lengthy absence.”

“You don’t really owe me anything.”

Spock inclined his head. “Perhaps not. And yet when I told you I would be on a retreat, I had not anticipated the length.”

“And did it do for you what you wanted?”

“Affirmative. I have been considering Kolinahr.”

Jim frowned. “What’s that?”

“The purging of emotions. It is a lengthy process.”

“Uh. Okay. Why would you want to do that?”

“Vulcans value logic over primitive emotions. It is considered the ultimate logic and highest standard to undergo Kolinahr.”

Sounded awful to Jim.

“You said you were thinking of it, what have you decided?”

“To do so.”

Jim blew out a long breath. “I see. Well. Thanks for letting me know. I wish you well, Spock.”

He stood then.

“Gotta get back to work.” Jim glanced around, saw no one paying attention, and leaned down, placing his lips on Spock’s in what he hoped was a searing kiss. He pulled back and straightened. Smiled at the dazed look on Spock’s face. “That’s what emotions do, by the way. See you.”

He began to walk away.

“Jim. What are your future plans?”

Jim turned around. “Me? I’m joining Starfleet.”

Maybe to be continued….

October 7, 2020

Flash Fic, September 30, 2020

And we come to the end of the September Academy Flashes

Spock had never picked up a hitchhiker in his life and he wasn’t about to start. Or so he thought.

It was pouring rain and he was driving his hover car on the way back to San Francisco from a smaller city outside of it where he had been visiting a friend.

Well, it had been a booty call. If he were honest and Spock always was. But that friend was leaving Earth tomorrow and Spock would not see him again.

He saw a figure of a male walking by the side of the road in the rain with his head down and huddled into a barely acceptable coat. The road was desolate and there were no other cars around, so Spock wasn’t sure where the man had come from, but he found himself slowing down, though he felt foolish doing so.

He pressed the button that would roll down the window but he kept his thumb near so he could easily raise it again if need be. It was phaser proof.

“Do you require assistance?” Spock asked.

The man lifted his head and Spock spotted the bluest of eyes. His face was wet, but for some reason it didn’t seem like it all came from the rain. The eyes were red rimmed.

“Thank God,” he said. “I thought no one would ever help me. I need to get to San Francisco. My bike broke down miles ago. I’ve been walking ever since.”

And Spock recognized him then. Pike had spoken of him and Spock had done his research after he learned about him.

Spock made a decision. “Get in.”

He saw the gratitude in the man’s face as he quickly got in the passenger side next to Spock.

“Jim Kirk.”

“Spock. I know who you are.”

“You do?”

“Yes. Captain Pike has told me about you and…we are roommates.”

Kirk stared at him as Spock began to drive toward San Francisco. “Wow. You-you’re the Vulcan everyone was talking about. You’re at the Academy?”

“I will be when the semester begins. And yes…I am.”

“And we have the same dorm?”

“Evidently.”

Kirk smiled. “My luck is improving. Thank you. For picking me up. I was getting pretty despondent thinking I’d never find civilization.”

“You are welcome.” Spock nodded. “And as it happens, we are quite literally, going to the same place.”

Jim leaned back a little in the seat, closed his eyes, and smiled. Then he opened them as Spock got nearer to the city.

Jim leaned forward in excitement. “Are you hungry? I’m hungry!”

Spock’s lips twitched. “I could eat.”

“Pull over there! There’s a restaurant.”

And Spock did. This seemed clearly to be the beginning of something. He simply did not know what.

Coming up for October we will see Harvest/Autumn themed flashes, maybe some sort of spooky…we shall see.

September 30, 2020

Flash Fic, September 23, 2020

Spock was surprised, really, each time he woke up to find Jim Kirk sleeping next to him. Everyone, Jim included, called Jim his boyfriend. And that term was still strange to him. It was such a Human term. And didn’t entirely encompass all that he felt or intended with regard to Jim. So far, he had not used it.

He had not intended to obtain a boyfriend in his life. He was there to be a member of Starfleet and though that had certainly not changed, he had the added…benefit of someone to share that with.

Spock had met Jim at a gathering mutual friends had given. They’d started talking and then somehow ended up back at Spock’s apartment and bed. Spock did not do one-night stands and apparently, as they’d been together since then, his record of not having one-night stands was still quite correct.

Spock had to get up early that morning as he had an eight o’clock class to teach and he preferred to be there well before the start. He generally met his friend, Nyota Uhura, for tea on such mornings, and though he now had a…Jim…that did not change.

He also knew Jim didn’t have a class until that afternoon, so Jim preferred to continue sleeping on such mornings. And waking Jim up when he was not ready to be was always a mistake. Jim could become quite grumpy.

Still, after Spock’s early morning shower, after dressing, he leaned down to kiss Jim’s forehead. Jim continued sleeping right through it.

When Spock opened the door to his apartment to leave, he was startled to find someone standing there.

He could see the Human male was likewise startled, and his hand was raised as though he was about to knock.

He was very tall and blond with familiar blue eyes. Spock surmised, logically, that he was somehow related to Jim.

“May I help you?”

“I’m looking for James Kirk. I was told he might be here.”

“You are?”

The blue eyes narrowed just a fraction. “His brother. Is he here or not?”

Spock considered that. “It was my understanding his brother is missing.”

“Guess I’ve been found.” The man shrugged. “Jim? Are you in there?”

“He is asleep.”

“Wake him.”

Spock blinked. “I do not…”

“Spock, it’s okay.”

He turned to see a bleary eyed Jim standing just behind him. He still wore his pajama bottoms and had pulled on one of Spock’s bathrobes over that since Jim normally slept without a shirt. Jim’s hair stood on end and he looked young and vulnerable.

And Spock had to leave.

Yet he did not want to leave Jim with this giant unknown brother. His protective instincts took over.

Jim’s brother now sort of pushed his way into the apartment and Spock was about to reach up and pinch his neck when Jim moved forward between them.

“Sam, what are you doing here?”

“Came to see you. I heard you were in San Francisco. I’ve been looking all over for you. Some dude at your dorm said you were with him.” Sam’s gaze went to Spock, briefly, before switching back to Jim. “I’m passing through and thought we could have breakfast or something.”

Jim hugged himself. “Uh.”

Spock bristled. “When was the last time you saw Jim? Was it not when you left him to deal with your stepfather alone? And now you simply show up one day and ask to have breakfast?”

“Spock,” Jim whispered. He put his hand on Spock’s arm. “It’s all right. I’ll have breakfast with him.”

Sam gave Spock a superior smile.

“Then I will arrange to have my class handled by another instructor and I will join you.”

“Controlling much?” Sam said.

“Hey,” Jim snapped. “Back off now.” He took a step toward his brother. “You can just leave.”

Sam put up his hands. “Okay, okay, sorry.”

“Yeah, sure you are. You come here unannounced out of the blue to Spock’s home and then be a dick to him? You have some balls, Sam.”

“I’m sorry. Really. I’ll buy breakfast.”

Jim gave him a look before turning back to Spock. “It’s okay. You go teach your class and I’ll have breakfast with this dumbass here.”

“Jim—”

“It’ll be okay. I don’t want to subject you to any unnecessary drama.” Jim turned back to his brother. “Meet me at the café in thirty minutes. I need time to shower and get dressed.”

“All right, fine.” Sam backed up and out of the apartment. “See you.”

Spock watched him leave. Made sure he did.

Then he turned to…his boyfriend.

“Are you certain you wish to see him alone?”

Jim smiled, though it was strained. “I don’t think he’s out to hurt me, Spock. Probably wants something. Which I can’t and won’t give him. Once I tell him, he’ll probably be on his way.”

“Message me as soon as you arrive and as soon as you leave breakfast.”

Perhaps Spock did sound controlling. And he did not mean to, but he didn’t know Jim’s brother nor his intentions.

Jim kissed him. “Okay.”

And Spock was glad Jim had not argued.

While he was leaving tea with Nyota, he received a message from Jim saying he was seated at a table for breakfast.

Then when his class was over he checked his messages again and there was nothing.

But as he stepped outside he spotted Jim approaching him. And it was all he could do not to pull Jim close in an illogical display of Human weakness.

“Hey,” Jim greeted him. “How was your class?”

Spock shook his head impatiently. “Same as always. Your brother?”

“Same as always.”

“Jim…”

“Can we go to your apartment?”

Spock nodded. “Very well.”

Which made him realize something. Something important.

Though his apartment was really just a short walk from campus, Spock found himself growing impatient to get there. And once he did, he immediately turned to Jim.

“Are you well?”

“Of course I am.”

And without having to ask, and Spock was not sure how to do so, Jim moved close and put his arms around Spock, who could not help but sigh in relief as his own arms closed around Jim. He closed his eyes.

“Better?” Jim murmured.

“Much.”

Jim nodded against him. “You were a bit tense.” He moved his hands up and under Spock’s shirt, his fingers touching the bare skin of Spock’s back which soothed him further.

“It has been a difficult day. Jim, will you share this apartment with me?”

Jim drew back, just a little, for Spock would not let him go far, to look at Spock. “You want me to move in?”

“Yes. With a certainty. You have been spending almost every night here anyway.”

“Sure. But, uh, I wasn’t sure you actually liked that. I don’t know. Sometimes I thought…”

“What?” Spock asked softly.

“Maybe I was pushing you more into this relationship than you were actually wanting. Probably more than you were comfortable with. I just…I’m pretty crazy about you, Spock.”

“You…are wrong.”

Jim gave him a quizzical look. “About what?”

“I want this relationship.” Spock blew out a breath. “I am…not as comfortable with all of this as I should be, I cannot deny that. But I am learning. And I want to learn more. I am very much enamored of you, Jim, and I do want you to stay here with me all the time.”

Jim smiled. “Yeah?”

“Very much so. And what happened with your brother?”

“You could barely stand to wait huh?”

Spock gave him a look.

Jim chuckled. “He’s gone. He didn’t ask me for anything. He’s on his way off planet. We may see each other again. I don’t know. But he really did just want to see me after all this time, I guess. Things are not okay between us, not even a little, but we’ll see.”

“As long as he did not make you feel any worse, than I will not pursue him.”

Jim laughed again and then looked at Spock’s face. “You’re serious?”

“Of course I am. I cannot have him harming my…boyfriend.”

The smile Jim gave him was glorious. He leaned into Spock to kiss him.

When they came up for air, Spock said, “Jim.”

“Hmm?”

“Will you…?”

“Of course I will.”

September 23, 2020

Flash Fic, September 16, 2020

Jim had kind of had enough, honestly. He hadn’t really even wanted to go to the bar that night, but Bones and Christine had asked and Jim had felt kind of obligated because they’d done plenty of things he’d wanted to do, but he was tired and feeling rather low.

He’d studied most of the evening in the library after being shot down by his crush when he’d asked about a date. And sure, he’d sort of expected it, given who he had a thing for, but still, it was a bitter disappointment.

Jim touched the sleeve of Christine’s blouse to get their attention.

“Hey guys, I think I’m going to head home.”

“What?” Bones exclaimed. “It’s early. Especially for you.”

“I know. I’m not feeling it tonight and I just want to hit the hay.”

Bones smirked at Christine. “He’s still talking like he’s in Iowa.”

“You want us to go with you, Jim?” she asked.

“No, no. I’ll take the bus. There’s a bus stop just outside this bar. I’d walk but it’s raining.”

“Let us know you make it safe,” Christine called after him.

“She’s worse than you,” Jim told Bones.

He walked outside and stood under the awning for a moment as he considered the rain. It was light, really, nothing too heavy. And he considered walking after all, but he figured the bus would probably be arriving at any time, so he’d not have long to wait.

Shrugging, he stepped over to the bus stop. There were two other guys standing there, coats pulled tight around them, wearing caps of some kind. Looking sort of slinky and that they were up to something.

Jim did his best to ignore them.

“Hey pretty boy, got any money?”

Jim didn’t respond.

“Hey, dumbass, we’re talking to you.”

“I don’t have any money.”

“Bullshit, dweeb. We saw you coming from that bar. You got money for drinks. Give us all you got or we’ll cut you.”

Jim sighed. This was just the sort of end to a crappy day he would expect. “I have no money, but I do have a phaser, which I will use, if you don’t back off and leave me alone.”

“A phaser?” One of them laughed. “What are you one of those Starfleet idiots?”

They were too busy laughing at nothing, Jim guessed, to notice the approach of someone else. But Jim noticed. And Jim was very, very surprised as to who it was.

“Indeed, as am I,” Spock said from behind them.

Professor Spock.

“What?” The other one turned quickly, but it wasn’t quick enough, because Spock pinched his neck and dropped him to the ground.

Jim used the distraction to slug the other one in his stomach, causing him to double over.

“My car is over there,” Spock said, pointing down the road. “Care for a ride?”

Jim grinned. “Sure thing.”

He followed Spock to the car.

“Did you really have a phaser?” Spock asked after they’d gotten in and he pulled his hover car away.

“Nope. Was totally bluffing.”

Spock shook his head.

“Uh, not that I’m ungrateful. But didn’t you say no to the bar?”

“I did. I had a change of heart.” Spock glanced at him. “But I am glad I didn’t have to go into the bar, just the same. Your place or mine, Cadet?”

“Yours.”

He texted Bones.

“I’m all right, but won’t be home. C U tomorrow.”

September 16, 2020

Flash Fic, September 09, 2020

“Are you nervous?” Vanik asked Jim as Spock’s significant other stood in front of a full length mirror dressed in his red cadet’s uniform.

Jim glanced down at him. “Nervous?”

“About the first day.”

Jim smiled. “It’s not really the first day. I had summer courses.”

“You did, but this is the first day of the regular semester and I thought…you might be.”

“Course not. What’s there to be nervous about?” He turned away from the mirror. Then he looked down at Vanik again. For a moment he said nothing, then the smile returned to his face, but this one was a little different. Very gentle and affectionate, rather than amused.

To Vanik’s surprise, Jim suddenly crouched down on his haunches until he was closer to Vanik’s own height.

“A little nervous about your first day at the new school, huh?”

Vanik swallowed heavily and nodded.

“You know you’re really smart, so that’s not it. Don’t think you’ll make any friends?”

“Well.” Vanik looked down toward his feet. “I am different than everyone else. They’ll all be fully human.”

“Now, I doubt that. A lot of families around here are in Starfleet or the Federation and come from everywhere. And you are different than anyone else. I’m different too.”

Vanik raised his gaze. “You are?”

“Sure. Everyone is unique. There’s not one of us that’s exactly the same and how great is that? You’re going to do fine, Vanik. You’ll see. And if you have any issues with anyone, you tell me, and I’ll come kick their as…butts.”

Vanik returned Jim’s smile. “They are kids. You can’t kick their butts, Jim.”

“Right.” Jim grinned. “Their parents then.”

“Okay. And if you have any trouble at the Academy I will kick their butts.”

“Deal.” Jim held out his palm and Vanik slapped it.

****

“Jim!”

Vanik’s uncle, Spock, watched as his nephew ran to Jim when they arrived to pick Vanik up from school as Sybok and Anoria had asked them to.

“Hey, kid. How’d it go?”

“It went great! You were right.”

“Right?” Spock asked with a questioning brow.

“There were lots of other students who were not fully human. Some weren’t even a tiny bit!”

“See?” Jim ruffled Vanik’s hair. “Who’s up for ice cream?”

“Me!”

Jim glanced at Spock. “Or you know, frozen non-dairy yogurt or whatever.”

Spock took Jim’s arm, showing his own amusement, though not to the extent his nephew did, and they walked away from Vanik’s school together.

September 9, 2020

Flash Fic, September 02, 2020

And so we begin the month of Starfleet Academy Flashes

“What are you doing anyway?” Bones asked Jim as he poured himself coffee in their Starfleet Academy dorm room.

Jim was lying on his bunk, stomach down, swiping his finger across the PADD he held.

“Looking through the digital announcement boards.”

“For?”

“The advertisements for tutors.”

“Huh? What for? You want some coffee?”

“Yeah pour me some and leave it on the table. Um, you know, curiosity.”

“Jim, you are like the last guy who needs a tutor. What’s going on?”

Jim smiled a little. “Well, uh, I may have heard that a certain Vulcan professor was going to offer his services tutoring physics and I thought…”

“Jim, he’s going to know immediately it’s a scam.”

“I’m not scamming him, Bones.”

Bones sighed. “Okay, but trying to…what…get with him? Probably unsuccessfully.”

“Hey!” Jim got up from the bed and went to fetch the coffee bones gave him. “I’m a catch.”

“Well…”

“I am.”

Bones smirked. “What’s he going to tutor you in? Vulcan sexual practices?”

“I wish. As it happens, I found his post about tutoring so I’m going to see him this afternoon.”

“Bad idea.”

“You suck.” Jim threw a ball at him.

****

Spock looked up from the Kobayashi Maru program he was studying at the approaching footsteps. He was somewhat surprised to see Cadet James Kirk standing in front of him. He’d had Cadet Kirk in a battle simulation class the prior year. Kirk had excelled.

“Cadet.”

“Hi Professor. I saw your advertisement about tutoring.”

Spock leaned back. “I don’t really require a second tutor to assist me. So far only two students have applied, Nyota Uhura and Rupert Smiley. If those are the only two—”

“No,” Cadet Kirk interrupted. “Well, first, of course she did. But what I meant was…I’d like you to tutor me. If you would.”

Spock arched a brow. Leaned back further and studied Cadet Kirk. “You are a brilliant student. You do not need such tutelage.”

Kirk pursed his lips. “All right, maybe, but…” He laughed then. “The truth is, I like you.”

Spock felt warm at these words. Cadet Kirk was very attractive and intelligent and as Spock preferred males…

“Dinner this evening?”

Jim smiled brightly. “You bet.” Then he leaned in close. “Perhaps there’s something you can teach me after all.”

“Certainly how to pick up Vulcans is top of that list,” Spock said with some amusement.

Jim pulled back, eyes wide, but then he laughed. “Touché. Yeah, okay. So maybe I wasn’t exactly smooth here but…”

“You were smooth enough. I will pick you up at seven…cadet.”

“I’ll be ready, Professor.”

September 2, 2020

Flash Fic, August 19, 2020

It was Vanik’s idea to come sit by the community pool in his uncle’s apartment complex while his uncle’s boyfriend, Jim, did laps in said pool. Spock had not wanted to come sit under one of the faded umbrellas that clearly needed replacing, but Vanik had insisted.

“What if Jim is drowning and needs rescuing?” Vanik had reasoned.

Jim, who had heard, laughed. He was always laughing at Vanik’s interactions with Spock. It was a warm, pleasing laugh that always made both Vanik and Spock unreasonably pleased.

“I’m not going to drown, kid.”

“Certainly not if we are there to watch over you.”

Of course that reasonable, logical argument had worked. Spock agreed and the three of them had trudged down to the pool.

Vanik had pretended he intended to swim also by putting on a pair of swimming trunks his mother had thoughtfully purchased for him. Spock had come down in his usual clothing, though, at least, in deference to the August heat, he wore a T-shirt instead of a sweater.

They’d brought down with them a pitcher of lemonade and three glasses.

Currently Jim was in the pool swimming. There were a few other apartment residents frolicking in and around the pool as well.

“Have you popped the question?”

“Hmm.” Spock was studying his PADD instead of paying attention to Jim or even Vanik.

“Have you popped the question?” Vanik asked again.

“What question?”

Vanik sighed. Reached for his lemonade. “The big one.”

Spock glanced at him and then right back to his PADD. “Yes, his classes are going well and he fully expects to be the youngest captain of a starship in Starfleet history.”

Vanik closed his eyes and counted to ten as his father had taught him. Sybok had assured his son that he would need this particular coping mechanism when dealing with Uncle Spock. Boy, had his dad been right.

“Not about Starfleet,” Vanik said, patiently.

Spock looked at him. “What other question would be important?”

“The one to secure your future with Jim.”

“That is hardly your business, Vanik.”

“It is. I have an invested interest.”

“Which is all in your head. You did have something to do with my meeting Jim, I will give you that, but that doesn’t afford you the right to interfere with our ongoing relationship.”

“It is hardly inference.”

“What would you call it then?”

“An interest.”

Jim suddenly appeared by their table, wiping his wet face with a towel. He was dripping pool water next to them. “An interest in what?”

“Vanik was inquiring into the advancement of our interpersonal relationship,” Spock replied.

Jim looked at him quizzically for a moment, then looked at Vanik. “Mine and Spock’s?”

Vanik cleared his throat. “It is a matter of universal interest, yes.”

Jim laughed again. Both Vanik and Spock straightened.

“I’m pretty sure the universe doesn’t give one whit about what Spock and I get up to. But, as it happens, we’re doing great.” Jim leaned over, ignoring the pool water dripping on Spock, to kiss him lightly on the lips. “Going back in. You two don’t have to stay. I won’t drown.”

Spock’s cheeks were lightly green. “We will stay.”

Jim smiled, kissed him again, and then ruffled Vanik’s hair, before turning around to go back to the pool.

Vanik made a face. “Chlorine.”

“Yes.” Spock went back to studying his PADD.

And Vanik decided he might as well stop pretending to go into the pool and actually go in. He ran toward the pool and jumped in, splashing water everywhere.

He heard Jim’s laugh.

It was good.

August 19, 2020

Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Fan Fiction and Personal Ramblings

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