Another night of incredible passion, and then Spock had to say goodnight once more to Jim and go their separate ways to their own apartments. Well, Jim had.
After dinner they had returned to Spock’s apartment and headed straight for Spock’s bedroom. Jim was a very giving and gifted lover. Lying beside him after, Spock was spent in more ways than one, but Jim had risen up, got dressed and departed once more for his own place.
Spock wanted to stop him and ask him to stay. Tomorrow was Saturday and neither one of them would be required to go to work. But fear held him back and yes he could admit it.
Part of him feared he would do something that would make Jim realize he was not from modern Earth. A relatively simple thing like accidentally cutting himself with a knife while chopping onions could reveal his green blood.
Spock did not know yet if he wished to tell Jim where and when he was from. Jim was a scientist and would likely understand more than many other Humans, but that wasn’t a given. If Jim freaked out, that could well be a disaster for him there on Earth besides just being a disaster for their relationship.
Even if Spock told Jim and he accepted everything Spock revealed, Jim might not be into sleeping with an outer spaceman. Spock selfishly wanted to hold onto a physical relationship with Jim as long as he possibly could.
And if Jim believed him and still wanted to have sex, the plain facts of their eventual probable separation still existed. Spock didn’t want everything to end at all let alone prematurely.
He had feelings for Jim. Affectionate feelings and he was wise enough to know he had fallen in love and he was pretty sure Jim returned his feelings.
Which left everything else such a conundrum.
And so, when Jim got up and left Spock’s bed, and Jim told him not to get up, he could continue to lie there in bed, Spock did, and just listened to the sound of Jim leaving.
Contemplated what it would really be to leave Jim. And did not like that thought at all.
“This is nice,” Jim said a few days later, on Friday, when they decided to go out to a restaurant together.
It was one that would accommodate Spock’s vegetarian tastes as well as Jim’s not so much. He was used to Nyota’s eating requirements, and going to “health food” places, but at least this one was just a nice restaurant.
On the way there, and all the way to their table in the back, Spock kept his knitted cap on the cover his ears. Jim felt bad that he felt the need to wear it, but on the other hand, he also knew how people were.
Once at the table though, Spock did remove it.
“They have my family’s Cabernet Sauvignons here. I’m thinking of getting a bottle. Would you have some?”
“I don’t drink wine.”
Jim smiled. “Do you drink blood?”
“I beg your pardon?”
He laughed and shook his head. “Dracula. You know, from the movies. He’d sometimes say that. Like Frank Langella from the 70s, I think.”
Spock shook his head.
“No? Okay, well.” Jim just smiled.
“Unknown references notwithstanding, Jim, I do not normally drink red wine, but since it’s from your family’s vineyard I am willing to do so.”
“Good.”
When their waiter came, and he started staring at Spock, Jim gave him the stink eye and the waiter quickly looked away and covered.
“We’ll have a bottle of the Kirk Vineyard’s Cabernet Sauvignon.”
The waiter nodded. “Coming right up.”
“Is this okay?” Jim asked. “I mean I know going out was my idea. I just thought it might be nice for kind of a real date.”
“It is perfectly fine, Jim.” Spock paused. “And it is nice.”
“But?”
“Why do you assume there’s a bit?”
He sighed. “There’s always a but.”
The waiter arrived with the bottle and poured even for Jim to sample. Of course he was quite familiar with the taste.
“Great, thanks.”
The waiter poured them both wine in their glasses and Jim sent him away while they continued to look at the menu.
“You don’t mind if I get a steak, do you?”
“Of course not. You may order whatever you want.”
“What are you thinking of?”
“Possibly the pasta primavera.”
“Good choice. If you like veggies.” Jim laughed again.
“I do.” Spock’s lips curved and he took a sip of the wine. “While I am not entirely familiar with everything wine is supposed to be, this is pleasant enough.”
“I’m glad you think so. It’s Dad’s pride and joy.”
“You mentioned a but.”
“Right. Just…I don’t know. Does it seem strange or even stupid to go out on a dinner date when you’re going home to Massachusetts soon?”
“Massachusetts,” Spock repeated softly.
“That’s where Vulcan is, right?”
Spock nodded. “Yes, it is East of here.”
“Every time I get involved with someone I end up liking, well, something happens that ends things. In your case, obviously, you’re getting out of dodge.”
“Getting out of—”
Jim waived that away. “Another saying. It means leaving.”
The waiter hovered nearby and Jim gestured him over. They made their orders and then Jim waited for him to leave again.
“It seems to me,” Jim continued. “That this is all kind of a waste of time on something that doesn’t really have a future.”
“I know and I am sorry.”
He nodded. “But I like you so much, I can’t seem to help myself with waiting the time anyway. When you leave, I’m going to…well feel pretty crappy to be honest.”
“It will be the same for me.”
Jim reached over and took Spock’s hand. “Somehow that doesn’t make me feel much better.”
Jim bent down and grabbed himself a bottled beer from his fridge.
“How’s Dad doing?” he asked his brother. He had Sam on speaker phone, his cell phone lying on the counter.
“Pretty good. Getting his strength back. He’s been out to the vineyard once even. Has to take it pretty slow but I think he’s going to be okay.”
Jim smiled. “I’m so glad. I was really worried. Wish I could see him more often.”
“You could move up here. There’s enough bedrooms and bathrooms for you to have your own ensuite. I might even be persuaded to get some constructions guys out to put in your own direct access door straight to your rooms.”
He rolled his eyes, well aware Sam couldn’t see him. But this was a constant with his family. Always trying to talk him into moving to Napa.
“That would be far too much of a commute from the University,” he said dryly.
“The winery’s doing well enough these days you could give up teaching. Dad and I can give you pointers on what you’d need to know about the wine business. You’ve said before you’re getting a little tired of teaching.” Sam paused. “Unless you’re getting along really good with that neighbor of yours.”
“Spock.”
“Strange name. Spock what?”
“I don’t know. It’s just Spock.”
“Hmm. So are you?”
“As a matter of fact he’s coming over here when he gets home from work.”
“Aha, so you are. When are you going to be bringing him up to meet the family?”
Jim laughed, twisted off the cap from his beer and took a long swig. “Never.”
“Never? You guys aren’t getting close?”
“Define close.”
“Sleeping together?”
“Sure.”
“Then why not bring him? Are you embarrassed by us?”
He sighed. “Nope. I mean, yeah, who wouldn’t be, but that’s not it.”
Sam snorted. “What is then? Why don’t you want us to meet your boyfriend?”
“Because he isn’t.”
“Isn’t?”
“That’s right. Not my boyfriend. We’re dating or seeing other, sleeping together, I guess, but the truth is it’s really temporary, so we aren’t getting serious.”
“It’s not really like you to sleep with someone casually though.”
“I know. But this time that’s what’s going on. I would have liked something else, but Spock’s not sticking around. His life here in San Francisco is temporary. He’s going back to where he came from soon.”
“I see. And where is that?”
“Some place called Vulcan. I think it’s back east. Like Massachusetts or something. So there’s no point in bringing him to meet the folks under those circumstances.”
No matter how much he was falling for Spock. Idiot that he was.
“Yeah I get you. Well, when he is gone, you should give serious consideration to my offer, Jim. We all want you here in Napa. If you don’t want to work on the vineyard, there are colleges up here for you to consider teaching at.”
“I’ll think about it,” Jim finally conceded.
“Good. I gotta go. I’ll talk to you again in a few days. Bye.” Jim disconnected the call and sighed. He was expecting Spock in about an hour, so he had work to do on grading papers in the meantime.
Jim Kirk looked up from the pad of paper he’d been scribbling on to the wide-eyed incredulous stare of Leonard “Bones” McCoy .
“What?”
“I thought you were actually taking notes during that lecture only to find out you’re writing that crap instead.”
Jim snorted. “Notes? You have to be kidding.”
“I don’t know, Jim. I thought maybe we came here to attend this conference to learn something. Silly me. You’re acting like a lovestruck school—”
“Don’t even think about finishing that sentence.” He leaned back in his chair. “It’s not that I don’t want to learn, Bones, but on this particular subject—”
“Hush.”
Just then the lecturer approached their table. The man, Abraham Waller, hurried over to Jim.
“Captain Kirk! What a pleasure.”
“Hello, Abraham. It’s great to see you. And please, it’s Jim.”
“Jim.” He glanced at Bones. “You must be Doctor McCoy. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Bones, looking unusually uncertain for him, shook Abraham’s hand. “Yes, I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Great lecture and subject.”
“Thank you, but of course Jim’s responsible for the course material and all that I spoke of.”
Bones stared at Jim, mouth hanging open. He closed it. “Of course.”
“Jim, if you’re available this evening, my wife and I would love to meet you for dinner.”
“That would be great. Contact me later with the information and we’ll set something up.” Jim smiled.
“I will. Nice to meet you again, Doctor.”
Bones gave him a look. “You could have told me, you know.”
Jim shrugged. “And missed that shocked look on your face?”
“What could you have told the doctor?”
“Oh, hey, Spock.”
“Jim here pretty much wrote our last lecture.”
Spock nodded. “I am aware.”
“Wait, you told Spock but—”
“Bones.”
Spock glanced down at Jim’s pad. “Jim + Spock? What does that mean, Captain?”
“It means that your captain is a school—”
Jim laughed. “Actually, Abraham Waller wants to have dinner, how about you be my plus one?”
“Very well, I accept.”
Bones grimaced. “Just like that?”
“Just like what, Doctor?”
Bones sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Jim just asked you out on a date, your first date, and you agreed without so much as a by your leave.”
Spock stared at him. “As a matter of fact I have gone on several dates with the captain.”
“Dates?” Bones asked, incredulous.
“Correct.”
“Dates like to dinner.”
“We often dine in the mess together.”
Bones chuckled. “That doesn’t count. That’s a group thing. Movies, romantic dinners, long walks, that kind of thing. That’s a date, Spock. Not chess or eating in the mess.”
Spock seemed to consider this. “I see. That is the only definition of dates with regard to the captain?”
Jim smirked as Bones seemed quite satisfied with the entire thing.
“Well, was there something else you consider a date, Spock?” Bones asked, grinning.
Spock shrugged. “So, the numerous occasions we engaged in sexual intercourse do not, in fact, count?”
Bones choked. “What?”
Jim rose. “You should have minded your own business, Bones. Come on, Spock. Let’s get ready for our first date according to Bones.”
Even before he spoke, Jim knew who had found him outside on a raised deck that overlooked the sea and the Golden Gate Bridge. Jim supposed it could have been Bones, but no. Bones seemed to know instinctively when it was best to leave his friend alone.
Whereas…
“Hi, Spock.”
“You have left your own celebration.”
It sounded vaguely accusatory though Jim doubted Spock meant it that way.
“Needed some air.” Jim smiled faintly. “It’s a beautiful night and you can see a lot of stars.”
Spock watched Jim instead of the stars. Or at least Jim felt Spock’s gaze on his face.
“You are unhappy with the outcome.”
“Well.” Jim shrugged.
“Most Starfleet officers would be eager for promotion.”
“I’m not most. You know that by now.”
Spock didn’t say anything to that, but he did move his gaze to the stars. “It coincides with your birthday.”
“Yep and that’s another punch in the gut,” Jim said with a laugh.
“I recall another birthday I was there for the celebration.”
Jim nodded. “Back on Yorktown. Yeah. A lot has changed since then.”
Spock and Uhura were no longer together. Chekov had died. Jaylah was the Enterprise’s navigator now, and her captain…well, it wasn’t Jim anymore. Not now.
Everything had changed and nothing had changed.
“See that star? The really bright one?”
“Indeed.”
“I was thinking of making a wish.”
“A wish, Admiral?”
Jim winced at that. “Don’t call me that, Spock. It’s Jim.”
“Very well, Jim.”
“There’s an ancient Earth song.” Jim sang, “When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are, anything your heart desires, will come to you.”
“You have an unexpectedly pleasant voice.”
Jim laughed. “Okay, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Do you wish often on stars, Jim?”
“I haven’t in years. But I once did.”
“What did you wish for?”
Jim sighed and stayed quiet for a moment. He didn’t really know how it had happened but somehow the two of them had positioned themselves as they spoke so that they stood almost impossibly close. He ought to move, he guessed, but he didn’t.
“When I was a small boy, I wished that my dad would be alive. After that, when I was a bit older, I wished my mom would come home. Then I wished Frank would disappear. I wished I wasn’t hun…a bunch of things. But I stopped when I was a teenager because nothing I ever wished for came true. It’s been years since I even bothered.”
He felt Spock’s gaze again, unwavering.
“Why now then?”
“Desperation?” He laughed, but it was self-mocking. “Wanting something so much and knowing you’ll never ever have it no matter what the song says.”
“And what are you wishing for tonight, Jim?”
Jim met Spock’s unreadable gaze. “I don’t think I’m supposed to tell you.”
“Why not?”
The corner of Jim’s mouth tugged upward against his will. “Wishing etiquette?”
Spock arched a brow. “If your wishes do not come true what harm is there in telling me?”
“What harm indeed.”
“Jim?”
He sighed then, put his hand on Spock’s jaw and saw the widening of Spock’s dark eyes. The recognition there.
“Anyone ever tell you that you ask too many questions, Spock?”
Jim kissed him. There was a moment where he felt Spock’s surprise through the touch of their lips. And just when Jim wondered if Spock would pull away, Spock put a hand on Jim’s waist.
The first one Spock allowed into their house, Jim hadn’t care that much. He’d known Spock liked them, though he would never admit it outright. Every time they had come across one, Spock ended up holding and petting them.
Once after they’d first married, Jim had suggested Spock adopt one. Their duties, though reduced, seemed to preclude that, so Spock had declined.
After Spock’s memories returned, after all the disaster of Khan and Genesis, Jim had brought it up again, but Spock had once more said no.
Therefore, Jim was mildly surprised when they retired to Riverside when one day Spock came into he house carrying a fluffy gray cat.
“That’s a cat,” Jim said, obviously.
“Indeed.”
“Well. Where did it come from?”
“I do not know the origins of these particular feline, but when I was out in the barn, she walked in.” Spock shrugged. “I believe it was her intent to adopt us.”
“Adopt us? Spock, she likely belongs to someone.”
But they checked and no one claimed her but Spock. Or as Spock had insisted, she claimed them.
The second one came home with Spock one day when he’d been at the store. Jim waited for his husband to say that the cat had followed him home, but Spock merely said that he saw the stray and picked him up.
The third and fourth were twin kittens Spock arrived home with some months later. By then, Jim had decided not to ask Spock where he got them. They made Spock happy and that was good enough for him. If they were, a bit, underfoot at times, well.
The fifth came one year right around Spock’s birthday and when Jim opened his mouth to protest, Spock coyly advised that this one was Jim’s birthday present to Spock. Since Jim had, in fact, forgotten Spock’s birthday, he closed his mouth.
There was a time or two when Jim broached the subject of a dog, but Spock pointed out that the cats probably would not welcome such a companion. Jim gave up that idea.
The moment he noticed a sixth cat, he counted them twice, Jim finally put his foot down.
“Spock, baby, you know I love you.”
“Yes, Jim.”
Jim smiled. “But maybe. Perhaps, a half a dozen cats is our limit.”
Spock pursed his lips. “Yes, perhaps.”
“I mean I know you have a particular fondness for—”
“Not over any particular creature, Jim,” Spock insisted.
“Er, right. Anyway, this should make our home quite full now.” He smiled again.
“However.”
Jim raised both brows. “However?”
Spock shifted awkwardly. “I was thinking that eight might be a more suitable number.”
Jim felt a headache building behind his eyes. “Eight, Mister Spock?”
Spock shrugged slightly. “It is only that they have already been acquired and are due to be delivered tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Yes, and since it is our anniversary—”
Jim frowned, thinking about it. Was it? He couldn’t quite recall. It was possible. He sighed.
“Very well. Uh. Happy anniversary, Spock. But that has to be the last.”
Clothes were strewn about Jim’s dorm. They finally were lying on the little bed. Spock on Jim, kissing him breathless. Whatever experience neither of them had, Spock was a damn fine kisser.
And damn fine too. Before they’d gotten on the bed, Jim had snuck a look at Spock’s nude body. Maybe he was wrong, but Jim was pretty sure Spock was extremely well built.
Everywhere.
And perhaps that part being well built ought to scare him a bit but it didn’t.
Jim sucked in a gulpful of air when Spock paused long enough to allow it. When Spock resumed his mouth’s assault, Jim lowered his hand between their bodies and closed his fingers around Spock’s hardening shaft. Of course, Jim knew what one felt like, having one himself, but this seemed somehow different. Having his fist around someone else’s dick, and Spock’s for pity’s sake, well…Jim considered his mind blown.
Spock moaned and stopped kissing Jim long enough to say hoarsely, “I can blow something else should you desire.”
Mirth bubbled up inside him. “Oh, I desire all right. Wait, were you reading my mind?”
“I am a touch telepath,” Spock reminded him. He groaned loudly when Jim swiped his thumb over the head of Spock’s cock. “For someone who has not done that you remarkably talented.”
“Well.” And Jim was blushing. “I have one, you know, and have done some…practicing.”
Spock arched a brow. “Yes, I take your meaning. I cannot deny a bit of research myself.”
Jim grinned, pulled him down for another kiss, but this time Spock pulled away.
“If your desire is for me to work my mouth on that particular appendage of yours, we will need to cease kissing, so that I may move down there.”
This time Jim laughed out loud. “Oh, my gosh, you’re so cool. I never imagined sex would be so funny and fun at the same time.”
Spock shrugged, kissed Jim once more, and then began to crawl down Jim’s body, dislodging Jim’s fingers from his own dick as he did so.
Jim’s breaths shorted. This was real. Spock was about to—
When I post this all at once on AO3 (if I do so we can all collect it if we want), I’ll probably play around with chapter placement, for now, this is the chapter numbers you get.
Spock kissed Jim for a long time. Holding him close. Arms around his waist. Just kissing. He wanted no pressure on either of them. Yes, he’d brought the necessary lubricant. And yes he wished for them to do whatever they felt like doing, but…on the other hand, he didn’t want to rush Jim. Or himself. They had time.
They made it over to Jim’s single bed. Fell on to it. Lips still connected. Arms still locked around each other. A fleeting thought was that they really needed bigger beds, both of them.
During a particularly heated kiss, Spock managed to knock Jim’s glasses askew, which caused a puff of a laugh to escape from Jim’s mouth to Spock’s and somehow it was like breathing the same air.
Spock removed the glasses and put them on a little side table by Jim’s bed. Now as he drew back and looked into those sapphire eyes, Spock thought they were like the most beautiful of jewels. He felt a bit foolish thinking this but he did anyway.
Jim licked his lips and Spock watched him. He watched Jim’s every move.
“Do you want to…do what we talked about or…like the-the full thing?”
Jim’s shy question filled Spock with so much warm affection and yes, lust, that it was almost too much for a Vulcan. He put his hand on Jim’s face. Everything about him, about this human, felt perfect, felt right.
“I want…everything with you.”
“Have you-you ever—?”
“I have no more experience than you, Jim, but…I have done research and I understand the logistics.”
Jim turned a bit pink, but his smile lit up his face. “Well…as long as you understand the logistics.”
“You are laughing at me.”
Jim shook his head, but his smile widened. “No. I mean, sure, but only a little. I, uh, too did some research. And I know how it works too.”
Spock’s lips twitched. “That is good.”
Jim returned to kissing him, and all amusement fled Spock’s mind, and his thoughts turned to what would happen next.
“Stood up again,” Leonard muttered as he lifted his glass of bourbon to his lips and took a large swallow.
Last time they were supposed to meet him at a restaurant, a few months back, some crisis prevented them from showing up. And Leonard was pretty sure getting stood up by Jim for plans dated back to their Academy days. If he thought Spock would be a mature, steadying influence…
He’d at least thought on his birthday, Jim would make the effort. But nope. They were supposed to be there a half hour ago.
He finished his drink and was about to slide right off the stool he sat on so he could be on his way when suddenly the bar’s door burst open and none other than Jim came rushing in, running, literally running, to Leonard.
His face was flushed red, his blue eyes shining, his lips looking a bit puffy. He wore his dress uniform. An admiral’s one, now, though just barely. There was a bit more gray in his hair than before, but still he was in pretty good shape. More than Leonard could probably say for himself. He guessed Khan’s blood was working its magic on Jim.
“Bones! Thank God, I didn’t miss you.”
“Jim—”
Jim one armed hugged him and then kissed the top of Leonard’s head. “Happy Birthday!”
“You been drinking already?”
“What?” Jim laughed. “No, no. I’ve had nothing.”
“You seem intoxicated.” Leonard narrowed his eyes.
Jim sat down hard on the stool next to him. “Drunk on love maybe.”
“Please, it’s my birthday. Where is Spock anyway? Thought he was coming.”
“He’s coming at a much more sedate pace, of course. I said I’d run along ahead to make sure you hadn’t left.”
“Well.” Leonard glared at him. “I’ve been waiting thirty minutes.”
“Exactly. Sorry. So Sorry.” He leaned forward, almost tumbling off the stool, as he kissed the top of Leonard’s head again. “Spock’s got your presents.”
Leonard perked up at this. “Presents?”
“Yep. It’s just some booze and stuff. You can wait to open them later.”
“You wrapped them? Why wrap booze if you were going to tell me? That’s no surprise, you know.”
“You hate surprises anyway. I told you ‘and stuff” so it’s not just booze.”
Leonard snorted. “If you haven’t already been drinking then—”
The door to the bar opened again and this time it was Spock. And he too had dressed in his dress uniform. His arms were full of brightly wrapped birthday presents.
Leonard grinned. “Ah, Jimmy, you shouldn’t have!”
“I know it. But I did.” Jim got up from the stool and rushed toward Spock, grabbing onto his arm, and dragging him the rest of the way. “Need help, honey?”
“I have it, Admiral.”
Leonard rolled his eyes. They’d been shagging for years and Spock still called him his title. Wondered if he did that while they were…nah, Leonard didn’t want to know.
Spock gazed blankly at Leonard, dumped the wrapped presents on the bar beside Leonard, and said, “Happy Birthday.”
“Thanks, Spock.”
Jim looked at Spock as though he’d hung the moon or something. He put his arm around Spock’s waist, and then looked back at Leonard.
“So, we were a little late, because…”
“You were canoodling.”
Jim laughed. “I know that’s your word for—”
“We were not,” Spock said quickly.
“Right. But we were getting married. Barnett married us in his office. His wife and daughter were our witnesses.”
“Wait. What? You got married on my birthday?”
“I had to act fast before Spock changed his mind. We’ll have like a big reception with everyone later.”
“A small one,” Spock said.
“Right,” Jim said again. “With like, I don’t know, five hundred—”
“Fifty.”
Jim shrugged. “Five hundred fifty then.”
“Jim—”
Leonard chuckled. “I can’t believe you saddled yourself to this idiot for the rest of your life.”
“Hey.” The idiot kissed his head again. Jim was very affectionate when he was happy.
Leonard got off his stool. “This calls for a dinner. For my birthday and your marriage. I’ll buy.”
“You can’t buy your own birthday dinner.”
“Watch me.”
Jim hugged him again, a full on one this time. “Thanks, Bones. I’m really happy.”
“I can tell.”
“Happy Birthday, Bones.”
Leonard gathered up his presents with Spock’s help and left the bar to go to a restaurant nearby. Happy Birthday, Eveningstar!~ I hope you enjoy your birthday trip
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 