October Flashes

Flash Fic, October 12, 2020

A bit of TOS. It’s not really that related to October/Halloween/Harvest but I threw in some mentions to make it work!

“It was a dark and stormy night.”

“Why?”

Jim lowered the book and gazed at the small Vulcan child peering up at him from his seat on the floor. Jim was sitting in a chair. The child, Saran, had informed Jim he would sit cross-legged on the carpeted floor.

“Why what?”

“Why was it dark and stormy?”

“Uh. I don’t know. That’s just how the story starts.”

Saran eyed him but nodded.

Jim cleared his throat. Babysitting Vulcans. Ugh.

“Soon he heard an ominous noise outside his window.”

“Why was it ominous?”

“Because he didn’t know what the sound was.”

“Then it should say, soon he heard an unknown noise outside his window. He decided to investigate.”

Jim sighed and closed the book. “I don’t think you’re in the mood for a ghost story.”

Saran sniffed. “Ghosts are illogical.”

“Sure are. So what else would you like to do, Saran?”

“You could tell me about your exploits.”

Jim paused. “My exploits.”

“You are a famous starship captain.” Saran paused. “Or so I have been told. You must have exploits.”

Jim opened his mouth to reply, but then was saved by the sudden appearance of Amanda, Spock’s mother.

“Oh! Here I am. I’m so sorry, Jim, I didn’t mean to be gone for so long.” She came to him and clasped his hands. “Spock’s on his way back now. Thank you for watching Sarek’s nephew.”

Jim smiled. “You’re welcome.”

She leaned in to whisper, “He’s at a bit of a challenging age. It was kind of you to watch him. And I really hadn’t intended to be gone so long.” She patted his arm. “Why don’t you go and wait on the covered terrace for Spock? I’ll send him out there when he comes.”

He tried not to be too relieved as he made his escape out to the terrace. There was a pitcher of cool water out on a table there, so he helped himself to a glass.

Jim had been rather surprised at the invitation to join Spock on Vulcan after they had saved the Earth from impending disaster. Again. Jim didn’t even feel the slightest bit bad about being demoted back to Captain. The admiralty hat hadn’t ever quite fit him.

It seemed that Spock, though he had gotten many of his memories back, he hadn’t gotten them all. There was a vague memory there, Jim supposed, of their past intimacy, but not enough to convince Spock to reestablish anything. Or so Jim had believed, until this recent invitation.

The door on to the terrace opened and Spock stepped outside. He was wearing those Vulcan robes he seemed to favor on the planet. This was a short visit before they would return to duty.

“Everything okay?”

“Indeed.” Spock came to stand near him. Jim had been viewing some plants in pots there. “My mother’s garden. She has another garden in the back yard.”

“Yes, she showed me earlier. Told me there’s no real harvest time like there is back in Iowa.”

“Yes. I do apologize for staying away so long today. Mother informed me you were required to watch Saran for a time.”

Jim chuckled. “Yep. Not sure I’m very good with children. Probably a good thing Carol kept David from me.” His smile faded, his mood now melancholy.

Spock, of course, knew. “I am sorry, Jim. For the horrifying loss of your son.”

He nodded, turning away. “The pain is manageable.”

At least I have you, Jim thought.

It wasn’t in the same capacity of what he’d been used to, what he wanted. But it was something. Yes. He would have Spock however Spock would allow it.

“I tried to read a ghost story to Saran,” Jim said, changing the subject.

“A ghost story, Captain?”

“October, Mister Spock. The month of Halloween.”

“Ah.” Spock nodded. “I recall.” He gestured to two chairs. “Will you sit with me? There is something I would like to discuss.”

Trying to stem his curiosity, Jim took the seat and waited as Spock sat beside him.

“I would like to discuss us.”

Jim glanced at Spock’s face, trying to read what that meant. He was unsuccessful in figuring it out. “Us?”

Spock held his hand up in the air toward Jim, who’s gaze zeroed in on it. He swallowed. He must have hesitated too long for Spock began to lower his hand, his brows furrowed. Jim hastily thrust his hand out, rather clumsily, and touched his fingers to Spock’s.

“It-it’s been a long time for that,” he whispered.

“Is it unwelcome?”

“No.” Jim paused, feeling hope spring up in his chest. “No.”

October 12, 2020

Flash Fic, October 09, 2020

This was a prompt from J

It was weird not being on the Enterprise for three months, but it’s something Starfleet forced Jim to agree to after the end of their five-year mission. He was signing up for a new one, another five years, which he’d debated at least a thousand times with everyone he knew. And had decided that, yes, the decision was right for him.

Yet still they’d insisted on leave.

For the first month he’d been the dutiful son and visited his mom. She was thrilled for the visit.

But then now he was on New Vulcan, of all places, doing three six week classes to young Vulcans. Battle Leadership Tactics. Considering Jim’s checkered past with reprogramming a certain test, Jim had been surprised at the invitation, but Sarek had assured him it was genuine.

And it had allowed Spock to spend some time bonding with his father. If Vulcans did that sort of bonding.

The first six-week class was over and it was now time for new one. It was October, though as far as Jim could tell, this new version of Vulcan never changed temperatures much.

A throat cleared.

Jim looked up from where he sat at his desk, going over coursework.

A Young Vulcan male stood there.

“Hi.”

“Greetings, Captain Kirk. I have brought you something.”

Jim smiled. “Your completed assignment?”

“Not as yet.” The Vulcan stepped forward and placed a cellophane wrapped package on his desk.

Jim looked at it. It appeared to be an apple. His gaze rose curiously.

“It is a seasonal treat,” the Vulcan said, smoothly, rather proudly.

“Oh?”

“Indeed. A caramel apple. I have researched Earth and, also, your apparent fondness for fruit of this nature, so armed with this knowledge, I was able to provide a replication of this fruit seasonally dressed out with caramel.”

“Mm. Well. That is very considerate.”

“Then you are pleased?”

Jim smiled. “Yes. Now, please take your seat. I am hopeful you will provide as much enthusiasm to complete the required assignment.”

The Vulcan male nodded and went to his seat.

In his place were three others. Two females and one male. He remembered them from the first six-week course.

“You already completed this course.”

“Indeed,” one of the females conceited. “But…with barely passing grades, if you will recall.”

“I do.”

“We have decided to take it again to improve our scores and perceptions of the topic.”

“Uh. Okay. Sure.” Jim smiled again. “Take your seats.”

As he looked out, he noticed quite a few of the Vulcan from the first six-week course had come back for this one. He didn’t get it.

“Let’s get started.”

Jim stood up and came around his desk. He was pleased to see he seemed to have their undivided attention.

One raised her hand.

“You have a question?”

“Yes, Captain Kirk. Is it true that you are married and share a bond with a Vulcan?”

“That’s your question?”

“Affirmative.”

Jim nodded. “Yes. I am bonded and married to Spock, Ambassador Sarek’s son and my first office on the Enterprise.”

“For how long?”

“How long…I’m sorry what does this have to do with Battle Leadership Tactics?”

“Nothing directly,” she admitted. “Merely a curiosity.”

“Let’s get back on topic.” Jim dropped the stylus he carried as a matter of habit. With a sigh, he bent down to pick it up. He heard a collective creaking of the chairs, and then as he glanced at the students, he realized they were all leaning forward in their seats. He quickly straightened and turned to face them, putting his buttocks against the nearby wall.

No, no. It wasn’t possible they all had checked out his ass, was it? They were Vulcans, after all.

Jim decided to ignore the possibility and just continued teaching the class.

When that course was over and the new six-week one began, Jim was surprised to once again see many of the same Vulcan students.

Once again, he tried, “You’ve already taken the course.”

“Indeed,” said one Vulcan male. “But I learned so much last time, I am certain there is still much to learn from you, Captain.”

That first day, toward the end of the class, Spock and Sarek showed up. They stood to the back of the room to wait for the class to be over.

When it was, many of the students hurried out faster than normal, giving Spock a look as they basically fled the classroom.

Jim smiled as he approached Spock and Sarek.

“Hey, it’s great to see you.”

Spock spotted the package in Jim’s hands. “What is that?”

“Hmm? Oh. Another caramel apple. I swear they won’t stop giving me things. So weird.”

Spock arched a brow. “They are courting you.”

Jim laughed. “Right.”

“My son is correct. They are making attempts to win your favor.”

Jim frowned. “To get a better grade?”

Spock shook his head. “No, they are all…attracted to you, Captain.”

“What? Give me a break.”

“It is true, Jim. Father and I just watched. I had my suspicions but now they are confirmed.”

Jim rolled his eyes. “Whatever you say.” He touched Spock’s fingers with his. “I only have eyes for you.”

“I am gratified.”

“As a matter of fact, Jim,” Sarek said, “I have been asked to inquire if you might extend your stay and give another six-week course. Apparently there are some who would like to attend who could not get a spot.”

“Sorry, no can do. Once this one’s over it’s back to my ship.”

Spock murmured, “And not a moment too soon.”

Jim laughed again. “Come on you two. I’m starved, let’s go pig out on Kreyla or something.”

And Spock and Sarek fell into step behind him, both unbeknownst to Jim, eyeing his bottom as he walked before them.

October 9, 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, October 05, 2020

“Doctor McCoy sent you a package.”

Jim smiled from his spot lounging on the couch. Spock had covered him with a fluffy autumn throw and propped him up with big squishy pillows. He’d also lit a fire in the fireplace.

“Probably a box of more medicine.”

“We will see.”

They were currently spending Jim’s medical leave in a mountain retreat in the Rockies. They would be there for an extended time as Jim had been severely injured in a blast on an away mission.

Spock opened the box and looked inside.

“Well?”

He pulled out a box of hot cocoa “Pumpkin Spice” was labeled on the outside.

“Oh my God! I love Bones.” Jim grinned at the look Spock gave him. “I love you way more though. What else?”

“Pumpkin tea for the hobgoblin,” Spock read from the note. He narrowed his eyes. “A light up autumnal gourd.”

Spock held it up and flipped a switch as it lit up.

Jim’s smile widened. “Ah, I love it.”

“Why does it have a face?” Spock queried.

“It’s a Jack o’ Lantern for Halloween.”

Spock shook his head. “Count Chocula Cereal.”

“Score! Bones thinks of everything.”

“Pumpkin Spice coffee and also various bags of Halloween candy.”

Jim’s smile turned soft. “All the comforts of home. That is so cool. I’ll have to send him a note to thank him.”

“Later. For now, you need to rest.”

“Rest? I’m already lying down, Spock.”

“You need to sleep.”

“I’m not a little kid who needs a nap.”

“When we allowed you to have your leave here instead of in a Starfleet approved medical facility you agreed to do everything that either I or Doctor McCoy said.”

Jim sighed. “I know. Okay.”

Spock knelt down beside him. “I almost lost you again, ashayam. Please indulge me.”

“Of course I will. I’m sorry.”

Spock leaned up and kissed him. “I am not. I am grateful. When you wake, you can have some of the cocoa.”

“Join me?”

Spock rolled his eyes. “You are not yet ready for that. I will have tea.”

He laughed. “Okay.”

“Be good and close your eyes.”

Jim smiled faintly, but closed his eyes. He was still very pale and tired easily, but yes, he was here, and Spock would care for him.

October 5, 2020

Flash Fic, October 02, 2020

A somewhat melancholy autumn day for the boys of The Thought of You is Consuming Me.

I opened my eyes to see the spot next to me in bed was currently empty. I placed my hand there and it still felt warm from Chris’ body. I turned onto my back, looking up at the carved wood ceiling. The room was well-lit with both candles and sunlight from the open windows.

They’d been pulled closed before, so I knew Chris had opened them and lit the candles. I allowed no servants to enter my bedchamber when Chris stayed over. I glanced over and saw him standing there at the window looking out on Bulwary Street, no doubt at the carriages and riders passing by. There’d be fewer now. Though I knew London was never really deserted, even when the Season ended, which it had more than a month earlier.

“You’re up early,” I said.

“Have to be off,” Chris replied, not turning around. “Traveling out of London and to the Country seat this afternoon.”

I knew it of course, but the words and the meaning behind them still hit me hard. We wouldn’t see each other nearly as much over the next several weeks. He would be off to his family’s estates and me to mine. Miles away from London and our almost nightly visits.

I sat up then and swung my leg to the floor.

He turned then, his blue eyes sweeping over me. “You don’t have to get up, Zach. I wasn’t going to bother you.”

“No goodbye?”

“Wasn’t last night’s activities enough of a goodbye?” He smiled, sweet and almost shy. “Temporary anyway. It’s never truly goodbye.”

I rose and went to him. “And it shan’t ever be, Christopher.” I pulled him into my arms, and we kissed deep and slow.

He leaned against me, resting his head against my shoulder. “And when are you off?”

“Not until tomorrow morning. I’ve got some things to settle up here today.”

“Autumn is my favorite time in the country,” he murmured. “Only that we are parted is my one regret.”

“We will make time as always.”

“Yes.” He put his hand on my cheek, the bristle of the growth of beard on my jaw. “I love you. Only you.”

“And you have my love in return. May your journey be a safe one.”

He smiled and kissed me once more. “And yours.”

October 2, 2020

Flash Fic, October 23, 2019

A wee bit weird!

“Rumors are this place is haunted.”

Spock glanced at Jim with what could only be considered derision. “I am surprised you would listen to rumors, Captain. Especially nonsensical ones.”

Jim snorted. “Tell me how you really feel, Spock.”

“I always endeavor to do so.”

Jim sighed. Crossed his arms in front of him as he looked at the ruins of the ancient civilization. It was little more than abandoned decaying buildings and crumbling stone arches. It was kind of eerie but more than that it made Jim sad for what was lost. Whoever had lived here, had dreams and hopes and wishes for a future that never happened.

“Did you want to go into the dwelling further, captain? I do not recommend it. It looks dangerous.”

“I’m sure it’s fine. I’ll be careful. Report over to the chieftain of the village and I’ll meet you there shortly.”

“You do not intend to go in there alone.”

“It’s not haunted, remember? You said yourself.”

“Indeed, but they are crumbling ruins, Captain.”

“I’ll be careful.”

Spock hesitated, but he finally nodded. “If you do not return to the village in fifteen minutes—

“I will.”

He waved Spock away and headed into the ruins. He knew his first officer watched his every moved, but Jim ignored it. He’d chalk it up to their new-found…er…well whatever it was they were…more than friends, less than lovers? Jim sure as hell didn’t know—but Spock had been weird about watching Jim’s every move even before all that. Jim used to think Spock was looking for a way to file a report against him, but he no longer thought that.

Jim didn’t know all that much about this ancient, almost-forgotten civilization. The chieftain had told them that the ruins had been abandoned for hundreds of years, long before any of them were alive, and had long been the subject of stories about ghosts and hauntings.

Spock had barely contained his skepticism as the chieftain spoke, but Jim figured that was mostly because the chieftain had a huge crush on Spock and had been openly flirting with Jim’s second in command since they’d arrived.

The chieftain had suggested they go look at the ruins while he prepared the feast for them, but he’d wanted Spock to stay at the village and Jim to go alone. Jim had decided he’d just let Spock go back early. Especially since the Vulcan hadn’t wanted to go anyway.

Jim ducked under a half collapsed arch, trying to imagine what the people from this planet would have been like hundreds of years ago. They had jewel eyes now and lilac skin, attractive. It was unknown what their ancient ancestors looked like. Perhaps the same.

It had been an earthquake that had destroyed them, sudden and catastrophic. When they had rebuilt, it was on the other side of the planet, less prone to seismic activity, and this place was never rebuilt.

Jim stepped through what must have been a doorway into a house or something.

He heard a child’s laugh, merry and bright, and so real-sounding, Jim turned quickly. But there was nothing and no one there.

“I’m getting punchy.” He shook his head and decided maybe he was better off going back to the village sooner rather than later.

He took a step and fell through a hole.

“Shit!”

He didn’t know how far he fell but it seemed like a long distance and when he landed, his leg was twisted underneath him at a painful and clearly broken angle. He went to fish his communicator out of his pocket and discovered it was missing.

All around him was nothing but darkness. Even looking up, he couldn’t even see the sky. And he suddenly felt like it was all a setup from the chieftain.

He hoped he was wrong.

****

“Come on, Jim. Wake up.”

A gentle hand on his face. Light as a feather.

“Jim. Jim. Please. Wake up. Come on. You can do it. Come back to us. Come on, kid.”

He was trying. He was. Couldn’t-couldn’t whoever it was tell? He should know the speaker. He should. But he couldn’t think of them. Couldn’t…

So tired.

“Jim. Please. Jim.”

A different voice. But still familiar.

Drifting. Let me rest.

“No!”

Jim woke with a gasp and he sat up straight into strong arms that held him. He blinked hard, and stared into Spock’s dark eyes.

“Jim,” Spock said, it sounded almost like a whimper. He pulled Jim close.

“Easy, Spock. Easy,” Bones said. “Let him breathe. Let him catch his breath.”

Spock pulled back, but only a little.

Jim put his hand up to Spock’s face. Spock was shaking. “Medbay?”

“Yes. We…”

“You almost died on us again, Jim.”

Jim looked at Bones. “The ruins?”

“You fell down some giant crater thing. Lost consciousness. It took us a long time to reach you and you’d lost a lot of blood.”

He nodded. Looked back at Jim. “The chieftain?”

“Chieftain?”

“Of the village. He had the hots for you. I thought maybe he set me up to fall.”

Spock shook his head. He covered Jim’s hand with his. “There was no chieftain, Jim. The planet was abandoned. The ruins were from an extinct civilization. It is unknown what happened to the people from there.”

“But…they were lilac with jewel eyes and…”

“No, Jim. There was no one on the planet. We had barely begun to explore the ruins when you fell.”

He could barely believe it but his friends were looking at him like he was crazy, so he nodded. “Okay.”

“You gave me and your husband here a heart attack.”

Jim’s mouth hung open. “My-my what?”

“Ashaya, perhaps you ought to lie down.”

“You are unaware Spock is your husband?”

“Since?”
“For a year!” Bones exclaimed. “Spock is right. Lie down. I’d better check a few things.”

Jim allowed Spock to ease him back down on the biobed and as Spock held his hand while Bones examined him, Jim heard the faint laughter of a child.

October 23, 2019

Flash Fic, October 16, 2019

Featuring Pinto

Chris stepped outside as Zach held the door open of the Starbucks they had just had coffee at just moments earlier.

“Dinner next?” Chris wondered, because truth be told, he was hungry. The espresso he’d just downed hadn’t really done much to get rid of that.

He’d been vaguely surprised to even hear from Zach as he knew his friend had a pretty busy filming schedule right now. Still, Chris wouldn’t complain about any chance to spend time with Zach.

“Eventually, sure,” was Zach’s reply. “But it being October and just a couple of weeks until Halloween, I thought we’d do something else first.”

Chris eyed him. “Something else? Halloween? Oh, God. Please tell me you aren’t having us go to an Escape Room. I’m claustrophobic.”

Zach rolled his eyes. “I know that, Christopher. Not an Escape Room. A haunted house.”

“A haunted…damn it, Zach. Most of those are so lame. I haven’t gone to one of those since I was a teenager.”

“A very long time ago,” Zach cracked.

“Says the guy who is older than me. Okay, fine. We’ll go. But you are so buying dinner.”

Zach smiled amicably. “Sure, sure.” He clicked open the locks of the rental car. “Get in, my boy.”

Chris snorted, but got in. Zach remained mostly silent on the way to the haunted house. Beating a rhythm on the dashboard to Monster Mash playing on the radio.

He pulled into a parking lot that proclaimed it was for the Haunted House. To Chris it looked like one of those prop houses on the movie lots, but he shook his head, grinned good-naturedly, and got out to follow Zach up to the door where his friend forked over two five dollar bills as entrance fees.

A woman stood in the front entry way of the house, dressed in an outfit reminiscent of a Disneyland costume from the Haunted Mansion.

“Welcome, Victims,” she declared in a falsely eerie voice. She pointed to an elevator. “This way.”

Chris withheld his eye role and followed Zach and a few others into the elevator, which predictably dropped several flows below. There was a scream and the elevator went dark.

“Disney should sue,” Chris muttered. He put his hand on Zach’s arm.

The elevator stopped and the lights flashed on.

He turned to Zach to say something about the lameness when he saw his hand was on some other guy’s arm. He stared at Chris.

“Do you mind, dude?” the guy said, moving away.

“Zach? Where the hell did you go, man?” He glanced around but didn’t see his friend. Everyone was moving on to the next part, so Chris followed, all the while looking for Zach, figuring his impatient friend had gone on without him.

At the next part, Chris jumped a little when costumed performers jumped out unexpectedly. And okay, maybe the first time his scream was a little high-pitched.

“Zach? Dude, where’d you go?”

He moved on to another part with a room full of twisted mirrors, but still didn’t find Zach. He was starting to get pissed. He hadn’t expected Zach to ditch him.

At the end, the last room had a mad scientist, and he was working on a mannequin in a chair. He pulled out a drill and aimed it for the dummy’s mouth.

And then the dummy screamed.

“Chris! Chris! Help! Help!”

****

“Hey, come on, Chris. It was a joke, okay?”

“Not funny.” Chris walked ahead back to the car.

“It was a little. You should have seen your face.” Zach stopped to double over laughing.

“Fuck you, Quinto.”

Zach straightened and scrambled after him. “Sorry. Come on. Sorry. Okay.”

Chris looked away, and wiped his eyes.

“Wait. Jeez. You…you aren’t crying, are you?”

“No.”

“Shit. Yeah, you are. Chris, man, no. I didn’t mean anything. It was just a stupid…” Zach grabbed Chris’ arms and turned him. “I would never…”

Chris laughed and smacked him in the face. “Crying. Get real.”

“You asshole!” Zach touched his face where Chris hit him. But he was laughing too. “You had me going.”

Chris smirked. “Yeah? That was lame, Quinto.”

Zach nodded. “Yeah, a little.” He searched Chris’ eyes. “So, we’re good?”

“Yeah.” He moved in close, putting his hand over Zach’s that still touched his face where Chris had hit. “Did I hurt you?”

“Stung a bit.”

“Yeah?”

“Want to kiss and make it better?”

Their hands lowered from Zach’s face and Chris smiled, leaning in, kissing his stubbly jaw.

“Did that make it better?”

“Hmm. Not sure. You’d better do it again.”

Chris chuckled, but he did, and just as his lips touched Zach’s jaw, he turned his face, so that Chris was kissing his mouth instead. Chris’ tongue teased the corner of Zach’s mouth.

“Better?” Chris murmured and kissed him again, this time longer.

“Way better. Dinner? How about we order a pizza and eat it at your place?”

“Best idea you’ve had since you called me, Quinto.” He kissed Zach long and slow, lingering over the stubble of his jaw as he pulled back. “Maybe you can try escaping from my room.”

Zach shook his head. “I’ll fail. Because I’m not leaving until morning.”

Chris laughed. “I thought surely that should be my line. You’ll never get away.” His laughter was sinister.

Zach opened the rental car. “Just get in, Pine.”

“Home, James.”

“Zach. Remember? Zach.”

Chris reached for his hand and threaded their fingers together. “Yeah. Yeah. I know.”

October 16, 2019

Flash Fic, October 09, 2019

“Do you believe in ghosts and the like?”

“Oh, for God’s sake, Jim. I’m trying to study for a big exam here.”

Jim nudged Bones’ leg as he sat before his terminal in their combined dorm. Bones didn’t just have a cup of black coffee next to him, but a carafe.

Hand on one hip, Jim smirked. “I’m serious.”

“You think asking me if I believe in spooks is serious?”

“Uh-huh. I think I saw one.”

“How much did you have to drink?”

“Nothing! It was at the library. I was sitting at the table in the back by the philosophy section. All by myself.”

Bones snorted. “And you’re surprised? It was philosophy. Boring.”

“I know.” Jim rolled his eyes. “You’re a doctor not a philosopher.”

“Yep. Go away. You’re bugging me.”

“Anyway, as I was sitting there, he appeared…”

“Of course it was a guy.”

“Dark hair, pale skin, all dressed in black, and like a hooded cape on.”

“And that makes him a spook?”

“No. But I looked down at my PADD for like a second when I got a message from Sam and when I looked up the hooded figure was gone.”

“Hooded figure? You watch too many movies. He just went to another part of the library, Jim.”

“I would have thought so but I looked around everywhere and he was nowhere to be found.” Jim sat on the edge of Bone’s desk. “I think he was a ghost.”

“Sure, sure.” Bones leaned back in his chair. “Did you tell the professor?”

“No,” Jim said quickly. “He’d think I was crazy and illogical to boot.”

“Gotta agree with him there. I’m actually surprised you aren’t with him. Or he’s not with you. I thought you two had been sewn together or something.”

“Don’t be stupid. I asked if he wanted to be and he said no.”

Bones rolled his eyes. “Didn’t I tell you to get lost?”

“Yeah, yeah. He’s having dinner with his folks.”

“Didn’t invite you?”

“Not this time. It’s still pretty new, you know? And I think he’s waiting to see if he can stand me that long.”

“Oh he can stand you. I know from all the times I’ve seen his tongue in your mouth.”

Jim laughed and shoved him. “I’m going back to the library.”

“In search of ghosts?”

“Nah, philosophy. I still want to find a book I’m looking for. Haven’t found it yet, though it’s supposed to be there and no one has checked it out.”

“Woooowooo, spooky,” Bones said, sarcastically.

“Oh be quiet. See you later. And ease up on the caffeine dude. You’re shaking.”

Jim headed back down the campus to the library. It was a quiet night without many people around. There was a slight crisp in the air, the kind that would make his boyfriend pull on a sweater but Jim didn’t mind it.

It was a Friday night, so he knew hardly anyone would be around and though he’d mentioned his “ghost” to Bones, Jim hadn’t really believed it.

He went right up to the Philosophy section to look for his book. He’d been looking for about ten minutes when he decided to go to the table he’d sat at before and leave his book bag there. He turned the corner of the aisle and saw…

The hooded man. He was leaning over the table, placing something there.

“Hey!”

The man turned toward him and his hood fell slightly revealing pointed ears.

Jim frowned, heart thundering. “Spock? Is that…”

But no, the Vulcan looked older and…

He disappeared in front of Jim’s eyes.

“What the…”

Jim shook his head rapidly. No way. He went over to the table and looked down at what the figure had placed on his table.

It was the book he’d been looking for. He put his hand on it. Real.

His communicator beeped and Jim jumped. He fished it out of his pocket, looked at who it was, and flipped it open.

“Hi. You through? Yeah. Me too. I’m leaving the library. Meet you at your apartment. Bye.”

He closed it. Put it away and stuffed the book into his bag.

“Thanks,” he muttered and left the library.

October 9, 2019

Flash Fic, October 4, 2019

Spock was knocked onto a giant pile of leaves that, fortunately, broke his fall. And normally he would be offended by the action, but since it was Jim who had done it…no, he was still offended. Even as his beautiful, laughing boyfriend lay atop him in the pile of moist, dead leaves of reds, browns, and oranges.

“Gotcha!” Jim exclaimed, gleefully.

“You already had me, Jim,” Spock replied, dryly. “There was no reason for an attack.”

“It’s not an attack, sweetheart.”

“You made a running jump upon my person and knocked me to the ground. How is that not an attack?”

Suddenly Spock felt something wiggle right under his shoulder and he jumped ten feet.

“There is an insect—”

Jim laughed like a maniac. “Spock, sorry, sorry. That was me.”

“What?” Spock’s heart was hammering in his side.

“I wanted to see your reaction.” Jim grinned and leaned down to kiss Spock, who moved his mouth out of range. “Ah, now I made you mad.”

“I am not angry. I just find your behavior childish.” Though perhaps Spock was very vaguely amused. Jim was appealing like this.

“Sorry, sweetheart. I forgot you don’t like to be teased.”

“I am not opposed to being teased as a means of flirtation, however—”

“I know.” Jim kissed his lips, Spock allowed it this time. “I didn’t know you’d jump. You’re so calm, cool and collected most of the time.” Jim moved off Spock and he missed the weight of Jim’s body immediately as Jim turned onto his back to lie beside Spock in the leaves, staring up at the sky. “October was always one of my favorites, you know?”

Spock turned his head to look at Jim. “Why is that?”

“The leaves. They start changing in September, but really, in October they go crazy. And they fall like this and you pile them up. November too. I don’t know. It was different. And it was also light a little bit later than it is in November. It got dark really fast then. But October? I loved lazy days lying around in leaf piles.”

“A strange custom.”

Jim laughed and shook his head. “Not a custom, mostly. Just…I don’t know. Fun. Before Sam left he’d lie here with me in the leaves, like you are. And in the late afternoon we’d watch the clouds float by and decide what they were shaped as.” He sighed. “I loved it.”

“You are sad, Ashayam.”

“Only a little. Memories do that sometimes, I guess. There weren’t a lot of good memories from my childhood, but that was one of them.” Jim sat up. “Ready to go back inside?”

Spock reached for Jim’s hand and drew him back down to him, to lie along Spock’s chest. “Not quite yet. Let’s stay a moment.”

“Yeah?” Jim smiled.

Spock pointed. “That cloud there? It looks like a cat.”

Jim chuckled. “It does. The one behind it? Might be a dog chasing it.”

“Perhaps. But it resembles a duck more to me.”

“A duck? You need glasses!” He snuggled closer to Spock. Spock’s lips twitched. “I love you. And thank you.”

“I love you as well. And it is a duck.”

October 4, 2019

Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Fan Fiction and Personal Ramblings

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