This is a continuation of the August 18th flash where Jim had marks on his neck.
“Who are you smiling at?” Bones demanded.
Jim let the smile slip from his face and turned his gaze back to Bones. “No one.”
“Oh sure. I’ve seen that smile. It’s your secret we’re going to sleep together later face.”
He laughed. “You’re crazy.”
“This is the same person who gave you the marks all over your neck.” Bones narrowed his eyes and looked around the cafeteria. “I don’t see him.”
“Bones—”
“See who, doctor?”
Jim Jumped as Spock appeared at their table. “Uh. Hi Professor.”
“Cadet,” Spock murmured.
“Idiots,” Bones said much louder.
Jim rolled his eyes. “Would you like to join us?”
Spock nodded and sat directly beside Jim.
Bones grimaced. “How’s that logical philosophy going, Spock?”
“Logical philosophy?”
“Uh-huh. That class Jim’s taking with you.”
Spock eyed Jim, who merely smiled. “He is a perfect student.”
“Oh, I’ll just bet,” Bones said with a snort. “He’s definitely getting good marks…ouch! Damn it, Jim. Now my shin is killing me.”
“Hypo yourself.”
“Why don’t you go—” Bones stopped himself and sighed. “Oh forget it. I’ve lost my appetite. Enjoy your…uh…lunch.”
Jim watched his friend skedaddle. He shook his head.
“I owe you an apology, Jim.”
Jim smiled quizzically at Spock. “Yeah?”
“About the doctor. You are correct. He is quite…odd.”
He laughed again. “Yeah, you got that right. And I don’t have a class the rest of the afternoon. What about you?”
“I too am finished for the day.”
Jim’s smile widened. “Then why are we still here instead of on the way to your apartment?”
“That is an excellent question. Let us rectify that.”
Jim winked and they rose from their seats, heading out of the cafeteria and off to their logical philosophy course for that extra credit Jim definitely needed.
The hot Vulcan glanced at Jim, his expression blank, yet at the same time hostile. Not exactly a great start.
“That question makes no sense as you can clearly see the chair is there.”
“Funny.”
“I am not.”
Jim tried again. “Is this seat occupied?”
“That question is likewise illogical considering you can see that it is empty.”
Jim counted to ten, then sighed. “Okay, seriously, you’re hot but you aren’t worth all this, so I’ll find someplace else to sit. Thanks.”
He went to turn away when the Vulcan’s voice stopped him.
“If your purpose was to inquire if you may occupy the chair yourself, the answer is yes.”
Jim hesitated only a moment before sitting across from him. “Jim Kirk.”
“I am aware. Your reputation precedes you. Spock.”
Jim smiled. “My reputation huh? Don’t believe everything you hear.”
Spock simply stared at him.
“Look. I don’t see the point of a lot of small talk, so I’ll get right to it. I’m interested in sleeping with you.”
“I have a class in ten minutes,” Spock replied.
Jim laughed. “Are you always so literal? Yeah, I bet you are. Never mind. I don’t mean this minute or in ten minutes, but soon.” He thought about it, so he said, “And when I say sleep I mean…”
“Yes,” Spock murmured. “I understand the colloquialism.” He paused. His expression never really changed from the sort of hostile blankness Jim initially received, and yet. “I am amenable.”
“You are?”
Spock arched a brow. “Is that not the answer you are seeking?”
“Uh. Yeah. It is. I’m just…surprised.”
“I am certain you are used to paramours accepting your desire to sleep with them.”
Jim wasn’t sure about them, but he nodded, and licked his lips. “When?”
“I am done with classes for the day at 1800 hours. Be at my apartment at 1900 hours.” Spock rose then, quickly provided his address, and then left without another word.
Jim laughed again, shook his head, and guessed maybe this was his lucky day.
But Spock, staring at him with those dark chocolate eyes, replied, “I’m listening.”
Jim looked out at the hallway, there was no one else there on this floor of the apartment building, but he still didn’t want to do this out here. Where Spock could slam the door in his stupid face.
“Can I come in?” He saw the hesitation there, briefly, on Spock’s face. “Please.”
Spock stepped back without a word and let Jim in. Jim was relieved when the door closed with him on the inside.
He could beat around the bush and ramble on about shit that didn’t matter. But he wasn’t going to do that. Not this time.
“I love you. I know I’ve never said it and I know I’ve done…all kinds of things that make you doubt me, make you doubt us, I get it. But I’ve never loved anyone until I met you. You make me a better person, because I want to be…for you. You inspire me. You know everything there is to know about me, even the bad things, and still…Spock. I love you. And I never want to be without you. Ever.”
He’d gotten it all out, he thought. He’d rehearsed it, but it hadn’t come out quite like he wanted it to. He hoped it would be enough anyway. That it wasn’t too late and he hadn’t screwed it all up.
“I…”
“Give me another chance.”
He stepped close to Spock, his eyes pleading.
Spock exhaled. “Very well.” He reached for Jim’s hand and held it, threading their fingers together. “Stay with me.”
Jim smiled, softly. “I’m definitely not going anywhere.”
Starfleet Academy has set up some sort of recruitment center in an auditorium on campus. Spock was required to be there, though, honestly he was not very interested. But being the head of the science department and even having programmed some of the Academy’s aptitude tests, he was given no choice.
Very few stopped by his area for science study. He noticed many went to engineering or security or, of course, command. He got an occasion medical doctor. Earlier that day one such man from Georgia had stopped by to scowl at Spock. Spock scowled back.
So Spock was surprised when a young, blond human stopped in front of the material for science. He stood before the computer and swiped left and right. From where Spock stood at the side, he could see the young man was extraordinarily good looking by any standards of any humanoids. He his long lashes that fell over very blue eyes.
Spock moved away from his hidden spot and approached.
“May I help you?”
The human flashed Spock a brilliant smile, showing little rabbit teeth that Spock somehow found quite appealing.
“Hi, Jim Kirk.”
The name brought forth a memory.
“Are you related to George Kirk of the USS Kelvin.”
The smile didn’t slip. “That’s right. He was my dad. I never knew him then.”
“Then you are the child that was born during the attack?”
“Well. Not a child anymore, obviously. But yes. You’re Professor Spock, right?”
“Yes. Surely you aren’t interested in studying science.”
Jim shrugged. “You’d be surprised. I was thinking of minoring in it. Astrophysics. I’ll be concentrating on command, of course, but I want as much education as I can get. I think that will help with command.” He grinned. “Maybe I’ll take the engineering courses too.”
“That would put a lot of burden on your shoulders to complete such an expanded course of learning.”
“Yeah, sure, but I’m up for the challenge.”
Spock inclined his head. “Very well then.”
“Speaking of challenges, when you’re done here later this afternoon how’d you like to grab some vegetarian food with me. I know a great place on fifth.”
Spock knew the place on fifth and it was indeed a superior place in which to dine. Plus, he could hardly turn down an invitation from such an attractive human. At this point, Jim was not his student or even in the science department, therefore, he wasn’t violating any rules either stated or implied.
“Well?” Jim asked. “Should I come by here when this is over?”
“I would like that, yes.”
“Fantastic. See you then.”
And as Jim Kirk moved on toward engineering, Spock realized that his own mood was much improved. He picked up his communicator and texted his friend.
Sorry, Nyota. I will not be able to join you for dinner. Something came up.
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.
Leonard knocked on the door of the apartment of someone he frankly didn’t care to see, but, well, here he was. If they put up the picture of the best best friend in the world on some kind of list, he was certain he’d be A Number One.
The door was opened and there stood his nemesis.
Okay, not really. But—
“Doctor.”
“Asshole.” Leonard sighed. “Okay, okay. Sorry. Spock. Look, I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me to be here, but…for Jim’s sake I am. He’s really really upset over your fight and I think…whatever it was about…you should seek him out and make things right.”
Spock straightened. “You assume it was my doing?”
“Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. I know Jim can be challenging. But the truth of the matter is, who cares who was at fault or who said what or did what? Does any of that matter if you end up losing Jim? Because I have to tell you, Spock, you are in danger of that. Jim doesn’t trust or love easily. And once you lost that, it’s probably gone forever. So be the bigger one here, Spock. Go to Jim and fix this. You won’t be sorry if you do that, but you may be otherwise.”
Leonard left then, hoping that what he’d said to Spock would be good enough. He had a class to go to then.
Much later he returned to a dark dorm.
He called out, “Jim?”
Because ever since his fight with Spock, Jim had been moping around the place.
“Lights.”
Leonard spotted on the table a six-pack of beer, a pizza, and a plate with a donut. There was a note too.
With Spock. Thanks. We both owe you. ❤
Leonard smiled and reached for the pizza. Then went for the donut first.
A continuation from Flash Fic September 04, 2020 (Who Does Spock Wake Up With?)
Jim rounds the corridor in the hospital in time to see Uhura step into Room 141. He tries not to bristle at the sight, but it’s a near thing. He clenches his fists as he continues down the corridor and to Spock’s room.
He hears the murmur of her voice as he approaches, but it is too low for him to make out the words she is saying to Jim’s boyfriend.
Jim was all too aware she wanted Spock to be hers. Had even considered Spock hers prior to Jim meeting Spock one night in a bar. Though he has never told Spock about it, she even confronted Jim a few days later to give him a piece of her mind about stealing her boyfriend.
Jim considers letting Spock have privacy with her for her visit and turning around to get coffee at the cafeteria. But Jim supposes he is just not that good a person and he steps into the room.
He is carrying the hot spiced tea Spock likes as well as a container of oatmeal Jim made himself for Spock’s breakfast, even though the hospital provides an “adequate” breakfast as Spock himself says.
“Good morning,” Jim calls out to alert them to his presence.
Uhura glances at him, eyes narrowed. “Morning.”
“Jim, you are earlier than I anticipated.”
Jim smiles and makes a big show of going over to Spock and leaning down to kiss him. Spock accepts the gentle kiss with enthusiasm.
“How are you feeling?”
Two days before Spock had slipped on a wet floor at the Academy and fallen down the stairs. Though he hadn’t broken anything, thankfully, he was battered and bruised and had a concussion. Though Spock had fought it, he was ordered to stay in this hospital for four days. This was his third and he would finally be released into Jim’s care tomorrow.
“Much improved,” Spock says. “I believe I could be discharged today.”
Jim shakes his head. “You aren’t the doctors. Here I brought you tea and oatmeal like you like it.” He sets the items on the tray before Spock and turns his attention back to Uhura. “So sweet of you to visit.”
“Well, that’s what friends do,” she replies. Uhura turns to Spock. “Looks like you’re in good hands, if I get a chance I’ll stop by late afternoon.”
“Thank you, Nyota.”
Spock watches her leave but Jim doesn’t bother. His focus has returned to Spock.
“Are you really okay?” He tries not to sound so needy and anxious but thinks he likely fails. He’d about had a heart attack when he had been alerted to Spock falling down the stairs.
Spock holds out his hand toward Jim, who gratefully takes it. “I am much improved, Ashaya.”
Spock has taken to calling him the endearment and Jim really likes it.
A lot.
He bites his lip.
“I knew a man once, a family friend,” he says. “He fell down the stairs and hit his head. Said he was fine, at first. But later he died. He had bleeding on the brain and didn’t get checked.”
“Ashaya, I have been checked. I will be fine.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” Spock lifts the cup of tea and removes the lid, taking a sip.
Jim sees the pleasure in Spock’s eyes he fails to hide. Spock is pleased Jim has learned his preferences. And Jim knows Spock has learned his. Even in the only month and a half they have been together.
Jim sits on the side of Spock’s bed, after releasing Spock’s hand so he can dig into the oatmeal.
“I sense some tension between you and Nyota,” Spock says after a bite or two of his breakfast.
“Hmm. She’s just sore she lost. And I won.”
Spock gives Jim that very slight smile he has come to love so much. And yeah Jim recognizes that word is there, in the equation.
“I was not aware I was a prize.”
Jim laughs. It feels good to laugh. Spock is here, with him, alive and going to be well.
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.
“So, should I join the Chess Club or the Ancient Literature in Modern Times Discussion Group?”
Bones glanced at Jim as they walked along the path between buildings at Starfleet Academy. “That’s like asking me if you should be a geek or a nerd.”
“Funny. I could, honestly, join both because they’re held at different times and days.”
“How fortunate,” Bones said, sarcastically.
Jim smirked at him. “You could join too.”
“No, thanks. I’m up to my eyeballs in courses about being a doctor on a starship. They’re kicking my ass. I have no free time. And any free time I have is spent studying. But I have no free time.”
“And you repeat repeatedly.”
Bones grinned. “You know it. But knock yourself out, kid. Hopefully all that nerdity won’t rub off on me.”
“That’s not a word.”
“Totally is.”
****
When Jim got to the Wednesday Night Chess Club initial meeting he was a little surprised to see a lot of females. And maybe that was a little sexist of him, but it still seemed strange for him to be like the only guy.
He spotted Uhura, from the bar, over by a wall, so he went over to her.
“You’re interested in chess?”
She shrugged. “Why not?”
“I don’t know. It’s just…”
Uhura rolled her eyes. “Look around, Kirk. Most of the cadets here aren’t interested in chess. Not really.”
Jim glanced around the room and then spotted the tall Vulcan in the corner wearing a black turtleneck sweater, black jeans, and black boots. He was surrounded by females.
He blew out a breath. “Oh. Professor Spock.”
“Yes, Professor Spock. Why’d you think everyone was here? Why are you?”
“To play chess, duh.”
“You’re one of the few, I’d say.”
Jim watched her watch him. “Including you.”
Uhura smiled. “He’s really cool and gorgeous. Brilliant. Why wouldn’t I be interested? Aren’t you?”
“Whether I am or not has nothing to do with the Chess Club,” Jim told her. “I didn’t even know he was behind it.”
And that was true. Spock was gorgeous, just like Uhura had said, but Jim wasn’t pursuing the Vulcan professor. He had plenty of interest from other cadets, he certainly didn’t need Jim mooning after him too.
But after three chess matches, all of which Jim won easily because those he played with hadn’t paid the slightest attention to the chess game, he decided to leave.
He was headed out the door when Spock called to him.
“Cadet Kirk, leaving already?”
He turned to face Spock. It was on the tip of his tongue to compliment him on how good he looked in black, before his brain reminded him that he wasn’t going to be like everyone else, gushing over Spock.
“Yeah, it’s uh…to be honest my opponents weren’t much of a challenge so I don’t think the club is for me.”
Spock inclined his head. “Perhaps you would care to challenge me?”
Jim smiled a little. “You, Professor? Bring it on.”
****
A few matches later, some Jim had won, he leaned back in his chair, stretched his arms up in the air and yawned.
“You have an interesting playing style,” Spock murmured.
Jim grinned. “You mean you’re surprised I managed to beat you.”
“It is a rare occurrence when I am bested,” Spock admitted.
Jim looked around and noticed everyone else had left. “Wow it must be late. Or they all left when I monopolized your time.”
“Perhaps some of both.”
Jim got up. “Thanks. I didn’t mean to keep you away from everyone else.”
“My purpose was to have meaningful chess matches and you provided those. I have no regrets. But we are behind the time I said I would utilize this room so…”
Jim held up his hands. “I’m leaving, no worries. Thanks again, Professor.”
“You will be here next Wednesday?” Spock asked as he walked Jim to the door.
“I don’t think so. This, uh, this isn’t really my thing.”
“I surmised you enjoyed playing chess.”
“And I do. But the players here tonight…I’m not sure why they were here, exactly,” Jim hedged. “But it wasn’t to play chess. Anyway, I’ve taken up enough of your time. Goodnight.”
****
The following Monday, Jim popped in at the Ancient Literature in Modern Times Discussion Group only to see most of the same cadets he’d seen at the Chess Club, including Uhura.
Jim sighed. “Don’t tell me. Spock again?”
“Of course,” she said coolly. “You sure managed to catch his attention on Wednesday. Back for more?”
And that’s when Jim noticed just about everyone there was glaring at him with open hostility.
“I don’t need this,” he muttered. He looked at Uhura. “Nope. Wrong room. See you.”
Just as he was stepping outside, Spock approached the room.
“You are leaving?”
“Yeah, don’t think this group is for me.”
Spock frowned slightly. “You are not interested in Ancient Literature?”
Jim nodded. “I am. It’s just…” He took Spock’s elbow and drew him aside. “Those cadets in there aren’t interested in discussing literature any more than they are interested in chess. In fact, they’re pretty much the same crowd.”
“I do not understand.”
Jim sighed. “Spock. They’re interested in you.”
Spock stared at him for a long time and then his lips thinned and he nodded. “I see. Would you like to discuss Ancient Literature in Modern Times privately over tea one afternoon?”
Jim smiled. “I’d love to.”
Spock looked at the door of the room. “In fact, Cadet…may I call you Jim?”
“Please do.”
“If you are free after the conclusion of this discussion at six-thirty, I would like to take you to dinner.”
For a moment, Jim wasn’t sure what to say. And when he finally did it came out stupid. “Uh.”
“If I have misjudged an interest then—”
“Yes. I mean…no. I’m…you’re asking me for a date, right?”
Spock arched a brow. “Yes.”
Jim moistened his lips. “And, uh, when you mentioned discussing Ancient Literature over tea? That was a date too, right?”
Spock nodded.
Jim let that wash over him.
“Then you are interested?”
“Yeah. I am. Yes. I’d love to have dinner.” Jim smiled. “I guess it would be easier to attend the discussion tonight so we can just go out after.”
“Indeed.”
“You know, all those women in there, they really like you.”
“While I am flattered by their interest, it is misguided.”
“Oh?”
“My interests with regard to mates lie with males.”
Jim’s smile widened. “My lucky day then. Shall we?” He indicated the door to the room.
Spock went in before him and Jim followed. And it was really hard not to preen in front of the others. But he tried. Really.
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 