Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

Chapter 22: T’hy’la

They’d gotten Lily off to bed, settled in, and asleep, and now they were lying in Jim’s bed together, kissing softly.

Jim could tell by the way Spock’s fingers kept grazing his jaw and cheeks that Spock was holding himself back from the meld he wished to do.

“Hey,” he whispered against Spock’s lips. “It’s okay, if you want.”

“I…I do. But…Jim. Have you heard of T’hy’la?”

Jim shook his head.

“It is the connection I suspect you and I have. An ancient bond that has not been heard of, that I am aware, since Vulcan days without logic.”

“If it’s so ancient, are you sure we’d have it? I’m a human after all.”

“When we touch it whispers to me. The word surrounds my mind. Whispers softly there. Friend, brother, lover. A warrior bond between males.”

Jim smiled as Spock stroked his thumb over his bottom lip. “Sounds kinda hard to believe.”

“And yet here we are. Feeling closer to each other than we have to anyone else.” Spock stared at him. “Or am I wrong?”

Jim’s pulse raced as he kissed Spock. “No. No, you are not.”

Spock rose over Jim then and they soon stopped talking to do other things.

And as Spock moved within him, he once more had his hand hovering over Jim’s face.

Breathlessly, Jim grabbed Spock’s hand and pressed it to his face.

“Ashayam…”

“I’m ready, Spock. I am.”

And Jim was a little surprised to realize that he was. Whatever the meld would do, Jim was ready for it. He trusted Spock. And whether that was wise or not, he didn’t know.

Spock’s fingertips rested on Jim’s face and as Spock thrust inside his body, he suddenly entered Jim’s mind.

Jim would have to admit later that he was somewhat relieved that there was nothing at all frightening or strange about it.

Spock’s mind mingled with his…well like they had always been connected, always been seeking each other. It was as though the sun reflected off the water in the ocean. Hot and cold combining to create warmth.

He had an image of them running hand in hand across desert sands and then the image changed to them in front of a mountain. Then finally they stood hand in hand in front of Starfleet Headquarters.

Laughter bubbled up within him as Spock’s hand dropped away from his face and they both opened their eyes to gaze at each other as they found release, in mind, body, and soul.

****

“I love you,” Jim whispered to Spock long after they had been lying in bed, redressed, and holding each other. Sleeping. But sleep didn’t endure for either of them. They kept waking up to touch, to kiss. “I do. Too soon. Who knows?”

“It is not too soon for me. I came to Riverside thinking it was to open Gad-Shen for Solek. But now? I believe it was to meet you, T’hy’la. I was drawn to this place because of you.”

Jim smiled. He leaned on his elbows, gazing up into Spock’s face. The very weak, early morning light was enough so he could see Spock’s beloved face.

“I felt a pull to cross the street from the depot to that help wanted sign. I thought for a job, but maybe it was more. Fate?” He laughed softly. “I don’t know. But here we are.”

“Here we are. Taluhk nash-veh k’dular.”

Jim recognized the Vulcan words. They zinged his heart and they opened his mind.

“The future looks so right I gotta wear shades.”

“What?”

Jim laughed long and deep. “Nothing. Just a song. It seemed appropriate.”

Spock shook his head. “Get some more sleep. We will have to get up in a very short time.”

Chapter Twenty: Drinks with the Crew

A few days later, Gaila once more approached Jim at work.

“So…Romeo.”

“Huh?”

She rolled her eyes. “Loverboy. Whatever. Can you come for a drink with us after work today? Me, Ny, Scotty. You can even bring the boss but tell him he has to loosen up.”

“Today?”

“Yep. Down to Rick’s at the corner. Just one drink. I can call your babysitter and beg her on your behalf if you want.”

Jim shook his head. He could just imagine that conversation. “I think I can go. Just let me find out and get back to you.”

“Sure.” Gaila smirked. “You gonna ask your sweetie?”

“Yeah, don’t want him to feel left out.”

Later, he checked with Maggie, who once more advised she didn’t mind, and man he needed to get her a nice present, and then he cornered Spock privately to ask.

“So. Everyone wants to go for a drink after work. You in?”

Spock pursed his lips. “Alcohol?”

Jim smiled. “Yep. I’d love it if you came.”

“Very well. But I will have some tasks to finish up after closure. Where is this establishment?”

“Rick’s just down the street.”

Spock nodded. “I will be there.”

****

“So where’s Spock anyway?” Uhura asked as the four of them settled into a booth at Rick’s.

“He’s coming. Wanted to finish a few things.”

She arched an elegant brow and picked up her butterscotch appletini.

“What are you having, laddy?” Scotty asked him, lifting his scotch to his lips.

“Just a light beer.” Jim shrugged.  “I have to go get Lily when we’re done so I can’t really get plastered or anything.”

“Aye. I getcha.”

“You should bring her by one day, like when you’re off on Wednesday so we can all meet her,” Gaila said. She was drinking something as green as she was.

Jim smiled. “Good idea. Sure she’d love all of you.”

Just then he spotted Spock entering the bar and he waved him over.

“Glad you could join us, Spock,” Scotty greeted him. “What can we get you to drink?”

Spock slid into the booth next to Jim. “I do not drink, but thank you.”

Jim put his hand on Spock’s. “Thanks for coming along anyway.”

“I am pleased to do so.”

Uhura just barely refrained from rolling her eyes, Jim was sure. But she gave a little shrug and seemed resigned to losing Spock to Jim. “Spock, what’s going to happen to Gad-Shen once you leave for Starfleet Academy?”

Spock looked over at Gaila who smiled like the Cheshire Cat. “Actually, Gaila will be taking over the restaurant when I leave.”

They all glance to Gaila. Everyone was talking at once.

She waved her hands. “I know! I know! Me? Staying in Riverside and running a restaurant? But I’ve talked with Spock at length about things and I just…it seems right for me.”

“Wow.” Uhura smiled. “I’m so happy for you if this is what you want.”

“It is,” Gaila assured her.

“And I feel good about handing over Solek’s dream to Gaila when the time comes,” Spock added. “I believe she will do it justice.”

Jim held up his beer bottle. “I’ll drink to that.”

“Cheers.”

***

“Hey.” Jim drew Spock aside as everyone broke up the party and left Rick’s. “You wanna come home with me?”

“For dinner?”

Jim inclined his head. “And beyond.”

“Beyond?”

He took one of Spock’s hands, met his gaze. “Stay over with me? I know we need to get up super early for the restaurant. But, I don’t know, if we’re going to make this, serious—”

“We are.”

Jim laughed, relieved. “Then we’re going to have to make it work with the three of us. You, me, Lily. And you staying over. So?”

Spock nodded. “That makes sense. I will bring my own vehicle because I should probably get to the restaurant a bit earlier than you, and I do not wish to make you and Lily leave your home sooner than you have to. Plus I will need to get some belongings to bring with me.”

“Deal.”

Chapter Fifteen: Wanna Be Starting Something

Jim had to admit the Vulcan version of ramen had been pretty tasty. Some of the vegetables Spock had used were not ones Jim was familiar with, but most tasted good, with maybe one minor exception.

When dinner was over and Jim’d had probably one more glass of Spock’s surprisingly good wine, Spock joined Jim on the sofa which was really one of those two-seater love seats. With the wine Jim had drank, he sat probably a little too close to Spock, although Spock clearly didn’t seem to mind.

“Did you always know you liked guys?” Jim asked. He felt warm and full, tingly and happy.

“From a young age, yes. I was given a betrothal bond as a child with a Vulcan female named T’Pring, however, when we were each of teenaged years, we agreed we didn’t suit, and convinced our parents to sever our arrangement. And you?”

“I experimented with both genders at first,” Jim admitted. “But I found I prefer guys, mostly. But in all honesty since I took over care of Lily I haven’t been with anyone.”

“Too busy and concerned with her care?”

“That and there hasn’t really been anyone who has caught my interest in a long time.” Jim smiled. “Until you.”

“Then I am indeed fortunate.” Spock appeared to be hesitating over something, but Jim was not sure. Then he held up his hand, fingers spread out so only two leaned forward toward Jim. “If I may, would you indulge me by meeting my fingers with the companions of your own?”

Somewhat quizzically, Jim did as Spock asked, pressing the pads of his fingers to Spock’s. Where their fingers touched there was an increased warmth. Jim’s gaze flew to Spock’s.

“Then you do feel that?” Spock asked.

“Well, yeah, but I’m guessing that’s what they used to refer to as sparks in the old days.” Jim laughed.

“It is more than that, I believe.” Spock moved his hand away from Jim’s.

“What more?”

Spock shook his head. “I am not yet ready to have that discussion. Only know that I believe you will become quite significant to me and I to you.”

Jim laughed again. “Okay, well, that’s no pressure or anything.”

“It is not meant to be, and I apologize. It is merely something I need to figure out in my mind and perhaps ask questions of other Vulcans. I do not mean to be so…cryptic.”

“It’s fine. I understand. I just really like you.”

Spock’s lips quirked. “I feel very much the same way. Which is why I invited you here tonight. Your daughter is adorable, and I look forward greatly to spending more time with both of you, but…”

“Tonight you’re looking to get laid.”

“I wouldn’t have put it quite like that,” Spock said, dryly.

“Come on, Spock. Why should either of us beat around the bush or pretend we don’t know what the other wants. You knew when I agreed to come here that was what we both wanted.”

“Yes.”

Jim smiled, changed positions until he was straddling Spock’s lap, and then leaned down to capture Spock’s mouth with his.