![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smartass_captainThe night Sam Kirk walks into the Kirk family farmhouse his little brother throws a fucking beer bottle at his face. He misses. If he'd hit, the next several years might not have happened.
Jim is twenty years old and his life is a fucking mess.
He's no longer in the goddamn hospital every other month, but still in mandatory therapy until he ages out of the system on his 21st birthday. His therapist has worked with him since. Well. Since he got mandated one by the University of Iowa's children's hospital when they brought him home and nursed him back from the brink of being starved to death. Sam isn't here about Tarsus though. He's here because he heard little Jimmy just got out of a stint in county for petty theft.
Why's a guy stealing bread in this day and age? Jim doesn't give him a satisfactory answer. He can't. There isn't one. He'd been better until he'd left his personal device at home for a weekend boke trip. Without his meal schedule Jim can't function. But see, his body doesn't tell him when he's hungry anymore either, so Jim hadn't noticed until it was day three and he started hurting. All sense left him. Next thing he knows he's sitting in a jail cell being watched while he eats the food they gave him because anyone can see Jim Kirk is still too thin. Jim hates it. That look of fucking pity.
He was home and on his fourth beer of the evening when his fucking older brother strides in like he hasn't been gone for the last damn near decade of Jim's life.
"Sober up. I want you to come into town with me tomorrow and take a test." Sam had said. Jim thinks he told his brother to fuck off. He thinks he tried, but he might have stormed off so the other didn't see him break down into tears. He dodges Sam for three days before they bond over noon breakfast talking about when their mom finally found out about and ditched Frank. Sam asks where Winona sent him then, since neither of them believes for a second she stayed Earthside to raise him herself.
Jim lies.
But the lie works. And so he lets Sam drive them into town chattering the whole time about Starfleet. He wants Jim to take an aptitude test. If he passes, well. Dear ol' big brother's gonna whisk him away to San Francisco so they can enlist together. Sam got in, you see. Second attempt, so maybe Jimmy won't be going with him Right away.
"Jim." Jim corrects him. He's toying with the idea of maybe letting Sam talk him into this, but he's not forgetting the last damn near decade so easily. Not forgiving it yet, either. He tells himself he'll take the stupid test to shut his brother up. And hell, maybe he'll even beat his 'big bro' and pass on a first try. He aces it, hangover and all. Sam seems real keen on congratulating himself for giving Jim pointers the last couple days and Jim doesn't argue much.
A change of scenery seems like a decent idea.
All he wants to take fits into a single duffel bag he tosses into the back of Sam's beater of a truck and they make for San Francisco...
Jim is twenty years old and his life is a fucking mess.
He's no longer in the goddamn hospital every other month, but still in mandatory therapy until he ages out of the system on his 21st birthday. His therapist has worked with him since. Well. Since he got mandated one by the University of Iowa's children's hospital when they brought him home and nursed him back from the brink of being starved to death. Sam isn't here about Tarsus though. He's here because he heard little Jimmy just got out of a stint in county for petty theft.
Why's a guy stealing bread in this day and age? Jim doesn't give him a satisfactory answer. He can't. There isn't one. He'd been better until he'd left his personal device at home for a weekend boke trip. Without his meal schedule Jim can't function. But see, his body doesn't tell him when he's hungry anymore either, so Jim hadn't noticed until it was day three and he started hurting. All sense left him. Next thing he knows he's sitting in a jail cell being watched while he eats the food they gave him because anyone can see Jim Kirk is still too thin. Jim hates it. That look of fucking pity.
He was home and on his fourth beer of the evening when his fucking older brother strides in like he hasn't been gone for the last damn near decade of Jim's life.
"Sober up. I want you to come into town with me tomorrow and take a test." Sam had said. Jim thinks he told his brother to fuck off. He thinks he tried, but he might have stormed off so the other didn't see him break down into tears. He dodges Sam for three days before they bond over noon breakfast talking about when their mom finally found out about and ditched Frank. Sam asks where Winona sent him then, since neither of them believes for a second she stayed Earthside to raise him herself.
Jim lies.
But the lie works. And so he lets Sam drive them into town chattering the whole time about Starfleet. He wants Jim to take an aptitude test. If he passes, well. Dear ol' big brother's gonna whisk him away to San Francisco so they can enlist together. Sam got in, you see. Second attempt, so maybe Jimmy won't be going with him Right away.
"Jim." Jim corrects him. He's toying with the idea of maybe letting Sam talk him into this, but he's not forgetting the last damn near decade so easily. Not forgiving it yet, either. He tells himself he'll take the stupid test to shut his brother up. And hell, maybe he'll even beat his 'big bro' and pass on a first try. He aces it, hangover and all. Sam seems real keen on congratulating himself for giving Jim pointers the last couple days and Jim doesn't argue much.
A change of scenery seems like a decent idea.
All he wants to take fits into a single duffel bag he tosses into the back of Sam's beater of a truck and they make for San Francisco...
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 06:42 am (UTC)Spock's mother, who Spock's father did not open his mouth to defend despite her brilliant mind, fierce love for him, and ability to be more Vulcan than many of the council themselves.
So he had respectfully declined, as his Starfleet application had been graciously accepted with much more eagerness. He is an adult. He has not been away from his mother for longer than a few weeks at a time when diplomacy called for it.
He moves to San Francisco. His mother remains on Vulcan. Spock's betrothed is not very pleased with his choice, he can tell, but she accepts his decision though it will put them at a distance—it will be a test of their bond, but such things are seen to bring bonded pairs closer together later in life. Spock does not anticipate this being the case. T'Pring has made attempts and he cannot fault her for her inability to connect with him—he also struggles to connect with her. He is too other, too human, for most Vulcans. What is, is. Kaiidth.
He will explore the stars and that will be all he requires.
A short number of months into his life on Earth as he prepares for enlistment, she contacts him. He is unsurprised to learn she has found someone else; tradition dictates he should fight Stonn to the death for T'Pring's hand. However, there is another option: an amicable dissolution of their bond. That is what they decide on, and there is a sense of relief in T'Pring that he almost is surprised about when she notes that she still desires to remain in contact.
She apologizes, once. He tells her that it is unnecessary as offense has not been taken.
He is lying. However, it is not her failing that made Spock not enough for her. That rests solely on his own head.
Spock is to begin his schooling at the Starfleet Academy within the next two days, and he has been assigned a dormitory. There is some vague commentary about the newest initiative pairing the Terran cadets with differing species to room together as a means of ensuring they are at least slightly more capable of handling life off-planet with species not their own; it is only notable in Spock's case as he is not fully Vulcan. However, apparently he is still alien enough to warrant a Terran roommate, though he had expected nothing else seeing as a majority of cadets filing through are still from Earth.
He moves in early, his side of the room pristine but with slightly too much "personality" for a Vulcan. That being his shelf of bound books, the tri-D set next to the kal-toh set, and a plant his mother sent him sitting in the window aching for more sun than it receives.
And of course, Spock himself, sat at his desk on his side of the room on a video call with his extremely human call partner visible over his shoulder should anyone happen to enter the room behind him. He sits straight-backed but not rigid, head canted slightly to the side as he speaks to her: he seems to be answering a question.
"Two instructors have approached me to ask after your well-being. They have indicated a desire to invite you to perform a guest lecture, so you may expect their contact soon."
A fond, warm sentiment in return. And another question, which—
"—I am well. I assure you that I will inform you if that status changes." A brief pause before continuing. "I will also inform you as to my academic status. For now, I must complete my initial process of integration and have no further news to report. I will contact you again next week."
Strange perhaps, to witness a goodbye between someone so happy to speak to him and he who responds in a tone that is far, far too flat to indicate any sort of affection. She does not seem upset or burdened by this, however, and in fact expresses her own affection verbally even as, say, Spock notes that he is not alone and ends the call with a final, almost clipped farewell.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 02:19 pm (UTC)"What, because you can't pin that hobo you met at orientation to your bed if you're not living together?" Sam counters loftily. He can't understand his baby brother's taste in pretty much anything. And the washed up older "doctor" Jim wouldn't stop getting way too close to? Mystifying. Couldn't be Sam Kirk.
"That's not the point! I thought you said folks could request to room together."
"Well, how was I to know there was some stupid incentive going on???" By reading the paperwork properly, Sam. And now Jim is the one paying for it. Finally they settle in to the right door and Jim keys open what will be his room for the next long while. It's upsettingly neat and tidy, which has Jim's mouth twisting in discomfort immediately. It shuts him up though, which allows both Kirk brothers a glimpse at the half-Vulcan Jim is going to be stuck rooming with.
Sam suppresses a chuckle. Oh, Jim is screwed. He's going to be rooming with a goddamned robot rather than a man. Was that his fucking mother? And he still talks like that??? His baby brother does just have the worst luck. Sam probably shouldn't feel amused while he thinks that, but the fact that He has dodged this bullet is too much a relief.
Jim, meanwhile, has the decency to be quiet when he sets his duffel bag down on the bed nearer the door. This side of the room is untouched, so it's gotta be his. Unease prickles at him to overhear even part of a conversation not meant for him. But then, Jim doesn't do Family. It's weird as hell to hear someone being so affectionate even to their own kin. Less weird honestly for his room mate to be uncomfortable with it. Jim would be crawling out of his skin in suspicion if his mom talked to him like that.
"Didn't realize you were occupied." Jim says when his room-mate turns. "I just got in." He refuses to Show his unease on his face though. So he fishes out a smile. One that isn't quite so forced as he gets a better look at the goods on the man turning to look at him. Even with that stupid haircut...damn. He's really hot. "Jim Kirk. Looks like we're stuck together."
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 04:12 pm (UTC)As irrational as the thought is, he thinks perhaps an attraction to humans is genetic before he can stop himself. Jim Kirk, as he has just introduced himself, is remarkably physically attractive.
(After a few seconds, he realizes that he has not said anything and has simply looked at him. He blinks, and the nictitating eyelids follow suit. Blink-and-reset.)
"I am Spock." He manages that, at least, even-keeled and steady. His brow is knit, just slightly, but it is something that never quite smooths entirely and as such is at least not an indication of distress, which his human roommate will need to ascertain over time as Spock offers no insight on that front. His head tilts, just slightly.
"I do not understand 'stuck together' in this context. Please elucidate on your meaning."
He is at least aware that it is not being used literally, though that is his initial comprehension. If he is to understand Cadet Kirk in their time cohabiting, he must be aware of what any colloquialisms he uses mean. As a scientist, he is of course always seeking knowledge.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 04:31 pm (UTC)Okay, so. Maybe not the smartest. But he clearly made it into Starfleet so he's gotta be clever at Something. Jim didn't know Vulcans had Himbos but apparently here they are. Jim thinks he can live with it given how exceptionally easy on the eyes the guy is. His smile brightens.
"Oh, well, considering this is the first time we've met I'm assuming you didn't request Me Specifically for your room. And I didn't know the Academy was encouraging interspecial arrangements as an ease-in to ship comingling. So neither of us chose the other to room with. Hence, 'Stuck Toagether'. Doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing, just acknowledging that neither of us had a say in the matter."
See how cool and suave and helpful he is, Spock? Don't worry, Jim'll be more than happy to help a fellow cadet out.
Sam, meanwhile, has decided he'd rather be anywhere than here watching Jim give Eyes to the Vulcan.
"Alright, I'm gonna go find my room Jim."
"Yeah okay don't get lost~" Jim doesn't even turn to watch Sam leave. He's busy.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 04:48 pm (UTC)The understanding slots into place neatly in his head; he nods slightly in confirmation.
"Thank you for your clarification. As a majority of my interactions with non-Vulcans have been of a diplomatic nature, such colloquialisms are rarely used and I am unfamiliar with them. I am attempting to acclimate myself to Terran speech patterns as Vulcan manners of communication are, as a whole, very literal."
A beat passes as he considers.
"You are correct that we are 'stuck together.' However, I too have a neutral opinion at current as we have just met."
This is the point at which the other Kirk takes his leave, but Spock also does not pay him much mind. He is far more interested in the man before him.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 05:14 pm (UTC)Genuine, this time. There's no need to pretend to be friendly and cheerful with this guy. Like the doctor from orientation, Jim doesn't even realize he's being more open with Spock than he does literally anyone else. Including his own brother.
"Well, you're the first Vulcan I've ever had the pleasure to meet so. We can be new at this whole 'other species' thing together. Anything I should know about so far as what not to do around you?" Jim likes to gesture while he talks. Where Spock is stiff and still, Jim is abundant in energy. Emotion in his speech. How bright he smiles.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 09:04 pm (UTC)"I did not have as much time as I would have preferred for research," he admits, "as my decision to attend Starfleet Academy was comparatively abrupt to my previous intention to attend the Science Academy on Vulcan." A beat. "I will also note," he adds dryly, "that Terran recordkeeping of colloquialisms and idioms is incomplete at best and often misleading."
But of course, Spock is the first Vulcan that Cadet Kirk has met. That has been the case for almost everyone he has met here. He is unsurprised, but it still feels like a weight on his shoulders.
However, the inquiry after his comfort levels is a pleasant surprise. He does not startle but he does, briefly, widen his eyes before returning to the baseline. "While risk of accidental transference to psi-null species is low," he hazards, the term psi-null rolling off his tongue as simple fact and observation rather than anything pointed or disdainful, "I have noted that many Terrans are extremely tactile." He thinks back to several initial greetings where handshakes were offered and he had simply saluted them traditionally instead, pretending he had not seen the hand outstretched toward him. He is aware this is likely viewed as impolite, but he views it as impolite to not do what Cadet Kirk is doing right now.
"I would prefer that any physical contact that becomes necessary is done while avoiding skin-to-skin contact," is what he finally concludes with. "Though I am aware that in emergent situations this is not a priority. I have no desire to dictate the manner in which you act. Should anything occur I find noteworthy, I will inform you." Another beat passes. "I request that you also inform me in a similar manner."
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 09:35 pm (UTC)It kinda sounds like he got uprooted in much the same way Jim did, to be honest. Jim hopes the reason for it is less uncomfortable than his was, but probably not. Spock here doesn't seem like the kind of guy who Likes making decisions on a whim. Man probably has ever day of his school year planned out by the hour already.
"Oh! Yeah we definitely are." Jim points to himself all excited and then stops. Listens. Runs his tongue along his lower lip as he very quickly recalculates and guesses the odds of being believed if he lies through his teeth. "Uh."
He gives a little awkward laugh.
"Okay, sure. I'm gonna be honest. I am literally the most tactile person you will ever meet. Hell you've already seen me move when I talk, so. I will try really hard to keep that in mind. Be respectful of boundaries and all that, alright? If I ever forget and fuck it up, just move and tell me straight away. I won't take offense. Might be confused for a second but I won't be a dick about it."
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 09:56 pm (UTC)Cadet Kirk's initial reaction to Spock's request is illuminating, but so are his recovery and followup. "I am grateful. It is difficult to alter ingrained habits, and what you are doing by attempting to do so is far more than any I have met recently." There is something pointedly dry at the end of the last comment, a clear dig at all of the people who never even asked.
But then his brow furrows somewhat.
"I am unclear on the meaning of 'not being a dick,' but am I through context to take it as further assurance as to your response to correction?"
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 11:38 pm (UTC)"But, and keep this in mind here, when Terrans Try to be tactile they're trying to be friendly. I know that probably doesn't feel great given the clash of customs. Just. Don't worry about it. I'll stick by you and play bouncer."
He does finally nod a little though.
"Ah, it. Mostly just means I won't take it personally in another way of saying it. Don't. Say that to like your teachers though. It's not a respectful way to phrase it."
no subject
Date: 2025-01-29 11:53 pm (UTC)That said. Play bouncer. Spock knows, academically, what a bouncer is and what they do. "In this exchange, I am the establishment you are preventing well-meaning but impolite Terrans from gaining entrance to?"
His tone is dry. It is EXTREMELY unclear if he is making a joke because his expression does not change at all other than just how high his eyebrow is raised. However, the next part may help. Or not.
"I am aware," he clarifies, "of what the word 'dick' means and why it is generally unused in polite and professional company. Hence my request for clarification on the further colloquial use of it as it did not seem to fit previous definitions I had encountered, which I believe, in many situations, would be considered a positive thing to be."
Fully deadpan. Just absolutely flat delivery.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 12:33 am (UTC)"Gain access to, in this case. I feel like you oughta be the one calling the shots on who gains Entrance." His eyebrows bounce in a way that just screams immature humor but Spock started it so Jim's not afraid to finish it. If he flushes and whatever then he'll look apologetic but not until.
"But, okay. Yeah. No touching. Cool. I will do my best. I uh. Speaking of quirks. I don't sleep wall. Just, throwing that out there. If I wake you up, sorry. Don't touch me. I'll be fine. Nothing to worry about."
Which is the mildest totally chill way of saying he has night terrors and panic attacks and will be spending many many nights curled up in their shared bathroom hyperventilating instead of sleeping. As normal people totally do. Don't worry about it.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 12:46 am (UTC)And when the request comes in turn, Spock blinks but does not question. Cadet Kirk did not question Spock's request and he will extend the same courtesy despite the curiosity burning in him. "Vulcans require far less sleep than many other species, including humans. Even should you wake me, it will not be detrimental to my being rested the next day."
Spock is definitely being totally cool and chill and normal and a good roommate and everything. Look at what a good job he is doing.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 01:06 am (UTC)But life at the Academy can't all be following Spock around and chatting the man up. He's got classes to go to, and that is such a drag for their first week. It's quickly apparent that most of the introductory level classes Jim's in are not going to challenge him In the Slightest, which is honestly just such a disappointment. All Jim's ever heard is how Starfleet's the best and brightest but even here he finds himself listlessly staring out the window instead of at the instructor's presentation.
Then there's the talk. Jim expected a little bit of name recognition, but it's Shocking how many people seem to give a shit about George Kirk's kids. Who think Jim and Sam are only here because of their dad's name. Or worse, who knew their folks and want to meet Jim and talk about how great his dead father was who Jim never got to meet. It leaves him crawling out of his skin within three days and quickly making a second home for himself inside the Academy's expansive library.
Despite how well appointed it is, there don't seem to ever be many cadets lingering about. Crazy, so far as Jim's concerned. There's nothing nicer than the heft of a real book in his hands. He learns to appreciate the solitude. Outside of class he's always found either at Dr. McCoy's--Bones as Jim calls him-- or Spock's sides. While he keeps a respectful distance between himself and Spock, only just barely in the man's personal space and never touching, he always has his hands on the doctor.
Dr. McCoy is having a rough go of things his first week in and Jim makes sure to never be too far away. Ready to give Bones a coffee or a bottle of water instead of suggesting they hit up the local campus bar. Ready with a distraction or just Needing the other to walk with him across campus to get something to eat just when Leonard looks ready to lose it.
That's not to say Jim is staying dry. Come the end of that week he can be found at the Damascus, one of the trendier campus bars and Jim's favorite of the ones on offer because it's got a dom-jot table. He sharks his fellow cadets for drinks and flirts handily with anyone that will look at him twice. Maybe once Leonard crawls out of his self loathing he can come with. Jim would love the company of a friend. As it stands he's always out late either studying or partying.
Decent enough not to bring anyone back to their room though. Plenty of other places he can find around campus to have a bit of fun. Not decent enough not to leave his clothes on the floor though, especially when he comes back sloshed and shucks out of his things before falling face first into his bed.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 02:14 am (UTC)He is comfortable, however, when he is around Jim Kirk. He has to get used to Dr. McCoy's mannerisms even more than he has had to get used to Kirk's, but he does not dislike him. He seems to enjoy a debate, though he gets very heated about it—Spock has noted that their mutual acquaintance seems to be playing distraction for the doctor. He does not need to ask why, but he does know that when he is too busy arguing semantics of something with Spock, he is too busy to need being wrangled by Kirk himself.
Assisting without requiring explanation.
Academically, Spock is... Also disappointed, to an extent, that there are certain courses he is disallowed from simply testing out of. He shares several courses with the other Kirk, and he is aware that Sam Kirk appears to dislike him, but he is unsure why. He tries not to dwell on it. He also spends quite a bit of time in the library: Spock enjoys physical books and also the solitude provided. It is only sheer coincidence that his times there do not coincide with his roommate's more often.
And overall, Kirk is a tolerable roommate. He is charming when they are both awake, Spock is able to rest with little issue, and for the most part, Kirk is, while not as tidy as Spock, tidy enough that Spock manages his expectations. Somewhat.
He does, at one point however, engineer moving the laundry receptacle for Kirk's clothing closer to his bed so that he is able to simply drop them in instead of moving around. To many this would seem an act of passive aggression, but in reality Spock is simply trying to be helpful and hopes that, having spent time with Spock, Kirk will realize that. Because when Kirk is sober, there is little difficulty in simply asking Kirk to pick them up and then he does so. It is attempting to reason with a drunk human so that the issue does not occur in the first place where Spock has no desire to tread.
Hopefully, simply making it easier is inobtrusive but efficient enough.
His only other issue is what temperature to set the room at, as Spock prefers it several degrees warmer than most humans. That one, he is not sure how to bring up. That one, he simply does not allow himself to shiver in moments where the temperature is too low for him. San Francisco is much colder than Vulcan over winter though, and it will be coming up quickly. He will have to bring it up at some point. For now, he stubbornly refuses to do so.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 02:37 am (UTC)The man isn't the type to leave trash about and doesn't seem to own much to have clutter in the first place. Most of the Stuff taking up room in his side of the room are class materials of some kind or another.
Spock's side of the room smells of incense. Jim's smells of coffee. Spock wears his heavy robes around outside of his uniform. Jim dresses Down to his black undershirt and boxerbriefs. He'd love to go nude half the time but something tells him Spock would Not appreciate that. They both stay up in bed reading actual books on several occasions, and Jim isn't even always the first one to go to sleep. Sometimes he's even still awake when Spock wakes.
If temperature is Spock's stubborn issue, sleep is Jim's. He tries to catch naps in the rare pockets of time where Spock is in classes and Jim isn't. He hasn't had an episode sleeping yet, but he's terrified of it happening. Spock seems nice! And he's way smarter than Jim first thought. Jim really doesn't want to freak the guy out. So he naps in weird places and tries not to sleep in his dorm room whenever possible. Bones is starting to (loudly) worry but Jim always manages to brush him off.
It's the middle of the week on one of Jim's 'secret nap slots' that he's got no homework to do (did it already) hasn't bothered reading the material for his next class (already knows it) and it's too damn sunny out to properly fall asleep that Jim looks around his empty dorm room.
The temptation is there to call up one of the friends he made at the bar the other week for a quickie. But Jim's not really feeling it. He's tired. This was supposed to be his time to sleep. His eyes drag across the room before falling on Sopck's little shelf of things. The Tri-D set catches his eye at first. He'd love to ask Spock to play sometime. But the other? The giant mess of sticks all glued together or something? That one stumps him.
When his curiosity can no longer be contained Jim wanders on over the invisible line to Spock's side of the room and starts to futz with it. Maybe he just dropped it in the move and couldn't be bothered to put it back to rights? But it doesn't...move. The way he expects.
Huh.
Jim leaves. Comes back with a canned coffee and drags his desk chair over in front of the mess of rods. Three cans of coffee later when the sun starts to get lower he tosses the cans in the trash and bounces his brows to the completed sculpture. There. Much better.
Time to crash.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 03:42 am (UTC)Spock is too cold to not wear his full uniform or heavy robes, but that does not mean he begrudges Kirk in his choice (or lack thereof) of clothing in their shared space. He very studiously Does Not Stare despite the fact that he finds the human to be incredibly physically attractive: he will maintain respect as much as possible.
(He does, however, take surreptitious glances. No one is perfect.)
Kirk's strange sleep schedule confounds Spock, however. McCoy is not the only one concerned, and they have shared glances more than once in one of the very few things they wholly agree on with not a drop of confrontation. Jim Kirk needs more rest than he is getting.
Spock has not seen Kirk most of the day, which is not entirely uncommon as they share very little actual course time, but what is surprising is that when he enters their shared space, Kirk is in his bed asleep. His eyes sweep over his fellow cadet's sleeping form and over to the other side of the room to—
—It takes an inordinate amount of effort to keep himself from waking Kirk to inquire why his kal-toh set has been put into one of the solution states over the course of a single afternoon. Kirk has never mentioned using a set before had mentioned Spock as the first Vulcan he ever met, how long has he been playing? It is one of the simpler solutions and Spock is capable of much, much more complex, but he grew up playing it, learned from his father, has years of experience.
He must know.
Somehow, he manages to keep from waking him, as he is fully aware that Kirk needs the rest. However, whenever Kirk does wake, Spock is seated on his bed primly, PADD in hand. He had messaged with T'Pring for quite some time about it and she had sent him increasingly blunt responses instructing him to simply speak to Kirk about it.
He will not be. Not yet, he has decided. He is aware by now that Kirk enjoys challenges, much as Spock himself does. In the time between his conversation with T'Pring and settling himself on his bed, he rearranged the kal-toh into a different starting configuration than it had been in previously, one requiring a markedly higher level of skill to solve. It is, again, set next to the tri-D set. Should Kirk ask, he will answer. If he does not, Spock anticipates he will simply have understood the implicit offer of a worthy challenge and continue to work out solutions.
He does not seem upset in any way, either: he is as relaxed as he ever is, even to the point that his legs are tucked beneath him far more casually than he would anywhere with someone other than Kirk himself in it.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 03:58 am (UTC)It's dark out. He napped a lot longer than he planned on. And when he glances over Spock is already changed into his evening attire. He looks over to the sculpture he'd fixed to say something. Point it out. And then freezes when he sees it having been jumbled all up again.
"...You didn't like it?"
Awh. He spent all afternoon fixing it.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 04:13 am (UTC)Spock pauses, looking from his PADD to the set before swiveling his head to look at Kirk himself.
"I apologize if you desired to keep it in the completed state for a longer period of time; I have reset it to a different staring position so that you may play again, if you desire. The original solution you posited is an intriguing alteration to one I have implemented before, and I find myself curious as to how you would solve the new presentation." A beat passes. "Where did you learn how to play?"
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 04:21 am (UTC)So Jim stifles a yawn with the back of a hand, drags it through his hair after and circles round the bed to sit on the far side of it the way he usually does when he intends to sit and chat with Spock.
"Didn't know it was a game. I thought it was a sculpture or something." He genuinely shrugs. "I saw you hadn't fixed it since moving in and hell, I had nothing better to do this afternoon so I figured I'd fix it for you."
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 04:34 am (UTC)"Fascinating."
The tips of his ears have gone slightly green. He hopes that in his current state, Kirk will not notice the flush. He certainly does not desire to explain why he is slightly flustered.
"The sentiment is appreciated," he says first, of Kirk desiring to fix something of Spock's for him, "it is called kal-toh; it is a strategy game of Vulcan design. The goal is to return the shape to a perfect sphere. It can be played alone or collaboratively either by working out a solution together or by one party setting the beginning configuration for another to solve. To have reached a completed state in a single afternoon your first time playing is quite remarkable."
High praise from someone like Spock.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 12:55 pm (UTC)"Honestly by the end I was getting one of those headaches you get from working on a difficult but like .. Engaging? Problem?? It's the first thing I've had to Try at since I got here. It was fun so I kept going.
And once I fixed it the sun finally wasn't coming in the window so I could catch a nap."
Though it seems more like he crashed pretty hard given the time now. That's good honestly. Get the sleep debt paid up so he can go back to Not. That new set up Spock arranged is getting hella eyeballed though. This afternoon has been the most fun he's had since arriving here. It was challenging. He knows already he's going to try this one too. It's taking all his willpower not to get started right fucking now.
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 01:27 pm (UTC)Spock is familiar with the sensation. It is satisfying.
"I would find it a gratifying activity to set configurations for you to solve should you also desire to continue. I am aware that many of the courses are not as engaging as one would hope for both of us."
no subject
Date: 2025-01-30 02:17 pm (UTC)Jim can't remember the last time he had to actually put some Effort into cracking anything. It scratches at an itch he's left untouched for so long he forgot it was even there. And he desperately wants to get that delicious sense of accomplishment again. But considering he'd kinda banged his head against it this afternoon instead of sitting down and going about things they way you probably should a thing like this he's loathe to let Spock see him stumbling at this. Sure, he complimented Jim on finishing it but he could just have been being nice.
What if it's like, a kids game???
Yeah, Jim can't risk that. He'll wait until his next secret nap slot time and knock this one out, too.
"I'd like that." Jim pipes up. He tears his gaze away from the kal-toh set and looks back at Spock. His excitement is palpable on his face even without the huge grin plastered there. "Fuck, you can say that again about the courses. Taking everything I've got not to fall asleep in class." Is it boredom or the whole NOT SLEEPING thing that is causing that, Jim?
"For now though, can I ask what you've been reading? I finished up the book I was reading about the design of the first warp core and until class assigns something I haven't already read I'm kinda short on options and the library won't open until 0700."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-01 03:18 am (UTC)"They are not intellectually stimulating in the least, and the lack of ability to simply test out of courses that would do us no further service is short-sighted."
They are in agreement, at least. Deeply so, it would seem.
At the question however, Spock pauses. "I have been reading a recently published piece of Vulcan literature by an author I have until now been unfamiliar with. There is a translation into Standard, should you desire I send you a copy."
There is something oddly cautious about his demeanor talking about it though, as though he anticipates the interest dissipating once Kirk knows its origin. While there is much prolific Vulcan literature, it is often ignored by other species due to assumptions about Vulcans' ability to weave fiction. Spock finds the viewpoint tiresome, and he finds he feels positively enough about Kirk that should he have a similar viewpoint, Spock would be inordinately upset.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-01 03:48 am (UTC)He wasn't expecting Spock to be reading fiction, since he can't imagine it being part of a curriculum in the sciences. But after a second Jim remembers that Spock has way more free time than an average cadet. He can afford to read for fun. More than most.
"I don't think I've read much aside from first contact with Earth from a Vulcan authorship. I'd be interested in checking it out." Truth be told Jim is not very picky with What he reads. Leave him in a room long enough and he'll read ever printed word he can find. Maybe it'll be really good! Even if it's not, it'll be a common taking point he can share with Spock.
That feels worth the time sink for a new book series.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-01 03:47 pm (UTC)He is, at least, mildly pleased by Kirk's willingness to read (no, interest in reading) the piece of literature: he nods and quickly sends off the translated copy to Kirk's PADD. "Please share your thoughts when you have read it," he says, a warm curl of gratification settling in his stomach again.
And so things continue. They chat about the book as Kirk reads it and Spock finds his views insightful and an interesting angle to see the work from a non-Vulcan experience. The Kal-toh set is primed, and Spock anticipates when Kirk will solve it again.
A few days later is when Spock returns from his courses slightly early, the last having been cut short due to a prior engagement on the instructor's part, which Spock has several opinions about and voiced at least one of before his fellow cadets had so unanimously agreed that they were glad for the shortening of the class time that he had relented.
(Spock is also glad, but for different reasons. His protest is due to the fact that he realizes the others in the course desperately need the instruction time.)
He intends to take a shower and then head to the library to study but when he enters the dorm he sees that Kirk is working on the kal-toh set and all his plans suddenly seem far less important in favor of getting to see the sharp, gleaming edges of Kirk's brilliance in action.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-01 04:47 pm (UTC)He's folding little square candy wrappers into little geometric shapes for something to do with his fingers while he studies the partially finished kal-toh set he's sat down in front of. Uniform jacket hanging open. His bag cast carelessly over his bed. It's clear Jim had not bothered to do Anything after coming into the dorm but pull up a chair and get to work.
Well. Nearly anything. He's got a half empty water bottle next to him and the little bag of wrapped candies he's been working on slowly one at a time. It clacks against his teeth as he works it from one side of his mouth to the other while lost in thought. The wrapper gets crumpled. Jim reaches up and moves three of the rods. Taps the tip of his index finger on the desk several times. Moves one back.
Tap, tap. tap.
Two more get moved in place of the one he returned. He reaches over to twist off the cap of the water bottle and take a sip. Pockets the crumpled little wrapper. Reaches for another candy. This one he pops into his mouth, wrapper and all, and reaches out to turn the set around about thirty degrees to get a better look at it from another angle.
Tap, tap, tap, goes his finger against the desk. A speck of reflection on the surface and Jim turns around. Damn, was it that late already? He reaches up to wave at Spock, then belatedly reaches up to pluck a perfectly intact wrapper from between his lips and throws that one away before he goes to wipe his hands off fastidiously. Shit he must look like a mess right now. He hasn't been able to solve this one nearly as fast.
"Oh," Clack! Goes the candy against his teeth. Jim shifts it so he can talk more easily. "Hey, sorry. I didn't realize it had got so late. I can get out of the way. I was hoping I'd have this done before you got back." A self depreciating little chuckle.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-01 05:15 pm (UTC)"My course ended early for the day," he finally says, "and I found myself with more unused time than is usual. You are not in the way," as he speaks he stalks over to look over the kal-toh setup, eyes flicking to each positioning, before:
"Had you finished it prior to my normal time of arrival after starting it today, I would have suggested you join a team of tournament players." Simple, to the point. "Your current progress is remarkable. What time did you begin?"
He almost sounds eager when he says it, but he swallows and stifles it after.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-01 08:40 pm (UTC)Yet he does seem to be getting more than most. His brother's full of shit; Jim's definitely got a shot with Spock, right? He's looking at the Vulcan with the same expression he'd been giving the kal-toh set a moment ago for a second, but then his grin flickers back to full intensity.
Okay, operation: hit on hot Roomie is a go.
"Oh, I didn't get to start quite as early this time. I desperately needed a coffee after class so Bones, me, and this girl in my compsci class went to scope out this cafe on the other side of campus. Decent. We should go sometime." You know. On a date or something.
"Anyway. I've been at this for a good twoooooo and a half hours?"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-01 11:01 pm (UTC)"I see." He also sees the way Kirk is looking at him, and it is pleasant to think that he is finally giving him something that actually challenges him intellectually. He is not, in fact, thinking about being flirted with, because he does not believe that Kirk would be interested in him in that way.
The invitation sparks a thought in him, but he must clarify— "I do not drink coffee. I do drink tea, and should the cafe also have that available I would find it enjoyable to go with you."
But surely Kirk just wants to do so as roommates, acquaintances, whatever term Vulcans use for the Terran definition of "friend" that is so unlike their own. However, that does not stop Spock from glancing at him out of the corners of his eyes as he continues to inspect the set.
"Two and a half hours to progress this far is less than anticipated." It is clear in the way Spock says it that it is a statement of fact, not a dig in any way: Spock had until now been unfamiliar with the speed Kirk is able to complete the puzzles.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-01 11:33 pm (UTC)Jim's just got to keep trying.
Sam keeps telling Jim he's crazy. Jim tells Sam to fuck off. Bones tells Jim that if the man's interested at all he's a goddamn idiot. Him...well, Jim doesn't tell Bones to fuck off but he sticks up for Spock so much it's clear that whatever Spock thinks of his room mate, JIM thinks the world of Spock. It's a little weird to see the guy who spent his first month returning every flirt he got and dishing out just as many all but ignoring the world in favor of one nerdy, socially maladjusted Vulcan.
Maybe all Vulcans are socially maladjusted. Bones wouldn't know.
Jim's managed to coax Spock out of their room a few times now. Out to a tea shop he found because he wanted to impress the other. Out for food to a Chinese restaurant he found that had really good vegetarian options for a change of pace from their usual fare. And he's kept an eye out for Spock more when he's in the library now that he knows the other frequents there. He thinks he's making progress.
The day after he solves the fourth kal-toh configuration Spock made for him (a good week of work, this time, goddamn are they getting tough) Spock asks him to take the set with him while they head out across campus. It's the very first time Spock has asked Jim to go out anywhere with him, so he's pretty stoked. Trailing along after the Vulcan toting the game set with little hearts practically floating off his head with every other step.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-02 12:18 am (UTC)That said. Spock notes the timing of each solution Kirk comes to, the method he took, and the level of difficulty for practiced kal-toh players. He takes photographs of each starting point before letting Kirk touch them so that there is visual information on the settings used.
And finally: a single week to solve one of the most complex starting positions for the set.
That night, he finishes putting together his work and requests an audience with the academic board. Then it is simply a matter of getting the completed set and Kirk there with him.
It is easy, of course, as Kirk is more than willing to go with him. Spock finds that gratifying and tells him as much. Once they enter the meeting, Spock nods toward Kirk and then to the table behind which the board sits and then stands at a sharp, parade rest, head tipped slightly so that it looks as though he is looking down his nose at them.
"Upon my last formal request to remove the prerequisite courses from the requirements for both Cadet Kirk and myself, I was informed that should I procure enough evidence of achievement, it would be considered." A beat, as he lets it sink in.
"I have done precisely that. Cadet Kirk has achieved in a week using his free time what took the leading professional kal-toh player on Vulcan two weeks of solely focused work. He did so after only completing four configurations. I have played kal-toh since I was a child and have found his work beyond remarkable. As such, Cadet Kirk has shown more than sufficiently that he should be allowed to progress into courses that will suit his heightened academic requirements. I have forwarded my notes and evidence to your PADDs, please take a moment to read them. Should you have any questions upon completion, I will remain to answer them."
He likely should have warned Kirk this is what he was doing, but he was too single-minded to think of that. He does, however, wait as he said he would while they pick up their PADDs to read everything Spock has sent them. He stands next to Kirk as they do, expression impassive save the slightest tension at the corners of his eyes.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-02 12:51 am (UTC)He has to take in the whole puzzle. He also employs something very few Vulcans do. Jim's not afraid to make mistakes. He has gotten very skilled in moving pieces back two, three, even four moves at a time until he can get back to a state where progress might be made again. This allows him to cut his time drastically by testing out a strategy while paying enough attention that he can backtrack and try again without just sitting and inspecting the set for hours at a time trying to find the one perfect move.
Jim seems startled to see Spock put in a proposal without telling him. Maybe since it hadn't gone anywhere he didn't find it worth talking about. But then he keeps going and...uh? Holy shit? Spock doesn't sound like he's fluffing Jim up. Did he make a lab report out of this?? He wants to ask questions but when the board looks at him and asks him if this is the case Jim just nods with as serious an expression as he can manage.
Whatever Spock is playing at, Jim's not about to ruin his chances by opening his mouth.
"You're looking to persuade us with a Game you've been playing in your free time...?" One of the professors starts, and this time Jim does step forward.
"My attendance and grades are perfect so i believe you'll find this hasn't been affecting my studies, sir."
"That isn't the point."
Jim can't quite hold in his scowl entirely. This is bullshit.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-02 03:02 am (UTC)"Commander, I believe you are under the impression that games are only for children. While children on Vulcan do begin learning to play at a young age, it is at the tutelage of a parent who is guiding their child toward the principles required to follow the path of logic dictated in the writings of Surak."
If the room feels a little colder, it may be the implication of you are insulting my species' religion coiled in the words Spock just spoke.
A single beat's pause before he continues. "However, perfecting the implementation of these principles is a life-long process and requires countless hours of meditation, training, and effort. Often, kal-toh is a part of this process, but it is often given up as too difficult by those less," he considers his words here, "inclined toward the course of learning."
Spock moves to the kal-toh set as he speaks, fingers working deftly and swiftly to return the set to a starting point: the one it was in when Kirk first solved it.
"I invite you, Commander, as it is a game and in your statement implied to be unworthy due to this, to approach and find a similar solution to the one Cadet Kirk employed in his first encounter with the concept."
Calm. Cold. Flat. The disgust is almost palpable in the air, but Spock has said nothing untoward nor has he made an expression to indicate such, so there is nothing to reprimand him for.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-02 03:57 am (UTC)Seemingly satisfied with his observations, he sets the pieces back where they had been and reclines back in his seat to let his colleague remove the boot from his mouth if he can.
After some very hurried sputtering and some hasty apologies given, the board agrees to allow Cadets Spock and Kirk to test up to a class level that would be more suitable for each of them. On the condition that they provide clear intentions of a specialization in written format by the week's end.
It's brilliant. Jim can't believe that worked. He's not sure yet what to do about that paper but he'll figure it out. He's side by side with Spock hiking back to their dormitory with a huge grin on his face.
"I can't believe you got away with roasting them like that. Amazing. you didn't tell me you were writing a paper based on our little competition. Hell."
Probably for the best. This way Jim didn't forego any more sleep or classes to try to push himself harder.
"Finally we'll have something to DO around here."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-02 04:23 am (UTC)Still, he is drawn to it. He tilts his head toward his fellow cadet as they walk, a bit of the softness at the corners of his eyes having returned.
"I was given the impression that many Terrans enjoy surprises if they are pleasant," Spock finally says, "and I also did not wish to cause undue distress over weeks of anticipation had my plan not worked. I was reasonably certain it would, however. It is gratifying to have completed the goal."
Spock knows what his paper is going to be about. He has known his intended specialization since he stepped foot on campus.
That said.
"It is also notable that for many, the fear of being seen as discriminatory is enough to alter the course of their internal narratives."
See: It was bait, and the commander took it.
When they reach their dormitory, Spock waits for Kirk to enter the room before following suit.
With the pleasant mood Kirk is in, Spock contemplates only briefly before deciding now is the time to note his temperature preferences. "If possible, I would prefer to adjust the temperature controls of our room several degrees higher. I am amenable to achieving what I believe is called a 'happy medium' as well. San Francisco has much lower temperatures than Vulcan. Especially so in winter. My body temperature is difficult to maintain in such weather."
Explains all the layers Spock is constantly in, at least.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-02 08:31 pm (UTC)With a murmured thanks for Spock getting the door, Jim hauls the kal-toh set back up onto its place on Spock's side of the room. Once he's arranged it just so, he turns back to the other. He's just about to suggest further plans when Spock speaks up. For a second Jim just stares but then immediately hurries over to the thermostat to crank the temperature up.
"Damn, Spock. You should have said something sooner! I had no idea. I left it where it was at when I got in, figuring you'd already set to to where you wanted it."
Though after a second or two he adds,
"It uh. It going to be a problem if I dress down more often when we're just lounging in here then? I don't mind but it'll be pretty warm for me otherwise." And that is the truth, but Jim would be lying if he didn't also want to see if Spock ever tried to catch peeks of him in states of undress now that he's actively trying to get the Vulcan to notice he's hitting on the guy.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-02 09:12 pm (UTC)—And just like that, at the slightest indication that Spock is suffering discomfort, Kirk is setting the controls higher. Spock blinks twice before contemplating the question posed to him. How to word his response, at least.
"I fail to see why it would be a problem," he finally confesses, "especially as your discomfort would be caused upon my request. In fact, I
too rarely wear so many layers in my quarters when they are a reasonable temperature."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-02 09:38 pm (UTC)"But, say. While we let the room heat up a bit, do you wanna go grab a bite to eat and maybe celebrate?? I can take you to one of my favorite haunts if you like. We can make an evening out of it. Have fun. You definitely deserve a treat after the stunt you pulled."
Another brilliant grin. Come out on a date with him Spock???
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 12:59 am (UTC)And no, he is not going to mind if Jim (he flashfire notes it in his head that he thought of him as Jim and he purposely switches back to Kirk with a small measure of alarm for how he has gotten too comfortable) takes off more layers.
He is brought out of his thoughts by the offer: despite himself the tips of his ears tinge green and he wishes he could stamp it down but instead carries on as if it never happened.
"I did not perform the "stunt" desiring a "treat" for doing so," he begins, "as I did it to ensure we both receive the education best suited for us. You stated a desire to finish in three years, correct? It was a logical choice to ensure that unnecessary courses need not be taken." A beat passes, and then: "Nevertheless, I would enjoy sharing a meal with you."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 01:29 am (UTC)He spins around, huge grin on his face and holds up a hand.
"Hell yeah we are! Hi fives!" Even as the words are out of his mouth Jim realizes his mistake. He falters, then laughs at himself and shakes his head. "No, scratch that. Sorry. Got too excited." HIs hand comes down to tug at the wrist of Spock's sleeve instead. Something the other has done before to get his attention and Jim has paid attention to it.
"Come on. I found a Thai place I've been dying to show you. We'll see if it's up to your standards."
It's been a work in progress getting Spock to come out with him for non-curricular activities, but food seems to be a semi-acceptable reason for stepping out of their routine. Jim's hoping to work up to taking Spock to some of his favorite places. The bar he and Bones like that has the dom-jot table. Out dancing maybe. Jim's not huge on holofilms--take 'em or leave 'em, but there's plenty of museums a short ride away in San Francisco proper.
"What're you gonna go for? Science, I'm assuming??"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 01:47 am (UTC)However, Kirk course-corrects quickly and Spock appreciates it, inclining his head slightly so that the further softening of his expression is not noticed. He shifts closer easily at the tug, meanwhile. "Apology is unnecessary where offense has not been taken," he reminds, as he has before, a gentle prod of I am not upset with you that has become routine whenever apologized to unnecessarily.
He nods to the suggestion: he is not opposed, and they are often able to make their dishes truly vegetarian.
Spock catches Kirk's sleeve between two fingers himself, technically connecting them as would hand-holding for many other species. He is unsure if Kirk realizes it in itself is a measure of intimacy, but it does not matter. He gently tugs Kirk out the door as he continues their conversation.
"My desired track is science, yes." He does not say I desire to become Chief Science Officer of a ship even though he does because it sounds childish in his head to do so. "I am most interested in astrophysics and computer sciences currently, but will be endeavoring to broaden my knowledge base while progressing through the Academy."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 02:47 am (UTC)Maybe to celebrate getting into their new classes? That'd be cute and romantic and not at all weird that he's planning shit like this, right?
Either way, Jim's content enough to walk sleeve in sleeve with Spock out across the campus.
"Oooh, yeah computer science is also something I'm interested in. Kinda...not sure where I want to put down though. Because I feel like I could do good in a computer lab, or in a jeffries tube doing some mechanical engineering. Then there's piloting..." Jim would be lying if he hadn't considered what it would be like to sit in the Captain's chair monitoring All of it, too. A ship of his own.
But every time he considers it, he thinks about the Kelvin and it tamps that desire down. He's not some starstruck kid chasing after his dad's legacy. But Sam knows what he wants to do. So does Spock. Jim's going to have to decide on Something if he wants to join Spock in those more advanced classes.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 04:49 am (UTC)Spock is back to an almost serene (insomuch as he is ever serene countenance as they walk and discuss their futures. Starfleet is the first place Spock has felt he could ever even try to belong, and Kirk is one of the reasons for it. He considers his fellow cadet's indecisiveness for a moment, rolling the thought over in his head.
"Command would suit you well," he finally says, decisive.
The thing about Spock communicating such is this: of course he knows about the Kelvin. He has looked up and read up on the entire thing, knew before even coming to Starfleet Academy at least some of it. But all this time, he has never treated Kirk as though he is attempting to chase a legacy he does not deserve. Even hearing that Kirk wanted to meet and surpass his father's tenure at the academy had not drawn such a conclusion from him. Spock is earnest to a fault, and this is his opinion based off what he has observed, not what anyone else has done or told him.
"People are drawn to your personality." A beat. "I would not be opposed to such a commanding officer."
High praise from Spock, who has held polite derision for many of their instructors up until this point.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 05:16 am (UTC)But Spock keeps talking before Jim can open his stupid mouth. His steps falter a little. It becomes Spock leading them and Jim tagging along without paying attention to where he's walking. The words kinda ricochet around in his noggin for a bit. There's a flush of red on his face so Jim turns to look with sudden intense interest at the building they're walking past instead. Spock's serious about this. About him.
"...Yeah." He should be spouting glib commentary. Inane nonsense that doesn't mean anything. Casual cockiness at odds with how nervous he feels in truth. But he just repeats that in his head a few times instead. This can't be real.
"I'd be lying if I said I'd never thought about it." Jim finally settles on. He's not meeting Spock's gaze until he can be certain he's calmed down. "Have to imagine most cadets do at least once."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 05:26 am (UTC)Illogically, it almost feels as though his heart skips a beat in his side. That he finds the human as charming as he does has been a consistent issue for Spock, and that is clearly not changing any time soon despite the unlikelihood of Kirk being interested in him. He repeats this to himself several times before he says anything else; by now it has reached the point it rests on Kirk to lead them to the restaurant they will eat at, so he allows him to do so.
He looks at Kirk out of the corner of his eyes, briefly unable to hide the fondness there should Kirk so much as turn his head to see it.
"I have not," he says simply, "I am uniquely unsuited." The way he says it does not indicate he thinks that he cannot. No. He simply has no desire to be whatsoever. The extent he wishes his level of leadership to be is simply over a group of scientists. That, he thinks, would be enough.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 02:23 pm (UTC)And well.
Argue isn't the right word. Jim can't even begin to start before Spock is factually pointing out reasons Jim could perform well in Command. And the thing is? Of all the options Jim presented to himself, if he considers it without the baggage of his old man...Command's where he wants to be. Where he thinks he could do the best. Jim just hadn't wanted to admit that to himself. Spock makes it easier. Soon the idea isn't Spock taking science classes and Jim regulations. It's Jim on a ship, in that chair, with Spock serving as a Science officer. He knows without a doubt Spock could get himself to that spot.
Could Jim get himself into the Chair?
A challenge. Jim sets a confident smile on his face. He can't let Spock show him up, can he? He'll do it. Soon the conversation shifts to the papers they'll have to write. To hurrying to get back to their dorm so they can look at the potential classes they can slot into instead of the ones they wish to leave.
The heat of the room hits Jim in the chest when they walk in. He laughs a little in his startle, having forgotten that they cranked it up. He disappears for a quick shower before dropping himself at his desk in just his underwear while he begins searching up reference material on his PADD he wants to include in his paper.
"Hell, after having to explain myself to you all evening, the paper almost feels like it'll be easy." Jim says, one corner of his mouth curling up into a smirk. "I'm gonna knock this out before bed while it's all fresh in my brain."
He forgets in his focus to try to look any more enticing than he may already sitting at his desk and working. The paper first. The classes he ought to be in. A clear goal in mind even if it'll take come coming around on. And the reward in the back of his mind for getting through all of this? Seated on the other side of the room. He's gonna kiss the hell out of that Vulcan to celebrate, just see if he doesn't.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 05:02 pm (UTC)He feels more confident than he has in a long time, or ever, to know that he has helped influence Kirk to where he is both best suited and will be happiest. He is born to captain not because of his father but in spite of him on his own merits.
The room is much, much more comfortable when they return, and Spock cards his glance toward Kirk's shocked laugh, about to offer the 'happy medium' again as Kirk realizes just how warm it is going to be, but the upset never comes. He simply leaves to shower and returns in the state of dress he will be most comfortable in.
Undress.
In any case he studiously, as always, does not let his gaze linger (while Kirk is looking at him) and goes for his own shower. He is not quite so unclothed when he emerges, but he is in simply loose pants and light short-sleeved shirt, the most dressed down Kirk will have ever seen him.
He sits at his own desk to work, but as they do, the image of Kirk as he currently is while he discusses the paper with Spock sits with him and sits with him and sits with him. He keeps resolutely turned toward his screen so that Kirk cannot see the very slight flush that splashes across his cheeks.
It is good like this, however. Spock is happy. He believes Jim Kirk to be happy and engaged as well, which is satisfactory.
He will simply meditate tonight to situate his thoughts and pull them gently away from peeling the last piece of clothing from Kirk's body and pinning him to the mattress.
And he does! It does not help, but he does.
Their papers are turned in promptly; there will be a day to process them before announcing the verdict, but Spock is confident it will go in their favor.
This is what he is on a call with T'Pring about in that interim day, in their dormitory in his dressed-down state and allowing her to go over the list of courses Spock has picked from the options to take and offer her opinions as a second set of (Vulcan) eyes.
The call is nearing its conclusion, though, and T'Pring informs him, utterly deadpan, that her mother sends her regards.
"Your mother has made her dislike for me clear since before we bonded," he replies, an extremely dry statement of fact, "and as such her regards are her relief that I have left Vulcan. You may also give her the regard of my satisfaction from not being on the same planet as her. I trust you to relay the message as given."
And then, with a slight tilt of his head reserved for people Spock holds at least a measure of affection for, he adds, "I have found our conversation illuminating and engaging. Thank you, T'Pring. I will contact you again when our schedules allow."
And that is the end of the call; Spock hangs up and returns to his work.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 05:41 pm (UTC)Working on research papers. Jim's offering of coffee only seems to make things more tense as the pair are now caffeinated and pissy, but at least Jim's got a cup to see him through. Bones has to get his legs to stop shaking after long enough to drag himself off to the clinic for a shift, so Jim hauls Sam out to a cafe to calm down once the whole ordeal is over.
He asks Sam to look over his paper thinking that, you know, flight stuff might not be Sam's forte but the man loves his papers. Jim and he have talked at length about the kind of stuff Sam is genuinely interested in and while Jim's never going to get the same kind of pleasure from it his older brother will he is genuinely glad to see the man finding his place. He wants to do the same, you know?
But when Sam looks it over, the expression he's giving Jim is incredulous more than appraising.
"You want to go into Command? Seriously??"
The words dig harder because Jim's surprised to hear them. He thought he'd done a pretty good job explaining his intended path through the Academy in his own words. But that's not what Sam's asking. And Jim squirms in his seat.
"Yeah. I think I'd be good at it."
"Like it's that easy."
"Wh-No, obviously not. This isn't a paper to say why I should have a ship now, Sam. It's about why I should be allowed to test into higher classes to prepare me to get there." Classes at a higher level than what Sam is taking. That would put Jim out of the Academy before he graduates. His baby brother who rolled up to his aptitude test hungover and still managed to ace everything. Because apparently Jim just doesn't have to try at anything.
Just shows up and has it handed to him on a silver platter.
"Spock and I were talking about it last night and he thinks--"
"You really think the Vulcan knows what it's like out there for us? What it'll mean for You to have to smile and nod for every goddamn admiral who wants to talk to you about Dad??"
"His name is Spock, first off, and Yes like I said, I was chatting him up about it."
"Course you were chatting him up. I'm telling you that's a waste of time."
They're still fussing on the way back to Jim's dorm. No longer arguing exactly. Sam's upset and Jim can't for the life of him figure out why.
"If you didn't want to look over my paper in the first place you should have just said so." Sam doesn't say anything at that and Jim makes a disgusted sound in the back of his throat before they walk the last floor in silence so Jim can go pick up the books he needs to return from his room and hit up the library. He's so distracted being annoyed at Sam that he doesn't think to announce himself when he opens the door to catch Spock dressed down in a way he only Ever is when he's comfortable talking with a hot Vulcan lady.
He's pretty sure he hears Sam choke behind him at the snippet of conversation they overhear.
If Sam's needling about Jim's plans hurt, Spock not telling him that he was fucking engaged takes all the fire out of him. He stares down at his bed for several seconds. How did everything get so fucked in less than a day? He scoops up the books he wants off his desk.
Shoves them into his pack.
"Going to be studying, don't wait up for supper." Jim calls out over his shoulder as casually as he can manage. He steps back out into the hallway and seals the door.
"You're trying to sleep with a guy who's engaged, huh?" Sam finally asks after they get back into the dormitory lobby. Jim glares at him but that one, he figures, he deserves.
"Nope." Jim replies with extra emphasis on the P. "News to me."
"Hey, better to find out before you waste time, right?" Sam tries to console even though he's kind of shit at it. Jim shrugs. Maybe it doesn't matter to his baby brother after all.
"Yeah, sure. I'm gonna head to the library." While the original intent was to find a few new books and come back, now? Jim thinks it's time to spend some time away from the dorms for a while. Go find a drink or seven.
Ah yes, he thinks to himself while he wanders campus. Nearly forgot what it was like for that other shoe to drop. Every goddamn time...
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 06:02 pm (UTC)Spock is, frankly, mystified. However, he attempts to attribute it to human fluctuations in mood and the fact that Kirk and his brother often seem to be at odds with one another.
Something about it is off, but he forces himself to not think about it as he continues his studying, eats alone (which he has not done in weeks now), and goes to bed.
He is in what amounts to fitful meditation when he receives a call; it being from Doctor McCoy and the time of night both make something clench tight in his side; the explanation does not help in the least, but Spock hurriedly dresses and heads out to meet both McCoy and Kirk to assist in getting everything sorted out, hopefully before any faculty notice.
It is chilly for anyone out, but extremely cold for a Vulcan—Spock forgot a jacket in his rush, but it does not matter. What matters to him is Kirk.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 06:17 pm (UTC)Dr. McCoy appears to be stone cold sober trying with mixed success to drag Jim back to the dorms. And Jim? Is a fucking mess. It doesn't help that he absolutely does not want to be touched by McCoy and has ended up toppled over into the grass after his latest little fish flop got him out of the doctor's grip.
"Fer fuck's sake Jim, you need t'let me see you--"
"Fuck off!" Jim half slurs, half groans. The ground is spinning. "Didn' assssk you t'show up."
He reeks of cheap rum and of sweat and blood. His face is bruised. His knuckles bloody. Someone must have contacted Leonard and the doctor? Contacted Spock.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 06:25 pm (UTC)The smell of rum, sweat, and blood is strong enough to his nose that Spock actually cannot help wrinkling it slightly before he forces his expression to return to normal.
He shoots McCoy a look, who returns it with worry and exasperation in his face. Spock crouches on the grass next to Kirk, brows knit tightly. "You require medical attention. As you have previously stated that Doctor McCoy is the medical professional you prefer when needed, it would be preferable for you to allow him to do so."
He knows that reasoning with an inebriated person does not work. He does not enjoy entertaining paths of action he is aware of the certain failure of; however, he will at least be able to say he attempted to before simply bodily hauling the human off of the ground.
And for the fair warning:
"Should you continue to refuse, I will be forced to move you myself."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 06:56 pm (UTC)No one tries to help.
Sam's words dig underneath Jim's skin. HIs breath comes out in a broken sob. Just one. Because then Spock shows up and Jim fucking breaks. His fingers dig into the grass, pulling musty wet earth scents up to the surface for something to grip tight to. He strangles his breath in his chest.
Feet in his vision. Jim knows those lightweight linens. Spock hadn't even gotten dressed to come out here.
Why? Why are they being Nice to him??
Pity. The word comes up unbidden from where Jim's pushed aside his problems the whole time he fled from them in Iowa to come running to Starfleet. Like the jailer standing over him in his cell watching to make sure he ate every last bite of his meal.
Fucking Pity.
Because they know Jim doesn't belong here. That this is all he is and they feel Bad to see him slam himself against the walls. Sam tried to tell him, tried to remind him of who and what he is. He's not cut out for this. And if he stays with Leonard and Spock who are so fucking brilliant he'll only weight them down.
"Mind y'r own business." Jim hears himself growl out. He doesn't want to do this. Doesn't want to be here. Doesn't want to be seen. But they are. Jim is. "What t'fuck would you know about any of this?"
"Don't listen to him--" Bones shoots at Spock before sighing down at his best friend. This is bad. The kid's blackout drunk and damn near feral.
"If I want to get fucked so hard they break my goddamn spine I'll do it. If I wannt pick a fight with th'whole goddamn fleet who thinks they're better'n me I fucking will! Fuck the Academy, fuck starfleet, fuck the Chair and fuck both of you. Just. Leave me 'lone."
The moment Spock reaches for Jim he's getting his sleeve grabbed. Jim's fingers are dirty, his grip too-tight were Spock human.
"Don't. Fucking touch me unless you mean business. I'll beat th'shit out of you." Jim snarls. "I don't need...t'be babysat!"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 07:17 pm (UTC)And Kirk just keeps going. Spock is not sure what caused this breakdown, what made Kirk react like this, or what is making him attempt to push them away.
"We will not be leaving you alone," is what he says just before Kirk grabs his arm. Spock's eyes flick down to his fellow cadet's hand. "What they think has no bearing on the truth of your worth, Cadet Kirk." It has been a long time since he tacked Cadet on either verbally or mentally, but he is compartmentalizing very quickly all at once in ways he has not had to since childhood. He is trying to take into account that Kirk is deeply intoxicated, that he likely will not remember what he is saying. However, for Spock, when people say things to him, they mean them.
He has still not fully grasped the ease with which humans lie.
"You will also not be, as you say, 'beating the shit out of' me. Should you desire to not be 'babysat,' you must act in ways that do not require it." His voice is quiet and clipped, but not cold.
"Both of us together should be able to drag his ass back inside," McCoy says, and Spock nods sharply once before adjusting his position in order to get a proper grip on Kirk to haul him up to his feet despite the way the human is still gripping to his arm. Even through the fabric of his sleeve, Spock can feel echoes of intense, jumbled emotions through transference—he does not understand them.
"It would be preferable if you would comply."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 07:31 pm (UTC)"Fuckin'...hate you both--!" Jim slurs. He tries to take a swing once he's on his feet but he misses by a good half a foot because Leonard knows better. The doctor knows better than most that Jim can really go nuts in a brawl if he feels trapped. Spock's not going to let Jim struggle though.
The only thought in Jim's head right now is Not letting his voice break. If he starts sobbing he's not going to stop.
It's probably for the best to stop him from making this worse.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 07:44 pm (UTC)—Spock says nothing, but he does shift his hand enough to apply a nerve pinch and then catches his dead weight as soon as Kirk is out.
Then he straightens, hauling Kirk up with him and over his shoulder like he weighs nothing, and gives McCoy a nod so that they can get him inside, treated, and put to bed.
McCoy is, unfortunately, able to see the brief flash of hurt in Spock's eyes before he shutters it away behind what appears to be cold indifference.
"I will leave him to your care once we have taken him inside." Because he needs to step away. Needs to be alone. Needs to be where no one will see it if he breaks down.
Even more illogically, he finds that he desires to be in his mother's presence.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 07:59 pm (UTC)It's damn clear he wouldn't have been able to get Jim inside without knocking the man out like Spock had and he probably would have earned a black eye or worse for his trouble being in Jim's flailing range.
Spock doesn't answer. Leonard kind of expected that.
Great. Now He needs a drink dealing with all of this and can't have one. Spock's really fucked up about all of this which Bones didn't even know was possible. And Jim...mad as Bones is at the kid, he didn't run off to go and get himself hurt for no goddamn reason.
"Yeah I'll put him in my room for th'night. Keep an eye on him." Not like Bones is going to get a lick of sleep while he's worried if his best friend's given himself alcohol poisoning or taken anything worse than shitty rum. Thankfully, Leonard rooms right next door to Jim and Spock. He knows the security for their room by now, so Spock's free to leave while Bones gets Jim cleaned up, put into sleepwear, and checked over.
By the time he finishes, it's about an hour before dawn and there's been no sign of Spock in the room. Leonard scoops up the man's jacket and heads on out to find the other goddamn infant caught up in all of this. His quiet Andorian room-mate is keeping an eye on Jim while he heads out.
Someone's gotta take care of these two.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 09:49 pm (UTC)After that is when Spock leaves. He does not return to the dormitory, instead stepping out into the cold in the hopes that it will cause him to be unable to focus on anything else. It is foolish and irrational, but he is not thinking about that just now.
He does not keep track of how long he sits out in one of the gardens, looking up at the stars—looking at Vulcan's presence in the night sky. He has never felt homesick until this very moment.
At one point he notes the dirt remaining on his sleeve and does his best to brush it off. He wonders, bitterly, why Sybok would ever want to loosen the reins on his emotions if it becomes possible to feel like this with no recourse.
Not that attempting to meditate helps, of course.
It is almost dawn before McCoy finds him and Spock's expression is at least back to its baseline; the hurt has left his eyes. So has the softness, however, that normally lingers in the corners.
"It is late, Doctor. Or early, depending on which way you consider the timing." An observation: McCoy at least should be getting rest while he is able. Spock is able to go far longer than a human without rest; his health will not suffer from a single night of brooding.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-03 10:17 pm (UTC)"Jim mentioned you don't do well in the cold. Put this on." It's not a question.
Leonard doesn't sit on the other side of the bench. At least not right away. While it's objectively true that until this moment they were both Jim Kirk's closest friends, they haven't exactly spent much time Together. Much less without Jim there as a buffer.
"This your first time dealing with a drunk? Human or otherwise?"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 12:13 am (UTC)Normally, Spock might have some kind of pithy comment in response to the Not A Question. However, he is stung and raw enough that he simply puts his coat on. The gloves give him longer pause—sharing gloves is an extremely, hopelessly intimate gesture for Vulcans, all things considered. He is aware that is not the case with Terrans, but it still leaves him overwhelmed in a different way than he had already just been.
Spock puts the gloves on.
"No. However, Vulcans in an overwhelming majority deal with being inebriated very differently. And while I have witnessed intoxication in humans since my arrival on Earth, I have not had to closely interact with the concept previously." So: Yes and no.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 12:26 am (UTC)After Spock explains, Leonard lets that linger in the air for a good solid minute. Just lets Spock take in the fact that he's not alone out here. That Leonard is clearly not here to take Jim's side or something. "Alright, first things first. He doesn't Actually hate you. Either of us." Bones starts. He's looking out across the gardens rather than up at the stars or at Spock.
"Ain't gonna make excuses for the kid. He was outta line. But he doesn't hate you, and if he'd actually managed to hit either one of us I think he'd have never forgiven himself. Don't rightly know what's gotten into him since last I heard you two had one hell of a day yesterday. But I've got an idea."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 12:45 am (UTC)"I am still unused to the ease with which humans say things that they do not mean." This is not to say that Spock has never lied: he will not admit it, but he has. Through omission, mostly. However, it was never like this.
Spock is about to note that they did indeed have 'one hell of a day yesterday, but his wounded curiosity after the man states he has an idea of the problem gives him pause; he tilts his head slightly.
"Please elaborate on your theory."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 01:19 am (UTC)The doctor levels out a long, frustrated sigh.
"The only other time Jim's let himself go anywhere near that bad before was when some big shot admiral showed up to check in on George Kirk's kids. Those two didn't speak to each other for two weeks after. Just don't seem like a good relationship."
It's not he whole truth, but then, Leonard can't know what that even is.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 05:31 am (UTC)"I am familiar," he finally says, "with that type of mandated delicacy." He does not indicate if he means it with family or otherwise, nor does he indicate if it involves himself or if so, he actually shows any measurable restraint of his normal flat delivery.
At length, he speaks again. "I have not changed my opinion of Jim Kirk as a whole." A beat, and he adds: "However, I am—" He pauses, attempting to find the correct word for it. Angry does not exactly suit. Nor does disappointed, though it is tempting to say as much. "Somewhat vexed."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 02:21 pm (UTC)Jim was the one who could read the other's mood.
"As for the ugly feelings, you and me both. He's never gotten mean with me before. Assuming it's the same for you." Bones is pissed. It's the thing. But he's also worried Jim's in for the same spiral he himself is in the process of climbing out of. Leonard can see it but he's got no damn idea how to stop it from happening.
"No advice there. Gonna take all my willpower not to kick his ass myself when he's upright again."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 05:25 pm (UTC)—Spock does not make comment on that. He also does not make comment on the doctor calling their responses ugly feelings. "He has not." That much he can and will confirm. "He has been nothing but kind, accommodating, and helpful since our introduction."
And that is what Spock remembers the most, and will continue to remember. He hopes.
He also, of course, does not know how to stop Kirk's spiral from continuing.
"I do not like George Samuel Kirk." Flat. He has tolerated him up until this point, but if his behavior is why Kirk is in this state, his patience has reached its limit.
However, Samuel Kirk is not here. Doctor McCoy is.
"I thank you for taking the time to speak with me. It is appreciated. I am aware that we do not always agree, but you have always had my respect."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 07:08 pm (UTC)That despite the last few hours Jim is worth the effort to look after. That his brother? Kind of a tool. Maybe he'll get more details about the family out of Jim if he plays his cards right. Get some insight on what the situation is. How he can deal with it moving forward.
Maybe Spock too, if he bounces back from this. Leonard isn't counting on it, but neither is he writing the man off. Their fallout remains to be seen given they have to live with each other after this. Bones figures Jim better not be shocked if the man doesn't want to be hit on after tonight.
"Well. I'm gonna put in for an absence and make sure our cornfed idiot recovers alright. You heading back yet?"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 07:21 pm (UTC)At the question Spock nods, standing and beginning to remove the borrowed gloves to return them to McCoy.
"Yes," he says, "I will be returning. As Vulcans require less rest than humans, I will be able to maintain my schedule." A beat passes. "However, I will be available for contact should it become necessary." That, he thinks, is sufficient.
So soon as the conversation concludes and they get back to the dormitories, Spock will excuse himself and begin to prepare for his normal schedule.
If he is going to do anything but dwell on the previous night's events, he must keep himself occupied.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 08:29 pm (UTC)Jim will make sure nothing happens again. He's gotta get over his crush/fixation on his room mate to keep that promise though. So that it doesn't hurt so bad even if he has another breakdown. Spock won't be one of the people he tries to push away. Jim never gets drug in for reprimand over the incident and his and Spock's papers go through. They wish each other luck from opposite ends of the room when they settle in to take their tests and then...
Suddenly Academy life becomes much, Much busier. Jim gets swept up in a myriad of regulations, tactics, and diplomacy classes on top of his generals. Spock is taking more classes than Jim knew could fit in 24 hours. The only class they share is a computer science class now. Jim's grateful to have it. It's one link left between them now that their first year introductory classes are cast aside.
It takes some adjusting to.
Jim spends his afternoons in the library (and sometimes his evenings when he can sneak into a storage room to avoid closing hours to get some more work done). They spend their nights often working well past midnight at their respective desks. Occasionally Jim asks Spock to check over his work. He meets a second year trawling around the library working on her labs during the same hours Jim frequents and they get to talking.
Jim almost turns her down when she gives him her frequency before he remembers. Spock is engaged. He's off the table. If Jim wants to get past that? He needs to actually get past it. Make some friends of his own. On his own terms. He invites her out to the bar after her evening lab. They meet a few times, he teaches her dom-jot (like he wanted to teach Spock...), he makes sure to show up in his riding leathers that are tight in All the right places after a couple nights.
Doesn't make it back to his dorm that night. Though he does belatedly message Spock as he's leaving her room in the early morning hours that he is Not in fact dead and had been on a date. Sure, it only arrives an hour before Jim turns up at 4am to take a shower and crash, but an attempt was made. She's not too pleased with him sneaking out and that's the end of it.
But for Jim?
It's like remembering how to be himself. He's not put out. Why would he be? All he was looking for was a wild night. Anything to get the image of his room mate out of his goddamn head for more than a minute at a time. Very quickly Jim stops hitting on women altogether. Even when it's good it's not what he's after. Bones fusses after him, but Jim makes sure there's always time for his best friend even when Jim has to cut corners on his sleep to make it.
That he makes an Effort to grab meals with Spock once in a while yet. Or a game of chess. Jim couldn't quit the man cold turkey and wouldn't want to. He tells himself it's just to maintain a friendship but truth be told he can't help how smitten he still looks every time they're together. How his whole damn week is better just because they got to spend an hour or two just hanging out.
Before diving back into the grind.
Jim continues to flit between social circles. A butterfly getting to know a little bit of everyone on campus. Spock, apparently, either doesn't hold his marriage in sanctity or isn't as engaged as Jim thought because he certainly seems to be involved with some lucky lady on the side. Jim tells himself he's happy for the other. Some days he even convinces himself he means it.
When one of them has a bad day, the other's there to pick up food. A favorite drink. And pull up the kal-toh set or the chess set to improve the overall mood. Jim ends up getting his drink spiked at a party? Spock spends the weekend helping him get through his assignments so he doesn't fall behind in his classes while Leonard makes sure he's okay. Spock gets dumped by the cute blonde in his xenobiology lab? Jim stays up half the night showing Spock different simulated strategy games they can slow-play in between their classes for something to do.
They orbit the other's life but never quite meet. Jim tells himself they've settled into something good. Even if there's an ache he can't get rid of.
Toward the end of the year he ends up spending a lot of time with a pair of guys a couple years his senior from one of his diplomacy classes. Gary Mitchell and Lee Kelso have always been on the fringes of the groups Jim frequents and Gary in particular is competitive enough that Jim can't help but take notice. And that's a thrill he's been missing, is the thing. Having someone to butt up against, debate with, compete with. They argue until one of them loses voice. They laugh so hard together they're crying. And the night Gary Mitchell grabs Jim by the back of his neck and kisses him senseless, Jim finds out they're no less competitive between the sheets. When it's good it's great; it's a race with the wind in his hair and a challenge that isn't just his course load. But when it's bad it's awful; Jim's never seen a man so jealous of anyone Jim so much as looks at. Who has to remind Jim every step of the way how lucky he is to be in Gary's orbit. Who takes too much pleasure in getting Jim on his knees after they've had an argument and making sure he's so sore he can barely walk the next morning.
Bones tells Jim to break it off. Jim tells him it's fine. Sam tells him about the rumors going around and how could JIm maybe try to be less of a whore if it's going to get Him drug into the rumor mill? Jim tells him he's full of it. That he's been dating Mitchell for over a month now. Only. Only.
Only Jim was the only one apparently who thought they were exclusive. And all those really distasteful rumors about Jim? They came from Mitchell. Well. Lesson learned. Jim tells Gary it's not working the next morning. Doesn't make a scene. Doesn't block his number or anything. He just leaves. Heads back to his dorm. Makes sure it's not In Use by Spock and whoever he's dating these days. And for the first time in months, Jim just. Stops going out.
Spends his evenings in the dorm, often in bed. Lot of time staring at the ceiling wondering what the fuck is wrong with him. He'd really tried to make this one work. Be a real boyfriend, whole nine yards. He'd thought....he was doing it all right.
Guess that just reinforces the idea that Jim's only good for a quick bit of fun. That getting to know him for Real? No one wants that.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 10:17 pm (UTC)So. Fortuitous for Kirk's plan, not so for either of them not being remarkably stupid.
And Spock forces himself to not be disappointed that they are spending less time together. They have far fewer classes together now and it makes sense they would need to focus on their own tracks.
He also tells himself that it does not sting deep in his side when after an evening and night of wondering if he and Doctor McCoy would need to go find Kirk, he simply receives a message letting him know that his roommate was on a date. It is not Spock's place to be upset about that, or jealous, or any myriad other emotions that he meditates upon to compartmentalize and move past.
Spock had never told Kirk how he felt beyond the lengths he had gone to in order to aid his academic career and push him forward, and it is clear now he is either truly uninterested or Spock should not have waited to clarify. He is simply not human enough to know how to court one, it would seem.
He buries himself into his courses until T'Pring notes that should he refrain from any manner of socializing, he will lack ties later when it comes to crew assignments. What she means is he should approach Kirk. Spock knows this. What he does is accept an evening's invitation with one of his classmates from science track, a pretty blond with striking blue eyes.
He does not purposely note the resemblance.
It is not Spock who ends his first foray into a relationship with a human: she is not looking for as deep of a connection as someone like Spock desires and decides she is better off looking for something a little lighter.
He also does not end the second, but this is because he cancels with her one too many times in favor of spending time with Kirk even if simply to discuss their academic work.
After that, he never sticks with one girl for long, but the gaps between also drag because he keeps telling himself that he really is looking for The One when he knows he already knows who that is. Was. Would have been.
Kirk switching to seeing men is not entirely surprising, though it does give Spock a bitter moment of could have been me before he is able to move on. Again, T'Pring tells him to get over himself and say something. She does not use those words, but it is what she means.
Spock finds, later, that he does not care for Gary Mitchell. There is something about him that Spock finds distasteful, and he cannot help the near-glare that he passes over him every time he sees him. The near-glare that Spock always gets away with due to people presuming he is already always glaring in the first place.
It is three and a half weeks into Kirk's ill-advised relationship (because that is what Kirk is doing, Spock has noted, an attempt at settling down, at sticking with one person, and were it almost anyone else Spock might be able to convince himself to be happy for him) with Gary Mitchell that he hears the human speaking about Kirk without Kirk present and for the first time in a very long time, he struggles to control himself.
Or, well, struggles to do so until after Kirk has already broken things off and Mitchell continues his rumor campaign: Spock catches Mitchell alone between classes, slams him against the wall, and punches him directly in the face. He then wordlessly wipes the red on his knuckles off on Mitchell's uniform coat, stares at him a moment longer, and leaves.
It was not a struggle, then. He willingly and happily let himself go.
Some new 'rumors' start to fly after that, of course, about the Vulcan student's apparent penchant for violence. But Spock? Spock has never been anything but polite, he has never stepped so much as a toe out of line, he would never resort to physical violence. And though it gets chattered about, it is with a measure of disbelief. Which puts what Mitchell had said about Kirk into question as well. A positive, if unintended, side effect.
There is, at some point during all of this, confirmation of Spock's unengaged status, another call with T'Pring which Spock does not know Kirk hears the tail end of, in which T'Pring notes Spock's reluctance to move forward in the way he so desires, Spock has a mild rebuttal, and Stonn behind her makes a comment of his own to which Spock waspishly (for him) replies As the Vulcan who caused the dissolution of my engagement to T'Pring, please note that I will not be following any of your advice on the matter of my romantic entanglements before telling T'Pring his still-fond farewell and hanging up just in time for Kirk to be there a few seconds later.
There is, however, at this point no confirmation what or who T'Pring meant Spock should be chasing.
It is no matter currently. This evening, Spock returns from his classes with a bag of food, and when he notes from the cadence of Kirk's breathing that he is awake despite being in bed, he turns on the lights partway and moves to one of the desks to begin taking out containers of food.
"I am aware you are awake. I have brought us both Thai food. You are not required to eat it now, but it is here when you desire it." The logo on the bag is from the first restaurant they went to together socially as something resembling date-like. He does not anticipate Kirk noting it as a purposeful gesture, but that is immaterial.
He will, as ever, be as his friend needs him.
Because that is what Kirk is: Spock's friend.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 11:29 pm (UTC)Jim might have kept pretending to be asleep because how the fuck does Spock know he's faking it? He's great at faking being asleep (he thinks). But the Thai food smells Really good. And hell, it's the first good thing Jim can count happening all week. He's been struggling a little with his classes ever since the thing with Mitchell bombed. He hasn't been a WRECK or anything just.
Unmotivated. (Depressed, Bones has said). He hasn't missed any assignment turn ins, but they haven't been up to his usual quality.
"You brought me Tom-yum soup?" His hair's a disaster when Jim sits up. As the sheet falls back it's clear he's in a state of undress. Entire undress, given Spock can hear him fishing for and pulling on his underwear while the sheet covers his modesty. And that's entirely for Spock's modesty here, not Jim's. "Did you grab the vegetarian egg rolls too?"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-04 11:41 pm (UTC)From the cafe they used to frequent much more often.
Spock passes Kirk's bed on his way to adjust the lights further now that Kirk is no longer pretending to be asleep and thoughtlessly reaches to straighten the spikes of his hair while doing so. It is something he has done before, though not on a daily basis and less often as late since they have seen far less of one another. It is, in fact, the one physical contact he allowed himself regularly, always initiated on his own terms.
"I am gratified that you are willing to dine with me," he says, "we have spent far less time together recently than I had previously become accustomed to."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 12:06 am (UTC)Even through the fog of his mood, Jim can't help but to chuckle softly at the fingers dragging through his hair. It's a touch he's always loved. Never commented on for fear it would Stop. Jim slides out of bed leaving the sheet pulled back so he can get back in later and saunters over to Spock's desk to help himself to a pile of food.
"Ohhh you got the Hot curry too. Nice!" In fact Spock has avoided anything with peanuts or pineapple in them owing to Jim's allergies. "Are we mixing and matching or which one's mine? I'm assuming the hot curry is Mostly yours." Jim's pretty adventurous when it comes to food (assuming he Can eat it) but Spock has a higher spice tolerance than he does.
Thanks to Spock's insistence, they do have a small set of basic dishware for serving up the takeout without having to resort to flimsy disposable items. It means they can grab food and then settle to eat together. Jim makes a nearly obscene sound for the coffee. He doesn't hike out to the café this is from nearly often enough but they have his absolute favorite blend. As good as an old friend greeting him.
"Hm?" Glancing up. "Course I'm willing to. I'm always willing to hang out when I can actually catch you these days."
Though Jim's been just as unavailable until the last week or so, he knows. "Mmh!" He puts his spoon back down. "Still hot. Like, temperature hot--not spicy hot."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 02:00 am (UTC)"I ordered a number of things I know we both enjoy so that we can share any combination of dishes." This is spoken as he sets up his own plate and then moves to sit, taking a sip of his tea as he (wisely) waits to take a bite of the food. He also (wisely) attempts to ignore the sound that Kirk just made over a cup of coffee.
"I apologize, my wording was incorrect. I am glad that we are both able to have this meal together, I am aware it is not a matter of you being unwilling. It is true, however, that our schedules have not aligned over the past several weeks."
He does arch an eyebrow slightly when Kirk takes a bite too quickly, his mouth twitching at one corner before he can stop it.
He is more content, he finds, than he has been since that night months ago.
"Perhaps more care should be taken," he says, a little wryly, in the tone he uses when he is making a joke.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 02:25 am (UTC)"Well aside from a metric ass-ton of term finals I've got nothing planned for a while." Which is how Jim likes it this time of year. He doesn't want to deal with holidays. Doesn't want to fucking deal with his birthday. Just let him exist in torpor until after Remembrance Day is over. He taps the side of his coffee cup while he sips at it again, clearly pondering.
"Have we done that one? It means a lot."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 03:07 am (UTC)"I also do not have plans other than coursework for quite some time." Going back to Vulcan over holiday break is simply not feasible for the amount of studying he intends to do and even his mother does not celebrate Terran Christmas. They observed Hannukah several times when Spock was a child but not further into adulthood. The intent was to teach him a measure of Terran culture and then move on once he had the knowledge. As such, he has no pressing need other than his homesickness to return.
After that though, he blinks, not quite following the thread of thought.
"Done which one?" He thinks it may tie to what he just said, but it may be an esoteric reading of his joke that he is struggling with. Or something else entirely, as has also at times happened.
Alas you do not get catte reply
Date: 2025-02-05 02:04 pm (UTC)Which can't happen until the term is over.
"Was explaining my turn of phrase. I was being hyperbolic to dramatically draw attention to the sheer number of papers, projects, and tests I've got coming up in the next two weeks."
For now, a bit of camaraderie and some good food are fuel to get Jim through to the end of said term. He needs the pick-me-up given how low energy he's been for the last week.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 02:12 pm (UTC)And if Spock is listing toward Kirk slightly as they sit, he does not even notice. It is natural, comfortable, and, despite everything, easy.
"Then I too have a 'metric ass-ton' of course work to do in the coming weeks."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 02:43 pm (UTC)He does, however, sputter on a spoonful of curry and have to laugh when Spock repeats the phrasing back to him. His eyes are shining when he peers up. Full of glee and a little mischief.
"Yeah, you've got even more courses than I do. You going to study sessions with your girlfriend or can I steal you away to the library for some support?" He's half joking, but when Spock confesses he isn't seeing anyone else Jim can't help the blossom of warm satisfaction in his chest. Good. Then he can selfishly see more of his room mate while he desperately needs any reason to urge himself out of bed. It's a feeling that's all the more reinforced when Jim wakes Up the next morning and doesn't have to pry himself out of bed with a transporter.
Does he still feel like shit? Kinda?? But Spock is there waiting to go get coffee (and tea) before they part for their first hour classes and Jim knows he'd drag himself over hot coals to not miss out. There's not much seeing the other while Jim juggles flight sims, security practicals, labs, and classes. Save for their one computer science course where Jim all but slumps into the open seat Spock has saved for him and has to chug his coffee with extra shots of espresso to be functional enough to pay attention to the material when he's already this tired.
They stake a claim to what has become their Usual table in the back of the library to work on their written assignments. Spock comes and goes during these after class hours as he has a few evening classes well past when Jim finishes. But he always makes certain to come fetch Jim before the library closes. To herd him off for food and to usher the other to bed before he can stay up All night working on his coding or papers.
It makes Jim prickle a little. Insist he doesn't need to be fussed over. But even as he says it he knows he's grateful for it. That between Spock and Bones making time in Their over busy schedules to ensure he's eaten or slept in Spock's case Jim's actually somewhat functional over the next couple of weeks. Rather than a caffeinated wraith jittering through the halls at three am looking for a lab to commandeer to keep working just that bit longer.
One by one, the presentations, papers, tests get checked off. Removed from Jim's plate. Leaving him room to breathe which he'd hate this time of year. In this case he simply follows Spock or Bones around. Helping them where he can while studying perpetually for whatever's left. The term is a blessed distraction for the looming holidays. One Jim needs. As their last tests wrap up, he feels as much unease as he does relief wandering out of the lecture hall to go and see if Spock has finished his own test...
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 05:38 pm (UTC)Spock, at some point, foregoes wearing a shirt entirely once the room is finally at an optimal temperature for his body chemistry. There is no ulterior motive behind it, the only thought being of comfort. He never quite strips down to his underwear as Kirk does, but he is, clearly, extremely comfortable around his roommate.
Today though, just after their last assignments and exams, Spock is fully dressed in his normal robes as he sits at his desk because he is on a call with his mother.
His mother, who is lecturing him about how he has yet to approach Kirk about his feelings.
"I see that you have been speaking with T'Pring," he notes tiredly after she asks if he has done so yet, "I have not informed him. We have both been busy and there is no point. He has not responded with marked romantic interest to my current level of attention as far as I am aware, and I hold little faith that saying so plainly would alter that behavior. Our social interactions will remain as they have been."
You need to tell him, Spock. She says it in the tone she takes when she is parsing Spock being an idiot gently. If you don't tell him, you'll regret it later.
"I will, as is colloquially noted, 'get over it.'" And he means that, he does, until she continues.
Every time you talk about that boy you look exactly like your father did when he was courting me.
For one of the very rare times in his life, Spock stutters. "I—Mother, I do not wish to hear about my father's expressions during that time." But she said he looks like Sarek. Like his fully Vulcan father, not like some lovestruck human, not like he is not Vulcan enough due to his feelings. He inhales. It shakes once before he evens it out. "However, I will take your advice under consideration."
Good, she says, because if you don't tell Cadet Kirk anything, T'Pring said she was going to do it for you.
That point is about where Spock hears the door open and he tenses visibly because he's been caught out, he has to figure something out—
—Kirk is leaving and in a hurry, but not because he is upset with Spock. He seems to be upset with his brother, which Spock is confused about for a moment.
Samuel Kirk.
Kirk.
Kirk thinks that Spock is in love with his brother.
Even though the mere thought makes Spock's stomach lurch unpleasantly, he takes a breath and turns to his mother. "I will contact you later," he says, then terminates the call and rushes out of the room.
He hopes, foolishly, that he will catch up to Kirk before Kirk reaches his brother. He knows it is unlikely, but he holds the irrational thought in his head nonetheless.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 09:18 pm (UTC)That boy??? Spock had said he wasn't seeing anyone. It was because he was crushing on some Guy??? Meaning Spock is fine with guys. Meaning Jim Kirk has a chance but he's now on a time crunch. He's reeling from that alone. Trying to process just how he's going to make this work when NOTHING he's tried up until now has gotten any kind of a reaction out of Spock.
We're friends, he'd very clearly told Jim. And Jim believes him. But Just Friends isn't exactly what Jim has been aiming for at any point since they got to know each other. Who does he have to edge out? When his mother mentions Kirk Jim swears he forgets how to breathe for a second. How? When??
No fucking WONDER Spock always looks so put out. All this time? Jim works his jaw, his fists clenching at his sides.
"You just can't let me have fucking ANYTHING can you, Sam? No, it'll never work. Nooo, don't get your hopes up. Just so you could string him along all this fucking time..." He's seething the whole way up to the third floor. This is bullshit. Sam just can't be happy for him ever can he? Jim outscores him on a test, Sam's pissy. Jim decides to take harder classes? Sam't pissy. Jim crushes on his room mate? Oh nooo, Sam is pulling some fucking gaslighting bullshit stringing Spock along so Jim can't talk to him????
NO, that's where Jim Kirk draws a fucking line.
He's not kicking in his brother's door but only out of respect to his brother's room mate. He bangs on it loud enough he can tell he's startled some of Sam's neighbors. The second it swishes open JIm is storming into his brother's face.
"You son of a bitch! This whole time?! This whole time you KNEW and you just had to fucking make sure I couldn't have anything nice didn't you? Do you even know he's in love with you???"
Sam, understandably, is very confused by this. His chest hurts where Jim is prodding his sternum and his brother is crowding into his space until he's practically against his own desk.
"Jim are you fucking high or something? What are you talking about??!"
"Don't fucking play dumb with me Sam! That's why you didn't want me talking to Spock, isn't it?!" His voice shakes a little at the end so incensed is he.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 09:33 pm (UTC)Kirk thinks Spock is in love with his elder brother. Kirk is angry about this not at Spock, but at said brother. Kirk is so incensed that Spock believes there is a possibility for violence.
Why?
He skids to a stop in the corridor outside Sam Kirk's dormitory, eyes very slightly wide from what he has heard of Kirk's tirade.
It almost sounds as though Kirk himself—
—Spock realizes, all at once, what a fool he has been all this time and takes a step into the room to attempt stopping things, to take Kirk aside and explain.
However, Samuel Kirk has the impeccable timing of opening his mouth just then.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 10:16 pm (UTC)Don't you fucking "Jimmy" me I'm not a goddamned kid anymore." He's in Sam's space, hissing every word and shaking with barely contained rage. Sam honestly? Is a little afraid whatever rumor is going around is going to make his baby brother actually try to swing at him so he's operating in survival mode. The same thing that always worked when they'd get into fights as kids.
"Jim. I promise, whatever you've heard isn't true. Have I ever dated another guy? No! And I wouldn't do that to you, especially not with your room mate." The fact Jim thinks he'd fuck that walking toaster is insulting really but he's heard of people spiking Jim's drinks before. If his little brother went and got himself so fucked up he thinks Sam's got as shit taste as he does, he can smooth this over and Jim will owe him.
And it sorta works? For a second or two Jim just glares at him. Then his gaze flickers and he takes half a step back. Ready to hear Sam out if nothing else. Even if he doesn't believe it. Which is when the Vulcan decides to waltz into Sam's room.
"What, because you respect me so much?" Jim says, disbelief dripping from his words. Sam looks over Jim's shoulder and he can't help it. He barks out a short laugh at the absurdity of the whole thing.
"No! Because even if I magically woke up one day with your feral urge to sock cock, Jim, there is no way in hell I'd look at That--" Nodding over Jim's shoulder to where Spock is standing in His room like the Vulcan belongs anywhere near here. "And think, yeah. That's what I'm into."
"...That?" Jim doesn't get it at first. What, Vulcan physiology that much different than a human's? Sam's a xenoanthropology and biology specialist and he can't talk anatomy??? But he noticed the way Sam nodded. He looks over his shoulder. Spock is here. He wasn't talking to Jim. He was talking to Spock. About Spock. Like he wasn't even a Person.
You know, the guy Crushing on Sam Kirk. Even in some crazy universe that Sam didn't know before, he does NOW. And he still said that to Spock?? Jim calmly turns back around. Looks up at Sam. And the second Sam Kirk opens his mouth to say something else Jim rears back and decks him so hard he stumbles against his desk and topples into a heap on the floor.
"If I ever catch you near Spock again you're going to get a lot more than a fat lip." Jim grits out through clenched teeth.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 10:33 pm (UTC)And then Kirk is looking at him and Spock wants nothing more than to—
Than to—
—Kirk's fist connects with his brother's face and Spock's eyes widen. He barely hears what Kirk says afterward but it does not matter: Spock says nothing, but he does grip Kirk's sleeve and yank him out of the room. He maintains this facade of calm and quiet until he gets them both into the stairwell. He intends to get them back to their dormitory before he does anything rash but at the first landing they reach he gives in and presses Kirk against the wall, the hand on his sleeve shifting to grab his hand and pin it too.
He looks at him, eyes still wide, and then kisses him. Hard, a little aggressive, but at the same time almost fervent. When he pulls back it is only briefly and only enough to speak against his mouth. "Jim," he says, the name thick on his tongue without any qualifiers, "while that was incredibly attractive, I have much better taste than to be interested in your brother in the first place."
And then, as though to punctuate the statement, he kisses him again.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 11:31 pm (UTC)"Spock, Spock listen to me. I couldn't...I had to do it." Down the stairs. Every clomp of their boots feels twenty decibels louder than it should because Jim's afraid he's ruined his friendship. Only Spock turns, his gaze wild. Jim doesn't even get a chance to ask 'What?' before he's pinned to the wall. A cooler hand wrapping around all of Jim's fingers on his left hand and pinning it to the wall next to his head.
A mouth on his own. Pressing so hard Jim can feel the imprint of his own teeth on the soft inside of his lips. And it's everything he's wanted but also what is happening right now???
Jim.
His name in that timbre. Oh, fuck yes. That's the good shit.
"Y-yeah?" He's sucking in air. Is this actually happening right now? Oh, he wants to say. His mouth is open even. Only to be swallowed up by hungry lips once more. This time Jim leaves his lips parted. Invites Spock to explore his mouth with just the barest teasing flits of his tongue. Does he give a single fuck if they're in the stairwell of the dormitories? No he does not. He'd get on his knees right here if Spock wanted him to. What anyone else sees is their problem.
Only when Spock pulls back again does Jim let out a breathless chuckle, heavy with his own desire.
"F...friends, huh?"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-05 11:42 pm (UTC)At some point in the kiss, Spock ends up tangling their fingers obscenely there against the wall; it is fortunate that Spock is the only Vulcan currently on the campus. He is not thinking about that, however. He is far too busy with the moment, with tasting Jim's mouth, with pressing their bodies together tightly.
Only when he draws back for a breath and Jim speaks again does Spock have the grace to fluster somewhat, clearing his throat and reluctantly taking a half-step back, though the hand that had found its place at Jim's waist remains there.
"I did not indicate whether I was using the Terran or Vulcan definition," Spock explains, "and they are very different."
I swear this icon gets so much use
Date: 2025-02-05 11:50 pm (UTC)Spock's pressed flush up against Jim, utterly pinning him to the wall. Jim can't help to be a little bit cheeky and rocks his hips up into Spock's own. Hisses triumphantly for the friction. Ah--too far. Spock pulls away. Jim whines a little in the back of his throat but doesn't chase him.
"They are?" Panting slightly. "You. Wanna head back to our room and maybe elucidate on th'differences?"
bless
Date: 2025-02-06 12:01 am (UTC)Spock looks at Jim as he is, panting and eager, and nods sharply. He presses another hungry kiss to his mouth before finally drawing back properly, his grip on Jim's hand gentling at least for the rest of the trek downstairs to their floor and then through the corridor to their shared room.
They at least do not pass many people along the way, though there are a small number of them. However, Spock is single-minded, opening their door and ushering them both inside before letting it close behind them and tapping the lock.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-06 12:18 am (UTC)Better they don't start their break getting written up for public indecency.
"Can't believe..." Jim still doesn't quite understand how they've ended up here like this. He's sputtering as Spock doesn't even turn to hit the lock. But this is a lot, it's fast, right? What do normal people do?? He blinks rapidly a couple times, really just trying to think with any part of him Not his dick for half a second. The grabbing of his hand comes to mind first. Spock's still holding onto his left, so Jim takes a step forward so he can lift it up between them.
He slips his eyes shut and kisses gently over the back of Spock's knuckles. Chaste, romantic--Jim hopes. Then peers up at the other.
"Hey~"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-06 12:48 am (UTC)Or, well, he does until Jim Kirk presses a kiss to his hand and Spock chokes on a breath, his eyes widening again. He tries to tell himself (over and over) that Terrans, humans especially, do not see hands the same way Vulcans do.
It does not help.
By the time Jim's eyes flutter open Spock is staring at him openly, his face flushed green all the way to the tips of his ears. His knuckles are still tingling and a warmth is coiling in his stomach.
Spock has never in his life been this flustered, much less so in front of Jim. But he clearly is, and in a positive way.
He clears his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Please elucidate on what you are struggling to believe."
Does that sound normal?
no subject
Date: 2025-02-06 12:54 am (UTC)"How long?" Jim asks, his smile widening when Spock fights to clear his throat. A beat, and if Spock doesn't look like he knows how to answer Jim will add,
"How long has it been me?"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-06 12:59 am (UTC)However, the question gets Spock's more usual head tilt as he considers, and then:
"Twelve weeks, five days," with a pause to look at the clock, "sixteen hours and forty-nine minutes."
Which, for someone keeping track, like Spock, is about when Jim first managed to get Spock to go on a sort-of-maybe-kind-of-date to a Thai restaurant. The same one Spock brought food from when Jim was feeling low.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-06 01:18 am (UTC)"Spock I..." Jim squeezes their joined hands tighter. "I had no goddamn idea. I tried to get your attention for the entire first part of the term." Another half step closer so he's in the other's space again. "I wouldn't have looked anywhere else if I'd known--"
And suddenly Jim surges forward to wrap his free arm around Spock's broad shoulders. Jim presses a hungry kiss onto the other's lips again. Nips the man's bottom lip when he pulls away just enough to breathe, "Could have had this...so fucking long ago..."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-06 01:37 am (UTC)"I was not aware. When I had arrived on Earth it was just after—"
When Jim kisses him, Spock presses into it eagerly, open and hungry and wanting. The catch of Jim's blunted teeth manages to steal a quiet, wanting sound out of him, and then he breathes quietly, taking everything in. "I was not prepared for the depth of emotion I began to feel for you, and as the dissolution of my engagement was mere weeks before the start of term, I did not see myself as desirable."
Spock initiates another kiss, lingering, his free hand dropping to Jim's hip.
"I was unable to ascertain how someone as attractive, intelligent, and kind as you could be attracted to me."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-06 02:01 am (UTC)"And I'm--" His voice wobbles then because Spock is calling Jim a whole lot of things he doesn't feel like he's earned.
It's for the best Spock cuts him off with another kiss. This one not as deep, but a testing of the waters. Lingering. Mapping out the shape of Jim's full lips with his own.
"....I want to have sex with you really bad right now....i-is the thing." Jim groans softly between them. "Wanna swallow you down, have you fuck my mouth...or ride you until you d-don't even know your name anymore...!" His fingers fist in the fabric of Spock's shirt. "And I know that's too f-fast, too much but...!"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-06 03:22 am (UTC)After, when Jim is breathing words between them, Spock swallows. Normally he might have several questions, but he is able to glean meaning well enough from context that he simply inhales a little sharply and blinks both sets of eyelids before looking at him, hand lifting to close atop Jim's in his shirt.
He nudges their foreheads together gently; there is transference but it is steady and grounding. This is the most Spock has touched anyone other than regular contact with his mother as a child, and well, with T'Pring while they were still betrothed.
"We have established that we both have long-term affection and desire for one another," he begins reasonably, "and should you desire to wait, I will not push you. I have lived with you in this room for months with you almost entirely undressed at all times and have, as I have heard it colloquially put, 'survived.' I will not cease to do so should you want to progress more slowly. However, I will also note that my opinion of you will not change regardless of the speed or lack thereof and I hope yours of me would not either."
A beat passes.
"To clarify, I have desired to have sexual intercourse with you for some time now and continue to desire to."
At least they're both horny losers
Date: 2025-02-06 03:41 am (UTC)If Jim does this, it's going to Matter. The thought terrifies him. He's gonna fuck it up like he fucks Everything up.
But Spock's there, urging them together until their foreheads bump so gently and rest just so. It makes him feel better. Better able to breathe. So Jim listens. And then his breath leaks out of him in a desperate, needy rush at the last.
"I'll explain anything you want after if you touch me like you've wanted to right fucking now."
they're so stupid (fond)
Date: 2025-02-06 04:34 am (UTC)He is patient as Jim processes, as he comes to his decision.
His lips curve up slightly at the corners. Just a little. "I believe you will."
Then he unceremoniously picks Jim directly off the floor, hoists him over his shoulder, carts him over to one of the beds, and practically tosses him onto it. "You are overdressed."
A pointed statement as Spock starts to remove his own layers, still standing so as to get the robes off properly.
I love using his stupid icons so much
Date: 2025-02-06 04:58 am (UTC)"Holy...fucking shit..!" The words tremble out of Jim's mouth when he bounces once on the bed before he settles. "I-wh. I mean yeah. Yes. Hell yes. Big agree." How fast can Jim get out of his uniform? He's about to set a new record. His red jacket gets flung over to his own bed, but everything else kind of bunches where Jim deposits it right next to him, only to slither into a pile of fabric off the side of Spock's bed.
But at the last, Jim hooks his thumbs into his fitted underwear and peels it down off of him with a needy groan just to show off how goddamned hard he is already for Spock and his attention.
"Come here, c'mere I can get that off you just--"
they're REALLY good lmao
Date: 2025-02-06 05:38 am (UTC)That is not to say he dislikes it, however, as he briefly feels as though his mouth has gone dry from the sound of Jim moaning in his ear. Spock watches him the entire time as he undresses, gaze dark and hungry, and he's almost fully undressed by the time Jim tries to get him onto the bed and closer to him already: all he has left are his pants and underwear, and for once in his life Spock has not taken the time to fold any of it, just tossed it over the back of his desk chair.
Spock shifts close enough for Jim to get his hands on him, but he busies him instead with straddling his thighs and kissing him, harder than before, desperate and heated with a low groan against his mouth before he starts dragging his attentions lower, teeth catching briefly at his throat, his collarbone—
—his eyes flick up to look at his face, one eyebrow arched slightly, as he presses a kiss to the center of his chest in the same moment that one of his hands slides up the length of Jim's inner thigh.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-06 06:16 am (UTC)Then Spock's bent over him, that perfect arch of a back in reach for Jim to map his hands across. The blue is nearly chased from his eyes as he presses up into that hungry kiss. Ready and willing to pull out every trick and move Jim's got if it's for Spock's pleasure.
That deep voice vibrates against Jim's chest. He's panting for air when Spock begins exploring with his mouth. Bucking his hips desperately with each sharp nip at his throat. Catching at his collar.
"Fuck oh fuck that's good, that's so damn good--" There's no filter on the words tumbling out of Jim's mouth. He can't ever remember being this keyed up in his goddamn life. And here Spock will get his first experience with intercourse where human males are concerned. Not nearly as wet as he would have expected.
And Jim, misinterpreting that curious touch, flails one hand to point to the foot of his bed.
"F..foot locker. S-should be plenty of lube in there, and a whole bunch of toys I can explain how to use later."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-13 05:20 am (UTC)Perhaps it is also the desperation Jim already showcases with each thing Spock does; he has also never felt this wanted before and he desperately, desperately craves more of it.
Spock has at least been somewhat sexually adventurous, though with less overall partners than Jim may have had. He is aware of the usage of and requirement for lubricant with humans for certain aspects, though Vulcans produce enough of their own, generally speaking. Spock considers mentioning so, as he is aware that the preparation for anal sex is similar both between species and sexes, but curiosity about the rest of Jim's comment wins out and he slides just far enough away to get to said foot locker and pop it open, arching an eyebrow slightly as he skates a glance over everything inside before he grabs the bottle of lubricant and returns to his own bed and Jim himself.
He sets the bottle on the bed and slides up Jim's body again to press a kiss to his mouth; as he does he shoves his pants and underwear the rest of the way down his hips and gets them off his legs, leaving them in similar states of undress.
Similar states of hardness too, though their anatomy does have certain differences, namely the fact that Spock's arousal has slipped free of its normal sheathed housing and that said sheath has leaked enough slick that not only is his cock coated, his inner thighs are dripping obscenely.
He has never been this aroused in his life, he realizes, though he does not say as much because he's too busy pinning Jim to the bed with his own body to grind their hips together, giving them both slippery friction that drags a groan from low in his chest.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-13 01:17 pm (UTC)"Yeah, there you go. Wanna see you--"
One thing to read up on Vulcan anatomy out of curiosity months ago. Another to see Spock hard and dripping because of him. Jim won't get the chance to smart off. All that comes out of his parted lips is a shocked moan. His back arches off the bed, eager to meet Spock's hungry roll of his hips
"Y'feel that?" Jim murmurs against his partner's lips. His hips roll up and rock against Spock's so good he has to hiss. "That's all for you. You're the most attractive fucking person I've e-ever met. Want you to rail me into the mattress, want to fuck you on every surface we have in here. In the library, on the simulated bridge--" Cut off by another moan that rips itself from his throat.
"I've wanted you so goddamn bad practically since the day we met and it only got worse when I got to know you, Spock."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-17 06:00 am (UTC)The sound he lets out into Jim's mouth is frankly obscene and he has to take a moment to catch his breath, eyes dark from how blown his pupils are as he looks down at him, processing what Jim said to him. Then his head pops up a little bit like a meerkat or something and he says—
"—If you desire to have sexual intercourse while seated in the Captain's chair, we will be required to find the means and time to do so while we are still cadets as it is unlikely we will be able to do so once we are stationed on a ship. The suggestion of making use of the simulated bridge is prudent." He is already going through some calculations in his head, and his access to areas of the academy—the library is simple, for example.
Each word is throaty despite their matter-of-fact nature and he continues on to nod, kissing him eagerly before he speaks again. "I have never desired anyone as much as I do you, and it has been this way from the moment I realized I did so at all."
Finally, finally, he stops fondling Jim's hand to slide his between them, long fingers curling around both of their cocks at once to stroke them together. "I have dreamed of you when I took time to sleep," he adds, sounding almost thoughtful. "It does not compare to the reality."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-17 11:20 pm (UTC)"Holy shit..." Something feverish and manic alights in his blue eyes. Jim frames Spock's cheeks in his free hand and surges up to press a kiss against his lips. "Fuck yes. We Have to find a way to make that happen now. God that would be so hot--"
His mischievous chuckles trail off into another breathy gasp. His touch drags down Spock's shoulder, his arm. Both arms, once Spock's freed his hand. Jim arches his hips. Too greedy not to try and fuck into the loose fist Spock is making around them both.
"Oh yeah--me too. I couldn't stop thinking of you even when I was...trying to..."
Everyone he'd been with this whole term had been little more than a distraction. A salve to soothe him from not having the man settled over him now. It hadn't worked. Not even a little bit.
"What's your favorite dream of m...me..?" Breathed out around a wicked grin.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 12:17 am (UTC)He keeps his hand on them, periodically looking down at the sight and swallowing hard from just how evocative—he needs to focus.
"I am granted access to areas of the campus after hours as my sleep schedule is much shorter than other species and I require more productive time." A beat passes and he shifts the angle of his wrist just enough to let Jim fuck into the grasp of his hand, tipping his head down to murmur into his ear.
"There is a particular one in which we are having sexual intercourse while seated in the Captain's chair." Alright, maybe his tone is a little wry to make up for the fact that he had briefly pretended he was very much planning to do Jim a favor with the setup when he has also had it on his mind and also worded it exactly the same as he did just a moment ago. "However, I have found them all markedly enjoyable. I would find it gratifying to be able to show you them over time."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 01:25 am (UTC)"You g-goddamn tease~" Jim can't manage to sound put out the way they're working each other up. "You want that just as bad, huh..." Wants to pretend they're right there on the bridge and going at each other where the whole damn fleet could see them. God it's a tantalizing thought. And the last punches Jim right in the stomach. Leaves him squirming underneath Spock. The implication that this isn't just a one-time thing. That Spock wants to have this...him. For good.
That this could work. Be real.
"Spock--"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 04:06 am (UTC)A lot to say, perhaps, but all the same it does not seem as though he is playing it up: unbridled desire, certainly, but he means every word of it.
Jim squirming beneath him gets Spock shifting, kissing along his neck, under his ear, along his jaw, back to his mouth, granting him a kiss and then breathing out his next words against his lips.
"Jim," with a low thrum to his voice, thick and heated, "tell me what you want tonight. We will have opportunity to explore the rest on other occasions."
Because he does want to have Jim for good. For always, for real, for him.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 05:21 am (UTC)No one's ever wanted to Stay before.
Jim loves him. Jim's terrified. But in the moment all he knows is that he's burning up for how bad he wants this.
"I want the whole damn campus to know I'm yours after tonight." Jim groans. "Wanna have so many marks I can't take a dermagen to all of them." His hands cling tighter. Belying his nerves as well as his Want. "Fuck me stupid so I can..." Jim almost chokes on the words but manages to get out his desire, "s-so I can curl up and sleep with you after..."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 05:52 am (UTC)He loves Jim, though. He loves Jim in ways he has found impossible to excise and while the risk is there, Jim is worth it.
Jim is also, at current, drawing a low, wanting sound out of Spock with words alone. He cannot tell which he wants more, the physical connection of sex or the emotional connection afterward. But he is being granted both and will not waste the opportunity.
Spock nods, free hand roaming to touch Jim wherever he can reach. There is a sense of adoration he does not even try to hide; he does at length shift though, sitting up just enough to gather himself. He does not, as it happens, reach for the bottle of lube. Instead he drags his hand through his dripping slick to coat his fingers so that he can hook his arm under Jim's knee to lift his leg and guide him to the best position for Spock to start to work a finger into him: there is an air of confidence at least to the way he does it, in just how wet he made sure his hand was before even trying.
"Conveniently, I am able to provide both of those requests."
His tone has shifted, a little more rough at the edges, almost ragged with want. Another kiss to his mouth as Spock acclimates him to the sensation with the same care he would exercise had he not been reasonably certain that Jim is going to want more and potentially demand it soon enough.
His teeth catch Jim's lower lip and he gives a gentle tug—gentle at the moment, at least.
"I have dreamed of this as well," is murmured against his mouth. Jim beneath him, Jim practically begging for him. It feels heady.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-18 03:12 pm (UTC)After months of having to watch others get attention that should have been theirs all along.
Jim's pliant beneath Spock. Eager to raise his hips, tip himself back however best suits the other. His smile curls with satisfaction.
"You're so fucking hot." Jim murmurs against Spock's lips. "I hated catching sight of you across campus with those girls. Wondering if you'd had them here, just like this..." As if Spock will feel differently to know Jim is well aware of how he needs to relax. How to rock his hips into Spock's questing touch. The tug draws another soft noise of Want out of Jim.
"Yeah...? Funny...me too."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-22 06:12 am (UTC)"I did not bring any partners to our shared room," he murmurs back, "I was attempting to distract myself from thinking about my desires for you and I would have been even more unsuccessful in that had I been surrounded by reminders of you."
The room, full of Jim's things and memories of their time spent together.
"As such, you are the first person I have been physically intimate with in this bed."
Spock shifts, leaning over Jim and practically bending him in half so that he can finger him open more thoroughly, head turning so he can press slow, open-mouthed kisses along the line of his jaw.
"I was jealous," he admits, fingers curling experimentally on a slightly rougher thrust, "every time I saw you with anyone else. I wanted to be with you, to be who you looked at, who you wanted."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-22 04:44 pm (UTC)"Y-you didn't...?" A budding whine builds in the back of Jim's throat. He twitches untouched. Shudders. "N-neither did I. Couldn't bear the thought of you finding out. Th-thinking I wanted to be with anyone that wasn't you. When it was all just..." Jim trails off as he's bent further and relaxes into it. His back curves graceful as water leaving him spread open indecently. Entirely positioned for Spock's benefit. It's not until that rougher thrust that Jim cries out louder. His leg jerks a little in the crook of Spock's arm.
An open flame of kindling to a dried out bonfire. Fuck but he needs this man.
"Spock, please--Yes--!" Panting, unable to hold still the more worked up he gets. "Fuck but when I knew you liked this too I..." Gasping roughly for a rougher thrust that leaves him crying out for more. "I almost lost my mind I wantyousobad--"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-23 06:06 am (UTC)Every single one of Jim's reactions feels a little bit like a gift, a long-delayed gratification. The sound of his voice, his cries, the way he twitches without so much as a brush of Spock's fingers, are all driving Spock to distraction.
"I was unaware," he manages at length, purposely pressing both fingers deep, then curving them pointedly as he draws them back, "that you thought I was only attracted to females. Had I the option to clarify, perhaps we would have done this sooner." There is no reprimand, just a statement. An observation punctuated by the way Spock presses a kiss to the junction of Jim's shoulder and neck, then bites down with the full intention to leave a lasting mark.
He can hear Jim's voice in every bit of his mind, filling his ears, and he takes a shuddering breath into the skin, only releasing from the bite as he shifts further, urges a kiss to his mouth too, and then manages to mumble against his mouth. "Tell me when you are ready for me," he says, not because he thinks more time is necessary but because he wants to hear the exact words fall from Jim's beautifully pleading mouth.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-23 06:43 pm (UTC)Even when it seems like Jim might be trying to find his words again, they're immediately taken away by the rough kiss and bite at his neck hard enough that he sees stars. And yet--and yet. Spock doesn't degrade him. Doesn't humiliate him. There's none of the unsavory aftertaste to these actions Jim's used to. No, Spock follows it up with a kiss that captures his lips (and whimper) into something soft. Reverent, nearly. Jim's fucked. Ruined forever.
No one's ever, ever made Him tremble before.
"Fuck yes. I am, can be--Hafta be I need you inside me yesterday Spock--" His voice is more breath than volume as they shake through Jim. He cannot offer himself up more obviously than he already is, so Jim sucks at Spock's bottom lip and bites down on it in turn in a hungry nip.
"Give it to me, please..!"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-23 11:32 pm (UTC)And then, for a moment, Spock does not speak. It remains clear he keeps focused, pays attention, that he hears what Jim has to say: he nods jerkily on a groan drawn out by the bite to his lip, kissing him hungrily another moment as he shifts them both, as he rests back slightly on his knees and drags jim closer against him, one leg still over his arm and the other able to stretch out past Spock's body.
There is a brief span of seconds where Spock just looks down at him, something indescribable in his eyes despite how fully blown his pupils are: he is, in fact, exhibiting The Gaze in real time, distracted and flustered by how much he loves Jim Kirk.
Jim is still babbling the entire while though, and Spock manages to shake himself out of it with another nod, taking a ragged breath before carefully positioning himself, keeping them both steady, and carefully rocking his hips forward—slow, but not agonizingly so because he is struggling to keep hold of the thin thread of self-control he has remaining.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-24 12:39 am (UTC)Oh holy fuck.
The man just drug him down an inch or so on the bed like he weighed nothing and now is just looking at Jim like he's the reason the sun comes up in the morning. Jim can't breathe. He can't look away. The leg in the crook of Spock's arm starts trembling again. For just a split second Jim feels heat prick at the corners of his eyes. His voice stutters.
Hitches. Jim's back arches up off the bed as far as he can move when Spock finally moves to seal the deal. He tips his chin back. "That's it--!" His eyes are thrown wide, his voice finally found again. He breathes out a couple shaky chuckles, exultant to finally be here. To get this.
"Oh holy shit. Holy shit Spock--" Jim's hands once more seek any point they can reach. He's dragging his heated touch all over the Vulcan's body. Trying to pull him closer.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-24 01:03 am (UTC)He lets himself drop forward, landing on his forearm to keep from crushing Jim with his weight, and puts himself well within reach as he keeps on with his slow movement, pausing briefly once he bottoms out, giving them both a moment to relax and keep going without cracking immediately—Spock in particular needs to breathe a moment, even himself out, the tight heat of Jim around him overwhelming to say the least.
He murmurs soothingly by Jim's ear, though he does not attempt to shush him. The volume is not an issue, but Spock cannot help but allow himself the affections he has been holding in all this time, has been clawing across shattered glass to keep in his mouth, in his throat, in his chest.
He will do so until Jim no longer exudes such surprise that someone could feel such a way for him. He mouths kisses along the line of Jim's jaw, voice low and throaty. There comes a point where he cannot help but murmur in Golic instinctively, and it is around that point where he gives up on taking a second to breathe and draws his hips back slowly only to snap them forward again so hard that Jim's back slides across the bed slightly, a little closer to the edge of the pillow. His voice chokes mid-word, overwhelmed, and he switches to supporting himself on one hand while the other cradles Jim's jaw so he can keep watching his face as he continues, pace not quite punishing but still hard and fast, a culmination of both eagerness and desiring to, illogically, 'make up for lost time.'
no subject
Date: 2025-02-24 04:41 am (UTC)In fact, the sex isn't what makes Jim pause hardly at all. It's the feather soft murmurs breathed into his ear. Calming, not patronizing. Earnest, not mocking. How Spock adjusts everything just to put more of himself in Jim's fevered reach. The soft kisses trailed along the line of his jaw. All of that has Jim choking up a little, that heat back at the corners of his eyes. He's terrified he's about to start crying when Spock suddenly decides he's done holding on.
"Fucking hell--!" Jim's got one leg trapped in Spock's embrace, the other half off the bed. He has nothing to brace himself with as the snap of Spock's hips sends Jim sliding up the bedding swiftly enough to make the fabric whine high pitched and swift. Leaves his back warm and red from the friction. And even like This. Spock's hand cups his jaw. Lovingly.
Love. Spock loves--
"Oh hell, oh fuck--!!" Jim's voice carries to the walls. Heard still even over the slap of skin on skin. The creak of the bed. One of Jim's hands anchors itself on the sheets to keep himself from sliding further. The other grips tight to Spock's forearm.
For Jim, the rest of the world may not exist. But to their neighbors they are unbelievably loud. Loud enough that when a certain Samuel Kirk comes down to demand an apology from the two of them, he's startled into stopping well before he can bang on the door and ruin this moment.
He hisses a few choice swears in whispered vitriol. Jim's got no idea, of course. His entire world is Spock leaning over him with that soft look on his face. On the rock of their hips together, the twisting coil of warmth in Jim's guts that he lives for.
"God, fuck! Yes~!"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-24 01:16 pm (UTC)Every part of him aches with want, feels like there is only heat residing in him, hotter than he has ever felt; he moans Jim's name into his ear as he fucks him, as he draws his thumb slowly along Jim's jaw, his cheek, repetitive and soothing.
"Follow my breathing," he murmurs, and while his own respiration is not perfectly even, at points a little ragged, Jim needs something to focus on because if he is this wild already, when things are about to get worse (better), he might shake apart entirely in Spock's arms.
He starts to lean back just enough to shift their positions, but the thing is. The thing is, Vulcans have impeccable hearing, extremely keen. So while Jim does not notice his brother in the hall cursing his impotent rage, Spock does. Spock does and he shifts all at once, head not turning but gaze flicking toward the door as he rocks back onto his knees, the hand that had been supporting himself slipping to rest at the small of Jim's back to drag him into Spock's lap properly so he can snap his hips up into him instead, giving Spock more leverage, altering the angle of his thrusts just enough to glide along his prostate every movement—
"—I want to hear you say my name." The words scrape out of his throat and over his tongue, rough and desperate, and that much is not at all for the spite he has toward Samuel Kirk. That is purely for himself.
Not I would like, not would you please, but I want.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-24 06:23 pm (UTC)Jim adjusts when Spock moves. He pulls back and slides a hand to the small of Jim's back--Jim arches it to better let him find him wherever he wants to touch. He's getting a workout like this but it's so fucking good. He even manages to shake out a breathless little chuckle and a cheeky quirk of a smile before Spock absolutely ruins him.
It shifts to a low noise of surprise to be pulled down the bed again only for Spock to punch a sharper moan out of Jim's mouth even he wasn't ready for. As every thrust jolts down his spine sharper than electricity. Intense pleasure, heat, and that fucking voice at the same time, still managing to be heard over Jim's cries. Jim's not sure how he doesn't white-out on the spot.
It still takes him a couple of gulped-down breaths to manage anything coherent. The first two times all he manages is to half sob, half moan in the space between them. His voice is breaking when he finally shudders out--
"D-don't stop--! Spock p-please--!"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-25 06:43 am (UTC)Spock does not, in fact, stop. He does moan, burying it in the crook of Jim's neck and cutting it off with another catch of teeth just behind his ear. He does relent on their positioning though, if only because he wants to be able to go harder, faster, with the use of his hands.
But perhaps he is a little over-zealous: there comes a point where, as Jim's back once again slides along the mattress from the force of their movement, his head gets dangerously close to slamming into the headboard at speed.
It does not end up doing so, however. Instead, Spock darts a hand forward and puts it directly in the way so that Jim's head bumps up against his palm instead. Then he presses kisses all along Jim's neck and throat, murmuring a quiet but earnest apology for the fact that his recklessness could have caused potential real harm depending on just how hard his head would have been hit. He strokes his thumb across Jim's hairline, over his temple with a flashfire bit of affection, and slips his other hand between them to curl fingers around the base of Jim's cock.
I love using this icon for it's Better purpose
Date: 2025-02-26 03:14 pm (UTC)Spock gets treated to his name gasped out again for it, whined out when he pulls away to reposition once more, and then Jim has no space for words. He's too busy holding on. Until Spock overdoes it and Jim's grip on the sheet slips. He slides up the bed with another whine of the fabric against his reddened skin. Jim grunts a startled little noise to suddenly have Spock over him, his head hitting the man's hand.
It's the closest thing to a pause they get as Spock slows long enough to apologize while he nuzzles close. This far gone Jim doesn't even realize his eyes are wet with emotion. He's mushing his cheek into Spock's hand. Gasping for enough air to catch his breath. Confused, honestly, why he's being apologized to in the moment.
"S'good. Spock it's so good, you're good~" Jim murmurs in between breaths. If Spock is going to lean over then Jim is going to cling to him. Maybe that's even for the best. He won't slide far if he's latched on to Spock. But his legs jolt and tremble when slightly cooler fingers wrap around his weeping cock. All Jim can manage by now is a startled choking noise that grows in pitch. Jim's grip tightens as if he has to hold on for dear life. It does mean he's clenching down a little on Spock too but at an urging he will find himself enough to relax again. Just for a little longer...
honestly i laugh every time, it's so good
Date: 2025-02-26 04:24 pm (UTC)Simple to ascertain, simple to enact, simple to systematically move from point A to B to C to take Jim apart with laser precision. The sound of his name on Jim's lips stokes his desire even higher: everything is so slick, he can feel characteristic tightness coiling at the base of his abdomen, Jim is overwhelmed, whining, tightening around him—
—Not yet. Jim requested that Spock, quote, 'fuck him stupid,' and while Spock has to intuit the actual definition of the colloquialism he believes he understands the assignment, as it were, and as such he has not completed his extremely pleasurable task. Jim is also exhibiting signs of a measure of emotional... Something, Spock is not sure, as Jim is clearly indicating he is not in distress.
All the same, he knows how to make sure that when Jim does finish, he gets what he desperately desires.
Spock stops moving.
He does not move away, does not give Jim even the slightest chance to think he is leaving: in fact, though his hips still with great effort and self-control, he leans closer, brushing his thumb over Jim's cheek where it rests and nudging their foreheads together, attempting to catch his breath, to bring himself back down so that he can finish this how Jim deserves.
"Follow my breathing," he repeats softly, dragging his own respiration to something slower and even for Jim's sake. His other hand lets go only to slowly (albeit damply) stroke fingers over Jim's stomach. He watches his expression hawk-like, making sure he is not pushing too far and is not doing anything Jim does not want.
It will be better, more heated, and more pleasurable for Jim should he take a moment to relax so that he has to build back up again, but it relies on Jim being able to handle it. If Spock must start again right away, he will do so and easily.
GOOD i'm glad i'm not the only one
Date: 2025-02-26 05:20 pm (UTC)Spock stopped moving. They'd just been getting back into rhythm after the shushed apologies. Jim's chin jerks down but Spock is there. A warm weight settled over him and then foreheads touching. Something he's never experienced before Spock. It draws a confused but wobbly little smile out of him. A breathless laugh that's all air and no sound. He leans up and captures Spock's lips in a desperate, needy kiss only to be told to breathe as soon as he's parted to suck in another gasp.
"Y...yeah I c'n...I can do that. Is everything okay?" Why did he stop though??? Jim's not complaining exactly--not yet at any rate. He's confused. The overwhelming affection would prickle unpleasantly over him were it coming from anyone ELSE but with Spock? Jim just offers that same, stupid little smile. Whatever he needs, Jim will try to give it.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-26 05:31 pm (UTC)After that kiss ends he continues to breathe for Jim to follow but brushes his lips along Jim's cheekbone, his jaw, his chin, and his lips. The question gives him a brief pause before he tips his head back up from where he's pressed another kiss to the hollow of Jim's throat to look at him.
"The situation is optimal," he says. "You requested that I 'Fuck you stupid.' I am complying with that request with the best method I know how to employ." He pauses again, gives him another soft kiss, and keeps brushing his fingers soothingly over his skin. "Please trust the process," he says, unaware of how silly that might sound in most sexual situations were it anyone but Jim, who knew what he was getting into with how Spock communicates, hearing it. "Please inform me when you are able to breathe easily and you feel slightly more relaxed. I will show you my intent then."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-26 05:54 pm (UTC)He can't help but to whine a little. Squirm as if he could fuck Himself against Spock from this angle but he doesn't have near the range of motion from this position to do so even if the other couldn't stop him with a single hand easily even if he had such range.
"Y-yeah?" Yeah, that sounds like something Jim would say. And any other time he'd laugh to hear Spock say it, especially in that deep rumbling husk his voice has taken on the more turned on Spock gets. And Then it dawns on him what Spock is doing. This time his whine is a little louder, but not by much. Jim's voice is giving out the longer they drag this on. "Y're gonna hold out on me..?" Jim whines but this is clearly his dick talking because Jim also doesn't fight Spock any on this.
He curls his arms tighter around Spock's neck and shoulders and hauls himself up to curl as close to the other as he can. Foreheads touching. Just trying to settle down a little and breathe. Every now and then his hips twitch without his consent but the frequency drops little by little.
Sorry to their neighbors who might get the wrong idea that they're done making people regret being near them. The reprieve is only a few minutes before Jim tips his chin back again and sighs long and low.
"...'m good. I'm." Jim swallows. "I'm okay now."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-26 06:06 pm (UTC)No, this is important for now, and though it remains difficult to resist the whining desperation in Jim's voice, Spock manages. Only because he has to in order to make this perfect for Jim, but he still counts it as a success.
He stays close for Jim to hold onto for support, to keep himself in reach, to brush their noses each time he gives Jim another slow kiss, though that much is simply a byproduct of movement and not purposeful.
Finally, after a few moments that feel like hours, Jim sighs out his answer and Spock nods. He slides his hand up higher, pressed to the center of Jim's chest to both hold him down and hold him in place so he does not slide again and Spock can free his other hand for other Activities, such as dragging back downward.
He draws his hips back agonizingly slowly, exhales slowly, then snaps them forward hard and fast, rough but not cruel—maybe it is a little funny that the moan Spock lets out sounds punched out of him like he is the one being railed directly into the mattress, but either way he keeps up that pace, looking down into Jim's face to watch his expression, dragging his hips up one-handed for the optimal angle to go right back to dragging against his prostate unrelentingly with each movement, and then wrapping his fingers around Jim's cock again to stroke him, thumb rubbing over the head, gliding over the slit.
"I still want to hear you," he breathes out, just as rough as the rest, "you are beautiful like this."
Affectionate words to go along with the heavy intensity of the physical. Trying to overwhelm him indeed.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-26 08:49 pm (UTC)Jim sighs to feel Spock moving. And there might have been words. Encouragement, Spock's name...whatever that intent was it's gone.
"..!!" All Jim manages is the smallest of sounds although his mouth is dropped open. It's Spock moaning for the both of them. Spock pistoning into Jim like he needs it to live. The bed creaks beneath them. It's Spock's hand keeping Jim from sliding more than even a little bit and Jim knows now that if he hadn't he'd be slamming into the wall. And that's what Spock had done earlier, Jim realizes all of a sudden. Jim chokes up again. Honest to god sniffles a little. He'd chuckle but he doesn't have the breath to spare.
Does Spock know how ruined Jim is for Life now? How no one ever has treated him even halfway this well? And this is only the first time they've ever fucked.
Oh god, this is only the first time--
"Nnnnnhhh--!!" Jim squirms desperately against Spock, desperate for the blinding pleasure arcing through him. Every thrust jolts up his spine, sends his cock throbbing untouched but Spock is there too again curling fingers around him, teasing the head, stroking him. Every breath he takes fights against the pressure of Spock's hand holding him in place against this onslaught of pleasure. Because Spock is watching him so intently he will see Jim's eyes focus again and flit to meet his when he all but groans out the demand in that low rumble of his.
It's the affection that brings tears to Jims eyes, finally spilling over the sides and down his face. He's not distressed, no. But he is overwhelmed by a love he has never known once in his life. A devotion he has no words to answer for. And he's being planted into Spock's bed while it happens. He tries to talk but it comes out one long run on word. Pleading, begging, demanding relief. Release. For this to never end. But amidst the incoherency Jim does gasp and manage,
"Loveyou I love you please Spock--!"
no subject
Date: 2025-02-27 05:44 am (UTC)Spock does startle when Jim cries, something almost frantic clawing up his throat. But it becomes clear that it is not a negative reaction and relief floods through him instead. He continues on, listening to Jim's almost reedy voice, rolls his hips back for another sharp snap.
Jim loves him. Jim would not lie about such a thing, therefore it must be true. His eyes widen slightly as he stares down at him, swallowing thickly before he switches back to holding Jim down with his body weight, right hand snapping up to thread fingers with Jim's, pressing that to the bed as well, breath hitching. The left continues its current task of stroking Jim in time with his thrusts.
"I too love you," he manages, as ragged as the rest, "I am close." That last, desperate because he wants—needs—Jim to reach completion before Spock does. "Show me."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-27 09:56 am (UTC)And this is Spock, is the thing.
He doesn't say Anything he doesn't mean. There's a sense of security there Jim's never had before. In Knowing that someone loves him. Hell, Spock's even holding his hand in the cheesiest romantic move Jim's ever seen and if he hadn't already been emotionally drunk and overwhelmed he would be by that simple little gesture. The twitch of his smile is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it flicker before the next thrust leaves him making that reedy little moan again.
Jim has just enough presence of mind to squeeze Spock's hand back in appreciation for the shift in position. His right hand releases the bunched up sheet he'd been clinging to so he can anchor it on a broad shoulder instead. The thighs bracketing Spock twitch and tremble the way they had before. That demand on top of everything else just does Jim in right then and there.
He has those couple seconds of clawing, climbing warmth before he's shaking apart in ragged gasps. He's spilling over the top of Spock's fingers, painting both of their stomachs in his seed. All the while he's held down by Spock's weight. His hand in Jim's. Steady even while Jim trembles and quakes. It's not until the crest of his release is over that he croaks out Spock's name in something akin to devoted wonder.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-28 02:45 am (UTC)The increased tightness when Jim reaches release, when his body tenses, drags a low, pleasured his through Spock's teeth and he chokes on another moan just after, overcome—he snaps his hips hard one more time, burying his face in Jim's neck and rasping out his name as he comes bottomed out inside him, fine muscles trembling even as he finally stills, both of them covered in sweat (though on Spock it is due to the constant contact with Jim's heated skin). He presses an apologetic kiss to a bite from before, letting the fingers of his clean hand stroke slowly up and down Jim's side to help him come down comfortably, to feel the care and adoration with which Spock is treating him.
He does not desire to pull back yet, so he does not. He does, however, lift his head again to kiss him on the mouth, slow and easy.
"I request that you inform me of your comfort levels and any changes to them."
no subject
Date: 2025-02-28 03:19 am (UTC)This? Was really cute. He's here for it. It's earnest and sweet and definitely probably not horny as all hell in ways he doesn't understand.
He'll accept that kiss from Spock too. Soft, affectionate, but it's still Jim Kirk so he does suck gently at Spock's lower lip and graze it with his teeth ever so slightly when he pulls back to lea his head against the pillows.
"....So. We're g'nna push the beds together after this, right?"
no subject
Date: 2025-03-01 05:10 am (UTC)Instead he shifts them both into a more comfortable position, holding Jim close against his chest and rolling them onto their sides.
He blinks at the inquiry, pausing but not in a negative way. "Yes," he settles on, "I am aware you enjoy physical contact. I do also when it is with you. As such, it is prudent to ensure we share a sleeping space. We will do so once we have rested here for some time."
Now, after everything, he feels overwhelmed. He is happy though, he finds, which is most important.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-01 02:43 pm (UTC)"Easy enough to pull apart for a night....mmh, if it gets t'be too much for you too." Because regardless of how much Jim wants to never stop touching this Vulcan, he's more than aware that Touch was one of those things that makes Spock different to Jim. And this? It's a whole lot after the damn near Nothing they've done since the start of the term.
Jim can't remember ever snuggling up close to someone for Comfort. He'd thought it might be too Much, too stifling, but instead he just seems to melt against Spock. Twining their legs, keeping them as close as can be managed. All the tension bleeds out of him. Truth be told it's a Lot for Jim, too, who has no frame of reference for even the dregs of whatever emotions Spock feeds him through all the points they're touching. Easier to just let himself be held close and safe and to drift off into the most restful Sleep Jim will have ever had in his life.
No tossing or turning. No being awake at odd hours when Spock has finished resting or meditating. Just plain Out.
TFW you accidentally get your boyfriend drunk...
Date: 2025-03-03 10:10 pm (UTC)Gaila's batting her eyelashes in a sickeningly sweet tease that Jim can't help but to chuckle at around his bite of food.
"No, course not. I'm gonna get some fries and a shake on my way back. Two even, bring one to Spock."
"Why not invite him out here with us then??" Gaila gestures between the two of them with a fry before she dips it in her own milkshake and pops it in her mouth. "As thrilled as I am to get some one on one bestie time he's more than welcome to join us. Even if it'd up the rumor mill in the dorms again to include me. Do you have any idea how nice it is to have people finally having someone else's bedroom affairs to talk about, but it's JUST you and your smoking hot Vulcan roomie? I'm almost jealous!"
Joking, Jim knows. Gaila wants to be seen for her skills as much as anyone in Starfleet but starting as one of the only Orions anyone's likely to have heard of let alone met, she's got quite a bit of a cultural reputation to work around.
"I mean, you're welcome I guess." Jim shakes his head this time. "I didn't ask him out here because he doesn't eat meat. Some places it's fine to bring him out to, but this place Smells like a burger joint and I'd rather not gross the guy out, you know?"
"So sweet...Love's a good look on you Jimmy~"
"Oh come on!" He rolls his eyes good naturedly. "It's just being polite."
For all of Gaila's teasing she really does want the best for Jim and his new boyfriend. She's perfectly happy to keep him company while he has his forbidden meal and glad that he lets her finish hers before he orders up the fries and shakes to go and they can start their long hike back to the dorms. The cold probably doesn't do any favors in convincing Spock to hike out this far either, she figures.
"So did you two...?"
"Yeah, we signed up for the formal dance elective. Couldn't talk Bones into it but at least Spock and I will be there with you." Jim leans over and nudges Gaila with his shoulder, grinning so wide it fills his face when she gives a squeal of delight. For as busy as their schedules are, it'll be nice to take a class that's useful, yes, but also just sounds like it could be fun. It means a lot of later nights studying since their early evenings will be spent learning event etiquette and dancing but Jim doesn't mind.
"Have a good night Gaila!" Jim calls when they finally split up to head to their separate rooms.
"Try not to get a noise complaint tonight~" She calls back with a wink. Jim flips her off and heads on down the hall toward his room.
Jim knocks to let Spock know he's back before he keys open the door. He's been trying to be better about that so he doesn't walk in on the other during his calls so often.
"Hey, I'm back and I brought treats. How'd your biochem lab go?"
no subject
Date: 2025-03-18 04:57 am (UTC)So Spock finds it pleasing that he gets along with two of Jim's close friends, and though his alliance with Leonard McCoy may seem quite antagonistic to outside parties it is based in respect. A social triumph.
He is not, or at least would not consider himself to be, anxious about the upcoming dance classes. He is aware of form and posture already and as it is formal dance, it is unlikely to have spontaneous facets or stumbling blocks. He is anticipatory to an extent, of course. He knows what people say about Jim and himself, so maybe it has reached a point where they should be showing others how good they are at other things as well.
He might be slightly petty about the noise complaints.
Spock is reading one of his leisure books when Jim returns to their dormitory, and he looks up toward him, tilting his head just so, the angle that means Spock is very happy to see him.
"Satisfactory," he grants, which is high praise. It must have really been a good day. Did you have an enjoyable time today?" A beat passes. "What 'treats' have you brought?"
no subject
Date: 2025-03-18 04:52 pm (UTC)At least from the outside. He and Spock had to have a conversation the first time rumors had started about Spock. Jim couldn't care less what the talk of the Academy is about him -- other than as motivation to do just that bit better to be the best at everything he touches. But Spock? Spock already has a good reputation. Jim didn't want to see it get ruined because of Him. But Spock had, if anything, gotten only more possessive and Jim finds that attractive as fuck so he hasn't questioned it since.
He winks when the door slides shut after him.
"Yeah? You look to be in a good mood. I'm gonna make it better then. Gaila and I swung by the diner for supper. I had my burger there and washed up after so you wouldn't have to smell it but I brought back some of their garlic parmesan fries and a couple shakes for us. I got mint chip and cookies and cream. Would have gotten strawberry but I'm allergic so if you Didn't like that one we'd have been SOL."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-18 06:37 pm (UTC)A joke on top of that, as Jim has become so well-versed in reading him that even should Spock desire to hide anything from him, he is not sure that he would be able to.
He stands easily, noting his page with a bookmark before setting the book aside so that he is able to step into Jim's space, looking into his eyes as he allows himself to trace fingers lightly along Jim's forearm briefly.
"I have never had a milkshake," he admits, and it is true: Spock does not indulge often, if at all, with sweets. If he desires something sweet he has only ever, to date, picked fresh fruit owing to non-processed sugars being metabolized adequately by his species.
He notes that he has never told Jim this. It has never been a point of conversation. He does not offer the information now, deeming it a superfluous detail.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-18 07:50 pm (UTC)"Missed you too." He murmurs, all smitten for the brush along his arms. "Here take this while I change outta my uniform. I tried to hurry back so the fires would still be hot and fresh but nowwww I am dying and need to strip."
So off goes the reds and into his laundry receptacle, off goes his undershirt and his socks until Jim is settling down at the edge of their shoved together 'double' bed in just his underwear so he can scoop up his own order of fried to nibble at.
"No?? Feel free to try both milkshakes and take whichever one you like best. I'll have either one and be happy."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-21 01:51 am (UTC)Well, Jim certainly knows the most about several aspects.
Spock, in the meantime, is charmed by Jim's reaction to the touch even though it is through fabric. He nods, taking the food from Jim's hands. "By all means," he says, arch, and moves to sit on their bed, unabashedly watching him the entire time as he eats a couple of fries. A vibe, certainly.
"I do not indulge in sweets often," he further explains, though he does take the offer and try both flavors. The brightness of the mint and bitterness of the chocolate leave that one tasting less sweet than the other, though he does not assume it actually is. It does, however, suit his palate more, so he nods decisively and hands the cookies and cream shake over to Jim afterward. "It is easy to understand why people enjoy them, however."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-21 02:53 am (UTC)And where Jim isn't competing with Spock? He's competing with Everyone Else.
He glances over and grins when he spies Spock watching him strip, but by then he's too far into it to bother making it a show, so better to finish up and join him.
"Yeah I've noticed that. Not a big fan? I usually have some candy in my desk as an emergency study snack if you ever want some. I'm not Weak for desserts or anything the way some people are but every so often it's a good treat."
Speaking of treats, Jim grins to be handed the other shake. He's been promising himself one of these for weeks now. Finally found the time to hike out there.
"Aw man hell yes." Milkshake? Check. Fries? Check. Boyfriend? Enjoying both. Jim is winning so hard right now.
"Gaila's goddamn thrilled about the formal dance and etiquette class by the way. I think we spent most of the trip chatting about it. She's been looking at the options for formal uniform styles all week apparently. I haven't bothered looking to order mine yet."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-21 04:58 am (UTC)"I will remember that should I ever desire any." He doubts it, but the thought is appreciated.
All the same, the focus of the evening is to simply enjoy one another's company, and Spock intends to. He is at least careful to drink the milkshake slowly as they sit, taking his time. He is well aware that fats delay the absorption of sugar and that it will affect the length of both onset and duration, but once it does start to kick in, he has had enough that it seems perhaps he should have taken it even more slowly.
He remains attentive and alert for much of the conversation. Chatter about dress uniforms, at which point Spock notes some options would allow them to either perfectly match or perfectly complement one another. Something to think about as they decide. The course itself, conversations with Gaila, the competition later in the term, the fact that Spock requires gloves to be able to take the class at all in any measure of comfort, so on.
This is about the point where Spock realizes his cup is well over half-empty. He also notes that he has been leaning against Jim's side for the past thirty-five minutes and has had his head tucked into his shoulder the last ten. He has not attempted to move his head recently, perhaps for good reason, since he has to blink a couple of times when he lifts it to clear his perception.
"I should stop as I have had more than enough," he says distractedly, without explanation of what 'more than enough' means, setting the cup aside with a slightly uncharacteristic lack of care. Nothing spills or makes a mess, he just sets the disposable cup down with a click and proceeds to ignore the fact that he has not yet taken the time to properly dispose of it. "Thank you for bringing it to me," is a quick addition as he sits up better, glancing between them so he can drop his hand down atop Jim's, threading their fingers slowly and carefully.
"I do not wish to watch others dance with you," he finally says as he strokes his thumb along the side of Jim's hand, apropos of nothing as though he has kept it on his mind this entire time, "even though I know there is no reason for it."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-21 01:44 pm (UTC)But that's all the thought Jim gives at first.
He's much more interested in grabbing up his padd and flicking through options for their uniforms. Jim wants something trim that will cling to him in all the right ways, but far more important comes the idea of matching or complimenting Spock. He's not dressing for Himself alone anymore. It's a small thrill to think he can choose clothes that will spell out his attachment to his Vulcan boyfriend perfectly if anyone spies them together even at a glance.
It's a pleasing thought. An exciting one, a little, but they're content sitting and chatting even after Jim's finished his shake and set the empty cup aside. He'd go handle it right away, but Spock's been leaning on him ever since he pulled up his padd for them to look over the uniforms and he doesn't quite want to ruin this rare moment of nonsexual intimacy just yet. Spock doesn't even seem to notice.
So they keep chatting and Jim gets more and more eager for idea of the class. Moreso than any of his main curriculum ones. Rare enough is it that he gets a chance to take a class with Spock. While their encryption classes had been challenging, this is a different kind of fun altogether. Jim's pleased that Spock seems to be in agreement that they outperform anyone else.
By the time Spock's laid his head on Jim's shoulder, he's starting to get a Little concerned. It's out of character, nice as it is. And Spock seems so distant when he finally sets his soupy remnants of the shake aside next to Jim's empty cup.
"Course." Jim says. "Did you like it?" Clearly Spock did, since he starts twining their fingers so seriously just after. He's just about to ask Spock if he's doing alright when the sudden non-sequitor about their class crops up in a drawn out and distracted voice he doesn't think he's ever heard Spock use before.
"Aw. You don't wanna see the proof of how much more in tune with me you are?" Jim murmurs into a pointed ear in an attempt to be reassuring. "....Are you...doing okay? You seem a bit off. Is this all because you were worried about someone else dancing with me?"
no subject
Date: 2025-03-21 02:23 pm (UTC)Despite his commentary though, he remains relaxed in this moment, limbs loose and movements smooth but a little slower than usual. "Yes," he finally says, as to whether he liked it or not. Jim's voice at his ear drags a small shiver through him and he hums quietly, turning his head enough to brush his lips along Jim's jaw in return (retaliation?) before answering.
"I do not need to see proof of facts I already know," he says, stubborn as he always is. He looks at Jim and his gaze is steady, but a little... Well, to be frank, he looks like he has had too much to drink. "I am not worried," he says, a soft emphasis on the word, "I have nothing to worry about." Because he trusts Jim. He just also knows that Jim dislikes when people treat him a certain way even now, and it remains likely people will use dancing with him as an excuse.
"I have underestimated the effect that the processed sugar would have on my physical and mental states." Without further explanation, because of course. He can get there with a little more prodding, at least.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-21 03:58 pm (UTC)Like really weird.
Weird enough that Jim's not even turned on by the lips dragging against his jaw or the way Spock fidgets with their twined fingers. He's shifting where they're sitting to raise his free hand up and check Spock's temperature best he can.
"Yeah, okay.." And yeah, Jim's brushing off Spock's stubborn reply a little but he'll come back to it when he's not starting to panic a little. "What kind of effects do they have on you, Spock? Are you--this stuff isn't reacting badly to you is it? Was there something in there you're allergic to or sensitive to or what???"
Please tell Jim he didn't accidentally poison his boyfriend....
no subject
Date: 2025-03-21 04:09 pm (UTC)However, he has tilted just slightly into the touch of Jim's hand despite the fact it was trying to check his temperature. Very 'cat chasing a hand to bonk it for more pets' style.
"You are aware alcohol has no effect on Vulcans," he finally says, "as our metabolism processes it too quickly to have an effect." A beat, and he adds: "However, processed sugars do have an intoxicating effect. As I have had it extremely rarely, I failed to account for that while calculating my tolerance."
Wuh oh! Somebody happens to be a lightweight.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-21 06:48 pm (UTC)Yeah it took Jim a half minute to calm himself down from panicking and really think about what he was being told here. And like, he feels kind of bad about this suddenly because he had NO idea that was a thing that happened to Vulcans. And suddenly Spock politely refusing things Jim has offered him over the months makes a Lot more sense.
Especially considering Spock is saying he's kind of a lightweight.
"Okay. Let me go clean up the cups real quick so we don't have a mess later and uh. Let's. Get you ready for bed huh? I'll be right here with you, promise."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-21 07:30 pm (UTC)Even like this Spock seems to realize Jim is going to go down some path of self-blame and tilts in to gently press their foreheads together, attempting to catch and keep his attention. "I was able to inform you at any time and chose not to. It is my mistake for not telling you before I started."
He pauses, considering what Jim has just said, and finally shakes his head. "Disposal of the cups is adequate, but I do not wish to go to bed as I am not tired."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-21 07:46 pm (UTC)He's in the process of trying to disentangle themselves when he's pulled back (gently!) and smushed up against in a way that's incredibly adorable and also incredibly out of character for Spock normally.
"I know. I just feel like you've given me a lot of clues about it since we moved in together and I completely missed them." Jim tips his chin up and smooches Spock on the forehead just as gently. His bangs are all messed up for the mushing already so it's fine. It's adorable.
"Well, fair enough I suppose. Alright let me clean up real quick." He can rinse out the cups and toss them in the recycler easily enough. That will go a long way toward preventing any unwanted spills or smells later. But then he comes back in and settles down back on the bed.
"Well, what do you want to do then? Drunk chess might be funny but since I'm sober I'd have to catch up. We could....go Out. But not sure you'd want to visit a club when you're already drunk. Could hang out here and watch holovids or something."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-22 04:31 pm (UTC)Spock tips into the forehead kiss, humming his approval, then does at least let Jim get up to throw the cups away. However, as soon as Jim is back on the bed, Spock is on him again—not necessarily sexually, just leaning his weight against him and being very, very tactile.
"I should remain in our quarters in this state," he admits, "but I would enjoy spending time with you. Holovids are acceptable."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-23 10:28 pm (UTC)At least this time Jim's expecting the instant cuddle up, so he's got one arm ready to lift and let Spock tuck in beneath. Jim settles is instead around Spock's shoulders. Lets his thumb brush against the Vulcan idly while they decide on what do for the evening.
"Fair enough. I'll help you prevent any and all evidence of your drunkenness by entertaining you from in here. Come on, let's shuffle into bed proper like so we can curl up, yeah? He plucks up his personal padd and flicks out the kickstand to settle it upright against his chest so he can bring up a movie for them to watch.
"Gaila wanted you specifically to watch this mystery drama that came out and tell her if it was 'full of shit' or not for the deductions needed for the audience to solve it. I've had it downloaded for a week now. No time but the present to watch it I suppose."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-24 05:51 pm (UTC)"Thank you," is the response he gets at first, about making sure no one else sees Spock like this, but then once they're laying out on the bed, Spock curled insistently against Jim's side, he watches Jim flick through screens with interest and listens to his partner's commentary on the choice of vid.
"I'll make note of any instances of it being 'full of shit' to relay to her at a later date," he says, "though I will require a second viewing later to ensure I haven't missed anything."
no subject
Date: 2025-03-24 07:02 pm (UTC)"Here we go." Jim cranes his neck over to smooch the top of Spock's head and then relaxes against the bed so they can watch the film.
It's a bit overly complicated to Jim's opinion, insists upon itself a bit too much. But the cast is decent and Jim's all about a space drama even if it's under the guise of a kind of ostentatious murder mystery. Eventually Jim gives up on paying attention much to the movie and lets his gaze slide off the screen and to watching Spock watch the holofilm. Taking in the eased expression on his face all the sugar has left him with. The way he lays curled up around Jim like some giant cat.
They've never done this before, Jim realizes. Just settled in somewhere together intimately close and hung out. It's nice, really.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-29 05:12 am (UTC)He seems clearly interested as Jim watches him, but in an analytical way. Charming, maybe, for him to be so intense even like this. Even as he senses Jim watching him and seeks out his hand, threading their fingers and giving a little squeeze. Affectionate, in this case, and not necessarily sexual. He is watching a vid, after all.
It is nice like this. Together, not requiring endless productivity. Even gauging the accuracy of the movie is just for fun and far less intensive than playing a game of chess or kal-toh or doing work in tandem. He enjoys it.
As the credits roll, he states: "She is correct. It's full of shit. I'll make her a list of notations after another viewing later, as I said."
He tips his head up as he speaks though, brushing a kiss under Jim's chin.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-30 01:28 am (UTC)That's the sort of thing he's pondering, while Spock bothers paying attention to the last third of the movie. While they just lay together, relaxing. Usually Jim's pretty shit at relaxing, is the thing. He likes Doing.
"Yeah, I came to that conclusion myself about halfway through." Jim agrees around a stretch to get more comfortable the way they're laying. The kiss startles Jim a little though, and he laughs with a soft jerk. Like he's ticklish maybe. The data pad slides off his chest and onto the other side of the bed, forgotten.
"Did you like it at all despite?" His free hand is reaching up to catch Spock's chin gently and nudge him to just the right angle that Jim can graze a kiss against his lips at the tail end of the question. Still soft. Sweet.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-30 01:43 am (UTC)Soft and easy are good too, he finds. Spock has never actually allowed himself to just exist. It remains unlikely he will seek it out on a daily basis, but a little mindless holding one another is, frankly, something he will desire to revisit.
Spock lifts his head when Jim jerks, his own tilting slightly to the side, questioning. But he does answer, at least. "I will enjoy analysing it."
Later, though. Because now Jim is kissing him and Spock shifts closer, nudging in so that he can kiss Jim again in return. It stays unhurried but definitely feels more pointed. Still sweet, sure. Just a little undercurrent of heat, though, like the action reminded Spock that he is in fact lounging in bed with his boyfriend.
Borderline activated. The activation danger zone, maybe.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-30 09:17 pm (UTC)Once he lost interest in the movie Jim thought he might be bored, but watching Spock ended up taking all of Jim's concentration. Letting his mind drift about little things between them Jim wonders about. Kicking back and just taking the time to notice every point at which they're touching. How it feels. Now the movie's over and Jim finds he wouldn't mind just laying here like this for a bit longer still. Even with nothing to do. Because this is nice.
So long as Jim isn't left alone with his own ordinary thoughts, he's perfectly content to stay here. He can't help but to grin the way Spock inchworms himself further up the bed to return the kiss Jim gives him. His chuckle is muffled even, at least until Spock alters his angle just so and the slow kiss carries with it a promise that is taking Jim's attention immediately.
"Mmh. Hey. What'cha thinking about?"
no subject
Date: 2025-03-31 09:33 am (UTC)As he speaks he tangles their legs even more and drags his fingertips slowly across Jim's palm to his wrist, pausing at his pulse point.
"You are remarkable," he adds, heavy with certainty. Then, after a beat, he sits up abruptly to shuck off his shirt and drop it on the bed. Just like that, no hesitation. "I desire skin to skin contact."
That ends up being the only explanation Jim will get as Spock also studiously wriggles out of his pants, also leaving those in a messy little pile with his shirt before cuddling up to Jim again.
"Better," he finally deems, hand pressed flat to Jim's chest with the fingers splayed just to be tactile.
Drunk Spock's start/stop train of thought is perfection. Bless
Date: 2025-04-01 01:37 am (UTC)Especially by Spock.
"I try to be." Remarkable, he means. For Spock, to prove the world wrong about what he's capable of. Jim's just about to compliment Spock back when the man sits up and with no neatness whatsoever discards his light sleep shirt. Jim's pulse jumps. Rare indeed is it for Spock not to neatly fold and set aside his clothing when stripping.
Even when they're getting busy.
"Yeah? Good. I uh. That's good. Me too." He's barely got his arms around Spock's shoulders when the other strips out of his pants too. It leaves them both in their underwear, curled up atop each other. Jim's trying desperately not to think about Spock just shucking out of his clothes all careless like. It's not working very well.
"Yeah. I. Yeah. You know I always want to see you naked."
drunk spock is truly a blessing
Date: 2025-04-01 02:49 am (UTC)Spock also likes handling Jim, to be fair; they make a good match in that way. When Jim's statement sinks in, Spock looks at him, head slightly tilted. "You do not have to try to be remarkable. You are so without effort. The effort you put in makes you more so, makes you extraordinary."
Speaking of sweet thoughts. Enjoy that while Spock does his whole stripping thing and gets settled back in. He's smiling as he looks down at Jim, soft but there, and it ticks up a little more at one corner after.
"Of that, I'm well aware." He presses a kiss to Jim's mouth again after that, one that's heavier and hungrier. His hand stays at Jim's chest while the other settles at his hip. When he draws back, he does it to murmur against Jim's lips. "I'm not naked, however. Yet."
He could be, though, is the implication there.
HE IS
Date: 2025-04-02 05:12 pm (UTC)Spock said it. He means it.
"Ohhhh you're really trying to butter me up aren't you?" Jim teases, but his voice has gone a bit breathless. This time Jim tips his head back and welcomes Spock into his mouth. Urging that hungry kiss into something heavy, wet and stoking in both of them. He raises both brows at the last, a smirk felt against SPock's lips where they linger on his.
"Mmm. Yeah me neither." Jim lifts his hips pointedly to rock them together. "If we fix that...You want me to ride you?"
no subject
Date: 2025-04-03 05:38 am (UTC)Spock's teeth catch Jim's lower lip briefly on the retreat and he can't help but to touch his hips down to meet him halfway, exhaling slowly afterward. He becomes more tactile like this, apparently, fingers tracing along the line of his chest, along his abdomen.
At the question he hums his interest, rocking his hips down again pointedly. "As long as it's you I will be happy no matter the position," he admits. "If you desire that, so do I. If you want to fuck me instead, I want to feel you inside me. If you wish to try something new, I am here for you, wanting."
His hand falls to Jim's hip again and squeezes pointedly. "Your pleasure amplifies mine in kind. The more you feel, the better it is for me as well."
no subject
Date: 2025-04-03 07:47 pm (UTC)He groans softly for that catch of teeth. Keeps rolling his hips in a slow little bit of frottage since Spock seems to be into this. Into the feel of working up and touching Jim everywhere. He obliges in arching his spine into Spock's touches as gracefully as he can manage. A louder moan when Spock grinds down again sharper.
"A-awww~ You're sweet." Jim almost said 'like this' but the truth is Spock's always sweet even if he's not usually this verbal. Jim pants out a breathless laugh. "That's my line. I just wanna....drive you wild. Even if I don't get off."
He plants an elbow on the bed to lift himself up a little.
"Swap with me? Why don't we just take it slow tonight. Have you touch me as much as you like while we work up together. I..." Jim swallows. "I wanna feel you come out for me while I'm on top of you like this~"
no subject
Date: 2025-04-07 12:47 am (UTC)"I prefer it when we both do," he says, about 'getting off,' but that always becomes apparent through their sexual encounters anyway without him saying it.
He takes in Jim's suggestion and nods, unashamed and unrepentant in the face of Jim's slight embarrassment about his request. He finds it charming, is the thing. So he just gives Jim a slow, adoring kiss as he shifts, arms going around him as he rolls onto his back and tugs Jim with him until Spock is the one being 'pinned' to the bed.
"I am not opposed to 'taking it slow.'" And letting Jim feel it as his lok makes its presence known, he means: Spock has already reached a point of arousal where he has to take into consideration that he will likely get very wet very soon.
"Do you wish to feel it through our undergarments or directly?"
no subject
Date: 2025-04-07 05:05 pm (UTC)Oh. W...wow." His tongue darts out to drag across his lower lip where he stares down at his slightly rumpled boyfriend, drunk and sweet and absolutely hotter than sin. At the question, Jim takes a look down at them both and then hooks his thumbs into the waistband of his underwear to start peeling them down. He'll have to carefully get up to shuck free of them, but only for a second or two.
"Might as well get rid of these, since we'll have to eventually anyway."
Jim balls his up and tosses them with a smug grin when he lands them in the laundry receptacle. Nailed it.
"Besides. I wanna feel all of you."
no subject
Date: 2025-04-10 05:30 am (UTC)"Then you will," he says simply, sliding the offending fabric down his legs so that he can also toss it into the laundry hamper and then settle back to the mattress, smug as anything.
To say he would soon be getting wet was an understatement: there's already the telltale slick slide of skin on skin as Spock squeezes his thighs together, then settles back down properly.
"I believe you will feel it more fully like this," he instructs, shifting their positioning so that should Jim rock his hips, the underside of his cock will slide indulgently along the length of the slit of Spock's sheath. "You are able to watch this way as well." Another understatement. He rolls his own hips, testing, and a low sound rumbles out of his chest for the pleasure of the easy glide.
"My hypothesis seems correct," he breathes, then adds: "But perhaps you should test it more thoroughly."
no subject
Date: 2025-04-10 12:15 pm (UTC)Beneath him, Spock's squeezing his thighs and Jim's wolfish grin comes back.
It lingers where Spock adjusts them, grows into something that promises trouble for the soft yet deep sound Spock makes for the first little rock that jolt of pleasure brings him.
"I dunno." Jim drawls, like his own pulse isn't frenetic with feverish excitement. "One data point does not a sample size make, Spock~" His hands settle at Spock's shoulders to steady himself as Jim joins in the motion. His teeth find purchase in his own lower lip. Damn this feels good. "I'm gonna keep....hhhhh..keep testing while we've got the window for it."
no subject
Date: 2025-04-10 05:56 pm (UTC)With that out of the way he presses into the kiss eagerly, moaning low and wanting into jim's mouth. When they part Spock looks up at him, pupils blown, and he prepares to shoot a retort to the teasing but instead just shivers with a frankly embarrassing little sound when Jim starts to move his hips. "That is—what I mean," he manages after a moment even as his hips buck slightly, "m—much more testing is required before we are able to come to a satisfactory conclusion."
The next rocking movement slides along his slit like before, but with how it has begun to eagerly part just a little to allow for his lok to begin to emerge, the slick glide is that much more intense for how it grinds along that brand new space and he gasps, one hand clinging to Jim's nape as his back arches, any transference that he fails to keep locked down an absolute mess of affection and desire. "Jim—"
no subject
Date: 2025-04-10 06:27 pm (UTC)"Hey..." Jim murmurs, but he's startled a little for how Spock clings to him already. The pulse of warm emotions and lust enough to make him gasp a little and throb against Spock's stomach. "Wow...holy shit. You really like that. Okay. Whooo boy. What I was gonna ask was. Did. You want to be prepping me or should I? For the main event."
Jim rocks them together again but this time it's Jim shuddering a little for that first little graze of stiffness he can feel only when Spock throbs and it peeks out enough to brush against him.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-10 07:06 pm (UTC)Even after his moment of sharp desperation, after he takes a couple of breaths to calm back down, he's flushing more and more green with each passing moment. "I want—" He has to consider logistics a moment; it takes him longer than it usually might, but he does eventually come to a conclusion.
"If I am partially propped up against the pillows," he says, hiccuping a little sound between up and against when Jim's cock drags along the very tip of his lok, urging it out about an inch further, "we would be able to continue as we are and I would easily be able to reach to prepare you."
So he still wants to do it. That tracks.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-10 07:27 pm (UTC)Add in the constant leaking of slick and Jim whines with need for the first time. He's taking one hand from Spock's shoulder to steal down between them and curl to scoop up a bit of the slick he can lift and bring to his lips to taste. No shame whatsoever in the low groan and shudder he gives to do so.
Finally though, the words filter in and Jim nods quickly.
"Let's do that. I. fuck I need you in me soon."
no subject
Date: 2025-04-11 07:06 am (UTC)"Continue so that I am also ready once you are. Breathe—"
That last is murmured as that same hand slips around Jim's back and then lower, slippery fingers brushing over his entrance but not quite pressing them into him yet. "I desire you deeply," he admits, "tell me when you are ready, but don't push yourself too hard. I intend to overwhelm you once you sit on my lok, but I will be unable to do so if you are ill-prepared."
A beat, and he adds: "I find that I desire to incur another noise complaint."
no subject
Date: 2025-04-11 03:58 pm (UTC)He's squirming, a whine building in the back of his throat to be teased like this but not breached yet.
"Yeah, yeah come on don't tease me--" Rocking his hips back more forcefully to bump against Spock's slick fingers. When Spock's other hand lets go of his to hold him still it's the Look he's given that quiets Jim so the other's words can be heard.
"Oh fuck. Yeah absolutely anything you want, babe. Fucking wreck me." His fingers dig into Spock's shoulder. Jim shudders bodily. The deep breath he sucks in then is to calm himself the fuck down for a second more than anything. He stutters out a half-laugh, half exhale at the last. "Gonna make sure the whole academy knows I'm yours, huh?"
no subject
Date: 2025-04-12 02:16 pm (UTC)"I will," wreck Jim, he means, as he finally relents and starts to slowly press a finger into him, watching every expression he makes as though he cannot get enough. Thankfully he does not make Jim wait longer: he begins to move that finger, slowly but then faster, his voice thick when he speaks again.
"Yes." Simply. "I am yours also, and they should remember that." As he speaks, he gauges Jim's reactions before pressing another finger in along with the first, the thrusting movements eager but not too hard at this point. The tightness around his fingers is a lot, heavy on this tongue and thick like honey.
He tips his head up until he can kiss Jim, teeth just barely tugging at his lower lip before he murmurs there against his mouth. "I love you," he starts, "and I will cause you to scream my name before we are finished."
As he says this, he curves his fingers inside him so that the pads of them drag along his prostate as he draws them out, then presses them back in. With hands being what they are to Vulcans, he swallows hard from just the feel of Jim around his fingers, how Jim's so receptive to the stimuli of both them and the grind of their hips encouraging Spock more, more, more.
His lok has fully unsheathed by now, the slick drag of it along Jim's cock familiar and desperate.
"You are vital," he breathes out, fervent, and he does not even realize he has dropped out of Standard into Golic. The transference of their touch will give Jim all the meaning he needs, though.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-14 01:22 am (UTC)"Y'know. For science. Because you seem....s-seem t'really like this.' As does Jim. So much so that even talking is becoming almost too much for him. It's shifting into encouraging sounds, mostly. Gliding when he rocks forward and slides along Spock's lok. Rocks back and urges the Vulcan's fingers deeper into him.
More, more, More.
Yes, Jim likes the sound of that. The. Feel? Unimportant how he heard just that he did and he is in accord, he's making hungry wanting sounds against Spock's throat he's mouthing along.
"L-love you too." He's shuddering too hard for that promise to mouth off more in the moment. Hell but he wants that. Wants the soft words spoken in Golic that wrap him up so gentle despite the promise Spock is making him. "W. we can cuddle or n-nnnnnnnnnnap the rest of your--fuck do that again-- intoxication off. After. P-promise...!"
no subject
Date: 2025-04-16 03:43 pm (UTC)Because each rock of Jim's hips has Spock's tilting to match, to grind them together more insistently. He presses his fingers deeper to meet Jim on the way back, moves them faster, and slowly starts to spread them slightly to relax him further.
His head tilts with a soft sound, enjoying and welcoming Jim's mouth against his throat, breath catching once, twice. For a moment, he's too lost in 'doing that again' (and again, and again) to answer verbally, watching Jim with irises completely swallowed up by his pupils.
"That is acceptable," he finally breathes, "do you want another?" Finger, he means. "I do not wish to harm you in my inevitable enthusiasm."
no subject
Date: 2025-04-17 05:26 pm (UTC)But an intoxicated Spock is an uninhibited Spock chasing down those singular stimuli that bring the best gratification. His hyperfocus on singling out only the most intense of Jim's pleasured reactions has the poor bastard falling to pieces in his lap.
"Yes, hhhhhh god yes. Need you. More." Jim stops the rocking of his hips even just so he can take a few deep breaths. Stares down at his Vulcan boyfriend intently. "You kept saying more. How. I. I want to."
no subject
Date: 2025-04-17 10:28 pm (UTC)"Everything," he finally settles on, "which I am aware is an illogical, irrational demand. But I want all you can and wish to give me." A couple thrusts of his fingers, another curl with all three— "—I want to fuck you," he finally settles on, both because he does and he wants to see if Jim will have a reaction to Spock saying it that way again. "I desire to watch you become overwhelmed and overstimulated beneath me."
no subject
Date: 2025-04-20 10:49 pm (UTC)"Saying...thinking...dhhhhhhhh--" God oh fuck every thrust of Spock's fingers is electric up Jim's spine. "Heard you either way and I wanna give you....shit. Shit! W-wanna give you everything. All of it." Jim gasps in between his babbling.
"Fuck yes absolutely ha-happy to have you. Anyway you want just Spock please--"
no subject
Date: 2025-04-22 03:35 am (UTC)After that is when he frees his hands and shifts, rolling them over again, briefly straddling Jim's hips with a pointed rock downward before he slides to rest between Jim's thighs instead, hooking one over his arm to drag him into a better position, movements a little rough but just from enthusiasm. He rocks his hips to grind his lok in the cleft of Jim's ass a few times with a low groan, but impatience wins out and he watches Jim's expressions, rapt, as he holds him steady to start to rock into him properly, inch by slick inch.
"Jim—" A little ragged maybe, certainly wanting.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-23 08:22 pm (UTC)Only to pull them free.
"...??? Wh--" Jim won't get time to ask. His back hits the comforter with a soft whumpf!. Spock's there grinding down against his hips. Briefly. Too briefly. Then he's moving again. Pulling Jim down the bed an inch and making him groan long and low and sweet. "Spock--"
Cut off in a choked off moan as he's teased with a slick heat against his ass. Lining up. And then easing into him. Fireworks are going off somewhere behind Jim's eyes. His hands are scrambling for purchase. His right clenches with a death grip into their sheets. The left flails out, searching for Spock's hand because that's just how they do this.
Have done this.
How it feels best because his fingers thrum with this something more than skin deep...
"Oh fuck, gh--" Trying to relax. To breathe. To hold himself goddamn still for a second before he tries to rock Spock in deeper. "Yeah, yeah fuck yes--!"
no subject
Date: 2025-05-01 05:33 am (UTC)The tight heat around him is so, so much all at once, almost more than he can take without snapping. He manages this too though, rocking forward until he bottoms out, taking several grounding breaths as he looks down at Jim, eyes warm and expression fond.
Then, encouraged by Jim's frantic desire, Spock slowly draws back to the very tip, then snaps his hips forward to bury himself inside him fully again. The throaty moan it drags out of him is loud, and as soon as he has confirmation Jim is ready to continue, Spock starts up as steady as rhythm as he can right now, leaning over him to cover him with his body and murmur affections into his ear, painfully intimate in his emotionality.
no subject
Date: 2025-05-02 02:18 am (UTC)"That's it--" Spoken around a louder moan. Eager and wanting. Those first few breaths while they're connected so intimately seem to last an eternity to Jim. That feeling of anticipation building between then. And then Spock is holding Jim, inside of him, settled over him. All at once. That beautiful deep timbre moaning into Jim's ear without a care for the volume. Spock coaxes such sweet cries from Jim's throat. Every time Spock plunges into him, driving them both into the mattress Jim cries out.
Jim's never felt so loved. It's overwhelming. The cozy fireplace they'll go back to once they've dealt with the inferno between them. Spock's definitely working them up to that noise complaint bingo he's chasing after.
The time they got accidentally married
Date: 2025-04-17 08:21 pm (UTC)Jim's not sure how he managed to keep it together during their interview. Submitting the paper along with his interest as to why he'd be a good fit? Easy. Even easier when he takes into account that he and Spock are just like, the obvious choices for this kind of cadet opportunity. They're both top of their classes and have the necessary extra curriculars to make them ideal for these Observation slots. Still, maybe the second coffee right before their oral interview for the slots was a bad idea.
It was only Spock's hand at Jim's knee, hidden beneath the table they were at, that kept Jim from vibrating out of his seat in his excitement.
So now? He's circling Spock like a hummingbird while they walk back to the dormitories. Too loud and too happy and just thrilled to bits that they've been granted their very first On Ship assignment hours. It's even on board with Captain Pike!
"Man I should start reading up on the event when we get back. There's so much to do suddenly!" Jim's casually walking backwards now while he remarks as such, his grin still all focused on Spock. "The only thing that kinda sucks is being in shared barracks for the duration but, whatever. I will LIVE not getting to cuddle for a couple weeks."
And likely will not sleep, given this level of energy.