smartass_captain

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"Trying to keep in mind when I say weird shit." Jim replies with an easy tip of his head Spock's way. He hasn't looked up from his bowl where he's communing with his soup now that he can physically begin to inhale it. Thai isn't even Jim's favorite type of food, but it's a warm meal on a night where he hadn't really paid attention much to the food he automatically put into his face when he needed to before this. And crucially, it reminds him of the first time he drug Spock out across the dorms to treat the other to some genuinely well made vegetarian fare that was more than just basic meals with the meat removed.

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...