smartass_captain

From:

It is... A pleasant end to a term. Busy, and near-overwhelming even for Spock, but pleasant. His time spent with Kirk is more and more coveted, and he is glad for each moment together, whether it be studying, eating, or simply taking the split-second flashes of free time to relax.

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.