Spock had not actually anticipated attending Starfleet Academy. He had applied as it was the logical failsafe in case the council found his application for the Vulcan Science Academy lacking. They had not, but they had also been extremely clear as to their opinions on Spock's mother.

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.

Spock feels measurable discomfort to know that his roommate and someone who is presumably a member of his family witnessed even the tiniest sliver of his personal life. However, he stands, pushing the chair back where it belongs as he turns toward the two who have just entered the room.

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.

Spock, meanwhile, thankfully does not notice the clear disdain the other Kirk has for him. However, this is because he is listening to his fellow cadet's explanation of the phrase he had used.

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.

Spock is, during this conversation, standing at a loose parade rest. It is, for him, a relatively relaxed position. Even when he is being accosted by bright, bright blue eyes.

"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."

As vague as Jim's answer is, comparing it to a tonal language helps. Spock is able to shift his means of recall accordingly: xenolinguistics has always been of particular interest, after all, even if he still struggles to note which tonal shifts mean what without prior experience. That is what learning is for, however. "Your offer of assistance is appreciated. I will endeavor to not require burdening you with it often."

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?"

Cadet Kirk should get so many awards for being well behaved. He is being SUCH a good boy. Look at him go.

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.