smartass_captain | The Academy AU for sensors

The 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...

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From:

sensors

While the gifts are appreciated and Spock accepts them, he assures Kirk that no lasting harm has been caused and means it. The timing of their mutually increased workload is fortuitous for Kirk's designs; had Kirk begun to purposely spend less time with Spock without the sudden, severe increase, Spock might have realized it was about him and his stubbornness would have driven him to confront his fellow cadet in an attempt at remedying whatever misstep Spock had taken.

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.

From:

smartass_captain

Confirmation that Spock is not, in fact, engaged is something Jim kicks around bitterly in his head but ultimately it doesn't change much. When did that happen? Who knows. Kind of makes sense that Spock's been trying to rebound from her though. Find his own slice of happiness out here on Earth. He's got no clue why Some of those girlfriends didn't work out and has tried to stop thinking about just who gets to monopolize his roommate's time now that Jim's cut loose from what he Thought was his shot at that 'something more' everyone talks about so damn fondly.

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?"

From:

sensors

"I did," Spock confirms, studiously Not Looking toward Kirk while he finds and puts his underwear back on. He, personally, takes off the outer layers he has on, coat and uniform jacket, leaving him in a short-sleeved undershirt. "Both. I also ordered curry, 'sticky' rice, and picked up coffee and tea on my way back."

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."

From:

smartass_captain

Mmm, Spock's been passing his Security requirements with flying colors. Better than Jim's been doing at them. Has he filled out more since the start of the year, or taken to wearing less baggy shirts beneath his uniform?? Either way he's hot as fuck but Jim better not stare. Much more than he already has, at least.

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."

From:

sensors

It is a comfort to Spock as well to have the contact. Touching Kirk's hair is the only way other than fabric to make absolutely sure there is no accidental transference, and this feels more direct somehow, more solid. He has not and does not with anyone else. Just Kirk.

"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.

From:

smartass_captain

A wiser man would notice that Spock switched to saying 'glad' over 'gratified' along with everything else he amended. Jim is no such man yet. He is also currently more concerned with the most serious of torments: Hungry but Food Too Hot. It's rare for Spock to sit so close to him even when they're sharing a meal. Jim supposes it makes sense though. If they're going to risk spilling, better to do it on just one of their beds.

"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."

From:

sensors

Spock opens his mouth to inquire over what a metric ass-ton is, but then pauses. He tilts his head slightly, also clearly considering something, and then:

"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.

From:

smartass_captain

The joke had earned him a bit of a pout but little more in the way of a response as Jim had been in the grips of suffering. And while normally? Hearing that Spock and he had schedules lining up for the next month or so would thrill Jim, this particular time of year not so much. Jim doesn't want to see anyone, including Spock or Bones. He just wants to get drunk until he's numb and go stare at a wall for a few weeks.

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.

From:

sensors

To get an explanation without asking for it aloud, for Kirk to anticipate and attempt to go over it unprompted—a very slight flush rises on Spock's cheeks before he can stop it. "I see. Thank you for the explanation."

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."

From:

smartass_captain

"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...

From:

sensors

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.

From:

smartass_captain

Honestly Jim is starting to think he needs to tell Spock to send him a message when he's having terminal calls. It hasn't happened Often, is the thing. But Spock gets so focused on them that he doesn't pay attention to Jim coming in. And honestly, despite Jim not trying to Stealth his way into his dormitory he's overheard a Lot he wasn't supposed to on these calls over the year. So he's about to alert himself and apologize, except he's stunned silent.

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.

From:

sensors

Several thought processes work at once while Spock hurries after Kirk up to the third floor.

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.

From:

smartass_captain

"Whoa whoa, okay calm down Jim. Jimmy come on. I don't know what rumors you're hearing--"

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.

From:

sensors

Spock is about to say something when the elder Kirk treats him like a thing. Calls him that. Right to his face.

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.

Edited Date: 2025-02-05 10:40 pm (UTC)

From:

smartass_captain

Jim stumbles back into Spock's personal space at the yank. His eyes are still on Sam Kirk, stunned and on the floor of his dorm gaping up at Jim as though he can't believe this just happened. Then they're out of the dorm and Jim has to face the music. Has to apologize to Spock that he hit the guy Spock's in love with and how he's sorry his brother's such an Asshole.

"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?"

From:

sensors

Spock does not hear any of Kirk's—Jim's—attempted explanations on the stairs. He is too busy replaying the image of him striking Samuel Kirk for what he had said about Spock. For Spock's benefit.

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."

From:

smartass_captain

Jim's got no idea why how the man holds his hand is weird in any way. Way Jim figures, it's just more comfortable to Spock that way, even if it presses his knuckles roughly against the wall. Jim couldn't care less. Not when he's taking in the heady kiss and soft sounds bubbling up between them.

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?"

From:

sensors

It technically is the rolling of Jim's hips and the friction between them that urge Spock to shift. However, it is simply because if Spock does not pause now, they are not leaving this stairwell for the entirety of winter break.

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.

From:

smartass_captain

Yeah Jim would really appreciate some spinal support. Plus Spock would get cold! They can't have that. Better for all parties, especially cadets just trying to get to or from their rooms that these two trot downstairs looking quite intent on their destination.

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~"

From:

sensors

By the time they reach the room, Spock feels as though he has regained himself enough to have a proper conversation. He does!

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?

From:

smartass_captain

Yeah Jim's got no damn clue that what he's doing is Very Much not chaste and romantic and suave like he thinks it is. That this is probably extremely intimate even if it's the back of the hand like this. What he does know is that Spock is blushing furiously when Jim peers up at him. He can't help his triumphant little grin to see it either. That's a stroke to the ego Jim didn't even know he needed right now.

"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?"

From:

sensors

Well, it is certainly a type of romantic. One Spock definitely enjoys, though he should likely explain the difference later.

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.

From:

smartass_captain

"Twelve and a half weeks?!" Incredulous. Also, if he's rounding it ought to be closer to thirteen but semantics. That's practically the beginning of the term though! Before all the girls (blonde, blue eyed), before all the trouble Jim got into. Before Mitchell for damn certain. All that time?

"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..."

From:

sensors

Spock meets Jim's step closer with one of his own, leaving them practically toe to toe as he watches his face, searching his expression while he listens to what he has to say.

"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."