Mr. Spock (ofthemany) wrote in the100, @ 2016-03-12 18:00:00 |
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It had been nice, to sit down with everyone for dinner. Well, everyone was an exaggeration. There were only four of them from the Enterprise, but it was still something. And then Lauren. Together Jim and Lauren had made a Happy Birthday banner that he'd set up in the common room where they'd taken their dinner. And there was a rather ridiculous version of Happy Birthday that he'd tried to teach to Lauren. This was his family. Even if they were missing a few. When Christine had left to put Lauren to bed and Sulu had said goodbye, Kirk wrapped an arm around Spock's waist. "I have a present for you." Spock understood that humans valued the passage of time more than Vulcans, which may have been because Vulcans lived so much longer than their human counterparts. He understood, too, the numerous birthday traditions that followed humans across the universe. However, his parents had never given much value to pointy hats or songs. There had been the occasional slice of Vulcan dessert, or once, his trip to the Vulcan science academy. But none of that compared to spending the evening with Jim and the rest of the Starfleet crew here. He was starting to understand how his older counterpart had fallen so heavily into the rituals of humanity. Particularly now that he found himself alone with Jim. "I thought this evening counted as a gift. I, for one, enjoyed your rendition of happy birthday, even if it did not go as you intended…" Jim grinned. "I thought Lauren added some nice touches." Maybe he had taught her a version that was less than polite, but it had gotten so mangled in the singing it was more humorous than anything. He pressed his lips against Spock's shoulder. "It was, sort of. But there's more. It's not much, but.." Kirk led Spock into their room and fished something out of his uniform pocket, holding out a small wrapped up package. A small piece of chocolate, saved from a few months ago and a sweater in science blue. Spock followed the captain into the other room. He didn't know what to expect as they stood there. The giving of gifts was practically a foreign concept to him. So, when Jim took out the gift, Spock was just a little apprehensive. He opened it with the delicate precision and care that he did most things. "How did you…" He looked at Jim, uncertain how it was possible that the other had just happened to find a sweater in perfect science blue. "What I mean to say," he amended, aware of his mistake, "is thank you." "I have skills," Jim said, grinning widely. "So you like it? I mean, it will get warmer eventually, so they say, but I just wanted to make sure you'd be warm." The grin softened into something more tender as he slid his fingers through Spock's. "And you look good in blue. Much better than some of the browns." Spock decided to meet Jim's comment about sweater skills with an arched eyebrow. He did not believe that the captain had any such abilities, when it came to sweaters, although the evidence was clearly before him to the contrary. "Browns are more practical for a forest-based habitat," said Spock. "I can understand why they are abundant in a place well-removed from the sea and… apprehensive about the sky. But that is not to say I do not appreciate this blue. It reminds me of home and…" He felt himself more at ease as their hands touched. A side-effect, perhaps, of their bond. "And of you." The smile that spread on Kirk's face was one few people saw, genuine happiness with a dash of vulnerability. "Really? I mean, I'm glad, I hoped, I-" Babbling. It happened around Spock sometimes. His brain just derailed and he didn't know what to say. Instead he just pressed his lips against Spock's. "I love you, Spock. I wish.. I wish I could get you the enterprise here, or something from home, or- and I know it's illogical - but I just wanted you to have a good birthday." "I do not require the Enterprise." Spock was not the type to babble, even when faced with unfamiliar emotions. It was another thing that he appreciated about Jim -- this seeming ease of expressing himself. Spock's own speech felt labored in comparison, riddled as it was with his conflict over idioms and connotations that never fit any logical patterns. But there were other ways that Spock could communicate what he felt, ways that were much more appealing to his Vulcan sensibilities. He let his hands fall into Jim's, returning the others affection as he traced his fingers over the palm. "It is enough that I have you here. These gifts are but vehicles for our own affections…" There was something about the action, seemingly innocent and yet so intimate for the two of them that made Jim shiver and let out a soft breath. "I don't need anything but you.:" he whispered. "Taluhk nash-veh k'dular." Spock's voice was quiet and reverent as he leaned in to kiss Jim. |