The Life in Your Years

by tearsofamiko

He's always been aware of his father's achievements. He just never thought he'd surpass them.

Title: The Life in Your Years

Author: Tearsofamiko

Rating: K

Disclaimer: I own nothing about Star Trek (2009), its characters or plotlines, including any recognizable dialogue.

Spoilers: Nah

Summary: He's always been aware of his father's achievements. He just never thought he'd surpass them.

A/N: Jim's comment about the universe was actually a status update by Owl City on Facebook; I immediately thought of Jim Kirk and this something was brought forth.

.:::.

Thirty.

Of all his achievements thus far, this is the one that hurts the most, he muses, trying to find the difference between the iron-gray waters of the Pacific Ocean and the brewing storm clouds on the horizon.

He glances down at the holopic in his hand, familiar blue eyes grinning up at him from the image. He sighs and pulls his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around his shins. A cool breeze rolls in off the ocean, drawing tendrils of fog to shroud the city, ruffling his hair. The sensation stirs a memory from his childhood (soft fingers combing his hair out of his face as warm arms and a gentle voice soothe away the nightmare -- shh Jimmy it's all right you're safe I won't let you go) and he closes his eyes, thinking of the past and the future, while the present rolls forward, the storm growing around him.

"You know, I used to wonder what the universe would look like if I was travelling at the speed of light on a motorcycle," he says eventually, thinking of Iowan cornfields and the arching canopy of star-studded sky over all, the hair on his arms raising as the air pressure shifts and a low rumble of thunder fills the air. He's not surprised when there's no response, just a tired sigh as the man behind him steps nearer, awkwardly lowers himself to the ground next to him.

"Your father said something similar once. Third night on the Kelvin. Couldn't stop looking out the viewports." Chris' voice is low in deference to his mood and Jim opens his eyes at the fondness in the tone. Resting his temple against his knees, he studies his mentor, noting abstractedly that the older man's eyes are the exact color of the water below, as he considers Chris' words.

He's a Starfleet officer, the captain of a Federation ship. He's smart, good-looking, beloved by his crew. He's a hero, has saved the lives of hundreds (thousands) of people. He's an adventurer, a star-sailor, devoted to his job and his people, willing to risk it all for their safety. He's his father's son, George Kirk's legacy and Starfleet's pride.

He's thirty today, a year older than his father lived to be.

He closes his eyes as, with a last low growl, the heavens split and rain spills down to bathe the city, turning the ocean the color of the summer sky.

"Happy birthday, Jim," Chris offers as the first tear slides down his cheek, hidden by the rain.

.:::.

end

.:::.

**George's age is partly based on the actor's age (27) and just a general sort of guesstimation, wherein he immediately joined Starfleet out of high school and there's only a few years difference between Jim and Sam's ages (based on the appearances' of the actors in the movie).**