Jim sighed as he laid down on the grass. Sam was so lucky, he thought for the billionth time that week. Winona noticed Sam, she noticed if he limped or sat more quiet than usual. For the past two months, his mom barely looked at him in the eye. He could count their conversations on one hand, each with less than nine words spoken. Except, of course, when she first arrived.
Frank had let him spend the night in jail to teach him a lesson, needless to say, he did not end up spending Friday dinner with Tevik's family. Instead, he spent Thursday night barely sleeping, the stuffy cell making it difficult to breathe, the noises constantly jerking him back to wakefulness. While he found himself slightly shocked that he was actually staying the night, he found it didn't frighten him, which in turn just made him more surprised.
The next morning he was wide awake before the sun even rose, his own personal officer sat him down and explained the seriousness of his actions and what was in store for him. It all boiled down to being George Kirk's son, the famous one that is. He'd be charged a fine for vandalism, and stolen property but it wouldn't go to court, though, he would have a record of it. Also, he had to agree to service detail.
That afternoon, he witnessed his mom holding back tears when she looked at him. Again. Her first words to him in eight months, were full of anger, embarrassment and disappointment. "How could you do this? Do you have any idea how serious the situation is? You're going to have a record now for juvenile behaviour! It's all over the Fleet news, everyone knows what you did! What would your father think of you?" It was at this point that Jim couldn't keep quiet anymore.
"I don't know Winona. My dad's dead if you've forgotten, I have no clue what he would say since I never knew him." Her face drained of blood and her eyes went wide, making Jim feel like apologizing for his harsh tone, but not his words. He wouldn't take back the truth. He did however offer to pay her back the full credits of his fines. She laughed and when he saw the amount, he knew it would be a long time before he was able. There was a price to not going to court, he thought.
Since then, Jim spent his time avoiding her sad gaze, only to meet Frank's concealed one. Over the last two months, Jim was lucky to get service detail. Him and five other boys roughly his age helped with harvesting the wheat and working at the factory where their local grain was produced, for a couple hours a day, it got him out of the house which was fine by him, except of course he had to return straight home afterwards.
Most nights, his mom was out with Sam or meeting up with other officers in meetings as they passed through town. She hadn't gotten her placement as first officer because of his very public offence and the fact that she stayed planet-side for longer than she expected to, she had a lot of making up to do. Sam, by default, was spending his days with Tevik who had approached Jim three days after the incident.
Tevik had made Jim feel the worst with his logical, wonderfully-awful-smooth voice. Tevik explained why Jim's actions were both illogical, since they served no purpose, then why Jim had not stood up to Tevik's expectations. Tevik, then explained, in a soft tone that their acquaintance would not be severed. Jim had looked up then, not realizing his head had bowed in shame. His eyes wide, he felt his heart skip a beat. "You still want to be my friend after what happened?" Jim couldn't believe that such a race as rule abiding as Vulcans would still want to associate themselves with him.
"I have listened to your explanation of what happened and taking into account your emotional state at the time," Jim cringed and regretting telling Tevik how angry, upset and messed up he had been, "I see that you are often seen as older than your actual age because of your remarkable intelligence. I have spoken to my family on the matter and we have decided that after you are finished with your punishment, which you will fulfil without any complaint," Tevik had given him a firm glare at that point and Jim had hurriedly nodded, the compliment 'remarkable intelligence' running through his head on a loop. "I will continue to teach you if you are still wishing to learn basic engineering and more complex Vulcan." Jim nodded again and this time he could see Tevik hesitate. "What else?" Tevik straightened his shoulders, a habit Jim knew that came when the Vulcan didn't agree with something. "My family does not wish us to be alone while we are conversing. We will need to be in public places and you are not permitted to enter our household."
Jim had to swallow at the last part, spoken the softest but he nodded and for the last two months it had sustained him. He didn't complain at getting up at five am, he didn't complain at the boys who were much more of asses than he was. He certainly didn't complain about Sam and Tevik spending more time together. And he didn't complain that the two months that Sam and his mom were keeping busy outside the house, it was only Frank and him at night.
It had been eight weeks. Eight weeks of learning maintenance of agriculture of the twenty third century. He could tell anyone how wheat production was treated, how the natural strains of both Earth and alien seeds were intertwined making for more nutritious types of grains. Jim noted that the slight majority of genetically spliced plants were still affected by Earth's climates, many cross-breeds had to be raised in greenhouses mimicking their alien climates. Henry Salt, their supervisor, was fair and liked how much Jim was able to learn while working, he let Jim spend the last of his week in the actual lab.
Although, it was just labelling clear glasses before the qualified scientists took them from him with amused expressions as they answered his never ending questions.
Jim sighed again, relishing in not breaking a rule. The grass was cold and soft beneath him, the cold wind made his bruises and aches less sharp. Winter was officially here, he shivered as the cloudy sky threatened to snow. His comm beeped, notifying him he only had ten minutes to get home. He groaned hating the fact that he would have to rush now. But he didn't regret laying down, it was the only time he felt relaxed. He waved to Henry, for hopefully the last time, Henry nodded at him through the window. He knew when he got home Frank would be there, he was always there lately, always drunk too.
That night was no exception. Jim learned two years ago that when his mom did come home, going in the back door in the kitchen was the safest bet. While he was farther from the staircase, which was in the front of the house, he could hear if they were yelling, or if Frank was was the living room watching his tell-tale shows that signalled his whiskey time. Unfortunately, that night Frank was in the kitchen, taking out a bottle of Vodka. He turned just as Jim entered the house.
"Where you've been little Nothing?" Frank asked calmly, a cruel smile on his face.
Jim's heart sank.
Jim woke up the next morning, feeling gleeful, cold and achy. He loved the fact that he was free, he could talk to Tevik now, though they had spoken in between class periods, now he could spend hours with him after school like Sam. He never knew just how much he missed Tevik until that second. It was like an ache had entered Jim's chest and it wasn't noticed until it disappeared. He was still healing from Frank's attacks over the course of the past couple of months, they had shortened in length but had gone up in intensity. Winona now questioned Jim's every move, surprisingly not yet back out into space, but Jim could see she was itching for it. Her eyes only brightened when she said she was going to the station just outside of town.
He covered as much of the bruises he could with the dermal regenerator and, pitifully, some make-up. His broken arm, he said he'd gotten falling while trying to fix one of the machines in the factory last week, he had actually fallen to make it seem real. Henry had seemed genuinely distressed. The broken rib, he had to hide, since he had already used his bandages for his stomach last month. It took Jim fifteen minutes to get dressed and ready, each step felt like walking on needles. By the time he reached the door, his make-up in place, he set his shoulders back trying to ignore the pain and made sure his face didn't give anything away.
Over the course of the last month, Sam had helped him less, not being around much, he wasn't getting punished like Jim, Sam only got the occasional slap, which almost never left a true bruise. Jim didn't want Sam to help him, didn't want to drag him down. He felt more ashamed of his actions towards Max and Johnny, both of whom weren't really speaking to him besides a nod or a single word. And since Sam was getting off easy, no matter how angry Jim got, he wasn't going to be the one to ask for him. He wouldn't let Sam down too.
Walking downstairs, he forced himself to be natural, although, he was slow. He felt Frank's eyes on him as he ate breakfast, he knew they were gleaming and it sent shivers down his back. "Mom, are you going to be here for Christmas?" Jim almost sighed at Sam's hopeful expression. Winona frowned and then looked surprisingly, at Jim. Jim found himself starring back at her blankly. She nodded, "Yes, Sammy. I will be here for Christmas, not New Years, though. I've requested a transfer onto the U.S.S. Haroll, so I'll know by the twenty third and be off by the twenty sixth or seventh depending on if I'm accepted."
Sam nodded, looking at bit disappointed, then his expression cleared and he said, "It'll be great having you here. This year, we could put up some decorations, it'll be awesome." Winona's blonde brows went up, she looked questionably to Frank and asked, "You guys don't put up decorations?" Frank shrugged unconcerned but Jim could see his expression sour as he gave Sam a slightly concealed glare. "The boys never want to celebrate without you. I tell them constantly that they need to cheer up, that you'd want them to celebrate the little things. I've given up trying. You've got very stubborn little boys darling." Winona smiled though her expression was still sad. She nodded, "You're right. You boys have got to learn that just because I'm not here, doesn't mean I don't care. I love you both more than the entire galaxy. So from now on, every year you guys have to celebrate the holidays. Even when I'm not around. Especially, when I'm not around."
She kissed them both on the cheek when they left for school, both boys grimacing. On the way, all Jim could think about was, if she loved them more than the galaxy, why did she take off into it instead of staying for them. Jim knew. She might love them more than the galaxy but she loved their father more than them.
They spent the afternoon in the local library. The front desk clerk actually had to have the Vulcan tell her off because she was about to shoo Jim from the building before he moved a step outside the foyer. It was the first time Jim had really gone into the library. He usually just used his PADD when he wanted to look anything up. Libraries were viewed as historic buildings, and since being historic, were protected under several different laws. The books were not to be removed from the building, each rare and expensive. The most used portion of Riverside's library, was an adjoining building in which held public PADD's for those people who couldn't afford one or just needed to send files on the go. Jim found himself loving the quiet, he trailed his hands over several books, the paper feeling elegant and soft under his hands.
Books piled high on their table. The conversation flowed from Sam's theories on sub space travel, to Jim's questions on more complex phrases of High Vulcan. Tevik finally asked the question Jim knew he curious about, ever since they started talking in Vulcan. "Jim, how is it that you are so advanced in the Vulcan language?" Jim smiled brightly, leaning back without slouching so his ribs would throb less. "You mean, how come I'm better than Sammy at Vulcan?" "Knock it off," Sam said throwing a PADD stylus at him.
"Hey!" Jim laughed and stuck his tongue out, then said, "Our aunt taught me. I was six when we went to visit our Aunt Kara Kirk, so Sam was nine. She was a science officer in Star Fleet back around twenty years ago. She started out as a communications expert, the woman knew tons of languages and she could be fluent in it within two weeks. Apparently, she helped diplomatic relations between Vulcan and Earth about twenty years ago or so. Almost was one of them enough for a dual citizenship, but well, you know."
Tevik's brows rose in both surprise and confusion. "I do not know, Jim. What is it?" Jim smiled again, "Well, Vulcan's can be a bit exclusive." Tevik glanced at Sam and then back to him, his lips twitching slightly in agreement, "Anyway, she found her real passion; it was botany and she retired to research alien spores, or more importantly, the Jarvis Mavs." Tevik looked even more surprised.
"I was six and she had finally settled down. Mom was deep space and Frank had a family situation that he couldn't bring two kids along. Sam was old enough to wonder around the castle on Zana Mi, I stayed inside and Aunt Kara talked. A lot. Every summer I would go to her planet, for vacations too, Christmas, Spring Break. Sam sometimes would come with me or he'd go with mom on small federation space missions." Sam snorted, "More like errand running. Mom would never let us go on a ship that was actually going somewhere fun. The most I did in those weeks in space was corner science officers and engineers. They weren't even the brightest either, not important enough for a flag ship."
Jim shrugged with a small smile. He continued, "Well you know the Jarvis Mavs. It causes a disease remnant of old alzheimer's. Except, this kind doesn't have a cure and it's progression is super rapid. About a year and a half ago, she got infected. Too close to the spores I suppose. So instead of curing it, she fell to it." Tevik nodded his eyes showing his sympathy, "That is unfortunate. So you stopped visiting her, it is appropriate since she would not be fit to look after you." Sam snorted again and nudged Tevik slightly, "You would think so, huh?" Sam smirked at him and Jim scolded.
Tevik raised a brow again and Jim sighed, "I didn't tell mom or anyone but her neighbour, so that she'd be looked after." Tevik actually slipped slightly and both boys could see plain surprise on his face. He quickly controlled himself but both Sam and him grinned.
Jim tried to explain as best he could, "I didn't want to stop seeing her and mom wouldn't let me if everyone knew. Besides, she was looked after, her neighbour was her doctor. It worked out." Sam shook his head and he looked over to Tevik, saying, "Jim spent five months there last year running away during summer break, missing school and everything. Mom and Frank were very upset to say the least." Jim cringed at the memory and loved the fact that Frank didn't scar him after that blowout. Sam even winced as their eyes met, remembering. Jim shook it off first and let Sam continue, "Apparently, when mom got there last October Auntie thought she was back at the Vulcan Academy talking in Vulcan as if Jim was one of her students."
Jim didn't look up from the book in front of him. Kara flashed through his mind, her blonde hair tied up in a fashionable braid, her sing-song voice teaching him the ups and downs of five different languages, switching them often as different memories vied for attention. Her presence was commanding, intoxicating, it felt as if he was closer to his dad when he was with her. If, since they were twins, she brought something of her brother to Jim, and Jim loved the fact that Kara listened to him. Even when she did think he was a boy named T'hak or she moved from Andorian customs and went straight into the warrior culture of honour that Klingon's attuned to, describing different traditional weapons. She was one of the few that had that information on the secretive warring species.
She always saw the good in everything. And part of him thought if he could get her talking about the spores, he could help her. She was so close, so very close to solving it, creating a vaccine. It didn't matter that he was only nine, he knew how to make breakfast, he had brushed her hair and made sure she brushed her teeth and showered, he even knew how to grocery shop by himself. He did a fantastic job looking after her. Now, he only saw her once a week on a comm and each time, she remembered less and less of who she was. Who he was. By this time next year, there would be nothing left.
Tevik did something truly unexpected, he reached out and touched Jim's wrist. Jim froze at the cool contact, his heart leaping. Looking up, his concentration was solely on the dark haired Vulcan in front of him. "I am very proud of how you thought to take care of your family member." Jim swore the smile that split his face must have radiated throughout the room. Tevik blinked and Sam was openly glaring at him, though he didn't see it. Tevik retreated but Jim didn't stop smiling even as he continued, "Although, it was very foolish of you to think that at nine years of age you could look after a failing adult. It would have been more wise to contact adults and see to it that she had proper care, as she does now." Jim nodded, saying, "Huh-uh," still smiling.
The days now that Jim didn't have to work went by amazingly fast. Jim's bones healed, his ribs taking longer than usual, but he was now getting used to the sharp pains that stabbed him every now and then. School let out and then Sam, Jim and Tevik spent their days either at the library or wandering around town. As the days past though and snow started falling, Jim took pity on Tevik who was always wrapped up in layers of clothes and parka's. "You guys can go to Tevik's house. It's alright." Tevik tilted his head as he paid for their dinner at Kaba Kaba. "We've been spending a lot of time outside and I know you're freezing every time." "You do not need to worry about my comfort, I can assure you-" "No Tev. It's alright. Your parents don't like you hanging out at our house and besides, I have to catch up with Johnny sooner or later. You guys have fun and thanks again for supper." Tevik finally nodded and Sam gave him a smile and told him he'd be back home later. As they parted Sam drew closer and whispered, "Don't go home right away. Frank should be leaving in a hour or two and mom will be home in three for sure. Just wait a bit and you won't have to worry." Jim tensed as his aches made themselves known but he nodded and waved bye to them.
A half hour later and Jim was cold. Johnny had fallen to the stomach bug going around, Max was off visiting his uncle for the holidays and Jim felt suddenly alone. He found himself wondering about Christmas for the first time since he banned it from his mind a year ago. Kara had been the only one he liked spending it with and his mom had come and gotten him in the start of October last year. He didn't get to spend Christmas with Kara and he knew he never would again. It had made last Christmas horrible and before Tevik he thought it would be like that again. Now, he wanted to do something for the Vulcan who had in such a short amount of time made his and Sam's life better. Tevik warmed them, made them feel hopeful again, even with Frank here. Jim walked into Florence's and absently looked around.
Christmas would be in a little over a week. He hadn't gotten Sam anything, though they never did exchange presents since both of them never had credits for it. Frank didn't celebrate the holiday and never encouraged them to either. They were lucky if he needed to see his family members and they got to spend the day alone. Jim wondered around the shelves looking at the trinkets, most were too many credits for him but he stopped in front of an arts section. Jim cringed at the thought that passed through his head but he knew it was either this or nothing. Besides, Vulcans didn't usually place an importance on gift exchanges. Sam would either laugh at him or just shrug in indifference so he didn't matter too much. He sighed, knowing it was his only option, he grabbed some strings and a little bag and went to buy them before the store closed.
Jim wandered down to Captain's Rock a few minutes outside out town, the opposite side of where he lived; he took as deep a breath as he could welcoming in the cool air. The lake was frozen, signs had gone up to stop kids from walking on it, in case it wasn't thick enough. The huge rock that judged out in the middle of the lake was named for the first captain of Star Fleet who had been born in this town. Since then, the kids of Riverside always swam out to the rock and touched it, a good luck charm, as if the captaincy would wear off on one of them. It only did once on George Kirk Senior. Jim was the only kid who didn't participate in the tradition.
Jim stayed sitting on the cold bench, his feet slowly going numb like his nose, his bare hands shaking as he put together his gifts. The sun had set early, and the wind picked up. A part of him hated this cold weather and another liked the fact that he couldn't feel his sprained foot. Finally, Jim realized he had to get home, on his foot, it would take him almost an hour and he was getting tired. His ears were stinging and every time his moved his hands, the bone deep ache from the cold, made him cringe. He was just able to get the presents into little bags before he stuck his hands in his pockets to warm them. He hissed at the aching pain and knew it was time to leave for certain. He just prayed he had been out for two hours.
He was right; the walk was horribly long and agonizing. Everywhere stung and the wind, which now, when he wasn't protected by those few trees, was blowing strong. He bowed his head against it, gritting his teeth. When he did finally get home, his breathing laboured, he realized how bad his ribs were killing him. Frank had hit him there repeatedly before they were healed and without his bandages, he wasn't getting better as fast as he was used to. Stepping inside, the first thing that happened made him jump slightly.
"Where the hell have you been?" Jim took a deep breath wincing, only then realizing it wasn't Frank but his mom, who looked stressed and wide-eyed. "Do you have any idea what time it is?" "Sorry. I lost track. It won't happen again." He watched as his mother took in his shivering body and she went from angry to worried. "Jimmy, you're freezing. Come on, we need to get you out of those clothes." She came up to him and all he could think about were the purple-blue bruises on his ribs and back. He tensed and stepped away from her, making her stop. "It's alright. I can take care of myself. I've been doing it long enough." Jim straightened his shoulders, on the way upstairs he didn't show any signs of a hurt foot.
After a half hour wrapped in blankets, his mom came into his room after knocking lightly. Surprising him, she brought him some warm soup and took his temperature. "You look okay, but just in case I want you in bed for a day or so. You gave me a fright. Here, eat something." He hesitated not used to her being so attentive. Looking at her, he saw Sam, the exact expression he used when he was worried and sad, he reached out for the bowl and nodded his thanks. He didn't know how to tell her all the things he wanted to. He had spent most of his life feeling angry and then guilty. Angry because he looked nothing like her, angry that everyone saw the famous hero and that George Kirk's son was a disappointment. Most of all, he hated that she saw it too and that they couldn't talk because of it. Then he felt guilty for being angry, guilty for being the one who took away the real love of her life.
Instead, he stayed silent and didn't tell her to leave like he usually did. She stayed with him until he fell asleep and he couldn't help but feel oddly safe with her in that moment.
His ears were slightly frostbit the next day but this lead to his mother buying more medicine for their kit at home. Jim even got more bandages to which Winona sighed, "You really need to be more careful Jimmy. I know you think your invincible but even medicine only goes so far. I don't like seeing you hurt. So please, promise me you'll be careful from now on."
Jim nodded but Sam caught his eye, and both looked away from each other.
Christmas came up quickly. It was, Jim found, one of the best Christmases he had. Their mom stayed home, impressed them all (even Frank who was only tipsy that day) with her skills in cooking, although, where she got them none could say. They had the works and both boys ate deeply, knowing tomorrow it could all be thrown out. Winona had gotten Frank another piece for the engine, the boys got new clothes; Jim froze as he opened his smallest present. "Mom, what's this?" Inside the package were small old fashioned business cards, not exactly what one got their kid for Christmas, but then again, this was a Fleet household.
"Those Jim, are options." Sam picked up his identical package and tore into it, revealing the same cards. Jim got his PADD and ran the translucent square across the screen. In a moment, a site pulled up that displayed a homepage for a education program. It was off planet. Sam who had done the same thing looked up at him and their mom in shock. She continued, smiling at their identical expressions of shock, "I know you two are bored out of your mind in this town." Winona looked down, her eyes on her still half-full glass of wine. Her expression was calm but Jim could see the underlying sadness. This had been their dad's hometown, well, one of them at least. "You two are bigger than this town and you need more. I know you all like that Vulcan boy for a friend because he challenges you. So, these schools are options that you both need to look into, they're top of the line and I've been saving some credits over the years, I'll be able to put you into one of them."
Winona looked over to Frank next to her and put her hand on his knee. He looked about as shocked as they did. Jim then wondered how Frank would do just by himself, he then quickly shoved the thought away. Hopefully, he'd die in a ditch somewhere. "There are going to be ground rules though. You two both need to decide on one school, all of them except both your ages. If your going to go it won't be right away but for next year. You two can't force one to comply to another. I don't want to hear any fighting about it or you'll both be spending your high school years here. These school are academically based, you can't just coast along like you've been doing. The homework will be much more different and much harder than what your used to."
Jim and Sam glanced at each other and spent the next hour going through each and every site.
Tevik, who was not celebrating Christmas, came over that night and Jim found out Sam was thinking the same thing as he was. They all went upstairs to Sam's room which was bigger than his. "Thanks for coming over." Tevik nodded as Sam opened the door, as it slid open Tevik replied, "It is...pleasant to meet your family." Tevik's eyes wandered around the room, walking in first. Jim glanced at Sam who didn't take his eyes off Tevik's back. The room had an old hardwood floor, soft green and grey paint, the bed was in the middle. It looked almost identical to his room, only his was blue, his window faced the backyard, not front and his bookshelf was littered with trinkets from Zanna Mi and a few trophies from school.
Tevik looked at all the pictures on the wall, magnetized papers showing math equations and formulas that Jim wasn't interested in, except the diagram of a food synthesizer, that Jim had given Sam two years ago, when Jim got to help the man who fixed the one in school. "You said you two had news." Jim grinned and Sam followed, Tevik raised a brow at their ecstatic expressions. Both boys pulled out their cards and showed Tevik them, explaining each one and all three sat on Sam's bed. By the end of their visit even Tevik expressed happiness. Just before Tevik was about to leave Sam went red and said, "Wait. I got you something." Sliding off the bed he opened his dresser drawer and pulled out a small blue bag.
Tevik's expression didn't change but Jim noticed how his body relaxed slightly, "Sam, you did not have to get me anything. I myself did not think to get you anything. It is not a custom on Vulcan." "It's okay Tev. Consider this an introductory into human holidays." Tev, Jim could see, still looked slightly embarrassed but he composed himself quickly and slowly opened his present. While he did that Jim went to get his. He arrived back in the room just in time to see Tevik open a small black box. Both Tevik and Jim froze, Jim was shocked that Sammy would give him that. "Sam, this is beautiful and extremely rare. I cannot take such a gift from you." "You can and will. It's been in my family for generations, it was given to me on my thirteenth birthday and now it's mine to give to who I want. I want you to have it." Jim, looking at the very old pocket watch in Tevik's delicate grasp, felt his shock and anger subside. After all, he didn't want his father's watch, who else better was there to have such a present. It was perfect and he felt like a fool for holding his bag right then. He half wanted to put it back under his bed.
"Tev, you should have it. We really aren't going to do much with it. At least you'll have that to remember this year with us when you leave." Jim said just as Tevik was once again going to remind them of his eidetic memory, Jim cut him off continuing, "You know what I mean, here. It's not as good as Sam's but it was all I could get." He shoved the cloth bag onto the bed hating that his face felt so hot. He didn't look up a both Tevik and Sam picked out their little tie-string bags.
Sam snorted when he opened his bag, picking up the bracelet he said, "A friendship bracelet Jimmy? Seriously? Your such a kid." Jim didn't look up feeling like he wanted to sink into the floor. Tevik's voice made him glance up, however. Tevik spoke, "This is my family name in these beads. The three strings are my house colours. This is very pleasant James. You called this a friendship bracelet?" Tevik glanced at Sam who shrugged looking embarrassed as well. "Vulcan's do not practice this ritual-" "Trust me-" Sam said smiling, "It has fads throughout the centuries, different types too. Bracelets, necklaces, even those Andorian rings. It was only picked up again a few years ago." Tevik held out his hand and said, "I can show you what Vulcan friends do. It involves entering your mind. It can be intimate and it is not to be taken lightly, though I will not delve in deeply. It can be...my gift to both of you. Although, only if you consent."
Both Sam and Jim consented to undergoing a Vulcan meld, though this one was as Tevik explained it, not deep nor intrusive. Tevik reach out with his hands and carefully touched their temples. Right away Jim felt a tingle and his heart started jumping. "Relax," Tevik said, his voice sounding like an echo, he didn't know whether he was talking to Sam or him. Then he felt it, like a push on his mind, a soft presence. He heard a gasp and didn't know if he made it or not. Tevik's presence was all around him, it felt as if they were hugging and Jim felt a peace come over him, another emotion he couldn't name, he felt all at once, safe and at home. Then Tevik was gone and it was just him, he felt an echoing sense of loss. Both boys were out of breath and Jim couldn't help but launch himself at Vulcan showing him his first human hug. Before he knew it Sam followed and all three stayed like that for a couple moments before Tevik really did have to leave.
It was, Jim thought as he got into bed that night, the most thought provoking holiday they had and one of the happiest. Tevik was now, for certain, his best friend. The powerful connection a meld could do, floored Jim and he couldn't stop thinking about it. He wanted that sense of peace again, he wanted Tevik to do it longer, he said it was merely a friendship bond, not something taken lightly but not something profound either.
Jim blushed feeling like his thoughts were two steps ahead of him and when he thought of Tevik again, it was his lips and how he wanted to show the Vulcan what a human kiss was. He groaned embarrassed and knowing now he truly had a crush on Tevik, he shoved his head in the pillow, making himself think of something different. A possibility of living off planet. Some of them however were in Europe, Africa, one was even on Zanna Mi. He could see Kara every now and then. Maybe he and Tevik could now see each other too. Tevik wouldn't be on Earth, neither would he and Sam, they could visit, go to a school close to Vulcan.
As Jim feel asleep, it was to listing off every possibility and feeling the one emotion he wasn't used to-hope.