PART 3 of The Caged Bird's Song
Author's Note: I am so sorry it took me so long to post this. I finished it a while ago, but I was waiting on a potentional beta reader to look it over. It's been a while however, so I decided to just go ahead and post this. A huge thank you to everyone who has favorites this story and/or added this story to your story alert. And another big thanks to everyone who has given me a review. You don't know how awesome a good review makes me feel. Anyway, before I let you all go read the story, I would like to add that I am in need of a beta reader. If you are interested, please send me a message. And that's it for now!
Spock woke up before the sun had actually risen like usual. He hoped Kirk was still asleep or had at least kept out of trouble. If this Jim was anything like his Jim, he would be a magnet for trouble. Lately he had been sticking to as Vulcan a diet as possible, but he decided to make something more human. He refrained from making any dishes that had meat in them, but managed to make what he deemed a decent breakfast, delivering all the necessary nutrients while being pleasing to a human's sense of taste.
Setting breakfast out on the small square oak table in the little room adjacent to the kitchen, Spock almost turned to wake Jim up, but decided to let the human get his rest. This was unnecessary however, seeing as the smell of food woke Jim up almost instantly. He looked at the food and then at Spock, hair mussed from sleep and grinning in a way that was so distinctly Jim.
"Holy shit. Did you get up at the crack of dawn to make all this?" he asked teasingly, sitting down and licking his lips. God it had been so long since he had eaten a half decent meal.
Spock simply raised an eyebrow, faint amusement flickering over his features. "I did 'get up at the crack of dawn' as you put it, as I always do," he replied, sitting down in his chair more gracefully than Kirk did and starting to place food on his plate. Jim followed suit, piling food on his plate rapidly instead of being slow and neat like the half-Vulcan sitting across from him.
"Mm. This is amazing. Thanks," Jim said after swallowing a mouthful of food, soon inhaling more.
"You are most welcome. From what I have seen, Romulans do not care for the humans they own as well as they should," Spock replied.
Jim scoffed and nodded. "Got that right."
The remainder of breakfast passed in silent, Kirk savoring all the food while Spock simply watching him thoughtfully while eating his own food.
"Did you sleep well?" Spock asked when Kirk had finished his food and was leaning back in his chair, savoring the feeling of a full belly.
"Yep. That couch is more comfortable than anything I've slept on for a long time," he nodded, smiling slightly.
"That is good. Unfortunately, I will have to leave you alone for most of the day. I have important matters to attend to. I believe you will be able to keep yourself out of trouble…" the Vulcan replied, feeling that illogical hope rise up in him again.
Jim nodded and waved his hand dismissively. "I'll be fine. I will probably just spend the day sleeping and eating. I haven't had a day to just relax for… Actually, I don't think I have ever had a day to relax…"
Spock nodded and swiftly stood, grabbing a small black bag before leaving.
Kirk did indeed take a nap after the other man left, waking up to eat and use the bathroom. On his way back to the front room, he passed the master bedroom, door agape. He saw a few sparse belongings in the room and figured this was where Spock was sleeping. Curiosity overtook him and he walked in.
There wasn't much in the room. A bed, the sheets smoothed back neatly, a bedside table with a lamp, a dresser, and a desk with a chair. On the desk was a portable computer with a smashed screen. It was unlike anything he had seen before. It must have come back in time with Spock. He walked over and was surprised when it turned on.
Instantly, the screen came to life, showing a picture of a smiling man and a Vulcan. The other Jim Kirk and Spock… He felt a surge of jealousy at the way the older, alternate version of him clung to the dark haired man. He knew he should just turn the computer off and leave the room, but he didn't. He stared at the picture, memories that weren't his bubbling up.
***
"Relax Spock. This is supposed to be enjoyable. Shore leave is meant to be relaxing!" Kirk chuckled, looking at his first officer and bond mate with affection.
"The way humans spend their shore leave is illogical. The point is to rest and rejuvenate. The most logical way to do so is to simply sleep, not…" Spock's lecture was cut short by a kiss from Jim.
"That isn't what I mean by relax Spock," the captain murmured, taking his first officer's hand and intertwining their fingers together. The simple gesture made Spock's entire body tingle and his lips twitched in something like a smile.
A loud laugh made the two of them turn to see Sulu approaching, an old camera from the early 21stcentury in hand while Chekov trailed behind him, grinning. "Smile for the camera!" Sulu exclaimed, raising the camera and taking a picture of Spock and Kirk just as the captain slung an arm over the Vulcan beside him.
"I love you Spock. Which is why I want you to enjoy this time we have off. If you want to sleep, go right ahead. I had a couple of other things in mind, however. That is, if you are interested," Jim purred as soon as Chekov and Sulu were gone, nipping the sensitive tip of Spock's ear.
"I would not be adverse to whatever you had in mind Captain," Spock replied a little breathlessly, a light green blush staining his ears, neck, and face as Kirk kissed his neck now and slipped his hands under the blue science shirt he wore.
As the pair reluctantly withdrew to retreat to the room they were staying in, their fingers intertwined again and Spock was filled with love. And for once, he didn't even stop to think about how illogical this was.
***
Jim scrolled through several other pictures. Picture of the crew of the Enterprise, pictures of Spock and Kirk, and pictures of a few places they had been. Sighing, he finally turning the computer off and sitting on the edge of Spock's bed, running a hand through his hair. Was he really jealous of himself? Was he really starting to develop feelings for a Vulcan he had just met?
He made sure things were just as he left them before he walked out of the room. He looked at the nearest clock. He probably still had a few hours before Spock returned. He walked back into the bathroom, showering this time. God it felt good…
He found a pair of clothes in the dresser in Spock's room. They were a bit big, but it the soft black cloth felt wonderful on his freshly cleaned skin and he happily made his way to the kitchen, scrounging up a little snack, still pretty full from breakfast.
Breakfast… It sure had been nice of Spock to make him breakfast. Especially one that was so human. Maybe he would return the favor… During his training as a slave, he had be taught how to cook, mostly knowing how to make Romulan dishes. He wasn't half bad at it either. He quickly located all the supplies he needed to make the one Vulcan dish he knew and set to work.
Dinner took a little over an hour and a half to make and he finished setting the table just as Spock arrived. He blinked a few times when he saw the table, Kirk putting the last of the food onto the table.
"You were not required to make dinner," he said, setting his bag down and walking over to the table. As he got closer, he realized that Jim had prepared a traditional Vulcan meal.
"Well… you've been nicer to me than anyone ever has so I thought I could at least make dinner," Kirk shrugged, sitting down and motioning for Spock to do the same.
Spock sat swiftly, slowly starting to eat. Vulcan cuisine was logical, providing all the necessary nutrients and nothing else. Because of such, it tended to taste rather bland. To Spock, it was the most welcome taste in the universe though.
Jim watched Spock eating as he consumed his own dinner, knowing that the Vulcan was pleased. He felt a little smug. Had the other Kirk ever cooked Vulcan cuisine for Spock? He didn't think so.
As soon as the two of them had finished eating, Kirk stood and began clearing the table after refusing Spock's help. The Vulcan did linger nearby to watch him and make sure everything was cleaned properly and put back in its place however.
"Thank you for the meal Jim" Spock said as they now sat on the couch, Jim looking at the books sitting on the coffee table. His head jerked up and he smiled warmly at the dark haired man.
"Sure. No problem," Kirk shrugged, leaning back against the couch and stretching out his legs.
Spock gazed at Kirk thoughtfully, lips pursed slightly. "Jim…" he began, voice low and surprisingly emotional. He looked like he was about to say something else, but he was cut short by a soft kiss. A light green flush stained his face and he stared at Kirk, trying to sort out the emotions filling him.
"Sorry. I don't know why I did that. I just…" now Jim was the one cut short, Spock's hands threading in his hair and holding him close as he kissed him roughly.
Jim had been kissed many times before. Every time, it had been against his will though and he had only returned the kiss to avoid being beat or punished in some other horrible way. This time, he parted his lips and kissed back because he wanted to though. Because he was developing feelings for the Spock he knew only through memories that weren't his…
Spock's tongue lightly traced Kirk's parted lips before slipping into the human's mouth, initiating a very human make-out session. Jim moaned breathlessly and wrapped his arms around the Vulcan's neck as the kiss deepened. Spock's body was so warm, much hotter than a human's body, and felt wonderful as it pressed him into the couch.
Sooner than Jim would have liked, the kiss was broken. Spock had pulled away, skin still flushed, emotions clear on his face. He took a few deep breaths and managed to recompose himself, smoothing his clothes as he stood up.
"I sincerely apologize. I should not have done that. Thank you for dinner Jim. Sleep well," Spock said smoothly, as if they had just had a conversation about physics instead of kissing on the couch. He then left the room, leaving Kirk breathless and confused.
To be continued…
