Spock woke up well rested. His dreams had been pleasant with feeling Jim's own emotions across the tentative link.

There was a pained moan from where Bones was laying.

"Dear gods does the sun have to be so damn bright?" the boy complained as the light trickled in through the small window.

"Zat is eet's nature." Chekov answered from where he was sitting cross-legged atop his blankets, stuffed space dog in his lap. Sulu chuckled lightly as he stretched. Now that everyone was waking up Spock reluctantly pulled his hand away from Jim's. The blonde stirred at the loss of contact.

Bones rubbed his face as he sat up and groaned, feeling the aftereffects of their drinking.

"Why do I get the feeling that I'm the only one with a hangover?" The boy grumbled.

"That's because instead of cuddling our boyfriend, the rest of us actually ate more than a small slice of pizza and drank water." Uhura said smugly from the couch. Bones scowled and nudged Jim with his foot until the blonde woke up and rested on his elbows.

"Go see what Winona's making for breakfast, and if she's taking requests: Waffles." Bones commanded. Jim didn't argue as he threw his blankets off and walked out of the basement.

A few moments later Jim stuck his head just inside the door and called down, "Hey Scotty, you want to come and help me that way you know who gets his waffles faster."

Bones gave Scotty a sad pout as the other boy got up, placing a kiss to Bones' temple before leaving the room.

Bones laid back down and covered his head with his blanket. Chekov and Sulu sat facing each other talking in hushed tones so as not to disturb the hung-over boy.

Uhura got up from the couch and sat down next to Spock.

"So what's your impression of your first Earth sleepover?" Uhura asked quietly.

"Don't use fascinating! Find a new adjective." Bones barked from under his blanket.

"I found it interesting." Spock replied.

"Yeah?" Uhura asked with a smile. "Even with playing spin the bottle. I know Vulcans aren't too keen on touching."

"That was acceptable." Spock said, a green blush creeping up to the points of his ears, remembering the feel of Jim's lips against his. Uhura saw the blush and made a small squealing sound.

"I knew it! You do like Jim." Uhura whispered excitedly. When Spock didn't answer and just blushed harder, Uhura was practically wiggling with joy.

"Oh my gosh this is exciting, are you guys going to start dating?" She asked.

"I do not know if James feels the same without the intoxicating effects of alcohol clouding his judgment." Spock replied.

"Well you won't know until you talk to him about it." Uhura advised.

"YO! Breakfast is ready. Bones if you don't get up here I'm going to eat your waffles." Jim called from the top of the stairs. Bones groaned but got up taking the blanket he had thrown over his head with him like a cloak. The rest of the group followed the surly brunet up the stairs, Sulu and Chekov snickering over something Sulu had whispered.

Bones led them to the dining room where the table was covered with various breakfast foods. Scotty was already sitting down and spooning some scrambled eggs onto his plate. Bones shuffled over to his boyfriend and hugged him from behind, enshrouding the other boy in his blanket. After a few moments Bones sat in the empty chair next to Scotty who grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee, setting it down in front of Bones.

Everyone sat down and started to fill their plates with food. Spock barely sat down, waiting to be passed the scrambled eggs, when Jim came into the dining room with a pitcher of orange juice. The blonde paused in the doorway, smiled, then moved to take a seat next to Spock. Uhura shot Spock an encouraging smile from across the table, handing the Vulcan the dish of eggs. Spock narrowed his eyes slightly as he spooned some of the eggs on his plate.

Jim looked at Spock's plate seeing only the eggs there.

"Hey you should try these; my Nan says it's the best thing to eat after a night of drinking." Jim said quietly handing a bowl of fried potatoes to Spock.

Spock took the bowl from Jim blushing slightly when their fingers brushed.

"Morning kids" George Kirk said as he walked into the dining room a PADD tucked under his arm and taking a seat at the head of the table.

The group responded with scattered Morning's as George poured himself a cup of coffee.

"So Bones what cup is that one? Two or three?" George asked as Jim passed him a plate of bacon.

"About to be number three, sir" Bones replied before draining the last of his coffee and pouring himself another cup. George chuckled as he gestured for the potatoes.

"Still can't believe you're not a morning person." George said swapping the bowl of potatoes with the dish of eggs in his hands.

"Well it's easier to think when everyone else has gone to bed." Bones answered. He had perked up significantly after draining two cups of coffee and working on his second plate of waffles.

George nodded his understanding before starting in on his plate of food, reading from the PADD he had placed next to his plate.

"Hey dad where's mom?" Jim asked.

"She went to her office at the Academy to grade papers." George answered.

"Why?" Jim asked before taking a sip of orange juice.

"She didn't know how long your friends were staying over today and didn't want to be disturbed." George stated. Jim nodded as he continued eating.

Conversation around the table was easy, jokes flying freely. There were only three occasions where Jim shot his father a peculiar look after something the man had said. Spock did not understand the look but it greatly amused everyone else.

When breakfast was over Jim started cleaning up the table and Spock stayed behind to help. They were standing close to one another, Jim scraping the food off the dishes and handing them to Spock to put in the dishwasher when the blonde spoke up.

"So Spock, I was wondering if you're doing anything tomorrow." Jim inquired as he handed a plate over. Their fingers brushed and Spock could feel how nervous the blonde felt.

"Beyond completing the assignments I have due on Monday, I have no other plans." Spock replied. "Why do you ask?"

"There's a winter festival in town and I was wondering if you would like to go with me." Jim asked, biting his lip as he waited for Spock's answer.

"I would be amenable to that." Spock answered which made Jim's face light up. They finished cleaning up in pleasant silence.

Around noon Sulu's mom came to pick him, as well as most of the group up. Spock and Jim sat in the living room reading, waiting for Spock's mother to pick him up. George who had been on his way to grab something from his car met Amanda at the door and let her in. They stood in the doorway of the living room, watching the two for a bit. Amanda smiled to herself when she saw how close her son was sitting next to the blonde and the small smiles that creeped onto his expression when his eyes flicked over to Jim.

George cleared his throat and the two jumped at the sound. Spock got up and gathered his things. Jim followed the Vulcan to the door, George and Amanda leading the way.

Spock paused at the front door and turned to Jim.

"So I'll meet you at the main entrance at 6." Jim stated.

"Affirmative" Spock replied and followed his mother to the car.

"Remember to dress warmly" Jim called from the door. Nodded his head and climbed into the car.

"What was that about sweetie?" Amanda asked as she drove them home.

"Jim invited me to a winter festival tomorrow and I accepted." Spock replied.

"That's wonderful sweetie, as long as you remember to get your homework done." Amanda reminded.

"Of course mother" Spock answered.

xXx

Spock buried his face further into his scarf as he walked to the main entrance of the festival grounds. He was 5 minutes early but was glad when he saw Jim standing next to the arch shifting his weight nervously.

The blonde's face lit up when he finally caught sight of Spock walking towards him.

"I'm glad you could make it." Jim said animatedly.

"So am I, although I would prefer it to not be so cold." Spock stated.

Jim chuckled. "I suppose it is a bit nippy, why don't we see if we can't find something warm to drink."

It took some searching but they eventually found a booth that served unsweetened tea as well as various other hot drinks.

Spock cradled his cup close to his body like it was the thing that would keep him from freezing to death. Jim chuckled at this sight.

"May I ask what it is that you find amusing?" Spock asked.

"Oh, ummm...Well you're kind of adorable when you're cold." Jim answered, his cold flushed cheeks growing red for another reason.

Spock raised an eyebrow not knowing how to reply so he went with a logical explanation.

"Growing up on a planet with a desert climate did very little to prepare me for Earth winters."

Jim nodded but noticed Spock was still shivering slightly.

"Here why don't you take my hat?" Jim said as he pulled the plain black beanie off his head and putting it on Spock's, tucking his pointed ears under the fabric.

"You know you lose most of your body heat through your head, or at least that's what my Nan says." Jim stated as he removed his gloved hands from Spock's head.

"That is a fascinating theory, I wonder if it has been studied." Spock said as they walked taking in the sights of the various booths. They ended up in an area where there were carnival games.

Jim excitedly went from booth to booth, trying his hand at the various games at least once. Spock followed and joined in on some of the games.

There was particular game that involved firing a phaser locked on stun at different targets that Jim was particularly skilled at. After hitting all but two of the targets the game vendor looked at the two them and said to Jim, "Alright kid pick your prize!"

Jim looked the various stuffed animals over before turning to Spock and asking, "Which do you think I should get?"

"I do not know whichever one you want." Spock answered.

"Yeah but which do you think I should get?" Jim insisted.

"If it were my choice I would get that one." Spock said pointing at a large stuffed koala bear. The animal had fascinated him as a child when his mother first taught him about the animals of Earth.

"Alright I'll get that one" Jim told the vendor gesturing to the koala. The man handed the large stuffed animal to Jim who then turned to Spock and presented him with the large toy.

"Here Spock I want you to have it." Jim said hiding his face behind the stuffed animal.

Spock took the stuffed koala and held just far enough away to stare at it.

"Thank you Jim" Spock said with a touch of reverence in his tone. No one had treated him with such consideration, save his parents, back on Vulcan the way Jim did. Not even his promised bondmate, T'Pring, had expressed anything more than mild contempt.

They walked close to one another past some more booths with winter holiday trinkets and ended up in a large open area with an ice skating rink in the middle. Jim's face split into a big smile and he tugged on Spock's coat sleeve.

"C'mon Spock let's skate." The blonde suggested excitedly.

"I do not think that is a wise idea." Spock said warily as he watched others on the ice.

"Why not it's a lot of fun." Jim said. Spock followed Jim to the skate rental booth, feeling slightly uneasy.

"It is highly likely that I will fall and hurt myself and others seeing as I have never attempted this mode of transportation before." Spock stated hoping to sway the blonde.

Jim smiled softly and placed a hand on Spock's upper arm, looking the dark haired boy in the eyes.

"I'll make sure you won't fall." Jim promised, rubbing his thumb in soothing circles into Spock's bicep. Spock hugged the stuffed koala to his body and nodded. Jim's smile widened and he went up to the free attendant getting them each a pair of skates.

Soon they were out on the ice, Spock's arms wide to keep his balance and a tight grip on the hand Jim had offered to help steady him. After a while Spock felt comfortable enough to bring his arms in and let go of Jim's hand. The blonde smiled but stayed nearby, sometimes skating next to Spock, sometimes skating backwards in front of him speaking encouragement.

Once his focus was no longer on keeping himself from falling, Spock noticed that there was music playing.

"I got so scared; I thought no one could save me. You came along scooped me up like a baby"

Spock started to pick his speed, confident that he could keep his balance. Jim smiled encouragingly and Spock's breath caught.

"Every now and then, the stars align. Boy and girl meet by the great design. Could it be that you and me are the lucky ones"

All of a sudden Spock felt his foot catch on something and he started falling forward. True to his word Jim quickly swooped in and kept the Vulcan from falling, catching him by the arms. Spock got his feet under him and looked up.

His eyes met Jim's electric blue ones and Spock felt like all the air left his lungs, despite their higher oxygen capacity than humans.

"Everybody told me love was blind. Then I saw your face and you blew my mind. Finally, you and me are the lucky ones this time."

Jim helped Spock straighten up but instead of backing away, the blonde leaned towards the Vulcan.

When their faces were merely inches apart, Spock was sure that Jim was going to kiss him and his heart raced.

"KEPTIN! SPOCK!" The two heard suddenly and separated to find Chekov expertly skating up to them, Uhura and Sulu not far behind the boy.

"Eet ees great to see you here!" The boy exclaimed excitedly.

"Hey Pavel, I didn't know you guys were going to be here." Jim said as he carded a hand through his hair.

"Da, I asked 'Karu and Ny-ny to bring me." The boy explained animatedly. Spock noticed Uhura give Sulu a look that had him suddenly addressing Chekov.

"Hey Pasha, I bet I could beat you in a race around the rink" Sulu challenged.

"As eef" Pavel snorted.

"Oh yeah so sure of yourself" Sulu teased playfully.

"Fine, just don't cry vhen I beat you." Chekov bantered and started skating to the edge of the rink, Sulu following.

"Well good to see you two, I better make sure they don't hurt anyone." Uhura said quickly. "If I were you I'd stay in the middle."

Jim smiled to her gratefully then turned to Spock.

"So once we know it's safe to exit, do you want to go get something to eat?" Jim asked.

"That would be acceptable." Spock replied as he watched their friends expertly skate around the rink. True to form Chekov was the one to win the race, but instead of sticking around to congratulate the boy Jim and Spock left the rink for the area of the festival where food was sold, grabbing the stuffed koala from the little locker they had stored their shoes in.

An hour later as they were exploring some more of the booths when Jim's comm chirped and he answered it.

"James T. Kirk it is 8:30 and you have school in the morning. Report your butt to the main entrance and I will drive Spock home" Spock overheard Jim's mother admonish.

"Yes ma'am" Jim replied into the comm before hanging up.

"Well I suppose it's time to go home" The blonde said to Spock with a sheepish smile.

"It is probably for the best" Spock replied and they walked to the main entrance. The drive to Spock's house was quiet, Jim and Spock sitting close together in the back seat, hands centimeters away from touching.

When they arrived, Jim walked Spock to the door.

"So that was fun" Jim said nervously.

"I agree" Spock replied, subtly inching towards the blonde.

"I'll see you tomorrow at school" Jim said holding his hand up awkwardly unsure whether to wave or not.

"Jim" Spock said as the blonde was turning to leave. He grabbed Jim's arm and kissed the blonde boy. Conscious of Mrs. Kirk waiting for Jim to return to the car, Spock ended the kiss a few moments later.

"I will see you at school" Spock said and went inside.

Amanda came out of the kitchen a few seconds after Spock closed the door behind him.

"Did you have fun sweetie?" she asked. Spock smiled slightly, hugging the koala Jim had won him.

"Most definitely."