A/N: I was going to post more tonight, but I'm kinda worn out so I'm going to leave you here with some good ol' angst. Never fear; the boys will survive this trial too. Not before some stressful situations erupt, though. Muahahaha.
By the time the two reached the city limits, Jim could feel his skin drawing tight as it burned under the intense sun. It had taken them another hour to complete the journey, traveling at a speed that would not exhaust a human. Jim looked around. The city kind of reminded him of old movies about a place called Dodge. Dirt streets, dusty buildings, people going about their business quietly. It was very peaceful. Several of the passers-by stared at Jim and he smiled back weakly. Spock walked up beside him.
"Captain, there is a restaurant fifty meters ahead on your left. We may stop there and eat lunch." Spock's voice was very quiet, and Jim made a mental note to keep his down too.
"I'm not that hungry, Spock," he began.
"Sir, you must eat. Dr. McCoy would not be pleased with me if I neglected to care for you." Spock lowered his voice even further and touched two fingers to the back of Jim's hand. "Nor would I forgive myself."
Jim smiled shyly. "Okay, Spock. Let's go eat." Walking another fifty meters was easy after the trek they had completed already. Jim started to enter the building but Spock walked ahead and opened the door for him. Jim looked at him funny but went in regardless. There were only two other patrons in the establishment. A waiter approached Spock.
"Greetings, sir. How may we serve?" The waiter was maybe Spock's age, maybe younger.
"We would prefer your most private placement." Spock spoke clearly, holding his head up high. The waiter's eyes opened marginally and he took in the sight of his two customers.
"Very well, sirs. This way." He led them back to another wing of the restaurant and placed them in a booth. "Would you like a beverage?"
"Water would be appreciated," Spock replied calmly.
"Um, do you have any soda?" Jim asked. The waiter nodded and wrote the order down. Placing two menus before them, he looked between the two once more before walking away.
Spock leaned forward across the table. "Jim." Beneath the table, he reached out and took Jim's hand discreetly. Jim jerked a bit in surprise but didn't pull away.
"Spock, what are you doing?" he whispered, leaning forward as well.
"Jim, we agreed we would discuss this at a later time. It is later. I brought you here so we could talk without being overheard." Spock seemed earnest.
"Without being overheard? Spock, we're in a public restaurant! We're going to be overheard!" Jim protested in a harsh whisper.
"The others will honor the precepts of privacy. We can speak here. Quietly," he amended. "We cannot speak at my father's house, and speaking at Solion's would be…."
"Weird?" Jim supplied. Spock nodded. "Okay, so we talk here. Spock, listen, everything that Solion told me-"
"—was not exactly true." Spock shook his head once. "Monogamy is a key element in relationships, however, if you would prefer to date other people-"
Here Jim broke in. "I don't. Want to date other people." He screwed his eyes shut and drew in a breath. "Spock, I don't know how to tell you what I feel. It's so overwhelming, so intense, it's almost frightening. But it's real and it's been here for almost a year now." He opened his eyes and smiled. "So if there's any way I can explore where these feelings lead, I would really like to do it. If that means I don't date anyone else until we know for sure where this is headed, then I'm in it for the long haul."
Spock's eyes lit up. "It is very pleasing to hear you say this. I, too, have struggled with emotions concerning you for approximately 8.6 months. I did not know how to approach you without offending you."
"Why would you have offended me, Spock?" Jim frowned slightly.
Spock cut his eyes to the side and his color heightened. "I do not know how to discuss this without upsetting you."
"Just say it." That was Captain Kirk speaking now.
"Your … I believe the phrase is 'your reputation precedes you.' I was not aware that you would be in favor of my advances."
Jim instantly understood and softened again. "You heard I was a ladies' man and thought that meant I wasn't interested in guys. I've known I was bi since high school, Spock. I just haven't ever found the right guy to be involved with. That didn't stop everyone from thinking Bones and I had a thing going…."
Spock began to choke, and Jim sat up straight. "You okay?" he asked. The waiter returned with their drinks and Spock sipped his water, still coughing from time to time.
"Are you gentlemen ready to order?" There was something about his tone that Jim didn't like. But this was his first time on this planet; it wouldn't do to cause a scene over a rude waiter.
After they had placed their orders and were alone again, Jim reached under the table to take Spock's hand again. "Hey, what was with the sudden attack about Bones? Did someone say something about us to you?" Jim was apologetic.
Spock shook his head and squeezed Jim's hand. "I had made that erroneous conjecture on my own. Dr. McCoy was adamant I be set right and accused me – quite appropriately – of being jealous." Spock's face struggled to remain impassive in the face of this amusing memory.
"You went to Bones about this?" Jim's grin could have lit the entire room. Spock felt an odd warmth flood his senses.
"Spock." The two men looked up at an older Vulcan man standing by their table. They pulled their hands apart as inconspicuously as possible. "I was unaware you were coming to the colony. What business have you here?"
If the waiter's tone had been unwelcoming, this man's voice was downright frigid. Jim was ready to kick his ass on principle alone. Spock straightened and nodded to Jim.
"S'Taren, this is Captain James T. Kirk. This is his first visit to the colony. My family is hosting him."
Jim plastered a smile on his face that he knew didn't reach his eyes. "S'Taren, live long and prosper." He gave the ta'al flawlessly, and Spock cheered on the inside.
S'Taren darted his eyes between the two and then was forced by politeness to return the greeting. "Peace and long life, Captain. How long will you be staying in our humble community?"
"I believe my visit will last just over a week. You already know my second-in-command. How did you meet?" This was stilted but Jim wasn't going to take his snobbery lying down. Spock placed his foot gently on top of Jim's in warning.
"Spock's father and I work together at the embassy. I have known Spock his entire life. Certainly longer than you." There wasn't any camouflaging that attack. Jim rose smoothly out of his seat. He stood perhaps a good three or four inches shorter than S'Taren, however his anger made him appear to tower.
"Is there something I can do for you, sir, or did you just want to catch up on old times with Spock? Because we're just here to enjoy a meal in the city. We don't want any trouble." But we'll handle it if it comes, Jim's voice suggested.
"You appear sunburned, Captain. Were you not prepared for your trip?" S'Taren's voice oozed fake sympathy. Jim's right hand closed slowly into a fist. Spock noticed quickly and stood as well.
"Captain, I believe we are due for a transmission this afternoon. We should depart immediately." Spock's eyes pleaded with Jim to stand down. Finally, Jim's pseudo-smile appeared again and he nodded to Spock.
"Very well, Commander. We can take our meals to go. S'Taren, if you will excuse us?" Jim moved sleekly around the Vulcan and to the front of the restaurant. He glanced back once to see that Spock was behind him.
