Measure of A Man
Chapter 9
"So, what now?" The night was still high overhead as they lay side by side on the bed in after-sex. Kirk's breathing had resumed its even pace and now he stared up at the ceiling, letting his mind drift.
On his right side, the bed shifted.
"I'm still your superior officer." Pike's voice was low and raspy.
Kirk shifted to his side so that he could face his captain. In the dim lights of the room, Pike's face was ruddy and slightly flushed. His hair was a mess, but even naked, the man had bearing. Although he was a good three-plus decades older, his body was still in peak condition, his chest still sculpted and lightly furred, rife with scars from unknown battles.
Kirk closed his eyes listening to the sound of their breathing. It was a while before they spoke again.
"Look, kid. I...I care about you. I don't want you to think I used you. But men like us…like I said before. It's a sacrifice we make to do what we do."
"Well. I'm not exactly the 'commitment' type," Kirk laughed quietly under his breath and opened his eyes, to see Pike staring at him intently.
"I picked that up a while ago," the older man said drily.
The sardonic tone caught him and he immediately felt chastised.
"What I meant to say is," he backtracked quickly, "I wanted this. I wanted it too. It wasn't just you. It's not just you. But I'm a grown-up. I know what can and can't happen."
Pike rolled around to his back and put his hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling.
"We need a plan."
"Yeah."
They drifted off again, each contemplating their situation and what they could—should-do about it.
Their solution was mutual.
"When we're on duty, we're on. When we're off, we're off. And we're off Academy grounds. No one asks-we don't tell. We don't give anybody a clue. This is between us. Stays with us."
"Are we-" Kirk's words trailed off.
"I'm gonna be honest. I can't commit. And neither can you. It's our life. Our destiny. It is what it is."
"Yeah, I guess so. So we enjoy it now, while we have it."
This time, when Kirk rolled over he was met by a warm mouth and a large hand pulling at his hair and tugging him closer. It was a done deal.
It was them. And they preferred it that way.
*Author's Note: I know this chapter is short, however that is intentional. It is meant to stand alone. The next chapter, Chapter 10 will close out this story. Again, this work has been edited by SpockLikesCats.
