Title: The Road to Delta Vega is Paved with Good Intentions
Series: Trek Pod
Sub-series: You Don't Have To Be My Boyfriend
Pairings: K/S with a few surprises along the way
Thank you to everyone who read or reviewed the last part.
Special note: Due to my computer being evil and most likely breathing into the microphone at the wrong time, I lost the last part of the chapter twice.
Section Inspired by the song: Dontchange by Musiq Soulchild
Lyric excerpt:
See I'll love you when your hair turns gray, girl
I'll still want you if you gain a little weight, yeah
The way I feel for you will always be the same
Just as long as your love don't change, No
I was meant for you and you were meant for me, yeah
And I'll make sure that I'll be everything you need, yeah
Girl the way we are is how its gonna be
Just as long as your love don't change
Part three: I will love you when your hair turns gray
It has been 95 years, 3 months, 17 hours, and 3.62 minutes since Spock last saw the person that meant everything to him. Yet due to extremely tragic circumstances, his T'hy'la was in front of him again. The moment he saw him he knew the young man in front of him was James.
"James T. Kirk, how did you find me?" After seeing Jim for the first time in so long, he could not help but feel happiness despite watching his planet be destroyed hours earlier because he was not fast enough to save another planet. To see Jim again, was probably the only good thing about this unfortunate situation. He needed his friend more than anything at this moment.
"How do you know my name?" The smile that he should not have had in the first place dissipated slightly. In his old age, he is willing to admit that he felt disappointed at the fact that his T'hy'la did not recognize him.
"You're not another one of my boyfriend's crazy relatives?" This question puzzled Spock. At this point in his time, his James was not acquainted with any Vulcans whatsoever. The fact that he said boyfriend also shocked Spock slightly if he was willing to admit to being shocked at all. In his time, his James preferred women or more accurately he preferred the white picket fence delusion forced upon him as a child. Their relationship was the only time his love deviated from traditional heterosexual norms.
"Because I had enough of that from the woman that wants to become my mother in law." Again, he felt disappointed for a moment that his James in this timeline was involved with some unknown Vulcan. Spock was slightly surprised that James was in a committed relationship with anyone at this point. If the year was in fact 2258, James would not be involved with Carol for a few more years. The fact that this James was with somebody else entirely made him happy.
"Amanda is one scary woman when she is in overprotective mom mode." When James mentioned the name Amanda, his heart began to swell. There was no one else on Vulcan who had a human mother name Amanda in his time. Was it possible that he and James met earlier in this reality? Could something so wonderful happen this time around? One could hope.
"Spock never mentioned any long lost family that lived on this ice ball. Then again he has been preoccupied today." The happiness that he felt earlier increased tenfold when Spock realized that his counterpart was actually already in a serious relationship with James. It was pleasing to his distressed heart to know that at least one good thing was triggered by his inability to save Romulus. The only time he previously experienced happiness like this was when his James came back from the dead.
"I am a relative of your boyfriend's in a matter of speaking." Spock said cryptically at first before he thought better of it. James would not be easily fooled. Jim already noticed the resemblance between him and the Spock of this dimension. Honesty would be better in this instance.
"Also, I have been and will always be your friend." He wondered if this dimensions version of James understood the true significance of his use of the word friend.
"Do you mean that by the human definition of the term or by the Vulcan definition of the term? Did you know that friend can be used as a code word for lover?" Apparently, James did know. If he were entirely human, he would laugh at Jim's remark. He had a feeling that there was a very interesting story behind how Jim and his counterpart became lovers in this dimension.
"Either way I think you have been here too long." James started again. "I don't know you, even if you look like my boyfriend's long lost grandfather." He looked at James quizzically for a moment wondering why this dimensions version of his love did not completely recognize him yet. Maybe it was the gray hair or the fact he was not as thin as he once was. Maybe it was the wrinkles that now covered his no longer youthful face. It seems in this instance that he needed to be direct. Sometimes James did not see the obvious quickly.
"I am Spock." After nearly a century of being out of practice, he could still read Jim's facial expressions perfectly. The first expression was disbelief followed by a grudging acceptance, and then finally came shock. Spock was expecting this.
"Fuck." He heard James curse. This was a rare occurrence usually reserved for the bedroom or when people were dying.
"You're really my boyfriend from the future?" James asked with a sense of disbelief.
"Yes," Spock answered slowly.
"I think I need to sit down." Jim said right before sitting down on one of the rocks lining the fire that Spock created earlier.
"Are you all right James?" He asked with genuine concern that he could not keep out of his voice. James always made it hard to suppress emotions.
"You sound just like my Spock. I'm fine considering everything. I suffered an almost deadly allergic reaction to a vaccine given to me by a woman who sometimes hates me and my hypo happy friend. I sort of stole other you from her, so I understand. I survived a space jump onto a humongous drill to help save my boyfriend's planet from complete annihilation and failed miserably." Spock can pick up a hint of sadness and guilt from James as he said this.
"Also, my boyfriend is completely pushing me away by being an overprotective asshole because he can no longer hide the fact he actually has emotions." Spock is not surprise about his other self's emotional turmoil or the fact that Jim is aware of this. No one else would be able to notice this. He is not even surprise that he is pushing Jim away. "Now I'm having a conversation with a supposed alternate version of my boyfriend who is at least a century older than him." Part of Spock was actually happy that James only thought he was 126.
"I know no one else could deal with such circumstances as well as you." He said in reassurance.
"Apparently you're good at giving pep talks like my Spock. Did I mention I am on this ice ball because a certain ex lay of mine, decided it was the perfect time to get revenge on me for getting revenge on him for being a dick that is uncomfortable with the fact he likes dick." Spock was slightly shocked to hear this version of James had male sexual partners before his relationship with this dimensions version of himself.
"You had other boyfriends?" Spock asked for the sake of clarification as he crouched beside James.
"If you really know me, you would know that I was 'slightly' promiscuous before we met. Okay, I was very promiscuous before we met and maybe that got me into a few problems. Okay maybe it almost led to me getting kicked out of the academy, but that guy is probably dead now and the Admiralty will have bigger things to deal with. Now that I have you—the other you, I'm really not impressed by anyone else. I think it's different when you actually love the person you're with."
Spock couldn't help but smile at that. It felt good to hear James say that he loved him even though it was this dimensions version of himself that he loved. James was always one of the few people that could trigger happiness in him.
"You—other you 'dated' Cupcake too. That was a bad breakup but still better than the breakup with Carol or so I've been told. As much as it pains me to prevent it from happening, I probably need to get back to the ship before Cupcake's blood is splattered on the bridge." Spock decided not to ask for clarification on that particular piece of information. There are certain things about this reality he does not want to know about. That is one of them.
"I'm very familiar with the mating habits of your counterpart." He said purposely avoiding the earlier statement. "I was referring to your sexual preferences. In the other timeline I was—I mean you were only with one male in that timeline." He said quickly correcting himself.
"That's weird. I guess we're not the same. I've been out since I was 16." This surprise Spock slightly because his Jim was never completely comfortable with his sexual orientation. That was a major point of contention in their relationship even though he loved James completely.
"I don't even know how many 'boyfriends' I've had. I guess Uhura's theory about the big evil ship from the future creating an alternate reality was true. I probably knew my father in that dimension. According to the various therapists that I have been forced to visit over the last 25 years, I am the way I am because my daddy died saving 800 people the day I was born. I personally believe I am screwed up for a lot of different reasons." Spock could detect a slight bit of irritation in Jim's voice.
"Her theory is accurate. You did know your father in the other dimension. He was very proud of you when you became captain of the Enterprise." 'He just wasn't proud of you at other times. If you knew him, you probably would not be in a happy relationship with this dimension's Spock.' Spock felt it was in his best interest not to voice these thoughts aloud.
"So, you and the other me were together even though things were different there?"
"Yes." There was no point in denying it. "However, it is best if you do not know more about that." He said quickly.
"At least tell me if we met at the academy."
"No,"
"Was that a 'no, we did not meet at the academy' or a 'no, I cannot tell you'?" Both uses of the term "no" were accurate but James did not need to know that.
"It was the latter." He answered quietly.
"Come on tell me."
"We do not have time for such an unnecessary conversation."
"Fine, I can accept that. I have seen the original Back to the Future before. I would hate to accidentally erase my future children with Spock. Although, I still think it's cool that we ended up together in two different dimensions."
Spock thought it was best not to mention that for some reason every dimension he has ever visited involved he and James being together in some way or another. Why should things be any different in this reality? Did James just express a desire to have children with this dimension's Spock someday? Spock was obviously in an alternate dimension.
"So how far in the future are you from?" James asked breaking Spock from his musings.
"About 129 years from now."
"What do you know about Nero?" James asked with a sense of seriousness that was missing previously.
"He is a particularly trouble Romulan." Spock said without allowing the anger that he would need to meditate away to enter his voice.
"Okay now I am completely sure you're Spock. You are always one for understatements. That guy and his crew captured Pike, blew up most of my senior class, and destroyed your home planet. He also…" Jim went quiet for a moment before continuing as if he was trying to find the words.
"Your father didn't make it off the planet. I'm sorry." Spock felt a touch of sadness for his counterpart but nothing for himself. He buried Sarek long ago.
"Do not be sorry for something you cannot change. My father and I never got along in my time." Spock said softly.
"Not much changed in this time. You wouldn't even talk to your father when Amanda tried to drag you to the com Saturday night. I thought your reaction was funny until she dragged me over to say hi. Sarek scared me without saying hardly anything. Your mom scares me more than your dad did, this dimensions version anyway. She was the one who did the interrogation." James said with a sigh.
"Is Amanda on earth presently?" He asked hoping that was the case. Spock would feel immensely better if he knew his mother was somewhere else.
"She stopped by for a 'surprise' visit Saturday. Seriously, who gives their mom unrestricted access to their apartment? I'm kind of happy about it now because I don't think other you could deal with losing both of his parents. You are cracking up enough as it is. Rather other you is cracking up. My Spock beamed down to a disintegrating planet to save him. He loved Sarek enough to do that. I can feel his pain, like he's inside my mine. He is not handling it well. He cannot deal with being captain and what happened today. It's too much. "
It should not surprise Spock that his counterpart and James are already bonded but it does. If they met each other at the academy that means that he and James would have been together for almost five years at the very least. However, it doesn't seem like that is the case from some of the things James has said. Then he remembered James saying that Nero killed most of his senior class. Jim also stated that his counterpart was Captain.
"You're not captain of the Enterprise?" Spock asked quickly.
"No, Spock is acting captain. I am his first officer even though it violates 18 different regulations. Technically, I am still at the academy, but Pike promoted me anyway. He says that Spock is the only one who can keep me from doing stupid stuff because he can withhold sex. It would probably work too. Don't tell my boyfriend that I told you that."
"I seriously doubt I will have a chance to. It is important that I do not meet my counterpart." Spock said being deliberately vague hoping that Jim's love for old earth science fiction would do the rest.
"World ending paradox?"
"Something to that effect." He said not correcting Jim's assumption.
"Do you realize you lie the same way my Spock does? But whatever. Not that I don't enjoy this conversation but I need to figure out how to get back to Spock—my Spock. So if we could get back to talking about Nero that would be great." Jim was now standing up again walking around the cave.
"Yes you are right; we need to get you back to your bond mate." It hurt Spock to say that even if Jim was bonded to an alternate version of himself.
"Okay you are exactly like your mother and do not tell other you I said that when you do meet. I don't believe that world ending paradox thing. We are not bonded or married yet. Maybe someday, we have only been dating for eight months at most, sort of. It's complicated. The other you forgot to tell me that we were making out every time we were holding hands." It took much of his remaining control to suppress a smirk or raised eyebrow. That statement also told Spock he needed to explain exactly what he was planning to do next.
"Have you and my counterpart engaged in what is refer to as a mind meld?" Spock asked getting up from the cold floor of the cave and walking over to where Jim now stood.
"Yes, Saturday night after the meet the parent dinner from hell." Spock noticed a very mysterious smirk appear on James face as Spock prepared to touch his meld points.
"What are you doing? Just because you're another version of my boyfriend doesn't mean I'm comfortable doing that." Jim said pulling away from him. Spock instantly understood where Jim's apprehension could be coming from.
"Not all mind melds are of a sexual nature. Actually most melds are not. It is just a faster way to exchange information. We are short on time and you need to know everything about Nero if you are to defeat him." He said trying to persuade Jim with logic.
"What I did with my Spock Saturday night wasn't sexual either because the other you is too much of a prude to have sex with your mother in the house. It was still very intimate. There are certain things up there I don't want you to see. I just don't know you well enough to let you in completely." Someone who was entirely human would have been hurt by that statement but Spock saw the logic in it. He was not this Jim's Spock.
"It is the fastest way. I will not look at anything you do not want me to. This is purely an information exchange." Spock said in reassurance.
"I need to get back to my Spock. If this will help, I will do it." Jim Said finally acquiescing.
He quickly placed his fingers on James meld points and was accepted into his mind quickly. Maybe he was accepted in a little too quickly. Being inside James mind was like going home again, except he wasn't returning to the same home. He could not help explore as he told James his story through images of exploding stars and red matter. His mind was so similar to his James it was painful. This mind was completely different and unique. Yet Jim's mind still calls to him as his James once did after their bond was established.
As promised, he avoided looking at specific memories even though he was tempted to find out how James met his counterpart in this dimension. However, it was impossible to avoid getting an overall impression from this particular mine. Spock never found a more compatible mind than Jim's. In addition, emotions were difficult to avoid, especially under the circumstances. This Jim's mind was permeated by an overwhelming sadness and darkness that concealed the overall brilliance. Yet in the center, there was a bright light that burns like the brightest star. Spock's mind was instantly drawn to this bright spot and he knew why. That splendid star was a bond that supposedly did not exist. It seems Jim's previous statement was erroneous.
Jim was breathing heavy as Spock pulled out of the meld. He seemed in distressed at that moment. Maybe melding with James had been a mistake? Spock could not unsee what he saw.
"Both of you are too skilled at hiding the fact that you're cracking up on the inside. My boyfriend must be falling apart completely. We have to get back to my Spock now. You can help me. There has to be something in your futuristic bag of tricks that can get me back on the ship, right?"
It was obvious that Jim had no idea that he was bonded to his counterpart in this dimension. It seems it was Spock's duty to enlighten Jim.
"There is a Starfleet outpost not far from here. Let us depart. I will not be able to help you get to your boyfriend. I will be able to help you with your husband." He said as they walked towards the exit.
"Okay, I think Vulcan unfriendly temperatures and the stress of the day are getting to you. I told you, I'm not married to the other you yet. Jim said with a touch of anger as he walked to the front of the cave.
"Yes, but your mind says otherwise." Spock said dryly.
"What?" Jim asked as he stopped moving.
"At my age, I should be able to recognize a bond."
"Bullshit!"
63.2 Hours Earlier
For the first time ever in his life, Jim understood what a migraine was. Amanda reminded Jim of that crazy father from that 21st century movie where the dad essentially terrorized his future son in law with lie detector tests and certain interrogation techniques that are now technically illegal. Personally, Jim is surprised mommy dearest didn't pull out one of those truth slug things to get Jim to confess to all the stupid things he's done over the years.
Jim has never been more thoroughly interrogated in his life and he spent this afternoon dealing with Starfleet Academy security asking questions about how he passed that test. She was even worse than that therapist his mom made him see after the incident with the car and the cliff.
The worst part was the questions about the sex toys in the upstairs bathroom. Not that she actually asked him anything directly. She just kept asking about the bathroom where those things were. Her questions were enough to make Jim wish he was being interrogated by angry Klingons. Spock was going to pay for this as soon as he got back to the bedroom. Jim was already thinking of something involving a gag and handcuffs. Who was he kidding? That wasn't happening until Dr. Mommy was safely back, on Vulcan. Spock freaks out when they hold hands in public.
Even though it was nearly 10PM by the time they sat down to dinner, Amanda had no problems whatsoever asking him the most invasive question she could think of even if at first they seemed innocent. The following are a few of the best questions of the evening.
"Where did you grow up?" This question would have been a lot easier to answer if Jim didn't spend most of his teenage years moving from planet to planet. By age 17 when Jim relocated to earth for college, Jim already moved 16 times. Earth and Vulcan were the only two planets he has spent more than three months at a time on.
"What was it like growing up in Iowa? I've never been there." This was also another question without a very pleasant answer. Jim absolutely despised living in Iowa mostly because of Frank beating the hell out of him and his mom disappearing into space for months at a time. In the interest of making a good first impression, Jim kept his answers as generic as possible and stuck to color commentary on corn fields.
"Did you have many friends growing up? Spock did not unfortunately. He was too unique for most of his contemporaries to really appreciate." His lover told him all about his childhood on Vulcan. No wonder Spock was on the first shuttle to earth the moment he hit the age of majority. Jim's school experiences were just as unpleasant. He was teased for having the dead father, the absentee mother, the drunk stepfather, the troublemaker brother, and being the smartest kid in class. Contrary to popular belief, compared to Sam, Jim was the good son. For example, he didn't run away. Again, for the sake of keeping things pleasant Jim answered this question with a simple, "no".
"What was it like traveling throughout the galaxy as an adolescent? Did you have trouble connecting to your peers?" Jim answered Amanda as diplomatically as possible. He decided to focus this particular conversation on his time spent on Vulcan. Amanda spent 5 minutes laughing at him when she found out that although he spent six months living on the planet, he was completely unaware that he was making out with Spock every time they were holding hands. She made some comment about being absolutely stunned over the fact he never was charged with sexual harassment. He decided not to tell her that Spock was the only Vulcan he ever wanted to touch in that way.
"When did you know you were bisexual?" He could not believe she just asked that question, but then again she has asked just about everything else. At least she had a logical reason for asking. "Because I know all about that one guy Spock 'dated' that essentially used my baby for his own needs. He was just as bad as that nasty Carol girl. If I ever met him or her…" Amanda was too angry to actually finish that sentence. "I would hate for a repeat of that incident with you." This would not be intimidating normally, but Amanda was slicing a loaf of bread with a very sharp knife during this part of the interrogation. Jim had a feeling that if Dr. Grayson ever met Cupcake, she would cut off his balls.
"Spock told me you had two master degrees before you were 21. That is an amazing feat for anyone. What did you major in during college?" At this point, he was blaming Spock for this interrogation. If his loving boyfriend didn't tell as mom so much about him Amanda would have no idea where to start this conversation. Monday morning after the hearing, Jim would unleash mommy dearest on a certain communications officer who was still crushing on Spock. He owed her for trying to talk Spock out of dating him yesterday.
"You have a Master's degree in engineering yet you decided to do the command track at the academy. Why did you make that decision?" Now this was actually one of the few questions that Jim felt comfortable talking about in detail. Of course, Spock blushed profusely when he mentioned his lover's former crush had been the reason why he joined Starfleet.
"Why didn't you start working right out of college?" This question really didn't bother Jim, although the answer usually made everyone else uncomfortable. As soon as he mentioned he took a year off to deal with his mother's death, Amanda became quiet and apologized for bringing up an uncomfortable subject again. Although can you really call it a year off, when you were originally planning not to come back?
Jim was personally surprise she found so much to interrogate him about considering she avoided the really uncomfortable questions such as: "How did your father die?" "How did you deal with not knowing your father?" "How was it growing up in the shadow of a man you never met?" "What was it like growing up being raised by an absentee mother who ran away from her problems by staying on other planets and an abusive alcoholic/drug addict?" "What happened to your brother? Do you even know if he is still alive?" "Were you and your mother close, despite the fact that she completely ruined your childhood by using avoidance as a coping strategy?" "How do you feel about the fact that your stepfather got a slap on the wrist for killing your mom because his daddy knew the judge?"
Jim is usually asked these questions a lot and was happy for a reprieve. Yet in spite of avoiding the most uncomfortable questions, Amanda still manage to have him literally squirming in his chair as he munched on some vegetarian cuisine from the Indian Restaurant down the street. The woman was terrifying. She was Scarier than her husband who she forced Jim to say hi to before the interrogation truly began. However, she did save the worst questions for last.
"According to a net search you have been arrested 12 times including five separate instances of indecent exposure. Would you like to explain to me why these incidents occurred?"
First, Jim was slightly shocked that Amanda did such a search. However, supposedly Spock did the same thing. Second, he didn't think explaining that he was stoned at least two of those times he decided to take a stroll down main street sans boxers would make him the ideal candidate to date her little baby. Jim was expecting to hear Amanda yell 'get the hell away from my baby boy' at any moment with butcher knife in hand. Fortunately, Spock was able to distract his mother by asking her about her upcoming meetings in San Francisco next week.
Unfortunately, Spock could not keep his mom distracted for very long and she was back to interrogating him. She finally got to the most important question of the night as she distracted Jim with homemade chocolate chip cookies. Homemade baked goods have always been his downfall.
"What are your intentions regarding my son?" Jim almost choked on his cookie when she asked that question. She might as well have asked him when he was actually planning on marrying Spock. Jim was just happy no knives were in the vicinity. Fortunately, for him he had the best boyfriend in the world and the most overprotective mom ever was distracted by her son trying to sneak a chocolate chip cookie.
"You're not supposed to eat those. These are for Jim. I made you some sugar cookies with Splenda." She said pulling the cookie out of her son's hand. Spock grabbed it back instantly.
"I am 26 years old by human standards mother. If I choose to embed a chocolate chip cookie in my own home, I will do so. Why do you think I had chocolate on hand in the first place?" Spock said taking a rather large bite of the cookie. Jim could understand because spending time with a certain stepfather of his always made Jim want to consume vast quantities of alcohol.
"Of course, you're right. You're an adult and I have to respect your choices." For a moment, Jim wondered if they were still talking about chocolate chip cookies.
"I am going to go upstairs for the night. Will you boys take care of the kitchen?" Amanda asked as she got up from her seat.
"Of course, mother." Spock responded.
"Also don't forget to get your personal things out of the upstairs bathroom." Jim swears that Spock turned completely green as his mother said that. Jim cursed the fact that the master bedroom bathroom was the only bathroom on the second floor.
"Don't be offended by this because I really like your mom, but I think Starfleet should get her to do the interrogation simulation for surviving enemy torture 101." Jim said once they were in the privacy of their bedroom.
Okay how cool was it that this was officially their bedroom. Jim absolutely loves saying that. Thanks to the migrant lifestyle of his youth, Jim really never had a bedroom to call his own.
"There's no such course at the academy." Spock said as he began to pull off his black instructor uniform. Normally Spock would change in the bathroom but there was no point any more.
"You know what I mean. Your mom can be scarier than an angry Klingon when she is in overprotective mode. Now I know where you get it from." Jim said walking over to give his boyfriend a gentle kiss on the lips.
"I do in fact know what course you are referring to. I do not take offense at your statement. My father mentioned something similar after a particular incident where my mom managed to convince a certain member of a delegation to confess to several counts of fraud and misconduct. Federation authorities have been trying for 6.2 years to accomplish what my mother did in 23.2 minutes." Jim just stared at his boyfriend for a moment in shock before he realized that Spock was telling him the truth.
"Oh god, I didn't stand a chance. Thankfully she pounced on you for eating a cookie; otherwise we would be downstairs discussing china patterns and what we should name our first child." Jim said as he began to pull off his shirt.
"I seriously doubt my mom would choose to discuss those subjects."
"She asked me what my intentions were."
"I do not understand the significance of the question." Spock stated now standing in front of him completely naked as he grabbed a fresh pair of boxers from the dresser. It took Jim a few moments to answer the question as he admired his boyfriend's body.
"Sorry, I got distracted. 'Intentions' is a code word for marriage in human culture. She was essentially asking me when I was going to make an honest Vulcan out of you." Jim said as he followed Spock into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Brushing their teeth together had become their usual routine before they actually started sleeping together.
"I am always honest. Vulcans don't lie." Jim would have laughed hysterically if his mouth wasn't full of toothpaste."
"I meant getting married." The words were muffled because Jim was still brushing his teeth.
"That is not so unusual. On Vulcan, there is no such thing as dating. Most relationships progress immediately to marriage/bonding." Jim actually dropped his toothbrush in the toilet when Spock said this.
"What?" Jim said in momentary shock as the toilet automatically flushed away his toothbrush. Fortunately, his OCD boyfriend kept a few spares in his medicine cabinet in Jim's favorite color.
"No wonder you didn't think living together after being together less than 24 hours was moving too fast." Jim said as he started to take off his pants.
"On Vulcan we will probably be the equivalent of a couple that took a decade to get to the altar." Jim said as he put his dirty things in the laundry hamper. Considering how skittish Spock was about kissing him in front of his mother, even in the Vulcan style, Jim decided it was probably best to sleep in boxer shorts that night like he has been for the last few weeks when he stayed over. The fact that he was sleeping in a bed with Spock only wearing boxers should have been obvious sign they were more than friends. Jim would have never considered doing that with Bones.
"Not necessarily. Many engaged and married couples on Vulcan do not engage in sexual intercourse for up to seven years after their bond is created and only when absolutely necessary." Considering Spock's eyebrows were raised in a certain way, Jim was pretty sure Spock was not telling him something but he was too distracted by his shirtless boyfriend to ask questions.
"So essentially by Vulcan standards we are living in sin right now and your mom is probably freaked out about what we're really doing?" Jim said as he unceremoniously fell down on their bed.
Again, he just loved the fact that this was now their bed. Too bad they won't get to do anything fun in it tonight. That's OK because honestly Jim has discovered that he likes cuddling with Spock. Not that he was going to tell his lover that any time soon.
"From a certain point of view. Although I really don't care much for the individuals who would see things that way." Spock said joining him on the mattress as he wrapped his arms around James and gave his love a gentle kiss on the forehead. That electric tingling sensation that occurred every time they touch was actually getting stronger.
"You're OK with us not getting married right away?" Jim said turning around to look at his boyfriend.
"I have no desire to take anything from you that you are not ready to give." Spock said as he gave James another gentle kiss, this time on the lips. "We have time to get there. We have not even engaged in a preliminary mind meld yet. Our minds may not even be compatible enough for such a bond." By the way, Spock said that Jim doubted that Spock actually believed their minds could be incompatible.
"From what I remember from when I lived on Vulcan for a few months and the way your mother looked extremely relieved when we told her that we haven't melded yet that melding is an extremely intimate activity." Jim said as he started placing butterfly kisses on Spock's jaw.
"Yes melding can be very intimate because it is completely impossible to lie in the meld. You are able to see the individuals true self.
"So if you melded with me I would be able to see everything."
"Yes."
"Do you want to see inside my mine?" James asked as he kissed Spock again. It would take all his will power to keep this from escalating into more. He craved Spock like chocolate ice cream on the hottest day of summer.
"As I stated earlier, I will not ask for anything you are not ready to give me." Spock said as he ran a finger over Jim's cheek.
"Do it." Jim said in a breathy whisper.
"Are you sure?"
"I trust you. You're the only one I trust to see everything. Trust me, there is some pretty fucked up stuff in there. Between Frank and Tarsus IV I have a lot of issues."
"There is nothing inside your mind that will make me love you less. I also trust you implicitly to see everything inside of me."
"That's perfect then. I want you inside me."
A whispered "I love you, T'hy'la" was the last thing he heard a loud before he felt Spock's fingers on his forehead. Instantly Jim's mind was transported to one of the very rare gardens in the Vulcan desert. He knew he was on Vulcan because he could see the cliffs in the background.
Jim found himself lying naked on a blanket as an equally naked Spock fed him some of his favorite native Vulcan fruits.
As their metaphorical lips joined moments later Jim felt himself becoming more connected to Spock. For the first time in his existence, he felt truly complete. In this metaphorical place, he could feel Spock's love wrap around him. It was the greatest feeling in the world. At that moment, he knew he never wanted to let go. He wanted this forever.
The Present
Obviously, the stress of the day, the drugs, and the cold temperatures were getting to him. There is no way he can actually be married to his Spock. Old Spock must be losing his mind.
"There's no way I can be married to Spock."
"It is impossible to lie in a meld. A connection like the one you and my counterpart share cannot be fabricated. I know what I saw."
"It's impossible. We did not exchange vows or anything like that. Also, I think I remember somewhere that a bond maker is usually involved." He said the words in a rush. There's no way this could be happening.
"A bond maker is only required when the connection as force. What you and your Spock have is a natural connection that needs no outside assistance. With truly compatible minds it is possible for a bond to occur accidentally, although such instances are rare."
"If that could happen, I'm sure my Spock would have said something."
"My counterpart is unaware of such a possibility. Spontaneous bonding is extremely rare."
"Then how do you know about it?" Jim asked defensively.
"I am aware of the possibility because I experienced this type of spontaneous bond myself."
"You had this bond with my counterpart in the other dimension?"
"Your assumption is correct."
"I shouldn't be surprised. Spock and I started dating accidentally, so why shouldn't we accidentally get married." Jim couldn't help the panic and anger seeping into his voice.
"You seem worried?"
"Maybe my other self have the example of two people in love that lived happily ever after, but I didn't. After watching my mom's train wreck of a relationship with Frank, it is difficult to believe in the permanence of love. Even mom's happy stories about how she and dad first fell in love didn't help change my perspective. I didn't think love could be real until I met my Spock."
"Yet you are so afraid?" Jim wondered if he should be slightly disturbed by the fact that the alternate version of his boyfriend knows him so well.
"What if he doesn't really love me? What if one day my Spock just doesn't love me anymore? What if he finally sees something in me that would make me unlovable?"
"Your fears are unfounded."
"If you had a childhood like mine, you would understand."
"It has been over 95 years since I last saw my James and I still love him as I always have. I still loved him even when his hair started to turn gray. I still loved him when wrinkles started to show and he no longer had the same youthful physique he did at 30. I loved him despite illogical arguments and mistakes made on both are parts. I loved him even when I tried to push him away. I will love him until my final breath. I am completely positive that your Spock feels the exact same way about you. You have nothing to worry about James, because your Spock will love you as long as you love him."
To Be Continued