Jim tucked a leg up on the seat and turned around almost completely backwards. "David, I'm going to tell you something you might have trouble believing. When I was younger I didn't want to be the son of George Kirk. I didn't want anything to do with him. I would have given anything to not look like him, to not carry his name. I had issues," Jim admitted. "I wasn't proud to be a Kirk until after I was the captain of the Enterprise. Even then, it had its drawbacks. Everyone expected greatness from me just from what my last name was. I was prejudged before I ever got a chance to prove myself."
Running a hand across the seat, Jim looked up at the roof. "You're going to find people are going to have expectations of you just for being my son. You're also going to get the blowback from anything I do. If I make someone mad or if I do something wrong, you're going to get punished for it. If that happens, I don't want you fighting anyone. Just hold your head up high and remember we love you for who you are, not for who your parents are."
I believe it may be time to have the undesirable discussion with him about why people disagree with our marriage, Spock sent silently.
Jim sighed and thought for a moment. "David, do you remember when you asked why your mom was mad that your father and I were together?" he finally asked.
"Yeah. You wouldn't tell me because I was too young."
"Actually, I just refused to answer. I think it's time to tell you, before someone else does. David, to many people, marriage is between a human man and a human woman. Not two men, and definitely not a human and a Vulcan. There are a lot of people who think that me and Spock being together is wrong. You're probably going to hear comments about your father being a faggot and and alien-lover."
David shrugged. "I already have. And not just from the kids at school. Mom's said it in front of me too. I asked Bridget what I should do and she said not to drop to their level. Just pretend they didn't say anything to begin with, because they're not worth my breath."
Jim reached over and smoothed David's hair. "I'm sorry you've had to go through that and I'm infinitely grateful to your little friend Bridget. She's got a good head on her shoulders."
"I'm going to miss her. I think if I wanted a girlfriend she would have been a good choice. Except that would have been weird and I couldn't have been her friend anymore and that would have made me sad." David propped his knees up against the seat. "Don't worry, Dad. No matter what anyone says I'm still proud to be your son. And I love Father too."
"We love you too, mister," Jim told him. "I'm thinking you're going to get more trouble about your parents being who they are rather than who they're married to. Remember I told you, you'll be scrutinized from this point forward because you're Captain Kirk and Captain Spock's kid."
"I'm ready. I'm not scared," David told them. Then he pulled out his iPod. "I'm going to listen to my music now, okay?"
"Okay. If you need us, holler." Jim turned around. "Did I do alright?" he asked his husband.
"I believe you adequately expressed your concern and gave him enough warning. His reactions will be his own, naturally. However, he sounds prepared and his friend gave him sound advice. I am not overly concerned." Spock frowned as a vehicle slid in front of them to take the next exit.
The truck fell silent and remained that way for many hours. Occasionally David would begin humming along with his music but otherwise it was still. David fed Mickey and checked his water before settling down again. Traffic thickened and thinned as they passed through populated areas, but Spock was unwavering. He was pretty single-minded when he needed to be. Jim dozed off after dark had fallen and the quiet hum of the truck's engine overwhelmed his senses. David was already asleep with his earbuds still in his ears.
Spock began to wonder what changes his life was in for now that he was a full-time parent. He had pretty much established the house as a meat-free zone when he and Jim had moved in together, but that may have to change with a child in the house. He couldn't expect David to follow his diet. David was still growing and needed all the nutrients he could get. Spock resigned himself to allowing meat in the house. Perhaps Jim would remain vegetarian. Spock didn't want to consider the alternative.
He had been more relaxed at home with Jim, because it was a safe haven where he could be more personable and not have to continue the exhausting discipline he maintained in public. He might have to be more reserved again with David in the house. That would be unfortunate in some ways but quite acceptable in others. It would be easier if he were constant in his behavior, both at home and in public. He would have to experiment and see how that worked out.
The play between himself and Jim would have to be curtailed, no doubt. Romantic sessions on the downstairs sofa and leaving the bedroom door open would have to end. They would probably have to return to Vulcan kisses and very brief, abbreviated hugs. It was not as bad as it could have been. At the worst it would be this way for eleven years. At least the first six years together were open and relatively carefree.
"You're thinking too loud," came a mumbled complaint from the passenger seat. Jim sat up and rubbed his temple. "I'm not about to stop kissing you just because the small fry's around. I won't do anything improper without being behind closed doors, but I'm still going to kiss you and hug you. He's just going to have to deal with it."
"I did not intend to broadcast that rumination so forcefully. I apologize, t'hy'la. I was considering what changes I was about to experience in my life."
Jim nodded sarcastically. "Yeah, you think your life's about to be turned upside down. So far I caught that you think I'm going to start eating meat again and you're going to have to clamp down and be super-Vulcan again just because there's someone else in the house. Babe, he's a kid, not a reporter. And why did you think I'd start eating meat again just because David's here? That would be a slap in the face to you and I wouldn't even consider it. You should know me better than that."
Spock was grateful for the dark, because his blush of shame could not be seen. "On occasion I forget that you made the choice to follow my diet voluntarily. I did not intend to insult you."
Jim settled back against the window and yawned. "Try thinking happy thoughts for a while so I can go back to sleep. Or at least do your equations. Something peaceful."
Spock nodded and began to concentrate on what had happened early on December 26th of this year. He thought about the expression on Jim's face when he put the ring on Jim's finger and the feeling of contentment he had experienced when Jim had put the matching ring on his finger. Then, just because he wanted Jim to be happy, he focused on their quiet celebration in the early morning hours and the sight of their left hands together, rings touching in the dark.
Over in the passenger seat, Jim gave a small sigh and relaxed. Spock focused on the dark road ahead and began to work on an equation for a future project he wanted to do. This kept him busy mentally for the next eight hours of silence.
