The blue of the aquarium water tanks shine and reflected off the walls, the smell of chlorine and chemicals thick in the air as he sat and waited for T'Lera to finish reading up on earths marine life conservation schemes. The manta rays and assorted fish swim lazily along the perimeter of the tank, round and round until Spock is forced to look away for fear of being ill.
The venue is mercifully not as busy as normal due to it being a weekday; the children who normally attend in throngs of screams and bubbled excitement, at home eating their supper or annoying their parents. The lecture they had just attended had enraptured his daughter so ferociously that she had declared that she would travel the galaxy and partake in conservation and continuation of all marine species wherever she encountered them.
Jim would be arriving within the next ten minutes and Spock tugged at his collar in impatience as he straightened his shirt and kept watch. A flash of gold caught his attention and his eyes narrowed in the dim light of the aquarium as he watched intently. Jim was resplendent in navy blue. A collared shirt that fitted his muscled frame, moulding and defining each line and curved, black jeans that shaped his posterior and the two buttons undone at the front so that a slight sprinkling of golden skin is revealed. Spock swallowed down a wave of lust and discreetly cleared his throat and willed himself to remain calm.
He lowered his gaze, resting it on the boy now clinging to James' hand. He is smaller than T'Lera, timid in the way he holds himself and his eyes roamed from corner to corner as he warily watched the other children that run from pillar to post in their games. Spock saw that he was clutching a small bear in his free hand and memories of his childhood sehlat briefly float before his eyes.
''Spock!'' Jim raised his voice slightly and motioned for David to follow him. He noticed the reluctance of David's steps and decided that he would take their lead tonight.
''Jim. '' The single word managed to convey his hopes and impatience, his fondness and happiness at seeing him again and Jim answered with a radiant smile causing Spocks heart to constrict.
''Jim!'' T'Lera bounded across the floor and skittered to a stop in front of him holding out her hand.
''Hello T'Lera.'' Jim knelt down to her level and shook her hand. ''My father has been eagerly waiting to see you again. He paces from room to room and shakes his head a lot!''
Spock groaned internally and closed his eyes. Will his daughter ever learn to keep her observations to herself? ''Is that so? Well, I seem to be doing a lot of pacing myself these days.'' Jim winks at Spock and he felt his face colour green.
''Spock, T'Lera, this is David. David… can you say hello?''
Spock watched as David hid behind Jim's knees and a small, birdlike chirp of ''Hi'' reaches his ears.
Spock bowed his head in greeting lifting his hand in the Taal and T'Lera happily chirped a hello in response.
''David, you know a lot about marine animals. Why don't you go show T'Lera the white tipped sharks since they're your favourites? I'm sure she would like that. I'll be right over here. '' Jim gives the boy an encouraging nudge and T'Lera waits expectantly for David to lead her away.
''Sorry about that Spock. He tends to get along better with children than adults. He was the same way with Bones when he was a baby. Screamed the house down until I convinced him that he was safe. He…had a rough start in life and there will unfortunately be a few lifelong communication problems I'm told.''
''It is no bother. I would rather him enjoy this experience and T'Lera has been informed that she should not rush him or force him to engage in conversation should he not wish to.''
''Thank you for that. You're really great you know.'' Jim's eyes are still the bluest colour in the aquarium and before thinking things through Spock leaned forward to kiss him. Jim took a deep breath in shock but quickly recovered as his kiss turned into a smile.
''Gods, I've been waiting for what feels like a century for that.'' Jim grinned and Spock reluctantly released him and nodded his head. ''I, too, have waited an interminable amount of time to be in your company.''
''Should we sit? We can keep an eye on the kids and to be honest, after the day I've had I would welcome some down time.''
''You have been busy.''
''Yeah, we're onto the last few days before summer begins so we've been running drills all morning and I don't know whether I'm getting old or just complacent but I'm struggling to keep up with these kids I teach.'' He chortled to himself and Spock watched him stretch as he took the seat beside him.
The fabric of his shirt had pulled tight across his body and Spock couldn't help the way his eyes lingered for a moment more than they should have.
''You look…. pleasing to the eye, Jim.' Spock murmured as he sat down and was afforded an embarrassed laugh followed by a blush. ''Why, Spock… are you keeping an eye on me as well?''
''Had the children not been here tonight I do not think there would be anything on this planet as appealing to me as the sight of you.''
''Wow.'' Spock watched Jim swallow, the bob of his adams apple noticeable with his shirt unbuttoned. ''That was incredibly romantic, Spock. I'm a little speechless.'' His grin was shy, and he kept his eyes to the ground before cautiously lifting them to his own.
''I apologise if I have made you feel uncomfortable.'' Spock allowed a small grimace to break through but Jim grabbed his hand and pressed their palms and fingers together.
''I'm not in the slightest uncomfortable. I feel the same way about you.''
The tension crackled between them and the shadows of the creatures as they swam by played havoc with Spocks senses as he saw all the colours reflected in Jim's eyes.
''What's going on with us, Spock? I've never experienced anything like this with anyone.''
''I do not think you would believe me if I told you, Jim. Humans by nature are quite sceptical of that which they cannot see.''
''Try me.'' His eyes narrow and Spock realised he should tread carefully with his next phrase.
''I believe you and I can experience a bond that has been spoken about in my culture for centuries beyond telling. It is … and forgive me for explaining it this way… but it would be the equivalent of what humans refer to as soul mates.'' His voice is soft, worried that he would hear a derisive snort of disbelief from Jim but instead Jim's eyes widen in surprise.
''That's… one way of explaining this, I suppose.'' Spock listened to him hum to himself, no doubt thinking it over carefully.
''This bond we have the potential to share is a T'hy'la bond. The most revered amongst my species. We would no longer be separate beings, were we to join we would become one.''
''Jesus, Spock. That's… well, not crazy because I do believe in soul mates but… we've just met. How are you so certain?''
''I cannot be unless we meld, but I am hopeful nonetheless.'' Spock bowed his head and focused on the feeling of Jim's hand in his own.
''You know most people would run for the hills when they hear this but if anything,… hell, I want to dive right in.'' Jim's laughter is a balm to his insecurities, and he permits a small uplift his lips in a smile.
''I guess we'll have to make the time to find out then?''
''Indeed.'' Spock held up his two fingers and Jim presses his own against them. Hope, affection and eagerness assault his senses and were they not in a public place Spock was ninety percent certain that they would be mid-meld already.
''Father! Did you know that David is a touch telepath too? He told me in a meld!'' her joy at her discovery is apparent to everyone who looks upon her but the sounds around him were drowned out with the rush of his blood.
Spock felt the blood drain from his face. He is appalled that David had not been taught that melding was only done between close family members. He stands and glares at Jim who defensively jumps up and walks off to fetch his boy who is now standing with a hand pressed against the glass, watching the fish.
''Why did you permit him to meld with you T'Lera?'' Spock bristled and his daughters lip quivered at her father's unseen anger.
''He didn't do it on purpose, I asked him a question and when he didn't say anything, he lifted his hand and touched my face as you do father, and suddenly I saw all the answers to the questions I had. It didn't hurt or weaken my mind Father.'' She pleaded quietly for his understanding.
''This is not our way Daughter. You should know better than to allow melds to occur between anyone other than your immediate family. David is a stranger. The possibility of him causing you mental anguish or more severe consequences is a strong possibility. I am disappointed in you Daughter.''
He does not say any more on the matter and walked over to Jim who was now consoling a sniffling child. He belatedly realised that his conversation with T'Lera may have been louder than he had wished it to be and that Jim and his son had overhead him.
''Well, so much for soul mate eh? If you have a problem with my kid, you have a problem with me.''
Spock's heart clattered to the pit of his stomach despite his anger and he stopped Jim with a gentle grab of his wrist. ''It is not a Vulcan custom to meld so freely and certainly not without permission. Have you not taught him any of the things he ought to know as a Vulcan?'' his tone his accusatory and laden with judgement of Jim's parenting skills and the human rose to his full height and clenched his fists.
''Why would I do that when he's not Vulcan?'' Jim spat vehemently and Spock released his wrist when Jim violently shook him off.
''I tell you what Spock. When you can get your head out your ass long enough to listen to explanations or apologies without being an insufferable, judgmental, prejudiced know-it-all. You come and find me. I think we're done for the day. I'm sorry T'Lera. '' he says in a gentler tone as he made his way to the exit now carrying a fully blown weeping child.
''That was mean, Father.''
''I know.''
He stared at the flashing red exit sign for longer than he cared to admit until the tugging of his sleeve by his daughter brought him to his senses.
''David really is a good boy, Father.''