Disclaimer: I don't own anything Star Trek it is all property of Gene Roddenberry, J.J. Abrams, Paramount, and whoever else owns rights to the franchise. I am not making any profits off of this so please don't sue me.
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Chapter 21
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Sarek's residence may not have been a full blown mansion, but it was by no means a simple hut either. As he stood in the foyer, Jim silently admired the simple, but tastefully decorated, and surprising spacious looking interior of Sarek's home. The walls were made of stone and plaster the color of light amber sand. Tapestries of deep crimson red, and earthy bronze adorned either sides of the main hall. The ceiling seemed to stretch all the way to the sigh. Several Vulcan artifacts were placed about the area, adding to the quiet and dignified atmosphere of the house.
" Your home is very lovely Ambassador Sarek." Said Jim formally. He really wanted to say that the place was freaking gorgeous, but decided against wording his thoughts in quite that way.
" Thank you for your compliments Captain Kirk. Seeing as to how you are my honored guest, I am pleased that you are appreciative of the aesthetic aspects of this dwelling." Said Sarek with the signature flatness of his Vulcan nature.
" Indeed, I too find your home to be aesthetically pleasing father." Added Spock as his dark eyes took in the place for himself.
Sarek nodded before he spoke.
" Your compliments are well received. Come, I shall show you to your quarters." Said Sarek before walking off down the main hall.
Jim and Spock followed after Sarek as the Vulcan elder led them down the main hallway, at the end of which was a small fork. Sarek smoothly made a right turn.
" Guess Vulcan's aren't much for small talk." Thought Jim as he and Spock followed Sarek as he led the down this new corridor and finally came to stop before an arched doorway at the very end of the passage.
When Spock and Jim reached the beige colored door, Sarek gestured for the both of them to go proceed through. When Jim stepped forward with Spock behind him, the arched door slide open with a soft hiss, allowing the two of them entry into the room Sarek had prepared for them. Spock gestured for Jim to go in first and followed in the human's wake. Sarek stepped inside after his son and spoke.
" These are the quarters I have arranged for the both of you, I trust that they are adequate." He said neutrally.
To say that the lodgings were adequate was probably one of the biggest understatements Jim Kirk had ever heard in his life. The guest quarters that Sarek had provided Jim and Spock were quietly breath taking. Like the rest of the house, the ceiling seemed to stretch for miles above them. The main room was large and spacious with creamy light coral walls that were a few shades darker than the main halls of the house. There were large, arched glass windows that let in the bright New Vulcan afternoon sunlight. Deep amber curtains framed either side of these windows, adding to earthy feel of the room. At the center of this main room was a sitting area filled with angular but plush looking chairs surrounding a square wooden table that had Vulcan symbols carved around its outer circumference.
Jim forced his eyed away from the demurely gorgeous sitting area and faced Sarek.
" Ambassador, these accommodations are above adequate. Thank you." Said Jim, while Spock simply nodded in agreement beside him.
" I am pleased that you have found these quarters to your liking Captain. Now I shall leave you both to settle yourselves. I shall further inform you both when the afternoon repast has been prepared." Said Sarek before with a small nod, he turned and disappeared through the door.
This left Jim and Spock to each other. It was Spock who spoke first.
" Come Jim, let us unpack our belongings." He said before he turned and led the way further into the room.
Jim followed close behind, his blue eyes gazing every which directing, once again taking in the simple yet beautiful Vulcan elegance that surrounded him. When the two of them reached the center of the room, Jim and Spock finally caught sight of their sleeping arrangements. Standing on opposite sides of the main room behind two identical archways were the bedroom areas. Both areas contained a wide, spacious, and immaculately made bed. One bed had bluish-gray pillows and sheets, while the other had linens of a deep, earthy maroon hue.
" You have first choice of sleeping arrangements Jim." Said Spock as he turned his dark eyes to his companion.
Jim felt a small, irrational twinge at the fact that he and Spock would not be sharing a bed, but he quickly drove away the feeling and nodded to Spock.
" I'll take that room." Said Jim as he pointed to the sleeping area with the maroon-colored linens.
" Very well Jim." Nodded Spock before he continued. " Let us proceed with unpacking our belongings. As my father has informed me through earlier communications, you will find adequate storage area for your belongings and a lavatory area connected to the sleeping area."
" Okay then, let's get to it." Said Jim with a small smile before he and Spock parted way, each heading towards his respective sleeping area.
Jim walked through the archway into the sleeping area he had chosen. As he looked around the room, Jim silently appreciated the simple way the room was decorated. Along with an immaculately made bed, there was also a plush looking sofa of the same maroon color situated in one corner. By the single arched window was a small,glass and metal desk. On the floor by the foot of the bed was a light, amber brown, rectangular-shaped rug that had delicately stitched Vulcan symbols sown around its border. There was a small, closed arched doorway that Jim surmised was the door to the bathroom. A few feet from the door to the bathroom was an open closet area complete with three drawers that were situated within the inner wall of the closet.
Jim walked over to the bed and set down his travel bag onto the mattress. Jim undid the clasps that held the bag shut and proceeded to empty out its contents. Once there was a slightly jumbled pile of his belongings on the bed, Jim began to quickly put everything away in the drawers of the closet. Jim had enough clothing to fill up one full drawer, while he used a second one to put all of his undergarments into.
Jim had just put away the last of his belongings when a familiar soft baritone voice softly called out his name.
" Jim."
The blue-eyed man instantly turned around to see Spock standing in the entrance way of his bedroom area.
" Spock." Said Jim as he stepped forward towards the Vulcan. " Hey".
The human smiled warmly at Spock as he came to stand at arms length from the other man. Spock for his part felt a peculiar, illogical fluttering sensation in his heart. Spock quickly surmised that the way Jim was smiling at him had something to do with this strange feeling. Spock quickly diverted his attention from the strange feeling that had risen up inside him and instead focused on Jim.
" Jim." He began. " I trust that these lodgings have met your approval."
Jim huffed a small laugh and nodded vigorously as he spoke.
" Oh yeah, this room has definitely got my approval." Grinned Jim. " This is awesome, really."
A still smiling Jim turned to face Spock as found himself staring into a pair of dark, almost black eyes staring at him with a quiet intensity. Jim could see that behind the veil of coolness, there was this strange sort of admiration, like Spock was looking at a beautiful piece of artwork.
" What is it Spock?" Asked Jim, feeling just a little but self-conscious under that gaze.
" It is illogical." Said Spock without taking his eyes off of Jim. " But observing the way you were smiling just now pleased me greatly."
These words sent a small jolt through Jim. He opened his mouth to speak but found that his voice just would not come forth. Spock to a small step closer to Jim so that barely a forearm's length separated them. Jim couldn't tear his gaze away from Spock as the Vulcan spoke.
" It has been too long since I have last seen you smile like you were just now." He said quietly. " It warms me, but at the same time it reminds me that I have played a part in the reasons as to why you have not smiled in such a way to begin with."
Feeling his heart twinge at Spock's words, Jim finally spoke, but with some difficulty.
" Spock I." He said softly as he reached out and gently gripped Spock's shoulder. He was about to tell Spock that things were alright for the most part between them, that he wanted them to move forward with their relationship. But just as Jim was about to voice these thoughts when a low beeping sound suddenly shot through the air. It startled Jim and had Spock turning to the source of the interrupting sound, the small intercom panel that was situated by the entrance to Jim's sleeping area.
With great reluctance Spock stepped away from Jim and made his way over to the panel, pressing one of the small buttons and speaking.
" Yes Father?" He asked.
" Spock, I have commed to inform you that the afternoon repast had been prepared." Came Sarek's neutral, disembodied voice through the speaker in the panel. " Please inform Captain Kirk and then the both of you are to join me out on the veranda."
" Understood Father, I shall fulfill your request and the Captain and I shall join you shortly" Said Spock before he disengaged the link.
The Vulcan than turned back to face Jim, who was valiantly trying to keep the disappointment of having his and Spock's private moment being interrupted from showing on his face. Spock could see it clearly despite Jim's best efforts to conceal how he felt, and the Vulcan found himself feeling oddly comforted by this fact because he too was feeling slight disappointment about the moment between them being ended so abruptly and unwittingly by his father. Spock stepped forward till he stood before Jim and spoke.
" Jim I desire that you and I discuss certain personal matter in regards to the status of our relationship." He declared. " However, seeing as to how now is not the proper time, nor place to discuss such matters, I shall leave you to prepare yourself in whatever fashion you deem adequate so that we may join my father for the afternoon meal he has had prepared for us."
Jim in turn nodded and replied.
" I understand Spock, and I think you and I really should sit down somewhere private later and talk things out, especially about where we stand with each other and what we want." He said quietly.
" Very well Jim." Said Spock. " I shall leave you to, as they say, 'freshen up'."
To Spock's silent delight, he watched as Jim's face broke out into a soft grin as he let out a small huff of laughter as he nodded to Spock in agreement. Spock gave a final nod to Jim before he turned and walked out of the other man's sleeping area, sneaking a subtle glance at the human he was deeply in love with over his shoulder before he disappeared through the doorway and strode across to his own sleeping area where he himself could get ready to go meet his father for lunch.
Once he was in his bedroom area, Spock set about changing out of his travel attire. He picked out a simple pair of black dress pants and a black Vulcan tunic with silver embroidery over one of the sleeves. As he set about changing, Spock couldn't help but wonder what Jim would be wearing once they were both ready for lunch. As illogical as it seemed by Vulcan standards, Spock felt a strange eagerness fill him at the thought that in a very short amount of time he would be sitting down to lunch with his father, and Jim Kirk, who he was still very much in love with.
Meanwhile, just as Spock was getting ready in his room, Jim pulled the gray Henley shirt he was wearing over his head and tossing it inside his empty duffel bag. He would find the Vulcan laundry arrangements later. A shirtless Jim quickly made his way over to where he had stored his clothes earlier. He reached into one of the storage units and pulled out a simple, plain white T-shirt. He hastily pulled it on before he rifled through his clothed once more until he came across a light blue-checked button up shirt. He had just gotten one arms through one of the shirt's sleeves when a familiar soft baritone rang from just outside the doorway to his room.
" Jim?" Called Spock from where he stood out of sight.
" Yeah Spock?" Replied Jim as he resumed donning the shirt.
" Have you prepared yourself adequately?" Asked Spock.
" Yeah Spock." Answered Jim as he began walking towards the doorway while he did up the buttons to his shirt. " I'm coming."
From where he was standing by the entrance to Jim's room, Spock turned his gaze to the doorway when Jim emerged.
Til the day he died Spock would never admit it out loud, but when his eyes fell on Jim at that moment, his Vulcan heart did a very human thing.
It skipped a beat.
The sight of Jim now, looking healthy and so vibrant made Spock remember how it had always been in simplicity that Jim looked the most breathtaking. It also made Spock remember how far, from the broken mess of a man he had been reduced to, that Jim had come. A surge of deep shame and guilt rose up inside Spock as he remembered the Hellish aftermath of Jim's assault, and how he in his stupidity, had contributed to Jim's suffering. Spock was so deep in thought that he didn't notice when Jim walked right past him until the human spoke.
" I don't know about you but I am starving and..." Jim began to say until he looked back and saw that Spock was still standing by the doorway with a far away look in his eyes.
Feeling slightly confused and maybe even a bit concerned, Jim stepped toward Spock and spoke.
" Spock?" He asked.
Spock gave a minute start and turned to face Jim.
" You okay Spock?" Asked Jim.
" I am perfectly alright Jim." Said Spock as he quickly closed the distance between them and came to stand before the human." I was momentarily distracted by my own thoughts."
Jim gave Spock a slightly suspicious look before he relaxed in acceptance of Spock's explanation.
" Shall we proceed to join my father?" Asked Spock.
" Yeah, we shouldn't keep him waiting." Agreed Jim before he and Spock began walking out of the quest quarters side by side.
The two made their way out of the quarters Sarek had provided for them and began walking back down the hallway. Being that this was his father's house, Spock took the lead since he knew where Sarek's veranda was located. As he walked beside Spock, Jim discreetly took fleeting glances at the Vulcan as they navigated through the corridors. To put it simply, Spock look absolutely gorgeous in that black and silver Vulcan tunic. Jim felt the back of his neck heat up with slight embarrassment at the thought of how good Spock looked. Ever since that one night where they had kissed and spent the night together during the diplomatic mission to end the conflict between the Huzore-ain and the Karun-ish clan, he and Spock had been taking things slow, like snail's speed slow. On the ship they had meals together on a regular basis, Jim would spend a great deal of time in Spock's quarters, and Spock would do the same in Jim's. They played chess and they talked. In essence they were back to the begin in regards to their romantic relationship.
However, as great as things were between them now, Jim found himself feeling very unsure and nervous. He was still madly in love with Spock. He wanted him like a man starved, but Jim was deathly afraid. The very thought of coitus made Jim feel like the blood in his veins had turned to ice. In the months since his assault and subsequent recovery, Jim had not once partaken in any kind of true carnal activity. In essence, Jim had somewhat forgotten his own body's capabilities for feeling pleasure. Now that's not to say that Jim hadn't tried to overcome this proverbial wall. In the privacy of his quarters, Jim had tried to reattain his confidence on a sexual level, through the use of certain visual aids. However for all his efforts, Jim had not really regained much. Jim just couldn't get past the feeling of being unclean. Where once he had been a confident in his prowess as a human male, now that same thought of male prowess left him in a cold sweat feeling nothing but shame. This feeling was only made worse whenever Jim would remember that night he had spent with Spock, the way it had felt when they had kissed, and how he had fallen asleep with Spock's warm and solid arms around him like a shield. He had truly felt safe for the first time in months that night, but they hadn't shared a bed since that night. Jim missed that a great deal.
Jim would have lost himself in the thoughts of his problems in regards to his lack of comfortableness in his sexual capabilities, but then Spock's voice rang out and broke his train of thought.
" Jim, are you alright?" Asked Spock as he looked at the blond young man beside him.
" Huh? What?... Oh, yeah, yeah Spock I'm fine." Assured Jim. " I guess I just got a little lost in my own head."
" Are your thoughts troubling you?" Asked Spock as he looked at Jim with his dark, intense eyes.
For a moment Jim wanted to tell Spock that he was fine, that it was just the heat that was getting to him. However, Jim decided it was best to just be straight with Spock, who was for all intents and purposes was his partner.
" Yes Spock, my thoughts are troubling me a lot." Admitted Jim before he continued. " But now is not the time to talk about it."
" When will be the optimal time?" Asked Spock.
" Later, we can find some place nice and private." Answered Jim. " Right now though we better get to the veranda, best not to keep your old man waiting."
" Jim, by Vulcan standards my father has not yet reached the age in which he would be considered 'old' as you put it." Said Spock with his signature matter-of-fact tone.
The effect was instant as Jim's face broke into a wide grin and he chuckled.
" Spock, it's just a human figure of speech." Grinned Jim. " Sarek is your dad, therefore he is your old man."
" Fascinating." Said Spock flatly, but inside he was all but cheering in triumph for making Jim smile.
" Come on, let's get to the veranda." Said a still smiling Jim as he beckoned to Spock. " I'd like to see what kind of lunch Vulcans like."
" Jim, may I remind you that we Vulcans are logical beings, we do not like anything. We merely have preferences." Explained Spock.
" Oh sure you do." Said Jim with mild sarcasm. He knew full-well that Vulcan liked things, they liked things a great deal beneath their dignified logic.
" What do you mean by that Jim?" Asked Spock, who was secretly enjoying the verbal banter.
" What I mean is that you and your people are perfectly capable of liking your vegetarian food, and that you hide it behind logic plain and simple." Explained Jim with a cheeky grin.
" And it's not just food. I know how much you are capable of liking things Spock." He added with confidence. " Take you for example Spock, I know that you like chamomile tea, you like it when Chekov regales you with his tales of Russia and shows you his brilliance as a navigator. I know you like being head of the science department. I know that deep down you like getting into a verbal jousting match with Bones, I know that you like serving with all of us."
Jim then turned and smiled at Spock as they walked down the corridor and spoke.
" And I know you like playing chess with me." He said with a warm smile.
Spock felt the delicate tips of his pointed ears flush a pale green from the way Jim was smiling at him. It was like the human was almost back to his old self, the way he was before all the hardship that had befallen him. As they walked, Spock spoke.
" You present a very strong and compelling argument Jim, but you are mistaken about one of the points you made." He said as he folded his hands behind his back.
" Oh?" Asked Jim. " Which point is that Spock?"
" You are mistaken when you said that I like playing chess with you." Answered Spock.
Jim's brow knotted in confusion while he frowned slightly at Spock. Spock's eyes held a veiled warmth as he gave Jim further explanation.
" You see Jim, I do not merely 'like' playing chess with you, as you have so put it." He said. Then looking Jim straight in the eye he continued. " I love playing chess with you. I love spending every moment I can with you."
Jim's eyes instantly widened and he stopped dead in his tracks. He gawked at Spock for a moment before he felt heat immediately filled his face. Spock felt silent triumph as he watched Jim's cheeks turn a lovely shade of red.
" Now then, shall we proceed to the afternoon repast my father has had prepared for us." Asked Spock innocently as he turned and resumed walking down the corridor.
" Oh you smug little humanoid jack-rabbit." Thought Jim as he let out a breathless little huff of laughter before he lightly trotted after Spock.
Jim walked with a noticeably lighter step beside Spock as the two finally reached the main living room area and caught sight of the glass doors to the veranda all the way across it. The two quickly made their way across the living room area and stepped out onto the veranda.
The veranda of Sarek's house was as simple and elegant as the rest of the place. The floor was comprised of sand-colored stone, while the roof was a light yellow and stylishly arched over the stone area. Rectangular glass panels were situated within the roof, and they were lightly tinted as they allowed the bright New Vulcan sun to shine through.
At the center of the veranda stood a simple medium sized rectangular table with matching chairs. On top of the table were various plates of Vulcan cuisine. It was nothing fancy, simple vegetarian dishes that were the standard for Vulcans. Jim's eyes took all of this in until his eyes caught sight of Spock's father.
" Greetings Captain Kirk, and to you as well my son." Said Sarek with the neutrality of his Vulcan heritage.
" Hello Ambassador." Said Jim with a smile.
" Greetings father." Said Spock as he nodded to his father.
It was moderately hot out, and while Jim was feeling the heat, Sarek was dressed in a full Vulcan suit. It reminded Jim of just how heat-proof Vulcans were.
Sarek came forward and stood before his guests and spoke.
" I am pleased that the both of you have finally arrived." He said as he looked between Spock and Jim. " I trust that you have both settled into the guest quarters."
" Again Ambassador, the quarters that have been provided are more than adequate." Said Jim with a bright grin. " Thank you so much."
If Sarek felt anything from Jim's rather enthusiastic answer, he hid it quite well as he nodded wordlessly before gesturing to the table and spoke.
" Please come and sit, the both of you." He said.
Jim and Spock did as requested and made their way over to the food laden table. Jim held back the urge to beam like a fool when Spock took the seat right next to him. Sarek took his seat at the head of the table and spoke.
" Please be assured Captain Kirk that everything that has been set about on this table is perfectly safe for human consumption."
" Thank you Ambassador." Said Jim before he smiled a slightly self-deprecating smile and continued. " Hopefully since this is all Vulcan cuisine, I won't be allergic to any of it."
" May I ask how severe you food allergies are Captain Kirk?" Asked Sarek out of curiosity.
" Certainly sir, and please, call me Jim. I'm here on shore leave so there isn't any real need for such formalities. As for my allergies, it can get pretty severe, I mean one time while I was at the Academy I unknowingly had something that had walnuts in it and my airways closed up." Said Jim. " One minute I was fine and the next I couldn't breath. Thankfully Bones was there and he managed to stabilize me enough to get me to the medical quarters for treatment."
" The one who you refer to as Bones is Dr. McCoy, correct?" Asked Sarek. Jim nodded.
" Then you are most fortunate to have a physician as a personal friend, James." Said Sarek, acquiescing to Jim's request and calling the young man by his proper first name.
" Yeah, I'm lucky to have him as a friend" Smiled Jim before he continued." Just like I'm lucky to have your son as a friend too." He said as his eyes went to Spock for a moment, just in time to see the barest tint of green against his pale cheeks. Spock battle back his blush and lightly cleared his throat before he spoke.
" Let us begin our consumption of this meal." He said as he pushed a medium sized bowl filled with a light orange colored broth and spoke. "Jim, may I suggest that you try the Plomeek soup first. It is a simple broth that does not contain any sort of nut as an ingredient." He said, sleekly diverting attention to the meal that was laid out before them.
" Yeah, I'd like that." Said Jim as he flashed Spock a brilliant smile as reached for the ladling spoon that was already in the soup.
It was only after Jim had ladled himself a bowl of Plomeek soup that Spock started taking any food for himself. And as they set about eating, Spock was discreetly keeping an eye on Jim.
From where he sat, Sarek watched this exchange with silent curiosity. It was already clear that there was something deeper than simple friendship between his son and the young man sitting next to him. Sarek made a mental note to speak with his son later, and in private.
For now though, Sarek thought it best simply to have lunch and mingle with his son and his son's apparently more than good friend.