Chapter 31
Jim sighed and stared up at the non-descriptive ceiling above him.
"I can't believe I still have to do this".
Across from him, sitting on the other couch, Spock raised a single eyebrow, "You cannot believe why you still have to do anger management sessions after you just beat up another student?"
He groaned, annoyed, and rolled over onto his side to glare petulantly at the man, "Why do people keep bringing that up?! It was... like... ages ago!"
"It was yesterday" came the dry reply.
"Yea, well, I was a different person back then!"
"You were a different person... yesterday?" He questioned, unimpressed, and the blonde scowled at him, "Hey! You're meant to be on my side here".
"I'm meant to be on your counsellor's side" He corrected, "Which, by definition, is an unbiased third party who is not your friend, merely your guider".
"So... like... a sensei?"
The Vulcan repressed a particularly dramatic eye roll, "No, Jim, not like a 'sensei'. I am here to help you find an outlet for your anger, one that is both productive and harmless".
He gave a seductive smirk, "Oh, don't worry, I can think of a few 'productive outlets'".
Spock stared back at him stoically, and the boy flung himself back on the couch with yet another sigh, "See! You're no fun".
"You find outrageously suggestive remarks entertaining?"
"They're not outrageous" He pouted.
"Your insinuation of wanting sexual intercourse with a Vulcan whose medical history you do not know, is quite outrageous".
Jim stared at him in shock.
"... Did you seriously say 'sexual intercourse' just there?"
"Affirmative".
"... It's called sex, Spock. You can call it sleeping together, making love, fucking, whatever the hell you want, just please don't call it sexual intercourse".
He was pleasantly surprised when the alien's ears tinged green, the usually unflappable man now looking decidedly uncomfortable.
The blonde sat up with interest, "Are you... Are you embarrassed, Spock?"
"... I do not feel-"
"Bullshit".
The Vulcan blinked in surprise at how similar the boy sounded like Leonard.
And now Jim was grinning.
"Oh my god, you are. You can say 'sexual intercourse' with a straight face but you can't say sex?"
"... This is not the appropriate-"
"Unless, of course, you actually haven't-"
"Jim, this is really not-"
"Which is totally cool too you know-"
"I am not going to-"
"I could teach you about-"
"Jim!"
"Yes?"
Spock stared at him, cheeks flushed green and breathing annoyingly having increased.
In front of him, Jim stared back silently, completely unfazed but highly intrigued.
Perhaps a change of topic was required.
"Have you chosen your electives yet?"
"I've only been here one week".
"And yet look at all the trouble you've caused.
The blonde's eyes narrowed, "... Touché".
"I still maintain you should join Astrophysics and Steller Cartography".
"... I'll think about it".
Spock nodded, skin returning to it's usual colour now that they were outside of dangerous territory...
"I still don't understand why you won't flirt back though".
... Or maybe not.
"It is not appropriate".
"As my counsellor?"
"That is... one of the reasons".
Jim frowned, "Then what about as my friend?"
"I was unaware that friends flirted with each other".
"My friends do".
Spock studied him carefully, studied his eager, curious expression and his wide, confused eyes, and couldn't help but tell the truth.
"Because I wouldn't be able to stop".
The blonde blinked.
"Because... Because you... you... because you what?"
"Because I won't be able to stop" Spock repeated, "I... am not a very physical person, Jim, but that does not mean I am not affectionate".
"... Meaning you actually can flirt?"
"Yes".
"Then why don't you?"
The Vulcan sighed, setting his clipboard aside because clearly this was not going to be a productive 'anger management' session.
"I do not wish to make you uncomfortable".
Jim frowned, "I highly doubt that's possible".
"I disagree".
"Try me".
Spock studied him closely before slowly straightening up, "... You're the Adonis of the Academy, made of ivory and roses. You're wonderfully handsome, finely cut, glittering hazel eyes and crisp golden hair. You have all the candour of youth and a passionate purity, made to be worshipped. You're romantic olive-coloured face interests me, a low languid voice that's absolutely fascinating. Cool, pale, flower-like delicacy, you move and speak like speak, hold an entire language of your own. I feel almost afraid of you, and I'm ashamed of being afraid. You seemed to have disclosed to me life's mystery, yet what is there to be afraid of? You are merely a school boy, a talented one, yes, but still just a boy. It's absurd to be afraid, yet I find that I cannot repress my illicit emotions, emotions that seem to slip from my grasp whenever you are near".
Silence.
"... Holy shit".
Jim sat there in a cold sweat, cheeks red, mouth open, and eyes wide.
"... Holy shit".
Spock merely blinked in response.
The boy collapsed back against the couch, "... Holy-"
"Yes, you've established that quite articulately".
"You can't... You can't just... just... just spring that on a guy" He floundered, "Holy-"
"Jim".
"... That wasn't flirting" He finally said, "That was a fucking romance novel".
"That is my version of 'flirting'".
He still felt the heat in his face, and suddenly stood up in response, walking over to the window and staring out at the cool sky beyond.
The older mutant shifted in his seat, "Did I make you... uncomfortable?"
"Well Spock, you sure as hell made me something".
"I told you it would be... unappealing to you-"
"Unappealing?" the Blonde spun around to face him, "Unappealing?! No! What, are you- are you crazy? That was... that was probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me".
"You will have to get used to it then. I warned you that you were unlocking a very deep chest".
The smug bastard looked unfazed.
Jim glowered at him, "You're going to enjoy this, aren't you?"
"Of course" Spock replied calmly, "You need to be told how beautiful you look at least once a day. It is necessary for human self-confidence".
And now his cheeks were bright red again.
"I'm not beautiful, men can't be beautiful" He mumbled, ducking his head and quickly turning back to the window.
In the reflection of the glass, he saw the Vulcan smile, "That's where you're wrong. Adonis was the god of beauty. You are quite similar".
"No, I'm not".
"I reject your statement".
"Shut up".
"You agree, then".
"No, I do not agree-"
"Jim?"
"What?!"
"You look beautiful today".