Stay

Summary: Spock doesn't usually stick around to cuddle afterwards, but this time Jim's determined to make him stay.

Spock made to roll away, but Jim's arm caught him around his waist and pulled him back.

"Where do you think you're going?" Jim demanded fuzzily, his head still swimming somewhere by the ceiling.

Spock gently disentangled himself, then sighed through his nose when both arms returned and wrapped around him instantly. "Jim, I do not understand," he responded, sitting up. Jim hung on like a baby possum, his head resting against Spock's waist stubbornly.

"What don't you understand?" Jim tightened his grip. After the first night, Spock had never once stayed in bed afterwards. Sometimes he would shower, then work at the console late into the night. Sometimes he would skip the shower and simply take up his PADD, the soft tapping of his stylus lulling Jim to sleep. Other times he would leave to take care of business or meditate in the corner.

But not once had he ever stayed in bed the whole night.

It didn't exactly bother Jim, not in an unpleasant way, but it made him feel self-conscious somehow. He knew a bit about the whole Vulcan touch thing; he was committed to one now, after all. But he figured that there was something else that Spock wasn't telling him, and damn it, he was going to find out now.

"I do not understand your fixation on this aspect of my behavior," Spock explained.

"Because it's weird, that's why. Why don't you ever stay in bed in me?" Jim wasn't pouting, he wasn't, but he knew well what kind of results he could get by making the face he was making now.

Spock immediately diverted his gaze and Jim felt his expression mutate into a glower. Damn intellectual Vulcan.

"It is not customary in Vulcan culture to remain in bed when not fatigued," Spock answered carefully. Jim didn't fall for it. He could be smart about these things too, when he wanted to be.

"What, so it's because you're not tired?" That wasn't exactly what Jim had been expecting, and he took it almost personally. "What kind of stamina do you have, man?!" He was personally running low on fuel, but knowing that Spock wasn't even...after what they had just….that was almost insulting, that was.

Spock glanced at him warily, as if sensing his sudden change in mood. "Jim, you must know that our physical aptitudes are distinctly...defined."

"Am I too fast or something?" Jim demanded loudly.

Spock visibly winced. "That is not what I meant to imply."

Suddenly Jim wasn't feeling so tired anymore. "You know what, let's go again. 'Not fatigued,' my ass." Perhaps that wasn't the best wording, but he was too peeved to give it much thought.

Spock considered him for a long moment, perhaps regretting getting into the topic at all. Or maybe he was seriously considering a second round. Jim wasn't sure which he preferred at this point.

"Do you truly wish to know?"

"Of course I do!"

Spock looked almost embarrassed, and damn it if Jim wasn't dead curious now. "It is not a slight against you, Jim, you must know that. If anything, it is a compliment to your...assets."

"You sure it's not just my ass?" Jim said, half jokingly.

Then Spock turned green.

Jim stared. "No."

"That is not-"

"Oh my God, I get it now."

"No, Jim-"

"You're afraid to stay in bed because I'm too tempting or something?!"

"I am not afraid," Spock said, almost petulantly. "I am merely concerned for your well being."

Jim pulled him down and kissed him. A hot, messy kiss that was more noise and fanfare than anything. Spock looked properly disgruntled and unsatisfied by the time Jim released him, smirking as he settled back onto the bed. "How's that for tempting?"

Spock made a noncommittal grunt and lowered himself onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow and leaning down over Jim again.

"I could kiss you," Jim declared breathlessly, when Spock pulled back to let him breathe, "for the rest of my life."

"That would be most illogical." Spock decided he had given Jim enough air and leaned back in to recapture his lips. "However, I do not find myself completely opposed to it," he admitted, when they next broke apart.

Jim grinned. "Am I a bad influence on you, Mr. Spock ?"

"A most terrible influence, Captain," Spock agreed gravely, the corner of his mouth twitching suspiciously. Jim kissed it impulsively and was sure this time that it tilted upwards beneath his mouth.

"I'll have to change your mind about that," he murmured.

"I have been told that I can be very stubborn."

"I'm very persuasive," Jim assured him wickedly. "But don't worry, I'll behave myself." His hand rested on Spock's hip possessively. So stay.

"Is that an order?" Spock breathed against his mouth.

"It's whatever you want it to be." Jim shifted until he was on his side, the sheets rustling as he nudged his thigh between Spock's legs. He took Spock's growl as he rolled on top of Jim as resounding consent.