sensors | OPEN RP POST

[ spock is not entirely sure how he ended up taking four of the same classes with james t. kirk.

they are often, to use a human phrase, 'neck-and-neck' in grades, with one or the other eking in front before being overtaken again. it drives spock up the wall, to use another human phrase. he is unused to being anything less than the absolute best since arriving at the academy: he struggled to an extent in his schooling on vulcan, but by the time he left to join starfleet he had been far past the days where he felt like a disappointment.

starfleet academy has been far more diverse, far more engaging, and far more accepting. spock does not think he will ever feel fully comfortable with who and what he is but that is the nature of existing in a liminal space: he is the product of two worlds and thus will never fully belong in either. he must be resigned to that.

in the academy, he is allowed to simply be spock. not an image, not a poster child, not an experiment.

and currently, being spock is being only 3 points ahead of kirk in the grading of the class they are currently in. they have been paired together for a project, which is both an annoyance and a boon: their grades will be tied together so there is no way kirk can surpass him, but it also means he must swallow a measure of his pride to work with him.

none of this is to say he dislikes kirk: on the contrary, he finds the man fascinating. however, this does not mean it is acceptable to allow him to overtake spock academically.

they are, at the moment, seated across from one another in the library. spock has a padd in front of him on which he has taken copious notes. he is also looking at kirk with a vague air of confusion. ]

Please explain your reasoning for picking that particular topic to cover.

[ most of it's unconscious: that is, the way admiral kirk treats spock. he keeps his home a few degrees warmer than humans generally find completely comfortable, he always has vulcan teas and plenty of vegetarian options on hand, he often speaks in accented but nearly fluent vulcan when they're alone.. and he touches him. he touches him more, not less, than he does other people, in fact. usually it's a hand on his arm, or fingers brushing his shoulder, or fingers brushing fingers over a chess set, or handing him a cup, or just in passing.

it's not intentional, just the clear habit of long years together with the spock he'd known and loved. they'd been married, he'd admitted eventually, months ago, after one too many glasses of whiskey, as if it hadn't already been obvious. but it had hurt to say, hurt to think about, and he hadn't wanted to put any kind of pressure or expectation on spock. this spock and jim kirk, he'd said, had to make their own decisions about their own relationship, whatever it would or wouldn't be.

the enterprise is back for repairs, and since jim himself is back on earth after another tiresome diplomatic mission, well, it had seemed only natural to catch up with chris and the others, and then invite spock to dinner. it's not unusual for them, particularly now that jim knows spock finds it easier to talk to him, but it has been months since they've been in the same room together like this.

and now? after dinner, jim sits curled comfortably on his couch, nursing a glass of his favorite whiskey in his lap, whole body turned toward spock as he explains the particulars of his latest research project. the moment's soft and familiar and intimate-- or, rather, there are echoes of intimacy. another time, another spock. they would have been closer, even, than they are now. spock's knee would be brushing his, his fingertips sliding between jim's own, that corner of his mouth quirking the way it only ever does for jim. ]

Ashayam, I like where you're going with this, but I genuinely don't think you're going to convince Dr. Whelk to send you her data, and I'm not young enough to try batting my eyelashes at her anymore.

[ several seconds pass before he realizes what he's said, and he immediately winces, the haze of familiarity clearing up like a splash of cold water. he reaches up, pinching the bridge of his nose. ] God, I'm sorry, Spock. That was-- I don't know why I said that. [ no, that's not completely true. after the better part of a year here, it's hard not to.. feel.. things, however inappropriate they might be. ]

[ from here. ]

[ honestly, the sight of two spocks next to each other in identical parade rests, both clearly full of the vulcan version of incandescent anger, is probably kind of unsettling. doubly so when one is your first officer and the other is your romantic partner. despite their slight differences in appearance, it's still, well, uncanny.

probably worse that they've been in quiet discussion until jim turns his attention to spock, who finally, finally blinks and inclines his head slightly in acknowledgement. ]

It is fortunate that you have received treatment for your injuries in a timely manner.

[ a little stiff, though. just. just a little. ]

[ it feels as though the time between seeing one another has been too long, as it always does. but also spock has to be grateful for what they get. so many who are posted separately from their partners see each other even more rarely, months instead of weeks in person, days between messages instead of hours.

there also is the perk of surprising one another. both crews are used to seeing alternate versions of people they know by now so it really is simple to make the visit after a relatively routine mission. he arrives and passes nyota in the corridor; she gives him a look he still can't quite place and teases him for showing up windswept and ruffled and he shoots her a response that makes her laugh and pat his arm through his sleeve as she continues to her destination.

because chilly and windy but not sub-zero weather on the new m-class his current scientific surveys have been focused on has spock in his winter uniform, regulation leather jacket unzipped now that the temperature is controlled and hair mussed from the elements. free time before he has to return to his station is as good a reason as any to surprise jim in his office, and though he notes the sense of frustration and overworked annoyance from out in the halls, it just makes him more determined to make sure jim takes a break.

he knocks once before stepping into the office, letting the door swish shut behind him before he speaks. ]

I find myself with an excess of free time and desired to make best use of it by visiting you while I have the opportunity. I hope I am not interrupting your work.

[ to say spock is pleased to have jim present for this event is a vast understatement. not only it is a testament to the fact that he can be present, that they continue to be able to see one another in person despite having both thought it would only happen once, but it means that spock doesn't have to enlist the assistance of the rest of the crew for plus-one events such as these, which have never suited him well to begin with.

it means that they can get ready together in spock's temporary quarters on the station, jim looking even more dashing than usual in spock's reality's command dress uniform, and spock's hands can brush nonexistent lint off of the other man's shoulders while they stand near the door putting on final touches. ]

I admit to taking some measure of satisfaction from seeing you in this uniform.

[ low and measured but a little heavy at the edge of it, meaningful. then he takes a single step back, returning to his normal parade rest, and nods decisively. ]

The party will last until 2230, after which we will be free to spend time as we choose until you must return to your own posting.

@finalfrontiersman

points to eyes points to u

@smartass_captain

@smartass_captain

@smartass_captain