[If it weren't for the subtle change of tone Jim doesn't think most people would realize these two are full on arguing now. V'raht's doing that little nose flare thing he's noticed all Spocks do when they're pissed--maybe it's a Vulcan thing? And Spock's grip on his arm has tightened to the point where it's not yet painful but definitely borderline uncomfortable.
Goddammit, this asshole is ruining this whole event Spock's been stressing over for the last Month. V'raht finally deigns to glance at Jim in what the man can only describe as the most disdainful expression he's ever seen before fully regarding Spock once more.
A human, more intriguing than a Vulcan partner? He did not know Spock had a sense of humor.]
Of course bias towards one's original hypothesis should never stifle concrete data, however, methodology exists because it has been proven. I find it highly irregular that you would put so much stock into unproven strategies over what opportunities could be had among your own peers. It's frankly a waste of your potential--
[Jim's eyebrows lift. His jaw ticks. He's going to punch this guy--]
V'Raht, you seem to be belaboring under the pretense that this is a matter in which you will be able to change my decision. I want to inform you, before you embarrass yourself further, that you will be unable.
[ it's spoken firmly on the immediate tail end of the othe vulcan's statement. spock shifts his weight almost imperceptibly, edging between v'raht and jim because he can feel the particular brand of tension emanating off of jim and wants to circumvent it. better to prevent a scene, to get in the way, remind everyone that things are taken care of— ]
Allow me to clarify. I find it surprising that you would debase yourself in such a way when you have proven your ability to rise above your status among our peers. Perhaps you are more like your father than you would like to admit.
[ the silence is deafening but only for a split-second, the time it takes for spock to take a single step forward and punch v'raht so hard in the face that he stumbles. in the shocked silence, this one lingering, in the after math, spock speaks. his voice is steady and even and carries. ]
While Ambassador Sarek and I rarely agree, I will note that your persistence in pursuing me beyond all reason proves his 'unproven strategy' of bonding with my mother to have viable, desired results. In light of this, I find a comparison to him unobjectionable. In fact, you may say what you like about me. It matters little, if any. However, I object to your commentary that partnering with a human, be the case my father with my mother or myself with my partner, is a debasement. It also heavily implies that you view partnering with me to be a debasement of yourself. I assure you this is not the case, as you were not the one 'slumming it,' as I have heard it put, in our arrangement.
[ this is probably about when they should go. or at least leave the room so spock can cool off. so they can both cool off? so someone can cool off. ]
[It's there in that brief second before Jim thinks 'I'm going to deck this bastard--'. A flicker of understanding and empathy and...agreement? Jim has the thought and Spock is already striding forward with a single blow that judders through the room. Jim counts the seconds going by when all that can be heard are sharp intakes of breath and concerned murmurs.
He blinks twice. Well. Jim didn't get to punch the bastard, but Spock's handled it for him. He turns on his heel and shoots Spock a glance over his shoulder.]
I think I need some fresh air. Walk with me?
[Feels real stupid he was even Jealous of this jackass the way Spock talks about him now. Seems hottie hot Vulcan was barely more than tepid past the body department.]
Indeed, stepping out briefly would be preferable to our current arrangement.
[ because as soon as jim is moving, so is spock. he falls into step next to jim, the picture of calm again, hands clasped behind him as they walk. it isn't until they're out in the carefully-tended gardens edging the venue that spock speaks, his voice low. ]
I apologize. I was unaware that V'Raht would make his presence so unavoidable. I erroneously assumed he would be intelligent enough to 'read the room,' as I have heard it described, and not realizing that he would make a point to do the opposite is my failing.
[Jim doesn't expect him to be hurt and it's not what he Wants to say, but until they're out somewhere private he doesn't feel like talking about it. An unease that doesn't entirely feel contained to him but that Jim doesn't fight either. Spock's fine. They're fine.
And the gardens are nice enough. Sigh.]
He wouldn't have gotten so haughty if I hadn't butted in, probably.
[Jim says. He lifts a hand to rub at the back of his neck.]
[ quiet, still low, and back to the calm warmth that spock holds for jim whenever they speak.
as for the rest of what jim says once they're alone, spock's brows briefly knit together before he turns toward the older man, his hand settling at his waist in a way at least a little proprietary. ]
His inability to honor the parameters set for him previously and subsequent inability to control his emotions and reactions are not something you are at fault for, Jim. To be blunt, it is not your problem that he could not handle rejection. [ a beat, and then: ] Even before the Montgomeries Scott were able to ensure the ability to physically inhabit the same space again, I was extremely clear with him that he was nothing more than a brief— [ what word to use? ] —Distraction.
[ from the palpable misery he'd been in knowing the person who shared his soul would be impossible to have. ]
I am aware that may reflect badly on me. I did not handle our separation well after we met in person.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Goddammit, this asshole is ruining this whole event Spock's been stressing over for the last Month. V'raht finally deigns to glance at Jim in what the man can only describe as the most disdainful expression he's ever seen before fully regarding Spock once more.
A human, more intriguing than a Vulcan partner? He did not know Spock had a sense of humor.]
Of course bias towards one's original hypothesis should never stifle concrete data, however, methodology exists because it has been proven. I find it highly irregular that you would put so much stock into unproven strategies over what opportunities could be had among your own peers. It's frankly a waste of your potential--
[Jim's eyebrows lift. His jaw ticks. He's going to punch this guy--]
no subject
[ it's spoken firmly on the immediate tail end of the othe vulcan's statement. spock shifts his weight almost imperceptibly, edging between v'raht and jim because he can feel the particular brand of tension emanating off of jim and wants to circumvent it. better to prevent a scene, to get in the way, remind everyone that things are taken care of— ]
Allow me to clarify. I find it surprising that you would debase yourself in such a way when you have proven your ability to rise above your status among our peers. Perhaps you are more like your father than you would like to admit.
[ the silence is deafening but only for a split-second, the time it takes for spock to take a single step forward and punch v'raht so hard in the face that he stumbles. in the shocked silence, this one lingering, in the after math, spock speaks. his voice is steady and even and carries. ]
While Ambassador Sarek and I rarely agree, I will note that your persistence in pursuing me beyond all reason proves his 'unproven strategy' of bonding with my mother to have viable, desired results. In light of this, I find a comparison to him unobjectionable. In fact, you may say what you like about me. It matters little, if any. However, I object to your commentary that partnering with a human, be the case my father with my mother or myself with my partner, is a debasement. It also heavily implies that you view partnering with me to be a debasement of yourself. I assure you this is not the case, as you were not the one 'slumming it,' as I have heard it put, in our arrangement.
[ this is probably about when they should go. or at least leave the room so spock can cool off. so they can both cool off? so someone can cool off. ]
no subject
He blinks twice. Well. Jim didn't get to punch the bastard, but Spock's handled it for him. He turns on his heel and shoots Spock a glance over his shoulder.]
I think I need some fresh air. Walk with me?
[Feels real stupid he was even Jealous of this jackass the way Spock talks about him now. Seems hottie hot Vulcan was barely more than tepid past the body department.]
no subject
[ because as soon as jim is moving, so is spock. he falls into step next to jim, the picture of calm again, hands clasped behind him as they walk. it isn't until they're out in the carefully-tended gardens edging the venue that spock speaks, his voice low. ]
I apologize. I was unaware that V'Raht would make his presence so unavoidable. I erroneously assumed he would be intelligent enough to 'read the room,' as I have heard it described, and not realizing that he would make a point to do the opposite is my failing.
no subject
[Jim doesn't expect him to be hurt and it's not what he Wants to say, but until they're out somewhere private he doesn't feel like talking about it. An unease that doesn't entirely feel contained to him but that Jim doesn't fight either. Spock's fine. They're fine.
And the gardens are nice enough. Sigh.]
He wouldn't have gotten so haughty if I hadn't butted in, probably.
[Jim says. He lifts a hand to rub at the back of his neck.]
So. That's on me, too.
no subject
[ quiet, still low, and back to the calm warmth that spock holds for jim whenever they speak.
as for the rest of what jim says once they're alone, spock's brows briefly knit together before he turns toward the older man, his hand settling at his waist in a way at least a little proprietary. ]
His inability to honor the parameters set for him previously and subsequent inability to control his emotions and reactions are not something you are at fault for, Jim. To be blunt, it is not your problem that he could not handle rejection. [ a beat, and then: ] Even before the Montgomeries Scott were able to ensure the ability to physically inhabit the same space again, I was extremely clear with him that he was nothing more than a brief— [ what word to use? ] —Distraction.
[ from the palpable misery he'd been in knowing the person who shared his soul would be impossible to have. ]
I am aware that may reflect badly on me. I did not handle our separation well after we met in person.