kirk/spock - traditions - 1/1
title: traditions (or, he five christmas traditions that jim had to explain to spock, and the one spock figured out from somebody else)
author: foreverflicker
fandom: star trek
pairing(s): kirk/spock
rating: pg (for swearing)
genre: fluff
disclaimer: First off, I do not own James T. Kirk or Spock or any other persons mentioned; they are all created by the fabulous Gene Roddenberry. Secondly, no profit was made off of this piece of work. And, lastly, it’s fiction. All of this was created from my mind.
summary: spock's always curious.
note(s): thank you, psychovmhpgrl77 for doing a quick beta on this last night! i appreciate it very much! any other mistakes are mine.
i. christmas tree
It was two years into their mission, and the Enterprise was stuck in space for Christmas. For most, it was a tragedy, but for others - like Jim Kirk - it didn't really bother him. He would actually prefer to stay on his baby instead of going home and dealing with a mother who, even though she swore she loved him, still couldn't look him in the eye after twenty-seven years. So, Jim was going to relish in having Christmas up in space, but it didn't really mean that others would.
So, when Uhura came up with the idea to have a Christmas party, Jim wasn't going to say no. It would be, he reasoned, good for his crew to celebrate Christmas together. They were - to Jim at least - a family. Not the traditional family by far, but a family none the less, and he was sure that others felt that way as well. Having this Christmas party might make them realize that, even though they aren't with their family, they still had others that they could call 'family'.
Though, apparently when he agreed to allow this Christmas bash to go on, it meant that he had to help set up decorations. So, here he was setting up the Christmas tree in one of the rec rooms on the Enterprise. Jim wasn't sure how Uhura got it, and he wasn't willing to really find out since he wasn't sure how legal her methods were. He was moving around the tree setting up the lights - again, where they came from, he wasn't too sure - when Spock came into the rec room.
"Captain?" he called out, and Jim popped his head out from behind the tree.
"Yes, Mr. Spock?" he asked, moving around the tree so that he was no in front of it and could face his first officer. The half-Vulcan’s head was cocked to the side just slightly, eyes studying the tree.
"That is an evergreen coniferous tree, is it not?"
Jim smiled. "It’s a Christmas tree, Spock."
A little furrow to the brow. "That is -"
"A Christmas tree is what we humans call it, Spock. Well, usually we call it a pine tree, but since we're decorating for Christmas, it is called a Christmas tree," Jim explained, looking away from Spock and returning to his lights. He was almost to the top -
"A Christmas tree?"
Jim turned back to Spock. "Yes, a Christmas tree. It is a Christmas tradition to take a pine tree - artificial or real - and decorated with lights, little nick knacks, ornaments and art projects you made as a kid," Jim explained farther as he began moving around the tree, taking the last end of the lights and resting them at the top of the tree. "You also put a angel or a star at the top of the tree."
This had Spock quiet - pondering, Jim assumed - as Jim configured all the cords, making sure they were all hooked up right before plugging it into a power source. The tree lit up with bright lights - blue, reds, yellows, greens, and Jim smiled, placing his hands on his hips and admiring his handing work. He looked at Spock. "What do ya think? She’s not finished, gotta put the ornaments on, but still looks good, doesn't it?"
Spock gave a slight nod of his head. "Excellent work, Captain."
ii. stockings
When Jim finished the tree he had been decorating, with the help of Spock who found every single ornament to be “interesting” or “fascinating”, Jim moved on to his next task - hanging stockings.
Of course, the rec room didn’t have a fireplace in which to hang them - or at least, some form of a fireplace - so Jim had to resort to hanging them on the wall close to the Christmas tree.
Once again, Spock’s curiosity got the best of him.
“Captain, may I inquire about something?” Spock replied in his all too monotone of a voice as Jim positioned the first stocking on the wall.
“Go ahead, Spock, and it’s Jim. We’re not on duty, and we’re hanging up Christmas decorations for crying out loud. I think it is safe for you to call me Jim,” he explained, grabbing another stocking and positioning it a few inches away from the other one.
“Very well, Jim,” Spock responded as Jim eyed the stockings, making sure they were lined up. He wasn’t a perfectionist by any means, that’s for sure, but he didn’t want them to look fucked up at the same time. “Why are you hanging those large, over-grown socks on the wall?”
“They are called stockings, Spock.”
“Stockings are not-”
“Christmas stockings, that’s what they are,” Jim quickly answered, not needing to hear an explanation about how they weren’t actually stockings that stockings were - well, whatever stockings really were. “Usually, they are hung by the fireplace or something akin to it, and on Christmas morning, you wake up to find little toys and chocolates stuffed inside of them,” the blonde explained, finally sticking the second stocking on the wall. He backed away and measured the two of them.
“The left one is a little higher than the right one, Jim,” Spock stated, and Jim turned to face him. “Approximately two point five centimeters higher.”
“Bullshit. They are perfect,” he stated, but Spock’s eyes went a little harder in a look that said “I’m right, you’re wrong, don’t mess with me” and Jim’s face fell a little more, and he sighed. “Okay, okay, I’m fixing it,” Jim mumbled and moved to fix the stocking.
At least Spock wasn’t arguing with him about how “illogical” stockings were.
iii. santa & his reindeer
“Reindeer do not fly. It is illogical for a creature who does not have wings to fly.”
They had moved from the stockings - it had taken them twenty minutes to put up four stockings (Spock wouldn’t just hang them up himself, no, he had to make Jim do it, even though he wasn’t aligning them up right). They were now decorating the rec room with little knick-knacks and such.
Of course, when Spock started to notice the trend of reindeer and a fat guy in a red suit, he started to question why there were so many of them. So, Jim explained -
“That fat guy in the red suit with the white beard is Santa,” he explained, pointing to the old man in the figuring that Spock was holding carefully in his hands. “He’s the guy who lives up at the North Pole, and with the help of his elves - little guys who have pointy ears just like you-” Spock quirked an eyebrow at this statement “-he creates toys for all the good boys and girls around the world. Then, on Christmas eve he loads up his sleigh with all the toys the elves built, and him and his reindeer - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, and sometimes, Rudolph-” as Jim said all the reindeer names, he pointed to the corresponding reindeer “-fly around the world and drop off all the toys to the boys and girls.”
Jim looked at Spock as the half-Vulcan continued to study the statue. It was then when he brought up the reindeer and how they couldn’t fly.
“Spock, it’s made up,” Jim replied with a small sigh, taking the figurine away from his first officer, whose head snapped up.
“Reindeer are not “made up”, Jim. The creature, more commonly known as a caribou, does exist,” Spock said as Jim placed the figurine on one of the tables.
Jim nodded. “I know, Spock. I’m saying the fact that they fly, and that they have red, light up noses, and Santa are all made up things that are told to kids when they are little.”
“All of it?” Jim nodded. “Fascinating.”
Jim turned and looked at Spock, confusion now on his face instead of the half-Vulcan’s. “Fascinating?”
“Yes,” Spock replied. “It is fascinating that humans create a human being who does not exist, along with creatures with additional capabilities to amuse young children. It is quite illogical to teach children about things that do not exist.”
Jim grinned. “As you have said numerous times before Mr. Spock, we are an illogical species.”
The corner of Spock’s lip quirked up, and Jim felt his heart flutter just a bit. “True. Illogical, but fascinating.”
Jim would take that.
iv. christmas cookies
“So, can you do it, Scotty?”
If there was one thing Jim wanted there to be at the Christmas party - besides eggnog and other sources of alcohol - it was Christmas cookies. When he was kid, and would spend Christmas at his grandparents house because his mom was off planet (something that happened a lot, especially at the holidays), him and Sam would bake Christmas cookies with his grandma. It was something he never stopped loving, though now, he would have to suffice with replicated Christmas cookies. That’s if Scotty could work the replicator to make them Christmas cookies.
“I’m not a miracle worker, Capt’in, but I can do my best. Might not be the best tastin’ cookies you’ve ever had, but they’ll be Christmas cookies none the less,” Scotty explained.
Jim smiled and slapped a hand down on to the Scot’s shoulder. “Whatever you can do, Scotty. Just as long as we’ve got some good old fashion Christmas cookies,” Jim finished, giving the man’s shoulder a squeeze before turning and walking away, only to come face to face with his half-Vulcan first officer, a PADD in his hand.
“Christmas cookies?”
Jim smiled. “Yes, Christmas cookies Spock,” he answered as he began walking, Spock quickly falling into step next to him.
“Another one of these ‘Christmas traditions’ you’ve been speaking of?”
Jim chuckled. “Yep.” he paused and studied Spock for a moment. “You do know what cookies are, don’t you?”
Spock turned to Jim and gave him a look that Jim knew all too well. It was that “do you seriously think I’m that stupid” look that Jim got when he asked Spock a slightly stupid question, like the one he just asked. “Of course. They are a small, flat-baked treat, containing ingredients such as-”
“Okay Spock,” Jim interrupted the half-Vulcan, who looked a little irritated at being stopped mid-sentence, but that’s only because Jim knew when Spock was irritated. To others, he still was as expressionless as ever. “I don’t need a run down on cookies.”
Spock nodded his head once. “Very well. May I inquire as to what “Christmas cookies” are though, Captain? As you know, I have knowledge on what them, but I must admit that I am not familiar with “Christmas cookies”,” Spock explained, and Jim couldn’t hold back the smile. Hearing Spock say cookie was just too funny not to chuckle at.
“Christmas cookies are just cookies, but they are cut into the shape of Christmas items, like presents, snowmen, Christmas tree, stockings, reindeer and Santa. And, they are decorated with red, green and white frosting and sprinkles or whatever small candies people wanna put on them,” Jim explained, and he stopped to take in Spock, who stopped immediately after he did. “See? Not different from regular cookies, really. Just shaped different.”
Spock gave a slight twitch of his lips, which made Jim smile - he got it.
v. christmas carols
Even though this was all Uhura’s idea, it seemed that Jim was getting stuck with a good amount of the planning. Not that he really minded, actually. It gave him something to do since for once nothing interesting was going on (it was a shock for the whole crew, Jim was sure since the Enterprise always seemed to get into some sort of trouble). So, after getting the tree up, and the rest of the decorations settled, and getting Scotty to work on the replicator, Jim was now working on finding Christmas carols in the computer banks.
He was sure that most people on the Enterprise could start singing a Christmas carol without the music, but he wasn’t too sure how many of them could actually sing. So, Jim wanted to save his eardrums - and Spock’s since he was the one with sensitive hearing - from getting too abused.
The sound of a buzz rang through Jim’s ears, but without looking away from the computer, he called, “come in!”
The door opened with a “whoosh”, and Jim looked out the corner of his eye to see Spock entering the room. “Captain,” his first officer greeted, and Jim nodded, eyes still glued onto the computer screen.
“Spock. What can I do for you?”
Spock must have replied to his answer, but Jim had been too lost in his search to hear him. It was only when he heard a firmer “Captain,” spill from Spock’s lips that he turned around. “Eh, sorry Spock,” he replied, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. “Just got a little lost in what I was looking for. What was it that you needed? Also, it’s Jim, Spock. I know you’re on duty, but I’m not. So, call me Jim,” he explained again (sometimes, Jim felt like a broken record).
The half-Vulcan looked at him, gaze never wavering. “May I inquire as to what has captured your attention to the point where you have failed to hear me speak, even after you questioned why I come into your quarters?”
“I was searching the data banks for Christmas carols,” Jim replied, and if Spock could show irritation or something akin to it, Jim was sure he would be showing it now.
“Another one of these “Christmas traditions”?”
Jim nodded. “Yep. Usually, around Christmas time, people will start listening to Christmas music, or carols, to get them in the spirit of Christmas.”
Spock titled his head in a slight nod. “I see. What do these “Christmas carols” consist of?”
Jim leaned back in his chair. “Usually, they talk about the winter season, Santa, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, all that good stuff.”
Spock raised an eyebrow. “‘Frosty the Snowman’, Jim?”
A chuckle escaped Jim’s lips. “A story for next time, Spock. Now, what was it that you needed to see me about?”
I. mistletoe
After two days of decorating, searching, and fixing, it was finally time for the big party. Of course, the entire crew was there - well, not the entire crew since some of them did have to run the Enterprise, but the crew that wasn’t on duty at this very moment. somehow, that included six of Jim’s favorite people - Bones, Uhura, Scotty, Sulu, Chekov, and of course, Spock.
Jim watched from his spot against the wall as Bones and Scotty were having a eggnog drinking contest, which Jim knew would end with Scotty wining because Jim didn’t know anybody - not even himself - who could out drink Scotty. Though, Bones was trying - failing, but trying nonetheless; while Sulu and Chekov and a good number of other crewmembers watched intensely, cheering their ‘team’ on. Jim grinned, sipping some of his own eggnog as he wondered if he should get in on the sport - or the betting that was most likely occurring.
(
Jim turned his gaze away from the drinking contest, and soon found himself gazing at Uhura, who was chatting with Nurse Chapel, and a few other women crewmembers. Jim couldn’t hear what they were discussing - they could discussing the latest gossip for all Jim knew - but, they were smiling and looked to be having a good time, which is of course was what Jim wanted.
“Jim.”
Jim turned his gaze away from the group of women, and to Spock, who was standing in front of him, and slightly off to the side. He smiled at the half-Vulcan, and brought his glass to his lips, taking a sip before speaking. “Spock. Enjoying the party?”
“It is,” Spock paused, “satisfactory.”
Jim just smiled. “Good. I’m glad.”
For a moment, the two became silent. Jim let his gaze sweep around the rec room, taking in the sight of his crewmembers smiling faces, while remembering the ones that were lost over the past year, and couldn’t be here. It was bittersweet.
“Jim,” Spock called out again, his voice a little softer than usual. Automatically, Jim turned to him.
“Yes, Spock?”
There was a silence, and Jim was about to question Spock again, getting a little anxious by slow reply from Spock. Usually, Spock replied with easy when Jim asked a question - no pause, no break. He had an answer right away. Now, he was hesitating - even if Jim couldn’t see it, he just knew the male was hesitating. It was strange.
“Spock-” but that was all Jim was able to get out before Spock placed a hand on Jim’s hip, and pulled him close. Jim felt his breath catch in his throat just before Spock’s lips descended upon his.
The half-Vulcan’s lips were hot, almost scorching against Jim’s cooler, slightly chapped lips. They were also tentative, almost shy against his own, moving ever so slowly and tantalizing against Jim’s. But, quick enough, a tongue probed his lips and without hesitation, Jim allowed his tongue entrance. Spock’s tongue slipped into Jim’s mouth, and slid against Jim’s, and if it was possible, Spock’s tongue was even hotter than his mouth. The heat spread through Jim’s body, and a small moan escaped his lips.
The kiss lasted for only a split second more before Spock pulled away, causing Jim to shiver at the lost of heat. Jim looked up at Spock, who was standing there, in front of Jim, looking the same as he always did - back straight, face expressionless. While, on the other hand, Jim’s cheeks were flushed a light pink and his breathing was a little harder than natural.
“What-”
“Mistletoe,” Spock replied, and if Jim weren’t so light-headed from the kiss, he would have probably understood what Spock was talking about. But he wasn’t, and Spock seemed to notice because, silently, he raised his head and looked up at the ceiling above them. Jim followed suit, and there it was - mistletoe, hanging above Jim’s head. He looked back at Spock, who lowered his head as well.
“How did you know?”
“Uhura,” he stated matter-of-factly. “I had come into the recreation room seeking you to sign off on my report, and I noticed that she was hanging it up. I inquired as to what it was, and she happily explained to me the tradition.” Spock stopped and looked at Jim, a hint of disappointment in his eyes, something that if Jim wasn’t standing so close to him, he might have missed. “Did I not initiate the correct action?”
Jim shook his head quickly, looking down to the floor. “No, no, you did,” he replied softly, feeling his heart breaking just a little as he pulled away from Spock, creating some distance between the two. He had hoped that, maybe Spock had kissed him because he actually liked him and wanted to kiss him, not because of some stupid Christmas tradition his ex-girlfriend had filled him in on.
“You look upset,” Spock stated, and Jim looked up at him.
Jim let a fake smile pull at his lips. “Upset? No, just a little. . .shocked, that’s all,” he answered before letting out a sigh. “Well, I think I’m gonna head off to bed, Spock. Watch over-” once again, Jim was cut off by Spock pulling him against him and placing lips upon his.
The kiss was shorter, but nonetheless as hot as the first time around, and when Spock finally pulled away, Jim felt that coldness he had felt before. A little more heartbreak, if that was possible, too.
“I think Uhura forgot to tell you that you only do it once,” Jim stated, blue eyes staring directly into brown ones.
“No, she explained that portion to me.”
Jim’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Then, why did you-”
“To prove to you that I did not just kiss you because it was “tradition”,” Spock replied, and Jim felt his heart begin to beat rapidly against his ribcage. “I kissed you because I have feelings for you, Jim. Deep feelings that I have never experienced with anyone previous to meeting you.”
Jim felt his breath catch in his throat. Spock, he. . .he felt the same way about Jim? It was crazy, and Jim wasn’t sure he could believe it, but at the same time, he knew this was real. Spock, him, the Enterprise - it was all real.
The silence Jim was giving Spock seemed to be giving Spock the wrong idea because soon, he was slowly backing away from Jim, once again returning to his stoic and emotionless expression. “I apologize, Jim. I did not take into consideration that you would not feel the same way that I do,” Spock responded, pulling Jim out of his trance.
“No!” he quickly cried, making Spock tilt his head slightly in confusion. “I mean, no, you didn’t get it wrong. I do have feelings for you Spock. I was - am - a little shocked that’s all,” Jim explained, looking up at Spock, before he realized something else. “Wait, so if you didn’t need a reason to kiss me, why did you kiss me under the mistletoe.”
The corner of Spock’s lip turned up, sending a warmth flowing through Jim’s heart because it was Jim who was causing that reaction. The half-Vulcan leaned forward. “It’s tradition,” he whispered, his breath tickling Jim’s lips.
For a moment, Jim wondered if Spock actually knew all the traditions he had asked about, that he had only done it so he could be around Jim, and spend time with Jim. The thought made Jim’s heart swell just a little bit and he smiled before leaning forward and capturing Spock’s lips in another kiss, ignoring the whispers he could already hear going around the rec room.
author: foreverflicker
fandom: star trek
pairing(s): kirk/spock
rating: pg (for swearing)
genre: fluff
disclaimer: First off, I do not own James T. Kirk or Spock or any other persons mentioned; they are all created by the fabulous Gene Roddenberry. Secondly, no profit was made off of this piece of work. And, lastly, it’s fiction. All of this was created from my mind.
summary: spock's always curious.
note(s): thank you, psychovmhpgrl77 for doing a quick beta on this last night! i appreciate it very much! any other mistakes are mine.
i. christmas tree
It was two years into their mission, and the Enterprise was stuck in space for Christmas. For most, it was a tragedy, but for others - like Jim Kirk - it didn't really bother him. He would actually prefer to stay on his baby instead of going home and dealing with a mother who, even though she swore she loved him, still couldn't look him in the eye after twenty-seven years. So, Jim was going to relish in having Christmas up in space, but it didn't really mean that others would.
So, when Uhura came up with the idea to have a Christmas party, Jim wasn't going to say no. It would be, he reasoned, good for his crew to celebrate Christmas together. They were - to Jim at least - a family. Not the traditional family by far, but a family none the less, and he was sure that others felt that way as well. Having this Christmas party might make them realize that, even though they aren't with their family, they still had others that they could call 'family'.
Though, apparently when he agreed to allow this Christmas bash to go on, it meant that he had to help set up decorations. So, here he was setting up the Christmas tree in one of the rec rooms on the Enterprise. Jim wasn't sure how Uhura got it, and he wasn't willing to really find out since he wasn't sure how legal her methods were. He was moving around the tree setting up the lights - again, where they came from, he wasn't too sure - when Spock came into the rec room.
"Captain?" he called out, and Jim popped his head out from behind the tree.
"Yes, Mr. Spock?" he asked, moving around the tree so that he was no in front of it and could face his first officer. The half-Vulcan’s head was cocked to the side just slightly, eyes studying the tree.
"That is an evergreen coniferous tree, is it not?"
Jim smiled. "It’s a Christmas tree, Spock."
A little furrow to the brow. "That is -"
"A Christmas tree is what we humans call it, Spock. Well, usually we call it a pine tree, but since we're decorating for Christmas, it is called a Christmas tree," Jim explained, looking away from Spock and returning to his lights. He was almost to the top -
"A Christmas tree?"
Jim turned back to Spock. "Yes, a Christmas tree. It is a Christmas tradition to take a pine tree - artificial or real - and decorated with lights, little nick knacks, ornaments and art projects you made as a kid," Jim explained farther as he began moving around the tree, taking the last end of the lights and resting them at the top of the tree. "You also put a angel or a star at the top of the tree."
This had Spock quiet - pondering, Jim assumed - as Jim configured all the cords, making sure they were all hooked up right before plugging it into a power source. The tree lit up with bright lights - blue, reds, yellows, greens, and Jim smiled, placing his hands on his hips and admiring his handing work. He looked at Spock. "What do ya think? She’s not finished, gotta put the ornaments on, but still looks good, doesn't it?"
Spock gave a slight nod of his head. "Excellent work, Captain."
ii. stockings
When Jim finished the tree he had been decorating, with the help of Spock who found every single ornament to be “interesting” or “fascinating”, Jim moved on to his next task - hanging stockings.
Of course, the rec room didn’t have a fireplace in which to hang them - or at least, some form of a fireplace - so Jim had to resort to hanging them on the wall close to the Christmas tree.
Once again, Spock’s curiosity got the best of him.
“Captain, may I inquire about something?” Spock replied in his all too monotone of a voice as Jim positioned the first stocking on the wall.
“Go ahead, Spock, and it’s Jim. We’re not on duty, and we’re hanging up Christmas decorations for crying out loud. I think it is safe for you to call me Jim,” he explained, grabbing another stocking and positioning it a few inches away from the other one.
“Very well, Jim,” Spock responded as Jim eyed the stockings, making sure they were lined up. He wasn’t a perfectionist by any means, that’s for sure, but he didn’t want them to look fucked up at the same time. “Why are you hanging those large, over-grown socks on the wall?”
“They are called stockings, Spock.”
“Stockings are not-”
“Christmas stockings, that’s what they are,” Jim quickly answered, not needing to hear an explanation about how they weren’t actually stockings that stockings were - well, whatever stockings really were. “Usually, they are hung by the fireplace or something akin to it, and on Christmas morning, you wake up to find little toys and chocolates stuffed inside of them,” the blonde explained, finally sticking the second stocking on the wall. He backed away and measured the two of them.
“The left one is a little higher than the right one, Jim,” Spock stated, and Jim turned to face him. “Approximately two point five centimeters higher.”
“Bullshit. They are perfect,” he stated, but Spock’s eyes went a little harder in a look that said “I’m right, you’re wrong, don’t mess with me” and Jim’s face fell a little more, and he sighed. “Okay, okay, I’m fixing it,” Jim mumbled and moved to fix the stocking.
At least Spock wasn’t arguing with him about how “illogical” stockings were.
iii. santa & his reindeer
“Reindeer do not fly. It is illogical for a creature who does not have wings to fly.”
They had moved from the stockings - it had taken them twenty minutes to put up four stockings (Spock wouldn’t just hang them up himself, no, he had to make Jim do it, even though he wasn’t aligning them up right). They were now decorating the rec room with little knick-knacks and such.
Of course, when Spock started to notice the trend of reindeer and a fat guy in a red suit, he started to question why there were so many of them. So, Jim explained -
“That fat guy in the red suit with the white beard is Santa,” he explained, pointing to the old man in the figuring that Spock was holding carefully in his hands. “He’s the guy who lives up at the North Pole, and with the help of his elves - little guys who have pointy ears just like you-” Spock quirked an eyebrow at this statement “-he creates toys for all the good boys and girls around the world. Then, on Christmas eve he loads up his sleigh with all the toys the elves built, and him and his reindeer - Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, and sometimes, Rudolph-” as Jim said all the reindeer names, he pointed to the corresponding reindeer “-fly around the world and drop off all the toys to the boys and girls.”
Jim looked at Spock as the half-Vulcan continued to study the statue. It was then when he brought up the reindeer and how they couldn’t fly.
“Spock, it’s made up,” Jim replied with a small sigh, taking the figurine away from his first officer, whose head snapped up.
“Reindeer are not “made up”, Jim. The creature, more commonly known as a caribou, does exist,” Spock said as Jim placed the figurine on one of the tables.
Jim nodded. “I know, Spock. I’m saying the fact that they fly, and that they have red, light up noses, and Santa are all made up things that are told to kids when they are little.”
“All of it?” Jim nodded. “Fascinating.”
Jim turned and looked at Spock, confusion now on his face instead of the half-Vulcan’s. “Fascinating?”
“Yes,” Spock replied. “It is fascinating that humans create a human being who does not exist, along with creatures with additional capabilities to amuse young children. It is quite illogical to teach children about things that do not exist.”
Jim grinned. “As you have said numerous times before Mr. Spock, we are an illogical species.”
The corner of Spock’s lip quirked up, and Jim felt his heart flutter just a bit. “True. Illogical, but fascinating.”
Jim would take that.
iv. christmas cookies
“So, can you do it, Scotty?”
If there was one thing Jim wanted there to be at the Christmas party - besides eggnog and other sources of alcohol - it was Christmas cookies. When he was kid, and would spend Christmas at his grandparents house because his mom was off planet (something that happened a lot, especially at the holidays), him and Sam would bake Christmas cookies with his grandma. It was something he never stopped loving, though now, he would have to suffice with replicated Christmas cookies. That’s if Scotty could work the replicator to make them Christmas cookies.
“I’m not a miracle worker, Capt’in, but I can do my best. Might not be the best tastin’ cookies you’ve ever had, but they’ll be Christmas cookies none the less,” Scotty explained.
Jim smiled and slapped a hand down on to the Scot’s shoulder. “Whatever you can do, Scotty. Just as long as we’ve got some good old fashion Christmas cookies,” Jim finished, giving the man’s shoulder a squeeze before turning and walking away, only to come face to face with his half-Vulcan first officer, a PADD in his hand.
“Christmas cookies?”
Jim smiled. “Yes, Christmas cookies Spock,” he answered as he began walking, Spock quickly falling into step next to him.
“Another one of these ‘Christmas traditions’ you’ve been speaking of?”
Jim chuckled. “Yep.” he paused and studied Spock for a moment. “You do know what cookies are, don’t you?”
Spock turned to Jim and gave him a look that Jim knew all too well. It was that “do you seriously think I’m that stupid” look that Jim got when he asked Spock a slightly stupid question, like the one he just asked. “Of course. They are a small, flat-baked treat, containing ingredients such as-”
“Okay Spock,” Jim interrupted the half-Vulcan, who looked a little irritated at being stopped mid-sentence, but that’s only because Jim knew when Spock was irritated. To others, he still was as expressionless as ever. “I don’t need a run down on cookies.”
Spock nodded his head once. “Very well. May I inquire as to what “Christmas cookies” are though, Captain? As you know, I have knowledge on what them, but I must admit that I am not familiar with “Christmas cookies”,” Spock explained, and Jim couldn’t hold back the smile. Hearing Spock say cookie was just too funny not to chuckle at.
“Christmas cookies are just cookies, but they are cut into the shape of Christmas items, like presents, snowmen, Christmas tree, stockings, reindeer and Santa. And, they are decorated with red, green and white frosting and sprinkles or whatever small candies people wanna put on them,” Jim explained, and he stopped to take in Spock, who stopped immediately after he did. “See? Not different from regular cookies, really. Just shaped different.”
Spock gave a slight twitch of his lips, which made Jim smile - he got it.
v. christmas carols
Even though this was all Uhura’s idea, it seemed that Jim was getting stuck with a good amount of the planning. Not that he really minded, actually. It gave him something to do since for once nothing interesting was going on (it was a shock for the whole crew, Jim was sure since the Enterprise always seemed to get into some sort of trouble). So, after getting the tree up, and the rest of the decorations settled, and getting Scotty to work on the replicator, Jim was now working on finding Christmas carols in the computer banks.
He was sure that most people on the Enterprise could start singing a Christmas carol without the music, but he wasn’t too sure how many of them could actually sing. So, Jim wanted to save his eardrums - and Spock’s since he was the one with sensitive hearing - from getting too abused.
The sound of a buzz rang through Jim’s ears, but without looking away from the computer, he called, “come in!”
The door opened with a “whoosh”, and Jim looked out the corner of his eye to see Spock entering the room. “Captain,” his first officer greeted, and Jim nodded, eyes still glued onto the computer screen.
“Spock. What can I do for you?”
Spock must have replied to his answer, but Jim had been too lost in his search to hear him. It was only when he heard a firmer “Captain,” spill from Spock’s lips that he turned around. “Eh, sorry Spock,” he replied, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. “Just got a little lost in what I was looking for. What was it that you needed? Also, it’s Jim, Spock. I know you’re on duty, but I’m not. So, call me Jim,” he explained again (sometimes, Jim felt like a broken record).
The half-Vulcan looked at him, gaze never wavering. “May I inquire as to what has captured your attention to the point where you have failed to hear me speak, even after you questioned why I come into your quarters?”
“I was searching the data banks for Christmas carols,” Jim replied, and if Spock could show irritation or something akin to it, Jim was sure he would be showing it now.
“Another one of these “Christmas traditions”?”
Jim nodded. “Yep. Usually, around Christmas time, people will start listening to Christmas music, or carols, to get them in the spirit of Christmas.”
Spock titled his head in a slight nod. “I see. What do these “Christmas carols” consist of?”
Jim leaned back in his chair. “Usually, they talk about the winter season, Santa, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, all that good stuff.”
Spock raised an eyebrow. “‘Frosty the Snowman’, Jim?”
A chuckle escaped Jim’s lips. “A story for next time, Spock. Now, what was it that you needed to see me about?”
I. mistletoe
After two days of decorating, searching, and fixing, it was finally time for the big party. Of course, the entire crew was there - well, not the entire crew since some of them did have to run the Enterprise, but the crew that wasn’t on duty at this very moment. somehow, that included six of Jim’s favorite people - Bones, Uhura, Scotty, Sulu, Chekov, and of course, Spock.
Jim watched from his spot against the wall as Bones and Scotty were having a eggnog drinking contest, which Jim knew would end with Scotty wining because Jim didn’t know anybody - not even himself - who could out drink Scotty. Though, Bones was trying - failing, but trying nonetheless; while Sulu and Chekov and a good number of other crewmembers watched intensely, cheering their ‘team’ on. Jim grinned, sipping some of his own eggnog as he wondered if he should get in on the sport - or the betting that was most likely occurring.
(
Jim turned his gaze away from the drinking contest, and soon found himself gazing at Uhura, who was chatting with Nurse Chapel, and a few other women crewmembers. Jim couldn’t hear what they were discussing - they could discussing the latest gossip for all Jim knew - but, they were smiling and looked to be having a good time, which is of course was what Jim wanted.
“Jim.”
Jim turned his gaze away from the group of women, and to Spock, who was standing in front of him, and slightly off to the side. He smiled at the half-Vulcan, and brought his glass to his lips, taking a sip before speaking. “Spock. Enjoying the party?”
“It is,” Spock paused, “satisfactory.”
Jim just smiled. “Good. I’m glad.”
For a moment, the two became silent. Jim let his gaze sweep around the rec room, taking in the sight of his crewmembers smiling faces, while remembering the ones that were lost over the past year, and couldn’t be here. It was bittersweet.
“Jim,” Spock called out again, his voice a little softer than usual. Automatically, Jim turned to him.
“Yes, Spock?”
There was a silence, and Jim was about to question Spock again, getting a little anxious by slow reply from Spock. Usually, Spock replied with easy when Jim asked a question - no pause, no break. He had an answer right away. Now, he was hesitating - even if Jim couldn’t see it, he just knew the male was hesitating. It was strange.
“Spock-” but that was all Jim was able to get out before Spock placed a hand on Jim’s hip, and pulled him close. Jim felt his breath catch in his throat just before Spock’s lips descended upon his.
The half-Vulcan’s lips were hot, almost scorching against Jim’s cooler, slightly chapped lips. They were also tentative, almost shy against his own, moving ever so slowly and tantalizing against Jim’s. But, quick enough, a tongue probed his lips and without hesitation, Jim allowed his tongue entrance. Spock’s tongue slipped into Jim’s mouth, and slid against Jim’s, and if it was possible, Spock’s tongue was even hotter than his mouth. The heat spread through Jim’s body, and a small moan escaped his lips.
The kiss lasted for only a split second more before Spock pulled away, causing Jim to shiver at the lost of heat. Jim looked up at Spock, who was standing there, in front of Jim, looking the same as he always did - back straight, face expressionless. While, on the other hand, Jim’s cheeks were flushed a light pink and his breathing was a little harder than natural.
“What-”
“Mistletoe,” Spock replied, and if Jim weren’t so light-headed from the kiss, he would have probably understood what Spock was talking about. But he wasn’t, and Spock seemed to notice because, silently, he raised his head and looked up at the ceiling above them. Jim followed suit, and there it was - mistletoe, hanging above Jim’s head. He looked back at Spock, who lowered his head as well.
“How did you know?”
“Uhura,” he stated matter-of-factly. “I had come into the recreation room seeking you to sign off on my report, and I noticed that she was hanging it up. I inquired as to what it was, and she happily explained to me the tradition.” Spock stopped and looked at Jim, a hint of disappointment in his eyes, something that if Jim wasn’t standing so close to him, he might have missed. “Did I not initiate the correct action?”
Jim shook his head quickly, looking down to the floor. “No, no, you did,” he replied softly, feeling his heart breaking just a little as he pulled away from Spock, creating some distance between the two. He had hoped that, maybe Spock had kissed him because he actually liked him and wanted to kiss him, not because of some stupid Christmas tradition his ex-girlfriend had filled him in on.
“You look upset,” Spock stated, and Jim looked up at him.
Jim let a fake smile pull at his lips. “Upset? No, just a little. . .shocked, that’s all,” he answered before letting out a sigh. “Well, I think I’m gonna head off to bed, Spock. Watch over-” once again, Jim was cut off by Spock pulling him against him and placing lips upon his.
The kiss was shorter, but nonetheless as hot as the first time around, and when Spock finally pulled away, Jim felt that coldness he had felt before. A little more heartbreak, if that was possible, too.
“I think Uhura forgot to tell you that you only do it once,” Jim stated, blue eyes staring directly into brown ones.
“No, she explained that portion to me.”
Jim’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Then, why did you-”
“To prove to you that I did not just kiss you because it was “tradition”,” Spock replied, and Jim felt his heart begin to beat rapidly against his ribcage. “I kissed you because I have feelings for you, Jim. Deep feelings that I have never experienced with anyone previous to meeting you.”
Jim felt his breath catch in his throat. Spock, he. . .he felt the same way about Jim? It was crazy, and Jim wasn’t sure he could believe it, but at the same time, he knew this was real. Spock, him, the Enterprise - it was all real.
The silence Jim was giving Spock seemed to be giving Spock the wrong idea because soon, he was slowly backing away from Jim, once again returning to his stoic and emotionless expression. “I apologize, Jim. I did not take into consideration that you would not feel the same way that I do,” Spock responded, pulling Jim out of his trance.
“No!” he quickly cried, making Spock tilt his head slightly in confusion. “I mean, no, you didn’t get it wrong. I do have feelings for you Spock. I was - am - a little shocked that’s all,” Jim explained, looking up at Spock, before he realized something else. “Wait, so if you didn’t need a reason to kiss me, why did you kiss me under the mistletoe.”
The corner of Spock’s lip turned up, sending a warmth flowing through Jim’s heart because it was Jim who was causing that reaction. The half-Vulcan leaned forward. “It’s tradition,” he whispered, his breath tickling Jim’s lips.
For a moment, Jim wondered if Spock actually knew all the traditions he had asked about, that he had only done it so he could be around Jim, and spend time with Jim. The thought made Jim’s heart swell just a little bit and he smiled before leaning forward and capturing Spock’s lips in another kiss, ignoring the whispers he could already hear going around the rec room.