Date Night
Fandom: Star Trek TOS
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Rating: G
Summary: Kirk tries to get Spock to understand the point of dating.
Words: ~650
Notes: Written for the comment_fic prompt: "Whenever we go on dates I feel like you're humoring me."
Kirk sometimes wonders what it says about their relationship that they've been married for almost six months and he can count the number of actual dates they've had on one hand. Of course, he thinks, it might help if Spock didn't treat the whole concept like some kind of fascinating experiment....
He glances over at Spock to see the Vulcan in question studying the menu as though he expects to be tested on its contents. Collecting data, Kirk thinks wryly, and sets his own menu aside. "Why is it," he asks, "that whenever we go on dates I feel like you're humouring me?"
"Dating is a human concept," Spock replies without looking up.
Kirk rolls his eyes good-naturedly. Should've seen that coming. "What, Vulcan couples don't spend time together?"
Spock finally glances up from his menu. "Of course, but we rarely make such a production out of it." His tone is serious, but his eyes are smiling.
"See if I take you somewhere nice again," Kirk replies with a smile of his own. "I thought you'd be happy to get off the ship for a while."
"I am," Spock replies. "I simply do not understand why you insist on this evening being considered special, when it is in essence the same as every other evening we have spent together in the past few months."
"It is not the same!" Kirk blurts indignantly. "How can you say that?"
Spock raises an eyebrow and puts his menu aside. "We are currently sharing a meal together, during which we will discuss various topics, including but not limited to the details of our relationship. After the meal we will retire to our room to play chess, or engage in intimate activities, or both." He pauses briefly, considering. "Likely both. Then, when we are tired, we will go to sleep." He fixes Kirk with a look. "Tell me, how does this series of events differ from our usual routine?"
"Well, I thought we could go for a walk after dinner," Kirk replies, feeling the argument slipping away from him. "Anyway, that's not the point!" When Spock merely looks at him, he takes a deep breath and continues more calmly, "The actual activities aren't important; it's the meaning behind it that counts." He glances around, lips twisting into a wry smile. "Like booking a restaurant because you know it's their favourite. It's meant to be a way of showing someone how much you care about them." He shrugs, suddenly tired, and adds, "But maybe you're right. Maybe it isn't any different."
He avoids Spock's gaze, surprised at the sudden ache in his chest. Apparently the idea means more to him than he realised. He startles when warm fingers curl around his and glances up to see Spock's expression has softened.
"I believe I understand now," Spock says, and Kirk smiles at the pulse of love and affection that accompanies the words. "You are aware that I do not require these occasional 'dates' to be sure of your affection for me?"
"Yes, well, I can see how it would seem like a silly idea to a telepath, but humans sometimes like to show our love in more concrete ways." He shrugs, still a little uncertain. "But if you're just humouring me, then I guess I might as well stop."
"That is not necessary," Spock replies quickly. "If it pleases you, I would be glad to continue. But I would suggest that we alternate the arrangement of these 'dates'." His lips curve upwards. "I would also like a chance to express my love for you."
Kirk smiles. "And you'll stop acting like you're humouring me by engaging in some ridiculous human ritual?"
Spock's eyes sparkle mischievously. "Perhaps," he replies, and goes back to studying his menu before Kirk has a chance to respond.
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Rating: G
Summary: Kirk tries to get Spock to understand the point of dating.
Words: ~650
Notes: Written for the comment_fic prompt: "Whenever we go on dates I feel like you're humoring me."
Kirk sometimes wonders what it says about their relationship that they've been married for almost six months and he can count the number of actual dates they've had on one hand. Of course, he thinks, it might help if Spock didn't treat the whole concept like some kind of fascinating experiment....
He glances over at Spock to see the Vulcan in question studying the menu as though he expects to be tested on its contents. Collecting data, Kirk thinks wryly, and sets his own menu aside. "Why is it," he asks, "that whenever we go on dates I feel like you're humouring me?"
"Dating is a human concept," Spock replies without looking up.
Kirk rolls his eyes good-naturedly. Should've seen that coming. "What, Vulcan couples don't spend time together?"
Spock finally glances up from his menu. "Of course, but we rarely make such a production out of it." His tone is serious, but his eyes are smiling.
"See if I take you somewhere nice again," Kirk replies with a smile of his own. "I thought you'd be happy to get off the ship for a while."
"I am," Spock replies. "I simply do not understand why you insist on this evening being considered special, when it is in essence the same as every other evening we have spent together in the past few months."
"It is not the same!" Kirk blurts indignantly. "How can you say that?"
Spock raises an eyebrow and puts his menu aside. "We are currently sharing a meal together, during which we will discuss various topics, including but not limited to the details of our relationship. After the meal we will retire to our room to play chess, or engage in intimate activities, or both." He pauses briefly, considering. "Likely both. Then, when we are tired, we will go to sleep." He fixes Kirk with a look. "Tell me, how does this series of events differ from our usual routine?"
"Well, I thought we could go for a walk after dinner," Kirk replies, feeling the argument slipping away from him. "Anyway, that's not the point!" When Spock merely looks at him, he takes a deep breath and continues more calmly, "The actual activities aren't important; it's the meaning behind it that counts." He glances around, lips twisting into a wry smile. "Like booking a restaurant because you know it's their favourite. It's meant to be a way of showing someone how much you care about them." He shrugs, suddenly tired, and adds, "But maybe you're right. Maybe it isn't any different."
He avoids Spock's gaze, surprised at the sudden ache in his chest. Apparently the idea means more to him than he realised. He startles when warm fingers curl around his and glances up to see Spock's expression has softened.
"I believe I understand now," Spock says, and Kirk smiles at the pulse of love and affection that accompanies the words. "You are aware that I do not require these occasional 'dates' to be sure of your affection for me?"
"Yes, well, I can see how it would seem like a silly idea to a telepath, but humans sometimes like to show our love in more concrete ways." He shrugs, still a little uncertain. "But if you're just humouring me, then I guess I might as well stop."
"That is not necessary," Spock replies quickly. "If it pleases you, I would be glad to continue. But I would suggest that we alternate the arrangement of these 'dates'." His lips curve upwards. "I would also like a chance to express my love for you."
Kirk smiles. "And you'll stop acting like you're humouring me by engaging in some ridiculous human ritual?"
Spock's eyes sparkle mischievously. "Perhaps," he replies, and goes back to studying his menu before Kirk has a chance to respond.