Trekkies in Love 4: The Motion Picture
Title: Trekkies in Love 4: The Motion Picture
Author: therumjournals
Fandom: Star Trek RPF
Pairing: Chris/Zach
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 5,780
Description: Chris and Zach see Star Trek XI together in 2009. The fourth and final chapter of Trekkies in Love.
Warnings: confusing circular references, fluffy fluff
Zach stretched out on the couch and wondered idly if maybe he should start getting ready. Late afternoon sunlight streamed in through the windows of the apartment, and he could hear Chris in the bedroom, by the sound of it emptying the contents of his closet onto the bed in a fit of sartorial frustration. But Noah was nestled contentedly between his legs and he felt lazy and comfortable - plus he'd already decided on an outfit - so he figured he could spare a few more minutes before he got up.
He grabbed a nearby magazine and was flipping slowly through the pages when Noah lifted his head, suddenly alert, his ears twitching. He gave a little whimper and jumped off the couch, and Zach cocked an eyebrow as he watched the dog’s fuzzy gray butt wriggle under the coffee table and out of sight. If Zach didn’t know better, that meant - yep, there it was, the opening lines of “Single Ladies”, faint at first, then louder as Chris turned up the volume on the iPod speakers in the bedroom.
“Smart move,” he muttered to Noah, but he propped himself up on his elbows and waited for the show.
Sure enough, Chris appeared in the doorway of the bedroom seconds later, clinging dramatically to the doorframe and making sure Zach was watching before launching himself into a series of Beyonce-style dance moves as he sashayed down the hall. Zach watched tolerantly, wincing a little as Chris segued into some sort of painful-looking flailing motion. But then he was swiveling his hips and stretching his toned arms up above his head, and Zach had to admit that he wasn’t entirely unmoved by the performance. He let his eyes linger on Chris’s ass as he ground up against the bookshelf like it was a stripper pole and felt himself flush as a low hum of arousal coursed through him at the sight. He had to work to force the smile from his face when Chris finally flopped onto his lap, bright-eyed and grinning.
“Hey, baby,” he panted, settling himself with his legs on either side of Zach.
“Every time I look away, you get gayer, I swear to god.”
Chris beamed at him and leaned down to look into his eyes. “You love me.”
“Despite my best intentions.”
Chris sat back up and pointed to his hand. “So are you gonna put a ring on this bitch or what?”
“Chris, there’s already a ring on it.”
“No, there’s not,” Chris said, sticking up his naked ring finger defiantly.
“Yes, there is. It’s called our apartment, and Noah, and living together for the last six years. What more do you want?”
“Um. A ring,” Chris said, pouting.
Zach ran his hands up Chris’s thighs to distract him, and changed the subject. “Are you ready to go yet?”
“Do I look even at all in the slightest bit ready to go?”
Zach took in Chris’s ripped jeans and worn Starfleet Academy t-shirt. “You look good to me,” he said with a shrug, reaching up to trace the logo with a fingertip. The shirt had long ago faded from black to gray, there were holes at the collar, and the hem was frayed. Zach loved giving Chris a hard time about it, or he had until Chris actually tried to get rid of the shirt during a particularly enthusiastic spring cleaning. When Zach had noticed that it was going in the donation bag, he’d yanked it from Chris’s hands in dismay, clutched it to his chest, and made Chris promise to keep it forever.
Zach smiled at the memory before he turned to more serious matters. “So remind me then, what have you been doing this whole time?”
“I’m getting hyped up, duh.”
“Uh huh. How’s that working for you?”
“I’m freaking out, Zach.” Chris pressed a hand to his chest. “My heart is racing. Is it possible to die of excitement?”
“Some people snort coke. Chris Pine ODs on Star Trek.”
“Star Trek and Beyonce. And two Red Bulls,” Chris clarified.
Zach chuckled and nudged Chris off of his lap. “Come on, Speedy. Go change.”
“Alright, alright,” Chris sighed, climbing off the couch and heading for the bedroom. Five seconds later he was back, looking down at Zach with an expression of despair on his face. “What should I wear?”
“If you’re really going to ask me that question, I think you know the answer.”
“Zach, I don’t think leather pants are really the most appropriate outfit for a movie screening.”
“Oh come on,” Zach pleaded, “you looked so good when you wore them at the party!”
Chris smirked. “I did look good, didn’t I?” For a second he almost looked like he was considering it, but then he came back to reality, shaking his head. “I can’t sit down in those things. They squeeze my junk. You know what I mean?” he asked, leaning over the back of the sofa. “Because my penis is so big,” he added in a mock-whisper.
“You’re incorrigible,” Zach said, rolling his eyes.
“Compensating for something with those big words, are we Zachary?” he asked with a mischievous grin.
Zach swatted at him and scrambled off the couch.
“Sometimes I miss the little geeky Chris I once knew,” he said mournfully as he trailed after Chris down the hall. “Before you got all cocky. You know, when you were all ‘Oh Zach, I think I might be gay because I’m in love with Captain Kirk’,” he imitated in a squeaky voice.
“Oh shut up.”
Zach put his hands on his cheeks in an expression of shock. “’You put your mouth on my penis, oh my god, who does that?’”
“Quit it!”
“And what is up with girls-“
“Zach!” Too late Zach noticed that Chris was frowning, a dark blush creeping up his cheeks. “I really fucking hate it when you make fun of me like that.”
“Oh come on, Chris, it was cute!”
“It was a very traumatizing and embarrassing point in my life,” Chris said, stomping into the bathroom. Zach followed before he could slam the door.
“Hey, I’m sorry. Babe. I’m sorry, okay?” He meant it, and he watched the mirror for signs that Chris would forgive him, but Chris’s arms were crossed tightly across his chest and he still looked pissed. “Hey, c’mere,” Zach said, sliding his arms around Chris’s waist. “I love you.” He could feel Chris’s eyes on him, his muscles loosening as he relaxed a little into Zach’s embrace. Zach pressed his face into Chris’s neck, squeezed his arms and breathed deeply.
“What are you doing?”
Zach pulled himself out of it, opening his eyes and raising his head enough to give Chris a peck on the cheek. “Sorry,” he said, forcing himself to loosen his grip on Chris’s middle. “Sometimes I just get…really happy.”
Chris turned to meet his eyes, a serious expression on his face. “Me too.”
Zach caught his lips in a kiss and squeezed him again. He slid a hand into Chris’s hair, holding him close as their tongues grappled, sliding his other hand up under Chris’s t-shirt to rub lightly across his abs. He hummed appreciatively and risked a glance into the mirror. Chris’s head was twisted around, his eyes half-closed as they deepened the kiss, his t-shirt riding up a little so Zach could see the trail of fuzz where his fingers stroked along Chris’s belly. Fuck, he looked good.
“Fuck, you look good,” he murmured, reaching down a little farther to tug at the button of Chris’s jeans.
“Wait-”
“I’m just helping you change.”
“We’re gonna be late,” Chris said, but he was arching back against Zach’s chest, his protests losing steam as Zach slid his zipper down.
“Heaven forbid,” Zach whispered against Chris’s skin. “We might only be two hours early instead of three.” He pulled his lips away abruptly and lifted his head, catching Chris’s eye in the mirror. “Yeah, you know what, you’re right. We probably shouldn’t.”
Chris clutched at Zach’s hand, and together they shoved his jeans and boxers down over his hips, his stiffening cock now visible in the mirror.
Zach brushed warm, sure fingers over Chris’s shaft, but his eyes were drawn Chris’s mouth, to the pink tongue darting out to lick at plush, gorgeous lips. He worked his own fly open, breathing a sigh of relief as his erection made contact with Chris’s bare ass.
“Yeah,” Chris whispered, tipping his head back against Zach’s shoulder. “Fuck me, Zach.”
Zach nipped at his earlobe. “I’m not going to fuck you. You’re about to sit though a two-hour long movie, you masochist.”
Chris groaned, his eyes hooded with desire as he watched Zach’s fingers curl around his dick, stroking him teasingly, thumbing over his slit before sliding down again to set a steady rhythm. Chris turned his head, forgoing the sight in favor of sucking Zach’s tongue into his mouth and moaning against his lips. He lost his focus as Zach jacked him faster, his eyes fluttering shut, and it was all he could do to breathe damply against Zach’s mouth. Zach’s eyes were glued to the mirror as he watched his fist flying over Chris’s cock, and he stifled a moan as Chris came, writhing against him and coating his fingers in jizz.
Zach grabbed at Chris’s hips, thrusting slickly against his ass, clenching his jaw at the effort it took not to bend him over and fuck him like he’d asked. But Chris must have understood, because he turned in Zach’s arms and dropped to his knees to impale his mouth on Zach’s dick, sucking and slobbering and gazing up at Zach, tugging at his hips in an unmistakable invitation. Zach shuddered with desire as looked down at Chris, at those spit-slick lips around his cock. He ran a hand through Chris’s hair before he gripped it, held him steady, and fucked into his mouth.
“Oh god,” he groaned, pressing in as far as he dared and then pulling back to thrust again. He could feel Chris’s tongue against the underside of his cock and the hot, wet pressure of Chris’s mouth surrounding him. “Feels so good, Chris,” and yeah, they weren’t going to be late because he was already gone, panting out a ragged “fuuuuck,” as he slammed into Chris’s mouth and came in shuddering spasms down his throat.
He sagged back against the counter as Chris stood up, wiping his mouth. “Good, right?”
“Fuck yeah,” Zach agreed, closing his eyes as he fought the urge to drag Chris back to the bedroom for round two - or maybe for a nap, he wasn’t quite sure.
Chris seemed to feel the same way, since he was wrapping his arms around Zach and nuzzling sleepily into his shoulder. Zach returned the hug, kissing him lightly on the temple.
“’m sorry about what I said,” he murmured. “I wasn’t making fun of you. You know I found your sexual insecurities very endearing at the time.”
“S’okay. I know you like to remember yourself as a worldly, experienced sex god and not the awkward, anal-retentive nerd you really were. Although, you did have a fucking amazing mouth. Made my brain go all fuzzy.”
“Why is that in the past tense?”
“Sorry. The awkward, anal-retentive nerd you really are.”
“Ha ha.”
“You do still have a very sexy mouth though. You can put it on my penis any time you want to and I won’t even say it’s weird.”
“You’re very kind.”
Chris grinned at him and Zach leaned forward to bump their foreheads together. “Come on. Let’s get ready.”
“No round two?”
“No. This is not a con panel - we’re not ‘accidentally’ skipping this screening because of sex.”
“What if it’s really good-“
“Chris.” Zach gripped him by the shoulders. “I would not miss tonight for the greatest, most mind-blowing orgasm ever known to man.”
Chris raised an eyebrow. “Wow, dude,” he muttered. “You really like Star Trek.”
Zach changed into dark jeans, a button-down shirt, and a suit jacket, and after only slightly more deliberation, Chris followed his lead.
“I still say we should have gone in costume,” he said, pouting as he pulled on his jacket.
“What shoes should I wear?” Zach asked, ignoring him.
“The brown ones.”
“What? No. Why would I wear brown shoes?”
“Zach, who knows more about fashion in this house?”
“Chris, for the millionth time, interning for Vogue for one summer does not make you a fashion expert.” He leaned down to pick up a pair of shoes. “Do these meet your approval?”
Chris had no choice but to nod. “Chuck Taylors are timeless and go with everything,” he sighed.
“Thank you.”
“But I’m wearing brown shoes.”
Zach peeked into the kitchen, grimacing as he saw Chris grab another Red Bull out of the fridge. “Hey, I’ll be ready in a sec, okay? I think I want to put on a tie.”
“A tie? Really?” Chris looked Zach over, letting his eyes linger longingly on Zach’s open collar. “Fine,” he conceded. “Not one of those skinny ones though.”
“Why not? Those are so hot right now.”
“You look pretty hot right now, so if you’re going to mess with the look, please, just listen to me and don’t wear a fucking skinny tie?”
“Yes, fashion guru,” Zach said, a small smile creeping onto his face as he headed for the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, he walked casually back into the living room, his face hot with anticipation. Chris glanced over at him. “You didn’t put on a tie.”
Zach turned deliberately, cocking his head to the side. The look of surprise on Chris’s face and the way he launched himself across the room into Zach’s arms were totally worth the $500.
“Oh my god, Zach, I love you,” Chris was saying breathlessly, as he threw his arms around Zach’s neck. “I love you I love you I love you!”
“So you’ve mentioned.”
“Hey,” Chris said, pulling back with a little frown. “I thought you said no costumes!”
“Well, yeah,” Zach said, shrugging. “I just thought you might like it if I wore these.”
“I love it,” Chris confirmed, hugging him again. “Thank you. Your willingness to embarrass yourself in public for my sake means a lot to me.”
Zach chuckled. “No problem. Plus,” he added, his voice a low rumble in Chris’s ear, “I’m usually the one who benefits in the end.”
Chris bit lightly at the skin beneath Zach’s Vulcan ear and slid a hand down to his ass. “You’re about to benefit in the end right now if I get my way, Lieutenant Commander,” he murmured.
Zach made an approving sound and kissed Chris on the cheek. “After the movie,” he told him. “I promise to make it worth your while.”
“It’s always worth my while,” Chris said, but he let Zach take his hand and pull him toward the door.
“Are we meeting Tasha and Jeff at the theater?” Zach asked as they stepped into the hall.
“Yeah. Tasha told me to call her when we left.” He pulled his phone out and dialed, walking a few steps down the hall as Zach locked the door behind them.
“Hey, Tasha. We’re heading out now. Yeah, we have the tickets.” He turned around and gestured to Zach, who was already rolling his eyes and unlocking the door. He grabbed the tickets from the middle of the table where Chris had left them, right next to the digital camera that Zach couldn’t believe he’d almost forgotten. He patted his pockets to make sure he had everything, and headed back out, locking the door behind him. He jogged down the hall to where Chris was waiting.
“That was close,” he said, shaking his head at Chris.
“Yeah. We ready now?”
“Ready as we’ll ever be.”
*
“Tasha!” Chris cried when he spotted her, jogging down the sidewalk to pull her into a hug. He stepped back to grin at her. “You excited?”
“Oh my god, Chris, have you been reading the reviews, I heard that they cut the scene with the Klingons, did you know that supposedly there’s this scene were Spock mmmff-“
Jeff put a gentle hand over her mouth, shaking his head apologetically at Chris. “Honey, maybe Chris doesn’t want to know every single detail of the movie before he actually sees it.” He dropped his hand.
“Jeff has a crush on the chick who plays Uhura,” she informed Chris.
“Yeah?” Chris turned his grin on Jeff. “You gonna put her in your ‘spank bank’?” He laughed, backing up a step to avoid Jeff’s fake punch. “So, how are you guys?! It’s so awesome that you could come up for this. Man, when was the last time we saw you? Last summer?”
Tasha shook her head. “October, remember? Your party, what was it, the 4th or 5th …?”
“Right, of course, the 5th Annual George Takei Coming Out Party! God, that was an amazing weekend. I can’t believe I forgot you guys were here for that.”
“Yes, well, Tasha certainly didn’t forget about those leather pants you were wearing. She still talks about them.”
Tasha nodded eagerly, her face falling as she glanced at Chris’s jeans. “I was kinda hoping you’d be wearing them tonight, to be honest.”
“Sorry,” Chris said. “You and Zach can commiserate…” He turned around to the empty sidewalk behind him. “Um. Where did Zach go?”
They found Zach in line, shifting from foot to foot as he waited impatiently. “Come on you guys, we have to get good seats.” He handed Chris the digital camera. “Here, take a picture of me with the poster.”
Chris accepted the camera dutifully and took a picture of Zach, then handed it to Jeff get a picture of the two of them. Jeff asked the next person in line to take a picture of all four of them, and Zach nearly had a conniption when he noticed that the guy was wearing a Star Wars t-shirt.
“Does he even know what this is?” Zach whispered furiously, the camera flashing in time to capture his scowl.
The line started moving, and Zach handed his ticket to the bored-looking teenager at the entrance. “Don’t rip it, please,” Zach requested politely.
“Um, I have to,” was the surly response.
“Well, I just kind of want to keep the ticket as a memento for my scrapbook, so if you could just not rip it, that would be great.”
“Okay, well, the manager said we have to rip them. So people don’t try to sneak in.”
Zach could sense Chris tensing up at his side, but he ignored him. “Well, I’m not going to give my ticket to anyone, if that’s what you’re asking, so just look at it, give it back to me, and don’t rip it.”
“Dude,” the kid said, raising an eyebrow. “It’s not that big a deal.” He ripped off the end of the ticket and handed it back to Zach.
Zach’s mouth dropped open as the kid shoved the mangled ticket into his hand. Chris took the opportunity to grab him firmly by the arm and pull him aside.
“Zach. Breathe,” Chris instructed.
Zach was clutching his hair and gaping at Chris like someone had just insulted his mother. “Chris, did you see-.”
“I know.”
“He…he…”
“Shh, yes, I know. We’ll write a strongly-worded letter to the theater when we get home and make him very sorry about his choices.”
Zach nodded and crossed his arms. “Fine.” He winced as he watched the kid rip Tasha and Jeff’s tickets, and they started down the hall to the theater. He glanced over at Chris, knowing he should drop it, but - “It’s just, he said it wasn’t a big deal, but it is a big deal,” he said in a rush, gesturing wildly. “I mean, this is the first Star Trek movie since Nemesis came out on December 13, 2002, and the first new Star Trek cast since Enterprise premiered on September 26, 2001, not to mention Nimoy’s first Trek-related on-screen appearance since Generations in ‘91, well, that and he guest-starred on two episodes of TNG that year, and-“
“Zach.” Chris stopped walking, took him by the shoulders, and gave him a shake. “Stop it. You’re being that guy.”
Zach blinked slowly, then rubbed a hand over his face. “Oh god. I was, wasn’t I?”
Chris nodded. “You were regressing a little. I had to intervene before you punched someone out for doing the ta’al with the thumb in.”
Zach gave him a look of horror and Chris patted his arm consolingly. “I know, baby, I know. Luckily, you don’t actually know how to punch someone, so I think we’ll be okay. Now come on. Let’s go get our seats.”
The atmosphere inside the theater crackled with excitement, and a hum of eager speculation filled the air. Zach’s stomach fluttered with a mixture of anticipation and nerves, and by the time the lights began to dim, he was running out of fingernails to chew on. He glanced over to see Chris squirming restlessly in his seat.
“Chris,” he whispered. “If you have to pee, you should probably go now.”
“I don’t have to pee,” Chris whispered back.
“Then what is wrong with you?”
“I am literally shaking with anticipation. And I’m thinking maybe I shouldn’t have had that third Red Bull.”
“I told you. Look, you’re not going to try to talk to me during the movie, are you?”
“No.”
“Seriously, don’t talk during the movie, okay?”
“Yes, okay.”
“Promise.”
“Zach, I promise!”
“Okay. Are you sure you don’t have to pee?”
“Yes, I’m sure, but it doesn’t matter anyway. I can’t stand up.”
“Why not?”
Chris gestured to his crotch. “I have a boner of excitement,” he hissed.
“Should have worn the leather pants,” Zach murmured as the theater went dark. He reached for Chris’s hand, squeezing their clammy palms together as a starship moved into view across the screen.
*
Ten minutes into the movie, Chris’s hand was clamped over his mouth and his eyes were shining with tears. Zach was almost torn between keeping his eyes on the movie and watching Chris. He patted him gently on the knee and leaned over to whisper in his ear.
“It’s gonna be okay.”
Chris only shook his head and gave a muffled squeak.
*
It’s Jim, Jim Kirk…
“Chris! He looks just like you!” Zach whispered excitedly.
Chris squinted at the screen. “Oh my god, my head is not that big!”
“It’s uncanny,” Zach continued, ignoring Chris’s protests.
“Stop talking during the movie.”
“I just thought you’d want to know.”
“Thanks,” Chris grumbled. “Now quit drooling over him, he’s not even that cute.”
“I’m not drooling.”
“Yes you are.”
“Oh, like you’re not going to cream yourself the moment Karl Urban appears onscreen.”
“Yeah, but that’s Karl Urban,” Chris whispered. “That man oozes sex.” He gestured to the screen. “I’m just saying, this guy’s no Shatner.”
Zach rolled his eyes. “Thank god.”
“What?!” At least three rows turned to glare at them at Chris’s involuntary shriek.
Zach waited a few minutes until the offended parties had turned their focus back to the movie before he leaned over and continued in a whisper. “Don’t get me wrong, you know I love Shatner and he’s an icon and all that, but you have to admit, the role of Kirk deserves to be attempted by someone who’s not-“
Chris clamped a hand over Zach’s mouth and pulled his head close. “So help me Zachary Quinto, if you finish that sentence, I cannot be held responsible for my actions.”
*
I do not know.
“Oh my god,” Chris whispered, gripping Zach’s thigh. “You need that outfit!”
Zach nodded, grinning. “Make it for me?” he asked.
Chris stared at the screen, taking in as much detail as he could. Of course, he couldn’t guarantee that Zach would get to wear the black Academy instructor uniform for more than two minutes before Chris tore it off of him, but... He looked over at Zach and winked. “Fuck yeah.”
*
Bones! Buckle up!
Chris turned his head and leaned in toward Zach. “Okay, fine,” he admitted. “He’s kind of cute.”
Zach grinned. “I knew you’d come around,” he whispered. He lifted Chris’s chin with a finger and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Doesn’t matter though,” he said, meeting Chris’s eyes. “You’re the only Kirk for me.”
Chris nodded solemnly. “The captain of your heart.”
“Don’t push it.”
**
Zach’s heart was pounding as they left the theater, and not just from the residual excitement of what he had to admit had been a truly amazing movie. Sure he had a few nits to pick - an ice planet? really? could they be any more obvious about ripping off Star Wars? - but overall, the movie had been impressive, and he already felt immersed in a new but familiar world.
Chris had his iPhone out and was eagerly opening up an app on the screen. “I’m getting us tickets for Friday,” he told Zach as they walked toward the exit. “Do you want me to get them for Saturday, too? Or is Sunday better?”
“Sunday,” Zach told him distractedly, not even questioning the fact that they would be seeing this movie at least another dozen times before it left theaters.
Zach sped up to walk with Jeff as Chris and Tasha talked animatedly behind him. He overheard something about Spock and Kirk being stranded together in a freezing cave - apparently Chris hadn’t had a problem with the ice planet. They’d have to have words later.
Outside, Zach steered them across the street, away from the crowds but still within view of the theater. He pulled Jeff aside and handed him the camera, then he ran a hand through his hair, brushed his fingers over his ears to make sure the tips weren’t bent, and straightened his lapel. He looked over to see Chris staring up at the massive billboard of the Enterprise above the marquee, his hands clutched to his chest. “That movie was fucking awesome. God, this is like the best day of my life!”
Zach gave Jeff a look. “I almost don’t want to interrupt,” he said dryly, as he watched Chris tear his gaze away to look over at them.
“What?” Chris frowned at Zach’s bemused expression, and his eyes flicked between Zach and Jeff. “What are you guys talking about?”
Zach swallowed and took a step toward Chris, reaching for his hand. “Chris, I’m really glad we got to see this movie together.”
“Uh, yeah, me too,” Chris said, furrowing his brow in confusion as he slid his hand into Zach’s.
Zach glanced nervously at Jeff, who gave him an encouraging nod. The sounds of the street seemed to fade to a dull murmur, or maybe that was just the blood rushing in his ears. He took a deep breath and looked Chris in the eye. “I just, sometimes I think it’s crazy, how we got to this point, you know? I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently, about that moment I first saw you, standing in the hallway of the Marriott dressed as James T. Kirk-“
Chris gasped and put a hand over his mouth, his eyes widening. Zach let his lips quirk up in a half smile as he continued. “And ever since that moment, I’ve known that you were someone that I wanted in my life. And-“ He glanced to the side and swallowed hard before he looked back. “I’ve been so lucky-“ His words caught in his throat as he felt his eyes brim with hot, unexpected tears. “Fuck,” he breathed, laughing a little as he caught Chris’s eye.
“Zach,” Chris breathed, dropping his hand from his mouth.
Zach fumbled in his pocket, his hand shaking as he pulled out the ring and slid it clumsily onto Chris’s finger. He’d forgotten half of his speech, but he managed to keep his voice clear and steady as he skipped to the most important part. “Chris - jtk1980 - will you marry me?”
Chris’s response was an enthusiastic embrace that nearly knocked the wind out of Zach, and he smiled, relief and joy flooding through him as he returned the hug. Chris’s face was buried in his neck and his voice was muffled, but Zach could feel the words against his skin, “Zach” and “yes” and “love you” on repeat. He tried to pull Chris up for a kiss and was surprised to find him resisting, didn’t understand until Chris finally looked up at him and Zach could see the tears streaming down his cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” Chris said, laughing as he wiped futilely at his eyes. “I can’t help it…” He kissed Zach on the lips, then hid his face again, pressing his forehead to Zach’s temple.
A light flashed, and Chris looked over to see Jeff grinning at them from behind the camera. Tasha stood next to him, dabbing at her eyes with a sleeve.
“Why are you crying?” Chris choked out, laughing.
Tasha shook her head. “Chris…you guys…I just…”
“Wow,” Chris murmured to Zach, loud enough for the others to hear. “Tasha’s speechless. I never thought I’d see the day.”
Tasha gave him the finger and a teary smile before turning away to press her face into Jeff’s shoulder.
Zach stroked his fingers lightly across the back of Chris’s neck, regaining his attention. Chris nuzzled in closer as they swayed slightly in place.
“I got the ring engraved,” Zach told him quietly. “It says-“ he paused, then breathed the word that he’d whispered shyly to Chris for the first time many years ago - “t’hy’la.”
“Oh my god,” Chris sobbed, as a fresh stream of tears began to flow. “Are you trying to kill me?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, Zach, so much.” He wiped his face on Zach’s shoulder before catching his lips in a kiss, a real one this time, a passionate tangle of tongues that Zach was pretty sure was bordering on inappropriate by the time Chris pulled away.
“Wait…how long have you had this ring?!” he asked, his eyes wide.
“Um. Like two months.”
“Two months?!” Chris cried, sounding genuinely distressed. “Zach, why did you wait so long?!”
“I wanted to wait until tonight.” He gestured toward the theater. “You know - the ‘greatest night of your life’?”
“Zach.” Chris cupped Zach’s cheek in his palm and touched their foreheads together. “Any time you would have asked me would have been the greatest night of my life.”
Zach closed his eyes, basking in the moment, in the joy that he felt surging through him, in Chris’s love surrounding him. In Chris’s warm breath against his ear as he whispered, “Now I need to take you home and do things to you.”
Zach chuckled as he felt a spark of lust shoot through him, and he glanced up at Tasha and Jeff. “So, um, I think we’re gonna head home,” he said apologetically.
Tasha grinned at them. “Go. Celebrate. Give us a call tomorrow when you decide to emerge for sustenance.”
Zach smiled gratefully, blushing. “Will do. ’Night, guys.”
“Goodnight and congratulations, Lieutenant Commander, Captain,” Jeff said, giving them a salute as they parted ways.
Despite their urgency, they decided to walk home, savoring the evening as they strolled the familiar route, hand-in-hand, fingers intertwined - except for every five minutes when Chris would let go to grin idiotically at the ring.
“So…can I get you one?”
“You’d better.”
Chris gave a little jump of happiness. Zach was pretty sure that if they weren’t holding hands, Chris would be spinning in circles down the sidewalk. And, okay, yeah, maybe Zach would be, too.
The conversation turned back to the movie as they cut through a corner of the park.
“So what did you think of the whole Spock-gets-with-Uhura thing?” Chris asked.
“Hey, even I have to admit that she’s hot. So, you know. Let him have his dalliances before he discovers his true destiny with Kirk.”
Chris laughed. “I like the way you think.”
“I thought you might.”
“And dude, how awesome was Bones?!”
“Seriously awesome. Your boyfriend Karl Urban was like channeling DeForest Kelley. It was unreal.”
“It was. It would be downright creepy if I weren’t so distracted by his rugged good looks.”
“Yeah, yeah. So what was your favorite part?”
Chris squeezed his hand. “The part where you asked me to marry you.”
Zach ducked his head and smiled despite himself. “Dork.”
They walked quietly for a while, lost in their own thoughts, neither of them able to keep their smiles from bursting forth at random intervals. Chris was the first to break the silence.
“Do you ever think how weird it is that without Star Trek, we probably never would have met?”
“Yeah. Well…without the combination of Star Trek and our obsessive tendencies.”
“True. Although…maybe we would still have met,” Chris mused, glancing at Zach.
“How?”
Chris shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe we both would have been obsessed with, like, Knight Rider or something.”
“Knight Rider, god, Chris, of all the things you could pick,” Zach said, putting a hand over his eyes as though Chris’s choice of an alternative fandom had pained him to his very core.
Chris just smiled and looked down at the ground. “I’m just saying, you know, Star Trek was just the vehicle. Maybe in an alternate universe, we would have met some other way.”
They came to a stop in a strip of moonlight that splashed across a section of the path. Zach ran a finger down Chris’s cheek and leaned for a kiss. “You mean, like destiny?”
Chris nodded. “Like epic, universe-transcending love.”
“Mmm, I like the sound of that.” Zach wrapped his arms around Chris and pulled him close.
“Or maybe I just think you’re a total hottie and I don’t want anyone else to get their hands on you,” Chris murmured, touching his lips to Zach’s cheek, pressing kiss after kiss along his jaw.
“And maybe I just want guaranteed life-long access to your ridiculously delectable ass,” Zach said, sliding his hands down to show his appreciation.
“Probably destiny though,” Chris said, leaning back.
“Yeah, probably,” Zach agreed.
The moonlight illuminated their matching grins.
“Still, though, thank god for Star Trek, right?” Zach said, throwing an arm around Chris’s shoulders as they started walking again. He shook his head. “Knight Rider, Jesus.”
Chris’s laugh lit up the darkness, and he steered them into the night toward home.
Author: therumjournals
Fandom: Star Trek RPF
Pairing: Chris/Zach
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 5,780
Description: Chris and Zach see Star Trek XI together in 2009. The fourth and final chapter of Trekkies in Love.
Warnings: confusing circular references, fluffy fluff
Zach stretched out on the couch and wondered idly if maybe he should start getting ready. Late afternoon sunlight streamed in through the windows of the apartment, and he could hear Chris in the bedroom, by the sound of it emptying the contents of his closet onto the bed in a fit of sartorial frustration. But Noah was nestled contentedly between his legs and he felt lazy and comfortable - plus he'd already decided on an outfit - so he figured he could spare a few more minutes before he got up.
He grabbed a nearby magazine and was flipping slowly through the pages when Noah lifted his head, suddenly alert, his ears twitching. He gave a little whimper and jumped off the couch, and Zach cocked an eyebrow as he watched the dog’s fuzzy gray butt wriggle under the coffee table and out of sight. If Zach didn’t know better, that meant - yep, there it was, the opening lines of “Single Ladies”, faint at first, then louder as Chris turned up the volume on the iPod speakers in the bedroom.
“Smart move,” he muttered to Noah, but he propped himself up on his elbows and waited for the show.
Sure enough, Chris appeared in the doorway of the bedroom seconds later, clinging dramatically to the doorframe and making sure Zach was watching before launching himself into a series of Beyonce-style dance moves as he sashayed down the hall. Zach watched tolerantly, wincing a little as Chris segued into some sort of painful-looking flailing motion. But then he was swiveling his hips and stretching his toned arms up above his head, and Zach had to admit that he wasn’t entirely unmoved by the performance. He let his eyes linger on Chris’s ass as he ground up against the bookshelf like it was a stripper pole and felt himself flush as a low hum of arousal coursed through him at the sight. He had to work to force the smile from his face when Chris finally flopped onto his lap, bright-eyed and grinning.
“Hey, baby,” he panted, settling himself with his legs on either side of Zach.
“Every time I look away, you get gayer, I swear to god.”
Chris beamed at him and leaned down to look into his eyes. “You love me.”
“Despite my best intentions.”
Chris sat back up and pointed to his hand. “So are you gonna put a ring on this bitch or what?”
“Chris, there’s already a ring on it.”
“No, there’s not,” Chris said, sticking up his naked ring finger defiantly.
“Yes, there is. It’s called our apartment, and Noah, and living together for the last six years. What more do you want?”
“Um. A ring,” Chris said, pouting.
Zach ran his hands up Chris’s thighs to distract him, and changed the subject. “Are you ready to go yet?”
“Do I look even at all in the slightest bit ready to go?”
Zach took in Chris’s ripped jeans and worn Starfleet Academy t-shirt. “You look good to me,” he said with a shrug, reaching up to trace the logo with a fingertip. The shirt had long ago faded from black to gray, there were holes at the collar, and the hem was frayed. Zach loved giving Chris a hard time about it, or he had until Chris actually tried to get rid of the shirt during a particularly enthusiastic spring cleaning. When Zach had noticed that it was going in the donation bag, he’d yanked it from Chris’s hands in dismay, clutched it to his chest, and made Chris promise to keep it forever.
Zach smiled at the memory before he turned to more serious matters. “So remind me then, what have you been doing this whole time?”
“I’m getting hyped up, duh.”
“Uh huh. How’s that working for you?”
“I’m freaking out, Zach.” Chris pressed a hand to his chest. “My heart is racing. Is it possible to die of excitement?”
“Some people snort coke. Chris Pine ODs on Star Trek.”
“Star Trek and Beyonce. And two Red Bulls,” Chris clarified.
Zach chuckled and nudged Chris off of his lap. “Come on, Speedy. Go change.”
“Alright, alright,” Chris sighed, climbing off the couch and heading for the bedroom. Five seconds later he was back, looking down at Zach with an expression of despair on his face. “What should I wear?”
“If you’re really going to ask me that question, I think you know the answer.”
“Zach, I don’t think leather pants are really the most appropriate outfit for a movie screening.”
“Oh come on,” Zach pleaded, “you looked so good when you wore them at the party!”
Chris smirked. “I did look good, didn’t I?” For a second he almost looked like he was considering it, but then he came back to reality, shaking his head. “I can’t sit down in those things. They squeeze my junk. You know what I mean?” he asked, leaning over the back of the sofa. “Because my penis is so big,” he added in a mock-whisper.
“You’re incorrigible,” Zach said, rolling his eyes.
“Compensating for something with those big words, are we Zachary?” he asked with a mischievous grin.
Zach swatted at him and scrambled off the couch.
“Sometimes I miss the little geeky Chris I once knew,” he said mournfully as he trailed after Chris down the hall. “Before you got all cocky. You know, when you were all ‘Oh Zach, I think I might be gay because I’m in love with Captain Kirk’,” he imitated in a squeaky voice.
“Oh shut up.”
Zach put his hands on his cheeks in an expression of shock. “’You put your mouth on my penis, oh my god, who does that?’”
“Quit it!”
“And what is up with girls-“
“Zach!” Too late Zach noticed that Chris was frowning, a dark blush creeping up his cheeks. “I really fucking hate it when you make fun of me like that.”
“Oh come on, Chris, it was cute!”
“It was a very traumatizing and embarrassing point in my life,” Chris said, stomping into the bathroom. Zach followed before he could slam the door.
“Hey, I’m sorry. Babe. I’m sorry, okay?” He meant it, and he watched the mirror for signs that Chris would forgive him, but Chris’s arms were crossed tightly across his chest and he still looked pissed. “Hey, c’mere,” Zach said, sliding his arms around Chris’s waist. “I love you.” He could feel Chris’s eyes on him, his muscles loosening as he relaxed a little into Zach’s embrace. Zach pressed his face into Chris’s neck, squeezed his arms and breathed deeply.
“What are you doing?”
Zach pulled himself out of it, opening his eyes and raising his head enough to give Chris a peck on the cheek. “Sorry,” he said, forcing himself to loosen his grip on Chris’s middle. “Sometimes I just get…really happy.”
Chris turned to meet his eyes, a serious expression on his face. “Me too.”
Zach caught his lips in a kiss and squeezed him again. He slid a hand into Chris’s hair, holding him close as their tongues grappled, sliding his other hand up under Chris’s t-shirt to rub lightly across his abs. He hummed appreciatively and risked a glance into the mirror. Chris’s head was twisted around, his eyes half-closed as they deepened the kiss, his t-shirt riding up a little so Zach could see the trail of fuzz where his fingers stroked along Chris’s belly. Fuck, he looked good.
“Fuck, you look good,” he murmured, reaching down a little farther to tug at the button of Chris’s jeans.
“Wait-”
“I’m just helping you change.”
“We’re gonna be late,” Chris said, but he was arching back against Zach’s chest, his protests losing steam as Zach slid his zipper down.
“Heaven forbid,” Zach whispered against Chris’s skin. “We might only be two hours early instead of three.” He pulled his lips away abruptly and lifted his head, catching Chris’s eye in the mirror. “Yeah, you know what, you’re right. We probably shouldn’t.”
Chris clutched at Zach’s hand, and together they shoved his jeans and boxers down over his hips, his stiffening cock now visible in the mirror.
Zach brushed warm, sure fingers over Chris’s shaft, but his eyes were drawn Chris’s mouth, to the pink tongue darting out to lick at plush, gorgeous lips. He worked his own fly open, breathing a sigh of relief as his erection made contact with Chris’s bare ass.
“Yeah,” Chris whispered, tipping his head back against Zach’s shoulder. “Fuck me, Zach.”
Zach nipped at his earlobe. “I’m not going to fuck you. You’re about to sit though a two-hour long movie, you masochist.”
Chris groaned, his eyes hooded with desire as he watched Zach’s fingers curl around his dick, stroking him teasingly, thumbing over his slit before sliding down again to set a steady rhythm. Chris turned his head, forgoing the sight in favor of sucking Zach’s tongue into his mouth and moaning against his lips. He lost his focus as Zach jacked him faster, his eyes fluttering shut, and it was all he could do to breathe damply against Zach’s mouth. Zach’s eyes were glued to the mirror as he watched his fist flying over Chris’s cock, and he stifled a moan as Chris came, writhing against him and coating his fingers in jizz.
Zach grabbed at Chris’s hips, thrusting slickly against his ass, clenching his jaw at the effort it took not to bend him over and fuck him like he’d asked. But Chris must have understood, because he turned in Zach’s arms and dropped to his knees to impale his mouth on Zach’s dick, sucking and slobbering and gazing up at Zach, tugging at his hips in an unmistakable invitation. Zach shuddered with desire as looked down at Chris, at those spit-slick lips around his cock. He ran a hand through Chris’s hair before he gripped it, held him steady, and fucked into his mouth.
“Oh god,” he groaned, pressing in as far as he dared and then pulling back to thrust again. He could feel Chris’s tongue against the underside of his cock and the hot, wet pressure of Chris’s mouth surrounding him. “Feels so good, Chris,” and yeah, they weren’t going to be late because he was already gone, panting out a ragged “fuuuuck,” as he slammed into Chris’s mouth and came in shuddering spasms down his throat.
He sagged back against the counter as Chris stood up, wiping his mouth. “Good, right?”
“Fuck yeah,” Zach agreed, closing his eyes as he fought the urge to drag Chris back to the bedroom for round two - or maybe for a nap, he wasn’t quite sure.
Chris seemed to feel the same way, since he was wrapping his arms around Zach and nuzzling sleepily into his shoulder. Zach returned the hug, kissing him lightly on the temple.
“’m sorry about what I said,” he murmured. “I wasn’t making fun of you. You know I found your sexual insecurities very endearing at the time.”
“S’okay. I know you like to remember yourself as a worldly, experienced sex god and not the awkward, anal-retentive nerd you really were. Although, you did have a fucking amazing mouth. Made my brain go all fuzzy.”
“Why is that in the past tense?”
“Sorry. The awkward, anal-retentive nerd you really are.”
“Ha ha.”
“You do still have a very sexy mouth though. You can put it on my penis any time you want to and I won’t even say it’s weird.”
“You’re very kind.”
Chris grinned at him and Zach leaned forward to bump their foreheads together. “Come on. Let’s get ready.”
“No round two?”
“No. This is not a con panel - we’re not ‘accidentally’ skipping this screening because of sex.”
“What if it’s really good-“
“Chris.” Zach gripped him by the shoulders. “I would not miss tonight for the greatest, most mind-blowing orgasm ever known to man.”
Chris raised an eyebrow. “Wow, dude,” he muttered. “You really like Star Trek.”
Zach changed into dark jeans, a button-down shirt, and a suit jacket, and after only slightly more deliberation, Chris followed his lead.
“I still say we should have gone in costume,” he said, pouting as he pulled on his jacket.
“What shoes should I wear?” Zach asked, ignoring him.
“The brown ones.”
“What? No. Why would I wear brown shoes?”
“Zach, who knows more about fashion in this house?”
“Chris, for the millionth time, interning for Vogue for one summer does not make you a fashion expert.” He leaned down to pick up a pair of shoes. “Do these meet your approval?”
Chris had no choice but to nod. “Chuck Taylors are timeless and go with everything,” he sighed.
“Thank you.”
“But I’m wearing brown shoes.”
Zach peeked into the kitchen, grimacing as he saw Chris grab another Red Bull out of the fridge. “Hey, I’ll be ready in a sec, okay? I think I want to put on a tie.”
“A tie? Really?” Chris looked Zach over, letting his eyes linger longingly on Zach’s open collar. “Fine,” he conceded. “Not one of those skinny ones though.”
“Why not? Those are so hot right now.”
“You look pretty hot right now, so if you’re going to mess with the look, please, just listen to me and don’t wear a fucking skinny tie?”
“Yes, fashion guru,” Zach said, a small smile creeping onto his face as he headed for the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, he walked casually back into the living room, his face hot with anticipation. Chris glanced over at him. “You didn’t put on a tie.”
Zach turned deliberately, cocking his head to the side. The look of surprise on Chris’s face and the way he launched himself across the room into Zach’s arms were totally worth the $500.
“Oh my god, Zach, I love you,” Chris was saying breathlessly, as he threw his arms around Zach’s neck. “I love you I love you I love you!”
“So you’ve mentioned.”
“Hey,” Chris said, pulling back with a little frown. “I thought you said no costumes!”
“Well, yeah,” Zach said, shrugging. “I just thought you might like it if I wore these.”
“I love it,” Chris confirmed, hugging him again. “Thank you. Your willingness to embarrass yourself in public for my sake means a lot to me.”
Zach chuckled. “No problem. Plus,” he added, his voice a low rumble in Chris’s ear, “I’m usually the one who benefits in the end.”
Chris bit lightly at the skin beneath Zach’s Vulcan ear and slid a hand down to his ass. “You’re about to benefit in the end right now if I get my way, Lieutenant Commander,” he murmured.
Zach made an approving sound and kissed Chris on the cheek. “After the movie,” he told him. “I promise to make it worth your while.”
“It’s always worth my while,” Chris said, but he let Zach take his hand and pull him toward the door.
“Are we meeting Tasha and Jeff at the theater?” Zach asked as they stepped into the hall.
“Yeah. Tasha told me to call her when we left.” He pulled his phone out and dialed, walking a few steps down the hall as Zach locked the door behind them.
“Hey, Tasha. We’re heading out now. Yeah, we have the tickets.” He turned around and gestured to Zach, who was already rolling his eyes and unlocking the door. He grabbed the tickets from the middle of the table where Chris had left them, right next to the digital camera that Zach couldn’t believe he’d almost forgotten. He patted his pockets to make sure he had everything, and headed back out, locking the door behind him. He jogged down the hall to where Chris was waiting.
“That was close,” he said, shaking his head at Chris.
“Yeah. We ready now?”
“Ready as we’ll ever be.”
*
“Tasha!” Chris cried when he spotted her, jogging down the sidewalk to pull her into a hug. He stepped back to grin at her. “You excited?”
“Oh my god, Chris, have you been reading the reviews, I heard that they cut the scene with the Klingons, did you know that supposedly there’s this scene were Spock mmmff-“
Jeff put a gentle hand over her mouth, shaking his head apologetically at Chris. “Honey, maybe Chris doesn’t want to know every single detail of the movie before he actually sees it.” He dropped his hand.
“Jeff has a crush on the chick who plays Uhura,” she informed Chris.
“Yeah?” Chris turned his grin on Jeff. “You gonna put her in your ‘spank bank’?” He laughed, backing up a step to avoid Jeff’s fake punch. “So, how are you guys?! It’s so awesome that you could come up for this. Man, when was the last time we saw you? Last summer?”
Tasha shook her head. “October, remember? Your party, what was it, the 4th or 5th …?”
“Right, of course, the 5th Annual George Takei Coming Out Party! God, that was an amazing weekend. I can’t believe I forgot you guys were here for that.”
“Yes, well, Tasha certainly didn’t forget about those leather pants you were wearing. She still talks about them.”
Tasha nodded eagerly, her face falling as she glanced at Chris’s jeans. “I was kinda hoping you’d be wearing them tonight, to be honest.”
“Sorry,” Chris said. “You and Zach can commiserate…” He turned around to the empty sidewalk behind him. “Um. Where did Zach go?”
They found Zach in line, shifting from foot to foot as he waited impatiently. “Come on you guys, we have to get good seats.” He handed Chris the digital camera. “Here, take a picture of me with the poster.”
Chris accepted the camera dutifully and took a picture of Zach, then handed it to Jeff get a picture of the two of them. Jeff asked the next person in line to take a picture of all four of them, and Zach nearly had a conniption when he noticed that the guy was wearing a Star Wars t-shirt.
“Does he even know what this is?” Zach whispered furiously, the camera flashing in time to capture his scowl.
The line started moving, and Zach handed his ticket to the bored-looking teenager at the entrance. “Don’t rip it, please,” Zach requested politely.
“Um, I have to,” was the surly response.
“Well, I just kind of want to keep the ticket as a memento for my scrapbook, so if you could just not rip it, that would be great.”
“Okay, well, the manager said we have to rip them. So people don’t try to sneak in.”
Zach could sense Chris tensing up at his side, but he ignored him. “Well, I’m not going to give my ticket to anyone, if that’s what you’re asking, so just look at it, give it back to me, and don’t rip it.”
“Dude,” the kid said, raising an eyebrow. “It’s not that big a deal.” He ripped off the end of the ticket and handed it back to Zach.
Zach’s mouth dropped open as the kid shoved the mangled ticket into his hand. Chris took the opportunity to grab him firmly by the arm and pull him aside.
“Zach. Breathe,” Chris instructed.
Zach was clutching his hair and gaping at Chris like someone had just insulted his mother. “Chris, did you see-.”
“I know.”
“He…he…”
“Shh, yes, I know. We’ll write a strongly-worded letter to the theater when we get home and make him very sorry about his choices.”
Zach nodded and crossed his arms. “Fine.” He winced as he watched the kid rip Tasha and Jeff’s tickets, and they started down the hall to the theater. He glanced over at Chris, knowing he should drop it, but - “It’s just, he said it wasn’t a big deal, but it is a big deal,” he said in a rush, gesturing wildly. “I mean, this is the first Star Trek movie since Nemesis came out on December 13, 2002, and the first new Star Trek cast since Enterprise premiered on September 26, 2001, not to mention Nimoy’s first Trek-related on-screen appearance since Generations in ‘91, well, that and he guest-starred on two episodes of TNG that year, and-“
“Zach.” Chris stopped walking, took him by the shoulders, and gave him a shake. “Stop it. You’re being that guy.”
Zach blinked slowly, then rubbed a hand over his face. “Oh god. I was, wasn’t I?”
Chris nodded. “You were regressing a little. I had to intervene before you punched someone out for doing the ta’al with the thumb in.”
Zach gave him a look of horror and Chris patted his arm consolingly. “I know, baby, I know. Luckily, you don’t actually know how to punch someone, so I think we’ll be okay. Now come on. Let’s go get our seats.”
The atmosphere inside the theater crackled with excitement, and a hum of eager speculation filled the air. Zach’s stomach fluttered with a mixture of anticipation and nerves, and by the time the lights began to dim, he was running out of fingernails to chew on. He glanced over to see Chris squirming restlessly in his seat.
“Chris,” he whispered. “If you have to pee, you should probably go now.”
“I don’t have to pee,” Chris whispered back.
“Then what is wrong with you?”
“I am literally shaking with anticipation. And I’m thinking maybe I shouldn’t have had that third Red Bull.”
“I told you. Look, you’re not going to try to talk to me during the movie, are you?”
“No.”
“Seriously, don’t talk during the movie, okay?”
“Yes, okay.”
“Promise.”
“Zach, I promise!”
“Okay. Are you sure you don’t have to pee?”
“Yes, I’m sure, but it doesn’t matter anyway. I can’t stand up.”
“Why not?”
Chris gestured to his crotch. “I have a boner of excitement,” he hissed.
“Should have worn the leather pants,” Zach murmured as the theater went dark. He reached for Chris’s hand, squeezing their clammy palms together as a starship moved into view across the screen.
*
Ten minutes into the movie, Chris’s hand was clamped over his mouth and his eyes were shining with tears. Zach was almost torn between keeping his eyes on the movie and watching Chris. He patted him gently on the knee and leaned over to whisper in his ear.
“It’s gonna be okay.”
Chris only shook his head and gave a muffled squeak.
*
It’s Jim, Jim Kirk…
“Chris! He looks just like you!” Zach whispered excitedly.
Chris squinted at the screen. “Oh my god, my head is not that big!”
“It’s uncanny,” Zach continued, ignoring Chris’s protests.
“Stop talking during the movie.”
“I just thought you’d want to know.”
“Thanks,” Chris grumbled. “Now quit drooling over him, he’s not even that cute.”
“I’m not drooling.”
“Yes you are.”
“Oh, like you’re not going to cream yourself the moment Karl Urban appears onscreen.”
“Yeah, but that’s Karl Urban,” Chris whispered. “That man oozes sex.” He gestured to the screen. “I’m just saying, this guy’s no Shatner.”
Zach rolled his eyes. “Thank god.”
“What?!” At least three rows turned to glare at them at Chris’s involuntary shriek.
Zach waited a few minutes until the offended parties had turned their focus back to the movie before he leaned over and continued in a whisper. “Don’t get me wrong, you know I love Shatner and he’s an icon and all that, but you have to admit, the role of Kirk deserves to be attempted by someone who’s not-“
Chris clamped a hand over Zach’s mouth and pulled his head close. “So help me Zachary Quinto, if you finish that sentence, I cannot be held responsible for my actions.”
*
I do not know.
“Oh my god,” Chris whispered, gripping Zach’s thigh. “You need that outfit!”
Zach nodded, grinning. “Make it for me?” he asked.
Chris stared at the screen, taking in as much detail as he could. Of course, he couldn’t guarantee that Zach would get to wear the black Academy instructor uniform for more than two minutes before Chris tore it off of him, but... He looked over at Zach and winked. “Fuck yeah.”
*
Bones! Buckle up!
Chris turned his head and leaned in toward Zach. “Okay, fine,” he admitted. “He’s kind of cute.”
Zach grinned. “I knew you’d come around,” he whispered. He lifted Chris’s chin with a finger and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Doesn’t matter though,” he said, meeting Chris’s eyes. “You’re the only Kirk for me.”
Chris nodded solemnly. “The captain of your heart.”
“Don’t push it.”
**
Zach’s heart was pounding as they left the theater, and not just from the residual excitement of what he had to admit had been a truly amazing movie. Sure he had a few nits to pick - an ice planet? really? could they be any more obvious about ripping off Star Wars? - but overall, the movie had been impressive, and he already felt immersed in a new but familiar world.
Chris had his iPhone out and was eagerly opening up an app on the screen. “I’m getting us tickets for Friday,” he told Zach as they walked toward the exit. “Do you want me to get them for Saturday, too? Or is Sunday better?”
“Sunday,” Zach told him distractedly, not even questioning the fact that they would be seeing this movie at least another dozen times before it left theaters.
Zach sped up to walk with Jeff as Chris and Tasha talked animatedly behind him. He overheard something about Spock and Kirk being stranded together in a freezing cave - apparently Chris hadn’t had a problem with the ice planet. They’d have to have words later.
Outside, Zach steered them across the street, away from the crowds but still within view of the theater. He pulled Jeff aside and handed him the camera, then he ran a hand through his hair, brushed his fingers over his ears to make sure the tips weren’t bent, and straightened his lapel. He looked over to see Chris staring up at the massive billboard of the Enterprise above the marquee, his hands clutched to his chest. “That movie was fucking awesome. God, this is like the best day of my life!”
Zach gave Jeff a look. “I almost don’t want to interrupt,” he said dryly, as he watched Chris tear his gaze away to look over at them.
“What?” Chris frowned at Zach’s bemused expression, and his eyes flicked between Zach and Jeff. “What are you guys talking about?”
Zach swallowed and took a step toward Chris, reaching for his hand. “Chris, I’m really glad we got to see this movie together.”
“Uh, yeah, me too,” Chris said, furrowing his brow in confusion as he slid his hand into Zach’s.
Zach glanced nervously at Jeff, who gave him an encouraging nod. The sounds of the street seemed to fade to a dull murmur, or maybe that was just the blood rushing in his ears. He took a deep breath and looked Chris in the eye. “I just, sometimes I think it’s crazy, how we got to this point, you know? I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently, about that moment I first saw you, standing in the hallway of the Marriott dressed as James T. Kirk-“
Chris gasped and put a hand over his mouth, his eyes widening. Zach let his lips quirk up in a half smile as he continued. “And ever since that moment, I’ve known that you were someone that I wanted in my life. And-“ He glanced to the side and swallowed hard before he looked back. “I’ve been so lucky-“ His words caught in his throat as he felt his eyes brim with hot, unexpected tears. “Fuck,” he breathed, laughing a little as he caught Chris’s eye.
“Zach,” Chris breathed, dropping his hand from his mouth.
Zach fumbled in his pocket, his hand shaking as he pulled out the ring and slid it clumsily onto Chris’s finger. He’d forgotten half of his speech, but he managed to keep his voice clear and steady as he skipped to the most important part. “Chris - jtk1980 - will you marry me?”
Chris’s response was an enthusiastic embrace that nearly knocked the wind out of Zach, and he smiled, relief and joy flooding through him as he returned the hug. Chris’s face was buried in his neck and his voice was muffled, but Zach could feel the words against his skin, “Zach” and “yes” and “love you” on repeat. He tried to pull Chris up for a kiss and was surprised to find him resisting, didn’t understand until Chris finally looked up at him and Zach could see the tears streaming down his cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” Chris said, laughing as he wiped futilely at his eyes. “I can’t help it…” He kissed Zach on the lips, then hid his face again, pressing his forehead to Zach’s temple.
A light flashed, and Chris looked over to see Jeff grinning at them from behind the camera. Tasha stood next to him, dabbing at her eyes with a sleeve.
“Why are you crying?” Chris choked out, laughing.
Tasha shook her head. “Chris…you guys…I just…”
“Wow,” Chris murmured to Zach, loud enough for the others to hear. “Tasha’s speechless. I never thought I’d see the day.”
Tasha gave him the finger and a teary smile before turning away to press her face into Jeff’s shoulder.
Zach stroked his fingers lightly across the back of Chris’s neck, regaining his attention. Chris nuzzled in closer as they swayed slightly in place.
“I got the ring engraved,” Zach told him quietly. “It says-“ he paused, then breathed the word that he’d whispered shyly to Chris for the first time many years ago - “t’hy’la.”
“Oh my god,” Chris sobbed, as a fresh stream of tears began to flow. “Are you trying to kill me?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, Zach, so much.” He wiped his face on Zach’s shoulder before catching his lips in a kiss, a real one this time, a passionate tangle of tongues that Zach was pretty sure was bordering on inappropriate by the time Chris pulled away.
“Wait…how long have you had this ring?!” he asked, his eyes wide.
“Um. Like two months.”
“Two months?!” Chris cried, sounding genuinely distressed. “Zach, why did you wait so long?!”
“I wanted to wait until tonight.” He gestured toward the theater. “You know - the ‘greatest night of your life’?”
“Zach.” Chris cupped Zach’s cheek in his palm and touched their foreheads together. “Any time you would have asked me would have been the greatest night of my life.”
Zach closed his eyes, basking in the moment, in the joy that he felt surging through him, in Chris’s love surrounding him. In Chris’s warm breath against his ear as he whispered, “Now I need to take you home and do things to you.”
Zach chuckled as he felt a spark of lust shoot through him, and he glanced up at Tasha and Jeff. “So, um, I think we’re gonna head home,” he said apologetically.
Tasha grinned at them. “Go. Celebrate. Give us a call tomorrow when you decide to emerge for sustenance.”
Zach smiled gratefully, blushing. “Will do. ’Night, guys.”
“Goodnight and congratulations, Lieutenant Commander, Captain,” Jeff said, giving them a salute as they parted ways.
Despite their urgency, they decided to walk home, savoring the evening as they strolled the familiar route, hand-in-hand, fingers intertwined - except for every five minutes when Chris would let go to grin idiotically at the ring.
“So…can I get you one?”
“You’d better.”
Chris gave a little jump of happiness. Zach was pretty sure that if they weren’t holding hands, Chris would be spinning in circles down the sidewalk. And, okay, yeah, maybe Zach would be, too.
The conversation turned back to the movie as they cut through a corner of the park.
“So what did you think of the whole Spock-gets-with-Uhura thing?” Chris asked.
“Hey, even I have to admit that she’s hot. So, you know. Let him have his dalliances before he discovers his true destiny with Kirk.”
Chris laughed. “I like the way you think.”
“I thought you might.”
“And dude, how awesome was Bones?!”
“Seriously awesome. Your boyfriend Karl Urban was like channeling DeForest Kelley. It was unreal.”
“It was. It would be downright creepy if I weren’t so distracted by his rugged good looks.”
“Yeah, yeah. So what was your favorite part?”
Chris squeezed his hand. “The part where you asked me to marry you.”
Zach ducked his head and smiled despite himself. “Dork.”
They walked quietly for a while, lost in their own thoughts, neither of them able to keep their smiles from bursting forth at random intervals. Chris was the first to break the silence.
“Do you ever think how weird it is that without Star Trek, we probably never would have met?”
“Yeah. Well…without the combination of Star Trek and our obsessive tendencies.”
“True. Although…maybe we would still have met,” Chris mused, glancing at Zach.
“How?”
Chris shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe we both would have been obsessed with, like, Knight Rider or something.”
“Knight Rider, god, Chris, of all the things you could pick,” Zach said, putting a hand over his eyes as though Chris’s choice of an alternative fandom had pained him to his very core.
Chris just smiled and looked down at the ground. “I’m just saying, you know, Star Trek was just the vehicle. Maybe in an alternate universe, we would have met some other way.”
They came to a stop in a strip of moonlight that splashed across a section of the path. Zach ran a finger down Chris’s cheek and leaned for a kiss. “You mean, like destiny?”
Chris nodded. “Like epic, universe-transcending love.”
“Mmm, I like the sound of that.” Zach wrapped his arms around Chris and pulled him close.
“Or maybe I just think you’re a total hottie and I don’t want anyone else to get their hands on you,” Chris murmured, touching his lips to Zach’s cheek, pressing kiss after kiss along his jaw.
“And maybe I just want guaranteed life-long access to your ridiculously delectable ass,” Zach said, sliding his hands down to show his appreciation.
“Probably destiny though,” Chris said, leaning back.
“Yeah, probably,” Zach agreed.
The moonlight illuminated their matching grins.
“Still, though, thank god for Star Trek, right?” Zach said, throwing an arm around Chris’s shoulders as they started walking again. He shook his head. “Knight Rider, Jesus.”
Chris’s laugh lit up the darkness, and he steered them into the night toward home.