mouth_breather | IC Inbox

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'You've reached the voice mail of Jim Kirk. If this is an emergency, hit the pound key to deliver your message via the speaker. As long as I've got my comm with me, I'll hear it. If this is about a class assignment, press one. If this is regarding the location of any of my crew, press two.

If this is Spock questioning my orders to relax every once in a while, wait for exactly 43 seconds, press your thumb to the screen, and speak the secret passwords: 'It's okay to relax every now and then because I trust my captain, as a friend, to know what's good for me.'

...

Did you do it? Now just press 2, it would have got you the same results.'

BEEP!

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It's a good way to keep the blood circulating so you won't get too frozen. As long as it's daylight, the scenery will work in your favor. Skating or skiing would work too.

[He's been through a few Iowa winters in his youth, a drop in temperature doesn't mean a drop in romantic opportunities.]

...Wait, are you still set on getting those glasses? If so, skip the skating and skiing, they'll be toast.

No, I haven't decided on the glasses yet. I was thinking about maybe going back tomorrow to try them out again. But I could always wear them on future dates.

[He pauses for a moment.]

I've never done either of those before, though - San Fran isn't exactly known for its winters. Do you think I should skip them then, or is learning together a thing that women like?

[Maybe he should ask Weiss what she thinks.]

Skip it.

[Minako would have told him to go for it, but Jim? Nope. He's all about situations where he can provide for his date and make her feel safe with him. That can't be done if he's falling on his ass over and over.]

I think the joint lessons are the sort of thing you go for when you're completely committed to each other. Make sure you've got someplace warm you can go to after the hike. A coffee shop if you want to play it safe, her place if you're going for another base.

Hiking it is then. Assuming she likes that. I'll get confirmation.

[Though Winter might enjoy seeing him act all dorky on skates, he's deferring to Kirk's expert opinion.]

As much as I wouldn't object to making it to second, that's really her call. So maybe a spot in proximity to both would be ideal? That way I can suggest the coffee shop but she can counter with her place if she wants.

[Kirk's pointing finger slowly wags up and down in the affirmative as he grins.]

Yes. Yes, that's perfect. You're a natural at this.

[But he already knew that if he managed to sweep Uhura off her feet where Kirk had failed. And crashed. And burned. And continued to smolder in the smoking remains of a dumpster.]

Make sure you call her tomorrow, too. It'll keep you fresh in her mind.

[Spock nods. That makes sense.]

Call or text? And what am I supposed to say to her?

[This was so much easier when you lived on the same ship and worked on the same shift as your intended.]

[He has to think about this one. Kirk doesn't usually call back the next day is the thing, but he knows it's a good way to show you're serious.]

Text shows you're respectful and willing to wait for her to answer at her own pace, but an actual call makes sure she knows you're sincere about wanting to see her again. So that's a decision you'd know how to make better than I would, since you know her a lot better.

Start with "Hi, how are you?" And follow it up with what you liked. It'll flow naturally if you guys are both crazy about each other like you mentioned.

[He weighs his options. Winter is pretty formal, so a phone call seems good. But she's usually pretty busy with her camp, so a text certainly has its advantages. He'll have to think on it.]

We made out, but I don't know if that means that she's into me or if she's just looking for a fling. I know I'd like more, but...

[Kirk might be the wrong person to ask about this--Kirk, who has had nothing but flings. He knows Spock can be committed, though. That's why he's actually thinking about what to say.]

How much 'more' are we talking about here? Remember you haven't known her all that long. This was just a first date.

...Even if it was, by the sound of it, a big success.

Edited 2017-12-15 04:39 (UTC)

[Spock rolls his eyes.]

I'm not about to ask her to marry me, if that's what you're concerned about. [He hasn't even met her parents!] I'm just not interested in pursuing this if there isn't a chance it will go anywhere, you know? I want it to have meaning. I'm not like you.

[It's not meant in an offensive way - Kirk just isn't usually the meaningful relationship type from what he's seen. Nothing wrong with that, but it just wasn't the life for him.]

[He rubs at the bridge of his nose. For crying out loud, Spock, you're supposed to be his best friend.]

It's not that I'm just looking for flings. It's that I'm not going to abuse my position as captain by romancing my crew members, and I don't think I'd handle a long-distance five-plus-year relationship all that well.

[He's matured over the years. Granted, it's been gradual, but he isn't going to bang two Caitians at the same time anymore.]

[...Okay, well, he might if they approached him and offered, but it's not like he's running after anything in a skirt that smiles at him anymore.]

That said, it's probably too soon to get exclusive with her. Slow it down a bit, just enjoy spending time with her for now.

[It's a fact, not an offense!

He frowns at Kirk's choice of words.]

Wait do you think that that's what it was between Uhura and I? An abuse of my power? Because if you don't then you shouldn't see a problem with dating a crew member. Starfleet doesn't forbid it.

[He shakes his head at the second part.]

No, I know enough not to rush into it and ask her to go steady with me tomorrow. I just want to make sure this isn't about, you know, primal urges. I know that's a common thing.

How did you even get to that--

[He never thought he'd find the day where he missed Spock's rational thoughts and logic. Holy hell.]

No, calm your bangs. This has nothing to do with you and Uhura. I don't even know how long you were together before we were assigned to the Enterprise.

[Because they were both so damn tight-lipped about their relationship. He needs to get this conversation back on track.]

Yyyyeah...yeah, it's common. And probably a good idea not to get too primal.

[Because when this wears off, Kirk would NOT like to be strangled by Vulcan strength a second time.]

Wait at least a month for that, if you want this to be a serious relationship at some point.

[That should be safe.]

[Try to derail all you want; you're fighting for Spock's happiness, he's going to fight for yours.]

Exactly! You never thought anything bad of it when it was she and me, even though I outranked her before we boarded the Enterprise. Besides, we're not on the Enterprise now. No reason you couldn't see someone here.

[But back on point.]

A month seems reasonable. Allows for several dates to make sure that we actually gel well but not so many that we already feel as if we're in a relationship.

My love life isn't really what we're supposed to be focusing on right now.

[He's idly reaching back and tracing a finger over the pattern of his headboard. See? That's how much he doesn't care about his own romances, even if they do dress up as Sexy Abraham Lincoln for Halloween.]

Anyway, sounds like you're on the right track. You good?

[Spock frowns, but he isn't going to push the issue if Kirk doesn't want to talk about it.

He nods his head and pulls himself to his feet.]

Yeah, I'm going to head to bed. Thanks for talking.

Yeah, sure. Any time...

[Which is the weirdest part, come to think of it. They don't really sit down and talk like this. Ever. The closest they got to opening up to each other was Kirk forcing Spock to deal with the death of his mother and destruction of the planet Vulcan. This conversation has far fewer punches to the face, which Jim appreciates.]

[After a moment of thought, he jerks his chin.]

Spock. ...This was fun. We should do it more often.

['When you're back to normal' is the unspoken fragment.]

[Come to think of it, it's been awhile since they'd had a heart to heart like this. Sure, they talked and joked around, but they never really talked.

Spock looks down at him and actually genuinely smiles.]

I'd like that. I'd like that a lot.

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More like an eyebrow ON

Ha!

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