[TWBI] Birthday Gift
Title: Birthday Gift
Series: That Would Be Illogical
Fandom: Star Trek XI
Rating: PG13
Length: 1,500
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Summary: This is not the first illogical action I have ever participated in because of James Tiberius Kirk. I doubt it will be the last. Masterlist
Previous: First
I did not initially consider getting Jim anything for his birthday. I had not gotten him gifts for the past three of his birthdays. It was not that I had always forgotten his birthday, as I can remember dates and numbers quite naturally and with little effort, but I am merely not accustomed to considering the date of one's birth very significant. I believe he was a little disappointed the first birthday, though he did not appear too upset. After that, I do not believe he expected one.
He always gives me a gift for my birthday. They are strange trinkets or objects, normally with no true purpose, but always with some illogical undercurrent of humor and thoughtfulness. The first was a religious statuette depicting the Kappa Deltan's demigod of loyalty, which was a sleeping cat-like creature. I had a suspicion it was less a reference to my capabilities and loyalty as his First Officer and more to my willingness to stay in bed when he is asleep and his claims that I sometimes purr when we exchange affectionate contact.
The second was a small wooden bracelet with rather intricate designs carved along the band. He claims that it is said the wood from the K'ton tree is meant to counteract the effects of carpel tunnel. Once again, I question if he is alluding to my professional life or our personal life.
The third was a pair of leather gloves with a soft Argelius II animal fur lining. They are of a decent quality and they usually keep my hands sufficiently warm. I find, however, that I cannot put them on without causing myself to become aroused by the fur caressing my fingers and palm. It is a fact I discovered when we were on a diplomatic mission with the people of Iota II, an ice planet. I am not sure how I managed to keep my mental cognition for the 5.78 hours when every handshake, passing of PADDs and typing caused a large amount of stimulation. I had not told Jim the reason for my aggressive insistence to go straight to his quarters after that shift ended, but I believe he is beginning to see a trend, in that it occurs after each away mission on low temperature planets. Not that he complains. I am unsure if he knows that it is the gloves that are the direct cause.
Each is from planets that the Enterprise visited. Thinking far in advance is not a usual trait of Jim; so the fact that he has the ability to see something and decide it would be a great present for a day months away was rather astounding. Nyota also did this though I had believed it stemmed from her organized and planning personality. With Jim also showing this trait, I wonder if it is merely an anomaly or an inherit trait of all humans. When I think back, I do remember others also giving gifts in such a fashion. Perhaps it is because they live on a starship. Opportunities to buy gifts are rare so it is logical that they would learn to buy gifts far in advance. Even if the actual act of gift giving is largely illogical.
I do not have this trait.
I cannot see an object and make the connection to buy it as a birthday present. I find myself the day before Jim's next birthday and we will not be making any stops for the next week. I would not say that I feel panic, but I certainly feel a small bit of anxiety.
As with most of the time that I find myself unsure of something pertaining to humans, I turn to Nyota. I asked what I could get Jim in such a short time. She made few suggestions. The first was to give him one of my more personal items, which can show trust. I have few personal belongings, as Vulcans rarely form connections to inanimate objects. The only things that have any true significance to me are a scarf and hat knitted by my mother. Despite my attempts at Vulcan detachment, I do not think I would be able to give them to Jim, or anyone. And he still feels guilty for what he said to me on the bridge concerning her during the Narada incident, no matter how many times I attempt to reassure him that I hold no grudge. I believe he would view it as me giving up another piece of my mother. I do not believe he would be able to comfortably accept them.
Another suggestion was to do something for Jim that I would not normally do, something that I would only do for or with him and few others. She claims the view of me making a concession will show my affection for him. In other words, do something I know is illogical for him. I find this a rather ironic suggestion. The fact that I want to give him a gift was an illogical concession. And I already find myself doing so many illogical things around him; it is his usual effect on me. There is no special occasion needed for that.
Her third suggestion was to make him something. This seems like the most logical choice, though regarding what I will make him I have little insight. I never participated in the Terran children's activity of 'arts and crafts'. I can fix or build differing pieces of technology, but nothing that could really be a gift. I dwelled on the thought of making him a 'birthday cake' from scratch; however, I quickly decided against it. I may be able to simultaneously oversee and work on five complicated experiments in differing fields of scientific study while scanning space and keeping Jim out of trouble, but I cannot make any attempts to cook or bake without it leading to disastrous results. Jim has banned me from any stove or oven without supervision.
On the day of his birthday, I had Gamma shift while he had Alpha. I become off-duty as soon as he entered the bridge. We both gave acknowledging nods before I entered the turbolift and retreated to my quarters to sit at my desk. I only had until the start of Beta shift to construct a gift. It was not until 4.6 minutes until the shift change that I grabbed a PADD and quickly typed into it. I was finished 3.1 minutes into Beta shift. I stiffly stood and walked to the Captain's quarters next door. I buzzed for entry, which was immediately permitted. I held the PADD behind my back as I walked into the room.
Jim was slouched in his chair at his desk. He gave me a large smile. "Hey, Spock," he said, stretching his arms above his head. I resisted the urge to look at his exposed abdomen from his gold command uniform and his black undershirt being pulled up with his shoulders.
I merely stand, back straight and my muscles tense. I do not know why I feel this way. I had not given him a gift the last three birthdays so if I did not give my haphazard 'gift' to him it would not be unusual. Gifts are illogical. But I found I had to do it. I felt guilt for not giving him one before. I had to give him one now. But I feel my gift to be extremely inadequate.
My silence and rigid appearance cause his grin to fade. "You alright?"
I give a stiff nod and take a step forward. I tensely give him the PADD that had been hidden behind my back.
He looks at it, confused. He takes it. On the screen is a complex geometric design in gold and green creating a swirling image. He studies it for a moment before looking up at me. "What is it?"
It takes a large amount of control to keep my voice steady. I look at the wall above and behind his head. "It is a fractal algorithm. It is a computer-generated image created using a set of complex mathematical equations."
He looks back down at the image, still slightly confused.
"It is your birthday, is it not?" I quickly add.
He looks up at me surprised. His blue eyes are wide. "You made this for me? As a birthday present?"
I look back down at him. It takes all of my will power to give another minute nod.
He glances down once more before the largest grin I have ever seen spreads across his face. I am slightly taken aback. The PADD is put down with a large clatter and before I realize, Jim grabs my waist and pulls me down, capturing my lips with his. I am slammed with his warm, simmering feelings of love and giddiness. He deepens the kiss and his smooth tongue meets my rough one.
I suppose there is a certain appeal to giving gifts after all.
Next: Diplomatic Fumbles
Series: That Would Be Illogical
Fandom: Star Trek XI
Rating: PG13
Length: 1,500
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Summary: This is not the first illogical action I have ever participated in because of James Tiberius Kirk. I doubt it will be the last. Masterlist
Previous: First
I did not initially consider getting Jim anything for his birthday. I had not gotten him gifts for the past three of his birthdays. It was not that I had always forgotten his birthday, as I can remember dates and numbers quite naturally and with little effort, but I am merely not accustomed to considering the date of one's birth very significant. I believe he was a little disappointed the first birthday, though he did not appear too upset. After that, I do not believe he expected one.
He always gives me a gift for my birthday. They are strange trinkets or objects, normally with no true purpose, but always with some illogical undercurrent of humor and thoughtfulness. The first was a religious statuette depicting the Kappa Deltan's demigod of loyalty, which was a sleeping cat-like creature. I had a suspicion it was less a reference to my capabilities and loyalty as his First Officer and more to my willingness to stay in bed when he is asleep and his claims that I sometimes purr when we exchange affectionate contact.
The second was a small wooden bracelet with rather intricate designs carved along the band. He claims that it is said the wood from the K'ton tree is meant to counteract the effects of carpel tunnel. Once again, I question if he is alluding to my professional life or our personal life.
The third was a pair of leather gloves with a soft Argelius II animal fur lining. They are of a decent quality and they usually keep my hands sufficiently warm. I find, however, that I cannot put them on without causing myself to become aroused by the fur caressing my fingers and palm. It is a fact I discovered when we were on a diplomatic mission with the people of Iota II, an ice planet. I am not sure how I managed to keep my mental cognition for the 5.78 hours when every handshake, passing of PADDs and typing caused a large amount of stimulation. I had not told Jim the reason for my aggressive insistence to go straight to his quarters after that shift ended, but I believe he is beginning to see a trend, in that it occurs after each away mission on low temperature planets. Not that he complains. I am unsure if he knows that it is the gloves that are the direct cause.
Each is from planets that the Enterprise visited. Thinking far in advance is not a usual trait of Jim; so the fact that he has the ability to see something and decide it would be a great present for a day months away was rather astounding. Nyota also did this though I had believed it stemmed from her organized and planning personality. With Jim also showing this trait, I wonder if it is merely an anomaly or an inherit trait of all humans. When I think back, I do remember others also giving gifts in such a fashion. Perhaps it is because they live on a starship. Opportunities to buy gifts are rare so it is logical that they would learn to buy gifts far in advance. Even if the actual act of gift giving is largely illogical.
I do not have this trait.
I cannot see an object and make the connection to buy it as a birthday present. I find myself the day before Jim's next birthday and we will not be making any stops for the next week. I would not say that I feel panic, but I certainly feel a small bit of anxiety.
As with most of the time that I find myself unsure of something pertaining to humans, I turn to Nyota. I asked what I could get Jim in such a short time. She made few suggestions. The first was to give him one of my more personal items, which can show trust. I have few personal belongings, as Vulcans rarely form connections to inanimate objects. The only things that have any true significance to me are a scarf and hat knitted by my mother. Despite my attempts at Vulcan detachment, I do not think I would be able to give them to Jim, or anyone. And he still feels guilty for what he said to me on the bridge concerning her during the Narada incident, no matter how many times I attempt to reassure him that I hold no grudge. I believe he would view it as me giving up another piece of my mother. I do not believe he would be able to comfortably accept them.
Another suggestion was to do something for Jim that I would not normally do, something that I would only do for or with him and few others. She claims the view of me making a concession will show my affection for him. In other words, do something I know is illogical for him. I find this a rather ironic suggestion. The fact that I want to give him a gift was an illogical concession. And I already find myself doing so many illogical things around him; it is his usual effect on me. There is no special occasion needed for that.
Her third suggestion was to make him something. This seems like the most logical choice, though regarding what I will make him I have little insight. I never participated in the Terran children's activity of 'arts and crafts'. I can fix or build differing pieces of technology, but nothing that could really be a gift. I dwelled on the thought of making him a 'birthday cake' from scratch; however, I quickly decided against it. I may be able to simultaneously oversee and work on five complicated experiments in differing fields of scientific study while scanning space and keeping Jim out of trouble, but I cannot make any attempts to cook or bake without it leading to disastrous results. Jim has banned me from any stove or oven without supervision.
On the day of his birthday, I had Gamma shift while he had Alpha. I become off-duty as soon as he entered the bridge. We both gave acknowledging nods before I entered the turbolift and retreated to my quarters to sit at my desk. I only had until the start of Beta shift to construct a gift. It was not until 4.6 minutes until the shift change that I grabbed a PADD and quickly typed into it. I was finished 3.1 minutes into Beta shift. I stiffly stood and walked to the Captain's quarters next door. I buzzed for entry, which was immediately permitted. I held the PADD behind my back as I walked into the room.
Jim was slouched in his chair at his desk. He gave me a large smile. "Hey, Spock," he said, stretching his arms above his head. I resisted the urge to look at his exposed abdomen from his gold command uniform and his black undershirt being pulled up with his shoulders.
I merely stand, back straight and my muscles tense. I do not know why I feel this way. I had not given him a gift the last three birthdays so if I did not give my haphazard 'gift' to him it would not be unusual. Gifts are illogical. But I found I had to do it. I felt guilt for not giving him one before. I had to give him one now. But I feel my gift to be extremely inadequate.
My silence and rigid appearance cause his grin to fade. "You alright?"
I give a stiff nod and take a step forward. I tensely give him the PADD that had been hidden behind my back.
He looks at it, confused. He takes it. On the screen is a complex geometric design in gold and green creating a swirling image. He studies it for a moment before looking up at me. "What is it?"
It takes a large amount of control to keep my voice steady. I look at the wall above and behind his head. "It is a fractal algorithm. It is a computer-generated image created using a set of complex mathematical equations."
He looks back down at the image, still slightly confused.
"It is your birthday, is it not?" I quickly add.
He looks up at me surprised. His blue eyes are wide. "You made this for me? As a birthday present?"
I look back down at him. It takes all of my will power to give another minute nod.
He glances down once more before the largest grin I have ever seen spreads across his face. I am slightly taken aback. The PADD is put down with a large clatter and before I realize, Jim grabs my waist and pulls me down, capturing my lips with his. I am slammed with his warm, simmering feelings of love and giddiness. He deepens the kiss and his smooth tongue meets my rough one.
I suppose there is a certain appeal to giving gifts after all.
Next: Diplomatic Fumbles