Fruit of the Tree of Life 2/4 - for myjadedhavok
Author's name : creampuffsteph
Written for: myjadedhavok
Pairing/characters: Kirk/Spock, Bones, Kodos
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Spock and Kirk must survive Tarsus IV together.
Warnings: mentions of death (nothing explicit)
Disclaimer: Don't own. Wish I did.
Three weeks go by since he’s left Auntie Linda and Uncle Jeffrey. He still misses them, but life at Kodos’ is cool. Kodos brings him all the latest holovids, let’s him eat whatever he wants, and is even teaching him how to shoot a phaser.
Also, a little weirdly, he insists Jimmy call him Uncle Kodos. But, whatever. Kodos is like the most awesome uncle ever, indulging Jimmy’s every whim and showing real affection towards an 11 year old he took in not too long ago.
The only limitation Uncle Kodos places on Jimmy’s freedom is leaving the grounds of the estate. Jimmy asked once, just once, why he couldn’t.
“It’s not safe out there, son. Dangerous beasts scavenging for food now that most of the crops are gone.”
Oh, right. Jimmy’d almost completely forgotten about that. Because there’s no shortage of food in here. Jimmy has a huge selection of the best kinds of stuff (and even the not so best, like vegetables). He guesses it makes sense. If there are no crops then there are probably a lot of hungry, and therefore scary, animals. But he wouldn’t have to go anywhere near areas where he’d see them. He’d stick to the populated areas. Jimmy wants to see people not beasts.
“But -”
“Please, Jimmy, don’t ask of it again. The thought that something could happen to you, of your purity sullied by unclean animals, hurts me.”
Well, Jimmy guesses that’s really nice and sweet of Uncle Kodos.
“Okay, sure.”
“Good.” Uncle Kodos’ hand trembles as it clutches Jimmy’s shoulder. “Good boy. You’re very important to me. To the future of this colony. I want to make sure nothing happens to you.”
Um...okay.
Luckily Uncle Kodos’ estate is frickin’ huge. With lots of land to explore. He has farmland, though Jimmy doesn’t often go by there because he finds it makes him miss Linda and Jeffrey more, and horses that seem much more wild than the ones he’s used to. There are gardens of different, exotic flowers and plants. But Jimmy stays away from there too because he gets allergies and he doesn’t want to push his luck. Kodos even has virtual sim games, huge courts he can program to replicate almost any type of scenario.
But the one spot Jimmy finds he likes the best is the orchard. He really enjoys walking through the calm area, sitting idly under the shade of a sprawling fruit tree and letting his teeth sink into the juicy meat of the alien fruits that explode flavor in his mouth.
It’s then, with his fingers still sticky from fruit, that Jimmy first sees him. A boy, unlike any he’s ever seen, slowly, methodically, walking through the orchard with a large basket. Collecting fruit. This boy is so odd because even though he can’t be much older than Jimmy - he’s so skinny! - the basket he holds is nearly the same size as his body. And the boy carries it as if it weighs nothing.
Jimmy has to know how the boy got so strong. He’d like to be that strong some day.
“Hey!”
The boy, black cap of hair glinting all shiny in the stray patches of sunlight, looks up, eyes wide. He very obviously spots Jimmy, knows who shouted at him, but ducks his head low and continues gathering as though he hadn’t heard a thing.
Annoyed, Jimmy stands. “Helloooo!? I’m taaaaalking to youuuuu.” He steps out of the shade and closer to the boy.
There is still no response from the boy, who is now setting his basket down so he can better clamber up a tree to reach the best fruit in the top branches.
Jimmy stops to think for a minute. Maybe this outrageously strong boy is scared of Jimmy. Because he doesn’t know Jimmy and that clearly makes Jimmy a stranger. And Jimmy figures if he was taught never to talk to strangers, maybe this boy was too.
“Hey, it’s okay. You don’t need to be scared of me.”
The boy jumps down from the tree, lightly landing on his feet like a cat. Huh. Neat.
“My name’s James Kirk.” Strangers don’t tell you their names, he figures. “But everyone calls me Jimmy. It’s nice to meet you...” He trails off hoping the boy will offer up a name. When none comes, Jimmy huffs in frustration.
“I’m not a stranger, okay?” The other boy picks up his basket and actually pauses in his work to look at Jimmy. He considers it a step forward. At least the boy is actively paying attention. “I mean, you can totally talk to me. I’m cool.” And figuring, if this boy is working on Kodos land, he has to be aware of who Kodos actually is. Meaning he can know for sure Jimmy’s telling the truth when he says he’s no stranger. “I’m Kodos’, uh, nephew.”
Without warning the boy picks up his basket and runs, terror in his wide, brown eyes.
And...two steps back, Jimmy thinks.
--
He goes back every day after that, hoping to catch a glimpse of the super strong boy. He has fun with all the toys Uncle Kodos brings him, but Jimmy is bored, lonely for a companion his own age. He thinks befriending the dark haired boy is a really good idea.
It’s not until a week later that Jimmy sees him again, not far form the spot they’d been the last time.
He sees the boy flinch when Jimmy calls out again.
“Why are you so determined to ignore me?”
The boy abandons his basket again in favor of climbing a new tree for a different fruit. He looks so graceful moving limb from limb up there. Jimmy wishes he could climb that well.
As the boy goes higher, reaching long limbed for a vibrant purple fruit, a ray of sunlight shines through a branch and hits the boy’s head just so - illuminating one lage, pointed ear.
“Holy cow! You’re Vulcan, aren’t you?”
He’s seen aliens before, but never a Vulcan. Jimmy’s heard all sorts of stories about the race, about First Contact and co-founding the Federation. And, just, wow. He feels kind of honored to be in the presence of someone coming from such an awesome planet.
A dull thud breaks Jimmy out of his reverie. He looks up but doesn’t see the boy. Where did he...Movement under the tree makes him look down and he realizes what happened. The boy fell. He fell. He’s a tangle of long, awkward legs and his eyes are closed as he grimaces in pain. And Jimmy feels so bad. He probably distracted the boy and that’s why he fell.
“Oh my gosh, are you okay?” Jimmy runs to the boy’s side and places gentle hands on the ankle currently being cradled in the boy’s hands.
Their fingers brush and Jimmy is shocked by how violently the boy recoils from the touch.
“Hey, shhh, it’s okay.” Jimmy continues to make shushing noises, the kind Mom made whenever he got hurt. “Are you hurt?” He places his hand over the boy’s and squeezes reassuringly.
A sense of fear/intrigue/wonder floods through Jimmy. It’s such a strange, intense sensation, Jimmy’s mouth hangs open in wonderment. And when he finally looks up at the boy’s face, Jimmy sees his mouth gaping as well.
Their gazes lock and hold as somehow Jimmy knows to help pull the boy to his feet. Which is harder than it looks. For someone that looks so skinny, this boy sure does weigh a ton.
The boy steps gingerly, putting weight on the hurt ankle. When it holds, his fingers slip out of Jimmy’s grasp. The loss is a surprise, powerful and somehow sad, as Jimmy stares down at his empty hand.
Then the boy speaks for the first time.
“I am Spock.”
And Jimmy can’t keep the smile off his face.
--
This time when Jimmy comes back at the same time the next day, he’s excited - and a bit surprised- to see the boy, Spock, in the orchard. Even though Tarsus’ star is high in the sky already and Jim is beginning to break out in a light sweat, Spock is in long sleeves and pants. It’s something he hadn’t noticed before, too intent on figuring out who the boy was. But now that he does notice, Jimmy wonders at it. Isn’t Spock hot?
“Vulcan is largely a desert climate, James.”
Spock doesn’t call him Jimmy, like ever. Which Jimmy finds he kind of likes for some reason. He thinks it’s because it makes him feel older, more mature somehow, even when he asks seemingly obvious questions that other people would make fun of him for. Like that one.
And yet, when Spock speaks to Jimmy, it is never condescending, despite how smart Jimmy is finding out Spock really is. Like, smarter than his aunt and uncle. Maybe even Mom too! Jimmy likes it, being spoken to like an equal. Uncle Kodos is the only other really smart person Jimmy knows who does that. And lately kodos has taken to holing up in his strictly off limits office with a bunch of adults for hours on end. So he doesn’t have much time for Jimmy anymore.
Not Spock though. They see each other every day now, Jimmy walking alongside Spock who picks but never allows Jimmy’s help. Spock is often times quiet as the go. And Jimmy’s pretty sure it’s due to equal parts shyness and thoughtfulness. Spock seems like the type that chooses his words carefully. Like he wants to make sure he truly means what he says, or imparts the truest intent through his words. Because once they are spoken they cannot be taken back. Jimmy also thinks Spock is reluctant to share too much about himself. Almost as if he’s scared.
Like, when Jimmy asks Spock about his working for Kodos instead of going to the all year round school he’s learned other Vulcans attend? Well, Spock simply says, “because I have to.”
“Are your mom and dad here too, then? Working for Uncle Kodos?”
“No.”
“Where are they?”
“On Vulcan.”
“Then why are you here?”
Spock’s face scrunches up. Jimmy thinks that’s his mad face, though usually Spock maintains a level of calm that no other 11 year old, human or other race, could hope for. “Because.”
Which is the least helpful answer. Ever.
Jimmy can be patient, really he can, but Spock’s answers are starting to drive him crazy. And he lets it be known.
“Why don’t you ever tell me anything?” He roars at Spock’s placid face.
“Because.” And Jimmy fears he’ll leave it at that. And that he may try and punch Spock in the nose for it. “I do not wish for you to be harmed in anyway because of me.”
--
“How long have you been working for Uncle Kodos?” Jimmy can’t let it go. He wants, nay needs to know everything about Spock.
“Why,” oh great, Spock’s answering his question with another question, “do you refer to the Governor as your uncle when he is clearly not a family relation?”
Clearly? How is it so clear that Kodos isn’t Jimmy’s real uncle? He side-eyes Spock for a few seconds but sees only a naked curiosity, something Spock, Jimmy’s finding, always has a hard time hiding.
“Yeah, my real aunt and uncle, Linda and Jeffrey, are farmers just north of the colony. But when the crops started dying, I don’t know, things got weird. And Kodos came by for dinner and the next thing I know I’m being told I have to stay here instead.” Spock frowns, actually frowns at Jimmy which just cannot be good. “But it’s okay. I mean, I like it here. Kodos is really nice to me. And there’s a lot of stuff to do.”
The frown is still in place on Spock’s face. It kind of breaks Jimmy’s heart because, though he’s taken to knowing when Spock is feeling something - and therefore hiding it - he’s not used to facial expressions.
“Plus, there’s you.”
The frown disappears and is replaced by the tiniest, barely there, most brilliantly perfect smile Jimmy’s ever seen.
--
“Jimmy! Where have you been hiding lately?” Kodos comes up behind Jimmy as he is about to leave for the orchard.
“Nowhere.” Jimmy doesn’t tell Kodos about the orchard, or about Spock, and he isn’t sure why. Just that he feels nervous around Uncle Kodos lately, and he doesn’t want anyone to know about his and Spock’s time together.
“And where are you off to now?” Jimmy can’t help but think Kodos looks suspicious.
Doesn’t stop him from answering, “nowhere,” one more time.
“I see.”
“So I guess I’ll just...” Jimmy waves his hand at the closed back door, hoping Uncle Kodos will leave him be.
He doesn’t realize he’s actively trying to avoid time with his uncle, choosing Spock’s company over the man he’s grown to see as family. But lately, Uncle Kodos hasn’t been around. And the void Spock fills more than makes up for that.
Jimmy really likes Spock.
“Would you care to go to the shooting range with me today?”
Kodos is smiling at him so genially, Jimmy can’t help but get excited. Even though he really likes Spock, has a lot of fun with him, Jimmy is a boy. And, what boy doesn’t like to shoot stuff? Then Kodos busts out with the big guns, literally.
“I’ve got my hands on a new Klingon disruptor. Wanna try it out with me?”
“Do I!”
--
It’s not until well after dark, and several hours of shooting - only disturbed by food - that Jimmy remembers his missed time with Spock. He feels really guilty. What if Spock waited for Jimmy? Sitting all alone and sad because Jimmy never showed up? Oh man, he shouldn’t have gone shooting. Sure it’d been fun. But Spock’s his only friend and Jimmy’s worried Spock’ll be too hurt and angry to hang out with him again.
And then what will Jimmy do with all his free time?
He wants to run to the orchard right now and see if, by some miracle, Spock is still waiting there. But it’s too late. Only the feeble light cast by Tarsus’ limited visible stars shines down. And Uncle Kodos is very productive, won’t let Jimmy out this late. Even though the grounds have thirty foot walls enclosing it. To keep scary beasts out and stuff. Jimmy guesses.
He lays awake all night, nervously chewing at his bottom lip until he tastes blood. If Spock isn’t there tomorrow, well, Jimmy doesn’t know what he’ll do.
--
“Are you unwell, James?”
Jimmy’s hunched over, breathing labored and painful from the full out sprint over to the orchard in his haste to see Spock. He probably looks half crazed to Spock, serene as ever as he picks at orange spotted fruit.
“M’fine,” he huffs out, pulling up his shirt to wipe up the sweat beading along his hairline.
“You were not present yesterday.” It’s not a question, but Jimmy hears it that way anyway, knowing Spock wants an answer
“I’m sorry, Spock.” He’s got his breath back, but is still pretty worn out - maybe he should lay off all the junk food - so he sits down heavily under the tree Spock’s currently in. “Uncle Kodos took me shooting.”
“Shooting” A piece of fruit drops and hits Jimmy on the head.
“Hey! Ouch!” He rub gingerly at the spot, waiting for Spock to apologize. But he doesn’t. So Jimmy keeps talking. “Shooting. You know, with phasers and stuff?”
“I know what shooting is.” Spock drops down, landing in a crouch beside Jimmy. He wishes he could pull off a move like that, but he’d probably just break a leg or something. “Why did you go shooting?”
“Uh, because it’s fun? Who doesn’t like shooting stuff?”
“I do not.”
Jimmy turns to goggle at Spock, noticing how angry the boy looks, knees pulled up to his chest and eyes squinted as if trying to block out the sun.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Jimmy scoots closer and wraps his arm around Spock’s shoulder.
Every time he touches the other boy, Jimmy notices Spock’s flinch. But the more they hang out, the less severe it is, and the sooner Spock relaxes next to Jimmy.
This time, however, Spock remains rigid and closed off, no matter what Jimmy does.
“I do not approve of such an activity.” Before Jimmy can ask why not, Spock breaks free of Jimmy’s patting hand and turns scared brown eyes on him.
“Vulcans are taught that all life is of great worth.”
Jimmy catches on to why Spock’s so upset then. “Spock!” He laughs. “We weren’t shooting any animals or anything. Just targets. Just because you learn how to shoot doesn’t mean you have to kill something.”
Spock reaches out a hand, and for the first time, initiates contact between them, placing the tips of his first two fingers very lightly and quickly against Jimmy’s wrist.
“One does not acquire a new skill without the intent to some day use said skill.”
He looks so sad Jimmy wants to pull him into a hug. He doesn’t though, when Spock pulls his hand away.
“I don’t plan on shooting anything, Spock, you know that. I don’t wanna hurt anything.”
It’s quiet, the sound of wind rushing through the leaves, for several seconds.
“I know that,” Spock says even more quietly. “But I would venture a guess that whoever taught you does.”
--
Spock looks tired today. And thin. Too thin. Thinner than he was when they first met over a month ago. Jimmy realizes that even though they sometimes sit amongst the fruit trees for hours, and he often picks at several types of fruit to eat, Spock never touches them other than to collect in his basket.
“You hungry?” Jimmy holds out an apple, like a granny smith but a new type of hybrid unique to Tarsus.
“I am able to function adequately without nourishment at this time.”
Which, even at eleven, Jimmy knows is not a “no.” He learned from Spock that Vulcans avoid lying whenever possible. It goes against their religion or something. So he gets what Spock isn’t saying. That he’s starving.
“C’mon, Spock. Take it. There’s plenty here.”
Spock looks pained, and a green flush rises in his high cheekbones. “I cannot.”
“Why?” Jimmy’s still holding the apple out, silently begging Spock to take it.
“Because.”
Dammit.
Jimmy’s angry. Spock is clearly hungry. But for whatever reason he won’t eat. Even though the trees are so full of fruit, most are dropping their bounty on the earth, to further ripen until they are eventually no good to anyone. All Spock has to do is pick one up and eat. And he won’t. Worst of all, he won’t even tell Jimmy why he won’t.
“FIne!” He’s yelling again. Spock has an amazing capacity for bringing this side of Jimmy out. “I’m gonna eat it then. Only, I’m really full so I’ll probably just have a bite. I’ll throw the rest of it out since it’ll just go to waste because someone is too stubborn to eat the damn apple.”
Jimmy takes a huge bite, crunching loudly and messily, juice soaking his lips and dripping down his chin as he stares defiantly at Spock.
“I...” Spock’s eyes latch on to the apple, Jimmy’s lips, the bob of Jimmy’s throat as he swallows, and licks his lips. “...am hungry.”
“You wanna bite?”
His head is hung so low Jimmy doesn’t see those funny slanted eyebrows anymore. “Please.”
Jimmy grins in satisfaction as he hands over the apple. The satisfaction turns to concern when Spock inhales the thing in seconds, near eating the core, and licking his fingers quickly to get any remaining taste into his system.
Just how long has it been since Spock’s eaten?
Written for: myjadedhavok
Pairing/characters: Kirk/Spock, Bones, Kodos
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Spock and Kirk must survive Tarsus IV together.
Warnings: mentions of death (nothing explicit)
Disclaimer: Don't own. Wish I did.
Three weeks go by since he’s left Auntie Linda and Uncle Jeffrey. He still misses them, but life at Kodos’ is cool. Kodos brings him all the latest holovids, let’s him eat whatever he wants, and is even teaching him how to shoot a phaser.
Also, a little weirdly, he insists Jimmy call him Uncle Kodos. But, whatever. Kodos is like the most awesome uncle ever, indulging Jimmy’s every whim and showing real affection towards an 11 year old he took in not too long ago.
The only limitation Uncle Kodos places on Jimmy’s freedom is leaving the grounds of the estate. Jimmy asked once, just once, why he couldn’t.
“It’s not safe out there, son. Dangerous beasts scavenging for food now that most of the crops are gone.”
Oh, right. Jimmy’d almost completely forgotten about that. Because there’s no shortage of food in here. Jimmy has a huge selection of the best kinds of stuff (and even the not so best, like vegetables). He guesses it makes sense. If there are no crops then there are probably a lot of hungry, and therefore scary, animals. But he wouldn’t have to go anywhere near areas where he’d see them. He’d stick to the populated areas. Jimmy wants to see people not beasts.
“But -”
“Please, Jimmy, don’t ask of it again. The thought that something could happen to you, of your purity sullied by unclean animals, hurts me.”
Well, Jimmy guesses that’s really nice and sweet of Uncle Kodos.
“Okay, sure.”
“Good.” Uncle Kodos’ hand trembles as it clutches Jimmy’s shoulder. “Good boy. You’re very important to me. To the future of this colony. I want to make sure nothing happens to you.”
Um...okay.
Luckily Uncle Kodos’ estate is frickin’ huge. With lots of land to explore. He has farmland, though Jimmy doesn’t often go by there because he finds it makes him miss Linda and Jeffrey more, and horses that seem much more wild than the ones he’s used to. There are gardens of different, exotic flowers and plants. But Jimmy stays away from there too because he gets allergies and he doesn’t want to push his luck. Kodos even has virtual sim games, huge courts he can program to replicate almost any type of scenario.
But the one spot Jimmy finds he likes the best is the orchard. He really enjoys walking through the calm area, sitting idly under the shade of a sprawling fruit tree and letting his teeth sink into the juicy meat of the alien fruits that explode flavor in his mouth.
It’s then, with his fingers still sticky from fruit, that Jimmy first sees him. A boy, unlike any he’s ever seen, slowly, methodically, walking through the orchard with a large basket. Collecting fruit. This boy is so odd because even though he can’t be much older than Jimmy - he’s so skinny! - the basket he holds is nearly the same size as his body. And the boy carries it as if it weighs nothing.
Jimmy has to know how the boy got so strong. He’d like to be that strong some day.
“Hey!”
The boy, black cap of hair glinting all shiny in the stray patches of sunlight, looks up, eyes wide. He very obviously spots Jimmy, knows who shouted at him, but ducks his head low and continues gathering as though he hadn’t heard a thing.
Annoyed, Jimmy stands. “Helloooo!? I’m taaaaalking to youuuuu.” He steps out of the shade and closer to the boy.
There is still no response from the boy, who is now setting his basket down so he can better clamber up a tree to reach the best fruit in the top branches.
Jimmy stops to think for a minute. Maybe this outrageously strong boy is scared of Jimmy. Because he doesn’t know Jimmy and that clearly makes Jimmy a stranger. And Jimmy figures if he was taught never to talk to strangers, maybe this boy was too.
“Hey, it’s okay. You don’t need to be scared of me.”
The boy jumps down from the tree, lightly landing on his feet like a cat. Huh. Neat.
“My name’s James Kirk.” Strangers don’t tell you their names, he figures. “But everyone calls me Jimmy. It’s nice to meet you...” He trails off hoping the boy will offer up a name. When none comes, Jimmy huffs in frustration.
“I’m not a stranger, okay?” The other boy picks up his basket and actually pauses in his work to look at Jimmy. He considers it a step forward. At least the boy is actively paying attention. “I mean, you can totally talk to me. I’m cool.” And figuring, if this boy is working on Kodos land, he has to be aware of who Kodos actually is. Meaning he can know for sure Jimmy’s telling the truth when he says he’s no stranger. “I’m Kodos’, uh, nephew.”
Without warning the boy picks up his basket and runs, terror in his wide, brown eyes.
And...two steps back, Jimmy thinks.
--
He goes back every day after that, hoping to catch a glimpse of the super strong boy. He has fun with all the toys Uncle Kodos brings him, but Jimmy is bored, lonely for a companion his own age. He thinks befriending the dark haired boy is a really good idea.
It’s not until a week later that Jimmy sees him again, not far form the spot they’d been the last time.
He sees the boy flinch when Jimmy calls out again.
“Why are you so determined to ignore me?”
The boy abandons his basket again in favor of climbing a new tree for a different fruit. He looks so graceful moving limb from limb up there. Jimmy wishes he could climb that well.
As the boy goes higher, reaching long limbed for a vibrant purple fruit, a ray of sunlight shines through a branch and hits the boy’s head just so - illuminating one lage, pointed ear.
“Holy cow! You’re Vulcan, aren’t you?”
He’s seen aliens before, but never a Vulcan. Jimmy’s heard all sorts of stories about the race, about First Contact and co-founding the Federation. And, just, wow. He feels kind of honored to be in the presence of someone coming from such an awesome planet.
A dull thud breaks Jimmy out of his reverie. He looks up but doesn’t see the boy. Where did he...Movement under the tree makes him look down and he realizes what happened. The boy fell. He fell. He’s a tangle of long, awkward legs and his eyes are closed as he grimaces in pain. And Jimmy feels so bad. He probably distracted the boy and that’s why he fell.
“Oh my gosh, are you okay?” Jimmy runs to the boy’s side and places gentle hands on the ankle currently being cradled in the boy’s hands.
Their fingers brush and Jimmy is shocked by how violently the boy recoils from the touch.
“Hey, shhh, it’s okay.” Jimmy continues to make shushing noises, the kind Mom made whenever he got hurt. “Are you hurt?” He places his hand over the boy’s and squeezes reassuringly.
A sense of fear/intrigue/wonder floods through Jimmy. It’s such a strange, intense sensation, Jimmy’s mouth hangs open in wonderment. And when he finally looks up at the boy’s face, Jimmy sees his mouth gaping as well.
Their gazes lock and hold as somehow Jimmy knows to help pull the boy to his feet. Which is harder than it looks. For someone that looks so skinny, this boy sure does weigh a ton.
The boy steps gingerly, putting weight on the hurt ankle. When it holds, his fingers slip out of Jimmy’s grasp. The loss is a surprise, powerful and somehow sad, as Jimmy stares down at his empty hand.
Then the boy speaks for the first time.
“I am Spock.”
And Jimmy can’t keep the smile off his face.
--
This time when Jimmy comes back at the same time the next day, he’s excited - and a bit surprised- to see the boy, Spock, in the orchard. Even though Tarsus’ star is high in the sky already and Jim is beginning to break out in a light sweat, Spock is in long sleeves and pants. It’s something he hadn’t noticed before, too intent on figuring out who the boy was. But now that he does notice, Jimmy wonders at it. Isn’t Spock hot?
“Vulcan is largely a desert climate, James.”
Spock doesn’t call him Jimmy, like ever. Which Jimmy finds he kind of likes for some reason. He thinks it’s because it makes him feel older, more mature somehow, even when he asks seemingly obvious questions that other people would make fun of him for. Like that one.
And yet, when Spock speaks to Jimmy, it is never condescending, despite how smart Jimmy is finding out Spock really is. Like, smarter than his aunt and uncle. Maybe even Mom too! Jimmy likes it, being spoken to like an equal. Uncle Kodos is the only other really smart person Jimmy knows who does that. And lately kodos has taken to holing up in his strictly off limits office with a bunch of adults for hours on end. So he doesn’t have much time for Jimmy anymore.
Not Spock though. They see each other every day now, Jimmy walking alongside Spock who picks but never allows Jimmy’s help. Spock is often times quiet as the go. And Jimmy’s pretty sure it’s due to equal parts shyness and thoughtfulness. Spock seems like the type that chooses his words carefully. Like he wants to make sure he truly means what he says, or imparts the truest intent through his words. Because once they are spoken they cannot be taken back. Jimmy also thinks Spock is reluctant to share too much about himself. Almost as if he’s scared.
Like, when Jimmy asks Spock about his working for Kodos instead of going to the all year round school he’s learned other Vulcans attend? Well, Spock simply says, “because I have to.”
“Are your mom and dad here too, then? Working for Uncle Kodos?”
“No.”
“Where are they?”
“On Vulcan.”
“Then why are you here?”
Spock’s face scrunches up. Jimmy thinks that’s his mad face, though usually Spock maintains a level of calm that no other 11 year old, human or other race, could hope for. “Because.”
Which is the least helpful answer. Ever.
Jimmy can be patient, really he can, but Spock’s answers are starting to drive him crazy. And he lets it be known.
“Why don’t you ever tell me anything?” He roars at Spock’s placid face.
“Because.” And Jimmy fears he’ll leave it at that. And that he may try and punch Spock in the nose for it. “I do not wish for you to be harmed in anyway because of me.”
--
“How long have you been working for Uncle Kodos?” Jimmy can’t let it go. He wants, nay needs to know everything about Spock.
“Why,” oh great, Spock’s answering his question with another question, “do you refer to the Governor as your uncle when he is clearly not a family relation?”
Clearly? How is it so clear that Kodos isn’t Jimmy’s real uncle? He side-eyes Spock for a few seconds but sees only a naked curiosity, something Spock, Jimmy’s finding, always has a hard time hiding.
“Yeah, my real aunt and uncle, Linda and Jeffrey, are farmers just north of the colony. But when the crops started dying, I don’t know, things got weird. And Kodos came by for dinner and the next thing I know I’m being told I have to stay here instead.” Spock frowns, actually frowns at Jimmy which just cannot be good. “But it’s okay. I mean, I like it here. Kodos is really nice to me. And there’s a lot of stuff to do.”
The frown is still in place on Spock’s face. It kind of breaks Jimmy’s heart because, though he’s taken to knowing when Spock is feeling something - and therefore hiding it - he’s not used to facial expressions.
“Plus, there’s you.”
The frown disappears and is replaced by the tiniest, barely there, most brilliantly perfect smile Jimmy’s ever seen.
--
“Jimmy! Where have you been hiding lately?” Kodos comes up behind Jimmy as he is about to leave for the orchard.
“Nowhere.” Jimmy doesn’t tell Kodos about the orchard, or about Spock, and he isn’t sure why. Just that he feels nervous around Uncle Kodos lately, and he doesn’t want anyone to know about his and Spock’s time together.
“And where are you off to now?” Jimmy can’t help but think Kodos looks suspicious.
Doesn’t stop him from answering, “nowhere,” one more time.
“I see.”
“So I guess I’ll just...” Jimmy waves his hand at the closed back door, hoping Uncle Kodos will leave him be.
He doesn’t realize he’s actively trying to avoid time with his uncle, choosing Spock’s company over the man he’s grown to see as family. But lately, Uncle Kodos hasn’t been around. And the void Spock fills more than makes up for that.
Jimmy really likes Spock.
“Would you care to go to the shooting range with me today?”
Kodos is smiling at him so genially, Jimmy can’t help but get excited. Even though he really likes Spock, has a lot of fun with him, Jimmy is a boy. And, what boy doesn’t like to shoot stuff? Then Kodos busts out with the big guns, literally.
“I’ve got my hands on a new Klingon disruptor. Wanna try it out with me?”
“Do I!”
--
It’s not until well after dark, and several hours of shooting - only disturbed by food - that Jimmy remembers his missed time with Spock. He feels really guilty. What if Spock waited for Jimmy? Sitting all alone and sad because Jimmy never showed up? Oh man, he shouldn’t have gone shooting. Sure it’d been fun. But Spock’s his only friend and Jimmy’s worried Spock’ll be too hurt and angry to hang out with him again.
And then what will Jimmy do with all his free time?
He wants to run to the orchard right now and see if, by some miracle, Spock is still waiting there. But it’s too late. Only the feeble light cast by Tarsus’ limited visible stars shines down. And Uncle Kodos is very productive, won’t let Jimmy out this late. Even though the grounds have thirty foot walls enclosing it. To keep scary beasts out and stuff. Jimmy guesses.
He lays awake all night, nervously chewing at his bottom lip until he tastes blood. If Spock isn’t there tomorrow, well, Jimmy doesn’t know what he’ll do.
--
“Are you unwell, James?”
Jimmy’s hunched over, breathing labored and painful from the full out sprint over to the orchard in his haste to see Spock. He probably looks half crazed to Spock, serene as ever as he picks at orange spotted fruit.
“M’fine,” he huffs out, pulling up his shirt to wipe up the sweat beading along his hairline.
“You were not present yesterday.” It’s not a question, but Jimmy hears it that way anyway, knowing Spock wants an answer
“I’m sorry, Spock.” He’s got his breath back, but is still pretty worn out - maybe he should lay off all the junk food - so he sits down heavily under the tree Spock’s currently in. “Uncle Kodos took me shooting.”
“Shooting” A piece of fruit drops and hits Jimmy on the head.
“Hey! Ouch!” He rub gingerly at the spot, waiting for Spock to apologize. But he doesn’t. So Jimmy keeps talking. “Shooting. You know, with phasers and stuff?”
“I know what shooting is.” Spock drops down, landing in a crouch beside Jimmy. He wishes he could pull off a move like that, but he’d probably just break a leg or something. “Why did you go shooting?”
“Uh, because it’s fun? Who doesn’t like shooting stuff?”
“I do not.”
Jimmy turns to goggle at Spock, noticing how angry the boy looks, knees pulled up to his chest and eyes squinted as if trying to block out the sun.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Jimmy scoots closer and wraps his arm around Spock’s shoulder.
Every time he touches the other boy, Jimmy notices Spock’s flinch. But the more they hang out, the less severe it is, and the sooner Spock relaxes next to Jimmy.
This time, however, Spock remains rigid and closed off, no matter what Jimmy does.
“I do not approve of such an activity.” Before Jimmy can ask why not, Spock breaks free of Jimmy’s patting hand and turns scared brown eyes on him.
“Vulcans are taught that all life is of great worth.”
Jimmy catches on to why Spock’s so upset then. “Spock!” He laughs. “We weren’t shooting any animals or anything. Just targets. Just because you learn how to shoot doesn’t mean you have to kill something.”
Spock reaches out a hand, and for the first time, initiates contact between them, placing the tips of his first two fingers very lightly and quickly against Jimmy’s wrist.
“One does not acquire a new skill without the intent to some day use said skill.”
He looks so sad Jimmy wants to pull him into a hug. He doesn’t though, when Spock pulls his hand away.
“I don’t plan on shooting anything, Spock, you know that. I don’t wanna hurt anything.”
It’s quiet, the sound of wind rushing through the leaves, for several seconds.
“I know that,” Spock says even more quietly. “But I would venture a guess that whoever taught you does.”
--
Spock looks tired today. And thin. Too thin. Thinner than he was when they first met over a month ago. Jimmy realizes that even though they sometimes sit amongst the fruit trees for hours, and he often picks at several types of fruit to eat, Spock never touches them other than to collect in his basket.
“You hungry?” Jimmy holds out an apple, like a granny smith but a new type of hybrid unique to Tarsus.
“I am able to function adequately without nourishment at this time.”
Which, even at eleven, Jimmy knows is not a “no.” He learned from Spock that Vulcans avoid lying whenever possible. It goes against their religion or something. So he gets what Spock isn’t saying. That he’s starving.
“C’mon, Spock. Take it. There’s plenty here.”
Spock looks pained, and a green flush rises in his high cheekbones. “I cannot.”
“Why?” Jimmy’s still holding the apple out, silently begging Spock to take it.
“Because.”
Dammit.
Jimmy’s angry. Spock is clearly hungry. But for whatever reason he won’t eat. Even though the trees are so full of fruit, most are dropping their bounty on the earth, to further ripen until they are eventually no good to anyone. All Spock has to do is pick one up and eat. And he won’t. Worst of all, he won’t even tell Jimmy why he won’t.
“FIne!” He’s yelling again. Spock has an amazing capacity for bringing this side of Jimmy out. “I’m gonna eat it then. Only, I’m really full so I’ll probably just have a bite. I’ll throw the rest of it out since it’ll just go to waste because someone is too stubborn to eat the damn apple.”
Jimmy takes a huge bite, crunching loudly and messily, juice soaking his lips and dripping down his chin as he stares defiantly at Spock.
“I...” Spock’s eyes latch on to the apple, Jimmy’s lips, the bob of Jimmy’s throat as he swallows, and licks his lips. “...am hungry.”
“You wanna bite?”
His head is hung so low Jimmy doesn’t see those funny slanted eyebrows anymore. “Please.”
Jimmy grins in satisfaction as he hands over the apple. The satisfaction turns to concern when Spock inhales the thing in seconds, near eating the core, and licking his fingers quickly to get any remaining taste into his system.
Just how long has it been since Spock’s eaten?