Day 8 - Shopping
Days 1-7
Spock found himself, more often than not, following Jim on some ridiculous endeavor. Currently he found himself accompanying his Captain to the market on Starbase 13. The Enterprise was docked to receive some cargo and undergo some routine repairs.
"Hey Spock, look at this!" Jim shouted happily, pointing at some Andorian fruit. Before commenting, Spock dutifully scanned it with his tricorder.
"It appears to be acceptable for you to eat without risk of allergic reaction."
Jim rolled his eyes and picked up a fruit, smelling it and prodding at the unusual lumps that covered it's surface. "You don't have to scan everything I look at, you know."
"It seems prudent, as you tend to touch and taste things indiscriminately," Spock countered, even as he put the tricorder away.
"Whatever, let's go over there!"
Spock again found himself following Jim, but stopped abruptly when he realized where he had just been lead. It was a booth dealing in Vulcan foods and wares. Once he was able to regather his bearings, he began inspecting the offered goods.
While Spock was engrossed in perusing through the different stands, Jim sneakily purchased his boyfriend some Vulcan teas and a few cool stones that he knew Spock would appreciate. The other was so absorbed that Jim was able to have Scotty beam the gifts into his quarters without Spock taking any notice (also, Jim had snuck behind a restaurant cart to do it, but that's neither here nor there). They remained at that vendor until Uhura contacted them to inform them that the ship was ready to go. Spock only got some different foods and strings for his Vulcan lyre.
There was a moment, when they were walking out of the transporter room when Kirk wondered if Spock would even be interested in the things he had gotten him. By the time their shift on the bridge ended Jim didn't know what he was going to do.
What if Spock didn't like them? What if he just didn't give him the presents? What would he do with Vulcan teas and rocks if he didn't give them to Spock? Gaaahhhh.
"You are distressed." They had reached Jim's quarters and Spock had intercepted him before he could put in his code.
Shit. "No, it's fine," he deflected, leaning over to get the door open before backing Spock into the room. Might as well just get it over with. Sitting on his desk were three wrapped parcels.
"Jim?" Spock had grabbed his hand, not seeming to notice the packages or if he had he thought nothing of them. These moments were always particularly stressful for the Vulcan, since he often worried that he was not human enough to successfully meet the needs of a human mate.
Kirk took a deep, soothing breath before forcing a smile onto his face. "Here, I got you some stuff," he said without preamble before picking up the boxes and just depositing them into Spock's arms (and maybe almost dropping them in his nervous rush).
"I don't understand," Spock admitted, looking perplexed as he stared down at the boxes.
"Just open them, they're yours."
"Have I overlooked an important Terran holiday?"
"What?" Jim was confused before it finally dawned on him, "Oh! No, Spock, no! I just got you these...because. Because I thought you'd like them. Sometimes humans do that, just get each other presents for no reason."
"I see...this does not explain your negative emotional state."
With a gigantic sigh, Jim dropped himself onto the couch and covered his face with his hands. "I'm just being an emotional human, worrying whether you'll like them or not. Please open them?" he asked as he slid his fingers off of his face.
"Very well." Spock did not rip the brown paper, removing it very precisely. Kirk had never felt such a build up for giving someone a present before - and it was just tea! When he finished the first package and revealed one of the teas, Spock was unnaturally still.
"Come on, open the other ones," Jim encouraged, squirming a little in his seat. This time the gifts were opened much quicker. The last one he even tore one of the edges a little - it was surprising. Finally Spock had two packages of tea and several stones spread out in front of him. The wrappings were forgotten on the floor.
He was silent and unmoving as he just stared at the gifts.
"Well? What do you think?" Nerves made Kirk's voice raise in pitch, not that he would admit to that.
"I...I do not know what to say," Spock admitted, finally letting his eyes stray from the items to land on Jim.
"Aw shit, I'm sorry if you don't like them. You don't have to pretend or anything, I'm sure that we can pu-" He was interrupted by Spock's lips crashing into his. Usually he'd be down for Spock initiating kisses, but he was so confused. "What?"
"You did not think I would appreciate your gifts? That I did not 'like' them?" Spock's eyebrow was so high on his forehead. Jim just nodded slowly, eyes wide. "Illogical. I...these gifts are...I cannot convey to you my appreciatiion, Jim."
"You really like them?"
"Yes." In seconds Spock had his lover's lips captured once again.