Work Text:
Many times, words that need to be said weren't said at all. Things that had to be done were put off and ignored. Responsibility weighed heavy on the shoulder of whoever took it on and less important, more personal things had to wait.
The voyage was in its infancy, the crew freshly assembled, and Jim had already found something of interest aboard the ship: across from him sat Spock, who peered down at the chessboard, his face pulled tightly together as if the slightest bit of relaxation would pain him. His nose wrinkled, eyes squinted, and his lips almost pouted. Jim smiled at the man across from him as if the action would relax him. He'd been meaning to meet up with SPock for far too long. Spock's eyes intensely scanned the pieces looking to make the next move, likely recalling some famous strategy or past play.
Jim studied this.
He hadn't known Spock for long. They had met before, yes, but this was different. They were working together now. They would be stuck together for 5 years. Half a decade of his life, a lot less time to live than what Spock would get, would be spent in the company of this other person. The future rolled out ahead of them like a field of grass and Jim wanted to wander through it. To explore every nook and cranny and familiarize himself with every possibility it could bring.
And a part of Jim wanted a bit more already. He had to admit to himself after their first meeting that he found Spock intriguing. So many little things about him were mesmerizing. Jim wanted to solve him like a puzzle, to find out his inner workings. As a child Jim remembered once taking apart some old electronic or another, back when Sam was still around, and peering at the inside of the machine. Spock in front of him was cold, he showed nothing on his face yet Jim could tell something lurked beneath the surface. Sam had warned him that day that the electronic had a hum to it; a heartbeat powered by a powerplant far off and Jim wondered where Spock’s heart found its power. He was half human, his heart and brain worked together and obviously something other than cold logic drove this man.
Jim had fallen hard and fast like he always does. And he hoped Spock did too.
He studied Spock's face yet again. All the expression before had been smoothed out. Try as he might to read him again, he was a blank page. He looked to be relieved of his stress and Jim wondered if he'd be able to see hints at feeling beneath the man's surface yet again.
Spock's hand laid to the boards side, flat, calm, and collected. The constant display of nothing then looked back at him and Spock made his move. Jim wanted to see more of his Spock. To see more of him, more of what he was without guarding himself so closely. Selfish as it was, Jim wanted to get to know this man more.
The human then made his move and smiled up at his opponent. The move was distracting on purpose in an attempt to sway Spock's attention. Spock made his next move almost instantly, playing exactly how Jim wanted him.
Jim then crowded the board, his hand that had been folded on the table following his body’s movement.
His fingers gently brushed against Spock's.
And Spock flew back like he’d been electrocuted.
The two made eye contact like they’d witnessed a miracle and Spock shifted back yet again.
"You ok, Mr. Spock?" Jim flashed a thin smile and Spock straightened himself out. It was un-vulcan to slouch. "I didn’t expect such sudden physical contact." Explained Spock. “My people don’t…” He looked at the board to make a new move then peered up to finish his sentence. “We don’t appreciate meaningless touch.” Jim pinned him down with his eye contact and slowly inched his hand across the table towards the board.
Spock's pupils followed the movement and rapidly switched between the hand and Jim's eyes. Jim made sure to hold his rook in his hand, delicately lifting it up and putting it back down in its new place. As the small piece struck the board the sound echoed through Jim’s quarters like a small explosion.
Spock grabbed his next piece but didn't do anything with it. "Captain- '' Jim cut him off. "Jim when we're off duty." He flashed a thin smile again, but his eyes crinkled up and he chuckled a bit. "Jim, you do realize what that type of contact means to my people, right?" Spock looked almost uncomfortable and Jim began to regret his plea to see more of him. He began to realize that he only wanted to see this man in comfort. "Sorry Spock, it won't happen again. I'll watch my hands."
A determined look crossed Spock's. His hand flew across the table and made contact with Jim's. Their fingers touched for a moment and Spock increased the contact area. A small noise was caught in Spock's throat and Jim stared intensely.
Spock, being Vulcan, was at a different temperature than Jim. The man who was usually so cool and collected felt hot to the touch. Warmth bloomed down Jim's hand and Spock's expressions were less guarded. His face was tinted a slight shade of green.
Jim closed the distance between them and Spock's other hand quickly wrapped around Jim's neck. Spock's lips moved against Jim's and Jim moved in tandom. His hand reached down to the board and Jim made a move. Jim wasn't going to mention he went twice in a row.
The two broke apart and Jim huffed a bit. Spock sunk down into his chair fixing his posture and glanced down at the board. He made his move, and looked back up at Jim expectantly. Jim's hand inched back towards Spock's. Spock watched it with great interest and took it in his own. Something else was their now, something warm. But in a different way, a Spock way, and Jim realized that Spock wanted to see more of him too.