universal_charm | Mistletoe Shenanigans

[Spock regards Jim...
As much as he wants to tell Jim everything, it's difficult to do so. Maybe they weren't ready.]

Jim, you are my T'hy'la... nothing will change that. If this was known to me outside of Luceti, I would not be with Nyota.
[Though they were friends, neither of them had any romantic inclinations because Spock had Uhura, and Jim.. well... there was Carol to consider.]

So, what? We'd be something here, if this happened, and when we go back we have to just pretend it doesn't exist?

_{[ That didn't seem right with him. It felt wrong, and he hated the
mere thought of it, of having to slip through life pretending that he could
love Carol, when in the back of his mind, his heart, he would be connected
to Spock in a way he had never been connected to anyone. ]}

There is no pretending! We would not know! [And this is what Spock hates with a passion. They'd been back to their universe already and they had absolutely no memory of this place.]

Do you not think I would change it if I could? Do you think I'd remain with Uhura if I knew what you were to me?!

[Spock's fists his hands by his side... turning his head away so that he can regain some emotional control.]

I dunno...

_{[ And he didn't. Would they? Would they turn away from Carol and Uhura
and try and make things work between them? Did either of them even have
that luxury?}

He came a step closer, reaching out and taking Spock's hand, squeezing. ]

I like to think you would...

[Spock looks at Jim...] There is nothing greater than T'hy'la, I hope that someday you believe that.
And... and it hurts me to know that in our world I ignore you... my T'hy'la.

[Spock squeezes Jim's hand back...] I am sorry.

It's not like it's our faults, you know. I can't make you feel guilt over something we don't even recognize there, you know?

_{[ He shrugged, leaning his shoulder against Spock's. ]}

[Spock leans his head closer to Jim's, soaking in his T'hy'la's presence.]

Indeed. But, is it wrong to want you while we are here, even knowing that when we return we will be with others?

I don't know, Spock. It's... I don't know, okay? I mean, I'm still trying to work this all out in my head.

_{[ And so many other things. And now this too. He wanted to sleep
forever right now, his head pounding and his soul twisting up inside of
him. ]}

[Spock sighs... giving Jim's hand another squeeze.] You need rest, Jim. Please, allow me to help you sleep.

I'll just take some of that tea, it'll be fine. You don't need to, Spock.

_{[ He hated admitted that he needed help sleeping, that more than once
he woke up drenched in a cold sweat, a scream in his throat. ]}

[Spock lifts his other hand, placing it on Jim's shoulder...]

I do not need to Jim... I want to. [Spock knows of course how badly Jim sleeps.]

Really, I'll be okay. I should learn to get to sleep myself again anyways...

_{[ He touched the hand on his shoulder briefly, and then began to pull
away, heading back for the house. ]}

[Spock let him go. The moment was over it seems... and only time would tell if did good or bad for them.]

Sweet dreams, Jim.

She didn't think she was missing out so much. But she also didn't want to be a bother and ask for something more preferable. Instead, she quietly places the package on the table and accepts the glass from him to fill with water from the sink.

"It's your Christmas gift."

A pot of stew large enough to last days and a note, offering a hunting trip if he desires.

He grinned and came up to the package, rubbing his hands together greedily, though it was a joke, and he was sure Katniss knew that. Carefully he undid the package, giving a real sound of delight at seeing the pot of stew. He loved Katniss' stews, always so fresh when first eaten and great with left overs too. The note, though, is a surprise and he looks up at Katniss.

"Seriously?" he asked her, waving the note. "You'll honestly put up with me for a full day out in the woods?"

She shrugged, trying not to look too interested in his reaction. But truth was, her heart heart was pounding and she felt utterly nervous. It's been a while since she's last invited someone to go hunting with her. And it's never been something she's done lightly. Hunting is her time, her time away from the rest of the life, where she doesn't have to be anyone or anything to anybody.

She nods, the corners of her lips quirking upward just a fraction. "If you want."

"I think I would be an idiot to pass this up," he waved the paper. "So, is this coupon redeemable at any time? Because I kind of don't want to do this in the freezing," he smiled at her, folding the paper and tucking it into a pocket.

"In the mean time, I fully intend to enjoy this stew, I don't care what conventions say about breakfast food," he went to his cupboards to get down bowls.

She nods at his question. Now wouldn't be a good time anyway. There's not much out there in the woods right now anyway. Most species are hibernating and the ones that are out there are relatively scarce in number. It's hard enough hunting on her own, let alone with a partner.

"How about spring?"

"Sounds good," he nodded. "I'll get some more training in between now and then too, so hopefully I can actually keep up with you for half the outing."

He had no illusions he would be anywhere near Katniss' level, now or ever, but he liked to think that he could match her for stamina for part of the time.

He brought down two bowls and scooped up a bit of the stew into each - breakfast portions. He sat down in his stool, spooning up the stew and popping a large bite into his mouth, licking his lips.

"Hmm, your stew always tastes great, did you know that?"

She had already eaten before arriving, meaning the stew to be a gift just for Jim. But when he offers her one of the bowls, she has to smile and accept it anyway. It's his Christmas gift and he doesn't have to share. But she appreciates it. A lot.

"Thank you," she answers, blushing a little as she takes a bite herself. "It's just stew."

"But it's good stew, and it always tastes great, so I figure you should know," he nodded as he dug into his with a hum, licking his lips so as not to waste any little droplet that might escape him as he ate.

"Maybe once I learn to hunt, I can learn to make this," he pointed at it with his spoon.

"Yeah, but it always seems to taste better when someone else makes it you know?" he smiled at her as he dug in, his tongue flicking across his lips to make sure he didn't miss a single drop of the meal.

"Maybe when you teach me to hunt I can learn to make it myself," he smiled, pointing down at the stew before taking a new bite.

She knows. She remembers her mother's cooking from when she was a child, before her father ever died, leaving her mother practically comatose in grief. She misses those moments sometimes but she knows she'll never get them back.

Peeta's cheese buns had been the closest she had ever gotten.

"It's not that hard," Katniss promises. "I never even wrote the recipe down."

"Well, there might be hope for me yet," he smiled at her. "I can try making something for you sometime too, if you want. I can't promise that it'll taste as good as this though."

That catches her off guard. She places her spoon back into the bowl and looks at him curiously. He had never mentioned once cooking to her. Yet let alone suggest cooking something for her.

"Why?"

Mistletoe Shenanigans

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