Archive of Our Own ^beta

Kirk shook the bars again, or at least tried to, but they were solid and didn’t move. It was almost barbaric, to be locked in an underground cave in a cell with iron bars. It seemed so uncivilized. But there he and Spock were, kept captive by a newfound race while the ruling party of this civilization debated whether they would pose a threat.

There were times he knew he should follow the Prime Directive more closely. This was definitely one of them.

“Captain, you should reserve your energy and not appear angry with our captors,” Spock said. “It would be in our best interest.”

Kirk sighed and then moved away from the bars, sitting on the solitary bench in the cell next to Spock. “I know you’re right, but this is so frustrating. We thought this part of the planet was uninhabited like the rest of the planet, and now we’re prisoners.” He leaned his head back against the wall and tilted it, shutting his eyes. “One day I’m going to leave you on the Enterprise so Sulu doesn’t have to take the conn so often.”

Even though Kirk didn’t see it, Spock’s lips quirked up slightly in the semblance of a grin. “He is a good commander in your place, Captain.”

“But you’re the First Officer, Spock. It’s supposed to be your job to run the ship when I go off ship.”

“But you enjoy my company, Captain.”

Kirk sighed, then opened his eyes and lifted his head. He saw the faint smile on Spock’s face and ran his fingers tentatively across Spock’s palm. He could see Spock relax at the intimate touch, and he himself felt calmer. It was true; he reveled in Spock’s company these days, ever since they had admitted that there was more to the relationship between them than friendship. When Spock and Uhura had broken up and then they’d fought Krall and the Enterprise had had to be rebuilt, there had been a lot of uncertainty whether Spock would stay in Starfleet at all. One evening had changed Spock’s mind, though, when Kirk had impulsively kissed him and asked him to stay, for him.

Spock had stayed, and their friendship had slowly, cautiously, bloomed into an actual relationship.

They maintained a mostly professional bearing between them when they were around others now that they were back on the Enterprise for a short-term mission, but they didn’t exactly hide their relationship, either. They maintained separate quarters on board the ship, but provided they survived this predicament, they had talked about Spock moving into his apartment when they got back to San Francisco. There was talk of both of them retiring from active duty in Starfleet and Kirk taking the status of Admiral that had been offered and Spock going back to the Academy to teach, and marriage and children…

He wanted his future to be better than the bleakness they were currently faced with, dammit.

Spock moved to grasp Kirk’s hand and held it tight, and Kirk leaned his head onto Spock’s shoulder. “Do you think we’re going to rot in this cell?” Kirk asked, a tinge of worry creeping into his voice.

“No. If they are serious about us posing a threat to their civilization, I’m sure we’ll be executed.”

“You are really bad at this comforting thing, Spock,” Kirk said.

“I do not think they will find us a threat. The shuttle we were in was not equipped with weaponry and we did not have phasers on our person, and if they are observing us now, we are not acting irrational.”

“Okay, that was better,” Kirk said, squeezing Spock’s hand lightly. Spock responded by turning his head and pressing a kiss to Kirk’s head. “I think I’m getting too old for this.”

“We only have another two months before we return to San Francisco. I think you will miss being captain only if you do not find something to occupy your time. Perhaps you could join me in teaching at the Academy.”

“That could be nice,” Kirk said with a slight nod, his head still balanced on Spock’s shoulder. “And you’re sure you want to move in with me?”

“Yes,” Spock said. “It’s the most logical decision. I am not fond of the residence I moved into when I ended my relationship with Nyota." He paused. “You do know she fully supports our relationship?”

“I'd thought so, but I’m glad to know for sure. I hope she finds happiness too, though. She shouldn’t end up alone once we get back home again.”

“I don’t think she should be alone for long either. She is a good, gracious woman, and she deserves all that life can offer her.”

“Maybe I should set her up on some blind dates,” Kirk said thoughtfully. That elicited a soft chuckle from Spock, and Kirk lifted his head up to look at his t'hy'la. “What? You don’t think I have good taste?”

“On the contrary. You chose me, after all.”

For some reason, even despite the situation they were in, this amused Kirk so much he began to laugh. “Oh, Spock, don’t ever change.”

Spock looked as though he was about to reply when a cleared throat could be heard from the bars. Kirk and Spock both turned to see their jailer had unlocked the cell doors and was holding them open. “If you go back aboard your ship immediately and leave the planet, you’re free to go,” he said.

“That works for me,” Kirk said, standing up, still holding Spock’s hand. “Let’s get back to the Enterprise, Spock.”

Spock nodded and squeezed Kirk’s hand before letting go and leading their way out of the cell. Someone had decided to give them a shot at a future, and Kirk knew he was going to make the most of it.