Chapter Text
A sizeable contingent of Nihalians met the landing party on Nihal Four.
"Oh, I see!" the ambassador for Nihal Four exclaimed as soon as Jim mentioned the specific fruit Chekov and Sulu had eaten. "But if my people offered the Seska Fruit -- are your crewmen not..." and here the representative uttered a few words in his native tongue that the universal translator paused over. He blinked at Chekov and Sulu. When they looked back at him in confusion, he turned to Jim expectantly.
"Lieutenant Uhura?" Jim asked under his breath. He could hear the muted whirr of the translator scanning files, but no renditions into Standard had been offered. Lucky thing Uhura was part of their excursion; she had requested to join the landing party as soon as she heard about the ritual.
"In order to avert further miscommunication, I assume," Spock had commented as they all headed down to the transporter room.
"And to make sure no one else comes back up here bound together in a magic fruit ceremony," she had said pointedly as she stepped off the turbolift.
"Like that would happen," Jim had scoffed as they followed her. Spock had said nothing, but had drawn his fingers along Jim's in a slow smooth stroke while they walked down the corridor. Jim had to bite the inside of his mouth so he could fight off sudden fantasies of sharing luscious bright orange food with his first officer.
Now Uhura frowned and uttered a few inquiring phrases in the Nihalian tongue. After a few more words, accompanied by some very respectful head-tilting exchanges between her and the ambassador (the Nihalian version of a bow, from what Jim had gathered), she made an "aha!" type noise and smiled at the representative.
"What'd they say?" Bones asked.
"The closest translation I can come up with is 'Cold Feet Honeymooners,'" Uhura told them. "The Nihalian tongue and its various dialects are still a little new to me." As she spoke, she adjusted her tricorder to process and start analyzing the conversation she had just recorded.
"Honeymooners?" Sulu asked weakly. He glanced at Chekov.
"Oh, it's a loose translation," Uhura said diplomatically, though she shot Jim a look that said she probably had it dead on. "In addition to their emphasis on hospitality and kindness in general, the Nihalians are big believers in romance. It's actually a tenet of their dominant religion, to help others discover the course of true love whenever they're able to."
"Great, a whole alien race of wanna-be cupids," Bones said.
"Though the doctor of course exaggerates, the prominence of romance in their philosophical beliefs is noteworthy," Spock observed. "During our last visit to these planets, our cultural consultants learned Nihalians are known for their joy in courtship and their happy relationships."
"But apparently there are legends about those who fail to recognize their attraction to another," Uhura pointed out. She glanced down at the PADD one of her communications underlings discreetly handed her. "The Nihalians consider those stories great tragedies, and try to teach their children to identify the signs of attraction and romantic feelings so that they don't suffer that fate."
"So let me guess: they thought they were doing Chekov and Sulu a big favor by shoving a Seska fruit at them," Bones said.
"Our scriptures speak of the fruit as a gift for those confused about love," the ambassador contributed with a benevolent smile, obviously untroubled by Bones's grouchiness. "According to those ancient tales, eating the fruit creates a sense of urgency in order to show the couple how essential they are to one another."
"By making them pass out and get skull-splitting headaches?" When Uhura shot him an exasperated look, Jim cleared his throat and tilted his head to the side in a way he hoped looked really friendly. "Begging your pardon, ambassador, but it seems a little heavy handed as a way to promote love."
"Well, to be fair, if those circumstances rarely happen, I doubt you Nihalians have any recent examples of how dangerous experiencing those symptoms might be," Bones allowed.
"Indeed, our beliefs focus on the happy outcome of the ritual; we are sorry to hear the difficult reactions your men have undergone," the representative explained.
"Such an intense cultural emphasis on love is quite fascinating," Spock commented. "Though Vulcan bonds are established through different means, your understanding of affinity between couples relates in many ways to our own." He glanced at Jim, his dark eyes glinting, and to his surprise, Jim could feel his cheeks flush.
"Well, is there any way we can reverse it?" Sulu asked the Nihalians. "Not that I -- I definitely want to be around you a lot, like we talked about back in sickbay," he told Chekov in a lower voice. "I just want it to be on our terms, not because of some love spell."
"I understand completely," Chekov said, smiling brightly at Sulu. "While we appreciate this -- this gift," Chekov continued, addressing the Nihalian representative, "it eventually will interfere with our duties aboard the Enterprise. If there is a way, we would like your help to resolve our problem."
"Well, how about it?" Bones asked impatiently. "Is there an antidote to this situation? Some kind of anti-togetherness fruit-eating ritual?"
The Nihalians grouped behind the representative exchanged horrified glances and Uhura let out a very quiet but very put-upon sigh.
Jim forced a laugh. "As Ensign Chekov said, we're really honored you bestowed such a rare fruit on our crewmen. But ultimately, for our culture it's important a couple chooses to be together rather than because of what we might view as a...compulsion."
The ambassador nodded. "In the interests of a broader pursuit of harmony, in the future we will take care to ensure that outsiders provide their consent to any rituals we might offer." He tilted his head gracefully, as if to make his words a vow.
"Such an approach would be for the best," Spock said, head-tilting in return. "We appreciate your mindfulness in considering the mores of other peoples."
"Great! That's really great. And about that whole reversal thing?" Jim prompted. When Spock and Uhura both looked askance at him, he cleared his throat and belatedly jerked his head to the right.
"Ah! Well, we do not have a specific food or a ceremony that undoes the gift of the Seska fruit," the ambassador told them. Behind him, the other Nihalians murmured to each other.
"But there must be something you can do to cure Sulu and Chekov," Bones put in.
"There is something your crewmen can themselves do," one of the other Nihalians said mildly. At the ambassador's encouraging nod, he continued. "Our sacred stories tell us that once the couples graced with the Seska Fruit spend three days continuously in each other's company, at a distance of no more than --" and here he supplied another Nihalian term that the translator stalled on.
"Roughly 1.5 meters," Uhura noted in an undertone to Jim.
"-- after that time, the undesirable signs of their separation will be resolved."
"Just like that?" Bones asked.
"Such a time of togetherness demonstrates the couple has fully understood the wonderful compatibility bestowed upon them, and the fruit's blessing is complete," the Nihalian answered.
"So basically, giving our officers three days off duty to hang out together ought to do it," Jim said.
"A most reasonable solution," Spock noted.
"That sound okay to you two?" Jim asked Sulu and Chekov. "Three days just to spend with each other?" He couldn't help the slight smirk on his face, but at least he wasn't waggling his eyebrows.
"Yeah, that sounds...really good, actually," Sulu said. He looked a little stunned, like he hadn't expected the answer to be that easy.
"The Lieutenant and I will find that time very beneficial," Chekov added, nudging Sulu. When Jim couldn't hold back a snort, Chekov grinned at him.
"Well, a simple fix is great news," Bones pronounced, far more cheerful now. "Now we won't need to research or experiment." He coughed lightly. "Say, Captain. Since we're already all the way down here..."
"We would be honored to host a feast for your landing party," the ambassador said graciously.
"In that way, we can celebrate our growing understanding of each other as well as the happy resolution to your crewmen's situation."
"It's like you read my mind, ambassador," Bones said.
"It is more likely that the ambassador successfully interpreted your less than subtle hints, Doctor," Spock noted.
Before Bones could mutter an indignant response, Jim jumped in to say, "We'd be happy to join you."
"Much as Mister Sulu and I are grateful for the offer of such festivities," Chekov began.
"You'd kind of like to get your togetherness on," Jim guessed. "Ensign, Lieutenant -- you're dismissed, free to transport back to the ship, and, uh --"
"Explore the parameters of your new concord," Spock finished for him.
"Yeah, that." Jim flipped open his communicator. "Kirk to Enterprise."
"Enterprise, Lieutenant Commander Scott here," Scotty's voice came through the speaker.
"Scotty, we have Sulu and Chekov ready to beam up. The rest of us will visit Nihal Four a little longer."
"Understood," Scotty's voice came back. "Stand by to beam up in a few moments."
Sulu and Chekov immediately moved apart from the others. "Ready?" Sulu asked Chekov.
"I was ready before this," Chekov pointed out. "I am pleased now that you are ready, though," he said with a sly smile.
Sulu rolled his eyes, but bumped Chekov's shoulder with his own, bringing them closer together.
"Come on, is that the best you can do?" Bones called out jovially.
The Nihalians began to add their own encouragements, some of which were still untranslatable, apparently, and some of which Jim's UT transmitted as "Now kiss!"
"We're on duty," Sulu said indignantly. "And like we're going to do anything with all of you gawking."
"But once there are none to gawk, we will commence, you can be sure of that," Chekov said smugly.
The familiar whine signaling transport sounded, and the two of them dissolved into particles as they were beamed back aboard the ship.
"Now about that feast," Bones prompted.
The Nihalians smiled, tilting their heads hospitably, and beckoned the landing party to follow them.
**********
Two days into Chekov and Sulu's 'Togetherness Leave,' as Jim had insisted on calling it in his planet visitation report, Jim almost ran right into Spock in the corridor.
"Spock, hey," he said in surprise, pulling up short.
At once, Spock reached out to steady him, strong hands grasping Jim's biceps.
"I thought you were still cataloguing samples from our second visit to Nihal Four," Jim said. "I didn't expect to see you for days."
"The initial classification has indeed required my attentions," Spock confirmed. He released Jim's arms slowly, seeming reluctant to relinquish his grasp. "But two hours ago we completed the organization stage and began analysis."
"And you don't need to be there for that?"
"Negative. I have left the endeavor in the capable hands of Ensign Lee." Spock regarded him with evident interest. "I had not expected to encounter you at this time either. It was my understanding that you were occupied with a series of required meetings."
Jim shook his head. "Breezed through most of them this morning, and just now finished the monthly Security officers review. So my schedule is clear." He paused and grinned. "Wait, are you saying we're both seriously free at the same time?" As soon as Spock nodded, Jim grabbed his wrist. "Quick, then, come on."
They made for the nearest turbolift, and Jim selected a deck.
"I notice you have not selected your quarters, as you would typically do in such a circumstance."
"Hey, I can control myself from jumping you immediately. Sometimes," Jim allowed when Spock looked somewhat unconvinced. "Besides, we'll have time for that later. Or at least I've got time. Scotty volunteered to take my shift later this evening, so I'm off for the next twenty-four hours. How about you?"
"I too have the same duration of time without obligations."
"Excellent. Then let's head to the observation deck first and catch up."
"Are there additional administrative matters necessitating a discussion?"
"Probably, but I meant let's spend a little non-jumping time together first. Well, that and if I can convince you, maybe make out in front of the stars a little," Jim added. He held out his fingers to Spock with a mischievous smile.
"I am amenable to your suggestion," Spock said. He dragged his fingers along Jim's in response, avidly watching the movement of their hands together.
When they arrived at the observation deck, they struck out for a dimly lit room that was seldom occupied. It looked like they were in luck -- the place seemed deserted.
"Would you look at that?" Jim breathed, touching his fingers to the viewing window. Nearly every glimpse of space was breathtaking, but this system they were currently passing close by, an intricate set of planets orbiting around twin suns, appeared particularly spectacular.
"Indeed, it is an impressive sight."
Jim smiled as Spock stepped closer. "I never get tired of this view."
"Nor do I," Spock told him, and cradled Jim's jaw in his hands to bring their mouths together for a soft kiss.
For a few moments neither of them spoke, lost in the soft slide of their lips. Jim threaded his fingers through Spock's hair, tugging at silky strands, and Spock stroked down Jim's sides, pulling him closer.
"God, I've wanted to do this for days." Jim mouthed at Spock's neck before pressing his nose against Spock's skin and inhaling deeply.
"I too have found that my ardor significantly increased over the past several diurnal cycles," Spock murmured into Jim's ear. He nuzzled the lobe and gave it a gentle bite.
"Have to say, I like your ardor increased," Jim told him playfully. He huffed out a laugh when Spock's hands skimmed from the small of Jim's back to the swell of his ass. "So much for non-jumpy stuff. Not that I mind at all. We should probably go to our quarters, though, because even if no one else is around right now --" He paused as Spock drew back and looked at him intently. "What? What'd I say?"
"You said 'our quarters.'" Spock's eyes searched Jim's face closely.
"Did I?" Jim cleared his throat. "That was just. Uh. A slip of the tongue thing. I meant, you know, we should go to my quarters. Or your quarters." He gave a helpless shrug. "Either one. Just, you know, where there's more privacy." His gaze met Spock's dark eyes and he tried a smile. "Obviously we don't share quarters."
"And yet we might."
Jim's eyes went wide. "What?"
Spock hesitated but soon continued, "Were we to file the necessary paperwork regarding our relationship, such a possibility would be available." His mouth twitched ever so slightly, that little tell Jim had only recently figured out betrayed Vulcan nervousness. "If you are in agreement, I would like to pursue that opportunity."
"You'd want that? To tell everyone we're involved? And wait, you're asking if we can move in together?" Jim asked in a hushed murmur. He didn't even wait for Spock to respond, just immediately pulled him back in for another kiss.
"You sure?" Jim asked a short while later. When he drew back, Spock regarded him seriously. "I might not be the easiest guy to live with; Bones can tell you some horror stories, I'm sure. But I want to, if you do," he added, grabbing Spock's hand and pressing his lips to the center of his palm. "I really want to."
"I am certain," Spock said hoarsely. "Though I had anticipated a high probability of a favorable response, to hear your interest articulated aloud gratifies me greatly."
"Wow, you really missed me the past few days when we were both busy, huh?" Jim teased. "Enough to put up with me on a live-in basis?"
"It is not only our full schedules that have drawn my attention to the matter," Spock said. "The recent discussions of private affections and public declarations have spurred me to, as I have heard said, 'move forward' in our relationship."
"So we have Sulu and Chekov to thank for this, then? The next time we see them, I guess I'll have to tell them they helped us out." Though he grinned at first, he paused and considered. "Though they definitely lose points for taking us off course because of their togetherness headaches. And I've got to dock them for forgetting to mention they'd eaten weird fruit in a ritual." He planted his hands on his hips and frowned. "I mean, seriously, I just might not thank them at all."
Though Spock opened his mouth to reply, a breathy moan interrupted whatever he might have said.
"Um," Jim whispered as he glanced around. He could have sworn he hadn't seen anyone when they entered the room.
Spock tilted his head to the right.
When Jim looked in the direction Spock indicated, he saw Chekov and Sulu had slipped in at some point. The two of them apparently had no idea they weren't alone, though, or Jim was pretty sure they wouldn't be plastered up against the far wall kissing frantically, Sulu's arms wrapped tight around Chekov while Chekov made soft eager sounds.
"They didn't see us, or even hear us talking?" Jim asked incredulously, though he kept his voice to a whisper.
"Apparently their absorption in one another distracted them from observing our conversation," Spock pointed out quietly.
"Yeah, I'll say." Jim rubbed at the back of his neck. Unable to resist, he glanced over, but soon looked away again. It was a little disconcerting to see his navigator ready to climb his helmsman like a tree. "Let's leave them to it?"
"Very well." Spock gestured for Jim to follow.
Just as Jim was tiptoeing out, though, Spock said, "Ensign, Lieutenant -- you may wish to shift to a more private location."
Sulu groaned aloud, hitting his head against the wall. "When did you two get here?"
"Hey, we were here already," Jim said indignantly. "You guys were the interrupting ones."
"Our apologies, Keptin," Chekov said. He didn't appear especially sorry, though; in fact, he looked like he was trying not to laugh. "We had thought to vary our activities by taking a walk on the ship, so that we might gain the opportunity to speak, but then --" He ducked his head and smiled.
"Yeah, yeah, we get it, just --" Jim waved a hand in a vague gesture and let the admonition trail off. It wasn't as if he could exactly claim the high ground here when he and Spock had been doing pretty much the same thing.
"Oh, no, you go on ahead," Sulu said weakly as Spock solicitously waited for Chekov and Sulu to join them before they exited the room. "We'll, um, take the next turbolift."
"Got it, great," Jim said, dragging Spock after him.
As soon as they accessed the lift, Jim crowded Spock against the wall.
"Observing the others has increased your amorous feelings," Spock observed. He didn't seem inclined to complain; he even yanked Jim closer and pushed his thigh between Jim's legs.
"And made me feel like a huge creeper, but...yeah," Jim muttered.
"It is gratifying to witness that the lieutenant and the ensign have resolved their issues. I imagine they will no longer feel the ill-effects of the Seska fruit by the time they have returned to duty."
"The way they were all over each other? I'm inclined to agree with you, Mister Spock," Jim said with a grin. He leaned in for another kiss, only stopping when the lift arrived at their deck.
"And now -- though the designation is not yet official -- shall we adjourn to our quarters?" Spock asked.
"Definitely," Jim murmured, taking Spock's hand again. "I'm up for as much togetherness with you as I can get."
*~*~* the end *~*~*