Chapter Text
1. Mister Spock
It was the first thing he said to address his first officer. And Jim remembered the very first time he saw him. It was his first day as captain, and he’d just been handed the Enterprise after kicking ass as an Ensign. It was practically unheard of, jumping from Ensign into a captain’s position. And yet here he was. Not only was he an Ensign 6 months ago, now he was the youngest captain in history. Jim was maybe a little worried his crew would hate him and he was especially nervous to meet his first officer, the person who would be right by his side. If they didn’t get along, this would be miserable.
He made it down the line, introducing himself and shaking everyone’s hand, hoping he was smiling pleasantly when he saw the man who must be his first officer. He was young too, and tall and handsome. And when his eyes met Jim’s, it was like being pulled into a star’s gravity, that star being the Vulcan. And his eyes were big and dark and fascinating.
“Mister Spock,” Jim smiled softly.
“Captain,” Was the man’s response.
Jim held out his hand to shake. “It’s an honor to be working with you, commander.”
The Vulcan’s eyes widened and he stared at the hand for a moment before taking it. “The honor is all mine, captain.”
Later Jim was celebrating his first drink as captain of the Enterprise and recounting greeting the Vulcan when Bones burst out laughing.
“What?” Jim asked, setting down his tumbler glass.
“I can’t believe he actually shook your hand,” Bones managed between breaths. “Vulcans consider touch to be very intimate but especially their hands. You basically made out with your first officer.”
“Oh. God.”
So technically, their first kiss was the first day they met. It certainly wouldn’t be the last. And over time ‘Mister Spock’ became flirtatious and when they fell into bed together, it became something of an aphrodisiac, even when on duty. Especially when on duty. And when he said ‘Mister Spock’, the Vulcan would look back at him from his science station, warm eyes like honey meeting his.
2. Spock
It was his everyday title, on and off the bridge, in his quarters and in Spock’s. It was just his name. But with every passing day, every second Jim got to spend more time with him, that name slowly turned into poetry leaving his lips.
S-P-O-C-K
The five letter word that contained the whole of the universe and everything good that ever existed in its definition.
3. Mister
A flirty little nickname that Jim overused all of the time. At first, Spock just rolled his eyes and went on with his life, but over time, his reactions turned more flustered and hesitant. It was one of those nights playing chess when Jim was so in love with Spock, but before they got together, so all he could do was admire him from across the table. They were bantering about the amount of work Spock put on himself.
“No more work tonight, mister,” Jim pointed a playful finger at him, and Spock, instead of answering, opened his mouth. Instead of arguing, he picked up his bishop and moved it skillfully.
“If you wish,” The Vulcan looked up at Jim through his eyelashes and the captain’s heart fluttered. In that moment, Jim knew Spock loved him too.
4. Baby
Right after they started dating, Jim started calling Spock by this. In public, Spock would give the Vulcan-equivalent of a horrified scoff, but in private, he melted under the same petname. Spock had a secret thing for petnames, something Jim exploited all the time but especially during sex. And you know what, it was always worth it to see Spock squirm and sigh and moan at that name and it always drove Jim crazy with lust.
It was especially funny because for the first week of their dating, Spock had questioned him about why Jim thought he was an infant.
5. Commander
Now this one was serious. Jim only used it when he was pissed off at Spock for doing something stupid. It was a defensive sort of thing when Spock pulled out the infamous ‘James Tiberius Kirk’ title which drove Jim nuts.
And usually his own stupidity was nothing compared to Spock jumping in front of danger to protect him. And they’d argue about which one was more important to the crew(each of them being on the side you wouldn’t expect them to be on) and then, they would both conclude that they were both important and call it quits. To play chess when it was before they started dating and to snuggle when it was after. And Spock would hold him so tight and Jim was just thankful his commander protected him so effortlessly.
6. Spocko
Used that one time they were on that mobster planet and then a month after that mission, and it drove Spock humorously crazy. But Jim got away with it because he drove Spock crazy but in a different, much more adoring way.
7. Spockums
This came up when Jim was drunk, which wasn’t often but Spock always thought it was funny if not a bit annoying. Once again, Jim got the free pass and Spock would carry him back to his quarters, muttering about it all being ‘illogical’. But he would still snuggle next to Jim so it couldn’t have annoyed him that badly.
8. Dear/Darling
Somewhere along the line, Jim had started using more petnames and Spock adored him for it. It was usually in the privacy of their quarters which made it all the more special for them both. It was also utilized after a long shift when Spock was too overwhelmed to talk and he just wanted to listen to Jim’s voice. Jim would talk about his day in a slow, sultry whisper as Spock drifted off cuddled against him and he’d smile and kiss his forehead.
“Goodnight, darling,” He’d whisper, and Spock would smile in his sleep.
9. Love
Whether it was just ‘love’ or ‘my love’ made all the difference. ‘Love’ was used in social settings off duty and ‘my love’ was saved for the quiet of their home. Both made Spock warm and fuzzy inside and Jim absolutely knew it. He’d attributed it to the cold, emotionless planet Spock was raised on, but his Vulcan was in desperate need of some love. Jim’s love.
10. Sweetheart
This was by far Jim’s favorite petname but because Spock liked it so much. It made him blush and reach for Jim’s hand or lean against him. It made the stoic Vulcan gooey and after hours in their quarters, it made him melt and moan shamelessly. Afterwords when they were laying together, tangled together like strings, he’d whisper it against Spock’s ear just to watch the Vulcan shudder and smile softly, offering his fingers for a kiss.
11. He Who Is My Husband
Jim absolutely stole this from Sarek who first introduced Amanda as ‘she who is my wife’ which was so extra and dramatic that Jim thought it fit Spock’s introduction perfectly. So whenever they were in public or professional settings when he’d have to introduce Spock, he’d always say that and hold his two fingers out. Spock pretended to dislike it, managing a half-hearted comment about it being over the top, but he couldn’t hide it in the bond that he actually loved it. He found it endearing and so Jim just kept it up. Spock could pretend all he wanted, but Jim knew the truth. The truth being that his husband was a gushy extra dramatic queen who was definitely in love with Jim.
12. Hubby
Because Jim was also a gushy extra dramatic queen who was definitely in love with Spock, he used this name in casual settings but especially in private. Spock would be embarrassed and Jim would just kiss him into a stupor. It was something Jim had always wanted to call somebody, someday. He’d seen it on TV and as a kid told himself he’d be happy when he was married and got to call his partner stupid, embarassing things like hubby. If only he could tell his ten year old self how happy he was. If only he could tell him he discovered an entire universe in just one person.
13. T’hy’la
Jim used this nickname at the barest of moments, when they were wrapped up together or enjoying a passionate moment. He saved this word for when he was desperately and completely in love with Spock, so much he could drown in it. After they were married, he used it at least once a day and Spock would smile and melt like he always did. And Spock would chuckle softly and pull him in for another kiss that wouldn’t be the last.