Chapter Text
1. Captain
Well that one’s obvious. It was his title, the first thing Spock had used to address him when they first met. Spock applied it constantly on the bridge, as a sign of respect that surprisingly, Jim didn’t seem too fond of in the beginning. Jim was one of those captains who wanted to befriend each and every one of his crew, and succeeded at doing so. He knew every officer in the crew, even the interns who were just spending a couple of months on the starship before graduating. And though Spock had respected the captain greatly, he did not call him anything other than that for a long time. Even off duty, even when he and his captain were in their quarters, playing chess. It was one of those night when Jim just looked at him funny after he called him captain.
“You know Spock,” He said with a gentle smile, “We’re off duty. We’re practically roommates you don’t have to call me captain.”
Spock opened his mouth to argue but found Jim’s points to be sound, and so he nodded and said, “Very well, Jim.”
The smile on Jim’s face made it all rewarding.
Of course, he still used it on the bridge, but now there was a sort of warmth behind it, and Jim’s eyes twinkled every time he said it.
Eventually after they confessed their love and fell into bed together, the title gained a completely different meaning, especially when Spock moaned it over and over, pushed right over the edge towards ecstasy and the look on Jim’s face in return was one of pure heat and passion. And that title was never the same after that.
2. Jim
Once again, obviously. But it was a landmark for Jim once Spock actually started addressing him by his first name. It felt like some kind of milestone, an accomplishment in their friendship. And something was just different about the way Spock said it, like it was something special.
And of course, after their little tumble on Vulcan during Spock’s Pon Farr, that smile while Spock said his name made the captain’s whole day. He would never forget that smile. And Spock found out that Jim’s name was a prayer, a beautiful symphony of something truly amazing, and once he started saying it, he couldn’t stop.
3. James Tiberius Kirk
Now this one was serious. Spock only used this when he was pissed off at Jim for doing something stupid. It was a scolding sort of thing, as if saying his whole name would make the captain listen, and listen Jim did. When Spock said his name like that, he was kind of terrified, and the look in his eyes was a death-look. That was the day Jim realized Spock would be a great parent.
4. T’hy’la
“You are my T’hy’la,” Spock whispered, his eyes falling to his feet as they stood in the empty observation deck. They’d come up here to stare at the stars and to talk when Spock confessed.
“What is T’hy’la?” Jim asked carefully, though he already knew somewhat based on the way Spock was looking at Jim now.
“It is a Vulcan word with multiple meanings,” Spock managed after a moment. “It means friend, brother, and..” He cut himself off for a moment, stuttering. Stuttering. Which was completely unlike Spock. “-and lover.”
“Lover,” Jim repeated breathlessly. “You’re in love with me?”
If only that could describe the depth of his feelings. “Yes.”
“Me too,” Jim beamed, then frowned. “I love you too. Not I love me too, I love you-”
Thankfully, Spock cut him off with a kiss.
5. Ashayam
Spock used this quite frequently in private, and it suited every occasion. While they were playing chess, he’d slip in the word and watch Jim blush, after sex, before bed, in the morning. Sometimes if he was feeling extra bold, he’d whisper it on the bridge, and Jim would return the gesture by squeezing Spock’s hand. And that was true love.
6. Jimbo
Used once when Spock got very drunk on chocolate. If you ask him, he’ll never admit it but Jim knows. He knows .
7. Ashal-veh/Ashalik
Just like ashayam, but used less frequently. It was saved for such tender moments, like right after their passionate nightly activities or in the quiet of the morning or when Spock assumed Jim was sleeping but actually wasn’t and just faking it to hear those sweet words.
8. Tal-kam
Spock used this endearment most for the times when Jim would come barging into his quarters in the middle of his meditation. Because his shields were down, this tender name paired with the soft baritone of Spock’s voice made Jim swoon. And ironically it made Jim barge in more often, just to hear that soft lovely word.
9. K’diwa
An ancient Vulcan word, riddled with emotion. When Spock was concerned for Jim’s health or if he was worried about him. It was also used when he was perfectly and utterly content. Jim found himself striving for Spock to say this word when they were going at it, and most often times, he drove Spock to it and it was like a song off his lips, whispered breathily and beautifully in a state of passion and ardor.
10. Adun
After they were bonded, Spock used it as common address in public and professional settings, and somehow it was still perfect. It was a foreign title that meant Jim belonged to Spock and Spock belonged to Jim, and it didn’t matter who heard it.
11. T’nash-veh Khio’ri
Reserved for the times Jim nearly died and Spock would be at his bedside in medbay, unspilled tears in his eyes as he begged the world not to take his star. And Jim was always fine of course, and they would go to their quarters and Spock would hold him as if he never wanted to let go. All of those unshed tears would spill and he would kiss every inch of Jim’s skin, hoping this kiss wouldn’t be the last, and it never was.
12. James
Something whispered rarely when Spock was completely lost in his love for Jim, whether it was in the sheets or on the bridge standing behind him. It was like a secret uttered from those Vulcan lips, something that Jim wanted to keep tucked away forever because it was so raw, so powerful. So beautiful.
13. My James
It first appeared amidst their lovemaking, but after they were bonded, became a daily endearment that Jim cherished. Every morning he’d wake up and find his Vulcan smiling back at him, whispering in that soft baritone voice,
“Good morning, My James.”
And Jim would melt like he always did, and Spock would chuckle and pull him in for another kiss that certainly wouldn’t be the last.