Work Text:
"Love is not looking into each other's eyes, but looking together in the same direction"
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
****
James Tiberius Kirk is sitting in a comfortable chair, right next to his two friends. With his legs crossed, his image is reminiscent of the one he projects in his good times in his captain's chair. He looks relaxed and smiling. A soft expression , indicating that his comfort level is higher than the situation calls for, which disturbs Dr. McCoy.
"Are you really convinced of what you're going to do?" The doctor asks him, as his eyebrows rose for the umpteenth time that morning.
Jim shrugs his shoulders. "I see nothing wrong with doing what's stipulated in our Starfleet duties." His friend has been hectic all day, like a cat in a bag. In the course of their many missions, they have experienced all sorts of strange situations and dangers that could have ended their lives on many occasions. Maybe this is not a usual, everyday situation, but he feels fully capable of dealing with it.
McCoy snorts, as he tries to get more comfortable in his chair. "You're getting married in two hours!"
Spock directs a calm look at the doctor. "Technically it's a marriage of convenience, Starfleet is going to declare it null and void, immediately." He feels the need to remind the emotional surgeon, trying to calm the tension in the air.
"Thanks for reminding me, Spock! It seems my memory is starting to fail!" He replies to her in a wry tone. His feet shuffle nervously, as he glances at the Vulcan.
Jim stretches out his golden captain's shirt. "And you two, my best friends, are going to be my best men. I couldn't have better company! I'm honored to contribute to another planet's entry into the Federation. Risk in our work is sometimes fun!" He can't deny that he has a knot in his stomach, it's not every day that he has, among his duties in command, the need to sign a Commitment. He tries to take the heat off the matter, joking with his crewmates.
"Jim, I don't like a culture so full of prohibitions! It's almost impossible to do anything without breaking some rule or causing an interplanetary incident." He frowns.
The captain smiles kindly at his friend. "They are also a culture with its peculiarities and differences: they forms alliances through arranged marriages between prominent members of their clans. We are nobody to judge them. It is natural for them that before they begin talks for possible entry into the Federation of planets, they would reproduce this ancestral ceremony."
For him, his crew, his ship and his duties in command come first. He will obey, even if he doesn't agree.
"And contracting marriage with a stranger doesn't that seem too out of line a request on Admiral Komack's part?"
Spock nods. Nor does he agree with the unorthodox order his captain had received. Eridanis is of vital importance, because of its proximity to the Klingon planet, so strategic that losing it to the United Federation of Planets cause could represent great border instability.
"Do you think a marriage is too dangerous for me? A challenge for me? Something that doesn't fit my personality?" Kirk asks him, as he laughs and leans back, taking a more comfortable position.
"No greater than your well-known habit of constantly putting yourself in danger, almost without thinking." He adds, while avoiding grunting out of sheer frustration.
"Come on, Bones, don't worry! You and Spock are the closest thing I have to a real marriage. I'm lucky. I'm not going to lose you over this!" He reaches his hand over to the doctor's, and taps him comfortingly on the arm.
Spock raises an eyebrow. It is the first time he hears his captain refer to the friendly relationship the three men maintain as a marriage. He quickly dismisses such an idea as illogical. Or more than illogical, deliciously disturbing.
There is a short silence. Leonard takes the opportunity to change the topic of conversation, though the subject matter doesn't turn out to be as apt as it should be.
"I think I'm going to send a memo to Starfleet's cultural section, so that we'll be better informed of even the smallest intricacies of the customs of the new civilizations we visit. My blood pressure will appreciate it, thank you!"
"You didn't know you couldn't touch that statuette. In reality, no one was aware of that. You have nothing to worry about. It was something you couldn't help." Kirk's voice is warm.
"I concur with the captain's words. But I must recommend to you, Dr. McCoy, for future occasions, that you restrain your natural curiosity and refrain from touching any elements of an unknown alien culture. I know you will find this difficult, as your usual tendency is to disobey any logical order and you are usually overcome by your own emotional needs versus observing the rules."
Spock uses his usual neutral tone to express himself, but a bright glint in his dark eyes discovers that inwardly, he is amused at prodding the good doctor.
McCoy lets out another snort, as his weary eyes glance up at the ceiling and then open wide, as is his wont.
"I assure you, I will ask your permission at all times, to perform my work." He pauses and continues. "Ha! not even in your wildest dreams!. You can sit and wait!"
The Vulcan continues to tease his friend. "I don't understand why I have to sit down. On the other hand, your job is not to research and touch on your own the consistency of the material from which alien religious art is made, during our landing parties."
Jim taps his fingers nervously on the armrest of his chair. "Let's have some peace. What's done is done!"
The captain reminisces to himself, the unexpected incident that happened after the invitation they had received from the Eridanis priests. The landing party, after initial negotiations, entered the beautiful temple. In the peaceful building, and behind a set of several courtyards with columns, a small statuette of a material similar to gold, reflected the rays of sunlight that penetrated through one of the windows, decorated with colored crystals. It almost seemed to have a hypnotic power, attracting all eyes.
Bones, on the other hand, true to his independent character, had been wandering, somewhat bored, through the last of the rooms, approaching the hypnotic statuette. He reached out his hand, and laid one of his fingers on the golden surface. At that instant, the priest shouted in his language. The universal translator converted his words to standard.
"Foreign demon, dare not touch our divineeee goddess!"
Leonard gave such a startled jolt that he inadvertently knocked the statuette over with his hand. The little idol bounced against the floor several times, until it was stopped by one of the walls. The priest approached, spouting more curses in his language and bending his back ceremonially, grabbed the little golden statue, while cradling it to his chest.
He had to use all his charm, charisma and diplomacy, to address the irate priest and calm him down. After an intense chat, with the help of the universal translator, the religious man seemed to relax. You didn't have to be very smart to realize that he wasn't exactly happy about the intrusion of foreigners in that sacred place.
Bones immediately apologized to the priest of Eridanis. After several bows on his part and several polite phrases, which did not sound too credible, the priest seemed to be satisfied, at last.
Anyway, he ordered his crew to leave the temple promptly. The priest did not take his eyes off McCoy, staring at him and following his every step. He did not want any more diplomatic incidents. As they made their way to the great central hall, Kirk breathed a sigh of relief at last. The incident could have resulted in a breakdown of further negotiations.
"Jim, what are you thinking about now?" McCoy asks him. "Are you feeling all right? You've been quiet and absent minded."
His blue eyes flicker slightly, snapping back to reality, as he waves a hand in the air. "I'm fine, don't worry, I was just reminiscing about the statuette thing at the temple."
Leonard rubs his lips, with concern. "I didn't mean to be a source of trouble for you, Jim." He looks at his friend, with undisguised fondness.
"The usual thing is for me to be your source of trouble, Bones. You know what I really need right now? I need your support, both of you, in a little while". He responds.
"Indeed, Captain. You can count on me for close support. I'm sure I can say the same for the doctor." Spock replies.
"For once, I agree with Spock."
At that instant, they enter the great hall where two stewards stand, followed by several representatives of the planet's government, all of them with light gait and friendly eyes. After a small joint bow, they speak. The universal translator that the three friends carry translates the request for them. "Captain Kirk must accompany us to be properly dressed for the wedding ceremony. Only a few minutes will be necessary, and then you will be briefly explained how to behave. The people of Edinaris are honored to be bound, in our traditional way, to such an important member of Starfleet."
The shrill, metallic sound of a gong, coming out of nowhere, startles the good doctor. Leonard can't help a snort, as Spock elegantly raised his left eyebrow.
The three friends rise from their chairs, ready to follow the group. One of the representatives holds out his hand, to keep Spock and McCoy from passing. "The groomsmen will remain in the room, and then will be told to join the bride and groom in the temple."
"Damn haunted temple!" The CMO thinks. "That idiot priest scared me to death, with his screams. I'm a doctor, not an interior decorator. I had no idea of the importance of that artifact. If they wanted to protect the stupid statuette, they should have kept it somewhere else!"
"This is highly....irregular. Our orders and duties are to accompany our superior officer at all times." Spock replies firmly.
"It is not our custom." The chancellor replies.
Jim rubs his hands together slightly and nods. "All right, I'll go alone!"
The request of his two companions are interrupted by Kirk. His look conveys confidence and reassurance to them. The group exits through the large wooden door, leaving the two friends alone.
Leonard McCoy returns to his chair, reluctantly. He sits back down, tensing his lips.
"I will also raise a protest to the Admiralty. There are things I consider unnecessary in the performance of a starship captain's duty."
"I still agree with you." The Vulcan's tone of suppressed anger, misses the doctor.
He rises from his chair, and approaches his companion, who remains standing, hands clasped behind his back, looking out of one of the windows that decorate the room.
His grim face, as if carved in stone, tries to contain a deep emotion.
"I think I'll feel calmer when we leave this planet." He breathes softly, and checks that his tricorder is working properly. "I'm checking it for safety." He exclaims, more to himself than to his friend.
"The captain commented to me that the Admiral's order took him completely by surprise. Not long ago, they've had some disagreements with him, about how Jim sets aside, on occasion, the Prime Directive."
McCoy furrows his brow. "Do you think it might be due to some kind of vendetta on Komack's part?"
"It would be illogical behavior."
"You know very well how illogical we humans can be." Leonard answers him, while flashing a small smile.
"Illogical and unpleasant." Spock answers him, flatly.
The CMO stands right in front of the first officer. "It's got to be difficult, Spock."
"I don't understand you. Specify."
McCoy shrugs. "You're going to be one of the groomsmen at Jim's wedding. It's that simple."
Spock shifts his attention from the view out the window to his partner's face. "I'm asking you to be more specific," he prompts, gently.
"Well, I've seen the way you look at him, Spock. You both have a special connection. You'd have to be a fool not to realize it." His voice is sincere, with no hint of a joke. The doctor says it in one breath. It's something he's kept to himself, for a long time.
"I remind you that you are also the other groomsman" The Vulcan replies, as he takes a step, moving closer to his friend.
"I see things too, Dr. McCoy. The way you care for the captain, how you become his shadow as soon as something happens to him. Your physical closeness, and the way you look is so obvious..."
Leonard feels an inner warmth that leads to his cheeks blushing, unable to help it. "You're wrong! That's something I do with every crew member, including you. It's part of my regular job."
"Really?"
"Come on!! you're trying to divert attention away from the main issue!"
"The conclusion I draw, is that we both feel a noticeable discomfort at the upcoming sight of the Captain's liaison." Spock sentences, as he turns his gaze to the outside of the window.
"We agree on something again!" He answers him, avoiding uttering a grunt, which he transforms into a slight roll at his ankles.
"My relationship with Captain James Kirk is professional." He adds suddenly, as he pierces the doctor's face with his eyes.
Leonard senses that the Vulcan might read his soul, so he lowers his eyes and fiddles nervously with the ring on his little finger.
"My relationship with Jim is that of a doctor with his patient."
They play with their phrases, with their ideas throwing them at each other as if they were darts at an unreliable target.
A soft beam of light from outside hits Spock's black hair. McCoy thinks the Vulcan is beautiful, even with his characteristic stiffness. His body takes on a dignified posture and a certain unfamiliar sadness clings to his marked features.
The first officer reaches out his hand and gently touches his friend's arm. It is an intimate gesture, on a Vulcan, very unusual.
The doctor's face becomes slightly limbered. His voice becomes a soft thread, "I want to make it clear that my relationship with Jim is merely....."
"....Leonard, when that wedding pantomime is over, we should talk to our captain."
He shakes his head. "It's you, you idiot, who needs to talk to him - don't you want to realize what I'm telling you?"
The patience of a Vulcan is immense, as big as the size of a galaxy. The doctor is one of the few human beings who manages, on occasion, to put an end to it. It is irritating, illogical and frustrating. Spock tightens his grip, on his companion's arm. There is a disturbing warmth in the physical contact.
Pulling the doctor closer to his body, McCoy doesn't resist.
"I might even find you fascinating, if you'd learn to shut your mouth, once in a while."
The doctor relaxes, not knowing why. His friend's fingers, on his arm convey peace. And an emotion, which flutters in his body but is not yet legible to him. Spock is a tactile telepath and can receive and transmit information with physical contact.
"It's...I'm worried about Jim. I don't like to leave him alone. I know he's quite capable of fending for himself. But you know, I'd rather be by his side when he...gets hurt." McCoy can manage to express himself with a gentleness unknown to Spock.
"I know. "He replies, without loosening his grip. "You remember how you've often heard me say that we Vulcans don't lie? As you have often told me, I am half human. My human part has made it possible for me to tell you a big lie. I ask you to accept my sincerest apologies."
"What is it you're trying to tell me?"
The first officer decides that the correct course of action is to state the facts. Concealment or masking is not logical.
"It hasn't even been a week since my relationship with the Captain has gone from professional to intimate. He is my T`hy'la."
The older man is petrified. He doesn't react, and remains silent, processing the information.
When he finally says something, his voice sounds hesitant. "Well, I guess I should congratulate you two, or something." Really, he's happy for the two of them. But he's late. Or so he feels. He will be alone, forever.
"I know you mean it. That's how I feel it."
The doctor feels his legs turn to jelly. "So, you and Jim...together!"
"We're both waiting for you. We feel incomplete without you. Jim and I feel something very special about you.Have you not seen our dedication to your well-being, our protectiveness at our landing parties, our shared devotion to our chief medical officer? That has led to an immeasurable desire for belonging, for connection, for a word that both Vulcans and humans share...It's love, Leonard. Eternal love."
Damn Vulcan might be the sweetest being he'd ever met!
"Do you want me to start crying?" He was so moved he could hardly breathe.
"It is an emotional manifestation I beg you to avoid, at this time. I am experiencing difficulty keeping my mental shields in place."
His life has just taken a 180-degree turn. He is not a man of half measures. "If you wish to kiss me, do it, or I'll be the one to do it myself!" he tells him, defiantly. At that precise instant, the previous calm seems to fade as his heart begins to beat so fast he assumes Spock can hear it. A trickle of moisture has begun to run down his back.
The first officer gives a faint smile of satisfaction. He says nothing as he half-opens his lips, as if in mute invitation. Another quarrel between the two. Who will give in first? Who will surrender and kiss the other?
The CMO brings his mouth close to his, only a couple of centimeters separating them, now. Their mutual breath collides with each other's face. They remain like that, longing, without joining their lips.
The battle continues, McCoy wetting his parched lips with his tongue. He thinks he feels something is going to break inside him. Leonard holds the back of the Vulcan's neck, while his fingers lightly caress it. The other man moves a little closer, as they both stare at each other hypnotically.
"You're ..... you're breaking my soul!" The medic moans, as his face tenses. The emotional transference with the Vulcan is very potent, and it all bounces around in his mind.
Spock pecks at his partner's lips, as the other man closes his hazel eyes.
The hoarse, loud sound of the great door suddenly opening separates them instantly.
The doctor curses and takes a deep breath. The first officer raises his eyebrow.
Two stewards make their entrance, and invite the couple to follow them. McCoy feels dizzy, but pulls himself together as best he can. Spock, for his part, stiffens his Vulcan mask of protection, while his face becomes as inscrutable as ever.
Time seems to stand still, as the two walk together toward the temple. Spock's long fingertips brush the doctor's fingertips. He knows that's a Vulcan kiss.
The place is festooned with fresh flowers from the planet. A large burner of a very sweet, spicy, odorous resin fills the air with perfume. A cascade of crystal clear water produces a pleasant echo and evokes the tranquil nature of the place.
Jim is dressed in a short, Roman-inspired tunic, or so it seems to McCoy. The color of the fabric is orange, and Kirk's strong, sturdy legs stand out against the attire. A crown made of silver intertwined leaves decorates his head. Dark, laced sandals add the finishing touch to the outfit.
Spock notices the ear-to-ear grin that decorates Jim's face. He looks very amused, as he waves at them.
"What the hell are those clothes?" Leonard asks him, surprised by his friend's appearance, as he runs his gaze up and down him. "You look like you escaped from a Roman bacchanal!" He is relieved to find that he is fine. He approaches him and offers him his hand, which Jim shakes tightly, while the captain places his hand on Spock's shoulder, who is already positioned at his side.
The first officer looks around the entire surface of the sacred temple with his direct and perceptive gaze. In one corner, the high officials and the chancellor of the planet Eridanis are seated on wooden chairs, richly decorated with floral motifs. They are wearing full-length robes, long and intricately embroidered. Close behind their captain are two priests, their heads covered with ornate headdresses and also dressed in long robes. On a low column, the golden figure that the doctor had thrown to the ground, look intact and shining. No trace of a bride or groom. He raises an eyebrow, puzzled by the absence.
McCoy glances at the figure. One of the priests notices and approaches the statue protectively, covering it with his hands. The medic chuckles and waves his hand at it, indicating calm.
"Captain, the correct course of action would be to await the presence of your future wife or husband."
Jim opens his blue eyes as wide as he can in mock surprise. "Are you wishing for me to get married already? I thought you appreciated me...more."
Spock stiffens, suddenly. "Actually, Jim, neither the doctor nor I agree with this...Admiralty order."
"Easy, I was joking!" His sparkling, earnest eyes are mocking, for a long moment.
With a theatrical bow, the captain points to the golden statue. " Here we have...the bride-to-be!" Jim repositions, after straightening up, the leafy crown he wears, which threatens to fall to the ground.
"What?" the doctor retorts, as he points to the statue. "You're going to marry that stupid thing, you want to explain to me what all this craziness means?"
"Let's just say...the tradition of marrying between clans to strengthen the bonds of union, on this planet, has long since evolved. " Jim clears his voice, and still smiling. "Oh, Bones, you were about to break the statue that represents the most important deity on this planet. It is so sacred to them, it now symbolizes the 'bride' or 'groom' in these tribal union celebrations. Real arranged marriages no longer exist."
James Kirk groans slightly and smiles again. "That jerk Komack knew all this. He knew all about the ceremonial. The chancellor of Eridamis has just confirmed it to me. I mean, I wasn't going to marry anyone, it was just a formality. I can just imagine his face when he gets the report on this mission. That spiteful little bugger has quite a story to tell!"
This time, Jim lays his arms around the shoulders of his two friends at the same time. "Love is the most important thing, the thing that moves all the worlds we know." Kirk sighs, and purses his pink lips, as he looks indistinctly at his two friends. Then he hugs them. These two are his real 'husbands'. He says to himself.
"This planet is not governed by any logic. It's fascinating. Marrying that golden statue!" Spock feels such deep relief that even his face shows it. Neither Jim is going to marry any living or sentient being, nor does he have to witness it.
McCoy continues with his mouth open in surprise, realizes it and quickly closes it.
The thought of losing Jim, somehow, with a bond intruding on the relationship the three share, uncovers the reality they kept hidden.
"And why don't we get this whole nonsense over with and get back to our ship as quickly as possible?" McCoy replies to him, while grunting and smiling at the same time.
"Indeed." Spock adds. "....please."
Jim clenches a fist and exclaims, "Let's get to it, my dear mates!"
The ceremony is brief. Jim marries the statue of the local goddess!
McCoy is a polite southern gentleman, therefore, he remains calm and attentive, following the ceremony, despite not sharing the situation. He knows how to be respectful, despite his incendiary character.
Spock, for his part, maintains the same dignified posture he has on the bridge of the Enterprise. Back straight and arms behind his back. He respects traditions, his own and those of others.
Kirk calls the Enterprise on his communicator to beam them aboard. He is in such a hurry that he doesn't even change his clothes. Jim, with his deep perception and intuition, realizes that Spock has shared with Bones the deep love and desire that they both share for the doctor. His beloved doctor seems so happy that Jim Kirk has never seen him like this. He needs to know the answer from his friend. He longs for him by his side.
The three men materialize in the transporter room. The officer in charge of the machine opens his eyes in amazement. His captain appears disguised in a short tunic, accompanied by the first officer and the chief medical officer. Jim salutes him, sending him one of his casual, flirtatious smiles.
He rests his two arms on his 'husbands' shoulders and walking in unison, they take the center aisle and together, they are lost inside the Enterprise.