Chapter Text
It was undoubtedly a pathetic attempt to entertain himself.
Balance. Keep it steady. Go unnoticed.
Jim Kirk leaned backwards on his chair so the two front legs were off the floor. He was just one maddeningly bored cadet among 230 others sitting in one of the largest lecture halls on campus. Around him his fellow classmates were scribbling down notes on their tablets or better yet playing that damned role play dating game that recently soared into popularity.
All the while the instructor was continuing his tirade explaining the faults of Alexander the Great.
Kirk knew he should be listening to this particular lecture. “Military History in the Classical Era” was part of his core requirements as a cadet in the command track. But there were far more pressing matters to focus on today.
Maybe I can lean back just a bit farther. He inched backwards, nearing to a perfect 45-degree angle.
Ha! Those dumb yoga classes are coming in handy! Perfect balan-
The instructor turned around just as he saw Kirk fall backwards in his chair. It was quite a sight. The young cadet falling while trying to grasp at the air like there was a rope hanging down from the sky to save him. He thought it would have been a humorous tale to discuss later that day until he heard the cadet’s head smash against the table that was behind him.
Before the instructor could take a step, a cadet stood to his feet glancing back at the kid who was lying flat on his back with a dazed look in his eyes.
“I will see to it, instructor,” the cadet leaped over the table that separated himself from Kirk.
He carefully pulled the chair away from Kirk. “Are you hurt badly?”
He tried to open his eyes wider because he couldn’t see very well. Everything was blurry and faded together. But of course was fine. His head only hurt a little.
I’m okay! I’m sorry I interrupted your class, sir. I’ll just see myself out as to not be a distraction.
That’s what Kirk wanted to sa,y but what came out was nowhere near what he wanted to communicate.
“It seems as though he is quoting Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s ‘Crime and Punishment,’” the voice came again.
And then the heat of someone’s hands were holding his body upright.
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“Well I don’t care if he wants us to work on that project, I’m not doing it!”
There was a thunk against a surface and then the sound of stomping feet approaching.
“And then this idiot,” came a sigh.
Kirk figured he might as well open his eyes.
His vision was almost back to normal, a few hazy patches here and there, but at least he could make out Bones muttering to himself about pointless projects that “make no fucking sense” and needing a few rounds of shots later.
“Sorry, but what?”
Bones looked up from his tablet, “about time you woke up. I was Actually getting worried about you.”
Kirk slowly propped himself up on his elbows. He was lying in one of the infirmary’s beds. “How long was I out for?”
“Four hours, 20 minutes, and 38 seconds.”
That wonderfully calm voice again.
He looked over to his left and saw a tall slim young man sitting in one of the visitor’s chairs. His arms were folded across his chest, and his legs stretched out in front of him. Kirk knew this guy was a Vulcan, at least he was aware of what Vulcans looked like and knew there was one hanging around here somewhere.
Aren’t Vulcans supposed to wear robes or something in their off time? This guy’s wearing a damned leather jacket.
Bones knelt down with a tricorder in hand scanning Kirk’s head. “Guy’s been waiting here for at least two hours. I dunno what he wants, but you better talk to ‘em. He’s freaking out the other patients.”
The Vulcan got out of his chair in one seamless movement and walked over to the bed Kirk was lying on.
“Doctor, I have been here for one hour and 14 minutes, and I have yet to see anyone exhibit concerns over my presence here except for you.” He gave the doctor a once-over and then concentrated on Kirk.
“Due to your conduct in class, I am here to let you know that I am to file a report on you.”
Kirk shook his head despite the pain that erupted with the gesture. “I’m sorry, what? A report? What the hell did I do!?”
He was now standing in front of the Vulcan, their chests almost touching. Kirk could feel the heat radiating off of him.
“You caused an interruption in class. I see that a minor infraction would help retain what is left of your discipline.”
You ungrateful sack of shit.
“I wasn’t causing a disruption for the sake of causing a disruption. The actual disrupting was unintentional! It was an accident!”
“Yet you were aware of the potential for the disruption? Balancing on a chair is a risk. A risk relies on unknown outcomes. The only reason why a human would take the risk is to gain adrenaline to satisfy their emotional needs.”
Kirk was about to punch the Vulcan, he had his arm ready to slam his fist against that glass-like sculpture of perfection that was called a face. Luckily, Bones grabbed Kirk’s shoulder and spun him around.
“I’d love to hear philosophical debate about what a disruption is, but if you don’t sit your ass back down you’ll pass out.” He glared at the Vulcan, “and YOU. Get the hell out of my infirmary, before I report your stupid mouth for a disruption!”
The Vulcan nodded slightly and shoved his hands into his pocket. No anger, no frustration, no apparent emotion whatsoever shown through his veil.
As he walked out the door, the Vulcan glanced back at Bones. “It is not your infirmary. Procure me a deed.”
Kirk watched the Vulcan walk through the threshold and disappear.
“So uh, Bones. What’s up?”
“Concussion,” he looked back down at his tablet and sighed at whatever information was coming through on the newsfeeds. “We’ll walk home together after I’m done with this shift.”