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While it was logical to conserve space on a small ship, at times that the size of the crew quarters on Enterprise caused... inconveniences. However, because the most consistent inconvenience for T’Pol was outside Starfleet regulations (though not the regulations of Vulcan Science vessels), she did not lodge a note with the Starfleet engineers for consideration in future designs.
Though she was granted the luxury of private quarters, the largest bed on the ship belonged to the captain. When considering configurations of intimacy of three with access to that bed, it made sense that on nights of leisure or pleasure to retire to Jonathan’s quarters.
Dinner that night had been a happy affair for her two human partners. The past two weeks had seen them through exploration without any catastrophe, greatly improving general morale of the human crew. Jonathan was explaining in depth about one of the recent star charts they had greatly expanded the details of to Trip. It was a pleasing background as T’Pol finished reviewing some outstanding reports from the science team.
She did not need to look under the table to know that Jonathan's and Trip's legs were casually tangled in each other. It was a sign of affection and connection common for them. Trip kept a warm hand on her thigh, seeking nothing more than touch and for her not to feel excluded. That was not a concern of hers but she appreciated the thought nonetheless.
It was also something she was becoming well accustomed to, so much so that she noticed a change in her ability to concentrate when she did not receive physical affection for several days.
No words needed to be exchanged as they left their private dining hall to indicate where the evening shift would continue, though any touching was put on pause in public areas. Jonathan’s quarters were already set to a slightly higher temperature for her comfort. Her partners anticipated without her reminding them to clean their mouths before attempting to kiss her. T’Pol was getting used to human kissing, finding it a physical act she found pleasurable once she understood it, but there were still parts that were off putting - especially after a meal.
That out of the way, touches returned and were exchanged, more intentional and demanding of response. T'Pol had certainly learned her way around a Starfleet uniform and the most efficient ways of removing one.
She ran a hand through the hair of Jonathan's now exposed chest, shivering with the pleasure of it from her sensitive fingertips. He leaned down to kiss her, gently, as she felt Trip’s hands settle on her hips from behind.
As they pressed closer to her, Trip murmured in her ear, “Is this okay?”
Despite her greater strength, sometimes it was overwhelming to have two larger, alien bodies surrounding her. But tonight she felt a comfort in it, relaxing into their touches. She pulled away from Jonathan just enough to murmur “yes” in answer.
She felt Jonathan smile before leaning back in.
A smile against her lips was always a good sign. This, she’d determined, was especially so for Jonathan and Trip, as it wasn’t what was often documented in human media around amorous connections. Laughter, murmurs of praise or affection, were core parts of coupling. While only one of those was something she could consistently offer in return, she found a growing pleasure in receiving the others.
As Trip traced her ear with his mouth, she felt comfort and rising pleasure at the surrounding warmth. She let it consume her and her senses, the tantalizing mix of familiar and alien.
-
Once sex was concluded, Trip did not make any moves to leave, so she did not either. Sometimes Trip was better at reading Jonathan than she was, especially when it came to their personal relationship, and she found herself never wrong to trust his judgement in this. It was also her preference to stay in their company, though she slipped on her undergarment and one of her partners’ blue tank tops. She settled Jonathan's desk chair, pulling out one of his paper books she had been reading. Stretching her legs out, her feet ended up in Trip’s lap where he sat at the bottom of the bed.
He began to message her ankles absently as Jonathan turned a screen around so that they could watch the latest transmitted water polo matches together. T'Pol didn't much care for human sports, but much like their conversation at dinner, there was something soothing to have both of their voices as her background. At times she needed a break from all the socializing, especially human socializing, that was required of her. It surprised her that this rarely applied any longer to either Trip or Jonathan, especially in the moments of downtime they shared together.
“Wait, wait - replay that, I want to see that again,” Jonathan said, laying sprawled the wrong way on his bed. He and Trip had also put on their bottom undergarments, but remained otherwise ruffled and undressed in the warm quarters.
Trip passed him the small controller. “Here, you take the wheel.” He turned to look at T’Pol as Jonathan did so. “You reading Frankenstein again?”
“I find it a fascinating study of humanity,” she responded, setting her finger to mark her page as she looked up. “There is much to be gained in engaging with works multiple times.”
“That’s why I love movie nights,” Trip grinned. “Join me at the next one?”
There was always a danger of fraternizing outside of public spaces, but it was also helpful to ensure that the crew knew their command team was strong and connected. “I believe I have nothing scheduled for that time.”
“Maybe we should start a book club too, so you have more human perspectives on your reading,” Jonathan said, having paused the game completely. “I for one would enjoy that and we have a lot of books in storage.”
“Not many more that are paper,” T’Pol said, unsure about agreeing to something like a book group. She mostly liked to read a book and then some human academic articles on the subject.
“Next time we’re on Earth, I’ll take you to this amazing old bookstore in San Francisco,” Jonathan promised, his expression turning to one of affection. “We can pick up some new ones to swap out my collection.”
“I would... enjoy that.” T’Pol was still hesitant at times to reveal things close to emotion, or that would be interpreted by humans as emotion. But it was clearly an important part of being in relationship with humans, especially of the intimate variety. Humans needed to know the care and affection that was twisting around every word and action. “It is a date.”
She was rewarded by brilliant smiles from both, before they returned to the game.
-
They had all settled together to sleep, despite the fact that it resulted in an increased risk of discovery. Traveling between systems gave some reduction to the risk of potential emergencies and sometimes the risk was worth it.
Trip claimed it was his turn to be in the middle. Jonathan took the side by the door, so that he might be able to respond to a summoning without his sleeping partners being spotted. T’Pol rested on her back looking out the porthole and letting the fast passing stars begin to lull her into a meditative state, then sleep.
She needn't have bothered - Trip was having one of those nights where he needed to talk something out before rest came to him.
“So, T’Pol, would something like this ever happen on a Vulcan ship?” He was laying on his side facing her so his arm was resting over her stomach, pressing him close but gently to her.
“I assume you mean our relationship?” she asked, turning fully to him. His blue eyes seemed much darker in the dim light. “Yes, it likely has occurred. There are not any Science Academy codes of conduct we have violated by our actions.”
Trip was quiet for a moment as he thought this over. “So somethin’ like this not just could happen, would?” He shifted a bit closer, which indicated Jonathan must have rolled over as well. A hand gently running though Trip’s hair proved her observation was correct. The lack of space for three meant there were not many places to go even on the biggest bed on the ship.
“That assumption is correct. It is possible that a beneficial relationship can be made across those close in rank,” T’Pol said. “There are strict rules of conduct rooted in centuries of knowledge for the respect and obligation of hierarchy, though.”
Trip’s expression seemed surprised, but thoughtful. “Gotcha. But wait, I don't. I’m not following the logic of why this type of fraternization is allowed on Vulcan ships.”
“It is expected that everyone can keep relationships and work separate, as is most logical,” T’Pol explained. It was always an interesting cultural exchange when she found herself explaining something that she had never questioned. “If that is not possible, a transfer to another ship is to be requested or the relationship broken off.”
“I want to return to the beneficial bit,” Jonathan said from the other side of Trip. He propped himself up on an elbow so that he could look at her. “What’s that mean?”
While T'Pol was not sure what brought this curiosity on, she had learned that she appreciated it. It was... endearing in a way that had been one of the reasons she had decided to pursue such a relationship. “There are a variety of ways something could be beneficial. While Vulcans often only mate every 7 years, for some their bodies have a need for greater frequency to be comfortable and undistracted. Another benefit is leading to closer bonding among a crew, if done logically and with care.”
“A lot of communication then,” Jonathan said, smile in his tone.
“Indeed. Along with understanding the needs of others involved,” T’Pol said. “I do not mean for this to sound that such a relationship would be taken lightly.” She certainly did not take what was between the three of them lightly, even if at times she felt incautious at the rapidity of their joining.
“Oh, I don’t assume Vulcans take anything lightly,” Jonathan said, before reaching a hand over in search of hers, an indication that he was teasing.
She met him, fingers tangling, accepting the peace offering. Trip seemed “pleased as punch” to be caught in between them, if his expression was anything to go by.
Jonathan pressed a kiss to Trip’s shoulder. “Well now, did you get your questions answered? Because I need to be up early.”
“For now, I’m sure I'll have some follow ups later.” Some remaining tension in Trip’s body relaxed, indicating he was going to let them all sleep now.
“I have no doubt,” Jonathan kissed him again and settled once more mostly out of T’Pol’s sight, though she could still hear him, his breath settling out into a steady rhythm.
Their tangled hands shifted with him, coming to rest on Trip’s hip, keeping the engineer close. T’Pol briefly pressed her forehead to Trip’s, not feeling up for a kiss, and he nuzzled gently back, smiling. It was easy to begin to rest now, even though she had not been able to finish her meditation. The simple acceptance and habits of her partners calmed her more than she would have ever assumed possible for two humans to do. She gave Jonathan’s hand a final squeeze as she closed her eyes.
There would be more exploring waiting for them in the morning.