Work Text:
The portrait had been intended to be formal: two distinguished Starfleet officers, both past sixty, standing together at the close of a mission that had changed more than anyone yet understood.
Kirk’s hair was silver now, his face marked by years of command. Rumour had it that he would resign his commission when the Enterprise came home. Spock stood beside him still dark-haired, not yet old by Vulcan measure. After risking everything to broker peace with the Klingons, and helping expose the conspiracy that nearly destroyed it, he was said to be considering diplomacy.
The principal photographer arranged them carefully.
An assistant, standing off to one side, caught this moment instead.
Between one life and the next, they stood together: Kirk facing the lights, Spock close behind him, one hand resting around Kirk’s wrist in a gesture too familiar to have been posed.
Later, the photographer would call it the better portrait.
***
2026
Digital Painting
Created for the Spirk at 60 event.
Baby's first concept art! I’m not used to painting full scenes, so this was an ambitious piece for me. It was my first time trying architecture, so constructing the city and working out the atmospheric lighting presented a real challenge. Some of the details may be a little wonky, but I learned a great deal from making it, so I’m glad I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone.