Chapter Text
Spock considered himself a decent living organism. He was logical, hard working, calm, and, overall, a respectful Vulcan. And, from outside sources such as Nyota, he is a decent boyfriend (even if he and Nyota's relationship didn’t work out.) on some sort of level. He tried to be attentive and do romantic things humans liked, such as buy them trinkets and food, watch programs and pay for their meals, and give them physical affection as much as he was comfortable with.
He was led to believe he was doing a good job, (others have said he has been more that good at this, to where Leonard was annoyed how every time he sees Jim he has a “dopey love-sick grin on his face” which Spock would like to think is a compliment.) And he was quite proud until something so small, so unnoticeable, but loud and obvious and filled him with dread happened to him and shattered his view on his relationship skills.
“Hey, babe,” hey babe. Babe , Jim had said. His boyfriend of almost a month, his captain for far longer, aesthetically pleasing golden Jim, had given him a Terran 𝘱𝘦𝘵 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦. And Spock, who had been studying Terran courtship for even before his relationship with Nyota, had almost completely looked over that minor detail.
You might think, “but Spock, there are Vulcan equivalents to pet names, so why sweat it?” And you would be right. There are many Vulcan terms of endearment, like “Ashayam” or “Ashal-veh” but the thing is that Spock himself hasn't called him by those. There relationship is still fresh, and Spock wished to take his time with the captain, for fear he may go too fast, and now that he realized Jim was ready for terms of endearment, he was at a loss. He has an understanding of the meaning of romantic titles. They are a way of showing your lover your feelings subtly, and a way to show anyone else their status. It is quite a nice system, and he had never considered doing it with Nyota, but with Jim, everything is.. Different. With anyone else he wouldn't spare it a second thought, but with Jim he wanted to know what his Captain liked or disliked and record it into a large part of his brain labeled with Jim's name in bold.
He wondered if maybe he should use the human words, like many of Jim's past lovers had, or if it would be better to use the Vulcan terms? Not to mention how those simple words made his heart beat slightly faster, green blood flowing to his face and warming his usually cold skin. Those human emotions he has spent years concealing with meditation and practice were easily pulled out of him just by the smallest things Jim did. It was annoying, but it is fascinating and Spock was never one to complain.
“… Enterprise to Spock, you okay?” Spock heard, and he belatedly realized he had 'zoned out’. He looked up at Jim's hazel eyes, filled with worry and confusion. He had tried and failed to commit them to memory and was amazed every time he saw them.
“I am satisfactory, Captain. Why do you ask?” He said, slightly positive that he has hidden his sudden worries from his partner. Jim's eyebrows creased slightly more before looking back at the chessboard.
“I was talking about the reports for our last away mission and you were just staring, silent. Are you sure you're alright?” He said as he moved one of his pawns.
Spock placed his move. “I was merely thinking about something of minor inconvenience. It is nothing for you to worry about, Jim.” he watched as Jim moved another pawn.
He wasn't convinced, Spock could tell, but he didn't comment further and moved back to the previous topic.
After furthur discussion Jim seemed to worry less, and soon it was time for the next shift. Spock stood to leave, and reached out two fingers to Jim.
Jim groaned but touched his fingers to his in a Vulcan kiss anyway, "Too soon," he whined, and Spock lifted a brow.
"The shift begins at the same time every day, Captain," he said. Jim rolled his eyes and stood too, beginning to put the chess pieces back in their places.
"There's never enough time to be with you, Mr. Spock." Jim said with a grin, and Spock felt his cheeks warm. He let a small smile escape him.
"I will see you in 6 hours.. Jim." Spock walked towards the bathroom they shared, sparing a small glance to him again. He was going to say something else, maybe Ashayam or Ashal-Veh, but he decided against it at the last second.
Jim kissed his palm and breathed into it towards Spock, "Love you too, Babe." He said.
Spock quickly went back to his room and chanted his mantras to himself to calm his heart as he opened a new file on his PADD.
" Terran Romantic Titles "