#May-December Romance

[obisamya]

MINT RANCHRAWEE MAY-DECEMBER ROMANCE (2021)

[geoffwhaley]

Book 1,018: Rocky Start (A-List Security #4) - Annabeth Albert

The final installment of Albert’s A-List Security closes out the series with a bang. It’s relatively low-angst (mostly internal) and one major dramatic crisis, but overall, the series has been pretty low-key. This book is a veteran-veteran romance rather than a veteran-civilian romance. Malik and Avery are both former SEALS and have connected with Duncan and Harley in their transition back to…

[ronovanwrites]

7 Questions with Richard Podkowski, author of The Walk-On.

7 Questions with Richard Podkowski, author of The Walk-On. #MondayBlogs #IARTG #SportsFiction #FootballFiction #Romance #Tragedy #SelfDiscovery @Bookgal

In the twilight of his NFL career as a middle linebacker for the Chicago Storm, Mike “the Steelman” Stalowski masks his physical pain and mental anguish with alcohol and painkillers. The fan favorite has a rebel image and a notorious reputation, and he plays a violent gridiron game fueled by inner rage. While estranged from his wife and living in the fishbowl environment of professional sports,…

[mexcine]

“He isn’t too young but he must have money, and that’s what I’m looking for” (My Secret Affair 2, 1950). “And he’s got that Dr. Strange/Reed Richards silver streak in his hair, so perhaps he has super-powers as well!”  

[dailyflicks]

May December (2023) dir. Todd Haynes

[calchexxis]

New Book Release!

I've finally released my latest book! Art by @lovewritteninthestrands

If anyone here is interested in some December-May lesbian romance between an ex-exorcist nun and her sugar-baby demon girl, give Sacred a try!

Synopsis:

Once a powerful and influential exorcist of the Church of Celestial Hosts, Rena Cervantes has been given an honorable early retirement as Mother Superior of a convent. Listless without a foe, Rena's obnoxiously peaceful life takes a turn for the strange when the latest batch of novitiates arrive containing a demon set on corrupting her soul, with one caveat. She's quite bad at it.

Ebooks are available at Rakuten Kobo and Barnes & Noble, and will also soon be available on Amazon! Links below!

Kobo - Ebook

B&N - Ebook

[obstinaterixatrix]

An older lady finds interest & joy in beauty & make-up to help her cope with the loss of her husband.

happy femslash february, here's a 3 volume series of grandma yuri. in fact I'm quite sure it's the only multi-volume yuri that centers around Actual Old Women

the summary frames this as the main character coping with the loss of her husband, but… he was a bit of an asshole! and her memories of him are a little ambivalent. rather than a story about grief, it’s more about freedom and self-expression—with help from someone who’s more used to being blunt and outspoken

I really like that it’s a story about self-discovery; basically a coming-of-age for an 80 year old. there’s a lot that the main character has had to repress, or just never really had the chance to explore

there’s only two chapters translated in english so far, but please. give them a read. open your heart to grandma yuri.

[sunthroughdarkclouds]

Rebecca (1940), directed by Alfred Hitchcock

[thefiresofpompeii]

so it was my mother’s birthday a couple of days ago, and as a present my grandma gave her (and the whole family to boot) tickets to a mini london tour with a guide, specifically focused on islington, in russian obviously since she doesn’t speak much english. led by this eccentric gentleman in a bowler hat who’s from moscow but has lived here for 19 years and has been leading guided tours for ten.

the tour was fun and informative. lots of tall tales mixed in with historical facts and local art history too. but the guide himself... man. imagine a cross between eddie redmayne and peter capaldi. 40ish. salt and pepper hair. hooked nose roman profile. educated. witty. storyteller. dresses like some kind of urban wizard or as-yet-unseen incarnation of the doctor. mischievous glint in his eye. learns the name of everybody in the group immediately and chats to you like a casual friend as you walk from destination to destination. i sound like a fucking creep now, don’t i, but what is tumblr if not a public personal diary? don’t think i’ve ever caught a crush this quickly before. started entertaining silly little clara fantasy delusions for a second.

then at one point while recounting an anecdote he mentioned his wife and kids, naturally that brought me back down to reality. here, have a regents canal photo instead

[n-evermores]

This Love is Ours (2/2)

A/N: This was a request from an anon. I was so excited to get it. I never thought of writing a part two for my first Alden Parker request, and honestly, I didn't even name that story! So I decided to give it a name now that it has a part two. Thank you anon for the request! Hope you enjoy. (This can be read without reading part 1) I was a little inspired by the chorus of “Ours” by TS for this one.

Pairing: Alden Parker x fem!reader

Summary: You and Parker swear you're keeping your budding romance a secret, but it's starting to become a little obvious to those around you. Especially Parker's dad, Roman.

Genre/Warnings: Romance, fluff, May-December romance

Word Count: 1500+

Part One

With your budding romance growing ever so swiftly, it was hard holding back, but you couldn’t say you didn’t put any effort into keeping your hands off your boyfriend. When he was in touching distance it was all too tempting to hold his hand, twist your arms around his waist, or simply kiss his cheek in passing.

Alden must have felt the same way because your elbow or the small of your back was his go-to spot to touch you when in close vicinity. He tried to make it look inconspicuous, but people were starting to notice, and by people, you meant your team.

The first person to notice was Kasie. You were standing in her lab with Alden. You both were listening to her long-winded spill when you felt Alden’s hand touch the small of your back. It was a subtle gesture, and you half wondered if he even noticed he did it. His hand slid up and down your spine as he leaned closer to Kasie’s screen. That's when she saw. Her curious brown eyes flickered down to his hand. Her eyes met yours and you offered her an uneasy smile.

“What was that?” She asked as soon as your boyfriend left the lab.

You just shrugged it off, shaking your head, “I have no idea what you're talking about.” You said.

Kasie wasn't the only person you had to gaslight. Jess was the next person to see something between you and Alden. You were in the evidence garage gearing up. He was struggling with a particularly stubborn strap and you reached out to help him with his bulletproof vest. He watched you eagerly as you tugged it down, fitting it to his body. He smiled, his eyes lighting up as your hands grazed his waist. You smirked, knowing what was going through his head.

“Down boy, we have a case to solve.” You murmured. He thumbed your cheek quickly before moving aside to finish putting on his gear. You could feel the weight of someone’s gaze and turned to see Jess gaping at you.

“What?” You asked, feigning ignorance at her gawking stare.

“Did I just hear and see what I think I did?”

“Depends what do you think you heard and saw?”

“Were you two flirting?”

You gave her an incredulous look and scoffed, “What? No. Never.” You shook your head before walking past her, “that’s crazy.” You added before heading toward the elevator.

Tim and Nick noticed you two flirting one day while out on a crime scene. Alden playfully took a picture of you with his personal camera. He brought it for the birds, but you were his real muse. You placed your chin on his shoulder, watching him scroll through the pictures of you, telling you his favorites. You glanced up and immediately removed yourself from Alden. Tim and Nick were staring, and instead of saying anything to you, they just exchanged a knowing glance with one another.

You may have been careless with your team, but you both tried very hard to keep it from his dad. At least for now. Your romance was new, and you enjoyed keeping it to yourselves for the time being. But considering Roman was kicked out of his retirement home, he was staying with Alden which meant keeping your little love affair a secret was starting to become a lot more difficult.

You sat next to Alden on the green couch in his greenhouse, while Roman sat in the chair across from you. You were eating pastries from one of Alden’s favorite places. Roman didn’t outwardly question your presence there, but you knew he silently wondered why you were always with his son. Alden couldn’t always use the same excuse as before, but his dad treated you kindly regardless.

“How do you like bird watching?” Roman asked you, although you couldn’t help but think there was an agenda behind his question.

“I enjoy it!” You grinned, your eyes meeting with Alden’s briefly. “I learned a lot. Your son is quite the encyclopedia sometimes.” You giggled.

“Yeah if he would have put all that energy into a navy career, he could have become a fine officer.”

“I lov—like him the way he is.” You said suddenly. You didn’t want to step on Roman’s toes, but you would defend Alden at any given chance. Your near slip-up didn’t go unnoticed by either of the Parker men. You ignored Alden’s glance, knowing he would bring it up later. Neither of you said “I love you” yet, but in truth, you did love him.

Roman gave you a closed-mouthed smile, his eyes flashing over you curiously. You knew he was very aware of your crush on his son. The day he realized was the very day Alden found out too. You could never quite tell from their conversation if Roman approved of it or not. You had your suspicions that he felt Alden was too old for you.

“I do too. Believe it or not.” Roman said just as Alden escaped to the kitchen. You smiled at his dad, knowing he really did love Alden for who he was despite his disappointment in his career choices. He probably wouldn't admit it, but it was obvious he was proud of him regardless.

“Still no boyfriend?” The old man teased you again. “As I said before–you won't find one hanging out with Alden all the time.”

You adored Roman, but it was so typical of men his age to ask about a young woman's love life. As is having a boyfriend was the be-all and end-all. You did have one, but that wasn't the point. You let a small sigh escape your lips as if to respond accordingly.

“Dad, stop with the nosey questions.” Alden chimed in as he moved in to sit next to you again. You threw him a thankful glance before Roman gladly changed the subject. The three of you talked about a lot of random things and you found yourself feeling more comfortable as the conversation went on. You glanced up at Alden as he laughed between stuffing his mouth with more sweets. You smiled fondly at him, watching the corner of his eyes crinkle with every smile and laugh.

Suddenly as if you forgot Roman was in the room, you reached out to brush your thumb across the corner of Alden’s mouth. He was talking to you and that's when you noticed a little pastry crumb there. His eyes locked with yours as the warmth of your hand grazed his now-flushed skin.

You both simultaneously tore your eyes from each other and you immediately dropped your hand from his face. When you looked Roman’s way he was giving the most bombastic side-eye you've ever seen. In fact, it was so obvious, one would swear he invented the entire concept.

Not wanting to embarrass either of you, he continued with the conversation as if nothing happened. You knew the embarrassment was written all over your face, but you carried on anyway as if Roman didn't just witness what he did.

Alden gathered everyone's plates before making his way into the kitchen. You excused yourself and followed not far behind him. You entered the kitchen to see Alden washing the dishes. You bit your lip, smiling through your teeth. He shook his head before drying his hands and reaching for you. You moved closer, allowing him to wrap his hands around your wrists.

“Two slip-ups.” He chuckled.

“I know, I didn't mean to—” You paused, your eyes dancing with curiosity. “Wait two?”

“Mhm. You almost said you loved me. Or did I hear that wrong?”

You released an uneasy laugh, “Um well, I—” You exhaled a shaky breath. Alden’s eyes gentled with love and darkened with lust all at once.

He leaned into your neck, his nose brushing against your throat, “Well, is that true?” He murmured against your flushed skin.

“I–” You began, but you couldn't bring yourself to say anything. Instead, you exhaled a shaky breath in response. He chuckled, before placing an open-mouthed kiss against the side of your neck. You melted against him and his hands slid to your waist.

He leaned back enough to catch your gaze. “I love you too.” He said before placing his lips to yours. One of his hands moved to cup your face while the other slid around your back and you found your body flush against his.

“I knew it.”

You pulled apart, both of you turning to see Roman standing there. He didn't seem surprised and there was no judgment in his voice. He just wanted you to know he knew. He shook his head in amusement before walking out, muttering something about “bird-watching and getting the ladies,” but you weren't entirely sure.

You glanced up at Alden and he scoffed, “Well, looks like we've been found out.”

“Good because I don't want to stop doing this.” You said before reeling him back in and kissing him again. Your kiss deepened and you suddenly felt the counter behind you and Alden’s hands on your waist. He lifted you onto the counter, never breaking apart from your mouth.

“I'm still just right here, y'know!” You heard Roman shout from the greenhouse. You both pulled back into laughter, knowing you had to stop anyway. Alden gave you one more little kiss on the lips before the two of you joined Roman in the greenhouse once again.

At the end of the day, you didn't care what anyone thought. This love was yours and no one else's.

[geoffwhaley]

Book 1,016: Hard Job (A-List Security #2) - Annabeth Albert

Book two of Albert’s A-List series finds us picking up not long after Tough Job leaves off. This time we’re with Danny’s stepbrother, Duncan, and his best friend, Ezra. Duncan is the head of the security firm that the series gets its name from, and Ezra is a rockstar living his best life. I honestly can’t remember why Ezra needed the security, he may have fought with his previous person, it may…

[ronovanwrites]

The Walk-On a true Chicago story.

The Walk-On a true Chicago story. #MondayBlogs #IARTG #GuestPost #SportsFiction #FootballFiction #Romance #Tragedy #SelfDiscovery @Bookgal

The Walk-On a true Chicago Story Guest Post by Author Richard Podkowski   The Walk-On by Richard Podkowski In The Walk-On, Mike “the Steelman” Stalowski is a blue-collar kid who grew up in the shadows of the Chicago steel mills, where hard-working immigrants poured molten steel 24/7 while smokestacks belched black smoke until they were shuttered in the mid-70s. The word steel in Polish is “stal”…

[let-me-love-you-loki]

Nowhere to Run--Ch. 60

Chapter 60

            He wasn’t entirely fond of the idea, but it was a compromise that Jericho was more than willing to make. Hell, he’d known a long time ago that he couldn’t say no to Kat Prince. When she’d asked this of him, he’d had no choice but to agree.

            It surprised him how much being away from Kat and the baby made his heart constrict with worry. They were literally a few dozen feet down the hallway, yet it still felt like they were on the other side of the country. The memory of the aching longing that he’d felt every time he had to put Kat back on a plane to California settled in his chest so strongly that it felt like he couldn’t breathe.

            Jericho stopped outside the door to Kat’s room. He sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. He didn’t like this one little bit. “Go on,” he grumbled, jerking his head toward the door. As Jack Perry shuffled past him, he couldn’t help but murmur, “Stubborn ass woman.”

***

            Déjà vu hit Jack hard as he closed the door behind him. The flood of memories almost took his breath, only this time it was Kat in the hospital bed. She had been his best friend for years. Without her, he wouldn’t have been able to weather the pain of losing his father. He’d loved her fiercely and wanted nothing more from his life but to wrestle and marry her. But that last one had fallen apart not too long after they laid his dad to rest.

            God knew that he still loved her in many ways. He’d been protective of her since the day they’d met. He remembered moments between them that were best put away and forgotten. But he would never doubt the fact that he loved Kat Prince.

            “Are you going to be an asshole?” Kat asked out of nowhere, steel in her voice.

            Jack couldn’t help but crack a small smile. “I’ll try my best.”

            There was silence for a moment before an answering grin crossed Kat’s face. “Come here.” She held one hand out to him. With the other, she cradled a bundle of blankets against her chest.

            His knees felt like water as he crossed the room to stand by the bed. Kat took his hand and tugged him closer, tilting the bundle closer to him. Jack looked at the little girl that he’d been the first to hold. She was awake, her wide blue eyes watching him with a knowing look. Her dark hair looked just like Kat’s. She had round little cheeks and chubby little fists that waved toward him every now and then.

            Jack was wholly unprepared for the rush of feeling that crashed over him.

            “Thank you, Jack Jack,” she said softly as she squeezed his hand. “Without you…”

            He sank down on the side of the bed and ran his free hand over his hair nervously. “Is she okay? Are you okay?”

            Kat turned her attention toward the baby and smiled. “She’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

            Something like a heavy weight dropped off him. He hadn’t realized how much fear he’d harbored for the safety of both of them. “What about you?”

            “Sore as fuck. Mildly traumatized,” she laughed. “But I’m okay. Because you were there and did everything right.”

            He sat there in silence for a moment, looking between the two of them. The same sense of protectiveness that he’d always felt for Kat poured into him as the baby watched him with those wide blue eyes.

            “Here,” she said, pulling her hand away and holding the baby toward him. “Hold her.”

            Jack’s heart thundered in his chest as he took the baby from her. He held her carefully as he bounced her gently. She looked up at him, waving her fist in the air. Without hesitation, he leaned down and kissed those chubby fingers.

            Kat looked at him with her dark eyes. Eyes that reflected a strange mixture of hope, worry, and confusion. All of it overlaid with a cautious fear. Jack couldn’t blame her. The words he’d said to her, the way he’d acted for the last two years… he was ashamed of the way he’d behaved. He’d been so caught up in his own feelings that he hadn’t stopped to think of how she felt.

            “Kat… I—” Jack stopped and took a deep breath. His guts churned as if he were going to be sick. The baby wrapped her hand around his fingers as if to give him support. “I don’t know why you want me here. After everything…”

            She closed her eyes for a moment. He could see the memories of everything running across her face. That day in her apartment ran through his mind. He’d been drunk, but it didn’t excuse what he’d said. The rage that had rushed through him at the news she was with Chris Jericho had overwhelmed everything else. Even his love for Kat.

            Because that’s what it had been. He loved her. He was still as in love with her now as he had been that day in the hospital when his father passed. When he’d realized that she was happy but not happy with him, it had nearly broken his heart. But he’d promised himself that he would be her friend. That he would do everything that his father had asked of him. To help Kat be happy.

            The thought struck Jack hard in the chest. He felt like he was choking.

            Luke would have been so ashamed of him.

            “I’m sorry, Kat,” he said at last, his voice coming out in a gravely rush. “I’m so sorry. For all of it. I still…”

            Kat gave him a faint smile. “I know. So do I. But—”

            “He’s better for you. You love him more.”

            “Differently,” she whispered. “You’re my best friend, Jack Perry. And you always will be. Chris can’t change that, and I really want my best friend back.”

            Adjusting the baby in his arms, he reached out to take her hand. He squeezed her fingers tightly. “The day Dad died, when I went into his room after you, he asked me to do one thing for him when it came to you. He asked me to help you be happy. The last two years… I’m let him down so much. Because I’ve been so fucking selfish.”

            Kat turned her hand over and threaded her fingers with his. “I want my friend back. I need him back.

            Jack squeezed his eyes shut, tears brushing past his lashes and slipping down his cheeks into his beard. “Can you forgive me, Kat? For everything I said and did. For letting you down.”

            She took a deep breath and set her eyes on him. Her face changed as if she were having an argument within herself. For a moment, he thought he could hear her heart beating.

            “Will you be her godfather, Jack?”

            “What?” He felt absolutely stupid. “What? Jericho…”

            “Don’t argue,” Kat said firmly. “Otherwise, we have a big problem.”

            His brown eyes met hers. “Why?”

            “We’re going to have to change her name.”

***

            It was so hard to hold back the laughter at the look on Jack’s face. It was like he’d been slapped. The expression on his face was the same as he’d had that day in my apartment, but this time it was kinder. Gentler in his surprise.

            My heart felt heavy and light all at once. Hearing Jack apologize for everything he’d done was enough to make me feel like hundreds of pounds had fallen away from my shoulders. I couldn’t necessarily forget the hurt he’d caused, but I could try to move forward until they became a faded, fuzzy memory.

            “What?”

            I rolled my eyes and smiled. “Her name, dumbass. If you don’t say yes, we have to change her name. And that’s going to be really annoying.”

            Jack’s eyes glittered. I realized he was about to cry.

            “We named her Louise.” I swallowed down the lump in my throat. “Louise Jacklyn Antonia. For you and Tony. For Luke.”

***

            Jericho walked away from Kat’s hospital room, one hand on his hip and the other pushing his hair back from his face. He was tired. There was a fatigue settled into his bones, and he couldn’t explain why. Old worries came rushing back to the surface. Could he be a good father? Was he too old to be a father? Would he be able to be there for their daughter? For Kat?

            And he hated the fact that he worried that Kat would change. Not physically—it didn’t matter to him. But what if she didn’t want him in the same way anymore? What if she didn’t want to go back into the Playroom? Jericho loved Kat Prince for every single thing about her—her intelligence, her tenacity, her focus, her laughter, her beauty—and the idea that he couldn’t love her this way anymore made him feel sick.

            “Chris!”

            He looked up at the sound of his name. The Inner Circle sat around in a circle in the waiting room. Santana had called for him, waving him over toward the boys. As he walked over, Jericho looked around. Members of the AEW staff and roster had filled up the small lobby. Tony Khan sat in the corner on the phone.

            “How’s mamí doing?” Ortiz asked as Chris sank down into a chair facing them.

            Chris couldn’t help but smile. “Sore, but good. They’re both amazing.”

            “Then why the long face, boss?” Jake asked quietly. It was something that very few people ever knew about the big man. He was smarter than he looked and more observant than most knew.

            “Worrying about fatherhood. About how things are going to change.”

            Santana leaned forward to look at him. “Yeah, things are going to change. You’ve got this new being to look after. Kat’s gonna be a little different for a while. Let her adjust to being a mother.” He cracked a smile. “And you might be old as hell, but you’re going to be a good father, Chris.”

            He laughed despite himself. “That’s not the only thing I’m worried about.”

            He looked down at his hands. At his fingers. He took a breath.

            An idea came to him.

___________________________________

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[android-and-ale]

AU Where Spock Lives Out Both Sides of a May/December Romance

I had an angsty A.U. idea drop into my head where Spock gets to be on both ends of two different May/December romances. Since I am all about lighthearted shenanigans right now, I’m putting it out there for anyone else to use, in whole or any bits and pieces you like. 

TL;DR - The timeline here has changed so Pike and Kirk are separated by 50 years. 

Spock meets Pike when Spock is in his late 20’s and Pike is in his 50’s. They end up together for the rest of Pike’s life. 

After Pike’s death, Spock is only in his late 70’s, which is still younger than Sarek was when he married Amanda. He goes back to the last place he felt belonging and contentment before he met Pike, which, of course, is Starfleet. Within a few years, he’s risen in the ranks to become the Chief Science Officer of the flagship, the Enterprise. A brash young Captain takes over. Kirk is 50 years his junior, not to mention his CAPTAIN, but despite his best efforts to resist, there’s a spark between them. 

THE ANGSTY DETAILS:

The biggest difference here is Pike and Kirk’s personal timelines. Instead of their service overlapping, they’re decades apart. 

Spock meets Pike fresh out of the academy and there is an instant mutual attraction. Since he’s not a predator, Pike decides OH HELL NO, this kid is way too young for me. Meanwhile, Baby!Spock has just ended things with T’Pring and is entering his Slut Era. Pike resists Spock’s charms for a couple of years, but during an away mission gone wrong when they both think they’re going to die in the next hour, they end up furiously making out and giving each other handjobs. 

When they’re rescued Pike says listen, kid, that can’t happen again. Spock is prepared for this. He makes a PowerPoint outlining why this relationship is logical. They’re intensely compatible, mutually attracted, and frankly, their lives will only overlap for a maximum of five years. After all, they both know Spock is on a fast track to being promoted to X.O. of a science vessel, and later his own command. Let us acknowledge the fleeting nature of time by embracing this all too brief opportunity to be mutually beneficial to one another. 

Pike tells himself he’s going to hell for this - a lot - but gives in. 

Over the next decade, Spock does get promoted up to Chief Science Officer, and eventually also steps in as X.O. when Pike’s Number One is offered her own command. Starfleet repeatedly tries to give Spock his own ship, but he’s happy where he is, at his Captain’s side. Life is good. 

And then Pike’s accident happens. 

Starfleet Medical says it’s bad. Really bad. There’s no brain damage, but his body is a ruin. He’s going to spend the rest of his life essentially with locked-in syndrome, only able to communicate with the outside world in a very slow binary. 

Spock calls bullshit. Instead of taking Pike to Talos IV like he did in The Menagerie, he contacts Una and asks for the biggest favor of his life. Transport both of them to Illyria and put him in touch with people who can use their genetic engineering technology to help Pike. 

Una says she’s so glad he called, because if he hadn’t, she was planning to kidnap Pike herself for that very same reason. As soon as they touch down on Illyria, Spock resigns his commission so he can be there for Pike. 

Pike spends the next two years on Illyria getting treatments and therapies. Eventually, they’re able to restore his hearing to 70% of what it was, his vision to about 20/80 (so now he wears sexy glasses), his VOICE, and a limited amount of his mobility. He’s still disabled, but he has autonomy again. He’s able to get himself in and out of his wheelchair, and even take a few steps when absolutely necessary, but he’s never going to walk unaided. He needs at least 10 hours of sleep a night to be fully functional, but when he’s awake, his mind is as sparkling as ever. 

Because of the differences in how much sleep they need, Spock ends up living two lives. When Pike is awake, he’s the center of Spock’s world. When he’s not, Spock maintains a thriving part-time career in the sciences. As far as he’s concerned, this is a very satisfying have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too compromise. 

Pike tries to tell Spock to go back to Starfleet. Pursue his own command. Stop wasting his time with a disabled old man. Spock tells him sorry, it’s too late for that. I told Starfleet we were married in order to get access to your hospital room, and Una backed me up. I meant to tell you, but we’ve been busy, you know, kidnapping you then performing illegal medical aid. According to Starfleet paperwork, we’ve been married for the last 3 years. Our anniversary is in March, and Una will be throwing us a party. Do you really think I would break Starfleet’s (very human-history-centric) laws and bring you here in the first place just to abandon you?

Because of Starfleet’s draconian anti-genetic-engineering laws, Pike essentially loses most of his citizenship rights. He and Spock give zero shits. Sarek steps in and says hey, your husband has a lot of diplomatic experience, having been Captain of the Flagship, and you Spock grew up in my shadow. Let me set the two of you up in a new career. Spock and Pike become a well trusted power couple, frequently sought out by anyone needing fair and impartial diplomats. 

They stay together for the rest of Pike’s life. 

And then, in the worst year of Spock’s life, within three months he loses both his human husband and his human mother. 

He knew this would happen. Human lifespans are so much shorter than Vulcan ones. On top of that, Pike was well into middle age when they met. That doesn’t make it any less devastating. 

He’s only in his 70’s, which for Vulcans is pretty young. Sarek didn’t marry Amanda until his 80’s, and it’s not uncommon for Vulcans to put off starting a family until they’re over 100. Everyone he meets tells him he’s young enough to start his whole life over, and he wants to punch them all. 

The only person who understands is his father. 

Both he and Sarek are devastated. They lean on one another in their grief. After a year, Sarek asks Spock what was his last happy/contented memory before he met Pike. Spock tries to deny it, but when he’s finally able to be honest with himself, the answer is Starfleet. He spent years there before he met Pike, and was well on his way to what everyone expected to be an illustrious career. Sarek says perhaps you should go back there? It’ll be different than it was decades ago, but that too is a good thing. 

Una’s still around. Illyrians have longer lifespans than humans, though shorter than Vulcans. When he asks her advice she says if he didn’t bring Starfleet up soon she would’ve. She’s already reached out to her many contacts in the fleet about putting together an unofficial refresher course so Spock won’t have to go through the academy again.

He buries himself in taking virtual, updated versions of academy classes, and uses his diplomatic assignments on a variety of ships as an excuse to get a real world refresher in modern ship design and culture. When he’s satisfied, he gathers his new transcripts and references and sets up a meeting with an admiral (because he’s the kind of diplomat who can casually do that). They agree to put him on a smaller vessel to get his feet wet again, but with full understanding that he will absolutely be able to rise quickly in the ranks if Starfleet is still a good fit for him.

He spends a year on a science vessel, then a year on an exploration vessel, then is offered the position of Chief Science Officer of the Enterprise - the very post he left when Pike was injured all those years ago. Yes, Sarek and Una are absolutely pulling some strings in the background, but Spock rises to the occasion. 

He’s missed this more than he would admit to himself while Pike was still alive. His duties bring him contentment and peace - but also excitement and adventure. He has no regrets about the decades he spent with Pike, but now his One True Love is space. 

A few years into his service on the Enterprise, the ship gets a brash new captain - James T. Kirk. And god dammit, there’s a spark. Kirk likes what he sees, and flirts mercilessly. Spock tries to tell himself he’s not into it, but deep down, he isn’t sure how long he’ll be able to resist. 

At this point, Spock is 50 years Kirk’s senior. He desperately wishes he could talk to Pike again. Pike would laugh his ass off at Spock getting his comeuppance. Now you know how it felt, all those years ago, when you were a tasty morsel who wouldn’t take no for an answer! On nights when the chess games with Kirk feel a little too intimate, he listens to Pike’s Captain’s Logs from the years when he was resisting Spock’s advances. This mirroring of their lives makes him feel closer to his dead husband. 

Spock gets the biggest shock of his life when his father announces he’s not only remarrying, but taking another human wife. 

Spock rages at him. How can you do this to yourself AGAIN? 

Sarek points out that first, the very few Vulcan widows his age do not want him. Second, he’s used to having a human around. And third, at his age, he and his wife will actually grow old together. Their estimated remaining lifespans are within a decade of one another.

He reassures Spock that yes, he would’ve preferred to grow old with Amanda, but he always knew that their lives together would be cut short. Being with her as long as he could was still worth it. Then he tells Spock not to let the pain of his loss prevent him from seeking out future happiness. That’s not what Pike would’ve wanted. Or Amanda. 

Sarek has seen Spock and Kirk together on assignment, and he knows a lot of Spock’s anger is because he’s repressing his own feelings. He points out that with modern medical technology, if Kirk can avoid getting himself killed in the line of duty, he could realistically expect to live another 70+ years. It’s not a perfect alignment with Spock’s aging trajectory, but they could reasonably expect to be middle aged together for decades. 

Spock says there is no damn way he’s getting involved with another human. The heartbreak isn’t worth it. He’d rather spend the rest of his life dedicated to science. He’s had his Romance Era and now that part of his life is over. 

Until one day, he and Kirk are on an away mission gone wrong. They’re trapped in a cave, and realistically believe that they have less than 4 hours left to live. Kirk says hey, we’re going to die, we should give in to this UST. Spock protests he’s too old for Kirk. Kirk laughs and says they’re both going to be dead in four hours, so who cares? Let’s live a little before we die. 

Spock remembers being the one who said the same thing to Pike. He’s hit with an overwhelming sense of deja vu as he gives in and lets Jim kiss him for the first time. He’s terrified of opening his heart again, but when Jim says his name like a prayer, he thinks yes, I could do this for the next 70 years. It’ll be worth it. He kisses Jim back, and in that moment it feels both like coming home and the start of something new. Losing this man will break him, but not as badly as turning away from a lifetime of love. 

[katieaki]

wives ⚢♥

in a may/december romance none the less

[obstinaterixatrix]

see my main internal conflict as an f/f aficionado is that when people go like ‘I want [x] but with women’ I’m usually torn between ‘well it EXISTS if you HUNT FOR IT just look at this oneshot from an anthology/indie itchio vn/self-published novel’ and ‘yeah nothing exists we are starving out here’