#how much things may be different and how Spock!prime broke the timeline by melding with aos!kirk

[mutalune]

me when people hate on aos trek:

[deathishauntedbyhumans]

Bonding

Jim is concerned that he and Spock Prime are bonded, because of the meld they engaged in when they first met. Spock helps to assuage that concern. 

Stranger: Can I ask you something kinda personal about Vulcan culture? JK

You: You may ask. S

Stranger: So I just learned Vulcans kiss with their hands. What does it mean when a Vulcan touches your face? JK

You: It... depends. As I assume you are attempting to follow a "romantic" vein, a Vulcan may touch specific points on the face of their mate or intended mate in order to meld with them, or to create or cement a bond. S

Stranger: Ah. Okay. And that's pretty much the only reason? JK

You: Yes. S Do you have a reason for this line of question, Captain? S

Stranger: Well it's just. JK

Stranger: Am I married to the other you? To Ambassador Salek? JK

You: [delay] I do not know, in certainty, the relationship that my counterpart and yours had together. S That is not to say that I have not made assumptions based on what he has allowed himself to say, or that I have... admittedly, drawn the same conclusion. S It is very likely that our counterparts were bonded. S

Stranger: So I am married to him? Am I married to you too? JK

You: You are not. Your counterpart was, in all likelihood, although I doubt the Ambassador would give either of us a straightforward answer on the subject. S

Stranger: So when we melded that wasn't a wedding? Or an engagement? JK

Stranger: Am I supposed to be his lover? JK

You: You melded with my counterpart? S

Stranger: Uh. Yeah. Does that change the answer? JK

You: It does not. I was merely unaware that it had occurred. S I do not believe my counterpart would take advantage of you in such a way. What were the circumstances when he melded with you? S

Stranger: I was running from a monster and he saved me and he said we were friends and showed me about Nero. There was a lot of 'emotional transferrance' I think he called it. JK

You: I see. S Emotional transferrance merely refers to the passage of emotion from one mind to another during a meld. It does not mean that you are "engaged." S It is more likely that you would have felt strongly about whatever he was feeling at the time. A preliminary bond or a true bond is not formed, under most circumstances, unless both parties are aware and/or amicable to the bond being formed. S

Stranger: Spock? JK

You: Yes? S

Stranger: I was running from a monster and he saved me and he said we were friends and showed me about Nero. There was a lot of 'emotional transferrance' I think he called it. JK

You: I see. S Emotional transferrance merely refers to the passage of emotion from one mind to another during a meld. It does not mean that you are "engaged." S It is more likely that you would have felt strongly about whatever he was feeling at the time. A preliminary bond or a true bond is not formed, under most circumstances, unless both parties are aware and/or amicable to the bond being formed. S

Stranger: Oh. Okay. So I haven't been neglecting my fiancé or something? JK

You: You have not. S

Stranger: Oh thank goodness. I was so worried. JK

Stranger: Thanks, Spock. You're the best. JK

You: You are welcome, Captain. I apologise on behalf of my counterpart, as well. S

Stranger: Oh it's fine, there's no need. I just didn't want to lead him on or anything. JK

You: Regardless, he should have taken the time to explain that you had no need to be concerned. S

Stranger: I didn't think about it until just the other day and it's kinda been a lot to think about over the last few weeks. JK

You: That is understandable. S

Stranger: Thank you for talking to me about all this. I know this was probably pretty personal and it means a lot I can come to you with this. JK

You: I do not mind discussing it with you. S You are my friend. I am... comfortable speaking with you. S

Stranger: I like that a lot. Us being friends and being comfortable with each other. It's nice. JK

You: I appreciate it as well. I will admit that I never expected our relationship to progress as such, given the way our first few meetings happened. S

Stranger: Yeah it would have sucked if we didn't though. JK

You: It would not have been pleasant, especially given the fact that we are posted on the Enterprise together. S

Stranger: I was afraid you weren't going to come. JK

You: We work well together, despite our different ideologies. S My counterpart was also very intent on pointing that out to me. I could not pass the opportunity by. S

Stranger: I'm really glad. You make me better. JK

You: You do not need to be made better. You merely need guidance, when it counts. S We assist one another. S

Stranger: Well I'm always thankful for your advice. And as I'm learning, for your friendship. You're very dear to me, Spock. JK

You: As you are to me, Jim. S

Stranger: (Delayed) Spock, are you seeing anyone currently? JK

You: As I am in my quarters, I am not. S

Stranger: No I mean. JK

Stranger: Are you in a romantic relationship? JK

You: Ah. That makes more sense. S I am not. S

Stranger: Would you be open to one with me? JK

You: [delay] Yes. I believe that I would. S

Stranger: In that case, would you like to join me for dinner? We could eat on the observation deck. JK

You: I am agreeable. I would enjoy that very much. S

Stranger: And maybe a game of chess after if all goes well? JK

You: That sounds very nice. S [delay] Jim... You are not doing this merely because you are attempting to follow in our counterparts' steps, are you? I do not wish to dissuade you if that is not your intent, but if it is... You do not have to. Our timelines are different from one another. I do not want you to feel as though you have any sort of... mere obligation to this. S

Stranger: Nah. It's not an obligation thing. It's more I've liked you since I saw you at the trial and I'm finally going to do something about it. JK

You: I was accusing you of cheating at the trial! S

Stranger: So? JK

Stranger: You were still super hot, and I have a thing for people who are honest in all situations. JK

You: I do not know what a raised body temperature has to do with your level of attraction towards me. S You did not seem as though you had a "thing" then. You and Doctor McCoy were both glaring with very malicious intent towards me. S

Stranger: On the contrary, Bones was saying that he liked you. JK

Stranger: And I meant hot as in attractive. JK

You: Somehow, I highly doubt that. S [delay] I will admit that I was aware of your meaning with that particular phrase. S

Stranger: You sneak! Well it made me smile anyway. JK

Stranger: And you can ask Bones. He can't lie for shit so he'll tell you I'm telling the truth. JK

You: While there are some idioms that I do not understand, feigning ignorance on ones that I do is... amusing. S Even if he liked me then, I have no doubt that he would bluster and insult me about it now. He is not fond of me. S

Stranger: That's a lie. He teases you a lot but he wouldn't do that if he wasn't comfortable with you. JK

Stranger: Also you're really cute you know that? JK

You: I... do not believe that such a descriptor has ever been applied to me before. S Admittedly, he does not actually follow through with any of his empty threats towards me. I suppose I can agree with you, although I won't claim to understand it. S

Stranger: And if he hated you, he wouldn't have saved you. JK

You: That is a good point. S

Stranger: I try. There's this cute guy I want to impress so I gotta make logical arguments. JK

You: [slight delay] You are... flirting with me. S

Stranger: I am. JK

You: You have no need. I am already enamoured with you. S Are you not supposed to flirt /before/ you ask someone to join you for dinner? S

Stranger: I know I'll be asking you to dinner again. JK

You: Terran courtship rituals are very confusing. S

Stranger: Oh? How do you do it? JK

Stranger: We can try that too. JK

You: Vulcan culture does not have a conventional courtship ritual. As children, Vulcans are assigned their prospective mates based on various factors for maximum compatibility, and a preliminary bond is created between them. Most choose to consummate that bond as adults, though there are some who choose other mates or partners for themselves. S I do not mind Terran courtship. I will admit that I find your flirting enjoyable. S

Stranger: I'm glad you enjoy it. I guess I should ask if you've got a mate already? JK

You: [slight delay] I do not. My intended and I broke our bond when I turned down the Vulcan Science Academy's offer of employment. I do not believe she survived the destruction of my planet. S

Stranger: Oh, Spock. I'm so sorry. JK

You: I have come to terms with my grief. We were never close; she resented being my intended, given my human mother. S

Stranger: Well that's super sucky of her. JK

Stranger: I know your mom was awesome. JK

You: Thank you. S I wish that you could have met her. She would have enjoyed your company. S

Stranger: I would have liked that too. JK

Stranger: Spock, that preliminary bond, it serves a purpose doesn't it? JK

You: [slight delay] It does. It would not be done if it were illogical. S

Stranger: That's kinda what I thought. JK

Stranger: Should we initiate one of those? JK

You: You do not know what you're offering. S

Stranger: I know that there's something you need that isn't being filled, that I love you, and that it can't be asking for more than my life but I'd give that (have given it) for you any time. So, logically, the moment you desire it we can proceed. JK

You: [delay] Jim, the purpose that the bond serves is not something that is desperately required. S It is difficult to discuss. It is hardly discussed among Vulcans, much less with others. I could not ask you to blindly offer yourself to me this way. S

Stranger: Okay, I won't bring it up again. But if you change your mind, I'll have the same answer. We can take it at your pace. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. JK

You: You have not made me uncomfortable. I appreciate the offer, Jim. Truly. It means more to me than you will ever know that you would ask. S I have hope that the reason for the initial bond will never come to fruition for me, because of my heritage. And if that becomes the case, I could not think of anyone else whom I trust more than you to be bonded with. S