In the After Time

[mirroredcommand]

After Jim and his Spock had left, Pike retreated into himself somewhat. He settled back into the chair he had left, his eyes closing and hand cupping his chin. Much had happened and been learned in a very short amount of time, some that had changed his very knowledge of not only this universe and their situation, but the people involved.

Kirk. That was a surprise in all of itself. Instead of the annoyed brat with a huge ego and a surprising sense of ruthless, charm, and intelligence to back it up, he was meeting someone he almost could respect. There was a keen sense of intelligence behind those golden eyes, tactile and strong, though obviously naive in certain cases. Even that naivety seemed protected by the knowledge of being aware of it. A most strange situation, but it came together in someone that in their universe, he would have considered a truly enemy.

Instead, he found himself surprised in the sense of having enjoyed himself within the limiting concerns of circumstance. There was a play between himself and Kirk that was as intricate as the game of chess that had been played out. Pike's eyes opened to focus on the board before him, pieces assembled off to either side. White, and black, with no shades of gray. He had found himself without another move, unable to win. Yet Kirk had been in the same circumstance. Both trapped, unable to make another move to win.

How very much like life.

Then, there was Spock. So similar to his own, yet vastly different. Shades of gray, indeed. He was curious to what had occurred during that mind meld that had drawn such reactions from his own bond mate, curious about the differences that were far more difficult to see. The relationship between the two men was unlike their own, forged in a vastly different way, but with the same purpose behind it.

He looked to his own Spock, who looked both thoughtful and tense to his knowing eyes and inner-sense brimming over from the bond between them. There had been a sense of dodging, avoidance, that he wanted to know the truth of.

"Spock."

Comments

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

He looks pointedly, disdainfully at Christopher's hands and defensive fighting posture. As if he would attack his lover in anger.

He already does so.

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

In return, Pike flashed an image of Spock himself, getting higher ground, putting himself at ready. You are being a jealous fool.

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

He sneered.

This is your trust?

"You will, as ever, do as you wish."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

Pike let out a small sound like a growl before crossing his arms. "I will not attack you, Spock, but you are acting like an angry child."

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

And now Christopher would show his lack of fear?

Spock was angry enough to push, just a bit. He stepped close, close enough for Christopher to feel the heat of his temper, to feel the warmth of his breath - lips a bare inch distant.

"And you are acting like my comfort is of no consequence to your lust. I see my current place, Christopher."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

Pike stared into those dark eyes without fear. There was only a single time in his life he had ever shown fear to Spock, and that had left him broken on the floor of his own home. "My comfort was of no consequence to what you desired from that other Spock. You place is as it always was."

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

"I have never lied to you. I would not start now. But believe what you wish."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"And you doubt me for foolish reasons. You are believing what you wish."

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

"Only time will bear this out."

The tiny bubble of betrayal has grown and lodged in his throat - his words are whispered.

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"You are acting like you want me to say yes, that I'd rather be with him." Came the dark accusation.

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

An arching wing of eyebrow rose slowly, insultingly.

"Are you trying to goad me into killing him? You are mine."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"As you are mine!" Pike snapped back, every part of him tense.

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

He had replaced the sheaths, all hidden under even these clothes, in their places. Tiny knives, sharp and easily forgotten about.

The one from his sleeve. It hissed as he drew it.

He offered it, handle first, to Christopher?

"Am I?"

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

It surprised him. It honestly did surprise him when the knife was suddenly there, the hilt offered to him.

His fingers wrapped around the hilt and held the knife, eyes remaining locked with Spock's. "I marked you as mine. Mine."

Pike stepped forward all at once, the knife at Spock's throat.

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

Even his breath barely moved his body - he was still in Christopher's hands, under his own knife. He raised his arm, pulled back the sleeve to reveal the brand.

"I asked you for it. I would not do away with it."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

A hand came up and grasped Spock's own, and he brought the brand to the small space between their faces. The knife was turned, and the tip dragged slowly across the sensitive scars.

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

It would not scar. The brand itself had taken repeated wounding.

He drew in a breath between teeth and his pupils blew wide.

"Do you no longer enjoy claiming me?"

There is a hint of teasing in this whisper.

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"The only time that will ever happen is if I'm dead." Pike pressed harder, this time, as he went below the brand. It cut into skin, and with his eyes locked to darker ones, he leaned forward to lap away the blood.

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

The rasp of his breath is louder this time, harsher. The fury in his blood fueled his want and he wanted simultaneously to spit in Christopher's face and to submit to his mate. The struggle was stringing him along a tense line but he was pliant under Christopher's direction.

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

Pike's hand shifted, a mere flick of the wrist. A second later, Pike held up his opposite wrist. A slash of brilliant crimson was opened up on the tanned skin.

The wound was offered up against Spock's lips, his own smudged green.

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

The noise is hungry but also half-whimper. Spock licks daintily at the cut, mouth very red - smearing his lips with it then pulling back for more of those precise little motions with his tongue.

Only yours. None others.

He had never desired another.

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

We have shared our blood, our bodies, our minds. Do you really think I would want another, even if I desire their body? Pike leaned forward, their lips centimeters apart.

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

Spock closes the gap. The kiss is oddly tender given their blood, given their tense bodies, given their angry tones.

I trust your intentions; I do not trust his.

The kiss slowly takes on a sharpness of teeth nibbling then biting.

If you want another for your pleasure, share them with me. Do not send me away to feel it all from a distance.

It is something like a compromise.

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

You weren't here. I had lost you... It was something he was admitting that he never did. A tiny tone of fear, sadness.

There was a moment before his tongue flicked out across Spock's lips. Fine. Agreement, followed by a rush through the bond of praise/warmth.

[mirroredspock.livejournal.com]

There was only a hint of reprove in his words.

Christopher, you will never lose me.

He settled his body closer still, moved against his mate in a way guaranteed to tempt him - a response to the warm praise moving in his mind.

Your doubt was... understandable. The cause was great.

He licked over Christopher's lips in return, chasing the flavor of his own blood.

I still despise him.

There is an edge of bemusement but it is also a warning - he will not fight but he has not forgotten.