Chapter Text
"Oh yes, it's quite untidy. Here, let me help you." Spock reached over to the police officer, pinching between his neck and shoulder. With the officer down, they dashed away, ducking through a doorway and down into the cellar of the 21st Street Mission.
"You were actually enjoying my predicament back there." Kirk raised his eyebrows at Spock. "At times you seem quite human" he continued, smirking at Spock's insulted expression.
They proceed to undress, Spock turning away from Jim, suddenly shy as he slipped into his stolen clothes. It's not that they hadn't got changed together before, with sparring in the gym, and their countless away missions in various precarious situations. But this time felt different, maybe it was the low light of the cellar, or the way Jim looked at him when he teased him.
***
"Who's there?" a feminine voice called from the stairs. Spock rushed to grab his hat, hiding his ears as the light from the doorway illuminated the room.
"Excuse me, miss. We don't mean to trespass, it's cold outside" Kirk lied, looking up at the woman with what Bones liked to call his 'puppy dog eyes'.
"A lie is a poor way to say hello, it isn’t that cold." She chided, stepping down the stairs to see them better.
"No, we were being chased by a policeman. These clothes, we stole them, we didn't have any money" he was really turning on the charm now, even making Spock feel sorry for the poor man.
"Well I could do with some help around here. 15 cents an hour for ten hours a day," she looked between the pair. "What are your names?"
"My name is Jim Kirk, he is Spock." he smiled, gesturing at his friend.
"I'm Edith Keeler, you can start by cleaning up down here." And with that, she left them alone once more.
They worked in silence cleaning the cellar. Spock glanced over at Kirk occasionally and saw the ghost of a smile on his face. Evidently, yet another woman had caught Jim's eye.
***
Once finished, they made their way up to the Mission for dinner, Spock finding a space to sit while Kirk made a beeline for Miss Keeler. He watched as Jim put on his famous charm. Suddenly Spock felt he wasn't very hungry.
Kirk eventually waltzed over, looking satisfied. "We have a flop."
"We have a what, Captain?" Spock was not familiar with this human term.
"A place to sleep." Kirk replied, sitting down across from him.
"One might have said so in the first place." Spock placed his half eaten soup in front of Kirk. "Please consume my portion as well, Captain. I do not require as much sustenance as you."
He was about to protest, but closed his mouth when Spock gave him a 'this is not up for debate' look.
***
After dinner Edith showed them to their room, leaving with an almost shy wave at Kirk. Spock walked over to the wooden desk in the corner, concluding that it was sufficient enough to be his workspace. Jim disappeared through the other door in the room, inspecting the bathroom. It was simple, and had a small metal tub that they were expected to wash in. He missed his hot showers already.
When Kirk reemerged into the bedroom, Spock had already removed his shirt, changing into the black undershirt from their Starfleet uniform. He was sat on the edge of one of the beds, facing away from him, head bowed in meditation. Kirk took the opportunity to admire the strong back muscles of his first officer, the way they were framed so perfectly in the tight shirt.
Spock looked up and turned to face Kirk. "I have made a list of materials I shall require" he stated, passing a piece of paper to Jim.
Kirk scanned the list, frowning. "I'm not sure our wages will get us half of these, but I will visit the hardware store after picking up some food tomorrow." It was late, so he removed his checked shirt, not bothering to put on the undershirt, and climbed into the other bed.