Work Text:
Getting a promotion would be exciting for anyone. A chance to try new things, grow as a person, inherit new responsibilities, and all the perks that come with a higher rank.
Spock, however, felt empty inside. The letter sat on his computer, bright as day. Starfleet wanted him as the captain of their newest ship. He was, of course, the logical candidate. Impressively decorated, smart, and trained under the best captain there was. But for some reason, he didn’t want to take it. It would be good for his career. But he couldn’t imagine leaving his crew- his family. And Jim. Jim wouldn’t take it well.
He didn’t want to but that was his emotions talking, not the logic. And he was raised to know that he should follow logic, not emotions.
He didn’t want to, but he had to.
As he expected, Jim didn’t take it well. He refused to believe it at first.
“They can’t do this, Spock!” Jim had shouted, “We’re a team ! The best team in Starfleet. They can’t just break us up!”
Over time he grew to understand. At least, he made it seem like he understood. But Spock knew better. He saw the way Jim’s shoulders would stoop when someone brought it up. How his face would go slack when someone looked away. It hurt.
It proved harder to leave than he thought it would. Uhura had thrown him a party. It was a nice party, he supposed. Everyone got miraculously drunk and sung his praises. Bones nearly collapsed on the ground as he drunkenly exclaimed how much he loved “that damned hobgoblin”.
Jim was suspiciously quiet the whole time. He stayed in the corner of the room, not saying much- just watching.
The goodbye itself wasn’t anything big. Only his closest friends were there to see him off. They all (bar Spock, of course) shed a few tears, and Bones, in a last-minute act of affection, wrapped his arms around the Vulcan and hugged him, muttering a few expletives about how much he’d miss him.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you all,” Spock said, turning to face his friends, “I hope we will have the opportunity to collaborate in the future.”
He turned around, getting ready to step onto the shuttle that would take him to the new ship.
“Wait!” Came Jim’s voice and the man’s slender hand wrapped around Spock’s arm, “Stay. Please, Spock. Please stay.”
He turned back around, staring his partner in the eyes.
“I would prefer to stay as well, t’hy’la.”
He kissed Jim gently, ever so softly, before turning around and entering the shuttle, leaving his family behind.