Takes place in the Star Trek Mirrorverse
The captain has had a rough day and turns to his first officer to escape and be vulnerable for a little while.
Translations: Ashayam-Beloved, Pi'veh-Little One
Spock looked up from his PADD when he heard the door to his quarters open. The captain stood at the entrance to his room, already dressed in his sleepwear.
"Captain." Spock set his PADD aside, "Is there something I can do for you?"
Jim said nothing. He manually locked Spock's door behind him and placed his weapons on a small table. He climbed onto Spock's bed and crawled across it, laying down next to Spock.
Spock recognized the look in Jim's eyes. A certain innocence that was rare to find in the days of the empire, certainly for the captain of an imperial starship. A vulnerability that only came out around Spock. This was something he shared with no one else. It was a weakness that any other would take advantage of.
But Spock would never take advantage of this. He gives his captain a safe space to escape from the pressures and dangers of command. Jim certainly needed it that evening.
"Long day, ashayam?" Spock asked.
Of course Spock already knew. There had been an attempt at his life the previous night. Unsuccessful of course. But the captain had been in a sour mood -to say the very least- all day. Having to watch his back more than usual. He hadn't sleepy beyond two hours.
Jim nodded, "Tired, Papa." He mumbled, curling in on himself and burying his face into Spock's thigh, "Don't wanna be big."
Spock ran his finger's through Jim's hair, "Would you like me to run you a bath? I can add the strawberry scented bubble bath you are so fond of." He offered.
Jim nodded, "Carry me?" He asked, raising his arms up, a bit nervous that his request would be denied.
"Of course." Spock scooped up the boy into his arms and carried him the short distance to the bathroom connected to his quarters.
Spock let Jim cling to him and snuggle into his shoulder. He set Jim on the counter top, ignoring the whines that they boy gave out at the loss of contact.
"Papa!" Jim whined, "Papa, up! Up!"
Spock knelt down next to the tub, ignoring the little boy. He had to be careful when filling the tub with water. Jim was much more sensitive and susceptible to temperature than he was.
Jim sat on the counter top, staring at Spock while he prepared the bath. He angrily tucked his thumb tucked between his lips and whined. He calmed down when he noticed Spock pouring bubble bath into the water.
"Come, ashayam, remove your thumb from your mouth and lift your arms." Spock instructed, guiding Jim's arms.
Once Jim's shirt was off he reached out for the Vulcan, "Bath!"
"Once you are undressed, Jim." Spock told him, lifting Jim off of the counter to help him out of his pajama bottoms, "Step out."
Jim obeyed, pouting slightly because Spock wasn't letting him play with the bubbles yet. As soon as he was undressed Spock scooped him up and placed him in the warm water.
Jim squealed and kicked his feet. Water sloshed out of the tub. Spock didn't mind. He didn't even mind the water splashing onto his own clothes.
"It seems your mood has drastically improved, pi'veh." Spock said, stroking Jim's hair.
"Bubbles." Jim giggled, "Bubbles, Papa."
Spock knelt down next to the tub, "I see them, Jim."
"Papa? What sound does a tribble make?" Jim asked.
