The Cadet

The Upper Hand

There was something jarring about waking up next to my Calculus Professor naked.

Maybe it was because nearly a whole year ago I'd have blanched at the thought of even remotely being friendly with this man let alone share a bed with him.

Perhaps it was because I'd had this dream several times before and eventually I'd always wake up.

Spock had such a grip around my waist that even moving to breathe was tight-- as if he was afraid I'd go away if he lost his grip. My back was warm against his skin, and even as the sun rose outside and cast a soft glow on the room, I was more than content to lay there for the rest of the day. His other arm rested underneath my head, and I sat here and studied each line in his hand.

Like I could read his fortune if I looked hard enough.

I gently traced my fingers over his palm, my nail gently scratching over the curved creases that naturally made up his palm. He let out a low rumble behind me, pressing his face into the curve of my neck. "You're driving me mad, Evelyn." His voice was thick from sleep, his already warm baritone deepened by the morning grogginess.

"Good morning to you, too." I chuckle softly, turning in his embrace to face him. He still had his eyes closed, but the small curve in his lips told me he was more than pleased to have me here. It was still a little new to see him being so... human. A small part of me felt pleased that he relaxed enough with me to show me the more human part of him- something he clearly struggled to accept himself. He hummed something that I assumed was him reciprocating my greeting. I grazed my eyes over his relaxed features for a moment, appreciating the softness of his expression. "As much as it pains me-"

"Don't say it."

"- I have to get up." I say, a soft giggle in my voice as he groans dramatically.

Spock... pouting.

Cute.

"Skip your final." he tells me.

I laugh, shaking my head as I sit up in my bed. "I would love to, but unfortunately for me my professor is an asshole who takes particular interest in my torture." I say, giving him a pointed look over my bare shoulder.

His eyes open as he glares at me, huffing in annoyance. "Perhaps as a Cadet you should not be so easy to torture."

I slack my jaw open at him, which earns me a rich laugh that has my stomach doing flips. He sits up, leaning close and pressing gentle kisses to my bare shoulder. "Careful, we may never leave this bed if you keep that up."

I like the sound of that.

I blush, shaking my head as I roll out of his bed, picking up his discarded shirt on the floor and pulling it over my head. "Vulcan mind-meld is unfair." I tell him, crossing my arms. He gives me a once over, before meeting my eyes again.

"I do not understand what you mean." He tells me, moving to stand. He pulls on the pants he wore yesterday and approaches me. "I can only do so when I'm touching you."

"It's an unfair advantage." I tell him with a pouty expression, crossing my arms over my chest. He gently lifts my chin, his eyes drinking in my appearance.

"You've had the upper hand on me since we met, Evelyn McLaren."

Yep. Definitely melting. I'm actually that puddle on the floor. Yes, that one right there that has the words "Hopelessly in love" smacked on top of it.

"Spock—"

"Enough prattling, you have an exam to prepare for." He says, walking towards the bathroom. "And I'll not allot you any extra time if you are late."

%%%

I was late, thanks to our... rendezvous in the shower. I had to go back to my dorm and change, before walking into class and pretending like I hadn't just been naked in the professor's bed only an hour or so before.

My eyes flicked up to Spock as I sat, who managed to look displeased at my late arrival.

"I hope you understand you'll be ending with everyone else despite your late arrival, Cadet McLaren."

I smirk, dragging my eyes over him shamelessly. "Yes, sir."

He nodded stiffly as he sat back down, his eyes never really leaving me. I got fast to work, recognizing that each of these questions were the most complex versions of what we'd worked on all year. Toby next to me, whose pink hair was now faded to a cotton candy color, gave me an apologetic look before turning his eyes back to his own exam.

What felt like years later— not thanks to Spock undressing me with his eyes the whole time— I finished and walked out with even a few minutes to spare. As I handed over my exam to him, I intentionally brushed our fingers together. "Respectfully, sir... I hope I never have to take one of your classes again." I tell him in a low voice. A smirk tugs my lips as I look down at him, slightly tinged green.

"For both our sakes, I, too, wish that."

%%%

I had passed all of my exams with flying colors (even Calculus much to Spock's chagrin), and had completed my placement exam for post-graduation assignment. I felt good about the exam, and was sure I'd be recommended to a Starship.

I was currently enjoying the warm weather in the quad next to Toby as we anxiously waited to hear news of our placements.

"I'm hoping for a Research Vessel. I hear the engines in those babies are outfitted with some of the newest interfaces." He told me, his bright eyes full of excitement.

"I'll be happy on a battle cruiser— like my dad." I say, squinting over the sunny quad as people walked about.

"You've never told me about your dad, I know he was a Starfleet Captain." Toby ran a hand through his cotton candy hair. "But you don't talk about him much."

I shrug, looking over at the Canadian. "There's not tons to talk about. He died when I was eight, and he was gone a lot before that on long-haul missions."

"You seem to have a lot of respect for him."

"I do. And what little memories I do have of him are good... Nan says we were close but I think that he was just gone enough that when he was home I was practically glued to his hip." I say, shrugging. "But he was a good Captain, and his name carries a lot of weight past the Academy. Which means I have to be able to bear it."

Toby seems to study me for a moment. "That's a lot of load to take on yourself, Evie." He says, his voice soft and kind. I offer him a gentle smile.

"I know. But I'm ready for it."