Note: for Gavi & Sruli...who know how to wear black.

Spock was wearing his black velvet again, and Jim was wanting to wear him.

It was good for both of them, they reflected, that they were off duty, and not likely to be on again for quite a while.

Yes, it was very good for both of them...and it was about to get much, much better.

Jim finally compounded his staring with speaking. "God, Spock... I love the way you look in black."

The sound of Jim's voice, dark itself with desire, pleased Spock deeply. His own voice showed it.

"I know that you do." Not wishing to sound too smug, he added, "And I must admit, I enjoy the way that you look at me in black."

Jim kept looking, as he moved closer. Close enough to invade Spock's personal space, while keeping what would have been a decent distance between them in public.

"Oh...I know you do. And I love that, too." Jim's smile was smugness personified. "But, what about the way I touch you in black...?"

He put his hand on Spock's hip and gripped it, gently but firmly. Then he completely relaxed that hand, and moved just his palm, letting his fingers turn slowly in a half circle.

Spock's Human half wanted Jim's hand to move inward so badly that he could hardly stand it. At the same time, which fascinated him, he did not want the moment to end.

His Vulcan half somehow managed to continue standing, and speaking.

"I--I enjoy that as well. Although I--find that the way you look at me, when I'm wearing black, constitutes touching."

"Mmm...I would have to agree. With you."

Jim's smile brightened until Spock felt he was standing in the center of the cabin with a candle. Holding a candle, he would have liked to say. When he could no longer stand the lack of physical contact, he spoke.

"And what else do you have to do? With me."

"Just...this."

Jim leaned in and kissed his Vulcan as softly as the velvet he was wearing.

Spock let his control break, and swiftly drew his Human into a fierce but loving embrace.

Both men closed their eyes, and let the blackness envelop them. Spock the darkness of his Captain's quarters, Jim the depths of his First Officer's robes.

Mycroft Holmes

North End, Boston

December 26 2003 / 1 Tevet 5764

Blue On Black
Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Band)

Night falls, I'm alone
Skin chilled to the bone
You turned and you ran
Slipped right from my hands

Blue on black
Tears on a river
Push on shove
Don't mean much
Joker on Jack
Match on a fire
Cold on ice
A dead man's touch
Whisper on a scream
Doesn't mean a thing
Won't bring you back
Blue on black

Blind, now I see
Truth, lies, and in between
Wrong can't be undone
Slipped from the tip of your tongue

Blue on black
Tears on a river
Push on shove
Don't mean much
Joker on Jack
Match on a fire
Cold on ice
A dead man's touch
Whisper on a scream
Doesn't mean a thing
Won't bring you back
Blue on black