thisavrou_log | september overflow log

[ When Spock turns his attention on him, Leonard turns his attention away, his gaze lowering, focusing on the half-finished drink in his hands. Embarrassed, for a moment, that he had made so easily, and that the other man had accepted.

Appreciatively, no less. He clears his throat, not noticing the way Spock's crowding slowly closer. His mind focusing instead some half-assed, gruff excuse to explain why he felt prompted to ask to spend time with the Vulcan. ]

You looked like you were thinkin' too hard. [ He offers, making it seem like he was doing the man a favor, before he feels confident enough to look back up. ]

Don't you how to relax?

[Normally, he would find some reason to quip back. Normally, his need to correct wins out over any favoritism. His grasp of sense slips.]

I believe my body is attempting to but having difficulty refraining from deliberation. [A gentle tilt of his head to indicate his curiosity regarding it.] My mind does not appreciate the efforts.

[It’s hardly proving productive at present. HIs thoughts feel muddled even when they shouldn’t be. He echoes as much,] I feel as if my thoughts go in circles. I would much rather relax.

[The admission feels awkward. He is not normally so forthright with his preferences, especially with regard to his personal feelings, but the words come out easily. Spock feels mild alarm; this is unbecoming behavior. But the feeling fades so quickly, swept away in the fog, that it soon doesn't matter.]

[ It's slowly starting to matter less to him, too, with each moment that passes between them. His earlier embarrassment eases, allowing his earlier contentment to fester and grow in it's place.

He shakes his head lightly at Spock's conundrum. If he were in his right mind, he probably would have thought more about it, been more suspicious of it and concerned. But right now, the Vulcan's unease was more of a hindrance, something that needed to be eradicated rather than considered.

He hums a little in thought. ] If that's the case, maybe all you need is a little push.

[ And by "push" he means "drink." Specifically, the one in his hand. He raises the glass into Spock's line of sight, his brows quirked in silent inquiry. Encouraging him, almost, not to think about it. ] It could help.

[He eyes the glass for a moment before looking up at Leonard. He doesn’t want to disappoint the man, but...] Vulcans do not become inebriated through the consumption of alcohol.

[There’s a tinge of disappointment to it, not in Leonard's lack of comprehension but in the fact that he is not human enough for alcohol to have any effect. It is the most strange disappointment that has ever crossed his mind, but he finds himself quite woeful as his struggle to calm his mind at this moment is clearly relative to his mixed heritage. The situation is wholly unlike that of simple meditation: he simply cannot let go completely, and the evidence seems so damning with everyone around him being so at ease.]

Are there other ways? To push. [Alcohol is clearly not the solution here.]

Oh. [ He answers, clearly disappointed, though, he tries not to let too much of it show. He lowers the glass back down to his chest, forcing himself to put on a thoughtful face. ]

Maybe. [ Maybe there's somewhere they can go, something they can do. The doctor's head turns, looking about the room, across all the partygoers twirling around on the dance floor, the gambling rings where everyone lay hunched over their cards. Neither of those seemed to be an option, so he looks further, drawing another cursory glance around the room until he notices the intimate space set off to the side.

Now, that's an idea. ]

How 'bout gettin' away from all this hubbub?

[No real thoughts process with the query. The only thing that Spock realizes is that he would indeed like to get away, especially with the company of Leonard.]

I—

Yes. Some time apart may be of use. [Less reason to pay attention to what’s going on around him. More chance to focus on what really matters. It is such a logical conclusion. Yet, even as he would normally berate himself for not thinking of it himself, he instead gives an easy nod and gestures toward one of the exits.

Leonard's company is wasted in this room.]

[ He does have his logical moments, from time to time. His expression brightens a little when Spock agrees to sneak away, his lips threatening to tug into a small smile. One that he doesn't allow to form, in spite of the compulsion, in spite of all the happiness brimming from him at the thought of spending time alone with the Vulcan. He nods back. ]

Let's get out of here, then. [ And leads the way toward the indicated exit, dropping his glass off on one of the server's trays on their way out. Once there, he stops, turns toward Spock and starts loosening his tie, breathing out dramatically as he undoes the top button. ]

I don't know about you, but I feel better already.

[His eyes wander to Leonard’s fingers as he loosens his collar. It’s such a smooth, well practiced gesture, human and alive. He radiates ease, and Spock wishes for a taste.

Away from the din, the clawing itch at the back of his mind weakens to a gentle nudge, though his thoughts remain blotted and hazy. Still, there is a clear sense of calm that gathers again, and Spock takes a deep breath to settle into it.]

Yes, I find myself in a similar circumstance, Doctor. [And his gaze wanders out and away, the strangers behind them making the air feel heavy and thick. The frivolities being enticing make his chest ache. He just wants...calm, understanding. Peaceful companionship. Leonard.]

Would you come along with me? For a stroll.

[ He undoes the second button for good measure, since they won't be going back in for a while. And because Leonard felt a lot more comfortable like this, without a collar constricting around his neck like a noose. He takes easy breath, letting the fresh air fill his lungs and warm his chest with contentment. ]

Yeah. [ He answers, without having to think about it. ] Let's take a look around this place.

[ As if he has any interest in gawking at anything. It just sounds good, makes it seem like they're making productive use of their time and not just. Simply enjoying each other's company. The thought alone makes Leonard's chest burn even hotter, causing suddenly before it could reach his cheeks. He takes a step forward to lead the way. ]

[He nods, neck looser than usual as he does. The excuse rings similar for Spock as well, the need to feign productivity, even when they both know he is clearly in an unfit state for it, being imperative, as it often already is for the both of them. To simply want company without any real reason, especially Leonard's company, is only of personal value, and that, especially for Spock, is not something he can admit to so easily, even with this cloud blocking his mind.

He falls in step beside Leonard, quietly observing their surroundings and making note of small things idly but not putting them away into his memory proper. Things are much more bearable, away from the music and chatter. His mind no longer feels strained and undecided on what is best to do. There is only them now, the two of them in this foreign world with nothing to tie them down.

His heart beats harder in his abdomen.]

[ He keeps his nose pointed toward the stone floor, for the first few moments, not even trying to feign interest in the scenery unfolding before them. He's more worried about the heat in his cheeks, in quelling it before the Vulcan could happen to glance over and take notice.

The cool breeze from the mountaintop aids him in that endeavor, and after a while, he feels calm enough to chance a look back up. First, at the courtyard, stretching out before them in the dark of the evening — then across his shoulder toward Spock.

After staring for a bit too long — just a second or two, but to him, in his pleasantly buzzed state, the passage feels more like a minute. He clears his throat. ]

How's your side feelin'? Not botherin' you any?

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