Fandom: Star Trek - 2009 Movieverse

Pairing: Kinda, sorta K/S

The Constance of Feeling.

By miseria

A young Vulcan walked towards the viewing platform where another of his diminished race stood, alone in the glow of the setting suns. An observer would be forgiven for thinking that these men were father and son so strong was the resemblance, but in fact they were one and the same: genetic facsimile, separated only by time and experience.

He stopped a respectful distance from the elder man. 'I have something to ask you', he began, then paused, suddenly unsure of a conversation that had seemed both logical and correct within the confines of his mind.

'Then you must ask me', came the even-toned reply.

The younger hesitated still. Now that it came to the moment, he found that he did not have the words, the language to voice the question that was haunting him.

He took a deep breath and spoke into the silence, 'I wish to speak to you regarding Captain Kirk.'

'Ah', He thought he heard a smile in the elder's voice, 'About Jim'. The man half turned from the desolate view, the setting suns highlighting his craggy profile, and the delicate arch of a raised brow, 'Perhaps you care to be more specific?'

He had the feeling that he was being gently mocked, but as he was unable to imagine himself indulging in such a thing, he could not give credence to the notion. 'I… That is, we…' He shook his head sharply, ashamed that there was another to witness his failure to give voice to his thoughts.

The elder man nodded, turning back to the view. 'I know of what you speak - the question you can not make your lips form, and the answer to your un-askable query is yes.'

If he had been human he would've gaped in surprise.

The man continued, 'I am envious of you, in a way - you have discovered something that took us many years to come to accept.' He paused, and then continued, seemingly to himself, 'I always thought that it was me, that my culture and heritage made me unable to see what was so close, but so unthinkable within the context of Starfleet, and the confines of our responsibilities.'

He stood in silence, grateful for this new knowledge, this new understanding of his older self, and by extension of his own mind, but now aware of a loss he could not comprehend. All now knew the fate of the great Captain Kirk, vanished to the vastness of space.

He wished to say something, to turn to their mutual culture for the ritual words of shared grief. I grieve with thee, he thought - the words seemed inconsequential: a drop of water in a wide sea of loss.

Perhaps at times there are no words, he reflected.

He walked to the window, and the two men stood side by side.