It was Saturday; Valentine's Day, and what a lead up it had been, what a week Spock had had.

He awoke slightly later than usual, he had been mentally exhausted and then anxious, curious, nervous and excited for his 'date' with the mystery person (Jim?). There were so many ways for this to turn out bad, he did not wish to let down his admirer (what if he wasn't who they thought he was), nor did he want to be let down (what if it wasn't Jim? What if Jim didn't really like him?).

He laid in bed as morning sunshine brightened up his bedroom. Many thoughts swirled around in his brain, he finally resolved that whatever happened was meant to be and he would just have to live with that. With that thought he got out of bed and went about his morning routine, again he dressed in more pleasing attire, an outfit that was well fitting, his hair perfect, and another touch of fragrance. He had a few hours before he would leave for the lake, Spock was admiring the flowers on his bedside table and decided that this person had been very kind and romantic, perhaps he should make a similar gesture. However, he was unsure of romantic human customs and did not want to get it wrong, on Vulcan, poetry was revered and he believed it to be the same on Earth. He spent an hour composing a short poem that would hopefully get the message across. Spock read and reread it until he was sure it was satisfactory, then he folded it up neatly and put it in his pocket to take with him.

Spock went out to the kitchen where his mother was sitting at the table with a mug of tea and her PADD, she looked up at him "you look very handsome, Spock," she smiled lovingly.

"Thank you mother, I appreciated your help on the matter last night, I will be leaving in one hour, I am uncertain as to what time I shall return," Spock told her as he cut up a piece of fruit.

"Love is not something to be rushed, I am very happy that you are having this experience. There is plenty of time for studies, it is important to make the most of the time we have with the people we care about," Amanda stated wisely.

Spock thought about that for a moment "you are very wise mother, must be all those years on Vulcan surrounded by logic," if you didn't know Spock you would think it an insult, but it was in fact a compliment, with a hint of teasing "I will keep that in mind."

XXX

The walk from his house to the lake was pleasant, the sun was shining, the birds were singing and Spock felt butterflies in his stomach. He touched his pocket to ensure he had not lost the paper with his poem on it.

As Spock came down the other side of the grassy hill, he could see a figure close to the edge of the lake, some trees surrounded on either side, making it a secluded spot. He was nervous, the closer he got the more he noted a rise in his heart rate.

Finally he was close enough to see the figure more clearly; male physique, short blonde hair, the height and build fit, and then the figure turned to face him, and Spock would know that grin and those piercing blue eyes anywhere; Jim!

There were no nerves now, Spock was so overjoyed to see Jim, he couldn't help but to smile, his pace quickened and soon he was only metres away.

Jim was in a nice button up shirt and dark jeans, in his hands he held a single red rose, when Spock stopped in front of him he spoke "a red rose, for love, romance, beauty and perfection. Happy Valentine's Day, Spock," Jim extended his arm to hold out the flower for Spock.

The Vulcan slowly grasped the flower and brought it up to his nose, roses had a reputation for beautiful fragrance, and this one did not disappoint. His eyes flicked back up to Jim "Happy Valentine's Day, Jim. I do not have the words to tell you what this week has meant to me, how you have changed me for the better. I am however relieved to find it was you who has been 'courting' me, I would have accepted no other."

Jim's smile never faded "does that mean you like me too?"

Spock nodded "I have been fascinated by you for some time, recently I discovered it was more than friendship, something new that I have not experienced before. I have a gift for you also, hopefully it is acceptable," he pulled the poem from his pocket, straightened out the paper and held it out for Jim.

Jim looked even happier as he took the paper and began to read:

"A spark you have ignited

In my mind you started

A flame that has grown

In my heart you are now sown

The truth I have now seen

A friend you have been

A flower a day

I've been shown a new way

It is love that I have been able to define

Now I know that I want you to be mine"

Jim wiped a tear from his eye "Spock, its beautiful," he cried "and yes, yes I will be all yours," he moved closer to Spock, almost touching him.

Spock smiled again "I find myself wishing to kiss you, however I have never attempted it bef-" he was cut off by Jim's lips pressed against his own. It was as if fireworks exploded inside him, the fire burned brightly in his soul, and he was sure this was the beginning of something special.

They kissed for long moments until Jim needed air "wow, you're gorgeous," he said breathlessly.

Spock realised the tips of his ears had gone green and this time he couldn't stop the blush that adorned his cheeks "I find you similarly appealing."

Jim cleared his throat, still beaming "I, um, I brought a picnic spread and blanket, I thought we could have some lunch, if, you know, you're interested. I made sure it was mostly vegetarian for you."

"That would be lovely, I have nowhere else to be today and I would rather like to spend it with you," Spock replied.

Jim lead them to a picnic blanket and sat down on it, he then began to lay out the food he'd brought "okay, maybe I brought too much, but when I told work what I was planning, they offered to give me a bunch of food so we could have a picnic."

"That was nice of them, do you work in a restaurant?" Spock inquired as he examined the food.

"I'm just a bus boy, dishwasher, take out the bins kind of guy, usually I work on the weekends, but I wanted to do this for you today, so I asked to change shifts, which is why I wasn't at school yesterday." Jim explained and plopped a grape into his mouth.

"You have done so much for me already, how could you be so sure I would come?" Spock asked as he put various vegetarian items on a plate.

"I saw you open your locker every day, I thought even if you didn't figure out it was me, you would be intrigued enough to come. You did like the flowers, right?" Jim questioned, suddenly unsure of himself.

"Yes," Spock nodded "they were stunning, how did you come to know so much about flowers?"

"Oh, good. There is a florist next to the restaurant I work at, I often deliver her lunch and we chat and she teaches me about the different flowers she has in that week. When I told her I wanted to do something special for Valentine's Day, she helped me with what flowers to choose for their meaning." Jim gave away his secrets and began to eat.

"You really put in a lot of thought for this, for me." Spock acknowledged "mother would love to show you her garden."

"Of course, the first time I saw you, I was drawn to you, and since then, the feeling has grown. I knew you were special." Jim told him shyly "I already told you I'd love to meet her."

Spock put down his almost empty plate and put his hand out, which Jim gave him one of his own. With his other hand, Spock straightened out his pointer and middle fingers and pressed them to the same fingers on Jim's hand that he was holding, he slowly rubbed the fingers up and down along the length of the digits "this is a Vulcan kiss," he clarified. It was a little overwhelming to touch Jim and so intimately, but not in a bad way, it was just new. He could feel Jim's ecstatic emotions also, which made it even more intoxicating.

"How does it work for you?" Jim asked as he continued the Vulcan kiss.

He disconnected and immediately missed Jim's touch and the way he felt in his psyche "I am a touch telepath, most Vulcans are, however my ability is very well developed. This is why we do not like to touch others, our hands are also rather sensitive, hence the 'Vulcan kiss'. We are taught to shield ourselves, otherwise life would be quiet difficult."

"Wow, so you know what I'm thinking just from touching me?" Jim seemed very interested.

"Well, if I lowered my shields then yes, or if we mind melded, but usually I just pick up vague emotions because of my strong shielding." Spock answered.

"I have so much to learn, I want to know everything about you. I've never felt this way before, I just knew I was so sure about this." Jim admitted.

Spock grasped his hand again, just to hold it; he felt whole again "it took time for me to process what I felt, but once I knew, it became clear what I wanted, I want to share my life with you, I ask patience though, humans and their customs can be quite confusing and I do not wish to do the wrong thing."

Jim smiled and gently squeezed his hand "don't worry, Spock, I've never dated anyone either. We will figure it out together."

"I wish to kiss you again." Spock announced.

Jim chuckled "kissing is always welcomed," he leant in and their lips touched.

Spock thought he could never get enough of kissing Jim, this was something special, he could feel it in his katra; his very essence.

XXX

ONE YEAR LATER.

Sunday and it was Valentine's Day. The year had gone so fast, and Spock had not regretted a single moment with Jim. Jim was the centre of his universe and his mother adored him; Jim was quite the charmer, even father liked him.

Spock had thought long and hard about what he could do for Jim, as last year had been such an impressive display. He had concluded to do something reminiscent of Jim's attempt to 'woo' him.

Jim had been asked to work for lunch, but not dinner, which gave Spock time to implement his plan. He made his way down to the florist next to Jim's work and purchased a red tulip, the florist (Hyacinth) grinned at him and told him it was a good choice and Jim would appreciate it. He had met Hyacinth a few times over the year and was relieved she thought he had made the right choice.

Spock had timed it so he would meet Jim as his shift ended, and right on time Jim walked out of the back door as Spock walked up to it "Spock? What are you doing here?" there was a smile on the human's face.

The Vulcan held up the flower "tulip, for perfect love."

"Aw, Spock!" Jim ran to Spock and kissed him affectionately.

Usually Spock did not like public displays, however he could make an exception this once.

"I love you more than I can say," Jim told him.

Spock smiled, it still made his heart glow to hear those words "I love you too Jim, happy Valentine's Day T'hy'la."

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Hey guys, that's the end of Valentine's Week. Thank you so much for reading, hope you enjoyed it!

Also thank you to Pinned_Dragonflys (AO3) for helping me out a smidge!

Keep an eye out for more fics to come in the future

Stay safe, Much love xox