James Kirk couldn’t help himself. He’d been told time and time again to keep his distance, especially considering his position as a cadet, but none of that mattered now. Spocks_Boy- captain of one of his favorite star ships was standing across the room, laughing and talking with some of the other officers in celebration of a successful collaboration mission, and every instinct in Kirk screamed that he had to be closer. He needed to be closer.

Spock was beside him, no doubt ready to scold him for his impulsiveness, but Kirk wasn’t listening. Not now. Not when Captain Spocks_Boy was in sight.

“Don’t even start, Spock,” Kirk muttered, his voice low but determined. He was already pushing past his friend, ignoring the raised eyebrow and the sigh of resignation. If Spock had his way, Kirk would stay in the background, but that wasn’t Kirk’s style. He had his own way of doing things. “I’m going for it-“

Spock tried again, “James, you—”

But Kirk had already moved into the crowd, sidestepping the others with the practiced ease of someone who was used to being where he shouldn’t be. His heart was pounding in his chest as he approached the captain, a cocky smile spreading across his face. He stood there for a moment, just admiring the way Spocks_Boy carried themselves, the calm confidence, the effortless command. The more he observed, the more Kirk found himself drawn in.

Finally, he spoke, all charm and desperation. “Captain.. I know I’m just a cadet, and I shouldn’t be here, but I really want to study under you. I promise I won’t get in your way—I’ll be quiet! You won’t even have to muzzle me.”

He nearly groaned at how pathetic the words sounded, but it didn’t matter. He was a man of action, and this? This was a chance he wasn’t about to miss. His eyes, warm and pleading, locked onto Captain Spocks_Boy’s, willing them to understand just how badly he wanted this. Even if he had to follow them around like a lost puppy.

“Please,” he added, softer now, almost too sincere. “Please, Captain…”