Fascinating (Barely implied SpockxReader)

“…Well, anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I’ll be arriving soon. I promise I’ll send another message after I’ve settled in. I’ll see you in a year or so. I love you, goodbye.”

You looked around cautiously to see if any of your fellow passengers had overheard the message you’d just recorded and sent to your (insert parent[s]/guardian[s]/other family member).  Judging by everyone’s expressions, it didn’t look like anyone had, but you couldn’t be sure.

Vulcans were nearly impossible to read.

What in the world possessed me into applying for the study abroad program in Vulcan?

Of course, you hadn’t expected to actually be accepted.

When your favorite professor at your university had approached you and asked (practically begged) you to apply for the new exchange program in Vulcan because there were virtually no exchange students, you had assumed it was because no one (including you) would be deemed good enough by the Vulcans to be accepted.

Wrong. So, so wrong.

There weren’t many exchange students because no one wanted to go to Vulcan.

You and the other two applicants were currently sitting in a spaceship in orbit around the planet, waiting in anticipation for the ship to land. You would each be met by your Vulcan host family and taken to their respective homes, which would be your new ‘homes’ for the next year.

Silently sighing to yourself, you mentally cursed Professor Flamhaff. You were one of his favorite students, and he’d asked to you to do this as a favor for his Vulcan friend, who just happened to be a Vulcan ambassador to Earth and the federation, as well as the person who had come up with the student exchange program. Of course, the experience on another planet would look great on a resume and would help propel you into a successful future, so you really couldn't complain. Plus the program was an effort to establish better relations between Earth and Vulcan, so it was the least you could do for your planet.

After what was probably hours in orbit, you were free of the space ship, and were anxiously looking around for your host. The Vulcan ambassador you would be staying with was named Sarek, and he was also apparently very good friends with your professor.

“Hello, (INSERT FULL NAME), I am Sarek, your Vulcan exchange program host.”

You exhaled sharply, startled, and turned around to face your host. He was an older Vulcan, with graying hair and wrinkling skin, but that made him no less intimidating as he stood, towering over you. Fighting to maintain an expressionless face, you greeted him in return, and the two of you made your way towards the transportation vehicle that would take you to his home.

“I trust your journey here went as expected and without incident,” Sarek spoke after a few awkward moments of silence between the two of you. You nodded, grateful that so far he had been kind enough to speak to you in English.

“The trip went well. Thank you for accommodating me throughout the duration of my time on Vulcan. Professor Flamhaff holds a very high opinion of you. I understand that the study abroad exchange program between Earth and Vulcan was in fact your idea.”

Sarek confirmed this, but remained silent as he observed you; your anxiety was evident to him. Finally, in a very Vulcan manner, he decided just to get straight to the point.

“While out in Vulcan society, you will be expected to behave as Vulcan as is possible for you. However, while inside of my residence, you are free to behave however and wear whatever you wish. The purpose of the exchange would be defeated if you were to lose your human qualities; both societies are supposed to benefit and learn how to become more accepting and less prejudiced toward the other. You will not be judged by any member of my family. In fact, I believe my wife will enjoy the company of another human female.”

This surprised you; your professor hadn’t told you that your host was married to a human!

“Your wife is from Earth? I didn’t know that,” You said in awe, deciding to listen to Sarek and drop the attempt at Vulcan behavior.

“She relocated permanently to Vulcan with myself after we were married, and is very, ah,  'excited' to meet you. Our son is approximately the same age as you; he is currently in his last year of study before he applies to the Vulcan Science Academy.”

“I see. Well, I look forward to meeting your family,” you said, and the conversation was dropped, which allowed you to observe the planet as your transport vehicle ushered you out of the city and into a more barren part of Vulcan, where the residences of Sarek and many other important members of Vulcan society were located.

The nervous knot that had been in your stomach had lessened some after you learned you would be living with another human woman, and excitement began to take over. You were especially glad that your host happened to have a son around your age; hopefully he would be kind enough to help you adjust to Vulcan.

Sarek helped you with your luggage after you arrived (since you had yet to adapt to the gravitational difference), and you had to jog in order to keep up with his brisk pace. Sweat had already started to form on your forehead, and you found yourself taking deeper breaths – both of which were expected, given the climate and atmospheric differences between Vulcan and Earth.

“Oh, she’s here!” You heard a woman’s voice call out as you approached the door, and a few seconds later she appeared in the doorway. “Sarek, do slow down; the poor girl just arrived, so she hasn’t adjusted yet.”

Sarek didn’t attempt to make a verbal response, but his pace slowed a little as the two of you closed in on the door. Once he was in front of her, she grasped his hand gently in what you knew was an intimate Vulcan gesture, and the two wordlessly stared into each others’ eyes. Not wanting to intrude on the moment (and feeling rather embarrassed to be witnessing it), you averted your eyes as you waited to be told where exactly you would be staying.

It was then that you realized another figure was standing in the doorway behind the woman, and you looked at him curiously. He appeared to be doing the same, minus your curious expression; his face had no expression. Deciding it must be their son, you felt nervous all over again, and so you sent him a small, silent smile as you waited for his parents’ moment to end.

Sarek seemed to finally remember you, as he suddenly turned away from his wife.

“(NAME), this is my wife, Amanda. Amanda, this is our exchange student, (NAME).” Amanda gave you a sheepish but welcoming smile.

“(NAME)! What a lovely name. I knew a (NAME) when I lived on Earth, you know. Well, I suppose you would like to get inside out of the heat, hmm? And how about some refreshments? I have a lovely salad already prepared for your arrival. You can tell me all about the latest happenings on Earth. Here, let me help you with your belongings,” Amanda said quite quickly, taking your bag. A bit overwhelmed, you struggled to find a good response, which was noticed.

“Mother, our guest is human, just as you are. I am certain that at this moment in time she desires nothing more than an opportunity to rest. You are aware of how the transition from Earth to Vulcan is, given that you have made such a change yourself,” the figure in the doorway spoke, his eyes still focused on you.

He, too, seemed emotionless (like his father, and, well, most Vulcans), but you were thankful that he had spoken up for you; you weren’t about to be rude and refuse anything Amanda wanted. In Vulcan, it was custom for guests to actually accommodate their hosts, a bit opposite of the typical Earth behavior you were used to.

“Oh, yes, yes. How silly of me. I’m sorry, dear, I’m just very excited to finally have another human in the house, and a woman at that!” Amanda apologized as she took you by the hand and all but dragged you into the house.

“You can settle in and rest for a while, and in a few hours or so I shall give you a tour. Does that sound acceptable?” You hesitantly grinned back at her.

“That sounds great. Thank you for taking me in, by the way. I know most families wouldn’t want to house an exchange student for an entire year.”

Amanda waved off your comment dismissively.

“We’re delighted to have you.”

Somehow you doubted her husband or son were ‘delighted.’

“Why, Spock here hasn’t stopped asking questions about you since he found out we would be hosting you," she continued, shooting her son a playful look.

“If I do recall correctly, Mother, I simply stated that it was fascinating for a human to decide to spend a year on Vulcan,” Spock stated in monotone, but if one were to look closely, a hint of green blush rested on his cheeks. Noticing, Amanda gave him an adoring smile.

“Yes, yes, of course. Now, why don’t you and your father go off on your business so I can help (NAME) settle in?”

The two complied with her suggestion and quickly dispersed, which left the two of you alone as she escorted you to your room. She let out a quiet, amused laugh, and shook her head.

“’Fascinating’,” she quoted, “He seems to really love that word.” She stopped in your room and sat your luggage down before leaving you to settle in and rest. As she walked out, she called to you over her shoulder.

“That’s how you know he’s interested.”