Not for the first time Leonard McCoy found himself sitting at a club bar with a whiskey in hand while his best friend danced his way from beta to beta in an attempt to drive every alpha in the establishment insane. A glance around said establishment told Leonard that there were no less than four alphas with their eyes locked on Jim Kirk, the air around them almost palpable with desire. It made him chuckle to himself.
"What's so amusing, omega?" Leonard shifted at the alpha's sudden voice, but for all different reasons than the chuckling alpha thought. His attempt to be sultry just made Leonard want to roll his eyes, his alpha presence was laughably poor and harshly even phased the doctor, and Leonard couldn't even scent the man because it was overpowered so heavily by alcohol.
"What's amusing me? At the moment it's your attempt at seducing me." Leonard turned towards him with confidence, a fairly neutral expression on his face. Jim would argue that point, with the way the corners of Leonard's lips were twitching up, but his fellow omega had always been more observant than most.
The alpha seemed surprised by the ease at which Leonard addressed him and for a brief moment anger crossed the man's face, quickly replaced by what Leonard could only assume was an attempt to look seductive. "I don't think you understand." The alpha started.
"No, I don't think you do. I'm not interested. Not in being claimed or even just a quick fuck with someone like you. So either you walk away now or I'll show you every painful nerve ending within arms reach that I can press that would have you on your knees begging for mercy in seconds." Leonard warned. It wouldn't be the first time he'd used the threat nor the first time he'd followed through on it.
The alpha growled and rather than moving away he'd moved closer, grabbed Leonard's arms and pinning them by his side's while the Southern's back was pressed painfully into the bar. "I'm not the one who will be begging, omega. You should be honoured an alpha like me wants you."
Leonard laughed, actually laughed. "You could spend a thousand years trying and I'd never Submit to you." He counted with ease.
Suddenly Leonard caught a familiar whiff of what he could only call fresh country air before a hand tapped the alpha's shoulder. The alpha almost glared at the new arrival before his expression turned to desire. "You'd better get your hands off him right now." Jim warned coldly.
"Jealous?" The alpha teased. He paused a moment before he let go of Leonard and grabbed Jim's arm. "There's no need for that. I can take care of you both." The alpha insisted.
Leonard saw Jim shudder at the thought of whatever this alpha considered taking care of. The alpha mistook the shudder for one of desire and let go of Jim's arm. His hand touched the blond's face, his thumb tracing Jim's lip. For a moment Jim played along, even pulled the finger into his mouth to suck on it before the alpha cried out, yanking his hand away.
The thumb was now bleeding where Jim had ruthlessly bitten him. While the alpha was still reeling Jim took the opportunity to slam a fist into the man's face. Leonard wished he could say he was surprised when the one punch sent the alpha sprawling to the club floor but he honestly wasn't. Especially not with the slight anger-induced tremble in Jim's body.
"Come on, Jim. Let's head back home." Leonard stood and gently touched Jim's shoulder. The blond took a deep breath and the shaking stilled as Leonard gently squeezed his friend's shoulder.
"Yeah, let's." Jim finally agreed. Leonard settled their tab with the bartender (who, Leonard noticed, had given them a discount; probably for laying out an irritating alpha for him) and the two quickly left.
The night air felt good after the heat and noise of the bar. "Should we just walk tonight, Bones? It feels good out." Jim suggested. A glance told Leonard his friend's eyes were skyward, as they always seemed to be at night, and his expression was peaceful.
"You know what, why not? Walking is healthy and it does feel good out here." Leonard said and Jim laughed. It wasn't the fake slightly tense one he had when flirting; this was his genuine laugh that felt like sunshine and it always made Leonard feel warm to his core in a way that alcohol couldn't.
"Good man, Bones. You seem to be in a good mood tonight." Jim commented.
Leonard shrugged. "I guess so." He agreed, earning a smile from the blond. That smile faded slightly as Jim shifted to look at something behind the Southerner.
"Damn." He muttered.
"What is it?" Leonard asked softly.
"That alpha from the bar apparently has friends and they don't look interested in just chatting with us." Jim said softly. Leonard started looking down the road, but there were no cars or taxis on the road, no nearby buildings to hide in.
Thoughts were running through Leonard's head rapidly, but he could only reach one solution. "You should run, Jim. Go and get help." Leonard said.
"Bones, no! I'm not leaving you. Don't ask me to do that." Jim objected, louder than he probably intended.
"I can't ask you to fight them either. I'm no help in a fight and even you can't take on four alphas, especially if you're trying to look out for me. If you don't get help no one will come." Leonard reasoned.
Jim shook his head. "I'm not leaving you to them, Bones. Do you know what they'll do to you?" Jim asked. Leonard winced at the genuine pain he saw in Jim's eyes; the blond had first hand experience with what an angry alpha could do.
"I know, Jim, but…" Before Leonard could finish someone grabbed his arms, yanking them behind his back hard enough he yelped. It took him a moment to realize they'd stopped moving during their argument and been caught. "Damn." Leonard thought.
He struggled against the alpha holding him, but didn't make any progress in getting free. The alpha Jim had punched, now with a blood trail from his nose, stepped in front of Leonard and blocked his view of Jim. He didn't need to see to know what was happening though: the sounds of blows landing and grunts told him the story well enough.
"Well now, I don't think you can hit any nerve endings being held like that, now can you?" The alpha warned. He seemed to have sobered up some, though his body was still heavy with the scent of alcohol, and he was furious.
Leonard opened his mouth, only to have someone beat him to it. "I may not know as many nerve endings as the omega but I do know a quite few. And my friend here knows one that is particularly effective."
Several things registered at once for Leonard. Firstly, that smooth slightly-accented voice set all his nerves alite in all the right ways. Secondly, he really desperately wanted to be dominated by an alpha for the first time in his life. Thirdly, a single touch to the shoulder from one of the supposedly two new arrivals sent the angry alpha to the ground unconscious, revealing his rescuers.
Leonard wished he could say he didn't automatically drool over them but that'd be a massive lie. He definitely drooled. And got an erection. And really really wanted to know how it'd feel to have either one of their teeth in his neck (in particular the blue eyed one with a long black trench coat and slicked back hair just begging to be messed up). He was so caught up in his lewd thoughts he almost missed the man moving and that would have been a crying shame, he thought.
The man in the trench coat moved towards him, quickly catching up to the alpha slowly backing away who was still holding tightly into Leonard's arms. In one fluid motion he was pulled away from the offending alpha, his rescuer grabbed that alpha's arm, forced him to his knees, and with a wince-inducing pop pulled his shoulder out of socket. The alpha screamed briefly before it became whimpers as the trench coat wearing alpha turned towards Leonard.
For a moment the Southerner was utterly confused as to why the man seemed so much taller then he realized he was kneeling on the ground. How he'd ended up that way Leonard couldn't recall. The alpha licked his lips as he eyed the omega at his feet, a sight smirk on his lips. "Well, I certainly didn't expect to see you on your knees so soon." The man teased.
Leonard immediately blushed but scrambled to his feet in an attempt to hide it. Even if the man was the first alpha he'd ever desired (his ex-wife was a beta so she didn't count) he wasn't going to make it easy. At least not that easy. Instead he pushed passed him and knelt next to the whimpering alpha.
He let his body run on autopilot as he checked over the alpha's shoulder, his fingers gentle. After making sure it was fine to do so he quickly popped it back into place. "Oh, quite whimpering you baby. It's just a dislocation. Ice it on and off tonight, wear a sling for a week if you can, and some regular pain medication should be more than enough to treat it." Leonard instructed before he stood back up.
The alpha in the black coat was watching him, the look in his eyes torn between intrigued curiosity and burning desire. It was a strange mix, but not unpleasant to be subjected too. Leonard debated saying something to the man when he saw Jim being supported by the other alpha, his face bloody and an arm wrapped around his chest.
"Jim." He pushed the alpha holding his friend aside and guided Jim to the ground.
"I'm fine, Bones. They just took a few cheap shots at my ribs." The blond sounded confident, but Leonard could hear he was in pain.
"And your face." Leonard added as he pulled up the blond's shirt.
"Okay, and my face, but it's fine. Nothing's broken." Jim insisted.
"I'm the doctor so I'll be the judge of that." Leonard replied easily. It was a familiar conservation, one they seemed to have far too regularly for his liking, but the normality of it was soothing. After a solid five minutes of checking Leonard decided that Jim was correct and he did not in fact have any broken ribs. Just some steadily darkening bruises.
Jim was smiling when Leonard allowed him to sit up. "Didn't trust me, Bones? I've broken them often enough to know how it feels." Jim teased.
"God damn it, Jim." There was no heat to his words and the blond just smiled wider. He stood up and helped Leonard to his feet. Now that the adrenaline was starting to wear off Leonard could feel his knees starting to shake a bit.
Jim, of course, noticed and held on an extra moment to make sure Leonard didn't fall over before he took a step forward. "Thank you for your help." Jim said to the two alphas. The one without the coat tipped his head.
"Trust us; it was our pleasure. My name is Khan. This is Spock." The other alpha, the one in the cloak, introduced.
"Jim Kirk and Leonard McCoy. We really do appreciate your help." Leonard replied.
"It was no hardship. You quite impressed us both at the bar with the way you handled him and when we saw them follow you out, well, I couldn't resist the opportunity to put a rude alpha in his place." Khan said. Leonard didn't trust his smile for a second.
"With no ulterior motives, how kind." Leonard commented with just a hint of sarcasm and Khan's smile widened just a fraction.
"Who said we didn't have ulterior motives?" The man almost purred and Leonard tried very hard to suppress a shiver. He wasn't entirely successful and given the look he got the alpha knew it. There was a quiet moment before Spock spoke.
"Do you require transport to your home? We have a car waiting nearby." Spock offered suddenly. Leonard shared a glance with Jim and the blond sighed softly.
"We can't exactly call a taxi from here or wait for another car, Bones." Jim said softly and Leonard nodded.
"I know." He sighed before he looked at the two alphas. "We could use a lift if you're willing. But I gotta ask; what's going to happen to them?" Leonard nodded at the four alphas around their feet. The one with a dislocated shoulder was slightly further away than he had been as if he were crawling as slowly as possible to avoid drawing attention while still wanting to escape, two were solidly asleep, and the last was just beginning to stir.
"Don't worry. I've already taken care of it." Khan said as he put his cellphone away. Leonard suddenly realized he had no clue when the man had taken it out and used it.
"Taken care of it?" Jim asked and he nodded.
"Indeed. If you would please follow us." Spock stepped to the side and held out an arm. Jim glanced at Bones before he moved forward. As he passed Leonard noticed Spock discreetly brushed Jim's arm in a very possessive way. And based on the look Jim gave him the blond certainly wasn't opposed to the idea.
"Are you coming, Leonard?" Khan asked, sending a shiver down Leonard's spine. He steeled his nerves before following after Jim. Khan fell into step beside him, just a hint closer than he needed to be, but Leonard wasn't complaining.
All four were silent as they walked and quickly they reached a very nice black car with tinted windows and interior seats facing towards each other, separated from the driver like in a limo. "Well, that's not the least bit suspicious." Leonard muttered.
"Impressed, Leonard?" Khan asked softly and the Southern scoffed.
"More like confused. We don't have people who can afford cars like this in Riverside so I'm wondering what two apparently quite rich visitors from who knows where are doing here. And what they do that can afford them such luxuries." Leonard explained as he got into the car. He took a seat next to Jim, facing the driver, while Khan sat next to Spock facing them.
The two alphas shared a look, Khan with a sly smile on his face. "We are well off, certainly. But what is it that you two do?" Khan asked.
"I'm a mechanic. Bones is a doctor, a surgeon." Jim answered after a moment, when he realized that Leonard wasn't going to answer.
"Why do you call him Bones?" Spock asked.
"One moment. I need your address first, if you don't mind." Khan reminded.
Jim told him before answering Spock. "It's a funny story that starts with a plane ride and ends with him becoming my roommate." Leonard just sighed as he knew Jim's version of events, while entertaining, were sure to be embellished and embarrassing for him.
"Do tell." Khan encouraged just a little bit too eagerly for Leonard's comfort.
"So, I'm sitting in a basically full flight with an empty seat beside me and a rather burly looking beta on my other side. Not a bad seat, honestly. The plane closes its doors, all the pre-flight stuff is done, and then one of the stewardess's drags an arguing man out of the bathroom. He's saying…"
"I have aviophobia." Leonard supplies plainly at the expected pause. There was a lot more to it than that, involving widows, his occupation, and quite a few swear words, but he didn't feel the need to embellish.
"So the stewardess pushes him into the seat next to me and gets him buckled. The plane starts moving and he pulls out a flask and says 'I might throw up on you'. He doesn't, and we share the flask and only brief conversation during the flight. Then, when we land, I see him standing around looking like a lost puppy and offer to give him a ride. He wants to go to a hotel, but Riverside only has one worth visiting and if your haven't already booked a room there's almost no chance you'll get one. I happen to have a spare bedroom in my apartment, offer it to him, and he never left." Jim finishes his story with a smile on his face.
"Intriguing." Spock commented, though his expression was still mostly neutral.
The car fell silent. Jim was rolling his shoulders, groaning softly as he tried to ease the ache Leonard was sure he was feeling. Leonard sat still, glancing at Jim regularly as he kept an eye on the two alphas. Everything in the car was oddly calm, but Leonard could still feel the pull they had on him. If they wanted it Leonard had no doubt he would Submit without hesitation and the thought was frightening.
"But how are they able to do that?" Leonard's medical mind was whirling now that the adrenaline had worn off, trying to unravel the mystery. They were just getting into a more populated area of town when it hit him. "Are you Royals?" He asked and then immediately started silently cursing his runaway mouth.
Much to his surprise he got a chuckle from Khan, and one that seemed genuinely amused. "I'm rather impressed you figured it out so quickly. What gave us away?" He asked smoothly.
Leonard swallowed and glanced at Jim, who looked equal parts afraid and intrigued. Leonard was positive his friend's curiosity would cause him serious trouble one day. "Regular alphas aren't as strong as you two, for one. And secondly I've never met an alpha who could make me want to submit with a look." Leonard explained.
"Never? Why is that?" Khan asked and Leonard instantly had the feeling the question was rhetorical; meant for him to piece something together that Khan already had figured out.
"We don't spend much time out of Riverside." Jim answered after a moment, after looking at Leonard. "I've never left, actually. Though Bones is from the south."
"All the alphas there are dumb, controlling, and only think they're powerful because they come from old southern families with money. It's pathetic and makes my brain ache." Leonard announced and again Khan chuckled.
"I don't doubt you, Leonard, but perhaps there another reason they seem weak." He offered and Leonard frowned. Khan definitely wanted him to figure something out, about himself if he had to guess. He was about to ask more when the car came to a stop.
"We've arrived, sir." The driver announced from the front seat.
"Indeed." Spock looked between the omegas before he opened the door. Leonard glanced between the two alphas before he rushed out of the car. Jim followed closely behind him. Leonard made sure his friend was following without looking back and it wasn't until they reached their apartment that Leonard let out a shaky breath.
Jim touched his shoulder and Leonard turned to face him. Jim looked sympathetic and his expression was gentle. "What's wrong?" Jim asked softly and Leonard just let out a deep breath.
"I can't… I... What do we do, Jim? They're Royals and they seem to have taken a particular interest in us. Jim, we can't fight them like we do normal alphas and I still remember what happened the last time an alpha took advantage of you." Leonard said. He felt horrible at Jim's wince, but the truth was that.
Jim gently pulled Leonard into a hug and Leonard realized that Jim was shaking too. He wrapped his arms tightly around his friend and the two sank to the ground holding one another. "I know. God, I know, Bones. But they don't seem that bad and… And try as we might I don't know if we could fight them." Jim admitted and Leonard hated the pain in his voice.
"Shh, it's okay Jim." Leonard started rubbing his back as Jim started to cry. Even without seeing or hearing Leonard knew he was.
"It's not! All I could think about when you said Royal was that I couldn't protect you from them. I promised, remember? I promised and all Spock would have to do was look my way and I'd break that promise." Jim was upset and angry but Leonard just gently shushed him.
"No you wouldn't, Jim." Leonard assured him. The two say in quiet for a few minutes; Leonard trying to swallow the knot in his throat while Jim continued to cry against his shoulder.
Finally Leonard spoke. "By the way, do you have any idea what Khan was implying? I can't think of any reason why he made those comments."
Jim shook his head as he sat back. Leonard allowed him the dignity of not focusing on the tears his friend was wiping away. "I don't." Jim admitted. Leonard sighed and offered him a smile. The blonde gave him a small smile in return.
"Guess we'll figure it out together." He said and Jim nodded.
"Khan, I must object to this course of action." Spock announced as the car pulled away from the apartment. He could still smell the intriguing scent the two omegas had left in their car and his instincts were practically screaming at him to go get Jim, drag him from the house if necessary (it would not be), and keep him within arms reach for as long as possible. Preferably the rest of their lives. "We should take them to the mansion without delay."
"Relax, Spock, they aren't in any danger." Khan assured him. The man's gaze was still locked on the building the two had entered even as the car began to move down the road.
"That is incorrect. By making contact we have put them in danger." Spock corrected.
"You saw them. They aren't incapable of defending themselves, in particular Jim." Khan corrected. He finally turned away from the window as the building had disappeared from view.
Spock growled at him and Khan gave him a firm look. "Relax. He's all yours. The doctor is more my type anyway and you know that. And besides, do you really think me foolish enough to leave them unprotected? Sulu did a sweep of the apartment before we even got here and there are two more posted on them right night. Have some faith; we've known each other long enough."
"Faith is not logical." Spock reminded and Khan just chuckled.
"I am aware. But just let me have some fun. I want to see if they are smart enough to figure it out on their own. If they can't even do that then they aren't worth claiming." Khan said.
Spock eyed him for a moment before he nodded once. "You are correct." He conceded. Khan smirked and leaned back against the seat before closing his eyes.