A/N: Spock and Kirk fluff moments yay, enjoy!

Chapter 10

"Sorry it isn't much, but I don't have a lot of credits."

Spock turned to the young Jim who was rubbing the back of his neck, staring intently at the floor.

"It is sufficient enough Jim, thank you." He gave him a small smile and the young man's face lit up.

Spock glanced back to the living room of the small apartment; Jim was by the window, gazing out at the setting sun on the bay. The furniture was shadowed in the dim light behind him; his features were rimmed with a soft orange glow. The young Jim crept passed Spock, striding over to Jim, clearing his throat and he whirled around to look at him.

"I, uh…" Young Jim began, "I wanted to ask…" He trailed off, running his hand through his hair nervously, "I wanted to ask you about…"

"Our father?" Jim finished.

The young man nodded solemnly, crossing his arms, attempting to quiet his nervous fidgeting.

Jim's face was crestfallen as he stared at his young self. "I understand that you weren't able to know him as well as I had. I'm sorry." Jim turned away, staring out through the window again, sighing. "He was an exceptional man, as I have heard he was in this time as well. He was the reason I joined Starfleet."

Jim turned to face his younger counterpart.

"He was proud and I'm sure he would be of you too." He placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "I'm sure he loved you more than words could say."

Young Jim's body began to tremble, tears streaked down his cheeks. Jim leaned in, whispering in the young man's ear before patting his shoulder and turning away from him to stare out the window. Young Jim's cheeks reddened before turning away, approaching Spock, rubbing feverishly at his eyes.

"Are you all right, Jim?" Spock's voice was filled with concern.

"Yeah." He breathed, "I'm glad you like the place."

"We will be comfortable." He assured him.

"I would stay but I have some reports I need to finish." He grinned. "And I have a certain Vulcan to pester to help me."

Spock nodded curtly, his mouth twitching at the sides.

"I understand."

Young Jim raised his hand, forming the ta'al and Spock mirrored him.

"Live long and prosper." His grin grew.

"Peace and long life, Jim."

He swept passed Spock towards the door, pausing for a moment to glance over his shoulder before striding from the apartment. Spock watched him go, reminiscing of the times he had watched Jim as a younger man as they explored new worlds, on the bridge, and during their most intimate moments. He hoped his young counterpart would be as appreciative if they were to form such a bond. Somewhere in the core of him, he felt at some point they would.

Spock turned toward the window where Jim stood, unmoving. He silently strode over to him, placing his hand on Jim's back, rubbing it gently until he turned to look at him.

"Something is troubling you."

Jim let out a breath, tilting his head down with a small grin.

"Am I really that easy for you to read?"

Spock issued a soft smile.

"I believe I have had a significant amount of practice."

Amber eyes darted up to stare at him.

"Spock…I've never been one to retire. I don't think I have it in me. I have to sit back and watch my younger self Captain my ship. I get to be reminded every day that my life is ending while his is just beginning. My accomplishments will become his. He has everyone beside him…including Bones." Jim's eyes dropped, "I miss him." He whispered.

Spock wrapped his arms around him, his hand gently gliding through Jim's hair.

"Jim, I am sure the Doctor would not want you to grieve for him. He is as they say, 'with you in spirit'." Spock lightly kissed Jim's temple, "And I understand that you are restless, but you are not alone. I am here."

Jim nuzzled his face into Spock's chest, sighing.

"I know. I'm sorry. I forgot you're stuck here too." His arms slid around Spock, thumb gingerly rubbing the Vulcan's back. "I'm sorry that you lost everything."

"I have not lost everything, Jim." He pulled away, his hand gently resting against Jim's face. "I still have you."

A gleam appeared in the honey eyes.

"I only have a year or two left." Jim whispered.

"Do not dwell on time, T'hy'la. I wish to spend the rest of your days by your side. I only desire your happiness."

Jim leaned into his lips, softly kissing him. Spock returned the kiss, his thumb gingerly caressing Jim's cheek until Jim broke away from him, grinning.

"If Bones were here, he'd probably call us 'sappy old men'."

"I believe that would be his desired statement."

"And maybe he'd be right." Jim's eyes glittered, the grin never faltering.

"Indeed." Spock smiled softly. He noticed the heaviness around his eyes. "You are tired, Jim. Should we retire for the evening?"

Jim chuckled softly.

"Would you stop reminding me I'm an old man? I used to be able to stay up for days, you know."

"I am aware. I would find you asleep at your desk countless times when you would reach your limits." Spock's hand traced down his face; thumb tracing along Jim's lower lip.

Jim shook his head, the grin breaking into a smile.

"So, it was you who brought me to bed? For a while there I thought I slept walked."

"I could not let you sleep in that position. It would have affected your performance the following day. I did not wish to see you uncomfortable." Spock leaned back down to capture Jim's lips for a moment before releasing them to confront him, "What advice did you bestow upon the young Jim?"

Jim's arms slid from around Spock, his eyes darting away.

"I shouldn't have said anything." He mumbled. "I had no place to say it, but he doesn't have a father and I felt it was my obligation." His eyes met Spock's, silently asking for forgiveness.

Spock's eyebrow arched and Jim flinched.

"I told him that 'opportunities have shelved lives, don't miss your chance to tell him how you feel'."

"T'hy'la, you do not know if—"

"I know, I know." Jim waved his hand at him, "I realize that. But I'm not blind, Spock. I watched the two together. I don't want them to waste their lives, silently longing, afraid." He turned from him and walked to the couch, groaning as he slowly sat, resting his head in his hand. "I know I wish I hadn't wasted those years." He mumbled.

"Jim." Spock said softly, causing him to look up. "I understand but we must tread lightly. This universe is not ours. Their destinies may be altered for reasons we may not know." Jim sighed heavily. "However, I am also at fault for…hinting."

Jim's eyebrows hiked up his face, eyes widening in amazement.

"You cease to amaze me, Spock." Jim laughed. He rose from the couch, grabbing the Vulcan's hand. "C'mon, let's hit the hay." His head jerked back toward the direction of the bedroom.

"Even with a lifetime of experience around Human idioms, this one seems to elude my understanding. I do not see how striking fodder will assist us in rest?"

Jim shook his head with an amused grin.

"This is why I love you."

Spock's eyebrows raised, his mouth twitching into a smile. Jim led him through the apartment to the bedroom. Their younger counterparts had offered to buy clothes for them, and even as they refused, young Jim would not take "no" for an answer. Jim struggled into his pajamas, his movements jerky, his hands shook. Spock assisted him, gently helping him into the garments with little protest from his bond-mate.

"I'm sorry." A red blush crept up his face as the Vulcan finished buttoning his shirt.

"Do not apologize, I am not burdened."

They settled onto the bed and Jim rolled onto his side. Spock grasped the blankets, draping them over them before wrapping his arm around Jim's waist. He curled into him, his face burying into the softness of his hair as Jim sighed in content.

"I love you, Spock." Jim whispered.

"I love you, Jim. Sleep well."

He waited until Jim's breaths evened; his body relaxing in his arms before he too drifted off into a peaceful slumber that he had not experienced since the day his T'hy'la had perished.

A/N: Love writing tender moments. So glad I finally get to with this story now. More to come, thanks for reading and please review!