Finally Home

Spock woke gradually to the feeling of soft breathing against his throat, warm and even. He didn't have to glance down to know that it was Phoenix, still sound asleep beside him. However, he looked down anyway and felt his blood warm at the sight of Phoenix sleeping so soundly against him, her body curved to his side with her face nearly tucked into the crook of his neck. Black hair tousled and thrown back over the pillow like a waterfall of ink, she looked thoroughly relaxed in comparison to how she had appeared when he had arrived home the previous evening.

Exhaling softly, Spock turned his head so his lips fell upon her forehead in a gentle press, so as not to wake the slumbering woman. He knew that her health had greatly improved over the months, but sleep would only do her good.

Instinctively, Phoenix leaned into his touch the faintest bit, but thankfully did not wake. Spock did not leave her side immediately, wanting to stay close to her warmth, to her softness. Her body was still bare beneath the bed sheets, pale as snow but far more beautiful. Spock had been told an infuriatingly large number of times that he was very pale, but Phoenix was much paler than he. So many years away from the sun and her sickness caused her skin to appear like ivory.

Adjusting his head, Spock rested his forehead against Phoenix's neck, feeling her pulse against his forehead. It was calm, keeping a steady rhythm in her sleep. Her natural scent was strong here, lingering in her hair, drifting from her strongest pulse points. However, he knew that if he remained there for too long he was going to wake her up somehow, so Spock eased out of the bed that he shared with Phoenix.

Neither of the two had class for the day, letting Spock adorn his more comfortable, Vulcan attire that he wore when he was meditating. He would wait until Phoenix was awake and ready to meditate with him so that they didn't disturb one another by mediating at different times. Instead, Spock began the calm process of making breakfast for the both of them.

He was planning to contact his mother sometime that day to invite her to join them on Earth for a few days. The trouble was whether or not she was going to invite his father as well, who was likely to decline if he did. Thinking on losing his father's trust, the fragile bond between them—shattered by one decision—distressed Spock more than he was willing to admit. However, one thing that Spock would never feel was regret.

Choosing Phoenix was something that he had done in complete confidence and it wasn't something he would change.

With his morning tea in his hands, Spock returned to the doorway of their bedroom, looking in on the slumbering female in the bed. Phoenix hadn't moved once, her face relaxed in sleep. The sheet of their bed was draped over her body, keeping her modesty intact. However, Spock could still see the gentle angle of her neck, exposed with the way her head was turned and her hair was draped away over the pillow. It was enticing, inviting, and he found that he wanted to trace his fingers over the sensuous looking curve.

Phoenix then shifted where she lie, turning onto her side so that she would have been facing where he slept. Her hand sought him out, falling onto the empty space of his side of the bed, as her face buried a bit deeper into the pillow. The movement had exposed her shoulder and her left leg, freed from the blankets, revealing a faint green mark on her lower hip where Spock recognized his handprint. A swell of guilt gripped his chest, but he knew that Phoenix never blamed him. He knew that she would rather he express himself, even if it left her with faint bruises after the fact.

The morning was so different from any other day they had woken together, side by side. There was such peace in their dorm room, welcoming them more than it had in the past couple of months. It finally felt like it was their home.

Returning to the kitchen to make a second cup of tea, Spock was soon standing next to Phoenix with the fresh tea on the nightstand close to her side. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he leaned over the prone female. His lips fell against her temple before gliding down her to cheek, her jaw and finally her lips. Phoenix exhaled at the caress against her lips, her unconscious mind recognizing the feeling and reacting to it accordingly.

"It is morning, T'hy'la," Spock mumbled against Phoenix's soft lips, his breath brushing her skin sensually.

"Spock," Phoenix greeted in return as her hand lifted to stroke his cheek with her fingertips, feeling so welcoming and warm. "Good morning." Leaning up, Phoenix claimed his lips in another kiss, gentle but full of her love as her lips glided against Spock's. He pulled away first and looked down at his love, seeing the serene look in her still drowsy eyes.

"You slept well?" he questioned as he gently ran his knuckles along her cheek, marvelling at the feeling of her eyelashes on his fingertip when she blinked.

"I did," she confirmed as she sat up delicately, "I believe I have you to thank for that." She reached out to lay her hand over his heart, feeling the steady pulse as she thought back to the sound of it racing the evening prior. Soon to follow her hand, Phoenix leaned forward to press her lips against his chest. Spock, in response, leaned down to rest his cheek on the crown of her dark hair, feeling the silk-like texture of it as it slid against his skin.

The scent of the tea finally caught Phoenix's attention and she was soon looking over to where the cup sat on the nightstand, where Spock had left it. Steam still rose from the surface of the hot liquid, inviting her to sip at it. When he noticed what had drawn her attention, Spock retrieved the cup for her and handed it to the other Vulcan with care. One of her hands were keeping the sheet around her body while the other accepted the warm drink, taking care not to spill it anywhere.

"Thank you, Spock." The cup was lifted to her lips, embracing the rim as she drank carefully. Spock watched intently as she took the first drink, savouring the spicy flavor that their culture enjoyed most. As she revelled in the taste on her tongue, Phoenix let a slight smile touch her lips as she looked up to Spock once more.

"I am preparing Plomeek broth for breakfast," Spock revealed when she resumed drinking, watching as those dark eyes turned up to him once more. Knowing that she was looking at him, her full attention on him, Spock found he wanted to touch her again. Simply run his fingers along her arm or press his lips to every inch of exposed flesh. Even one look held so much power behind it.

Instead, he rose to his feet.

"I look forward to it," Phoenix answered as she watched him stand with her intense eyes. Then, not seeming to realize the effect it would have, she placed her tea back on the nightstand before slipping from beneath the sheets. The soft material glided along her body as she departed from the bed, leaving her pale flesh bare to the warmth of the dorm. With dark eyes, Spock looked over the newly revealed body of his lover. Aside from the bruises that he had already seen, she was left without marks on the rest of her form to leave her a perfect white.

Leaving behind the protection of the sheets, she approached their shared closet to retrieve her meditation robes. The curve of her back enticed Spock to touch it, to kiss it and trace it with his fingers, but he forced himself away before they ended up back in their bed for another handful of hours. Glancing over her shoulder as he departed, Phoenix smiled shyly as she pulled her robes off their designated hanger to cover herself modestly.

Somehow, Spock was able to bring out the daring side of her.

Finishing her tea, Phoenix had already donned her meditation robes. She hadn't brushed her hair yet, but she used a clip to pin it back and away from her face for the time being. She supposed that this was what humans refer to as a 'lazy day'.

Spock was sitting at their table with two bowls of Plomeek broth already poured, steaming in the bowls. He let Phoenix sit first, aiding her with a guiding hand on her back, before he took a seat across from her. It had been a while since they were able to sit down and enjoy a meal of their own in the morning, since Spock was usually hurrying out to a class and leave Phoenix to her in-dorm lessons.

Phoenix remembered the first time she had tried Plomeek broth was quite early on in her life in Sarek's household. Amanda had been teaching her the mannerisms for living in a Vulcan household, as she had been the one to receive these lessons herself years before when marrying Sarek. It was custom for the guest of a house to make breakfast, but since Phoenix did not know how to cook, or what to cook for that matter, Amanda had decided to teach her one of the basics. Both father and son favored Plomeek broth in the morning, so this was the first recipe she learned.

As she did with everything, Phoenix caught on quickly.

Soon, she was cooking meals for the other residents of the home due to her lack of schooling and free time. Amanda was always more than happy to assist, popping in when she smelt Phoenix cooking and quickly stepping in to do her part. Spock would sometimes join them as well, if not to help then to partake in conversation with his mother as Phoenix listened carefully, always learning.

It was hard to believe that less than two years before, she had not been able to remember a thing; not her name, her parentage, or even how to speak.

Now, she was excelling at the top of her major and no one could touch her. She was mated to a handsome, loving T'hy'la and she could not be happier. She had a woman to call her mother, a man she could respect as a father, and a home to call her own.

She wasn't sure what life she would lead, enrolled in Starfleet with Spock at her side. Already in her first year on Earth, so much had happened to her, to Spock and to their relationship. The strain that had first been put on it had only aided to bring them closer together, but Phoenix held onto the hope that they would remain together from that point on.

Finishing her bowl of broth, she looked across to Spock to see that, while she had been lost in her thoughts, his eyes had been trained on her. Rising from her seat, Phoenix moved to lean over Spock, her hands gently framing his face as she bent down to press a kiss against his lips. The male Vulcan blinked in surprise at the action, before he leaned into her and let her fingertips gently caress his cheekbones and jawline.

"T'hy'la," she whispered against his lips when she had pulled away, her contentment clear in her voice. Her dark chocolate eyes were soft and full of love when she looked down at him—Spock was certain that he would never forget that expression for as long as he lived. He marvelled at the emotion in her gaze, emotion that was meant for him and caused by him. Phoenix was an anomaly, she was a kind all her own, and he was so proud to be the one to call her his mate.

It was relieving to see that she was no longer hesitating when she wanted to show her love for him. Even without having to touch him or speak to him, there was something in her eyes that were so much more expressive than before.

"Whatever future we face here…I am so proud to be facing it with you," she continued a moment later, the tips of her fingers stroking along his skin. It sent wonderful sensations through his jaw, his sensitive skin reacting to one of the rare touches he had received through his life.

"My T'hyla," Spock began softly, reaching up to take her hands, sliding them palm to palm with his to initiate a Vulcan kiss. "So long as you need me at your side, and are willing to have me, I will remain with you. I love you."

To hear such a sentiment, a devotion of love, brought a smile to Phoenix's face. She knew that for him to say something like that could not have been so simple, considering the strict upbringing of his father and his surroundings forcing him to hide away his emotions. His human half.

Deciding that not only Phoenix should be allowed to show her more affectionate side, Spock used his hold on her hands to tug her forward and somewhat off balance, falling against him and landing on his lap in the process. He could smell the subtle spices of their breakfast on her breath, soft and ghosting across his own lips as she lingered close to him. Her thighs were soft atop his lap, one of his freed hands resting on her outer thigh to prevent her from falling.

Having felt the bare skin that was hidden beneath that dress only the night before, Spock had to use restraint now to keep himself from touching her flesh again.

The hand not holding onto her thigh moved to the base of her skull, his arm supporting her back, and he pulled her in toward him, returning the kiss she had given to him minutes before. Phoenix exhaled through her nose, the warm breath fanning over his cheek, as Spock slanted his lips over hers. Her thick hair was soft against his palm, caressing his sensitive skin. Pressing closer to her, Spock's lips parted and his teeth scraped over her bottom lip—the action drew the softest of gasps from Phoenix as her back arched on instinct.

The action bringing her chest closer to his, Spock could almost feel her heart thrumming against his abdomen as her breathing quickened. "Spock," she breathed out against his lips. Speaking as she did caused him to feel her teeth against his flesh this time, helping him to realize how she had felt when he did it a moment before. He must have shown some kind of reaction, because she was soon biting at his lip, giving it a soft tug before his hand against her skull pulled her forward again, flush against him.

The rate they were going, the two Vulcans were going to find themselves back in their bed at so early in the day.

The both seemed to realize the need to digress, Phoenix's hands moving to cradle Spock's face as her kiss-swollen lips came to rest on his forehead instead. He could feel her trembling the slightest bit, but if anything it was due to the overwhelming amount of emotion that she was letting pour through her at the moment. He could understand that it was something new to her—he, too, was trying to come to terms with having someone he didn't need to mask himself around. Not even his mother had seen such strong emotions from her son, though she was the only other person that could bring out Spock's human side.

It seemed that she had that effect on both of them. Phoenix had latched onto Amanda like a surrogate mother, and as her mother-in-law.

Taking a moment more to rest her forehead against Spock's, Phoenix soon pulled back to begin cleaning up their dishes. He had made them breakfast, the least she could do was clean it up for them. Spock remained seated, watching her motions carefully. Even though he was aware that she was steadily getting better, he was still worried that she would over exert herself too quickly. It wasn't as though something as mundane as cleaning up the kitchen was going to cause her to collapse, but he had experienced that fear once already.

Whenever he saw her doing anything that could possibly take her away from him, he felt a deep need to pull her away from that. After hearing from Pike how she had collapsed simply while walking back to her dorm, he was left fearing that nothing was safe. Yes, she was somewhere he could watch her and care for her, but he wasn't always there. And that fear would not just disappear with her improving health.

The clip she was wearing in her hair stood out against the ebony strands, for once not tied back or bound in a braid. Spock's fingers twitched with the desire to touch the soft strands, remembering the sensation of the smooth texture on his sensitive fingertips.

Closing his eyes a moment, Spock knew that he needed to control his emotions if they were going to be getting anything done that day.