The colour of his eyes was exactly as he recalled them.
Startling blue against all other surrounding colours.
Yet now, they were darkened by a glint of anger, defined by the tiredness that showed clearly if one looked long enough.
''I wasn't expecting to see you here.'' A firm and authoritative tone; Spock suspects it is a tone he uses in class whilst teaching.
''I realise it is unexpected, yet it was necessary.'' If his voice wavers a little Jim gives no indication that he is affected by it.
''Bones. Mind explaining this to me?'' Jim gestures to David and back to Spock.
''We were in the park. I saw Spock alone, so I told David to go speak to him.'' He shrugs in response and Spock winced as he caught Jim's 'for fuck's sake you mother hen' on the wind as his Th'ly'a muttered to himself before scooping his child up in his arms.
''You ok?'' he questioned the boy and David beamed at him before nodding enthusiastically.
''Mister Spock said he would teach me about my telepathy. You may be able to stay in here!'' David pointed to his head and Jim whipped round to Spock – anger flaring.
''You will teach him? What, exactly? To suppress all his emotions. To be better behaved. To be more like you?'' James growled in bitter indignation. David placed his hand against his father's face no doubt intending to share the afternoon's circumstances, but his hand is gently removed and purposefully held at bay.
Spock flinched as the hurtful words of reproach and accusation reached him; McCoy yelled out an 'Oi...!' in the background jumping to Spock's defence, however a glare from Jim quickly quietened the man.
''I merely assured David that should he wish to learn how to shield and better take care of his telepathic abilities - I would be pleased to help him.'' Spock's hands reached forward palms out as he lifted them slightly to convey that no insult was intended.
''Dad… stop being a jerk. I asked him if I could show him, okay?'' David piped up and Jim's eyes widened at being chastised by his son.
''That's… that's not… ugh…'' Jim's anger deflated, and he sighed deeply before depositing his child back on the ground.
''Stay with Uncle Bones. Mister Spock and I need to talk.'' Giving his dad the best approximation of a glare and warning in one - he folds his arms and huffs, landing lightly on his feet and moving a few paces back. Bones awkwardly shuffled past them muttering under his breath about idiot romantics.
''Mister Spock.'' Jim waved an arm for Spock to follow, and he did so cautiously, staying a few steps behind. Reaching the edge of the park and out of earshot of his son's attuned ears he came to a stop beneath a large oak tree and leaned with his arms crossed against it.
Spock clasped his hands behind his back, steeling himself for the inevitable rush of human emotionalism. He will not speak first on this occasion.
''You look like shit.''
''I have been informed of this.''
The silence stretches, the wind still biting at Spocks ears and yet the mere sight of Jim warmed his body.
''Do you have a problem with David being a Romulan?''
''No.''
''Do you have a problem with how I'm raising my child?''
''No.''
Jim combed a hand through his hair and took two steps forward. Spock was startled by the movement but held his ground, shoulders stiffening.
''Do you regret how we ended it?''
If his eyes did not convey his pure misery at their current relationship status, he was unsure that anything he said could ever convince the man.
''More than words could describe.''
Another step forward towards him and Spock is concerned to note a slight problem with his breathing has occurred.
''I have one last question to ask you. It's important.''
Spock waited with bated breath, his urge to reach out to Jim, to make amends now palpable in the air.
''Have you been as utterly miserable without me as I have been, without you?''
Stepping forward Spock moves without consciously thinking about it. The back of Jim's neck was warm against his icy hand, his hair soft as it curled around his fingers. Spock pressed his lips against Jim's and revelled in the small moan he heard as the sweet taste of his mouth invaded his senses.
Completely lost and oblivious to the outside world, Spock can do nothing but step forward and hold Jim in place against the tree. The contours of their bodies aligning, the desperate need of their want for one another barely held in check until Jim gasped and leaned back, cupping Spock's jaw with his own icy cold hand.
''That much, huh?'' Jim's chest expands rapidly in line with his breathing, Spock can feel the erratic pulse of his heart through all the layers of clothing they are wearing.
He responds by kissing him once more; his fingers buzzed as they passed over his meld points, but he painstakingly drew back just in case he lost all sense and reason.
''I deeply regret my actions, Jim. As a father yourself I hope you understand that in that moment my first thought was of my child. I am … sorry that I did not take the time to think before I spoke so harshly to you.''
Jim sighs but Spock can feel the acceptance, the affection and ultimately – the forgiveness which washed over him through their intertwined hands. He pressed his forehead against his human males and revelled in the small hum of contentment that left his companions lips.
''Could we start again?'' his cerulean blue eyes are hesitant as the question is asked and Spock can't help an intake of breath at the words.
''Lets.'' He said simply and the exuberant and elated smile that graced Jim's face would be a welcome memory to return to in the future.
''Good. Come on, then. We'd better get back to the boys… I also think we've made enough of a spectacle of ourselves making out in the park like a bunch of horny teenagers.'' He snorts as Spock suddenly dropped his hands like they had caught fire; the realisation that he had displayed so much open emotion and physical contact outside of his home turning him a bright emerald as embarrassment overcomes him.
Jim truly had the capability of rendering him senseless, the ability to make him act out of character and in these instances – Spock found that he truly did not mind.
It was the first night in months that he had managed to acquire seven hours of rest.
Spock woke up without the familiar numbness that had clung to his every action, and instead he allowed himself a small tight-lipped smile as the sensation of fluttering filled his belly. The anticipation of seeing Jim again curling his toes in the plush grey carpet of his bedroom.
Spock tilted his head to the side and the smile slipped from his face as he heard muffled voices coming from the kitchen. He quickly donned his black meditation robe in haste and ventured out to ascertain the safety of his daughter - only to come to a skittering stop as he marvels at the sight of Jim in his kitchen. The trio are attempting to make pancakes, judging by the smell of cinnamon that lingered in the air and the laughter - would explain the failure of the attempt and that it did not matter.
''Spock!'' Jim's smile is dazzling this early in the morning and he blushes from the sight of it. Spock pulls his robes closed tighter around himself, aware that he is not appropriately dressed but Jim comes round the kitchen island and ushers him to the table and tells him to sit down.
''I hope you don't mind that we invaded your home so early in the morning. T'Lera commed me and said you discussed inviting us both over for breakfast last night.'' Jim smirks as a brow raises on Spock and he turns to stare in exasperation at his daughter - who is now overly fascinated with the leftover batter in the bowl.
''It is true that we had discussed this, however I must apologise that she contacted you so early in the morning. It is currently only seven-thirty-three am and I am sure that we have disrupted your and David's sleeping schedule.''
To Spock's surprise, Jim leans down and kisses him soundly on the mouth. ''Are you kidding? I haven't slept a wink all night as I couldn't wait to see you again.''
Spock looks down at his folded hands, a feeling of pure joy suffusing his central nervous system. He briefly wondered if his physiology made him capable of spontaneous human combustion, because if he was susceptible, it would surely occur from an overload of happiness.
The plate of pancakes, drizzled in honey and cinnamon is deposited on the table in front of him by David, who shyly smiles up at him whilst taking the seat to his left. T'Lera wanders in with two plates and places one before David and seats herself to Spocks right.
Jim is the last to sit down with his plate opposite Spock. He is suddenly and illogically, overcome by the perfection of the morning as he smiles warmly at each of them before tucking into his food.
Six months later and Spock has never been this content with his life.
He has Jim.
He has T'Lera, and his interactions and training with David had drawn them closer together than he had ever anticipated.
So much so that Spock had asked for Jim's full attention one evening and stated with confidence – should both Bones and he suffer an unfortunate early demise – Spock would be there to raise David as his son and would consider it a privilege.
This statement had been rewarded with a sound kiss on the mouth from Jim, who had near enough tackled him onto the floor in his haste to show how much he approved, and appreciated the sentiment.
It was however rather unfortunate that both children and Leonard were in the room at the time. The doctors gagging noises had set the children off on a bout of giggles that had lasted approximately twenty-three minutes.
Spock checked the time on the chronometer and felt a sense of unease settle within his stomach. He was due to partake in the examinations needed in order to join Starfleet.
Whilst he did not doubt his intellect – he nevertheless was illogically concerned that he would be refused on the basis that he was in fact, not human.
A baseless concern, as he was aware of several Vulcans having enlisted. It took several meditative sessions to disregard his insecurities and move forward regardless.
He would join Jim in a teaching position on campus as an instructor in several subjects in which he was well versed. Languages, programming, theoretical strategy and tactics to name a few and Jim had beamed at him in pride for following his ambitions.
''Students. You have approximately one hour to finish your examinations. Begin!''