So this taken forever and ever amen. I'm soooo incredibly sorry about that. My inspiration had dwindled a bit I hate to admit, but hopefully it's back up and I can get more chapters up and possibly go back and fix some stuff in previous ones that I just looked and cringed at!

Anyway, mistakes are mine! Let me know what you think!

Chapter Text

Jim sat silently beside his father's bed, holding his hand like he had every day since that first touch. Almost immediately after his shift he would appear in McCoy's sickbay and take up residences next to the Enterprises most important patient.

George had been slowly improving. Body functions beginning to strengthen, skin gaining color, and internal temperature rising to an encouraging and more normal degree.

Spock understood Jim's need to be with his father, but he couldn't help but miss him. It had been days since they had spent any time alone. They only saw each other during their shifts on the bridge, meal times, which were spent with other crew members, and just before going to bed. They also hadn't made love either, Jim too tired emotionally and mentally, and Spock unwilling to push him in any way.

It was continuously becoming more and more difficult for Spock to be patient, which he knew was absurd and unwarranted. Jim's father would be awake soon and everything would go back to normal as best they could, and Spock would have more time with his husband. He just needed to wait.

"It is becoming exceedingly more difficult to be patient." Spock confessed. He and Nyota were seated at a secluded table in the mess as they ate their lunch together, just the two of them.

She nodded as she finished chewing her bite of salad. "I can see how it could be tough, but it's only been a week, Spock."

"I am aware. And, that is way I am having a difficult time understanding why I feel so strongly about this."

"Well, it's not uncommon for new couples to want to be attached at the hip all the time."

Spock quirked an eyebrow, "Jim and I are not and will never be affixed to each other's person physically for an extended period of time."

"It's an expression, Spock" Nyota explained. "It means that you two feel a strong need to be in each other's presence as much as you possibly can."

Spock stabbed one of his grape tomatoes on his plate before replying, "It would seem I am the only one who feels this way."

"Oh Spock," Nyota sighed. Weren't Vulcan's were supposed to be more sensible and logical than humans? Nope, Nyota had decided that all men, of any species were truly idiots when it came to relationships, if not everything. "That sounds like someone feeling sorry for themselves."

"What?" Spock was taken aback, "I can assure you, Nyota. I am not harboring any sympathy for myself, I only wished to express my doubt on Jim's want of my constant presences."

"Why don't you just talk to him?" She asked.

Spock sighed internally, why was it that people had a terrible habit of offering up advice that was usually something anyone half as intelligent as Gorn would think of? Of course Spock had thought of speaking to Jim, it was the first logical thing to do, but there was the problem of never having the time to have the conversation with his bondmate. "Again, as I pointed out before, Jim and I have had zero to a very minimal amount of time in which we were both together without others in attendance. I have not had a chance to even begin to bring up my concerns."

"Okay, well why don't you go down to Medbay and speak to him there?"

"And interrupt his time with his father?"

"It's not really an interruption, the guy's unconscious. There's only so much they can talk about," Nyota smirked as Spock tilted his head in what he knew she would pick up as his display of confused amusement. "Just go talk to him Spock, he's not gonna be mad you for that."

McCoy huffed in exasperation as he walked through the door to George Kirk's private medical room. It's not like he should be surprised to see Jim sitting there, a PADD in one hand, his father's in the other, but it was becoming a little ridiculous.

"Isn't your hobgoblin gonna begin missin' ya if you've always got your ass planted in that seat?" The doctor asked as he made his way over to read the displays next to his patience bed.

Jim shrugged, not taking his eyes off of his PADD. "If it bothered Spock at all he'd let me know."

"You're so sure about that."

"Well, yes." Jim replied. He knew his husband would let him know if something bothered him, it was only logical to discuss ones perception and not allow it to linger unnecessarily. Or at least that was what Spock had told him.

"Just don't forget Jim, that even though he likes to deny it, he does have feelings and he may not express them fully because he doesn't want to upset you." McCoy said as he tapped at George's vital screen. Don't let anyone ever say McCoy didn't stick up for the hobgoblin, because he even though he didn't like to admit it, he cared about the bastard.

Furrowing his brow, Jim raised his eyes to finally look at his best friend. His back was turned to him, but Jim could still see his face in the reflection of the glass screen. "You know something I don't? It's not like you to defend Spock's honor."

Jim saw his best friend roll his eyes before snapping, "Of course not you idiot, I just-"

Bones ranting was cut off by the sound of the room's door swooshing open and revealing the object of their conversation and would have been argument if not had been interrupted. Spock stood in the doorway, looking as detached as ever with his spine ramrod straight and his hands clenched tightly behind his back. "Captain. Doctor. May I enter?"

"Yeah, yeah, Spock get in here." Bones grumbled, "I was just leaving." As Spock stepped into the room the doctor slipped quickly past him, the door sliding closed behind him.

"Hey," Jim smiled softly at his husband.

"Jim."

sensing the tension radiating from Spock, Jim stood up and walked over to his Vulcan and slipped his arms around his waist. "I've missed you. Feels like it's been forever since I've seen you."

"Yes," Spock replied, slowly bringing his hands up to rest on his T'hy'la's hips. He originally planned not give into physical affection because he illogically wished to stay and make known how dejected he had felt the past few days, but he couldn't do it. His T'hy'la was in his arms and there was no way he could resist him. This is what he had been wishing for for the last several days, it would be illogical to refuse it. "I have missed you as well, ashaya."

"Hmm," Jim hummed contently as he stretched up to kiss Spock softly. "Well we're together now," He smiled after they pulled apart. "What was it you came by for? Ship business? Or did you just come to get a glimpse of the hottest captain in the Fleet?"

"I came to speak with you, captain, but not of ship business."

"Oh? Then what do you want to talk about?" The captain walked back over to his seat. Spock sat in the one across from him on the opposite side of the hospital bed.

"He looks well." Spock stated, examining George Kirk for the first time since he walked into the room. He would admit to feeling slightly uncomfortable with having the conversation he was about to embark on with his husband's unconscious father in the room.

Jim smiled at that, taking his father's hand in his and squeezing it tight. "Yeah, Bones said he's doing really well, better than he expected even. It shouldn't be too long before he wakes up."

"And you are dealing with this well?"

"It's gonna take some getting used to," Jim sighed, running his free hand through his hair. He was still trying to work out the knot of emotions in his chest. It was so tangled and twisted he didn't know if he'd ever get them straightened out. It was almost like when a bunch of necklaces get twisted and looped together, always taking patience and methodical steps to nimbly undo the chaos.

"Jim, when will you begin to remember that I too require some of your attention?"

The captain's head shot up from where he was staring at his father's hand. "What?"

"The amount of time you have spent at your father's bedside is becoming increasingly unnecessary," Spock said flatly. "I understand you feel the need to be with him whenever possible, but may I remind you that you do in fact have a bondmate that requires your notice on occasion."

"Spock, I-"

"I am well aware it is unfair of me to come in here and demand that you spend time with me, but I find it difficult not to." Jim didn't know Vulcan ears could wilt, but Spock's did at that moment. "Ashaya, I need you. I have been feeling very unsettled as of late, and I know that it has only been 7.34 days, but I cannot for another day not spend it with you."

Jim felt a lump form in his throat as he stared at Spock looking like a rejected child. His poor Vulcan was lonely and it was all his fault. He knew he had been spending a great deal of time in Medbay and that Bones had bitched at him to leave several times, but it had just been so hard not to stay and be with the man he had ached for his whole life.

Tears stung his eyes as his Vulcan continued to slump into himself. Any other person wouldn't have noticed the difference in his husband's posture, but to Jim he was positively collapsed in on himself. "Oh babe," He choked out.

Getting up he quickly walked around the bed and flopped himself into Spock's lap. Burying his face in the Vulcan's neck he began to blubber his apologizes.

Truthfully Jim had been holding back this emotional outburst all week and had successfully been victorious until his husband basically came crawling, pleading for his attention. Telling him he needed him, wanted him. God, he has been such a neglectful, awful husband. "I'm so sorry baby."

"Shhh, T'hy'la," Spock said softly, rubbing circles into his bondmates back.

It had not been his intention to come and cause Jim so much upset, it made him feel much like a 'heel' as Dr. McCoy so often put it. "Breathe, ashaya." Spock commanded as Jim began to choke on his tears.

"I'm s-orry," He sobbed, pulling away to look Spock in the eye. His arms were wrapped around the Vulcan's neck, his fingers digging into the short hairs there.

"It is alright, Jim. I know you have been emotionally distressed, it was not right of me to be so harsh with you." He reached up and wiped the last tear that trickled on the captain's face.

"No, you had every right to chew my ass out for neglecting you. I'm sorry, T'hy'la." He leaned in and gave Spock a soggy kiss. "Can I make it up to you?"

Spock quirked an eyebrow. "Of course. How do you plan on achieving that, may I ask?"

Jim gave him a watery grin. "It's a surprise," He sniffed. "Meet me in our quarters at 2100."