A/N:I AM BACK, BITCHES!

It's been a hot minute, but I have *ten* new chapters for y'all, will be uploading them either weekly or bi-weekly (haven't decided yet), and am in a better mental place than I have been in *years* thanks to a fantastic med change, so I am very hopeful that there won't be any more year-plus long breaks again, although of course I can make no promises as to such.


Jim bit his lip as he placed his communicator on his desk, looking over at Spock – who was unfairly serene and calm. Jim wished that he felt even half as calm as Spock looked. He was so incredibly nervous right now as he prepared to comm Sam in Deneva and introduce him to Spock as his significant other. Sam had introduced Jim to Aurelan when they became serious, and Jim and Spock had been serious since the very moment they began this relationship. Most Vulcans did not have casual relationships, excepting rare individuals, and Jim knew for a fact that if Spock had ever loved Uhura, they would still be a couple right now, unless she ended things between them. That was just how things were.

However, it hadn't turned out that way and now Jim and Spock had a bond to each other, their bond as t'hy'la giving them insight into what their partner was feeling. It was a highly useful thing, one that Spock had said would eventually become deep enough that they could speak mind-to-mind without Spock having to do a mind meld. Jim was eagerly looking forward to that happening.

Spock and Jim hadn't actually outright told anybody other than Bones and Uhura that they were together, but Jim was pretty positive that the Command crew all knew anyway. Janice definitely knew, thanks to Miri, she had finally admitted once Jim pressed the issue as to how the hell she had found out.

Knowing that his touch was a welcome thing for Spock, Jim had begun treating him almost like he would a human, and begun touching him casually as well as continuing to reinforce whatever he was saying with a more purposeful touch. Whenever they were alone, Jim kissed Spock almost constantly, repeatedly brushing his fingers against Spock's. They had kissed the human way, and very often, but somehow, to Jim, Vulcan kisses were more intimate. Probably because touching was a sharing of minds between Vulcans. They kissed in public, too, but they'd kept it from Uhura for a while, just so they had some time to settle before she found out and reacted. Luckily, she had reacted well. Bones and Uhura both approved.

Honestly he was amazed and beyond happy that Spock loved and trusted him so much. Certainly he couldn't stand anybody else touching him, and he had told Jim already that he had never kissed Uhura in the Vulcan way, which was just… It made him crazy happy, okay? Spock gave him his first Vulcan kisses god he was so fucking lucky.

A message beeped on his padd and he picked it up, checking the message. It was Sam. He was ready. Jim inhaled deeply and hit call, watching as the vid-comm connected and Sam's face popped up in a holo above the device. Jim smiled brightly, nervousness completely erased by the sight of his brother, happy and healthy. "Sam! Hey, how is it goin'?"

Sam smiled at him, blue eyes twinkling as his hand ran through his hair – a habit they shared, like many others. "I'm doing wonderful now that I can see you're okay, lil bro. I worry about you, you should call more often. Hey, Spock, could you pester my brother into calling me more than once or twice a month?"

"Hey!" The blonde grinned even while he protested just for fun. Trust Sam to skip the introductory bits and just jump right in. He was awesome like that.

Jim looked over at Spock, who had an eyebrow raised and a smile in his eyes as he commented back, "That falls well within my capabilities, and I would be remiss not to do as you ask, Doctor."

Sam laughed and shook his head, "Look, we might not know each other very well, Spock, considering the only experience I have with you is that rescue mission you went on to save our asses last year, but Jim has never in his life been as happy as he has been the last few months, and it's solely because of you. Yes, he loves his work, and yes, he has a lot of friends, but the difference in his enjoyment of either of those things and when he is talking about you… There's just no comparison. Jim has been head over heels in love with you for God knows how long, and I can safely say that that has never really happened to him before. Not like this. He let you in until it consumed him, and it has made him finally realize that he has a place in this world. Thank you, Spock, for making my little brother happy and loved."

By the time Sam was done with his speech, Jim was blushing furiously, and Spock was watching him intensely, before he turned back to Sam, "I feel like it is I who should be giving thanks to you for being there for Jim whenever it is possible. He cares for you more than he is willing to admit, and your support of his choices bolsters him."

Jim playfully glared at both of them, before he commented, "And here I was all worried that this would be awkward and weird, but you two just act as if you have known each other for ages. And hey, when did this turn into a "be mushy about Jim" party? I didn't approve of that!"

To his surprise, Spock was the one to answer that, as he said, "Considering that George is not on your ship, Jim, he does not need your approval to throw any kind of party that he wishes. Besides, I am of the opinion that you need to realize how much you mean to other people."

Sam nodded, "Exactly. You are not expendable, Jimmy. We will reinforce that in any way we have to."

When he looked over to Spock, he found firm agreement in his t'hy'la's eyes. It was humming through the bond in the back of his mind, the emotions present whispering, "You are precious to me. I need you, and one day you will know that with a thousand percent certainty."

The feeling made his breath hitch, and he reached out, Spock brushing their fingers together before lacing them gently. The touch was cool and comforting, and he let his love and adoration swell before turning back to Sam, "So how is Aurelan?"

Before Sam met Auri, he had been just like Jim, not caring about gender, race, or species, and not engaging in anything more serious than flings. Then he had met Aurelan and she was the one, just like Spock was the one for Jim. Jim and Sam were drifters that had found themselves a home within another person. Found completion, a place to be themselves, and complete acceptance of who they were. "Auri is doing well. We're thinking about having a kid now that things have settled down on Deneva. It's beautiful here, as you know, and we have a home with plenty of space, and both of us have stable jobs."

Jim smiled, running his thumb along the side of Spock's hand. "You should go for it, Sam. You'll be an amazing dad, and I want nieces and nephews to spoil!"

His brother laughed at that and nodded, before Jim heard someone calling him in the background. Sam sighed, "I guess I need to go, something's happened with one of our experiments. You take care, and I'd better hear from you soon! Love you, Jimmy."

He smiled, "I love you too, Sam. Good luck, I'll call you soon."

The call ended and he smiled up at Spock, "That went very differently to how I expected, but it's a good thing. Even though you ganged up on me, I'm glad you two get along. Auri is like a sister to me, and I want you and Sam to be close like she and I are."

Spock leaned over and kissed his lips, soft and sweet, before pulling back. "I love you, Jim, and will try to give you your wish, taluhk."

Choking up softly at the blunt and blatant honesty, he clutched the hand in his tighter, squeezing their fingers together. Their lives were so intertwined by now he would be fully lost without his t'hy'la. "I love you Spock. So, so fucking much. Forever."

They could relax this afternoon, worries could wait for the 'morrow.