Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

At the doctor’s, Dr. Ahlberg held up his ankle. it was swollen but a lot less than it was before, the purple fading to a light pink.

“Not that bad, just a sprain. It only hurts that much because you keep walking on it,” Dr. Ahlberg said, flashing a smile. He had deep skin and salt and pepper hair, and was very charming in Jim’s opinion.

“If I promise to be good d’you think I can play Friday? Bones said I couldn’t….”

Dr. Ahlberg shook his head, grinning. “Bones seems to be entirely correct, James. You will need a full week and a couple of days before you can do that and even then I would suggest staying off your foot. I would also suggest wrapping it with an elastic bandage if you have any, and definitely continuing icing your ankle.”

Jim stood up, his weight on his good ankle, and shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you sir.”

For the rest of the day, Jim followed David around stores as he went, first picking up bandages for Jim’s ankle. They stopped by different warehouse stores and wood shops, David always starting up pleasant small talk with workers that he passed. Jim couldn’t help but wish that he was his dad instead of Frank.

“Technically he ain’t your daddy anyway,” Bones would say. He was right, but didn’t change the fact that he still lived in his house, in his dad’s chair. The only thing Jim knew about his dad for sure from his mom was that he held Jim in that chair. Once, and one time only, before the accident. And now, Frank drank in that chair.

During the day, David got a text from Bones on his phone. Since he was driving, David blindly pulled out his phone from his pocket and passed it to Jim.

“How are you feeling & how did the doctors go” and “Spock wanted to know too” buzzed in in short succession.

“Went well! Only minor sprain w/ bandages.”

“How come I cant reach you on your own phone I texted you twice this morning”

“Oops. I thought I told Spock my phone broke.”

There was no response after that, so Jim just set the phone back into David’s cup holder and resumed what he was doing before, staring out the passenger window and aimlessly watch things pass by. It wasn’t long before they were home and Bones was waiting there already, leaning on his car, with Spock’s car parked directly behind his.
David parked his car and headed into the house with a cheery wave to Bones and Spock. Jim hopped out of the truck onto his good ankle, and the other two made their way over to him.

“Jim, Spock and I have been talkin’,” Bones said, automatically taking the role of Jim’s crutch.

“Uh oh,” Jim laughed out nervously, his hand that wasn’t gripping Bones’ shoulder was wringing itself out, fingers clenching and unclenching.

“We understand your hesitation,” Bones began.

“Yet we urge you to call your mother as soon as possible.” Spock finished, his voice so gentle that instead of calming Jim, it irritated him.

Jim let go of Bones and pushed himself away, his brow furrowing and a bitter scowl growing. He went to take another step to put distance between them but accidentally went on the wrong foot, causing him to yelp and fall over. Bones and Spock both reached to help him up but Jim held up his hands in rejection.

“Stop helping me.” Jim said, teeth grinding as he put his good foot beneath him. “Listen,” he began, before Spock cut him off.

Neither Bones nor Jim noticed that during this, Spock had begun to look… well, more than frustrated.

“Jim, I don’t understand.” Spock’s voice was harsh and his eyes were narrow.

“Wha-?” Jim asked, partially in confusion at Spock.

“You help almost everyone you see, you get your friends coffees for the fun of it, you don’t tell your mom when you’re abused so she can be happy, and you,” He took a breath, his tone incredulous and almost annoyed, “You take a beating to help a stranger from a bully.”

Bones was focused on Spock, his eyes wide with interest as Spock continued in an exasperated tone, “Why? Why won’t you let us, the people who care about you do the same? It is the most illogical thing I have ever heard.”

Jim looked down at his hands, which he was wringing vigorously until he lifted both of them up to Spock and Bones.

With a sigh, he asked, “Please help me up?”

-----
Jim borrowed Leonard’s phone and Leonard and Spock went inside to give Jim space. They sat in uncomfortable silence at the edge of their seats, jumping at every slight noise that might indicate Jim was finished. Minutes turned into hours, but neither relaxed. Leonard’s stomach growled, and he muttered under his breath about “dinner.”
Finally, Jim limped back inside. His eyes were red, and he looked emotionally exhausted.

“I need a nap,” Jim said in a throaty voice. He passed the phone back, deadpanned as he stated, “She’s on her way tomorrow. I told her everything.”

Leonard stood and pulled him into a gentle but fierce hug. “I’m so proud of you. Rest now, kid. I love you.”

“Love you too, Bones.” Jim mumbled back, already setting himself into the empty space of the sofa. Spock tried to move over to give Jim more room, but he simply set his head in Spock’s lap. He curled into the fetal position on his side facing away from Spock, and Leonard set a blanket on top of him.

“Any chance you’re stayin’ again tonight?” Leonard asked with a quiet smile, nodding at Spock.

“I had already asked my mother. If it is not a burden, it would make sense if I did.” Spock replied, pausing when Jim shifted with a sigh.

“Alright. I’m gonna head upstairs and tell dad. Update him a bit. I’ll be back down later because we all still need another meal.” Leonard took another look at Jim before he headed upstairs.

Spock felt uncertain about appropriate hand placement, one hand naturally finding itself on Jim’s arm. The other, well, Spock had seen this done in movies before to comfort someone. The other hand he rested on Jim’s head to thread itself through Jim’s hair.
At the touch Jim stiffened, and Spock lifted his hand immediately.

“I apologize.” Spock said, but Jim lifted his head so Spock’s hand would be on it again.

“S’okay.” Jim mumbled, and he sat his head back down.

Tentatively, Spock set his hand back on Jim’s head. For a few minutes he moved his hand around experimentally, finding that the sides of his head made him cringe but the top of his head was safe. Jim seemed to snuggle closer as Spock continually stroked his fingers through the hair there.

As Spock began to drift, he felt Jim startle in his lap. Jim bolted upright, and he kept spinning his head around looking for danger.

Taking Jim’s hand as gently as possible to not frighten him more, Spock said, “You are safe Jim, I have you.”

This had a calming effect on Jim, and he fell back into Spock’s arms, his head now resting on Spock’s shoulder. He let a content sigh and they both started to doze off together again, in an awkward yet warm embrace.

They were fast asleep when there was a loud banging the front door, waking them both. Jim’s face was filled with alarm and Spock shifted so he was a barrier between Jim and the door.

“Jim! I know you’re fucking in there you- “ The rest of the sentence was muffled by more banging on the front door.

“Frank.” Jim whispered in horror, starting to panic. His eyes were wide and his breath picked up. Spock reacted quickly, pulling Jim to stand with him and hauling him upstairs as the banging grew harder. Every other step Jim had to put his full weight on Spock, but filled with panic of his own Spock didn’t even slow. Leonard and David both came out of David’s room looking confused but defensive in traditional Mccoy fashion.

“Frank,” Jim said again, that was all he could say. He was visibly shaking, sweating in fear.

“JIM! WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU I’M DRAGGING YOUR ASS HOME BY YOUR EAR!” Came the slurred roar from behind the door.

“Jesus almighty,” David ground out angrily, “Who does he think he is?” Both he and Leonard filed quickly downstairs. “This is what you were trying to tell me, weren’t you Lenny?”

Jim clutched Spock tightly, his hands gripping the fabric of Spock’s uniform. His breaths were now punctuated in barely audible whimpers, and Spock lowered him to the ground so Jim could sit.

“Frank, go home, Jim isn’t here.” David called from behind the door. His usual gentle giant voice was now commanding and coarse.

The banging paused for a moment, as Frank seemed to consider it.

“If he is… then Jimmy, I want you to know: If I ever catch your worthless ass back at home I’ll make you wish you were never born, you pathetic waste of space!” The cry was punctuated with a hard kick to the door. Leonard could hear receding footsteps, and he stood there fuming for a few seconds. He started towards the door but his father stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

“Leonard. We can just call the police.” He seemed unconvinced himself, looking as angry as his son as he took deep breaths through his nose.

Leonard’s face was red, as he brushed past his dad and out the door, slamming it shut behind him. Jim pulled Spock up with him to help him over to the upstairs window, where they could see Leonard racing over to his sidewalk, where he picked up their mostly-empty trashcan. He went towards the hobbling drunk Frank and hurled the can at him with all his might, knocking him flat on his face.
Jim let out a fierce hissing ‘yes’ at that, tears that Spock hadn’t noticed before drying on his cheeks.
Leonard then turned and walked back inside with a proud grin on his face.

Frank struggled to stand, cursing and falling over again, before he staggered into the night.

“Hardass, go call the authorities on that dick.” David said as he attempted to sound angry but ended up with a small smile. He gave Leonard a small slap on the shoulder, then looked up at Jim. “Are you okay son?”

“Yeah,” Jim said, still a bit shaken up and pale but he wore a faint grin nonetheless.

“I’d hate to say this, but I don’t know how safe you will be here, Jim.” David sighed, as he opened his front door to inspect the damage.

Spock spoke up. “He can stay at my home.” Spock heard Jim gasp and could feel his gaze on him.

Even David looked at Spock questioningly. “Ya sure, son?”

Spock nodded grimly. “We have plenty of room. And Frank is not aware of it’s location, meaning he would be safe. My family would be happy to temporarily take him in, we can afford to feed him and obviously I can drive him to school with me.” Spock looked at Jim, his eyes filled with hope. “Mother has been worried recently. With your permission I would like to explain to her your situation, to ease her unnecessary worries of me and to allow her to help you.”

“That makes sense,” Jim said slowly. He broke eye contact with Spock to look down at his hands. “I’m sorry I made her worry. She doesn’t deserve that. I wouldn’t burden your family would I?” His voice was small again, and Spock felt a mixture of irritation and care. Irritation that Jim would think for even a second he could be a burden in his home, care because he desperately wanted to fix that perspective.

Spock pulled Jim’s face up with a gentle hand on his chin, so that he could look into his eyes. “Jim, you could never be.”

Leonard was quietly sifting around the kitchen, deciding what to make for dinner. As Jim and Spock were preparing their beds to go to sleep for the night, a woman came home. She was around David’s height if not taller, and had fire engine red hair. She wore nurse scrubs beneath a grey jacket and set her purse on the ground by the door.

“What the hell is on my door and why is there garbage in the street?” She called upstairs, before she did a double take seeing Jim and Spock who were sitting at the sofa both dressed in some of Leonard’s clothes (which were big on them both). “Howdy Jim dear, and new son, I’m April, Leo’s mama.” She stepped over to pat Spock on she shoulder with a motherly smile. She then kissed Jim’s cheek and ruffled his hair gently.

As she stepped back, she said, “Well, I was wondering who was crashing on my couch last night! Sorry I’ve been so rude and haven’t introduced myself yet, uh,”

“My name is Spock,” Spock filled in.

“Spock. It just seems like we haven’t had the time to meet!” She then turned to see David descending the stairs, hands on hips. “So what’s going on again?”

Leonard joined his family in the living room and he began at the beginning. April sat at the loveseat across from the couch while Leonard and David stood together by the stairs. Jim kept his head down, unable to make eye contact with April who grew increasingly angry and sympathetic. Spock or David occasionally interjected, and Spock held onto Jim, one arm thrown over his shoulders. He was unused to such prolonged physical contact and wasn’t sure if he was comfortable with it, but he recognized that it did help to calm Jim down and even comfort him. After a time when he had become more accustomed to it, Spock found himself reluctant to let go of Jim.

“Darlin’,” April breathed, reaching out to rub Jim’s shoulder. “I can’t believe we didn’t know. We are so, so sorry. We have always thought of you as one of our own. We should have seen it earlier-”

“No, it’s not your fault.” Jim hurriedly said. “I should have come to you earlier.”

“Regardless,” David said as he seated himself next to his wife. He looked awkward and definitely looked uncomfortable at expressing raw emotion. “We are the adults here and we should have known. You are not at fault at all, son. The blame rests solely on Frank, not you. Keep that in mind. We love you son.”

Jim had tears welling up in his eyes again, this time slightly happy as he choked out, “Thank you. I love you guys too.”

After talking and joking, attempting to lighten the mood for a few hours, April announced it was time for bed for everyone.
April and David sandwiched Jim into a hug that made him laugh as they said goodnight, and Spock could not help the smile that came through on his face. Seeing Jim laugh and smile genuinely again just like he had when they first met made him feel undeniably happy.
Leonard made them all sandwiches, gave Jim more praise, and told him he was proud of him again before he followed his parents upstairs.
When they had finished eating, Spock went to start setting up another makeshift bed by the sofa but Jim stopped him.

“Uh,” Jim mumbled awkwardly. “D’you mind if we share?”

Spock looked at him dumbly, attempting to figure out why Jim would want to sleep with him but overwhelmed with eagerness to do so to think straight.

“Nah, you’re right, dumb idea anyways,” Jim said, turning back.

“I did not say that. I am unopposed to the proposition, Jim.” Spock moved the bottommost blanket so that it would comfortably fit two.

They laid down, facing one another.

“M’sorry, Spock. I just didn’t sleep well last night but when I fell asleep near you earlier…” Jim whispered.

“This is nothing to be sorry about. I am happy to help you in any way I can, Jim. I am not uncomfortable, but glad that my presence can help. Rest is very important.”

Jim shifted closer, one leg wrapping around Spock’s. Jim continued to shift for a few seconds until he was comfortable. His breath soon slowed, and he was asleep. Spock followed Jim not that long after.

The next morning, they woke up wrapped around one another uncomfortably, both boys sweaty but unwilling to move away.

“Get up you guys,” Leonard prodded at Jim’s foot with his own. “We have school.”

When Spock pried himself partially away from Jim, Leonard tossed a bundle of clothes at him.

“I washed our uniforms last night, I know you haven’t had a change in clothes for a while.” Leonard said, eyeing Jim’s arm that still clung around Spock’s side.

“Thank you,” Spock was grateful, he had been self conscious wearing dirty clothes to school the day before.

He fully pulled himself from under Jim, and went to the downstairs bathroom to get dressed. When he came back out, Jim passed him a quesadilla that David made for him, his hair sticking up in the back in an endearing way.

“I’m staying home until you boys get back to make sure no more trouble comes to Jim.” David said with a cheerful wink at Jim, acting playful to lighten the mood and wake the boys up.

“Affirmative. Leonard will take me back here immediately after school then you and I,” Spock said to Jim, “will go back to my house. There we can talk to my mother.”

Then before Spock knew it, he was out the door and on the way to school again.

In the car, Leonard paused before he turned his key.

“Thank you,” He said, looking down at his shoe. There was an unrecognizable emotion on his face. Guilt? “For getting Jim to agree to this. I don’t get why me badgering him for years wouldn’t change his mind but you came in and just got him to agree.” He sighed, and rubbed an eye. “It both pisses me off and makes me grateful to you. You helped save my dumbass best friend. I owe you, Spock.”

“There is no need to thank me, Leonard. You know I care for him as you do.” Spock said, feeling strangely small in his seat.

“Yeah.” Leonard said, a small smile blooming on his face. “Lucky kid,” He chuckled, turning the key and pulling out onto the street.

Spock’s classes passed by in a blur, his practice carrying on without a hitch. Usually he would be extremely hyperfocused on that, but since he was already distracted by Jim he wasn’t. Similarly, in his math class he skimmed by, taking notes he knew he would have to read over later.

“So? What’s the word on Jim?” Nyota asked, pulling a piece off of her bagel to pass to Spock. Today her hair was in fine braids that she had pulled into a ponytail, hanging down her back. Eric, who Spock remembered from the rugby lunch Jim took him to, continually ogled her throughout the class.

“He is completely alright. Just sick, that is all.” Spock felt himself cringe internally at the weak lie, moreso when he could see Nyota’s disbelief.

“If it’s none of my business, you don’t have to tell me. But is Jim really okay? That’s all I care about.”

“Yes. He is safe.”

Nyota’s shoulders seemed to sag slightly from relief at hearing that, before she straightened her posture again. Spock internally chuckled, thinking about their dance teacher’s lectures on the importance of good posture. She thanked Spock, then started back to work, but not before Eric came up to ask her for help on a question.

Leonard found him after school, and they drove straight back to his house. Spock had come to enjoy Leonard’s gruff company and appreciate his personality. However, he was awfully impatient to get back to Jim. As soon as they got home, they saw Jim sitting outside, his uniform in his hand wearing Leonard’s basketball shorts and a black shirt.
Spock pulled his bag out of the car and thanked Leonard, permitting him to give him a quick hug.
Jim hugged Leonard and he helped him over to Spock’s car.

“Text me when you get there safe, ya hear?” Leonard said, and he stood at the sidewalk and watched them as they pulled away.

Jim waved at him from the window, and then they were off. He asked Spock questions about his day,and Spock even remembered to tell Jim of Nyota’s worries and love.

“Shit,” Jim said with a wide smile. “I didn’t know she cared that much! She has always been there for me. I need to get her something nice when I can.”

“Do you have a job?” Spock asked, curious where he got his money.

“Yeah. I don’t get called in often but I work at an arcade! I clean stuff and I’m also a cashier.” Jim laughed, obviously soaking in the memories. “I hope they don’t call me in soon, I’d hate to tell them no because of my ankle.”

“How is your ankle?”

“A lot better, except sometimes I just take a wrong step and it’s the. Fucking. Worst. The swelling had gone down, which April says is good.”

“She’s a doctor, correct?”

“Pediatrics nurse, but she’s qualified to be a doctor. She’s been trying to move up for ages.”

They pulled into Spock’s driveway after a few more minutes of talking, and pulled to a stop. Spock grabbed his bag and Jim looked at him with a sigh.

“Dammit.”

“What?” Spock asked, going over to Jim’s side to help him out.

“My backpack, it’s still at Frank’s.”

“You are not going back there to retrieve it.” Spock replied sharply.

“No, but it’s Wednesday, right? It’s poker night at his friend Barney’s. Assuming he wasn’t arrested last night, he won’t be home anyway, maybe Bones could get it?”

“That could work.” Spock mused. “We will figure everything out at a later time.”

They proceeded into the house, slipping their shoes off at the door. Spock set his bag down by the doorway as well, and noticed a black suitcase next to his father’s office door, meaning that he was home.

“Father? Mother?” Spock called, as they worked their way over to the living room. Both Sarek and Amanda were seated there on the sofa, drinking glasses of wine together.

“Welcome home, son,” Sarek said, with a questioning but playful gaze at Jim. “And who is this?”

Amanda smacked his arm lightly, laughing. “That’s Jim, dear. Jim, this is my husband and Spock’s father, Sarek.”

Jim leaned over and shook his hand, saying, “Nice to meet you sir.” He moved back over to Spock’s side, and Spock couldn’t help but notice Jim seemed nervous around his father. Hoping to calm him, he put a gentle hand on his forearm, catching his eye. He attempted to give off a reassuring expression, and Jim smiled back, blue eyes crinkling. In that moment he realized Jim had small freckles around his nose and cheekbones.

“Spock, you said you had something important to ask us?” Amanda asked, eyeing the interaction.

“Affirmative,” Spock answered, diverting his attention back to his mother. “I do not know for how long, but can Jim live with us?”

“Not that you aren’t welcome here, but how come you need to stay Jim?” Amanda asked, her hand that wasn’t holding her glass resting on Sarek’s knee.

Under their gaze, Jim shifted uncomfortably. “Um, well, it’s Frank.”

“Who is Frank? Your father?” Sarek asked gently as he leaned forward with interest.

“My dad died when I was a baby in an accident. Frank is my step dad, not legally I guess, but I’ve been living with him since 7th grade. He’s been… bad to me.” Jim always looked shaken when he talked about Frank, and it fired up Spock like nothing else having to see that.

Luckily, Amanda recognized it as well, and squeezed Sarek’s knee when he started to ask more questions.

“Is your mother alive? Does she know?” Amanda questioned, her eyebrows twisted with worry.

“Yes, and yes. I called her yesterday. She should be leaving today and be here tomorrow or the next day.” Jim replied, his voice wavering slightly. He wrung his hands together, then blurted, “We are going to take Frank to court. I mean, we called the cops on him last night for trying to break into Bones’ house.” He chuckled nervously as Amanda looked at him, shocked.

“Trying to get to you?”

“Yes, and that’s why we came here instead of staying at Bones’ house. He doesn’t know where ‘here’ is.”

Amanda looked at Sarek, and he nodded. “You are more than welcome to stay here for as long as you need.” Sarek offered, and Spock felt Jim relax.

“Now that I think of it though,” Amanda mused with a frown, “We don’t have another room for you.”

“Mother, my thinking was that we could set up the sleeping mats in my room. I’m sure Jim doesn’t mind sharing… do you?” Spock asked, looking over at Jim.

Giving off a flashing smile and a quirked eyebrow, Jim laughed, “After last night it would be weird if I did.” After stating that, his face grew pink with embarrassment thinking about the connotations that sentence could bear. “Oops.”

Spock almost smiled at that, and Amanda lifted her glass in a mock toast.

“It’s settled, then. You’re stuck here with us!” She drained her glass, then walked over to the kitchen to rinse it out.

“I can do chores and stuff too, if you want. Thank you all so much.” Jim offered, and Sarek shook his head.

“Nonsense,” he stated. “You are our guest here, and will be treated as such.”

“Jim,” Spock urged, “we should go upstairs and set up your area.” He then focused on his father. “I would like to discuss your trip soon, Father, but I am gratified you returned safely.” With that, he led Jim upstairs to his room.

----
Spock’s room was exactly how Jim expected it to be: neat. There was a lovely stained bookshelf overflowing with a variety of books, an organized desk with an attached adjustable lamp, and a closet where all clothes were hung in a color-coordinated order.
Unexpectedly, his ceiling was covered in stars.

“Wow,” Jim said, looking up and recognizing the Ursa Major. “This is beautiful, Spock. You get to see this every night?”

“With the exception of the past two days, yes,” Spock was making an attempt at a joke, and just the thought of that alone was cute to Jim, and made him burst out laughing.

After his laughter died down, Spock asked, “How will your mother find you when she arrives? Your phone is not working therefore she has no way to reach you.”

“No worries,” Jim replied cooly, which made Spock roll his eyes. “She’s gonna go straight to Bones’, and he will call you on your phone.”

“You thought of everything, haven’t you?” Spock asked, watching Jim lie down on his floor and look up at his ceiling. “Get up, I need to set up the mats for you to sleep there.”

Jim groaned, and held up a hand. Spock grabbed it, and pulled him to a standing position. He went to let go, but Jim did not, They were so close Spock could hear Jim’s soft breathing over his own heartbeat, and he looked down at their clasped hands for a few seconds before Jim let go, laughing nervously as he stepped out of the way.
Like he was in a dream, it took Spock a couple of seconds before he came back to himself, shaking his head.

“These the mats?” Jim asked and he held two thin mattresses up for Spock to see.

At dinnertime, Bones came by to bring one very grateful Jim Kirk his backpack, as well as a plastic bag filled with his clothes and another bag with hygiene products.
Jim went upstairs with the bags as Bones introduced himself to Amanda and Sarek. They invited him to stay for dinner, but he respectfully declined, stating that he had a lot of homework and cleaning to do. After Jim came back downstairs and thanked Bones for what seemed like the millionth time, Bones headed home and Jim sat down with Spock’s family to eat dinner.
Afterwards, Jim and Spock got ready for bed and sat on Spock’s bed. Spock had his laptop pulled out on his lap. This was abnormal for him since he preferred to keep it at his desk, but had hoped to entertain Jim with a tv show. He pulled up his Netflix account and let Jim pick the show.

“Friends! I fuckin’ loved this show. Haven’t watched it in ages, though.”

“Why not?” Spock asked as he adjusted so his legs were extended in front of him. He set his laptop on top of his legs, and in turn Jim scooted closer and laid on his side, head propped up by his hand.

“Frank stopped paying for tv as soon as mom left.” Jim shrugged, hoping Spock didn’t notice the faint cold sweat that always formed when Jim thought about Frank. He hated himself for letting himself panic over it, but couldn’t help it.

Spock picked a random episode, and they settled on a mini-marathon from there.

“Hey Spock?” Jim asked, as they were partway through the second episode.

“Yes?” Spock asked, pulling his eyes away from the woman named Monica who had changed her dress for a man named Chandler.

“Is your family vegetarian? I know I've only been here twice but I've never seen meat here.”

Spock felt flattered that Jim had taken the time to notice such a thing, but marked it off as just Jim craving meat, as it was a natural part of his diet. “Affirmative. While you stay here if you need protein we will provide meat for you I’m sure, there is no need for worry Jim.”

Being so close to Jim, Spock could practically feel Jim snort. “Of all the things to worry about, I don’t think meat is a priority.” He paused, before he added, “But thank you Spock. Really, for everything. You have helped me more than you probably know.”

At about 3 am, Jim woke up and found that he had fallen asleep next to Spock, his head resting on his chest. The laptop was still on Spock’s lap, with the ‘are you still there?’ page pulled up. It would make sense for him to get up then, and move to his own bed, but he instead decided to indulge himself and shift closer still, his eyes closing again as he drifted back to sleep.
Spock was the first to wake in the morning, and tried in vain to get up without waking Jim as well.

“Huh?” Jim asked blearily, looking around.

“You can go back to sleep for a while, Jim. I wished to start getting myself prepared that way we won’t crowd in the bathroom together.”

There was a soft sleepy smile on Jim’s face, “Nah, I’d better get up too.”

At school, Jim and Spock walked into the cafeteria where his team mates all clamored around Jim. Pavel even went for a hug, which started a hug-Jim train where one by one all of the boys gave Jim a hug. Sulu, who Bones had informed about the situation with Jim’s permission, brought him a coffee and a gift card from Gaila, who Sulu had in turn told. Jim ended with happy tears forming in his eyes as he thanked everyone.
When the first period bell rang, Bones walked with Jim to his English class. Jim tried to walk in early to avoid any ‘where were you’ looks, and luckily, there was none.

“This is a folder of the content you have missed,” His teacher, Mrs. Alstot said, passing him a manilla folder. “Glad to have you back, James. Believe it or not, I started to miss your banter in class.” She smiled, then nodded over to his desk for him to sit.
Second period Jim asked his partner Annie Miphon to catch him up but it turned out that he didn’t miss much other than a quiz that he was already prepped for.
In third, Chekov scooted close to Jim and demanded to know why he was absent. Jim, at this point, was used to people not asking. He stuttered, fumbled for words, but under Chekov’s curious eyes he froze.

“Sick. I was sick.” Jim finally worked out.

“Are you okay?” Chekov asked, and Jim winced slightly. He was fine lying about most things to most everyone, but lying to Chekov- who has only been blatantly honest with Jim about everything under the sun- it made him feel cruel, somehow.

“I haven’t been, but I’m gonna be soon.” Jim said carefully, hoping he wouldn’t worry Chekov as much as he’s been worrying Bones’ and Spock’s families.

Instead, Chekov smiled kindly, looking older than he actually was. “I am wery glad. If I can help you at all, please let me know. You have been a true friend to me, and a vonderful keptin. I vish to show you the same kindness.”

Jim slung an arm around Chekov’s shoulders, squeezing him into a half hug. “Thank you.” When he pulled back, Jim cleared his throat and wrung his hands together. “Anyway, what have I been missing?”

After school, Jim went to find Spock. Spock was a bit taller than most other people, so typically Jim had no issue finding him. He made his way to the front of the school with the intention of meeting Spock by his car when instead he found Spock, Bones, and none other than his mother there, talking.
Since the last time he had seen her, Winona had gotten a few more grey hairs on her head, but was still fundamentally the same. She had a fierce but motherly look in her eyes and her face was shaped with faint laugh lines. Her mostly blond hair was pulled back in a bun and she was still in her military fatigues.
Bones noticed Jim first, and caused both Spock and Winona, who had seemed to be in deep conversation, to turn and see him.
Jim wasn’t sure how to feel when Winona ran up and pulled him into a tight hug. She was a couple inches shorter than him but slung her arms around his shoulders anyway, pulling him down. He smiled like he knew he was supposed to, but did not feel it. Over her shoulder, Jim saw Bones with his usual gruff smile saying something to Spock while Spock watched them silently.
Pulling back, Winona had a melancholy look on her face as she searched Jim’s eyes.

“I am so sorry, Jim.” she cupped one cheek with her hand, and Jim put his over hers.

“Mom, it’s okay. You’re home now.”

Winona smiled, then had a triumphant gleam in her eye. “Frank’s in jail right now. Takin’ him to court by Saturday.”

As Bones let out a gleeful holler, Jim nodded soberly, swallowing thickly. “That’s great! That’s great.”

------
Later that night, Winona sat in Spock’s backyard, talking with Amanda. As they did, Jim sat with Spock on his bed. Jim was emotionally tired, and it confused Spock. He had assumed that the arrival of his mother would make Jim happier, feel more safe and loved as he should. He mentally debated within himself whether or not he should inquire Jim on the matter, but luckily Jim brought it up on his own. He tended to shift when he was about to talk, and he did just that, moving one leg so it rested on top of Spock’s.

“I don’t get it Spock.” Jim said absently, fidgeting with one of Spock’s pillows which he held in his lap. Spock looked up from the book in his own lap, the back of which he had been considering with little interest. “Why don’t I feel good? Mom’s home, Frank is locked up.”

Spock was at a loss for words, out of fear that anything he might say would upset Jim further. Instead, the two sat in silence until Jim spoke up again.

“When I look at my mom, I feel this, I don’t know… resentment towards her?” His voice got softer, quieter, like he wanted to say it out loud but was unsure if he wanted Spock to hear. “It feels like she abandoned me. After dad died, she couldn’t even look my way for months without crying. Then she let fucking Frank into our lives. Then she fucking left. She left me. First opening she found for engineering in the military she was on the plane before I could ask her ‘don’t go’. Then whenever she called I never could ask her why.”

He stopped, but something in his voice told Spock he had more to say. “Why what, Jim?” He prompted, his hand going on Jim’s calf in an attempt to grant Jim some comfort.

“Why I wasn’t good enough to make her stay.”

The sentence was the quietest of them all, and Jim’s voice cracked at the end of it. Spock recognized the cues; Jim clenched his jaw, tilted his head back, blinking rapidly. He was fighting hard not to cry.

Still unsure of what to say, Spock simply started running his hand up and down Jim’s calf awkwardly, and said what his mother always did when Spock was internalizing his emotions: “Just let it out.”

Spock sort of discovered but also sort of always knew that Jim was beautiful when he cried. Ugly yes, his eyes puffing and his mouth curling into a warped frown, but still somehow beautiful. The sobs Jim let out were still half-choked down, but Spock was still grateful he was ‘letting it out’. Jim reached over for Spock, and without hesitation Spock pulled Jim closer, molding himself to Jim in a hug that Jim could relax into. Without hesitation, without thinking, without logic, Spock kissed Jim’s forehead softly, sweetly. Jim was tired and hummed in content in response.

“You are good enough. You don’t need your mother or anyone else to prove that to you.” Spock said, and he waited for a few minutes, as he knew Jim would fall asleep soon.

When he did, he remorsefully slipped out from under Jim. He left Jim lying comfortably in his bed as he went downstairs. He was curious, and wanted to know what Amanda and Winona were talking about. The windows that faced out to the backyard were wide open, so he could comfortably listen to the conversation.

Spock recognized Winona’s voice, and it sounded like she was finishing a story. Laughing, she said, “He was never the same after that! Neither was I, if I’m honest. After you see a kid with fudge coming out of his nose- that really changes your answer when they ask, ‘do you want any toppings on your ice cream?’.”
Both Amanda and Winona laughed at that, but when the laughing stopped, there was only an awkward silence left.

“How soon will you be moving back here?” Amanda asked, “Permanently, I mean.”

There was a creaking noise, Winona undoubtedly shifting in her chair, just like how Jim does. “I could technically stay, and have my things shipped to me,” Winona said noncommittally.

“You sound like this is the last place you want to be,” Amanda said, in her probing therapist voice that Spock recognized. It was an unnamed mix of sympathy, understanding, and curiosity, that Spock assumed every therapist mastered.

There was a long span of silence, and Winona inhaled deeply. Her unwilling attitude made Spock clench his jaw, but he continued to listen, waiting for a response.

“If I’m honest?” Winona paused again. Amanda of course, did not push her, but Spock was close to jumping up and demanding her to be honest. “I hate it here. George died here. And Jim, Jesus Christ, he looks more and more like his daddy as he grows. I didn’t know what to do, I thought he would be safe with Frank I thought he was a good man-” She was babbling now, her voice had raised in tempo and she started to sound congested. “It was after George died, that’s when things went bad. I was, am, depressed. I still have dreams about George’s last phone call to me, Amanda.” She sniffed,and then wept, “Fuck, I’m an awful mom.”

Spock nodded to himself vehemently, but Amanda said, “No. You were young, you didn’t know what to do. But why didn’t you take Jim with you?”

Winona choked out, “And take him from Bones? No, not even that. His whole life was here. He didn’t even know his daddy, doesn’t even know where he died. I thought Jim could be happy here. Amanda, I can’t stay here. Even now, this whole goddamn place is making me ill. I’ll have to take Jim out of school, have him move with me to the base-”

Listening to Winona prattle on made Spock anxious. He did not want Jim moving away, and was worried how the move would affect JIm.

Amanda hummed as she processed what Winona said while the other woman cried quietly.

“I think…” Amanda said slowly, “We could do something that would benefit everyone.”

With a sniff, Winona asked, “What?” There was a measure of equal hope and disbelief in her voice, and she shifted in her chair again. Spock himself positioned himself for more optimal hearing, curious. His foot was numb from the way he was sitting before, but ignored it as Amanda went to speak again.

“With your consent of course- Jim could stay with us.”

With that, Spock felt his mouth open with shock before he clamped it shut, and Amanda gasped lightly. There was a steel and seriousness to Amanda’s voice, and Spock knew she meant business.

“Amanda, you can’t be… are you serious?” Spock felt as hopeful as Winona sounded, but that made his stomach twist. He felt like he was missing something, but typically mothers don’t jump at the opportunity to leave their child they claim to love… twice. The entire concept distracted Spock so he decided to file it away for later inspection, and rather turned back into the conversation.

“Winona, I am very serious. You obviously, no offense love, are not mentally fit to be a mother, especially this late in the game. It might risk yours and Jim’s mental health. Jim has been respectful and kind to me and Sarek, and we adore him. He is more than welcome to stay with us until he is prepared to move out.”

“What if he wants to stay for college?” Amanda asked, worry tinting her hope. Spock shook his head to himself, remembering from a conversation Jim and he had had that he wanted to go to Washington State, bewildered at Amanda’s lack of knowledge.

“Then he stays for college! As long as he doesn’t suddenly flip a switch and is awful to us 24/7, I assure you Winona he is welcome to stay with us.” Spock imagined his mother spreading her hands as she said this, and he could hear the smile in her voice.

Amanda let out a sob. “Thank you, bless you.”

There was a longer pause now, before Winona asked, “Do you have a place to stay tonight?”

“I was planning on finding a nearby hotel-”

“Nonsense. At least rest here for the night, we can set up a bed on my couch.”

They both started to move like they were to go inside, so Spock slipped back upstairs to his room. He was still bewildered from the conversation, the knowledge that Jim would never leave again. It made him feel unbelievably happy, he stopped just inside his doorframe and allowed himself a grin in the darkness.
Jim had wrapped himself into the corner between the wall and the bed, arms curled tight around himself. Spock crawled onto his bed next to him, careful not to touch him or wake him, before he fell asleep.

In the morning, Spock woke up uncharacteristically late, almost forgetting it was Friday. He woke up groggy, also uncharacteristic for him. The most uncharacteristic thing about Spock’s morning though, was that he was woken up by an unbelievably happy Jim Kirk. He practically pounced on Spock, hands on either side of Spock’s head as he spoke.

“Spock, wake up! Mom just told me- Amanda too- that I could either go with mom back to her base or stay here and live with you guys!” He was gasping for breath, and Spock was very sure that he had run upstairs.

Perking up a little at that, Spock queried, “What did you choose?”

Jim rolled his eyes and grinned, “You, dummy. Duh.” He paused, looking into Spock’s eyes for what felt like a second too long. As he blushed, Jim cleared his throat and pulled back, sitting up. “Or Bones, or anyone! Anyway, so mom’s staying for Frank’s trial and then she’s leaving again.”

Spock cocked his head as he sat up as well, studying Jim’s expression warily. “And how does her retreat feel?”

Jim’s smile faltered,but only slightly. “I’m… sorta relieved. I’m still really fucked up that she left in the first place but hey, what’s some abandonment and inferiority complexes compared to getting to live with one of your best friends? Besides, she’s happy and I’m happy. She’s still my mom and I love her, and I wanna see her happy.” One of Jim’s hands picked at the dead skin around the other hand’s nails. His voice trailed off, like he had something else to say, but rather he perked up suddenly, and said, “Come on, we gotta get to school. And if it’s cool, I gotta get coffees for the team! It’s another game today.”

Spock nodded, and got up slowly.

Downstairs, once Jim and Spock were dressed, Amanda and Winona were in the kitchen, where Winona leaned against the counter top with a coffee in her hand. Amanda had her hair tied back, and was tending to the tea she was fixing.

Winona couldn’t exactly meet Jim’s eyes, but smiled at them.

“Good morning you two! Officially! You boys ready for school?” Amanda asked, turning to see them.

“Yep!” Jim said, his cheerfulness regained. Spock felt no need to respond, thinking to himself that it was obvious they were ready, as they were both wearing their school uniforms.

Once in the car, Spock and Jim drove to the usual coffee shop, and Jim only stumbled once.

“It hurts still but just at the randomest times,” Jim smiled apologetically, and Spock helped Jim inside the coffee shop despite Jim’s reassurances that he was fine.

Inside, Jim took a deep inhale through his nose and grinned. Spock recalled Jim’s teammate Scotty referring to it as a “shit-eating grin”, and somehow that fit in this moment.
Jim moved ahead of Spock, and leaned over the bar as he watched Gaila refill an empty machine, straining to get her attention. When his attempts failed, Jim cleared his throat in an almost satirical manner.

She turned, her curls bouncing about her face. Her expression instantly lit up at seeing Jim, and she almost dumped the mystery contents of her machine in her rush to get over to Jim.

“Heard you were having a rough time, Jimmy.” Gaila said, squeezing him tight, before she pulled back and gave him a once over. Jim’s cheek was healed nicely, the scab already fading to new pink flesh. “I tried callin’ ya, how come you never picked up?”

“Phone is definitely dead. I’ll buy a new one when I can. I can’t believe you actually missed me, Gail!” Jim grinned, and Gaila looked from Jim over to Spock, and she winked at him.

“Spock, it’s nice to see you.” Gaila said, pulling out a cup. “You want the same thing you got last time?” When Spock nodded in response, Gaila went to work.

Jim moved to stand behind Spock, and bent so his chin could rest on Spock’s shoulder. Spock had noticed Jim had become more physical with Spock, but could not recall when the increase had started. Typically, Spock knew it would make Spock uneasy, but already he was relaxing into Jim’s warmth as Gaila looked on with a raised eyebrow. Spock briefly considered replicating something he had read in a novel, where person a rested their head on person b, and person b leaned back so their heads were touching.

Before he could however, Gaila asked, “are you two together?”

Jim pulled away from Spock and stood straight, adjusting his uniform sweater. “No,” he said, a slight redness in his cheeks.

At about the same time, Spock replied, “yes.”

Both Gaila and Jim looked at Spock incredulously, and Spock returned a blank stare.

Finally, Gaila got it. Her eyes widened, and she gasped out a laugh. “OH! You mean for the transaction Spock?”

“Yes. The last time I was here with Hikaru, you asked the same question. I believed I could assume it was the same based on context, was it not?” His eyebrows furrowed in frustration, and that made Jim dart his eyes between Gaila and Spock in confusion as Gaila laughed.

“This time I am actually not asking if I need to ring you two up together. I’m assuming it’s game day, right Jimmy?” Gaila asked, pointing at Jim, awkwardly and hastily changing the subject.

Jim puffed out his chest with pride, not missing a beat. “Yep! Even if I can’t play I still need to support my boys.” Gaila winked, then started on Jim’s coffees now that she was finished with Spock’s.

While they waited, Jim and Spock sat together on a small sofa. The coffee shop was well decorated with lush furniture and calm acoustic music in the background, but it was also mostly empty, and Spock questioned Jim as to why that was.

“A lot of the businesses around here don’t open until 8,” Jim said as he shrugged. “Most of their business from open until then is students and teachers.” He leaned back casually, his arm going behind Spock to rest on the back of the couch.

Impressively, Gaila was done within 10 minutes, hauling out four cartons full of coffees.

“Have you always carried these to school by yourself in the past?” Spock asked incredulously. With how easily Jim took the coffee trays from Gaila he obviously did. Jim gave him a sheepish smile in response, and Spock said, “Unacceptable. From here on out, I will assist with these coffees.”

“Nooonsense,” Jim said. He walked over to the counter and after he looked all the coffees over to ensure they all had their correct names and orders he set the trays down, and pulled out his wallet. “What do I owe ya?:

“Total is hell of a lot if you weren’t a rewards member with us’” Gaila said laughing. “You wanna use the buy one get one free coupon and then your 30% off?”

Jim held up his hands, relinquishing his power to her, “It’s up to you maestro.”

Gaila clicked a few buttons on her register screen, then took Jim’s card and swiped it. “Your official total is-”

Jim held up his hands again, this time to stop her. “Don’t wanna know, Gail.”

On their way back to school, Spock asked, “When did you begin getting coffee for your team?”

Looking up from the straws he was fiddling with, Jim looked over at Spock. “I have been getting Bones coffee since I got my first job. When we were staying at his house, oh boy you were lucky not to have seen Bones pre-coffee. Then in sophomore year when Coach told me I was gonna be captain, I got everyone coffees to celebrate!” Jim paused, then said under his breath, “I got them other drinks too, but that we saved for the weekend…”

Spock recollected what Nyota had informed him about Jim’s typical past weekends, Nyota called them ‘kickbacks’. Spock shook his head slightly to himself, and just hoped that Jim stayed safe. Knowing Leonard would always be present, he was reassured that Jim would be.

Rather than make Jim carry everything, Spock elected to carry both of their backpacks and one of the trays. Jim held the other three, protesting all the way into the cafeteria. As per usual, the team was all cluttered in the back of the cafeteria, around one table.

Scotty was the first to notice the two, and he grinned widely. Leonard was the next, looking up from Pavel, with whom he was talking. The team noticed where Scotty and Leonard were looking and all turned to welcome Jim and Spock. They set the trays on the table, and a chorus of ‘thank-you’s’ sprung up.

“Keptin, Leonard says you can’t play tonight, is that true?” Pavel asked, holding his chocolate frappuccino with both hands so the straw rested on his bottom lip. With amusement, Spock noted to himself that Leonard was watching Pavel with interest.

Jim’s face turned to a pout, and he sighed, “yeah. Ankle isn’t fully healed, according to Bones.”

At that, Leonard turned his attention to Jim and retorted, “You’re damn right. He could probably play fine,”
He paused to glare at Jim as he let out a noise of protest, “But one bad hit and he could be out for the season.”

That apparently shut Jim up, and Jim turned back to Spock. “Does he mean that?” He asked under his breath tepidly. He leaned back so his mouth was right by Spock’s ear, sending shivers down his spine. In instinct, Spock flinched away from the unexpected stimuli.

Blushing, Spock leaned back towards Jim. “Yes, he means that.”

The day passed just like the rest of the week had: in a blur. Before he knew it, the final bell rang and Spock was stopped by Jim in front of his locker. He looked anxious but overall jittery, his hands twisting themselves vigorously. Spock could sense an unnamed energy that made him bounce on his toes lightly.
When he noticed Spock approaching, Jim strode over to him and clasped his shoulders.

“Spock, we gotta go.”

“But Jim, your game-” Spock began, but Jim shook his head, quickly and more times than probably necessary.

“No time, Mom texted Bones they are in court right the fuck now, he went to go pick his parents and other evidence up but-” Jim’s hands readjusted their grips on Spock’s arms. “Can you take me? I don’t wanna do this without you.” His voice grew raspy as his breathing hitched and heightened in speed. “I mean, it’s okay if you can’t I mean I know I am springing this on you last minute I’m so sorry I had no idea sorry I can’t explain why but I can’t imagine going without you and I hope I’m not pressuring you into doing anything but-”

“Jim.” Spock said, and held Jim’s forearms with his hands. “I am here, and I will support you. Breathe, it is illogical to waste energy that you need to save. Let us proceed.”

-----
He almost said it, just like he did with all of his friends at some point. “I love you.”
The gratitude Jim felt towards Spock’s kindness and patience made him want to say it, but somehow the phrase that came naturally to him got caught in his throat. Instead, he said “Thank you.”

The moment was quickly forgotten though, as Spock ushered him to his car. He was conscious that he was beginning to disassociate, already feeling the floaty feeling that came with it. He started laughing at a random thought, and Spock gave him a quizzical look as he buckled his seatbelt.

“I was just thinking…” Jim trailed off as Spock pulled out of the parking lot, and picked back up again when they hit their first stoplight. “Coach is gonna be so mad. His captain and his best goalie- gone!” He laughed quietly to himself, and Spock raised an eyebrow in amusement and slight worry.

The drive to the courthouse felt like it took hours, Jim quietly staring out the window the entire time. Spock focused on Jim’s breathing, reaching a hand over every once in awhile to calm him. Without thinking, Jim clasped onto it like a lifeline, his palms sweaty and shaking. He refused to release except for when they had to get out of the car, and once they were side by side again Jim clutched Spock’s hand once more.
He walked at a faster pace than Spock, guiding him through the courthouse, stopping only to ask which room they were supposed to go into. They were stopped by a security guard but only for a moment, before Jim explained their situation. They were told to wait since there was only a few minutes before a scheduled break, and so they sat in a bench down the hall from the doors.
‘Sat’ wasn’t an accurate adjective for how Jim was sitting however, he was constantly shifting and taking deep breaths, attempting not to panic. He mindlessly played with Spock’s fingers, wishing that he could know what Spock was thinking. Spock was a lot calmer than him. Why can’t he be more like Spock?

Walking into the courtroom was unbearable.
Jim remembered the first time he was drunk, sophomore year and he drank way too much too soon. Walking into the courtroom was kind of like that, where he felt dizzy and like he was a machine that was too oiled. His skin felt like it was five inches thick, and the only thing he could tell for certain was that Spock had his hand on Jim’s back.
He felt like his skin was probably radiating heat, and could feel all eyes on him. He stumbled toward his mother but Spock stopped him with a grip on his shoulder, and pointed Jim’s attention to a barrier that he could not cross. Instead Spock guided him to sit with Bones, who immediately placed a hand against Jim’s forehead, then checked his pulse.

“I brought you water,” Bones said, lifting up a plastic cup from the floor and passing it over to Jim, who took it numbly with both hands. “Watch it,” Bones warned as Jim started to accidentally tilt the cup over too much to one side. His hands were trembling, so Bones took the cup from Jim and held the cup himself for Jim to drink out of.

Winona turned from her chair and reached over the barrier to pat Jim’s knee with her hand. “Baby it’s almost over. We need you to testify last and then we will be done. Can you do that for me honey?”

Before she finished speaking, Bones leaned over to Spock and practically growled, “Brace the back of his neck.”

Spock fought the urge to question, and followed orders anyway. He put a gentle but firm hand on the nape of Jim’s neck and Jim pushed back into it, his eyes open and wild. He shoved his fist in his mouth to keep from making any noise and he started to draw within to himself as if his body was collapsing. He started hyperventilating, and Bones slipped from his chair to take a knee next to Jim.

“What day of the week is it?” Bones asked softly.

“F-Friday. Yeah?” Jim asked, focusing on Bones’ eyes which were locked on him.

“You are doing great, kid. What’s your name?”

“James Tiberius Kirk.”

“Age?”

“17.”

“Favorite color?”

“Blue.”

“Who am I?”

“Bones. Leonard Horatio McCoy, 18. Yellow.”

“Who is that?” Bones asked, pointing back at Spock. Jim turned his half-lidded eyes to Spock, and he had a queasy smile on his face.

“Spock. I dunno his full name. 17? Green, yellow, maybe blue. Lovely.” His voice was soft and less shaky than it was before.

“Jim. My full name is S'chn T'gai Spock.”

Jim tried really hard to focus on Spock’s name, even mouthed it to himself, but he was suddenly looking past Spock, towards the doors that opened. Bones and Spock followed his gaze, and they saw Frank.
He had his hands cuffed behind his back, and his eyes were dark and bagged. His five o’clock shadow had grown shaggy, a grotesque salt and pepper look to go with his greasy unwashed hair. The orange of the jumpsuit he was in reflected a sallow color in his cheeks.
Instinctively, Spock started moving his hand on Jim’s neck in what he hoped was soothing motions. Jim averted his eyes straight to the floor, and Bones shot daggers at Frank, staring him down as he was walked to his seat.

“He belongs in those fuckin’ cuffs,” Bones huffed under his breath, as he turned back to Jim. “Breathe, Jim. In through your mouth, hold it, atta boy, now slowly outta the mouth. You’re doing great. I’m here, and Spock’s here, and a bunch of big bad cops. You are safe.” Bones’ words were better suited for a wall, because Jim didn’t hear much over his own breathing.

He tried his best to do what Bones said, but the room was starting to go foggy. Jim had forgotten how long he had been in this room, the big room with green carpets and cherry wood detailing. Pretty. Everything else started to fade away-

“That’s it, Jimbo. Look at the area. My mom and dad are behind you, remember they have your back. What color is the ceiling?” The voice- Bones? Was disconnected from Jim.

But Jim started to mumble under his breath and leaned his head back anyway. “Gray?” Jim wondered, looking at how ridiculously high the ceiling was. Why did a courthouse need such high ceilings? Why was he in a courthouse? How did a nice kid like Jim end up in a place like this?

“Bones?” Jim asked quietly, still staring off at the ceiling.

“Yeah Jim?” Bones replied patiently, searching Jim’s face.

“Why am I here? Did I do something wrong?” He sniffed loudly, and held his hand out to Spock, who took it and held it tightly.

Both Bones and Spock started to reassure him when the court was ordered back in session.
Jim was still barely there, trying hard to focus but also not look at Frank. Was he looking at him? Was he staring him down with those dead shot eyes that he loathed and feared so much? Bones was tense, at the edge of his seat. Spock was calm as the ocean, his hands gripping Jim’s. Did Spock love him? He must, because you don’t hold your friends hands like this. Hope filled Jim’s dizzy head before he remembered where he was. Spock was helping him, just comforting him in this time. Jim was in trouble.
The voice of the judge, which was booming and muffled to Jim’s ears, took him from his ruminations. Most of his words were lost to Jim until he heard his name in his mom’s voice.

“Your honor, we would like to call the victim, James Kirk to the stand.”

Victim, Jim thought numbly. That was who he was now, James Kirk: victim. He couldn’t remember the last time his mom had called him James except for when he was in trouble. Was he in trouble? He stood up and almost forgot to release Spock’s hands, but when he did he realized how sweaty his own were. He wanted to stop and apologize to Spock, but he was lead away by a large guard.
He was mostly focusing on walking, putting one foot after the other. That meant he didn’t see when Frank lunged over his desk to try and grab him, his face red and tendons sticking out of his neck. He heard him though, an angry roar he knew too well.
In reaction, Jim immediately hit the floor trying to run. Before he could get far, a large hand gripped his elbow, yanking him back. Instinctively, he cried out, and turned to hit Frank, but it was actually the guard that was walking with him. Behind the guard, Frank was being wrestled down by other security, as the judge demanded order in the court. The audience was loud and chaotic, the loudest voice among them was Bones’.

“DON’T YOU TOUCH HIM!” Rang through the courtroom. Bones, it was Bones saying that, Jim recognized numbly. Jim wrestled out of the grasp of the guard and scrambled to the voice, where Bones’ hands found and gripped his shoulders.

“Jim, you gotta go back,” Bones said, his voice scratchier than before. Bones sounded like he was in pain too. He held Jim away from him as Jim was reaching for Bones, trying to pull him into a hug. Jim was crying, hard and pathetic and frantic. ‘You gotta go back. I’m here, I promise. He can’t hurt you.”

“Bones-” Jim choked out, and Bones gave his shoulders a squeeze. “I can’t-”

“You can.”

Jim wasn’t sure how he made it up to the witness stand, the guard’s hand firmly upon his shoulder, nor did he remember much about swearing an oath. He remembered putting his sweaty hand on a leathery book.
It felt like he being probed aliens, as he was asked several questions that were uncomfortably personal. Men in business suits asked him these questions with blank faces, and Jim silently wondered if his dad wore suits. Would he wear black or navy?
Did Frank provide for you? Did Frank drink often? When he hit you, did you provoke him first? Did he ever try to touch you sexually? How did Frank hurt you? Did you ever try to stop him from drinking? Did you ever drink his alcohol? Did you fear for your life while living there? Did he ever threaten you?
As time wore on, the questions made Jim sweat and shift in his seat.

“You don’t have to answer this if you don’t want to.” The lawyer said, and it echoed in Jim’s head like he was miles away in a cave rather than five feet away from him. The voice sounded slimy.

Jim shook his head, and kept talking. He didn’t feel human, as he kept rubbing his hands together but he couldn't feel anything. He started to get light headed because he could feel only Frank’s eyes boring into him, but he knew that talking was important. In order to focus and to keep from passing out, he looked for Bones in the seating area. He knew Bones would give him strength, with a look from the strong eyes and his gruff smile. Momentarily, he had an epiphany to himself, realizing Bones was the strongest man he knew.
Instead of meeting his gaze, Bones was looking down at his phone, his eyebrows furrowed as he typed on the screen rapidly. Disappointed and slightly crestfallen, Jim caught Spock’s eye instead. Spock was focused solely on Jim, and he gave Jim what would be considered a smile by Spock’s standards. He nodded at Jim for him to continue, and it was possible his panic was clouding his judgement but Jim swore he saw adoration in Spock’s eyes. If not, there was at least a fierce protectiveness and faithful look.
The interrogation felt like it dragged on for hours, and Jim found himself becoming annoyed as some questions were repeated by different people. Was no one listening? How many fucking times did he need to explain to people his step dad beat him shitless? How many episodes did Jim need to reveal for Frank to get what he deserves? He just kept reminding himself that what he was doing was important and that he had to grit his teeth and bear it.

“That will be all James,” The judge said finally, and Jim could feel himself deflate. Anxiety crept in his stomach, anxiety that he didn’t say enough, anxiety that he would have to pass Frank again. Luckily, as the judge finished explaining something Jim couldn't be bothered to listen to, Frank was pulled up and taken out of the courtroom.

As soon as the guard guided him past the gate to the audience section, Jim all but collapsed in the arms of Bones and Spock. He was exhausted, shaking now from lack of energy, his head slack on Bones’ shoulder, as the other two boys clasped his arms.

“I’m so goddamn proud of you.” Bones choked out quietly, his hand just stroking Jim’s arm. Was he crying? Spock just held Jim’s other side solidly, strangely quiet.

“Jim, you did so well,” April said, David right behind her. Jim wearily turned himself to them, and they embraced him as well. Winona was next, and she held him the longest, her hand braced on the back of his neck.

“That was brave of you to do that, Jim.” Sarek spoke up, from where he and Amanda stood behind Spock and Bones. Amanda had tears in her eyes and Jim basically swung from mother to mother, Amanda squeezing him into a tight hug, Sarek even managing a shoulder brush.

“Are you okay to go?” Bones asked Jim when he was passed back over to him.

“Is it over? Aren’t we gonna hear a verdict?”

Bones gave Jim a curious and searching look. “Did you not hear the judge at all?” When Jim shook his head no, Bones continued, “We are reconvening tomorrow. We had all the testifiers go up, and so now it is up to the jury to decide. they gave us the option to wait here, but we thought it would be better for you to get rest.”

Thinking back, Jim couldn’t remember looking at the jury. He wondered who they were, people who were like him who got to decide Frank’s fate.
As they walked towards the exit, Jim’s head was clearing. He looked around and took in the spectators before he looked forwards once more. Lined up against the wall near the exit, Jim recognized Scotty.
And Chekov. And Coach Pike.
His entire rugby team was there, wearing their game uniforms. Chekov wiped a tear from his eye before he stepped forward and pulled a shellshocked Jim into a hug.

“Jim. I don’t know vhat to say. I’m sorry.” Chekov said into his shoulder, and as Jim hugged him back, Jim asked, “Bu- how? The game?”

Chekov pulled back with a smile and a sniff, and Scotty answered, “Bones texted me. We all wanted to be here for you, Jim. We forfeited the game- I think- unless they are just gonna reschedule it- I dunnae.” Scotty held up his hands, his face devoid of regret. His eyes were wet like Chekov’s, but he choked it back.

Pike stepped forward and clapped his hand on Jim’s shoulder. “Son, that was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Jim grinned weakly, and joked, “Braver than that time my freshman year when Captain Harvey played after he broke his ankle mid-game?”

Pike chuckled, “Way braver.”

They all agreed to regroup at a park near Spock’s house, and they did just that. Well into the night, people started to go home. They succeeded in cheering Jim up and making sure he knew damn well he was loved, and quite frankly Jim was exhausted. He sat on one of the park benches like it was a throne, the group of his friends crowded around to hug him one last time before they went home. Sarek had left earlier, wanting to have dinner prepared for when they returned home.

“I feel like a king with my loyal subjects,” Jim said, grinning down at all of his friends.

“I would follow you anywhere,” Spock offered quietly, before reddening slightly and continuing, “Into battle, of course.”

“Hell, didn’t we all prove that today?” Scotty asked, in a lighthearted tone. He clapped a hand onto Jim’s knee, and looked at him genuinely. “We love ya.”

Scotty was Chekov’s ride home, so they hugged Jim together and left, Chekov still looking almost as shaken as Jim was as they walked away.

“It ees good luck it ees a Friday,” Chekov said quietly to Scotty, his voice and yawn carrying over to Spock’s keen ear.
After the larger part of the group had gone home only Jim, Bones, Spock, Amanda, Winona, and Pike had remained.

Bones helped Jim stand. Spock found his place easily at Jim’s other side.

“Will you get home alright, Jimmy?” Coach Pike asked, pulling his car keys out from his pocket. They hung on a long green lanyard that had the school mascot, a black bull dog, printed on it.

Jim didn’t hear his question because Bones was saying something, a joke probably, to him, so Amanda stepped forward and said, “Don’t worry about Jim. He’s got a ride home with us.”

Pike adjusted his white baseball cap. “I never took the time to introduce myself to you, how rude of me.” He held a hand out, and Amanda shook it with a warm smile. “My name is Christopher Pike, I’m Jim’s rugby coach.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Spock’s mom. As soon as this trial is over, I am also seeking temporary custody of Jim as well.” Amanda said with no hesitation, not noticing Winona’s cringe behind her.

Pike looked past Amanda at Winona in confusion. “How come?”

Winona shook her head and waved a hand. “I can’t stay here, but Jim can. Simple as that.”

“Where are you staying in the time being?” Pike asked, shifting from one foot to another, his arms crossed.

“I will be at a hotel tonight, but thanks to Amanda’s hospitality I stayed at her home last night.” Winona said, brushing a stray hair from her face.

“You don’t have to do that, you are more than welcome to stay with us!” Amanda offered, but Winona smiled almost apologetically.

“I would not want to overstay my welcome.”

---
Pike followed Amanda’s car with Winona in his, as he offered to take her to the nearest hotel but she wanted to get her things from the house. Dinner at Spock’s house was mostly silent, Jim wrapped up in several blankets despite Spock’s house being typically several degrees hotter than normal homes.

“Shock blankets,” Jim mumbled jokingly. Spock was curious as to how Jim reacted, a low mood at the start and during the trial, but he seemed to have a better one with his friends at the park. Now returned to Spock’s house, his mood seemed to have lowered again. A fascinating if not vexing occurrence that Spock observed.

Thankfully, per Leonard’s request Jim ate his dinner heartily and went back for seconds, also drinking a full glass of water due to Amanda’s prodding.
Spock texted Leonard under the table that they were home safe and that Jim was fed, and Leonard did the same back. He sent a text from David that Spock read aloud for Jim to hear.

“‘Son- April and I are honest to God the proudest we have ever been of you. You showed us what true strength was, and we can’t imagine how hard it must have been for you. We love you so much, and if you will let us, we would like to do something for you. Anything you want or need, all you need to do is ask. We are so blessed to have you in our lives, thank you for being the best second son anyone could ask for. We love you.” The text was genuine, and if Jim had read it to himself he probably would have cried. Read in Spock’s at times monotonous voice lightened it up more, his voice pausing awkwardly at times.

“I am gratified to have witnessed firsthand that you have a wide support system, Jim.” Sarek said, his dinner finished as he removed his napkin from his lap. He folded it carefully before setting it onto the table. “I hope you are aware of the fact that you have the same support here.” He looked at Jim for a few seconds before he excused himself for bed, as he reminded everyone that he needed to leave early in the morning.

Jim excused himself next, brushing his hand over Spock’s shoulder before he went to bed. With only Amanda and Spock remaining, Amanda visibly relaxed. Neither spoke for a time, until around ten minutes had passed.

Finally, Amanda leaned forward, and placed her head in her hands. “I hate Winona.” Her voice was soft, but Spock could detect the underlying anger beneath it.

Shocked, Spock did not respond, so instead Amanda continued. “All I have seen is a wonderful boy, who is hardworking, brilliant, and charming. I’ve seen people have their lives destroyed and come back up through any hardship, and I don’t want to invalidate Winona’s struggle, but… I just can’t get past it. Jim deserves more.”

Spock nodded to himself, his hands folding in his lap.

“And overstay her welcome?” Amanda snorted to herself in bitter disbelief. “I would say she understayed her welcome.” Amanda brushed the stray hairs from her face, then rubbed her eyes. “It doesn’t bother you that I invited Jim to permanently live with us does it? I know it’s rather sudden but-”

“It does not bother me in the slightest.” Spock said suddenly.

Amanda smiled. “I’m very glad you and Jim are friends. I had no fear you would make friends here but I had no idea you would be with such a lovely young man. You haven’t known each other for too long but it warms my heart to see you both so close.”

“Mother…”

“Yes love?”

“I am for Jim living here, because of who he is but the emotional reasoning is… not direct. There are many reasons - kinship and friendship included- but a part is not unlike how Father at times talked about you when he was intoxicated last winter-” Spock paused, the click almost audible in his head.

Amanda’s eyebrows were raised, and her mouth was slightly agape.

“Do you…?” Amanda left the question open, as Spock started to to cringe slightly.

“Apparently so, this is what all logic points to.” Spock’s eyebrows were furrowed and his mouth scrunched up. He felt anxious at how his mother would respond, but when he looked up to search her expression she was absolutely delighted.

“This is wonderful. Now I feel compromised about you two sleeping in the same room but, wow. I mean wow!” Spock gave her a strained look at her as her voice began to raise. “I’m just so glad! This is your first crush is it not?” Spock nodded, his face expressionless, internally regretting the word ‘crush’.

Amanda exhaled another ‘wow’, and then leaned back in her chair.

“I am… unsure of what to do with this information.” Spock said, blankly looking out the window that led to the backyard. The back porch light was on, and the light rippled off the water of the pool gently.

“Jim has been through alot dear. I think what is best is that you wait for him to come to you, when he is ready. He may take some time, but be patient with him. For now enjoy your friendship!” Amanda said thoughtfully.

“I agree. I had no intention of acting upon these feelings especially with how emotionally vulnerable he is.”

Amanda smiled proudly. “You are brilliant. He will let you know when he is ready if he wants a relationship or to explore feelings. I’m proud of you kiddo. Now, we need to go to bed soon. It is a big day tomorrow.”

They both stood, and after Amanda pulled him into a hug, they went to bed.
Spock found Jim in his bed exactly how he had the night before, and he let out a sigh. He continually expected to find Jim sleeping on the floor, but was once more pleased to find him in his bed. Seeing as he apparently had emotions for Jim, this enjoyment made sense, but also made him more cautious than before. Spock was emotionally drained, probably not as much as Jim was, but he still felt it. Sleep was well deserved, and so he felt no qualm about pulling off his shirt and crawling in next to Jim.