Kirk relayed what had happened between him and Spock last night, including what Spock had told him about the bond.
Bones got growly. “Hobgoblin was making you sick. I should kick his ass.”
“From personal experience, I wouldn’t recommend it,” Kirk said, remembering his one physical fight with Spock and its humiliating outcome.
“Hmph. So, he wants to be your boyfriend now or something? Damn rotten timing, if that’s the case. He should have been there for you months ago.”
Kirk shook his head. “No, it’s better this way. Even just last week I would have jumped him, and where would that leave me? Alone, as soon as he came to his senses. And he will come to his senses at some point, because his feelings aren't even real. Just a side-effect of this bond.”
Bones smacked Kirk on the back of his head.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"Because you're an idiot. You've got the order all wrong. Spock's mind made that bond because it recognized the feelings Spock could have for you. Not the other way around."
Kirk rubbed the back of his head and glared at his friend. "Aren't you a hopeless romantic first thing in the morning."
“And aren't you a cynical little bastard. This sounds serious. Like Spock’s in it for life.”
Kirk rolled his eyes. “Nobody’s in it for life. Everyone leaves at some point.”
“Jim, that’s not –”
“Save it, Bones.”
“He said he claimed you for a bondmate. May be kinky, yes, but I don't think he’s gonna leave you.”
“He can block the bond if he wants to. He’s already proved that, really damn effectively. What’s to stop him from blocking me again?”
Bones had no answer for that.
Kirk rested his chin on his folded arms. “It’s fine. He can keep the bond for now. Eventually, he’ll get tired of me and he’ll block it or break it. I’ll just resist him until then.”
Bones held up a finger. “One, you've been sick as a dog since he blocked it. Two, are you even sure you can resist? Don’t pretend like you don’t still care about him. You just risked your life to save his.”
Kirk suddenly became very interested in the sheets. In the back of his mind, he swore he could almost feel something humming in agreement with Bones. “He’s the best First Officer in the fleet.”
“That’s not why you saved him. You weren’t even going to let him beam down to the planet until you knew it was safe.”
“Even if I did still care – and I’m not saying I do – that would only make it more important that I don’t let this thing with Spock happen. The more you care, the more it hurts when they realize they don't give a shit about you and leave you behind. And don’t act like you don’t know this.”
Bones acknowledged the reference to his ex-wife with a tilt of his head. “You look better this morning.”
Kirk scoffed.
“I’m serious. Like you got some rest.”
“What’s your point?”
“Look, I don’t like Spock – you know I don’t – but maybe this – thing – you two have could be good for you. It’s done wonders for Spock’s health.”
“No.”
“Jim – ”
“No.”
Bones sighed the long-suffering sigh of a doctor whose patient is never going to listen. “You’re nuts if you think Spock’s going to give you up now that he’s realized what a good catch you are.”
“Oh please.”
“It’s true. And he’s as stubborn as you are. You got some kind of plan to resist him when you’ve been pining for him for months?”
Kirk didn’t answer. “You’re all stubbly,” he said, touching Bones’s face. “I’m never stubbly. Why do I lack the ability to grow facial or chest hair?”
“You’re dodging the question.”
“And you’re gloating because you have sexy facial hair and I don’t.”
“Ahem.”
The sound coincided with a hot spike of jealousy exploding in Kirk’s mind. Kirk didn’t have to turn around to realize what had just happened. “Hi Spock,” he said lamely, all too conscious of how they looked: Kirk on top of the sheets in nothing but briefs, Bones shirtless beneath the sheets, Kirk’s hand on Bones’s face. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
The jealousy didn’t subside in the slightest. “You are in bed with Dr. McCoy,” Spock said stiffly.
Kirk wondered how long he could get away with not turning around and facing Spock. “Uh-huh,” he said. “He’s my friend.”
“I see.”
Bones was glaring at Spock over Kirk’s shoulder. “Does he actually get jealous?” he whispered to Kirk.
Kirk could only nod.
There was a rustle of fabric and a quiet clinking, like china moving. Kirk, too curious to resist, rolled onto his side to see that Spock had taken a seat on his own bed, still staring at Kirk. A tray with several dishes now sat on the bedside table.
Kirk inclined his head. “What’s all that?”
“I surmised that you might be hungry, and that you might not have time to visit the restaurant yourself before we are to return to the ship. I brought you food and the planet’s substitute for Terran coffee.”
“That’s…” sweet, Kirk thought, but, “...appreciated, I am hungry,” was what he said out loud. He stood from the bed and walked to the tray, still in his briefs.
He was about to take a sip of the coffee when he became aware of another strong feeling. He stiffened slightly in surprise. Apparently, lust was another emotion Spock wasn’t used to and didn’t have a strong defense against.
“Enjoying the view, Spock?” Bones’s amused, early-morning thicker drawl floated across the room. “As you’ve clearly noticed, Jimmy does look damn fine in those briefs.”
“Damn it, Bones,” Kirk said, as a powerful spike of jealousy threatened to make him spill his coffee. Vulcan emotions were so strong. “I told you he’s the jealous type.”
“Spock is the jealous type. Now I’ve heard everything. Surely jealousy isn’t logical?”
