“Listen.”

As a beginning it wasn’t his smoothest line.

But Spock, staring at him with those dark chocolate eyes, replied, “I’m listening.”

Jim looked out at the hallway, there was no one else there on this floor of the apartment building, but he still didn’t want to do this out here. Where Spock could slam the door in his stupid face.

“Can I come in?” He saw the hesitation there, briefly, on Spock’s face. “Please.”

Spock stepped back without a word and let Jim in. Jim was relieved when the door closed with him on the inside.

He could beat around the bush and ramble on about shit that didn’t matter. But he wasn’t going to do that. Not this time.

“I love you. I know I’ve never said it and I know I’ve done…all kinds of things that make you doubt me, make you doubt us, I get it. But I’ve never loved anyone until I met you. You make me a better person, because I want to be…for you. You inspire me. You know everything there is to know about me, even the bad things, and still…Spock. I love you. And I never want to be without you. Ever.”

He’d gotten it all out, he thought. He’d rehearsed it, but it hadn’t come out quite like he wanted it to. He hoped it would be enough anyway. That it wasn’t too late and he hadn’t screwed it all up.

“I…”

“Give me another chance.”

He stepped close to Spock, his eyes pleading.

Spock exhaled. “Very well.” He reached for Jim’s hand and held it, threading their fingers together. “Stay with me.”

Jim smiled, softly. “I’m definitely not going anywhere.”