Now that Jim was faced with Spock being sent into see him, he found himself nervous about confessing how he felt. It was entirely possible that Spock would say, ‘thank you for telling me, Captain’ and that would be the end of it. At least if Spock didn’t feel the same. 

Or worse.

He could respond, ‘Thank you for telling me that, Captain. Here is my transfer request.’

Or maybe this scenario, ‘Yes, it is true I am no longer in a relationship with Nyota, but that certainly doesn’t mean I want you.’

And so the longer it took for Spock to come in and see him, the more Jim convinced himself it was best to remain silent. Jim closed his eyes.

A moment later Spock entered the room. Even with his eyes closed, Jim somehow knew it was Spock.

“I’m in love with you,” he blurted out. His heart beat so fast he thought he might give himself cardiac arrest.

Silence. That was Spock’s reaction. And Jim wondered if he would hyperventilate. Him, not Spock, of course.

Then came, spoken softly,

“Perhaps you should open your eyes and look at me when you speak such words so that I know they are meant for me.”

    Jim opened his eyes and saw Spock standing very close to the hospital bed, gazing down at him with dark fathomless eyes.

He was no coward, though maybe he wanted to be in that moment, so he said, “I’m in love with you, Spock.”

Emphasizing Spock so that there would be no mistake.

He waited, anticipating Spock giving one of speculative scenarios.

“I reciprocate.”

“You what?” Jim asked, astounded.

“Perhaps this will make it clearer,” Spock said, then kissed him.