"—an attempt at self-distraction," Spock finishes Jim's thought for him, because he knows. It is clear that is what it was to both of them even without the verbal confirmation.

Every single one of Jim's reactions feels a little bit like a gift, a long-delayed gratification. The sound of his voice, his cries, the way he twitches without so much as a brush of Spock's fingers, are all driving Spock to distraction.

"I was unaware," he manages at length, purposely pressing both fingers deep, then curving them pointedly as he draws them back, "that you thought I was only attracted to females. Had I the option to clarify, perhaps we would have done this sooner." There is no reprimand, just a statement. An observation punctuated by the way Spock presses a kiss to the junction of Jim's shoulder and neck, then bites down with the full intention to leave a lasting mark.

He can hear Jim's voice in every bit of his mind, filling his ears, and he takes a shuddering breath into the skin, only releasing from the bite as he shifts further, urges a kiss to his mouth too, and then manages to mumble against his mouth. "Tell me when you are ready for me," he says, not because he thinks more time is necessary but because he wants to hear the exact words fall from Jim's beautifully pleading mouth.