This universe was testing them, even here in this small room. Spock concentrated on his breathing, on calming his racing heart.

I will always be with you.

He pressed a kiss to Christopher's knee, a tender gesture that was over as quickly as it had been offered.

Are you tired?

They had, it seemed, done nothing but sleep and fuck. But his fear and melds had drained him. He would not object to a light restorative sleep while he kept guard over his mate.

And the touch of their skin would, he could almost allow himself to hope, ease the knifewound of their fight.