#(patiently witing for my bby to return)

[barebcnes]

‘ you promised me. ‘

"I know."

A deep sigh escapes McCoy at the three words that have been spoken into the silence existing between them; They're powerful, much more so than many other words would be, and it causes something inside his ribcage to clench uncomfortably so.

Perhaps it can be seen in his hazel eyes, how much this affects him, despite Leonard trying to remain relatively focused here - Khan has managed to drill himself deeper into his fucking existence than he had ever wanted him to, and now this shit hurts more than it usually would.

"Listen - I know I promised. And I haven't broken that promise, not at all. ---It's only going to be delayed, Khan, not erased from existence, okay?"

"I keep my damn promises, so this will be okay, at some point. Somehow we'll manage, things will be dealt with, and you'll get your fair trial. ---Humans just need longer than expected smetimes. But I'll do everything I can to make sure you'll be heard and judged fair."

...

"And, on top of all of that, I keep lookin' after your people. Make sure they'll be safe and sound within their cryotubes. I won't let anyone else do some bullshit with them - I'll try to keep the position I'm in for as long as necessary."

Another breath escapes Leonard, a slightly choked one, which he follows up with a quiet cough. He blinks, gaze resting upon the figure of the other man before he blinks, putting down his medical equiptment.

"---Come on, let me do the scan, see if you're alright, okay? We can have coffee after, if you want to. ---I brought some."