#Bone G/T

[2194teddy]

I would like a Bone x Hilda AU where Fone Bone is a Tiny Elf Bone like Alfur. He would be so cute!

[so-very-small]

the giant, looking for the tiny: Be he alive or be he dead, I’ll grind his bones to make my bread.

the tiny, popping out of their hiding spot: sorry, did you say bread?

the giant: ….yes?

tiny: how does that work? I can’t imagine powdered bone would be an apt flour substitute, you��re going to get absolutely no gluten structure in your dough if you solely use bone. maybe using yeast or a sourdough starter will help, but without kneading flour in to make gluten, your bread will have no structure. not to mention how gritty it would be, the texture would be entirely off

giant: uh

tiny: and how would this affect your leveling? did you do the math? is this a yeast based dough? bones are porus, are you adjusting your hydration percentages so it counterbalances the inherent lack of moisture?

giant: dude.

tiny: and besides, I’m, what, the size of your pinky? how much bread would I realistically make? I’d only make up a cracker at best. a gritty, nastyass cracker.

giant: FINE. YOU WIN. PLEASE LEAVE MY HOME.

[2194teddy]

So Cute. Also, could you draw Phone Bone as a Giant?

Any ideas for a Giant Fone Bone AU? Love him lots.

I thought you would never ask!

Soooo, basically the story would be pretty much the same, but once he ends up in the valley, he’s like, 40-60 ft estimated.

The rat creatures would definitely have a little problem trying to drag him back… and not just because of the dragon, although the dragon would stop their attempt halfway.

“I thought dragons were… bigger?” “Well, to be fair, anything would look small compared to a fifty foot newcomer.” “WHAT?!” “Not so loud. You might cause a rockslide.”

He wouldn’t have a problem leaving, but he’d rather stay and make sure that his cousins were safe.

The meeting with Thorn would be a little different. Fone Bone would be terrified of the fact that he could hurt her, but Thorn wouldn’t be shaken in the slightest.

…and that’s all that I can come up with so far 😅

[gullivertravelstowonderland]

Hey theoretically if you were an outdoor borrower with a bug farm in Central Florida what would you make a harpoon out of so it can be shot out of one of these things?

So its like... around toothpick size and it has to have a barbed tip so it latches into the target like a normal harpoon, preferably out of something natural but I'm not opposed to other options

No specific reason tho.

[haellen-o]

"My teeth? What about them?" "Show you them?... Uh... Okay?"

[doctorweebmd]

ok my OTHER reflection:

on the one hand its really frustrating to see the posts about docs and healthcare in general on here be so narrow-minded. bad experiences with certain providers have lead to a huge spread of misinformation and mistrust with the whole system. which can and HAS lead to people avoiding 'evil' doctors for perfectly treatable illnesses and dying from them (the vaccine bullshit, anyone?)

but on the other hand. it is TERRIFYING how some of these docs practice medicine. at times i think 'are you just burned out and don't give a shit or are you straight up just stupid?' and i work in critical care. where quite literally every case is life or death. even in the academic sector where there is supposedly a standard of excellence, some doctors i would not let touch my loved ones with a ten foot pole.

and that sucks. i know this is the no nuance piss on the poor webbed site but 'the medical system and people that work for it are fallible and aspects of it are morally questionable at best/unethical at worst' AND 'the field of medicine exists to help people first and foremost and mistrusting/avoiding it can be detrimental in the long run' can and DO co-exist

[tinycoded360]

Future Ghost Chapter 9 and bonus chapter

The bonus chapter, A what if? Not tied to the main part of the story. Just a side plot bunny. What if Danny shrank while hiding from doctor mccoy. (If you're confused on context I suggest reading the main story hehe)

Danny ducked under a table in the mess hall, his heart pounding. He focused his energy and felt the tingling sensation wash over him as he turned invisible.

"Lieutenant McDonnell, Ensigns," a gruff voice greeted. Danny's stomach dropped. McCoy. "Any of you seen Ensign Fenton around? The computer says he's here, but I'll be damned if I can spot him."

Danny held his breath, willing himself to stay still and silent. He saw Kas's black Andorian eyes flick over to his hiding spot before darting back to McCoy. Her antennae twitched.

"Well?" McCoy pressed, folding his arms. "Out with it."

Kas shifted in her seat, her antennae twitching. "I..." She hesitated, her loyalty to Danny warring with her duty to her superior. "I think I saw him over there, sir." She pointed, her blue finger trembling slightly.

McCoy's eyebrow arched. "Under the table?"

Kas nodded, mouthing a silent apology in Danny's direction.

Danny's invisibility faltered as panic surged through him. He had to get out of here before-

"Fenton!" McCoy barked, striding over. His footsteps echoed like thunder. "I know you're under there. Come out this instant or so, help me. Your physical will be hell. That's an order, Ensign!"

Danny squeezed his eyes shut, trembling. Maybe if he just stayed quiet, McCoy would think Kas was mistaken and leave. He couldn't face the doctor, couldn't risk him discovering his secret.

Suddenly, a sharp pain lanced through Danny's core, stealing his breath. He clamped a hand over his mouth, muffling a cry. It felt like his insides were twisting, rearranging. Pressure built in his skull until stars burst behind his eyelids.

What was happening to him? Was this some new development with his ghost powers? Danny fought to breathe through the agony, to stay quiet and hidden.

Then, between one blink and the next, the world shifted. The table loomed larger, his clothes billowing around him like a collapsing tent. Danny tumbled into folds of fabric as a wave of dizziness crashed over him.

Footsteps approached again, slower this time. Measured. The hairs on Danny's neck prickled with dread.

"Guess Fenton skedaddled," McCoy drawled, his voice a dangerous rumble. "Left quite a mess though. Mighty suspicious, abandoning his uniform like this."

Danny froze, heart rabbiting in his chest. He was hidden in the shirt, but for how long? If McCoy found him like this...

"Maybe we should leave it alone," Daryl interjected anxiously. "The kid'll come 'round when he's ready."

 Danny held his breath, not daring to move a muscle. The doctor had stopped right beside the pile of clothes, right beside Danny's pitiful hiding spot.

"Well now," McCoy murmured, so softly Danny almost didn't hear. "What do we have here?"

McCoy's eyes, sharp as a hawk's, caught the slightest of tremors beneath the abandoned shirt. His hand, steady from years of medical practice, reached down and scooped up the fabric, feeling the unexpected weight of a small, quivering mass inside. He set the uniform back down and peeled away the top shirt.

Mccoy let out a gasp as he peered within the folds of the garment. There, amidst the sea of cloth, lay Ensign Fenton—or rather, an astonishingly diminutive version of him—curled into a fetal position, his tiny chest heaving with rapid breaths.

McCoy's colossal face loomed above, eyes widening in shock as they fixed on Danny's quivering frame. "Sweet Jesus," he breathed.

Danny cowered, awash in primordial terror. It was like facing down a skyscraper with eyes ready to crush him underfoot. His throat closed up, heart stuttering.

"Is that... Ensign Fenton?" Daryl gasped, equally flabbergasted. "Doc, he's no bigger than my thumb!"

"I can see that," McCoy snapped. "Step back, Lieutenant," McCoy ordered without looking up, using his hand to gently usher Daryl away. "This is a medical emergency."

The giant reached for him again, and Danny scrambled back with a yelp, nearly tripping over the red fabric. But there was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. McCoy's fingers closed around him with shocking gentleness, lifting Danny up until he dangled at eye level.

"P-please," Danny stammered, voice nearly inaudible to his own ears. "Don't- I can't-"

"Easy, kid," McCoy soothed. He shifted his grip, cupping Danny in his palms like he was made of glass. "I gotcha. You're safe now."

Safe? Danny almost laughed. Nothing about this was safe! He was completely helpless, dependent on the mercy of an irritable giant.

But as McCoy shifted the shirt to swaddle him like an infant, careful not to smother, a treacherous spark of comfort bloomed in Danny's chest. The steady thrum of McCoy's heartbeat pulsed through the thin cotton, and the doctor's firm hold promised protection, not harm.

"Don't you worry, Ensign," McCoy declared. "We'll get you sorted out." He tucked Danny against his chest, shielding him from prying eyes. "Should've come to me straight away 'stead of pulling a vanishing act. Lord knows what caused this, but I'll get to the bottom of it."  To any passerby, it would appear that McCoy was simply holding a balled-up uniform,

As McCoy strode away, muttering under his breath about transporter malfunctions and alien viruses, Danny finally let himself relax minutely into the unexpected sanctuary of the doctor's hands. The fear remained, pulsing beneath his skin with every rabbit-quick beat of his heart.

The swaying motion ceased abruptly, jolting Danny from his daze. The cloth covering him was pulled away.

Danny gasped as he was lowered onto the cold, hard surface. He stumbled back,

This was worse than any nightmare. Danny was no bigger than three inches tall, a tiny speck compared to the enormous doctor. Dr. McCoy's face loomed above him, impossibly vast and furrowed with concern. Danny froze, terror seizing his lungs in an icy vice.

Panic seized him, and he bolted without thinking, his tiny legs pumping furiously across the vast expanse of the table. He didn't get far before a gigantic hand suddenly blocked his path. Fingers the size of columns curled around him, scooping him up before he could react.

Danny thrashed, wild with fear. "Let me go!" he cried, voice shrill and pathetic to his own ears. "I can't-- I don't--"

"Easy there, kid," Dr. McCoy rumbled, his deep voice booming around Danny.

Danny's heart pounded against his ribs as the fingers curled around him, trapping him in an inescapable grip. He was brought up close to Dr. McCoy's face, the giant blue eyes boring into him.

"I'm not going to hurt you," the doctor continued in a softer tone. "Just try and stay calm. I need to make sure you're not injured."

Danny shrank back against the warm skin. It was hard not to panic while being held prisoner in a giant's hand.

Dr. McCoy sighed, his breath ruffling Danny's hair. "I know this is scary, but I promise I'll be careful." His voice dropped into the gentle, soothing tone he used with frightened children.

Despite his fear, Danny felt himself relaxing slightly, lulled by the doctor's calm demeanor.

Danny took a shuddering breath, trying to calm his racing heart. Dr. McCoy's hand shifted, his fingers curling to form a protective cradle around Danny's tiny body. The doctor's skin was warm, the steady beat of his pulse thrumming through his fingertips.

Danny pressed back into the doctor's palm and focused on what was around him. He could hear the doctor's strong heartbeat and slow, deep breathing. Gradually, Danny's own breathing synced, his panic subsiding.

"There you go," Dr. McCoy murmured. "Just try and relax. I've got you."

"Alright, let's get you more decent," Dr. McCoy grumbled. McCoy gently set Danny down and replicated a tiny medical gown for him to change into.

McCoy gently deposited Danny onto the biobed, the cushioned surface feeling more like a vast expanse beneath his diminutive form. The doctor loomed above him, tricorder in hand, scanning Danny with a concentrated furrow in his brow.

*This is so weird,* Danny thought, shifting uncomfortably under the intense scrutiny. *I feel like a bug under a microscope.*

"Hold still," McCoy instructed his voice a deep rumble from Danny's perspective. "I'm trying to get a clear reading on your vitals."

Danny obliged, his body tensing as he fought the urge to fidget. The whirring of the tricorder filled his ears, the sound amplified by his heightened senses.

After what felt like an eternity, McCoy pulled back, studying the readouts with a critical eye. "Your heart rate is elevated," he noted, concern lacing his tone. "And I'm detecting some unusual energy fluctuations around your chest area."

Danny's hand instinctively flew to his chest, his fingers brushing against the fabric of the tiny gown.

"It's... it's complicated," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not... I'm not exactly..."

McCoy's gaze snapped back to Danny, his eyes narrowed. "Not exactly what, Ensign?" he demanded, his tone brooking no argument.

Danny swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. He'd kept this secret for so long, But now, faced with the piercing stare of his doctor, he found the words tumbling out before he could stop them.

"I'm not exactly human," he blurted, his voice cracking on the last word. "I'm... I'm half ghost."

McCoy blinked, his expression unreadable. "Half ghost," he repeated slowly as if testing the words on his tongue. "Care to explain what exactly that means, Ensign?"

Danny took a deep, steadying breath, gathering his courage. "I'm... I'm a halfa," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Half human, half ghost. It happened in an accident back home. I was... I was inside my parents' ghost portal when it turned on."

McCoy's eyebrows shot up, his expression a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "A ghost portal?"

Danny nodded. "Yeah. It infused my DNA with ectoplasm. But I'm still alive, still human in a lot of ways."

McCoy hummed thoughtfully, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of this new information. "By all medical standards, you're very much alive. Your heart beats, your lungs breathe, and your cells divide and regenerate.

Danny hunched his shoulders. "I'm still a freak, though."

"Listen, Danny," McCoy said, his tone firm but understanding. "In my line of work, 'freaky' is a relative term. We don't turn our backs on each other over... biological oddities."

"The Ghost Zone, where ghosts live... they're not traditional spirits," Danny continued. "More like energy beings from another dimension."

"Energy life forms, huh?" McCoy mulled over the information. "That's not unheard of. There's a whole universe of strange out there, kid. You're not alone in being different."

Danny tensed, his heart hammering in his chest. "So... so you don't think I'm a freak? Some kind of... of abomination?"

Danny gave a small yelp as the doctor scooped him up. "Absolutely not," McCoy said firmly. Mccoy raised the tiny ensign level with his eyes. “And I don’t want to hear you talking about yourself that way, ya?”

McCoy placed a fingertip under Danny's chin, tilting his head back to meet his tiny eyes. “Does being half-ghost give you any extra abilities?”

Danny pulled away from the giant finger, drawing his knees to his chest. His voice was tinged with embarrassment as he whispered, "I can do a bunch of things... like turning invisible."

"Is that so?" McCoy's eyes narrowed, a stern glance cast upon the diminutive figure. He exhaled sharply, the warm gust rippling across Danny's tiny form. "You little brat... I suppose that's how you've managed to dodge me?"

"Maybe," Danny muttered, avoiding eye contact.

"Can you demonstrate it now?" McCoy's tone was a mix of curiosity and irritation.

Swallowing hard, Danny focused on the ability that once came effortlessly. He closed his eyes, willing himself to vanish, but instead, his body flickered like a faulty light bulb. A sharp jolt of pain shot through him, causing him to gasp and wince.

"Hey, steady there." McCoy's large fingers provided a stabilizing presence. "That doesn't look normal. Where does it hurt?"

Danny feebly pushed at the finger supporting him, his breathing coming in short, rapid bursts. "That's not normal," he managed to say, his voice strained with pain. "The pain... it's coming from my core."

"Your core?" The doctor's voice was laced with concern and intrigue. "What exactly is this core of yours?"

"It's... well, it's like a ghost heart, sort of," Danny stammered, sensing McCoy's genuine interest but feeling vulnerable disclosing something so integral. "It's what makes me, me—like DNA, for ghosts."

McCoy's eyebrow arched skeptically as he peered down at the minuscule figure in his hand. "That's quite the vague description for something so vital," he said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate through Danny's tiny frame.

"Because it's private," Danny snapped back, a defensive edge to his voice. "In my world, you don't just go around telling people about your core. It's... personal."

"Son, when you're sitting in the palm of a doctor, 'personal' becomes a matter of health." McCoy leaned closer, his gaze inspecting.

Danny squirmed uncomfortably, feeling vulnerable under the doctor's scrutinizing eyes. The warmth of McCoy's hand was a strange comfort, but the bigness of everything else made him feel exposed, like a specimen under a microscope.

"Look, I really shouldn't—" He started before a sudden shift in McCoy's grip interrupted him.

The large fingers curled gently, coaxing Danny into a seated position within the cavernous curve of the doctor's grasp. Lifted slightly, he found himself level with McCoy's piercing blue eyes. The doctor's face, usually stern or scowling, now held a softer expression, one that beckoned trust.

"Ensign Fenton," McCoy's voice rumbled, "do you want to be part of this crew?"

"Of course I do," Danny answered quickly, his voice barely more than a whisper. The earnestness in his eyes spoke volumes about his desire to belong.

"Then trust has to go both ways," McCoy continued his tone firm but not unkind. "I can't help you if you keep me in the dark. And believe me, kid, I want to help."

Danny took a deep breath. "Well, I'm not sure if you'll even be able to detect my core like this. In my human form, it's located right under my heart."

He shifted again, acutely aware of how vulnerable he was. "When I'm like this, my powers get kind of wonky. I'm not sure I can even go ghost right now. The last time I shrank, it really messed me up."

He tilted his head, scrutinizing Danny closely. "Well, for now, just try to stay calm. We'll run some tests and see if we can get you back to normal."

Danny nodded, though anxiety still twisted in his gut. He knew the tests were necessary, but the idea of being prodded and scanned in his weakened state did not thrill him.

McCoy's eyes narrowed as a thought occurred to him.

"Hold on now...you said, 'last time you shrank.' Are you telling me this has happened to you before?"

Danny winced. He had not meant to let that slip.

"Uh, yeah," he admitted. "A few times, actually."

McCoy looked incredulous. "A few times?!"

He dragged a hand down his face in exasperation. "Kid, you've got a lot more explaining to do. How the blazes does someone get shrunk 'a few times?'"

Danny squirmed under the doctor's intense stare. "Well, you see...”

[so-very-small]

there is nothing that feels more isolating and hauntingly lonely than being into a fandom that has no G/t content and none of your fandom friends are into g/t and none of your g/t mutuals have even heard of the fandom. it’s like i’m the last member of a near extinct species. i’m drifting alone on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean. no one is here. no one can hear me scream. i’m just screaming about g/t gays but still.

[keydekyie]

a man regretting his life decisions

[general-gt]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/60668074/chapters/162581731

Another chapter of bone and metal! This fic just keeps getting longer and longer.

[spikyspinachstreet]

hi fenfen

The tables have TURNED cuz if he’s supposed to provide the framework for arch’s model he’d have to be bigger so that the lil details are more visible. This also means no overlay so now his joints keep getting stuck to his clothes and his neck pops out of place… it makes a cool party trick tho ig

[a-chaotically-small-lunta]

Anybody remember Big Bones? Hehe ye, sort of said screw it and drew this cause I had reread it at the time.

[insert-the-4thwall-entity]

I was looking at something and the i just made up some weird scenario -

Idk how to explain this

just - this post/repost from 2016 by @rocko-newjeans and @generalfabulous respectively, but it has escalated alot, more people from in and out the undertale, the g/t fandom and the rest of Tumblr are involved AND it's also on steroids.

I just -

why??? Brain why did you even made this???

[ratwithhands]

shitposting with friends earlier, this is clipped from a larger comic about Sapioflore Emmet and honey.

For context, honey (despite being a relatively common product) is not something most Sapioflores are comfortable eating since most of them make nectar on their own. Even if the honey comes from non-sapient plants, most Sapioflores are weirded out by eating it since it reminds them of their own bodily fluid.

One of many exceptions is Emmet. He often (over)exerts himself, and to keep himself from getting too weak or hungry, he usually keeps a range of foods on hand as snacks to eat through the day. He likes honey since it's basically condensed sugar, plus he just like the flavour/texture. He buys jars in bulk and works through his supply over a few weeks/months, much to Ingo's dismay. Emmet has offered him honey on multiple occasions, but Ingo is generally uninterested so he doesn't bother. More for him after all :)

Other clips from that comic:

I don't think I will share the rest 👍have a good day

[n1ghtpers0n15]

Remembered I drew a tiny Nate so I thought I should draw a tiny Billy as well

Hehe he get nuzzled

Also tried to draw a tail wag

[tinycoded360]

Jojo's Big Adventure- Final Chapter

Spock's fingers danced over the device. A group of scientists, tricorders at the ready, leaned in, their expressions a blend of curiosity and concern.

"Spock, just make sure whatever you do, you don't accidentally shrink yourself. I don't need a pocket-sized Vulcan running around."McCoy couldn't resist the jab.

"Your concern is touching, Doctor, but misplaced," Spock replied without missing a beat, his attention undiverted. "I am merely conducting a preliminary analysis."

Bones snorted, watching Spock extract a series of crystalline circuits, each emitting a soft glow.

"Any idea how this monstrosity works?" McCoy asked, his impatience evident. The thought of Joanna, so small and vulnerable, gnawed at him like a persistent itch.

"Initial scans suggest a form of molecular compression. Fascinating," Spock mused, the hint of enthusiasm in his tone belying his stoic facade. "It appears to utilize a targeted subspace field to reduce the space between atomic structures."

"English, Spock."

"Imagine an accordion, Doctor. When compressed, it occupies less space. This technology seems to function similarly, on a subatomic level."

"Terrific," McCoy said dryly, rubbing his temple as if the explanation did little to ease the tension headache forming there. "Now, figure out how to uncompress my daughter before I lose my mind."

"Rest assured, Doctor McCoy, we are making every effort to understand the process fully. Reversing it is our utmost priority."

"Good," Bones said, his voice softer now. "Because she's all I've got, Spock. We have to fix this."

"Understood, Doctor." Spock's eyes met Bones's for a fleeting moment.

The door to Kirk's quarters hissed open, admitting Dr. McCoy. Kirk sat at his desk.

"Evening, Jim," McCoy grunted, his voice tinged with weariness.

"Evening, Bones." Kirk gestured toward the bottle and the extra glass he had already set out in anticipation. "I figured you'd show up sooner or later. Drink?"

"Wouldn't turn it down," McCoy replied, easing himself into the chair opposite Kirk. The doctor's fingers wrapped around the glass.

"Something on your mind?" Kirk asked.

"Jocelyn," McCoy began, his eyes not meeting Kirk's as he took a measured sip, letting the brandy burn a trail down his throat. "She refuses to see the danger Joanna's in. It's as if... as if she thinks I'm making it all up. I mean she's finally willing to see that Joanna ran away but she's demanding that I send her back, she's not even listening to the fact that our daughter is the size of a mouse!"

His hand tightened imperceptibly around the glass, the knuckles whitening.

"Joanna's situation is unprecedented, Bones. But you know what's best for her," Kirk said confidently.

McCoy scoffed, the sound short and humorless. "Try telling Jocelyn that. She insists that Joanna's better off with her, back on Earth, regardless of.......of everything that's happened." The doctor's voice was laced with anger, a father's desperation simmering beneath the surface. "It's like talking to a brick wall, Jim."

"Have you thought about legal custody?" Kirk ventured, his tone careful.

"Every damn day but last time, she took everything in the divorce," McCoy confessed, finally locking eyes with Kirk.

Kirk nodded, understanding the depth of McCoy's resolve. "Then you'll fight for her, Bones. And I'll be damned if I let you do it alone."

"Thanks, Jim," McCoy murmured, his gratitude mingling with renewed determination.

"Let's finish this drink," Kirk said, raising his glass in a silent toast to the trials ahead. "And then we'll start planning our next move."

"Agreed," McCoy replied.

***

McCoy stood, his uniform crisp and his resolve ironclad. Captain Kirk's supportive presence at his side.

"Your honor," McCoy began, his voice steady as he addressed the judge, "I present evidence of Joanna's endangerment due to Jocelyn's negligence." He handed over PADDs filled with medical records, incident reports, and logs of missed communications—each one a damning testament to a mother's indifference.

"Furthermore," he continued, "Starfleet's mandate is to explore and protect. As an officer, I've upheld that mandate, even now, when the one needing protection is my own flesh and blood."

Kirk stepped forward, adding his voice to the argument. "Doctor McCoy has consistently demonstrated his commitment to his crew and Starfleet. I have every confidence in his ability to provide for his daughter."

"Your honor," McCoy finished, "I ask not just as a Starfleet officer but as a father: grant me custody of Joanna. She deserves a safe, stable environment. With me, she will have that."

Jocelyn's legal team gave their defense, but in the end, Jacelyn willingly gave up custody, especially after seeing the evidence of their shrunken daughter. She didn't want to deal with taking care of her needs if the shrinkage could not be undone.

Mccoy felt a rush of relief at the final verdict. He was granted sole custody of his daughter.

As Mccoy passed his ex, she turned to him and said, "You know you have it easy. All you have to do is stick her in a hamster cage and call it a day. You don't really have to deal with a rebellious teen."

Mccoy felt a rush of anger at Jocelyn. He had all the intention to give her a piece of his mind, but Kirk's hand on his shoulder grounded him. "Bones, let it go; you won; Joanna will be safe; you won," Kirk calmly mumbled to his dear friend.

******

After multiple tests and examinations of the shrinking machine, Spock and his fellow scientists finally made a breakthrough.

"There seems to be a reversal frequency embedded within the device. We can try to recalibrate the matrix to match it exactly." Spock theorized.

After multiple tests on objects and a successful round of shrinking and growth on office supplies, the science team moved on to organic material. First, they tested it on plants and then tribbles, and after multiple rounds of safe shrinking and regrowing, they were ready for the shrunken victims.

"Doctor McCoy." Spock's voice is calm. "We are prepared to commence the reversal process."

"Already? You sure it's ready?" McCoy asked, turning to face Spock with a look of hopeful desperation.

"Affirmative. The device has been calibrated to precisely counteract the shrinking effect," Spock explained, his hands clasped behind his back.

With great care. Doctor Mccoy held the three shrunken teens cupped between his two hands. He felt nervous, but he had faith that Spock and his crew wouldn't authorize anything that would harm them, especially his daughter.

****

As the peculiar hum of the resizing device faded, Joanna felt her body stretch and swell back to its natural form. The world around her grew smaller—or rather, she grew larger—until she stood at her full height once again. Without a moment's hesitation, she darted across the sterile medical bay.

"Da-ad!" she cried, her voice cracking with emotion as she launched herself into Dr. McCoy's waiting arms.

McCoy caught her with a grunt, the impact nearly knocking the wind out of him. But he didn't care; he tightened his grip, encasing Joanna in his strong embrace.

He stroked her hair and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "It's okay, Jo-Jo. Everything is ok now."

They stayed locked in an embrace for a long moment, Joanna's shoulders shaking with quiet sobs. Bones had to blink back his own tears. It had been so long since he held his little girl like this.

Finally, Joanna pulled back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Bones cupped her face in his hands. "Let me get a good look at you," he said gruffly.

She gave a watery laugh. He took in every detail—the sprinkle of freckles across her nose, her bright hazel eyes, and the dimple in her chin that matched his own. His heart swelled. His baby was really okay.

He pulled her close again and whispered, "You're still grounded, though, kiddo."

Joanna groaned dramatically. "Aww, I was hoping you forgot about that part."

"Fat chance," he shot back, but his eyes crinkled at the corners, and the smallest of smiles played on his lips.

While there was still much to do, the other teens, Corrin and June, needed to be shuttled back to a star base to be reunited with their parents, the culprit needed to be put away for good, and this shrinking technology needed to be under lock and key. Those tasks were fair from the front of Mccoy's mind. For now, he enjoyed having his daughter back to normal.

*****

The sun of Cerberus cast a warm, golden glow on the sprawling grounds of the boarding school.

They approached the headmaster's office. McCoy's signature on the enrollment forms felt like etching a promise into reality. He and Joanna had talked about this in detail. It was the best option to keep up with her education as he finished up his five-year mission. He had reassured his daughter that she had options. This was the school they had both agreed on.

"Joanna, I've checked every data bank, talked to every educator I could pin down—this is the best place for you." He paused, searching her eyes for any sign of doubt. "But it's your call, pumpkin. If you have any reservations, we'll find somewhere else. No pressure."

"No... I want to be here. It's just... a lot to take in." Her gaze flicked upwards, meeting his. "You promise to visit; you won't forget about me?"

"Never, darling. I'll visit every shore leave." He squeezed her hand reassuringly as they stood to leave the office.

Joanna scrolled through a tablet, looking through the listing for classes.

"Hey, look, they have a botany lab!" Joanna pointed excitedly.

"Botany, eh? Just don't go bringing home any man-eating flowers," McCoy teased, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. The image of her here, safe and thriving, eased the tight knot of worry that had lodged in his chest ever since the custody trial.

"Promise me you'll give it your all?" he asked as they sat on a bench, sharing replicated sandwiches that tasted surprisingly like the real thing.

"Always do," Joanna replied with a conviction that reminded him so much of himself. "I'm going to make you proud, Dad."

"Jo, you already have," McCoy said, his voice thick with emotion. "Every single day."