Chapter Text
“Okay, enough moping,” Jim declared, clapping Leonard on the back. It had been a day since the presentation, and he was miserable. “You’re so depressed that I’m feeling sad, too,”
“That’s called empathy,” Leonard said, looking up from the surgical simulation he was running on a PADD.
“We need to do something about you and Bones,” the blonde stated, ignoring Leonard’s comment. “I’ll be your wingman!”
Leonard felt his systems heating up. He did not want to think about possibly dating the Scotsman after what he had overheard the night before.
“Absolutely not,” he basically growled, going back to his simulation.
“What? You like him, don’t you? What’s the matter?” Jim asked, looking somewhat disappointed. “Besides, he really does need someone,”
It physically pained Leonard to hear that. Because Jim was right, as far as he knew. The two would be a perfect match, and he was wild about Montgomery…but the words of his professor were clear.
“Fine,” he sighed, knowing in his heart that this was wrong.
“Alright! That’s the spirit!” He grinned, immediately brightening. “Let’s talk strategy,”
“Right now?”
“Yeah! Why not?” Jim shrugged, plopping down in the chair next to the android.
“I’m…working,” Leonard said with a resigned tone. “Whatever,” he sighed.
“There we go!” Jim nodded, moving the PADD away from him. “So. Scotty’s a romantic. He likes heartfelt gestures, thoughtful gifts, stuff like that,” Jim informed him matter-of-factly.
“How do you know?” McCoy probed.
“We’ve been roommates for almost four years, Bones. These are things you just know ,” he explained. Leonard decided to go with it.
“So I buy him a gift?”
Jim shook his head. “I wasn’t done. He also likes spending time with people. So, if you, say, take him to the gardens, and then give him something that has a meaning behind it, you might just straight up break his brain. In a good way, I mean,” he amended. Leonard thought. What could he give Montgomery?
When Montgomery returned from his afternoon classes, Jim gave Leonard a significant look, and he sighed.
“So, err, Monty…” he started, his systems already heating up. The Scotsman looked over at the android, giving him his full attention.
“Do…do you maybe want to go walk in the gardens with me?” He asked, trying to sound confident and calm, rather than terrified and vulnerable.
“Sure! Sounds fun,” Scotty agreed. “Should we go now?”
Leonard’s eyes widened, but he recovered quickly. “I don’t have any plans,” he said smoothly. He held out his arm, slipping his gift into his pocket, and Montgomery looped his arm around Leonard’s.
The gardens were gorgeous, with large ferns, shrubs, and flowers blooming in almost every color under the sun. But Leonard couldn’t take his eyes off of Montgomery. The man shined, drew him in, inspired him to be good enough. They sat down at a bench together, and Leonard took out the small pouch, feeling something sinking and fluttering in the pit of his ‘stomach’.
“I, uh, I’ve got something to say,” he whispered, getting Montgomery’s attention.
“I know it might be a little…a little weird, but…I really like you,” he said, trying not to speak too fast. “And I got you this necklace. You don’t have to keep it,” he finished, handing the necklace to the Scotsman.
Montgomery opened the pouch, removing a small heart shaped charm on a silvery chain. Etched into the charm was a single word: ‘friend.’
Tears filled the engineer’s eyes.
“Len,” he breathed, reaching a warm, calloused hand out to cup his face. “Can-can I…?”
Leonard nodded, leaning forward.
Their lips met in a spark of warmth, and the universe felt right.