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Leonard didn't think much of it at first. So what if Sarek was a little handsier than Spock? It made perfect sense; he was an ambassador—he knew that humans tended to be more tactile than Vulcans—whereas Spock was still trying damn hard to deny his human half. If Leonard was being honest with himself, he liked it. While Jim touched him all the time, it was usually rough and jarring. Sarek, however, touched him gently with intent. Each touch assured Leonard that what he was doing was good, right, or appreciated depending on the situation.
The main situation being that Leonard was staying on New Vulcan during their break between missions so that he could assist with the repopulation efforts.
Nyota stayed with them, too, for the first few months. She and Spock tried hard to reconcile whatever caused their breakup, but it was insurmountable. Leonard wished he knew what it was so he could talk some sense into Spock, but he couldn't get through to him. The green-blooded elf often thought with utmost logic too much to find alternate, less logical but still practical paths to the heart. However, he respected their privacy and assured Nyota he'd look after Spock when she asked him. Leonard was going to miss her sharp wit and their camaraderie when it came to teasing Spock.
Back to the matter at hand, literally. While Leonard didn't think much of the touches at first, he certainly noticed the change in frequency. It started after an early but not premature birth, where the child rejected the parental bond of the adoptive parents. It was a rare but dire phenomenon and often resulted in the infant's death unless they could find someone who could create a compatible bond. Leonard couldn't stand by watching the infant struggle while the other Vulcan doctors practically ignored them, so he did what he did best: he reacted emotionally.
As soon as the infant was deemed physically sound, Leonard—despite the warnings of 'emotional overload' from his fellow doctors—removed the child from their incubator and propped them up on his chest. Just like human babies, Vulcan babies require skin-to-skin contact, especially in their first month. Leonard made sure every square centimeter of his palms touched skin and gently tucked the infant's head into the crook of his neck. He wanted to whip off his shirt, but there was only so much he could get away with in a Vulcan hospital. At least in a public area, anyway.
Leonard managed to find a private room with the help of one of his closest mentors and finally took his shirt off to properly perform skin-to-skin therapy with the infant. While he was picking up on a storm of emotions, he wouldn't call it an overwhelming amount. Maybe it was because he wasn't a telepath? Leonard didn't know, and he didn't care. He simply comforted this little bundle of baby Vulcan until their nerves calmed, and they refused to let go. That latter part led to Sarek getting more handsy, according to Leonard's observations.
Sarek hovered at the entrance to the hospital room and waited for permission to enter. Leonard granted it swiftly and showed Sarek the child, doing his best not to jostle them. "Ain't they the cutest little button you ever saw?" He may come across as gruff, but he melted into a puddle of parental sap whenever he was around babies. Non-Jo children were not as enthralling, but all babies were perfect.
"I was informed that this child was unlikely to survive, yet their pallor is satisfactory and a prime indicator of health." Sarek moved to Leonard's side, nearly touching, and ran his fingers through the infant's hair. From temple to crown, down the back, and…over Leonard's fingers.
Leonard didn't need to know all of Vulcan culture to understand that that gesture meant something.
Still, they could talk about it later. "They were just touch-starved. A little skin-to-skin and they perked right back up. Though, if I'm bein' honest, I don't want to give them back."
"We will discuss that matter in due time. However, given the improvement, I believe that we can argue the logic of the child remaining in your care if that is what you wish." Sarek pulled his hand away and tucked it into his robe sleeve, doing the same with the other. "Though it is best if you are fully clothed for this negotiation."
After three days, five meetings, two hours of final negotiations and a trip to the store, Leonard and Sarek returned to the S'chn T'gai compound with the baby. Sarek had absolutely spoiled Leonard and the infant, getting everything he expressed interest in. They got a gliding chair and footstool, a bedside sleeper, several stylish wraps that allowed Leonard to carry the child with full skin-to-skin contact without revealing too much skin, and just about every other essential and non-essential he could think of. Leonard hadn't been this happy since he had Jo and wanted this feeling to last forever.
Which, of course, meant that the universe had to throw Leonard a curveball.
Leonard was preoccupied with the infant—god, he needed to name this kid, but he didn't know if that was a good idea—when he heard quick footsteps come to an abrupt halt, skidding on the stone floor. "What is the meaning of this?" Spock's voice was clipped and guarded more than usual.
"Hm?" Leonard was too hung up on analyzing Spock's tone—and being distracted by the unbelievably adorable wiggle worm in his arms—to actually hear what he said.
Sarek put one hand on Leonard's mid-back and another on the infant's. "Leonard employed a human technique to ensure the health of this infant who experienced bond rejection. He will be their caretaker for the foreseeable future."
Leonard gently removed himself from Sarek's oddly intimate touches and practically skipped over to Spock's side, nudging him with his elbow. "I'm sorry to report that you've been demoted as my favorite Vulcan." He fussed with the infant's hair and ran a finger along their ear. "But look at this little face and those little ears."
Spock was silent until a chubby little hand reached out to him. Not even Spock could resist the charm of a newborn because he gave his finger instantly, and Leonard melted even further. "Your pitch and tone are highly uncharacteristic, Leonard."
Shit, Leonard probably said some garbled, sappy mush. "You've just never seen me 'round a baby. This is normal, I promise."
"I witnessed you deliver two—"
"Those were in crisis situations! They didn't count."
Spock looked over at Sarek, and Leonard thought he saw the tension in his face but let it go when the infant wriggled and grunted. "Crap, I forgot this part."
"Which is?" Spock asked, returning his gaze back to the child.
Leonard turned to Sarek with a shrug. "Don't s'pose Vulcan babies have pleasant smelling bowel movements?"
Sarek shook his head, but there was a playful twinkle in his eye as he helped Leonard out of his sling and took the baby. "They are not, unfortunately. However, you should tend to your things and get ready for our afternoon meal. I will take care of the child until then." He gave Spock a look that Leonard couldn't read before turning back. "We should discuss your future this evening if you wish to become this child's guardian."
"Yeah, of course, thank you!" Leonard smiled, and Sarek squeezed his shoulder before he left. "Your daddy's a good guy, Spock," he said offhandedly. He was about to say more, but then Spock walked off. Not quite storming off, but verging on it. "You know my room's in the same direction, right?"
Spock stopped immediately and turned but didn't say anything. Leonard jogged a bit to catch up and attempted, but aborted, a shoulder touch. "What's up with you?"
"Is there something you have neglected to tell me?" Spock asked as he started walking, with Leonard this time.
"First of all, it's rude to answer a question with another question. Second of all, I don't think so." Leonard met Spock step for step. "Pretty sure you are smart enough to pick up on the context of 'I want that baby' and 'I have baby fever somethin' fierce.'"
Spock's hand briefly clenched into a fist. "You are unusually close with my father."
"We bonded—metaphorically speaking—during the Battle of Vulcan, but I've told you we kept in touch." Leonard shrugged, not understanding why Spock was acting so weird. "Nothin' unusual about two like-minded men getting along."
"You know nothing about our culture," Spock said with an audible sigh. He didn't say anything else, just disappeared into his adjoining room when they got there.
Leonard was a little confused and hurt by the interaction. Their friendship grew steadily after Altamid and took off when Jim left them a week after they got to New Vulcan. And after Nyota left? Leonard thought he was picking up on some non-platonic affection from Spock, though it was more than likely wishful thinking. He'd wanted romantic affection from Spock for years, even when he was with Nyota. The man was damn near perfect, and they were well suited for each other, or at least Leonard thought so.
Still, Spock was right. Leonard knew next to nothing about Vulcan culture; perhaps he was grating on something Spock wasn't telling him about. Though he'd never personally experienced his friend and coworker keeping his criticisms to himself, he'd witnessed it on several occasions at diplomatic functions. Spock would rather bite off his tongue than say something that would potentially offend someone in those situations. Maybe things were different now that they were both off the clock?
Leonard freshened up and changed, deciding to nip it in the bud before Spock became distant. Not that he'd ever compare Spock to Joss, but that was one mistake he vowed to never make again. When you notice something different about someone you care about, say something. Taking a steadying breath and giving himself one last check in the mirror, Leonard left his room and immediately ran into Sarek.
"The child is despondent without you," Sarek said as he hurried the squirming infant into Leonard's arms.
"Y'all were barely gone for twenty minutes! They're so pale… Dammit." Leonard frowned and turned around to whip off his shirt, placing the infant on his chest. "Not that I'm complaining, but are all Vulcan children this needy, or is this part of the bond rejection thing?" He bounced his way over to the glider and sat down, propping his feet up on the footrest. "Shh, sugar, it's okay. I'm here now."
"It is both. A Vulcan child expresses their needs through the parental bond, and a parent must assist them with those needs. Vulcan's past is violent, and our historical predators were more fierce than your own. As such, Vulcan infants are unable to cry or make noises beyond humming, purring, or grunting until they are roughly eight months of age." Sarek walked up to the side of the rocker and ran his fingers through the child's hair. "If the child is to survive, they must have a parental bond with at least one Vulcan."
Leonard sighed and slouched into the chair. "So I'm not good enough?"
Sarek moved his hand to Leonard's bicep. "I did not say that, Leonard. You simply need to raise this child with a Vulcan in order to ensure their health."
"Right, sure, just go up and ask, 'Hey, do you want to co-parent a baby with me?' That'll—"
"Yes," Sarek said before Leonard could finish.
Leonard whipped his head around, jarring the infant, who protested by clutching and pulling at his chest hair. "Ouch, dam—darn it, kid!" He fished out the torturous hand and turned to Sarek more calmly. "Don't think I heard that right. Did you just say yes? To that absurd hypothetical question that wasn't directed at you?"
Sarek nodded. "I believe it to be a practical solution, though I admit that I have been fond of you for quite some time. I have considered approaching you regarding my attraction to you since you joined us on New Vulcan, though I did not wish to make your stay uncomfortable." He took a step back from the chair, probably to give Leonard some space to take in what just happened. "I apologize if I have overstepped."
"No, that's, um…" Leonard's mouth went dry, and he felt his stomach fill with butterflies, though he wasn't sure whether they were the good kind. His world tilted. His best friend's—his crush's—father just admitted feelings for him? Now Sarek was a looker, for sure, and he was kind and generous and checked all the practical boxes. The only thing wrong was that he wasn't Spock and was too close to Spock for Leonard to have ever considered him. But if he wasn't related to Spock, how would Leonard feel?
All the boxes were checked. It would be unfair for Leonard not to consider him, but it would also be unfair to not include Spock in this. "I can't give you an answer right now. Can I think about it?"
"Of course. Though myself, Spock, or another Vulcan of your choosing should remain close in case the child needs our assistance. I will also instruct you on proper care, as I do not believe the books and holovids are comparable to practical experience."
"Thanks, Sarek. For everything." Leonard smiled at him and then turned to the infant. "They look so much better now; I can't even imagine what they're going through. Needing a bond but not having it…" He swallowed, getting emotional at the thought. "How long do I have to think about it?"
"It is difficult to predict as bond rejections are rare. However, please know that I am content with simply being a co-parent. I do not wish to engage in a romantic relationship if you are not confident in its success." With that, Sarek gave the kid one last touch and left the room.
Leonard sighed and looked down at the content-looking infant in his arms. "Well, I guess I should go have a conversation with your potential brother. Also, I'm gonna make him name ya, 'cause I don't wanna saddle you with the Vulcan equivalent of Horatio."
It took Leonard five more minutes of snuggling to motivate himself out of the rocker and over to Spock's room. He knocked, his palms already sweating, and waited for the large, intricately carved wooden door to open. Most of the aesthetics in the compound were like this, a throwback to simpler times. The appliances were modern, but the feel of everything? Leonard didn't realize how much he missed physically opening a door.
As if summoning the action, the door opened and revealed a rather perturbed-looking Spock. Who didn't say anything. The green-blooded goddamn elf.
"Can we talk?" Leonard said with a halfhearted chuckle.
"We are talking right now." Damn, Spock was sassy this afternoon.
Leonard rolled his eyes and waved Spock over to the recreational area that divided their adjoining rooms. He followed, but it was slow. Something was definitely up with Spock; Leonard just hoped it wouldn't get worse when he told him what just happened. Taking a deep breath, Leonard decided to start with what he wanted to say earlier, but Spock beat him to the punch. "To use an illogical phrase you are fond of, you are thinking too loud, Leonard."
Well, at least Spock was using Leonard's name and didn't revert back to his role or rank. "You've been acting off since I got back. Did I do something wrong? You know you can tell me if I make some sort of cultural taboo, right? I ain't some hoity-toity diplomat yer tryin' to impress." Leonard shrugged and collapsed onto the couch, toying with the infant's ears. "I can't fix what I don't know."
"You are inadvertently giving my father the impression that you return his affections." Spock didn't pull his punches.
Leonard's eyebrows shot to his hairline and let out a rushed, flabbergasted breath. "Well, hell—heck. Did he say somethin'?"
Spock shook his head. "No, but his progression of physical contact since you arrived here is all the confirmation needed to come to this conclusion."
Leonard stroked the infant's back, calming them both. His first instinct was to snap back and say that it was none of his business, and how dare Spock conclude that Leonard was leading Sarek on. However, that would only drive the wedge deeper, which was the last thing he wanted. "He, ah, he told me. Just a bit ago. That he has feelings for me." God, this was harder than he expected, and the kiddo wasn't thrilled by it either. "He also offered to co-parent the kid with me. Probably going to take him up on the latter, still contemplating the former."
"I will co-parent the child," Spock said without even sitting down. He was in his usual pin-straight parade rest a meter in front of Leonard. As if this was some Starfleet formality he was agreeing to.
"Spock—"
"The child will not be old enough to be without a Vulcan parent for prolonged periods of time when the Enterprise departs for our second five-year mission. As I am the only Vulcan member—"
"No." Leonard didn't mean to sound that harsh, but he was in a near panic. Like hell he'd let Spock do that. Spock was young, had just gotten out of a nearly decade-long relationship, but most importantly? Leonard would break if he had to co-parent with someone he actively wanted to be in a relationship with. Leonard wasn't Vulcan like Sarek was, and he couldn't compartmentalize this like he could with his job. It would be impossible.
"Then you are staying here when the Enterprise departs." It wasn't a question.
"Guess I am."
"Then there is nothing more to discuss. You have made your choice." Spock promptly exited the shared space, and Leonard sat and wondered if he should treat himself for whiplash.
—
After Leonard finished contemplating how in the hell he managed to screw up that conversation, he swiped the empty fruit bowl from the coffee table and escaped into the garden. The best part about being on mandatory shore leave was growing things in a real garden, in real dirt, with real recycled-like-God-intended water. And being on New Vulcan opened him up to a variety of new fruits and veggies that tickled his taste buds like he was in his own Granny's garden. Fruit always made him feel better, so what if it spoiled his lunch.
Leonard had some new favorites, sitting firmly behind peaches, blueberries, and tomatoes. He filled most of his bowl with them but picked a few of Spock's favorites as a peace offering. The hard part was not gorging himself on the way to the sunroom where they usually had their lunches. The next hardest part was realizing that Leonard didn't grab anything specifically for Sarek, not that he knew his favorites like he did Spock. Oh well, there was always next time. …there'd be a lot of next times.
After a self-directed pep-talk and a berry or five, Leonard joined his three favorite Vulcans in the sunroom. Sarek came over and pressed his fingers to the child's psi points, probably checking to ensure the kiddo's needs were satisfied. Presumably, they were because Sarek nodded at him and started walking back to his seat. Leonard thanked him and made a beeline for his usual spot next to Spock, showing off his fruit bowl. He picked up the juiciest berry for Spock, holding it out to him. "I know these name-I-can't-pronounce are your favorite."
Spock confidently took the fruit from Leonard and popped it in his mouth. There was a clatter, and Leonard turned to see Sarek picking up a broken teacup. He hastily wiped up the mess with his napkin, and if Leonard didn't know any better, he'd say the man was blushing. "Apologies, I was unaware. I have made improper advances toward you, Leonard."
"Indeed you have," Spock said coolly as he reached his own hand into the bowl and offered Leonard a fruit. Something was going on, something to do with what they were doing, but Leonard had no idea what it was. He did know that he was hungry and took the juicy little morsel he referred to as a Vulcan peachberry for its flavor and shape.
"Anyone want to take pity on the clueless human and fill him in?" Leonard shifted in his seat as the infant started projecting their discomfort at the situation. "Preferably calmly. Kiddo's not liking this tension."
Spock hit first with a snide, "As I stated earlier, you know nothing about our culture."
"Oh, come on, that's not fair! You know that I know some things. Like the thing about gesturing with only one or two fingers."
"You learned that when you caused offense with the minister of health."
Leonard rolled his eyes, the familiar volley improving his and the child's mood, and turned to Sarek. "So, what were you unaware of?"
"I was unaware that you and Spock had entered a sexual relationship." Sarek looked down at the soiled napkin, visibly ashamed.
Leonard choked on the remaining berry juice in his mouth, and Spock dared to offer him another berry after pounding on his back. "What in the Sam Hill are you talking about?" Leonard demanded, his exasperation bleeding into his voice and into the infant, who retaliated by grabbing his chest hair again. "Ow, ow, ow! Dammit, yer strong!"
Sarek's head snapped up, and his eyes narrowed in Spock's direction. Leonard turned to see Spock mirroring the same tense stare and stance. Confusion and annoyance flooded him, and as soon as he pried the child's fingers from his chest hair, he slammed his hand on the table. "What. Is. Going. On. If y'all don't stop whatever the hell this is, right now, me and the kid are gonna walk out that door and not come back 'til it's stopped."
"This behavior is beneath you, Spock," Sarek scolded. "And it is impacting both Leonard and the child."
Spock's cheeks flushed bronze, and he turned away, clenching his fist on the table. "While I admit to poor behavior, your pursual of Leonard is impractical and thus illogical."
"Y'all remember I'm here, right?" Leonard asked. But he might as well have been invisible because they just kept going. They went back and forth arguing for and against the merits of Sarek seeking a courtship with Leonard, then shifting to the co-parenting aspect. Leonard had enough of whatever the hell was going on and stood up from the table, grabbing the bowl of fruit. "Gonna leave now."
"Leonard—" they both said.
"Oh, so y'all can string a couple syllables without arguing? Fancy that."
"Leonard," Spock insisted. "Please. You must understand—"
"I don't have to understand anything, Spock. You're being an ass—tronomically large jerk right now. And you," Leonard said, turning to Sarek, "are feeding into it, which makes you just as bad. I don't know what this is about or what started it, but I'm ending it. Now." To their credit, both Spock and Sarek looked contrite as they took their seats. Leonard also sat down when he was confident that they weren't going to bicker anymore. "Now, what's goin' on?"
"The fruit," Sarek said.
Spock cleared his throat, his cheeks colored with more than a bit of bronze. "Giving fruit to another by hand is a culturally acceptable way of propositioning intercourse."
"Accepting it by hand is accepting the proposition," Sarek finished.
Leonard blinked a few times and looked between Spock and Sarek for more comments, but they remained passive. He wanted to get angry, but the little hands he held squeezed hard whenever he thought about it. The kid had it right. Getting angry wouldn't fix anything, and it might accidentally break his fingers if he wasn't careful. Vulcan babies were scarily strong. "Okay, note to self, eat fruit with a fork. And why did you take the fruit from me and offer me some if that was the case, Spock?"
"It is of no matter."
"Spock."
"You rejected my offer to co-parent the child. It is of no matter." Spock moved his hands to his lap and sat straighter than Leonard had ever seen him.
Leonard rolled his eyes, slowly putting the pieces together in his head. "Look. You absolute infant." He never thought he'd live to see the day he'd use his favorite insult for Jim on Spock and one hundred percent mean it. Taking a deep breath, Leonard started with Sarek so that he could prolong Spock's torture. "I needed time to think over what you proposed because, for all intents and purposes, you're a fine catch, and I'd be lucky to have you as a romantic partner. I would have immediately agreed if you were the same person, with our same platonic relationship, just not related to Spock."
Sarek nodded. "I thank you for your candor."
"And you, you pointy-eared, overgrown elf," Leonard snapped out as he turned to Spock. "I said no because I like you, and unlike Sarek, I can't compartmentalize that to raise a kid with someone I want but can't have."
Spock didn't say anything, but he did meet Leonard's eyes and appeared to be searching for something. "Why did you not approach me regarding your feelings?"
"Because I figured if you wanted the same thing, you'd bring it up first with a presentation involving graphs and spreadsheets on why I should date you." Leonard shrugged. Spock tended to say whatever was on his mind, especially with Leonard, and he never thought this would be different.
"Jim implied that the direct approach would cause you to retreat."
Sarek stood up from the table, and the chair scraped noisily over the floor. "I will check on our lunch." Damn the universe, Leonard would be left alone to deal with this atom bomb of information.
"Did you… just imply…"
"As Jim is your closest friend, I approached him when it became clear that my feelings for you were not passing attractions." Spock's voice was quiet, almost stilted.
Leonard took a deep breath and let it out, ending with a whistle because he couldn't say, 'Well fuck, that's a lot to drop on me!' in front of sensitive ears that surrounded an overly intelligent brain who would probably remember 'Fuck' and select it as a first word. "First of all, Jim's an idiot. Second of all, Jim's an idiot. Third of all, you're an idiot. You did know my former partner, right?"
Spock's head dipped slightly to the side as one sassy brow lifted. That's Vulcan for 'No shit.'
"Ah, so you did know him. Yes, my beloved Admiral Christopher Pike, known for his directness. If directness in relationships scared me off, we wouldn't have dated for more than a day." Leonard noticed the death grip on his fingers was relaxing, and he rewarded the little tyke by bouncing a little and wiggling those chubby little arms. "I don't like sharin' my relationships with other people unless we're, y'know, sharing our relationship with someone for the evenin'. Chris was indirect with me whenever we were around Jim because I don't like people knowin' my business."
Spock was quiet for a long time but eventually nodded. "Are you free this evening for a presentation on the merits of establishing a relationship and co-parentship?"
Leonard chuckled. "I am, but you gotta bring your A-game if you want to co-parent this kid with me. I ain't signin' onto anything less than permanent. You also gotta convince me that whatever the heck broke a dang near decade-long relationship won't happen to us. Don't have to tell me what it was, but—"
"When Nyota and I began our relationship, neither of us wished to have children." Spock reached out to the infant and stroked their head, which caused a pleased hum and enthusiastic arm wiggles. "However, in recent years, my thoughts on the matter changed. I had incorrectly attributed it to my desire to help my species, as we discussed on Altamid, however… Being here and seeing a number of Vulcan children, I found that my desire for children was intrinsic."
"You really want a bunch of little Vulcans?" Leonard asked with a smirk.
"Indeed."
Leonard outright grinned, hoisted the infant out of his sling, and placed him in Spock's arms. "Good, 'cause I've been dying to see this since they held your finger earlier." And good lordy, what a sight it was. Spock was awkward at first, but he found a comfortable hold chest to chest, with one hand on the kid's rear and another rubbing soothing circles on their back. It was beautiful, particularly the look of utter awe in Spock's eyes. "Oh heck, I think I'm gonna cry. What are we gonna name our kid?"
"Our?"
"Well, you still have to woo me with data and figures, but I trust your brilliant mind to win me over, not that I'll ever admit that again. But, yeah, our." Leonard scratched his chin idly. "You should name them 'cause I don't want to accidentally give 'em a name like Horatio or Tiberius in Vulcan."
The corners of Spock's lips turned upwards. "Of course. I will include options in the presentation."
"So, uhh, when exactly did you talk to Jim?"
"Near the end of his visit."
"When Nyota was still here?" Leonard didn't like how his voice nearly cracked.
Spock nodded. "We practiced ethical non-monogamy, though you—and Chris—were the only two I considered."
Leonard barked out a laugh that startled the child. He was quick to tickle their cheeks to calm them. "Sorry, kiddo." Unable to resist, Leonard picked a piece of fruit from the long-forgotten bowl and held it at an ambiguous distance between them. "You, Mister Spock, woulda got so much fruit from me an' Chris if we knew." Spock reached for the fruit, but Leonard yanked his hand back and ate it himself. "No, sir, you gotta woo me with logic."
"I believe that is the first time you have exhibited eagerness toward the subject."
"Yeah, yeah." Leonard grabbed the bowl, rested it on his palm, and offered it to Spock. "Not the sex thing; I just picked half of these for you, so I expect you to eat 'em. Also, you should probably build a slide deck for Nyota to convince her of the merits of being the cool auntie and, if you want to, why y'all should try again since you can do the whole parent thing with me."
"Please rephrase that statement," Spock said with furrowed eyebrows.
"You clearly love Nyota, Nyota clearly loves you, y'all broke up over a need of yours that I can apparently satisfy, so…" Leonard shrugged. "She doesn't have to have kids, just has to be okay that you have one, or a half-dozen, with me and that we're also serious."
"Forgive me. I am having difficulty with this suggestion as I did not expect you to engage in polyamory…"
"Oh, I don't. I'll, uh, do certain things with you, but I don't want a romantic relationship with more than one person." Leonard wiped his hands on his pants before scooting closer so that he could play with the child's hair. "Do whatever you want to do, o'course, but I wanted to letcha know where I stood on that before it's too late."
"You are truly a gift, Leonard."
Leonard blushed and leaned in to press his nose against the infant's hair, taking a whiff of that sweet, sweet newborn smell. "Nah, this little pal is the real gift," he said idly before stopping. Vulcans enjoyed their meaning and logical symbolism, right? Maybe… "Just out of curiosity, what's the Vulcan word for 'gift'?"
"Ta'an."
That actually sounds nice! "Can that be used as a name?"
"It is uncommon, though it has historical precedence." Spock lowered his head to the other side of the infant and mimicked Leonard's actions. Judging by the eyebrow twitch and the second sniff, Spock must have also liked the smell.
"Sorry kid, daddy's gonna name you the Vulcan equivalent of Horatio."
"It is more akin to the English names 'Hope' and 'Charity.'" Spock handed Ta'an over to Leonard and assisted him in getting the wiggle wart—who did not want to let go of Spock—back into the sling.
Sarek chose that moment to reenter the sunroom with a tray of food. "I trust this conversation reached a sound conclusion?"
"I'm makin' Spock do some unnecessary leg work, but yeah." Leonard smiled and took his dish as it was passed to him. "Now, you two are gonna have to tell me about all these Vulcan customs before I make a fool of myself, okay?"
Spock squeezed Leonard's shoulder. "To borrow a phrase from Jim, 'Where is the fun in that?'"