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" You hate me,” Spock whispered, and Leonard stopped dead in his tracks, setting down the hypo he was about to inject into the Vulcan’s arm.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Spock said, looking down at his lap. He was in here in the first place because he’d been gassed by some unknown plant that was messing with his emotions and responses.
The entire away team, which was comprised of Spock and some of his science officers, visited Kabaru II in hopes of studying various medicinal plants but were ambushed by predatory plants that gassed their victims before eating them. Luckily no one died and of the minor injuries, Spock’s were the worst. And now they were in sickbay and bantering like they usually did when Spock just dropped those three words on him.
“What do you mean?” Leonard asked, hoping he didn’t sound defensive.
Spock just shook his head, closing his eyes tightly. It was the most emotional gesture the doctor had ever seen from Spock and it was definitely because of the plant gas, but there was some truth there.
“Hey, Spock, look at me,” Leonard’s hand came to gently squeeze Spock’s upper arm. “Talk to me kid, what’s on your mind?”
Spock opened his eyes and looked up at Leonard, his bottom lip wobbling. His eyes were green and not dry at all.
Leonard looked around medbay and saw that there were only two other science officers at the other end. Still, he reached for the curtain that separated him and Spock from the rest of sickbay, just to give the Vulcan his privacy.
The doctor pulled up a stool, his hand falling on Spock’s knee. Normally the Vulcan was averse to touch but now it seemed to comfort him.
“What makes you think I hate you?”
“I am aware you do not like me,” Spock looked away again, sniffing wetly. “You never smile or laugh around me like you do with others. It is ob-obvious you do not want to be around…around me. I ap-apologize for being in sickbay so-so often-”
At this point, Spock was actually crying, wiping at his eyes. Leonard reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, offering it to the Vulcan who took it gratefully. “Hey sh sh sh, it’s okay. Just breathe. In and out just like that, good that’s good,” Bones whispered soothingly, his hand rubbing Spock’s arm.
“Hell, Spock I don’t hate you. I like you a lot more’n most. You’re smart and quick-witted and funny and awkward and clever and a whole bunch of other things that make you you .”
Spock looked up finally, his nose twitching in such a way that Leonard tried not to laugh and instead smiled.
“You are no doubt the smartest person on this ship and the only one who can keep up a good argument. I’ve never had more fun with anyone the way I do with you. I mean, I actually look forward to seeing you in medbay, kid.”
“Really?” Spock’s brows furrowed almost immediately as if he realized how silly that sounded.
“I wouldn’t lie to you, Spock. You’re probably my-” Leonard paused with realization. “-my best friend other than Jim.”
Spock started crying again, but this time he was smiling(in his own Vulcan way of course). Leonard wrapped his arms around him and Spock melted into his touch. It was so strange, Spock crying into his chest, but then again he was drugged.
“It’s okay,” Leonard smiled, trying not to laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation. “It’s alright, kid, just cry it out. That’s it. You need to sleep this off and you’ll feel much better tomorrow. Trust me.” The doctor drew back from the hug, his hands coming to cup Spock’s face.
It was crazy to think that Spock was young, just a few years older than Jim. He was just a kid, a really smart, funny kid. And Leonard cared about him so much. He’d protect him from the world if he could. Guilt crept through his system as he thought about all this time Spock thought Leonard hated him. The truth was the exact opposite.
“Okay, I have to give you one last hypo, it’ll make you tired.”
Spock nodded as the doctor reached for the hypo he set down. He made the injection quick, not that Spock ever fussed with hypos. That was Jim’s job.
“That’s it, you’re all done-” Spock interrupted him with another hug. “-kiddo.”
Leonard couldn’t resist laughing then. It was funny and endearing and god--poor poor Spock would kill him tomorrow for letting this all transpire.
Leonard’s arms slowly wrapped around Spock’s back, patting him gently.
Of course at that moment, Jim pushed past the curtain, his usual worried look melting away when he saw what was going on between his XO and CMO.
“Bones what is going on-” Jim gestured between them, clearly amused.
Leonard rolled his eyes, quickly pulling away from Spock who practically beamed at the sight of the captain.
“Jim,” The Vulcan offered his two fingers which the captain returned with a smile. His smile faded when he realized how green Spock’s eyes were.
“Sweetheart what’s wrong?” Then he looked to Leonard. “What happened?”
Leonard just waved it off. “His emotions are all haywire from the plant gas.”
Jim kissed the Vulcan’s forehead, wrapping an arm around Spock’s back. “Hey baby, how’re you feeling?”
“Better.” After a second, he added, “Tired. Can we return to our quarters?”
Jim looked to Leonard who said, “He’s good to go. He’ll be tired for the next 24 hours and he’s off duty until then.”
Spock actually groaned.
“Hey, don’t give me that,” Leonard pointed a finger at Spock who shut up immediately. “Go get some sleep with your blond boy toy.”
“Hey-” Jim began to protest but Leonard just winked at him, rubbing his hand through the captain’s hair.
“Now get out, both of ya before I hypo you into the next century.” Leonard smiled softly, giving them both a pat on the shoulder. Spock cast one more grateful look before leaving with his boyfriend.
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Halfway on their way to their quarters, Spock started relying more and more on Jim to carry his weight. His feet started dragging and his eyes would flutter closed for a split second before shooting open. It would’ve been adorable if Jim wasn’t worried he’d fall on his face. Luckily, the corridor was pretty empty when Jim eventually just picked Spock up, deciding that was easier than worrying about it every 3 seconds.
Spock for all of his one half-hearted protest, practically fell asleep against his chest as Jim carried him to their quarters.
Spock grunted when Jim laid him on the bed, trying to sit up, but the captain just pushed him back down, chuckling softly.
“Just relax babe and let me help,” Jim soothed, removing the Vulcan’s boots and socks, and when he reached up to undo Spock’s belt, Spock giggled softly. He was (reluctantly) very ticklish, something that Jim loved to exploit. But right now, the thing Spock needed most was rest. Jim quickly undid the Vulcan’s belt and pulled off his pants and his shirt.
Spock had a bad habit of sleeping in his clothes which was strangely unhygienic and he tended to overheat.
Jim undressed as soon as he got Spock comfortable and under the sheets and quickly joined him, eager to be with his boyfriend.
Spock had that teary-eyed expression again and Jim frowned.
“Sweetheart what’s wrong?” Jim rubbed his back.
“I just love you so much,” Spock sniffed and Jim was overwhelmed with the adorableness of the situation.
“I love you too,” Jim kissed his forehead. “You need some rest, darling.”
Whatever Spock said in response was murmured half-heartedly into Spock’s chest and by then, the Vulcan was asleep.
“I love you too,” The captain whispered again, just for the hell of it.
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Leonard was just finishing up a report in his office when his door pinged.
“Come in,” He said, not even bothering to look up until he heard that voice.
“Doctor, are you available for a ‘chat’?”
Leonard looked up and yep, Spock was standing there with his hands perfectly folded behind his back, stoic as ever. He set down the PADD, putting his feet up on the desk.
“Yeah, ‘course. What’s up?”
“I wish to express my gratitude for what you said yesterday-”
“No Spock it’s okay-”
“Doctor.” Spock reaffirmed with a warning look. This was clearly important to him and hell, Leonard wasn’t going to stop him. “I wish to thank you for your kindness following the planetside incident. Your words meant a great deal to me.”
“Hey don’t mention it,” Leonard chuckled. “It’s my fault you felt that way in the first place. I should’ve been a better friend.”
“You are a great friend. My voiced concerns were greatly in part due to the plant’s gas. I only hope you enjoy our banter as much as I do.”
Such a confession was as close to an ‘I love you’ as a Vulcan could get.
Leonard smiled softly. “I do. Now go back to the bridge before Jim cries about his missing babysitter.”
The playfulness in Spock’s eyes returned and he nodded and turned around. Halfway out the door, he turned back and smirked.
“Your zipper is undone.”
And just like that, the game was back on.