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Everyone on the bridge was bored. There were only so many times a person could stare into space and find it interesting–unless an enemy ship was locking its weapons on them. Even Leonard was having difficulty staying awake; and that’s saying something. His astrophobia and aviophobia were strong enough to keep him awake like a strong cup of black coffee. Leonard had to take it upon himself to stir the pot…and if there was one thing he excelled at (besides being the best surgeon and CMO in all of Starfleet) it was stirring the pot.
“Hey, Jim, quick question for yah,” Leonard said as he rested his arms over the back of Jim’s chair.
“If you’re going to ask if I ate that salad for lunch, I think we both know the answer,” Jim replied.
“I wasn’t, but now I think I should,” Leonard replied.
“What did you want to ask?” Jim asked.
“Does Iowa have any cryptids?” Leonard asked. He noticed Spock shift in his chair, turning so he could listen closer..
“Um…I think so. I was too busy being arrested to go looking into Big Foot or anything,” Jim said. The upturned corner of his mouth flickered into a much wider smile when he heard Sulu covering a chuckle up with a cough. His head tipped, and he turned his eyes to Leonard’s. “Does Georgia have a Big Foot?”
“I think every state has a Big Foot… But we have our own Loch Ness Monster.”
“Really?” Surprise slipped over Jim’s features. “I didn’t know you were into this kind of stuff. How many years have we been friends? Do I even know you anymore?”
“Curious. Neither did I,” Spock said, joining them.
“I’m not, not really, but Joanna started watching cryptid videos and has sent me a few links and books to read. Her favorite is Mothman before you ask.”
“Fascinating.”
“What… What’s fascinating?” Leonard asked. Audible skepticism had worked its way into his voice.
“That you do not believe in some of the greatest mysteries.”
“You know the greatest mystery is still space, right?” Leonard argued. He stood straighter to face the Vulcan and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Yes, and the majority of humans did not believe in aliens until my Vulcan ancestors proved otherwise,” Spock said.
“Something you never let us forget,” Jim chuckled as he returned to face the view screen.
“Hold on, are you tellin’ me that you–the all-knowing logical Vulcan–believe in things like Big Foot, Mothman, and the Oklahoma Octopus.”
“Oklahoma Octopus?” Jim repeated slowly, under his breath.
“Believing in the unknown is common amongst the Vulcan society,” Spock replied.
“You’re kidding. Next, you’ll be telling me ya’ll believe in magic.”
“Several families focus on the art. I’m surprised you did not know that, given the time you have spent on my home world,” Spock replied.
“You’re joking,” Leonard deadpanned. So many people were in different types of robes, and the doctor knew that what they wore wasn’t just a fashion choice. There was meaning behind all of their decisions.
“Vulcans do not joke ,” Spock said bluntly. The stoic remark made Jim snort, and Leonard roll his eyes.
“Do you believe in magic, Doctor McCoy?”
“Are you insane?”
“No, I am quite sane,” Spock replied.
“So, let me get this straight,” Leonard stepped closer to Spock, “You believe in mythical creatures, and some of your people practice magick?”
“That is correct,” Spock replied with a tilt of his head. It was adorable how Spock’s face remained emotionless, but his eyes betrayed how amused he was.
“Don’t tell me you also believe in love at first sight,” Leonard huffed. Jim rotated back around with such force his neck popped.
“Vulcans do not have that luxury,” Spock said after a brief pause.
“Holy shit, I think he does,” Jim said what everyone else was thinking but only whispered loud enough for his two friends to hear.
The rest of the shift ended the way it began. Uneventful. After the last hour dragged on for what felt like ten years, Leonard searched Spock’s usual hideouts but couldn’t find him. With a frustrated huff, he gave up, and instead, Leonard ventured back to his room to take a shower before dinner. He jumped and cursed loudly when he caught Spock sitting on the couch beside his desk.
“A little warning,” Leonard said, sighing deeply to stifle the rest of his shock.
“Apologies, I did not mean to startle you,” Spock said.
“Why are you waiting in the dark?” Leonard asked and ordered the computer to raise the lights to twenty percent.
“I do not really know,” Spock replied, motioning Leonard forward with his hand. He had come straight to Leonard’s room to set up for their date night but got lost in thought. He was still thinking over his partner’s questions–especially in regard to his own culture... Vulcans were not allowed the privilege of love at first sight since they were regularly betrothed–practically at birth.
Leonard moved to sit beside him, but Spock reached out, and with a firm pull at his wrist, Leonard found himself straddling his lap. A too-gentle hand caressed the side of his face while the other slid under the hem of his uniform and found a sliver of bare skin. Their lips joined for a brief, intimate moment, giving just-enough time for Leonard to adjust to the sudden embrace.
“For the record… I do believe in love at first sight. I believe I was allowed a privilege not many have, and I cherish the opportunity.” Spock said as he brushed his thumb over Leonard’s lower lip. It wasn’t nearly as swollen or red as Spock would like, and that would prove to be something to remedy in the near future.
“Yer unbelievable,” Leonard breathed out in a hush, brushing their noses together for a feather-light bump. He dipped his head to one side and slated their lips together. Maybe some, he supposed, some unbelievable things were worth chasing.