Work Text:
Affection ❤️
Appreciation for someone, desire for good [Latin: affectus, affectus, affectio]. Feeling, passion, emotion.
*************
Spock is immersed in the serenity of the ship's science laboratory, a sanctuary of tranquility and reflection for him. Here, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, he finds an unparalleled peace, an oasis away from the mundane noise of human conversations and jokes that he finds incomprehensible and often inappropriate. Although usually this would be a place of constant activity, at this moment Spock enjoys a beneficial solitude.
Standing in front of an intricate-looking console, surrounded by flickering lights and screens displaying cascading data, his figure is cut against the backdrop of advanced science. The lab is plunged into near silence, broken only by the occasional beeping of a machine, a sound that to Spock is like background music, a constant reminder of the presence of technology.
"Fascinating," Spock murmurs to himself. His voice is a whisper in the vastness of space, a thread of thought drifting through the air. "The scientific literature suggests that physical contact, and in particular hugs, significantly affect human endorphin levels. It's an illogical concept, but deeply intriguing."
In that instant, his mind wander to memories of his mother, Amanda Grayson, and her habit of hugging him as a child. Despite his Vulcan upbringing, which rejected such displays of affection, Spock allowed himself these moments of closeness. Each embrace provoked an involuntary stiffening in his small body, a physical reaction against which he struggled, but at the same time, a comforting warmth managed to penetrate his mental shields, offering him inexplicable comfort.
His reverie is interrupted by the sound of the laboratory door sliding open. James Kirk enters, charged with energy and vitality, his presence filling the room like a bright sun. His generous smile and mischievous gaze rest on the slender figure of his first officer.
"What's on your agenda today?"
"I'm about to begin an experiment on human pleasure hormones and their correlation to physical contact."
"Physical contact? That's not very Vulcan of you, Spock."
He adjusts his tricorder and takes some notes on a PADD. "Oh, Captain, excuse me, several ideas had occurred to me and I had to write them down. you were saying?"
Jim blinks in amusement. "What is it that has you so engrossed?"
"I'm researching the effects of physical contact on human neurotransmitters."
"Yeah, well, you started by telling me about that."
Spock raises an eyebrow gracefully. "It seems that physical contact, particularly hugging, significantly raises serotonin and dopamine levels in humans. Intriguing, despite being illogical by Vulcan standards. For scientific accuracy, I must conduct live experiments."
Jim almost choked with surprise." A study on hugging, Spock? That's totally...unexpected."
"It's purely for scientific research."
The Captain cocks his head, as his lips curl in undisguised interest. "I see."
"I have an unconventional request."
"What is it, Spock? You rarely use that tone." The young man asks curiously.
"It is essential to the integrity of the experiment that the subject not be prejudiced against the practice of hugging."
"That sounds interesting, but what does it have to do with me?" Jim reconsiders and smiles openly. "You want to hug me for your experiment, Spock? That's not something I expected to hear today. Well, if it's in the name of science... go ahead!"
Spock continues with his usual serious expression, as he performs some careful stretches of his arm muscles.
Then, extending his arms, Spock does so carefully, as if he were navigating unfamiliar territory. His embrace is firm but gentle, respecting Jim's personal space as he fulfills the purpose of the experiment. There is an unexpected softness in his grip, a subtlety that touches the Captain's heart.
Spock maintains an upright, controlled posture, but there is a slight relaxation in his shoulders, indicating an acceptance of and commitment to the moment. His precise, functional hands, his beautifully slender, manicured fingers, are placed on Kirk's back in a way that seems to go beyond mere scientific observation. The duration of the embrace is calculated, neither too short nor prolonged, complying with what Spock would deem appropriate for his experiment.
In that brief exchange, there is a transmission of unfamiliar emotions, of mutual affection and respect. Jim clings to Spock, and draws gentle circles with his hands on his friend's broad back. In this way they bond together in a way that is different from their previous mind-melds.
"This is a great hug!" Jim whispers to him, as he reluctantly pulls away from his friend.
"Thank you, Captain. Now, I will proceed with the scan."
Spock pulls out his tricorder and scans Kirk.
The first officer reviews the data on the flickering screen. "Interesting. Initial levels indicate an increase in endorphins."
Kirk continues to smile, a little foolishly. More open than Spock to emotion, he feels a comforting warmth in his system. "Well, it's always nice to get a hug, even in the name of science."
"Thank you, Jim. Your cooperation has been invaluable."
"For me it's been... a real pleasure. Who's next on your hug list?"
********
Dr. Leonard McCoy walks down the corridor of one of the decks of the starship Enterprise, deep in his own thoughts, his furrowed brow reflecting a tangle of contemplation. At that moment, Spock approaches him with the grace and stealth of a hunting cat. His presence is almost ethereal in the stillness of the corridor.
"Doctor McCoy, may I have a moment of your time, please?" Spock's voice breaks through the silence, echoing with an unexpected calmness that startles Leonard, whose body jumps, as if a bolt of lightning had pierced him.
Without further ado, and to McCoy's surprise, Spock wraps him in an embrace. The medical instruments McCoy carries with him fall to the floor with a clatter that echoes along the corridor. The embrace, though gentle, is firm and confident, as if Spock is exploring an unknown facet of humanity with his characteristic Vulcan curiosity. McCoy, at first surprised and then softened by the familiarity of the contact, feels his body, stiff at first, begin to yield to the unexpected warmth of the gesture.
"Spock, what the hell are you doing?" McCoy's voice, despite his exasperation, has a tinge of humor and surprise, a mixture of emotions that only Spock could elicit in him.
"Collecting empirical data, Doctor," Spock replies with a seriousness that contrasts with the situation.
The response causes McCoy to roll his eyes. A mixture of disbelief and amusement appears on his face. "Spock, remind me never to leave you alone in the lab for too long! Are you scanning me after a hug? What's next, Vulcan lullabies?"
While he picks up his medical instruments, scattered on the floor, McCoy continues his facetious retort. "You could have warned me, Spock, I almost had a heart attack!"
Spock, raising an eyebrow with Vulcan precision, replies with unflinching logic. "I needed to provoke an emotional reaction in an exceptionally emotional subject for my research. The results are conclusive. In fact, hugs cause an increase in pleasure hormones among all types of humans."
McCoy opens his blue eyes wide with a mixture of astonishment and exasperation, grumbles. "Have you taken me for a guinea pig?"
Spock's look reflects discomfort and some guilt. McCoy, deciding to take the situation lightly, adds with a sly smile, "Who would have thought it? The affectionate Vulcan! Maybe there's hope for you yet, Spock."
Suddenly, McCoy approaches the vulcan from behind and embraces him. Spock's reaction is instantaneous: he tenses and turns, raising an eyebrow in his classic expression of surprise and bewilderment.
"Come on, Spock, it's just a hug! That's not so bad, is it? This goes both ways!"
Spock, with a tone that reveals inner reflection, admits, "I guess there's something...psychological benefit for me, too."
"It's about feeling connected! It's warmth, comfort...not just a science experiment. I wanted to show you this part." McCoy explains, his voice sounds soft and persuasive.
Spock, with his characteristic logic, replies: "I find warmth in a well-regulated environmental system." To which McCoy responds with a genuine, warm laugh.
The embrace between the two, though initially awkward for Spock, transforms into a moment of unusual connection, offering an emotional rarity that breaks down the barriers of Vulcan logic.
"A hug is like medicine for the human soul! It's essential!" McCoy proclaims.
"Fascinating. And yet humans survive many days without this 'essential' interaction," Spock comments. His tone reflecting genuine curiosity.
"That's because we're resilient! But that doesn't mean we don't need it," McCoy replies. His voice imbued with humanity and warmth.
At that moment, a few crewmen stop dead in their tracks, watching the scene in awe. It's not every day you see a Vulcan, especially Spock, participating in a hug. Their expressions vary from surprise to curiosity, and some exchange confused looks with each other.
"Doctor, I believe we are being watched," Spock comments.
The two men part, leaving behind an unusual but significant moment of human and Vulcan connection, a scene that is sure to be remembered and commented on among the Enterprise crew for a long time to come.
********
Spock continues his experiment, hugging various crew members at random and scanning them. The crew begins to find him amusing and lines up to hug their first officer.
In the Science Lab later, Kirk and McCoy join Spock.
"So, Spock, what did your experiment reveal?"
"The data indicate a significant elevation in mood and social bonding hormones after the hug."
"You mean we all needed a good hug?" McCoy replies, chuckling.
Jim looks affectionately at his Vulcan. "I never thought I'd see the day when Spock would become the ship's hugger."
"The results are purely scientific, not a personal transformation."
"Spock, the Vulcan hug therapist!" McCoy jokes.
Jim continues to be delighted with the experience. "You seem to have started a trend, Spock. The crew seems happier."
"While I find no personal enjoyment in the act, the positive impact on crew morale is...logical."
"I can't believe you didn't like it!" Leonard exclaims. "I can say that I really enjoyed the experience! Having you in my arms has been eye-opening!"
"I enjoyed it too!" Jim adds quickly.
McCoy and Kirk exchange amused glances.
"Just don't make a habit of it, Spock! We wouldn't want the crew to get too distracted!" Jim feels a little mischievous about it.
Spock raises an eyebrow. The hint of a smile is on his lips.