Work Text:
Leonard McCoy hated paperwork.
He hated it even more when he had to fill out endless security forms just to start a job he should've been handed on a silver platter. He had the experience. The recommendations. Hell, he even had the Surgeon General of Starfleet — Philip Boyce himself — in his corner. And yet, here he was, three weeks into working at Starfleet Medical and still catching whispers behind his back.
"Did you see the way Boyce smiled at him?"
"Please, he’s so his type — young, pretty, broken."
"I heard Boyce pulled strings to get him here... wonder what he had to do to earn that."
Leonard ground his teeth and pretended not to hear. The temptation to throw a scalpel at someone was strong.
He knew exactly what they thought. That he was some starry-eyed sugar baby warming the old man's bed for career favors. Which was not just wrong — it was gross.
Phil was like a damn father to him.
He hadn't even wanted to work at Starfleet Medical initially. It was only after six months of Leonard badgering, pestering, and throwing medical journals at Phil’s head that Boyce finally caved. (Phil was overprotective to the point of madness — something about Leonard “being too gorgeous for his own good” and “too fresh out of hell” to handle the cutthroat politics at Headquarters.)
And yet, the rumors bloomed like mold in a Petri dish.
It wasn’t until a week later, when he found Phil sitting in his office, arms crossed and face thunderous, that Leonard realized just how bad it had gotten.
"Kid," Phil said, voice low. "We need to talk."
Leonard flopped into the chair across from him. "Is this about the rumors? 'Cause if it is, I swear I haven't stabbed anyone. Yet."
Phil sighed heavily, running a hand through his silver hair. "No, it’s about you. About you mopin' around like a lovesick puppy."
Leonard's ears went red instantly. "I’m not—!"
"You’re in love with Kirk," Phil interrupted bluntly. "And you’re makin' yourself miserable over it."
Leonard buried his face in his hands. "Oh God. You know."
"Of course I know!" Phil barked a laugh. "I practically raised you, Lenny. I knew the second you started starin’ at that blond menace like he hung the stars."
Leonard groaned. "It’s hopeless."
"It’s not," Phil said, voice firm. "You just need a little push. Lucky for you, I know a certain fleet captain who owes me a favor."
"Wait—what—"
But it was too late. Phil was already tapping out a message on his comm, smirking like a cat about to knock a priceless vase off a shelf.
---
Meanwhile…
Chris Pike leaned back in his chair, reading the message from Phil with growing amusement.
Phil Boyce [secure message]:
Need your help. McCoy’s in love with Kirk. Kirk’s in love with McCoy. They’re both idiots. Time to intervene.
Chris grinned and tapped out a reply.
Chris Pike [secure message]:
You bring the liquor. I’ll bring the plan.
---
Two days later, Jim Kirk walked into Starfleet Medical under the pretense of a "routine checkup," only to be cornered in a conference room by Phil and Chris Pike, who both looked way too pleased with themselves.
"You’re not leavin’ until you tell Leonard how you feel," Phil said.
Chris tossed him a bottle of scotch. "And if you screw it up, you’ll have to drink the whole thing and listen to us tell embarrassing stories about you."
Jim blinked. "What?"
"Go," Phil barked, pointing toward Leonard’s office.
Jim, heart hammering, found Leonard pacing behind his desk, muttering darkly under his breath.
"I hate them," Leonard said immediately. "They're meddlin', nosy bastards—"
"I love you," Jim blurted.
Leonard froze.
Slowly, he turned. His brown eyes were wide, pupils blown so large they nearly swallowed the hazel.
"You what?"
Jim stepped closer. "I’m in love with you. I have been since the moment you called me a 'damn fool' and patched me up anyway."
There was a long, taut moment where neither of them breathed.
Then Leonard surged forward, grabbed the front of Jim’s uniform, and kissed him so hard that Jim stumbled backward into the door with a thump.
They didn’t notice when it opened a crack, or when Phil and Chris peeked in, grinning like proud parents.
"Finally," Phil whispered.
Chris just laughed. "Took them long enough."