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Jim had a rough day behind him and wanted nothing more than to sleep. But Spock was standing at his bedside.
“Jim. McCoy wants you to stay under observation tonight.”
“I'm fine.”
He heard the all-too-familiar whirring of the medical hand scanner above his head and let out a cough that took away any credibility his words might have held. He could feel a raised Vulcan eyebrow digging into his back.
“You still have a fever of one-hundred-one-point-four and your cough—”
“I know I sound terrible,” Jim croaked. He cleared his throat to smooth his voice, but it send him into another barking fit. He curled up under his blanket against the pain in his chest.
“Your options are either to go to the sickbay or have me stay here with you.”
“You stay,” Jim said without hesitation. In truth, he just didn't feel like moving from his warm, soft bed.
“As you wish, Jim. May I make a few preparations?”
“Sure.”
Spock left his cabin and Jim tried to get comfortable. But just as he closed his eyes and drifted off, a terrible coughing fit shook him. He pushed himself into an upright position and spat out mucus. He pulled up his legs, rested his head on his knees, and took some conscious breaths. He still hadn't fully recovered when Spock returned.
“Have you inhaled yet?”
“Yeah, several times,” Jim said irritably. They both knew how much he disliked using the inhalator. He tried to distract Spock before he could come up with the idea to put him through another boring procedure again. “Bones has pumped me full of medication. So, I should be okay, even if I can hardly feel it.” He turned his face into the crook of his arm to cough vigorously.
“Do you have your asthma inhaler with you?”
“Yeah. This isn't my first time going through this.”
“I did not mean to—”
“Upset me, yeah, yeah, I know. I'm sorry, Spock. I'm just tired and irritable.”
Jim looked up for the first time since Spock had entered. Spock had changed into a Vulcan robe, which Bones affectionately referred to as a bathrobe, although Jim thought the silver embellishments and muted colors made it clear that it was traditional clothing. Spock also had his blanket draped over his shoulder and looked ready to spend the night here – he even had his PADD tucked under his arm.
“Is something wrong, Jim?”
“No. Why?”
“You are looking at me like you want to jump at me.”
Jim felt heat join his feverish blush. “Um, no. Just a nice robe you have there.” He pretended to suddenly need to cough and lowered his face back into his knees before succumbing to a real fit. He heard a rustling sound and when he looked up, gasping for breath, he saw that Spock had settled into a chair in the corner of his cabin. Somehow, he felt offended.
“You can join me in the bed, you know.”
“I thought you would prefer some space.”
“Yes, but you're an exception. If you can handle me being gross right now, you're welcome to join me.”
Spock put down his PADD, took his blanket, and sat down next to Jim on the bed. “I have to correct you on one thing, if you do not mind.” Jim nodded. “You are beautiful, Jim.”
“Don't say that when I sound completely congested and probably look like a mess.”
“I understand. Then I will not say it, although it is the truth.”
Jim sighed and leaned against Spock. Spock put his arm around him and pulled him close. Jim buried himself into his soft robe, letting out a satisfied sound. He could feel how Spock reacted to it.
“You like it when I’m affectionate,” he said, looking up at Spock with a sheepish grin.
Spock looked away. “I simply appreciate the warmth of a human being by my side. Are you at least feeling a little better?”
“Just a tiny bit.” Jim closed his eyes as he finally found some peace. Just as he was sinking into comfort, he felt someone gently lay him down on the mattress and cover him up. He grumbled. “You won't get rid of me that easily.”
“Of course not.”
Shortly afterwards, Jim felt Spock lower himself onto the mattress as well and take him in his arms again. Jim snuggled up to him. He shivered. “Can you put your blanket over me?” he asked quietly.
Spock hesitated noticeably. Jim opened one eye to see Spock's gaze avoid his request. “What's the problem?” Jim asked.
“Well, it is a weighted blanket. I use it to mimic the higher gravity that prevails on my home planet. I do not know if you will like it.”
“Test me.”
Spock gently placed part of his blanket over him. The effect was... wow. Heavy weights pressed comfortably against his back and pushed the pain away. He felt like he could breathe better, even though there was a slight weight on his chest. Maybe he liked the idea that he could push it away if it became too much for him.
“Jim?”
“Hmm?”
“How is it?”
“Fantastic,” Jim croaked. He pulled the rest of Spock's blanket toward him, turned away, and wrapped himself in it. He fell asleep before he knew it.
***
Jim woke up to a quiet conversation that seemed to be taking place at the intercom.
“Leonard, he is cheating on me with my own blanket.”
“Well, told ya ya shouldn't have brought it with ya. Jim loves comfort above all else. Oh no, are ya sulkin’ now because y’are not enough for him anymore?”
“No. I am just cold.”
“Wanna crawl into my bed, Spock?”
“No.”
“Now I feel rejected. I mean it, Spock, come over if ya need a warm place to stay.”
“That would defeat the purpose of why I am here in the first place.”
“How's Jim?”
“Great, after he snatched my blanket.”
“Damn, y’are bitter. I can tell even when y’re puttin’ on that poker face of yours. Will ya send me the scan results?”
“Yes, of course. It should arrive shortly. And I am not bitter, Leonard. I can handle it.”
“Then I don't know why ya called me. Ah, the results arrived. They look better than the ones from this afternoon. Well, maybe he's over the worst. I'd still like to keep him under observation.”
Jim found it amazing how the two played off their usual banter while having a completely professional conversation about his condition.
“Of course, I would also welcome it if he did not suffer another relapse.”
“Ya just don’t want to be in command anymore. Who has it right now, anyway?”
“Scotty,” Jim answered.
Silence. Two surprised faces looked over at him—one in real life, one on the screen. “You're awake?” they said simultaneously.
“Been awake for a while. With you two in the room—even over comm—no one can sleep properly.”
“Spock thought his weighted blanket had knocked ya out completely.”
“What?” Spock raised an eyebrow at Bones.
“Maybe it was just me. Go back to sleep, Jim, the night is still young.”
“So, you can continue flirting with each other?”
“We're not flirting,” they said in unison, Spock a little more calmly than Bones.
“Nah, I forget you just call it your usual banter. But I see right through you. Besides, Spock belongs to me.”
“I thought we had settled the ownership rights to the Vulcan, Jim?”
“Neither of you owns me,” Spock interrupted them. Jim and Bones both gave him a fierce look. Spock returned it with an icy Vulcan stare. “You both belong to me.”
“Oh, shit, Jim, the Vulcan’s declarin’ war on us. Ya know what, I'll leave this to ya. I still have work to do in sickbay. McCoy out.”
The doctor's image disappeared from the screen. Spock's serious gaze turned to Jim. “I want my blanket back.”
Jim held it tight. “Please?”
He knew Spock couldn't resist him when he tilted his head to the side and put on his most innocent smile. Spock took a deep breath. “You can have it on the condition that you treat us as equals – me and the blanket.”
“Did you ask Bones if he's okay with a foursome?”
“I am afraid he has something against the blanket, so this will have to remain our little secret, Jim.”
“I'm good at keeping secrets.” Jim opened the blanket for him. Spock crawled underneath. Although Jim would have been happy enough with just the blanket, he snuggled up to his beloved Spock and made sure that this time he would fall asleep by his side.
After all, he knew that Spock loved him just as much as they both loved his blanket.