Work Text:
Logically, Leonard knew dying was always a possibility in his line of work. Still, dying in a cave on a hostile planet in a snowstorm did sting a little. More than for himself, he was worried about the damn green-blooded hobgoblin next to him. Spock would most likely perish before him and Leonard hated being so helpless. And what would happen to Jim? Their captain was a stubborn, brilliant man but losing a best friend, let alone two, would devastate him.
Leonard looked at his communicator, lying uselessly on the ground. Their communicators had died hours ago despite Spock’s efforts to repair them. Their circumstances were dire, but Leonard had still enjoyed watching Spock work, admiring how his elegant hands worked on the wires and knobs and how he unconsciously licked his lips and slightly furrowed his brow in concentration. Yes, Leonard nodded to himself. He could have watched Spock for hours.
Sensing that Spock was falling asleep, Leonard shook him a little but Spock hardly stirred.
“I guess this is it, then,” he mumbled under his breath, not really expecting Spock to hear him.
“Hmm?”
Damn those Vulcan ears. “Just that… It has been an honor knowing you, Spock.”
Leonard meant that, too. He had found a home and a family for himself aboard the Enterprise.
“It has certainly been stimulating getting to know you as well, doctor.”
“Stimulating, huh? Well, the pleasure is all mine.”
“Indeed.”
It took Leonard half a second to register Spock’s amused, teasing tone.
“Did you just make a joke?! Wow. At least I lived long enough to hear that.”
Leonard wondered if the approaching death made him baselessly optimistic, but he felt that Spock’s words, behind the sarcasm, had a deeper meaning. Perhaps the Vulcan didn’t hate him? At least, not too much?
To keep Spock talking, and because he was genuinely curious, Leonard asked: “Have any regrets?”
He half-expected to hear how having regrets was illogical, but Spock stayed quiet.
Leonard kept going: “You know, anything? Never becoming a captain of your own ship? Not getting to name some new exotic plant? Perhaps,” and here Leonard hesitated for a fraction of a second, “a love gone unrequited?”
Spock looked up at that, raising his head from where it had laid against Leonard’s bare neck. Spock’s emotions, the slight confusion and something like hope, were on full display on his usually stoic face. It took Leonard a few seconds to realise that Spock had had direct skin contact with him and, since the cold was probably draining his resources, he had lowered his mental shields. Damn touch telepathy!
Spock moved a little closer slowly, as if to give Leonard a chance to retreat, and kissed him. The kiss was so soft and Spock felt so vulnerable against him that Leonard couldn’t help but tightly embrace him. He also felt overwhelmed and, to ground himself, resorted to sarcasm:
“Careful there. Don’t start anything you can't finish.”
Spock huffed a laugh, one of the most amazing sounds Leonard had ever heard. He once again leaned heavily against Leonard who continued to hold him tight.
Staring at the snowstorm, his tired eyes stinging, Leonard thought back on how Spock's steady, loyal presence at his side had always provided him assurance. He only hoped his presence now was able to give Spock some comfort. At some point, he fell asleep.
*
Leonard woke up in sickbay, which didn’t surprise him as much as it probably should have. Jim Kirk had been known to work miracles before. His joy of having survived was however short-lived as, when turning his head and expecting to see Spock on the biobed next to him, he found the bed empty. Cold shivers ran down his spine. He started to panic but as soon as his feet hit the floor, Spock stepped in behind the privacy curtain. He looked as fine, fit and alive as he always did. Not a strand of hair was out of place.
Leonard bolted towards him, dragging him for a passionate, almost desperate kiss. After a while, Spock lowered his mouth to nip Leonard’s neck, biting just enough to leave a slightest of marks. Leonard’s breath hitched and when Spock took a step back he made a little noise of disappointment.
“I do intend to finish what I started, Leonard,” Spock said, “but the captain may arrive any minute. Shall we continue this in my quarters?”
Leonard followed him but, being in a teasing mood, gave Spock something to think about: “You know, maybe Jim would be interested in joining us?”
In Leonard’s eyes, the slightest stumble in Spock’s steps was a promising reply.