Work Text:
Spock was shivering.
It was very nearly imperceptible, but Leonard had known the Vulcan long enough to catch even the smallest movements. It likely annoyed Spock how well he could read him, but Leonard really had no other choice but to keep a closer than usual eye on him due to the Vulcan being concerningly good at hiding any sort of injuries and ailments that weren’t immediately life threatening.
He watched Spock for a moment and frowned a little when he watched him seem to catch himself shivering and stop before going back to working away at his station. Leonard had a feeling it was taking a fair bit of effort on Spock’s part to look unbothered by the standard temperature of the Enterprise. He knew that Spock was sensitive to the cold, being half-Vulcan, born and raised, and mentally kicked himself for not realizing just how much.
Leaving to go back to the medbay after getting what he needed on the bridge, Leonard pondered what to do about Spock. It wasn’t like he could just alter the ship’s temperature to be more comfortable for the Vulcan - it’d practically slow-cook everyone else on the ship. No, what he needed was something that would keep Spock as comfortable as possible in a place that was catered to the majority-human crew.
Walking down the halls, Leonard surreptitiously looked at the other crew members he passed by, trying to think of a way to warm Spock up without embarrassing him. It wasn’t until he overheard a couple of ensigns complaining about the double-layered uniforms they had to wear that it hit him.
The uniform, of course.
Taking a sharp turn, Leonard went to the turbolift, taking it to one of the storage rooms. Walking through the massive corridors, Leonard searched for the fabrics that the Enterprise held for constructing new uniforms and other similar things. Coming across the thermal fabrics for expeditions to freezing planets, Leonard pulled out a bolt of black thermal fabric, perfect for what Leonard had in mind, and headed back to his office in the medbay. It was cumbersome, but not too difficult to handle. A few of the nurses gave him a look, but wisely said nothing. Honestly, if they had asked, Leonard wasn’t sure he’d really know how to respond.
He knew he could simply place the fabric into a machine to have a thermal shirt made in Spock’s measurements, but for some reason it just didn’t feel quite right. Leonard knew he was being old fashioned, but he figured having something hand-made, even with Starfleet issued fabrics, would… feel warmer somehow.
…Stars if Jim finds out about this he’ll never hear the end of it.
Sitting down at his desk with the door shut, Leonard checked the time. Alpha shift was over, so he had time to work on this thing. Digging through his drawers, he grabbed a pair of scissors as well as some other tools he kept around from long times past. He was always glad his mom taught him to sew - it certainly came in handy more than he ever thought as a doctor on the Enterprise. This simply was a larger project than usual, he figured.
Pulling up Spock’s medical file, Leonard took note of his measurements and got to work. Doing things the old fashioned way, he found, was somehow quite relaxing, and one of the few things Leonard could really consider a true hobby. Aside from drinking, but even Jim made sure to tell him that no, that wasn’t a hobby that was a vice. As if he was one to talk.
Time passed as Leonard worked, and before he realized it, hours had passed and it was time for him to start getting ready for bed as he checked the time. Looking down at his work, Leonard smiled, holding up a turtleneck made of thick thermal fabric that would surely keep Spock from shivering while on duty. Folding it neatly and putting away his supplies, Leonard put the shirt away to give to Spock during their morning shift, opting not to think about why the thought made his heart beat faster.
“Spock.”
Leonard managed to hunt down Spock right after breakfast as he was making his way to the bridge. Spock turned and looked at Leonard quizzically, waiting for him to speak. Up close, Leonard could see how Spock was ever so slightly shivering - even his tense posture couldn’t hide it completely.
“Come with me, I have something for you.” Leonard said, and Spock raised an eyebrow.
“I suppose this cannot wait?” He asked and Leonard nodded. Thankfully Spock didn’t question him further and he led him to the medbay.
Shutting the door to his office after Spock entered, Leonard pulled open the drawer to his desk, grabbing the box he placed the thermal shirt inside. He handed it to Spock, who took the package and eyed it suspiciously.
“Doctor, I admit I am not sure what you are doing or why.” He said softly and Leonard snorted.
“Just open the damn box, Spock.”
Spock looked a bit put out at his response, but followed the order, taking the lid off gingerly and setting it on the desk before pulling out the thermal shirt. Placing the other half of the box down, Spock examined the shirt, looking far more like a curious cat than Leonard wanted to admit. It was kind of adorable.
“I saw you shiverin’ a little bit earlier, and realized the Enterprise is probably pretty chilly for you.” Leonard started awkwardly. “So, I figured I’d make you something that’d keep you comfortable.”
Spock continued to examine the fabric closely, running his fingers along the seams. “This… this is not made with a replicator.” He said eventually, and Leonard nodded, clearing his throat.
“Uh, yeah. I, uh, made it myself. Sewing’s pretty relaxing, and I feel like you could use something with a, er… human touch.” He tried explaining himself. Now that he’d said it out loud, it sounded quite silly.
It’s just an undershirt, it’s fine. It’s his professional duty to make sure the crew was operating at optimal levels. Leonard tried to convince himself.
Then Spock looked up at him, his eyes wide and… wet? Leonard frowned.
“I… my mother used to make me clothes in the same way.” Spock said softly, and Leonard felt his heart clench. “It’s illogical, but somehow… they always made me feel warmer than anything else that I owned.”
Leonard wasn’t sure what to say, but thankfully he didn’t have to say anything as Spock took a shaky breath.
“Thank you, Leonard.”
Leonard smiled. “Hey, any time. Can’t have you shivering on the job ‘n all that.”
Spock nodded, still looking completely mystified, but also thankful, and muttered a soft farewell before sliding out the door. Leonard slumped down in his seat, wondering why in the world he did such a thing, and moreover, why it made his heart feel like it was about to pound right out of his chest. It was just a nice thing to do for a coworker, nothing more, nothing less.
Later on the bridge, when he saw Spock wearing the thermal shirt under his science blues and looking much more comfortable than before, Leonard had to take a moment to realize that the bolt of possessive satisfaction that ran through him was anything but professional.