Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dr. Leonard McCoy had never been a fan of diplomatic missions. He always preferred the sterile, predictable environment of the sickbay over the unpredictable politics of alien species. But when Starfleet required his expertise, he had little choice but to accompany the team to negotiate with the Zelari.  He had a natural inclination to protect himself from space oddities like these, which was natural given his designation. 

He wanders the halls on the way to the transporter room looking disgruntled but feeling anxious. Idly, he scratched at the back of his neck where Jocelyn had left her mating mark all those years ago. He can recall the same feeling of anxiousness before letting her bite him  in this sensitive place. Remembers the regret after she left him. He shakes himself out of the memory and looks back down at the log notes he was studying for the mission. 

“The Zelari are an ancient and reclusive species, known for their unique, crystalline physiology. Their shimmering bodies seemed to be composed of living gemstones, and their voices resonate with a haunting, melodic quality. They have been isolated for centuries, and this is the first time they have agreed to meet with representatives from the United Federation of Planets.” The notes from the Falardeau had explained. “Rich in Latinum deposits. Should diplomatic talks go well, the secured trade could be good in peace talks with Ferengi and Caradassian ambassadors.” Leonard clicks his tongue. So, a round of heated debates for some quick cash? How inspiring. He spots another familiar wisp of blonde hair on his muttering-filled walk. 

“Jim!” He calls excitedly. He will disregard the rest of the notes for now.

“Bones! We were just talking about you-” The captain beams, making a sweeping gesture to present his favorite Vulcan. 

“Awe, hell. If he’s talkin’ about me I’m sure it’s nothing good.” He scoffs in response, jutting out an accusing chin. “Are we partying up right now or are you lot stopping somewhere else before we go planetside?” He joins up to their pace easily. Jim starts going off on a tangent about what the Falardeau had found when he talked to the captain at some conference recently, but Leonard felt focused on Spock. He seemed to be politely listening to Jim, but his eyes were subtly on the back of his neck, seemingly observing the mating mark. Len knew he shouldn’t have been scratching at it. They locked eyes briefly before Leonard looked away, embarrassed. It was something that doesn’t get brought up in polite conversation, and the mark is something he usually hides in public. Or, he thinks, maybe Spock smells him. 

He gives himself a self-conscious sniff before brushing it off. He’ll ask someone later.

They arrive on time in one piece, to Leonard’s surprise. As he stepped onto the Zelari's lush, jungle-like homeworld, he couldn't help but marvel at the ethereal beauty that surrounded him. Giant, bioluminescent plants bathed the area in a soft, iridescent glow, and the air was thick with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance. He breathes the scent in deeply. A light purple glow peeked through the leaves when a gust of wind whips through the roads that lead to the meeting.

The peace talks were held in an enormous, crystalline structure that seemed to have grown naturally from the landscape. Inside, the walls shimmered with an array of colors, casting an otherworldly ambiance over the proceedings.

Leonard, along with Jim, Spock, Uhura and Sulu took their seats at a translucent table. The Zelari representatives, looming and elegant, approached with an air of regal grace. They were over eight feet tall and had pale pink faces with rings of flesh from their hairline down to their chins. They radiate an aura of serenity, but there was an underlying tension in the room. Stern faces gaze down with overly large pupils attempting to gauge reactions.

The negotiations began smoothly, with the Zelari displaying an almost preternatural understanding of Federation protocols and procedures. Leonard found himself increasingly captivated by their presence, their voices seemed to tug at his very soul. Maybe , he thinks, it’s because his omega brain was sending him signals from the calming scents and colors.  

An omega that has a broken bond loses a lot of the strengths they had before since the mating gland is broken which produces most of their hormones, so he knows he passes as a beta most of the time, but subjected to the assortment of signals from the planet he begins to grow weary and lax. He sits politely at his cushion, legs folded under him, his head just barely tilted towards the table. 

The placement of tangerines as a centerpiece is a nice touch , his mind wanders.

As the discussions continued, tensions flared. He straightens. Differences in cultural perspectives, misunderstandings, and accusations of ulterior motives led to a rapid deterioration of the atmosphere. 

Leonard felt the tension in the room escalating, and he knew that they were teetering on the brink of disaster. He itches in his seat to seek out the Captain for soothing, but he knows it wouldn’t be appropriate for the time. Still, he holds onto his seat with his head tilted down with discomfort. 

The argument turns to biology. 

“These humans and their designations are purposely secretive. I’m sure you are all keeping your true feelings about us between yourselves!” One representative accuses, gesturing lamely to the group.

“Ambassador, there is no ill will between any of our peoples. That also isn’t how scenting works by the way-” Jim protests, already rearing up for a different argument. 

“The captain is right, but there is technology available for scent based readings that have been developed. If it’s going to be a problem we can bring one out for you at the next meeting.” Leonard leans over to his defense. 

“Problem? So you don’t consider this to be an issue worth addressing then Doctor McCoy? My people disagree.” They reply haughtily. They are clearly making prejudices before even communicating long term with humans, which is really starting to get on Leonard’s nerves.

“I’m just sayin’, humans had the exact paranoia in the Beta designation. The solution was to take each other at their word. As we could be doin’ now.” He bites back. 

“Bones-”

At this point, Leonard is rather close to the representative in his seat while the representative is wandering around the table making their case. 

“You could, alternatively, just treat us as equals and forget we even have designations since it doesn't really matter in a negotiation now does it? We could just shake hands and forget all about this business and forget you even brought biology into all this-”

Leonard stuck out a hand to do just that in his southern-gentleman-way when they swatted his hand away with an angered force. His father’s ring flew off towards the wall and struck the crystal, shattering the gem inside instantly. 

Jim and Spock were on their feet in an instant, Jim snarled and Sulu barely managed to restrain him from lunging at them, 8 feet tall alien conference be damned.

He stared in disbelief at the remains of the ring, his heart sinking. He clutched his hand as if it had been burned without it staring down at what was left of the setting.. It had been a gift from his father, his class ring, a source of comfort and strength during the most trying times of his life.

Leonard's voice trembled as he spoke, trying to hide the sorrow and frustration that welled up within him. "Well, that's just great. Just what I needed-." 

As Leonard grappled with the loss of his cherished ring, he felt a presence at his side. Spock, standing nearby, standing over Leonard's shoulder. Before he could open his mouth, Spock was already opening a channel to Transporter chief Kyle to beam him and Leonard back to the Enterprise. 

McCoy sat on the transporter pad looking up at Spock dumbfounded.

“Why the hell did you do that! My ring-” Leonard sputters after a moment, starting to his feet.

“I… Apologize, Doctor. The remnants will be retrieved by the Captain I’m certain. Allow me to escort you to sickbay for your injury-”

“Injury?! Injury be damned, that Zelari is about to get an earful!” He fumed, ready to demand Kyle beam him back, but Spock stood blocking his view of the Chief. 

“Doctor, I must insist. You are… Putting me in a difficult situation. I require you to tend to your injuries Doctor. Please.”

Leonard looked even more bewildered, his indignant energy turning into confusion. He looked down at his hand that had been slapped, a faint pink tinge to it that spoke of a little sting but not anything terminal… He looks back up at Spock, who is looking uncomfortable. Finally, he puts two and two together.

“Oh! Ah… Sorry, Spock. You can lead the way. I am alright though, really. Have a look.” The doctor gentles, holding out his hand to be examined not by his colleague and resident Vulcan, but now as a concerned Spock who is on edge because an omega was injured and distressed. 

Leonard forgot about Spock’s half human side for a moment, of which was Alphan.

Spock gingerly glances around it and gets into his personal space bubble to make sure it was really really okay before huffing quietly and leading on.

“It was a lapse in judgment to have left the party alone, once again I apologize. Vulcan noses are particularly sensitive, even with human scent blockers. With the others I am able to control myself more easily, however,” he explains, stepping forward to enter the sickbay first. When he deemed it safe, he led Leonard in after. “With mated omegas it is less effective, since the scent mimics similar levels of Vulcan pheromones.”

“It’s fine, Spock, I just didn’t realize I still gave off any. It’s only been a few years since the bond was broken, so I didn’t expect the gland to grow back much. I didn’t mean to set you off or anything. I'm used to Jim blowing a fuse, I guess I should have taken you into consideration too… you're usually so level headed I didn't really think about it.” he chuckles, allowing himself to be herded through to a biobed.

Leonard hands the equipment to Spock to handle, knowing his instincts would prefer he tend to it himself. They fall into easy silence under the bright white lights of the medbay for a moment, just resting in recovery. Jim knew where the two were already he could guess, Leonard just hoped Sulu managed to talk some sense into him so they could get this whole Zelari business over with. He mentally rolls his eyes at the thought.

“So, you severed the bond with your intended?” Spock inquires, feigning disinterest. It’s almost conversational, and the bait is taken easily. It’s not something he’s hiding anyway.

“ She severed the bond with me . Found some prettier younger thing and ran off with 'em before I joined Starfleet. Took Jo’ with her.” He glances up and away, looking anywhere but at Spock. He didn’t want to see the reaction. 

“That must have been difficult as a father, I grieve your loss. Perhaps it was fortunate that the ring has broken so as not to remind you of her, then.” Spock suggests lightly while folding the medical tricorder backup and setting it aside. 

“Pah, that wasn’t our ring! The one she got me wasn’t half as nice. I pawned it a while ago for some poker credits. That was my pa’s ring. He… He was the reason I wanted to go to medical school in the first place. He got real sick with pyrrhoneuritis. There wasn’t a cure at the time so... And even after… Anyway, it was his graduation ring. He gave it t’me when I got outta Ole Miss. It’s fine though. Still have the setting and all that.”

“I see, please forgive my misunderstanding. I had made several assumptions after seeing your mating mark before and your scent, it was improper of me.” Spock explains, looking properly chastised.

“S’fine. Not like it comes up in polite conversation much. Let’s just worry about the Zelari first, the ring can be dealt with after.”

When the crew had returned to The Enterprise days later, peace talks having ceased, Leonard returned to his quarters to lick his wounds with some rest. He heard the indicator for his door go off just when he got comfortable. 

“It’s unlocked.” He groans from his cot. The panels slide away to reveal Spock standing at parade rest. "Oh, Spock? What’re you doing here? Not that I mind." Still in his plaid pajamas, he feels underdressed. 

Then, with a grace that was uniquely Spock's, the Vulcan produced a small box from within his uniform. He opened it to reveal a thumb ring, an elegant little piece of jewelry that had the same crystalline structure as the Zelari homeworld. Though, the metal band looked distinctly Vulcan. It had the same color as his father's, and the same heavy weight to it.

Leonard's heart skipped a beat. "Spock, you didn't have to-"

"-It is a Vulcan custom. If you will allow me. It cannot replace that which is broken, it is intended to be something entirely new." There was a hopeful glint in his eyes that was missed by Leonard as he was sliding the ring onto his thumb. A perfect fit.

Leonard was touched. He hadn't expected such a thoughtful gesture from the usually stoic Vulcan.

“Thank you, Spock. Really. I should have let that ring lay to rest back then anyway. Now was a good time to let him go.” He sighs, cradling it gently in his other hand. He let's the grief wash over him for a thoughtful moment before returning back to the eager Alpha. “I can't say I ‘spected this out of you though, Spock. You're not still mother henning me are you?” Playfully narrowed eyes hone in on the suspicious Vulcan. 

“I cannot assure you that I am immune to such matters.” Spock refuses eye contact. “I appear to have interrupted…” he looks over Leonard, taking in his soft attire. Leonard didn't appear to have a visible nest persay, but the clothing choice reflected some amount of settling in. “I will not keep you. Rest well, Doctor.” he takes his leave, mentally cataloging the need for making nesting materials available in his quarters. 

To Leonard, it was an unexpected surprise from a friend, but to Spock, it was a Vulcan declaration. The courtship had already begun. 

Days turned into weeks, and Leonard grew accustomed to the new ring. He wore it every day. He carried on with his routine, working in sickbay, tending to the crew's medical needs, and occasionally joining away missions. It had seamlessly slipped into the same place that his father's ring had taken.

Life aboard the USS Enterprise continued much as it always had. The crew was a tight-knit family, and Leonard felt at home in sickbay, where he could focus on his work and his patients. He even joined in the occasional poker game with the senior staff, relishing the moments of camaraderie and laughter.

One evening, as he was in the gym, working off some stress on the treadmill, Leonard felt a strange sensation, as if someone were watching him. He glanced around but saw no one out of place. His pulse quickened, and he couldn't shake the eerie feeling that he wasn't alone. Dismissing it as paranoia, he continued his workout, the rhythmic pounding of his feet on the treadmill helping him clear his mind. Just his annoying hyper-vigilant omega brain getting worried because he was running, for sure.

Days turned into weeks, and Leonard's life carried on. He couldn't help but notice that Spock was appearing more often, whether it was in the mess hall or on the bridge. It was as if the Vulcan had taken it upon himself to be Leonard's silent guardian. Leonard felt a bit more at ease, but Spock wasn’t there all the time.

One day, as Leonard was preparing for another day in sickbay, Nurse Chapel approached him looking suspiciously nosy. "Doctor McCoy, I don't mean to pry, but have you noticed that Mr. Spock has been around you a lot lately?"

Leonard raised an eyebrow, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Chapel, you're starting to sound like the rest of the crew. Spock's just doing his job."

Chapel hesitated before continuing. "It's not just that, Doctor. It's... well, it's the way he looks at you, and it's not just me who's noticed. I was just wondering if you two were-" sha makes a halfway gesture with her hands that suggests they may be a thing . Her grin was growing the more Leonard prepared to protest.

Leonard sighed, growing increasingly embarrassed with the situation. "Look, Christine, Spock and I have been through a lot together. He's just keeping an eye on me because he's a friend . Let's not jump to conclusions. After that Zelari smacked me I think he may have a little imprint is all. Just big dumb alpha hormones." he huffs, but also takes the opportunity to ask her while she is there. “Other than Spock, though, there isn’t anyone else around, right? Color me crazy, but I think someone might be watching me sometimes? I can’t tell if it’s my instincts backfiring or not.”

“Not that I’ve noticed, Len. But, really! You and Spock? Is that a no? Someone may owe me credits so keep me posted.” 

Leonard playfully swats her shoulder with a padd and slinks off.

But, despite his attempts to dismiss the feeling, Leonard couldn't shake the odd tension that had settled over him.

As the days passed, personal items continued to disappear from his quarters – an old family photo, his reading glasses, even an old bottle of bourbon from his shelf he had gotten as a gift. Leonard couldn't understand how these items were vanishing without a trace, he wondered how he managed to lose them all,  and the sense of unease grew with each new disappearance.

He began to feel eyes on him when he thought nobody was there, a sensation that crept up his spine like a chill. He glanced over his shoulder more often, but there was never anyone to be found. It was as if he had become the unwitting subject of a bizarre and unsettling mystery. As an omega, he felt frightened. 

He wanted to find Jim and get some soothing but he knows his friend is busy as hell with all sorts of captain duties. He felt helpless. 

Screw it , he thinks, he was going to see Jim after his shift. Busy or not, Leonard was being neurotic and he needed it to stop.

He pings the door to Jim’s quarters and the doors open to see him wave over to the chess board where he and Spock had a game started. Both sets of eyes turn to him, looking expectant.

“I didn’t mean to come at a bad time, I can come back later if y’ want…” He starts to back out, already feeling nervous around the two. 

“Nonsense, some on in Bones. Mi casa es tu casa and all that. What’s up?” 

Jim sees his hesitation and starts to understand. Gentling is usually something private for Leonard, he wasn't sure if he was ready to show his metaphorical belly to Spock just yet. “I am sure Spock wouldn’t mind, right Spock? Us humans have our illogical needs.” He confidently pats the space next to him. Well, he did come all that way… Leonard sits himself on the sofa with Jim and settles against his hip.

“I assure you Jim, I am familiar with the practice of gentling. As it appears to be necessary, I believe I should ask about your well-being, Doctor.” Leonard just mumbles into Jim’s shoulder and lets the Alpha’s pheromones gently settle over him. Jim smelled like mahogany and teakwood, Leonard could smell him already. He pressed himself a bit closer and let Jim drape his arm. 

“Bones gets stressed like the rest of us, there doesn’t always have to be a reason.” Jim defends, petting his fingers barely over the nape of Leonard’s neck above his mating scar. The two Alphas make a few moves on the 3d chess board, the pieces clacking soundly over the glass panels. Leonard was starting to doze off when the two started talking again. “Alphas need gentling too sometimes. I guess it’s more private for Omegas, though.”

“Indeed. The symptoms are not always similar between Alphas and Omegas. When I find myself frustrated, it is far simpler to seek comfort from another than to meditate. When I was a child, my mother would gentle me.”

“Oho! I find that surprising coming from you, Mr.Spock. Aren’t Vulcans touch sensitive though?”

“Gentling does not always require touch. Verbal affirmations are equally useful. While Vulcans are touch telepaths, the contact is also not altogether displeasing depending on the application…”

There is more clacking as the two make more moves. Leonard is looking bleary eyed at the board, but is still following the two in conversation. He recalls when they had both beamed aboard the Enterprise over his ring incident, and it made sense that Spock would follow something logical rather than touch. A quick glance over the board locked eyes with him, looking softer in the blue light of the chess board. It was unusual to see Spock in a casual setting, so it was possibly the most relaxed he had seen the Vulcan in months. Before he knew it, Leonard had started to purr. He was relaxed with two Alphas in the room that he trusted fully.

“What kind of touch do Vulcans consider appropriate or inappropriate? If that's not asking too much?”

“Touching of the hands and face is considered very intimate and therefore inappropriate for strangers. The way you and Dr.McCoy are touching now is acceptable.” He moves the rook to another position and Jim curses. Close to check, then. “Though, I was under the impression that touching the nape of any Omega with your hands is quite…” 

Leonard cracks an eye open from his place against Jim’s shoulder.

“Jim wouldn’t do that to a regular Omega, he knows mine ain’t sensitive. I’m not picky with my soothin’ either as long as I can just sit and leech.” Spock watches the two rub up on each other affectionately, and his eyes narrow slightly for a moment before seemingly relaxing.  “But… To answer your question from earlier, I’ve been on edge lately. Feels like there are eyes on me sometimes. I dunno, it may be in my head. But I’ve been anxious as all hell. And I’ve been losing things.” Leonard heaves a breath. “I figured I just needed to settle down with an Alpha or somethin’, that’s why I’m here.”

“You should have said something, Bones! You know you can come to me any time.”

“You’re busy Jim, don’t lie to me. I don’t need anyone to support me if I’m goin’ haywire either so don’t you start that.”

Jim shuts his mouth, looking away with a click of his tongue.

“If I may,” Spock adds, albeit with hesitance. “If you require the presence of an Alpha that is more available I am at your disposal, Doctor. It may not be ideal, but I am also capable of emitting pheromones.”

“There you go! Problem solved. Hey, while you two are teaming up maybe you can take on a few research projects and make it productive. I have a few ideas when it comes to interplanetary agriculture exchanges I think you two would find fascinating. Not really my idea of fun though.”

Leonard groans loudly at the prospect of more work, though before the subject turns back to chess and life on the Enterprise, he feels oddly curious about Spock playing substitute Alpha.

Weeks passed, there were a few ongoing projects going well between the two scientists, but little progress when it came to emotions. Leonard was stubborn and shy about relaxing when the two were alone. Deflected when he could, found something else to do when he couldn’t. Circling each other for days with little progress, though Leonard continually found himself feeling the same lingering presence in his peripheral.

"It's all in my head," he muttered to himself on a walk, his voice wavering with doubt. "Who would do that? Why would anyone want to follow me around like a chicklet?” As he says it out loud, he reassures himself. He was pacing the halls after deciding against the turbolift, something he regretted minutes into the journey. It was quiet, in the middle of the shift and there were no other crew members in sight. It was different than before when he would just have a little consciousness of it, now he could feel the fine hairs on the back of his neck raise- an indicator that his Omega senses knew there was danger.

“-Doctor?” 

Leonard startles badly with a hiss and a snap of his teeth, whipping his head around to meet eyes. His hand claps protectively over his nape. Seeing only a startled Spock, he stands down.

“Spock! I’m sorry- I thought-” He stammers, glancing around to make sure it was really just Spock in the corridor. He trembles finely where he stands while Spock allows him a moment to gather his thoughts. “I thought someone was following me.” Leonard finishes lamely, face looking pale. Spock takes a small inhale, scenting.

“You are under great distress, Doctor, do you require medical assistance?” Spock is concerned, and his hands reach out placating. 

“I am the medical assistance, dammit!” The protest is weak, and the trembling persists. Soft blue eyes are welling with tears as he tries to hold it in. Spock opens his mouth as if to protest it, but the doctor just covers his face and steps forward to press into the Vulcan’s chest. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me-”

“Leonard, if you will permit me to gentle you? Please…” The omega was too distracted to notice the pained tinge to his voice, as if begging to make him well. He merely nods in agreement, his breaths choking on cut off sobs. 

In an instant, Leonard is absolutely bathed in the cloying scent of protective Alpha pheromones. Strong arms wrap around him quickly, pulling him in tight and secure. He's warm . It smells so good Leonard is at a loss of what to do. He goes limp in the hold, which is steadfast. 

When had he ever thought Spock wouldn’t hold him like this? When had he ever doubted the strength of him, the security of being with a Vulcan Alpha? He breathes in that lovely scent deeply, his mouth opening slightly in a gasp to take even more in. Spock smelled like strong Izmir Chai, citrusy and spicy and a warm drink on a cold day . 

“ Ohhhh lord …” Leonard deflates with a whine, purring right away. The tears fell. He hadn’t been able to smell an Alpha like this since before he was bonded. The feeling of fulfillment and comfort was almost enough to break him. 

“I have you, Doctor. You are safe here. I will protect you.” He tucks Leonard into him until he is small and curled up, hesitating for a moment before petting his nape like the captain had done before. The reaction is instant, Leonard lands a little nip on his arm for touching him in a sensitive place, but the purring continues so Spock continues to pet. 

Since when has my nape been sensitive?  

He forgets about it and relaxes again, he feels himself become pressed against the bulkhead behind him. Surrounded on all sides, he succumbs to the gentling. Spock starts to pull away, but Leonard's purr turns to a growl so he stills, slowly pressing back. “Leonard, would you not prefer privacy?” Spock speaks in a hushed tone.

“I don't care anymore.” He whines softly. “Just hold on a while longer.” 

“Very well, Doctor.”

One day, as Leonard was conducting a surgery, he felt it again – that unsettling feeling of being watched. He glanced up toward the observation window. There, behind the transparent barrier, stood a shadowed figure. Its eyes were fixed on Leonard, his expression inscrutable. Leonard choked up, but he was in no position to stop the surgery. He was elbow deep in a chest cavity, panic was a luxury he couldn’t afford. Not then. He hastily looks away and keeps his eyes trained on the procedure.

Leonard cleared his throat under his mask, trying to sound unphased. "Is someone scheduled to be in the observation room?"

“No, doctor.”

He stole another look. 

It's still there. 

“Here, take over for me Joseph. I'm tired.” He lies, allowing M’Benga to take his place. Switching out isn't unheard of for long surgeries, so when he wanders out with a swish of the door nobody stops him. He walks the short pace down the hall to the gray door of the observation room. His hand hovers over the button panel with uncertainty. 

Jaw clenched, he presses the switch and the door opens. 

Inside, it's dimly lit. He looks both ways through the curved room and sees nothing. There are a few chairs and a small desk space, looking unoccupied.

Seeing it bare, he sighs and steps in fully, letting the doors shut behind him. It's colder in the observation room, and when he walks up to the window he can see through the glass where M’Benga was studiously working over the patient he had left him. He rests his forehead against the glass for a moment, watching his breath fog it up. He was losing his mind again, as usual. 

“I should see someone. This is getting ridiculous. Maybe I should visit Spock…” he murmurs to himself. 

He steps back away from the window looking resigned. 

As he turns back, the creature from before is standing right in front of him. Up close, he could see the figure was made up of black swarming particles, shifting minutely.

He shouts, hisses and throws his arms at the being but his sleeves brush right through it like a hologram. Leonard is backed into the glass, the creature comes forward and he's suffocated in a sea of inky darkness. He can't breathe, everything smells like chlorine and his eyes water as if he is being burned. He cries out, clawing at his face, he falls to the ground and writhes in agony. 

Hearing the commotion, one of the nurses sees the observation room and calls for security.

Half a dozen security officers rush in within seconds, yellow alert sounding at the sign of an intruder. 

“Doctor McCoy-!” One shouts. The being that was looming over him scatters into imperceptible molecules, but the officer had seen it. She ducks down to hover over him. Leonard lies still, his face pale, his eyes closed. “He's breathing, get him back to Sickbay! Isiah to Chief Giotto-”

Leonard is quickly taken back into the room as a patient and is set on a biobed. Chapel is in charge of him with M’Benga still in surgery. She takes his readings, and Giotto steps in with Kirk on the communication line. 

“Captain, Isiah reports there was something standing over him, there may be an intruder aboard- he's being stabilized in Sickbay as we speak- status, captain? Nurse, how is the Doctor?”

“He's breathing, but shallow. He went into shock, and he’s unconscious. I can attempt to rouse him, but he may not like it.”

Jim barks something on the other end of the line and there's more shouting from the communicator.

“The captain will be here soon, he wants to be here when he wakes up, apparently.”

Christine sighs warily, resting a hand on Leonard's shoulder. She can see the deep set worry lines on his shoulder, and his eyes are sunken from a lack of sleep. She knows the poor old omega has been troubled lately and, she thinks with no amount of relief, they may be getting to the source. 

“Christine, what the hell did that thing do to Bones.” Jim bursts through the doors with loud steps. 

“To be determined, captain. It appears -” Spock walks through the doors while she is explaining. She looks him over thoughtfully. More gently, she continues. “He appears to only be incapacitated. I can rouse him now, if that's alright.”

“If you could, Chris, thank you.” Jim simmers barely, still looking thoroughly boiling though. 

She injects Leonard with the hypo, and he startles awake looking bewildered. 

“Doctor?” Spock starts, approaching first, cautious. “You were found unconscious in the observation room. Are you well?” Everyone else in the room looks curious at Spock’s sudden gentleness, but Leonard is too occupied to give them much thought. 

“I… I saw it. The thing that's been around me. I saw it. It was like smoke.” His eyes are wide, he hasn't fully processed it himself.

“These readings…” Christine shows the results from the first screening. “Len, your mark is gone!” 

Leonard smacks the back of his neck without further prompting, and confirms it. He felt none of the shallow ridges where that woman had sunk her teeth into him. 

“ What ?” 

“It's like the creature took your severed bond in its entirety. Like you never had one. Mark included.” She shows him the results, and he looks them over incredulously. “The psychological aspects at least. Severed bonds usually leave the omega with a unique signature here-” she points on the padd with comparison data. “Yours is gone. You shouldn't have Severed Bond Syndrome anymore.”

Severed Bond Syndrome included headaches, depression, and insomnia, all of which he had suffered from since the bond had been severed. His head felt more clear, and he was sure it was a positive change, but it didn't sit right with him.

“Alright, I get that, but why? And where the hell did it come from? Where is it now?!” He starts to shout.

As soon as Leonard starts to flare up, Spock is by his side.

“The entity escaped the sensors until it manifested in front of you. We can now identify it with the Enterprise scanners, but it is no longer on the ship.” Spock updates him. “The computer identified it as Zelarian. Uhura is attempting communications currently.” Leonard scowls at the new information. He runs everything he can think of over in his head, considering what might have possibly caused this, specifically the Zelari. His fingers brush over his thumb ring as he contemplates, then it hits him.

“Spock… where did you get this ring?” He slowly turns his gaze back to the Vulcan, who is looking mildly shocked at the question.

“While on the Zelari homeworld. The stone was sold by a vendor at the night market. I was told by the owner that it contains reparative properties, but the scanners determined the material to be similar in structure to cubic zirconium.” He looked a bit green as he spoke.

“Wait, Spock gave you a ring? When the hell did that happen? You know what, I don’t care. Spock, get that thing to Labs ASAP.” Jim is already feeling a migraine coming on. “Next time, just get one from the gumball machine, please. You’re all dismissed until the Zelari get back to us.”

The group disperses with little fanfare after, though Spock stays behind. 

“Sorry, Spock. I know you got it for me to be nice n’ all.”

“I should have been more cautious when examining the stone, the fault is my own. Should the stone be rendered unusable due to the examinations I will replace it with another.” He vows offhandedly. 

“You really don't have to-”

“-I insist.” Spock uncharacteristically cuts him off. For a moment after, the Vulcan looks distant, then he tentatively takes a few shallow inhales. “Doctor, I believe your… I believe your scent glands have returned as well. If you will excuse me-…” Spock takes his leave, looking markedly flushed. 

Leonard just sits in his biobed looking confused. So he was back to square one, before he was bonded? When he had first gotten the divorce, it would have been all he could ever ask for, a reprieve from the pain of the broken bond, and once that pain had settled into the dull ache he was familiar with he stopped hoping for such a miracle. Now, he's free of it. 

He runs his palms over his scent glands a few times and scent marks his clothes tentatively. It feels more… comfortable. He's sure he knows what Spock was talking about now, he could smell himself. It occurs to him that he probably smells like unmated omega with no scent blockers to speak of. Annoyed that he has to remember to start applying the blockers again at all, he chuffs. 

He can't wait to see those lab results.

Chapter Text

He had long since gotten used to the idea of needing to be taken care of during the incident, but he didn’t account for the unease that had settled over him now that he was a real omega again- not that he hadn’t been one, but he was idle in the sense that other omegas were not. It had been a long time since he had the certain urges the others certainly had felt, namely when it came to scenting. 

As he was, standing in the mess hall with the lights on 100% and the sounds and clamor of it all, he felt overwhelmed. Everything was all jumbled together, like a fog had been lifted over his senses since the bond was broken. The last time he had felt all of these things was really before Jocelyn? How did he deal with it all back then? He couldn’t even recall.

“Doctor McCoy?” Spock’s voice called behind him. Leonard blinks a few times and comes back to himself.

“Oh, Spock. What’s happening?” He pinches the bridge of his nose to try and focus.

“You were staring at the replicator for 6.74 minutes. You appear distracted.” He replies, gesturing to take a seat at their usual table near the back. Leonard takes the opportunity to rest and sets down the metal tray with him. 

“I dunno, it's odd bein’ like this again. It’s a lot to take in.” He sighs, picking at his food that had already started to get cold. “Feels like I'm in a goddamn circus when I'm just trying to have a meal.”

Spock seems thoughtful at this. 

“Have you begun the recommended medications? Perhaps stronger blockers would be wise…”

“I'm already on the good stuff, believe me, it's gonna take awhile to actually get it into my system for the moment though. For now it's playing the waiting game.” He glances around again warily, still feeling on edge. 

Spock glances down to Leonard’s thumb where his ring should be. 

“I have procured a replacement for the other ring. I would like to apologize once more for the circumstances of the first and second.” He offers the ring up to Leonard in a small case. 

Leonard takes this one without complaint, already used to Spock's attentiveness at this point. 

“Thanks, Spock. I felt a little naked without it!” He chuckles, sliding it on easily. This seemed to please the Alpha subtlety, the omega once again a marked man.

They finish their meal peacefully and drop off the plates at the replicator without issue, with Spock politely ushering Leonard away from the crowd. 

However, when they were on their way out, Leonard bumped into a security officer that was also leaving. 

Just the barest hint of a shoulder check, but Spock snarled- a low rumble of a growl with his teeth bared. His hand reached out and was just shy of the officer’s offending shoulder before he quickly snapped his jaw shut with clarity.

The officer looked chastised and sheepishly shrunk back with his neck bared despite being an Alpha himself, which was a disarming tactic that was working well at the moment. 

“My apologies… I seem to be unwell at the moment.” He seems to gain some amount of composure back. 

“Spock?” Leonard places a hand on the Vulcan’s back to soothe his mood, though not really sure what to make of it. “Follow me.” 

Spock gets corralled away and out of the bustle of the cafeteria and the two don't stop until the end of the next hallway. “Alright… What happened there? Only one of us can be off our rocker at the same time, y’understand?” The doctor half-jokes, trying to meet his eyes. 

“I believe I am being negatively impacted by the events surrounding the Zelarians. I had not considered the effects and presumed my ability to work would be unimpaired.” He blinks several times, breathing shallowly and still refuses to make eye contact. “Perhaps I should visit the sickbay.” 

“Maybe that's a good idea, you're looking a little greener than usual, and that's saying something.” McCoy frets. He reaches his hand up to Spock’s forehead and presses the back of it to his skin. “Yeah, you're warm, I'll walk you over.” 

At the contact, Spock's pupils swell and he takes in a deep hiss of air. 

With almost resignation, his posture changes. His eyes shut and he leans into the touch. 

“Of course, doctor.” Spock splays hand around the wrist leading up to his face and runs it down the soft hair of Leonard’s forearm. 

“Spock?” With the combined contact, Spock is using Leonard's scent to… scent mark himself? In a daze, Leonard can hear a faint purr from the Alpha. 

“Doctor… you always smell so good… like the Tolik fruit of my home world… I…” He inhales deeply again, surrendering to his instincts. Before Leonard could question it, he continued. “I have felt protective of you before, before the Zelarians, but after the incident I felt I could not leave you alone. You are callous, but you are not safe despite this. Seeing you in distress like before, and today, it troubles me greatly.” He rambles, pressing ever closer still. “When I heard of your wife, I was filled with jealousy and anger. I would see what she did to you… your mark… I could only ponder how ungrateful she was to have had and lost you. To have given you such distress…”

Leonard looks sad for a moment, understanding. His hands were not resting on either of his shoulders, the two of them tucked into the corridor. The sensors had long since dimmed the lights with inactivity. It was not dissimilar to before, being comforted in the middle of the ship, but now things felt reversed.

“Things could be different now, I’ve been swept clean. Like she was never my Alpha in the first place.”

Spock only seemed to get more lost, latching onto only a few words.

“Your… Alpha...” Spock’s purring only grew louder, and he nuzzled into the crook of Leonard's neck. “A Vulcan Alpha would not have this issue… Vulcan's do not voluntarily sever bonds, it is illogical.”

“There you go again with that logic stuff.” Leonard sighs. “Are you saying I should get hitched to a Vulcan now? Can't imagine who you might be referring to.” He rolls his eyes. Spock makes a noise and contents himself with ignoring that. “Well? What if you were my Alpha, hm?” he teases. 

Leonard tossed it out as a joke, but he was nervous. His palms were sweaty as they held onto him. It had been a long time since he wanted to be treated like a real Omega, to be taken care of and to want to be touched and bitten! 

His head was probably swarming from the pheromones and he knew Spock was probably being affected the same way, just a trick of the biology, but some part of him wanted it to stay that way. 

How could he say it without making himself look like a fool? Spock clenches him tightly at the attractive suggestion.

“Your Alpha…?” His voice drops, a low timber full of promises. “I would have never done that to you if I was your Alpha. I would take care of you and fill your nest, never leave you wanting. Our bond would be strong. I would never take your kitten away from you…” He rambles desperately.

Leonard vaguely recalls that kittens are the Vulcan pups. 

“I… I doubt I can have kittens at my age.” He protests weakly. Spock merely hums, sounding assured of his fertility. “Spock.” he protests again.

“Leonard.”

Something was positively itching between the two, begging to be let out. Leonard's heart was racing, finally meeting those deep brown eyes. “If I were your Alpha-”

Leonard silences those promises with his own mouth, covetous and slowly savoring. It's short, but it works. He pulls back for only a moment.

“Shut up. I'll figure it out myself.” 

Spock, startled but pleased, allows himself to be pressed back with a second and a third and a fourth kiss from the doctor until they are both equally shaken with fervent need. Urgently, Spock grips the back of Leonard's head and his tongue slides over the pout of his lips, sinking into the hot wetness and getting lost in it. The doctor makes a noise like a hum and it only deepens the kiss, tongues sliding together and tickling the roof of their mouths. Spock slides his teeth over Leonard's lips until he can barely keep himself upright.

The two are interrupted when the lights in the hall come on, signaling someone approaching. They slowly detangle and Leonard tries to make himself look presentable. As if they didn't just do that in the middle of the hallway. Leonard chastises himself for his blatant disregard to the possibility of people watching them. 

The two of them had turned toward the panel, looking as if they were just looking over a file together when the group of Betas passed. 

They both share a conspiratorial glance. 

“Perhaps our ‘conversation’ can continue elsewhere? Privately?” Spock looks hungry, his pupils still blown wide with his cheeks tinted green from the exertion. 

“Y-yeah… let's do that.” 

The two walk close to each other on the way to McCoy's quarters, and he could feel the pheromones only get stronger. He was sure Spock was only able to be as polite as he was because of his Vulcan side. Leonard himself was starting to get overwhelmingly hot just walking briskly through the ship, he could feel the beading sweat on his brow and his neck. It had only been a few days since he was in the medbay, he was starting to worry that his Heat would set in before the blockers could combat it. 

“Doctor, you… you are…” Spock is scenting him deeply, his body movement betraying his turmoil. 

“You just had your tongue in my mouth, Spock. You can call me Leonard.” He hisses in return. His vision was starting to get foggy with the influx of pheromones in his system. All he could think of was the burning need welling inside of him to mate with this perfect Alpha next to him. 

“Leonard? Leonard… Leonard…” Spock tests this new information. “I believe you are entering your Heat… If I may offer my services…” he practically slurs out. 

“Yeah, I think we’re kind of past that part you green blooded- yeah, whatever. You're coming with me. I'll show you ‘service.” He chuckles at his own joke. He's sure the two of them look like quite the pair, stumbling around in a pheromones soaked suptor, but eventually Leonard makes it to the door of his quarters and punches in his code. “Sorry about the-”

Before the door can even slide shut, Spock latches onto him from behind and licks a stripe up the nape of his neck, lapping up the sweat and scenting oils with a sandpapery tongue. Leonard shivers and whines, the contact tingling and warm and the roughness just perfect. “Ha-! Again, oh, Lord please do that again-!” He keens, his back arching into the Alpha with urgency. Ever eager to please, Spock complies with vigor. He licks and sucks hard at his nape, never biting, drawing out needy moans from the doctor. 

“Hmmm… Omega… you taste divine…” Spock hums reverently into his skin. He slips a hand under Leonard's shirt and skims the tips of his fingers over the soft belly he finds there. The emotions he could feel from the doctor were heighted by the pheromones, wave after wave of lust and wanting and loneliness washed over him. “Don't worry, Leonard, I have you…” Spock consoles, his strong hands gripping the smaller man's waist. He uses the same force to grind himself against his backside, trying to get some relief in the friction. 

“Yes, yeah you have me… I'm- I’m all y-yours, please Alpha-” He’s shaking with anticipation, just wanting to hurry up and get on with it! Spock's purr deepens, his claim becoming cemented. McCoy’s hands, which were pawing at Spock’s arm, were snatched by it and firmly pressed to the wall in front of them. His fingers find the bump of the ring on Leonard's thumb and he brushes along it as he pinches and rolls the shy pink nipples from under his shirt.

“You are so soft. How I have desired you, Leonard.” Spock heaves, licking his lips. He quickly glances around the room for something, but he doesn't find it. “Where is your Nest?” He questions, intending to find a safe space to bed his Omega.

“I- I don't have one, I didn't need it.” he replied, looking a bit chastised, yet still eager to continue. “Build one with me later? I-” ‘-Need you now’ was left unsaid. 

“I want everything with you, Leonard.” Spock is getting desperate, he moves with more fervor over him, exploratory hands getting more bold with every second as his perfect Vulcan facade starts to fall apart. “All of it- everything- Leonard-” His voice cuts off into a growl, and the placating suckle on skin turns into scraping teeth. 

Desperate hands reach into Starfleet issued pants, Leonard keens when finally his cock is held firmly in grasp. After only a few teasing strokes, Spock moves lower. Leonard could feel the slick dripping down his taint, but after Spock swipes a curious finger over his wet hole he knows it's practically gushing. 

“Ah- Spock, I…. I haven't…” He stammers quickly. “I mean, n-not with a man…” His breath catches when Spock doesn't pause for a moment, pressing and testing just how slick he had become.

“Have you dreamt of it, Leonard?” He rasps into his ear. “Even male Omegas are capable of being bred.” He croons in that ever scientific manner of his. Leonard's face turns beet red at the thought. 

Of course he had. Who hadn't? The idea of being filled up and knotted by an Alpha…

“That's-!” He’s cut off with a shout when two exploratory fingers press in hard, no preparation necessary with how wet and open he had already become. “Spoooockkk…..!!” He whines. 

“Have you fantasized about Alphas? About me?” Spock grinds the pads of his fingers right into the cute prostate of his omega, making him squirm and arch most pleasantly. Shamefully, Leonard's head fills with the thoughts he refused to acknowledge. 

The day when Spock came to his quarters to give him the ring, standing there with the box in hand. He had looked so handsome and expectant, looking just slightly pleased when Leonard accepted it. He had wanted to pull him into his quarters, taken in by that soft Vulcan gaze. The feeling of being adored. Wanting to be wrapped up in that feeling and be tucked into bed with it. To wake up to soft pecks on faces and roll over into each other's arms.

When he felt the curse of the ring, when he was being followed. How in the night he dreamt of Spock claiming him so openly that whoever dared to look his way would see his Vulcan Alpha and know he was taken. 

As soon as he woke after the ring had returned his body to its proper place, how he felt in his heart he needed to be reclaimed. How his alpha was right there in front of him.

Spock being a touch telepath could feel the heaviness of the emotions rolling inside, the fervor, the love and lust clouding his mind. 

He releases Leonard's hands in favor of holding him up by the waist, which was getting weaker the longer he tried to hold on. Spock drops both of their pants and pulls out his fingers which were coated in slick to lift them up to his mouth to lick them delicately. 

“You may know that Vulcan's are especially sensitive to scents and tastes…” He starts, his heart already pounding at his ribs. Spock presses Leonard's cheeks apart with his thumbs to look at his long awaited prize while Leonard looks back confused. 

“Y-yeah, y’told me before. When you could smell my pheromones on Zelaria.” 

“Then you must trust my instincts when I say that you smell and taste extremely fertile?” He purrs. 

Startled, Leonard starts to protest that he couldn't possibly be, but he is cut off by the feeling of something big nestling between his cheeks. 

“Spock.” He pants. He wanted to look back and see, but Spock was already pressing his chest to his back to block his vision. 

“Focus, I will be penetrating you shortly, Leonard.” He purrs with promise, his whole body dusted with emerald green flush. He pulls off his uniform shirt first to fully expose himself without removing his hard cock from its comfortable position, then discards Leonard's while he is at it. 

“I feel like you'll penetrate me longly with what I'm feeling back there…” Leonard snarks hazily, still curiously trying to glance over his shoulder. 

“I don't wish to alarm you. My size would make most others uncomfortable from what I have read- be still.” Spock huffs, lining himself up to that sweet looking pink hole he was exploring earlier. Hearing the order, Leonard stilled obediently and another dribble of slick slipped out onto the head of his Alpha’s cock. Spock made note of that for later. 

He nudged against the rim, running it along the wet muscle before letting it ease in slowly. Leonard's Omega body knew what to do- hell bent on sucking it in, walls clenching eagerly on the sizable girth pressing in deeply. Spock hissed in Vulcan, too far gone to recognize anything else, his hips rocking involuntarily. He groaned deeply when Leonard surged back to him instinctively when he pulled away, chasing the pressure of that Alpha cock. He held onto his waist firmly, digging his nails into him, thrusting once, hard and deep. 

"Guhhnnn..! Fuck, Alpha! Hah, ha, yes...!!" His voice leaked through, hips rotating, just trying to get a little more of him in. Spock bounced him back once, then again, and again. His pace quickened, still mounting him against the wall, uncaring of the bumping and dragging of nails. Leonard's prostate was being abused at every buck of his hips, sending shockwaves of pleasure up the Omega’s spine and driving him mad. The room was heating up, pheromones leaking from the both of them, the sweet and spicy scents mixing together in perfect harmony. 

“You are perfect, Leonard. Your body was made for this, just for me.” Spock cuts in between a particularly hard thrust. “She could never please you like this. Not like I can. I will breed you thoroughly and give you new kittens to raise.” He rambles on desperately. Leonard could feel his knot start to swell at every touch of his hips to his cheeks. 

"Alpha- Spock! NnnnSpock- I'm close- so close! Fuck, please! Pleaseee! I want your kittens, want them so bad-!” And deep down he knew it to be true as soon as the words left his mouth. He missed being a father, missed being a mate. Spock's fingers find Leonard's ring again and he smears it with the slick from earlier, a perverse satisfaction. 

Leonard was shaking with anticipation, heaving breaths of excitement when he felt the knot continue to catch. 

“Yes, Omega. Anything for you. Anything.”

“Knot- I need your goddamn knot, haaa ah- please knot me!-” he begs. It pays off, his thick swollen knot finally breaches and presses inside. Leonard sees stars, the pressure against his prostate makes him finally explode. He could feel the tingling, burning sensation build up, hitting your groin before his head and releasing your cum onto the wall and all over the floor. It traveled all the way through his nerve system, his body writing and twitching hard. 

His mouth gaped open, head arched back to meet the waiting lips of his Alpha who eagerly swallowed him up. Spock presses him hard into the wall by his chest, his own cum smearing on him while the Vulcan licks into him. He runs his tongue over the roof of his Omega’s mouth, ticking and startling him while he keeps grinding his knot into him deeply. The spasms around that cock didn't stop, the heated make-out was doing nothing to bring either of them down from the high. Spock grips his hip with one hand and stuffs the other into that filthy pink mouth again to make him squirm and whine. 

“Suck.” He commands the Omega. Leonard is a little shocked, but he is helpless to obey, he does as he is told and sucks diligently on the digits, only serving to get them more riled up. Finally, with the combined sensations of his sensitive fingers and that tight wetness around his cock, Spock cums deep inside of him with a growl. Leonard is filled with warmth and it leaks out back over his Alpha. Both of them purr loudly in the aftermath, still twitching feebly against the wall. 

As soon as Leonard tries to move, Spock snarls at him and pins him by his head back to the wall. 

“Alpha-”

“Aahayam… be still and take my seed.” He growls. 

“At least lay me down, Spock. My legs gave out.” Leonard complains back weakly. 

Spock simply hauls him up by his thighs and takes on his weight. The movement jostles them both, Alpha hissing at the tightness and Omega moaning at the hit to his already sensitive prostate. 

“Soon, Ashayam. I must mark you first.” Spock licks at the nape of his neck, Leonard shivers and keens all over again. He suckles and nips teasingly until he manages to get the doctor hard again. 

“F-fuck…” Leonard mumbles, his legs trembling and kicking as he tries not to struggle too much against his sensitive post-orgasm nerves. 

“I am sorry, I meant to earlier, but I was quite singular in my urge to have you bred.” Before Leonard could retort, Spock's mouth closed around him and his teeth sank in. He felt sparks from his nape, his Omega instincts absolutely singing with rightness. He comes a second time with a cry, wriggling feet fully in his Alpha's arms who was helpless against the movement and succumbed to his own second orgasm. He ruts against his Omega, teeth still digging in until the skin breaks under it. His mouth is flooded with pure Omega scent oils and he greedily sucks it all up. 

They stand there panting, stuck together by Spock's knot. 

Eventually, Spock backs the two of them up to the bed and he sits them down with Leonard on his lap.

“You did very well, Omega.” Spock kisses his shoulder gently as they settle down. Leonard pretends to be annoyed at the praise, but his face reddens. 

“How long does it take to, y’know, go down?” He leans his head back into him, making himself as comfortable as he could with a knot still inside him.

“It depends on how well you behave.”

“You rascal. I guess Vulcan's don't need a refactory period?”

“Correct. I should be able to control myself soon.”

Leonard hums at that, already thinking of ways to combat that control. Behave who? Never heard of her.

“Well, we’ll see about that. Gotta make sure I'm proper knocked up don't ya?” He remarks cheekily.

“You should never doubt me in this matter, Leonard.” He purrs, and Leonard can feel another twitch from inside. 

“Good lord, you're insane. I think this is going to work out well.” He huffs, and the two meet in the middle for a chaste kiss.