Chapter Text
Spock wouldn’t classify it as a phobia per say, but he, as a Vulcan, did have an excessive aversion to hands. Neither the situation or the context mattered much, just the need to stay out of as many minds as possible. Many of the crew were friendly with the first officer, a few he considered close..
The crew of the Enterprise was placed on a five month leave at the starbase Yorktown while the newest version of the ship was built. To maintain continual close tied with everyone who survived Altamid Uhura, Scotty, and Sulu’s husband, Ben took it upon themselves to organize weekly get togethers. It was during these events when Ben began to notice Spock’s avoidance of contact with hands, by even his closest friends.
The commander would only allow Jim Kirk, the captain and his best friend, to touch the cloth of his tunic - never skin. Ben observed a look of slight hurt and acceptance every time Spock had enough and subtly removed the hand. Listening to their stories, it seemed only during missions, in desperate situations, would the science officer allow any more contact.
On the other side of the conversation was Dr. Leonard H. McCoy, MD. Ben knew McCoy was an expert in xenobiology, having discussed many theories and ideas with the doctor. Of course McCoy knew the implications of both skin contact and hand-to-hand contact with a Vulcan. Most were unaware that Vulcans are touch telepaths. Ben learned during one of their discussions that Vulcan hands are extremely sensitive, far too intimate for every day contact. McCoy, himself, only would touch Spock once wearing gloves and given permission. The doctor’s look was one of compassion and understanding. He would take whatever his Vulcan friend could allow.
Nyota Uhura was quite probably the one person Ben was surprised to notice she kept herself physically as far as possible from Spock. If he remembered correctly from Hikaru’s ship-wide gossip updates, those two were an item for some time. She would often fidget with her necklace and glance longingly at the Vulcan. For sure he allowed her touch while they were together, right? He would have known what to expect when he touched her. Now the two often stood with at least the distance of one person between them.
Tonight that person Montgomery Scott. Scotty seemed to be the most mindful of Spock’s friends. The Scotsman kept one hand firmly on his glass of whiskey and the other dug deep into his pockets. Scotty would be the first to admit that after one too many drinks he’d be handsy with just about anyone. Smart man, already prepared. He didn’t often have case to touch the Vulcan so the lack of physical contact didn’t have much bearing on their friendship.
Pavel Chekov. Now almost 20 seemed to still follow the chief science officer around like a lost puppy. Spock had been an idol and mentor to the young prodigy. The Russian had recently accepted a professorship on the starbase and would remain at Yorktown when the crew was set to depart again. The others all congratulated him with hugs, claps on the back, and handshakes. Even if he hadn’t been brave enough to ask Spock to shake his hand just this once, he took the strong look of approval and slight upturned lips as affirmation enough. Pavel returned it with his patented baby face smile and bright green eyes.
Who was the leggy blonde Spock was attempting to avoid contact with? Hikaru joined his husband, interrupting his musings. “And what is my hot husband doing over here like a gorgeous wallflower?” Sulu teased him.
Ben flushed slightly at being caught, “Just observing.”
After a moment, the curiosity and amusement of seeing the once stoic Vulcan high-tail it in the other direction, he leaned in and asked his love, “Babe, who’s that Mr. Spock is running from? He looks like he’s running from a pregnant Gorn.”
The Sulu’s shared a chuckle as Hikaru explained, “That’s Christine Chapel, one of McCoy’s nurses. Been in love with Spock since year one of academy. Think he knows?”
Ben choked on his drink as he laughed harder, “I’d say so.”