The feel of her hand upon his cheek was more than he could withstand. With a sound that was a mixture between a groan and a shout, Spock stepped quickly away from her touch and jerked his chin up so he could meet her gaze. "We do not speak of such things," he stated firmly. "We do not-"
He paused, brow furrowing. His hand gripped the counter beside him and his gaze lowered. With labored breathing and skin that was beginning to shine with a thin sheen of sweat, it was clear he was suffering from something.
After a long moment, he spoke again. His voice was quieter and far more subdued. "If I do not partake in the koon-ut-kal-if-fee in some capacity, I will most likely die," he said. His gaze flickered back to the woman across from him, emotions shining in his eyes. "Yet I cannot partake in the koon-ut-kal-if-fee. Here, such a thing is impossible."