exastris_scientia | retired open post // will still tag in if threads are ongoing!

[ Yeah, well Bones standards would probably have him living in some kind of awful space bubble and never doing anything fun. Maybe one day he'd bump that number up, but he wouldn't want Bones to hold his breath on it.

Dream on. Dream on. ]

Maybe you should find better ways to bribe me and you'll see how agreeable I can be.

[ Cheeky. Sassy. Tease. All of the above. As much as he hates separating for the time they need to get back to Jim's quarters, it's enough to have the companionship as they walk through the corridors, and the brush of the other man's hand against his own. Once they get there, he inputs his code for the door, and it opens so they can both head in.

The door closes and the first thing Jim does is take off his gold tunic. It isn't in order to hurry anything along, it's just a visual and physical representation of his taking the mantle off for the day. That here, and especially here with Bones, he doesn't have to be the captain. He only has to be Jim Kirk, and that means whole universes to him. ]

Or I could take dessert off your diet card. [ He wouldn't do that, though. Maybe for a day, if Jim decides to skip out on another post-mission physical, just to make a point.

He crosses the threshold wordlessly, his shoulder brushing casually against Jim's as he strides forward, looking for the bottle of Saurian brandy. A nightcap would do them both a little good, after a long day like today. Bones pours them two glasses and crosses the floor back to him, his posture noticeably more relaxed now that they're out of the crew's sight. ]

Here. [ He mutters, holding the drink out. ] Come sit with me.

[ He punctuates the request with a soft kiss to the cheek, his lips tugging into an almost-smile. Moments like these mean the whole world to Bones, too. Here, they don't have to distance themselves. They don't have to watch what they do. They can just push the outside world aside and focus on themselves.

There's a fond look in Leonard's eye when he pulls away, nudging the other man over to the couch with a gentle pat. ]

Oh, come on, why do you have to try and hurt me like that? [ Jim would like to think that he wouldn't do that, but he just might. He's done it before, like the time he had salads only on his food card. It bothers him for reasons that he won't voice, but he knows that Bones isn't doing it out of spite. Mostly.

Jim turns back enough to see Bones come in, watching him find and pour the brandy for them both. He's just toeing off his boots when Bones crosses back. Jim takes the drink, giving a half-smile when he kisses his cheek, and he can finally see how relaxed he is now that they are out of the way of prying eyes. He hums in thought, though he doesn't need to think on anything to decide what he's going to do, and takes a sip before following Bones over to sit at the nudge and pat. ]

Best spot on the ship. Guess that's a secret only I know, huh?

[ Being next to Bones is the best spot in the universe in Jim's eyes. Course it happened by accident at first on that shuttle to the way to the Academy, but it was the foundation for what was turning out to be a lasting friendship, even more.

He slouches a bit as he sits, canting his head as he grins over at him. ]

I'm jus' lookin' out for ya, Jim. [ The salads were to help him lose weight, after all. He could claim the same for the desserts. It'll make him healthier, give him more energy (like he really needs any more of that). He should be thanking Bones for doing him such a kind favor.

Bones watches as the younger man steps toward him, his expression soft and eyes filled with unabashed fondness. He breathes out an amused huff at the compliment. ]

'Cause you're the only one that dares. [ And he's about the only the one that Bones would allow, at least to sit this close. It's been that way since the Academy, with Jim always leaning into his seat, stealing his armrest whenever there was one. The doctor fought against it for a while, trying to nudge Jim away as gently (or not so gently) away from him. He eventually gave in, of course, and started leaning back into Jim himself after a while.

He does the same here, his body shifting as close as he could to Jim, until their thighs were all but pressed together. The older man takes a small sip from his glass. ]

Feelin' better now?

I'd prefer the looking out to not interfere with my meals, though. [ Jim keeps a teasing tone as he says it. Coffee gives him enough energy, right? But fine, fine, he has a ship to run and a lot of things to cover in a day for him. He is appreciative of all that Bones does for him. ]

Well that's me though, right? I dare a lot. [ Leaning into his seat, leaning on him sometimes too, peering over his shoulder while he was busy with something. They became more than just friends early on, and more towards something like family, which wasn't something Jim was too familiar with in the best way. One of the biggest things that started this going was Bones refusing to take no for an answer and taking Jim home with him for the holidays.

Jim gives a warm, lazy grin when Bones shifts next to him and he can feel the other man's thigh pressed against his, Jim's own shoulder bumping against Leonard's. ]

Mm, much. You?

Well, I won't have to if you eat right. [ He delivers the quip just as casually, his eyes glinting with light amusement. He's always had a soft spot for these moments. They've been a staple in their friendship since the very beginning, when they stepped off the shuttle and started picking up the pieces of their broken lives. It's what most of their conversation dissolved into before they became more comfortable with each other, more willing to open up about other aspects of who they are.

He takes another drink from his glass and shakes his head at the other man's admission. ]

Yeah. [ The answer comes out in one dry breath, his back sinking into the couch, against Jim, their arms rubbing even more against each other. ]

I'm always better when I'm not trapped behind a mountain of paperwork. [ And especially when he's with him. He lets that unspoken thought linger in his features, warming his expression as he stares across at Jim. ]

Eating can be good enough sometimes, and I do that. [ It's mostly the snacking that does him in, he knows. He doesn't like to be hungry, it bothers him. But it's easy to dismiss those little things in favor of the company.

Jim takes a sip and slouches back, relaxing more fully now than he does in the presence of others, and it's all thanks to how comfortable he is around the other man. They've been at this for a while, and it shows in their interactions in public and private. Bones is a big part of his counsel when he isn't sure which way to steer. ]

Well, no more paperwork for tonight, Captain's orders. [ He notices Bones staring, and can't help but shift up enough to lean over and press a lingering kiss to his mouth. No rush or hurry to it. They've got nothing but time. ]

I won't argue that. [ He eats a lot more often than Leonard usually does, with his bad habit of skipping meals when he's too bogged down with work. There's just no time for him to take care of himself, not when he's got a vaccines to synthesize, cures to research, lives to save on the surgery table. There were always more important things. Everyone was always more important, a higher priority than he was to himself.

He huffs out a little amused sound. ]

Yes, Captain. [ He teases. Nothing short of a catastrophe would be able to pull him away from this. The familiar warmth of Jim against his side, the tender, lingering kiss against his lips. The doctor slides his arm between Jim and the back of the couch, tracing small circles into the dark undershirt. ]

You have all of my attention.

You not arguing? Is the universe ending? I'm a little scared here. [ It's obviously a tease, but he knows Bones can handle it. He knows why Bones pushes himself, and it's an admirable trait. As long as he does end up taking care of himself a little at the end of the day, he doesn't mind. ]

All right, that was the last one, promise. No more ranks or orders or anything tonight, deal?

[ He pulls back from the kiss, but still remains close enough to take in the features of his face. He knows every inch, he's sure, but he still watches him, appreciatively and fondly. It's only after that he shifts closer when Bones's arm wraps around his waist, and his fingers trace idle patterns. ]

Definitely something I'll never get used to. Pretty sure that isn't a bad thing, though.

Shut up. [ He can handle the teasing well enough, he just can't handle it very gracefully. His lips descend into that familiar frown, the one that always seems to be pointed at Jim whenever he says something Bones disapproves of.

He's petty enough to want to argue just for the sake of making a point. But he won't. He holds that temptation back as he listens, grunting in agreement when Jim offers not to pull rank for the remainder of the night. ]

It's only bad when you're in trouble. [ Or laid up in medbay and trying to sneak out without Bones' noticing. Not that he has to worry about that now, with his hand continuing to rub circles against the younger man's side. ]

How about you make me, tough guy. [ He knows Bones can handle it. He wouldn't do it otherwise. That's why that frown makes him half-chuckle. He really doesn't handle it with any amount of grace at all. It's cute, though. At least Jim thinks so. ]

You sound like a caveman, use your words, Bones. [ He grins as he says it, but then he finally says something intelligible. ] We both know trouble is a state of being for me. It's like Spock's eyebrow going up when he's annoyed, you just know it's gonna happen.

I guess right now you're lucky that trouble isn't on my mind. [ Mischief maybe. Definitely, actually. ]

[ He's almost tempted to take Jim up on that offer. He might have, if the stubborn part of him wasn't holding him back. If he wasn't refusing to let himself give in, to give the man beside him the satisfaction. His frown deepens, making that frustration apparent. ]

I said fine, god! [ Is that better? It better be, the man's already descending back to unintelligible grumbling, his attention skirting away from Jim down to the glass resting atop his lap. He takes a sip, relishing in the burn and warmth of the brandy as it slides down his throat. When he finishes, he lets out a dry huff. ]

Should I be worried?

[ Jim takes the opportunity to lean up a bit, when he sees the frown deepen, and the wrinkle in his brow becomes apparent, to kiss the spot softly. ]

You're too easy to rile up, sometimes. [ It's a gentle admonishment, friendly and amused. He chuckles into his glass as he takes a sip of his own, offering a wink in Bones's direction as he speaks. ]

When have I ever given you cause to worry?

[ Plenty of times, but that isn't the point. ]

retired open post // will still tag in if threads are ongoing!

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