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

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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