leftwithmybones | (no subject)

Jim's gotten used to rumors. A lifetime of people whispering behind his back (and sometimes to his face) has made him somewhat impervious to talking and gossiping, particularly when he's the subject.

He's also developed something of a select deafness to them. He doesn't care what people think or have to say about him, so no, he actually isn't aware that his crew (and probably most of the fleet) thinks that he has a new girlfriend.

(Funny, like he's ever even had a girlfriend to begin with.)

Jim is, of course, right where Bones thought he'd find him. And he smiles easily when he sees the doctor approaching, eyes tearing away from the ship to look at the PADD. A nod is quickly followed by a groan, and he shakes his head, grinning lopsidedly. "God. We're not even married and you're already nagging me. I eat just fine!"

"You do, but don't you want to wake up to breakfast already made?" he counters, and sure, he might be adding an extra portion of greens into any of it, but he wants to be able to surprise Jim with a breakfast in bed.

He also wants to be able to get coffee for himself so that he doesn't murder anyone before he's caffeinated, but that's distinctly less romantic. Taking the PADD back, he glances up at the ship, knowing it's only a matter of days before they're up there and exploring the universe again.

"There's probably something else you should be aware of before we get on board and start having preliminary talks with the crew," he admits, not wanting to give life or energy behind the rumors, but he wants to put them to bed. There's a smug part of him that wants to be possessive, too, but he's not giving that a name.

Jim opens his mouth, then closes it, eyes narrowing as he thinks on his answer for a moment. "If it's juice and pancakes, yes," he says finally with a smile. None of that health nut crap for his first meal of the day, thank you very much. He'll have fruit, if it comes with the pancakes.

His eyes go to the ship again, but soon turn back to Bones when he speaks again. Vague statement like that, it could be anything, so Jim asks. "What is it?"

"Eggs and bacon," he negotiates, not telling Jim about the others things he'll put into that as well, but he definitely thinks they can reach a compromise. He stares up at that ship and thinks about living with Jim for another blissful moment before he turns back to him, ready to deal with the ship gossip.

"You heard the talk? Seems like your relationship hasn't stayed so quiet," he says, and he says 'your' because apparently, McCoy hasn't been considered. He thinks the exact quote was, 'no, he's still as grumpy an ass as ever'.

Jim hums thoughtfully, then nods. "Deal," he agrees, blissfully unaware of what else Bones might try to add to his breakfast plate. He'll just whine about it when time comes, like the kid he sometimes is.

"My relationship?" He stares at Bones, lips twitching in amusement. "Sorry, I was under the impression you were a part of it too, or was that my mistake?"

In any case, it doesn't surprise him that there are rumors already, even before the ship's ready to leave. It's not like they've been particularly secretive, going out on dates all over Yorktown and just being generally very public about their relationship.

"Is that a bad thing? I mean, didn't you want people to know we're dating?"

"Oh, no, I'd like to be a part of it, don't worry, but I'd hate to piss off your girlfriend," he deadpans, because apparently Jim's with a hot woman or some snack of a man and not a grumpy doctor. His name never even crossed anyone's lips and he's not sure if he should be outwardly bitter or just stew in it for a while.

"You're damn right I want people to know we're dating, so when you have that meeting, I'm walking right in and pinning you with a goddamn kiss so they get it through their heads," he says, aggressive and only a little possessive.

"My girlfriend?" Jim pauses for a moment, staring at Bones in confusion, then... it clicks. And he starts laughing, throwing his head back a little in the process and all.

"Oh," he wills himself to calm down, shaking his head. "Oh boy, did they get that wrong. Wait, where did people even get the idea I'm seeing a woman? How haven't we been seen together all over this station? Maybe I should hold your hand in public more often. Or kiss you out of the blue."

His eyes are bright with endless amusement. It's just a misunderstanding, not something he really feels the need to get upset about, especially when it's something that can so easily be clarified.

"You'll do no such thing," he points a finger at Bones, then slides his hand down the doctor's arm, fingers wrapping around his hand. "But I can make an announcement to the whole crew, once we're on board. Just put an end to those stupid rumors. Probably satisfy their curiosity in the process. That good enough for you?"

He's not laughing, because he's not exactly pleased that people don't have eyes. Worse, the implication that they didn't even bother to consider him an option because he's cranky and not the first person that anyone thinks about when they think about Jim Kirk and relationships.

"Yeah, my womanish hips aren't like they used to be," he deadpans, shaking his head. "I guess we were always together before," he admits, because it's true. It's not like they didn't spend all their time together before. They just started seeing Jim's reservations and the way he looked.

Maybe he ought to be pleased that people think he's happy.

"You're saying no to me bending you over a flat surface? Look who's maturing," he drawls, with an amused smirk.

Jim snorts and shakes his head, putting an arm around Bones's waist and leaning in to kiss the corner of his lips. He's never cared much for rumors, honestly. Sometimes people get them right, sometimes they don't. Doesn't change who he is, and it definitely doesn't change what he has with Bones, or how he feels about him.

But he can understand Bones's position in this, why it would upset him that people think Jim's dating someone else. Which is kind of stupid, since Bones is the one person he's been spending the most time with, since they started dating. Who else would it be, really?

"No, I'm saying no to you bending me over a flat surface in front of a bunch of our Starfleet superior officers," he clarifies, eyebrows raising pointedly. "Some of them are kinda old, even, you might give them a heart attack or something."

He makes a slightly disgruntled noise, but it gets eased into something calmer when Jim kisses his lips and eases in close. He settles in, getting comfortable as he cocks his hip out and leans it against Jim's, shaking his head.

"Yeah, but I could bring 'em back to life," he says nonchalantly, like it's no big deal. "I'm a decent doctor, I don't know if you've heard that around at all." He turns his head to steal one more peck, because he gets where Jim's coming from.

"You have to at least let me get you in a position where Spock catches us," he begs. "I need to see if that shifts the Vulcan emotions."

Jim laughs, shaking his head. The mental image is certainly entertaining, but he knows Bones wouldn't really do something like that. Pretty sure they'd get into some serious trouble too, which he knows is the last thing Bones would want for either of them.

Trying to get Spock to walk in on them... okay, that he can go with. He's morbidly curious about it too, now.

"The ready room?" He suggests, eyebrows raising. It's a little risky, but that kind of excites him too, admittedly. And it would be a spot where it'd be all too easy for Spock to walk in on them. "Unless you have other places in mind..."

"So long as it isn't Uhura. I don't know that I could live that down," he confesses, seeing as her looks of judgment would definitely make him feel more than a little humiliated. Spock, though, well, he's seen him laugh on Altamid.

Now it's time to see if he can work him into a human lather of annoyance at having to walk in on the two of them. It's worth it. Maybe some of the ensigns, he could live with seeing, too.

He has claims to make. "You don't hate the possessiveness?" he checks. "Because until everyone knows it's me that you're with, I'm not letting up on it."

"But Spock you wouldn't mind, huh?" True, Uhura likely wouldn't keep herself from bringing it up, while Spock would actively try to suppress any and all comments, or the memory itself. Probably.

He turns to Bones at the question, then with a smile rests his hands on the doctor's shoulders. "Trust me, every single person on our ship is going to know we're together, from the first day we set foot on it. I'll make sure of that."

He shrugs and adds too. "And no, I don't hate the possessiveness. Actually I find it really damn hot, the way you want to show everyone that I'm yours."

"Spock wouldn't use it to humiliate me in a way that'd bother me." He'd do it with sly looks and logical comments that didn't poke at his skin, but he feels like Uhura would know how to dig deep and really get at him, which isn't something he's after.

"Oh? And is that from an announcement or something I get to do to you in front of them?" he asks curiously, because the latter sounds much more fun, especially when he's always looking for ways to break the newbies in. "As for people knowing you're mine, I got ways of my own, too. Also, hyposprays," he adds, only slightly manic.

Jim just stares at Bones at that last remark, bursting into laughter as he puts both hands on Bones's chest. "Bones! You're starting to sound a little crazy, just so you know. And no, it doesn't involve you getting to do something to me in front of anyone. I'll make a ship-wide announcement, straighten things out from day one. But I am not tolerating gossiping or any lack of professionalism aboard my ship-- that includes my crazy possessive boyfriend, who also happens to be my CMO."

It's all in good fun until people start losing their perspective and get to a point where they won't even realize this is their Captain they're gossiping about. Gotta set some boundaries from the start.

And yet, one of his greatest joys in life is the ability to go after someone with a vaccine in a hypospray and the relief he gets from stabbing it into someone's arm, especially when he doesn't like whoever it is. Will he say that out loud? Hell, no, he wants to keep his medical license, but he does think it.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll behave. Proper medical procedure only." He can save the rest for judgmental thoughts for his head. "No gossip at all, huh? Because I definitely don't mind a mini stitch-and-bitch session every now and again."

He sets down his PADD and gestures to the ship. "Can we take a tour inside?"

"No gossip about us," he kisses the tip of Bones's nose, lifting an eyebrow pointedly. "The last thing I need is a group of ensigns taking bets on which of us tops, thanks."

It's not that Jim is that private of a person, but he knows that on that ship, with his crew, there will have to be boundaries, limits defined clearly so that everyone on his crew, from ensign to commander, knows not to cross them.

He looks up at the ship, then shrugs. "Sure, why not? I mean, it's my ship. I can do whatever the hell I want." Okay, not technically. But he can definitely take Bones's arm and drag him off for a quick tour, which is exactly what he does.

"What, even if I secretly send an ensign in to win the money for us and we can go on a nice date?" He's joking, though, because the last thing he needs are those kinds of rumors flying around. He swats at Jim's face when he goes for a nose kiss, because what is he, a dog or something?

"You say that to command too?" he teases as they head inside. "It's my ship, I can do anything I want. How do they react to that?" He can guess not well, but he also knows that they've got a lot of leeway after saving the Yorktown. Hell, they could probably commit at least a murder or two and get away with it.

"You're ridiculous," he laughs, shaking his head at Bones. Being swatted away for that kiss doesn't dissuade him, actually he leans in close again, planting a series of kisses all over Bones's face.

"Oh, yes. In fact I make it a point to remind them of that every so often," he says in a chipper tone, not really caring that he's practically holding Bones's hand as they head into the ship. Maybe that'll get a few new rumors started, who knows.

He feels like he's being assaulted by an enthusiastic dog, but hell if he doesn't like it. He's grinning like an idiot who's deep in love when he leans in for a real kiss, not content to let Jim get away with these light little pecks.

"The troubling part is that you could probably do anything you want, you've saved the galaxy as often as you have," he admits, pressing a kiss to the back of Jim's hand before letting him go so he can duck his way into the ship. "God only knows I don't owe you because you owe me, at least twiceover, by my count."

The actual kiss is both surprising and lovely, and Jim just lets out a happy hum, a little jolt of energy traveling through him from head to toe.

There's a little spring to his step as he leads them into the ship, clearly already familiar with the layout. She's all finished so far as construction is concerned, there are just a lot of people going back and forth, setting up software, running diagnostics, installing minor components. Jim and Bones are both greeted with the occasional 'Sir' or 'doctor', and though no one says a word, a few eyes linger on their entwined hands.

Well, should make for some interesting gossip.

"Oh, yeah? Does that mean you're gonna start collecting now? I wasn't aware you were keeping tally."

He has to sidestep a few workers, because tripping over someone and testing out the new medical facilities on his own bloody nose isn't exactly something he wants to be doing, so he's glad he can tug on Jim's hand to lead him along.

"I mean, I'm not gonna collect, I just think that it looks good on a resume. "Saved Jim Kirk's life, helped save the universe, revived the dead." Actually, he's not saying that last one too loudly, because then there's going to be questions that he's not sure he knows how to answer.

When everyone is hurrying and running around, it's a little hard to avoid bumping against each other, but at least they manage to avoid actual collisions or unfortunate accidents. Jim quickly steers them through the different hallways and decks, leading the way to Bones's new sickbay.

"Yeah, because your resume clearly needs more stuff on it to further convince people you're a damn miracle worker," Jim points out. "Though I sure hope you're not planning on using that resume to look for a new job."

"I was thinking more I could frame it in medical and every time someone disagrees with me, I just smack it and point out that I'm the one who's successfully revived the dead. Twice." The tribble counts, he's standing by that.

"Don't worry, I'm not going up into space without you," he guarantees. "At least until I decide I'm sick of all that shit and retire to a nice cozy little farmhouse." Even with that, he knows that will only last so long before he goes crazy and needs to get moving again.

Jim laughs and shakes his head. Yeah, he's definitely not counting the tribble, that's not the same thing. "You know, having revived the dead doesn't make you right all the time, Dr. Frankenstein."

Holding Bones's hand still, he lets out a soft little groan at the mention of a farmhouse. "Only if there's no actual farm," he points out, casually adding himself to that scenario. Because if Bones isn't up there in space, then Jim's not so sure he'll want to stay there for long either.