insurgents | OPEN POST.

Jim kind of winged it, honestly.

He wasn't even sure what he was going to say yet, as he took a transporter across the country to find Bones's ex-wife. He had no plan, no course of action, no speech prepared— this was about as spontaneous and as unplanned as could be, and of course it had James T. Kirk written all over it.

When he'd knocked on her door, he'd been fully prepared for surprise, shock, maybe a trace of hostility once she knew who he was and why he was there, as well as a complete refusal to even talk to him, let alone let him in. What he didn't expect, although he really should have, was recognition. The shock on Jocelyn's face was only trumped by the evident amazement that Captain James T. Kirk himself was standing at her door. Apparently the multiple times he'd risked himself to save people came first and foremost, and at first she didn't even seem to care that he was Bones's Captain, best friend and, though at first unknown to her, boyfriend.

Well, he'd take what he could get. He seized that opportunity and got her to agree to let him in before she recovered from the shock, and from there on out... it was all down to his charm and diplomatic skills.

He didn't even remember exactly what he said, but he did know he mentioned how Bones had been doing, constantly reminding himself to use his first name rather than the nickname he had for him. He brought up points that Jocelyn herself had to be aware of by now: how much Joanna loved her father, how badly they missed each other, how forcing them to be apart was nearly cruel. Last but not least, he pointed out that doing this would only make Joanna bitter towards her, how he bet that she was already acting out because Jocelyn wouldn't let her see his father.

They were only there for a few months, until the holidays were over. So what was so wrong with letting her stay a week or two with them, right? Joanna would definitely appreciate it, and likely would be grateful that her mother would allow her that time with her father.

Jim made the whole trip back still in shock and awe that he had managed this. With a small travel bag in one hand and a thirteen year-old girl holding the other, he could feel his heart pounding with excitement as he made his way back to the flat after what Bones thought was a whole day of boring meetings at Starfleet headquarters, and he held his breath in as he opened the door and let Joanna go in first.

The look on Bones's face was priceless. Jim had never seen the doctor so stunned, and for a moment he actually worried he might pass out. But he didn't. He held his daughter in his arms instead, and grinned and laughed more than Jim could ever remember. It only got better when he was told that she'd be staying a couple of weeks, and at that point Jim was actually wondering when Bones would start to cry.

The rest of the day went by quickly. They only had time to make some dinner, watch a movie, and after she fell asleep on the couch halfway through, he let Bones take her to the bed in the guest room and tuck her in, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed, quietly watching the two of them, his smile fond and gaze warm with admiration and affection.

Leonard long got used to Jim being dragged away for stupid meetings. To be quite honest, he decided they did it just to antagonize their youngest captain in the fleet no matter how many great things he did. On the other had, he just accepted most of it as a part of life. He just hoped he never had to be face to face with any of the Admiralty that did give Jim hell. He honestly didn't know what he'd do to them if they pulled their sass around him.

Instead, he spent the morning turning in reports to Starfleet Medical. Best get them all done now whem Jim was busy than take up time later. He liked order and structure and he got them done quickly. Boyce had been right pleased with his work and told him to get out and enjoy his time off. Something he wasn't all that used to. So he'd spent the afternoon buying food and planning out meals he could cook for Jim and do somethin' domestic. Like make dinner before Jim got home. It struck him a funny concept at first, but he figured it would get easier to picture once he actually got it done.

So when he was mostly done with dinner, he heard the door slide open and came out to meet him. Well, more like shock ten years off his life. At first he couldn't tell if it was good or bad. Just that a little girl he'd not seen in near eight years was standin' there in front of the love of his life and his life turned on its side. All he could do was catch her in his arms and hug her for all he was worth. Joanna looked even bigger, older now that she was right in front of him. She was damn near the prettiest girl in the universe to him and he would fight anyone that said different. But that was the pride of a father, too.

At least he'd made enough for them all for dinner. And he was damn sure glad he'd planned ahead so he could spend more time with her. The day went too fast and, god help him, he wanted to stretch the time out longer and further. When he finally put her to bed, he stood over her, fingers softly smoothing her hair out of her face before he pressed his lips to her forehead in a soft butterfly kiss. The second was left in her hair before he pushed to his feet. Standing there a long moment to just watch her sleep, he finally ran a hand through his hair and turned on his heel.

Finding Jim standing there silhouetted in the doorframe sent a roar of conflicting emotions raging through him until he couldn't stand still any longer. Crossing the room in determined long strides, both hands moved up to catch the blonde's face between them before he pulled the other closer to kiss him hard. It wasn't so much desire as pure love and passion pouring into that kiss as he fully intended to steal the breath from his lungs. He didn't have the words but he needed to kiss him. Show him just how many emotions were boiling over in his head.

Eyes closed, he pressed their foreheads together and stood with only a few inches between them as he breathed in shakily. "Damn it, Jim... what if something went wrong? What if Joce decided she didn't like you meddlin'?" He didn't want an answer. Didn't need one. He felt slightly angered by his lover's ridiculous impulsive nature but he couldn't stay mad at him. Not right now.

His fingers moved to slip into the blonde hair smoothing it back and through his fingers before smoothing about to cup his jaw again. The moment he opened his eyes he knew he'd hit his absolute quota for the decade on what emotions he could keep steady in his chest when the hot moisture rolled down his face freely. "And then you go and pull off another damned stunt like this. Just when I don't think you can surprise me anymore than you already have or that I couldn't love your crazy ass more than I already do." He knew he was going on and on now...

But this? How did anyone deal with this in a sane coherent way?

Even if Jim had messed up. Even if Jocelyn had cut him off because of Jim being so ridiculously brave and hopeful. He'd still love him. Still stay with him with that unerring faithfulness he always had. But it didn't go that way. He let out a huff of a laugh that made more tears run down his face and he started to pull away to just... get rid of them. ""Always make me a damned fine mess, ya know that?"

By the time Bones turned around to face him, Jim was equal parts ready to face either kind of reaction. Whether it was Bones thanking him or berating him for being a thoughtless and reckless asshole who could've ruined everything, he was prepared for anything Bones could say or do.

And yet the way Bones approached him in quick strides managed to knock any words right out of him. He barely got to open his mouth to speak when he had the doctor's lips pressed to his own, and he only let out a choked sound into the kiss while his hands grabbed at his shirt, fingers curling into the fabric.

"Don't like living on what if's," Jim answered a little breathlessly. He managed to convince Jocelyn, he got to have Joanna here to visit her father, what did it matter what could've happened? Things worked out. He'd rather focus on that than worry about things that never happened and never would.

His hands moved from Bones's shirt to cup both sides of his face, wiping those tears away before Bones got to. He kissed his cheeks, some of the moisture getting on his lips, but he didn't care. Evidently he wasn't the least bit bothered that Bones was crying— if anything he was amazed he'd managed to hold it in until now. "I love you, Bones. I'd go anywhere and do anything just to make you a little happier. Whatever it takes, I don't care. I'll do it."

Letting out a slow, long sigh, he let his eyes close. Taking a shaking deep breath, he let himself focus on the feeling of Jim's hands and lips on his cheeks, savoring the warm brush of skin and the even warmer feeling the bloomed in his chest. "You're such a reckless idiot." His voice stayed low and sweet, rough with emotions and full of pure love for the blonde. "Mine, all the same... but you're gonna give me heart failure one day."

Lowering his hands, he let them rest on Jim's hips lightly. Letting his eyes slip over his face, he leaned in and pressed his lips to the bridge of Jim's nose adoringly. The words coming from his captain made him smile, hell, it lightened up all his features and eased lines of tension in his face and all the way down into his shoulders. "What would I do without you?" Probably end up a very lonely and bitter old man in the endless expanse of space, but that really wasn't that important because well, like Jim said... why deal in what ifs.

Ducking his head, an affectionate smile bloomed over his face as he pulled at the other man gently. "When you talk like that on top of giving me the only other thing I could possibly want in this life... I want to do ridiculously sappy things that just aren't right." He laughed lowly and tipped his head to kiss him again, slow and soft. Tenderly nibbling on his lips, he hummed a low sound. "Like carrying your ass straight to bed and kissin' ya senseless."

And he didn't mean just any kinda carryin' either. But he'd let Jim figure out which was the sappiest way to be toted off and just took that moment to look his lover in the face and commit the moment to memory. "Thank you..." He looked down a moment, a red flush warming his skin. "Know it just doesn't say enough, but there it is. Everything most important to me is right here. Know that?" Lifting one hand, he moved it to cup about the side of Jim's face and let the pad of his thumb smooth over his cheek. "I love you. Ain't much different either... I'd do anything for you. Swear sometimes I could walk through fire for you. But ya know... all you'd have to do, darlin' to make me smile is smile yourself. Doesn't matter how many times I see it, gives me damn butterflies every time. Not that hard for you." Maybe for anyone else, but not for Jim. Just being with Jim made him happier than he could expect.

Especially when he did things like this.

Jim's smile gained a very faint but amused edge to it, and since Bones's cheeks were all dry, he dropped his hands from his face and pressed his palms to the center of his chest, over his beating heart. "It's fine. I've got your heart." In more ways than just one, was what he meant. "Besides, it's used to me. It'll be fine."

Though it sure had a lot of exercise, both in good and... slightly less good ways. Jim wasn't all that apologetic, not even about the latter.

"Hm, that does sound ridiculously sappy," he chuckled, leaning in to kiss Bones, happily stepping closer and curling into the doctor's embrace. "But then you do have a knack for being ridiculously sappy sometimes, just so you know." Something that Jim didn't mind in the least. Rather the opposite, he loved it and enjoyed it a lot.

He glanced over Bones's shoulder briefly, watching the still lump on the bed where his daughter was asleep. Finally he settled his hands on Bones's waist and tugged him along so he could close the door, pressing him against the wall right next to it instead, then he leaned in and kissed him again, warmer and slower this time, tasting Bones's lips freely now that they had the rest of the house to themselves.

Not that Jim was really planning on going wild, mind. Not while Joanna was here, anyway. He wasn't some horny creep, thank you very much.

"Wouldn't let you walk through fire for me, Bones. Not ever." He knew Bones wasn't being literal, but he also knew he would be, if such a situation presented itself. And Jim for one couldn't stand the thought of Bones hurting himself for his sake. Even if he would do the same himself without a moment's thought. "Ridiculously sappy things sound perfect right now. I'll happily settle for that."

Instantly he rolled his eyes. Only Jim could make something that sweet into something just as much of a smart ass remark. Letting his hands glide up Jim's back, he once more let his hands smooth along the curve of his neck to finally cup his head affectionately. "Where that may be, it's a bit sad that it is used to your ridiculous nature."

As Jim stepped closer, he wrapped his arms about him loosely letting on hand slip lower on his back. "I feel like I should be insulted. There was an insult in there, just hidden under that honey tones of yours." He pointed out cheekily before sending him a smart look. "That your way of telling me to tone it down?" Like he would. It was too much in his nature to smother it out now.

Following Jim's gaze over his shoulder, he let his gaze linger on Jo a moment before letting his eyes drift back to Jim's profile and the lines of his face. Moving with that pull on his waist, he noted the soft hiss of the door closing before feeling his back pressed into the wall. A brow arched slowly with the slightest quirk at the corner of his lips. Something that bloomed into a smile as their lips touched. Returning the kiss just as slow and sweet, he shivered lightly. The kiss felt more about the affection and emotions rather than the sheer need for touch. He was more than fine by that. Much as he loved both, this sweetness reflected that warmth and adoration in his chest more than anything else.

When it broke, he reached up to let his thumb press along Jim's lower lip softly. "Probably wouldn't be your choice if it happened, but your reluctance is noted." He smirked just a little before leaning closer to kiss the corner of his lips. Leonard knew damn well that Jim would go and do something ridiculous like that as well. He'd do it for more than just Leonard himself and where that drove him crazy, he understood.

"You know what?" He pulled softly at Jim's hair and laughed lowly. "Still say there is an insult in all that sweetness, darlin'." Snorting just a little, he pushed Jim back slowly, just a little as a look of thought flickered through his dark eyes. Finally he rolled them and shook his head. "Screw it, you're playin' along since you're so keen on makin' fun." Without a moment's thought, he dared to curl his arm under Jim's shoulders, not unlike he would all those times in the past to let Jim lean on him when he could barely walk. Only this time, he bent lower and got his other arm under his legs and picked him up in one sweeping gesture.

Turning his head to look at the blonde, he started moving toward the master bedroom with a slight arch of the brow. Most wouldn't give the doctor the credit he was due. He may be that, a doctor, but he damn well knew the importance of health and body. Luckily it made this ridiculously sappy action something he could actually do. "One teasin' remark and I will call you princess for the rest of our leave and don't think I won't."

"Is it? Or is it just a sign that you're safe?" If his heart was used to the exercise, then fewer the chances Bones would actually have some sort of seizure. Although, knowing the doctor and the stress levels he usually handled, Jim couldn't entirely discard the chance that it might happen. (Just kidding.)

He huffed and rolled his eyes a little, shaking his head. "No there wasn't! It was definitely a compliment. I like your ridiculous sappiness. It's one of the sweetest things about you, which I happen to enjoy a lot." And it wasn't something a lot of people would expect from the grumpy doctor, which meant Jim was one of the extremely few who ever even got to see that side of him, let alone enjoy it. He definitely liked that kind of exclusivity.

Jim kept smiling all innocently as Bones huffed for a little longer, lips stretching even more so when Bones moved and did exactly what Jim was expecting —and waiting— for him to do. Still, he let out a yelp when Bones swept him up into his arms, his own curling around the doctor's neck. The start of a laugh bubbled its way up his throat before he caught himself and bit it back, letting out a softer and quieter chuckle so he wouldn't disturb Joanna's sleep.

He shifted a little in Bones's arms, kissing his cheek, then tipping his head to nuzzle along his jaw and down his neck. "Yeah? And here I was going to name you my prince charming, swooping in and carrying me off in his strong arms."

Leonard made a point to catch Jim's eyes at that, a line furrowing his brow as his gaze shifted to something more serious as he spoke softly. "I am safe with you. Never doubt that. You just like to make me work for it." Smiling just a little, he sighed and leaned in closer to kiss him softly.

Jim didn't need to think it was just some flirting tactic or just him puttin' up with it all. He needed to know he did feel safe. That Jim kept him that way and he followed suit to keep him safe in return. It was as important that he knew that as it felt important to know Jim liked it when he spoke how he felt. Sappy or not. Slowly smiling again, he arched a brow at him. "Don't be expectin' no Shakespearean sonnets, darlin', I can't compose those."

He could just tell him the truth. And if the truth came out a little on the romantic sappy side, so be it.

Pausing in his journey to the bedroom, he tilted his head and met Jim's eyes with an amused smile. "You should be thankful I find that kind of cute or I'd drop you on that pretty ass of yours." The smirk lit his eyes as he started to walk again, slipping into the bedroom, mindful of Jim's legs and the door before pausing just inside. Closing his eyes at the feeling of Jim nuzzling into his neck, he tipped his head till his jaw and cheek brushed Jim's hair. Pulling him closer, he finally moved to kiss his forehead softly. "I'll take anyway I can get... to protect you. Since you're so eager to run out into danger... all I got is moments like these. Maybe I'm too damn sappy, but I live for these moments when I get to show you what you mean to me. 'Specially when you give my back my daughter and want to be apart of that."

Jim wasn't so stupid or blind to not see how things could get a little dangerous sometimes, but that was often the nature of their job. He also knew that sticking around him sometimes meant pulling risky stunts that could land them in tricky situations, so he wouldn't by any means say that Bones would always be safe around him, all the time.

But he did know that he'd do anything to protect him, anything to stop him from being hurt— even if that sometimes meant he himself jumping into the line of fire. Something that Bones didn't like at all, as he was well aware, but nothing to be done about that. He'd just have to deal.

"And ruin such a sweeping and romantic gesture? Don't be like that, Bones, you know you like carrying me around," Jim grinned warmly, his tone softening up, fingers sifting through the short strands of Bones's hair, eyes closing and smile growing fonder at those words. "Anything for you, Bones. And I'm very lucky to be part of all this. To be part of your life."

And to be able to help Bones get his daughter back into his life, too? That was more of a privilege than he could ever put to words.

Jim was right. He might be grousing and complaining, but he would rather not drop Jim and hurt him. Especially in a moment like this one. Not when it felt that damn good just to hold him like that. Leaning against the edge of the bed, he showed no signs of putting him down. Instead he smiled into that warm grin on Jim's face and arched a brow at him.

"You know, Jim... you are my life. You and that little girl. I know life's not idyllic, but it's ours. I'm just as much yours. I don't say it near enough, but you make me happy. I am happy." Slowly bending down, he slid a knee onto the bed as he lowered Jim onto the mattress. Smoothly following, he placed an elbow beside the blonde's head as he braced himself over him. His other hand moved, lightly slipping up his thigh, over his hip and along the curve of his side. Rounding the top of Jim's shoulder, he let just his fingertips graze over the line of his throat before stopping to cupping his jaw.

One corner of his lips lifted a little more as he leaned in closer to whisper a kiss to the blonde's lips soft and sweet. "Sometimes I don't think I can give back to you... all the things you give me."

Any other time, Jim might've laughed at the thought of being carried to bed like this, but right now he couldn't bring himself to. Bones was so gentle as he lay him down on the mattress that he couldn't help a warm flutter that spread through his chest, making the very skin of his cheeks tingle with a faint blush.

His knees propped up as he shifted more comfortably, his own hands settling on Bones's sides and sliding up to his chest, fisting the fabric of his shirt when he leaned down to kiss him. Tipping his head, he returned the brief kiss, chasing after Bones's lips for a second and more lingering kiss.

"Don't be ridiculous, Bones," he huffed, almost rolling his eyes at that, then smiling warmly as he nudged the side of Bones's thigh with his knee. "First of all, this isn't some kind of diplomatic mission and you don't have to give back anything. There's no keeping score here, alright? Secondly, you give me plenty. So stop that right now."

Fingers found their way into his hair, his elbow shifting just so on the mattress until he made it possible. Carding the long digits through soft blonde, he hummed a sound of approval. The fingers on Jim's jaw shifted, the tips tracing over lines of his face with a tender feather light touch. Feeling the warmth of that skin increasing under his fingers, he smiled more, a smile that lit up his eyes and features and furrowed smile lines into the corners of his lips. Making Jim flush for any reason made him... happy.

The tips of his fingers glided up to the lines at the corners of Jim's eyes, tracing each one that pressed into the skin when Jim smiled brightly. He loved that feature. Loved how his eyes seemed brighter and how dark his lashes were making his eyes even bluer at those moments. Impossibly and beautifully blue. Catching Jim's upper lip to nip softly as he pulled away from the second kiss, he arched a brow at the comment that followed.

Leaning in, he brushed his lips over the skin at the corner of one of Jim's eyes where he kissed gently. "I know, darlin'..." He almost added a but until Jim made that last comment. Not that he could put his finger on anything in particular he ever did for Jim, but he wouldn't argue it if Jim said he did.

Lifting up just enough to once more take in the features of his lover's face, he hummed a low soft sound. He curled the strands of hair around his fingers idly before letting a small amount of his body weight press into Jim. "All I want right now, is for you, me and Jo to be a family. I know it's askin' a lot. Probably never thought you'd have to deal with a kid. Much less a thirteen year old... But you're part of me now... You're my family.

Jim didn't particularly feel like having that conversation. He did know that Bones sold himself too short more often than not, that he couldn't possibly see all the ways in which he impacted Jim's life, how much he had done for him over the years— even before they became this special to each other.

He could list them out, honestly. He could go into great detail too, but it would end with Bones either flustering immensely or possibly even crying on him, and that wasn't something Jim wanted right now. Even if the former was always very appealing to him.

His hands slid back down to Bones's waist, rounding it smoothly, settling on the small of his back when their bodies pressed together. His knees spread a little so Bones was fitting right between them, though he enjoyed the closeness and intimacy more than he tried to chase any pleasure their positions could bring.

"We are a family," Jim said, trying to sound more level than he felt at just hearing those words. He was actually fighting the urge to get up, grab Bones and twirl him around all happily. "And don't say that. I love Jo, she never felt like a burden to me. I'm happy she's part of my life now too. And that I get to be part of hers."

It wasn't the same as being a father, he knew that. But to Jim, it was close enough, and he liked that more than he thought he ever would.

A warm smile fluttered over his lips as he leaned closer to kiss Jim in a soft butterfly kiss. "See... you say that and I think about how perfect you are. But I know the moment we go back out into space you're gonna say something utterly insane to remind me there's no such thing as perfect." Amusement lit up hazel eyes as he teasingly pull a few strands of dark gold hair. "God help me, but even with the crazy stunts and ridiculous ideas, you're still perfect for me.

Once more carding his fingers through Jim's hair, he started to drop small butterfly kisses over his face. Against his temple, forehead, his cheek, the corner of his lips and just under his ear. Just soft sweet kisses until he nuzzled into the curve of Jim's neck. "And for the record, it's your fault I get ridiculously sappy. You make me that way just bein' you."

Lifting back up, he moved his hand to let his fingertips slip over Jim's cheek before he moved it down to splay his hand over the plane of the other's chest. He et the feeling of Jim's heartbeat slide through him like liquid warmth, forcing a soft sigh out of his lips. His eyes found those of blue, a more serious look filling them but not enough to remove that softer edge to his features.

"You know you're the only one I'd ever trust enough to be another parent to her, don't you?"

"Better that I'm not. I don't wanna be perfect." Sounded kind of boring, actually. He liked it that Bones put it that way, but it was never Jim's aim to be perfect. He was only human, and that included all the flaws that made him a unique individual.

He was just glad that those flaws weren't nearly enough for Bones to not want to be part of his life. In a way it felt like Bones loved those flaws just as much as everything else about him. And if anything that was what was perfect about this— about them. That they loved everything about each other, no matter what.

He licked his lips and swallowed dryly at Bones's next words, his heart beating fast against his ribcage. His hands moved up to cup Bones's face and he closed the distance between them to fit their mouths in a warm, lingering kiss, inhaling deeply as his fingers curled around Bones's neck, keeping him close. By the time he pulled away, he was a little breathless, his forehead pressed to Bones's own.

"Sometimes I don't know how all the love I feel for you even fits inside me." He grinned, closing his eyes and kissing Bones again, and again, arms wrapping around his neck. "Can't believe how lucky I am."

He stopped moving when those hands caught his face. Stilling, he smiled down at Jim and arched a brow in curiosity. Only to feel all thoughts dissipate the moment their lips touched. Giving in to the kiss was easy, melting into Jim even more so. When they broke apart, he huffed a soft laugh and nearly asked what that was for until Jim's voice cut him off.

Fingertips slipped down the side of Jim's face as he let that sink in and cause the smile on his face to broaden. A heat flushed his cheeks until he shivered from the sheer thought of what those words meant for them. Leonard understood. He knew exactly what Jim meant, cause he felt that way about him more often than not.

He smiled into each kiss, his hands moving to cup Jim's face adoringly. "Thought that was my line, but I'm good with this bein' equal." Leaning down again, he kissed him soft and sweet one more time. "You're the first thing I wanna see every mornin' and the last before I fall asleep for whatever time I've got left. You're definitely it for me James T. Kirk." He purposely sharpened the T as he winked at him. He always found it hilarious that Jim had to throw that T in there every time. Or cute. He found them interchangeable, really.

Jim was this close to just laughing for no reason whatsoever. He felt drunk on happiness alone right now, and it was a heady feeling that made his head light and his heart float as if he were flying, and though he felt a little silly for thinking of it that way, he really couldn't care less.

"It's a two-way road, babe," he offered with a lilt and a grin, teasing Bones a little with that term of endearment. Not that Bones particularly seemed to mind whenever he used it, and he found that he rather liked it too. Especially when they were close together and alone like this.

"I like being it for you," said with a sigh, fingers sifting through Bones's hair just above the nape, the fingertips of his other hand trailing down the top of his spine. "I mean, not that I'd ever let anyone steal you away from me, now. Too late. Never letting you go now."

"Yeah? And you know what else? You are goddamn gorgeous when you are smiling like this." Grinning more, he couldn't help but let a hand move to trace the lines of his smile and over his brow slowly. Jim was down right stunning and he just wanted to memorize this moment. Both with his fingertips as well as his eyes. "I love you so much, Jim Kirk."

Chuckling lowly, he leaned down and kissed him again sweetly. "Yeah, well, I like it, too. A lot, really." He smiled brilliantly and dropped soft kisses over Jim's cheek and down the line of his neck gently. Feather light touches before he nibbled just so at the spot where neck met shoulder. Nothing desire driven but purely passionate and loving in every sense of the emotion.

"Huh... don't think I've ever heard you talk like that. I really do like it. You should try talkin' like that more often." He lifted his head and smirked at the other man, laughter and happiness clear in his gaze.

"Thought I was goddamn gorgeous every which way," Jim let out in a lilting tone, nearly a chuckle, his leg swaying a little and bumping lightly against Bones's side. It was so easy to tease, so comfortably domestic to be able to just lie together and genuinely enjoy each other's company, regardless of their conversation being serious or lighthearted, or even a mix of both.

He let his head fall back briefly as Bones's lips trailed down his neck, humming pleasantly at the gentle attentions. He knew they were aimless but Jim didn't enjoy them any less because of it— actually he enjoyed them even more, for being just the perfect show of affection.

"Duly noted," he looked at Bones as he pulled back, lifting his head up to steal a quick kiss from his lips. "I'll make sure to remind you you're all mine at least, hm... what does the doctor recommend? Three times a day?"

"Oh you are. No doubt 'bout that, sweetheart. But jus' somethin' about that smile. Makes me just melt." He angled his head just a little before he arched a brow. "Probably cause your smile is the outward expression of just how damn gorgeous you are on the inside. Granted, I'm bias... but I know when your smiles are real. And the real ones? Those are priceless to me."

If Jim didn't want the sap, he was too late. Cause right now, Leonard was too happy, too warm, and too deep in love with him to care if he liked it or not at this point. And if his own smile was any indicator, he was way too far gone on this man to bother reinin' it in.

"Three? Sounds like you're gonna spoil me. Was gonna request at least once, but you go right ahead with three times. Promise I'll always make it worth your while." Chuckling, he kissed him again, letting their lips linger this time. He gave him a softly amused look of curiosity as he kissed the corner of his lips. "Do you like that you're all mine, darlin'? That everyone else lost their chance and I am never gonna let you go again?"

"God, you're such a sap," Jim said, grinning wide, though his tone was more warm than it was teasing, his cheeks gaining a slight pink tint to them. He tugged at Bones's shirt and cupped his neck, thumbs brushing across Bones's jaw, leaning in to steal a slow, warm kiss from his lips.

"It's fine. I like spoiling you, anyway." Besides, Bones could spoil him just as much sometimes, and of the two Jim was definitely not the one who needed it more. Either way, Jim didn't care. He'd happily scream at the top of his lungs every day how they belonged to each other.

He settled on a softer smile at Bones's question, the corner of his lips twitching in warm amusement and affection. "Always been yours, Bones. No one ever even stood a chance, believe me."

"That's just fine. I'll cut you off of the sap. No more for you, darlin'." He said the words with a finality that was edged with the soft hint of humor. Like he could even possibly stop himself from letting out the 'sappy' words and adoration when he got into moments like this with Jim. Those moments all he wanted to do was kiss him all over in sweet adoration and commit his every feature to sensory memory.

"Do ya now?" He never really considered the idea. Jim did things for him in his own way. Pretty spontaneous for the most part, but nothing like this. Nothing like a promise to say things to him more than once a day that Leonard hated to admit he loved hearing. Cause it made him feel more confident, stand a little taller, and hell - made him smile more as well. And where the smiling caused issues with drawing attention, he loved that feeling that Jim gave him when he made the doctor feel like he was irrevocably his. And by god, he was completely and utterly Jim's.

Shifting his hand, he let his fingertips slip over Jim's lips sweetly. "Yeah? Good to know, darlin'... cause it's very much the same." Nothing and no one could get his eyes off of Jim. Pausing a moment, he leaned in and kissed his lips softly. "Know what I'm gonna do?" He smiled lightly, his eyes glowing with amusement and affection. "Gonna take you with me to show Jo everything around here. And I plan to hold your hand no matter who sees." And watch him, right now he was willing to even kiss him and give him affectionate displays in public.

"Liar. Like you could even stop yourself," Jim teased, knowing Bones all too well by know. He may seem all grumpy and rough around the edges but Jim knew he was really a softie at heart, and that when he was taken over by emotion he could be especially sweet with his words.

And Jim for one wasn't about to complain. He loved hearing those words, loved the way they made his heart pick up pace, even getting his cheeks to fluster a bit at times. It was no easy feat to make Jim Kirk blush, but Bones was definitely very skilled at that by now.

He feigned a shocked expression at Bones's last words, even adding in a gasp for dramatic effect. "Holding hands, in public? Why, Doctor McCoy, that's so incredibly brazen of you. People will talk, you know." His voice lilted until it faded into a chuckle, and he nipped lightly at Bones's lips. "That sounds wonderful. We can choose a bunch of places to visit. Some parks, maybe museums... I'm sure she's got her own list of places she'd like to go to."

"You watch, one day I'll succeed and you will miss it." Snorting softly, he knew Jim knew him too well. That was fine by him. He liked that Jim made that big of an effort to know him that way. It made him feel warm and content in ways nothing else ever had in the past. Not that it didn't go both ways. Bones made the effort to watch his lover all the time and see what made him happy and what aggravated him. He just... didn't realize what he was doin' till he was too far gone to take it back.

God, not that he ever would. Not now.

"Keep it up, Jim and see where it gets ya." He feigned a rough tone before snorting softly in amusement. God, he loved this idiot and all of his ridiculous smart assery that came with it. "Don't blame me if I end up kissing you. Cause I don't know how much I can control myself having that much happy in one spot. I just might break something." He laughed a little and touched their noses softly. "Don't care where we go, just as long as we're together. All three of us."

"Yeah, sure. If you don't mind, I won't be holding my breath for that." Which, honestly, he didn't mind. It was so cute how he was such a sap sometimes, Jim had grown to like it just as much as everything else about the doctor.

"That sounds like a very promising threat," Jim grinned, leaning in to kiss Bones again, smoothing his cheeks with his thumbs. "You can kiss me, for the record. And hold my hand. I mean, provided Jo doesn't mind. You know how I am with public displays of affection." Very comfortable, basically. Jim never shied away from that sort of contact, and if either of them could ever possibly mind it'd be Bones. So for that, he'd rather the doctor be the one to set up the boundaries. "We'll have fun together. We'll go to all sorts of places, take pictures... all that. It'll be a great few weeks, you'll see."

OPEN POST.

for legendary_hands

You're so adorable, Jim.. <3

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