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#something something when jim and bones sees the enterprise for the first time
katierosefun · 1 year
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god you know how much i love science fiction/fantasy purely for That Moment when the character rockets off to space for the first time or when they see the stars for the first time or when they see grass for the first time just something inherently beautiful and emotional about watching someone realize that the world is so vast and so much bigger and so much brighter and so much scarier and so much better or whatever that one doctor who quote said
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toboldlygohome · 3 months
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Oblivious
Leonard McCoy x Reader
Summary: You are oblivious to all of Leonard's attempts to flirt and all of your friends think it's hilarious.
Character(s): Leonard "Bones" McCoy, James "Jim" Kirk, Spock, Nyota Uhura, Pavel Chekov, Hikaru Sulu
Warning(s): Slightly cringe attempts at flirting, Painfully oblivious reader, Stephen King references
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Leonard was finally ready to move on. The divorce had left him with wounds he wasn't sure he could heal from. He hadn't been interested in dating for years afterward. But for the first time since then, someone had caught his attention.
You were the new head of Archaeology aboard the enterprise. You had been transferred from the USS Celine to assist in the 5 year mission. To say you were new wouldn't be exactly correct, you had been on board for about 6 months already. You had taken to the position well and were already good friends with everyone in your unit, as well as all of the bridge and command personnel.
Leonard knew he liked you the moment you met. You had a firm handshake, a killer smile, and when Captain Kirk asked if you were single, you told him it wasn't his business. Jim's stunned face when you shook his hand and walked away was priceless.
Of course there were far more reasons to admire you other than your ability to take the captain down a peg. You were incredible at your job, finding ancient ruins in the most unlikely of places. You were like a dog when it came to fossils, sniffing them out almost as soon as you landed on alien soil. You were smart and always ready to answer questions. You were also highly tolerant of people's mistakes, something that was slowly rubbing off on him. When you were around, Leonard found he had more patience for stupidity and everyone else noticed as well.
You were kind, you were a great listener, you were hilarious, you were dependable, considerate, honest, cheerful, and you could always be counted upon for some witty banter. Not to mention you were the most beautiful person Bones had ever seen in his life.
That's not to say you didn't have your downfalls too, everyone does after all. You were self deprecating, a little easily distracted, and of course you were the most painfully oblivious person in the universe.
~~~
It all started one morning at breakfast. You were sitting in the cafeteria with Jim, Nyota, and Spock.
Leonard had made his decision the previous night while drinking with Jim. Bones wanted to pursue a relationship with you, but he wasn't going to just tell you point blank. He wanted to gauge your interest before taking that leap of faith.
"Mornin'" Leonard said as he sat down beside you. "Jim, you look terrible."
Jim, who was still hung over from the night before, frowned at the doctor. "Gee, thanks. I had no idea."
"You're welcome. Now Y/N on the other hand, you look great this morning," Bones smirked. Jim and Nyota immediately perked up, clearly not expecting him to be so forward (especially not this early in the morning.)
"Thanks Doc," You smiled at him and returned your attention to your oatmeal.
"What's your secret?" Asked Bones upon deciding that your smile was a good sign.
"My secret?" You raised an eyebrow.
"To looking so good every morning," he clarified. Nyota and Jim looked at each other incredulously.
"Ummmm," You thought out loud. "Get good sleep, take your vitamins, and don't get wasted at two in the morning." You patted Jim's shoulder and stood up with your empty bowl. "I better get to the lab, see you guys later!" You grinned.
Everyone bid you a good morning before gawking at Leonard, amusement etched on their faces. "What's your secret? Did you seriously ask 'what's your secret?'"Jim cackled.
"Leonard, you seriously need to up your flirting game." Uhura barely stifled a giggle.
"I know it's been awhile doc but seriously, that was terrible! And I've heard Spock's attempts at flirting," Kirk snickered.
"It wasn't that bad, y'all are acting like I'm some cretin who stole their oatmeal and called it flirting. I called them attractive, get off my back." Leonard rolled his eyes.
"No, you said they looked good. That could be interpreted in, so many ways. As far as flirting goes, that was pretty pathetic." Nyota said.
"I would have to agree doctor, perhaps you could take instruction from the captain or even-" Spock started.
"Shut up and eat your breakfast," Leonard snapped, causing another fit of giggles around him.
Bones sat there, glaring into his eggs, trying to figure out where he went wrong. The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed that Uhura was right. You didn't realize he meant it in a romantic way. Maybe he was more out of practice than he thought. He was just going to have to give it another shot. Practice makes perfect after all.
~~~
The next day, Leonard tried a different approach. Coffee mug in hand, he made his way to your office only to find it empty. He looked all over the labs, nowhere to be seen. It wasn't until made it up to the bridge that he found you deep in a discussion about landing sites for an upcoming mission.
Your head perked up when you saw the doctor come in from the turbolift. "Ahoy, McCoy! We missed you at breakfast this morning." you smiled as he came to stand beside you.
"Sorry darlin', had some gamma shift engineers to patch up." Bones casually passed the mug over to you. "Made you some coffee."
"Really? for me?" You peered into the cup and beamed, "thank you doctor, it's just how I like it!" Jim gave Leonard a subtle thumbs up while you sipped your drink.
Leonard had a good feeling this time. You were happy with the gesture and even Kirk seemed impressed. It felt like a good first step, until-
"First Chekov brings me a croissant, then McCoy brings me a coffee. I'm so lucky to have such great friends. Thank you guys!" You smiled at the two men.
"You are very welcome!" Pavel grinned.
Leonard's mood plummeted almost instantly. While he was glad you got to enjoy a croissant and a coffee, Chekov's untimely generosity made his romantic gesture seem more like a friendly one. He was going to have to go back to the drawing board.
You turned to the captain, cradling your warm cup in your hand. "Is there anything else you need of me Captain?"
"No Commander, I believe you've answered all my questions," Jim said.
"Wonderful! If anyone needs me, I'll be in the lab trying to decode some ancient texts," you took another sip of your coffee before strolling back to the turbolift.
Once you were out of sight, Jim patted Leonard on the arm. Sulu and Chekov were trying their damnedest not to laugh, and failing miserably of course.
Leonard furrowed his brows at the two of them before looking back at Jim's cheeky grin.
"You told them?" Leonard scowled.
"Told them what?" Jim laughed.
"About..." Leonard rolled his eyes and gestured to the turbolift.
"The only ones I told were Uhura and Spock," Jim assured.
"He didn't need to tell us anything, It's written all over your face Dr. McCoy," Sulu said.
"Yes, you get all red in the cheeks and you have this look in your eyes like you've seen the sun for the first time. It is very obvious you are vying for the Commander's attention," Chekov agreed.
"If I'm so obvious, why isn't Y/N picking up on it?" Leonard crossed his arms.
"Maybe you need a new approach, try... I don't know, making up new excuses to spend time with them. Or maybe you could try touching them," Jim suggested.
"Touching them?"
"Yeah, nothing inappropriate or anything. Just little things, like pats on the back, nudging their shoulder. Stuff like that. Might show Y/N you're interested without having to use the words, you know?"
"I don't know Jim..."
"Look, you're a doctor right?"
"I hope that'd be pretty goddamned obvious by now," Leonard glowered and put his hands on his hips.
"And as a doctor, you have a pretty good gauge on if someone's uncomfortable right?" Jim asked, "just try it and if you get the sense they're uncomfortable, just stop doing it. Easy as that."
"Why do I get the feeling it's not going to be as 'easy as that?'" The doctor shook his head.
"Because you are an incorrigible pessimist, Bones." Jim patted his shoulder.
"I'm done here, some of us actually have work to do," Leonard grumbled and trudged to the turbolift.
"All work and no play makes McCoy a dull boy," Kirk beamed.
"Quote Stephen King to me one more time. See what happens." Bones said as the doors closed. Alone in the elevator, he allowed himself to think about where to go from here. Perhaps Jim's ideas weren't so terrible. He rather liked the idea of spending more time with you. He usually talked with you during mealtimes and meetings, but not much outside of that. The touching is what was making him nervous.
He came into contact with people all the time, being a doctor was a very hands-on profession. He just didn't have Jim's level of confidence anymore. It felt ridiculous, he could stitch a man's thumb back to his hand and deliver an infant in the middle of a battle, but he couldn't touch your shoulder? Maybe he'd just skip that step for now. Quality time, that seemed like as good of a direction as any.
~~~
He continued bringing you coffee every day, It gave him more time to get to know you and Leonard was falling harder by the minute. He hadn't really looked forward to anything in a long time, but he looked forward to your coffee talks. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough anymore. The chats weren't long enough and you still weren't catching on to his feelings.
It had been a particularly stressful day, it felt like everyone needed something from him and he was in desperate need of a break. The moment things got quiet in the medbay, Leonard snuck away and his feet carried him to the archaeology labs.
It was quiet inside. A few ensigns were at work in their stations, putting together fossilized bones and carbon-dating old tools. Leonard found you in the back of the lab where you were busy decoding some old scrolls. Learning to understand a lost language was no easy task; Leonard couldn't fathom the amount of reading it would take to accomplish such a thing. Still, you seemed ready to take on anything the Captain dished out.
"Commander, I see you're hard at work," Bones smiled and came to stand beside you.
"I see you're not!" You joked and looked up at him from your seat. "What brings you to my neck of the woods doctor? Did I forget about an appointment?"
"Not at all, I was just taking a break and wanted to see how you were doing," he said, hoping you would understand what he was trying to say: that he was thinking of you and wanted to see you out of everyone else on the Enterprise.
"Well I'm really glad you're here Len, because I've just made a breakthrough!" You beamed. "Take a look at this," you motioned for him to look closer.
Leonard leaned in to look at your scroll. "So, you know how I found these papers in a box under the Mofeli excavation right?"
"Mhm, you insisted there must be a basement and you found one," Bones hummed.
"I originally thought the site was a business, that these papers must be some sort of documentation. You know, like land deeds, proof of insurance, perhaps even money. Basically stuff you would usually keep in a lock box, but these aren't ledgers or inventory slips or anything like that at all."
"What are they?" He turned to look at you.
You met his gaze and gave him a grin that could melt the ice caps and outshine Sirius. "They're love letters," you said and his heart hammered his chest painfully. He was only just now realizing how close he was to you. How his hand was resting on your back, how his face was mere inches from yours.
"See, if you look here you'll find this symbol all over the place in these letters. It's the symbol meaning love or lover. I've completed the translation on this one right here." You returned your attention to the paper. Leonard swallowed and glanced at the sheet, trying his damnedest not to stare like some creep.
"What, um... what does it say?" He cleared his throat.
"It says, and I'm paraphrasing here, 'My dearest love, I find words elude me. My heart blossoms for you under the light of the sun and keeps me warm when the light fades. I find not the courage to speak, but many a whim to write. I desire your embrace. I seek your song. I crave your hand. I covet your blazing eyes. One day I-' This part is all faded so I can't make it out, but the last thing it says here at the bottom is 'May our hearts and bodies be intertwined for eternity, and our souls may sing together as one.' Then there's what I assume to be a name at the bottom, but I'm not sure how to pronounce it."
"It all sounds a little sappy to me," Leonard joked in a slightly strained voice. This whole thing with the closeness and the touching and the letter was really affecting him. If you noticed his struggle, you gave no indication, In fact, you seemed perfectly at ease being this close to him.
"Hey, a little sap never hurt anybody," you elbowed him lightly in the side.
"Croakus sap can."
"Touché"
Leonard chucked softly and lightly patted your back before crossing his arms casually over his chest Your easy conversation was already helping him relax again. "so, Commander, you've been down here in your lab for an awfully long time. What do you say we go for a walk to the observation lounge?"
"Sorry doctor, I would but somebody's got to make sure the ensigns don't blow the place up. That, and Spock wants me to finish three more translations by the end of my shift," you explained.
"Of course he does," Leonard huffed.
"But I'm free this evening if that works for you?" You tilted your head.
"Of course, absolutely." Leonard had no idea if that was going to work for him, but he was going to make it work.
"Great, I'll see you then," you said with a surprising amount of enthusiasm.
"See you then. Don't work too hard," he smiled and left you to your translating.
Bones was pleased with himself. He had managed to follow Jim's suggestions and they appeared to work. He'd even managed to secure a date with you later that evening...Well...he hadn't actually called it a date when he suggested it. No matter, Leonard would just clarify all that the next time he saw you!
~~~
He never got to make the distinction that your walk was intended to be a date. You had brought a friend with you. Leonard could feel the fear in your ensign companion's eyes. Bones was sure everyone on the goddamned ship knew what he was trying to do but you. It was still a nice night despite the unwanted guest. He learned a lot about where you grew up, your interests, and your favorite films and music. He learned your favorite flower was the iris, your first job was a librarian, he even learned you were in a band during your time at the academy.
The more he learned, the more he liked you. He wasn't even sure if liked was the right word anymore. You had quite a few things in common. Your favorite foods, you liked the same movies, and you enjoyed the same music. You asked him questions that got him really thinking. They were the sort of topics you don't realize you have an opinion on until you start talking about them. But what surprised him most of all was when you asked about his daughter. What sort of interests does she have? How is she doing in school? I wonder if she would like X,Y, and Z. He was always hesitant to talk about Joanna or his ex, but it felt easier with you. Like that wound he had been carrying for so long was finally closing.
Your friendship progressed beautifully, but he felt like you were growing more and more blind to his advances. He had seen you turn plenty of people down before. If you weren't interested in someone, you made it abundantly clear. But you had yet to do the same with Bones. It wasn't just him: Jim, Nyota, Pavel, Scotty, Hikaru, and pretty much everyone else who knew you were puzzled as well. Even Spock couldn't understand how you were so incognizant. It was funny for them at first. They would laugh at every compliment you didn't register, every smile you didn't realize had meaning, every coffee, every walk to the deck, every deep conversation, every breath of relief when you come back from a mission. He was even so bold as to tell you in no uncertain terms that he'd do anything to make you smile.
The laughter turned into looks of pity. Leonard was about ready to give up. Maybe you weren't interested and you just wanted to let him down easy, you were good friends after all. Bones sat at the bar as Jim poured him another glass. Normally he was the one playing bartender, but Jim insisted he take over.
"I gotta say Bones, I really hate seeing you like this." Jim poured himself a drink too. "How did lunch go?"
"I told them they have beautiful eyes." Leonard sighed and shook his head.
"And?" The Captain probed.
"They said 'if only they worked as well as they look,'" Bones groaned.
"Ah..." Jim stared into his drink. He tried to put himself into Leonard's shoes. What would he do if he were in this situation?
"I don't know what I'm doing wrong..." McCoy muttered.
"You aren't doing anything wrong, Y/N just-" Jim started.
"It's something I'm doing, it has to be. Maybe this is a mistake."
"No, Bones it's not a mistake. That couldn't be farther from the truth."
"And how would you know? It's not like you have any problems finding dates," Leonard rolled his eyes.
"Seems like Y/N's not the only one who's oblivious," Kirk chuckled.
"I'm not in the mood for jokes Jim." Leonard took a sip of his whiskey and ran a hand over his face.
"Believe me Bones, I wish it were a joke. There's just no way the two most unaware people are head over heels for each other. I'm waiting for the punch line" James smirked.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Bones scowled.
"Look, just... we have shore leave coming up in a few weeks. Ask them on a date. Like really ask them. Be frank, be clear, make sure there is no way Y/N can misunderstand you. Trust me," Jim squeezed Leonard's shoulder.
"Fine. But if this goes south, you owe me as many drinks as it takes to forget this whole debacle." The doctor downed the last of his glass.
"Bones if this goes south, I'll eat my hat."
"You don't have a hat."
"Point still stands. It'll work, you just have to have a little faith. And lucky for you, I have enough faith for the both of us." Jim winked.
Leonard wished he had Jim's enthusiasm. Officious little prick, he thought to himself...Dammit, now I'm quoting Stephen King.
~~~
Shore leave was just around the corner and Leonard was no closer to his goal of asking you on a date. Everyone was running around, trying to prepare the ship for inspection, he still had his normal duties to attend to, neither of you had time for coffee all week, Spock was being especially nitpicky about protocol, and he was anxious about what you'd say when he eventually got around to asking the million dollar question.
Yeah, Leonard was about ready to lose his marbles.
He was prepping the supply storage units, when Spock strolled in for the tenth time that day.
"Dr. McCoy," Spock greeted, startling Bones to the point that he nearly dropped his box of gauze.
"My god man, what the hell do you need this time?" Leonard implored, "don't you have anything better to do with your day than pester me?"
"Indeed I do, doctor" Spock replied.
Leonard huffed and sat down his box, "then what is it, did you miss my face or something?"
"I saw your face only moments ago, I have no need to miss-"
"It was a joke Spock, what do you want?" Leonard pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I came to inform you that I saw Commander Y/L/N coming in this direction." Spock stated.
Leonard raised an eyebrow, "and?"
"It is my understanding you are anxious to speak with them regarding your-" Spock started.
"Your understanding is correct, I just..." Leonard sighed and shook his head.
"Would it help if I told you the odds that they will say yes?" Spock asked.
"Never tell me the odds Spock," Leonard grumbled.
"Then I will simply say, good luck." Spock turned and left again, leaving Bones to decide if he was ready for this. He didn't have time for a decision, because there you were in the doorway with two mugs in your hands.
"Hey, stranger," You laughed. "Looks like I got here just in time, you look like you need some." You handed over the cup and Leonard took it gratefully.
"Thanks," Leonard offered you a smile and took a sip from his mug. It was just how he liked it, right down to the temperature. Together, they retreated to the safety of his office. Once inside, they fell into their usual conversation. He waited until things got quiet, then he decided to go for it.
"So, got any plans for shore leave?" Leonard asked, leaning back in his chair in an effort to appear more at ease.
"No, not really. Maybe I'll visit with a couple friends, catch up on sleep. How about you? got any exciting plans?" You leaned in, resting your chin on your hand.
"Not yet," he admitted. "But I'm hoping to make some."
"Oh? You got someone special in mind?" You hummed.
"Someone incredibly special, yeah." Leonard smiled. So far, so good.
"Oh, well I hope it goes well." You shifted awkwardly in your seat.
"Me too..." Leonard agreed. You both didn't speak for a moment, the distant hum of the warp core did little to tame the silence.
"Hey Y/N... I was thinking maybe we could go to that restaurant you like, you know the one with the really good Chicken Parmesan you're always talking about." He mused, "what do you think?"
"I, um... I think they'd like it" The smile you gave him looked...sad?
"What are you talking about? Who'd like it?" Leonard couldn't possibly be more confused.
"Your special someone?" It was your turn to look confused.
You've got to be kidding me
"I'm talking about you darlin', do you want to go to that restaurant with me, just us, nobody else. You and me. Together." Leonard clarified, meeting your gaze.
You looked positively flabbergasted. He couldn't possibly mean what he was saying, right? There was no way Leonard wanted to... I mean, he was way too good for you! You had been trying for months to get his attention, to no avail. This must be a dream. You're going to wake up any minute.
"Darlin'?"
"I, uh...what?" You blinked out of your daze.
"Dammit Y/N, I'm trying to ask you out on a date!" Bones ran a hand through his hair, exasperation evident in his tone.
"Really? Me?" You asked hopefully.
"Yes!" He replied "Look, it's okay if you don't w-" You suddenly burst into laughter and all the words died on his lips. "What's so funny?"
"Oh, I'm sorry! It's just-" You giggled, "I actually came here to do the same thing..." You said sheepishly as you dug into your pocket "I, um... I got us tickets to see your favorite band. Figured if you said no, you could just take Jim instead." You handed the tickets over to him.
Leonard stared at the tickets in his hand, shock written all over his face. "Sweetheart, are you telling me we've both been dancing around each other for months, when we could have been doing stuff like this the whole time?"
"Seems that way, yes."
Leonard smiled and shook his head. "We're not very good at this, are we?"
"Not at all," You laughed. "Ahoy McCoy? What was I thinking?"
"Points for creativity darlin'," Bones chuckled. He almost couldn't believe things had turned out so perfectly. But in his experience, coincidence didn't exist. "Jim knew, didn't he?"
"He was actually the one who pushed me to come here," you admitted.
"Same. The bastard told me you'd say yes... Guess this was one of the few times I should have trusted him." Leonard concurred.
"So... What now, doctor?" You leaned a little closer. How had he never noticed your eyes before. He knew they were beautiful of course, but the way they were looking at him now made him weak in the knees. Had you always looked at him like that?
"Well, for now we're going to finish up our shifts, wouldn't want anyone to think we're slackers. But later, we're going to meet at the recreation room for a drink, possibly a game of darts. Then we'll see where the night takes us," McCoy smirked.
"How romantic, I can hardly wait for you to sweep me off my feet, they're killing me from all this running around, you know?~" You mused, resting your chin on your palm.
"Now you listen here darlin'. I'm a doctor, not a broom." Bones couldn't hide his amusement when you rolled your eyes at him.
"Well, what if I sweep you off your feet then?"
"You'll have to be careful, you might drop me and we could end up tangled in a whole mess of limbs."
"Oh, I'm counting on it.~" You teased.
Leonard swallowed hard and hid his bashfulness with a sip of his coffee, "Well in that case, sweep away."
You laughed again and McCoy was sure he had never heard a more beautiful sound in his life. He could see a future with you then. He wanted to sweep you off your feet, kiss you until you were breathless, share coffee with you early in the morning, and swap stories until late in the night. He wanted to introduce you to his daughter.
Baby steps.
"I hate to cut this short doctor, but I left the ensigns alone for too long, I'm worried there will be no lab to return to. I'll see you tonight?" You asked, fidgeting nervously with cuffs of your sleeves.
"Don't worry sweetheart, I'm not going to change my mind." Leonard smirked.
You blushed and smiled in relief, "good! Great!" You stood, grabbed your mug, and sauntered happily to the door. You paused just a moment and looked back at Bones sweetly. "See you later, handsome."
"See you later Y/N," replied Leonard. You gave him a cute little wave before hurrying back to the labs.
Once he was alone again in his office, Bones leaned back in his seat and admired the tickets on the desk. He almost couldn't believe how thoughtful you were, but this wouldn't be the first time you gave him an incredible gift. A couple months after you met, Bones had mentioned offhandedly that he missed a particular brand of whiskey from Earth. Despite being light years away, you managed to find some and give it to him. It wasn't even a special occasion, you got it just to make him happy. Leonard supposed he should have realized your feelings for him right then and there. Damn. He really was oblivious.
McCoy wanted to give you something tonight- no, he needed to give you something tonight. Something sweet, something romantic, something that says: 'you're special to me and I need to show it to you because I'm terrible with words'. But where was he going to find something like that on a starship? The botany labs. Flowers make for a great gift on a first date! Maybe if he was lucky, they would have irises growing down there. So what if bouquets are a little sappy?
A little sap never hurt anybody after all.
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calliecat93 · 7 months
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Balance of Terror is probably, up to that point, Kirk in his most perilous situation. It is full battle mode where if he makes so much as one wrong move, he risks death. Not too mention potential war against an enemy that he knows little to nothing about. Thus, for the vast majority of the episode, we have Kirk in Full On Captain Mode... except for one scene.
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It's been hours now since the battle against the Romulans has started. At this moment, the Enterprise is a sitting duck and all that they can do is wait. Which gives Kirk plenty of time with his thoughts and in turn, his doubts. Doubts that he cannot let anyone see under any circumstances. Even when Rand, his personal Yeoman who has seen him at his best and worst, comes to see if he needs anything, the mask stays put. There's no point in bombarding her with what he's feeling internally and freak her out. That's not a luxury that he's allowed.
Well... save for one person.
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As soon as McCoy walks in and Rand leaves? Kirk is noticeably more at ease. You can even see Rand realize it and leave, allowing McCoy to help the Captain when she clearly isn't going to get anywhere.
It's only then that Kirk feels comfortable talking and letting his doubts be visible. It's the one vulnerable moment that he lets show in the episode, feeling the pressure as his men to look at him and the fear of what happens if he's wrong. If you think back to The Corbomite Manuver we had a similar moment where McCoy tried to talk to Kirk, but while Kirk was at more ease, he didn't want to hear it nor did he let himself really open up. He doesn't even use Bones then, which sure it's probably because they hadn't thought of the nickname yet, but in-show you can interpret it as Kirk remaining in professional mode even to the guy who has it in his job description to see to his mental health.
Not that McCoy is there just because it's his job, of course.
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From what we can tell, McCoy went to Kirk on his own volition. He wasn't called or anything, he went to go make sure that Kirk was doing okay. He's been in Sickbay for the majority of the episode and hasn't exactly been able to make time to go check on the Bridge Crew, especially not Jim. Now that he can, he's just there to let Kirk air out whatever he's been bubbling in for so many hours , as he always does.
But Kirk doesn't need McCoy, his Chief Medical Officer and essentially therapist, right now. And he clearly needs more than a soundboard to vent his feelings to. What Jim needs is Bones, his best friend and confidant. You even have McCoy, once Kirk's done talking, start to go 'Captain I-" before he's cut off, still somewhat in that professional mode (maybe even remembering the last time he spoke out of line in a tense situation ala The Corbomite Manuever). That's not what's needed. Kirk didn't expect an answer, but McCoy stops him. He outright says that he normally doesn't talk to 'a customer' like he is now, which goes to show how much he views Jim as far more than a patient or as the captain of the ship. Kirk is, first and foremost, his friend, and he needs some kind of reassurance right then and there.
And that's exactly what he gives.
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MCCOY: But I've got one. Something I seldom say to a customer, Jim. In this galaxy, there's a mathematical probability of three million Earth-type planets. And in all of the universe, three million million galaxies like this. And in all of that, and perhaps more, only one of each of us. Don't destroy the one named Kirk.
Just that bit of assurance and Kirk is good to go. And I think he needed it from Bones specifically. Bones, the one person that Kirk can really be himself around. The one person who he's allowed to be vulnerable around. The one person who has always been there to ease him and help him process his feelings, as we've seen already in episodes like The Enemy Within. And even with McCoy worried himself, even having voiced concern about the gamble that Jim is taking earlier in the episode, he still trusts him and has faith in him. And unlike The Corobomite Manuever where he provoked an argument and had his priorities skewed, McCoy knows what Kirk does and doesn't need right now, and he delivers.
IDK, I just love these two so much and I need to voice it for the world cause dang it, someone has to!
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adamantiumspy · 1 year
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of fractures and fabrications
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part 2
pairing: bones x reader
summary: you are captain pike’s daughter and have become inseparable from the enterprise crew, especially jim kirk and leonard mccoy... so when your terrible ex makes a reappearance right when you’re discovering your deeper feelings for bones, only chaos and heartache could ensue
word count: 5380
warnings: swearing, drinking
notes: my first time posting a fic, hope y’all like it! this took me a full month longer to write than I anticipated, and I may be writing this whole fic from bones’ perspective as well...
You never get as much rest during shore leave as your crewmates. While they’re off, free to do whatever they wish with their time, you have to spend a few hours each day back on the docked Enterprise tending to the plant life in the ship’s greenhouses. Jim always insists that you, as a senior science officer, have the authority to pawn off the task to one of your subordinates, but you take pride in doing the work yourself. And lately... well... lately you’re glad for the time alone. For the time away from a certain doctor.
You met Jim and Bones at the Academy, when they were cadets and you were an instructor’s assistant while your ship was on leave. The three of you became thick as thieves in the blink of an eye. Even though your friend group has grown since then, the bond you three share is special. So, a couple months back, when you realized that your feelings for one of your best friends had deepened into something... else... you panicked.
The last time you opened yourself up to feelings was during your own time at the Academy, when you dated a man for four years only to find out he was using you for your connection to your father to get ahead in his career and was fucking your roommate behind your back the whole time. While you know that Bones would never do something like that, the experience has left you scared to be vulnerable again. And Bones is one of your best friends. You aren’t about to ruin your friendship by putting him in the awkward position of having to turn you down.
So you’ve taken to spending more time dedicating yourself to your duties. Here, among the plants, no one will know if you while away the hours daydreaming about the way Bones’ hands would feel cupping your face, how solid his chest would feel against yours, how soft his lips would be...
You snap out of today’s daydreams at the sound of the doors to the greenhouses whooshing open. You look up to see Uhura and Sulu stroll in, the latter looking especially triumphant.
“See? I told you she’d be here,” Sulu says.
You busy yourself with checking each plant’s water level, the task you were doing before your mind wandered. “Of course I’m here. Plants don’t stop living just because everyone else is on leave.”
“C’mon Pike, you can try to deceive the others but you can’t lie to us. We know why you’re really here,” Uhura says.
You mentally curse yourself, regretting a night not too long ago when you, Sulu, and Uhura had gotten drunk and the truth of your feelings for Bones came spilling out of you before you could stop yourself. Since then, they refused to leave you in peace.
“You know, he’s still one of your best friends,” Uhura continues. “He’ll be more suspicious the more you push him away.”
“I’m not pushing him away,” you say quickly, eyes snapping up from the Capellan flower you’re inspecting.
“So then you won’t object to coming out with everyone tonight?” Sulu asks. “Kirk found a new nightclub he thinks we’ll all love and he wants us all to go.”
You swallow.
“I bet if McCoy sees you in something hot it will force him to be much more obvious about the feelings he definitely has for you,” Uhura insists.
“Enough, guys.” You sigh. “I know you want to be helpful, but filling me with false hope isn’t going to work. How many times do I have to say that before you understand?”
Sulu and Uhura share a look, shoulders dropping in defeat.
“Fine,” Sulu says. “Then come out for the rest of us. We care about you and want us all to have some fun.”
You look between Sulu and Uhura, both their eyes wide with hope. You sigh, a smile on the edge of your lips.
“Okay. For you guys.”
Sulu and Uhura cheer.
“Now get out of my greenhouse,” you order, turning back to the plants. “I’ve still got work to do.”
“No you don’t.” Sulu slides up to you, taking the tricorder out of your hands. “I’ll finish up for you. You go with Uhura to get ready for tonight.”
Before you can protest, Uhura grabs you by the arm and drags you out of the greenhouses, off the ship, and across the station to your accommodations. Once you’re back in your assigned room, Uhura dives into your closet. All you can do is sit on the edge of your bed as articles of clothing fly all around you. At one point you have to duck so as not to be hit by one of your hangers. The hurricane of fabric comes to a halt as Uhura unearths a black, figure-hugging, high neck, sleeveless dress with a slit on the side that goes dangerously high.
“No,” you say instantly.
Uhura smiles wickedly. “Yes.”
“No, Nyota–” you start, but Uhura just tosses the dress at you, shoving the rejected garments back into your closet.
“You’ve got two hours to get ready. Meet me in the lobby and we’ll walk over to the club together. If you come down wearing anything but that dress, I am making you turn around and come right back up here to change,” Uhura orders, slipping out of your room before you can voice another protest.
You lay the dress out on your bed. You haven’t worn something like this in a long time, but your friend can be exceedingly stubborn so you decide to let her get her wish.
After a quick shower, you slip on the dress. You put on minimal makeup and decide to leave your hair down, a welcome change from the braided updo you usually do for work. A glance at the clock tells you it’s about time to meet Uhura, so you put on a pair of low heels that match your dress and head out the door.
You meet up with Uhura in the building lobby. She whistles when she sees you.
“That dress looked good on the hanger, but you do it true justice.”
You giggle. “Never stop flirting with me, Nyota. And you don’t look too bad yourself.”
“Oh, I know.” Uhura strikes a pose, showing off her midnight blue dress that seems to shimmer in the low light. She then links arms with you, leaning in. “I’m serious about how good this dress looks on you, but it would look even better on McCoy’s floor.”
You feel heat rise to your cheeks. “Nyota!”
“What? If he’s not gonna start making moves, I’ve gotta start making moves for him.”
You shake your head. “Not funny. Besides, that is the cheesiest pickup line you could’ve chosen.”
The nightclub isn’t too far from the hotel Starfleet procured for the crew’s shore leave accommodations. By the time you and Uhura arrive, the rest of your friends are already a few drinks deep.
“There you two are! I was about to send a search party!” Jim calls, waving you both over to the bar. Your stomach does a flip the moment you see Bones. The easy smile he shoots you as you approach used to bring you platonic comfort, but now it sets every one of your nerves on fire.
“Woah, darlin’. You look incredible,” Bones says as you and Uhura join the group.
Uhura shoots you a knowing smile. “I know, doesn’t she?”
You ignore Uhura, turning to Bones. “Thank you. Uhura picked it out.”
Jim cuts in, handing you and Uhura a shot. “C’mon!” he exclaims. “Let’s dance!”
You barely have enough time to down the drink and place the glass back on the bar before Jim is dragging you onto the dancefloor. For the next hour you choose to forget all your worries, drinking and dancing with Jim, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov. You eventually manage to escape back to the bar, joining Bones and Spock. Bones chuckles as you collapse onto a stool.
“Worn out already?” he teases, flagging down the bartender and motioning for a glass of water.
“It’s been a while since I broke out my dancing shoes,” you reply. “But Jim just doesn’t stop. Where does he get the stamina?”
“I do not know,” Spock says.
Bones wordlessly passes you the water. You take it, nerves tingling at the brush of your fingers against his. The alcohol in your system has made you less cautious, so you beam at him.
“Thank you,” you say, taking a sip of water. “You’re always taking care of me.”
You think you see him blush, but you’re sure it’s just the flashing lights playing tricks. Jim and Scotty bound over to the group, gasping for breath.
“You abandoning us already, Pike?” Jim asks, ordering himself another drink.
“Just need a break, is all. Doctor’s orders,” you reply, shooting Bones a begging look.
“That’s right, Jim,” Bones jumps in. “Can’t have one of our best pass out on the dancefloor.”
“Then I guess you’ll have to take her place,” Jim says matter-of-factly.
“Jim, I don’t–” Bones starts, but it’s too late. Jim grabs him by the arm and drags him onto the dancefloor. Within seconds they’re both swallowed up by the crowd.
“Ach, the poor doctor never stood a chance,” Scotty says, shaking his head before turning to you. “Another drink, lass?”
You nod, downing the rest of your water and following it with the shot Scotty hands you. You haven’t felt this warm, this loose in ages, so much so that when your ex-boyfriend and ex-roommate walk into the club it takes a moment for your brain to register it. The second your brain catches up with what your eyes are seeing, you tense up, blood running cold. You feel Spock stiffen beside you. You guess he saw them enter too. Besides Jim and Bones, Spock is the only person who knows about your ex. He was there, after all, studying at the Academy beside you during the whole love affair.
Scotty notices the sudden tension, following both your gazes to see your ex.
“Who’s that?” Scotty asks.
“No one,” you say quickly, turning your back to the door.
But it’s too late. You’re sure he spotted you and before long you hear a throat being cleared behind you. You turn around slowly to see your ex, your backstabbing roommate by his side.
“Long time, no see,” your ex says, his gaze sweeping over you. You say nothing, and neither does Spock, who is scowling at your ex. Scotty takes the scene in before addressing the newcomers.
“My name’s Montgomery Scott. My friends call me Scotty. You are?”
“Matthew Williams. This is my fiancée, Anja Antos.”
You feel like you’re going to throw up.
“It’s nice to meet you, Scotty,” Matthew continues.
“Hold on now, laddie. I said my friends call me Scotty. And it seems like my two friends here don’t care for either of you too much.”
“Oh, that’s just a little grudge they’re holding onto from our Academy days.” Matthew chuckles. “Nothing serious.”
“What are you doing here?” you ask, finding your voice again.
Matthew turns his gaze to you. “Our ship’s on shore leave, and we’re out to celebrate. Anja just passed her bridge officer’s test. She’ll be joining me up on the bridge, where all the action is. You’re still working with plants, right Pike? I’m sure that can be exciting too.”
Before you can defend yourself, Spock says, “Dr. Pike is third in command of the Enterprise.”
You see Matthew’s jaw clench. And if looks could kill, the one Anja shoots you certainly would incinerate you on the spot.
“I see we have much more to catch up on than we thought,” Anja says.
“Why don’t you join us?” Matthew asks. “We can grab some drinks and find an empty booth somewhere to continue chatting.”
You can’t think of anything you want to do less than spend more time with Matthew and Anja, but, as if possessed, you find yourself accepting Matthew’s offer. Before you know it, the three of you are situated in a booth, the couple on one side, you on the other.
“So, you’re engaged,” you say, breaking the silence.
Anja and Matthew smile at each other.
“I finally got him to propose,” Anja says, leaning into Matthew. “It’s nice, knowing you have a partner who’s fully committed to you. I’m sure you’ll find someone who can make you feel that way too.”
“You assume I’m single?”
“You’re not?”
You take a sip of your drink. “That’s really none of your business.”
“So,” Matthew cuts in. “Second officer of the Enterprise. When’d you get the promotion?”
You think about your response for a moment. You’re usually not one for showing off your achievements, but you remember how badly Matthew wanted to command his own ship and how much he hurt you when you wouldn’t help him the way he wanted. So fuck him.
“A few years back,” you say. “When my father was still in command of the Enterprise. Starfleet’s offered me my own ship a couple times since then, but I keep turning them down.”
You see anger flash in Matthew’s eyes. You definitely got to him. Before you can say anything else, Jim and Bones plop into the seats beside you.
“There you are. We were wondering where you’d disappeared to.” Jim grins at you, before turning to the other half of the table. “Nice to meet you. I’m Jim Kirk, he’s Leonard McCoy. You are?”
“Matthew Williams and Anja Antos,” Matthew replies. Anja’s eyes rake over Jim and Bones.
“Matthew and Anja,” Jim repeats, turning back to you. “That Matthew and Anja?”
You give a slight nod and instantly both Jim and Bones throw their arms across the back of your seat, scooching closer to you, as if they coordinated it beforehand.
“We’ve heard lots about you, Matthew,” Bones says, barely concealing his distaste. “About you both.”
“And how do you two know Pike?” Anja asks
“We’re her boyfriends,” Jim says.
You choke on your drink.
“I mean, we’re also coworkers,” Jim continues. “I’m the captain of the Enterprise, McCoy’s the CMO, and Pike’s one of my science officers. But I feel like the whole relationship thing supersedes all that.”
Time seems to slow as your mind calculates both outcomes to this situation. Either you correct Jim’s lie and are forced to endure Anja and Matthew’s gloating as they hold your perpetual singleness over your head. Or... Or you lean into the lie, transform your strong friendships into a three-way relationship, and in the process allow yourself to let your guard down, wear your feelings for Bones on your sleeve without fear of reproach.
So you lean into the lie, and against Bones’ chest. Your hand reaches out towards Jim, taking his hand in yours, fingers curling together. Bones drapes his arm around your shoulders, holding you close. You look over to see Matthew and Anja taking the scene in.
“You’re both her boyfriends?” Matthew asks incredulously.
“Yep,” Bones replies.
“So how’d you all end up together?” Anya asks challengingly.
“Oh, honey, why don’t you tell them?” Jim turns to you.
“Yeah, you tell the story best,” Bones adds.
You realize they’re letting you set the stage as a way to make up for blind-siding you. You decide to start with the truth.
“We all met at the Academy. Jim and Leonard were cadets and I was an instructor’s assistant. We became fast friends.”
“And... what? You fell into a relationship?” Matthew asks.
“No, no, not all at once,” you say, gaining confidence. “It started with me and Jim. He was a charmer, swept me off my feet. Nobody knows how to make me laugh like Jim does. And it was just the two of us for a while, until one day I woke up and realized I’d fallen in love with Leonard.”
The words you’ve been too scared to even think just spill out of you. You look at Bones to see him smiling at you and you have to remind yourself that none of this is real. That his happiness at your declaration is a fabrication.
“In hindsight, I should’ve seen it coming,” you continue, eyes still on Bones. “Loving Leonard is like breathing, always there but you’re never aware of it unless you concentrate hard enough.” You shoot Matthew and Anya a look. “I told Jim immediately because I’m not a cheater. To my surprise he said he was willing to share, providing Leonard felt the same.”
“And you two are happy with sharing?” Matthew asks.
“We’re happy with any bit of love we can get from her. She’s an incredible woman.” Jim grins.
“If it were up to us,” Bones says, “we’d be married already.”
Your stomach flips, mind racing with images of you and Bones as a married couple. Waking up next to him every morning, dropping by the medbay just because, him visiting you in the greenhouses because he misses you, sharing his last name...
You can feel his eyes on you, but you stop yourself from looking at him again, afraid that he’ll see beyond the performance, straight into your heart. Instead, you glance at Matthew and Anja. They are shooting each other knowing looks.
“Baby,” Anja says, addressing Matthew. “I need a new drink.”
“Of course,” Matthew replies, turning to the other half of the table. “If you’ll excuse us for a moment.”
As Matthew and Anja move towards the bar, Jim whispers, “I don’t think they fully bought it.”
“Of course they didn’t buy it,” you whisper back. “They were never gonna buy me having two partners. They still think no one would associate themselves with me of their own free will.”
“They’ll buy it if you kiss one of us.”
You widen your eyes at Jim. “If I what?”
You are suddenly acutely aware of the fact you’re still leaning against Bones.
“If you’re worried about our willingness, darlin’, don’t be,” Bones says. “Jim and I got you into this mess and we’re gonna get you out of it. The last thing we want is for those two assholes to think they’ve one-upped you.”
You look between Jim and Bones, both of them watching and waiting for you to act. Once again, your analytical mind processes the two possible scenarios. If you pick Jim, then maybe you can get out of this with a little less heartbreak. But if you pick Bones... well... this could be your only chance to know what it would be like to kiss him.
You tilt your face up and press your lips against Bones’. You focus on how soft his lips feel against yours, committing the sensation to memory. You let yourself pretend, for a moment, that this is a real kiss. That the gentle hand Bones places against your cheek and the parting of his lips to deepen the kiss are because he wants you too, not because he’s helping you get back at your shitty ex and his shitty fiancée.
The kiss ends from a need for oxygen more than anything else. You both take in air, breaths mingling in the space between you, but you don’t pull away and neither does Bones. Your heart is beating so fast, so loud you bet the whole club can hear it over the thumping music.
“Did they see?” you finally murmur.
“Yeah, they saw,” Jim confirms.
You pull away from Bones, heart and head still spinning.
“I, uh... I think I need some air,” you say.
Jim rises to let you out of the booth, retaking his seat once you’re standing. Before you slip away, you lean down and press a kiss against Jim’s cheek.
“What was that for?” he asks.
“I’ve allegedly got two boyfriends, don’t I?” you reply.
You hear Jim chuckle behind you as you make your way out of the club. Once outside, you close your eyes and take in deep breaths of the filtered space station air, emptying your mind of everything that just happened because if you think about it for too long you know you’ll start to spiral. Inevitably, though, your thoughts start to creep back in.
You curse the part of you that loses all semblance of reason when Matthew and Anja are around. If you had a better handle on your emotions, you wouldn’t end up in situations like these, the pair of them digging more knives into your already fractured being. And you wouldn’t have to rely on Jim and Bones to bail you out.
Oh god. Bones.
Your fingers brush against your lips. You were so flustered after the kiss you forgot to take in his expression, couldn’t remember if he’d been happy or disappointed. Then you remind yourself it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter that it was the most perfect kiss, soft and sweet just like all your daydreams. He had done it out of duty.
Maybe you should’ve kissed Jim instead.
“Pike?”
You jump, whirling around to see Chekov. His eyes widen.
“I am sorry! I did not mean to startle you. You looked upset as you were leaving and so I thought I would check if you are okay.”
You relax, smiling at him. “I will be. Thank you, Chekov. I just... got a little overwhelmed.”
Chekov nods, gesturing back at the club. “Are you going to come back in?”
You glance at the door to the club, feeling nauseous at the mere thought of facing Matthew and Anja again, or having to look Bones in the face with the ghost of his kiss still on your lips.
“Actually,” you say, “I think I’m going to head back. Will you tell the others I’ve gone?”
Chekov nods. “Do you want company on your walk back?”
“No, thank you. I’ll be alright.”
You watch as Chekov heads back into the club, then start walking towards your accommodations. However, your mind begins to wander and before you know it you’re back on the Enterprise, heading towards the greenhouses. You decide to keep going, figuring you can get a head start on tomorrow’s work while simultaneously distracting yourself from the feelings you don’t want to process right now.
You’re eleven plants in when you hear movement down the hall. You freeze. All crew members have the same access to the ship on shore leave as they do when on duty, but no one has a reason to be on the ship at this hour. There are no phasers in the greenhouses, so you grab a pair of shears and make your way out of the botanical labs, creeping down the hallway towards the sound.
You find yourself outside the medbay, sounds of activity coming from inside. You step forward, the doors whooshing open. Inside you find a man, right hand and face littered with cuts, many still oozing blood. Bruises also cover his hand and face, but the largest one is blooming under his left eye. The man is covered in so many wounds it takes you a full three seconds to recognize one of your best friends.
“Jesus Christ, Len!” you exclaim, rushing into the medbay, dropping the shears onto the closest surface.
“Easy, darlin’,” Bones says. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”
“Not as bad as it looks!” You raise a hand and grab a hold of his face by the chin, turning his head this way and that to assess all the cuts and bruises. You then turn your attention to his bloody, bruised hand, noting how he’s not moving his fingers. That’s a bad sign.
“You wouldn’t’ve even seen me like this if I hadn’t run out of my damn first aid supplies earlier today. Keenser’s still oozing that highly acidic green goo and a coupla lieutenants got caught in the crossfire.” Bones huffs a laugh, before cocking his head towards your shears. “What were you gonna do if it wasn’t me? Snip the intruder to death?”
“Ha ha, very funny.” You eye him for a moment. “Okay, go get on that bed over there.”
“What?”
“I’m playing doctor tonight. I’ll collect the supplies and meet you over there.”
“Darlin’, I can patch myself up just fine.”
“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you have to. Now go on. Get,” you say, waving him towards the bed.
Bones gives a slight smile before heading towards the bed. You turn back to the supply cabinet, grabbing a metal tray and loading it with healing salve, bandages, rubbing alcohol, cotton squares, and a tricorder. You pause, giving yourself a moment to bottle up all the feelings you’d been ignoring. Bones needs you as a friend right now. You’re not gonna let your love for him get in the way of that.
You find Bones sitting on the edge of the bed, feet dangling over the side. You plop the tray down on the bed beside him.
“The other guy better look worse,” you say, falling into the usual banter you share as you grab the rubbing alcohol, dump a bit on a cotton square, and start to clean the wounds on his hand.
“Trust me, he does,” Bones says, grimacing as you move his hand.
You frown at his reaction, putting the cotton square down and grabbing the tricorder. “Oh yeah? Must’ve done something real bad if he made you do something like this. This isn’t really your style. Jim, on the other hand...” You finish scanning his hand, frown deepening at the readings. Before Bones can say anything, you say, “You’ve got a hairline fracture at your wrist. You’ll need a brace for that, right?”
Bones nods. “We’ve got some over in that cabinet.”
You walk over to the cabinet Bones identified, grabbing the appropriate brace then walking back to Bones.
“I’m gonna add some salve to your hand before I put on the brace to help with the cuts. I’ll try my best not to hurt you.”
Bones nods again. You apply the healing salve as quickly and carefully as possible. Bones gives the occasional wince and you find yourself absentmindedly rubbing your thumb along the side of his hand in comfort. When you catch yourself doing it, you stop abruptly, now acutely aware of the weight of his hand in yours. Before you can stop yourself, your mind wanders to a daydream, one where Bones’ hands are splayed across your back, holding you close to his chest, his lips on yours...
You come back to reality, mentally berating yourself as you grab some bandages to wrap Bones’ hand, hoping he didn’t notice your mind wander. If he did, he doesn’t say anything, watching you as you finish wrapping his hand and slip the brace on. Bones adjusts the straps on the brace to his satisfaction as you grab a fresh cotton square, add rubbing alcohol, and move to the cuts on his face. For easier access, you slot yourself between his legs and try to ignore the sudden fluttering in your stomach at the proximity.
“What were you thinking, Len? You’re a surgeon. You kinda need your hands to do your job.” You start to clean the wounds on his face.
“My hand will heal. Besides, if I hadn’t, Jim would’ve. Hell, Spock would’ve.” Bones winces as you pass the cotton square over the largest of the cuts.
“Spock? Our Spock?” you ask incredulously, dumping the squares on the tray and reaching for the healing salve. You apply small dabs of the salve on his facial wounds.
“Sulu and Scotty nearly had to hold him back,” Bones says.
“Jesus. Who was this guy and what did he do?”
“It was Matthew.”
You freeze, focusing your gaze to meet Bones’.
“What did... what did he say?” you ask quietly.
Bones keeps his eyes on you. “He was talkin’ shit, insulting you. Started by sayin’ you only got into the Academy because of your dad. It only escalated from there. The middle part’s a bit fuzzy, but I remember he said something about how the only reason you’re still on the Enterprise is because you’re fucking the captain and the CMO. Which is just...” Bones clenches his jaw in anger. “Maybe sleeping with Jim would come with perks, but me? You outrank me. Sleeping with me wouldn’t... Anyway, I wasn't gonna let his comments slide, and neither was Jim. Our made-up three-way relationship aside, you are one of the only people in all of Starfleet that’s worth a damn. You run circles around both of those assholes. We tried to tell them to fuck off, but they wouldn’t listen. Chekov was holding Jim back, Sulu and Scotty were blocking Spock, and I guess Uhura thought I’d be rational enough not to get violent. She thought wrong. It was all over before it really started, lots of broken glass and spilled drinks, but I got a few good punches in.”
You lean up and press a kiss against Bones’ cheek, stunning him into silence.
“Wha... What was that for?” he finally asks.
“For defending my honor,” you say. “Thank you, Len.”
“Here I was thinkin’ you’d be upset.”
“Matthew’s an asshole. Anja too. They could get blown up on a starship for all I care.”
Bones chuckles as you finish lathering his injuries in the healing salve. You wipe your hand of excess salve and then grab the bandages. Bones lets you continue to work in silence, watching you as you place butterfly bandages on the largest of his facial wounds.
“Okay,” you say. “All done.”
“Got me all patched up, Doc?” Bones teases.
“As best I could.” You gather all the used supplies and place them on the metal tray. “You’ll need to ice that black eye and change the bandages every once in a while, but you already knew that. And I’m guessing you know how long you need to wear that brace for, or will at least have M’Benga look you over as soon as possible.”
Bones nods. “Thank you, darlin’. You didn’t have to do all this, you know.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Len. I care about you. This is the least I would do for someone I care about.”
Bones says nothing for a moment, then, “I love when you call me Len.”
You blink. Before you can stop yourself, you say, “I love when you call me darlin’.”
You both stare at each other. You open your mouth to say something, anything to break the silence, but Bones beats you to it.
“I wanted to say sorry.”
You furrow your brow. Of everything he could’ve possibly said in that moment, the last thing you expected of him was an apology.
“What for?” you ask.
“For everything back at the club. Jim and I should’ve told you what we had planned beforehand. And I’m especially sorry you had to kiss me.”
“I didn’t have to kiss you, Len. I chose to.”
“Still, you wouldn’t’ve if we hadn’t put you in an awkward position.”
“That’s not true,” you blurt out, immediately cursing yourself.
Bones blinks at you, eyes flicking to your lips. Neither of you moves, simultaneously too afraid to stick to the status quo or break it.
Fuck it.
You kiss him, softly at first, but when he sighs against your lips and wraps his arms around your waist you press yourself against him, parting your lips to deepen the kiss. You cup his face in your hands, mindful of his injuries.
“I love you,” he murmurs against your lips.
You pull back. “You love me?”
Bones gives you a soft smile. “C’mon, darlin’, you must’ve known.”
You shake your head. “Uhura and Sulu tried to tell me, but I thought they were just teasing me.”
“Why would that tease you?”
“Because I love you.” You run your thumbs across his cheeks. “God, Len, I am so in love with you.”
Bones pulls you into another kiss. You giggle against his lips.
“What?” Bones asks.
“Uhura and Sulu are going to be insufferable for a while,” you say.
Bones grins. “You think they’re going to be insufferable? Wait until Jim finds out.”
You both laugh. Then you kiss him again. And again. And again.
412 notes · View notes
t0ast-ghost · 1 month
Text
HIIII Episode 10 (Dagger Of The Mind) time! I made it to ten! Now only… one.. seven… twenty… seventy four episodes to go!
Here’s the review:
- remember kids; when trying to beam something down to a penal colony they have to remove their shields first
- that is a whole ass man.. HOW DID YOU MISS THAT WHOLE ASS MAN
- no but seriously even airports can check for human tissue like- I forgot this was made in the 60s I’m stupid stfu t0ast
- “more like a resort colony” my ass, Kirk
- BONES!!! He just kinda stands on the bridge (for no reason) and stares at what’s happening (at Jim)
- wow two redshirts dead in five minutes
- okay Bones walks over to Spock FOR NO REASON and I’m pretty sure he just wants to bicker
- my name is WHAT my name is WHO my name CHICKACHICKA Van Gelder
- why would destroying one control panel kill the ship?!? Design flaw imo
- “that doesn’t ring true” what are you a truth detector? I thought he was a doctor
- I love Bones “going against” Kirk (he’s smiling the whole damn time) and Spock backing him up
- “oh yeah I’m sending down Dr. Noel” REVEAL SHES A WOMAN OH MY GOD
- why’d he need to bring Spock down to the transporter room? Emotional support? He’d miss his boyfriend?
- Lethe? Isn’t that the river of uhhh- ummm ugmmm… I forgor
- I like whatever was happening with the light in Lethe’s eyes
- awwwe Spock and Bones working together
- STOP CUTTING OFF DR. NOEL
- WHY WOULD YOU STAY THERE OVERNIGHT?!? Kirk would NOT survive a horror movie. He’d be first to die (comment down below)
- McCoy is like “Our boyfriend could be in danger, use your damn mind magic”
- OHHH OKAY I SEE WHY VULANS MEDITATE. The words he speaks to Van Gelder are a lot like being lead through meditation
- I LOBE THIS SCENE! The dialogue from Van Gelder, the movements and prompts from Spock, MCCOYS FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
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- Kirk catapulting into danger right after they TOLD HIM NOT TO
- “and now she’s gone” “helen” I thought he was gonna shout or smt so when he just said “helen” it got me
- you know how this would be so much more tragic? If (canonically) Kirk was dating someone else aboard the ship *cough* you know *cough cough* and then the evil doctor implanted the idea he was in love with Dr. Noel and then him having to deal with the idea of loving both her and the other… anyway
- “Kirk to enterprise.. ughhkghjkk”
- He is literally the worst.. girlfailure
- people are too good at hiding in plain sight
- KIRK NOT AFRAID TO PUNCH A BITCH
- she- she just killed a guy.. good for her
- THE FUCKIN- the sitcom ass look Spock gives Jim like “oh really dr Adams did this”
- MCCOY!!! yeah he’s around. HE’S DEAD JIM MOME- oh no “he’s dead, captain” goddamnit Bones
- “can you imagine the mind emptied by that thing. Without even a tormentor” was a line most definitely meant for Spock and Bones but Dr.Noel saying “I understand” reminds me that she is indeed there not just observing but participating
- Bones just causally leaning against the back of his chair
- does he know? Does he even know that most medical officers don’t normally lean like that against your chair?
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- OMG I SAW A POST ABOUT THE “it’s hard to believe a man could die of loneliness” “not when he’s sat in that room” AND THEN KIRK LOOKS OVER TO SPOCK AND SMILES
- he’s so surrounded by loved ones bro is beaming
Anyway all in all a good tenth episode!
I made a master list of all my Star Trek tos thought posts :D
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lavender-romancer · 9 months
Text
He's So Pretty 
Jim Kirk x Reader  CW: distress, angst, romance 
Kirk had no idea you felt the same way for him as he did for you, as you plan to leave Starfleet. Is it all too little too late for the two of you? 
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”*°•.˜”*°•. ˜”*°•. ˜”*°••°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜
He felt dead inside, Kirk wouldn't show it but he couldn't stand the fact you were leaving and it hurt even more that he'd never gained the courage to be honest with you. His plan was to have a meeting with you as a farewell in his Captain's quarters before you left the enterprise when they docked in Yorktown to refuel in a few weeks. But he didn't know if he could wait that long, he'd been holding this in for so long it felt like it was begging to be let out. You were too good for him and he knew that his feelings were real because he hardly ever bit his tongue but he was terrified you wouldn't feel the same as him. The only person to ever get his tongue tied, the only person who he would always be looking for in a crowd, it was unexplainable how much he cared about you. But now... now you were leaving and fuck, he wished you knew everything going on in his head. 
"You're gonna kill yourself with guilt if you don't say something," Bones said in a matter of a fact way.
"I am aware, Bones." Jim grinned because he knew how dumb and high school it all was.
"Just tell the damn girl!" Bones exclaimed.
"Oooo. What girl is this!" Both the men jumped at the sound of your voice walking into the bar, they both went silent "Awh come on, is this a boys club conversation?" You put your hands on your hips and Kirk laughed. 
"Something like that, dumbass," Kirk looked up at you and you rolled your eyes before punching his arm.
"You love me really, no matter how many times you insult me. You're gonna miss me!" You reached over the bar and grabbed some vodka making yourself a quick mixed drink. 
"More than you know," Bones muttered so only Jim heard and gave him a look. 
"Right, drink up Cap!" You cheers' with Jim and then both downed what was in your glasses. 
"No cheers for the doctor I see," Bones rolled his eyes and you shook your head 
"Absolutely not letting you run free! I'm just pouring another drink my dear doctor." You poured a vodka shot and looked at Bones who was regretting speaking up. 
"Cheers to that I s'pose!" You and Bones clinked glasses before knocking your heads back. Kirk just looked at you in awe, his eyes looking up in adoration. Bones noticed it first and smiled to himself. 
"What's with the puppy eyes, Kirk?" You teased and Jim very slightly blushed. He thought he hid it well but you couldn't help but think about how pretty he looked. 
The following week, Kirk was mentally planning when to have that meeting with you, he had two weeks left till they docked. That wasn't that much pressure but he'd been holding in these feelings for nearly 6 years and didn't really know what to do if you didn't see him the same way. Kirk had absolutely no idea how you thought of him, he knew you were friends and maybe a bit flirty from time to time but nothing that couldn't be explained by being close friends. I mean Jim flirted with everyone, he was an Aries through and through so it didn't surprise him that regardless of gender he was going to be a bit playful. But with you, he had actual physical reactions and it was like being a teenager with a pathetic crush. You gave him butterflies, you made him nervous blush and hide his face and pretend he hadn't noticed your hand on his arm. 
Kirk couldn't help but believe you knew what you were doing but it seemed so unlikely because you were so confident, you were afraid to tell someone how you felt. Why would you keep your feelings towards him hidden if they were there? 
"Y/n, you've been asked to the Captain's quarters," Nyota told you with a friendly smile. 
"Oh lordy, what kind of going away malarkey has been prepared, I wonder." You grinned at your friend and she raised her eyebrow.
"Oi you, get that mind out of the gutter," you rolled your eyes. "I'm sure it's sweet , he's always been very thoughtful when someone leaves the ship." 
"Oh I'm sure it's very personal…" she winked and you covered your mouth so you didn't laugh. 
"What merriment have you two clowns got into then?" Bones asked as he walked past with some new equipment he'd been testing. 
"You have to be nice to me, Bones. Leaving orders say so," you narrowed your eyes at him, he stopped 
"Oh is that so, Sunshine?" He raised an eyebrow "And on whose authority is that?" 
"The Captains of course, I've been summoned to his quarters for what I can only hope is an attempt to celebrate my leaving without sounding too excited," you laughed and Bones said nothing. 
"Cat got your tongue?" Nyota asked Bones, folding her arms with a smile. 
"Oh not at all, I'm just holding it so I don't gossip like some old woman." Bones raised an eyebrow and you looked at him, puzzled. 
"Well what does that mean then?" You paused and he said nothing "Bones? What are you talking about?" 
"I mean if I can get in on some gossip where Bones is involved then I'm all ears." Nyota let one side of her mouth turn up. 
"You two are out for trouble, look it's not my secret to tell so you'll just have to find out eventually yourselves." Bones gave Nyota a knowing look and you looked between the two of them till Bones looked away. 
"Well what the hell was that?" You exclaimed looking at Nyota. 
"Well now I know you have to go and see Kirk right this second," Nyota leant against the corridor wall and had to put her hand over her mouth to stop herself from laughing. 
"You," you pointed at Nyota, "you are a troublemaker." You laughed and headed off in the direction of Kirk's quarters. 
You had no idea what Bones was on about but deep down you hoped. You'd been pining after Jim for so long it felt like an age, you had known each other for so long that you really didn't think there was any way Jim could've gone this long without revealing his feelings. You got drunk together so often and had never even kissed, he'd never revealed any secrets about his feelings whilst inebriated. Being realistic if Kirk hadn't revealed his feelings whilst being drunk it was unlikely he had those thoughts in his head, he was so easy to get secrets out of when drunk. But you couldn't help thinking about the weird interaction between the three of you a minute ago, what did they know that you didn't? 
You knocked three times of Jims door and held the sides of your skirt with your thumbs pressing against your fingers through the fabric. It was so damn frustrating how nervous you were when you could just be walking into a normal and civil meeting. Getting your hopes up was a dangerous activity especially when it came to heartbreakers like Jim Kirk. 
"Y/n!" Jim exclaimed, opening the door with a big smile, he stood back and let you step in. 
 "To what do I owe the pleasure." You looked around the room you'd been in often and considered that you might never see it again. 
"Come sit," he gestured to the sofa with a bottle of wine on the table and two glasses. "Your departure has made me think about a lot of things." As you sat down Jim began pouring. 
"What kind of things Kirk?" You narrowed your eyes. 
"It's hard to determine, I mean definitely thinking of the past" Kirk carried on for a while, talking in what you would call filler but you weren't listening. He looked so fucking pretty, his eyebrows moving every now and then, his hair a bit ruffled after he had got changed. Jim was so so pretty and you didn't know how to focus on anything else, watching his lips move you just wanted to shut him up and kiss him. 
"Y/n?" You snapped out of it "Do you know what I mean?" Kirk asked and you had to think for a moment about what would be a neutral reply so a question you hadn't heard any of. 
"....yes?" You said in a curious tone and Jim laughed. 
"You weren't listening were you," he smiled and you giggled. 
"Not my fault you look so pretty," you mumbled into your glass as you took a drink, you thought it was quiet enough but Jim had heard and he almost choked on the wine in his own mouth. 
"Was that a compliment I just heard?" Jim tried to play it cool but his voice cracked on the last word and you burst out laughing. 
"Okay well now you deserve no explanation if you can't even get through puberty properly." You smiled at him and he raised an eyebrow.
"Well I'm not the one who thinks I'm pretty, am I. Hmm?" Jim teased. 
"Well, I'M not the one who can't speak without sounding like a pre-teen." You shot back, jokingly narrowing your eyes at him. 
"You're a little shit, you know that?" Jim asked, placing his glass down. 
"Well you won't have to put up with it for too much longer will you," you joked and a silence fell between the both of you, joking like this had made Kirk forget about that fact "Are you okay, Kirk?" 
You looked deep into his eyes and it took all his willpower not to take your face in his hands and kiss you. Instead he stood up and walked around the room, hands on his hips he sighed. 
"Well now I know you're not alright," you paused and stood up, there was a distance between you both and you were slowly closing it down "What's wrong?" You asked at almost a whisper.
Kirk turned around and you were only a few steps away from him, his eyes were unreadable but looked deep into yours. He closed off the gap between the two of you and took you into a deep hug, you were caught off guard but didn't stop him. Instead you wrapped your arms around him just as tightly and leant your head on his shoulder. Closing your eyes the moment felt like forever and you didn't want to let go because it would mean you leaving him was something real. Kirk's hand went up to the back of your neck and slowly stroked your hair. The affectionate action could have made you cry if you weren't so determined to not reveal to him how you felt. 
"There's something I need to tell you, Y/n." Kirk said near your ear and you drew apart, still holding onto his arms
"What is it?" You looked into his eyes and tried to read them, glancing down at his lips you bit the inside of his cheek. 
"I've loved you ever since I've known you, Y/n. I can't help it and- and I've tried to show it but fuck, you won't let me. I can't think straight when you're around me and I've been pining after you for so long it doesn't even feel real that you're leaving now," Kirk's eyes held so much emotion you feared you might fall into them. How…how was this real? 
The silence had been considerable now and you didn't know what to do, your mouth slightly open and staring into his eyes. You couldn't find the words so you just hugged him again, closer than before. Jim held the back of your head, scared you'd slip away forever. You mumbled something against his shoulder and he perked up. 
"What was that?" He whispered and you turned your head to lay your cheek on his shoulder. 
"I can't believe this has happened, I- fuck. I wasn't expecting it," You whispered and it made Kirk so anxious that he just held you until you'd eventually slip away. 
"You can leave whenever you want," Kirk told you and you really did feel like you could but you didn't want to. Kirk may have been holding you but only because you allowed it to be so. 
"What if I don't want to?" You asked, slightly pulling away from his shoulder and looking into his eyes with a smile. 
"What?" Jim whispered, not believing what you were saying.
"What if I don't think what you're saying is crazy," you let your hands run down his arms till you were holding his hands "I don't know what you know about how I feel o-or how I…" you trailed off trying to find your words "But my feelings aren't so far from yours."
"You're making me fucking hope for something now," Kirk grinned. 
"Oh shut up, talk like the normal Jim, please. I'm not used to you being all soppy." You teased, leaning forward to kiss him on the cheek. 
"You mean say something like how fucking highschool this all is?" Jim gripped your hands before looking down at your lips and back to your eyes. 
"I mean I'm not surprised you come neatly packaged up with some drama." You raised an eyebrow and he just rolled his eyes. 
"Oh do shut up," he let go of your hands and put them on either side of your face before leaning forward and kissing you. 
You rested your hands on his forearms, leaning into the kiss as a warmth spread into your stomach. It was almost unbelievable that this morning neither of you knew how the other really felt and honestly you found it extremely endearing how honest Jim was. 
"All the planets, places and people to see but all I wanted was you," Jim whispered when you drew apart and leant your foreheads together. You smiled and looked at him, he looked so lovely, all happy and pink cheeked. 
"You're so pretty," you paused and he laughed "No I mean it, just so pretty." You trailed off and looked into his eyes, you could only imagine what they would look like in between your thighs…
"Someone's getting distracted by a thought, you've got that glazed over look." Jim narrowed his eyes. 
"Ohhhh, nothing…" you turned around and pulled his hand with you "Just how much prettier you'd look going down on me. You know, nothing that exciting." You sat down on the sofa and held your wine in your hand as you crossed your legs. Bringing the glass to your mouth you raised an eyebrow and Kirk ran his tongue along his top set of teeth, thinking. 
"I mean I can't say what it would look like from your point of view, but seeing you like that would be angelic," he walked towards you and knelt down Infront of you.
"Guess you'll just have to prove it won't you," You were teasing him now but Jim didn't seem to mind. 
Jim was running his hands up your thighs until he met the hem of your dress, moving his hands inwards till they met the crossover of your legs. 
"We could test your theory, you know, for research." He gave you a shit eating grin and you uncrossed your legs, leaning down to be face to face with him. 
"Come on then pretty boy, prove your worth to me." You whispered and he looked so damn excited he could burst, you always suspected Kirk had a submissive streak. 
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Text
A Vulcan Smile Part Seven
[Part One] [Part Two] [Part Three] [Part Four] [Part Five] [Part Six]
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Jim looked up from his computer as the door to his ready room swished open. He had stolen away to the ship to get some much-needed quiet to review his notes before his next meeting. A quiet he was surprised to see emanating from his best friend as he made his way across the room. 
Leonard typically preferred to make his presence in a room known, entering with a joke or a complaint or some kind of combination of the two. Now he took a seat across from Jim in complete silence. The captain looked him over, trying to identify where this change was coming from. He wore crumpled shirt and an unreadable expression.
"Is that the same uniform as yesterday?" Jim finally asked. 
"Didn't have time to change."
"You've been off duty for twelve hours, Bones. How long does it take? You wear the same thing everyday," Jim pointed out.
"I was helping Joanna with her homework and then," Leonard's voice dropped slightly, "I was with (Y/N)."
Jim’s brows raised. "Were you?"
"Apologizing," Leonard clarified. 
"And what did you do that required you to apologize all night long?" Jim's words tiptoed around innuendo. 
"Joanna was suspended for starting a fight."
"So you were apologizing for your part in bringing another angry McCoy into the universe," Jim guessed. 
"I didn't react well to the news," Leonard admitted. "Started a fight of my own." 
"That doesn't sound like you," Jim said sarcastically. 
“I blamed her. Told her that Joanna was picking up violant tendencies from her,” Leonard explained. 
Jim let out a disappointed breath. He didn’t know you well, but he had heard so much about you through long winded, sporadic rants from Leonard that he could guess how well that went over. He certainly knew enough about people in general to know that wasn’t something you said to someone who cared gor your child. 
“She blamed me. Told me Joanna was acting out because she’s hurt that I left and doesn’t know how to express it.” Leonard slumped back in the chair. “Apparently I don’t put in enough effort as a father.” 
“Well,” Jim started pointedly. He raised his brows and tilted his head, hoping if he made a strong enough facial expression he wouldn’t have to finish the thought out loud.
“When were you planning to tell me you though I was a bad father?” 
Jim let out a breathy chuckle at his friends dramatics. “I don’t think you’re a bad father. I think that (Y/N) spends a lot of time with Joanna and if she thinks she’s feeling a little abandoned then she might know what she’s talking about.” 
Leonard sighed. “I know.”
“What are you going to do about it?” 
“I already apologized.” 
This earned Leonard a look that told him he needed to do better than that.  
“I suppose I don’t really have a choice.” 
“Not if you ever want to be able to respect yourself again.” 
Leonard groaned and rubbed a hand across his face. “I’m not cut out for this.” 
“You said the same thing the first time you had to work on a ship. Now look at you.” 
“Now look at me,” Leonard repeated in a defeated tone.
“You know-” Jim waited until his friend was looking at him again to finish, “Centaurus isn’t that far out of our way.” 
“Oh no.” Leonard shook his head and held up a hand. “This ship is on red alert every other thursday. My eleven year old isn’t going to be involved in that.” 
“We’d be taking a similar course to the shuttle. Any dangers we run into they’d probably run into too. Wouldn’t you prefer she run into them with you?” 
“I’d rather she not be in space at all, but seeing as I wasn’t given a choice in that…” Leonard trailed of, thinking it over. “You wouldn’t mind the detour?” 
“Not at all.” 
“You know letting my daughter and Spock’s sister loose on this ship might lead to more chaos than we’re prepared for.” 
Jim shook his head. “Spock’s gonna hate this.” 
“You don’t have to convice me, Jim. I’m alread on board.” 
-
“Tell me again,” Leonard ordered as he walked with Joanna to the Enterprise. 
“The warp core, jefferies tubes, and bridge are off limits. If red lights start flashing I am to stay in my room. If I hear the word ‘anomoly’ over the comms, I am to find you in the sickbay. If I see more than five people in uniform running in the halls I am to find Ms. Grayson and wait for the all clear. No wandering the halls or entering the recreation deck or holodeck alone. No fun of any kind,” Joanna rattled off. 
“Good. Stick to those rules and you should make it back home in one piece.” 
“Can’t I have a little fun?” 
“Being a passenger on the Enterprise is-” 
“Not a reward for punching my classmate even if he is a shithead and desereved it,” she parroted the words he’d used when he explained the arrangement to her. “I’ve gotten like two lectures a day since I was suspended, thrown up on during a shuttle ride here, and given four times the calc homework I would normally have. Haven’t I been punished enough?” 
“We’re not punishing you. We’re making sure you’ve learned your lesson. We don’t want you to turn into a violent drop out with no direction in life and a long arrest record.” 
“You’re say ‘we’ a lot about you and Ms. Grayson,” she pointed out. 
“Oh look! Lieutenant Uhura.” Leonard quickly changed the subject, coming to a stop outside the air lock where the Lieutenant was standing. “Waiting for Spock?” 
“He’s just saying goodbye.” She nodded over to where he stood with you and Serek. 
“Good might be a stretch,” Leonard mumbled. 
“Who are they talking to?” Joanna asked. 
“The Vulcan ambassador,” Nyota answered. 
“They don’t seem to like him.” 
“It’s a complicated relationship,” she said, watching the three of you hold up Vulcan salutes. 
As the ambassador turned and boarded another ship, you folded down you pinky and ring finger and lifted your raised fingers to your temple. Your head jerked to the side as you pretended to shoot yourself in the head. To Leonard's suprise, Spock used his hand to wipe your imaginary blood from the side of his face. 
The two of you walked in silence to meet the others. You both had your hands clasped behind your back, but as you got closer yours moved to swing at your side. 
Uhura watched the way Leonard smiled and then stiffened awkwardly as you approached.
“Come on let’s get out of here before Spock and I are used as a visual aid in another debate about the future of the Vulcan race,” you said when you reach them. “If I get called V’tosh ka’tur one more time, I’m going to start throwing things.” 
“That kind of behavior is exactly why they call you V’tosh ka’tur,” Spock pointing out.
“Don’t call your sister a Vulcan without logic, Spock,” Uhura chastised. 
“Thank you. Wanting to throw things at those stuffy, xenophobic elders is completely logical,” you argued. “And besides they call you V’tosh ka’tur too.” 
Spock mouth dropped open. “I am not V’tosh ka’tur. I follow the ancestral teachings.” 
“But you stink like a human.” 
“You are using nasal supresants. You don’t know what I smell like.” 
Leonard leaned forward and took a wiff. “No, she’s right. Just like a human.” 
You smiled at the doctor. “This is going to be a fun little trip.” 
Joanna grinned. Spock’s jaw tightened.
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spirkme915 · 10 months
Text
Pick a Song #1 - Take My Breath Away by Berlin
for @between-stars-and-enterprise a spirk drabble inspired by "take my breath way" by berlin.
because my brain is a maze of incomprehensible turns and multiple exits, the first thing i thought of when i saw the song title was "top gun" and all i could remember about that movie was that the gorgeous woman may have been a teacher to the hotshot pilot (idek if this is true??) and i thought of spock teaching jim something, then i looked up the lyrics to make sure i remembered them well enough, and got stuck on the line "if only for today, i am unafraid" then this drabble (or, really, longer than a drabble, oops) happened!
it's all fluff. nothing but fluff.
i hope you enjoy 💙
Jim sets down an apple on the corner of the lectern then takes his seat at the table in the front row.
While he remains the captain in this conference room turned classroom, he won’t be in charge today - that illustrious honor belongs to his highly competent XO.
Spock lifts his gaze from his padd and, upon spotting the red fruit, inclines one svelte eyebrow in question.
“It’s an old Earth custom to give a teacher an apple,” Jim explains.
“Solely this specific type of fruit or any other?”
“Just an apple.”
“What was the origin of this type of gift?”
Jim hesitates, accesses the recesses of his memory and comes back blank. “Honestly? I don’t know.”
“Then I must conclude it is an illogical custom.”
“And yet, delicious. That one’s real not replicated - from a bag I picked up at the last starbase. Don’t waste it.”
The corner of Spock’s lips twitch. “Is that an order, Captain?”
Jim tsks. “You’re the one in charge, Mr. Spock.”
“Very well.”
Spock begins the lecture, immediately commanding the attention of the fifty-ish crew who have gathered to hear the most recent updates to Starfleet landing party procedures. Jim tries to pay attention, he really does, but he’s well-aware that he’s going to ignore most (all) of the official procedures the second circumstances deem it, and his time here today is much better utilized cataloging every inch of his first officer.
Appropriate? No, not at all. But a better use of his time? Without a doubt.
While he can’t quite force himself to listen to the substance of the lecture, the dulcet baritone of Spock’s voice rolls over him pleasantly. He appreciates the grace with which Spock moves between the lectern and the viewscreen - long legs, narrow hips, the fit of science blues over a well-formed chest and arms. Spock points to a block of dense, dreadfully boring regulation text on the viewscreen and Jim loses himself in the twist of Spock’s wrist, imagines those elegant fingers against his skin.
Jim clears his throat, stations his elbows on the table and decides to pay attention. It’s time to focus on something else.
Spock is a good teacher, engaging and patient, and Jim’s heart squeezes with adoration as the supposedly bland Vulcan keeps over fifty people hanging on his every word. The material is dry, yet Spock interjects stories from previous missions and invites others to participate. The first wry joke Spock cracks, Jim is the only one who dares to laugh. Ten minutes later, Spock has the entire room snickering. It’s all rather…endearing.
Because of course it would be.
Most people see Spock’s ears and eyebrows and make all kinds of assumptions. But the reality of Spock is much more Human than Spock would ever admit, much more saucy than Bones knows how to deal with, and so rebellious that Spock can make the James T. Kirk look tamed.
Jim may just be a little bit in love with him.
Or, well, a lot.
Spock catches his eyes and Jim gazes back with a smile meant just for his XO. He has to be completely obvious in the moment, but he can’t find the will to care. It’s not as if it’s the first time and it most definitely won’t be the last.
Every look he gives Spock is an invitation extended that he shouldn’t want Spock to accept. It’s safe because he knows that Spock never will.
But that’s okay. Because if this is all they ever are - friends, confidants, chess partners, brothers in arms - then Jim’s life is more complete than he thought it could be. The life of a starship captain can be painfully solitary and Spock’s ever-present presence at his side ensures it’s not.
“Captain?”
“Yes, Mr. Spock?”
“The lecture has concluded.”
Jim starts, glances around the room to find he’s the only crew member remaining. He has no chance of concealing the flush on his cheeks when he meets Spock’s eyes again.
“Ah. It appears it has.”
“Is there further clarification you seek, Captain? I am available for the next twelve minutes to answer questions.”
Will you marry me?, he thinks.
“No questions,” he says.
Spock accepts that with the hint of a nod then heads toward the lectern. He shuts off the viewscreen, picks up his padd, then palms the apple.
“Captain,” Spock says. “Thank you for the gift. I find it is most appropriate as it reminds me of you.”
Jim remains in his seat, curiosity getting the better of him. He rests his arms on the table and clasps his hands together. “And how is that, Mr. Spock?”
Spock takes two steps forward, until he’s standing in front of Jim - a table and an apple between them.
“It brings to mind a Terran colloquialism my mother was fond of saying - you are the apple of my eye.”
Important. Viewed with affection. Cared for.
Cherished.
Jim isn’t sure about the origins of that either, but the meaning is crystal clear.
“As you are for me,” he admits.
Spock leans down then and Jim has a mere fraction of a second to realize that Spock is going to kiss him before Spock’s lips are actually against his. It’s a shock of much colder skin first, then softness, then an electric heat that starts at his lips and zings through his entire body.
When Spock inches back, Jim can’t quite breathe.
“Have dinner with me tonight?” he asks.
He sounds just as breathless as he is. He can’t dredge up an ounce of shame for that one.
Spock holds up the apple, his oh-so-Human eyes dancing with sauciness, rebelliousness, and mirth.
“I will bring dessert.”
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darkness-and-books · 2 months
Text
Star Trek (TOS)
so I was making bracelets the other day and I thought of these. They’re just some little headcanons for how some of my favourite TOS characters would react if you made them a bracelet (when you guys are dating and not public) SFW
James T. Kirk
You 100% stole an Enterprise emblem pin off of something to use as a charm on it.
The beads are arranged in a pattern of one plain yellow bead and then one yellow bead with glitter in it (rinse and repeat pattern)
when he sees it he’s kinda surprised, but only for a moment before absolutely melting 🫠.
he can’t believe you thought of him while doing crafts because he knows you do crafts to unwind after a long day.
is not nearly as concerned as he should be about where exactly the pin came from
Will get very upset and hide away until he finds it again if he ever loses it
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“This is for me?” He sounds a bit floored, “umm, yeah, it’s okay if you don’t like it, I could-“ he doesn’t let you finish your sentence. “No, no, no! I love it!” He quickly slipped it onto his wrist before you could even think to take it back.
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A couple of weeks later you assume that he probably took it off and left it somewhere in his quarters to be forgotten
but he would NEVER dare take it off
you honestly almost cry when you see him still wearing it
When you bring it up he’s a little insulted no he’s not that you would even think that it would leave him ever
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Jim is riled up about something as he’s talking to Spock and you were listening, but then he put his hands down on the table in front of him and you noticed something. He was still wearing the bracelet you made him! Of course, McCoy being McCoy, he has also noticed this and has to put something in about. “I get that you love the Enterprise, but isn’t that a bit much?” Leonard shouts across from across the bridge. Kirk turns a slight shade of pink at the jest, but does a surprisingly good job of ignoring it. Later when he leaves the bridge you run up to him and give him the biggest hug you can manage. “I know I’m irresistible, but this a little unusual, even for you, sweetheart” Jim jokes, “You’re still wearing it” you say softly into his shoulder. It takes him a moment to catch onto what you’re talking about, but when he does, he lets out a soft chuckle that you can feel rumble through his chest. “Of course I am” he whispered into your hair as he gave you a kiss on the head.
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Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy
You have a bit of a harder time trying to figure out what charm to put on his bracelet
you definitely spend a long while overthinking because you want it to be perfect
one night as you’re about to go to bed though the perfect idea hits you
its so brilliant and yet so simple
you decide on a little femur 🦴 charm, actually two, so it’s plural just like his nickname
You’d use black and blue beads and put one of each colour between the two charms to separate them a little.
At first he doesn’t even look up at you because he’s going through some medical records.
so in a small fit of anxiety you toss it on his desk and literally run away before he can look and see how stupid cutesy it is
When he does see it though he makes heart eyes at it😍
His, no backsies
Pretends to go back to work after slipping it on is secretly kicking his feet and bubbling up inside
He will track you down after his shift to thank you for it because he LOVES it
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“I brought you something” you softly announced, “just a second, darlin’ I’ve some forms to finish” he really didn’t mean to dismiss you, he just couldn’t afford to loose his train of thought just then. There was a clatter on the desk in front of him and before he could properly process the event you had disappeared. He looked up from his padd to see a little bracelet with two bone charms on it, on his desk. For a brief second he smiled ear to ear, it was so quick that any nurse passing by would have sworn it was a hallucination. He quickly put his padd down to put the bracelet on and then quickly pretended to go back to his work. Later, after his shift, he finally found you in your quarters. Your door swooshed open and you looked up. “Oh, hi” you blushed as you saw McCoy. He sat down next to you and kissed you on one cheek, then the other, and finally gave a quick peck to your lips before thanking you. “I love it so much, darlin’, thank you” he declares as he gives you another kiss.
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You’re entirely certain that he only wore it for a little while to humour you and it was probably sitting in the drawer of his nightstand now
he just doesn’t strike you as the kind to wear jewellery.
boy are you wrong though, he’s an absolute sap sentimental
Would eat a tricorder rather than willingly take it off
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You scraped your knee up when the Enterprise hit some unexpected turbulence. It seriously barely even bled, but Leonard still RAN to you. He had you sit down on a biobed while he inspected your knee. When he reached up with some disinfectant you noticed he was wearing the bracelet. Your heart leapt as you reached for his wrist. “I know that disinfectant stings, darlin’, but you still have to let me clean it for you” he insisted. You pulled his wrist up to your lips and placed a kiss right on his pulse point, “You’re still wearing the bracelet!” You softly exclaimed. Leonard looked at his wrist before looking lovingly into your eyes. “Of course I am, it’s amazing, thoughtful, and reminds me of the girl I love” he cooed, “but I still have to disinfect your scrape” he raised an eyebrow at you as he slowly pulled his wrist away from your face.
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Spock
This gives you soo much anxiety to do
what if he doesn’t like it? Or doesn’t understand? Or doesn’t like it because it’s “highly illogical”?
Sure he’s half Vulcan, but he’s also half human
in the end you decide on a charm of the Vulcan salute 🖖, which you picked up on a shore leave awhile back
unlike with the other two, you had decided on some very nice glass beads instead of the big plastic ones, they’re sort of marbled various shades of blue
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(Maybe like these) I put a link in the picture to them on Amazon in case anyone decides they actually want them
You definitely hold onto this bracelet for what feels like way too long before you muster the courage to give it to him
You probably give it to him when he’s looking a bit down, or as down as he would ever allow himself to look
he probably turns a light shade of green when you give it to him
not that he’s actually sure why you’ve given it to him or what it means, but you gave it to him and for about 30 seconds that’s all he actually cares about
which might be a record amount of time for him to go without following a logical thought process to its exhaustion
internally warms him, he finds it endearing, feels the need to gift you something in return
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As you hand it to Spock he slowly raises an eyebrow before turning the slightest shade of green and putting it on with so much care, as if one breath might shatter every bead now resting on his wrist. He clears his throat slightly before starting, “It’s very nice, why are you giving it to me?” He doesn’t mean it as an insult he just assumes he must have done something to deserve it. “Oh, it’s okay if you don’t like it or want it” you wilt a bit at the idea that you were entirely wrong in thinking that it would cheer him up. “Oh no it’s quite lovely, really” he insists, you smile a little still not sure of his words “okay”
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You’re pretty sure he took it off as soon as you turned around and had probably been haphazardly tossed somewhere in his quarters, if not directly in the trash 🗑️
you just don’t think he even likes the concept of it, let alone your tacky one
entirely incorrect in that thought process
logically explains it to anyone who asks about it: “My wearing it, assures the person who gave it to me of my affections for them” sounds cold, but he came up with an explanation, basically as good as married now.
would cut off his own ear before he would part with it
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As you walk by you can hear things getting shoved around in Spock’s quarters. You run in assuming that some kind fight is going on. You’re both relieved and confused to find him alone, but still in an odd state of disarray. “Umm, are you alright?” You ask “It’s nothing, Y/N. I’ve just misplaced something” Spock informs you. Nothing my ass, you think to yourself “Are you sure? It’s kind of a mess in here” You point out “What have you lost?” You inquire. He turns green from his cheeks to his ears. “I seem to have.. erm… misplaced my bracelet” he murmurs the last part and your heart flutters at the thought that he cared enough to not only notice it was gone, but then also to tear apart his quarters looking for it. “Well when was the last time you had it?” You asked, knowing full well that he had probably already been through that thought process. “I was wearing it when I went to sleep last night” he admits sheepishly, “did you shake out your bedding?” You look over to see his bed stripped down “Yes, that was the first thing I did”. “What about under the bed?” You look back to him and he’s turned an even brighter green, “No, I hadn’t thought to do that yet” he reveals, “would you mind looking for me? You would fit better than I would” he requested. “Of course” you complied as you got down on the floor to look under the bed. “Bingo!” you exclaimed before sliding under the bed to reach it. When you stand up again he snatches it away and puts it back on before going to reorganise his room. You smile to yourself. He’d never be caught dead admitting it, but he nearly had a heart attack this morning when he realised it was missing.
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sorry it might not be any good, hope you kinda like it anyway, thanks!
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anasticklefics · 11 months
Text
Hey Iris
Fandom: Star Trek
Characters: Jim, Bones
Summary: When Bones uses their new intelligent personal assistant to ask about tickling Jim starts to wonder if this was a bad idea.
A/N: In my active era?? Maybe not.
Words: 1k
The tech was new enough for Jim to be excited when he agreed to try it out, but he felt a twinge of wariness as he watched the intelligent personal assistant get installed on his ship. With the motivation to make life easier for them all, including the captain, Jim had decided it couldn’t hurt to bring some ease onto the Enterprise after the year they’d had. They called it Iris, though Starfleet insisted it had no gender.
“A non-binary helper,” Jim said as he stared at the tiny plug that had been connected to the system. “Let’s see how this goes.”
At first they used it because it was new and exciting; asking the most simple of questions just to see if it actually would work.
“I told you it came from Russia!” Chekhov exclaimed, pointing at the general air around them. “Iris just confirmed it. You can never question me again.”
“We can question you plenty,” Uhura said with a fond roll of her eye. “But I’ll give you that one.”
After a certain point, they used it because it was easy; work-related questions where the answer could be in their hands in no time.
“Iris is quick,” Sulu said, frantically writing down its words on his pad.
Jim hummed. “Wait. Let me try something. Hey, Iris. Could you print out the answer to Mr Sulu’s question?”
The stack of papers were in Sulu’s gleeful arms in no time.
One day, Bones decided to use it for pleasure. The pleasure of seeing Jim blush to death, that is.
Iris worked all over the Enterprise. Jim had to admit he’d used it more than once to see where a certain crew member was situated on the ship, but he tried not to ever break any boundaries using it and had urged his crew to be mindful as well. Just because they could technically know everything, it didn’t mean they should.
Bones started using it to mess with him after clarifying that no one else but the people in the room where a question or request had been uttered could hear the answer. It had been such an innocent request, but Jim knew how he looked when Bones asked Iris to explain what tickling meant to them, and he knew damn well how he looked when Iris complied immediately.
“Why are you doing this?”
Bones’s grin was softer, but fatal nevertheless. “To see you squirm, of course.”
Jim wondered if he would actually make him squirm, or if he was using Iris to get Jim to ask for it. It had become his new thing; especially once he’d realized Jim almost never could just straight out ask for it.
“You’re awful.”
“Hmm, you keep talking and I can’t hear what it’s saying. Hey Iris. Could you explain what tickling is again?”
“Tickling is the act of touching a part of a body in a way that causes involuntary twitching movements or laughter.”
Jim wanted to sink through the floor. It was stupid. This was just basic information. Not even teases.
Wait.
“Hey Iris.”
Oh no.
Bones was bluffing. He knew he was.
“What is a tickle kink?”
Jesus fucking Christ.
Jim stood so abruptly he probably would’ve interrupted Iris had it been human. “Bones, please.”
“Please what?” Bones asked over Iris explaining what a goddamn tickle kink was.
“Stop this.”
“Oh, but I’m not done. Hey Iris. Can you give us some tickle teases?”
Jim was going to murder him.
“Okay, okay!” he cried, holding up his hands. “I’ll ask for it, are you happy?”
Bones, fucking Bones, smiled innocently at him. “Ask for what?”
Iris had stopped talking and the silence was suddenly deafening. Jim huffed, feeling his face flush. Stupid, all of it. And yet he found he couldn’t let the moment drop. Not that Bones would let him, but still.
Still.
“For you to tickle me,” he finally said, aiming for accusation. “That’s what you want me to say, isn’t it?”
“I was mostly just messing with you, but if you want me to tickle you you could’ve just asked.” He let out a laugh. “Well, I guess you just did. Hey Iris? Make sure the door is locked and the room soundproof. I feel a sudden urge to go for your hips and I know you can’t remain calm for that.”
Bones was a dead man, but Jim was a dying one. He took a step back, unsure of why. Bones would get him anyway. He would let him get him anyway.
The couch was soft when he landed, knees on each side of him as fingertips brushed over his sides for starters. Just to wake his senses up. Just to show him what was going to happen. Jim started giggling immediately, which was embarrassing each time, but Bones simply laughed along with him before he latched onto his hip bones and wouldn’t let go. Jim screamed, once, outdrawn, before it got broken up by laughter. Maybe it was a good thing Iris had made the room soundproof. They’d been busy, his skin had been starved, and he’d forgotten just how good Bones was at this.
“Fuck!” he cried, head thrown back and hands flailing to grip something without shoving Bones off. “Wait, wait, wait-”
“For?”
Jim didn’t know. Jim couldn’t speak.
Briefly, as Bones sent ticklish shocks through his body, Jim wondered if Iris was registering what was happening at all. Wondered if it would use it against him somehow. No one on this ship would judge him, really, but this wasn’t theirs to hear.
Maybe he would bring it up with Bones afterward. He wasn’t really in a position to hold a discussion.
“Oh my god, switch spots please-”
“Say please.”
“I just fuckin’ did-”
“I didn’t hear you.”
It was a dance, with Bones leading just enough to keep Jim on his toes, but stopping for long enough to make sure he wasn’t overstepping. His pauses came as switching spots so that he was tickling one that wasn’t as bad, and so Jim made sure to breathe when he went for his sides again, gently teasing the curve of his torso.
He wasn’t done, and Jim was glad, because he wasn’t done either.
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toboldlygohome · 4 months
Text
"Patch Me Up, Doc"
Leonard McCoy x Reader
Summary: When disaster strikes on the Enterprise and the unavoidable happens, Bones is there to patch you up again.
Character(s): Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, James "Jim" Kirk, Christine Chapel
Warning(s): Wounds, Minor character death, Violence, Cursing
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Leonard wasn't sure how his day could possibly get worse. Three cases of Ankarian flu, several engineers came in with all manner of abrasions and burns, and an ensign went into anaphylactic shock. All in the last two hours.
The one thing he had been looking forward to all day was seeing you. Today you were scheduled for your bi-monthly physical. Despite the engineering department being notorious for having the most casualties, you were one of the few exceptions.
You were always careful and aware of your surroundings and you never made silly mistakes. It was one of the things Leonard really liked about you, but that also meant he didn't see you as much as he'd like to. At least you were taking care of yourself. If that meant he only got to see your beautiful smile a few times a week, it was worth it.
Leonard looked down at his PADD and frowned. You were late, which was very unlike you. He had tried to call you multiple times, but you weren't answering any of his messages. After about thirty minutes of waiting, Leonard dialed Scotty.
"Hello?" Scotty said. In the background Bones could hear what sounded like a hundred hammers banging on pipes. That was his first clue to what was holding you up.
"Scotty, where is-" Leonard started, but was cut off by the head engineer.
"Ah! Doctor, what can I do you for?"
Bones huffed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Lieutenant Y/L/N is late for her medical exam," He grumbled.
"Oh yeah! She mentioned something about that. Is it that time already?" Scotty asked. "We're a little busy down here. I'll send her up when we get this figured out." Suddenly there was a loud hissing sound. It was so loud that Leonard had to pull the communicator away from his ear.
"Dear god man! what's going on down there?" Bones talked over the static.
"Something strange is happening with the warp core. We're running on a power shortage."
"Power shortage? What do you mean, power shortage?" Bones implored. As if in response, the lights dimmed with a dangerous sounding hum before brightening again. "Ah. That power shortage."
"Losing power up in med bay!" Scotty announced to his crew before responding to Bones. "Don't you worry doctor, we have all hands on deck to figure out what is draining the power. When we do, I'll send your lass up for her physical."
"How long is this gonna take?" Leonard furrowed his brows.
"Oh at the rate we're going at, I'd say a couple hours at least-"
"A couple hours?! Forget it. Just tell Y/N I'll get with her later to reschedule." Bones ran a hand over his face.
"You got it lad!" Scotty hung up.
An hour went by and the power outages were growing more frequent. Leonard couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen. But of course he was a doctor, not a psychic.
Bones busied himself at his desk filling out some patient reports, when a low rumble coursed through the ship. It vibrated the floors and walls, shaking the contents of Leonard's long forgotten coffee mug. When the shaking slowed, the lights slowly faded out and didn't turn back on.
"What the hell are they doing down there? Opening a god-damned back hole?" Bones shoved aside his chair and stormed out of his office.
The nurses in the medbay already had out their flashlights and were pulling open the automatic doors, which had frozen in place with the power outage.
"Back up generators should be switching on any minute" Nurse Chapel said as she fiddled with her PADD screen. They waited in tense silence for the lights to come on. When nothing happened, Leonard grabbed a flashlight of his own.
"I'm getting to the bottom of this mess." He grumbled and marched toward the door, only to be thrown against the wall by some strange force. The nurses, biobeds and all manner of medical equipment felt the impact as well. Dimly, Bones registered a loud boom from deep within the enterprise that rattled his insides. What followed was the sound of emergency sirens and flashing red lights.
"Everyone okay?" Leonard called out as he pulled himself up. There were various murmurs of agreement as the nurses regained their balance. Dr M'Benga rushed in soon after, along with a steady flow of medical personnel. Everyone worked in a frenzy to prep the medbay for...whatever it was that was happening.
"Jim! medbay to bridge! Pick up dammit!" Leonard hollered into his communicator over the blaring sirens.
"Bones! Read you loud and clear!" Jim responded.
"What in god's name is going on? are we under attack?!" Leonard could barely hear himself think over the sound of the red alert.
"Not entirely sure."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means, i'll get back to you on that. Right now I need a medical team down in engineering ASAP!"
Leonard felt his stomach drop. That must have been where the explosion was. 'All hands on deck' Scotty had said. So many people were down there. He was down there.
You were down there. Dammit.
Leonard hung up and grabbed his kit "Alpha shift, you're coming with me to engineering. Beta and Gamma shift, stay here and get ready. I have a feeling we're gonna be busy."
~~~
Down in engineering, you struggled to stand. Your legs felt weak and your head was pounding. The room was spinning and it was unbearably hot. You couldn't hear anything at first, the ringing was so bad. Then the ringing turned into sirens, then into shouting. Your eyes adjusted to the lights.
There was fire everywhere. The whole engine room was a mess of destroyed systems and fallen cross beams. You couldn't recall what happened at first, then slowly you remembered the alien device. the one harvesting the power. There must have been multiple, and they must have been bombs.
Amid the grogginess, you heard your communicator beeping. It was Scotty.
"M'here boss" Your voice sounded much more hoarse than you were expecting. you must have been screaming when you went down.
"Where are you? I've been trying to find you!" Scotty yelled from the other end.
"I'm by the eastern bulkhead." You pushed yourself up on your knees to survey your surroundings.
"That's perfect! Captain says they see an unfamiliar ship closing in. Given the circumstances, we can assume it's not too friendly."
"Affirmative," You whole-heartedly agreed as you struggled to your feet.
"We haven't enough power for shields. The captain needs us to redirect all the power to the warp coils."
You huffed, catching your breath. "Consider it done, be careful Scotty." you hung up and hooked your communicator to your belt. The smoke was terrible and it was hard to breathe, but you had a job to do. You grabbed a rogue toolkit and rushed toward one of the massive power panels. On the way there, you saw something that froze you in your tracks.
It was an ensign trapped under a large pipe. She appeared to be incapacitated. You dropped everything and rushed over to her.
"Nella! Can you hear me?" You cried out. She didn't respond. "Nella, I'm going to get you out of here! Just hold on!"
You grabbed one end of the pipe and started lifting, but it wouldn't budge. "Come on!" You grunted, putting everything you had into it. You pulled and pulled, but you couldn't free her alone. "Help! over here! Someone!"
Footsteps. Your prayers had been answered. Dr. McCoy came rushing around the corner with his med kit and those strong arms you needed right about now.
"Leonard! Thank god, I need your help! She's trapped, I can't get it myself!" You swallowed the lump in your throat. You were so glad to see him, Bones always seemed to appear just when you needed him.
Leonard froze when he saw the ensign on the floor and held up his tricorder.
"Come on doctor, we gotta get it off of her" You said through gritted teeth, fighting to lift the pipe off your fellow engineer.
Leonard's scanner beeped and he sighed. "Y/N, I... I'm sorry." He placed a firm hand on your shoulder.
You froze, trying to comprehend what he meant by that. "You...what?" You asked in a daze.
"She's gone Y/N," he squeezed your shoulder.
You let go of the pipe and turned your gaze to the ceiling. You were on the verge of a breakdown and you needed to stay calm. There were other people, living people, who needed your help right now. You pressed the heels of your palms to your eyes and took a deep breath.
Leonard moved his hand to your back. "Lieutenant, we have to go."
You steeled yourself, grabbed your tool bag from the ground and darted toward the power panel. Leonard grunted and hurried after you.
"The doors are this way! where are you going?" Bones caught up with you as you navigated the mess of wires, pipes, and rubble.
"To redirect the power!"
"Slow down dammit, you're injured!"
"If I don't transfer the power to the warp coils, all of us are gonna be dealing more than just a few bumps and scrapes, Doctor"
"What you have there is not a 'scrape' Darlin' you've practically sprung a leak!"
"Perfect! You can follow my blood trail!" Everything was going wrong. This was one big, terrible nightmare. The floor shook again and you stumbled forward into the power panel. Leonard fell into you from behind, that was when you noticed the searing pain in your side.
"Shit," you winced.
"What did I tell ya?" Leonard grumbled as he helped you up. You reached for the controls, only to find the displays were fried. With a cry of defeat, you slammed your fist into the keyboard.
"Nothing can ever be EASY, can it?! Time to get creative then!" You went to the side of the panel and pried it open to reveal it's mechanical innards. "You work on me, I'll work on this!"
Bones didn't need to be told twice. He dove into his medical bag for his hypo spray and bandages; meanwhile, you were looking for the command cable that would allow you to divert all the power coming into the panel to the warp coils.
You ignored the sting of the hypo entering your neck and focused on finding your coveted wire.
"Lifting your dress Lieutenant." Leonard warned, already gripping the bottom hem.
"Do what you gotta do doctor, modesty is the last thing on my mind right now." You groused as you dug deeper into the panel. Not that modesty was an issue, you were wearing leggings after all.
He lifted your dress and winced on your behalf. Bones gave it some sort of antibacterial spray that burned like hell despite the pain medicine he injected you with. The barrage of what you assumed to be phaser cannons didn't lighten up. The floor kept shaking, but neither of you payed it any mind.
The world seemed to slow as you finally found the cable. "YES!" You beamed, ripping it out of it's socket.
"Woah, woah, woah. You're messin' up your bandages!"
"No time for bandages! I have to get these cables into that panel" You pointed across the destroyed engine room. "That'll reroute the power, then we can get the hell out of here!" You struggled to stand amid the shaking and Leonard hoisted you up. If the circumstances weren't so terrible, you would have relished in the feeling of his arms around you. Unfortunately, time was of the essence. Once you were on your feet, you were already running through the wreckage to the panel. Leonard was hot on your heels, shielding his face from the flames as he ran.
A powerful crash sent you flying forward yet again, knocking the wind out of you. Behind you, Leonard was in a similar predicament. You didn't stop. All you had to do was plug it in, then the enterprise would finally be out of danger. You tore into the panel. This time you knew just where the cord was supposed to go. You ripped the old cord free and replaced it with the new one.
Instantly you felt the ship lurch forward. All at once, the shaking stopped. The familiar hum of the warp coils lulled you into a sense of ease. You were back on your feet, the ground steady beneath you. You turned and found Bones, pulling himself off the ground. Your relief was immeasurable. It was all over. The ship was safe.
Leonard was safe.
You smiled so brightly, Bones was sure it out shined even the brightest star in the galaxy.
Unfortunately for you, the universe was against you that day. You took one step toward him and your world lit up. You saw nothing. The only thing you felt was pain. The last thing you heard before drifting away was the sound of Leonard, crying out for you.
~~~
An incessant beeping stirred you from your slumber, that and the terrible ache you felt in every part of your body. It took a long time for you to work up the courage to open your eyes, but when you did, you were blinded by the overhead lights in the medbay.
You groaned and tried to shield your eyes with your arm, but you just felt so weak. Instead, you closed your eyes and hoped your head would stop throbbing
"Lights at 50%" A familiar voice drawled.
You peeked your eyes open again and hummed approvingly at the light levels.
"Hey darlin'...how are you feeling?" Leonard asked as he sat on the edge of your biobed. He looked so tired. You just wanted to reach up, take his face into your hands and hold him until he fell into a restful sleep.
"Like I was swallowed by the sun and spit back out again." You tried to smile.
"Well, at least you're feeling something." He placed the back of his hand on your forehead. "I'd be mighty worried if you felt nothing at all."
You closed your eyes and sighed, relishing in his gentle touch. "How are you feeling?" You asked softly.
He chuckled lowly and slowly pulled his hand away. "You nearly get blown to bits and you're asking me how i'm doing?"
"Have you slept?" You ignored his question.
Leonard sighed "you are something else... Not yet. Don't think I could fall asleep if I tried," he reached up and tapped on the screen of the biobed to check your vitals. You wanted to say something, anything. You wanted to thank him, reassure him, tell him you'd do it all again if you had to.
"I'm gonna check your bandages sweetheart. It might sting a little, but I'll try to be gentle," he said whispered.
"I trust you Len," you gave him a tired smile.
Bones pulled back the sheet on the bed. Your arms were all bandaged and one of your legs was in a cast. You couldn't see the rest of you under the hospital gown. The cold air stung your burns and you clenched your teeth. Leonard pulled up the side of the gown to check your cut. You had nearly forgotten about that wound amidst all your new ones.
"Just as I thought," he muttered "Time to change your bandages. Y/N, are you-"
"Patch me up, doc." You closed your eyes and tried to relax.
Leonard frowned and heaved a sigh through his nose. He brought his hands to the bandages, but stopped just sort of cutting them off. He was much quieter than usual. You were used to his grumpy complaining, his witty banter. His silence was unsettling, his hesitation even more so.
"Bones?" You whispered.
"Y/N, I...." He trailed off and looked at you. His eyes glistened with unshed tears. The sight of him so distraught... You didn't know what you were feeling. You focused hard and ignored the pain as you lifted your arm.
"H-hey, don't-" he started. You ignored him and brought your hand to his cheek. He closed his eyes and swallowed thickly.
"I'm not going anywhere..." You said softly. "Not now, not ever."
"You can't possibly promise me that darlin'..." His voice came out as a broken rumble.
"I can't promise you that I won't get hurt... I can't promise that I will never be in danger. But I can promise that no matter what happens to me, I will always come back to you... who else would I trust to make me better again?" You brushed your thumb over his cheekbone. He ghosted his fingertips over your hand and pressed a tender kiss to your palm.
It was then that you knew everything had changed.
"I'm gonna hold you to that," Leonard whispered against your skin.
"I wish you'd hold me in other ways too," you giggled.
Leonard smiled and shook his head. "We'll discuss all that when you're better."
"Well, then you'd better get a move on doctor~"
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tigereyes45 · 6 months
Text
It's McSpirk week everyone! Day 1's prompt was Old Men Mcspirk. @mcspirkevents
Summary:
Back in Yosemite National Park after Star Trek V, Kirk, Bones, and Spock return to camping. Of course one can only stare at the stars for so long before they become contemplative.
Preview of story:
McCoy’s pants tug on the dry bark as he sits back down on the large log Kirk had dragged towards the fire. He shifts back and forth until he finds a comfortable place amongst the aged bark. When he gets up again, Leonard wouldn’t be surprised to see it come off with him. Just old, dead bark, on a dying cut-down tree. It won’t be long before they’re yanked off the Enterprise again. Spock’s got a few extra years on all of them, but sooner rather than later even he’ll be peeled off to make the higher-ups more comfortable. Just the same way some campers strip their logs to rest on the smooth wood beneath. Not everyone can appreciate the rough feel of protection it offers. Sometimes you just want something smooth and new.
“Ah,” he wets his lips with a quick lick. “Guess it’s official.”
Kirk twists his body to lay an arm back along the top of the log. The other sits over his propped-up knee, circling Bones’ flask in hand. 
For the first time since McCoy returned to Starfleet, the captain seems himself. At ease with the world around him. Comfortable with the unknowns they’ll soon face.  “What is?”
Bones steals the flask right out of Jim’s hand. “We’re old now.” The declaration makes it sound like a new revelation. As if the good doctor hasn't been calling himself old since his forties. He throws back his head letting the Tennessee whiskey wash down his throat.
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katierosefun · 1 year
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i need to do my homework but ANYWAYS not to talk about the star trek reboot movies on main again but i’m starting to realize that maybe the star trek reboot movies give me a lot of hope now that i’m in my twenties, because whether accidentally or not, there’s something really weirdly reassuring about seeing the enterprise crew in their youth, messy and still figuring things out, and yet still winding up exactly where they need to be. like, when we meet jim, he’s impulsive and impatient and flat-out bored with his own life, so he winds up picking fights and telling himself that yeah, fine, being the smartest guy in the midwest is good enough for him, until he’s told that it’s not--and even when he joins starfleet, he winds up getting on academic suspension and breaks a million codes along the way. then we’ve got bones, who we find fresh after his divorce. the guy is fucking day drinking at 0800. and then we’ve got spock, who’s so clearly angry and resentful of something, maybe a little bit of everything, but that’s what you get as being a mixed-race kid-slash-minority kid i guess (phew). then we’ve got chekov, who’s like. a literal 17 year old. (a seventeen year old. my baby brother is currently seventeen years old. i would have a heart attack if he told me he’s heading up to space now.) then we’ve got sulu, who literally reaches the bridge because some guy was conveniently sick, so he had to fill in. he messes up literally in the first two seconds. then we’ve got scotty, who’s out in the buttfuck middle of nowhere, with no live organism except for keenser and the scary creepy-crawlies outside. uhura might be the only one who has her shit together, but also. she is dating her former professor. which, you know, seeing that former professor is spock, whatever, go off girlie and etc.
my point is that star trek: 2009, as flawed and as messy as it is, still accidentally becomes really fucking good when you realize that this movie is about the enterprise crew when they’re in their youth, and also when they’re coming together even after a total shift in their timeline. so what’s rather lovely about the reboot movies is that not only do they accidentally say that no matter the timeline, you’ll wind up with the people who you were meant to be with, but also. no matter the timeline and no matter how many fucking problems you have-slash-had, you will still wind up precisely where you need to be, with the people who you were always meant to love, and maybe that’s a little bit of comfort in this weird time that we’re living in
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tickletastic · 1 year
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Intergalactic Slime Whiskey
Fandom: Star Trek AOS
Ship: Hints of Spirk
Summary: Intergalactic whiskey will never taste like Earth whiskey. Jim knows that, and Bones certainly knows that.
A/N: to the anon that requested Star Trek or Top Gun <3
“Jim, it would be illogical to allow Doctor McCoy to chase us for any longer,” Spock says, hand in Jim’s as he lags ever so slightly behind him. “I do believe that Doctor McCoy will reach us eventually.”
“You don’t understand, Spock,” Jim says, panting as he continues to run, Bones hot on their trail, “I finished his Earth whiskey, his whiskey from Earth.” 
“Captain, whiskey can be ordered or acquired from any of the neighbouring planets,” Spock says, slowing down. Of course Jim slows to accompany him, of course he does. 
“You don’t get it, Spock. That stuff is aged on Earth with Earth wood. Bones hates the taste of whiskey aged with the artificial stuff,” Jim explains, noticing Bones to be getting closer and closer as they run through the hallways of The Enterprise, “we won’t be back on Earth for another year, Spock.”
“I believe that humans would say you are ‘screwed,’ Captain,” Spock comes to a complete stop, and of course, Jim stops too. He’d say it’s to protect Spock from Bones’ wrath, but of course, it’s not that simple.
There’s only a mere five seconds between them stopping and Jim being potato-sacked over Bones’ shoulder, unsure if his punishment will happen in his quarters or Bones’, but then again, they’re kind of the same at this point in their friendship. 
As he’s carried away, batting at Bones’ back for hopes of mercy, he sees the cute, lopsided smile on Spock’s face, looks into his knowing eyes. “Spock, you traitor!”
Jim spends the entire two minute journey trying to make Bones as uncomfortable as possible, squirming, pleading, and throwing his fists against his best friend’s back. Nearly the moment the door to Bones’ quarters opens, he’s being thrown onto the couch, landing with a punched-out ‘oof’. 
“Bohones nohoho, c’mon!” Jim pleads, putting his hands up in between the two of them as Bones straddles his hips. 
“I’m not even touchin’ ya, kid,” Bones says fondly, reaching a hand up to ruffle Jim’s hair. 
“Stop! Juhust let me go! Ihihi’m sorry!” Jim reasons, shaking his head to dismount Bones’ hand. 
“No way, kid,” Bones feigns a frown, “that Earth whiskey ain’t goin’ to make up for itself, I’ll have to drink that intergalactic slime shit for the next year because of you.”
“Ihihi’m sorry! I’ll request we go back to Earth early!”
“I’d never let you jeopardise a mission, Jim, especially the first five-year expedition in Fleet history,” Bones sighs, “but I would let you suffer for it.”
“Bohones NOHOHOHO!” Bones’ hands finally go to work, latching onto Jim’s hips, going in for the kill as soon as he starts.
“No- I- Ple-“ Jim tries to get something, anything out, but he’s overtaken by his own hearty laughter, his entire body shaking as he starts to burn pink to his ears. 
Bones can’t help but laugh along, shaking his head at Jim’s adorable reactions, “you did something pretty bad, kid. I ought to just stay here the entire time.”
Jim’s eyes shoot open, shaking his head urgently, “IHIHIHI’D DIHIHIE!” 
“Well, then tell me where to go, Jim.” Bones smirks as Jim goes impossibly more red, a sheepish expression on his face. 
“AHAHAHANAYWHERE EHEHEHELSE!” 
“Not an answer,” Bones says, drilling in. 
Jim shrieks, arching his back but only making the tickling worse as a result. “AHAHA- I- TUHUHUMMY!”
“Better,“ Bones chuckles, hands going up to Jim’s tummy. His tickling becomes incredibly soft, spidering over Jim’s stomach in the way he usually likes when he’s trying to sleep. Now, however, the soft tickling is a thousand times more flustering than it is peaceful. He giggles like a child, his head back and his nose scrunched.
“Nohoho!” He hiccups, trying to bat away Bones’ hands. 
“Ready for another spot, kid?” Bones asks, pushing Jim’s hand away. 
“Plehehease stohohop!” Jim cries.
“Alright, neck it is then.” 
Jim positively screams when Bones scratches at his collarbones, trying to put his head down but only succeeding in trapping Bones’ fingers. He hiccups, snorts, and begs, but none of it is enough to stop Bones. 
“I CAHAHAN’T I CAHAHAHAN’T!” Jim screams, kicking out and hands going everywhere. 
“Alright, alright, kid. You’re too damn cute and too damn ticklish for your own good.” Bones’ hands slow down, going back up to Jim’s hair to scratch his head, dismounting Jim to put his head in Bones’ lap.
“Ihihi-“ Jim starts, opening his eyes, “I ahaham sorry, Bohohones, reheheally. I thohohought it was the stuhuhuff from the last planet, I shohohould’ve read the label.” 
“No worries, Jim. It’s just liquor,” Bone says, his hand wandering slightly and nicking Jim’s ear, causing an adorable snort from the blonde, “I’ll drink the gross stuff with you, but you’re buying me a bottle when we get back next year.”
“Would that make me an enabler?” Jim says, stray giggles still flowing as his eyes slowly shut. 
“Oh hush, go to sleep, you damn infant.” 
Jim giggles, and within minutes he’s asleep in his best friend’s lap, head pushing closer to Bones’ hand on his head even in his slumber. 
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thesconesyard · 9 months
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Yeehaw!
When the Cactus Blooms
7. Tall Handsome Stranger
McCoy was working in the main yard with Jim when the man appeared. He was tall and slim, with piercing eyes. When he removed his hat, his hair was nearly black and brushed back from the temples. His pants were black and his shirt dark, though a bit dusty, probably from his walking.
“Howdy!” Jim called out.
“Hello,” the man answered.
McCoy nodded a greeting and kept working.
“What can we do for you?” Jim asked.
“I was told in town that you have work for people down on their luck.” The man smiled self-deprecatingly.
“Sure,” Jim smiled broadly. “Name’s Jim Kirk. I own the Enterprise Ranch.” Jim stuck his hand out and the other man shook it. “This here is Leonard McCoy.”
“I am John Harrison. A pleasure to meet you Mr. Kirk, Mr. McCoy.”
“It’s doctor actually,” Jim said, nodding at McCoy.
“Oh. My apologies Dr. McCoy,” Harrison said with a slightly remorseful look.
“Don’t worry about it,” McCoy waved a hand. “I don’t practice anymore.” Something about the man’s piercing gaze unsettled him.
Silence passed between the men for a beat.
“Well Mr. Harrison, are you hungry? It’s quite a walk from town and still some time before lunch, but I’m sure the ladies could rustle something up—” Jim said.
“Oh no, please don’t bother. I can wait. I’d prefer to work.”
“Ok,” Jim smiled. “Well, what kind of work do you like? Got something in mind?”
“I did a bit of work engineering and improving mechanical things at my last place,” Harrison answered. His face grew sad.
McCoy hid a frown, but couldn’t help but wonder what had happened where Harrison had last been that gave him that look to mention it.
“Perfect!” Jim exclaimed. “Scotty’ll be glad to have someone help him. He’s our engineering genius.”
“Wonderful,” Harrison smiled.
A chill went down McCoy’s back at that smile, but he didn’t know why.
“You good Bones? I’ll be right back,” Jim asked.
“Yeah kid, I’m fine,” McCoy replied. He turned back to their work. Jim led Harrison along to find Scotty. Keenser and a couple of his birds came up next to McCoy.
“Who?” the short man asked, pointing after Jim.
“Man looking for work. Name’s John Harrison,” McCoy told him.
“Hmm.”
“Did ya tell the gals there’d be an extra?” McCoy asked when Jim returned.
“Slipped my mind,” Jim admitted, a flash of embarrassment crossing his face.
“Knew you would forget,” McCoy grumbled. “Good thing Keenser said he’d let them know.”
“Hey Leonard,” Uhura greeted him as he stepped into the dining room.
“Hi. Can I help?”
“Get the plates out? What’s the new man like?”
McCoy turned to the pile of dishes and began to place them around the table.
“Not sure,” he shrugged. “Only met him really. John Harrison is his name. Someone in town sent him our way.”
“We do take people in,” Uhura gave a light chuckle. They had all found themselves at the ranch one way or another. “Think he’ll stay?”
McCoy couldn’t help his frown, but he turned so Uhura couldn’t see it.
“I don’t know.”
It wasn’t long before the sound of laughing voices reached them in the dining room, as everyone came inside for lunch. Scotty and Harrison were the last to join them. They appeared to be getting along quite well. Scotty introduced him to everyone around the table and pointed him to the empty seat by McCoy.
“Hello again Doctor,” Harrison said as he sat.
McCoy gave him a tight smile.
“Not necessary to call me that,” he said politely.
“Right,” Harrison said carefully, “You said you don’t practice anymore. Why is that?”
McCoy’s shoulders tensed and he saw Christine look over at him. Her hand was sliding towards his.
“I’m sorry John,” Scotty said from up the table. “I should have explained to ye. We don’t much talk about the past.”
“As long as you’re willing to work hard, we take you for who you show us,” Sulu added.
“My apologies,” Harrison said with a chagrined look. “That was much too familiar a question for having just met.”
“No harm done,” McCoy said. His heart was pounding in his chest. Scotty was already on a first name basis with this new man?
“He's sure handsome,” Uhura said.
“Yes,” Christine agreed.
McCoy had stayed inside to help the ladies clean up. He dried a plate as Uhura handed it over to him.
“Polite and smart as well, it seems,” Christine added.
“We’ll feed him well. Poor man; so thin,” Uhura said.
McCoy just listened. Scotty had led Harrison off again after lunch, laughing at something as they went. He’d sort of thought he and Scotty had come to some kind of understanding out at the creek. Maybe he had been wrong. They hadn’t said anything to each other beyond McCoy’s round about way of showing his interest in the man. Maybe he had just imagined the agreeable look in Scotty’s eyes.
He sighed.
“Alright Leo?” Christine asked, coming up behind him and placing a hand around his shoulder.
Giving himself a mental shake, he put on a smile and looked at Christine.
“Right as rain sweetheart.”
She gave him a hard stare for a moment but dropped it.
Harrison became a fixture at the ranch over the following week. He charmed the ladies, helped everywhere he could and seemed to put everyone at ease. Except McCoy. And maybe Spock, but McCoy couldn’t be completely sure about that.
Jim gave Harrison one of the small cabins to sleep in and McCoy could hear him and Scotty, chatting and talking over complex things, sitting out front in the cool evenings.
McCoy was polite, his upbringing wouldn’t let him be anything but, and yet he still felt something. Something bothered him about the man named John Harrison.
“Thought I’d find you here.”
McCoy startled. He’d been down deep in his thoughts, staring into the creek, sitting by one of the big trees. The moon was high, and the stars were out.
“What’s bothering you Leo?” Christine asked as she sat down on the ground next to him and smoothed her skirt.
“Nothing,” he said quickly.
“You’re a terrible liar, honey,” Christine laughed at him. “You’ve been moping all week. What is it?”
“Nothing,” he said again, and turned back to watching the water in the creek as it flowed around some rocks.
“Did he turn you down?” she asked quietly. “You said you were gonna say something last week when you were both gone…”
“No,” McCoy said again. “No. We- I- I indicated how I- how I… well, you know,” he stammered out. “I thought I got myself across clearly. I… I guess I read him wrong.” He let out a soft sigh.
Christine put her arm around him and pulled him over until their heads bumped together.
“All week he’s looked lit up about Harrison. I don’t know why I bother…”
“Oh Leo,” Christine soothed. “It’ll all turn out right, don’t you fret.”
In the morning John Harrison didn’t turn up for breakfast. A bad feeling settled in McCoy’s stomach, but he couldn’t explain why.
As the day went by, it was obvious the man had left as quietly as he had arrived.
“Things are missing Jim,” Uhura stated with a worried frown as the men came in for lunch.
“What things?”
“My mother’s bracelet and that pair of cufflinks that belonged to my father.”
“And a pair of my necklaces,” Christine added.
Jim frowned and looked around at the others.
“Are you sure you gals didn’t just misplace them?”
“I wore one of those necklaces to town last week Jim. It was sitting in my top drawer with my handkerchiefs,” Christine said.
“He took’em,” McCoy muttered.
“We don’t know that!” Scotty said.
“The timing is suspicious,” Spock said. “Is anyone else missing anything?”
It turned out everyone was missing something of value.
“I’ll be damned,” Jim said. “Guess we’ll have to be more careful from now on.”
“Should we go after him?” Chekov asked.
Jim was quiet and looked at Spock before answering.
“Yes.”
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noforkingclue · 1 year
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Just One Year Chapter 10 (Bones x reader)
Just One Year tag list: @brilliantbutbatty, @440mxs-wife, @pile-of-bones-and-stars, @alindeluce, @stephdavies95, @bubblegum-star-trek, @waleyfish
Star Trek tag list: @strange-old-worlds, @stardustnerd
Everything tag list: @greenrevolutionary, @byebyebreezywrites, @spngingerbread21, @layazul, @lov3vivian, @simonsbluee
“Scotty said that you were originally going to become an engineer.”
“Talking about me already? You asked Bones as he put down a hot drink in front of you
It was peaceful in the Med Bay. Not quiet but there was enough extra staff for Bones to take a break. Secretly, you were glad for the interruption. You needed to rest your eyes from all the paperwork.
“Not like that,” Bones said, “He was just wondering why you wanted to change. I was wondering why you wanted to do engineering in the first place.”
You took a sip of your tea and closed your eyes. The soothing liquid warmed you comfortably up and put you in a good mood.
“I guess I just like seeing how things tick,” you said, “I guess medicine isn’t that different. Only you’ve got the downside of dealing with people instead of machines. A Starship can’t argue back and tell you what’s wrong with it. I’m sure you had to deal with your fair share of argumentative patients.”
“Jim being one of them.”
“I’m sure that Captain isn’t that bad.”
Bones raised an eyebrow at you as he took a sip of his coffee.
“You’ve met him?” he asked
“He did interview me.”
“And you still wanted to come aboard after meeting him. Maybe you’re braver than I thought.”
“Shows how little you know me.”
“That is true.”
You took another sip of your tea as Bones shifted slightly awkwardly in front of you.
“What do you want to ask me?” you said
“Ask you?”
“You have that expression,” you waved a hand in front of your face, “That you are curious about something. Go ahead.”
“Alright,” Bones put his coffee cup on his desk, “Why aren’t you a doctor anymore? You trained, you got your degree, you’re a doctor. So why aren’t you Doctor y/n l/n.”
You took another sip of your tea and grinned at Bones.
“Simple,” you said with a shrug, “I couldn’t take the pressure.”
“Patients,” Bones said with a knowing look, “The responsibility. Lord knows there are times when I wanted to quit.”
“Not just that but that didn’t help,” you said, “But mainly from my family. You have no idea how grating it gets when my mother kept introducing me as ‘Doctor’. She was so keen on keeping up appearances. She said that she didn’t want me to go into engineering because ‘it wasn’t safe,” you rolled your eyes at this, “But that’s a load of bullshit. She didn’t think it was prestigious enough for me. So I stopped being a doctor and took this up and I tell you one thing- I’m a lot happier then I was.”
“Even though you’re not with your fiancé, err.”
“Peter,” you said quickly, “I won’t lie, it’s been a challenge. But if we can get through this then we can get through anything.”
You looked down at your ring and smiled.
“He was a bit jealous that I’m on the Enterprise,” you said, “But he wasn’t the only one.”
A comfortable silence lapsed over the two of you. You started to look back at your work but felt Bone’s eyes on you. You glanced up at him and you were correct, he was looking at you. You raised your eyebrows and he quickly coughed and stood up.
“Must be getting back to work.” he muttered as he quickly left the room
“Yeah,” you said, “Back to work.”
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