Big Reveals [for losthunter]

[boldygoing]

Jim has been in Starfleet Medical for eight weeks before he's finally released. Which is not to say he's been cleared for duty, mind you. But he's recovered enough not to need that kind of constant medical supervision, able to take the rest of his treatment as outpatient. He has physical therapy three times a week, exercises to do at home, and of course Doctor McCoy is still keeping an eagle eye on his diet, something that annoys Jim to no end.

Of course, that's nothing compared to finding out that his Starfleet-assigned apartment is buried under the crashed bulk of the USS Vengeance.

Jim doesn't really give a shit about the apartment itself. Yeah, it was kind of nice to have his own place, but it's never been home. It was just a place to stay whenever the Enterprise was in port. And though it was more decorated than his quarters onboard the ship, it was all meaningless knickknacks, nothing with any real sentimental value.

No, he's more pissed about the fact that nobody told him until a month after he woke up from the coma.

He understands why, of course. McCoy gave him the whole spiel about stress being bad for his recovery, about not needing to worry himself about things he couldn't do anything about, that by the time this happened Jim was already dead, but it's a heavy blow to realize that the loss of life was far, far greater than he'd realized. Tens of thousands died or lost their homes. Yet Jim Kirk lives, when he has no right to be breathing, let alone leaving the hospital.

And it's hard not to be in a foul mood when he realizes that the only place he has to stay on Earth is in Iowa, at the old neglected Kirk homestead. At least it's not likely to be bugged by Section 31, and Jim spends two entire days sweeping the place for surveillance devices, and another three to get the house in order, before he's reassured enough to have visitors.


[OOC: Image links to replace broken ones below:
23rd century Iowa
Mind meld position]

Comments

[losthunter]

"When did you change your last name to Kirk?" Hunter asked.

[boldygoing]

"Officially, I've always been a Kirk. Wasn't much point in taking Frank's last name; everyone knew who we were anyway." Jim shakes his head a little. "Mom wasn't married to him very long, anyway. Only a couple years. But it was enough, on top of everything else."

[losthunter]

"I must have misunderstood."

But this seems like a good time to bring up information about Hunter's own name. "I recently legally changed my name to Hunter. It isn't the name I was born with. But it is the name I have been using, since my appearance was changed."

[boldygoing]

Jim tries to figure out what he might've said that would be misleading, and comes up with one good candidate. "Sam's legal name is George Samuel Kirk Junior. Everyone calls him Sam because it's... easier." For his mom, for Sam, for everyone.

He listens as Hunter speaks, passing no judgment, never reacting like Hunter's been lying to him about his identity or anything like that. "Because you feel like a different person now?" he guesses.

[losthunter]

"Ah. I didn't get that connection."

"At first, it was because I didn't want anyone to know that I was me. So I used it as a pseudonym. But as I got to find myself and accept myself... it became my new identity. My new self."

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles slightly in apology. "Sometimes I forget you don't know this stuff. Too used to everyone knowing my family's business."

That strikes a chord in Jim, but he can't admit to it, not without breaking the confidentiality that he's still legally bound by. "Why'd you pick Hunter?" he asks instead.

[losthunter]

"After the great Hunter in the sky. Orion." He tells Jim.

"I saw, as in a dream sublime, The balance in the hand of Time. O'er East and West its beam impended; And day, with all its hours of light, Was slowly sinking out of sight, While, opposite, the scale of night. Silently with the stars ascended." He quotes the poem from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

"It was the stars of his belt that shone the brightest the night I was changed."

[boldygoing]

He munches on another small handful of popcorn as he listens. "Was it a kind of... omen, or something?" He's still trying to understand the whole magic thing, and it's hard to know what's real and what's nonsense without asking first.

[losthunter]

"I never really questioned it, myself." Hunter shrugs his shoulders. He has been eating his popcorn kernel by kernel.

"But I decided the next day to call myself Hunter."

[bed]

[boldygoing]

Jim isn't going to ask what Hunter's name was before. If Hunter wants him to know, he'll say so. If not, then it's none of Jim's business. "I think it fits you."

[losthunter]

"Thank you." Hunter smiles softly. He reaches over to squeeze Jim's hand lightly. For him, there is no real point in mentioning his old name. It would be like bringing up a stranger, right now.

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles at him, giving his hand a small squeeze. "Names are kind of weird, if you think about it. Most people don't pick their own, like you did; it's something our parents decided for us before they even knew who we were, but most people's identities are so tied with their names that it's hard to imagine being called anything else."

[losthunter]

"That is a good point." Hunter smiles. Right now, this moment feels a lot like a date in a fashion. Sharing information about each other. Just spending time with each other.

"Usually there is a story tied into the name chosen too. Why did your parents want to name you James?"

[boldygoing]

"My maternal grandfather was called Jim," he explains. "My middle name's from my other grandpa, Tiberius. That was almost my first name, but Dad thought it was terrible."

[losthunter]

"Tiberius." Hunter chuckles slightly. "You are definitely more of a James, than a Tiberius."

[boldygoing]

Jim doesn't really share his dad's opinion of the name's merit. He's always been proud to introduce himself by full name, because honestly, how badass does James Tiberius Kirk sound?

"You wanna hear the weird part?" Jim asks, raising his eyebrows. "My parents didn't talk names beforehand, so they had about thirty seconds to name me together. The version of me from Ambassador Spock's timeline ended up with the exact same name, even though his parents didn't have to rush it."

[losthunter]

"That is weird. But I guess, the name Captain James T. Kirk was always one that would be entwined into your destiny, and his..."

[boldygoing]

Despite the somewhat sobering subject, Jim gives him a slightly amused look. "I love that you add 'captain' as part of my name instead of my rank," he teases.

[losthunter]

"You will always be a Captain to me." Hunter leans down, so he can place a soft kiss along Jim's knuckles.

[boldygoing]

With his future in Starfleet uncertain, it's nice to hear. But Jim can't resist another lighthearted, teasing question. "Even if I eventually make it to admiral?"

[losthunter]

Hunter smiles, because in a way Jim just implied that Hunter would still be in his life, if and when he was promoted to Admiral.

"I think I could compromise."

"As long as you keep that promise about me getting to see you in your dress uniform."

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles a little at him, giving him a slightly flirtatious look. "Sure, as long as you promise to get me out of it."

[losthunter]

"Oh... that would be my pleasure." Hunter leans over to gently kiss Jim. It is nice to share a simple kiss.

[boldygoing]

It certainly is. And Jim appreciates that Hunter is here with him, just making sure he doesn't have to be alone.


[looks like a good spot to wrap up :D]

[losthunter]

[awesome spot to wrap up. They are so cute.]