Road Trip [for losthunter]

[boldygoing]

It's a beautiful spring day in Riverside, Iowa. The skies are clear and the weather is pleasantly mild, and across the endless fields that stretch out into vast distances, automated farm machinery is hard at work planting corn for the season.

There's no such machinery around the Kirk farm, though someone has bothered to zap away some of the weeds threatening to devour the foundation. The old homestead still sits disturbingly empty, all but abandoned if not for a few small signs that someone has been there recently. One of those signs sits just outside the house, leaning up against his motorbike as he waits for another rider to come join him, a set of riding goggles resting against his forehead.

The motorcycle has clearly seen better days, but it's nothing like twenty-first century bikes. There are no spokes in the wheels, for one thing - indeed, the wheels don't even seem attached by anything visible, held in place by some invisible force. It's keeping itself upright without a kickstand, as well, even though the young man in question is leaning most of his weight against it.

Comments

[losthunter]

"That would be amazing. I have started exploring with metal art."

[boldygoing]

"Because of the trees?" Jim asks, smiling a little. He knows that Hunter has done jewelry before, obviously, but 'metal art' sounds a lot more specific than wearable items. And he's seen a little bit of the artist's work with the gold wire Jim used as payment for the bracelet.

[losthunter]

"I am enjoying making those little trees."

"But after I finished the clay sculpture of the Enterprise, I decided it didn't showcase the silver tones of your ship. So now I am entwining metal into the clay."

[boldygoing]

Jim had almost forgotten about Hunter's project. He vaguely remembers scrolling through his missed messages while he was still in the hospital, once McCoy let him have his communicator back, but the captain was still fairly loopy so most of it went in one ear and out the other, so to speak. "How's that going?"

[losthunter]

"It is a little bigger than I had originally planned. But I needed it bigger, since it is easier to do more detailed work."

"I am trying not to get too caught up in the detail work." But since he hopes to give it to Jim some day, he wants every little detail to be perfect.

[boldygoing]

"Hey," Jim says, reaching across the table to put his hand on Hunter's, and gives him an encouraging smile. "You make it however detailed as you want. I'm sure she'll be awesome either way."

[losthunter]

Hunter appreciates the gesture. And he turns his hand to squeeze Jim's fingers. As strange as it sounds, getting to know Jim in these past few weeks has been wonderful. He is enjoying that they know each other so well, that one knows when the other needs some emotional support.

"This is why I enjoy spending time with you." He smiles.

[boldygoing]

Jim appreciates the support too, over these troubled past few weeks. It's nice to be able to turn the tables once in a while and return the favor. "And here people always tried to tell me flattery would get me nowhere."

[losthunter]

"Not with me, sweetheart. You can flatter me, anytime." Hunter takes the opportunity to kiss Jim's knuckles.

[boldygoing]

"Oh, trust me, I will." Jim smiles back at him.

The waitress swings by their table to check on them, and before long at all, she returns with two slices of pie and a fingerprint scanner to settle the check. Jim presses his thumb to the scanner, authorizing them to charge his 'fleet account, before he digs into his dessert.

"This probably doesn't fit that diet Bones has me on, but I won't tell him if you don't."

[losthunter]

"As I mentioned before... we can do anything you would desire today, and I am not going to tell Bones about it."

Hunter starts to dig into his dessert.

[boldygoing]

It really is sort of like coconut cream, with an alien flavor to it that's hard to describe. But it's good, in Jim's opinion, and he savors every bite. "The next time we're both in San Francisco, I've got to take you to this Bolian place down on Fisherman's Wharf. They have this really awesome version of grilled cheese and tomato soup where every ingredient is from somewhere other than Earth."

[losthunter]

"That sounds awesome."

Hunter has to smile that there will be a next time. He likes making plans with Jim.

[boldygoing]

Jim assumes that of course there'll be a next time. Hunter's his friend, and even if he didn't enjoy spending time with him (which he does), he'd be a horrible friend if he just said 'so long and thanks for all the hospital visits.'

He's lived most of his life without many real friends, and there's no issues with regulations or rank to get in the way.

"Glad you think so."

[losthunter]

Hunter is glad to have Jim in his life. And yes, he considers Jim to be a little more than just a friend. Which is why getting to know him is even more special.

"There is a whole world open to us to explore."

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles and raises his empty glass in a salute. "But for now, Iowa."

[losthunter]

"And perhaps, the next time, you can hit New York City with me." Hunter's glass still has a little left in it. Just enough to return the toast.

[boldygoing]

"Twenty-first century New York? I'd be down for that." The sheer novelty of being a few centuries in the past is enough of a draw on its own, especially with no DTI agents hanging over his shoulder, and having a guide like Hunter is the icing on the cake. "Anything I'd need to be careful about?"

[losthunter]

"There are a few neighborhoods that still have gang and drug issues. But I avoid those..."

"There I a great Drag Bar where I know a few of the dancers. I think you would enjoy it." Hunter smiles.

[boldygoing]

Jim laughs a little. "I meant things that I say or do that might stand out, but that's good to know." He tilts his head to the side, curious. "Do you have to crossdress in a drag bar? Is that something you have to do to get in?"

[losthunter]

"I am sure you would avoid any space travel talk, so I didn't think that would be worth mentioning." Hunter laughs softly.

"No. You don't have to."

"But there is a discounted price on drinks when you do." And he will just take another bite of his dessert right then.

[boldygoing]

Jim doesn't even hesitate before he replies. "Cheaper drinks and I'd get to show off my legs? Sold."

[losthunter]

"Why do I picture a mini skirt in your future?" Hunter chuckles.

[boldygoing]

Jim looks slightly amused. "Nah, it'd be too much like wearing a uniform."

[losthunter]

"Well, whatever you decide to wear, you will look great. And I can do our nails before we hit the club."