A Long-Overdue Conversation [for losthunter]

[boldygoing]

The captain's quarters on the Enterprise are warmly lit this evening, the door sealed for privacy by the captain's order. Unlike precious times he's been expecting a visitor off the record, the chess set is put away on one of his shelves, the low table in the living quarters topped with a bottle of wine and two empty glasses.

Jim gives his quarters yet another sweep for clutter, knowing damn well there isn't any, and that even if there was, his visitor wouldn't care. It wouldn't be the first time he's seen how much of a disaster area Jim's room can be.

Stop stalling, Kirk.

Jim takes a slow breath and lets it out, then sends a signal to Hunter. Coast is clear. Come over when you're ready.

Comments

[boldygoing]

"Even if it does, it won't be for a while. I want to see you more sooner." That shaky smile comes back to his face as he admits, "I don't think the one hundred percent long distance thing is working." To put it very mildly.

[losthunter]

"No. It is not." Hunter admits.

"I can come see you anytime you want Jim." That is the one nice thing about Hunter basically letting go of the Foundation and Art Studio. His time is his own again.

"You have figured out a way for me to be here. I can keep coming to visit you." Because he knows it is harder for Jim to leave the ship.

[boldygoing]

Jim's spent a lot of his life riding on impulsiveness, and before he can think about it twice, he says, "I want to make you dinner. Uh, here. Sometime."

Great. Super romantic, Kirk. Hunter surely can't resist you now.

[losthunter]

"I would like that." Dinner on a spaceship with the man he loves? That is romantic to Hunter. "We should make more plans like that. Dinner here. Movies at my place."

"And you know that you always have a place to stay in the Nexus." Hunter smiles. "With me."

[boldygoing]

"Plans... maybe. We might have to play it by ear for a bit," Jim admits, giving Hunter's hands a soft squeeze. "Flexible kinda plans."

It does seem kind of unfair that he has the freedom to simply show up at Hunter's place whenever he'd like, when Hunter has to call ahead. But that's part of the package when it comes to dating a Starfleet officer, and they've got a chance to see just how much of a problem that actually is, or not.

[losthunter]

"Just promise that we won't go weeks without seeing each other again." Because Hunter doesn't think he could handle that.

He accepts the Starfleet officer package. But he is sure that they can make this work.

[boldygoing]

Jim's not sure he can guarantee that, out here in the unknown, but he can at least do the next best thing. "If it's in my power," he promises.