boldygoing | Making Good on IOUs [for losthunter]

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hunter,
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Making Good on IOUs [for losthunter]

True to his word, about five days after Jim's first venture into the Nexus, he finds the time to send a message to Hunter's PINpoint via his own version of the gizmo, an attachment he's hardwired into his standard-issue communicator.

Hey handsome. Enterprise in port for minor repairs. You free this evening? -Cpt. JTK

He sure hopes so. It's been a long day, and he'd love the chance to relax with a friend. Bones and Spock are both busy with personal business, but that's just fine with him, since he owes the friendly neighborhood artist a night at a bar someplace.

[[OOC: Image link to replace broken one below: Jim's civilian outfit]

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"Glad to hear it. Everyone should know what makes them happy." Jim's not sure he believes in having only one true love, but then it's not like Hunter set his own conditions on the curse that this Kendra person put on him.

"It has been a journey."

"I have found so many great people since coming to the Nexus. And people that I do love... each in a different way."

"It is nice, not to have a curse define me. Or who I should be with."

"That's a pretty enlightened attitude, from a guy of your timeline." He doesn't mean it to be an insult; he's genuinely impressed.

"I credit a lot of my enlightenment to Jack." Hunter gives credit where credit is due.

"I'm sure, but at least some of it's you," Jim says with a small grin. "No one can make you believe anything; you've got to be willing to listen."

"And so how many 'yes's do you care to list?"

Jim laughs out loud. "Depends. Do you want to be here all night?" He shakes his head slightly. "Probably easier to just say that outside having a stable long-term relationship, I've done most everything at least once."

"Not here. But I could spend the whole night with the company."

"Is it more customary not to have long-term relationships in your timeline?" Hunter asks, mostly because he would like to get a better understanding of where Jim is coming from.

That first comment gets him a charming grin, clearly a shared sentiment between them.

"It's not really that," he answers, drinking a bit of his Cardassian sunrise as he considers what he wants to say about it. "Casual relationships and hookups, that kinda thing, is pretty normal. But that's more about sex than love. Marriage is absolutely still around, and if you've got someone, or multiple someones, that you wanna spend your life with, that's normal too. I just never got around to it, you know?"

"Sounds a little like my world, in a way. Casual relationships and hookups. Marriage to someone, or multiple some ones."

"And you got to be happy with what makes you comfortable."

"Well, that and the fraternization regs are a pain in the ass to get around. Starfleet's not a fan of captains hitting on their crew, for some weird reason."

"But I would imagine there are still attachments and emotional connections."

"Oh yeah, absolutely," Jim agrees, without hesitation. "Some of us were friends for years before we ended up on the Enterprise together. Hell, Spock and Uhura were dating already, and Starfleet still let them serve together. Might be because Spock's a Vulcan, though. Cultural thing."

"And as you said, there are a little more expectations on a captain." Hunter traces his hand over Jim's forearm for a moment.

"You will be able to distress from those expectations here. With me."

Jim smiles at him in reply. He's been watching Hunter for any signs that his twenty-first century upbringing is making him hang back at all, and hasn't seen much to indicate that. Whatever influences he's had to steer him towards more familiar cultural norms, Jim can assure himself that Hunter isn't going to make any more of this than what it is, a fun and mutually pleasant experience with no strings attached.

"You've been helping already, believe me." The alcohol's loosened his tongue a little, not that he really needed it. But it's been a while since he's been able to indulge, too.

Hunter smiles softly. He reaches up with his free hand to gently caress Jim's jawline. "You definitely look relaxed."

He needs no better cue than that. Mindful of the fact that they're in public, Jim leans in to kiss Hunter, not softly and tenderly like a man in love, but with passion tempered with restraint. He's an old hand at this, with years upon years of experience, but every partner is different, unique in needs and desires.

The kiss is a slight surprise, but a good one all the same. Hunter returns the passionate kiss with his tempered passion. He curls that one hand around the back of Jim's head, and places his other hand on the other man's waist.

Hunter has his own experience. It is not as expansive as Jim's might be. But there is no denying that there is an attraction there.

For a moment, when Jim feels Hunter's surprised reaction, he wonders if he's somehow misunderstood. But then that worry melts away as the other man responds, enthusiastically enough to assure him that no, he certainly hasn't misinterpreted anything here.

Keeping in mind the differences between their respective upbringings, however, he lets Hunter set the pace, not pushing for anything the other man may not be ready for.

Plus, you know, the whole 'being in public' part.

"I needed that," he says with a slightly satisfied grin, once they pull apart.

Hunter doesn't push for anything more right now either. He doesn't mind a slow pace. Or getting to know Jim a little more.

He keeps a close distance, even once they pull apart. And his hand is still kept on Jim's waist. "Me too."

Jim's arm is comfortably resting around Hunter's lower back as well, two fingertips lightly hooked in the other man's belt loops. "Been a while?" he asks, raising his eyebrows.

The warm sensation of Jim's arm around his lower back encourages Hunter to lean in, and rest his head on Jim's shoulder.

"It has."

There were several obstacles that Hunter had to overcome to get to the point where he is right now. He had to get comfortable in his own skin. He had almost learn how to be bold and flirtatious. And it has taken him time, but he feels like he is in a better place overall now.

How cute. Jim is fine with partners showing affection in public, but he hasn't really been with a cuddler since Gaila. But now's not really the time to remember her, not unless he wants to bring down the mood.

"Well then, welcome back to the party," he says instead.

"I imagine your responsibilities have been a reason." Hunter nuzzles him slightly. He is a very tactile person. He likes having that contact... that affection.

"Yeah, that's the biggest reason," Jim agrees. He's certainly not pulling away, letting Hunter do whatever he's comfortable with, smiling encouragingly at him. "Even when we're not out on a mission, there's a hell of a lot of paperwork to do, and debriefings at HQ. It's been a few months since I've really had time."

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