nexus_sages | (no subject)

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Jim Kirk enters the Nexus in a mild daze, still a little stunned at the news he's just received from Command. He doesn't look like he's shaved for a few weeks, but his black Starfleet Academy instructor's uniform is clean and his hair is neatly combed, so it's not like he's been letting himself go or anything.

He gets a cup of coffee on autopilot, before finding a seat to really think over what the hell just happened, a look of hopeful disbelief on his face, like he's been told something that's too good to be true.

"Have you ever had a dream job you never expected to get?" he asks after several minutes, looking up. "For those that haven't, if you knew you wouldn't be home for a couple years, what would you not leave without?"

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"Wow..." Hunter is happy to see Jim so happy. He knows that the other man has wanted this opportunity for a long time. And Hunter pushes back any concern that would have ruined this moment, to concentrate on how big of an announcement this is for the Starfleet captain.

"That is fantastic Jim."

"I am sure that six months will go by, quicker than you realize. And then you get to explore space with your crew."

"You're telling me... I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait half a year," Jim says, laughing a little as he shakes his head. "I didn't think I was still in the running."

"What helped them make up their minds?" Hunter asks.

Jim shrugs, scratching at his chin. "Beats heck outta me. My orders didn't say why. Somebody at Command must think I've got my shit together enough for the five-year mission, but I've got no idea who."

"Well, I am sure that you will prove them right, and be a shining example in that Captains chair." Hunter believes that.

"And so I got to ask..." He arches an eyebrow. "Are you trying to look older and more mature?"

Jim gives him a confused look, before it clicks. Oh yeah, he hasn't seen Hunter for a few weeks. "Is it working?" he asks, flashing a grin at him.

Hunter smirks slightly. "You really want me to comment on how I rate your maturity?"

He shrugs his shoulders slightly. Then speaks softly. "You look good Jim. Your eyes sparkle a little more."

His smile softens a little at that. Aww, Hunter, you're adorable. "Sparkle, huh?"

"Seriously though, apparently there's another Jim Kirk around," he admits. "I had a couple people think I was him, and I figured this would be one of the easier ways to tell us apart."

"Well they have always sparkled a little when you smiled. But the sparkle just seems to be more there." Hunter runs his hand over his own head for a moment. A fidget that speaks volumes about his nervousness.

"Seriously?" Hunter seems a little alarmed about that.

"That must have been a little... upsetting to hear about."

Jim frowns slightly at Hunter's fidgeting. What reason would he have to be nervous?

But he's sidetracked from asking when Hunter reacts to the news. "I wouldn't call it upsetting, exactly. Surprising, yeah."

It has been a couple of weeks since they last saw each other. And Hunter doesn't know how much he has missed and how much has changed. He is just uncertain of himself. And that feeling just got a little worse, now that Hunter knows there is two Jims running around.

"How did you find out?"

"I decided it was time I asked the Nexus a question, and got approached by several people who know the other Jim," he explains, a slightly more serious look on his face. "Speaking of which, I'll let you know now, if you come over to the house, my mom's there now too. Columbia got back to Earth a few days ago."

Hunter is assuming that Jim's question had to do something about his mother. And it takes Hunter a moment to let that information soak into his mind.

"That sounds like a big adjustment, Jim."

"It's... weird," he agrees, a little hesitant. With his other friends, except for his closest crew, he can't be completely honest about the sudden change of heart from his mother. But Hunter already knows. "They had to notify her when I... died. And then that I was back. That must've been a wakeup call that she could lose me, too. She's actually being nice to me."

"Dammit Jim..." Hunter reaches over to place his hand on Jim's. He knows how complicated Jim's childhood was. And can't imagine how difficult the situation at home is right now.

And maybe that is why it has been some time since they last saw each other.

"That would be weird."

Jim turns his hand palm-up, and interlaces his fingers with Hunter's. "Yeah. I couldn't decide if I even wanted to let her see me, but... she's trying." And despite the resentment that Jim still has for his mother, for her distance throughout his childhood, part of him has always understood why she might've done it. If she wasn't close, then maybe it wouldn't hurt to be around him. And now that she knows what it's like to lose him, maybe she's discovered it isn't going to help at all.

Doesn't mean that he approves of her choices, of course. And it doesn't get rid of years of abandonment.

"To be fair," he says, trying to lighten things slightly, "I am living in her house."

Hunter is very familiar with feeling abandoned by one's parent. And he knows that his life would be turned upside down if his father came back into his life, and tried to make amends.

And he runs his thumbs over Jim's fingers. "Does she know about your new assignment? That you will be leaving in six months?"

"Not yet," Jim confesses. "I came straight here from the Academy." As is evidenced by his black uniform. "I couldn't think of anything else to do when I saw my orders. Might've been in shock. Might still be, actually," he adds with a small laugh.

"You wanted to celebrate. We should focus on that." Hunter doesn't want to bring down the mood.

"Did you want to go for drinks?"

"Sure, I could go for that," he agrees easily. He's got a coffee that needs finishing, but he can always do that on the way to a bar, or wherever Hunter has in mind. "I'll let you pick where."

"There is a nice little restaurant nearby. I could use some chocolate." Hunter offers Jim his arm. "And I am sure they will serve champagne."

"Champagne? Fancy," Jim teases, but he's certainly down for that. "And appropriate. Lead the way," he adds, getting to his feet.

"It is a celebration." Hunter smiles.

About half way there, Hunter leans in to Jim slightly, and smiles again. "I have missed you, Jim."

Jim puts his arm around Hunter's waist, enjoying the physical closeness. "Missed you too. Sorry I haven't been around much. Duty's been keeping me pretty busy."

"You live a busier life than I do, with more responsibilities on your shoulders." Hunter wraps his arm around Jim's waist. "I understand that."

"And you life is just going to get busier."