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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It's different on Jim's side of the kiss too, though not in a bad way. He hasn't had a chance before now to experience it firsthand, but he finds that he doesn't mind the way it feels.

"Glad to know it's not a dealbreaker," he says, once they pull away.

"No. Definitely not." Hunter is no longer someone who based his attraction on appearance. There is a lot about Jim that he is attracted to.

They reach the restaurant, and Hunter finds them a table. He orders a bottle of champagne, a slice of Chocolate Explosion cake and a bowl of strawberries. And lets Jim order, if he so desires.

"Were your crew told at the same time as you were? Or were you the first one?"

Jim gladly orders a honey apple tart, something that should pair well with the champagne. It's not Rosh Hashanah, but whatever, he doesn't think the symbolism is out of place. And apples are one of his favorite foods.

He chuckles a little at Hunter's question, and digs out his communicator, flipping through his text messages to show the other man. Two, in particular. One simply says, Congratulations, Captain. The other says, much more eloquently, five years in space god help me jim.

"I think they started with senior crew first," he adds out loud. "I got these right before heading here."

Hunter glances over the text messages with a smile. "I am going to guess... Spock for the first. And McCoy for the second."

He is going to move his chair slightly, so he can sit a little closer to Jim. And just put his hand lightly on Jim's.

"Right on both counts." Jim is glad for the contact, and the closeness, leaning slightly into Hunter. "I'm glad they're both coming along. I wasn't sure if Bones would agree to be gone for so long; he's afraid of space."

They have a nice corner table. It allows Hunter the luxury of wrapping his arm around Jim's waist, when he leans in closer.

"Bones is afraid of space, but is working for Starfleet?"

"I know, right?" Jim agrees with a laugh. "The first time we met, he gave me this spiel about a million different ways that space could kill us, and we were sitting on the Academy shuttle at the time."

"Do me a favor, and don't mention any of them." Hunter leans in to kiss the top of Jim's forehead. He would worry enough about Jim and doesn't need more reasons.

Jim sobers a little. He'd almost forgotten that he proved the dangers of Starfleet in a way that should've been his last act. It's a weird thing to forget, and he wonders how the hell he managed that. Maybe he's finally getting past it. "Right. Sorry."

"The point is," he says, "Bones could've gotten a planetside post if he really wanted it. It's still not too late for him to back out. But I don't think he will."

It is those dangers that makes Hunter a little more touchy-feely right now. And he might have his worries -- but he knows how important this is to Jim. That it is Jim's dream post. And wants to concentrate on the good that might happen.

"Is it the temptation of those new scientific discoveries? The new worlds? The exploration of unknown areas?"

"I don't think so... honestly, it might just be because that's where I'm going," Jim says, a fond look on his face.

"That's sweet..." Hunter runs his hand up Jim's side. "I think I would do the same, if I had the opportunity."

"Really?" Jim looks over at him, a smile teasing at his lips. "Even for such a long time?"

"Hate to break it to you, Jim, but I would be delighted to spend five years with you. No matter where it is." Hunter smiles softly.

Jim chuckles a little, and leans over to kiss Hunter on the cheek. "I can't doubt your commitment. If you were in Starfleet, I'd be happy to have you along."

Of course, if Hunter was in Starfleet, they probably wouldn't have the relationship they have now. Friendship, certainly. But not the same.

"I rather enjoy being the 'Captains confidant'," Hunter deepens his voice ever so slightly on those last two words, to give them a more intimate meaning. "And would not give that up for anything."

"I like you being my confidant too," Jim agrees with a grin. His expression softens a little. "These past few months have been better because of you."

"They have?" Hunter smiles. It is nice to hear that. Very nice.

"I am glad I was here for you. And I will always be here for you..."

"I appreciate that." Jim nudges him gently with his shoulder.

The waitress comes with their drink and food order, at the perfect time when there is a lull in the conversation.

Then Hunter smiled. And asked, "So, did you make any new connections when you asked your question? New friends that might know the other Jim, that I should know about?"

Jim takes a sip of his champagne to gauge its sweetness, before turning his attention to the tart. "Three of them, although I'm not sure they're friends. Adia is, I'm pretty sure. Adia Costas. There was a man named Katsuya... Suou, I think; they seemed more like formal allies than friends. And Amelia Ronsam apparently really doesn't get along with the other me, so she had some apologizing to do once she figured out I wasn't the Jim she thought I was. Hence Operation Grow A Beard," he adds with a wry grin, rubbing his chin.

None of the names are familiar to Hunter. But he keeps them in mind for later.

"Is there a time difference between the two of you?" Hunter is protective of Jim's secrets (the whole bonus of being his confidant), but it sounds to him that there might be other people that know of those same secrets because of the other Jim.

"If the beard is the only way to tell you two apart..."

Jim shrugs, and spreads his hands slightly. "I haven't met him yet, but we must be close enough in age to fool people who know him. I don't know how else to make it obvious, especially if we're in uniform."

"Do you want to meet him?" Hunter tilts his head.

That... is certainly a question. "I probably should, shouldn't I? Ignorance helps no one, and even if it turns out we can't stand each other, we should still know about each other. Right?"