( open ) last night I felt real arms around me

[winscenario]

who: Jim Kirk & YOU
what: Bones is gone and Jim is coping with it the only way he knows how: poorly.
when: Jan 25th through to early February
where: bars, parks and streets, shuttle and beyond the walls
warnings: drinking, general weird moods, Jim being depressed, possible crying. don't expect anything else but will edit if need be. JUST GIVE HIM DISTRACTIONS.


I ▹ JUST ONE MORE GLASS

[ It's a few days before Jim actually leaves the house properly, though he still doesn't look all that great. He's combed his hair and put on mildly presentable clothes, but he's still sporting a short beard he hasn't cared to shave, and he's not looking like his usual cheerful self either.

During the first few days, it's all still a little too fresh on his mind, and his heart. He goes out but it's not with the intent of socializing so much as sitting by the bar on his own, asking the barkeep to pour him one glass after another. He spends most of the time staring down at the liquid swirling in his glass, gaze seldom lifting from the surface, though he will if someone happens to take a seat on the stool next to his.

He'll spare a vague smile if it's a stranger, and a few words if it's a familiar face: ] What brings you around here?

II ▹ MIDNIGHT RUN

[ It doesn't get better anytime soon. It's a process, Jim tries to tell himself, but he hates that he can't force himself to just be fine. He hates that he's nothing but a burden souring everyone's mood, and maybe that's why he thinks it would be for the best if he just avoided everyone.

On the other hand, he's lonely. He hates that. Can't stand being all alone in the empty loft when he leaves the guard. John's been putting up with him and keeping him company more often than not, but Jim knows that he can't very well hog all his time. He's got better things to do than stay with him.

So, when he can't sleep, and when he can't stand the deafening silence, he puts on running gear and goes out for a late night jog. There are always a few people around but it's generally quiet, and the parks are a good spot to just run until his legs hurt and his lungs burn. When he can't take it anymore and his head starts spinning, he lies down on the grass, staring up at the night sky. Anything to not be in his empty bed, staring up at the ceiling. ]

III ▹ THROW YOURSELF INTO YOUR WORK

[ After the end of the month, the levels of self-pity start getting a little ridiculous. He finds himself equal parts sad and angry at himself that he's just letting himself go down a spiral, as much as he tries to tell himself he's coping just fine.

He needs to do something. Be useful. Resume his life in the Quarantine the best he can, cling to whatever is still steady and present and normal in his life: his work.

He shaves finally, tidies up his place, even irons clothes and buys some ready-to-eat meals to stock up his fridge, and he shows up at the Perimeter Guard after a week and some looking mostly like himself. He's not as cheerful, granted, but he doesn't avoid or ignore anyone, though it's obvious he focuses on his work more than anything else. As the days go by people might catch him yawning at odd times, rubbing at his tired eyes still sporting dark circles that are proof of his lack of sleep.

Out on the shuttle, he might even start to doze off halfway through a flight. Whoever's with him should probably take helm control and just tell him to sit back, or else Jim's grip on the shuttle might just slip, giving them the scare of their lives. ]

Comments

[winscenario]

[ He chuckles at the floating light, nodding. ] I'll do that.

[ He closes the door once Loki leaves, turning to the light as though it can understand him. (Maybe it can, what does he know.) ] Right, then. Guess you'll keep me company huh?

[ He's relieved to peel off his sweaty clothes, and happier still to slip into the tub for a nice, warm shower. He helps himself to a few of Loki's soaps and scents, though he doesn't overdo it, even if he takes a little longer than he'd need just to get cleaned up. He's lacking in clean clothes when he's done, alas, so he dries himself off completely, then wraps a large towel around his waist, figuring he may as well ask his buddy Will to lead the way to where he might find a fresh change of clothes. ]

[ikols]

[ Lil Will twirls and perches on a tap as he waits for Jim to finish a much-deserved soak. When he appears to be needed again, the Wisp leads Jim to the ground-floor of the Sanctum down a winding corridor with many offshoots. Eventually, after a bit of a trek, he disappears through a door into Billy's bedroom.

It's a cosy place with a few books strewn around, the bed larger than any teen needs and draped in furs that scream Loki's handiwork. There is a wardrobe and into this the Wisp soars, landing on a magazine of men's clothes. This way, he seems to say as he shivers, trying to get Jim's attention. Take your pick! ]

[winscenario]

[ He'll be honest, for a moment there he actually worries the little floating light has no idea where it's going, or that it's just leading him out towards the door. But eventually he's stepping into a bedroom, and he makes his way over to said magazine, leafing through the pages with a raised eyebrow. ]

Really? [ Alright, maybe... he can manage not to be quite so skeptical. Magic, all that. Sure, why not. He stops on a page with a model wearing a black turtleneck and suit, and he taps on it. ] This'll do.

[ikols]

[ The same green light as the Wisp limns all over Jim as though scouring him clean, yet it leaves behind the exact clothes he desires as reality warps around him. Will has been kind enough to add some boxers into the mix; Jim is welcome. ]

[winscenario]

[ He's not sure if he should be staying still for this, but just to err on the side of caution, that's what he does. He looks down at himself, tugging on the lapel of the blazer once Will's done with him, impressed look on his face. ]

Well, that's one neat trick you've got. [ He fixes up his hair a little, then gestures towards the door. ] Alright, then, I'm ready. Lead the way.

[ikols]

[ Whizzing around Jim excitedly, the Wisp casually floats its way through the weird hallways of the deeper-than-it-looks building en route to Loki's bedroom. Billy evidently needs some significant space, at times.

Will poofs into nothing as Loki opens the door, no longer in his scalemaille but much comfier in a shirt and jeans. As ever, his smile is reflexive upon noting Jim and he takes in the sight of that suit with an approving nod. ]

Someone found a few rags to wear, then. You look very handsome!

[winscenario]

[ Jim narrows his eyes a little at Loki. ] You say that like I don't always look handsome.

[ But he does look pretty sharp, and it's not often he wears these sorts of clothes. He gestures vaguely to the air, where Will was floating just a few seconds ago. ] Kinda want one of those, though, I won't even lie. Very handy.

[ikols]

That was me. Part of my magic gains sentience, sometimes ...

[ Never mind that, it's complicated and weird. ]

Also, pardon me; you are the eternal blonde knock-out.

[winscenario]

Mm, then I guess I'd want a piece of you.

[ It's somewhere between weird and teasing, though he just smiles it off, raising his brows at Loki's last remark. ]

Damn right I am. Not that you look half-bad yourself. [ But now that they're done fluffing up each other's egos— ] So, dinner?

[ikols]

[ Oh, the smirk he gives Jim; another time, another place ... ]

Dinner. [ Confirming with a nod, he shuts his door and offers an arm. ] We can walk to Trixie from here, if you don't mind the dark. It isn't far. Oh, you even smell good too ...

[ SNIFFSNIFF. Delicious. ]

[winscenario]

[ Jim takes Loki's arm gladly, following his lead. ]

I don't mind walking. [ He probably could use it. Going out for walks and jogs has helped him a lot over the past week.

He snorts, bumping his elbow against Loki's side. ] Oh, shut up. Besides, it's mostly your soaps and lotions.

[ikols]

No, there's definitely a Jim-stink that I'm getting off you ... Smells like heroism, courage, and peanuts. Also, coconut oil.

[ Nudging back! ]

[winscenario]

[ Jim laughs softly. ] You're ridiculous. No one naturally smells of peanuts and coconut oil. No one.

[ Granted, he does have a coconut oil lotion back at his flat, but obviously he didn't put any on after that shower. ]

[ikols]

Oh, dear, now it's turning into a stench of argumentative swagger ... ! [ Craning his head in the other direction. ] Maybe we should call dinner off, this seems serious!

[winscenario]

Oh, don't you dare! [ He points a finger at Loki. ] You promised me dinner, and I'll hold you to it. You're not standing me up.

[ikols]

[ The streets are cold but Jim is delightfully warm and Loki leans into him, mischief on his lips. ]

If I run, I get the sense you'll come zooming after me in your spaceship, shaking your fist in the window.

[winscenario]

Damn right I will. I'll stun your ass and drag you back to he club if I have to. I want my free dinner.

[ Obviously he couldn't care any less whether the dinner is free or not, but he does want Loki's company. ]

[ikols]

Please don't stun my ass, Captain! Pick somewhere else that doesn't get as much action.

[ Waggling his brows. ]

[winscenario]

[ Jim snorts and laughs at that. ]

I'm sure plenty of you gets plenty of action, so that may be a problem.

[ikols]

Even my piggy-toes? That's a bit kinky, even for you.

[ He points ahead to a hill, the lights at the top green where the TRIXIE sign glows steadily in the night. ]

There, not far now. What's your favourite meal, by the way? Not something super space-y that I can't have the chef whip up, I hope.

[winscenario]

How would you know? You don't know what sort of stuff I'm into.

[ Just kidding, really. He doesn't have a foot fetish, he swears. ]

Burger and fries, with a big milkshake. [ He offers promptly, smiling. So no, not vey fancy or space-y at all. ] Think your chef can manage that?

[ikols]

If not I'll be sure to hire another.

[ A joke. Maybe. Loki wouldn't fire someone because they couldn't do something, he'd bring in someone who could to teach them. Everyone wins. But he's confident Jim will like dinner.

Inside Trixie, he loosens his hold on Jim and looks around for a table. It's busy, which he enjoys the feedback from on a not-quite-but-sorta-telepathic radar. ]

This is nice, isn't it? Me and you. I've missed you shocking amounts ... [ Never mind that, though, absently spoken and quickly overrode. ] Oh, dive for those seats, that pair are leaving!

[winscenario]

[ It's hardly the first time Jim comes here, so the place is fairly familiar. He looks around briefly, but his attention's caught when Loki speaks. Seems like a short-lived moment, though, as he quickly steers away from the topic.

He doesn't actually dive for the seats, mind, he just walks a little faster towards them, taking the table for the two of them just as the couple leaves. He sits down and makes himself comfortable, waiting for Loki to join him. ]

[ikols]

[ Loki trots over to a server and lays down what turns into a list on their phone, patting them on the shoulder and then heading directly for the bar. Even though it's his club, Jim is allowed to be witness to the slithery speed with which the godling dips behind the bar while the staff is unaware and casually pilfering two beers from a fridge. These are slid onto his table with Jim when he returns and drops in his seat with an exaggerated sigh, crossing a leg. ]

Do you feel like dancing later? The last person I did that with was my brother, and before that a man with your face. Or did I? I think I wanted to. Anyway!

[winscenario]

[ Jim watches and can't really help a smile at Loki's antics, chuckling and shaking his head as he steals them a couple of beers. He doubts anyone would care or say anything, after all Loki is their boss. He is allowed to take what he wants from his own bar, Jim figures. ]

Thanks, [ He takes a sip from his beer while they wait for their food. ] Yeah. Sure, why not. I wouldn't mind that.

[ Narrowing his eyes and smiling just a hint, ] So what was that about you missing me shocking amounts?