( open ) so darling, save the last dance for me

[winscenario]

who: Jim Kirk & YOU!
what: last month Jim asked for some dance lessons on the network, this is a log for said lessons + people randomly walking in on him practicing on his own, and finally the actual date with Victor
when: throughout July
where: various places
warnings: none, will edit if need be

(( starters in the comments!! ))

Comments

[jolting]

[Victor likes that answer. If they defied time and space to find each other in the Quarantine, why wouldn't they meet at the academy or in Victor's world or any number of other places?

His eyes skim over the garden as he considers the question]

I think that would depend on the circumstances. When I was young, I wasn't as in love with the idea of exploring and discovering as I am now. I was pretty narrowly focused on my work. If your academy had what I needed to continue my work, I would have joined.

[winscenario]

Starfleet offers a lot of different opportunities. Not everyone who joins has to go on a starship— a lot of people look for assignments on Earth, or other worlds, starbases or colonies. Scientific research and advancement has always been one of Starfleet's main objectives, so— yeah, I think it'd have suited you.

[ Granted, Jim would've been less likely to run into Victor under those circumstances, unless they met while at the Academy. But at that point he was more interested in hopping from bed to bed, rather than settling down, so. ]

[jolting]

All right, you sold me. I'm joining Starfleet. [He squeezes James's hand] You're pretty good at this recruiting stuff.

[winscenario]

There's a reason why they use me as their poster boy.

[ Figuratively and literally both. He's been no doubt the cause for many of the cadets who joined over the past five years. Or one of the reasons, at the very least.

He falls quiet for a little while, then turns to look at Victor, slightly hesitant at first. ]

If... if you could come through the portal with me, and back to my own world... would you?

[jolting]

[He doesn’t answer right away. He glances down at their twined fingers, the ring on his finger and the bracelet on James’s wrist. He finally meets the other man’s gaze]

I would, and I wouldn’t care what the price was. I’d go to any world with you.

[winscenario]

[ Jim smiles at the answer. It isn't particularly surprising that that's how Victor feels, but still it makes him happy to hear. He stops their walk, turning around so he's facing Victor. ]

Then come with me. [ He holds both of Victor's hands, pulling him close. ] When we both can step through the portal, of course. I mean, I'll have to ask if it's possible. But if it is, then I'd like you to be with me.

[ And maybe it is a little greedy of him, but this way he won't have to choose between Victor and Starfleet. ]

[jolting]

[It's an easy decision for him to make. Anything that involves making decisions for the people he loves are easy ones. Victor traces the infinity symbol on James's bracelet]

If it's not possible, I'll find a way to make it so. I have a particular skill in that area.

[winscenario]

[ He chuckles, fingers squeezing tight around Victor's. ] Yeah, we both have a penchant to make the impossible happen.

[ Which is to say, Jim will do whatever it takes to bring Victor along with him, too. ]

[jolting]

It's why we work so well together. And I have to say I love how we can fuck in public, and also have this nice private moment. Not that our daily routine is bad, but I like when we do the unexpected.

[winscenario]

Mm, that's true... [ He smiles coyly at that particular memory. ] I still can't believe you went along with that, though, I've gotta tell you.

[jolting]

It's not really something I'd want to repeat for a while. Call me selfish, but I prefer you to myself.

[winscenario]

No— I don't want a repeat, either. It was fun giving it a try, but... I don't really like the idea of anyone else seeing you like that.

[ He wraps his arms around Victor's neck, leaning in for a kiss. ] There's more to the garden. Wanna keep going?

[jolting]

Mmmm, sure. [He gives James a little squeeze before heading on to the rest of the garden. He can't help making mental notes for their own garden back at the house]

[winscenario]

[ Jim leads Victor down the rest of the path, which opens up into a bigger area. At night, with all the candle lamps lit up, and the music from the ballroom still reaching their ears, it sets up a pretty magical atmosphere.

There's a small couch in front of a fire, near the fountain, which Jim will happily take up with Victor. He's in no rush to head back inside, much less so go home just yet. ]

[jolting]

[As if the formal invitation, the look, the waltz, the music and the atmosphere weren't enough]

You're really spoiling me tonight, you know. There's not some special occasion I'm missing, is there?

[winscenario]

No, you're not forgetting anything. [ The corners of his eyes wrinkle with a grin, and he squeezes his fingers through Victor's. ]

I just felt like doing something special, is all. And you know I don't need a special date or occasion to show you that I love you. And— yes, to spoil you a little too.

[jolting]

No, I know that. [He squeezes back, reaching up with his other hand to catch a stray hair and carefully push it back in place]

I love you too, James. I think I would've loved you even when I was cursed. And even if I lost memories of you and this place, I think I'd still love you.

[winscenario]

[ His smile wavers a little, when thinking of the possibility that he might forget all about Riverview, and his experiences here. It's something he's been afraid of almost ever since he got here. ]

I won't forget a thing. [ He says it matter-of-factly, as though he can simply will it to be so. ] I'm never gonna forget you, no matter what.

[ If he can get Victor through the portal with him, then he sure as hell can make that happen too. ]

[jolting]

[Victor has already lost his memories twice, so it's a definite concern of his that when he goes through the portal he'll lose them again. He lets out a breathy laugh, bumping their noses together]

We won't. Trust me on this: the mind may forget, but the heart always remembers.

[winscenario]

[ It's a small comfort, but Jim welcomes it nonetheless. He smiles a little, head tipping and cheek brushing against Victor's before he places a soft kiss there. ]

Yeah, well— I still want my mind to remember.

[jolting]

[He lets out a soft sigh, returning the kiss]

Then I expect you to come visit me while I'm at the academy, captain.

[winscenario]

You can count on it. Every chance I get.

[ He's often there for lectures and speeches already, anyway. It's really nice, though, thinking about the possibility of Victor joining the Academy if he went back to his world with him. ]

[jolting]

You know, last time I was in school I didn't have that many fellow students I liked. I have a feeling I'll be noticed a lot more once they find out I'm dating you.

[winscenario]

I think you'll be noticed a lot more thanks to your name alone. [ Jim points out, brow raising. Doesn't take being a fan of Earth 20th century culture to know about Doctor Frankenstein, after all. ] But— yeah, that too. I mean, not to brag or anything, but I am kinda famous.

[ Maybe bragging just a little bit. ]

[jolting]

[He snorts, kissing James on the corner of his mouth] Oh, I would always brag about it. Might as well embrace it, babe.