"I never said anything about not being myself, did I? That doesn't mean I can't try a little harder sometimes. For things that matter, I always want to," he paused, hand moving to curl around Bones's instead, fingers pressing into his palm, then lifting it up across the table to kiss his knuckles. "And you definitely matter."

It didn't mean Jim would just do things he didn't feel comfortable with, or ever act like anything but himself. He cared about Bones and he wanted to show him that. To show him he was willing and even glad to go the extra mile for him. Didn't seem right that Bones was always the one following behind and running to keep up.

Lowering their hands down to the table, he slowly let go, drawing his arm back so he could go back to eating. "Well, I wasn't trying to flirt then. I just didn't like the damn hyposprays. But you gotta admit, thinking back to it, you chasing me around the ship is kind of a cute image. Silly, but cute."