driftfleet | ( open ) I won't even wish for snow

Entry tags:

( open ) I won't even wish for snow

Who: James T. Kirk 2.0 & YOU!
Broadcast: No
Action: Yes, planetside
When: throughout December

▹▹ ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

[ Jim hasn't been in the fleet long, and hasn't really gotten to know a whole lot of people, but still, he jumps at the idea of gift giving. Even if he only gets presents for a handful of people, it'll still be worth it. And of course, this is the first year he celebrates Winter or any sort of Christmas-like season with Victor, so that asks for something a little more special too.

Dressed in winter gear from head to toe (including a beanie, gloves and a thick scarf), Jim strolls through the streets, carrying a few more bags as the day goes on. He's easily lured closer to some of the street stands, and he takes a break every so often for a tasty snack or a hot drink. Otherwise he can be found in a variety of stores, possibly looking like he's having an internal struggle about two different presents for someone, or maybe struggling with the bags he's carrying when it draws nearer the end of the day and he's carrying far too many presents. Oops. ]

▹▹ LET IT SNOW

[ Winter is definitely not Jim's season. He likes warmer and sunnier weather for sure, but still, he doesn't get really grumpy about it, and the novelty of snow holds at least some charm.

At some point he decides to indulge, because why not? He'll be strolling straight through the snow, feet sinking into the deeper parts, grinning and chuckling even though he's probably getting soaked all the way up to his knees. He'll also try to build a snowman, though that proves to be far more complicated than it looks in movies and TV shows. He keeps trying, but for the life of him he can't figure out how to get the snow into a round shape, and he groans when his latest attempt just falls apart and turns into a pile of snow instead. ] Oh, come on! How can this be so hard?

▹▹ BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

[ Exploration and hiking will always hold a special place in Jim's heart. Maybe not so much on this planet, simply because of the temperatures, but he does have a very specific destination in mind: the hot springs.

The walk is a little long but absolutely worth it, Jim decides as soon as his eyes land on the surface of the glowing water. Grinning already, he strips down and hops into the water quickly, where the scars of stab wounds on his stomach are well hidden, and the bite mark going around his arm, shoulder and chest only show partially.

He sighs in relief and absolute delight, his whole body relaxing as he leans back, head resting against the edge, eyes closed. He can already feel his muscles unwind, a well-deserved rest after that walk. ] Now, this is the stuff.

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[Victor, by comparison, loves the cold and the snow. But he loves this particular day even more because of an early Christmas present he has to show James. He would have saved it for the day, but it wasn't actually the sort that could be easily hidden.

As said gift proves by bounding into the snow and toward James, barking happily. Victor follows after with a little smile on his face. He waits for the dog to get reacquainted with his owner]

Guess the surprise is ruined. Merry Christmas.

[Yep, he asked the tree for John the dog]

[ Jim doesn't even look up at the barking at first, so he doesn't even realize what's going on until he's suddenly pounced by a big, hairy thing, and he's tumbling back a little with a yelp.

He shuffles onto his knees, eyes wide when he recognizes the animal. ] John!

[ Letting out a strangled laugh, he wraps his arms tight around the dog, though he seems to be wiggling far too much and far too excitedly for a proper hug right now. Jim still keeps him there, though, trying and failing to keep back tears as he looks up at Victor. ]

How did you get him? I-- how?

[Watching James so happy with the dog makes Victor smile. He takes a few pictures to commemorate the moment]

There's a tree on this planet that will give you things for a price. All I could think about was how much I wished we had a piece of the Quarantine with us, and that's when he showed up.

The tree? [ There's definite recognition in his tone. ] Yeah, I... was there. I got something, too. But I didn't know it could give you living things.

[ Luckily Victor got him, so that's all that matters. Jim wipes his face, laughing again as he rubs his gloved hands all over John's fur, hugging him again. ]

Oh, I've missed you! I've missed my good boy, yes I have! Did you miss me too? Did ya?

Yeah, one of our ship mates used it to get his squirrel friend back. That's what gave me the idea to get John back for you.

[He has no way of knowing how long it'd been for their dog, if any time passed at all. Not that it really matters. It could've been an hour and the dog probably would've been just as excited to see his owners again]

[ All that Jim cares about is that they have John here with them. It's not... everything. It's not Lucy, it's not the friends they both left behind, but it's more than he ever thought he'd get, especially since he considers Victor being here with him as nothing short of a miracle. And God, he does love this dog.

Petting John for a little longer, he finally struggles onto his feet, trudging through the snow and throwing his arms around Victor, pulling him in for a tight hug and a kiss. ]

You are... the best husband in any of the realities out there.

[He returns the embrace and the kiss. He brushes off stray bits of snow that got on James's face and hair during John's enthusiastic greeting]

If you think that, I wonder how you'll feel once we're officially married? But I do like how that sounds. Husband. Victor Frankenstein-Kirk.

[ Jim shakes his head a little, bits of snow falling off his hair. His cheeks and nose are a little red from the cold, but he doesn't seem to mind it much. ]

Thought Kirk-Frankenstein had a better ring to it. Or I could just take your name and put an end to all this twin confusion. [ He holds his hands up, as though framing his own words. ] James T. Frankenstein. It's got a nice ring to it.

[The red on his cheeks is cute, and Victor kisses it to give it some warmth]

I like how that sounds, too.

Then I think that settles it.

[ He tugs lightly on Victor’s coat, leaning in to kiss him on the lips. John of course continues to run circles around them both, barking excitedly. ]

Oh, you wanna go to the hot springs now?

Good idea. You look like you could do with some warming up. Come, John.

[The dog obeys, and Victor rewards with a pat and a scratch to his head]

[ With a happy grin, he reaches for Victor's gloved hand, holding it in his own as they start towards the edge of the town, headed down the path that will lead them to the hot springs. It's a little long and tiring, but definitely worth it. That much Jim knows. ]

I got something too, from the tree. But I was going to make it a surprise. I can show you once we make it back to the ship.

That's all right, I'll wait. Obviously I couldn't with John.

[The dog perks his head up at his name and Victor pats him again. He'll be ready for a nice rest by the time they get to the springs, so good timing all around]

[ Jim laughs a little. ] The thought of you trying to hide him from me for days or weeks on end is kind of amusing.

[ Luckily he won't have to, and clearly Jim doesn't feel like the surprise has been spoiled. Victor has already given him the two happiest moments since arriving on the Fleet, and he has a feeling they'll be very hard to beat. ]

I'm surprised I managed to do it for a few minutes. Still, I do have a few gifts saved for Christmas. This will be the first one I've celebrated since I was cursed, you know.

Yeah, I figured. [ He tugs on Victor's hand. ] Which is why I got you a lot of gifts, too. And we're definitely finding something to decorate our room, even if it's just a tiny tree or a cute wreath hanging on the wall.

Oh, right. We need to do that. You want to go looking for that now or after we hit the hot springs?

No, no– later, absolutely. Hot springs first.

[ He beams. Clearly someone is very excited about that. ]

Had a long day out in the cold, eh? [He gives James an amused look] What were you up to before John and I interrupted?

It's a very cold planet. You know how I am with cold weather.

[ He shrugs, tugging Victor along. John almost seems to know where they're headed, seen as he keeps running ahead of them, as though leading the way. ]

Back there? Well... I was trying to build a snowman, believe it or not. No success, before you ask. Just ended up with my socks, pants and gloves all wet.

I do know.

Oh? Well, if you ever feel like trying again, I can help you. I'm petty adept at building men, you know. [He winks teasingly]

[ Jim barks out a sudden laugh at that joke, even as he tries to swat a hand at Victor's chest in reproach. ]

Please, Victor! You just had to make that joke, didn't you? [ He snorts and giggles, leaning in to kiss Victor. ] You're just lucky I love you so much. Yeah, we can try again later. Building a snowman, that is.

I am pretty lucky. [He kisses back. Hey, you still laughed at it, James] All right. Another day, maybe. I think John's so excited to see you, he'd ruin all attempts.

[ He chuckles, happy and giddy as he leans against Victor's side for a moment. ]

Yeah, probably. Then we'd get into a snow fight and it would all turn into an unmitigated disaster.

[ They'd end up wet and cold and Jim really doesn't want to get sick right before Christmas. ]

And as much as I’d love to warm you up later, I wouldn’t want you getting sick. I’ve spent enough time worrying as your doctor.

[So hot springs it is. Hopefully there’s a pet area for John]

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