#conduitstr

“Does he have a nickname for you?” Uhura asks one evening. They’re in the bar together while Spock and Bones take on a late shift. Jim’s gaze turns from the many stars outside the window to his friend sitting next to him, and he raises a questioning brow. “You’ve got that whole ‘Bones’ thing for doctor McCoy,” Uhura explains, “and I’ve heard the occasional ‘babe’, don’t deny it. What does he call you?”

With a soft scoff, Jim answers: “Jim,”and he takes a swig of his whiskey. 

But it’s more than that. It's Jim said like a happy greeting after returning home from work. Said tiredly late at night, or stifled by a yawn during early mornings. Said worriedly after Jim’s gotten himself hurt on an away mission. Shouted at him angrily in med bay or storming onto the Bridge because he cares so much and his Captain’s been reckless. Jim, said pleadingly and drawn out in a moan in bed. Said with a drunken laugh, or a quiet whisper during countless formal events. Said with such selfless and undeniable love. He’s heard his name said before, but never quite so unnecessarily complicated and yet so good.

make me choose → @ladyahsoka asked Jim Moriarty or Kaz Brekker

WATER

OH MY GOD I NEARLY FORGOT ABOUT WATER

(which must sound weird to anyone else but you ‘nessa)

Dean is pacing. He’s been pacing, because the clock on the wall of his small dressing room is moving both much too slowly and much too quickly. Sam had been bitching at him for being so stressed, but as soon as Dean had turned to him and croaked the words, “I can’t do it, Sammy,” his brother had just left altogether.

Not that Dean can blame him. Swinging from bridezilla to having cold feet in the span of just the half hour it took him to get changed into his tux makes him a nightmare by anyone’s standards, he knows. At least with Sam gone, he thinks, there’s no one to make him feel like a spectacle while he has his meltdown.

Maybe he should leave. That would be best for everyone, wouldn’t it? There’s an emergency exit located between him and the room where the ceremony is going to be, and as soon as he’s through it, he would be home free. Everyone would be disappointed in him, sure, but it’s better to disappoint them now than later, right? Better no marriage than a failed one.

Just as he’s starting to debate the pros and cons of just running versus faking himself an excuse first—he could throw up? Cite an emergency hunt? Say he got a call from… Shit, who could he need to run out for who isn’t already waiting in the next room?—there’s a knock at the door. The sound has Dean going still instantly, and for the span of a few heartbeats, he’s rooted in place by terror.

He can’t do this he can’t do this he can’t—

And then he forces the panic down and storms over to wrench the door open, ready to shout down the person he’s sure is waiting on the other side.

“Sam, I really don’t want to—” Except, it’s not Sam. Dean shrinks back, his cheeks flaming red. “Oh. Uh. Hi, Cas.”

“Hello, Dean,” the angel greets, warm and affectionate in that way that he only ever is for Dean. “May I come in?”

To Joanna, Jim is Uncle Jim long before he starts ‘officially’ seeing her dad. During the Academy, she visits her dad as often as she can, and Jim is usually always there. Partially because he feels comfortable in Bones’ personal space, and partially because Jim doesn’t actually have too many friends in school. Joanna can tell. She spends a lot of time with Jim in the academy, when Bones is doing surgeries or case studies. Everyone knows Jim, but not a lot of people know Jim the way Bones does.

Joanna is probably also the least surprised when Bones tells her he’s in love with Jim. Because Joanna has seen that progression from a distance. She’s watched Jim and Bones get gradually closer. Seen the way they looked at each other way before they even realized it themselves. The not-so-subtle touches, the deer in headlights look when they’re figuring things out and Joanna walked into them many times.

But when they get together, Jim is family more than ever. Joanna hangs out with him when they’re visiting Earth, and when Jocelyn moves to York Town for work, Joanna gets to see her dad and Jim a lot more often. Supply stops, days off, whatever research object they’re sent off to gather. Jim is family. And she really wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s nice to see Bones in a mood other than tired and grumpy.

Jocelyn drops Joanna off at Bones’ apartment a day before Father’s Day, and when she walks in, Jim is packing a small backpack. “Are you leaving?” Joanna asks, and Jim nods. “Tomorrow is for you and your dad,” he says, “I’m spending tomorrow with Spock.“ “For fun?” Joanna asks, and Jim laughs. “Hey, Spock is great. And I’ve just finished joking to Bones about him being such a sensitive old dad,” he replies. “Why don’t you stay with us?” Joanna asks, and Jim shrugs. “It’s Father’s Day,” Jim says. “But you’re family,” Joanna says. And just like that, Jim is sold.

Joanna wakes Bones up with breakfast in bed. Jim, too. “You made this?” Jim asks, looking at the three plates with croissants and jam, and a glass of orange juice. “It’s just bread,” Joanna says, “I can make that for breakfast.” Bones hands the serving tray to Jim, pulling Joanna on bed with them. “Thank you, darlin’,” he says, “wanna watch a movie in bed while we eat breakfast?” “Yes,” Joanna says instantly, settling in between the two of them in bed.

There is a medical history museum in York Town, and the three of them visit there that afternoon. Joanna is a little bored, and Jim finds Bones more interesting than the actual museum. Joanna watches in amusement how Jim doesn’t really listen to Bones explaining something about medieval healing practises, but he’s still just staring into Bones’ eyes, smiling fondly at Bones’ wildly gesturing at some inaccuracies on the plaques he’s just been reading.

They have dinner in a cosy barbecue, and ice cream after that. Joanna is usually above holding her dad’s hand, thinks she’s “too old” for that now, but it’s Father’s Day, and for Bones, she happily reaches out for his hand while they walk over the plaza, back to their apartment.

“Happy Father’s Day,” Joanna says that night. She’s already dressed in her pajamas, ready to go to bed while Jim and Bones are catching up with work on their PADDs, though judging by the sound coming from Jim’s device, he’s been looking at dog videos, or something. Handing Bones her own drawn card, and fancy chocolates, she readily accepts the right hug and kisses that follow. Bones is sensitive that way. But when he lets go so she can go to bed, Joanna reaches out to Jim instead. “Happy Father’s Day, Uncle Jim,” she says, giving him a card, too. “Oh?” Jim says, a little confused, “I’m not-” “You’re the coolest step dad,” Joanna says, “though I like calling you uncle, more. I hope you like the card.” Jim just stares at the card, not really saying much and just rereading the little message Joanna’s written for him personally. Glancing at Bones, her dad simply shrugs. “Are you okay?” Joanna asks. “I think you broke him,” Bones says, reaching out to run a hand through Jim’s hair, “his brain can’t handle too much.” “Shut up, old man,” Jim replies, and before Joanna can even really avoid it, she finds herself in Jim’s arms. Hugged tightly enough to be unable to squirm away. And then Bones leans in, too, and she knows she’s stuck there for a little while, showered in unnecessary affection.