When One Door Closes ((Winter Storm event))

[losthunter]

It is another normal day waking up on the USS Enterprise. Hunter spends some time with Jim, before the Captain goes to report in for his duties.

Then he attempts to use his PINpoint to return to his apartment, to shower and change. That is when the normal day becomes unusual -- he is unable to get a portal open back to his Nexus apartment.

He at first figures it just be a glitch, and after checking to make sure Jim's shared bathroom is free -- showers there.

After his shower and a quick change to extra clothes he keeps at Jim's quarters, he tries the PINpoint again. Still nothing.

So he has to remain in Jim's quarters. This is quite strange.

Comments

[boldygoing]

After two years together, Jim's gotten used to stumbling into situations where his frame of reference is out of sync with Hunter's. Though it doesn't necessarily make it any less awkward, really. "I mean, I got on the recruitment shuttle the morning it left for San Francisco without even doing any paperwork first, but I had to fill out forms once I got there, and take some aptitude tests to see if I could skip any courses. And a basic medical exam, although that might've been more because my nose was still broken as hell."

By now, Jim's told Hunter some of the story of how he signed up for Starfleet. Drunkenly picking a fight with a handful of cadets so he could at least feel something when he got his ass beat, only to have Christopher Pike waltz in and break it up, and dare him to put his skills to better use. To do better than his dead dad ever did. Jim had rejected it outright, but gave it greater thought overnight as he sobered up, and sunrise found him in the shipyards, stepping onboard the shuttle with nothing more than the clothes on his back, still stained with his own blood.

That was almost six years ago, and now here he is, captain of the flagship of the fleet. Not that his career path has been normal or anything.

"Why, what d'you have to do to join your military?"

[losthunter]

Hunter smiles a little, at the thought of a younger Jim taking that chance to start a whole new life for himself.

"You have to be a U.S. citizen. You have to be at least 17 years of age. You should have a high school diploma. And you have to pass a medical exam."

"Sounds to me Starfleet is a little bit more open about citizenship... since different alien species can join. Not sure about the age thing, but that is not a concern. And not sure about the high school diploma thing."

[boldygoing]

Requiring citizenship for a military sort of makes sense, as does the med exam, but the rest? Jim shakes his head in mild wonder at the thought of living somewhere that age and education could be something standardized. "With all the different species in the Federation, putting a blanket age requirement down'd be impossible, you've just gotta be legally old enough by your planet's laws to make your own decisions. Formal education matters less than what you know, or how fast you learn. And there's catch-up courses for newcomers, like the K'da and Shontine."

[losthunter]

The mention of the K'da and Shontine makes Hunter smile slightly. "Maybe I would be in a class with Faris or Chanath."

Hunter reaches out to take Jim's hands in his own. "I don't know what is going on in the Nexus. But this might be a good time for me start this. To enlist."

"To embrace a new opportunity for myself."

[boldygoing]

"Maybe," Jim agrees easily. "If everything's going according to plan, they should be starting classes this semester."

He absently rubs his thumbs against Hunter's hands, looking the other man in the eye, a little guilty that they're rushing something this important. Even though he knows damn well that Hunter can still back out before he graduates, it's still a serious commitment. And not just in terms of what this means to Jim. "You're sure you know what you're getting into?" he asks, needing to be sure. Even so, he knows that Hunter's already seen a glimpse of the dangers already, when Jim had died and a warship had buried itself in the middle of downtown San Francisco.

[losthunter]

"I do not consider this a flight of fancy, Jim." Hunter studies the other man's face for a moment. "I want to take it very seriously. I want this to be part of my life."

"And I know there will be danger..." He reaches up to caress a hand over Jim's face. He has seen his Captain boyfriend in trouble enough times to know it comes with the territory.

"But to be able to serve a community again... gives me hope."

[boldygoing]

Sometimes, Jim still has to stop and wonder how he's ever deserved having Hunter in his life. Someone who apparently loves him enough to give up his universe and sign up with an organization that's brought them both a ridiculous amount of misery in only two short years, with no guarantee whatsoever that this'll end well. It's gutsy as hell, and Hunter doesn't even have the excuse of spiting a dead hero to motivate him to do it.

"If that's what you want," he says, and leans in to kiss his boyfriend, gratitude and worry both urging him to hold Hunter close. They might not have this, once Starfleet demands both their attentions. Not for a little while, at least.

[losthunter]

"It is..." Hunter reassures Jim. He is still worried about what may be happening in the Nexus... but this gives him a purpose. He is glad that they talked about it.

"Thank you." He runs his fingers through Jim's hair.