Thorn in the Garden of Life

[losthunter]

Hunter paced his apartment, his phone in one hand, and a list of phone numbers in his other hand. He just got off the phone with Marcus, one of the six other people who had been given a gift by Kendra. And had learned that Marcus had been attacked by Austin.

Luckily, Marcus was able to get away, without any major side effects.

But Hunter was now worried about the others. And so he was making calls to everyone else who he had talked to, and warned them about Austin so they could stay safe.

And he knew it was time to face Austin again. But even though he felt like it was an emergency, Hunter knew that it would be better to make sure someone else came with him. He also knew exactly who he wanted to have by his side.

Jim. Austin attacked another person. I feel like I need to deal with this. Are you available to come with me?

Comments

[losthunter]

"In a way, you are still a little kosher. When you have a choice of what you would like to eat... you voice that preference."

"And I know that somethings you struggle with your desire to make sure no food is wasted. That it is something you can't even explain to your crew. That you worry about how people view you."

[boldygoing]

It's not really the same thing, but Jim appreciates what Hunter is trying to do.

"Even Bones doesn't really know," he agrees quietly. "He's got my medical records, but that part's classified, and after I... left... I kinda dropped off the radar for a while."

[losthunter]

"Well, you have me to talk to now. About anything." Hunter reaches out with one hand to place it on top of one of Jim's.

"You are not alone in this."

[boldygoing]

"I appreciate that."

Jim isn't sure how much of the story he wants to tell just yet. He's spent years keeping it bottled up - on orders, or because he doesn't want others to look at him differently, or because he just plain doesn't like to remember it happened at all - so trying to talk about it just doesn't come naturally to him.

Mentioning things related to it... maybe that's a little easier than the events themselves. "It's just... this is what finished tearing my family apart."

[losthunter]

"Because you were unable to tell your mother about what happened?" Hunter assumes. "Was it her sister, or your dad's sister, that died protecting you?"

[boldygoing]

Jim, however, shakes his head. "They knew where I was. Starfleet couldn't hide that from them, and I was too fucked up to pretend otherwise. Sam had already run away, and Mom never really got over what happened to Dad, so finding out her sister had been executed and I went through hell... she kinda freaked out. Couldn't handle it." Right when he needed her most, she was dealing with her own shit. Now that Jim's an adult, he understands and forgives her for that, but for a thirteen year old boy who spent months practically on his own... it was the last straw for Jimmy.

"My grandparents meant well, trying to pick up the pieces. That's when Grandpa Tiberius gave me his books, so I'd have something to keep me company in the hospital. My other grandparents were mourning their daughter and I guess they must've... been overcompensating, or something. The attention was... smothering. So when I got well enough to leave, I left."

[losthunter]

Hunter can't imagine how difficult of a time that must have been for 'Jimmy'. To go through hell, and feel like he was abandoned by his mother. And the people who did care for him, were too much for him to handle.

"And so you dropped off the radar."

[boldygoing]

"Yeah." Maybe someone else might pick at their food, while talking about this sort of thing, but not Jim. His motions are a little mechanical, eating his dinner on autopilot, not really savoring the flavors.

"You were upset before, when I told you I hadn't been in touch with them before Starfleet. That's why."

[losthunter]

Hunter doesn't play with his food either. But he does take his time, eating a few bites, as he contemplates his next thoughts.

"I think I was upset, because I hated that you went through family issues, like how I did. And for me, it sucked that you were unable to connect with your grandparents. Or that you don't know where your brother is."

"I don't even have any memories of my grandparents. I don't know who they are. Or even if they are still alive."

"My dad never bothered making family connections. I didn't even know where my mother was buried, until I was an adult."

"And I guess... I just wish I could make things better for you. Because I know that it is impossible to do it for myself."

[boldygoing]

Jim listens to him as he speaks, and although he doesn't wish that the feeling was one that they share, he understands to an extent.

"If it helps, we've... sort of been reconnecting. Not just my mom, but my grandparents. They didn't know where I was until I enlisted."

[losthunter]

"That does help." Hunter smiles slightly. He just wants to see Jim happy.

"And I will try to not have my own insecurities reflect on things that happened in your life."

[boldygoing]

Jim manages a small smile. "I'd say the same, but I can't really get away from some of them." The most obvious of which is on the table in front of them, naturally.

[losthunter]

"We are in that same boat." Hunter once again gently squeezes Jim's hand.

[boldygoing]

"Yeah." Jim definitely appreciates the support. And the company. There are damn good reasons he doesn't go around telling people this sort of thing, personal feelings aside, but it feels oddly reassuring to know that someone else knows, no matter how long after the fact it is.

"Any other burning questions, before we call it a night?" Jim wouldn't blame him if there were. A lot of shit has happened over the last day or so, and Jim gets the impression it's been like listening to only one half of a communications channel. It hasn't only been Tarsus, too.

[losthunter]

Hunter finishes up his meal. The remainder of the un-eaten casserole gets put into Tupperware containers for later. He thinks about some of the flashbacks that Hunter had seen, from the other side.

"Nothing comes to mind."

"I just want to put this behind us."

[boldygoing]

Jim clears his plate, as usual. The casserole was good, even though he didn't really taste it how he should've. He smiles slightly at Hunter's spoken wish, part of him pretty relieved he won't have to talk about anything else tonight. "If you ever figure out how, let me know." It isn't really a joke, and he knows Hunter probably won't take it as one.

[losthunter]

After putting away the dishes, Hunter rounds the counter, so that he can wrap his hands around Jim's waist.

"I think what matters is no matter the shit you have dealt with, you now have someone who loves you and supports you."

He leans in to kiss Jim's lips. "No matter what."

[boldygoing]

Part of Jim is still having trouble really accepting that. Even after a few years of being friends with Bones, even after all the shit they've been through so far, part of Jim still expects him to leave eventually. It's what people do, sooner or later, and it doesn't matter if it's a friend or a lover. Whether it's Bones, Hunter, or anyone else. The more rational part of him knows that it's just pessimism talking, and even if it isn't, that he should enjoy what he has while it lasts.

So he leans a little into the touch, taking what comfort he can. "Thanks."

[losthunter]

[I think this is a great place to end this scene]

[boldygoing]

[I think so too :D Nice long thread. And we finally got the Tarsus conversation opened up.]

[losthunter]

[It was a good way to handle the Tarsus conversation]

[boldygoing]

[I'm pretty glad that Hunter knows some of the story now. Jim has issues and it's hard to get him to even talk about it unless he's forced to.]

[losthunter]

[Good thing we had a tough situation, forcing him to talk about those issues]