Reconnecting with an Estraged Father ((Jim))

[losthunter]

Hunter had concentrated on taking care of himself during the last two days, ever since he had gotten into that fight during his search for Austin. And after feeling healed, and in a better mental state, Hunter felt ready for the next step in his plans.

He needed to talk to his father. And get a message to the FBI agents that were assigned as Secret Service to Rob Kingson's Senate candidacy.

Hunter had sent his father an email to arrange a meeting, and had actually gotten a reply back. So he hoped that was a good sign. All that was left to send an text to Jim, since the Starfleet captain had offered to come with Hunter during this meeting.

Hey handsome. Time to meet my father. Feel ready?

Comments

[losthunter]

And now that he is away from the negative influence of his dad, Hunter feels comfortable to take Jim's hand in his, as they head towards a coffee place that is just a few blocks away.

"Thanks for being here today. You really helped me keep my anger in check."

[boldygoing]

"Hey, you're welcome. I know how it is when somebody knows what buttons to push because they don't like what you're saying."

[losthunter]

"That is one of the problems... he knows all of my buttons." Hunter sighed.

They enter into the coffee place. It is one of those places where you order your coffee at a counter, then go to a seat. Hunter orders a hot chocolate and a large bear claw, noticing there are some pastries behind the counter.

After Jim places his order, Hunter will lead them to a booth along the wall.

"It is just so hard... I don't know if he meant what he said about reconnecting."

[boldygoing]

Jim orders a vanilla latte and an apple danish, before following Hunter to the booth. "Watching him talk was a lot like things used to go between me and my mom. I didn't know if I could trust her at first either."

[losthunter]

"How did you get past that?"

[boldygoing]

"Honestly... I don't know if I have," Jim admits. "I still feel like I'm always waiting for the other shoe to drop. When she first came home, things were kinda tense for a while. Now we just kinda... co-exist."

[losthunter]

"I don't know if I could ever get to the state of co-existing with my dad." Hunter stirs his hot chocolate in deep thought.

"While the situation is not a good one, I am glad you can relate to what I am going through."

[boldygoing]

Jim fidgets with his drink too, needing to do something with his hands. This isn't something he likes to talk about, not with anybody. But circumstances being what they are...

"There isn't a magic, easy fix for something like this. She can't say or do anything to erase what she did, how she treated me, and I can't either. We've both gotta live with knowing what happened and how we acted. Doesn't mean we have to constantly dredge up the past, not when we're both trying not to. I didn't really get the chance to know her, before. She didn't try to get to know me. But it's better late than never... it's like what I said before, about when to keep trying," he adds, raising his eyes to meet Hunter's, calling back to their conversation in the Nexus a few days ago. "I don't know how this is going to turn out, whether we're going to be able to bury the hatchet for good, but if I'd slammed that door shut, I don't know that it ever would've been open again for either of us."

[losthunter]

"I didn't expect it to be easy." Hunter notes softly. "And it will be hard, because we both made mistakes."

"The fact he didn't mention anything about me having magic is a good sign. I just would like to see if this is opportunity to heal our past, if it is possible."

[boldygoing]

Jim nods, understanding completely. "You don't have to trust him unconditionally until he's earned it. It's still your choice if he gets that chance."

[losthunter]

"That is good to know." Hunter takes another deep breath.

"I really hope they are able to find, and capture Austin."

[boldygoing]

"Me too." Jim certainly can't disagree with that. "I don't know if they believed the whole... magic thing."

[losthunter]

"I don't think they did. But we warned them... and that is all we can do."

[boldygoing]

Again, Jim nods. "Wasn't really anything else left. Now it's up to them."

[losthunter]

Hunter takes a moment to enjoy his hot chocolate, thinking to himself for a moment. "I think that after this, I might hit the gym. Work off some of this frustration."

[boldygoing]

He smiles a little, and blows across the top of his latte to cool it before he sips at it. "Good choice. I've done a lot of running in the past couple months. Same reason, among other things."

[losthunter]

"I sort of want to hit the ol' punching bag for a good season."

[boldygoing]

"It's a good way to let off stress. You do that a lot?" They've never really talked much about physical hobbies like this before, and while Jim has done a decent amount of actual boxing alongside his bar brawling, he isn't sure how much Hunter has done.

[losthunter]

"I used to work out at gyms all the time, before. It has been a while since I have gone to a public gym."

"I used to have a physical trainer, who I sparred with once and a while. It was a good way to just vent any of my frustration."

[my family is observing Canadian Thanksgiving today. Slow posting]

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles a little, only half hiding it behind his latte as he takes a drink. "Sounds healthier than what I used to do. I'd find the nearest dive bar and drink myself stupid."


[No worries, take your time. :) ]

[losthunter]

"Only a slightly better option." Hunter chuckles.

[boldygoing]

"Half the time, it did end in something getting punched, but that was usually me," Jim adds, still grinning in a God-wasn't-I-an-idiot kind of way, with just a hint of sadness. The last time he ever really spoke to Admiral Pike was in a dive bar, drowning his sorrows after being demoted, and it's something he won't ever really forget. Kind of puts a damper on the whole unhealthy-coping-mechanisms thing, even if he could still get drunk. That's probably a good thing, though.

"If you ever wanna trade punches, I've done boxing before."

[losthunter]

"That would be appreciated if you could do that..." Hunter knows that he would not have to hold back around Jim.

[boldygoing]

Jim nods, leaning back a little in his seat. "If the last year's anything to go by, I'll be working out at least three times a week anyway. Not a lot of quality exercise on a starship outside of the ship's gym."

[losthunter]

"I would imagine that it is important to keep in shape, especially with a five year mission ahead of you." Hunter smiles slightly.