( the dress is... wow. diaphanous and lovely, not at all something he'd picture itachi being drawn to, and yet still fitting perfectly with the image he's cultivated over their time here.
it's a proposition that draws his gaze right to itachi, in fact, and bones gets an eyeful before he swings his focus to the crown of itachi's head. to his credit, he doesn't blush like a schoolboyโ naked bodies aren't a breathless mystery, and nothing in itachi's bearing has even a whiff of seductive intent, thank christ. he honestly wouldn't know what on earth to do with that. demand to know the name of the demon what possessed him, no doubt. )
That's a generous offer, but it won't be necessary. We're not together or anythin' like that.
( once itachi has the dress on, bones rises from his seat and gestures that he should turn around, intending to sweep aside itachi's hair and fasten up the back for him. )
๏ผ he turns, permitting mccoy to do up the delicate cascade of buttons that chase the line of his spine. the dress was chosen to be comfortable to one who customarily wears the sort of loose clothing that can be easily and silently moved in, and simple enough to get out of should he need to.
(not in terms of the fasteners. he'd simply cut it apart if he needed to make a hasty egress)
the man's hands are a warm and steady presence at his back, and it strikes him just then that it's one of those very, very rare occasions where having someone unseen at his back has not drawn his shoulders up with the tension of anticipated attack. it is not often he feels overwhelmed by how deeply he trusts mccoy, but in that moment it is almost dizzying. (it should not hurt the way it does.)
one button — tightening the fabric across the ribcage where the swell of breasts add extra dimension to the fabric — is the slightest bit difficult to manage. he exhales pointedly to make it easier. ๏ผ
I imagine it must be complicated for you, given your shared history here, and his lack of those same memories. ๏ผ a faint pause. then, more gently — ๏ผ Have you spoken about this with anyone?
( it's a noncommittal noise, made in the back of his throat. bones carefully works the last button through its eyelet, pressing the fabric flat with his thumbs. 'complicated' is putting it lightly. )
Not really, no, ( he admits at last, taking a step back to check his handiwork. ) Aside from Jim, and... and we've both been completely gone for one another, for years. But for now, I think it's best to take things slow.
( bones drops to his seat on the corner of the mattress. )
๏ผ he does not presume himself welcome in mccoy's space, and so returns to the chair before the vanity, turning it to sit. the shoes for the gala are nearby, delicate lacy sandals with ties that curl up the calves, and he begins the process of putting them on. he'd chosen them because they were comfortable, and not too high-heeled — one of the few things he found that weren't. ๏ผ
Finn and James had been... ah. 'Dating' before, yes?
๏ผ there's a note of curiosity there. truthfully, polyamory is a new and unusual concept to one from a world where it was likelier to both marry and die young than to have the time, awareness or energy to explore the avenue of multiple lovers. still, there is no judgment to his tone. better to make space to love multiple people, he supposes, than hate them. even if the love is styled in a way he does not easily grasp, it is still the better option. ๏ผ
( mccoy's dress boots wait by the front door, his coat and suit jacket hanging neatly over the back of a chair. he watches itachi tend to the sandals as if preparing for a ritual, and leans forward, lacing his fingers between his knees. )
Yes. They were together when I first arrived, prior to Kilnan. Hardly a surprise there; Jim's easy to love.
( impossible to not smile at that, a private little thing. admitting to himself just what had been there all along was easier, somehow, after that harrowing mission. )
After Christmas, in Badrock, there were... ( for someone so blunt, he considers his words carefully. ) Challenges.
๏ผ he can hardly disagree with that. while his own feelings for the man don't wend that way, he knows how easily people are drawn to those types. the leaders with an easy smile, a just heart, a kind word for all they meet. kirk has reminded him of namikaze minato since their earliest acquaintance. so he nods in understanding, and once his sandals are properly affixed he simply leans back in his chair. he finished up earlier than expected, and there's no true need to leave for a while yet.
given mccoy's tone, and the care taken with the selection of that word, he can draw a few inferences. relationships of all coat and colour are complicated enough, but having never experienced a romantic one himself he can only imagine it adds an additional layer. ๏ผ
Mm. Badrock was... psychologically difficult for many members of the crew. ๏ผ literally couldn't be him. what's a little starvation to a ninja? ๏ผ I can see where the events we experienced may have resulted in interpersonal friction.
no subject
it's a proposition that draws his gaze right to itachi, in fact, and bones gets an eyeful before he swings his focus to the crown of itachi's head. to his credit, he doesn't blush like a schoolboyโ naked bodies aren't a breathless mystery, and nothing in itachi's bearing has even a whiff of seductive intent, thank christ. he honestly wouldn't know what on earth to do with that. demand to know the name of the demon what possessed him, no doubt. )
That's a generous offer, but it won't be necessary. We're not together or anythin' like that.
( once itachi has the dress on, bones rises from his seat and gestures that he should turn around, intending to sweep aside itachi's hair and fasten up the back for him. )
no subject
๏ผ he turns, permitting mccoy to do up the delicate cascade of buttons that chase the line of his spine. the dress was chosen to be comfortable to one who customarily wears the sort of loose clothing that can be easily and silently moved in, and simple enough to get out of should he need to.
(not in terms of the fasteners. he'd simply cut it apart if he needed to make a hasty egress)
the man's hands are a warm and steady presence at his back, and it strikes him just then that it's one of those very, very rare occasions where having someone unseen at his back has not drawn his shoulders up with the tension of anticipated attack. it is not often he feels overwhelmed by how deeply he trusts mccoy, but in that moment it is almost dizzying. (it should not hurt the way it does.)
one button — tightening the fabric across the ribcage where the swell of breasts add extra dimension to the fabric — is the slightest bit difficult to manage. he exhales pointedly to make it easier. ๏ผ
I imagine it must be complicated for you, given your shared history here, and his lack of those same memories. ๏ผ a faint pause. then, more gently — ๏ผ Have you spoken about this with anyone?
no subject
( it's a noncommittal noise, made in the back of his throat. bones carefully works the last button through its eyelet, pressing the fabric flat with his thumbs. 'complicated' is putting it lightly. )
Not really, no, ( he admits at last, taking a step back to check his handiwork. ) Aside from Jim, and... and we've both been completely gone for one another, for years. But for now, I think it's best to take things slow.
( bones drops to his seat on the corner of the mattress. )
I had an altercation with Finn, though.
no subject
Finn and James had been... ah. 'Dating' before, yes?
๏ผ there's a note of curiosity there. truthfully, polyamory is a new and unusual concept to one from a world where it was likelier to both marry and die young than to have the time, awareness or energy to explore the avenue of multiple lovers. still, there is no judgment to his tone. better to make space to love multiple people, he supposes, than hate them. even if the love is styled in a way he does not easily grasp, it is still the better option. ๏ผ
no subject
Yes. They were together when I first arrived, prior to Kilnan. Hardly a surprise there; Jim's easy to love.
( impossible to not smile at that, a private little thing. admitting to himself just what had been there all along was easier, somehow, after that harrowing mission. )
After Christmas, in Badrock, there were... ( for someone so blunt, he considers his words carefully. ) Challenges.
no subject
given mccoy's tone, and the care taken with the selection of that word, he can draw a few inferences. relationships of all coat and colour are complicated enough, but having never experienced a romantic one himself he can only imagine it adds an additional layer. ๏ผ
Mm. Badrock was... psychologically difficult for many members of the crew. ๏ผ literally couldn't be him. what's a little starvation to a ninja? ๏ผ I can see where the events we experienced may have resulted in interpersonal friction.