for ZEX, it's time to par-tay

[bornsnarky]

[standing at the bar, yanking on the collar of this damn dress uniform]

[reeeeeeally hoping these Thraddash people don't approach me, surely there're enough interesting people around here that I can just get convivially drunk with Scotty and ZEX and Uhura]

[I can see Jim in the corner being all charming and shit, and there're a couple more being entertained by Chekov and Gaila, excellent, maybe I can get out of this formal reception with my sanity relatively intact]

[then a gravelly voice behind me says he'll buy me a drink]

[...turning]

Ah. Um. Thanks, I guess. I'm Leonard McCoy.


[he says he knows]

Comments

[zexyandiknowit]

[Pouring McCoy some because ZEX always makes great decisions]

It is, isn't it? On Earth, at least.

[bornsnarky]

[bottoms up]

Yes! What colour's grass on your planet? Do you have grass?

[zexyandiknowit]

We do indeed have grass. It is a purplish-blue, however. The seaweed is green, though deeper, and I have more experience with it.

[bornsnarky]

Huh. Mm. You have seaweed experience?

Bet it's not like your green. You're green like... like crayons.

[zexyandiknowit]

I was born underwater, and so... yes. Seaweed experience.

Thank you. I do not know what a crayon is. They are green?

[bornsnarky]

Another thing I should note. Awesome!

Yeah, they're things you draw with? Especially if you're a cute little tyke... they come in all colours. Jo does me drawings sometimes of the park outsidea Atlanta, where I take her, and her green crayon ain't quite right for the grass there but it's close. And it's better, because it's brighter, and it makes me think of her even more strongly, though I know that's kinda dumb.

It's the same shade as that patch along your shoulders.

[zexyandiknowit]

[...Can't... handle these feelings]

...I am happy beyond words to hear this. [DRINKS. Then,] Atlanta?

[bornsnarky]

[idk where the hell that came from but I meant it]

[gentle, wistful smile] Yeah. Wish I could get there more often, but it's probably for the best. Joss takes good care of her anyway.

[zexyandiknowit]

I think I would like to learn more about Atlanta. It sounds wonderful.

Are there stories set there that I might read or watch?

[bornsnarky]

There're worse places.

[laughs, drinks] I can recommend you some, sure. If you'll do the same for me?

[zexyandiknowit]

Of course.

[Maybe we could watch them together in some sort of romantic/nostalgic double feature]

[BUT WE'RE NOT DATING]

[bornsnarky]

Seems only fair.

[no dating for us!]

[zexyandiknowit]

[The alcohol is finally catching up to ZEX--McCoy is happy and warm next to him, and ZEX just won in a fight against a Thraddash. All this equals giggles, pretty much]

[Lean~]

[bornsnarky]

[tossing the local equivalent of a peanut over my head at Jim]

[zexyandiknowit]

[Laughs, AS IF KIRK ISN'T GONNA MAKE A MISTAKE TONIGHT]

[bornsnarky]

[yup, and if I have to dig gravel outta his ass again I'm not gonna be pleased]

[zexyandiknowit]

[You should get a medal]

[Finishing up this drink, pouring more for them both, realizing that they've fallen into a companionable silence, pretty much]

[Not... minding]

[bornsnarky]

[perhaps two stuck together in an amusing buttocks shape]

[drinking more]

[mm I'm not really aware of it consciously, and I'd probably avoid you for the next week if I were, but you feel really... safe]

[zexyandiknowit]

[You smell like grass and soap]

[And booze but this is inevitable]

[bornsnarky]

[you don't smell like dead fish, you smell salty and good and also like booze]

[blinking, far too comfortable leaning against you]

You think we can get out of here soon?

[before I fall asleep]

[zexyandiknowit]

Certainly.

[Pounds the last bit in his glass, the movement of his throat right in McCoy's eyeline, before replacing it on the bar]

Shall we?

[bornsnarky]

[gulps at that]

I think we shall.

[zexyandiknowit]

[ZEX takes McCoy's arm and begins to steer them through the whirling bodies. Speaking low, right near McCoy's hear:]

Do you know, this was the most fun I've had at one of these in a very long time.

[bornsnarky]

[snorts affectionately] If you're going to save my ass like that, then you're definitely coming along the next time I have to come to one of these.

[zexyandiknowit]

I am invested in the wellbeing of your ass, friend doctor.