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[galacticmalpractice]

Leonard "Bones" McCoy

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[galacticmalpractice]

Right? You get it.

[ Thank goodness Edgin does, honestly. He really was worried Edgin would take it the wrong way. But knows he's often his own worst enemy, so this is one mishap he can't bring himself to regret. ]

But I had to go and shoot my shot. [ He turns back to look at Edgin, a smile on the edge of his lips. ] Plus, you know, if you'd turned me down I could've blame it on the pollen, and we'd stay friends, and that would've been that.

[juiceofthevine]

Well I have to give you credit for a well thought-through plan.

[ And he's supposed to be the plan guy. Incredible. ]

[galacticmalpractice]

Worked out through sheer dumb luck, honestly. I was desperate enough to try it, and lucky enough for it to all work out.

[ His luck does not usually go that way. He shrugs. Usually his failures catch up to him... he lucked out. ]

nsfw

[juiceofthevine]

It was pretty fun.

[ Seeing Bones desperate like that, too. He doesn't feel like he's close enough to really say that, yet, another thing that feels the opposite of his relationship with Jim. But he certainly won't soon forget the feeling of Bones's clear need, the way he dripped with want for him.

Edgin catches himself before a shiver runs down his spine. No, he's fine. It's good. He's totally normal right now. ]

nsfw

[galacticmalpractice]

It was.

[ Bones smiles, catching that shiver. He's a doctor, he's observant. He knows what to look for. It might be a little early in their relationship to bring it up (is it? They're going for slow. They don't want to rush. So, probably?) but Bones couldn't complain with how any of it went. He got off twice and Edgin had been perfect -- fucking him just right, and being the kindest gentleman about it all even though Bones himself had made for such a pathetic display.

Or. Well, it can't have been that bad for Edgin if the memory is enough to make him shiver like that. ]

We both got what we wanted, huh?

[juiceofthevine]

Yeah, I think we did.

[ Edgin smiles that sad smile and looks down at his hands. It had been really nice, even if he was complicating everything. He thinks about how he should talk to Kirk about it, except, that's not really the same thing anymore, and that makes him immensely sad. ]

[galacticmalpractice]

[ Whoops, don't worry, Edgin, Bones is gonna talk to Jim about it. But right at the moment he's fussing about Edgin and keeping him company, which, if that's all Edgin wants or needs, then that's what Bones plans to give him.

He knows that's why Edgin came all this way. Much as he'd like to remind him that Jim isn't gone forever, they don't have that kind of relationship and it isn't Bones' place to step on the shattered pieces of his heart.

So Bones sets a hand in Edgin's, happy to distract him from the hollow chasm in his heart. ]

So... you learn any new songs lately? I've been practicin'.

[juiceofthevine]

Oh, yeah, I've been working on something but it's pretty melancholy.

[ Then again, so was a lot of stuff from the north, so maybe that's no surprise. ]

[galacticmalpractice]

Let's hear it. You ain't gonna scare me off with melancholy, Edgin.

[ Being from the north as well, Bones knows how that goes. ]

I've got my guitar -- it ain't a lute, but it's yours if you wanna give it a shot.

[juiceofthevine]

[ He almost thinks to tell him he's too sad, but after a moment he nods instead. ]

Okay, sure. If you really wanna hear me play.

[galacticmalpractice]

[ Sometimes music helps, even when you're sad. But also, Bones thinks it might be a good distraction, so he's willing to try it. ]

Only if you're up to it.

[ Bones gets up and pats Edgin's shoulder as he passes him by, grabbing his guitar from one of the many cupboards. It still has that beautiful blue strap Edgin got for him -- it's obvious he's been taking care of it, though using it too. ]

I can always play you a lil' somethin', if you're not feeling it.

[juiceofthevine]

Yeah? You've been working on something?

[ that certainly seems to catch his attention. he likes the idea that Bones has been playing. ]

[galacticmalpractice]

Ah, you know. Just a little bit...

[ Oh, now the attention is on him. Bones feels a bit like a deer in headlights, knowing he walked himself into this. And wouldn't it be kinder, to play for Edgin than make the man play when he's obviously upset? Shit. Not that Bones' choice in music is going to do much for Edgin's mood. ]

You wanna hear it? It ain't much good, I'm a doctor not a musician.

[ But he does swing the strap over his shoulder, walking back to join Edgin. It's pretty clear he's already decided. He's doing this. ]

[juiceofthevine]

You don't have to preface it by deciding for me that it'll be bad, you know.

[ It's a gentle correction, but one he feels like making clear all the same. But he waits patiently for him to start, otherwise. ]

[galacticmalpractice]

[ Bones huffs a clear disagreement, but he won't argue with Edgin. He sets the guitar in his hands and takes a completely unnecessary breath. ]

I've just got the chorus so far.

[ He knows the chords, hands finding their place easily. He'd picked up guitar as a teenager, wanting to impress Jocelyn and maybe play something for his mom and dad. Pretty soon he'd gotten too busy with work and taking over the clinic, but in those rare instances where he wasn't a disaster, he'd played for his wife and daughter.

Now he's playing for Edgin. It's still scary as hell, but he cares about Ed. So he starts, singing the chorus slowly, his low drawl making for an even more sorrowful song. ]

Tongue Tied
I can feel the shadows
Your eyes
I don't know 'em now...

[ Shit, he started learning this song about missing his daughter, but with how Edgin's feeling, this might have been a bad idea. ]

[juiceofthevine]

[ It's not like what he would've played anything that was happier. It's like he'd said, he was working on something sad, too. But he closes his eyes and listens, hearing the feeling and the way Bones plays, which is a lot better than the man gives himself credit for.

It's lovely, really, and he finds himself relaxing a bit, giving into the shared sorrow between them. Maybe it was easier if they both carried it. ]

That's good. Sad.

[galacticmalpractice]

[ Misery loves company, right? There's something to that shared sadness, of losing what they had and fearing being forgotten. Bones knows Edgin gets it. Maybe that's what makes it easier to get into the song, and really let himself feel every word. ]

Tongue Tied
I can feel the shadows
Oh I...
I don't know you now

[ He smiles sadly, finishing off the rest of the chorus and playing a few extra chords, just to give the song a smoother ending for now. Edgin makes it so much easier to think about his sadness and his family. Bones would be embarrassed to be so raw around most anyone else but him. ]

That's, uh. That's all I've got so far.

[juiceofthevine]

[ Edgin opens his eyes and smiles that same, sad smile. ]

I can feel it, though. It's good.

[galacticmalpractice]

[ Bones' weary smile is light, for all that it's met with that same sadness. It's nice to think that Edgin liked it. Edgin knows what he's doing when it comes to music, and more than that... Edgin knows sorrow pretty well. ]

Thanks, man.

[ He can't call it flattery, when it's so clearly not. Bones takes the guitar off of his shoulders, and onto his lap. Edgin's talked about plenty tonight, maybe his problems might distract him more still. ]

I thought about what I'd wanna say, you know, if I meet Joanna after all these years. Well, I couldn't decide what I'd say, so...

[juiceofthevine]

Sometimes a song makes it easier to express our feelings.

[ In big ways and small ways. And he's touched to hear this about Bones, to be let in on these intimidate details of his life. ]

Have you thought about sending a letter, still?

[ He almost reminds him he promised, but Bones did promise a very drunk Edgin and Edgin isn't sure he wants to relive that. ]

[galacticmalpractice]

[ Bones hums agreement. A song is too emotional, yet distant at the same time. And he'd played for Joanna back when she was little... maybe she'd remember him better that way. ]

I promised, didn't I?

[ He hasn't forgotten, though he wouldn't be surprised if Edgin forgot. Then again, revel and remember, right ]

At least... I want to write to her. Even if she never writes back.

[juiceofthevine]

Yeah, you did.

[ He hasn't forgotten. Revel and remember. ]

At least she'll know you're still alive. [ wait ] Well, not alive. Undying.

[galacticmalpractice]

Right.

[ Bones makes a face like he swallowed something sour. Edgin is about the only person he can say that kind of thing freely. Being undead is... a mixed blessing, at best. It's nice how much Edgin gets it. ]

I dunno what she'll think, honestly. But I'd rather she hear from me, even if I'm different now.

[ It's a better "different" compared to how he used to be, but humans might not agree with that. And considering that he gets his meals by drink blood out of a coffee cup, he doesn't always agree with it too much himself. ]

[juiceofthevine]

I think she'll be more interested in the other kind of differences. How you want to be part of her life, for one.

[ Yeah the vampirism sure was a thing, and Edgin had obviously just been talking about his own concerns with that, but, he's trying to focus on the positives here. ]

[galacticmalpractice]

[ Edgin sure knows what to say. Bones looks at him with pure gratitude, a warm determination on his features. He could keep beating himself up about how he wasn't there for her (and he will, some other time,) but when Edgin says it, it's easier to focus on the positives. ]

Good point. I wasn't much of a father for her, back then. I'd like to think... even being what I am, that I could do better now.