Street Wizard

[madimpossibledreamer]

 

It's October again, so time for this series to return again.  (also just that's how it worked out prewriting wise).

Main Points:
Star Trek (the 2009!movie verse)/Constantine crossover
Summary: Bones sees more than Kirk thinks--things like the fact that the love and attraction isn't a one-sided deal.  That Kirk is showing uncharacteristic restraint in holding back, because he thinks he'll break Bones, extra lives or not.  But he also sees things the wizard doesn't--like they're equally broken, equally likely to break each other, but also that it all might be worth it in the end.
Word Count: 500
Rating: Teen

        Watching Jim sleep is something of a revelation.  He’s getting to know the man behind the myth, as much as Jim likes to try to push him away—and yes, as unbelievable as it might be, Kirk is a myth.  He’s heard the stories, like the one about how Jimmy tricked that demon—and they’re definitely going to have a talk about that one, soon as he can figure out how.  They all paint him as this heroic figure, waltzing in and saving the universe with a gesture, some big magic, and a few words, but it’s more and less than that.
        A Bajoran had spat the curse ‘street wizard’, but now that Bones thinks about it, there’s some truth to that.  Jim prefers the flashy, but half the time, Leonard’s worked out, the flash is a misdirect, both in person and in magic.  Jim’s true calling is little miracles, plans within plans.  He’s never met anyone quicker on his feet, or with his tongue (and Leonard absolutely wishes he didn’t remember that kiss, of all things the night they met, because he’s trying not to fantasize about the bloody man).  His magic is all sleight of hand and whispers covered in layers of beer and sarcasm and flirt, only unlike those early pre-Eugenics wars magicians it’s real, fireflies in the dark and the way Joanna’s face lit up at the promise of ice cream.  It’s awe and wonder for grown-ups, because it’s like he stepped out of some drunk’s retelling of a classic fairy tale.
        For all that, there’s a tragedy about the man.  Jim’s tight-lipped about his past but the little glimpses Leonard had gotten say he doesn’t have a home or family, never had something like all Bones lost.  Here he looks so small—and he is, that’s malnutrition, though it’s probably been getting better, with Leonard around to nag about eating right.  Talk of loneliness and curses, and there’s something just a little bit broken behind his eyes, and Bones knows he shouldn’t want but…he wants.
        Kirk had made good on his promise, and even now, he looks at his doctor like someone to be treasured, a friend maybe, not someone to love and leave.  It scares him, because he’s not used to it, and he’s cynical enough to question anything that seems too good, and Bones, broken, bitter, immortal, supposedly dead Leonard McCoy is too good.  That’s ridiculous, with how bright Jim shines, a gold flare you just wanna follow, even beneath all the superficial charm and real charm and layers of bullshit.  Leonard wants.
        He wants to curl up beside the kid, forced to grow up too quickly in a world that’s a hell of a lot more hostile than even the pessimist McCoy believed possible.  Kiss him until he falls apart and then kiss him until he’s better.  He wants to court him, make a proper go of it, convince him that reckless kid or no, Jim’s worth everything Leonard’s got to give.