Chapter Text
They were in port for the afternoon and evening. McCoy held onto Scotty as they wandered the streets near the waterfront.
“I could use a drink,” Scotty said.
“Well, pick a place,” McCoy replied, using their joined hands to gesture at the many nearby bars and restaurants.
“That one looks lively,” Scotty said and began to lead the way.
McCoy looked around the bar as they stopped inside the door. It was lit with neon signs on the walls and full of people sitting at tables watching a person on stage.
“Oh lord,” McCoy muttered to himself.
“Hey! Bones!”
McCoy looked around and spotted Jim waving at him from a table. Spock was sitting with him. McCoy gave Scotty’s hand a tug to get his attention.
“Jim and Spock are here,” he leaned in and said over the sound of the person singing.
“Oh good,” Scotty smiled.
As they made their way over, Jim stood and moved another chair to the table.
“You gonna sing Bones?” Jim asked as they sat.
“What?” McCoy gave his friend a confused look as he sat.
“Karaoke,” Jim said and pointed at the stage.
“Oh good lord,” McCoy said and scowled.
“I ordered you a bourbon love,” Scotty said.
“You’re already signed up, aren’t you?” McCoy asked Jim.
Jim grinned and nodded.
“I believe there’s two more singers before we are on,” Spock said.
“You’re singing with him?” McCoy’s eyes went wide.
“Yep!” Jim said. He dropped an arm around Spock’s shoulders. Spock stiffened at the contact, then relaxed into it.
“Do ye want to sing too, love?” Scotty asked. “Ye’ve got an excellent voice.”
“Yeah! Come on Bones!” Jim added.
McCoy shook his head. “No.”
“Don’t worry,” Jim stage whispered to Scotty, “couple drinks and he’ll change his tune.” Jim laughed at his own unintentional pun.
McCoy threw a rude hand gesture in Jim’s direction, but Jim just laughed at him.
“Thank ye,” Scotty said to the waitress who set down their drinks. He passed McCoy’s over.
The person singing finished and the crowd clapped as the host called the next singer up.
“I didn’t even see him in here!” Scotty exclaimed as it was Keenser’s name that was called and he made his way up to the stage.
“Over there,” Spock pointed to the other side of the room. “Janice is sitting at a table.”
The three other men looked at Scotty as he muttered out a string of Gaelic, then took a large drink from his glass.
“What’s wrong darlin’?” McCoy asked.
“That,” Scotty replied as Keenser began to sing. “Thinks he’s a regular Casanova he does. Wait… that’s not his normal…” Scotty trailed off and stared at his friend wide eyed. “Holy… the wee man’s in love,” he breathed out.
“He’s surprisingly good,” said Spock, “for as little as we have heard him speak.”
Scotty nodded absently.
When Keenser finished, Scotty stood. McCoy looked up at him.
“I’ll be back in a minute,” Scotty said and gripped McCoy’s shoulder briefly.
Jim and Spock had been called for their turn before Scotty came back. He had a stunned look in his eyes.
“Alright darlin’?” McCoy asked.
Scotty nodded. He sat and took a drink.
“Never thought he’d have it in him,” Scotty said. “Guess I always just thought I’d…” He gave his head a sudden shake. “Never mind. Look at those two,” he laughed.
“Ok,” McCoy said. “I am still surprised he got Spock to do that with him though. Guess I got him wrong.”
McCoy couldn’t sleep. Scotty’s soft breathing next to him was steady, and his arms warm around McCoy, but he still couldn’t sleep. His mind was racing. His eyes opened again and looked out at the night beyond the window. He let out a sigh. This was it. This was their last night together until… until… McCoy didn’t know when. He didn’t know how returning home and getting back into his routine was going to include Scotty.
But he knew that it would. McCoy wanted this to work out more than he had wanted anything for a long time. Scotty shifted slightly and one of his feet pressed in closer between McCoy’s. McCoy smiled before he could help it.
It had been so easy. Everything had been so easy between them. From the moment McCoy had seen him that first day; from that first dinner; from McCoy’s first terrible flirting. It had all been right. They had been drawn together. They all had in fact; Jim and Spock, Keenser and Janice. Uhura and Christine even.
McCoy wanted to be mad at Jim for dragging him on a singles cruise, but how could he be when so much good had come from it? Another sigh escaped and he closed his eyes again. His mind felt a bit calmer. Scotty’s hand was near his so he moved his and entwined their fingers. Scotty moved in his sleep again and his arms tightened around McCoy. He smiled and made himself relax. He listened to Scotty’s steady breathing and finally he slept.
When he woke it was slowly. He tilted his head into the fingers combing through his hair. As McCoy opened his eyes he saw Scotty gazing down at him.
“Hmm, I’m gonna miss that sight tomorrow morning,” Scotty said softly. He had pushed himself up to sitting and had the hand not in McCoy’s hair draped over McCoy’s shoulder.
McCoy gave him a bittersweet smile at the compliment.
“I know. I couldn’t sleep for the longest time thinking about that,” McCoy returned.
“It’ll work. We’ll make it work.”
“We will.” McCoy pushed himself up and sat next to Scotty. “Hell, I’ve been single long enough, I think I can manage a few days.” He grinned self-deprecatingly then quieted. “This has been amazing Scotty and… and I’m glad Jim dragged me along with him.”
“I’m glad he did too,” Scotty smiled. He reached up and cupped McCoy’s face with his hand as he leaned over slowly and kissed McCoy sweetly.
McCoy pulled the door shut and followed behind Jim with his suitcase. He glanced over his shoulder down the hall towards where Scotty’s room was. He smiled at the thought of how little Scotty had actually used the room. They had agreed to meet off ship before he and Jim headed for the airport. Scotty and Keenser’s flight home wasn’t until the next day. He wondered if Scotty was already off the ship or if he was still packing.
Jim was looking at him expectantly as they walked.
“What?” McCoy asked.
“I asked if you had a good time,” Jim said. “I barely saw you.”
McCoy smiled slowly at his friend. “Yeah kid, I did.”
“I’m glad you met someone to make you happy,” Jim continued.
“Thanks. You seem happy too. Gonna keep seeing Spock?”
McCoy hid another smile as Jim’s face flushed. He nodded.
“Definitely didn’t move as fast as you,” Jim grinned, “but we’re getting somewhere slowly. We’re going to meet up next weekend for dinner and a game of chess.”
“That some sort of euphemism, kid?” McCoy laughed as Jim hit him in the arm.
“Shut it. Can you believe there isn’t a single chess board on this ship?”
“Who comes on vacation to play chess? And you say I’m an old man,” said McCoy.
“You guys say your goodbyes already or…? I noticed you had the door between us locked this morning…”
“What?!” McCoy exclaimed as the color rushed up his face. “I didn’t…” He began to laugh.
“Wow,” said Jim. “I haven’t heard you laugh like that in forever.”
“I didn’t lock that door Jim,” McCoy finally got out. “Scotty was awake before me…”
Jim let out a laugh. “Smart guy. You should keep him.”
“I think I’m going to…”
McCoy looked around again. Jim was already on the shuttle for the airport with their bags. This is where he and Scotty had said they’d meet. He glanced at his watch again, when he heard his name. Looking back up he saw Scotty rushing towards him.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry… Keens is the worst at packing and then getting everything squared away to send over to the hotel and—”
McCoy didn’t let him finish. He pulled him in close and kissed him.
“Well hello you too,” Scotty laughed as he pulled back. “It wasn’t that long since we—”
McCoy couldn’t help it and leaned in again.
“I’m gonna miss you,” he said when they pulled apart again.
“Aye, me too. But it’s only a couple of days love.”
“I know,” McCoy said, letting his forehead rest against Scotty’s.
“Bones! We gotta go!” Jim yelled from the shuttle’s steps.
McCoy scowled. Scotty reached up to touch his face.
“Don’t do that love. It’ll go by fast and then you can tell me all about how terrible your flight was.”
McCoy let out a chuckle.
“Booooones!”
“Be right there,” McCoy called over his shoulder. He looked back at Scotty. The man was smiling softly at him.
“Alright darlin’…”
“Don’t say ‘bye.’ It isn’t ‘bye.’ We’ll see each other soon,” said Scotty.
McCoy leaned in to kiss Scotty again.
“He’s starting the engine Bones!” Jim called.
“See you soon darlin’.”
“Soon love,” Scotty agreed and gently pushed McCoy towards the shuttle.
“You’ve got it bad,” Jim said as they sat down. The driver pulled away from the curb.
“Shut up kid,” McCoy answered as he watched Scotty get smaller and smaller in the rear window before they turned a corner and he was gone.
“Soon,” McCoy whispered to himself.
The End