Work Text:
Cor Lapideum
McCoy packed up the few things he had taken out of his pack last night. He looked around to make sure he had everything. The hotel room was small and it felt even smaller when he and Jim were both in it. Jim was in the shower and singing from the sounds of it. Well, Jim thought it was singing, McCoy just called it noise.
With his own things put away, he settled back on the bed. Most of the rooms they had booked on this trip only had one bed, but they didn’t mind sharing. They’d been in close quarters their whole time through school, and rooms were cheaper with only one. If Jim ended up snuggled into him, it was only because McCoy had stolen all the covers.
Jim had come up with the idea to sightsee across Europe for the summer. McCoy had just sighed and knew he’d give in to whatever it was Jim wanted. If he didn’t agree, Jim would just keep needling him until he did.
It had ended up being a fun time, though he would be hard pressed to admit how much fun to Jim. Except for in Kiev, where it had rained everyday they’d been there. They had still gone out, but trying to dry out their clothes later in a room half the size of their dorm, well, it had been trying.
Now they were finishing in London and getting ready to head north for Aberdeen. Dublin was after that and then back home.
McCoy heard the shower stop, though Jim’s singing didn’t. He came out a few moments later, half dressed. Jim went straight to his bag and dug into it.
“Forgot my shirt,” he mumbled.
“Train’s in an hour and we still have to get checked out and get there,” McCoy said, with his eyes closed.
“I’m almost ready,” Jim said, pulling the shirt over his head. “Just need my shoes,” he smiled as his head popped back out.
McCoy opened one eye at him as Jim sat on the bed and reached for his shoes.
“Gonna comb your hair?” He knew the kid wouldn’t, but he always asked.
Jim reached up and ran his hands through his still wet hair.
“There, how’s that?” he asked, turning to look at McCoy.
McCoy sighed. Jim could roll out of bed half asleep and still look ready to walk a runway. He sat back up and reached for his own shoes.
Jim had been like an excited puppy the whole train ride. McCoy had attempted to doze through parts of it, only to be woken too many times to count to look at something passing by the window.
He lifted his bag as the train stopped.
“I just wanna get to the hotel, have something to eat and then just sleep.”
“Come on Bones! Where’s the fun in that?”
“Fun can be tomorrow. Food then bed,” McCoy kept walking for the exit.
They found their hotel, got their things settled and went to eat. Fortunately, the hotel had a small restaurant and they went there.
“Where are you going?” Jim asked as they headed out of the restaurant.
“To bed,” McCoy replied. “Why sitting all day is exhausting I’ll never know.”
“But Booooones,” said Jim, turning his best puppy dog face at McCoy. “There's a pub down the street! We passed it on the way here.”
“Then go,” McCoy said. “I’m tired. No. That’s not gonna work this time.”
Jim had added a pouty lip to his puppy eyes.
“I’ll see you in the morning. Be quiet when you come in for once.”
“Fine,” Jim said with one last frown. He clapped McCoy’s shoulder. “Sleep good cause we’re going everywhere tomorrow.”
“Whatever kid,” McCoy turned to walk upstairs to their room.
Jim was sitting at the small desk in the room when McCoy woke the next morning.
“What are you doing?” he asked, rubbing a hand across his face.
“Mapping out our day,” Jim said, glancing over. “You shoulda come to the pub. Got talking to some locals and they told me some more places we should see.”
“Did they tell you where to go for a decent breakfast?”
Jim pointed at the small table next to McCoy. There was a coffee cup and a take out bag.
“How long have you been up? What time is it?”
Jim didn’t answer. He just threw a grin in McCoy’s direction and kept at what he was doing. McCoy checked his watch and then picked up the coffee. He had a long drink and then grabbed the bag.
“Thanks Jim.”
“Where to next?” McCoy asked. He held a hand over his eyes against the bright sunshine. He had a hat, back in the hotel room. Jim had shuffled him out the door so fast that morning he’d forgotten it.
“Couple blocks that way. Little park. Has a statue that the crowd last night said we had to see.”
“What’s so special about it?”
“It’s not so much the statue as the story they told. Apparently there’s a legend about it dating way back.”
“Uh huh?” McCoy prompted Jim to continue.
“It’s become a really popular little tourist spot and it’s got a special place in the hearts of the city.”
“So what’s the legend?” McCoy asked as they turned a corner and saw the greenery of the park ahead of them.
“Well, uhh, the locals all call him ‘Scotty,’ and they say that it was told long ago that when his soulmate comes along and holds his hand…,”
McCoy was already rolling his eyes. “Uh huh, holds his hand and then what?”
“When his soulmate comes along and holds his hand, he’ll come to life and be human.”
McCoy brought his hand up and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“How many drinks did you have last night?”
“I didn’t say I believed it!” Jim defended himself. “I’m just telling you what they told me.”
“And let me guess,” McCoy let out a sigh, “you want a picture with it?”
“I mean, wouldn't that be a story to go back with if it came true?” Jim laughed. “What a souvenir that’d be!”
McCoy had to chuckle at that. They had entered the park and Jim stopped to get his bearings.
“This way, I think. Though the park isn’t that big if I’m wrong.”
“Must be over there,” McCoy pointed. “There’s a bit of a crowd.”
Moments later they joined the crowd around the statue. The pedestal it stood in made it taller than the crowd, but still left the hand in question at a reachable height. One hand was on the statue’s hip and the other was reaching down as if to help someone. That hand was significantly brighter than the rest of the statue from years of people holding it.
Laughs and giggles could be heard around them as others took photos. The whole crowd laughed as a young couple had their photo taken while their baby’s hand was placed on the statue’s.
Finally Jim made his way forward. He pressed his phone into McCoy’s hand.
“Think of the laugh Sulu will have when we tell him,” Jim smiled.
Jim reached up and took hold of the bronze hand.
“Aww darn,” he laughed.
McCoy smiled at his friend and clicked a few pictures for him.
“Ok,” said Jim, walking back. “Your turn.”
“What? No.”
“Come on Bones,” Jim said in that voice McCoy knew he couldn't argue with. He felt Jim’s hand on his shoulder pushing him gently forward.
“Fine,” he said resignedly.
He moved forward to the statue. He glanced up at the face looking out protectively towards the city.
“The hand Bones,” Jim said, holding his phone ready for the picture.
“You’re buying lunch after this, and all the rounds tonight,” McCoy said exasperatedly.
McCoy reached for the statue’s hand, but as he touched it, it wasn’t cold metal like he thought it would be. Before his brain could process that, a loud collective gasp came from the crowd, and then it went silent as McCoy turned and a man suddenly tumbled into his arms.
“Holy fu…” he faintly heard Jim’s voice, but he was too concerned with the person who had decided to fall on him. McCoy helped the man to his feet and felt all the eyes of the crowd on them.
The man said something, but McCoy looked at him blankly.
“Sorry, I don’t—”
“Who are you?” the man demanded.
“Leonard McCoy. Who are you? And why are you jumping on me?”
“Montgomery Scott. I didn’t jump. I stepped wrong and stumbled. Thank you for catching me mo ghràdh.”
“I don’t know what that means,” said McCoy.
“It’s an endearment,” someone in the crowd who’d found their voice called out. “It means ‘my love.’”
The man, Montgomery Scott, nodded.
“I’m not your love,” McCoy said, taking a step back.
“You are,” Scott insisted. “You took my hand and brought me back to life.”
By this time Jim and the crowd had overcome their shock. Jim pushed forward as the crowd began to hum with excited voices.
“Jim,” McCoy said frantically, as he came up. “What the hell is going on?”
“Looks like you got the best souvenir,” Jim said in an awed voice.
“Who are you?” Scott said, turning to Jim.
“Jim Kirk, uh, nice to meet you.”
“You are a friend of my love?” Scott asked.
“Oh yeah! Let me say, you’re getting a hell of a soulmate outta this.”
“Jim!”
“Are you kidding Bones? Do you know how lucky you are? No more dating and searching and the whole to-do? Soulmate drops right into your arms!”
“I need a damn drink,” McCoy muttered. “Can we go now?” he asked, turning to Jim.
The crowd was getting noisier and drawing more people over.
“How does this work?” Jim asked Scott. “Do you… do you come with us? Do we have to stay here? Is… are there forms to fill out?”
“I will go where my love goes,” Scott smiled at McCoy.
“I’m not…” McCoy gave up. He looked between Jim and Scott. Neither seemed likely to give this up.
“I’m finding a pub, getting drunk, and when I’m sober and hungover tomorrow you can tell me how you managed this prank,” he said and turned to leave.
“Bones! It’s not a prank!” Jim yelled after him. “How the hell would I manage that? Come on,” he said, grabbing Scott’s arm.
McCoy continued his fast pace right out of the park. A quick look up and down the street showed him where he wanted to go. He could hear Jim still yelling after him, but he ignored him.
He quickly strode to the pub he could see down the street and entered. He walked right up to the bar and ordered. He was just raising the glass for a drink when Jim barged in.
“Bones! There you are!”
“Go away Jim. I don’t want to deal with your crap right now.”
“I… I didn’t do anything, I promise. I’m as in shock about this as you are!”
McCoy rolled his eyes at his friend and turned back to his drink.
A warm hand set itself on McCoy’s shoulder. His breath caught at the sensation that went through him at the touch. He turned slightly to see that Jim had brought the strange man with him and that it was his hand on McCoy.
“Don’t… don’t touch me,” he managed to mumble out.
Scott stepped closer to him.
“I’m sorry this is such a surprise to ye,” Scott said quietly. “I’ve been standing there for years. How many I’ve lost track. I’ve spent them waiting, knowing that someday the right person would come. And it’s you. You woke me and brought me back.”
Scott’s hand slid from McCoy’s shoulder to cup his cheek. McCoy’s eyes drifted to look at the hand as his heart tried not to beat out of his chest. What was happening? He was overcome and couldn’t turn his eyes away.
“You’re meant to be mine as I’m meant to be yours,” Scott continued. “I can give ye time if you need, but I’ve waited so long.” There was a sad undertone to the words.
McCoy’s hand lifted of its own volition to cover the hand Scott had on his cheek. His eyes closed and he leaned into the contact. Something was spreading in his chest and it was warm. His breathing had slowed as Scott talked and the noises of the pub faded away.
“I will go if you prefer.” Scott moved to take his hand away, but McCoy clutched at it.
“No,” he found himself whispering. “Stay.” He heard his voice hitch on the word and opened his eyes.
Scott had moved closer as he talked. McCoy stared into his eyes. They were a blue-gray and were shining warmly at McCoy. There was life and history and sadness in them.
McCoy’s other hand brought itself up and grabbed at Scott’s coat.
“Montgomery…” he whispered, still lost in those eyes.
“Leonard,” Scott replied, staring back at McCoy.
McCoy’s hand on Scott’s coat pulled him close and a moment later their lips crushed together. McCoy’s eyes went wide as a shocking wave of love flooded through him, before they closed and he pulled even closer to the other man.
Scott was the first to pull back. McCoy was left breathless. As he opened his eyes, he remembered Jim and the sounds of the pub came rushing back to his ears. His face heated, and his eyes darted around.
“Uh, maybe we should head back to the hotel? Sort this out there?” Jim said.
McCoy nodded numbly and reached into his pocket to pay for the untouched drink. He left the money on the counter and followed Jim and Montgomery.
He was still trying to figure out what the hell had just happened as they walked. Something significant. The sensation from the man’s touch; the love that had overcome him. Had it come from within him or from Montgomery? Had it passed between them or had it only affected him?
He looked around as they walked and the world looked like it was made new.
“The people have always called me Scotty, ye can call me that too.” McCoy heard Scotty tell Jim.
Was Montgomery not as touched by what had happened as McCoy or had he already known what it would be?
McCoy was struck with a longing to touch the man again so he quickened his pace and reached for Scotty’s hand. A tingling thrill went up his arm as their fingers connected. Montgomery turned his head and smiled at him. That smile sent the flush up McCoy’s face again.
Before too long they had reached the hotel and climbed the stairs to Jim and McCoy’s room. McCoy had held onto Scotty’s hand the whole walk and was reluctant to let go as they entered the room.
“So, uh…,” Jim started and gave an open handed wave to convey his confusion. He went to sit at the desk. “What’s the city gonna think when they find out the legend around their, uh, your statue is true?”
“I would hope the people would be happy,” Scotty answered. “I’ve stood looking over them for so long. They’ve kept me amused during my dark moments, but now I have true happiness.” He smiled again at McCoy.
McCoy could melt through the floor at that bright smile. He was still trying to sort through what had happened.
“Maybe they’ll make a replacement statue,” Jim grimaced, “keep up their tourist monies. Hey! Maybe they’ll make one of both of you! It could be you falling into Bones’ arms!” Jim grinned mischievously.
“Shut up kid,” McCoy finally found his voice. With that his head cleared. He turned back to Scotty. “What have you done to me?”
Scotty frowned. “I have done nothing to you.”
“Yes you have,” McCoy insisted. “Why does my brain feel all mixed up and I have all these feelings pouring outta me?”
“That’s love Bones,” Jim smirked.
“Shut up!” McCoy snapped at him.
“I have done nothing Leonard. Jim is right; it’s love. We are meant to be,” Scotty said, reaching to entwine their hands again. But McCoy pulled away and took a step backwards.
“Look!” Jim said, getting their attention. “How about I head downstairs and leave you two to figure this out? Ok?” He stood and waved his phone at McCoy. “You can call me or come down and join me.” With that he quickly crossed the small room and left.
McCoy and Scotty were left staring at each other. McCoy swallowed. He wanted to let those bluish-gray eyes swallow him, but he hesitated. The man’s hair had a shine of gold in its red and McCoy wanted his fingers in it.
“What have you done to me?” he asked again, and this time it came out as a whisper.
“Nothing,” Scotty said again. “It’s not magic, or enchantment or wizardry. It’s plain, simple love.”
McCoy shook his head.
“This is a dream isn’t it? I did go to the pub with Jim last night and drank too much and now I’m having some crazy dream.” McCoy began to laugh. “How did it take me this long? I just have to wake up. That was a pretty real kiss for a dream, but it’s time to wake up.”
He looked around expectantly.
“This isnae a dream Leonard,” Scotty said, taking a step towards him. “I’ve spent near my whole life feeling like I was in one, and this is real. The sun’s light and its warmth? They finally touch me. The birds singing and the people’s chatter? I can hear it clearly for the first time. The smell of flowers and pine? They’re all real for the first time and so am I. This isnae a dream.”
McCoy’s eyes widened and his face went pale.
Scotty grabbed his arm and made him sit on the edge of the bed.
“I don’t know that I can make it more clear,” said Scotty, with sadness edging into his voice. “This is real. I’m yours and you're mine.”
“How… how can, how is…?”
“It just is,” said Scotty. “It doesn’t have to be such a battle within you.”
He reached for McCoy’s hand again and McCoy didn’t resist this time. Scotty placed the hand over his heart.
“That’s real. It’s never beat before and it’s all yours.”
McCoy stared at the man in front of him. Scotty could say he hadn’t done anything to him, but he had. He had opened McCoy’s heart in a way that was sudden and frightened him. He wanted nothing more than to believe this man loved him. He wanted to love him back. His chest was near bursting with the want of it.
McCoy closed his eyes and simply felt the heart beating in the chest in front of him. He hadn’t taken his hand back. Why was this so hard? Why was he fighting it?
“Did it overcome you too?” he whispered and opened his eyes.
“Yes,” Scotty smiled faintly. “When you caught me and when I touched your shoulder at the pub. It was all the wonderful things I had always hoped it would be. Warm and perfect and just right.”
“Warm and perfect and just right…” McCoy trailed off repeating the words. “Yes…”
“You’re frightened,” Scotty stated. He kneeled down to be on level with McCoy. “If you don’t trust me, trust this.” He pointed his finger at McCoy’s chest and then placed his hand over McCoy’s heart.
A sweet warmth spread through McCoy at the touch. He took a deep breath. His brain might still have objections, but his heart knew. It sang the truth at him and echoed through his being.
McCoy reached out for Scotty. He wrapped his arms around him tightly and found himself tightly held in return. The love he’d felt before crashed over him and around him and surrounded them both. Scotty pulled back slightly after a few moments.
“Thank ye for waking me Leonard,” Scotty said quietly.
“We’re meant to be,” McCoy whispered, finally allowing himself to believe.
“I’m yours and you’re mine,” Scotty replied softly before he pulled McCoy back for a gentle kiss.