FIC - ST:R, "At the ballet" PG - McCoy/Chekov [3/3]
Title: At the ballet, part 3/3
Author: rosivan
Rating: PG
Pairing/Characters: McCoy/Chekov, Joanna McCoy, with sides of Sulu and Kirk
Prompt: "McCoy/balletdancer!Chekov" over HERE
Summary: Leonard McCoy abandons his work for the UN to return home and open his own practice. He visits his daughter at the ballet, and finds himself oddly drawn to her fellow dancer, Pavel Chekov.
Notes:The only Russian used in this final section is simply a formal 'hello', and it's the best transliteration I could find, so I'm deeply sorry if it is incorrect. This part marks the end of the At the Ballet, though I also have a small companion piece called 'Everyone is Beautiful' - it's centered around the phone call from Joanna about picking up Leonard at the hotel the next day. :3
Part 1 | Part 2 | Everyone is Beautiful
Pavel uses their similar height to his advantage and presses Leonard against the hallway window. The wide ledge hits the back of Leonard's knees and he grabs hold of Pavel's arms. The room with the piano is a little ways down the hall, and while they're technically heading towards the theatre for the show's final performance, Pavel can't seem to resist pulling Leonard into every dark corner and unoccupied surface.
"Pavel," Leonard growls warningly.
He rests his arms on the cool glass to the opposite sides of Leonard's face, and leans their faces close together. "I always wanted to have sex here," he says coyly.
"We're going to miss curtain," Leonard informs him. He shoves his body forward, driving their hips and chest together for a brief moment, before forcing Pavel to stumble backwards. Pavel looks inexplicitly pleased at the development, even though Leonard ignores the heated look and starts off down the hallway again. He mutters, "Public sex is unsanitary," as if for future reference.
Pavel follows after him, breathing a soundless laugh. He waits until they pass into the next hall before sliding his hands into the back pockets of Leonard's jeans. "Also in my dressing room," he says against the side of Leonard's neck. His hands give a small squeeze. "After performance, when adrenaline is still rushing."
Leonard doesn't say anything, but his hand brushes lightly against the wall as if steady himself. This encourages Pavel, who pulls his hands from the pockets and skips ahead of Leonard. He turns to face him when they reach the stairwell and blocks the open doorway. Leonard stops in front of him, one eyebrow raised.
"You share a dressing room with my daughter," Leonard says frankly. "That fantasy is also moot."
"Moot," Pavel repeats. He smiles. "I would just like to watch you fuck me in the mirror."
There is a silence in the hall as Leonard listens to the words echo lightly in the narrow confines of the stairs. He clears his throat, takes a deep breath, and looks away. Almost thoughtfully, he runs a thumb under his lower lip. "I'm not used to this," he says, his voice gravelly and low. He seems almost shy in the low light of the hall. "I don't…" He glances at Pavel and shakes his head, leaving the thought incomplete.
"Hm," Pavel says. He reaches out and runs his knuckles across Leonard's cheek. His gaze is softer, and he examines Leonard differently than he had been a few moments before. Leonard doesn't shift uncomfortably under his gaze, and only gives him an even expression that reads, 'this is all there is, kid'. His hands flick out in a 'well?' gesture.
Pavel tugs at his wrist and then starts up the stairs, ignoring the landing for the main floor. "The balcony should be empty tonight. We can watch from there."
They climb upwards in relative silence, until Leonard mutters, "If you start off on how you want to do it in the balcony, I'm going back down."
The serious glance that Pavel gives him seems genuine enough, but Leonard still has his suspicions. "Not during performance," Pavel says solemnly, holding open the door to the balcony, "Is very rude."
Leonard heads directly for an empty chair and decides not push his luck and dignify that with an answer.
-
They part ways after the performance is finished, because Pavel is one of the dancers, and though he tries to hide it, Leonard can tell he's excited for the after party. He also grows tired of Pavel's insistence that he doesn't need to go, and literally pushes Pavel in the direction of where the cast and crew will be gathering.
He changes his mind after a moment, and spins Pavel around by the shoulder. The dancer's eyes widen and Leonard's mouth twitches into a quick smile. Firmly taking hold of Pavel's chin, he kisses him, flicking his tongue over the warm swell of Pavel's lower lip. Pavel makes a noise, something between a pleased sigh and surprised laugh, and kisses him back, eagerly. It's Leonard who breaks away when a soft gasp is echoes in the hall.
Joanna stares at them both, her hands over her mouth. Leonard feels his stomach drop, and his brain makes a leap back, to when Joanna walked in on him and Jocelyn talking about divorce for the first time. She looks the same as she did back then, staring at them like she didn't think such a thing would happen.
"Jo, I…" He swears silently to himself, because he still doesn't know what to say to her. She looks between them both and then faces Pavel. Leonard doesn't attempt to shove down the pain that rises when she turns from him.
"We’ll be having a friendly chat later," she says finally, and then winks at her father. Leonard doesn't know whether to laugh, or to cry. He bites the inside of his cheek when she steps on her tip toes in front of him, to kiss his cheek. "Call you tomorrow, Daddy?" He should know better. Pavel is her friend. She is years upon years older than she had been during the divorce.
"Yeah," Leonard says, and hugs her on impulse. She laughs and hugs him right back. "Don't drink too much tonight. Have water when you get home. Eat something."
"Yes, Daddy," she says, with mock exasperation. She gives him a little wave as she walks away.
Just as Pavel is going to follow after her, Leonard snags his sleeve and pulls him to the side. "Promise me you won't tell her details of anything," he says lowly, knowing that Joanna will ask him. He hasn't forgotten the time that he had thought Jim was talking on the phone to Uhura (a foreign translator they both know) about the intricacies of Leonard's life, before realizing that it was actually his daughter. "Keep it simple. Confide in…that Sulu kid, or something. Not my Jo."
"You do not wish to discuss things with Joanna?" Pavel's expression was all innocence. Leonard was not in the mood for it.
"Not these things." He snaps, even though he's sure that Pavel is toying with him. "Would you want to talk about sex and relationships with your mother?"
"This is not common in America?" Pavel says with surprise. Leonard stares at him and considers throwing something at his face. He doesn't have anything on hand, unfortunately, and he briefly considers punching him instead. Pavel stares back for a heartbeat and then the corners of his mouth curves up slightly. "Kidding. Thinking of saying such things to my mama makes me feel tipsy."
"Tipsy?"
Pavel waves a hand, and starts walking down the hall after Joanna. "Like going to fall over."
"Dizzy. Tipsy is when you're drinking." Leonard considers giving him a drinking reminder, too.
Pavel shrugs lazily, "Is same."
Leonard almost continues arguing, but then he remembers that he's a doctor, not a language professor. His mouth snaps shut, and he pivots on the heel of one boot, leaving in the opposite direction of the dancers. Pavel's soft laughter echoes behind him.
Leonard catches a taxi back to the hotel, only somewhat pleased to recognize the driver, if only because it means there's already an understanding to leave Leonard alone. The trip is silent, as is the exchange of money at the hotel, and Leonard is contemplating the bottle of whiskey in his suitcase when he crosses through the lobby.
"Mr. McCoy!" The receptionist steps out from behind the desk to catch his attention. "An envelope was left for you this morning."
He almost questions why he wasn't told that morning before he remembers a particular argument about age, and the need to escape outside. He nods and goes to the counter, where the receptionist gives him a small yellow envelope with his name stamped on the front. The return address indicates it's from a property leasing company in the city.
"Thanks," Leonard says absently, and tears the envelope open. Inside are a letter that he barely reads and a set of keys. He grips the latter tightly in his hand, smiling to himself, before going back outside. "Fuck," he says, and realizes that he still hasn't gotten a rental - which is just as well, as the keys and letter mean his stay is now permanent.
Permanent.
Leonard pulls his cell phone from his pocket to scroll through the contacts for the taxi number. In the middle of the list, a new number scrolls into view, labelled 'Pavel (or Hikaru)'.
He frowns, and tries to remember Pavel having his phone. After a moment, he decides it doesn't matter, and calls that number instead of the taxi company. A voice lower than Pavel's, and clearly not tinged with a Russian accent, answers after the second ring.
"Hello?"
"Sulu, it's McCoy."
"…Oh! Pavel's- uh…" He hesitates on naming their relationship and it makes Leonard wonder what they've talked about. "I mean, Joanna's fa-"
Again, Leonard makes it easy for him. "Yeah," he says, confirming anything the other man would like to believe or say. "Listen, are you busy? I need a favour."
-
Sulu shuts the car door and leans against it, shoving hands into the pockets of his jeans as he squints at Leonard. "Not that it's a big deal or anything, but is this going to become a regular thing?" He doesn't indulge in pointless chatter in the car, and would rather drive with the windows down instead of using the A/C - both of which help get him on Leonard's good side.
"No," Leonard says shortly. "Didn't get a car today. I got sidetracked."
Sulu nods like he knows, "Pavel can do that." At Leonard's look, he explains, "I just mean in general. He sort of commands attention without meaning to." Leonard grunts, not quite agreeing or disagreeing with the observation, and Sulu eyes the dark building they're parked in front of. "Do you want me to come in?"
Leonard wants to do this alone. "No. It'll take a second. I'll be right back." He jingles the keys lightly in one hand and starts up the front walk. "Don't go anywhere!"
"Yeah, yeah," Sulu says, and lights up a cigarette. Leonard wants to lecture him on cancer and second-hand smoke, but the kid's his ride, so he just shuts up and walks away.
The building is a single-level structure, with blinds across every window and a small parking lot around back. Leonard unlocks the double doors and slips inside. Immediately, there is a front desk, and a wide room with a small coat closet to the side. There are two halls, both leading to a row of doors, and Leonard peeks into each one and starts imagining where everything is going to go.
He picks a room in the back as his office, even though it's small and cramped, and was likely used for storage by the previous owner. Two of the small rooms will be made into private patient rooms, and as Leonard stares thoughtfully at the wall separating another set of small rooms, he wonders if they can be knocked out and converted into a lab. He pauses in the front lobby again - his future waiting room - on the way out, and feels a sense of satisfaction wash through him.
This is my clinic, Leonard thinks. He locks up and leaves, and has Sulu drop him off at the hotel again.
"There you go," Sulu says, once they're parked outside the front doors.
Leonard gives him a nod and gets out of the car. Then, feeling like he should properly thank him, since Sulu didn't question or complain about the random forty-minute excursion, Leonard turns and leans through the open car window.
"Hey," he says. Sulu looks up at him, away from the radio that he's playing with. "Do you have a doctor?"
"Uh, no," Sulu says slowly. He gives Leonard a look that asks him not to regret admitting it. "I've only been here for half a year, and I don't really-"
"Well, you do now," Leonard informs him. "I'll call for your medical history when my office is set up."
Sulu blinks, but doesn't offer anything more than, "…Thank you?"
"Mhm," Leonard says, and gives him a sharp nod. He goes into the hotel and, as far as he's concerned, they're even.
-
Leonard spends a good hour at CarFleet Vehicles arguing with a young salesman in a red shirt about what he wants. Redshirt, whose name Leonard didn't care enough to learn, insists on telling him the things that Leonard apparently needs, and ultimately, Leonard leaves the lot without keys to anything at all. He's on the phone with the taxi dispatcher before he sees a small dealership down the block that could easily be described as 'seedy' or 'leery'.
The dealership sign simply says 'Enterprise', but a small handmade sign in the office window reads 'naff off, CarFleet!' It's the sketchiest establishment Leonard's seen in a long time, but considering the events of the last hour, he's inclined to agree with the sign.
He hangs up on the dispatcher and walks over to the lot, wandering through the neat row of older cars. He's not into cars like Jim is, but Leonard gets the feeling that his friend would be all over the vehicles, babbling about bumpers and frames, with his face pressed to the glass to check the interior. For a moment, Leonard has the urge to talk to Jim, who has never declined his call.
Then he remembers how much Jim annoys and generally pisses him off and that if he did call him, Leonard would have to spend a frustrating amount of time trying to describe the cars to him; the make, the model, what the bumper looked like, what kind of rims, and so on.
Leonard makes his way down the row in newly appreciated isolation.
A car dealer doesn't approach Leonard, which makes him wonder if the lot is even open. He can hear the dull beat of music and he follows it around the back of the building, where he finds a three-door garage. He knocks at the small side door, determines that he's not going to be heard, and then goes in.
A man with short orange hair turns to look at him when he enters, but Leonard is looking at the amber-coloured Cadillac station wagon that is parked behind him. It's clearly an older car, either already in good shape, or in good shape as a result of repairs by the man standing before him.
The man grins and flicks off the stereo, also looking at the Cadillac. "Quite the lady, her. Haven't had the heart to put her out front, yet." His Scottish accent comes as a mild surprise to the doctor.
"You own this dealership?" Leonard asked, looking at him. The man made a face, as if offended by the term.
"Pride and joy, this place," he says simply, "Don't get the big business with the new 'dealership' down the lane, but there are drivers who know what they want, and aren't going to let a wee lad in a starched collar tell him different." Leonard smiles despite himself, and Scotty continues on, riffling through a key ring hanging on his belt. "Besides, there's nothing I can't fix that's got wheels on it," he shoots another grin Leonard's way.
"Does it run?" Leonard asks, to the point. He joins the Scotsman in front of the car, trying to imagine himself driving it. It's surprisingly easy. He used to drive a Chevy just like it, back in what now seems like another lifetime.
"Wouldn't sell her to you if she didn't." The man slants a glance his direction, "And you do intend on giving her a nice home, aye?"
Leonard feels like he's trying to take out this man's daughter, and it's a ridiculous feeling. However, he still replies with a lazy, "Yessir." As an after thought, he sticks out his hand and says, "McCoy."
The man shakes his hand and says, "Scotty," in a tone that dares him to make a joke of it. Leonard doesn't bother, because it's a waste of time, and he hasn't bought the car quite yet. This makes Scotty nod with satisfaction. "She's unlocked if you want to meet her. I'll go grab the lady's papers."
Scotty leaves the garage, presumably heading to the office, and Leonard slides behind the wheel of the station wagon. He smoothes his palms over the leather stitching on the steering wheel, and for the first time in a long time, he feels like he's actually gaining some sort of control over his life.
-
Leonard drops in on Pavel the next afternoon, and feels appropriately pleased by the younger man's reaction to his new car and the easy way he sprawls in the front passenger seat. Pavel plays with the dials and radio, and they pick up Joanna for an early dinner. Hangovers, Leonard notes, are no where in sight, but Joanna chatters on about everything that happened the night before and asks questions about his night with a vague hope in her eyes.
Leonard explains about the practice, and only drives by his new clinic building, even though he wants to stop and show it off like he knows that Jim would. He is barely able to look at his daughter's face in the rear view mirror when he tells her the news, even though she looks happy. The ever-present guilt and the ache of lost time rolls through him, and it must be noticeable, because Pavel feels the need to wrap a reassuring hand over his clenched fist.
They pull into the lot of a waffle house, and Leonard parks near the back fence, ever paranoid about other drivers and their reckless habits. Joanna hugs him from behind once they've stopped, her arms pinning him across the shoulders.
"I'm so glad," she says quietly, and Leonard squeezes her arm, unable to hug her back. "I was so tired of saying good bye."
"Jo," Leonard says clumsily. "We never say 'good bye'." Out of the corner of his eye, he can see Pavel looking determinedly out the window, at the birds, or the fence, or something he's not really interested in looking at.
"I wasn't talking about words, Daddy," Joanna says. They look at each other in the mirror and Leonard swallows almost painfully.
"I guess," he says, unable to handle the moment any longer, "I just need to get a place to stay, now."
Joanna laughs at this, and leans around the chair to kiss him on the cheek. "Oh, just move in with Pavel. I'm sure Hikaru won't mind." She releases her hold on him and climbs out of the car. "I'll get a table!"
Pavel raises his hands when Leonard looks over at him. "There were no details."
Leonard's phone rings, and cuts off his reply to Pavel. He makes a face, looking at the caller ID for once, and then answers. "What?"
"Hey Bones! I hear you're getting hot and heavy with a Russian - she's a blonde, right? Is her name Svetlana?"
Leonard is a little more than mortified that in the small space of the car, Pavel can hear every word. "My god, man, will you shut up? Who have you been talking to?" He wishes that for once, he could have a normal conversation with Jim.
"I'll never reveal my sources," Jim says, with a smugness that makes Leonard grit his teeth, especially as the next thing Jim does is exactly that. "Though, I have to say, some McCoys answer your phone with actual greetings and inquires to my health and well being. I am, by the way, fine, but aching for your loving grumbles."
Pavel raises an eyebrow at this, and Leonard snarls into the phone, "You talked to my daughter? When?"
"Somewhere after dinner but before pie, if I recall. If you don't want your kid to helpfully answer your phone while you're in the little doctor's room, then you shouldn't leave it at the table. But back to the Russian, Bones - Joanna didn't say anything except 'blond Russian' and I know you don't like me bothering her for info, which is fine, because I'd rather bother you, so-"
Leonard makes a strangled noise and doesn't put up a fight when Pavel takes the phone from his hand.
"Zdrastvuytye," Pavel says smoothly into the phone. He rests a hand along the curve of Leonard's neck. Leonard doesn't know what he just said, but there's something in his expression that makes Leonard suspect he's up to something.
"What? Oh! Hey, is this-"
"Da," Pavel says, "And he would like you to know that Leonard's 'loving grumbles' are his, now."
Jim doesn't miss a beat. "Wow, possessive. Didn't know Bones was the type. Makes sense, I guess. Hey - are you really a ballerina?"
A muscle twitches in Pavel's cheek, "A 'danseur,' yes." The word sounds strange with his accent. "Is there anything else you wished to speak to Leonard about?"
"Yeah, but I guess he's not going to tell me if you're standing there just looking at him."
"We are not standing," Pavel says, causing Leonard to make another noise, "And I am not 'just' looking at him." He curls his fingers around Leonard's neck almost absently as he says this.
This time, Jim does pause. "…Right now? Really? That's kinda hot."
"Have a good day, Mr. Kirk." Pavel snaps the phone shut without waiting for a reply, and then smiles at Leonard.
"Now, what'd you go and do that for?" Leonard asks. He knows Jim will question him about it the next time he calls.
Pavel kisses him sweetly, and opens his car door to get out. "It will keep him warm at night."
Leonard finally pulls the keys from the ignition and gets out of the car as well. "That's all I need…what're you doing?"
Pavel looks up from Leonard's phone. "Putting my number in here, but I see you already have it?"
"Didn't you put it there?" Leonard asks.
Pavel shakes his head, "Forgot to."
Leonard thinks of how Jim came to know about his new relationship, and glances suspiciously at the waffle house. Pavel does the same thing, and, to Leonard's surprise, actually blushes.
"She knew?" Pavel murmurs.
"Hell if I know," Leonard says, before deciding he doesn't care. They walk through the restaurant doors together, and sit down to a dinner of entirely too many waffles.
Fin.
Author: rosivan
Rating: PG
Pairing/Characters: McCoy/Chekov, Joanna McCoy, with sides of Sulu and Kirk
Prompt: "McCoy/balletdancer!Chekov" over HERE
Summary: Leonard McCoy abandons his work for the UN to return home and open his own practice. He visits his daughter at the ballet, and finds himself oddly drawn to her fellow dancer, Pavel Chekov.
Notes:The only Russian used in this final section is simply a formal 'hello', and it's the best transliteration I could find, so I'm deeply sorry if it is incorrect. This part marks the end of the At the Ballet, though I also have a small companion piece called 'Everyone is Beautiful' - it's centered around the phone call from Joanna about picking up Leonard at the hotel the next day. :3
Part 1 | Part 2 | Everyone is Beautiful
Pavel uses their similar height to his advantage and presses Leonard against the hallway window. The wide ledge hits the back of Leonard's knees and he grabs hold of Pavel's arms. The room with the piano is a little ways down the hall, and while they're technically heading towards the theatre for the show's final performance, Pavel can't seem to resist pulling Leonard into every dark corner and unoccupied surface.
"Pavel," Leonard growls warningly.
He rests his arms on the cool glass to the opposite sides of Leonard's face, and leans their faces close together. "I always wanted to have sex here," he says coyly.
"We're going to miss curtain," Leonard informs him. He shoves his body forward, driving their hips and chest together for a brief moment, before forcing Pavel to stumble backwards. Pavel looks inexplicitly pleased at the development, even though Leonard ignores the heated look and starts off down the hallway again. He mutters, "Public sex is unsanitary," as if for future reference.
Pavel follows after him, breathing a soundless laugh. He waits until they pass into the next hall before sliding his hands into the back pockets of Leonard's jeans. "Also in my dressing room," he says against the side of Leonard's neck. His hands give a small squeeze. "After performance, when adrenaline is still rushing."
Leonard doesn't say anything, but his hand brushes lightly against the wall as if steady himself. This encourages Pavel, who pulls his hands from the pockets and skips ahead of Leonard. He turns to face him when they reach the stairwell and blocks the open doorway. Leonard stops in front of him, one eyebrow raised.
"You share a dressing room with my daughter," Leonard says frankly. "That fantasy is also moot."
"Moot," Pavel repeats. He smiles. "I would just like to watch you fuck me in the mirror."
There is a silence in the hall as Leonard listens to the words echo lightly in the narrow confines of the stairs. He clears his throat, takes a deep breath, and looks away. Almost thoughtfully, he runs a thumb under his lower lip. "I'm not used to this," he says, his voice gravelly and low. He seems almost shy in the low light of the hall. "I don't…" He glances at Pavel and shakes his head, leaving the thought incomplete.
"Hm," Pavel says. He reaches out and runs his knuckles across Leonard's cheek. His gaze is softer, and he examines Leonard differently than he had been a few moments before. Leonard doesn't shift uncomfortably under his gaze, and only gives him an even expression that reads, 'this is all there is, kid'. His hands flick out in a 'well?' gesture.
Pavel tugs at his wrist and then starts up the stairs, ignoring the landing for the main floor. "The balcony should be empty tonight. We can watch from there."
They climb upwards in relative silence, until Leonard mutters, "If you start off on how you want to do it in the balcony, I'm going back down."
The serious glance that Pavel gives him seems genuine enough, but Leonard still has his suspicions. "Not during performance," Pavel says solemnly, holding open the door to the balcony, "Is very rude."
Leonard heads directly for an empty chair and decides not push his luck and dignify that with an answer.
-
They part ways after the performance is finished, because Pavel is one of the dancers, and though he tries to hide it, Leonard can tell he's excited for the after party. He also grows tired of Pavel's insistence that he doesn't need to go, and literally pushes Pavel in the direction of where the cast and crew will be gathering.
He changes his mind after a moment, and spins Pavel around by the shoulder. The dancer's eyes widen and Leonard's mouth twitches into a quick smile. Firmly taking hold of Pavel's chin, he kisses him, flicking his tongue over the warm swell of Pavel's lower lip. Pavel makes a noise, something between a pleased sigh and surprised laugh, and kisses him back, eagerly. It's Leonard who breaks away when a soft gasp is echoes in the hall.
Joanna stares at them both, her hands over her mouth. Leonard feels his stomach drop, and his brain makes a leap back, to when Joanna walked in on him and Jocelyn talking about divorce for the first time. She looks the same as she did back then, staring at them like she didn't think such a thing would happen.
"Jo, I…" He swears silently to himself, because he still doesn't know what to say to her. She looks between them both and then faces Pavel. Leonard doesn't attempt to shove down the pain that rises when she turns from him.
"We’ll be having a friendly chat later," she says finally, and then winks at her father. Leonard doesn't know whether to laugh, or to cry. He bites the inside of his cheek when she steps on her tip toes in front of him, to kiss his cheek. "Call you tomorrow, Daddy?" He should know better. Pavel is her friend. She is years upon years older than she had been during the divorce.
"Yeah," Leonard says, and hugs her on impulse. She laughs and hugs him right back. "Don't drink too much tonight. Have water when you get home. Eat something."
"Yes, Daddy," she says, with mock exasperation. She gives him a little wave as she walks away.
Just as Pavel is going to follow after her, Leonard snags his sleeve and pulls him to the side. "Promise me you won't tell her details of anything," he says lowly, knowing that Joanna will ask him. He hasn't forgotten the time that he had thought Jim was talking on the phone to Uhura (a foreign translator they both know) about the intricacies of Leonard's life, before realizing that it was actually his daughter. "Keep it simple. Confide in…that Sulu kid, or something. Not my Jo."
"You do not wish to discuss things with Joanna?" Pavel's expression was all innocence. Leonard was not in the mood for it.
"Not these things." He snaps, even though he's sure that Pavel is toying with him. "Would you want to talk about sex and relationships with your mother?"
"This is not common in America?" Pavel says with surprise. Leonard stares at him and considers throwing something at his face. He doesn't have anything on hand, unfortunately, and he briefly considers punching him instead. Pavel stares back for a heartbeat and then the corners of his mouth curves up slightly. "Kidding. Thinking of saying such things to my mama makes me feel tipsy."
"Tipsy?"
Pavel waves a hand, and starts walking down the hall after Joanna. "Like going to fall over."
"Dizzy. Tipsy is when you're drinking." Leonard considers giving him a drinking reminder, too.
Pavel shrugs lazily, "Is same."
Leonard almost continues arguing, but then he remembers that he's a doctor, not a language professor. His mouth snaps shut, and he pivots on the heel of one boot, leaving in the opposite direction of the dancers. Pavel's soft laughter echoes behind him.
Leonard catches a taxi back to the hotel, only somewhat pleased to recognize the driver, if only because it means there's already an understanding to leave Leonard alone. The trip is silent, as is the exchange of money at the hotel, and Leonard is contemplating the bottle of whiskey in his suitcase when he crosses through the lobby.
"Mr. McCoy!" The receptionist steps out from behind the desk to catch his attention. "An envelope was left for you this morning."
He almost questions why he wasn't told that morning before he remembers a particular argument about age, and the need to escape outside. He nods and goes to the counter, where the receptionist gives him a small yellow envelope with his name stamped on the front. The return address indicates it's from a property leasing company in the city.
"Thanks," Leonard says absently, and tears the envelope open. Inside are a letter that he barely reads and a set of keys. He grips the latter tightly in his hand, smiling to himself, before going back outside. "Fuck," he says, and realizes that he still hasn't gotten a rental - which is just as well, as the keys and letter mean his stay is now permanent.
Permanent.
Leonard pulls his cell phone from his pocket to scroll through the contacts for the taxi number. In the middle of the list, a new number scrolls into view, labelled 'Pavel (or Hikaru)'.
He frowns, and tries to remember Pavel having his phone. After a moment, he decides it doesn't matter, and calls that number instead of the taxi company. A voice lower than Pavel's, and clearly not tinged with a Russian accent, answers after the second ring.
"Hello?"
"Sulu, it's McCoy."
"…Oh! Pavel's- uh…" He hesitates on naming their relationship and it makes Leonard wonder what they've talked about. "I mean, Joanna's fa-"
Again, Leonard makes it easy for him. "Yeah," he says, confirming anything the other man would like to believe or say. "Listen, are you busy? I need a favour."
-
Sulu shuts the car door and leans against it, shoving hands into the pockets of his jeans as he squints at Leonard. "Not that it's a big deal or anything, but is this going to become a regular thing?" He doesn't indulge in pointless chatter in the car, and would rather drive with the windows down instead of using the A/C - both of which help get him on Leonard's good side.
"No," Leonard says shortly. "Didn't get a car today. I got sidetracked."
Sulu nods like he knows, "Pavel can do that." At Leonard's look, he explains, "I just mean in general. He sort of commands attention without meaning to." Leonard grunts, not quite agreeing or disagreeing with the observation, and Sulu eyes the dark building they're parked in front of. "Do you want me to come in?"
Leonard wants to do this alone. "No. It'll take a second. I'll be right back." He jingles the keys lightly in one hand and starts up the front walk. "Don't go anywhere!"
"Yeah, yeah," Sulu says, and lights up a cigarette. Leonard wants to lecture him on cancer and second-hand smoke, but the kid's his ride, so he just shuts up and walks away.
The building is a single-level structure, with blinds across every window and a small parking lot around back. Leonard unlocks the double doors and slips inside. Immediately, there is a front desk, and a wide room with a small coat closet to the side. There are two halls, both leading to a row of doors, and Leonard peeks into each one and starts imagining where everything is going to go.
He picks a room in the back as his office, even though it's small and cramped, and was likely used for storage by the previous owner. Two of the small rooms will be made into private patient rooms, and as Leonard stares thoughtfully at the wall separating another set of small rooms, he wonders if they can be knocked out and converted into a lab. He pauses in the front lobby again - his future waiting room - on the way out, and feels a sense of satisfaction wash through him.
This is my clinic, Leonard thinks. He locks up and leaves, and has Sulu drop him off at the hotel again.
"There you go," Sulu says, once they're parked outside the front doors.
Leonard gives him a nod and gets out of the car. Then, feeling like he should properly thank him, since Sulu didn't question or complain about the random forty-minute excursion, Leonard turns and leans through the open car window.
"Hey," he says. Sulu looks up at him, away from the radio that he's playing with. "Do you have a doctor?"
"Uh, no," Sulu says slowly. He gives Leonard a look that asks him not to regret admitting it. "I've only been here for half a year, and I don't really-"
"Well, you do now," Leonard informs him. "I'll call for your medical history when my office is set up."
Sulu blinks, but doesn't offer anything more than, "…Thank you?"
"Mhm," Leonard says, and gives him a sharp nod. He goes into the hotel and, as far as he's concerned, they're even.
-
Leonard spends a good hour at CarFleet Vehicles arguing with a young salesman in a red shirt about what he wants. Redshirt, whose name Leonard didn't care enough to learn, insists on telling him the things that Leonard apparently needs, and ultimately, Leonard leaves the lot without keys to anything at all. He's on the phone with the taxi dispatcher before he sees a small dealership down the block that could easily be described as 'seedy' or 'leery'.
The dealership sign simply says 'Enterprise', but a small handmade sign in the office window reads 'naff off, CarFleet!' It's the sketchiest establishment Leonard's seen in a long time, but considering the events of the last hour, he's inclined to agree with the sign.
He hangs up on the dispatcher and walks over to the lot, wandering through the neat row of older cars. He's not into cars like Jim is, but Leonard gets the feeling that his friend would be all over the vehicles, babbling about bumpers and frames, with his face pressed to the glass to check the interior. For a moment, Leonard has the urge to talk to Jim, who has never declined his call.
Then he remembers how much Jim annoys and generally pisses him off and that if he did call him, Leonard would have to spend a frustrating amount of time trying to describe the cars to him; the make, the model, what the bumper looked like, what kind of rims, and so on.
Leonard makes his way down the row in newly appreciated isolation.
A car dealer doesn't approach Leonard, which makes him wonder if the lot is even open. He can hear the dull beat of music and he follows it around the back of the building, where he finds a three-door garage. He knocks at the small side door, determines that he's not going to be heard, and then goes in.
A man with short orange hair turns to look at him when he enters, but Leonard is looking at the amber-coloured Cadillac station wagon that is parked behind him. It's clearly an older car, either already in good shape, or in good shape as a result of repairs by the man standing before him.
The man grins and flicks off the stereo, also looking at the Cadillac. "Quite the lady, her. Haven't had the heart to put her out front, yet." His Scottish accent comes as a mild surprise to the doctor.
"You own this dealership?" Leonard asked, looking at him. The man made a face, as if offended by the term.
"Pride and joy, this place," he says simply, "Don't get the big business with the new 'dealership' down the lane, but there are drivers who know what they want, and aren't going to let a wee lad in a starched collar tell him different." Leonard smiles despite himself, and Scotty continues on, riffling through a key ring hanging on his belt. "Besides, there's nothing I can't fix that's got wheels on it," he shoots another grin Leonard's way.
"Does it run?" Leonard asks, to the point. He joins the Scotsman in front of the car, trying to imagine himself driving it. It's surprisingly easy. He used to drive a Chevy just like it, back in what now seems like another lifetime.
"Wouldn't sell her to you if she didn't." The man slants a glance his direction, "And you do intend on giving her a nice home, aye?"
Leonard feels like he's trying to take out this man's daughter, and it's a ridiculous feeling. However, he still replies with a lazy, "Yessir." As an after thought, he sticks out his hand and says, "McCoy."
The man shakes his hand and says, "Scotty," in a tone that dares him to make a joke of it. Leonard doesn't bother, because it's a waste of time, and he hasn't bought the car quite yet. This makes Scotty nod with satisfaction. "She's unlocked if you want to meet her. I'll go grab the lady's papers."
Scotty leaves the garage, presumably heading to the office, and Leonard slides behind the wheel of the station wagon. He smoothes his palms over the leather stitching on the steering wheel, and for the first time in a long time, he feels like he's actually gaining some sort of control over his life.
-
Leonard drops in on Pavel the next afternoon, and feels appropriately pleased by the younger man's reaction to his new car and the easy way he sprawls in the front passenger seat. Pavel plays with the dials and radio, and they pick up Joanna for an early dinner. Hangovers, Leonard notes, are no where in sight, but Joanna chatters on about everything that happened the night before and asks questions about his night with a vague hope in her eyes.
Leonard explains about the practice, and only drives by his new clinic building, even though he wants to stop and show it off like he knows that Jim would. He is barely able to look at his daughter's face in the rear view mirror when he tells her the news, even though she looks happy. The ever-present guilt and the ache of lost time rolls through him, and it must be noticeable, because Pavel feels the need to wrap a reassuring hand over his clenched fist.
They pull into the lot of a waffle house, and Leonard parks near the back fence, ever paranoid about other drivers and their reckless habits. Joanna hugs him from behind once they've stopped, her arms pinning him across the shoulders.
"I'm so glad," she says quietly, and Leonard squeezes her arm, unable to hug her back. "I was so tired of saying good bye."
"Jo," Leonard says clumsily. "We never say 'good bye'." Out of the corner of his eye, he can see Pavel looking determinedly out the window, at the birds, or the fence, or something he's not really interested in looking at.
"I wasn't talking about words, Daddy," Joanna says. They look at each other in the mirror and Leonard swallows almost painfully.
"I guess," he says, unable to handle the moment any longer, "I just need to get a place to stay, now."
Joanna laughs at this, and leans around the chair to kiss him on the cheek. "Oh, just move in with Pavel. I'm sure Hikaru won't mind." She releases her hold on him and climbs out of the car. "I'll get a table!"
Pavel raises his hands when Leonard looks over at him. "There were no details."
Leonard's phone rings, and cuts off his reply to Pavel. He makes a face, looking at the caller ID for once, and then answers. "What?"
"Hey Bones! I hear you're getting hot and heavy with a Russian - she's a blonde, right? Is her name Svetlana?"
Leonard is a little more than mortified that in the small space of the car, Pavel can hear every word. "My god, man, will you shut up? Who have you been talking to?" He wishes that for once, he could have a normal conversation with Jim.
"I'll never reveal my sources," Jim says, with a smugness that makes Leonard grit his teeth, especially as the next thing Jim does is exactly that. "Though, I have to say, some McCoys answer your phone with actual greetings and inquires to my health and well being. I am, by the way, fine, but aching for your loving grumbles."
Pavel raises an eyebrow at this, and Leonard snarls into the phone, "You talked to my daughter? When?"
"Somewhere after dinner but before pie, if I recall. If you don't want your kid to helpfully answer your phone while you're in the little doctor's room, then you shouldn't leave it at the table. But back to the Russian, Bones - Joanna didn't say anything except 'blond Russian' and I know you don't like me bothering her for info, which is fine, because I'd rather bother you, so-"
Leonard makes a strangled noise and doesn't put up a fight when Pavel takes the phone from his hand.
"Zdrastvuytye," Pavel says smoothly into the phone. He rests a hand along the curve of Leonard's neck. Leonard doesn't know what he just said, but there's something in his expression that makes Leonard suspect he's up to something.
"What? Oh! Hey, is this-"
"Da," Pavel says, "And he would like you to know that Leonard's 'loving grumbles' are his, now."
Jim doesn't miss a beat. "Wow, possessive. Didn't know Bones was the type. Makes sense, I guess. Hey - are you really a ballerina?"
A muscle twitches in Pavel's cheek, "A 'danseur,' yes." The word sounds strange with his accent. "Is there anything else you wished to speak to Leonard about?"
"Yeah, but I guess he's not going to tell me if you're standing there just looking at him."
"We are not standing," Pavel says, causing Leonard to make another noise, "And I am not 'just' looking at him." He curls his fingers around Leonard's neck almost absently as he says this.
This time, Jim does pause. "…Right now? Really? That's kinda hot."
"Have a good day, Mr. Kirk." Pavel snaps the phone shut without waiting for a reply, and then smiles at Leonard.
"Now, what'd you go and do that for?" Leonard asks. He knows Jim will question him about it the next time he calls.
Pavel kisses him sweetly, and opens his car door to get out. "It will keep him warm at night."
Leonard finally pulls the keys from the ignition and gets out of the car as well. "That's all I need…what're you doing?"
Pavel looks up from Leonard's phone. "Putting my number in here, but I see you already have it?"
"Didn't you put it there?" Leonard asks.
Pavel shakes his head, "Forgot to."
Leonard thinks of how Jim came to know about his new relationship, and glances suspiciously at the waffle house. Pavel does the same thing, and, to Leonard's surprise, actually blushes.
"She knew?" Pavel murmurs.
"Hell if I know," Leonard says, before deciding he doesn't care. They walk through the restaurant doors together, and sit down to a dinner of entirely too many waffles.
Fin.