Prompt: Kirk, McCoy - pretending to be married for a mission.

Successful Negotiations

″Quit bitching and put the damn ring on!″

Leonard narrowed his eyes and scowled ferociously at Jim. ″This is a damn fool idea and I don't want any part in it.″

″Too bad.″ Jim grabbed Leonard's left hand, resisted his attempts to yank it back, and began pressing the wide gold band onto Leonard's ring finger. Leonard curled his hand into a fist, effectively stopping the ring's progress. ″Bones, we need to transport down in seven minutes, and we need to be married when we do or else we will be refused access to the High Priest and Priestess.″

Bones pressed his lips into a thin line, but didn't interrupt. ″This is the closest somewhat-friendly planet to Romulan space and we need their permission station surveillance drones in their territory to monitor potential threats.″

″And what does being married have to do with negotiations?″ Despite Leonard's continued questioning, he'd loosed his fist enough to allow Jim to slip the ring the rest of the way into place.

Jim smiled. It was a perfect fit.

″According to Uhura, in their culture, one is not an adult until marriage. They cannot live outside their parents' home, own property of any kind, or enter into any contracts until they are married. No one is permitted to even speak to the High Priest or Priestess until their marriage ceremony.″Jim watched Leonard stare down at his hand. "We've been together for years, Bones, and friends longer than that. Why is this so hard for you?"

Leonard eyed the band on his finger, his thumb spinning the ring of metal around and around. ″Never planned on being married again.″

Jim raised his eyebrows. ″Never?″

″Nope. Doesn't suit.″ Leonard's voice was gruff and clipped. He didn't meet Jim's eyes.

″Hmm.″ Jim's lips quirked into a small smile.

″What's that supposed to mean?″

″Just thinking.″

″That never ends well.″ Bones rolled his eyes with this pronouncement. He'd stopped fussing with the ring.

″Such little respect for your captain.″

″I know you too damn well and we're already in enough trouble as it is. What's going through that head of yours?″

″Oh I was just thinking that it's good to have a goal. Beyond successful negotiations, that is.″

Bones eyed him suspiciously. ″And that goal would be?″

Jim checked the time and grabbed the small black box that had held Leonard's ring. He opened it again and removed a second gold band, placing it on his own finger without complaint after setting the box, still open, back down on his desk in front of Leonard. Jim stepped out from behind the desk, clapping Leonard on the shoulder as he passed.

″Answer the question you-″ Leonard froze, breath caught in his throat as his eyes fell on the inscription written in the inside lid of the box. JTK and LHM.

Noting Leonard's shock, Jim laughed softly. ″I'm going to change your mind, Bones.″

Then he left the room, whistling, while Leonard stared after him, at a loss for words.