A/N: Written for September 15 daily post, during jim_and_bones comment!fic challenge. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but this silly piece of writing.
Paling Pictures
It came as a surprise to everyone on the Enterprise when the photoseries came up in some cheesy tabloids.
James Tiberius Kirk - A Photo Model! Read More At Page 58 - 62! announced the headlines on the front page. And of course, half of the Enterprise crew just had to purchase a copy of that.
The pictures ranged from portaits of the man who was their Captain now to body part studies; various poses, expressions, make-up, costumes...
One set of pictures is portaying Jim as a masqueraded gentleman from 18th century - only his blue eyes giving away it's him.
Another set shows Jim as a hippie; the peace signs present on every single piece of his clothing, his hair long, his face unshaved - but there is a big smile playing on his lips, adding a cheerful feel to that one.
Pictures of Jim in various uniforms follow - there is Jim in uniform of Soviet Officer, Jim in ANZAC uniform, Jim in British uniform... Uniforms really fitted Jim as a glove, sighed dreamily half of the crew.
Then there is one which is deeply disturbing - Jim is looking as if he hadn't eaten for weeks, if not months; he's dirty, dressed in something several crewmembers identified as the clothing which had been worn by prisoners in German concentration camps during second world war. It made Bones uneasy, the void in Jim's eyes, the hollowness of his cheeks, especially since he looked younger in those shots. Younger than anyone should be, when taking pictures like these.
And then there is one last picture, obviously the last one Jim ever sat as a model to - it doesn't even really look like him. His hair are dyed to darker colour, he's once again unshaved, although this time it seems more like a coincidence instead of intention. It's probably the least prepared shot, but to Leonard it's also one of the most valuable - Jim's emotions naked in the set of his eyes, in the way his hands are clasped together in his lap, as if he was about to pray and the photographer had interrupted him.
The whole article is finished with "all those pictures had been auctioned and the profits donated to organization helping to families of those Starfleet members who died on duty." And suddenly, the last picture made sense. You never know when the bells is going to toll for those you love - all you can do is to sit, and pray for their safe return.