Jim was absolutely known for his big mouth, his bending of the rules, and his ever charming demeanor that either got him a trip back to private quarters or a smack in the face— he was fine with either by now, and sometimes both.

Which is why he insisted that it was just in his nature, when he saw you, to pull himself into the spot next to you with a signature grin. Starfleet had made changes in his life, none that he would like to really admit, but this was something that was entirely— what Leonard liked to call— the Kirk effect.

That night had gone just about how most did for Jim— a bit of back and forth, then pulled into a fight, but this time leaving behind the person of his dreams— an exaggeration? Probably, but he insisted that this time it was different.

And it was, because, from that night, he had been captivated with you. The image of you in the bar passing through his mind as he considered what you might be up to, he tried to picture what kind of person you might be. Were you a cadet? How had hr not noticed if you were? Maybe, you were simply a visitor, or even just a citizen of San Francisco.

Never had he been drove so crazy over someone he had only seen once, someone who didn’t even tell him their name. Leonard was tired of hearing it, Jim was tired of yearning for it. It seemed like he wouldn’t be pleased with anything until he found you again.

Then, it happened. He was walking back to his dorm room after doing something he should not have been doing, but he knew was technically for a good cause— not the point, he shook his head, his eyes landing across the way on you.

He felt his heart stop, pausing in his steps before they took him forward into a fast paced walk towards you, his body as desperate as his heart and mind to be close to you. A grin plastered itself across his face easily as he swooped in beside you, feigning nonchalance.

“Well, well, well,” he spoke, “if it isn’t my favorite whiskey drinker.” He teased, recalling your order from the night at the bar.

“Can’t believe you left me without a hint that you went to Starfleet, gonna tell me your name now that I’ve found you?”