There was no separating him from being the captain in this though - it was ship, and when he was on it, he was captain. Regardless of his state, there would be no excuses and besides. He didn't want to bond with someone random on the ship either. He was aching, but he was not desperate by any means - at least, not yet. More than that, it hurt that Bones would think he would just throw himself at anyone who happened to walk in with the right pheromones.

"Why is it ridiculous?" Kirk asked, need and hurt lacing together, reaching out to grip Bones' wrist, just that simple contact alone enough to send heat racing through him, eliciting a hiss between his teeth.