Small things.

[dr_blake]

Blake had kept his space as Jim rested. Occasionally he would peak in to see Leonard sleeping in the room, surrounded by the other two, and then he would leave to take care of the rest of sickbay. They were slowly shaking off the injuries from the attack; hopefully everyone would be on their feet by the time they got to the colony

Comments

[genius_level]

He'd slept for two days, and yet he was still exhausted. Jim had been relieved when M'Benga had agreed to Bones' plan and had released him and Olivia from Sickbay. Granted, Olivia still needed the incubator, at least while she was sleeping, but Jim was able to relax once they were all in their familiar rooms in a way he hadn't since he woke up that first day. They were home

[dr_blake]

Blake was busy right up until the end of shift, taking care of people who thought they were above simple antibiotics in this day and age, but Loki was still lurking. "Your boy sent his reply," Loki said, PADD balanced against his hip, coffee cup in his other hand. "We can go over as soon as you're done laboring."

So they did. Blake grabbed his cane from his office, and they walked down to the captain's quarters, Loki musing the entire time on what he should get for Darcy when they finally got to the colony.

"Perhaps she could join us for leave," Blake finally said before he reached out to press the buzzer at the door, and Loki said nothing, adjusting one of the leather straps over his arm.

[genius_level]

He heard the first quiet whimper right after he sent the message and walked over to the open nursery door. Olivia was squirming in the incubator, and when he reached her he looked down and saw wide blue eyes blinking up at him, tears threatening. "Sssh," he murmured, reaching down to pick her up. "I'm here." He still felt awkward as he scooped her against his chest and walked over to the changing table. "Let's see if we can let your Daddy sleep a little while, yeah? He's been so busy, taking care of both of us." He knew there was a baby monitor in the bedroom, but he hoped Bones was sleeping soundly this time

[dr_blake]

He saw Jim first, and then the tiny bundle in his arms, and Blake smiled. "It looks like you know what you're doing," he said as he walked over. "How long has she been awake?"

Loki rushed out ahead of him, sweeping around Jim so he could get a good look at the baby. Blake watched as Loki leveled one long, appraising stare at the girl before he smiled, something small and enigmatic, and stepped back.

[genius_level]

"I'm half terrified I'll drop her," Jim admitted, lips curving in a half smile as he greeted them. "She woke up a few minutes ago." He stopped where he was when Loki swept forward for a look. Bemused by the smile on the god's face, Jim shifted Olivia, holding her securely against him, and nodded toward the sofa and chairs. "Make yourselves comfortable. I'm just going to get her bottle."

He hesitated, realizing it would be easier if he had both hands free, and looked over at Thor. "Um... would you like to hold her?"

[dr_blake]

"Of course." He propped the cane against the side of the sofa before accepting Olivia gently, and taking a slow seat while he got her comfortable. "...she's healthy."

Loki sat beside him, leaning over his shoulder. "The twins were bigger than her," he said quietly. When Jim came back with the bottle, Loki looked up to catch his eye, "And you seem to have no trouble walking around, either."

[genius_level]

He watched his father settle Olivia in his arms, then retrieved the bottle. Jim met Loki's gaze as he returned and snorted when he realized what he was saying. "I'm sore enough," he admitted, folding himself slowly onto the sofa next to them. "But no, walking isn't really a problem, I'm happy to say. Bending is still a little uncomfortable." Using his shoulder, too, on the side where he'd been stabbed. But it was manageable with just mild pain medication.

Jim fell silent at that, remembering the fate of Loki's twins. "She's getting healthy," he agreed. "I know she'll need the incubator for a while yet, but hopefully not long. She eats well." He laughed then, holding up the bottle. "You'll see," he explained, reaching over to offer her the bottle of formula. "Time for a snack, sweetheart," he murmured, watching her take hold and start to suck.

[dr_blake]

All of this reminded him of why he always came back to Midgard: to see new life like this, a new generation taking hold. Children were always the exception in Asgard, one or two sprinkled through the ranks every decade or so, and then they were adults before the next winter came.

"Your brother would never stop eating - it worried your mother for a while," he said as he steadied the bottle with his hand, "but there's no problem here. She'll be twice the size before you know it."

[genius_level]

"Yeah?" He grinned a little, remembering. "He always could put away more food than me... and he never got sick. Mom used to say he had a cast-iron stomach." Jim looked at Olivia, pleased with the assessment. "I hope so," he said, watching her blink up at Thor.

His smile faded as he recalled the circumstances of her birth, and Jim was quiet for a long moment before speaking again. "Thank you," he said at last, his voice low. "What you did for her, for me..." He reached out to wipe a stray drop of formula from Olivia's chin, focusing intently on her and not sure how to finish that sentence. If he even could, around the lump that had settled in his throat.

[dr_blake]

"I would do it again, and more, if I could. You already know that, Jim." Blake glanced up, looking at Jim, wanting to make sure this young man truly understood his resolve in his words

[genius_level]

He supposed he did. Maybe Jim had always known, on some level, or maybe having Olivia made him realize there was little he wouldn't do to keep her safe. Meeting his father's eyes, Jim nodded, slowly, recognizing that same resolve in his voice. "I'm glad you're here, for however long this time..." He glanced away, then met that steady blue gaze again. "I'd like to know you better."

Jim looked up when Loki spoke, watching him look in on Bones with a wary expression. "Good enough for what?" he asked, looking between them, then went still when he saw the bright glow of the magic. What the hell? He blinked, black spots dancing before his eyes when the bright flash of light subsided, and looked over to check Olivia. She hadn't been impressed by the bright light and was fussing in Blake's arms, the empty bottle forgotten.

"A shield?" Jim stared at the small, round piece of armor, reaching out to take it in his hand. He studied the intricate design on the surface, the gold and platinum polished bright. He looked up at Loki. "For Olivia?"

[dr_blake]

"Well, it's a bit small for you, isn't it?" Loki snapped back as he folded to sit cross-legged on the carpet. "Besides, what would you need with a shield, when you have an entire star ship?" Blake couldn't quite figure out whether Loki was annoyed, mischievous, neither, or both, but he did know that children tended to bring out the strangest in him. At least all the furniture was still where it should be.

He set the empty bottle aside and shifted her in his arms--"Loki."--and caught the plain cream-colored cloth that Loki threw his way, drawn from the same astral space. After tossing the cloth over his shoulder, he gently held Olivia up, patting her back. It all felt so...familiar. "It's traditional to give a shield," he told Jim, "and if we were in Asgard, she would receive a ship as well."

[genius_level]

On another day, when he was at one hundred percent, Jim might be faster to adapt to Loki's mercurial temperament. Today, though, he didn't rise to the bait, instead studying the shield a while longer as Blake explained the custom to him. "We'll have to choose a special place for this, then. It should be displayed... maybe on the wall in the nursery." He nodded at both of them, his lips curving in a slight smile. "Thank you."

He watched his father burp Olivia, his movements smooth with the ease of practice. "How long does it take?" he asked, curious. "To get used to the idea that she won't break, I mean." Jim knew she was stronger than she looked, but he still felt clumsy sometimes, she was so small.

[dr_blake]

His smile was faint, remembering that first time he was terrified of his own strength, not trusting himself with something so delicate. "It fades when she starts to walk," he said, glancing at Loki before looking at Jim. "But you will always want to protect her."

And he didn't blame Jim; Olivia hardly seemed ready to handle a realm so vast and dangerous, but it comforted him to know that this stage wouldn't last. This girl had his blood in her veins, however thin; it would do her well.

[genius_level]

He wasn't sure he was ready for that, the idea of Olivia walking. Running. Jim nodded, watching Olivia squirm. He reached over to stroke the back of her head and grinned when she turned, that wide-eyed gaze on him. "I'll do my best to keep her safe," he murmured.

Another question came to mind, something he'd wondered since Bones had explained that day. "What exactly happened the other day?" He glanced between the two men. "In Sickbay."

[dr_blake]

A slow grin spread across Loki's face, and Blake gave him a sharp look to encourage him to keep his words tame.

"We did what was necessary to save you and Olivia," Blake said, slowly shifting Olivia back to cradle her in the crook of his arm. "What more do you want to know?"

"Unless there's something else you heard?" Loki asked, feigning an innocent curiosity as he leaned forward, hands braced on his legs.