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

[genius_level]

"'What was necessary...'" Jim looked down at his hands, laced together, his arms resting on his knees as he leaned forward. "I guess that's what I'm asking. What was... required."

He shot a glance at Loki, swallowing his irritation. "I heard what Bones told me, which was that you used your powers to help us. Both of you."

[dr_blake]

"Not all of it was magic," Blake told him, bringing up a hand to toy with Olivia's tiny grip and keep her occupied while they talked. "Getting her out was regular surgery, though I have had many years to hone that craft among humans. After, though - that is Loki's domain."

"And that was pure magic, since your organs never seem to know where to go afterward," Loki smiled, as if pleased with himself and his work. "Everything should be where it was before."

[genius_level]

Jim nodded and exhaled slowly as he absorbed the idea, realizing anew just how fortunate he and Olivia were. "Thank you," he murmured again, not sure what else he could say. He watched Olivia's tiny hands grip Blake's, her expression intent, and swallowed. Only a few days, and he already couldn't imagine losing her. It had been different, feeling her kick. Seeing her, watching her face as she took in the world around her, the way she settled against his chest when she was sleepy or just wanted to be held... he loved it. Loved her.

"'Should be'"? He raised an eyebrow, a ghost of a grin turning up the corner of his mouth. Jim wasn't sure he wanted to know how Loki's previous experience in that arena had been gained.

[asgardmischief]

"Well, human anatomy has its differences from that of the Aesir...but, as I said, if you're walking around as if everything is fine, it likely is. At least you had the luxury of someone else healing you."

"Don't be melodramatic, Loki," Thor said, but his eyes were still on the child, gently testing her strength against his finger.

"Melodramatic?" He scowled. "I had half an army after me thanks to your mouth, and would one of them have been kind enough to piece me back together? I think not." Loki looked directly at Jim, "I'll spare you the pain of an isolated birth, if you don't neglect your role here with this child." Mostly because he didn't want to go through the process of altering Jim's biology after all his hard work.

[genius_level]

"I don't intend to neglect my role," Jim said, his voice cool. He reached over and stroked her hair, watching as she grasped Thor's finger, her face set in a familiar expression. His lips curved in a smile despite the serious turn of the conversation, and Jim leaned back with a sigh. He wondered if it was normal, the urge to take her back even though he'd asked his father to hold her.

Jim did his best to ignore the urge to hover, reasoning that his father had done this before. It wasn't likely he would drop her, and he seemed more curious than not as he cradled her in his hands, the two of them studying each other.