Feeding and Findings
"Aaaaaw ooh! Ooooh - wum…there's a good boy, you really are remarkably good company…aaaaaam, oh missed a bit, here, better, k? Got it?….Uma-uma-uma-uma-aaah…there we go, do try to swallow some of it Little Blue, rather than just dribbling it, there's a good boy…it's a marvellous fashion statement but not one that will catch on I'm afraid" Bobby paused in the corridor going past the kitchen, eyes narrowing a little. That was Hanks voice. He took a few steps back and looked through the doorway. Hank was sat on one of the high stools around the breakfast bar, a piece of kitchen towel spread out across his knees and a jar of babyfood in his hand. Little Blue was sat on a high chair before him, dividing his attention between his Father and the spoon, "open aaaaa-um, good lad" Hank cooed, mouth open wide and closing in demonstration. Bobby hid a giggle as Hank chewed along with Little Blue, "um-um-um-um nice? More? Yes good" Hank carefully scooped out another spoonful of something bright orange, "because you need lots of fuel to grow big and strong – just like me, well not just like me but you understand my point of course – Aaaaaa – wum…no don't inhale, breathing in and eating at the same time isn't a good idea. Trust me" With a hand the size of a dinner plate and with all the delicacy of a butterflies kiss Hank patted Little Blue's back,
"Wish I had a camera" Bobby grinned as he came into the room, his heart genuinely warm. Hanks fur darkened a little across his cheekbones and the bridge of his nose, betraying the blush beneath,
"Good day, Bobby" He said, just a little gruffly, as Bobby got a soda from one of the cupboards and sat opposite him, waving at Little Blue who's face was smeared with baby food, "pay attention please Little Blue, this is important. Thank you" The funny noises stopped but after a few minutes the faces came back into play and Bobby had a really hard time trying not to laugh, "was there something specific you wanted to talk about, Bobby? Oooowum"Suddenly laughing,the Pepsi came down his nose and Bobby spluttered for a few minutes, reaching for the kitchen towel nearby,
"Just thought you should know, we questioned the Sphinx" He managed to choke out. Hank paused a moment, the spoon half way to the baby's mouth, before carrying on,
"Really" He said flatly, "did you find out anything useful? All done?" He addressed the last to Little Blue who stared up calmly before slamming his tiny hand down into a splat of baby goo, spraying both of them, "Now that wasn't very dignified" The baby cooed, protesting a little as he was vigorously – but carefully – cleaned,
"She didn't take him" Bobby said softly. Another pause as Hank took the information, "but she told us who did" Yellow eyes looked up at him questioningly, "do you remember Morphia?"
"The one with the red skin?" Hank frowned,
"Yes. After Logan left we question Sphinx some more. Apparently Morphia rebelled against Sphinx, she did it on her own without Sphinx's knowledge or consent"
"Fool" He replied after a moment,
"The Sphinx was a little more creative than that but I won't repeat what she said in front of Little Blue" Bobby said, reaching out to play with the baby, "I'm sorry" He murmured, not looking at his friend. Hank peered at him over the top of the damp cloth he was using to get rid of the baby goo on his face,
"What for?" Came the muffled question,
"Using my powers against you" Bobby heard Hank sigh but didn't look up, even when the damp cloth swiped goo offBobbys forehead,
"You did the right thing, Robert…I…I had no idea Little Blue was there. I was operating on instinct – I couldn't even smell him, I just wanted to…" He trailed off with a shudder and Bobby nodded, patting his friends arm, understanding that the usually gentle and calm doctor was having a hard time with his suddenly aggressive emotions,
"It's ok, Blue, it'll be just fine" Bobby looked back at the baby as Little Blue grabbed hold of his finger, squeezing tightly, "Isn't that right, Little Blue?" Little Blue stared at him, a snot bubble bursting as he breathed, "gross" Bobby stated, gently untangling his finger as Hank laughed, wiping Little Blues nose, "should he be able to focus like that Blue?" The Doctor shrugged,
"I ran some tests. His optical synapses and intellectual reflexes are, as far as I am aware given my research, extremely advanced for a baby his age" He said pride abounding in his voice as he lifted Little Blue out of the high chair,
"Quit boasting" Bobby grinned,
"He's my son and I can boast if I want too" Hank said, just a touch haughtily, "Here, Uncle Icicle, hold this" Hank fought away his own grin, handing over the baby as he cleaned up the mess, moving the high chair to the cupboard that had been set aside for it,
"Uncle?" Bobby asked, looking down at the child as his T-shirt was grabbed with both fists and rapidly deposited in Little Blues mouth. The baby chewed up at him,
"Why not?" Hank replied, Bobby grinned,
"Cool!" He exclaimed asLogan sauntered in,
"Hank, just the guy I was lookin' for" He murmured, heading towards his cupboard,
"I don't think you'll find me in a beer can, Logan" Hank said good naturedly, taking the baby off his friend, as the Wolverine snapped the cap open, looking down at Little Blue on the way past,
"Hey kid" He smiled a little as the baby focused on him,
"Bub" Little Blue said solemnly,
"Hey, if I'm Uncle Icicle can Logan be Uncle Bub?" Both men turned to look at Bobby who blushed, "what!" They shook their heads in tandem, ignoring the question,
"Ya should crawl inside a can more often, Doc, s'good for the soul" Logan smirked, "I think she's got broken ribs andsummats wrong with herjaw, doc, you're gonna have t'face her some time unless ya wants her to suffer of course" The Canadian threw himself into one of the comfy chairs, feet up on the table, "personally I ain't above a bit of enemy-sufferin myself" He scratched his chin with the sound of sandpaper against wood,
"Her who?" Hank asked, already knowing the answer,
"Quit stallin for time, bub, the Sphinx…I don't think she's as bad as we thought…" He received incredulous looks from the other two, "hey, I'm workin' on instinct here, just like ya said to doc" Hank sighed, looking down at Little Blue,
"Some doctors orders really should be ignored, Logan" He looked at Bobby, "Mind baby sitting for a while?"
"No problems" Bobby held out his arms, "me and Uncle Bub can deal with it, right Uncle Bub?" Logan scowled,
"Kid, call me that again and I'll kill you in your sleep" Hank sighed, already heading towards the door,
"It's so nice to know that I'm leaving my son in safe, rational hands"