conjuredskies | In From the Cold (for smartass

It takes them close to a week of rest and a heavily monitored diet before Bones will let either Jim or Felix eat completely without supervision or input. The doctor would normally expect more of a fight from Jim regarding treatment but in this case no one talks about why he's quietly accepting the doctor's input so readily. McCoy's the only one with access to his full medical records without the redactions, and Felix is the closest to knowing the full story outside of Jim himself.

He's been back to the bridge for shifts (gamma, nothing strenuous yet) in the days since but it still feels strange to be here instead of back in the Nexus. Felix still hasn't given Jim his PINpoint back. After nearly a week Jim's about ready to go snooping around for the damn thing himself.

It's "morning" when he gets off his most recent shift. Letting himself into their shared quarters and taking a look around. Tiber isn't giving him anything, so the kneazle must be asleep. It's not a guarantee Felix is though.

It's comedic, really. Felix is still terribly wary of the Enterprise as a whole, reflexively nervous about traversing the ship's halls without Jim at his side to cover for him. The fact that he belongs there now hasn't yet sunk in, and it doesn't help that Sulu is definitely not buying his credentials for some reason.

And nonetheless, after a week cooped up in the same couple of rooms you'd expect even Felix would be venturing out during the day. Even if only to find his way to the observation deck, even if he kept stopping to scribble on that printed (printed!) map he always stashes in his pocket. He's an easily bored man and he's more recovered than Jim is yet. Which means it's quite transparent he's keeping vigil in their quarters to stop Jim from finding where he stashed the PINpoints. Or to stop Tiber from leading him to it. Likely both.

There's a pile of notes and a PADD on the coffee table, but those were there last night. Jim knows they're the xenotoxicology notes Felix has been making, puzzling his way through one of the reference texts Sulu pointedly name-dropped around him. But the mage's satchel is propped against the foot of the table.

Felix himself is dozing on the couch, a leather-bound notebook open in his hand. Tiber is curled up beside him, taking advantage of the warmth. The mage is dressed in a loose-fitting shirt and pants Jim's never seen him wear before - clearly something obtained in Yorktown, but it looks like something designed for meditation rather than workwear.

After years of being hidden away in Jim's quarters, it's understandable that Felix would be wary of venturing out too far on his own just yet. He does get invited out to food after beta shift is over now and again as Norn tries to the best of his abilities to make more of a friend out of the Nirnish mage. Make sure Felix is getting by alright here.

Quietly trying to assure Felix that Sulu really isn't a bad guy, just kind of serious a lot of the time. And exceptionally passionate about his botany studies. Things Felix will learn the longer he's here.

Of course Felix thinks nothing of leaving what he calls his 'Earth study' notes laying about. Jim hasn't had the heart to tell him the phrase is a bit of a misnomer but Felix understands well enough that Earth is merely a planet in this sea of Black Jim calls a home. It gets the point across all the same. They're not anything of Felix's world, even if the mage is studying them.

There's a moment that lasts longer than Jim would like to admit where he considers just poking around while Felix is asleep. A temptation that leaves him chewing at his bottom lip in deep thought. One he tamps down with a frustrated sigh before he quite deliberately starts pulling off his boots and jacket without quite so much care about being quiet.

He's not going to make a very good show of his argument for Felix sharing more with him if he sneaks around now. He's going to make a beeline for the replicator though. Coffee is a must.

He can hear the soft noise as Felix starts awake and drops the book. When he looks around the Imperial is rubbing a hand over his eyes. Beside him, Tiber lifts his head and opens his jaws wide in a lazy yawn before he blinks at Jim. Welcome back.

"Oh, um. You're back. What time is it?" He yawns himself, mirroring the cat before he stuffs the book down beside him and pulls himself up. "How was your shift?"

Thump goes the book and 'whu?' goes Jim's husband. He should be proud that Felix is managing his own shopping trips now, clad in those pajamas that Jim definitely didn't get for him. It's a distracting thought but not an unpleasant one for a change. Coffee in hand, he'll grab a cup of tea for Felix. Knows well enough that the man is not much a fan of Starfleet's lifeblood.

Tiber could be forgiven for picking up such a mix of emotions from his bonded human. Jim's feelings regarding Felix are never usually this complicated. As infatuated as he is frustrated.

"0800. You didn't spend all night there while I was gone, did you?" His gaze tracks to the book that Felix hides away but rather than speak up on it Jim holds out the cup of tea instead when he moves closer. "Shift went well. Spent most of it running tests on some samples Alpha picked up and taking notes. Making sure we're on schedule for our next federation checkpoint."

He might have glossed over more of the explanation if Felix hadn't just spent months studying up on the basics of Starfleet and Jim's work. This is Felix's world now. As much as it is Jim's.

"How was your...nap?" He reaches over with his free hand and gives Tiber a good ruffle between his ears. "I know yours was fine, you lazy shit." All affection there though.

"No... I woke up a couple of hours ago. Thanks." He takes the cup, cradling it in both hands as he breathes in the steam. "I thought I'd get in some practice, but I suppose I must have dozed off."

Between the hunger and disorientation and the strangeness of having actual light and a semblance of daytime, his sleep pattern would be out of order even if he hadn't spent weeks getting up at odd times to sneak off. He sips his tea with a sigh and feels a touch of pride that he actually followed what Jim was talking about there. He may never understand this realm like Tamriel, but he can at least start to get a feel for how the ship runs. That's a more manageable goal.

"...It's nice to be back here," he says, looking up as Tiber purrs his own reply. "I'm starting to feel almost human again." He pats the couch hopefully. "Going to join me?"

There's programmable lights if Felix wants to simulate a proper day cycle. Jim's shown him how to use them before. Has a note to himself even to make more use of them if he ever starts feeling worn down the way he did before the events of Altamid. Jim likes to think he's beyond needing such things out here but experience has proven that five years is quite a long time with no sense of normalcy for a human's biological instincts.

"Anything interesting?" What sort of practice? Probably not conjuration else Felix likely wouldn't have drifted off. Nor mentioned it to Jim in the first place however passingly. Tiber gets up and stretches out the way only a cat can, back legs and then front before he shakes out his fluffy golden head and hops down to go ~~get into trouble~~ poke around their quarters while Jim takes the empty seat at Felix's side.

"Warding spells. Maybe working on a minor summoning. I didn't get that far." He shrugs, sipping his tea and leaning into Jim. It's been a profound relief sinking into a routine again, however much he still has to get used to. "Mastering arcane secrets is still easier than making sense of Sulu's books."

He's... not avoiding mentioning the conjuration, at least. Not offering to elaborate either, though the fact he's still coming round might have to do with that.

"He only mentioned them because they're in your reported field of study." Jim nudges Felix ever so slightly with his shoulder. Jim is pretty sure his crew will come around on the mage. Bones knows more than the others about who Felix is and what he's capable of. Spock seems to accept Felix at face value even if he doesn't always or even often understand.

If they like Felix, Jim's certain for the others it's only a matter of time.

"If it were me? I'd work on befriending Chekov first. He's a master of wearing Hikaru down." The tension in Jim's chest eases ever so slightly when Felix mentions his summons, even if he doesn't elaborate on it. "What are the wards for?"

"I know, that's sort of the problem. I'm certain he's onto me. Winning over Chekov might be just the thing, though. That should be much easier."

He will infiltrate- er, befriend this crew, one way or another.

"The wards? Oh, anything." He sips his tea, still sleepy but perking up now that Jim's here. "Your basic ward is a general sort of shield. Best at deflecting or absorbing malign energies, though, more than physical attacks. Take quite a bit of effort, either way. Stratos is better with them than I am. I use another kind to- in ritual circles. For protection.

"Most of the Alpha crew at least vaguely knows about the Nexus by now, Felix. It doesn't really matter if he's onto you or not. It's the rest of Starfleet we have to keep of your trail. And they won't see you hardly ever. It's fine." He does appreciate Felix at least trying to keep up the routine that he belongs here though. He does belong here, even if he wasn't born of this world.

This plane.

There's no one else Jim would rather have sitting next to him like this. He frowns at the vague description of the ward at first, but Felix follows it up swiftly. Jim's brow furrows while he tries to think back to the books he's read, to the runes he's seen diagrammed before. Felix conjures atronachs of destruction magic but they don't give him any affinity for their chosen element. Is this why Felix studies alchemy so seriously? For something to give resistance against the elements he courts?

His restoration skills to fuel the wards that will shield him from...what? The influence of the daedra? He inhales sharply when the memory of smoke fills his lungs and a hazy watery moment of a promise made resurfaces sworn to a man with a smile Jim cannot forget. Even if the rest of it slips right back out of his fisted hands as easily as sand.

"...Against the elements you hold council with?" It's a guess, albeit a slightly distracted one.

"Against them, yes, and against the power of any other daedra I summon." The ones small enough to be so bound, at least. "And to protect my mind, if I plan to commune with them." His hands clench tighter around his cup, and he breathes in steam.

"If you get it wrong, or you summon something too powerful for your wards and bindings- then you're in trouble."

"Protect your mind from what exactly? From reading your thoughts or. Is this more literal taking control of your body?"

The only psionics Jim has any experience with are Vulcan mind melds and even that is more bookwork than actual experience. The only time he's ever melded with a Vulcan it was the elder Spock. Given the circumstances it was...intense. Brief though, and the elder Vulcan hadn't tampered any with Jim's mind. Only shared his memories with the very young captain-to-be.

"Those people you grumble about when we're shopping in the Nexus." Amateurs, Felix always so disdainfully calls them. Jim honestly thought he was just being arrogant but there seems like there might be a reason behind it after all. "You've always seemed like you were careful about this though."

"Lesser daedra don't do any of that. It's more... trying to open up a fragile mortal mind to something it was never meant to comprehend. A daedra's mind is ancient and strong and so utterly alien... it could break you. Or send you mad. Or just snap your control and leave you facing a powerful, dangerous creature from the Oblivion planes. The first time I tried... it didn't go well."

He nods at Jim's realization. "It's easy to do, conjuration. A lot harder to do right. I'm the best I know. But I'm alive because I pick and choose the risks I take."

"Lesser...your familiar is a lesser daedra then?" The spectral wolf never seemed like it was all that intelligent or ancient but looks are quite deceiving. The creature is probably only so well adjusted because of its long time spent connected with Felix. They were a pair long before Jim ever knew the conjurer after all. Since Felix was practically still a child, if the impression Jim gets is correct. "Are the atronachs as well?"

They seemed much more powerful than the familiar. More like Reynard, in a sense. Spirits bound to an element rather than a Season. But Jim's only seen them a couple of times and again, they were always so well behaved. So nearly human in their actions. A testament to Felix's talents, perhaps?

"But you've brought the flame woman--atronach along with to fancy parties, even. I've...I've never seen them anything other than placid and. Well. Maybe not friendly but complacent sure."

"All of them. Not all daedra are intelligent, though. Atronachs are far moreso; familiars are so minor I'm not even sure how they fit in with other daedra. Or even if they really qualify. You can make a simple pact with them, though. They're bright enough for that."

He sets down his cooling tea, draws his legs up to curl on the couch beside Jim. "But they're both easier to work with than other daedra. More... amenable. That's why mages so commonly use them now. Even though if you use one of the standard spells, whatever daedra you summon is bound to obey you until it's banished. Communing in a circle is different, it's like... disabling the safety systems. You see?"

"Because you're not just summoning them...leash already attached and the like."

Jim never got to see Felix beckon over his flame atronach when they rebonded. Never got to see them dance, see her relish in the destruction they brought to that little valley. He only ever saw the aftermath when Felix tried to extinguish his fire salts in the sink at the farmhouse. But Jim did see Felix communing with his frost atronach during winter. Watched his husband-to-be with frost on his eyelashes and dancing over his skin sit with the stillness of a glacier while he faced the creature of ice.

"But when I saw you during winter, it wasn't...it's never felt dangerous. You always seem so at peace with them. Connected. Are you always in such danger every time you beckon them over?"

"Yes." He smiles a little, looking sidelong at Jim for the first time in this conversation. "Exactly. The summoning spells are formalized. Safe. But outside... you can do more, and risk much more."

His gaze drops again when Jim asks his question. It's quiet enough to hear the soft engine-hum of the walls, the pulse of blood in his ears.

"I'm really very good," he says.

"You really are." Jim doesn't understand just how Felix can put him on such a pedestal given the talents the mage has. The powers he possesses that the captain could never even dream about fully comprehending. But what does Felix use those gifts for? Rescuing Jim from himself mostly, it feels like. If the captain had those kind of skills, he's pretty sure he'd be dead already.

Jim's always been one to take risks if the potential for helping others or turn a bleak situation around is great enough.

"Felix I'm not going to ask you to teach me those things. Any of them. The most I'd ever want to do regarding your conjuration is to thank your personal atronachs for their service to you and dedication toward keeping you safe. I'm not going to go trying to turn myself into a mage. We both know I don't have a shred of talent for it. You really don't have to worry about me trying to imitate you when it comes to conjuration."

"I know that," he answers, though rather than make it another needle in a sensitive spot he points out, "You've an entire ship full of people to summon when you need them. Teleportation and all. You don't need my tricks, o captain of the Void."

So that's not what he's afraid of. More...

"I still don't want to drag you into my affairs. Little daedra are one thing, but the greater ones, the truly powerful ones... dealing with them can get messy."

They both know Jim would, too.

Wouldn't hesitate in the least. He's got a record of doing so already, having put himself firmly into debt with the Prince of Debauchery without any idea of what that would entail. Still doesn't, really. And maybe owing Sanguine won't be so bad a thing when it comes time for the debt to be paid. But imagine how much worse that could be given the other daedra Felix can arrange an audience with.

How terrible it would have been if Jim hadn't had the strength of will to guide them both out of the soulstone they were both trapped inside. Jim swore he'd always come after Felix. He's not aware that may be exactly what Felix is afraid of.

"Don't tease me here. I--" And Jim wishes he could remember that feeling he gets sometimes when his thoughts linger on Rielle. Wishes he could recall better the does the bargain he made with a god. Felix's god. His patron deity. "I just want to support you."

"And I want to take care of you. To protect you. I'm not... I'm terrible at it. But I'm trying. I've let you down so many times, that's why-" But no. Jim doesn't want to hear that. Felix curls a little tighter against the cushions.

"I'm not trying to shut you out. I'm just..." trying to make sure Jim sees the side of Felix that he likes and cares about, in part. But also, really, not used to sharing.

"It's a start."

Jim can't say it's fine. He can't not ask anymore, can't let Felix run off on his own into the dark without at least following in after him. He's seen where Felix can be driven to when he feels helpless, desperate to make a difference. It's dangerous to follow the conjurer into those shadows but Felix has done the same for Jim.

And maybe neither one of them will like it when the other does. Jim's still angry about being taken away from the Nexus while others are still there cold and hungry--

And Dying, the whispers remind him. Logically Jim knows if Felix hadn't taken him away he might have honestly killed himself and yet he can't help the spike of anger that flares through him every time. But they don't have to like it.

They just need to respect that they're no longer living solely for themselves anymore. And this? Is more than Jim's ever gotten out of Felix before.

"It's hard, I know. It's hard for me, too."

"...If I show you. More. I can't promise you'll like what you see."

Jim's already seen so much the Imperial never wanted him to. Bad enough for Felix, always so bent on being liked and wanted, but infinitely worse because it's Jim and what he thinks of Felix matters. He'll spite his brother and shrug off others' disapproval but Jim... is completely different.

"I don't have to like it."

But if it risks Felix's life and soul Jim will be there to stop it. Whether Felix likes it or not. Seems only fair considering the mage is already taking that mindset up when it comes to Jim's decisions.

"I just want us to be on equal footing."

In From the Cold (for smartass_captain)

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