The Intervention

The Anger

He emerges looking much better and walks up to me, his arms slipping around my shoulders and waist. I melt against him, squeezing him as tightly as possible although his density resists the pressure I exert. He smells wonderful, the rain and spice scent unhindered by the wear of the day. Being as short as I am compared to J'onn, I'm unable to press my face to his neck so I immediately curl my arms around his shoulders, pulling him down as he noses against my hair breathing in the therapeutic scent of ylang ylang flowers.

"Shall we eat? I know you're hungry after all that healing."

J'onn hums his acquiescence as I release him, both of us settling down for dinner. A comfortable silence embraces us, the radio providing the perfect background noise.

"I have a treat for you."

"A tartlet?" he sounds so hopeful it makes me giggle at this grown man.

"Something better J'onn." I uncover the strawberry pie. "Ta-da!"

The alien red eyes widen and his thoughts betray his eagerness to try whatever I recommend. Smiling at his face, I serve him a giant portion, watching his face as he blissfully digs into it.

One thing I learnt after all this time with J'onn is, Martians don't wear their hearts on their sleeves. It is difficult to discern expressions on his stoic face unless one pays attention to the subtle nuances. Right now the light in his red eyes, the subtle upturn of his mouth give away his happiness and pleasure. 

J'onn savors the pie, happy thoughts bursting into my mind as he bites into the sweet filling. I try to memorize this moment. A giant green alien, a tiny silver spoon in his hands and a nearly finished strawberry pie. J'onn catches my eye as I stare at him, tenderness welling inside my chest for this lonely Martian.

Dinner done, I place all the dishes into the sink, J'onn insisting on helping me clean gets dinnerware drying duty. Its serenely domestic, having dinner, cleaning up with the radio in the background playing soft instrumentals and gently brushing each others fingers as we pass plates.

"Would you like to sleep J'onn? You must be needing sleep." I ask as I place the cutlery in their drawers.

"Rest would be welcome."

"Come on then, you're having my room for the night."

"Where will you sleep?"

"My sisters' room, don't you worry. Come on."

I tug him to my room, getting out a fresh blanket and placing a glass of water on the bedside table.

"Call me if you need anything, I'll be right across from you." I point out to the connecting door that opens to my sister's room.

J'onn gives my shoulder a squeeze in thanks, I smile up at him and head to my room for the night, turning to bid him good night as he turns the covers.

Sleep doesn't find me. Knowing J'onn is just ten steps and a door away, keep me awake for hours. I know J'onn is fast asleep because his thoughts have been in Martian for the past hour. My mind tracks his thoughts lazily, trying to get the randomness to lull me to sleep.

I'm almost asleep when J'onn starts dreaming. His mind filling with images instead of words. Its shocks me as I watch him relive the pain of his battle quickly replaced by images of me carefully cleaning the cuts on his chest, my hand cupping his face and the slight impression of hug.

Watching myself from another's view is disconcerting. Seeing the look of pain on my face, the tremble of my hands when I freeze as his body tenses. Its like watching a movie of me but through it all, J'onn's emotions are what captivate me. The tenderness in his heart and gratitude as he stills my hands, fill me with happiness as I fall asleep.