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There were a million of things that were going through Jim’s head right now, while par for the course, the worm’s mind was extra cluttered. Panicked. Confused.
One of which being "are babies always this small?"
It was supposed to be a peaceful ride back. A calm journey through space like any other ride after a mission. But something, or someone, had to interrupt that. Not even born and already bored out of her mind.
But it was only when the little Insectoid critter came out of her egg...pod? It fully hit Jim and Whatshername. They were parents, to the cutest and weirdest little thing he thought could ever exist.
The blue larvae chirped and cooed in her sleep, resting in his arms even if she could neatly fit in just the palm of Jim's hand without having to curl up into the cute little ball she loved to do.
She was content here, sleeping in her...uh...worm-ther's arms as he walked her around the spacestation's halls while Whatshername was getting some much needed rest after the chaotic last week or two they'd been through. The little larvae's half a month long debut, the best birthday present Jim could ever have in his entire life.
"Scrp!" The blue bug baby squeaked and cooed, with a little stretch ending in her covering her chubby little face in her itty bitty claws.
"Haha, you're just a little squeaky-toy." Jim muttered, gently poking her face with his finger. She let out a slightly annoyed squeak in response. "You definitely don't get that from me, my little cake pop. I'm much louder."
It seemed that the by was getting more and more grumpy, as she resorted to nibbling at his pointer finger. Or at least as best as she could with little to no teeth besides her fanged tiny bug beak.
"Ppreep-!! Rii!" The larvae hissed and peeped angrily, making her wormther laugh. So much energy for such a little critter. But after a while, Jim decided that it wasn't best to make her so mad so early. He pulled his finger away from her chubby little marshmallow cheeks.
"Alrighty, I won't bug you no more." He said. "Pun entirely intended, they don't call them dad jokes for no reason, y'know!" She didn't seem to be as bothered by the joke. Either she liked the joke or she couldn't comprehend humor yet, but she wasn't crying so he'd take it.
Jim looked up, seeing the light of the stars shining through the hall window. He walked over, standing behind the glass with his new daughter in his arms.
His daughter didn't exist until two weeks ago, and even then she had only made her official first breaths hours ago. She had departed from the stars to join their wonderfully chaotic world, the little specks of light waving down at her and wishing her good luck.
"What a day..." Jim whispered, talking to himself for the most part as he was sure the little bugger wasn't hearing him. "Y'know...you probably weren't meant to exist, but I'm glad you do, my little blueberry of babbling. You're just like your pa, haha!" He chuckled at first, but that mirth faded just for a bit, letting his sadness show for just a short while. He wasn't meant to exist, he was just supposed to live and die a measly worm. It was only by a freak accident he got the suit that gave him sentience. The same suit that cradled his newborn daughter in it's arms, connected to his wormy body.
If it weren't for the suit that could've become a tool to end the universe, she wouldn't have been born now. That single thought nearly made him cry.
"Ah...sorry, little one." Jim sighed. "It's not becoming of a superhero to cry like this, I know." He wept his tears, glancing down to see the blue baby girl open her tiny little bug eyes. He could already tell that she had his eyes, different colors in each.
In that moment, Jim felt an overwhelming sense of proudness. A flush of pure love and admiration for this little creature that realistically looked like a giant slug but to Jim, was a sweet little cherub.
"Sccrrp?"
"Attagirl...hey, little bugger..." He tried to hide his overwhelming emotions, trying not to bawl. "It's me, your...w-wormther, yeah. I look a little unsightly, I know, I know. Your momma's much prettier, trust me."
"Screeep!" The baby yawned, reaching up to his face. "Scrrrr...rrrrr...!"
He slid his finger into her claws, letting her grasp it in her tiny little palm. Fairly tightly, too, he could see her claws about to tear the fabric of his gloves already.
"Aw, you trying to make me cry?" Jim softly chuckled before pointing at the window. "See that over there, baby? Them stars over there..." The little one looked up, though probably more concerned about the suit's glove than the stars. "They don't hold a candle to you. You're wonderful, little bugger, and you'll let them know it, right? You're the brightest star in the galaxy."
His daughter cooed, seemingly happy. Jim wasn't sure if babies could at this age, but he swore he saw her smile then and there.
"You deserve one of their names instead, haha! When they think of the galaxy, they'll remember you instead of some dinky space rocks!"
Neptune? Maybe. Mars? Nah, that seemed more of a boy's name for some reason. Pluto? Not good enough. Uranus? A recipe for bullying.
Saturn?
Maybe. He'd ask Whatshername about that idea later, but...it really felt right in his head. Little Saturn...
"Welcome to the universe, kiddo." Jim whispered, before giving her a little soft kiss on her forehead. "You'll have a groovy time, I'll make sure of it."
And so began the next generation, the first of the new Insectoid royal family to be born out of love, and not of greed or wrath. The brightest star in the galaxy, the universe's next hero.
Saturn Centi.