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Magnum walked past the gift shop, then stopped. He stood there indecisively for a moment, chewing his bottom lip, then grimaced. He turned back and walked into the shop. After carefully examining the offerings, he picked the cheapest of the possibilities that he thought wouldn't make Higgins huff in disdain.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered to himself, before opening the door to Higgin's hospital room and sticking his head in.
Higgins looked up with a frown. "Magnum, what are you doing back here? Why aren't you making arrangements to get the Ferrari fixed?"
Magnum held the flowers in front of him like a shield and advanced cautiously. "Brought you flowers," he said with a pained grin.
Higgins narrowed his eyes at the flowers then set his jaw. "No! I don't want your pity flowers!"
"Oh, for Pete's sake, Higgins, they're not pity flowers." He tried to hand them to Higgins, who irritatedly batted them away with the arm in the sling. Magnum placed them on the nightstand and rested his hands on his hips. "I didn't know you'd want flowers in the hospital. I always figured you would prefer a military history book to keep from being bored. And I have no idea what you've already read or what author is a total nincompoop and hack."
The corner of Higgins' mouth quirked in amusement. "True. You'd be utterly abysmal in choosing a proper gift."
"Hey!" Magnum protested, half-heartedly. "I can pick out a good mystery thriller."
Higgins pursed his lips in disbelief, but magnanimously nodded. "I accept your apology flowers in the spirit it was meant."
"Not apology flowers," Magnum muttered, as he made his way around to the other side of the bed. "Scoot over." Higgins raised an eyebrow but did move his left leg over about six inches. Magnum rolled his eyes and gingerly perched on the edge.
"When I heard you were in a car crash, I really was worried. I'm glad you weren't hurt worse."
"Really," Higgins said, sceptically.
"Really!" Magnum said, "Look, I know we fight and play some rough jokes, but that's just, you know, facing a worthy opponent. I love winning against you because it doesn't happen all the time... Just most of the time."
"You do not win most of the time," Higgins insisted. "Any unbiased observer would clearly note that I win most of the time."
"In your dreams, Higgins," Magnum said with a grin and a pat on Higgins' knee. Higgins dropped his gaze to Magnum's hand on his leg and raised both eyebrows. Then he looked up to meet Magnum's gaze.
Magnum froze at the intensity of Higgins' stare. Not exactly aggressive but still... Magnum lifted his hand and cleared his throat. "Sorry," he said, hastily and stood. "Guess I should be going now. Lots to do. See ya, Higgins."
He fled.
In the room behind him, Higgins stared thoughtfully at the door. Then he looked at the flowers. Slowly a Machiavellian grin grew and Higgins laughed.
* * * * *
Years later, Jonathan would tell Thomas that was when he realized Thomas was courting him. Magnum denied it vehemently (he really hadn't had a clue) and insisted that was when Jonathan had decided to romance him. This was an argument neither would budge on until the day they died.