𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚.

           “   yeah,   ”     he   tells,   head   dramatically   nodding   as   if   it’s   obvious,   but   the motion   transitions   into   a   head   shake   when   he   realizes   she’s   not   buying   any   of   it.     “   —   okay,   fine.     you   got   me.     i   was   curious,   alright?     you’re   usually   all   business,   at   least   when   it   comes   to   me.     i   wanted   to   know   what   you   do   on   your   days   off.   ”

         “   my   bad,   dude.     i   just   meant   they   usually   hire   people   in   need   easily.     i   mean,   that   peter   guy   ?     pretty   sure   he   was   stark’s   protégé,   and   i’ve   sneaked   my   way   into   stark   industries   at   some   point   too,   stole   some   technology,   but   that’s   unrelated.   ”     he   shrugs.     “   that’s   absolutely   hilarious.     beats   my   story   of   coming   here.   ”

          brows   lift   in   confusion,   and   he   goes   as   far   as   looking   around   to   make   sure   she’s   not   talking   to   someone   else.     “   noh-varr   does   not   sound   like   brand   of   cereal.     it’s   cool,   unique,   a   very   popular   name   in   hala.     was   the   most   popular   baby   name   of   2002   too.   ”

          a   brow   lifts,   blue   eyes   narrow—bathes   him   in   scrutiny.     “   what’s   up   with   you   today,   dude?     you   look   like   shit   and   is   like,   super   distracted.     and   i’m   like   tinkerbell,   you   know?     without   your   full   attention   i’ll   die.   ”     noh   is   that   extra,   but   gaze   shifts   to   the   paper  in   question   anyway.     “   oooh!     your   lola   left   you   some   snacks!    where   they   at?     suddenly   i’m   hungry.   ”

          “   dude—you   mean   like   a    boyband?     absofuckinlutely!      my   teammates   hate   my   singing   in   the   shower,   but   i   know   i’m   a   good   singer.   ”

          “   what—i   thought   that   was   multiverse   common   sense.   ”     a   roll   of   eyes   is   cast   in   her   direction   as   he   almost   falls   to   the   floor.     “   hey,   hey—careful.   is   that   how   you   treat   every   gorgeous   man   that   lies   on   your   bed?     no   wonder   we’re   endangered.     and   what’s   that   supposed   to   mean?     i’m   a   feminist,   you   know.     don’t   let   the   axe   body   spray   fool   ya.   ”

          “   yeah,   it   counts—have   you   ever   seen   me   misplace   something?     actually,   no.     don’t   answer   that.   ”     noh   interrupts   before   they   can   even   form   an   answer.     “   you   try   living   in   this   earth   as   a   banished   alien,   see   just   how   easy   it   is   to   get   your   life   together.   ”     a   dramatic   sigh   leave   lips.     and   that’s   just   what   it   is—theatrics,   for   he   essentially   has   been   pardoned   by   the   country   and   the   avengers.     and   yet,   doesn’t   miss   an   opportunity   to   use   it   as   an   excuse.     “   i   think   it’s   pretty   awesome.     everything   i   say   can   easily   be   turned   into   a   catchphrase.   ”     nostalgia   weighs   between   them,   lingers   beneath   the   lighthearted   banter.     it’s   a   repetitive   circle   of   acting   on   impulse   to   backtracking   and   regretting,   while   simultaneously   pretending   like   hearts   were   never   broken   because   of   it.     what   they   have   is   fragile,   and   he   can’t   help   but   weaken   it   even   further.     after   all,   it’s   in   his   nature   to   act   first   and   regret   later.     free   arm   loops   around   their   neck,   lips   nuzzle   a   kiss   against   her   temple.     “   c’mon   now,   bishop.     let’s   go   get   your   pizza.   ”     and   just   before   heading   towards   the   cashier,   he   halts.     hand   pats   down   jacket   pockets   awkwardly   (  for   he   still   keeps   three   lp’s   under   his   arm  )   in   search   of   his   wallet.     “  oh,   shit   —   ”     brows   drawn   to   imply   confusion,   only   to   shoot   up   in   a   theatrical   realisation.     “   could   you   pay   for   these?     i   think   i   forgot   my   wallet.   ”

          “   it’s   sweet   how   highly   you   think   of   me,   but   i   won’t   disappoint,   that   i   can   promise,   ”     noh   tells,   a   smile   on   lips.     “   you   are   down   in  that   category,   buddy.     and   what   we   have   could’ve   been   special   if   you   actually   acted   on   it,   but   all   i   know   is   this   harmless   flirting,   ”     he   jokes   with   a   slight   laugh.     it’s   extremely   easy   to   joke   and   laugh   around   the   other.     “   that   i   truly   appreciate,   but   i   wish   i   had   america’s   ass,   though.   ”

           “   pretty   sure   you   shouldn’t   be   here   either.   ”

          “   alright,   i   think   i   can   manage—but   who’s   the   oldest?     or   are   we   twins?     we   should   get   our   stories   straight,   what   if   they   ask   questions?   ”

          “   listen,   i’m   a   strong   believer   in   manifesting   something   by   thinking   about   it.     whether   it’s   a   fact,   a   wish,   whatever—thoughts   can   become   reality,   jubs.     all   you   gotta   do   is   believe   in   what   you   saying.   ”     a   pause.     “   and   not   let   the   person   you’re   talking   to   google   and   prove   you   wrong.   ”

          cover   blown.     it’s   to   expect   that   a   kree   super   solder   would   secretly   follow   and   watch   targets   without   a   struggle,   but   to   be   fair—he   wasn’t   trying   too   hard   and   it’s   america   chavez.     the   combination   leads   to   this   situation.     “   i   wasn’t   following   you.     i’m   just—walking,   and   it   just   happens   to   be   in   the   same   direction   as   you.      it’s   just   a   coincidence.   ”