#original alien character

Ever since the fall of Galactus the skies had been quiet.

Still reeling from its close brush with annihilation, Earth had entered a tense calm. Rebuilding Central city was the easy part. Recovering, fully understanding exactly what happened and why, was the hard part.

The one question that rattled within every human on earth's mind no matter the nationality nor upbringing was something that not even the smartest man alive could answer. At least not publicly.

Was it over?

Reed Richard’s, always the man of mathematical reasoning, knew that stating the cold hard truth of ‘no’, ‘that peace was always a temporary state’ would do nothing much but to bruise already battered mind sets.

But that would not change the simple fact that something always came next.

That something came precisely one year, two months and twelve days after the devourer’s banishment.

It began as a minuscule energy blip at the far end of the Triangulum Galaxy, approximately 2.723 million light years away from Earth. An anomaly certainly caught by Reed's scans, yet so faint it initially appeared to be an energy jet hurtled out from Triangulum’s stellar-mass black hole M33.

But as another beep from his deep space anomaly detectors sounded off within the Baxter Foundations labs rang, notifying Reed of another similar blip of energy, this time emitting from their neighboring galaxy Andromeda, with its rejectors and speed it was clear whatever this was it was getting closer.

Running a deep analysis on the blip revealed rivets of plasma, as to be expect for deep space entities, yet what struck the genius as odd was its composition. No ship. No debris. No engine signature.

Just... a presence.

Organic.

Alive.

It has been less than half a year since the silver herald of Galactus had entered earths orbit speaking of doom, of the end days.

Now another being approaches.

Will they too speak of death? Plague the world with threats of destruction?

“Reed,” Sues voice called out as the labs main entrance elevator opened and she stepped through. “You said five minutes. It’s been ten.”

Dressed for their usual Sunday family dinner in a clean set of denim and blouse, her hair pinned back in an efficient knot, Sue wore a face of slight annoyance. Meanwhile Franklin, their son, nestled snug in a soft gray harness across her chest, quietly stared up at the ceiling as if it held galaxies, his tiny hands gripping onto the fabric of her shirt.

Looking towards her husband, his back still turned to her, she immediately noted his more than usually stiff posture. How his shoulder constricted tightly within his white button down and how his finger gripped around the piece of chalk within them just a bit too much.

“Reed? What’s going on?”

Sighing, her husband placed the chalk down to the metal slab below the board before fully turning towards her. For a brief moment Reed’s gaze softened as it looked down at Franklin’s soft, sleepy face, one of Sue’s blouse buttons clutched within his grasp. He had grown so much in the last year.

Flickering upwards, uncertain brown met worried blue.

“In approximately four days, six hours and twenty seven minutes another entity will arrive on earth.”

Taking a deep, calming breath, Sue nodded. Her hands instinctively came up to cradle around Franklin.

Walking down towards the round central computer, Reed input a few codes before a 3-D map of the Local Group of Galaxies appeared. There the blip pinged as it flew through the middle of the Andromeda Galaxy, passing by one of its numerous black holes.

“Do you think it’s coming to finish what Galactus started?”

“I don’t know.”

Franklin garbled a few coos, a yawn following shortly after.

“What do you think? Of this in general.”

Reed focused on the distant energy ping, it did not spike, didn’t radiate volatility like the energy readings from Galactus’s ship or stray starbolt.

If anything… It was calm.

Controlled.

But so were the herald's readings.

“I think the echo of Galactus’s death has begun to ripple through the stars. And whoever this is… they felt it.”

Sue swallowed. “Do we tell them?”

“Tonight, we tell them tonight. Gives us time to come up with a contingency plan. A strategy. Together.”

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Humming a gentle tune, spoon firmly grasped within his three digits, HERBIE stirred a pot bubbling atop the stove. The aroma of sautéed vegetables and herbs filled the kitchen. Standing next to the little AI robot Ben flipped the contents of his own pan with comically delicate care.

“Y’know, if Reed and Sue don’t show up within the next five minutes I will start gnawing on Ben.”

“Go ahead and try it matchstick, you’ll be coughin’ dust for the next half hour.”

“Tempting.” Rolling his eyes Ben returned his attention to the task at hand.

“Dinner status: 93% complete. Adjusting spice ratio by 0.6% based on Mr.Grimm’s nasal flaring.”

Since Galactus had crushed the previous HERBIE model, when rebuilding the AI, Reed had added a vocal modulator as well as a few other upgrades.

“I told you it was too much chili powder.” Ben grumbled, side eyeing the flame hero.

Throwing his hands up Johnny dramatically stomped out of the kitchen, his hunger still unquenched and ego bruised.

“All I did was add a little flair, ya know a bit of spice! That’s literally my whole thing!”

Truth be told Johnny has accidentally added chili power when he meant to grab paprika.

Just as he plopped himself down into his designated spot at the dinner table, the main entrance at last slid open.

Sue enters first, Franklin fast asleep cradled within his harness swaddle, Reed right behind her. His face was composed but clearly distracted from his usually clear cut calculated gaze.

Sure they were late, that was normal ever since Franklin was born but with the combination of Reeds unease and Sue clear efforts to mask her own, Ben immediately raised half a unibrowed rocky ridge.

“Okay, what’s wrong?”

“I- what?”

“C’mon, I’ve known you two long enough. You’re both doing that tight-lipped scientist thing. Reed’s not blinking, doing who knows how many calculations in his head and Sue’s got her worried eyes. Something’s up.”

Johnny's sulking immediately dried up, his attitude shifting to skepticism as he sat up in his chair.

“Ben’s right, you guys look like you’ve seen a ghost or something. What happened? You’re not pregnant again right? It’s still too early for that? Not that I wouldn’t mind another nephew but-”

If looks could kill Johnny would’ve been iced over by Sue's piercing side eye.

“No, I’m not pregnant.” She sighs, then clears her throat. As her mouth opens again to continue a fussy cry and throw of small arms takes her attention as Franklin grows sleeplessly agitated. “I’m going to put him down then we can discuss it over dinner.”

The table was tense to say the least. HERBIE happily dished out the plates, though none of the four made any move for their silverware.

Reed took the initiative.

“I discovered an anomaly. It entered the andromeda system approximately eight hours ago and is estimated to arrive within our own system in the next week.”

The news hung like a guillotine over their heads, like at any moment the rope would be cut, and they’d be right back to fighting an all-powerful space being again.

Ben, head shook.

“You think this is another one of Galactus’ sentinels?”

“Its readings are unlike that of the silver herald and of Galactus itself. It is far more explosive, akin to a ray of ultraviolet light more than anything.”

“Then why are we concerning ourselves with it? How do we know this isn’t just some wicked solar flair.” Johnny interjects. 

“I said it’s akin to light. Its composition is organic, living. Exactly what it’s made of I can’t be sure of until it’s closer, thermal scans indicate mostly plasma but organic in carbon structures.”

Johnnie’s expression hardened, lip quirking up at the sides in frustration as his brows furrowed slightly.

“So we’re not going to try and intercept it? Just sit here and eat dinner like a cosmic entity isn’t actively knocking on our doorstep?”

“We still need to eat Johnny.” Sue’s voice was calm, but understanding of her brothers' worry. “Not only that, but the Excelsior is still under repairs, the warp component is nowhere near functional yet. I say we all use this time to ground ourselves before we make any assumptions over the potential magnitude of this thing.”

“We barely beat Galaxctus, now something new is headed this way and it’s not slowing down. What if it’s worse?”

A thick, rocky, hand reached over and grasped onto his shoulder, the rough bumpy texture oddly comforting.

“Then we do what we always do; handle it.”

Unrolling his silverware and placing them into the proper arrangement Reed nods in agreement.

“Ben is right, no matter what we can handle it. Now, let’s eat.”

At last the family relaxed, the tension easing ever so slightly, as they began to dive into the HERBIE made dinner.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

With reconfiguring tracking metrics monitoring and recalibrating every few seconds, Reed had the anomalies arrival time pinned to the exact moment its light wave would penetrate the earth atmosphere.

It was a typical partly cloudy humid day for Brooklyn at 1:36pm. The city beneath carried on as usual, cars still honked as traffic was forever backed up, people still lined the streets in rushes to get to their jobs from lunch breaks. None the wiser to the potential threat looming above them.

The four decided it best not to raise global awareness of the situation until more information was gathered. Considering every country was still healing from potential annihilation from last year, until they knew for sure this was a threat, they would deal with this themselves.

A light breeze moved across the rooftop of which the Fantasticar had settled on its stabilizers like a bird on a wire. There’s tension thick in the air.

Opening his mini interface panel on his arm display Reed speaks with precision.

“Anomaly breech in T-minus 10 seconds. Atmospheric entrance will begin with light refractions from upper cloud layer disruption, followed by thermal blooms and electromagnetic spikes. Due to cloud coverage and energy levels visibility may be limited.”

With one final squeeze of her husband's hand, Sue leans over to the backseat of the car and adjusts Franklin’s car seat harness once more. The toddler happily none the wiser as he played with his toys.

Ben gave her a curt nod of reassurance, he sat in the back with the baby, she offered a small smile in return before sitting back in her seat.

“How do we know for certain that this thing is even sentient?”

“I’ve ran its flight patterns three times, it’s not just passing through or drifting with the flow of space. It’s actively decelerating here. Whatever or whoever it is, is making the conscious decision to stop here.”

Folding his arms, rocky brows furrowing, Ben turns his gaze to the overhead clouds through the complete 360 dome around the Fantasticar.

“Why is it always Brooklyn? Can’t one of these things land in Jersey for once?”

“Breaking the outer atmosphere is five… four… three… two… one.”

Just above them there was a glimmer.

Not an ear piercing sonic boom. No seismic shockwave.

Just a sudden, soft, flicker of brilliant golden-orange light flickering through the upper cloud bank.

“That’s it?”

“It slowed down significantly, decreasing the expected impact. Just as I predicted, its consciously stopping here.”

Typing into the car's central console, Reed prepared its internal scanners to begin sweeping the area. He wanted a better understanding of exactly what was up there before charging at it.

However not everyone shared this sentiment.

With a loud ‘FWOOOSH’ Flames bursted past them on the rooftop in trails of ash and smoke. The streak of fire, of course, was Johnny in full ‘flame on’ mode. Launching upward high above them in a rush of heat and impulsed adrenaline he completely disregarded their earlier agreed upon orders.

“I’m going up!”

“Johnny fall back! We agreed we would observe first-”

Reed's communications were cut off in Johnny's ear as he muted it for a second before turning it back on.

“Yeah, yeah I know but I’m just giving ‘em a warm welcome!”

The flames vanished into the clouds, leaving only flickering traces of refraction light within the dense sky.

For a moment there’s nothing but static.

Until the orange light returns, not from Johnny, but from whatever descended lower into the atmosphere.

“How much do you wanna bet he’s already flirting with whatever's up there?” Ben retorts, half tense half joking. The other two within the Fantisicar were already dreading whatever Johnny so adamantly had to meet.

The world below was distant. The sounds of the city drowned out far below him as Johnny's flame trails flicker behind him, replaced by churning clouds and distant crackle of energy.

He was expecting a ship. A creature. A threat.

Instead when he broke out of the misty embankment he saw-

The ozone parts like a curtain, from the center of its stage breaches a figure.

Her.

The air around rippled with heat and radiation, though it was not harsh like whipped uncontrolled spikes, but instead warm. Calm. Like sunlight first breaking the dawn. 

Energy streaks behind her from the ends of her long, cascading, curled hair like fire.

Clad in foreign materials of gold and purple with a few red stones decorating the garment, it barely covered much of her radiant orange skin.

Big blue eyes racked over her form for more than a few seconds.

Her legs hovered a few feet above the empty sky Johnny occupied, but her head tilted down towards him, and vivid green eyes brighter than the finest emeralds locking directly onto him.

He holds her gaze. Though for the first time in possibly ever, Johnny has no witty comeback, no pick up line, no slogan.

He is at a complete loss for words.

His flames flicker with his heartbeat for a brief moment.

Quickly adjusting to pull himself together he tries to process what exactly is happening, in turn finding his voice again.

“Definitely not a comet.”

The space woman does not say anything. She just floats there, her gaze never wavering from his, it’s as if she’s assessing him.

Curious but cautious.

‘Think Johnny think, say something to her.’

Lifting his hand slowly, his heart in his throat, he gives a small wave.

“Uh… hey there.”

‘Really man?’

Even his own thoughts, usually filled with self confidence and boastful comments, chastised him for that brilliant introduction.

However the being before him didn’t seem to notice the awkwardness. Instead her head tilted inquisitively. Then she slowly descended lower, now entering level airspace as him.

As she grows closer Johnny's suit sensors blink warnings against the wrist module;

High levels of radiation detected.

But he barely noticed it.

His attention was solely on the alien now in front of him.

Letting out a nervous little laugh he meets her gaze once more. “Don’t suppose you speak English, huh?”

Slowly blinking once, her gaze softens, not in understanding, but with recognition that he was trying.

Thinking on his feet he recalled the languages he had analyzed from the galactic recordings last year.

He was not fluent in most, but knew a few phrases.

“Keareh?” He paused, no reaction. “Ble’va? Sphen’ia?... Are you, uh, recognizing any of this?"

Nothing. But still, she remained neutral, face calm.

Slowly drifting closer towards him he could now tell their immediate height difference, she was easily over six foot. Then there were her eyes, up close Johnny could see no visible pupils, just deep glowing spheres of green.

A few feet in-front of him she stopped, the soft warmth radiating off of her into the airspace around them had now fully enveloped him in its embrace.

Then, her hand slowly reached out, peach colored palm facing him, digits splayed, before stopping just a few centimeters over the circled 4 emblem on his chest.

Logic told him that he should back away, that at any moment she could reach out and unleash god knows what onto him.

Though Johnny was smarter than he oftentimes played himself out to be, he was always a genius at social cues.

And right now, this flaming alien woman was dropping no threats in both body language and expression.

Her hand shifted in the air, her pointer finger now tipped down.

Again the thought of backing up crossed Johnny's mind, but was ultimately ignored.

Softly tapping his chest once, twice, then finally a third her lips part, though the words she spoke were completely foreign.

“Ka’theria’rahn?”

“Kath…er’ahn?” Johnny tried to repeat it, though it failed to follow the same melodic rhythm she used, he may have also missed a few syllables.

However butchered he pronounced it, it still made her smile.

The sight brought a flush of crimson to his cheeks. However, the moment turned tense in an instant as her hand moved up and gripped the white collar of his uniform pulling him closer to her.

Alarms raced through Johnny's nervous system, demanding he jerk away.

But her grip was far stronger than he anticipated.

Before he realized exactly what position he was in and what was happening, there was a warmth blossoming across his lips as the atmosphere grew hot for a moment.

Blue eyes widened in pure shock as realization dawned on him.

She…

She was kissing him?

Johnny, a lover of both women and space, should have been thrilled that a giant sexy space alien woman was kissing him, but he honestly could not find the courage to breathe, much less move. Instead he floated there stunned, lips unresponsive to hers as they moved against them.

A small part of his brain that still managed to think critically reminded him of the possible dangers of this besides the radiation sensors buzzing in his suit. Kissing an alien could very well come with some kind of undiscovered space diseases…

But her lips were so soft.

The kiss was gentle. Not demanding, not forceful. Just… exploratory.

His flames did not burn her. In fact, she did not even flinch, it seemed like she barely noticed the fire at all.

And then it was over.

The kiss broke as quickly as it started. The alien woman gently pulled back from Johnny, a faint warmth lingering between them, her lips remaining parted slightly, and that beautiful smile returning across them. Her gaze refocused intently onto his.

He did not speak. He couldn’t.

Breaking through the clouds the Fantasticar emerged into the same brilliant stratosphere the two floated in, its sleek frame catching beams of light refracted off the anomaly. Or rather, her.

From the cockpit, all eyes locked onto the rather strange and unusual sight before them: Johnny, floating just above Earth’s stratosphere face-to-face with a radiant, orange-skinned alien woman whose hair blazed like wildfire across the sky.

Ben grimaced. “Oh, come on, we leave Matchstick alone for five minutes, and he’s already makin’ out with another space lady?”

Shielding Franklin’s carrier from the light rays with one hand Sue grumbled. “Seriously, Johnny?”

“She appears non-hostile,” Reed ignored the commentary entirely, his eyes glued to the tablet of his wrist component. “Fascinating. Neural intake spikes unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Plasma levels just jumped. That kiss triggered a massive neurological response. Adaptive, not emotional.”

“She kissed me! And no, she's not hostile I don't think...” Johnny barked, defensively throwing up his arms as he floated away from her and toward the car. “Look, I didn’t do anything! She just-, I was trying to talk to her and she-gah, I don’t even know what just happened!”

Feeling awkward shame crawling up his back Johnny began backing away from her and towards the other  four.

However just as he neared the Fantasticar the woman spoke again, only this time her voice was clear.

"Greetings," The moment the word resonated within the fantastic fours ears the world around them seemed to stop just for a moment. "I extend peace to your people. My apologies for the contact, it was necessary."

Johnny blinked, his head whipping back up to her as if she had spontaneously grown a second set of limbs. Though with aliens he supposed that was possible and much more likely than her learning English in of a minute.

Yet it was no trick of the mind, they all had heard it clear as day.

Soon the dots connected...

"That...that kiss was for you to learn English?"

She nodded in response, her posture remaining dignified, hovering just above them as her flame-like hair shimmered in the windless stratosphere. "Yes."

Ben could not help but crack a small mocking smile, a chuckle suppressing itself within his chest.

However, this new revelation caused the atmosphere around them to shift, allowing the tense reality to set back in. Just because she was presenting friendly right now did not mean this was her true intent.

Reed took a careful, diplomatic approach to asking the questions they needed answered. “If you don’t mind me asking, who are you?”

“I am Varyra'nn of Tamaran."

"And why have you come to Earth?"

"I seek those who defeated the world devourer."

All four grew tense, as stilled silence enveloped around them.

The team watched her through narrowed eyes, muscles half-taut, waiting for something to go wrong at the mere mention of the space deity.

Reed’s brow creased further, yet he remained composed, tone never wavering.

“You mean Galactus.”

Vayra’nn’s emerald eyes flicked to him behind the windshield of the Fantasticar. “If that is what your people call him. The devourer of worlds, the lifeless cosmic world ender. My people knew him only as Xi’ir-Torr’akk. That which silences suns.”

Ben muttered under his breath, “Oh great, she’s poetic too.”

Sue shot him a glance, then spoke up. “And what exactly do you want with the ones who stopped him?”

“I wish only to confirm that he is truly gone,” She paused for a moment, her body slightly losing its distinguished posture. “For centuries I wandered the scorched systems he left behind. My world-my people-were devoured long ago.”

Her voice did not tremble nor falter, yet the gravity of her words was far heavier than any mournful tears.

“Many claimed to stand against him. All failed.” She turned her gaze to Johnny, then back to Reed. “So, when I heard rumors carried by the remains, felt the void of his presence with whispers of Earth’s triumph... I came to see with my own eyes if this world truly did what none before it could.”

Reed’s fingers tapped thoughtfully at his wrist scanner. “If you came all this way just to confirm he’s dead, what then?”

"Now I'm not sure, my life's quest was to see the end of the devourer."

Sue folded her arms. “So, you’re saying you don’t work for him. You don’t plan to finish what he started?"

“I would burn before I ever served Xi’ir-Torr’akk.” Vayra’nn’s voice was steady, but there was a flash in her eyes. Righteous, tempered fury. “I have no interest in conquest. Only truth.”

Johnny, finally recovering his voice, cleared his throat. “Told you she wasn’t bad.”

Ben grunted. “Yeah, but you said that right after she kissed you.”

“She kissed me to learn English!”

Vayra’nn tilted her head slightly, watching the exchange. “It was the only way I could have effectively communicated with you.”

Johnny blinked. “You still could’ve asked.”

“I did, Ka’theria’rahn. You repeated it for confirmation."

Sue couldn’t help it; she snorted out a laugh. But quickly disguised it behind her hand. Even Reed cracked the faintest smile.

The silence after Vayra’nn’s explanation hung for a moment too long, until Sue took a quiet breath and spoke up once more.

"So, from what I understand, you have nowhere left to go?"

“My people are scattered. My planet, consumed. My cause… fulfilled at last. Ultimately no, there is no home to which I might return.”

Ben’s shoulders shifted subtly at that, a familiar weight in the words.

Reed’s brow furrowed, but he said nothing yet.

Vayra’nn continued, her voice even. “I am not unfamiliar with solitude. I can continue on, as I have for decades.”

Sue shook her head.

It did not sit right with her, nor anyone in the Fantasticar.

Johnny’s voice cut in from beside her, quieter than usual. “You don’t have to keep going. You found something else, didn’t you?”

Vayra’nn tilted her head. “Something?”

“You came here,” Johnny said, a little shrug. “That’s something.”

Sue nodded gently. “Stay. Just for now. We don’t know what the future holds, none of us do, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.”

There was a pause.

Then Vayra’nn lowered her head slightly, not quite a bow—something more like solemn acknowledgement. “You would offer shelter to a stranger?”

Sue met her eyes without flinching. “You came in peace and haven’t given us a reason to turn you away.”

“Besides,” Ben rumbled, arms crossing loosely over his chest, “you’ve had a helluva trip. Be a little cold to send you back out there with nothin’ but cosmic dust and memories.”

Reed finally nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly. “We’ve faced worse for less reason. You’re not the first to find yourself stranded here… and you won’t be the last. I’m also sure you have much to teach us as well.”

Johnny gave a crooked half-smile. “And hey, Earth’s not so bad. Food’s weird, but we’ve got pizza.”

Vayra’nn looked between them, as though trying to process the strange warmth behind their words. A warmth she had not felt in far too long. Her gaze lingered on Sue again. “You are… more merciful than I anticipated.”

Sue offered a small smile. “We try.”

For a breath, it seemed Vayra’nn might say nothing more. But then, quietly, her voice took on a distant softness:

“Then I accept. I will not impose beyond necessity, but… I will remain, for now.”

She straightened again, ever composed, but something in her expression had lighted.

Less the figure head of grace presenting piece. More like a friend.

“Thank you,” she added after a moment, and though the words were formal, they rang with sincerity.

------------------------------------------------------------

The flight back to New York was quieter than expected.

The Fantasticar led the way, carving through the open sky.

Johnny had chosen to fly just behind it instead of his usual habit of blazing past it. He was keeping pace not with the vehicle, but with her.

Vayra’nn flew beside him, arms at her sides, flaming hair trailing behind her like a comet’s tail. There was a natural elegance in her motion, her body guided not by outward propulsion but an effortless, controlled lift.

Johnny kept stealing glances over at her.

At first, they were cautious, almost bashful. She had kissed him merely a few minutes ago...even if it was educational.

But gradually his glances became more frequent. Curiosity bloomed behind his bright blue eyes. Not just because she was, well… an incredibly tall, incredibly powerful, sexy, alien woman. But because there was something else beneath her composed expression. A stillness that wasn’t cold. Something almost… lonely.

"Is something wrong?"

She had noticed his staring.

"No! No, of course, not it's just, uh you’re really good at flying. Like… freakishly good. Not that it’s freaky. I mean, I fly too obviously. It’s cool.” The word 'cool' seemed to catch itself halfway within his throat, as Johnny, embarrassed to be caught in the act, said the first excuse to grace his brain, not a complete lie.

A small smile quirks at the edges of her lips, uncaring to his slight word stumble.

"Thank you, I have had many years of experience."

Clearing his throat the flaming hero hoped the wind would carry away the heat growing across his cheeks.

“Right. Of course. You’ve been doing this a long time. That uh... makes sense.”

"You seem nervous, am I making you uncomfortable?"

“No, you're not making me uncomfortable,” he said, honest now, even if his tone still carried a bit of sheepishness. “I just… I don't think I’ve met anyone like you.”

Vayra’nn tilted her head slightly. “Most have not.”

He smiled faintly at that. “That tracks, it isn't everyday a gal such as yourself comes down from the sky.”

Her smile widens, "It isn't every day I meet someone as open as you either..." There's a moment of silence as her sentence trailed off, a bit tense then it hit him.

He never introduced himself.

'Way to be a real gentleman Johnny.' 

"I'm Johnny by the way, Johnny Storm." She hummed, in response rolling the name around within her mind for a second.

"Well Johnny Storm, it's been a pleasure meeting you so far." 

Now his smile widened.

Flying high above the tops of the foreign cities below, above all the chatter of the hustling streets filled with strange new people, where only the faint breeze of the distant ocean and ozone filtered through, Vayra’nn of Tameran felt something stir within her heart. 

Neither of them truly grasped exactly what they had gotten themselves into that day, but whatever it was, it felt right.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aquamating to Earth’s costumes and societal standards had been a bit of a challenge for Varya’nn. Strange to her for sure, yet she did her best to adhere to it.

Learning that the skin tight body suit she wore was deemed ‘immodest’ was definitely a bit of a culture shock.

Morning light filtered in through the high windows of Vayra’nn’s borrowed bedroom. All was quiet save for the rustle of fabric and the soft hum of the building's systems. She stood tall near the center of the room, her arms loosely crossed over her chest. 

“Immodest, what does that mean? Do I offend you with my clothing? It is traditional Tameranean attire.” Worry edged itself into Varya'nn's voice for she had been on Earth for less than a week and already she had offended the woman who so graciously opened her home to her.

She had never heard of such a word. ‘Modesty? Immodest?’

“No, it's not that, it's just on Earth we don't typically wear things that… exposed unless we’re at the beach.” Sue had chosen her words carefully yet still saying them felt odd. Like explaining to a toddler why it was improper to go outside in underwear.

Standing in the room by its dresser she rummaged through its contents. Most of the clothing within it had once been hers, forever banished to these drawers due to either not fitting or simply not her style anymore. Despite their clear height difference Sue was certain she had to have something in here that would fit.

“On my planet this is considered quite discrete.” That comment earned a small chuckle from Sue as she at last held up a folded pair of jeans and a soft, long sleeved T-shirt.

“Here, these should fit you. They’re pretty standard Earthwear, nothing fancy.”

“Forgive me, but I do not understand. My current attire allows the absorption of solar energy directly into my skin. This…” She lifted the jeans between two fingers with a frown. “This is thick and restrictive. It will lessen my efficiency.”

Sue offered a sympathetic smile. “Yeah, I get that. And I agree, you look amazing in what you’ve got on. But Earthlings aren’t used to Tamaranean customs. If you walk down the street like that, people will stare. Whisper. Probably take a lot of photos.”

Vayra’nn’s brow furrowed. “Why would they do this? Do they not also possess bodies?”

“They do. They just have… more rules about them.”

Sue then sat down an odd contraption. 

“What is that?” Picking it up, Varya'nn examined it further. Two thin straps connected a thick band of fabric, the beige material was textured against her fingers in some areas but smooth in others. 

Sue’s eyebrows furrowed, her lips pushing together in a thin line, confliction racing in her mind.

“It's a bra.” 

“A bra? For what purpose does this serve?” The invincible woman let out an exasperated sigh, not one of contentment more so of inner confliction on how she was supposed to explain this.

After 10 minutes of Sue divulging the what, when, and why’s of undergarments the two had reached a bit of a stalemate. 

Then from the hallway, there was a casual knock on the door, at last breaking their stall.

“You two decent?”

Johnny stepped in without waiting for an answer, catching sight of the conversation mid-clothing demonstration. His gaze flicked from the jeans in Vayra’nn’s hands to the perplexed look on her face.

“What’s goin’ on?”

“She doesn’t understand why she needs to cover up,” Sue explained, lightly exasperated but fond.

Vayra’nn turned to Johnny, jeans still dangling in her hands like captured prey. “These are most inefficient.”

Johnny looked at her, then the jeans, then back again and grinned. “Yeah… but you’ll still look great in ’em.”

Her expression didn't change, but her gaze lingered on him for a beat longer than expected. “You believe that would improve their function?”

He laughed, shaking his head. “Not really. But sometimes humans wear things just because they like how they look. Not everything has to be practical.”

Vayra’nn tilted her head slightly. “That is illogical.”

“Welcome to Earth,” Johnny said with a shrug, folding his arms behind his head. “We’re full of that.”

Sue gave her a gentler smile. “You don’t have to change who you are. But… blending in might make things easier. At least while you’re figuring out what comes next.”

Vayra’nn looked back down at the clothes, quiet for a moment. Then, with a slow, resigned breath, she spoke: “Very well. If this is what is required, I shall endure it.”

Johnny raised a brow, a playful glint in his eye. “You make it sound like we’re throwing you in a prison jumpsuit.”

Vatra’nn’s head tilted at the new set of words. “Prison jumpsuit?” 

However before Johnny could reply she had already reached back behind her neck, unfastening the clasped hook around her garment's top. Peeling the tight fabric down, the peaks of her breasts were now exposed. Johnny's cheeks blushed bright red as he quickly turned away before she pulled it further down.

Sue yelped at the sight, turning around herself. “We’re still in the room!” 

“Oh,” Vayra’nn blinked. “Is disrobing also immodest?”

Johnny grinned widened, a chuckled escaping his flushed face.

“You’ve got a lot to learn.”

The two left the room in a hurry, leaving the Tameranean to dress. 

Five minutes turned to ten, ten into fifteen, soon it had been twenty five minutes, far too long a time for a quick change of clothes.

“Should we…check on her?” Johnny had been leaning casually against the hallway just outside her door, pretending not to be antsy waiting, yet failing miserably at his disguise.

Looking up from the tablet within her hands Sue shook her head.

“Give her time, she’ll be okay.”

After another five the door at last creaked open and vayra’nn stepped out.

Gone was the purple, skin tight leotard-esk garment, replaced with a long sleeved top in the color of stormy dusk and a pair of perfectly snug, high-waisted bell bottoms. The jeans flair at the bottom just barely brushed the tops of her clean white sneakers, which she had managed to lace up…eventually.

She shifted a bit, fingers pulling at the fabric around her wrists, then down to the pockets of the jeans.

“These fabrics are strange. But they’re not as restrictive as I feared.” 

Sue smiled.

“You look good, those fit you nicely.” 

Johnny on the other hand took a moment to really take in the scene before him.

If he was a dog he’d be howling, tail wagging, probably drooling. 

With a short, stunned whistle he dramatically slapped a hand over his chest.

“So this is why Earth invented jeans.”

Vayra’nn looked at him, puzzled, worry evident in her expression. “You are in pain?”

Sue groaned. “Ignore him.”

“No, no, this is serious,” Johnny said, trying not to grin. “You’re gonna break necks walking around New York like that.”

Vayra’nn furrowed brows deepened. “I do not wish to injure anyone.”

Sue sighed. “It’s just a phrase, Vayra’nn.”

Vayra’nn considered that and then gave a slow, confident nod. “Then I shall endeavor to walk responsibly.”

Johnny nearly choked on his own breath, face splitting into a laugh he couldn’t hold back.

“She’s killing me, Sue,” he said under his breath, amusement oozing.

“You’re doing that to yourself,” Sue replied dryly.

Approaching Vayra’nn he gave her a reassuring smile. “Ready to see the city?”

She reciprocated it with a nod.

“Lead the way.”

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The city roared around them.

Vayra’nn stood still at a street corner, her bright emerald eyes wide with wonder, a tad overwhelmed but ultimately mesmerized by the chaos. What Johnny had explained to be cars blared their horns, lights flickered from overhead posts, music thrumped from nearby stores, and above it all were dozens upon dozens of voices. Laughing, shouting, and speaking so many different languages she had not yet learned. She had not expected so much diversity because most planets only had one universal spoken tongue. But earth seemed different.

She did not flinch nor buckle from the overwhelming stimulus, instead she looked over to Johnny, eyes swimming with dozens of unspoken questions. 

“Its always like this,” Stepping closer to her, his shoulder brushed against hers. “You get used to it. Trust me.”

She turned her attention back to the scene before them, watching as a vendor flipped sizzling meat on a cart, the steam it rose carried unfamiliar spices. An animal, she wasn't sure the name of, ran beside the stall barking in hopes of receiving a piece of the meat. A child dropped some sort of frozen food onto the concrete and wailed to its guardians who promptly picked them up. A car with bright yellow paint zoomed by at far too fast of speeds.

But there despite it all, it was oddly beautiful to her.

“Theres so much life here.”

Johnny's smile beamed up to her.

“Yeah, Earth has a lot of that.” He paused looking around a bit before his eyes locked onto something down the street. “Wanna try a hot dog?”

“Dog? Is that not a domesticated animal?” Her tone was uncomfortable, thin red eyebrows furrowing in borderline disgust. Though she had never seen one nor had any idea what they looked like she knew a ‘dog’ to be a sort of ‘pet’ animal.

Despite her internal conflict this only served to widen Johnny’s grin.

“Its not actually a dog, c’mon I’ll buy you one.”

Chewing the mouthful of foreign substance before swallowing Vayra’nn is pleasantly surprised by the tastes developing on her tongue.

“Well, what do you think?” 

“It is most pleasant, though I do quite prefer this tangy yellow substance, is there more?” Before Johnny could say anything back, she had already taken an entire packet of it and slurped it down like a popsicle. 

Immediately the Human Torch felt queasy to his stomach at the sight.

“Uhhh Vy, that's mustard…”

“It is most delicious.” She drank another packet, though was sourly upset when Johnny took the last one away. “Also, you continue to refer to me as ‘Vy’ why?”

Shaking his head at the sight, Johnny laughed off his slight unease choosing to ignore that incident all together. “I just like it.”

“I was not aware my designation required abbreviation, is it hard to pronounce?”

“It isn’t, it's just a nickname.”

“Nickname?”

Johnny looked at her a little more gently, her naivety stirred feelings within him, not pity, no it was more akin to adorableness.

“They’re something we give people we like. Makes it feel… personal.”

Her lips pulled up into a radiant, beaming, grin.

“Then please feel free to refer to me as such! Shall I give you a nickname too?” 

“Sure you-”

The moment was broken by the shrill call of several people across the street.

“Is that Johnny Storm?”

“It is him! Quick take a picture!”

“That’s the Human Torch.”

A group of tourists had spotted them, well, spotted Johnny. 

The second the first shout of his name was uttered, it was like a switch had flipped within him. He smiled, a bright, practiced photogenic grin. Lifting a hand in a casual wave as others began to notice, it wasn’t long before more people joined in, trickling from all sides of the crosswalk. Already a few were holding up their phones, snapping pictures and pointing excitedly.

Vayra’nn tilted her head curiously. “Are these humans hostile?”

“No, no,” Johnny said quickly, glancing back at her as the crowd started to grow near. “Just fans. Like admires.” 

Vyra'nn remained seated on the bench, though her posture straightened, scanned the growing group of strangers. Their voices layered over one another like a rising tide.

Johnny’s grin didn’t falter, though he made it a point to move a bit in front of her as to block a few of the cameras.

He handled it like he always did, slipping seamlessly into ‘celebrity mode’. He posed for pictures, signed a few things, even gave a kid a fist bump. All the while, he was keenly aware of Vayra’nn sitting silently a few steps behind him.

She was watching the crowd intently, curious and cautious, just as she was when she first met him. A few passersby spared her glances, uncertain whether she was with him or just some cosplayer street performer.

Johnny tried to wrap things up quickly. He did not want to rush the fans, they were part of the job, but Vy had never been around this kind of attention before. He had not meant to bring her somewhere this populated, not yet.

He turned to go.

“Let's go.” He whispered to Vy. However the moment she got up and the two began walking side by side again the crowd reignited.

“Yo Johnny who’s that?”

“Is that your girlfriend?”

“Wait, is she an alien or something!?”

“She’s beautiful, but who is she!?”

With their backs still turned to the crowd their pace stalled, Varya’nn’s posture stiffened, obviously unsure how to approach the situation. She felt uncomfortable and suddenly Johnny did ever so slightly feel it too.

“Alright, that’s it for today, folks! We’ve gotta run, busy schedules you know how it is!”

He shot them a grin, charming as ever, then pivoted back to Vayra’nn, gently placing a hand at the small of her back. They walked quickly but without rushing, the clicking of cameras still chasing them down the sidewalk.

Someone managed to snap a clear photo of the two of them side by side just before they turned the corner.

Once they were out of sight, a few blocks away, Johnny at last slowed his pace, she followed his lead.

“Sorry, I should’ve known that would happen.”

Their hands brushed against one another as they continued to walk, though neither made any effort to widen the distance between them.

“They were quite excitable, though not unkind.”

“Still. I didn’t mean for them to see you yet,” he muttered. “I love the fans but it’s really none of their business.”

She looked at him quietly for a moment.

“You did not answer their questions.”

“Nope, not their moment to know about you. That's completely up to you, If and when you’re ready.”

A beat passes between them. Then she smiles, soft but sure, emerald eyes looking into his bright blue.

 “As long as you’re with me I do not mind who knows about me.”

He returned her grin, their hands again brushing against one another, though this time his fingers experimentally reached out for hers. Her own digits curled around his in response. 

They walked back to the Baxter building like this, hands interlocked in reassurance. That same feeling brewing deep within their chests as the first time they had flown together side by side.

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Varya'nn was entering week three of her stay on Earth, after settling in Reed had requested to see her in his lab.

The walls hum faintly with machinery. The soft glow of multiple high-tech interfaces reflected in Vayra’nn’s eyes as she sits on top of a medical platform. With her feet bare, curly hair tied back,and a simple tank top and shorts combo provided by Sue she awaited Reed's instructions. 

Adjusting the settings on a console beside her, the scientist readied his equipment.

“Comfortable?” Reed's voice was gentle but focused. He had never been able to properly study an extraterrestrial life form before. Aside from the inorganic, mineral, samples taken from Galactus’ ship last year, this was his first organic, living, subject.

“I am. You may begin with whatever test you wish.”

The machines begin to whirl softly, light sweeping over her body, her vitals appearing as holograms above her in linear curves and data patterns.

“You’re remarkably cooperative,” Reed muttered, more so to himself than to her, yet it was not lost to her perceptive ears. 

“I have nothing to hide. Where I come from, knowledge is shared, never hidden.”

“A wonderful sentiment.” Reed readies another, smaller, device. “I’ll be taking a small blood sample.”

She does not say anything, simply nods her head as he places it down beside at the inner bend of her elbow, nor does she flinch when it punctures a vein in her arm to extract the sample. 

Unlike human blood, when drawn into the collection vial, Varya’nn’s was not red. Instead it concentrates into a light shade of pink and glows faintly in the vial under the lights within the lab.

“Fascinating. Your hemoglobin appears to be binding solar particles directly into its organelles. It's more akin to plasmatic matter, or even cytoplasm, than human proteins. That may explain your energy projection and flight, but I’ll need to run a full comprehensive metabolic panel."

Varya’nn nods once more, his words more than lost in translation but she assumed it to be a good thing though one statement she knew was wrong.

“Perhaps, but flight is not a common trait amongst Tameraneans.”

Before he can begin to question her further on the matter, the lab doors ‘swooshed’ open.

“Yo!” Johnny  entered the lab unannounced, a lab coat thrown on over his black t-shirt and jeans unbuttoned allowing the white draping to hang open. “Did I miss the alien dissection?”

Vayra’nn’s brows raise in suspicion, eyes immediately darting from Johnny to Reed. “There will be no dissection. Correct?”

Reed sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “No, there will be no dissection.” Turning towards his brother in law he looks exasperated. “She’s fine, Johnny. In fact her biochemistry is more stable than ours. She’s been on earth for a week and already has a better resting heart rate than you ever will.”

Johnny leans on the wall casually, arms folded. “Yeah, well, some of us have hearts that race when beautiful women sit on lab tables.”

“Unhelpful,” Turning his attention back to his equipment, Reed takes a pipette to the vial of Vayra’nn’s blood and dispenses two drops of it into the beakers before him, then finally one drop onto a microscope slide.  

“I don’t mind your flattery Johnny. It is quite endearing.” Vayra’nn looks pleased to see him, after all the two have been nearly inseparable for the last several days. Johnny had made it a point to take her not only around town on foot but via flight as well.

Reed changes the subject before the two could flirt any more blatantly. “So, you said not all Tamaraneans fly, is that right?”

“Correct, it is an inherited gene passed down through bloodlines. Some of my people were born with it, others without. I was one of the few fortunate.” 

“So your ability to absorb solar radiation,” gesturing to her vitals display which read various numbers far higher than a healthy human's numbers. “It’s not just for that purpose if all of your species possesses this ability is it?”

“As your kind needs water and food, I require solar radiation. My body metabolizes it as you’ve observed.” Varya’nn pauses, piecing together her next statement. “It is how I managed to survive in deep space without landing for so long. While eating is still necessary, as long as I’ve filled my stomachs before ascending, I can sufficiently fly for several earth months if I have proper radiation exposure."

“Hold on you said stomachs, as in plural?” Out of everything she had said, that one detail had garnered his immediate attention. 

“Yes, do you not?” The innocence in her eyes coupled with the small smile spreading across her face as she looked at him melted Johnny’s poor heart and silenced his interjections.

“No, humans only possess one. As the scans show you have five. I presume they all possess distinct functions?” Reed questioned, still gazing over the scan before him.

“Yes,the first begins enzymatic conversion of solar-infused nutrients, the second acts as storage. The third filters out toxic elements, the fourth holds reserve fluids, and the fifth,” she pauses, tilting her head slightly, “is... sentimental. It processes emotional states. We say it is where we ‘hold our joy.’”

Johnny leaned forward, eyes wide. “Wait, you’ve got a stomach just for feelings?”

She nodded, almost proud. “Emotions are vital to Tamaranean strength. Rage, grief, love, ecstasy, they feed the soul, and the soul feeds the flame. When it is empty, we feel... diminished.”

Reed scribbled something furiously into a digital pad. “Psychosomatic biochemical responses localized to an organ system... fascinating. A physiological reaction to emotional stimuli that increases energy efficiency. That’s completely counter to how most known species function.”

“So what, like, being happy gives you a power boost?” Johnny asked. “Or is it more like... whatever you feel strongest?”

“Yes,” she said simply. “Intensity matters more than quality. But positive feelings stabilize the absorption. Negative ones can... overflow.”

Reed made a mental note to study that further, but Johnny’s curiosity got the better of him first. He wandered over, cocking his head at her thoughtfully.

“So when you kissed me to learn English... that didn’t count as a feeling thing, right?”

She looked over at him, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly, her eyes conveying a bit of remorse. “Not in the way you mean. It was necessary for translation.”

“Right, right,” he muttered, clearly trying to look as if it did not bruise his ego. “Just... educational stuff. Got it.”

Reed rolled his eyes. “Can I continue the scans before you flirt anymore, Johnny?”

“I’m not flirting. I’m investigating. For science.” Johnny protested, walking closer to the lab table she laid on, taking a gander at the scans himself to further prove that he was indeed ‘here for science.’

Vayra’nn looked at Johnny’s hand as he neared. It was only a few inches away from hers, without thinking of the implications, decision based purely on feelings, she reached out for it. 

The monitor on Reed’s screen immediately jumped, a bright pulse moving across the graph in sharp arcs.

“Whoa,” Johnny murmured, his eyes darting down to their interlocked hands. “Did I do that?”

“Yes,” she said softly, a wide smile growing across her lips. “The fifth stomach feels full.”

Johnny blinked his fingers tightening around hers. “Full of what?”

“Happiness.”

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the first full month of Varya'nn being on Earth came to a close and the second one quickly approaching its end as well, the relationship between her and Johnny became a strange one. Johnny never fully admitted his romantic feelings for her nor she to him. Truth be told the Human Torch wasn’t even sure what his feelings were. However, the way they interacted with one another spoke volumes. 

It was rare to catch them not holding hands, not talking to each other, not interacting in some way shape or form. It was something the other three immediately clocked within the two months of her being on Earth. The hand holding they initially brushed off as something she probably did in her culture, just as she had kissed him when they first met so unabashedly. A cultural difference between them given her biology tied to emotions.

But as more time passed, the touches lingered a little longer, the glances held a little more longing. 

She sought him out in every room while he gravitated towards her without thinking, instinctual it seemed. She smiled more when he was nearby, in turn he always seemed far happier near her. 

It was not loud or obvious. There were no grand declarations, no stolen kisses, no accidental walk-ins by any other member of the team like Ben had been so adamant would happen. 

Just the subtle weight of something growing.

By the end of the second month, no one was under any illusion. Whatever it was between them, it was more than a misunderstanding of customs.

Something was happening.

—-----

The two of them were gone yet again, out somewhere in the city. Sue had heard Johnny mention the botanical gardens this morning, claiming Vayra’nn needed ‘solar and photosynthetic enrichment.’ She had nearly laughed when he said it, but something in the way he said it had been so sincere. Not teasing. Just… soft. It was a pattern Sue had come to pick up on rather quickly about the two, Johnny had never spoken to another woman the way he spoke to and about Varya’nn.

In the shared living space, three of the four lounged. Reed was combing over a few sets of charts he had drawn up earlier in the week while Sue leaned back against the counter in the adjacent kitchen, sipping slowly on a mug of coffee. Across the room, Ben sat in a recliner flipping through channels on the large box-screen tv set, clearly bored out of his mind.

“They’re out again, huh?” Ben asked between channel surfs.

“Third day in a row. Same time, too. Like clockwork.” Sue responded, taking in another sip of coffee.

Reed didn’t look up from his work, but chimed into the conversation nonetheless. “Johnny said something about the gardens earlier. He was convinced she needed more exposure to direct sunlight. Something about her ‘energy levels.’”

Ben snorted. “Means he just wanted an excuse to see her in that outfit again.”

Sue smiled into her mug, saying nothing.

Reed finally stopped analyzing, gaze stilled into the open space before him. “Do you think the hand holding is cultural? At first I assumed it was, but now I’m less convinced. The consistency of the behavior is-”

“It’s not cultural,” Sue said before he could finish. “Not anymore.”

Ben turned in his seat and grunted in agreement. “Kid’s got it bad. He’s not makin’ a big show of it like usual, but c’mon. The guy practically glows when she looks at him.”

“She’s the same. Have you seen the way she watches him when he talks? Like he’s the only thing that matters. It’s not loud or dramatic, it’s just… there. Constant.”

Reed straightened up, the thoughtful crease in his brow deepening. “They do engage in frequent, casual contact. The kind that’s difficult to quantify but statistically rare in platonic pairings.”

Ben gave him a look. “No offense, Stretch, but, yeah. We know.”

“I’m merely stating the observable data.”

Sue chuckled, shaking her head. “It’s not about data, Reed. It’s about how they act when the other’s around. He doesn’t flirt with anyone else anymore. She never strays too far from his side. There’s something real there, even if they haven’t said it out loud yet.”

She turned to glance out the tall curtained windows, where late afternoon sunlight spilled in across the floor. Her voice softened.

“Honestly, I think it’s kind of sweet. Like they’re just figuring it out together, one day at a time.”

Ben gave a quiet grunt of agreement. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t mess it up. I kinda like her.”

“I do as well,” Reed said without hesitation. “She’s cooperative. Intelligent. Curious. Her cellular makeup is utterly fascinating-”

“Reed.”

“Right. Yes. I like her. As a person.”

A short silence fell between them. Not awkward, just contemplative. 

—--

The botanical gardens sat tucked away within the outskirts of the city, far from the usual hustle and bustle of time square it found its own quiet spot of peace. It felt untouched, almost wild, truly living up to its whole purpose. And in the middle of it, Vayra’nn moved like she belonged there.

She had never seen such open flora, on Tameran the planet was mostly rocky save for the deep forests far beyond its cities and now on Earth she lived within an urban jungle. It was a nice change of scenery.

The sundress she wore had been Sue’s suggestion, though Johnny had given an enthusiastic thumbs-up and adamant nod the moment it was pulled from the rack. He had insisted that he buy it for her along with any other dress she happened to glance at. Though this one was by far his favorite. It was soft yellow, cinched slightly at the waist, flowing just enough to move with the breeze and ended at her mid thigh. It complemented her orange skin and contrasted with the vibrant red of her hair, which she had tied loosely at the nape of her neck, a few curls still escaping around her face.

Johnny was trying his best to focus on the orchids, or the exotic flowering vines clinging to the trellises along the paths. Or maybe even the placards with facts he’d half-read aloud to make her laugh. But none of it stuck. His gaze kept drifting back to her. The way her bright emerald eyes lit up with curiosity. The delicate way her fingers hovered just above a petal.

She turned as they reached a tall living wall of flowers, an explosion of color and bloom that climbed high up toward the sky.

She stepped in front of it, tilting her head as if listening to the quiet hum of the bees nearby, the corner of her mouth lifted in a thoughtful smile.

Johnny stared once more. Though this time he could not tear his eyes away.

She looked like something out of a dream. Light, fire and calm, framed by blossoms.

"Hey, can I take a picture?" Already pulling his phone out of his pants pocket she turned to glance at him over her shoulder, thin brows lifting in mild surprise.

"Of me?"

"Yeah," Johnny hesitated for a moment, scratching the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. “I mean, if that’s okay. You just… you look amazing. You should see yourself.”

Her expression softened as she considered it. "Only if we take one together afterward."

Johnny blinked, then gave a lopsided smile, one of the ones that made his dimples show and his ears turn faintly pink.

"Deal."

She turned to face Johnny, the wall of flowers behind her as he raised his phone and smiled. Not a forced smile like most did for photos, but a true, happy grin. The camera clicked once, twice. 

By the time he had lowered his phone she was already walking forward, reaching for his hand.

"Now, our photo."

Taking her hand into his he Johnny raised the camera once more, being sure to capture not only their faces but their interlaced embrace, flowers lighting up the background. 

A thought crossed his mind, impulsive and wild.

‘Kiss her.’

He stiffened against her, but kept his composure, opting not to enact his thoughts. Not yet.

—

Later that evening, the Baxter Building was quiet, at least by Fantastic Four standards. The moon sat high in the sky, its light filtering through the curtained windows within the common room.

Johnny lay sprawled out across one of the couches, phone held above his head.

He should have been going over reports from a recent mission. Or at least pretending to help Reed calibrate that weird dimensional probe thing he had been working on again. But instead, his thumb hovered over his camera roll, caught between guilt and a dopey, almost embarrassed smile.

He swiped.

Photo after photo from the gardens filled the screen. The one of her standing against the wall of blooms, sunlight threading through her hair like molten fire was his favorite by far. Not just because of how beautiful she looked, though gods, she was, it was the look on her face. Soft, open, happy. 

Like Earth didn’t feel quite so alien anymore.

That one, naturally, had been promoted to lock screen status within the hour.

But there were others, too.

Ones she had not known were taken.

One where she knelt beside a row of unfamiliar plants, her thin red brow furrowed in thoughtful curiosity.

Another, slightly blurry, where she’d leaned into him, laughing at something he’d said. The photo was taken half-accidentally as his thumb fumbled over the capture button. Her wide smile forever captured from that moment.

And his favorite, aside from the first, was a shot from behind, quietly snapped when she hadn’t been looking. They were walking along one of the gravel paths, dappled light falling through the overhead trees. Her hand was in his, their fingers naturally, comfortably intertwined. The skirt of her dress floated just around her mid thighs. She was leading him forward, and somehow, it felt symbolic. Like he’d follow her anywhere.

He stared at that one for a while longer.

Feelings swirled in his mind and settled heavily in his chest. He knew what this was, deep inside he had always known. Yet unlike every other time he had felt something even remotely close to this he could not bring himself to tell her like any woman before. Because Vayra'nn was not just any other woman, she was her.

But God he wanted to... Just...couldn't.

In the two months since Vayra’nn had entered the Earth's atmosphere, Johnny, the Human Torch, the protector of its people, had found himself helplessly, and irrevocably infatuated with the tall orange woman who now lived within the Baxter buildings guest suite.

—---

The kitchen was quiet, bathed in the fading blue into the yellow light of dawn, the world outside was still waking up. But inside the kitchen, Ben Grimm was already at the blender, a massive rocky hand steadying the lid while the other tapped the power button. The whirring roar of pulverized protein powder and frozen bananas filled the space.

Until a loud ding from the counter cut through the noise.

Johnny, shirtless and yawning, wandered in mid-stretch, rubbing at his eyes with the back of one hand, the other reaching lazily for his phone.

Ben glanced down just as Johnny lifted the device. The screen was still lit, his lock screen proudly displaying a photo of Vayra’nn.

Ben’s unibrow lifted high. “Oh yeah,” he grunted, scooping whey powder into a second cup, “you two are definitely just friends.”

Johnny blinked, pulling the phone closer to his chest like a teenager caught watching inappropriate videos. “It’s a good picture,” he muttered defensively. “And we are friends.”

“Uh-huh,” Ben said, clearly not buying a word. “Friends who hold hands like it’s a lifeline. Friends who spend every spare second starin’ at each other like a pair’a lovesick puppies. Yeah, sure.”

Johnny turned away toward the fridge, grabbing oat milk and mumbling, “We’re… figuring it out.”

Ben leaned an elbow on the counter, watching him. “She know you’re this gone for her?”

Johnny paused at that, the carton in his hand. “I don’t know. I haven’t said anything.”

“Judgin’ by the way she looks at you?” Ben shook his head, a small smile tugging at the edge of his rocky mouth. “She’s gotta be in the same boat. I’ve seen that look before.”

Johnny did not bother to pour the milk into a glass, instead he took a swig straight from the carton. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Ben's voice was final, certain.

Johnny laughed under his breath. 

The older man simply shrugged before grabbing his shake and heading for the door. “Better figure it out before she gets snatched up by some other cosmic Casanova.”

Johnny glanced at his phone again, thumb brushing over the screen where her smile lit up the flowers behind her. “I’m working on it.”

Ben’s voice called from the hall, gravelly and fond, “Don’t take too long, Romeo.”

–

The sky above the Baxter Building had just begun to dim. Streaks of orange and rose painted the glass as evening settled in. 

Vayra’nn laid on one of the rooftops numerous lounge chairs, Reed had them installed for ‘maximum solar absorption’ three weeks ago.

She had been out here for several hours, back to the main door leading inside, arms folded loosely over her chest. 

Her gaze was distant, fixed somewhere beyond the skyline, the light breeze tugged at the fabric of her leisure wear a tank top and shorts, thoughts swimming within her mind like wildfire. 

Behind her, the rooftop door slowly creaked open.

Johnny hesitated in its threshold, one hand on the frame, his own mind a mess of thoughts as well. 

His gaze immediately locked onto her laying silhouetted form waning against the light.

He had been avoiding this. 

Not her, not really, just… coming to terms with the reality of how he really felt and what he actually wanted. 

The way his chest got tight when she laughed. The way her eyes lingered on him just a little too long. The way every word he wanted to say suddenly sounded stupid the second it reached his tongue.

Johnny Storm was a ladies man, he had held feelings for plenty of other girls before. He knew what this was, at least what it mostly was… He second guessed it purely because none of them had ever made him feel quite this strongly. 

Circumventing her had been an accidental byproduct of it all. 

Her head had turned to the side, catching him halfway through yet another cowardly retreat.

“Johnny,” Her voice was soft but certain.

He froze, one foot in the doorway the other outside. “Hey.”

She studied him for a moment, her emerald eyes unreadable, before standing up from her lounger. “Did I… do something to upset you?”

His brows lifted. “What? No, no, not at all.”

“Then why do you act as if you’re uncomfortable around me? You barely look me in the eye anymore. You leave the room quickly when I enter. You used to talk. Laugh. Now you… don’t.” Each statement was one step closer to him.

Johnny looked away, lips pressing into a thin line. He made his decision within that split second. With one foot in front of the other he stepped out onto the rooftop, closing the door behind him and the gap between them. 

His voice was quieter when he finally spoke again now fully in front of her. “It’s not you. It’s me being an idiot.”

She tilted her head.

“Vy…I’ve talked to a lot of women in my life. Flirted with them, taken them out, made them feel like they were the center of the universe. It was easy.”

“And I’m not?” she asked, but not with judgment, with genuine curiosity.

He smiled, almost ruefully. “You’re too easy to talk to, Vy. You’re kind. Honest. Strong. You could fold me in half with one hand and still somehow make me feel safe.”

She blinked, lips parting faintly at that.

“I’m not avoiding you because I’m uncomfortable,” His voice was steadier now, though still held an uneasy edge. “I’m avoiding you because every time I’m near you, I forget how to act. I say the wrong thing, or worse… I say nothing. And that’s new for me. That’s scary.”

A pause.

Then, quietly, “You scare me, Vy.”

She flinched slightly at that statement, her own unease rising to the surface. “Because of how I look?”

“No,” he said immediately, stepping closer, their chests nearly touching. “Because of how I feel when I look at you.”

She stared at him, silent, confused yet desperate to understand. 

“Do you remember when you first agreed to stay on Earth? When we flew back here?”

She nods, recalling the memory vividly.

“I meant what I said, I still feel that way. You're not like anyone I’ve ever met. And I think somewhere between the moment you kissed me to learn my language and the moment I caught myself watching you smile at a patch of sunflowers…I fell for you.”.

He exhaled, eyes locking onto hers before continuing. “Look, I’m sorry I’ve been distant. I just… didn’t know how to say all that.”

Vayra’nn was quiet for a long moment.

Then, she stepped forward, close enough that he could feel the warmth radiating from her skin.

“I thought our feelings for each other had already been expressed.”

“I-what?”

“My people do not hide our emotions, we freely express them.” She reaches down, both of her hands grasping onto his. He did not withdraw, instead he held on, as he did every time before. “Holding your hand, spending time with you, that has been my way of expressing how I feel about you Johnny. I am unfamiliar with human courting, my apologies if I improperly initiated it.”

His heart skipped a beat, his mind struggling to process everything she had just said. The one word he could think of was; 

“Seriously?”

She nodded once.

He grinned, the weight falling off him all at once. “So, uh…this whole time you’ve been trying to ask me out?”

“If that is the proper term for trying to be your partner then yes.”

—-

The two stay out atop the Baxter building, retreating to the lounge chairs for the remainder of the late afternoon into the early evening. 

With bare legs draped between his, one arm lazily slung across his torso, the other folded beneath her chin Vy and Johnny cuddled within the same chair. Her cheek pressed against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. His warmth, though vastly different from the sun’s, comforted her just the same. 

One of his arms cradled her close, while the other trailed over the soft curve of her tank top covered waist. Occasionally it would move up to twirl a piece of curly red hair within their digits.

“I could stay like this forever.”

“Yeah... I’d be okay with that.”

Neither of them spoke for a long while afterwards. There’s no need to. Simply enjoying the feeling of holding the other, contentment finally flowing through them.

So stay they did, until the sun dipped far below the horizon of the city's skyscrapers. 

Shifting slightly beneath her Johnny drew in a deep breath. At his stirring Vayra’nn began to rise, propping herself halfway up on her elbows. Her long hair spilled over one shoulder catching fragments of moonlight between the strands as her face hovered just above his.

They were close, so close he could feel the warmth of her breath and see the faint outline of invisible green pupils within her emerald eyes reflecting back his own blue hues.

His hands instinctually lifted to cradle her face between his palms, thumbs brushing gently along her high cheekbones.

“Hey.”

Smiling softly, she did not answer with words, instead the two simply looked into each other's eyes in the stillness of the growing night wrapped in desire neither of them rushed to fulfill. 

That was until he leaned up just slightly.

She met him the rest of the way.

Their lips meet slowly,  hovering just over the other as if waiting for the one to retract.

When neither do, they both press firmer before Johnny takes the lead and moves his lips against hers. Not in a heated hunger nor rush, but a lingering craving they had both wanted for so long. 

She adapts to his rhythm, mirroring every motion with her own. 

One kiss turns into two, two to three, then before long they had both stopped counting, simply enjoying the moment. Linger in it, in the shared breath and quiet sighs pulled from the other.

When they at last part Johnny doesn’t move far, catching his breath as it mingled with hers. His hands still cup her cheeks, forehead nearly brushing against hers.

“…Do you want to stay with me tonight?” His words are barely above a whisper. They hold no pressure, no expectations, a simple question she could fully reject.

Vayra’nn blinks slowly, tilting her head just slightly into the comfort of his hands.

“Of course. I always want to be near you.”

She presses a small kiss to the corner of his mouth, and when she pulls back, her expression holds a rare kind of ease. She isn’t confused or overthinking it. She knows what she wants.

Johnny nods, his own heart beating fast but steady. 

Threading his fingers between hers the two slowly stand and make their way back down into the building. Hand in hand as always.

—-

The walk down the stairs into the residential area of the Baxter building was not awkward, but tenderly quiet.

Vayra’nn’s hand remains in his the entire way, her thumb occasionally brushing softly over his knuckles. 

When they finally step into the hallway of bedrooms, the world feels still. Empty. All that matters is the warmth between their palms and the hum in their hearts.

They reach Johnny’s door.

He opens it, but doesn’t walk in.

He turns to face her, letting his gaze linger on her form. Her hair falls like fire over her shoulders, wild from the wind. She’s beautiful. She’s always been beautiful, but right now? Right now, she’s his entire universe.

He lifts her hand to his lips and kisses her knuckles.

“I’ve waited… a long time to feel like this.”

Vayra’nn tilts her head slightly, eyes searching his.

“For me, there was never a question. I knew. The moment I saw you… I knew.”

That breaks something open in him. Emotions swell,it’s too much to say, so instead he kisses her.

A firm press of his lips against hers.

Then again, longer.

They step back into his room together, still tangled in the kiss. Her hands lift to his cheeks, his to her waist as they move with a slow, aching urgency. Not even when the backs of her legs hit the edge of his bed do they break apart, following each other as they both collapse onto it.  

Touches were whispered across fabric as it pulled off. Kisses fall from jawlines and temples down to every place that’s been missed until now. 

Head between her bare breasts Johnny looks up to her as her fingers thread into his blonde locks.

“I’ve never felt like this before. Not with anyone.”

She smiles down to him.

“You are the first I’ve ever wanted to love.”

Johnny stills for a moment, stunned by the gravity of her words.

“Then love me and let me love you.”

She does.

They move slowly, carefully, falling together into the quiet dark.

 Not rushing. 

There was no need to. 

One hand guided a breast into his mouth while the other trailed digits up the length of her bare spine, causing her own to dig into his hair the sounds of both of their pleasures echoing within his room.

Hips ground into each other before at last, the space between them became nonexistent as bodies connected.

The night was theirs laden with their desires, their pleasure, and their growing love.

—--

Steam still clings to the bathroom mirror, softening their reflections in the glass. 

Vayra’nn stands in front of the sink, drying off the damp ends of her hair, her body wrapped in one of Johnny’s soft towels while he finishes brushing his teeth beside her.

Shifting the towel higher on her chest, that's when she notices them in the mirror. Several deep red markings decorated her body. A few were stamped onto her neck while more appeared further down towards her breasts.

Tilting her head, she examined them with quiet curiosity.

Johnny caught her gaze and nearly chokes on his minty toothpaste.

“Ah, crap- I didn’t think I left that many. Sorry, I wasn’t trying to do that. I just uh…”

He trails off, rubbing the back of his neck with a boyish grin and flushed cheeks, toothpaste still dribbling onto his chin.

Vayra’nn turns to him, towel still tucked securely around her body, and steps closer. Her expression was amused despite Johnnys tenseness.

“There is no need to apologize.”

Lightly brushing her fingertips across the most visible mark near the junction of her neck and collarbone, a had already spread wide across her face.

“My people do not feel shame for signs of mating. They are a celebration. A sign one is deeply desired. Loved.”

Johnny could not help but laugh in both equal parts amusement and giddiness at her words.

“Mating huh?”

“Intercourse.” She corrects herself, though it only makes him laugh harder, the sound bouncing around the bathrooms sleek tile walls.

With a final chuckle and a shake of his head Johnny turns towards the door and disappears into the bedroom for a second before returning, a black t-shirt and sweatpants in hand. The shirt was one of his favorites. It's soft, worn-in, with a tiny little 4 logo on the chest.

“Here.” 

Vayra’nn accepts them with a nod, uncaring to his gaze as she unabashedly drops the towel to tug the clothing over her frame.

The shirt is a near perfect fit; however, the sweatpants are a bit short in the length of the legs, ending high above her ankles, even so, she did not seem to mind. 

Adjusting her hair into place, still semi wet, the marks were mostly hidden. Though if someone were to look closely enough, they could still make out a few of them.

“Have I ever told you I have a thing for women in my clothes?”

“Perhaps we could explore this fantasy sometime.”

That earns her a gentle slap on the ass as a shared laugh echoes between them.

Once finished they head out together, messy-haired, marked up, and wrapped in something warmer than just cotton and cloth.

—-----

The sound of two pairs of feet descending the stairs into the common area alerted the three that their missing fourth and guest had at last woken up. 

Seated at the main table, eyes flickering between half a dozen digital charts floating in the air, Reed was unbothered by the new commotion.

However, Sue, who was curled up in the corner of the love seat, a tablet balanced atop her thighs with Franklin playing on the floor beside her with HERBIE, was immediately aware. As well as Ben who had been propped up in a recliner, a mug in one hand and the mornings newspaper in the other.

The two looked to the stairwell as Varya’nn and Johnny at last reached the bottom. 

Ben raises one side of his brow ridge in suspicion but does not say a word, however the look on his face is unmistakable.

Johnny smirks faintly, running a hand through his messy hair though avoids their gazes.

“Morning.” Was all he had to offer the group before entering the kitchen.

“Morning, huh?” Ben's tone was inquisitive yet all knowing.

“Relax, we just overslept.” This caused a grin to crack across the things rocky face.

“Sure ya did.”

At last Reed looked up from his diagrams, just for a moment. 

“I hope you remembered to hydrate. Tamaraneans require more electrolytes post-physical exertion due to their unique cellular-”

“Reed.” Sue’s voice cut him off before another word could escape.

Vy just blinks, head slightly tilted, confused by their abrupt silencing.

“He is right,” taking the glass Johnny handed her she took a sip before continuing. “There was significant exertion last night, therefore I do require hydration. Thank you for the consideration."

Johnny chokes on his mouthful of cereal.

Ben just about drops his coffee.

While Sue closes her eyes and exhales hard through her nose.

“Oh my God, someone put on a pot of coffee and please do not elaborate.”

Johnny mutters a quick “I’ll get it”, his ears burning with a raging blush.

Ben watched the two walk around the kitchen, grinning like a man who knows exactly what happened.

Leaning over to Sue, his tone low he muttered a quick and quiet, “I called it.”