---
Javier's time on Ego's planet was beginning to show the first signs of a deep bond with Mantis. But as their relationship blossomed, an unspoken tension loomed over the horizon. While Javier found peace in his connection with Mantis, the echoes of his absence were being felt far from Ego. The Black Order—especially Proxima Midnight, Nebula, and Gamora—found themselves caught in a whirlwind of emotions as they processed his departure.
---
On Ego's Planet: Javier and Mantis's Growing Affection
The days had turned to weeks since Javier had proposed to Mantis. Their bond had become stronger with each passing moment. They spent hours exploring the vast stretches of Ego's surface, learning to understand each other on a deeper level. For Javier, who had once been a silent observer of the universe, it felt as though he was discovering a new sense of purpose—a purpose that included Mantis at his side.
---
Mantis, with her soft eyes and gentle demeanor, was a stark contrast to the forceful and sometimes ruthless world Javier had come from. Yet, there was something about her, something tender and raw, that Javier had never encountered before. She, too, was beginning to understand him beyond his past—beyond the god-like persona he had assumed. For the first time, she felt truly seen and valued.
---
One evening, as they walked beneath the twin moons of Ego, Javier stopped in his tracks, his gaze focused on Mantis.
---
Javier: "I've never been sure of many things in my life, Mantis… but with you, I know I want to be here. With you."
---
Mantis looked up at him, her eyes wide. She had been cautious at first, hesitant to fully trust someone who seemed so sure of his emotions. But Javier's sincerity had worn away her defenses. She smiled softly, the light of Ego reflecting in her eyes.
---
Mantis: "You're not just saying that because you want something, are you?"
---
Javier shook his head. He took her hand gently, his touch warm against her cool skin.
---
Javier: "No, I'm saying this because I've learned what it means to care for someone beyond what they can do for me. I care for you, Mantis."
---
It was in that moment that Mantis finally allowed herself to lean in, closing the distance between them. Their lips met softly, a quiet confirmation of the bond they had begun to form. In that kiss, there was no rush, no pressure—just the simple connection of two souls who had finally found each other.
---
---
Back with the Black Order: The Aftermath of Javier's Absence
Meanwhile, back in the galaxy far from Ego's planet, the Black Order felt Javier's absence more profoundly than any of them had expected. It had only been a short time since he left, but the lack of his presence had unsettled them all.
---
Proxima Midnight had always been the cold, pragmatic warrior of the group. But in Javier's absence, she found herself in a place she didn't quite understand. There was an emptiness inside her, a hollow space where his confident presence had once been. She could still feel his eyes on her, his quiet, calculating observations, but now, there was only silence.
---
Proxima Midnight: "What are we doing here?" she asked, staring out into the cosmos from the deck of the Black Order's ship. "He's gone. And we're left to pick up the pieces."
---
Nebula, who had never quite let her guard down around Javier, found herself muttering under her breath, unable to shake the feeling of loss. Despite her tough exterior, something about Javier's departure made her feel unmoored. Javier had been different. He had treated her with a level of patience and care that no one else had, and it had caused an internal conflict she hadn't been prepared for.
---
Nebula: "He left. No one leaves without a reason." She crossed her arms tightly across her chest. "He never wanted us to be his puppets... maybe we weren't enough for him."
---
Gamora, who had always been the most conflicted about Javier, finally admitted to herself what she had been unwilling to face for so long: Javier had somehow crept under her skin. His attentiveness, his humor, the way he tried to make them laugh—she had dismissed him for so long, but now that he was gone, she realized how much she had actually craved his presence. There was something so deeply human about his flaws that made her want to be around him, to protect him, even.
---
Gamora: "It's funny. We didn't ask for him to come into our lives, but now that he's gone… I feel like there's a part of me that's missing."
---
Proxima looked over at her, her gaze piercing.
---
Proxima Midnight: "You're not the only one who feels that way."
---
But even as they shared their feelings, a feeling of uncertainty loomed over them. None of them knew where Javier had gone, or what he was doing, but they couldn't shake the feeling that he was out there, somewhere, living a life that didn't involve them.
---
---
Mantis and Javier: A Future Together?
As the days went by, Javier and Mantis continued to grow closer, their connection deepening with each passing moment. Ego, with its infinite expanses and limitless possibilities, felt like a dream. But even in this paradise, there were shadows. Ego, the planet itself, was watching them. His son, Peter Quill, might not have known it, but the time was drawing near when Javier would have to confront the truth of his offer: a marriage to Mantis in exchange for something that could change everything.
---
Javier was beginning to realize that, despite the peace he found with Mantis, he wasn't quite sure what he was asking of her. Was he truly offering her the freedom she deserved, or was he dragging her into a world of uncertainty? The bond between them was undeniable, but was it enough?
---
---
End of Chapter 70: A Heart Torn Between Worlds
---