The tension was thick in the air, but not the kind born of danger. It was the tension of longing, of stolen glances, of jealousy that simmered just beneath the surface. Javier could feel it—the way Mantis lingered closer than usual, the way Gamora's eyes followed him from across the room, the way Brunnhilde's sly smiles hinted at something more.
He sat in one of Sakaar's lounges, surrounded by the chaotic vibrancy of the planet, but his focus was on the women around him. Each one seemed to demand his attention, yet none voiced their thoughts outright.
---
Mantis's Gentle Persistence
Mantis sat beside him, her antennae twitching slightly as she watched him with a quiet intensity. She reached out, brushing her fingers against his arm—a light touch, but one filled with unspoken words.
"Javier," she said softly, her large, expressive eyes searching his face. "Do you… enjoy spending time with me?"
Javier turned to her, surprised by the vulnerability in her voice. "Of course I do, Mantis. Why would you even ask that?"
Her gaze flickered down, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "It's just… you seem distracted lately. Like your mind is elsewhere."
Javier frowned, guilt creeping into his chest. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel that way. You're important to me."
Mantis smiled, though it was tinged with hesitation. "Then maybe you could spend more time with me? Just us?"
Before Javier could respond, a voice cut through the air.
---
Brunnhilde's Bold Provocation
"Aw, isn't that sweet," Brunnhilde drawled as she sauntered into the room, a drink in hand. Her sharp grin and confident stride made her presence impossible to ignore.
Javier sighed, already sensing the storm brewing. "Do you ever knock, Brunnhilde?"
"Where's the fun in that?" she replied, plopping down on the couch beside him. She leaned in, her eyes glittering with mischief. "You know, you've got quite the fan club here. It must be exhausting, keeping everyone happy."
Mantis bristled, her antennae twitching furiously. "We were having a private conversation," she said, her voice uncharacteristically firm.
Brunnhilde raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the reaction. "Oh, don't worry, sweetheart. I'm not here to steal your thunder. Just keeping things interesting."
Javier pinched the bridge of his nose, already feeling the headache forming. "Brunnhilde, can you not?"
But Brunnhilde only smirked, leaning back with an air of casual defiance. "Relax, Javier. I'm just having a little fun."
---
Gamora's Quiet Fury
From the corner of the room, Gamora observed the scene with a cold, steely gaze. She didn't say anything, but the way her arms were crossed tightly and her jaw was set spoke volumes.
When Javier finally noticed her, he excused himself from the others and approached her cautiously.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Gamora raised an eyebrow, her tone icy. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Javier sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Come on, Gamora. Don't do this."
"Do what?" she snapped, her voice low but sharp. "Stand here while you let them fight over you like you're some kind of prize?"
Her words stung, but Javier knew better than to argue. "I didn't ask for this," he said softly. "And I don't want to hurt anyone. Especially not you."
For a moment, Gamora's expression softened, but she quickly masked it. "Then maybe you should figure out what you want before someone gets hurt."
---
Proxima and Nebula's Observations
Proxima Midnight and Nebula watched the unfolding drama from the shadows, their expressions a mix of amusement and disdain.
"Pathetic," Nebula muttered. "He's letting them tear each other apart while he stands there like an idiot."
Proxima smirked, crossing her arms. "It's entertaining, though. Watching them fight over him like children."
"Entertaining? Or pathetic?" Nebula shot back.
"Both," Proxima replied, her smirk widening.
---
A Romantic Gesture
Later that evening, Javier sought out Mantis in one of the quieter corners of the palace. She was sitting alone, her posture tense, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
"Mantis," he said softly, approaching her.
She looked up, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and doubt. "Javier…"
Before she could say anything else, Javier reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "I know things have been… messy lately. But I want you to know that you matter to me. A lot."
Mantis's eyes widened slightly, and she blushed, her antennae twitching in response. "You mean that?"
"I do," Javier said firmly. Then, in a rare moment of boldness, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
The gesture was simple, but it spoke volumes. Mantis's cheeks flushed a deeper shade, and a shy smile spread across her face.
---
The Tension Boils Over
But the moment was short-lived. When Javier and Mantis returned to the main room, they found Brunnhilde, Gamora, Proxima, and Nebula waiting. The air was charged with tension, and it was clear that the simmering jealousy was about to reach a boiling point.
"You've got a real talent for stirring up trouble, don't you?" Brunnhilde said, her tone half-teasing, half-challenging.
Gamora crossed her arms, her glare icy. "He's not a toy for you to play with, Brunnhilde."
"And who made you the boss of him?" Brunnhilde shot back, her smirk sharp.
Proxima and Nebula exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable.
As the tension mounted, Javier held up his hands, trying to diffuse the situation. "Okay, everyone, calm down. This isn't a competition."
But even as he said the words, he couldn't help but feel the weight of their gazes—the longing, the frustration, the jealousy. It was a mess, but it was his mess, and he was determined to find a way to navigate it without losing anyone he cared about.