cuddlecity | Gamora | MCU

Entry tags:

Gamora | MCU | OTA

CHARACTERS: Gamora & YOU!
LOCATIONS: best friends rescue, b-sides, shooting range, good times, etc
WARNINGS: none yet
SUMMARY: catch-all for gamora and anyone that wants to meet/speak to her

Gamora was becoming more comfortable with life in Cadelle even if not everyone was particularly comfortable with her. She was still the only one that she was aware of that didn't look immediately Terran and was clearly from somewhere else. It's why she valued the friendships she had.

And the dog that Baby kept at B-Sides just had her thinking more and more about getting her own pet. For a couple of weeks she was one of those annoying people that kept visiting Best Friends Rescue and looking like she wanted to adopt a pet of some variety, but never quite able to decide what. A dog reminded her of Quill (it was a compliment, wasn't it?). A cat seemed more independent like her. They didn't offer up raccoons like Rocket, or little baby trees like Groot. Nothing was like Drax. Not that she should have been trying to recreate her crew with animals.

She had finally discovered the gun range as well, though the guns here seemed primitive compared to the weapons she was used to wielding. It also seemed safer to practice under a controlled environment rather than her apartment or anywhere else.

And then there were nights when sitting around reading up on Earth's history wasn't going to cut it, and she ventured out to the pubs and clubs, but her personal favourite was Good Times where they played the music she had decided was her favourite - nothing new, all the classics - and she could disguise her like of dancing by wearing roller skates and getting as lost in a crowd as a green-skinned alien could.

[ as always feel free to write your own starter with where you want to run into gamora, or hit me up

kindofabigdeal or pm. ]

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"Oh, I would insist you preserve your mystery beyond one shared meal," Loki says immediately. "I would much prefer to tease it from you."

He doesn't wink. Winking would have softened it. Instead he holds her eyes for a heartbeat longer than necessary, then smiles and looks away first, watching the skaters passing them again. "I can dance. But I know little of music beyond Asgard. I hope that does not lower me in your estimation."

"You really are worse than Quill." Gamora was aware that Loki would have no idea who Peter was, but that didn't stop her from saying it. Loki was dangerous. Far more dangerous than Peter could be when it came to her affections. Loki had the mystery that Peter didn't. The experience. He definitely had the silver tongue. It was an oddly phrased compliment, but also a warning for herself.

"I don't really know Asgardian music, so not at all. I work at the music store here, you should try and find out if you like any of it. It might surprise you." Gamora smiled as she looked down at her fingers, the music for the skaters changing over to one of her favourite songs she had discovered.

Iggy Pop was proclaiming his lust for life for all to hear, and Gamora may have considered it a signal to do the same. "If you lap me three times I might let you take me out to dinner after. Unless you really prefer to wait."

"Thank you." He has no idea who Quill is, but he's very happy to be considered worse than Quill, especially since he suspects worse means tempting. That's the hope.

The little warm triumph comes to an abrupt halt when she lays out her terms, and Loki looks back at her sharply, then at the skaters. She's not serious? But she is, he realizes, of course she is, there's no way for her to lose. She gets him into a pair of those weird skates, either he makes a fool of himself and succeeds or makes a fool of himself and fails, and she doesn't need to lift a finger.

It's brilliant, and he takes a few moments to turn it over in his mind. Is he willing to take the risk of looking foolish in order to take her to dinner after? "Elaborate," he says, leaning forward again and gesturing at the skaters. "What do you mean by lap you three times, precisely?"

She did indeed mean tempting, and a part of her hated herself for finding him so. But the thing between her on Peter, wasn't it technically on hold right now? They weren't even in the same place. She also wondered if getting involved with someone that wasn't Quill might help her become more at ease with intimate relations.

Gamora watched him intently, not letting herself be distracted by the other skaters, or even nervous about his answer. A competition of sorts was her form of flirting. It seemed easier than starting a fight. Though an Asgardian would always be able to look after himself.

But she also felt it put them on more even ground. Loki was going to be out of his comfort zone in skates, just as she was out of hers when it came to 'dating'. "I don't think it's the most elaborate thing I could have come up with." She leaned a little closer herself, eyes flicking from his to his lips and back again. There was maybe a possibility that he could talk himself out of the situation, but she hoped not. "We start at the same time, and if you skate faster than me, overtaking my position three times then you win. That's what I mean, Asgardian."

So it's speed she's after, speed and agility. Loki has both of those in spades, ordinarily. Watching the varying levels of skill in the other skaters still makes him wary, and he considers countering by asking if she's trying to tire him out, but he dismisses that out of hand. That doesn't speak well to his stamina, and in truth, three laps around this space is well within his ability. At least, it would be without wheels strapped to his feet.

"And if I lose?" he asks, turning to her again with that same intent stare coupled with a little thoughtful smile. "Will I merely slink away in disgrace, sent away, never to approach you again?"

Gamora didn't think it was entirely wrong to make sure he could keep up with her. If she were to go the route of straying far away from any 'unspoken thing' with anyone in this city, and focus on particular needs instead - then it was important they keep up. She already knew he could talk his way into and out of anything.

Her eyes starting to shine with amusement as she watched him weigh up the consequences. And just how much he thought she was worth putting on a pair of skates for. "I hope not. I think we'd both lose if you did." Gamora tucked some hair behind her ear as her tongue flicked out against her lips. "I'm open to negotiation when it comes to a secondary prize."

And just like that, Loki's decision is made. Now, if he ventures forth and wins or loses, he will triumph, and if he withdraws, he will lose ground. It's really no decision at all. He straightens, a sheen of magic painting over his suit with well-fitting leathers, deep green and black instead of the garish Sakaaran blue and purple and yellow.

"Well then," he says with a sharp smile, "I accept."

It would have been cheating even by Loki's standards if he'd simply created a pair of skates for himself. After a brief negotiation, he's laced up his own pair and is getting the feel of them as he steps onto the smooth floor and skates carefully over to her. They're treacherous, he thinks, but there are techniques and tricks to this, and he's quick and agile. This will be fine. "It was, I think, beginning at the same time?"

Gamora shouldn't have been surprised by the sudden appearance of his leathers. The Asgardians were warriors, of course they'd wear something that could withstand physical combat. Though the way he was so casual about transforming only brought up questions. Ones she was going to try and hang onto until after. Or perhaps talk to Magnus about it.

She skated along the edge while waiting for him to be ready, trying to watch without letting her amusement show too much. She did have to give him points for not backing out. As beneath him as this pastime probably was, he was still going to accept her challenge.

Gamora turned, skating backwards a few steps before spinning again so that he could observe her footwork. "Yes, that was the agreement. Three times around the rink." She motioned for him to come closer with her fingers as she held her position. "Ready when you are, Asgardian."

No human fashion would be so comfortable to him as this, and if he is to have his best chance to succeed (without cheating) he would prefer to be comfortable. As it is, the bright yellow wheels clash horribly with every known thing in the universe, even the black suit he'd been wearing, so there was no point trying to blend in.

He watches her movements sharply, observing the way she shifts her weight, adding that to his observations of the skaters moving quickly around the curves of the arena, bending deeply at the knees and allowing the force of their speed to hold them to their courses. Pushing off with one skate, he drifts forward, testing how responsive these wheels are, and nods.

There is a great deal to pay attention to. Loki assumes points will be taken off for mowing down everyone in his path, which means avoiding anyone skating in front of him, which makes his task ten times harder. As well, the skates are slick and his confidence rapidly becomes caution when he discovers how easily one small miscalculation could send him cascading into the barriers. He narrowly avoids it several times, and he has nothing near the speed he's going to need to overtake her even once, but he's learning.

This has the potential to be fun if he can stop overthinking it, but he hates losing.

Gamora was kind enough to start slowly for his benefit, keeping enough distance ahead of him that she could easily speed ahead if it looked like he was going to catch up. It wasn't long before she started to move to the music as well as skate though. Bowie was being played, and the Englishman was fast becoming a musical weakness of hers. She had even become familiar enough with his music that she could click and clap along at the right moments during 'Golden Years'.

If she hadn't challenged him to a competition she might have offered a hand. Let him hang on while he learned. And if she were more openly flirtatious that could have even become his hands on her hips as they skated around. Instead she threw a smile over her shoulder and once more turned to skate backwards while the way was clear in front of her. As soon as more skaters built up she turned back around in time to clap with the song.

It was perhaps the most free she had been with her ability to have fun since meeting Magnus. Not everyone got to see this side of Gamora, but then she felt less and less of a need to keep it bottled up. She wasn't required to save the galaxy while in this city. And while the thought of Quill often brought her mixed feelings, she was pragmatic enough to realise that while she was here in Cadelle there was no point in denying herself basic urges.

Skating backward, that's just rubbing it in. Cruel, with a mocking edge to it that makes him want to win even more. He doesn't touch anyone when he picks up speed, but he does dodge in front of one or two people a little too close for comfort, and it's a good thing they are as skilled as they are or they would not have kept their balance.

It rapidly becomes clear, however, that lapping Gamora thrice is simply not possible at his current level of skill. At least, not with the floor as crowded as it is, and his own self-imposed rules to do as little damage as possible hampering his speed and agility. He still has his wish to work toward, after all, and he's certain cutting a swathe through the skaters would prove more demerit than credit. It runs against his grain, but finally he skates up next to her and sketches a bow.

"I am forced to concede. You carry the day, lady."

The truth is Gamora might enjoy the idea of teasing him all the more because she knows he will want to win. He's clearly used to getting what he wants. Still, Loki makes a valiant effort and even as he concedes she's trying to hold back a smile and failing.

She came to a stop, holding out a hand to catch him so that Loki came to a stop to. She let it rest on his shoulder as she moved in a little closer and kept her balance easily.

"I thought we already covered the fact that I am definitely not a lady." She tilted her head, eyes once more flicking to his mouth before she didn't move in for a kiss. "You can still take me to dinner if you like."

"But perhaps that is why I enjoy referring to you as such," he says lightly, watching her with a calm, sharp eye. In truth, he would gladly be rid of these skates, having already moved on to consider other things, but might return to the pastime again. "You have given me no true indication, in fact, that you are no lady. I have known many, and you surpass them." Silver-tongued indeed.

Now he takes her hand from his shoulder and doesn't look away from her eyes as he presses his lips to the backs of her fingers. "It would be my pleasure to take you to dinner. But as you have won our wager and gracefully allow me that pleasure, I leave the choice to you. Where will we go?"

"We'll see if that ends well for you, Asgardian," Gamora returned, and while it could have been said with a lot more sharpness there was a clear twinkle in her eye. Why did she have to prefer the men that could give as good as they got? The ones that could be frustrating and charming? "Now how many times have you used that line and truly meant it, Prince?"

Gamora huffed out a breath, genuinely unsure of what she was supposed to do in the face of such a gesture. She wasn't one inclined to blush, and hitting him would have broken the spell. Besides, she didn't actually want to hit him and that concerned her. Because not hitting him meant she wanted to do something else. "Since you probably haven't had much chance to sample the food here, I think we should go to Pho Sizzle. It's surprisingly good."

"Only when I have been given cause, Lady." Because men who cannot keep up with her and keep her guessing are boring, and she'd never fall for someone boring. She's like him.

There's a little pause, brows drawn together as Loki tries to make sense of the unfamiliar words without losing the air of flirtatious anticipation they've developed. A part of him suspects she's done it on purpose. "I will gladly take your recommendation," he says at last, opting not to repeat it quite yet and hoping he'll find it acceptable.

Turning in their skates and reclaiming their boots takes little time and soon they find themselves on the sidewalk, where Loki immediately offers Gamora an arm. "I am forced to follow your lead in this," he says with a sleek smile, "but somehow I may not find it a hardship."

Gamora wanted to tell him to stop with the Lady thing again, but instead she just gave him a bemused look. Was he doing it to see how far he could push her? Maybe. It was true that she wouldn't want boring, and he was definitely not boring.

She waits to see if he repeats the name of the restaurant, that same expression on her features as she fought any urge to outwardly laugh. She filed the quirk away for later. Clearly Loki had standards even in names. "Good, I find Asian food to be one of the better foods of Earth."

When Gamora had her boots back on she was a lot closer to Loki in height. The platform heels had always helped her even in fights, and she was quietly grateful for them now that he couldn't tower over her quite so easily. "You know, it's okay if you want to ease up on that silver tongue. Save it for dinner. It would be a shame if you ran out of flattery before dessert."

That makes him laugh, a genuine laugh that reaches his eyes when he looks back at her. "As you wish," he says, and means it. It's easy for him to speak such high, flowery words, but it does get wearisome.

As they walk, he decides he likes this taller version of her. She walks like a challenge, like she's stepping the world back into place. He asks about the restaurant she's taking him to, what is a Pho Sizzle—yes, he actually says it this time—and the discussion of Asian cuisines lasts them from door to door. They share a table in the window, a tiny one that nearly disappears beneath all the dishes they order. Loki takes a suggestion from their server and ends up with a bowl of salty black noodles in a dark broth that seems to contain more flavor than anything he's tasted before, and he says as much.

He'd expected to spend the evening flirting rather heavily, continuing their dance, but their conversation flows naturally back and forth, and each side dish that's brought is tasted and discussed. It's an exploration as much as a dinner, and it's far more fun than he'd even expected. It's strange, feeling so genuine with someone, as if there aren't sides of himself he needs to hide.

Gamora is guarded by nature. Years of abuse, years of running some else's agenda - it's one of the things that used to frustrate Quill and she knew it. Magnus had managed to creep under her armour and maybe that had a lot to do with the fact that he hadn't flirted. He wasn't trying to insinuate himself in her life. He had been nice, he had given her food and friendship and the talking had come easily because of it.

Gamora could flirt, it was just rare and most of the time it was just as easily miscontrued as something else. Or she stopped herself halfway through when she realised she was straying into what she considered dangerous territory.

And maybe it was why she had needed to see if Loki could last without his silver tongue. She didn't want the flattery, she didn't need it. She was at home in her own skin. She was starting to get comfortable in the city and with Terran food. The ability to share it with someone else in the way that Magnus had first shared it with her meant more than flowery words - whether Loki would have meant them or not.

And his face when he ate the black noodles was something to savour. Occasionally she wondered if she ever had such an open expression on her face that wasn't a result of listening to music. As the night seemed to come to a natural close though once they'd started the walk back to the residential area Gamora had taken his arm without it needing to be offered, and without really thinking about it. She might have even considered a goodnight kiss but there was still a part of her that regarded anyone she didn't immediately want to hurt as dangerous.

That part of her was broken and she knew it. But she compromised with a kiss to the corner of his mouth instead of directly on it. When it came to battle, throwing herself into the fray - she never second guessed herself. But this? This needed just a little more thought.

There are things about Gamora that Loki doesn't know. Of course there are, there would need to be, she's far too complex a person. But he's finding that the things he does know, he likes. Quite a lot. Neither of them is a native of Midgard, but her approach to exploring Midgardian cuisine and culture is fascinating to him. It's been a long and difficult path, trying to feel less superior when thinking of Earth, and he knows he isn't there yet, but perhaps he can take a lesson or two from her. He already has, he certainly would not have tried roller-skating without her there, alternately challenging and encouraging him into it.

He's already decided partway through their meal to allow her to set their pace. He will not invite her to his apartment, nor will he ask about hers. He has his credit to earn toward a wish, yes, but so much in the past few years has gone by in a rush, and he finds he does not want this to be one of them.

When she kisses the corner of his mouth, it makes him smile. He holds still for it, and when she straightens he lifts one of her hands and dots a brief brush of his lips against the back, releasing it again immediately. "Gamora. Thank you," he says, a simple and honest statement. "Rest well. I hope to see you again very soon."

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Gamora | MCU | OTA

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