Parallel

“Well, this was unexpected.” Peter Quill breathed out.

Peter was serving himself something to drink at the ships dining area as Thor explained why he was there.

“What? I can’t visit my friends?Gamora gave me the coordinates to where you lovely folk were at. So I flew here.” Thor retaliated while crossing his arms.

Through the vast galaxy floated a ship among the stars, in it resides a team of guardians— guardians of the galaxy to be exact. A troubled found family of sorts that came together to make the universe a better place. They drive each other up the wall but they wouldn’t have it any other way. During their many adventures, to make it short, they encountered Thor unconscious floating among debris. Everything after that is history. They clicked and they’ve been to the farthest corners of the galaxy. Thor missed them and decided to pay them a visit.

“Honestly, we’re in the middle of mission sprees. People are paying good coin—“ Peter quickly got cut off by Gamora whos figure came to light from a corner of the ship.

“Not that the money matters, Quill.” Gamora said in an authoritative annoyed tone.

“Pffft, of course not babe” Peter nervously chuckled, “The money is just a plus. Helping people is enough.” Peter said in a sarcastic manner.

“I used to find currency relevant at one point in my life, when I was younger the crown, attention, currency and the desperation of being feared and respected. Later I found out that none of it matters. Selflessness and caring for others is what ultimately matters.” Thor breathed out, sitting down on one of the ships chairs.

“..........Wow, Ghandi is shaking in his grave, dude.” Peter chuckled.

“Shut up.” Gamora lightly elbowed him.

Peter eventually settled down his hysterics and joined Thor by sitting in one of the chairs nearby, facing the ships windows that had a clear view of the space before them.

“So...how’s Earth been? Any chicks you’ve hit it off with?” Peter raised his eyebrow towards him in a playful manner.

Thor just stared at him for a few seconds before breaking into a hearty laugh, “Its been delightful.” Thor suddenly paused. “It’s been...interesting.” Thor stared off in to galaxy before him in deep thought.

“What does that mean?” Peter followed Thor’s head turn with his eyes and smiling.

“It means Quill, that it’s been quite an interesting journey for me. I discovered feelings I didn’t even know I had.” Thor exhaled.

He was in peace of sorts, as he looked in to the eyes of space and it’s shiny colorful contents he couldn’t help but be at peace. That peace validated whatever hesitations he had deep inside— his feelings.

“Hm.” Peter hummed, resting his head on his open palm. “So you like a girl, to make things more simple?” Peter got excited.

“Not necessarily.” Thor chuckled.

“What? You like a goat or something? Never took you for that type of guy b-“

“His name is Kal-El.” Thor interrupted, going back to staring at the starry scene. Totally not phased by Peter’s shocked face.

“Wow, okay. I didn’t even know you went that way?” Peter said.

“I don’t care for silly heteronormative social constructs. I’m not human so I don’t abide to any of their social norms. Still, a surprise, that I come to discover these feelings now.” Thor turned to Peter.

“Yeah. Preach bro. To all- to all of what you said. But seriously, I’m happy for you.” Peter patted Thor’s shoulder.

Thor simply nodded and smiled.

“When did you know you liked him?” Peter questioned, becoming more and more interested on what he had to say.

“Well...that’s where the lines blur a little. I was going about my own business and there he was, looking to interview me at the place where I drink. We talked and connected, somewhere through our unexpected likenesses and common ground something flickered inside me. I started to feel more flustered than anything, even though I did well in hiding it...he wasn’t hiding it well. At least I think he wasn’t.” Thor chuckled, thinking back to the fond memory of the blushing reporter who couldn’t meet his eyes to save his life.

“Not to ruin your bro dude bonding time bullsh*t but we have a briefing for our next missions.” Rocket the raccoon approached the room with hands on his hips, annoyance plastered all over his face.

“Nice to see you too, Rabbit.” Thor teasingly said pointing at him, fully knowing he hates being called that.

“Whatever.” Rocket grumbled.

“You want to tag along Thor? I can guarantee you it’ll be fun to join us for the next couple of weeks, you can return to that big blue planet whenever you want.” Peter said standing up, Thor doing the same.

“Sure.” Thor warmly smiled, “Let’s get some bad guys.”

—— current time

The pair decided to descend from their cloudy destination to a more down to earth place, quite literally.
Clark’s feelings were everywhere to say the least, so Thor proposed for him to take a deep breath and go somewhere quiet so they can talk. Thor suggested a coffee place and Clark warmed couldn’t help but wonder what his intentions were.

“Before we touch the ground I have to change in to my suit, I don’t want anyone seeing me coming down from the sky as a regular joe, my identity would be exposed.” Clark mentioned.

Thor nodded and smiled understandably so but couldn’t figure out how he was going to change 100 or so feet from the ground.

Next thing you know Clark torpedoes, as if he was a tornado himself and in a few seconds he was in his Superman attire. The sun in Metropolis... bolder than in Gotham, the slim suit hugged his thick physique and the sun shined reflectively off his colorful red and blue suit with a magical curl suddenly hanging from his forehead. Clark looked over at Thor lightly chuckling at his flabbergasted expression.

As they both touched the ground, everyone couldn’t keep their eyes off the two gentlemen.

“Where- where did your civilian clothes go?” Thor said in a amused manner.

“Now, I cannot give all my secrets away can I?” Clark smirked.

Thor felt his cheeks heat up for the first time ever, he thought he could hide it but his body betrayed him. Something he thought couldn’t happen.

The pair entered the rather quiet and almost empty coffee place. It was cozy, the smell of coffee bean delighted everyone’s senses. Nonetheless, everyone stared for a good five minutes. Two known heroes having a coffee together. They agreed that a corner booth where no one would disturb them would be a good idea. So they ordered their drinks and sat down.

They sat together but opposite to one another with a gap between them, it was an unconscious act but they gave each other space as everyone does in these situations.

“How did you find me, Thor?” Clark questioned, getting right to business. Curiosity filled his eyes.

“You forget I’m a god, it’s not hard tracking you down when your senses are...well developed. I heard you.” Thor smiled simply.

“Hey I have those too yet I didn’t hear you sneak up on me the first time we met or earlier today. And what do you mean- you h- heard me?” Clark stuttered his last words.

“Distracted mind, distracted senses maybe?” Thor chuckled, looking over to a reporter who previously acted shy but in his hero attire his confidence was felt throughout the coffee place. It was almost intoxicating, as if...as soon he sported his hero attire he was 100 percent himself. His font was gone. The level of confidence and radiance coming off him was addicting and Thor was mesmerized to say the least. He was confident but especially shy when the god made any nice comments towards him.

“Maybe.” Clark smiled, looking down at his hands on the table.

“Also, Simple, your heart beat. I’m sure you do it too to track down people you care about or maybe enemies.” Thor smiled back and crossed his arms.

“I do, occasionally, when I have to. You...you know my heart beat? By memory?” Clark looked up from his hands in to Thor’s eyes.

“Hm, now that you mention it I guess I do.” Thor replied, not breaking eye contact with Clark.

Clark eventually found his ears getting hot and soon his cheeks followed, he looked like a deer in headlights.

“Here are your coffees, gentlemen.” The waitress suddenly said, snapping both of heroes out of their flattered states.

“Thank you.” The both men grumbled at the same time and chuckled.

Both of them sipped on their hot drinks and fell in to a comfortable silence.

“So, your brother...he’s framing you? Why? Also, why did you leave? I was starting to think I said something in that interview that made you flee this place.” Clark crossed his arms, his conflicting emotions coming back— plastered all over his face. He didn’t want to admit to his feelings but he was also quite surprised by them like Thor was, only Clark struggled with accepting them because of living on earth for so long and seeing how terrible people can be about acceptance. Clark accepted everyone and anything no matter what but he was scared. He fought super powered villains every week, tackled the most dangerous of tasks to save earth, put his life on the line with no hesitation because he loves people but now in this moment... the hero found himself scared of untapped emotions.

“Ah, Loki. Loki is my brother and has been trying to make my life a living nightmare ever since I was a child. We’re opposites to say the least. I love him dearly still. I don’t know why he’s trying to frame me but this wouldn’t be the first time. He probably knows about you and is trying to catch front row seats of a potential fight just for the hell of it. And Clark...” Thor suddenly paused, leaning forward in to the table. “You didn’t scare me away, if anything that interview...that afternoon was one of the best days I’ve had on this planet. I just had to get away with a few friends to figure out my feelings on...something.” Thor lingered on that last word. Leaning back in to his seat smiling at Clarks blushing cheeks.

“That’s some rough brother you got, I’m so sorry Thor..” Clark scratched the back of his neck. “And...feelings on what?” Clark sipped from his coffee cup, trying to mask his flustered face.

“You.” Thor said in a blunt tone, raising his eyebrow.

“Wh-“ The unexpected answer made the reporter suddenly feel the coffee exiting through his mouth and nostrils making him cough, the table and Thor splashed with coffee .

In this moment Clark internally cursed at his heightened senses and powers.