[ The question surprises him, and it shows – in the way he goes ramrod straight, in the way he nervously glances at her from the corner of his eye.
He visibly hesitates, too, frowning with uncertainty. He learned, years ago, that Gamora doesn't make a habit of doing what she doesn't want to, of making offers just to be polite. He knows that if she asks a question, it means she wants to know the answer.
But still, the words stop up in his throat, and his gaze flicks away again. He runs his thumb absently along a seam on his pants. ]
Not when we first met.
[ The words are cast slowly, with all too obvious reluctance. God, it's fucking weird, talking to Gamora about Gamora. It's not fair to anyone to compare her to the woman he knew, and he's been taking pains not to. Plus, he's pretty sure Nebula would finally make good on her threats of maiming him if he did anything to make this Gamora feel like she's anything less than what she is.
And what she is – what she's always been, in this reality and every other – is fucking amazing.
He licks his lips, just to buy himself some time, then, ]
no subject
He visibly hesitates, too, frowning with uncertainty. He learned, years ago, that Gamora doesn't make a habit of doing what she doesn't want to, of making offers just to be polite. He knows that if she asks a question, it means she wants to know the answer.
But still, the words stop up in his throat, and his gaze flicks away again. He runs his thumb absently along a seam on his pants. ]
Not when we first met.
[ The words are cast slowly, with all too obvious reluctance. God, it's fucking weird, talking to Gamora about Gamora. It's not fair to anyone to compare her to the woman he knew, and he's been taking pains not to. Plus, he's pretty sure Nebula would finally make good on her threats of maiming him if he did anything to make this Gamora feel like she's anything less than what she is.
And what she is – what she's always been, in this reality and every other – is fucking amazing.
He licks his lips, just to buy himself some time, then, ]
But, yeah. Eventually.
[ He pauses, then tries for a lighter tone, ]
Good music helped.