The Gate House, the Institute, 10:20 p.m.
Mally had wandered in on a strange gathering. Sitting at the poker table in front of him 5 mates he never thought of this way. He had seen newspaper articles featuring all these heros, especially Spider Man, but to see them sitting around a table, drinking pints, gaming, being 'real' people was blowing his mind a little. Then when he mentioned that he had some questions about girls, it seemed like everyone here had an opinion on girls and relationships. He was getting dating advise from the world's mightiest heroes. Pretty spiffy when you consider he had only been in America for less than a week.
"I'm tellin' ya kiddo, you will NEVER understand 'em. That's not the point," the Thing said to him, "Learn to deal with them, that's the key. Letting someone else into yer life ain't never easy, made double bad by the fact that they don't think like us!" He smiled a big rocky grin.
"I know, but after me change, I didn't think I would have ta deal with it," Mally groaned, "unless you guys know where I finds a kanga-girl about."
"Hey, I knows what yer sayin' lookin' different an all," the Thing stood up, "Lookit me, kiddo. I ain't gonna be on the cover of People's 50 Most Sexy anytime soon. But I found a girl who don't need that, in fact, she needed me. Dames are weird that way, ya don't gotta be Brad Pitt to find the one for you. Ya just gotta look."
The Human Torch jumped in. "Yeah, Bengy's right, bud. I mean look at me, I'm a pretty handsome guy -" jeers and catcalls from the group "yea, yea, ya jealous! Anyway, I ended up dating a chick with big hair who lives on the moon. Go figure!"
"Maybe yer right, maybe yer just too right," said Mally, "but lookin' like a do, I figgered if I were to show feelings for a 'normal' girl, I'd scare 'em off. I mean, I thought Rahne was a cutie right from that morning back in Australia, first time I saw her. Maybe I should said more to her, but ......"
"I know what you mean, Red," Spider Man said from the kitchenette, grabbing a beer, "It's like when you like a girl, and you think she likes you too, but you can't tell her something because you think you might scare or hurt her, or chase her away." Spidey burped. "Man, I know exactly how that feels. My advise: tell the girl what you feel. Most women will surpise the crap out of you, I know the ones in my life have."
Mally thought about that. He had always thought of girls as 'the weaker sex', not putting them down, just in a gentleman's way. But he had seen Rahne in action, he knew she was tough at lease physically, so it would make sense that she had a good mind and heart also. Maybe he should just tell Rahne how he felt, fear be dogged.
"Youngblood, don't let these guys get you all sappy," Power Man laughed, "don't forget, a girl likes a little mystery now and then too. I agree, telling a girl how you feel is good game, but don't go buyin' her a ring the first date. Take it slow, do things easy, and surprise her every now and then. And don't be rude, ending up friends is waaaayyy better than just ending. Do you feel me, Red?"
Mally was down. "Yep, that's good advise too, thanks Mr. Cage. I definitely wanna take things slow, I mean, I haven't had a whole lotta human contact besides Pappy fer four years now. I gotta get used to all kinds of relationships again. Lucky I'm a people person!" Mally smiled at the guys, it felt good to talk about this stuff. Besides who else got to talk chicks with Spider Man, Power Man, and one half of the Fantastic Four?
"Son, love doesn't care if you have red hair, snake skin, or mites in your ears," Captain America, who had introduced himself to Mally as Steve said, "It does even care if you're human or not. Why, I've seen search and rescue dogs whine and howl when they lose one of the pack. I've also dealt with enough alien races to know that humans don't have a lock on love. Maybe this girl really thinks you are a beautiful guy. Heck, I'm man enough to say you're not ugly, you just got a different lower half than the rest of us. From what Logan tells us, maybe we'd all be better of built like you!" Steve pointed at Mally. "Let God judge son, you just live and love."
"God Bless America!", shouted the Thing, "No one gives a speech llike the Capt'n!" Hoots and jeers from the guys followed.
Mally turned to Logan. "What do you think, Mr. Logan?"
"...still cracks me up when they call him 'Mr.'..." Thing whisperd to Spidey.
"I heard that bub," Logan spat at the Thing, turning to Mally, "Red, I ain't the best guy to ask about girls and relationships. I screw them up all the time. However, I will say this: what Cap said is real. I believe in that 'love' above all others."
Pappy took Mally's hand. "Boy, ye know ye were made special like, and not so's you could take care of yer Pappy. The Lord makes all of us fer a reason, and maybe yours is to bring love and happiness. God knows ye have brought that to me, laddie." Pappy smiled lovingly. "If this girl likes ye, let her! Like her back, see what happens! Love is a grand thing boy, never let it die inside ya, lest all the bad in the outside world will come creepin' in." He hugged his son.
"Ahem, uh, yeah, uh, I gotta go outside fer a sec, I gots somethin' in my eye......" the Thing muttered, stepping out, followed by Johnny, who ducked into the bathroom real quick.
'Pappy reminds me of my Uncle Ben......' Spider Man thought, swinging slowly back and forth, hanging upside down.
"What a good father to have. So much pride!" admired Captain America.
"I gotta intro this Pappy dude to the Jarvis guy at the Avengers mansion, that'd be sweet!" pondered Power Man.
"Now, off to bed with ye, ye mangy rabbit! Ye busted in on a mans game, an took it all sally like, me little furball. Go! Get some sleep! Tomorrows Sunday, up early fer ye prayers!" Pappy grabbed Mally playfully by the hair, pulling him to the door.
"Wait! Wait!" Mally shouted. "It sure was nice to meet you mates, and thanks a lot for the advise. Can I ask one more favor?"
"Make it quick bub, I got money to win." Logan growled.
"Uhmmm, Can Pappy take a picture of me with you guys? It would be sooooooooo RIPPA!"
end – Chapter 8 - Confessions