Disclaimer: Plenty of OOC especially for Carol. See A/N below for details. The song-piece for this drabble is Bone Dry by Tristam.
Yes, I've been watching one-too many of a tilted Aussie lately…
Bone Dry
-0-0-0-
We built these walls so we could find
Who could prove themselves through the waves of time
-0-0-0-
Carol Danvers found Scott Summers exactly where she thought he would be.
"You're not exactly incognito." She said as she slid behind him, resting her hands on the crouching man's head as she peered over him to get a better look at the large metal container. "Is that…?"
"Hey." He greeted, before returning his attention to his treasure. "Yeah. I've been looking for something like this for a while now." Scott admitted, running his hands against the device in clear admiration. "It's just the right fit, too."
"You already have a ship, you know." Carol pointed out lightly as she took the spot beside him. She knocked on the metal and was rewarded with a satisfying ring. "Oh, that's good."
"My dad's ship doesn't count." Scott argued. At her questioning look, he added. "Neither does yours. This—this is mine."
"Men and their toys." She smirked at him.
"Says the woman who wouldn't let me choose the seats."
"Hey," She bumped her shoulder against his playfully. "You liked those seats."
She hated how her cheeks flushed at her own candid reminder.
"I did." Scott admitted. His cheeks were peppered, too.
Deciding to switch topics before further embarrassment ensued, she asked, "How are you bringing this back?"
"I'm thinking of getting it shipped."
Carol blinked at him in confusion. "This shop allowed it?"
"Money is money." Scott shrugged. "I did have to haggle a bit for a fair price."
"Scott…" Carol drawled, frowning at her companion.
"I didn't blow our cover." He reassured her.
"If we fail because you made a transaction here…"
"Have a little faith. You know I'm better than that."
Carol palmed her forehead. That was true. "I forget, sometimes. You did smuggle us in here." She sighed. "It's just hard to believe you're… here, you know? Like this…"
Scott shrugged again. Carol noticed he'd been doing that a lot—the air of absolute certainty used to cling to him now replaced with a humble self-confidence.
Like the weight of the world no longer rested upon his enduring shoulders.
"You're exactly where I thought you'd end up, though." Scott remarked, and though she couldn't see it, she could feel his sidelong glance.
"Flatterer." She accused him. "Or is that conceit?"
"Flattery, definitely. I don't think anyone expected you to be here." He nodded. "Although, if you're so keen on incognito, you really shouldn't wear that suit. A cloak can't cover you for long."
"I've told you before that this is my armor." She patiently reminded. "And besides, I wore a different suit."
"Color doesn't disguise the fact that you have a massive star on your chest that everyone recognizes."
"You didn't." It was how she caught him, after all.
Scott flushed. "I wasn't paying attention, that time."
"Well, I certainly hope you paid a lot of attention this time."
Scott finally frowned. "You're never going to let that go, will you?"
"I think I can, now." Carol grinned at him. Inwardly, she cheered—she really loved his pout. "But you should really ask me next time. I can carry it back."
He smiled at her fondly, and she had to force her heart to still. "You looked really happy browsing through that bookstore." Scott admitted. "Although, I was worried when you looked angry at the newsstand."
"Well, I hate fake news." She huffed. "The headlines scream propaganda."
"Indeed." Scott nodded. It was why they were there, after all. "That reminds me. I got something for you."
Carol looked at him curiously as he fished something out of his pocket. That curiosity turned into puzzlement as she found it was a familiar metal from the service—a dog tag.
"I found this at that shop over there." He stood up and pointed at said shop with one hand, while offering his other hand to help her up.
Carol wordlessly accepted the hand, still confused about the odd present. Still, a present was a present, and she pulled on him a little harder so that he bumped against her, before she brushed her blonde hair aside and craned her head upwards. "Well, put it on me."
If Scott was embarrassed about their proximity, he did a very good job hiding it. Carol did take that brief moment of his arms around her shoulders to savor him.
The moment was over too soon as Scott stepped back. "There. Do you like it?"
Carol shot him a wry look. "Don't get me wrong, Scott. I think it's sweet, but you realize the only way this is getting to this place is from someone looting a corpse?"
Scott shot her a knowing smile. "Or its owner selling something valuable for cash."
When he would not elaborate further, Carol gave in to curiosity and lifted the tags so she could read the inscription.
Her eyes widened. "Scott, I can't accept-"
Firm hands settled atop each of her shoulders
"My dad likes you, you know." Scott cut her off gently. "It's safest with you."
Carol pursed her lips. She wanted so much to press the issue but wanted even more to keep this.
"I love it." Carol whispered to him. Hands still grasping the precious gift, she stepped into his warmth and tucked her head under his chin. "Thank you."
They stayed like that for a tender moment before Scott coughed, breaking their silence.
"Mhmm?" Carol hummed, pulling back just enough so she could look into his ruby quartz gaze.
He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "We've got one more hour before it starts. I need to get a new jetpack, though."
Carol tilted her head. "What happened to your old one?"
"I gave it to Hope."
Carol rolled her eyes. "You're such a grandfather."
"Hey," Scott glared at her playfully, "You didn't hear me call you out for giving Hope a neutron canon. Again."
"Are you implying something, mister?"
Scott raised both hands in surrender. "Nothing, my Captain. Just that I really do need a jetpack."
Carol laughed before pulling her hood over her head and grabbing his hand.
"Alright. Let's go find you a way to keep up with me." She linked his arm around hers. "Shouldn't be too hard, considering where we're at."
Shaking his head slowly, Scott followed her outside into the streets of Spartax.
-0-0-0-
Stars were dancing in their light
A future we will never write
Dirt on our feet was bone dry,
It was bone dry
A/N: I've made it no secret that I've long dropped all things Marvel Comics and have only kept up through forums. The last I've read of Carol was… that time she appeared in BMBullsh!t's UXM run? Prior to that, I read her Ms. Marvel run (where I shipped her and Spidey hard but, as usual, my ships never do manifest), but I'm very hazy with details now. I just remember her being… angry? I recall she could be downright bitchy during her run but salivating over Hawkeye (of all people) alongside Jessica Drew in New Avengers (coincidentally written by BMBullcrap, so maybe that depiction is inaccurate, too).
I just remember shipping the two during that Decimation issue when Carol visits the school trying to recruit them to the pro-registration side, Emma goes apeshit on her, and Cyke consoles her. They had this good friends vibe I really dug, which was the main reason I made sure to include Carol in Distant World. And yes, I am aware that an AU!Clops is married to Carol Danvers while flying around through space.
This drabble, though? Just crossing one off the list.
If I were to give this an actual premise, then it'd be the adventures of Space Pirate Cyclops and Captain Marvel IN SPACE, doing SPACE adventures and other SPACE odysseys in SPACE. Hinted a bit on how Cyke is an excellent smuggler until Carol caught him. Things spin out from there.
When I get up to it, I'll eventually come up with a Brand!Clops and Storm!Clops drabble, and then a trolltastic Hill!Clops parody.
Toodle-do and thank you for the reviews~
