Ethereal Reaction to Love
╰┈➤ Summary: With Earth's ending threat, Johnny finds himself with both his mind heavy and heart troubled, for you, Galactus' warrior.
╰┈➤ Match: Johnny Storm X f!reader
╰┈➤ Content: The opposites attract, cryokinesis!reader, anti hero!reader, growing infatuation, reader included in Fantastic 4: First Steps, sfw. Briefly physical description of reader (muscular body type), sunshine x grumpy, enemies to lovers, the reader had a family.
╰┈➤ WC: ≈ 10k (it felt like 30k im so damn tired)
╰┈➤ A/N: Inspired by @lovebugism work "Space Oddity"! Also I saw a lot of creators using songs as dividers to set the mood so imma start using it now (it's an excuse for me to show off my taste in music), sorry for any mistake
4 years since the human story changed with the return of the geniuses astronauts, genetically modified by a cosmic incident. What could be a disgrace, was used as a blessing to help their precious planet.
Inside his room, Johnny stood before the vinyl player, a pile of records scattered on the floor, the man, unlike his colleagues, noticed the repetitions on specific discs. In the audios, two voices, one spoke a foreign language, and the other... Were whistles, soft blows on the radio signals, those weren't random, he could hear a pattern.
"Like morse code, maybe...?" He murmured under his breath, his gaze fixed on the player as the needle hissed against the platter, the audio playing, the sounds carried with an air of mystery, intriguing the young man. He checks the time in the clock on the wall, time for dinner. With a sigh, he gently placed the needle away.
The blonde felt annoyed as he stepped out of his room, walking downstairs to the kitchen. Not only was he met with this enigma, but also was denied of his wish to go to space once again. "When will they take me seriously?" He thought as he stepped into the place, going straight to the cereals.
What was meant to be a pacific dinner of the family — with the same old bickering nonetheless — was interrupted by an unpleasant surprise in the sky, alarming their senses.
The four stepped on Baxter's balcony, watching the unexpected and abnormal explosion of lights in the sky with curiosity and apprehension, the rain of "fireworks" and debris contrasting with the dark carpet that covers the sky that spreads itself on their universe.
"Johnny." Reed commands without the need of formalities, his eyes not leaving the sky, of which Johnny answers with a "Got it." And immediately shines in fire as he flies towards the scene, almost hesitant as the blonde notices two beings emerging from the dark clouds and the light rays, well, that's interesting. The Fantasticar quickly catching up with the man in the sky, the team making it's way to Times Square, where the two beings now stay, floating above the city.
As they arrive, supplicating for the civilians to stay away, the enormous screens of the center, one by one, slowly focus on the beings faces. A silver humanoid woman in a plank, and you, your hands rested on your hips, the tight blueish and white suit marking your muscles and curves with no shame, at the end of your feet, an icy fog swirled around. Both your sharp gazes watched the people under you, helicopters spotlighting your silhouettes, too scared to reach closer.
"Are you the protectors of this world?" You question, your voice deep in power, eyes never leaving the four of them. It felt like you could sense the muscles of everyone present tensing.
"Yes, we are." Sue confirms, skeptical, each four pair of eyes studying you, Johnny almost had to shake his head in order to pay attention properly, the man couldn't decide which being was the most exquisite in his eyes, his head tilting.
Silver Surfer studies the team, then starts, voice firm, to announce their tragedy — "Your planet is now marked for death. Your world will be consumed by the Devourer. There is nothing you can do to stop him. For he is a universal force, as essential as the stars. Hold your loved ones close and speak the words you’ve been afraid to speak. Use this time to rejoice and celebrate, for your time is short. I herald his beginning. I herald your end. I herald... Galactus." The Herald finishes.
The people start murmuring in distress, and before they can even process the words and it's meaning, you add — "However." They all stop at your voice, as loud as a bear's roar in the wild, all paying close attention. "If your protectors wish to fight, a fight you shall have. There is no freedom, there is no peace. Your world will know my wrath, the Warrior's wrath, Galactus' wrath. Be warned, for there is no need to hurry your destruction." You finish, the words sounding far from an empty threat, Silver Surfer turns on her plank, flying through the helicopter's metal as quickly as she arrived.
You stay in your place in the air longer than needed, your eyes staring at the blonde woman, sliding your gaze from her head to her belly, it could almost be seen a hint of something behind your cold and aggravated stare, could even be seen as empathy and melancholy, almost. Then your eyes make it's way to the man standing next to her, sharing the same hair color and small features, maybe an accidental mistake of your orbs, something unexplainable in your stare.
The helicopter's noise and light starts to annoy you, with a swift motion of your arm, a cold beam of strong wind shakes the aircraft away from you, you turn, the fog in your feet propels you towards the sky, briefly forming three sequences of cloud rings as you leave this planet's atmosphere.
Johnny doesn't waste time, the orangish and yellow flame consuming his body as he chases you, trying as quick as possible to catch a last glimpse of you. And he manages, once in the mesosphere, he holds your wrist, gently. His flames slowly vanishing as he looks at you. He's unsure why he's even there, his body just did.
With his hold slowing you down, at first your brows furrow in confusion and annoyance, but when you look down at him, at his eyes, your own does that thing again, of showing a brief glimpse of something else, something softer, gentler.
Johnny noticed, the sun's brilliance reflecting in the man's ocean-blue eyes. He doesn't know if he's hallucinating by the lack of oxygen, but the stars, they are... spinning around you, orbiting the way the Moon orbits the Earth, their flashes of light reflecting in your eyes in the same way. Faster and faster and faster, the man is hypnotized, It's like being face to face with the Goddess of war, beauty, ice, all at once.
You lean centimeters closer, your lips moving, with the lack of sound, all he could hear was a faint... Whistle, one line, three stops, the line ends, he could almost feel the cold air leaving your lips. You don't let the man process, he doesn't have more time to keep staring and touching you, as he is suddenly met with the hard kick of your feet on his chest, the impact pushing him away from you, making him slowly fall back to Earth's sky, if the blonde had a small amount of oxygen left, now he had almost nothing. The last thing he saw was you turning and leaving in light-year speed.
He managed to fly back to Baxter building, his heart beating hard, for a different reason than the rest of the team, though. All of them, who are incredulous, are talking and walking amongst themselves, discussing what the two beings warned about.
"You tracking them?" Johnny asked as his feet touch the ground. "They're too fast, but I'm tracking where they've been." Reed answers, the older man's flexible fingers practically smashing the keyboard as he watched the screen.
The research reveals how 5 planets disappeared, targeted with great carefulness, Sue sighs. "So it's true, this thing– Galactus, he ate planets, and the Herald and Warrior have been there, all of them." She concludes.
"How long to get Excelsior launch-ready? Either we go up there or Galactus comes here."
"I don't know, 20 hours..." Ben answer incorrectly, "Guys–" Johnny tries to chime in. The screen beeping and showing 16 hours, "Like I said, 16 hours." The rock textured man crosses his huge arms.
"I'll start the Nav pilot." Reed announces as he stands up quickly. "Hey guys–" Johnny tried to speak again. The other three keep talking to each other and H.E.R.B.I.E, and Johnny tries again. "She spoke to me."
They stop, eyeing each other then Johnny, "Who?" Sue raise her eyebrow. Johnny moves his hands as if it's obvious, "The hot one who ironically has icy powers or whatever?! She spoke to me, I mean... Kinda."
"Well, what did she say?" Ben asks, clearly holding himself to not make a snarky comment or scoff at the blonde delusions. "Well, she didn't really speak, she actually whistled or something, there was no sound but I swear I could hear it coming from her lips, very beautiful ones by the way–" Reed cuts him, "'Whistle?' Really? What does she means by that? Any context clues?"
"Probably catcalling the handsome here..." Ben jokes, which gains an eye roll from the other man, "Context, huh, space, me and her." He answers as if that's enough clue, "What would that even mean? Did she look angry? Threatening?" The woman asks, a small knowing smirk on her lips, not taking Johnny's encounter too seriously.
"No, she looked... Gentle." He answers "Gentle. A whistle. Gentle." Ben repeats as if it's laughable. "Yeah, like, we had a moment, okay?" His hand raises, inches away from his warm face, simulating the scene. "Johnny thinks he and the pretty lady had a moment. I could see the stars spinning in her sharp eyes and that maybe she doesn't want to kill us that bad–"
"Cool, and what did she do next?" Ben interrupted the boy's nonsense, Johnny looks at him deadpanned, almost annoyed by being reminded the not so romantic end of the scene. "Well," He clears his throat, "She kicked me, hard, but–" He's, again, interrupted by Ben, who's wheezing in entertainment.
"You see," He starts again, "Johnny loves space and Johnny loves women, and she's my opposite element, opposites attract." He intertwines his hands as if connecting the points.
"It's more about thermodynamics than magnetism." Reed notes as he turns and starts walking. "For the record, Ben loves when Johnny speaks in third person." Ben adds, and Sue tilts her head to the door while eyeing Johnny, "We need to get ready."
And while they prepared for the next 16 hours, Johnny continued listening to the records in his room, notes being taken as he used morse code as a support to understand this puzzle, even if still only in the phase of untangling the pieces. "You're not that difficult, lady." He spoke to himself, placing the paper filled with lines and notes on his room's window, immersed on his task to understand you.
More than anything I can think of
Sitting cross-legged, your hands on your knees, each pull of air felt like a cycle of shards of glass coming in and out, and it is, but this discomfort is less meaningful than a grain of sand compared to the incessant memories of your existence. The very awakening of your misery being just kilometers away from the dwarf planet you find yourself on. You can watch the unfortunate planet, chosen by you, being consumed by Galactus from here.
You suddenly feel a disturbance, the glacial wind and it´s shards kept hitting your body with no mercy, yet all that left you was a sigh, aware the disturbance is by a presence with a purpose that you judge as useless.
The fog of your powers take shape under your feet and hands, giving you the impetus to leave the dwarf planet and go straight to Galactus’ colossal spaceship, whom already consumed the celestial body he needed, since it disappeared, leaving only traces of a dead shell. It take mere seconds for you to identify the other spacecraft right in front of Galactus’, the glaring size difference was almost laughable. You could also note the blue rays scanning the object, and then stopping, as if it detected something worth of the cosmic god’s interest. Not good.
You slowed down, steadly making yourself seen before the Excelsior, the four familiar faces looking back at you in awe and recognition. You could see how the blue scanner stopped specifically on the woman’s grown belly, and it worried you.
You floated closer, without difficulty, crossing calmly the ship’s glass, your anatomy moved like water for a second as you did so, making the astronauts wonder if you just changed your molecules state like it was nothing. Stepping to the center, you eyed the place with no particular look other than broody.
“Johnny… Your girlfriend’s here.” Ben was the first to speak. “…Hi.” Johnny greeted you, his hand raising but not confident enough to raise it fully. Everyone looking at you. You exhale in what seemed to be annoyance, ignoring the comment and greeting, you announce, “Galactus will see you.” Your arms cross before your chest. “I’ll go.” Richards exclaimed, “You all.” You replied, no escape for the others. Your eyes once again fall on the blonde woman, your eyebrows furrow downwards. “You shouldn't be here.” The words fall from your mouth in discouragement as you don’t wait for any other words or action while you leave the object with the same ease as before.
Once inside the enormous and intimidating ship, the small crew leave their own, Reed commanding H.E.R.B.I.E to scan and collect everything the small robot can.
“Follow me.” You instruct them, turning your back and floating with no hurry, your hands behind your back as they obey. “What does Galactus want?” Reed questioned, “He doesn’t want, he feeds.” You explain, your tone bitter in a way despite your words being neutral about the being. “How does he choose which planets to consume?” Now Sue asks, looking at you with ambivalence in her face. “He doesn’t” You simply state, shrugging slightly. “You do…” The woman concludes, to which you nod, “Well, where’s your friend?” Ben wants to know, this fact annoying you, Johnny is uncharacteristically quiet as he was too busy observing you. A sigh leaves you, “She’s busy choosing another planet. She won’t take long, although you should be grateful of her lack of presence.” and then move forward, taking distance from the group, tired of the interrogation.
But of course, Johnny doesn't wait.
“Uh, Johnny, what are you doing?” Ben’ voice call the human torch, who’s already flying in your direction, “Relax, i’m gonna charm her.” Johnny ansewers, now flying calmly, right next to you, which made you breath out in displeasure as you both stay above the sea of lava and chains.
“So, what did you say to me? Or more like, what did you #whistle# to me? Before you kicked me in the chest, low blow, by the way.” Johnny looks at your beautiful side profile, the orange light of his flames reflecting on your skin. You finally look at him with your sharp gaze, your lips form a small circle, the harmony of the cold wind leaving your mouth replicating the sound, loud enough to echo in the huge place. “It means… ‘live’. For your family, for your planet, for your home.” You explain, tone gentle as your eyes go back to straight ahead. “’Live…’” the man repeats.
“Cool, another question, what’s your name?” He looks at you expectantly, “… They call me Blizzard.” You told unmoved, his caribbean blue eyes shone at the revelation, sure, it wasn’t your real name but it’s already something. “Okay, last question, is your language really whistles? Nothing against it, it’s just a bit weird—” You interrupt him with a groan, looking back at him, “No, it’s just one of the many languages.” You roll your eyes. “Your race must be very stupid if you are one of the greatest minds in your planet.” Johnny puts his hand on his burning chest, feigning surprise, “You think i’m the one of the greatest minds?” He completely ignores the rest of your statement, your eyes rolling for the millionth time. “You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.” You finish, Johnny’s gaze softening for a second— Interrupted by his watch beeping.
10% of oxygen left, it says. “Shit.” The man murmured, brows furrowing. “It seems it’s your time to go.” You note, looking ahead, the male just sighs, and with a last look, flying back to where his crew where, his fire fading away as he catch his steps.
“She dumped you already?” Ben taunts, “Nah, it went well.”
In few minutes, the four found themselves stopping hesitantly, tilting their chins up to view the great shadow of a man sitting in a throne, millions of chains around the being, his eyes purple, shining at the sight of them.
You stand floating, hand leaving behind your back, briefly pointing towards the cosmic god, “You stand before Galactus. The Devourer of Worlds honors you.” You announce. “We are honored.” Sue says back, the mother’s tone showing the unease she couldn’t hide.
“I was once little like you. Billions of years ago. A man from another world before this relentless, eternal hunger.” Galactus said, voice gravelly and carried with what seemed to be nostalgia. “You have traveled far. To beg for mercy.” He notes, “To talk,” Reed corrects. “You carry the power to save your world.” the creature ignores, “Yes. i believe we do.”
“Inside her, the child.” Galactus points to the blonde woman’s belly, who breaths shakily, your gaze hardening, as well as the other men. “What? What does that means?” They question the god, “I will spare your world, in exhange for the boy.” He explained naturally, all eyes widening, Sue breathed out a low “What? No…” You tried to chime in, “But master, it’s still just a baby—” He ignored your pleas. “He possesses the Power Cosmic, and he will inherit this cursed throne.”
The men tried to deny any of Galactus’ statement’s, as the gigant lowered his head, looking closer at the four, then, the purple light brightened before the pregnant woman, making her groan in pain, “What are you doing to her?” Reed screamed back in despair, the other two men also panicking. “The baby is coming!” Sue warned between groans, barely managing to stay standing, your body tensed, as well as the others.
Reed held on Sue, they started walking with quick and clumsy steps, Ben behind, “You will not have our planet. And you will never have our son!” Reed shouted back at Galactus, “I will eat your planet slowly while your child watches.” The being showed no mercy as he extended his hand to reach the group, Johnny immediately lighting up and flying, leaving a trail of fire, you chased him, the man destroying the huge blazing pillars one by one, each falling down on the living entity.
Johnny’s watch beeped again, 1% of oxygen left, it said, but before the man could turn to leave, he was met with a freezing gust of wind, launched by you, pushing him by force towards his group's ship as fast it was possible. The man gasped for air as he hit the ground, “I’m comming buddy!” Ben shouted as he took Johnny on his arm and carried him towards their spaceship, the door closed while Sue reached for the center desk, groaning in pain.
The four and H.E.R.B.I.E tried to start the spacecraft as quick as possible, while outside, you made sure to create a vast wall of ice, covering the exit so that Galactus could not reach them, or at least slow his action.
Their exit from the ship was a success, however, just after attaching the Excelsior to the FTL, a new threat appeared, Silver Surfer, while they all fly inside the wormhole.
“Johnny, kill her!” Sue ordered as he kept her grip on the desk, “Really?” He eyed her, “She wants to kill your nephew, kill her!” She orders again, to which the man obeys, “Blizzard wasn’t joking when she said we should be grateful for her lack of presence.” Johnny comented as he held on the levers, “Blizzard? That’s her name?” Ben asked, almost amused, “Yeah, kinda like Human Torch.” He brags back.
With difficulty, Johnny finally shots Silver Surfer out of the wormhole, but it takes five seconds of the men’s celebration for her to return on her plank. Suddenly, the ship’s screen detects a new threat following them, Reeds sighs as he keeps stretching his limbs and pressing buttons to figure things out. “Not her too!” The older man said at the knowledge of your presence.
“Wait wait! She’s helping us!” Johnny says, opposing to the idea of shooting you. “You sure of that?” Ben asks back, “Yeah!” Reed approached Ben, “Drop us out of FTL here.” He commands, “That’s a pretty big neutron star.” Ben looks unsure,“Isn’t that basically a black hole?” Johnny asks, focused on shooting and at the same time, to not hit you. He noticed the zig zag motion of you two on his screen, “Are you trying to push her away?“ Johnny questioned himself, furrowing slightly. ”Damn what team are you on?“
At the sudden turn their ship take, both you and Silver Surfer leave the wormhole, you stop, not going far to reach their ship on the black hole, you noticed. It’s a trap.
By watching the ship reappearing and Silver Surfer falling in the neutron star, you feel tempted to help, but a sigh leaves you, the fog under your feet moving you to the four’s spaceship instead, following them.
You can feel the clouds of star dust passing over you, you fight the gravitational force, stretching your hand to reach the metallic object, when you finally touch it, you press your body as you force the ship to go faster, being their slingshot. You can almost hear the screams and groans inside it coming from Sue, and the other’s confused rambling. You close your eyes, and with a small groan, pushing them to the .88 speed of light necessary to get back to their galaxy, their solar system, their planet.
The Excelsior suddenly disappears, making you stop.
You breathe nonexistent air, your mind as heavy as the neutron star present.
‧͙⁺˚･༓☾ Do I believe the sky above
Is Caribbean Blue? ☽༓･˚⁺‧͙
Earth-828, Baxter building.
It is chaos in the Baxter building, not only there, no, but the Earth-828 is in now in the pure pandemonium, with Galactus' threat being far from defeated, changing the views of the civilians who once cherished the heroes with hope and adoration. And yet, the four, now five, stay in the building, relentlessly searching for a solution for this promised cataclysm.
Johnny, however, paid attention beyond Galactus, the blonde man wandered around his own room, the papers had multiplied on his walls and floor, pencil in hand as his eyes squinted, watching the record on his helmet over and over.
“It means 'live'. For your family, for your planet, for your home.” — Your words repeated for the millionth time on the screen of his helmet, sure, he had already translated half of the whistles voiced on the discs, but he kept replaying the scene just to hear your voice, watch the subtle changes in your expression, or just observe every curve in your beautiful face as if carving every line on his brain—
He's sudden hit with a small breeze of wind, messing up the papers on the floor and scaring him, making a low yelp leave the man. He takes off his helmet, looking over, his shoulders slumping as he sees Sue standing by the doorframe, the rainbow reflections slowly vanishing around her hand.
"So, 'live', huh? What did you get with that?" The tired woman asks as she crosses her arms. "I got like, half the messages done, and..." His excitement suddenly dies out, an unusual gloomy expression showing, making the woman raise her eyebrow in curiosity and a bit of concern.
"– Anyway," He clears his throat as he stands up, putting the helmet down on his chair. "Hear me out, I think she definitely wants to help." He changes the topic a bit, going back to the enthusiasm of earlier, "Well, she did help us back on the neutron star and all..." Sue agrees, even though she was too busy screaming from the pain of the birth, she did remember your aid, which she was silently grateful for. All of them.
"Do you have any idea why?" She questioned, to which Johnny's lips shut in a line again, "Well, by what I'm getting... She's not so different from us."
"Guys, it's getting bad out there." Ben says in low spirits as he turns the TV on, the other three walking closer to watch.
One interviewer and one pundit discussing with no empathy about how the solution is simple, the child just needs to be given to the monster and the planet is saved. As if it's the easiest task in the world.
The lack of compassion and empathy makes Sue destroy the TV's screen with her power, her hands going to her hips with a sigh as the crowd outside the building shouts in anger to the team, which remains inside Baxter.
The four take their seats by the table, the air heavy with uncertainty and despondency, the angry shouts outside turning into an annoying background noise.
"They're scared." Ben starts, "Who isn't scared? That is scary." Johnny notes as he points towards the windows with his thumb, gaze low on the table, contemplative. "Why? They can't hurt us." The huge man tries to be optimistic, but knows that's not the main issue. "Well, it's scary because they hate us. They think they might die, and hate us for it, and hate Franklin too." Reed argues back, tone low, "And they may be right because right now, we don’t have a workable plan. The clock is ticking. So their plan looks good. It’s mathematical, it’s ethical and it’s available..."
The rest of the table looks at Reed with a mixture of shock and disappointment, "What are you saying?" Sue asks, almost in an order to know what her husband means by that, "I'm not saying anything." He answers.
The small monitor on top of the surface starts beeping, the sound of Franklin crying in his cradle echoes in the room, making Sue stand up with a sigh. Reed quickly stands up as well and follow his wife, the other two man stay in place.
"Rough." Ben mutters, "Yeah." Johnny says.
"Put my son down!" The feminine angry plea is heard from the nursery, alarming both man, the two immediately standing up with a fast exchange of looks, the message was already clear: Threat. They quickly make their way to the baby's room, Johnny already on flames and Ben ready to break walls if necessary.
But stepping in the place, Johnny saw... you.
You have the baby in your arms, his cries slowly ceasing, you raised one hand in surrender, to prove your innocence at the moment.
"I bring no danger, I would have taken the boy if that were the case, and I'm not as bad as you think to the point of waiting you to see me just for me to take him." You explain, voice calm, but still guarded, brows furrowed slightly.
"How are you even here?" Reed's voice is trembling slightly, facing the fear despite your words, the rainbow lights surrounding Sue's body as she's hesitant to move towards you, not wanting to hurt the baby in the process. "I would like to know too, very vulnerable for someone who could lose their child at any moment." You note, then sigh, your arms gently cradling the kid, who's eyes are slowly closing already, your gaze goes to Johnny's.
"... You came here to help." Johnny states what should be a question, his flames vanishing, a visible sign of him lowing his guard for you. The other's look at him briefly with confusion, then back to you.
With a nod, you calmly steps forward, the rainbow lights around Sue disappear, as you carefully hands Franklin to her arm's, your eyes staying on the baby's serene face. "Why?" Sue asks, now calmer. Your eyes go to her's.
“Because it happened to you too.” Johnny’s voice answered his sister's question before you can do, making your jaw tighten and your eyebrows drawn closer, your feet step back without your command. The moon shone behind you, the gentle blow of the night hitting your back as the window was opened by your arrival.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his blue eyes never leaving yours. “Your planet was targeted once, you were a queen, so you sacrificed yourself for your people.” He stepped closer, the other's eyes were watching both of you, taking in the way you take another step back.
“How— How do you even know that?” Your voice is far from that intimidating and firm tone it usually was, despite your efforts to not show your weakness.
Johnny answered with the sound of the whistle, repeating your hidden message. “live”. He looked at you with sympathy. “Your people tried to communicate with you again, to thank you and… to apologize.” He confess, making you sigh, the room's tempature decrease is noticeable, as well as your self restraint to not quick-freeze the place.
“We accept your help.” Sue says, all of them looking at you with sympathy and solicitude. You nod, clenching your fists, ignoring Johnny's gaze in an attempt to not show more vulnerability. Your mind lost in thoughts, processing the man's words...
Your people want to apologize, as if a small mistake was made?
The moment's mournful energy was not enough to stop the uproar of the people outside, Sue cradled her child in her arms, and with a tired exhale, she says, “We don't know what he is or what he might become, but I'm not giving him up.” And with that, the woman steps out of the room, decided to talk with her own people.
"We have to take care of this first, we'll discuss everything later." Reed affirms and you just give an understanding look, not rushed to dive deep in your reasons anyway.
As the men take their leave to watch, you stop by a window, having the view of the displeased crowd, looking down at them. The vision made your stomach turn, memories plagging your mind.
Would the people of this world be merciful, to the opposite of your people?
It won't be good to make your presence known by them, at least not now, but you swear to be quick to step in if needed.
You feel a warmth stepping next to you, standing close enough, it is slowly growing familiar to you.
He crossed his arms, the action emphasizing his muscles under his dark shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, both your reflections on the glass.
“… How much do you know?” Your voice is low, your gaze not leaving the view of the public meters below the floor you are on. “Probably just enough, I didn't have enough time to translate everything.” He answers, his eyes on your side profile. “… But I know about your daughter.” His words made you close your eyes as if you've been punched, and he notices.
“That's why you want to help, especially Franklin and Sue…” He states, “I'm sorry…” His tone is gentle, careful as if approaching a wounded animal, and maybe it is what it is.
Your exhale comes out shaky, you clench your fists so much your nails might start digging in your rough skin, until... You feel a light touch, a weightless brush of a different skin on your hand. His silent query of your consent to touch you. The feeling make your body tenses, your heartbeat stopping for a second.
Slowly, almost as if your body is reacting without your brain's knowledge, you open your hand, letting his own reach you.
With intertwined fingers, your exhale leaves... Relaxed, this time. The moonlight shines back on your skins, it feels like you've risen from the waters, now able to hear the outsides. Your ears catch Sue's speech, In the midst of the audience, which was now, thankfully, silent. You hear about her's and Johnny's backstory, and in the end, how this planet will defeat Galactus together, as a family.
“...Family...” You unconsciously mutter, the word felt almost unfamiliar, ironically enough. Johnny squeezed your hand gently. “Yeah, family. You can be a part of this too, you know?” His voice appealing and hopeful, for you. You almost scoffed, “You invite every alien that threatened to kill you to be part of your family?” You tease lightly, raising an eyebrow at him, his smirk comes back as soon as he heard your tone, a breath of fresh air for the man who can't bear being too serious for too long. “Nope, just with sexy aliens that are willing to fight a cosmic god for my planet.” His words make you roll your eyes playfully, the energy feeling lighter.
Through applause and acclaim outside, the wide doors of the lower floor of the building opens, the other's and the baby coming back inside. Johnny faintly pulls you along as he starts walking, the action surprises you for a moment, but then you just catch your step to match his own. “As a family!” The blonde chuckles letting go of you hand to go pinch his nephew's cheeks, Ben clapping for Sue, you can't help but feel your lips curving upwards at the sight. Family.
“Archimedes. The Law of Levers.” Reed suddenly speaks, everyone stopping to look at him, “‘Give me a lever and a place to stand and I will move the earth.’ We are going to move heaven and earth. Well, just earth.” He continues as if he had an epiphany. “Sue? You solved it!” His wife eyes him with confusion, as well as the rest. “I did?”
“Yes! We are going to move Earth to a place that Galactus will never find us.” — “How?” Ben questioned, “Well, we already have the lever. The bridge.” The man explained, “Reed, the bridge is a prototype, you moved an egg across the room.” Johnny chimed in.
“We're out of options.” Reed turns to you, “What do you think?” Your hands go to your hips, brows furrowing slightly as you take in the idea. “Well, Galactus is not one to move fast. He wouldn't chase your planet tirelessly when he himself needs his energy just as much as you need your water... Your solution is a good idea, but are you sure the chances of success are worth it?” The man sighs, “It has to be.”
“Well,” Johnny slaps his hands together, “let's start then before the giant maniac kick our a–" He's interrupted by Sue kicking the back of his knee, hard enough to make him hiss, “Not in front of Franklin.” She warns with a knowing look, then starts walking, you take your steps as well, Reed sharing the mental sketch of his idea already as you also make sure to be willing to give any information of the Devourer that the team needs.
A few steps behind, Ben and Johnny walk along, “Hm, so your charm did work, huh?” Ben nudges Johnny, who smirks like the biggest brat on the world, “And I'm grateful for that.” He says, his smirk turning into a genuine smile as he watches you.
‧͙⁺˚･༓☾ Tender is the night
For a broken heart ☽༓･˚⁺‧͙
Same night in Johnny Storm's quarters, Baxter Building.
You walk through corridors lit by warm lamps, rigid steps as Johnny followed you, who babbled, clearly nervous by the thought of you in his room. Yes, the man is not a shy one, far from it, he had been in the room's of many women before, yet the only woman that stepped a foot inside his room was his beloved sister, which may add to this foreign type of fluttering sensation in his abdomen. He hadn't felt this "butterflies in my stomach" thing since he was a school boy.
Sliding the door open with no shame, the strength used being slightly unnecessary, but you barely pay mind to it, as your eyes inspect the room, the first thing very clear is the amount of papers and records spread all over the place, only a few beams of light managed to slip through and get past the gaps in the windowpanes, covered by papers filled with notes and scribbles.
“Oh— that—” He clears his throat as he leans on the doorframe awkwardly, elbow on the side jamb and his other hand going to his hip. Your feet already moving you to the center of the room as you observed your surroundings.
You body makes a slow 180°, then you finally turn to him. “Hm, I see you really tried to understand my language.” Your hands go behind your back. “Is it that obvious?” He comments sarcastically with a smile, both his hands going inside his jean's pockets. “I've been crazy about you for the last few months.”
“Crazy? About me? Should I feel honored?” You ask back in the same tone, the man steps closer, relaxed, but inside only he knew how he’s done for, completely wracked, in the best way possible (if there is one). “Yeah, probably. Is not everyday you have a genius and hot — literally — guy like me trying to decipher you, is it?” His hands leaves his pockets as he points at himself with his thumbs.
“You’re very annoying sometimes.” You simply note with light derision, turning and walking to open the glass door to his balcony. “I’ll take that as a no.” He comments anyway, clearly enjoying this side of you, less warrior and more… you, if that makes sense. He follows you, the delicate wind hitting you both, your skin welcoming the feeling as you lean on the railing, resting your arms on the surface, your eyes taking in the full sight of the city from where you stood, Johnny mirroring you, although his eyes where far from the city in this moment.
“Thank you.” You whisper, as quiet as the wind, eyes refusing to turn his direction, for now. “For what?” An eyebrow of his curving up, genuinely confused. “For all this. You translated one of my languages, my history… I can’t remember the last time someone tried to understand me. So i’m grateful.” You explain, tone between casual and eloquent, and when you finally lock eyes with his own, he sees it again. The stars spinning, even if far away, they are spining around you, the same shine in your eyes.
“Is this what love feels like?”
“… Hm?” You hum in confusion, making Johnny finally realize that he just said it out loud, in a mindless murmur. He clears his throat, forcing himself to look away for a moment, “Fuck i should just jump now—” He almost thinks loudly again, “Uh, nothing, I was just— You know, glad you feel that way. I’m honestly glad I discovered all that, too. You’re…” He can’t finish, but has enough courage to look back at you and catch those beautiful eyes staring at him, your gaze a lot softer now. For the first time, Johnny has no words.
“… Don’t commit the same mistake as me.” You say suddenly, eyes still on his. His brows furrow slightly, “What—” — “I know you want to sacrifice yourself for your world, it’s in your eyes, like you thought about that possibility ever since you translated the records. But don’t do that. I was stupid.” Your gaze drifts away from his, “You were selfless.” He corrects, “Same thing.” You argue back.
“Well, so you helping me— us, is you being stupid, too?”
“Honestly? Yeah, it is.” You admit, sighing to yourself, the wind moving strands of your hair gracefully, barely noticeable, but to Johnny, it is as noticeable as the sun when compared to it's system planets. The guy really can't not take in every single small detail about you, but it broke him to know on how you feel so negatively about your past.
“I’m just tired of watching people die, and worse of all, because of me.” His hand carefully reaches for yours in the railing, touching your skin once again, and the warm feeling hits you, again. “You’re a victim too, alright? I don’t blame you for all this mess, and if it means I’ll have you here, being — in your words — stupid, then I’m really fucking happy.” You try to open your mouth to argue, but he interrupts before you can even start, “And you can’t change my mind, ma’am.”
His eyes slip to your lips for a moment, his thumb making invisible imaginary circles on the back of your hand, almost unaware how touchy he’s currently being with you, who don’t seem annoyed about it, as far as he knows, you were not shy to explicitly demonstrate your anger. His gaze doesn’t fly past you either.
“I’m gonna clean this mess.” He announces suddenly, as if finally snapping back to reality, he reluctantly pull his hand away from yours, and you find yourself silently missing the small contact, you shake your head a bit, watching him passing through the balcony door calmly, but an air of ‘lost in his mind’ in him.
You sigh, a hand still on the railing as you turn to face his room. “Am I supposed to stay here? That’s why you’re cleaning the room?” Your tone is a little lighter, too tired to continue the down hearted conversation, it can be reserved for later.
“Uh… Well, if you really want to stay here, who am I to kick out a lady?” Said the man, grinning to himself at the very welcomed idea of you sleeping in his room, as he starts peeling off the papers off the windows, “It’s gonna take a while…” he murmurs to himself in a breath, already tired just from thinking it. He wants to spend time with you, but it would be less awkward without dozens of papers around.
You leave the balcony as well, stepping on his room, you raise your arm slightly, the usual gush of cold wind, but softer, hitting the papers, and slowly moving each to form neat piles near the wall. “Done.” You stop next to his king sized bed, eyeing it, there were also some notes there, his dedication amused you. Your action, although casual to you, made the man’s eyebrows raise. “Yeah, that works too.”
“I should get you something to wear,” He starts, his gaze back to the papers in his hand, “You’re not going to sleep with this on, right?” He talks about your suit, “Not that I mind,” You could hear his annoying smile, “I just want you to be comfortable.” He turns to see you again, and the sound of the folders falling from his hand and hitting flat on the ground echoes in the room.
Your back is half turned to him, your whitish suit is slowly dissolving, literally melting like snowflakes, revealing your soft but still, at the same time, coarse skin, putting yourself bare before him. Your arm already inside a white shirt with white sleeves, you stretch the fabric as you put it on, then pull it down as it covers your upper body, it hung slightly loose, leaving your shoulders in sight, but it’s comfortable enough.
“It’s good enough.” You say, turning fully to him.
Johnny’s mouth is open, looking at you like he just saw the most beautiful thing in the galaxy while you stand there, all beautiful in his shirt, so natural, unbothered. Gods, he has the perfect view of your bare legs, he swears he can feel a burning feeling down his stomach, he swallows dry, closing his lips and biting his tongue, he can feel himself going crazy and in need to just–
He feels a small jet of cold snow hitting his face, like a snowball just smashed itself on him, making his head turn to the side. The man barely process. “Really?” The feeling of it quickly melting into ice cold water on his skin, making him close his eyes for a moment.
Then he opens when he hears your chuckle. “I thought you were going to pass out or something.” You make up a half assed excuse, a toothy smile on your pretty face.
Oh yeah he’s gonna pass out just now, being able to unlock such sight and sound from you, it makes his annoyance disappear with a snap of fingers. The man is gone head over hills, he’s sure of it.
He scoffs, kicking the papers on the ground to the side, that’s work for Johnny of tomorrow to deal with, now he’s busy. “You’re lucky you’re pretty.” – and could kick my ass anytime – he sits lazily on his bed, back touching the headboard, his words making you roll your eyes as you sit as well, mirroring him, your hands your lap, fingers messing with the fabric of the shirt, feeling it’s soft texture and aware of his scent in it.
“Do you even sleep?” He asks, internally glad you’re acting so comfortable with him, in his room. “Of course I do, I’m an alien to your world, Johnny, not a ghost or something.” He raises his hands in mock surrender, “Sorry, I’m new to having a pretty out-of-this-world woman in my room.” He teases sarcastically, but he could not just ignore the way his name sounds so flawless leaving your mouth, your mouth.
Before you both know, it turns into a casual conversation, and slowly, both lay down, as minutes passes, your bodies closer and closer, it feels natural, the way it never had been before for Johnny, or you.
By the end of the long night, you somehow fell asleep first, on your side and lying on one arm, fortunately, facing him. He could watch your restful beauty and hear your soft breathing all night, he’s just really relieved that you’re in such peace that you let yourself sleep next to him. It means things are going well, despite the whole “we’ll die soon by a maniac god” thing.
With that reassure, Johnny falls asleep, your face being the last thing he saw before he closed his eyes, and he couldn’t ask for a better night.
‧͙⁺˚･༓☾ Strangers in the night exchanging glances
What were the chances we'd be sharing love
Before the night was through ☽༓･˚⁺‧͙
It feels like the epitomy of ‘the calm before the storm’.
As the days goes by, with Reed's plan in action, the whole world agrees that the construction of the levers will be done around the entire globe. Giant structures, the last safest hope for humanity.
“You're just mad I got a girlfriend now.” and yet, this doesn't stop Johnny from being the annoying brat he is, especially with Ben.
“Does your ‘girlfriend’ even knows that she's your ‘girlfriend’?” Ben taunted back, making air quotes with his large hands, both men on the kitchen, Johnny getting ready to eat the same overly sugary cereals in the ‘too good to be true’ afternoon.
He scoffed, “She, uh, we're doing it slow, okay? Traditional style, and why the air quotes?” He shakes the box slightly, pointing it towards the man made of rock, who only barely held back a chuckle “Whatever makes you sleep at night, buddy.” Ben turned back to the frying pan with eggs, Johnny rolling his eyes at the remark. Ben continues, “And why do you keep eating cereal when it's not even morning? You eat like a kid.” — “So now you wanna lecture me around? You're doing eggs and bacon in the sunset, dude—”
“She's your girlfriend?” A feminine voice breaks in the bickering of the two friends, showing up with the now visible presence of Sue, arms crossed as her back leans on the fridge, both men jumping in fright in the same second, the frying pan and the box of cereals almost meeting the ground if it wasn't by their reflexes.
“God— Can you stop doing that?” They hissed in unison, frowning at the woman, who just stands there, ignoring their annoyance as her eyebrow stays up, gaze on Johnny.
“So, is she your girlfriend?” She repeats, much to the younger brother’s annoyance, “… Well, no–” Ben’s snort interrupts the talk, trying, very badly, to look more focused on the fried eggs and bacon than to Johnny’s words, who tries to argue. “– Not yet!” He turns to both of them in indignation.
Sue just shakes her head lightly, a smile on her face, “It’s rare to see you acting all flustered, it means you really like her.” Her words made the man sigh, turning away just as quick as he pours his cereal on the bowl, a weak attempt to not show the warmth rushing to his ears, his own body snitching on him.
Before anyone could say anything else, the topic of the subject appears. You glide through the open window, descending calmly, the warm sunset rays hitting your back as well as the wind, as if opening the doors for you.
“It’s alright in Mexicio, I helped them with a part of the building. It should get done by the end of this week.” You report, making your way to them. “’Mexicio?’” Ben rises his stone textured eyebrow at you, placing the food down on the plate. “Isn’t it what it’s called?” You cross your arms, leaning on the counter, close to Johnny, who smiles to himself, “I think you mean ‘Mexico’.” He corrects.
You just shrug, “Yeah, that country.” You look down at his bowl, your fingers moving to take a small toy that was half burried in the sweet grains, you look at it, a miniature plastic version of Johnny himself. “Squeeze it.” You hear him tell you, and when you do, the small toy yells “Flame on!”
You scoff, now looking at the blonde in front of you, staring back at you as if the coolest thing happened. “Annoying, as if the big version of you wasn’t enough.” the smirks doesn’t leave your lips, though. “I agree.” Both Sue and Ben say together, getting a sarcastic “Thank you, guys” from Johnny as he takes the spoon, ready to eat the dryest, sweetest meal like usually.
Sue starts walking, with a smile, she says as she passes you by “Thank you for the confirmation, we're glad you're here.” To which you return the smile with a nod.
It feels... Good. To be treated so normally, more like a colleague, maybe even friend, than a slave, or even a queen, in your ‘past’ life. It's been so long since you had that feeling of casualness, of just being in the moment, with others, the noticeable air of mutual trust.
Suddenly, you feel a hand gently pulling yours, an hum leaving you as it snaps you back to the present. “C’mon, I wanna show you something.” Johnny says as he starts walking, “You didn't even touch your sickly-sweet meal.” You note as you put down the small toy in some random surface, a laugh escaping the man. “I can finish it later.”
With your hand in his, the flames arise on his body, the freezing fog taking shape on your feet as you both leave the building, “The clothes look nice, by the way.” He says with a knowing smirk and an eyebrow raised, the comment makes you look down at yourself, a simple black leggings with an off shoulder shirt, the bra straps visible, nothing outrageous and comfortable enough for you who got used to be in the same suit for years.
“Really?” You look back at him, hands finally breaking contact as you both fly higher, “Yeah, it's good seeing you like this, comfortable, I mean.” He turns to you, back facing the wind, the flames matching the sunset rays, “And~ not to be a bragger — but already being — I knew you'd like this style, that's why I bought you.” You scoff, pushing back stray strands from your face, “It was Susan who bought it.”
With a roll of eyes, he shrugs, “I helped too, anyways...” You follow him, taking in the view of the city being gently painted with peach orange and lilac purple, the residents preparing to soon turn all the lights off in order to save energy for the final endeavor.
his feet touch the concrete of the roof of a building, and so do yours, each step closer to the edge, your hands go behind your back as you cock your eyebrow as you observe what’s before you, Johnny barely seem to pay attention to anything but you, “That’s what you wanted to show me?”
He turns his head to what you point out,
“Tan, don’t burn! Coppertone: Official sun lotion of the Fantastic Four!” Is written in the far from shy outdoor, doing a good job of advertising the sunscreen with Johnny’s tanned body on the beach, a dog pulling on his underwear, some centimeters of the man’s butt on display.
“Ah, no, uh–” You could swear sparks were flying out of him even though the flames were already been put out. His hand goes to scratch the back of his neck, “That– I was well paid for that and I’ll be honest, I just wanted to be alone with you.” He admits and you cross your arms.
“Oh, I almost couldn’t tell.” With your voice drowned in sarcasm, he smiled, “What? You’ve been out all day, I’m glad you’re helping and all but I like having you around too.” The blonde one said with no shame, his warm hand pulling your cold one to have you alongside, he feels lucky that you allow him to touch you so much…
Until you interrupt his daydreaming.
“Too bad you’re busy today and if you don’t show up, Reed will kill you.” You remind him with a smirk, he groans with a sigh in return, the feeling of your skin touching being cut short by you as your body is already hovering in the air, waiting for him.
Johnny can’t lie, despite the short-lived moments he has with you in the last days, the fondness he feels with each seconds feel worth it all. The constant fear of losing all this, his family, people, planet, you, look like a small and inconsiderable obstacle, lost in the sea of adoration. So, as he watches you, floating in the air, the last rays of sunlight cast by the now dark magenta and gold sunset shining in your eyes and skin, all he can think of, is not his terror, is not the time lost, is:
The angry shouting of the people, the dreadful crying of your baby, the mournful echo of your scream.
They sacrificed your life, and you sacrificed your life for them.
Despite it all, you gave yourself to Galactus, and in your cursed life, the concept of time long lost, while you roamed the stars, you could only question yourself
Johnny woke up by brushing his arm on your side of the bed and being met instead, with the empty and crumpled bedsheet.
He lifted his head, tired eyes searching for you in the dark of the room, his vision stoped at the balcony, glass doors open, your silhouette sitting on the balcony railing.
The full moon, huge and perfectly placed, almost like it was staring back at you, contrasting with your figure, one muse facing the other.
He got out of the bed calmly, steps light on the ground. He reaches the vinyl player, pushing the needle to the already set platter, the melody and it's sterile sound being loud enough to spread on the place, but low enough to not be a nuisance.
The string section played as he stepped closer, stopping next to you, elbows on the railing.
“Did I wake you up?” You ask, eyes not leaving the moon, he shook his head slightly, taking a seat next to you, inches of distance between you. “More like your absence.” He answered, gaze not leaving you.
You sigh softly, the fresh air flowing in and out of your lungs like a blessing, then, “Lately has been good enough for me to forget everything unpleasant that has happened...” leaves your lips.
“– Or has yet to happen...” He adds “I feel the same.” He confesses.
Your eyes finally meet his own, the wind stroking your skins, like a witness to the moment of intimacy and vulnerability between the two.
“You make me forget everything unpleasant.” You state, almost unaware of how the distance is slowly vanishing, “I'm more than honored to be able to bring you enough happiness to soothe your pain.” His words were silky, carried with passion, blue eyes staring back at yours like he was facing the universe.
A small smile appears on your lips, “I like the music.”
“So I like it even more now.”
And then, you close your eyes like your body has prepared itself for this moment, his lips connect with yours in a velvety dance of shared romance and devotion, words of love that didn't need to be spoken, not now. Your bodies will do the work, the gifted work of showing love.
When your lips finally part, you could swear you saw stars swaying in his eyes.
Gently, you let your head rest on his shoulder, the weight of existing, even if just for now, flew away like a fall leave being taken away by the cold wind.
Johnny's hand caress your back like a silent promise, I will be there, the moon whisper back it's meaning,
Tomorrow will be a critical one, but now...
You just want to live now.
‧͙⁺˚･༓☾ In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you ☽༓･˚⁺‧͙
guys if you finished this, thank you
im unsure if i should continue this, as now its the end of the canon movie and im running out of ideas, and i freaking hated how this turned out but idk
