POV Seraphina

I've known Pete for a relatively long time and even though I said goodbye to the Guardians, I missed them all very much.
After Gamora left us and Thanos was finally defeated, my help was requested by my brother who I hadn't seen in a long time.

So I also left the Guardians, even though it was very difficult for me at the time. They were all very dear to me and I promised them that I would come back as soon as I was needed or my help was no longer needed.

x

I slowly steered my spaceship to the well-known landing site that was kept free for me.
Pete had enlightened me about what had happened and I was glad that Rocket was fine now. After all, we were good friends and often exchanged ideas about technical things and what could not be improved.

My ship finally landed and for a moment I just sat and let it all sink in.
I considered this small planet and its inhabitants to be home, even though my native home was actually light years away.
Here on this planet was my real family, friends who meant a lot to me.

A smile graced my lips and I turned everything off to leave the ship.
Pete had just notified me of everything like he had done all along while I was gone so no one knew I was coming back.
He had corrected me about the new structure of the city and I really wanted to help.

With steady steps, I made my way to meet the Guardians and tell them of my return.

POV Adam

Almost helpless, I watched the many people who tried to rebuild their city and did everything to help them.
After I pulled Peter out of space and rescued him, a lot of people seemed to trust me more and give me another chance as well.
Still, I couldn't deny that I felt kind of alone. Everyone had someone they knew or got along with.

I didn't really know anyone.

Mantis assured me that I would find my place but I wasn't so sure.
My mother often spoke of a person who formed our other side. To which one belonged and which gave one the feeling of safety and security.
Did I also have such a person?

I continued to stroll through one of the streets and only looked up when I heard a bright laugh.
My gaze fell on Peter who seemed to be hugging an unknown woman. The two knew each other well and began to talk quickly.

I stared at them both rooted to the spot and began to study the young woman further.
Her blond hair was long and gently swept behind her as she walked further away with Peter. She had a beautiful smile that made me feel warm even though that smile wasn't even aimed at me.

The two disappeared around a corner and for a brief moment I caught a glimpse of her face. If there were angels then I was convinced that she had to be one.

"Hey Adam! Come on! Pete has news for us! Hurry up, come on!", Mantis suddenly called out to me, who had stepped into my line of sight without my noticing.
How long did I stand there, just like that?

A little unsteadily I walked behind Mantis who also had Drax with her and was talking excitedly.
However, my thoughts were still with the beautiful woman and her almost golden-blonde hair, which is why I didn't listen to her.
Together we entered a small bar that surprisingly survived the attack and was considered a regular bar.

"Listen up everyone! I have great news for you! Our dear Seraphina is finally back and will stay!", Peter's voice sounded. Everyone started cheering and even Nebula seemed to react positively to this news as a barely noticeable smile crept onto her face.

Confused, I looked around the small bar and waited for a more detailed explanation until a person stepped into the bar behind Peter.
It was none other than the woman with the charming smile I had seen before.

So I stood a little apart and just watched how everyone hugged the young woman named Seraphina and was probably very happy about her arrival.
At that moment, I really wished I could hug her like that and be near her.

I watched almost longingly as she began to talk to the others and shared her story with them. Music started playing and Peter handed out drinks to everyone and although a happy mood ensued I just felt all the more left out.
Why would she want to talk to me too?

However, I couldn't take my eyes off Seraphina. She was pulling me in like some kind of magnet and I just couldn't resist the pull.
Every now and then she brushed back one of her blond strands and I wondered if her hair really felt as soft as it looked.
Her soft smile never left her lips and I secretly hoped that she would smile at me too.

"You can also talk to her Adam", Peter's voice suddenly sounded next to me and I looked over at him almost startled.
He had a huge grin on his face and I got the feeling he had something in mind some kind of plan maybe.
"Instead of just staring at her, you know?", he continued and that's when I realized he must have been watching me without my noticing.

"I'm good... yeah. I'm just looking", I said quickly then looked back across the bar hoping he would leave me alone.
"Kinda creepy you know? Just staring and doing nothing", he said, leaning against the bar wall.
"I'm not staring!", I tried to explain to him again and crossed my arms uncertainly.
How was it that he could see through me like that?

"Whatever you say buddy. But talking to her won't hurt you y'know", he said taking a sip of the blue drink he'd been holding the whole time.
With a huff I took one last glance at Seraphina and her smiling face, "I think I'm going outside for a bit."
Without Peter being able to say anything else, I almost bolted out of the bar and quickly inhaled the cool air from outside.

I sneaked a peek through the bar window again hoping to see Seraphina again but Rocket and Drex had apparently started a drinking contest and a large crowd had gathered in front of the window.
Almost furiously I kicked a stone away from the path in front of me and clenched my hands into fists.
Now there was no way I could just go back after Peter caught me.

I wish it was that easy, but what if she just doesn't like me? What if all she sees in me is this monster that wanted to hurt her friends?
At that thought, a pain almost ran through my body and I put my hand on my chest.
Shaking my head, I walked on and admitted defeat. Countless feelings rolled through my body and I just couldn't place any of them.

"Hey! Wait!", a voice suddenly called from behind me and abruptly I turned just to look into Seraphina's blue eyes.
She stopped in front of me and smiled softly at me.
"You're Adam, aren't you?", she asked me and I could only nod as she almost took my breath away.
"I'm Seraphina and I wanted to introduce myself again personally. I've heard a lot about you", she said and fear immediately went through my body like a bolt of lightning.

What had the others said about me? Did they also say that I was actually responsible for Rocket's injuries? In the end, I simply attacked the Guardians.

"Heard... from me?", I asked almost swallowing hard and stood as stiff as a statue in front of the young woman.
"You saved Pete and I'm very grateful for that!", she quickly explained to me and gave me an even bigger smile than before.
Without warning she took one of my hands in hers and immediately that warmth flowed back into me.
My heart started beating like crazy and I really hoped she wouldn't notice.

"The past is the past and all that matters is the here and now. You can decide who you are and what you do Adam. We're all here to help you", she said softly, then let go of my hand.
I immediately missed her soft hands and their warm touch on my skin.
"I'd better let you go, it's already very late. See you tomorrow!", she said quickly and then went in the other direction past the bar.

As if in a trance, I stood on the street and watched after her until her shape was no longer visible.
Her words echoed in my head and slowly a smile crept onto my lips as I had to look down. My hand was still tingling and I turned around as well.

For Seraphina, I wanted to be as good as possible. I wanted to protect her and make her proud, show her that I understood her words.
I desperately wanted to feel more of her warmth and give in to this urge for her.