Avengers: Incursion

Routine Mission

The cold recesses of space opened up around the spaceship like a great, cavernous mouth. The craft moved through the darkness, it's systems humming and beeping as they continued to keep the ship operational and its crew alive.

Well, some of its crew, Taylor thought to himself. Mark and Joseph could survive if the ship blew up. Zarda, Joaquin and I would be instant popsicles. But I'm sure Zarda would put up one hell of a fight.

Taylor shivered at the notion, his dark eyes focused on the stars behind the thick glass that separated him from the cold vacuum. He hated space for all of the obvious reasons- the cold, the danger, and the helpless sense of being set adrift among a list of possible crises.

And the dark, he reminded himself. Don't forget about the dark.

He smiled bitterly. As if he could ever forget about darkness. It lived with him always.

"You cold?" The deep, baritone voice of Mark said from behind him. Then two strong arms slowly wrapped around his waist and pulled him against a hard chest.

"I didn't hear you come in," Taylor murmured, his gaze still fixed on the view.

"Sorry," Mark said before planting his lips on Taylor's cheek. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"I'm in outer space, Mark. I'm perpetually startled," Taylor grumbled as he turned around to look at him, taking comfort from his presence. Mark was tall, with a powerful and muscular build that was currently covered in a tight black bodysuit with golden gloves, boots, utility belt and cape. He wore golden briefs and a large atomic symbol rested at the center of his utility belt. His features were classically handsome, with a sharp jawline, cleft chin, piercing blue eyes and a sexy layer of stubble. His short auburn hair was styled in a neat part, perfectly feeding into his Boy Scout vibe.

Mark grinned sheepishly and Taylor almost forgot his dread of space for being lost in his blue eyes and the playful curve of his full lips. "Sorry, kiddo," Mark said.

"You should be," Taylor said. "You know how much I hate coming out here. You should have had Wyatt or Kingsley come instead. They both love space missions."

"And leave you to hold the fort with Linda? What would you even do? Eat bonbons and watch trash tv?"

"It's better than this," Taylor countered.

Mark lifted an auburn eyebrow. "Better than this? What could be better than going on a space exploration mission with your sexy boyfriend?"

"Staying home and waiting for my sexy boyfriend to return from a space exploration mission," Taylor swiftly replied, a sullen smile on his lips.

Mark shook his head and slowly brought his hands down to Taylor's ass. "You've gotten pretty mouthy lately. Do I need to do something about that?"

"I'm not sure what you could do," Taylor said with more cheer than he'd shown since leaving earth's orbit. "You may have super speed, strength, and durability..."

"And atomic vision."

"...but your helpless against my sass."

Mark nodded solemnly. "One of my only true weaknesses."

"And what's the other?" Taylor asked.

Mark grinned suggestively and squeezed Taylor's ass. "I don't think I need to say, do I?"

Taylor's expression softened and he rested his head on Mark's chest. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For this. For...trying to distract me."