Marvel One Shots

Ugly | Drax x Mantis

Note: This one shot takes place after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Hope you enjoy!

It was quite a site. The many lights that danced in the cosmos. The sound of Peter Quill's 80's music serenading the whole ship. Baby Groot asleep.

Even though Peter Quill lost his father, not related in any sort, the guardians felt they were at peace. They could now breathe.

Mantis was the one who seemed to enjoy the show the most. Her black eyes widened every time she caught a glance at something new. Making her look like a curious kitten in the new world.

Drax was near her. He just kept staring at her. The lights seemed to reflect beautiful colors off of Mantis' body. Colors that kept catching Drax's attention.

Of course he liked her.

Calling her ugly was just a lie. Drax kept telling himself that. She was not pretty. She was not beautiful. She's not the most angelic being you've ever met. So why is he rejecting all of this?

Two words: His family.

No one could ever replace his wife and daughter. His wife who was beautiful both ways. His daughter who lit him up and made him laugh. His wife who reminded him he was a good husband. His daughter that reminded him that he was a great father.

Drax took a vow when they left his life for good. He would not find anybody else. Sure, he considers the guardians his family, but he won't be searching for a love. He would stop himself if he felt the slightest strong emotion. It was never that severe.

Until he met Mantis.

What else could he say, but— wow. Of course she was beautiful. No doubt about it. Of course she was cute. Of course she was sweet, angelic, nice, caring, and powerful, and— so much more.

Calling her ugly made her upset and he knew it, but it also hurt him. Not only was he hurting someone so sweet, but it hurt that he was falling for another woman. Even when he promised he wouldn't.

For Mantis, yes she liked him too. No, she loved him.

She at first saw him as a brother figure until she finally saw through his heart and fell head over heels for him. Some could say it's obvious to see, the rest say otherwise.

Being called ugly for her was excruciating. She always thought she was weird looking, but it hurt insanely coming from the very first guy she followed.

When they were on the ship watching the lights, Mantis finally wanted the name calling to stop. She noticed that Drax was nowhere in sight. She moved about the ship and eventually found him in a different room. He was looking out a large window, staring wondrously at a nebula the ship was traveling through. She took a deep breath and approached him.

"Drax," she began. Drax turned and looked at her. Unwillingly, Mantis didn't know how to exactly start this conversation. She went with the best thing she could think of. "Why do you keep insulting me?"

Drax raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Why do you keep calling me ugly? It hurts."

Drax looked even more dumbfounded than he already was. "How could that possibly be hurting you?"

Mantis grew steamed. "It's an insult!" She snapped. "I understand if you think that I'm not the prettiest sight you've seen, but you don't have to constantly remind me of how hideous I am!"

Drax became awkward. Mantis stood next to him and stared out the window as well. The nebula was already starting to form a few stars in the distance.

Drax bit his lip and spoke. "You think you're hideous?"

"Well, look at me." She replied. "I have black dead eyes, plain hair, and weird antennas. My whole life I always told myself I was hideous. It's helped me go through life."

Drax looked at her. She turned her head away. "You are ugly." He said.

Mantis felt her eyes getting heavy. Tears were about to fall. Hero's don't cry.

"U for Unique." Mantis looked back at him confused. "G for gifted. L for lovable. And to put it together, U for you." Mantis' eyes widened. What was he talking about? He's never ever complimented before! "That's what I've meant by ugly."

Mantis formed a smile. "Really?"

Drax nodded with a small smile.

Mantis felt happiness consume her and then she remembered something else. "Drax? Ever since your family died, have you ever met anyone special?"

Drax looked back out the window. "I have, but it's not good."

"Why?" Mantis asked.

Drax bit his lip trying not to let his emotions get the best of him. "When my wife died, I promised myself I'd never find another woman. It just feels not right if I fell in love all over again and it wasn't her. I want to stay loyal to my family by not getting a new one.

"But," Mantis looked back out the window too. "Don't you think you're being too hard on yourself?" Drax didn't respond. "It seems like you're promising yourself to never find happiness."

The dark blue alien rubbed his eyes. "It's what my wife would have wanted."

"Is it really?" Mantis held Drax's hand. "I would have thought that your wife would want you to be happy."

"I am happy." Mantis made a face. Drax noticed it and knew that she read past the lie.

"Drax, she's gone, but that doesn't mean she'd want you to stop finding love. You found your friends, now go and find a lover. She wouldn't want you to be stuck in isolation."

Drax thought about that for a moment. Would she really want him to move on? For him to find someone else? She probably would.

"And Drax," Drax looked back at Mantis. He could see the reflection of the nebulas through her black eyes. "I can always help you and I do mean in that way."

Drax grew a little nervous then shook his head. "Nah, it's fine. I can find someone myself, but I wouldn't want it to be with you."

Mantis frowned. "Are you sure."

"Thank you for talking with me, Mantis. And I'm pretty sure." Drax then exited the room leaving behind a smiling Mantis.

Why was she smiling? Because the whole time she held his hand, she was able to feel that Drax felt overly excited at the thought of dating her. She finally found out, that he has secretly loved her as much as she does with him.