what's yours is mine

Status: Complete
Published: 07 November 2023
Chapters: 1
Words: 703
Rating: Teen & Up
Tags: Mantis/Nebula (Marvel), Mantis (Marvel), Nebula (Marvel)

AO3 Mirror

Opening Notes:

Original AO3 Note: just somethin short 'n' quick that's been sitting in my docs folder for a while. i simply think that mantis would take one look at nebula's closet and decide actually yes i WILL borrow these thanks

as always if you ever wanna talk bugborg or see some doodles i'm bugborgs @ tumblr and sometimes i doodle things based off my fic so, yanno

Nebula’s lip twitches, almost like she wants to smile as she watches Mantis, who was walking just a little ahead of her. Mantis had claimed Nebula’s red jacket that morning, plucked right out of her closet before Nebula herself had even had a chance to get dressed. She was wearing it now as they walked the streets of Knowhere, looking quite pleased with herself. It had been a favorite of Nebula’s, paired with on of her most common outfits: red leathers from head to toe.

Until Mantis had decided it was a favorite ofhers, too, and not just on Nebula (and it did look so lovely on her, contrasting nicely with the pretty blues of her skin).

Mantis glances over her shoulder, then turns to fully face her. “What?”

Nebula shakes her head. “You look way too pleased with yourself.”

Mantis’s mouth quirks into a slight smile, a little too playful for how innocently she says, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Nebula snorts. “Look at you—you’re way too happy to be wearing my jacket.”

“It’s comfortable,” Mantis says. She takes the collar of the jacket in her hands and pulls it up and around her face, and snuggles into the jacket.

Nebula rolls her eyes at the display. “Letting you into my apartment was a bad idea.”

Mantis brings a hand to her chest in mock indignation. “That is a very rude thing to say to your girlfriend.”

“Just look at you. It’s like you’re marking your territory,” Nebula remarks, unimpressed, and Mantis blinks at her, tips her head to one side as she considers this.

She had been wearing it more often, and today was no exception. It was her favorite thing in Nebula’s closet, she thinks, and not only for how comfortable it was (though it was), or for how pretty and vivid its color (it was such a lovely shade of red), but mostly because it was Nebula’s jacket. It was well-worn, broken in just right to suit Nebula’s frame, and it smelled like her, too.

It was the next best thing to having Nebula’s arms wrapped around her.

“You’re not the only one who gets a little possessive sometimes,” she says finally, stepping close enough to loop her arms lazily around Nebula’s neck.

Nebula raises her brows. “That’s why you like to rifle through my closet and steal my clothes?”

“Borrow,” Mantis corrects, “and yes. I’m lucky enough that I can get away with it. Sometimes I want to brag about it a little.”

Nebula snorts. “You are ridiculous.”

“Maybe. But I know you like seeing me in your clothes.”

Nebula remains unimpressed. “Uh-huh.”

“You haven’t stopped me yet.” Mantis brings one hand up to stroke the back of Nebula’s head and down her neck. “And I can feel how much you like it, even when you pretend that you don’t.”

“Using your powers is cheating.”

“What’s the use of having them if I can’t use them?” Mantis retorts. “But even without them, you are so obvious.”

“I’m not that obvious,” Nebula protests, and Mantis laughs.

“You are. You are so obvious.” And Nebula grumbles indistinctly at this, scowling in a way that looks more like a pout to Mantis, and she can’t resist cupping Nebula’s face even as she grows more indignant. “I think it’s cute.”

Nebula huffs and shakes her off. “Whatever.”

She eyes Mantis for a few moments before reaching out to touch the collar of her jacket. “It looks good on you,” she says gruffly.

“I knew you liked it.” Mantis’s smile grows a little more smug.

“I would like it more if you didn’t steal my shirts, too.”

“Borrow,” Mantis repeats. “I always give them back. Eventually.”

“Uh-huh.”

“You’re welcome to take them off me yourself if you’re that bothered.”

“Wow. Is that your big plan here? Steal my clothes to make me undress you to get them back?”

“No, I just like wearing your clothes. Anything more is a bonus.” Mantis gives her a sidelong glance. “Is it working?”

The corner of Nebula’s mouth twitches like she’s trying hard not to smile, but her amusement wins out in the end and she shakes her head. “Ask me again later tonight.”

Ending Notes:

N/A