[10] Carol Danvers

"Hey Goose! There you are, you little troublemaker," the beautiful woman exclaimed with a cheerful voice as she approached the awkward duo—a cute yet funny combination of an extremely attractive young man holding onto a literal timebomb. 

The beautiful blond was loosely holding onto a leash that was supposed to be on the harness around Goose's neck. She wore a plain white T-shirt under a classic denim jacket that was slightly oversized. Below, she sported dark jeans that perfectly hugged her toned legs. As much as she was a stunner, she also had an air of intimidation around her, an undeniably strong warrior beneath that happy-go-lucky facade. 

'What tall legs!' He exclaimed inwardly in admiration. 

Joe studied her as much as she also studied him. 

'At least, it's not Brie Larson. Blue irises, short blonde hair...this version of Carol Danvers is a serious burner. She looks similar to her comic counterpart combined with her alternate self from Marvel Future Avengers.'

"Sorry about the cat. Her name is Goose and she's kind of a rebel," the woman said while smiling at the cat. 

"Meow~" Goose purred in defeat and reluctance as Joe returned her to her owner. 

Goose began to playfully nibble on the woman's hands as she firmly held her to her well-endowed bosom. 

"Look how she is protesting. I didn't expect her to like you that much. " the woman laughed, her eyes crinkling at the corners. 

Ignoring the cat, the woman smiled at Joe and apologized. "I am sorry if the cat inconvenienced you, mister..." She then tilted her head to the side. 

"Just call me Joe." Joe introduced himself. 

"Oh, Joe. I am Carol, by the way." Carol extended her right hand. 

Joe smoothly met hers for a firm handshake. "Nice to meet you, Carol. Don't worry about...Goose. I like cats." He grinned down at her, noting her height. 'So she's about five-eleven, huh?'"

Carol shook his hand warmly before releasing it.

"But Goose here, she's different. She's more troublesome than most." Her eyes twinkled with a knowing glint as she glanced at Joe. 

Goose purred in dissatisfaction as if she could understand Carol's words. 

Joe chuckled lightly when he glanced down at the little Flerken lovingly bat Carol's arm. His eyes briefly lingered on the curvature of her protruding chest. Joe was so discreet that even her superhuman senses would certainly fail to notice his 'covert operation'. 

"Let me guess? You are a rebel as well, right, Carol?" Joe stated, a playful smirk plastered on his lips. 

"How did you know, Houdini?" Carol arched her brows in surprise while smiling. There was something about Joe that gave her the feeling that he wasn't as simple as he looked the moment she laid her eyes on him. 

From his relaxed posture, confident demeanor, and indecipherable thoughts, she believed that there was something special about him. It was an honest evaluation based on her experience after interacting with numerous intergalactic races. 

'He's human, at least.' Carol thought in passing. 

"A magician never reveals their secrets, Carol," Joe vaguely said in a mysterious tone. 

"Alright, I won't press, mister mysterious." Carol showed a one-sided grin but she would be lying if she said she wasn't hooked. 

It was then that an idea formed in her mind and she gave Joe a breathtaking toothy smile. 

"Do you mind guiding me on which phone I should buy? I am a little behind tech-wise." Carol gave him an expectant gaze, just like a cat's. 

'Cute.' Joe admitted inside his mind. 

"I have some minutes to spare so I won't mind. Our world's gadgets are pretty simplistic, ya know." Joe decided to help her even though he knew she was just looking for ways to prolong their interaction. As for what she was thinking, he couldn't put a finger on it. 

"Don't you think so?" Joe casually asked. 

Carol curiously scrutinized him. 'What's he getting at? Hmm, I probably don't care.' She dismissed the thought. 

"I think Apple is just a monopoly," she scoffed lightly, but it was loud enough for Jenni, the sales associate, to hear. Not like Carol gave a damn about her. 

"This is America," Joe replied. 

"Of course, it is, soldier." Carol wore a funny expression as she spoke in an exaggerated authoritative tone to which they both laughed at the sheer absurdity of it. 

"Even though Apple lacks the large percentage of consumers that its competitor, Android, has, it has quite the loyal fanbase." Joe began to walk towards another phone display. Carol followed beside him, their arms lightly brushing against each other.

"It's almost like a cult, right?" 

"Don't we always come back for more due to its diverse ecosystem?" They both chuckled at that. 

"The pricing is terrific," Carol sighed when she read the price tag of a MacBook Pro. 

"We are just poor folks, Carol. Let's face it." Joe joked as he glanced at the MacBook Pro on display. 

"You are pretty honest about that, Joe," she grinned widely. 

"So what are you looking for specifically from the phone? Are you a light user or a heavy user?" He asked. 

"I guess I'm a light user. I don't dig games or take snaps of myself now and then...I just want something for calls and SMS." 

Joe pointed at a dummy phone of the iPhone X. 

"Last year's iPhone X will suit you just fine." 

Carol didn't even bother to examine the specifications. "I'll take that one since you recommended it," she declared.

She immediately surprised Joe as she quickly left him to complete the purchase. 

He looked at her graceful figure and how she easily attracted attention when she walked by. 

But that was not what bugged him about Carol Danvers. 

Just what the hell was Captain Marvel herself doing in New York?! 

It was a confusing scenario but he got logical and tried to deduce her surprise presence at this point in the timeline. 

'Maybe Endgame is here and I am unaware. Nah, that's out of the question.' 

'She could be on a sabbatical retreat from her numerous intergalactic missions.' 

'I guess she's allowed a break from secretly protecting the Earth from several war-mongering space races. If she's on vacation, could she have already made contact with Fury?' 

'Hmm, that's a long shot. If she's enjoying herself then she wouldn't wanna contact Fury. That one-eyed man would probably nag her good for old time's sake. Flerken gave him PTSD, so I guess it's a win-win.' 

Joe looked at the alien cat that was now leashed and cutely rubbing its face against a pair of boobies. 

'Fury or Talos probably wouldn't think it's cute.' 

Joe retracted his gaze from the Flerken and pocketed his jacket. 

'I hope Gwen communicated my circumstances to the head of the department. I bet she has already done that already. She's that much of a caring and thoughtful person.' 

Talking about Gwen, Joe started reminiscing how he had met her or more like how she had approached him. 

Had it been fate, coincidence, or just circumstances? He wondered. 

Their unlikely relationship began when the class had been transitioning from junior year to seniorhood. Who would have thought that his attempt at saving Peter Parker from the blows of the bully, Flash Thompson, would have earned him the interest of Gwendolyn Stacy? Flash had been strong, all buff but lacking ferocity. Unlike him, Joe was slender and tall, but still a wild card that could play dirty.

Joe felt it had been a pity that the 'past him' didn't get the chance to use the lines 'Stand proud, you are strong' after humbling the misguided peon. 

Gwen who had witnessed the whole interaction, had approached him and thanked him even though she didn't need to do so. The heroine of justice, Joe chortled internally. 

Peter, the scrawny but brilliant kid—that was how his past self had thought of him— after being saved like a damsel in distress, also became Joe's friend. Well, you can already guess that the rest is history, right? 

Reminiscing about the past inadvertently made him envision his late mother. It was a bittersweet memory.

Joe gently shook his head, feeling sad. 

"What got you thinking so hard?" Carol silently approached him. 

"Just a thing of the past," Joe answered without exposing his inner emotions. 

Carol slightly narrowed her eyes at him, trying to read his face, but failed to pick up any vulnerabilities. 

"You are an interesting man, Joe," Carol started with a mesmerizing smile.

"You wouldn't wanna say that because..." He shook his head in denial while dramatically closing his eyes before opening them. 

"Because?" Carol moved closer. She was curious, interested in what was going to come off his pretty mouth. 

Joe flashed a charming smile and leaned toward her ear, taking her by surprise. 

"I have a basement where I lock beautiful women like you like any other Friday. Looks can be deceiving, love." Joe whispered slowly, sending shivers down her back. Carol felt her knees go slightly weak when his hot breath brushed against her temple. Her breathing hitched. 'Why do I find that hot? Is it because I haven't had a significant romantic life in a while?' 

When Joe returned to his initial position, he found her still dazed by his bold words. 

"I don't care. On another note, I'm not afraid of basements," She said resolutely, her blue eyes shining with defiance and mischief. 

"Be careful of what you wish for, sweetie." 

"You should be the one doing the worrying because I am very strong," Carol said, showcasing her delicate yet toned bicep.

"I don't think I can handle you then, O Powerful One," Joe replied, raising his hands in mock defeat.

There was a brief, comfortable silence between the two before it was broken by the hissing of the troublesome Goose when she spotted a dog being led into the store by a fairly old man. 

If Carol hadn't been holding her tightly, she would probably have gone to 'greet' the new friend. Goose was hungry. 

"I think we should go out. Goose misbehaves when she sees a dog," Carol suggested while sighing softly. 

"I see no problem." Joe glanced at the Flerken flashing its fangs and then directed his gaze at the Golden Retriever staring at Goose in silence. 

'Dog meets Flerken. Food. I can already imagine the horror of those fleshy tentacles retreating with the dog into her pocket dimension.' 

... 

Outside, the sun had cleared up the gloominess of the sky. The scent of Spring was strong in the air and Joe found it refreshing. The two stood outside the store. 

"I am a Summer person." Carol shared randomly while looking at the sky. 

"You don't like the rain? I find it nice. But Summer isn't that bad." 

"I like Summer because I get the chance to tan on the beach." 

"Uh, oh, I didn't expect that." 

"You just pictured me in a bikini, right?" 

"You are many things Carol, but not a telepath." 

"I can easily read your mind, smartass." 

"Delusions." 

"I am serious." 

"No." 

"Goose, tell him the truth." 

"Meow~" 

"Goose says you are delusional." 

"Hahaha." 

"Hahaha." 

As they stood side by side, Carol sneaked a glance at the man. After their fateful encounter, it was going to be a long time before she met him again. That was the sad part about being Earth's galactic defender. A moment of leisure would always be short-lived. 

"Hey, do you want my number?" Carol boldly asked, her cheeks reddening in slight embarrassment. 

"You beat me to it. You work fast, Carol," Joe humored her. 

"Just shut up, Joe." She playfully and gently elbowed him. It was only due to luck that he didn't get the wind beat out of him. 

"It's +1..." She began giving him the number. 

After finishing, she noticed he hadn't recorded it anywhere.

His smug face met her questioning look. 

"I have a pretty good memory." He tapped his temple with two fingers for emphasis. To show her that he wasn't joking, he effortlessly recited the number much to her relief. 

"Now is your turn." Carol extended her new iPhone X to him. 

Joe took the phone, typed his number, and handed it back. 

"I am saving you as..." Carol had a villainous smirk. 

"As what?" Joe curiously tried to peek only for her to edge away. 

"You don't have to know." She typed so fast before pocketing the phone in her jacket. 

"Okay," Joe nodded to himself as he studied Carol with a contemplative face. He was deciding on something. 

"Hey, Carol, would you like to grab a cup of coffee?" Joe offered. 

"Like a date on the first meeting?" She winked at him. 

Joe was just about to open his mouth, however, she hurriedly cut him off. "Sure. It's a date." 

"That's foul play, ya know," Joe grinned and due to the comfort level they had built between themselves, he briefly palmed her cheek. She leaned in on his warm touch without feeling embarrassed. 

"I am craving some coffee. Just coffee, Carol." Joe reaffirmed his pure intentions and this made her laugh her lungs out. 

"As if anyone would believe that from a man," she chuckled. 

"Let's change it to beer then." 

"Are you trying to get me drunk in the morning? Cause that's not going to work." 

"And that's why I strictly said "Coffee", you get that?" 

The two strangers had their coffee at a nearby Starbucks, talked about random topics, and exchanged some basic information about each other. 

Joe learned about her profession as an Air Force Pilot, and to her surprise, she got to know he was a Biochemistry student at Empire State University. 

The two talked about a lot of things for two straight hours before Joe explained that he had something pretty important to deal with. 

Just because he had an uneventful meeting with a person of interest like Captain Marvel didn't mean he was going to swoon over her. He had a lot to accomplish under a limited timeframe. 

All in all, Joe felt lucky to have encountered Carol. It was part of the plan. Luck and coincidences contributed a lot to the plan. 

At noon, when Joe arrived at his apartment, someone was already waiting for him. 

Another blonde. And she seemed significantly pissed with him. 

'Why do you have to pout like Fern?' He thought while mentally preparing himself for an earful. 

***

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