4
After another successful mission, the whole team decided they would have fun for a bit by throwing a little party back on Knowhere. Peter’s music was blasting through the speakers and it seemed that everyone was having the time of their life. One drink leading to another, before you knew you were dancing on tables while screaming the lyrics and being highly encouraged by Drax and Rocket.
Nebula, on the other hand, stayed in a corner by herself, watching from afar. She couldn’t really get drunk and wasn’t in the mood for partying anyway. But she still stayed, somehow not being able to take her eyes off you and how effortlessly and swiftly your body moved to the rhythm.
“See something you like?” Rocket’s voice startled her so bad that she now had her hand on one of her blasters. She stared at him, not expecting to see him behind her given that last time she saw him he was right next to you. Damn, that rat was fast. She regained her composure.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about”. She said coldly, looking away.
“You know for a trained assassin I thought you’d be better at lying, blueberry.”
“Leave me alone, you stupid fox”
“If don’t you tell her, I will”
“I have nothing to tell to anyone!” She was screaming now.
“Sure, sure, keep telling yourself that. Just saying, we already lost 5 years of our lives, don’t waste more of it waiting for someone braver than you to make a move before you.” he put a hand on her shoulder before leaving her too her thoughts. She shook her head, trying to convince herself that he was wrong and that she didn’t give a shit. But as she realized her eyes were on you again she let out a frustrated grunt. She started turning around to go back to her own quarters, away from people, until she noticed a man walking towards you.
-
Talking to Kraglin in the middle of the crowd, you turned around and let out a surprised yelp as you almost bumped into a man.
“Hey there, beautiful”
“Uhm, excuse me, I was about to go talk to my friend Mantis over there” you pointed behind him where Mantis and Drax were sitting.
As you started walking past him, he extended his arm to block your path.
“Hey no need to be in a hurry, how about I get you a drink?”
“Okay first, eww” you took a step back, hating physical contact especially with strangers, “and second of all, I think I had enough to drink thank you” you muttered slightly staggering because of the alcohol in your blood.
“Come on, don’t be a bitch!” he started getting angry and getting closer to you except that, being in a crowd and a bit drunk, you couldn’t really defend yourself and therefore started getting a bit scared.
He continued: “let one dr-”
“Didn’t you hear what she just told you? No keep moving or I’ll turn you into one of Drax’s training toys” Nebula jolted between you and the man, raising a blaster right between his eyes.
Terrified, both because of the threat and because he had recognized the daughter of Thanos, he quickly turned around and pushed his way through the crowd, running away.
Nebula scarcely had the time to turn to face you that you threw your arms around her.
“Thank you, my fav meanie”
She hesitantly hugged you back, frozen from the sudden contact. But you still reeked of alcohol and clearly didn’t have your thoughts straight.
“I’ll take you back to your room, come” she held out her hand.
“Nooo, let’s stay a bit and dance” you took both of her hands and started moving them around as if to dance.
“Y/n, you’re drunk”
“And you’re blue”
She rolled her eyes but deep down found your current state very funny.
“I’m not giving you a choice, Y/N. Besides given the dark circles under your eyes I think your body wouldn’t mind a few hour of sleep”
“Hey, I don’t have dark circles” you muttered, pouting. “...fine I’m coming”
She put her hand and your lower back but after taking a few steps she realized you weren’t even able to walk straight and that it would take forever to get you to your room.
“Fine, I don’t have time for that” she said as she started lowering down.
“What, I’m walking norm- WOW” you yelled as her arms lifted you, carrying you bridal style. You put an arm around her neck for hold on, but, exhausted, your head was starting to feel heavy so as you closed your eyes, you let it fall in the crook of her neck.
As she made her way through the door leading outside, she walked past Rocket who gave her a very satisfied smile.
“Keep your witty comments to yourself, rat”
“I can smell the love from here, it’s disgusting” he laughed as she just kept going, ignoring him.
Finally arriving to your room, she opened the door with her elbow and lowered you on the bed
“Neb, you’re my favourite, you know…” you mumbled, half asleep. Her eyes widened.
“Your favourite what?”
“Just in general… across all categories…”
A smile broke on her face. “Rocket would slap you if he heard you right now” she joked, referring to the close friendship you had developed with the raccoon.
“Oh well he’ll get over it, he’s already Groot’s favourite anyway..”
She made that same low laugh again, then got up
“Well… I’ll let you sleep then.” she said standing next to you awkwardly. But as she started leaving you grabbed her hand which made her turn around quickly as a reflex.
“No, please, stay just a while” you whined.
“You need to rest”
“But I don’t want to stay here alone”
She stood in place, not really knowing what to do.
“Please Neb.. It’s either this or I’m going back with the others”.
At the sound of the nickname, she found herself changing her mind. You were the only one to call her that and the only one she would allow to use it.
She let out a sigh. “Alright, but just for this once.”
She grabbed one of the extra blankets on your bed and threw it one the sofa on the other side of the room.
“No!” you whined again.
“uugh, what is it this time?”
“Not there”
She looked at you puzzled, until you moved to make some room next to you and patted the empty space with your hand.
She was no longer puzzled but entirely frozen on the spot. No one had ever asked this kind of contact from her.
“You.. want me to.. lay down there?”
“Well yeah, dummy.”
She walked over to the bed so hesitantly it almost looked mechanical. She sat slowly next to you, arms crossed in front of her chest and not daring to take too much space.
Half asleep, you threw one arm across her and snuggled up against her, resting your head on her chest. Error 404, Nebula stopped functioning. The wires in her head went so crazy she almost feared they were gonna explode. Instinctively, she put a hand on top of your head protectively. But she knew she couldn’t stay here eternally.
“How long to you want me to stay?” she asked in her usual flat tone.
“Stay forever…” you mumbled before drifting off to sleep.
She would tell you eventually, she thought. When she’s ready.