It Had To Be You

When Rocket returned, Gamora, Drax and little Groot were waiting. Peter had been mumbling and shouting unintelligibly from his room for the past hour or so and they were concerned. They had to do something about the Kree that was haunting and apparently attached to their fearless leader.

“What did you learn?” Drax demanded, but despite being the one most angered by Ronan’s presence in Peter’s life, he was also the most resigned.

Rocket jumped up on the seat at the circular table they were all at between Gamora and Drax. Well, that Gamora and Drax were seated at. Groot was on the table itself and Rocket was standing on the seat Peter usually sat in. He scratched at his left ear and then took a deep breath before starting.

“According to Fuzz For Brains, Ronan isn’t likely to settle within a body that isn’t to his exact specifications, even if he could. That’s the bad news.” Rocket snickered and then smiled. “The good news is that Peter may never build Ronan a body and not just because he doesn’t want to!”

“What do you mean?” Gamora asked, her burgundy eyes focusing intently on her furry comrade.

“This body has to be so perfect, so spot on, so close to the original, that Ronan’s soul might never accept it as his own. Even though the stone protected him from technically dying, the body is mostly destroyed! His soul might not recognize even the most perfect knock off as a proper body to live in!” Rocket grinned. “Great news, right?”

Drax and Gamora exchanged looks and frowned. “I am Groot?” The little tree frowned, confused as to why it wasn’t great news. His black eyes rested on Rocket.

“To Hell if I know. Would you two tell us why that’s not great news?” Rocket demanded as he crossed his arms over his chest impatiently.

“If Ronan has nowhere to go, the next best place he can find refuge in will be Peter.” Gamora answered. “He can possess him, Rocket. He can almost become him. This isn’t good news, not for Peter who could feel swayed to allow Ronan to spend time in control of his body.”

“Quill wouldn’t do that.” The raccoon insisted. “I know he’s not a genius but he ain’t a complete jackass.”

“When you are with your soulmate, you are inclined to do things you would normally never consider.” Drax pointed out. “Even things that might repulse you, because it’s no longer just your morals or feelings at play.” His pale eyes bored into Gamora. “What they want and need may become a high priority and as the other member of the bond, you are only too happy to do it. To give up everything for them; including your traditions.”

“Besides, as we’ve seen, Ronan doesn’t always give Peter much of a choice.” Gamora reminded with a frown. “He’s domineering and relentless. If he had a normal Kree soulmate, none of this would matter, but him being bodiless and Peter being, well Peter…it changes things.

“I know it’s difficult for you to understand, Rocket, but trust me…A soulmate is capable of making changes in their bonded even with their own bodies. They can overtake you and change everything about you if you aren’t careful. If they already have questionable morals, if they are already less than honorable people, you could become worse. If they kill without a second though or hurt people…It all just gets worse.” She blinked and looked away from Rocket so that she could glance at Drax. “I can’t imagine how much stronger that becomes when one of them is without a body and constantly present.”

Rocket stared at Gamora and then at Drax, realizing that there was a second conversation taking place here. They appeared and even sounded like they were talking about Ronan and Peter, but they weren’t. Or at least not exclusively. They were talking about their own soulmates wherever the Hell they were…He laughed out loud as he suddenly understood.

“What is your problem?” Gamora demanded as he laughed loudly and rudely.

“You two!” Rocket answered.

“I am Groot?”

“They’re soulmates, that’s what I’m laughing at.” Rocket replied to his little ward. “That’s why this one keeps staring at Gamora all the time! Remember when I told you that he was either gonna kill her or pounce on her? I think I know which he chose.”

Rocket barely dodged the attacks that came from either side of him. Drax had gone for a punch while Gamora had moved to strangle him. What actually happened was Drax ended up punching Gamora right in the jaw! Groot gasped in alarm as he leapt from the table to get out of the way, all while Rocket continued to laugh.

“Gamora!” Drax gasped in surprise but was able to pull his head back in time to avoid Gamora’s retaliatory strike. “You know I meant to hit the rodent!” He insisted as he was forced backward because the assassin had pressed him as she jumped over the table and continued to swing at him.

“Have you no self-control?” She demanded angrily.

“Guys?” Peter frowned as he walked into the open area of the ship to see Rocket literally rolling on the floor laughing his obviously fake laugh, Gamora attacking Drax, and Groot clinging to a shelf as he watched the scene with worry. “Guys.” No answer. “GUYS!”

Rocket looked to Peter and then scurried toward him as he weaved about the two fighting aliens, though it should be noted that Drax sought merely to avoid, while Gamora seemed determined to make the former pay.

“What the Hell is going on?” Peter asked as he looked down at Rocket.

“Drax and Gamora are soulmates and when I figured it out they both tried to attack me but Drax missed and punched Gamora in the jaw.” Rocket chuckled. “You look exhausted. Get any sleep?”

“Not much. You learn anything useful from Tivan?”

The raccoon nodded and the two headed up to the cockpit. They each took a seat in their respective chairs, but neither bothered with strapping themselves in. It wasn’t like they were going anywhere. Besides, flying when his head was all messed up probably wasn’t for the best and Rocket really didn’t feel like crashing into anything.  

“So, what did he say, Rocket?” Peter asked, looking tired and maybe even a little nervous. Rocket couldn’t relate. He was the only thing like him and that meant he didn’t have a soulmate, which he was actually grateful after everything he’d just learned about.

“It’s highly unlikely you’ll ever be able to build Ronan a body. Even if he somehow convinced you to.” Rocket began. He watched Peter’s face to see what reaction he would have. Surprisingly, the usually expressive Human remained unmoved and calm. Also, silent. Extremely silent, suspiciously silent. “His soul won’t enter a body that isn’t his to begin with and Tivan doubts you’ll ever get that precise on your own.”

“And there are no cheats or work arounds?” Peter asked, his green eyes settling on Rocket. They stayed for a full minute before Peter seemed to realize there was something the fur ball was keeping from him. Gamora and Drax hadn’t even noticed. “What are you hiding, Rocket?”

“What, me? Nothing.” Rocket shook his head and stared forward.

“Bullshit. What is it?” Peter asked and some of that anxiety started to finally play out on his softly featured face. His lips started to droop and his brows began to rise. “Seriously, Dude. Tell me.”

With a heavy sigh, Rocket conceded. “The only way to guarantee that Ronan can get into any body would be to combine actual elements of his former body with a newly created one.”

“That’s not gonna help!” Peter all but shouted. “There’s nothing left of him!”

“Apparently, that’s not true. Q-Tip insisted that there should be…bits of him left on Xandar, but that you’d have to look very carefully. You might even need the freak’s help. That is if…”

“If?” Peter frowned. “If what?”

“If the Nova Corp hasn’t already collected whatever was left.” The raccoon cringed. “Tivan made it sound like there would be some kind of power radiating around it, so it’s a real possibility they have it.”

“This is beyond comprehension.” Peter breathed angrily as he stood. Rocket frowned as he subtly gripped his holstered gun. “That those pathetic, disgusting…” Peter took a deep breath and placed his hand to his brow before closing his eyes.

 “FUCK!”

“You all right there, Quill?” Rocket asked positive that Gamora’s theory about being possessed had just been proven.

Peter’s face contorted into an ugly sneer as he shot forward but thankfully, Gamora appeared out of nowhere and stepped in his path, causing Peter to halt abruptly. “Ronan, Peter, whichever you are; stop!”

Green eyes blinked slowly and then the Human seemed to take a deep breath as he watched Gamora carefully. She looked back toward Rocket as if to make sure he was okay before she returned her attention to her haunted and possibly possessed friend. “Peter?”

“He’s super pissed.” Peter answered calmly. “He actually said ‘fuck’ all on his own. I was expecting something far more…I don’t know…distinguished? Is there a way to shout a curse while sounding distinguished?”

Gamora chuckled softly and started to touch her friend’s face, but hearing how angry Ronan was, she decided not to antagonize him further and let her hand fall back. “If there was a way, I’m sure Ronan would be the one to accomplish it.”

Rocket moved from his chair to stand between them. “You can’t let him take control like that, Quill. It could get one of us killed!”

“It’s hard to explain because it’s not him and yet it is him. It’s like, his emotions are always there but sometimes they get so intense and so strong that they just override what I’m thinking or feeling. It’s not that he’s the one moving me it’s that all I can hear and feel is his noise and I do what he wants.” Peter tried to explain as Drax and Groot walked in, Drax sporting a large bruise over his left tattooed eye. “I think me being a really laid back kind of guy is starting to bite me in the ass.”

Drax frowned and looked down to Peter’s ass. “He didn’t mean literally, Drax!” Gamora groaned. “Nothing is biting him.”

“You know, somedays I think there will never be a day that this gets annoying or sad, but then you go ahead and prove me wrong, Big Guy.” Rocket grumbled mostly to himself.

“Knock it off,” Gamora warned as her eyes narrowed.

“Whoa, so Rocket was right?” Peter asked. “You and him? Really? All this time?”

“Not another word.” Gamora’s tone didn’t warn this time. It threatened. “It is none of your business.”

“Oh ok, you and Drax are none of my business but suddenly everything going on with me and Ronan is all your business!” Peter argued. “Since when did my personal life become your problem?”

“Since the moment you found yourself attached to a genocidal Kree Accuser that tried to destroy an entire planet with every one of us on it!” Gamora snapped. “He knew you were his soulmate, Peter. He was willing to kill you, his bonded, just to destroy Xandar! He’s insane, all Kree must be. No other species just kills their soulmate! No other species would take such a risk!”

They watched as the Human blinked in surprise. Gamora wondered briefly if the knowledge hurt him, if he’d become connected enough to Ronan to be hurt by his soulmate’s attempt at murdering him and his friends. It was harsh of her to bring up, but she felt it necessary, even if she did hate seeing Peter look so stunned.

“I am Groot?” Groot asked in a small, worried voice.

“Oh my God, I get it.” Peter whispered as he shivered. “I get it you guys.” He added, his green eyes looking to each of his friends as he looked more and more upset. “We weren’t the only ones who would have died and I...fuck…”

“What do you mean?” Drax asked.

“Ronan knew he’d die, too.” Peter answered his eyes filling with tears and his voice sounding pained and shocked. “He was so committed to his mission that he risked himself, too. Maybe there was a plan to escape in the beginning but the moment we all crashed in to Xandar aboard the Dark Aster he lost his only means of escaping…the moment he chose to continue on with the infinity stone he knew he’d not only be destroying Xandar and everyone on it, but himself, too.”

“Like Gamora, said, he’s a psycho.” Rocket shrugged. “What’s the big friggin deal?”

“He’s unstoppable and I’m finally understanding that. I can feel it in him, you guys. He doesn’t give up when he makes a decision and what’s worse is that I get it. I feel it and I understand him and I get it! I still I hate it but I get it and what’s worse? He wasn’t lying to me earlier!” Peter rambled nervously. “He told me he thinks through everything. That nothing he does is accidental and he’s right. Every decision he makes is with purpose and with a full understanding of the consequences.”

“So?” Rocket sneered.

“Oh, Peter.” Gamora frowned as she crossed her arms if only to keep herself from comforting Quill with a pat on the shoulder.

“I don’t get it.” Rocket growled. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t want to understand him, Gamora but I don’t want him to know me either.” Peter frowned. “I don’t want him to seem like a decent guy…He feels things so deeply and it just swallows me up. He takes over and then…I don’t know what to do. How do I fight him? How do I resist him, Gamora?”

“You must trust your soulmate.” Drax answered to the surprise of his crewmates. “It is good that he could not distract you with his intense feelings before, but he can now and he is aware of it. You must trust that he is not going to harm you or take advantage of this situation.”

“But he is! Look at what he’s done already?” Peter argued frantically.

“What has he done?” Gamora asked in alarm.

“Well I mean, he’s hurt you guys and he’s prevented any of you from touching me.” Peter started. “Not to mention…” He paused as he tried to think of what else he could say. “Well I mean, he manipulated the second flower.”

“He did?” Rocket frowned. “How? Oh, wait! The colors? He did that, not you?”

“Well no, I did, but it was because he made me picture his face.” Peter frowned as he tried to stress the importance of what happened.

“Peter, I don’t know that I fully agree with Drax because it is not wise to blindly trust yourself and your wellbeing to your soulmate, but I can tell you that seeing images doesn’t sound very…nefarious.” Gamora told him.

“Perhaps you cannot trust him not to take advantage, but no soulmate would willingly harm their own.” Drax insisted as he looked pointedly at Gamora and the blooming purple bruise on her jaw.

“Right. Says you and your bruised faces? Besides, did you guys not hear a word Tivan said?” Peter demanded as he began to shout as he often did when agitated. “The highest honor a Kree’s soulmate can attain is being named their nemesis!”

“That’s not the norm.” Gamora stated. “Most species don’t do that and it’s rare even amongst the Kree to have an arch enemy as a soulmate. It sounds…deranged.”

“And since when is Ronan anything but deranged?” Rocket asked.

“Thank you!” Peter agreed. “For cryin’ out loud he was gonna kill a planet and all of us on it! Including himself! He planned it you guys!”

“It was his plan, but he was unable to complete it because you acted like a buffoon and distracted him.” Drax continued. “A man such as you have described with a will made of iron could not possibly have been fooled unless some part of him wished to be.”

Gamora tilted her head as she looked upward, a clear indication that she was thinking over Drax’s words before she slowly nodded. “I agree. Tivan already told you that a soulmate holds considerable sway, even if they are enemies. Not to mention he’d never been in such close proximity to you until that moment. He may not have had a choice but to be distracted by you because he couldn’t possibly face you and destroy you at the same time. The feelings may have been overwhelming.”

“But they won’t be forever.” Rocket added.

“Soulmates rarely harm one another.” Gamora tried again.

“Yeah I’m gonna suggest you and Drax go look in a mirror before you try selling me on that one, again.” Peter rolled his eyes. “He was willing to kill himself, what makes you think he’ll have any problem killing me?”

“Bruises are nothing.” Gamora stated.

“Exactly.” Drax once again looked at her intently. “Bruises fade and are not any kind of permanent damage. But even so, it was not something I meant to do.”

“Your actions are not excused.” Gamora insisted. “Not yet.” She turned then and looked at Peter. “We need to find a way to get you two to talk so that you can lay down some kind of ground rules. See if he’s open to letting us all figure out some way to help you and… and…” Gamora frowned, finding it physically impossible to admit to helping Ronan in any way.

“Yeah, I’ll uh, try to do that.” Peter frowned. “What could it hurt? He could only take me over or something. No big deal at all.”

“Peter,” Gamora stepped close and considered ignoring Ronan’s feelings, but sighed instead. If she touched him and Ronan attacked, her point would be moot. “I know that this isn’t easy and that you are confused. Ronan is powerful, he can do a lot of things through you, but as of this moment, Drax is right.

“Not only do you need to trust him for now, but you need to remember he has done nothing truly malevolent to harm you. You need to converse with him in whatever you can and try to learn more about him. Trust worthy or not, only you will know and that can’t happen if you don’t talk to him.”

He bit his lip and looked around for the ghost-thing, but of course he didn’t see him. Since the stone bit, he only saw him in his dreams. He felt him, and Peter knew he was still raging inwardly about his body possibly being in Xandarian hands, but he seemed to be trying to shelter Peter from it because it felt odd. Like it was partially blocked. “I’m gonna take another nap I guess but maybe we need to head back to Xanda.”

Gamora smiled and nodded to Peter. “We’ll discuss it more when you’re rested, but we can start heading that way if you want.”

Ronan sneered when he felt Peter’s consciousness become more accessible. “Asleep again?” He hoped the slight tick of concern wasn’t as easily detectable as his bad mood was. The Terran looked startled to see him but then, Peter had no idea what he was capable of now that his inherited abilities had been awakened. 

“Is there a problem with that?” Peter asked and Ronan did ignore the flicker of hurt in those lovely green eyes.

“Your friends are likely plotting to kill you, so you tell me if there is a problem with you returning to unconsciousness.” Ronan sneered.

The Terran didn’t believe him. He had spent how many months with this group of people and he still didn’t see them for what they were. His bonded was a damned fool who was going to get them both killed and why? Sentimentality.

“I’m not even going to dignify that with an answer.” Peter growled. “They’re my friends. They aren’t going to kill me just to get rid of you.”

“Wouldn’t you?”

He could have argued and reasoned with Peter Quill, but this was much easier. The Terran may not admit it, but he was a selfish man with a hero complex. Reminding him of that was much easier by turning the question on him. A question he knew Peter would at least consider.

“Fuck you, Ronan.”

“Allow me to help in this situation.” Ronan offered as he approached Peter. “Take my hand and I will help you to see what your so called family is discussing with them none the wiser.”

“You want to take over my body?” Peter paled and Ronan couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of it. At least his bonded wasn’t a complete imbecile.

“I want you to allow me to do what I have done several times over without having to fight past your natural defenses. You have my word that we will listen and nothing more.” He offered his hand to Peter and waited as he watched the Terran carefully.

“You know what? Fine. Cause you’re gonna see that my friends are loyal and that there is in fact honor amongst thieves.” Peter nodded but didn’t offer his hand to Ronan’s, which was still outstretched. Instead he stared at it like it might sprout teeth and bite him.

Ronan sneered at the image and barely refrained from rolling his eyes. After all, that entirely ridiculous but brilliantly vivid imagination was what would give him a body someday. The Fates were indeed cruel mistresses to have tied him to someone who was both genius and slob; someone beneath him and yet worthy. Peter Quell was a walking contradiction and he despised him for creating such conflicting emotions within.

On the one hand, he wanted to get to know and protect the little Terran; on the other he wanted to rip the tongue right out of his smart mouth and beat him senseless with it. He cringed as he realized his own thoughts had become just as vivid and imaginative. Speaking of which, Peter was still imagining how awful it would be if Ronan’s hand ate him alive. This time, he could not prevent his eyes from rolling as he reached out and grabbed Peter’s hand.

They both gasped at the unexpected electric shock that ran through them. Ronan had felt similar feelings from the men and women he’d destroyed inside the stone, but this was different and altogether more comfortable. He’d always taken Peter’s body by force, bypassing his consciousness and carefully avoiding the spirit or soul within, now he knew why.

He shivered but forced himself to follow the pathways of these feelings as he ignored Peter’s loud and distracting fears and thoughts. What he felt was incredible and he was surprised at what a difference it made to merge himself with Peter’s spirit to take control of his body. This wasn’t nearly as exhausting; if anything it was energizing thanks to the burst of adrenaline he felt coursing through the Terran’s body. It could become addictive.

Is this normal? Peter asked and Ronan felt the Terran’s confusion flare while at the same time he saw memories of Peter’s conversation with Tivan. Am I being destroyed?

Hush! He snapped internally and was pleased when despite the harshness of his request, Peter calmed. Then again, that might have had something to do with the wave of reassurance he sent the panicking Terran.

He slowly rose from the bed and even though this body wasn’t what he was used to, he found just as he had in the past, that he knew Peter’s body as well as he knew his own. So, he stepped carefully, controlling his weight and his steps as he moved silently about the ship. It didn’t take him long to navigate his way to the galley that the others were nestled in.

Furthest room from mine. He heard Peter mutter to himself. It wasn’t directed at him though, so he mostly ignored the comment and the paranoia that was starting to rise. His concerns had definitely effected his bonded and Ronan couldn’t be happier about it. He needed Peter to trust him above all else. At least, if he wasn’t going to be an enemy he did. Every other role he was capable of filling, meant that Peter’s trust was essential to keep them both alive.

“I know it’s not something we want to think about, but we should at least determine if it’s a possibility.” Gamora said sadly and with almost no conviction.

“I don’t see the point when we already know it ain’t possible.” Rocket snarled. “Why even discuss this?”

“Cease your rammering!” Drax snapped. “You are not the only one effected by this decision.” Ronan couldn’t see any of them, but it wasn’t necessary. Hearing them was all Peter needed and by the sounds of it, he wouldn’t need to hear much to convince the Terran that he should be careful around the other Guardians. “I say it is possible and I for one, can and will do it.”

“I don’t know if I can.” Gamora admitted. “Drax, what if, what if this is the wrong choice. I don’t think I can handle any more blood on my hands. Especially-

“Any blood spilled will be on my conscience and not any of yours.” Drax assured her and for a moment the room was quiet.

“I can’t believe this! You two seriously think this is the way to handle things? We’ve got how many options laid out before us and this is what you choose?” Rocket argued angrily.

“What choice do we have, Rocket?” Gamora asked in a raised voice. “If not this than what other choice is there? You say there are options but we’ve discussed them all and as cruel as this will be, it’s better than Peter becoming an emotionless blank!”

“I ain’t doin’ it!” Rocket snapped. “I don’t like any of this, but I think losing emotions is much better than the shit you two are planning!”

“You are not required to do anything but keep Groot safe.” Drax snapped. “You do not need to do anything either.” He told Gamora in a far more gentle tone. “I will take care of this. I will handle it all.”

“Drax…” Gamora sighed. “This…this feels wrong.”

“You heard Peter.” Drax stated somberly. “He told us he could not handle another loss. What if something happens and he loses control to Ronan? This is best for all of us. Peter especially.”

There was a long pause and some curse laced muttering from Rocket before Gamora finally spoke again. “If you really think you can do it, I won’t stop you.” Another pause, briefer this time. “But I will not help you. I’m sorry, Drax. I can’t.”

“I understand.” Drax replied. “When Peter wakes, I’ll take care of it.”

“Yeah just look out for Ronan, Big Guy. He ain’t likely to let you get any where near ‘im.”

“I really don’t like this…” Gamora stated again.

We’re leaving. Now. It was the first time Ronan had heard Peter really demand anything of him. While he would normally take the time to make it clear who was in charge, Ronan could feel the betrayal beating at both of them as Peter struggled to keep himself together. His Terran was breaking down inwardly and he agree that being so close to the others right now was not an option.

He carried them back to the room on swift and silent feet. He couldn’t completely give up Peter’s body, not with what was happening. Besides, they could communicate easier and with less vulnerability this way. Peter really struggled to speak to him unless he was asleep and Ronan refused to leave Peter’s body unconscious in this ship with the Terran’s supposed friends and family.

I mean it, Ronan. I…We need to leave. I don’t, I can’t believe they... An agonized sound echoed within Ronan and he felt his chest constrict. It felt worse than the way Peter had felt during his father’s funeral. He didn’t like this and he couldn’t concentrate on what needed to be done with his Terran falling apart.

Calm yourself, Peter. You are in no danger. I would never let that savage harm you.

It was a little surprising when the same pained sound repeated once more. He was safe, why was Peter still upset? He frowned internally. Peter was far too attached to the other Guardians. Peter?

Fuck off, alright? Just…Let’s get off this ship before they take off. Peter insisted.

Very well. Ronan wouldn’t deny Peter this if it was in his power to provide it. He wanted away from the others, than he’d take him as far away as his Terran wished. He got up and looked around before they both recognized the sounds of the engines. Do you have an escape pod aboard this craft?

No. We don’t. Peter replied. Just…go away. Please. Go away, Ronan.

My life is attached to yours, Peter Quill. I will not leave this body vulnerable to the murderers surrounding you. Ronan growled back, forgetting to be a little patient and understanding of his bonded.

Fine, stick around, but give me back control so that I can at least pretend that I’m alone with my thoughts. Peter snapped.

Ronan nodded, whether Peter noticed or not and slowly detached himself from Peter’s soul. He moved into the shadow of Peter’s room and watched him, bodiless and mostly formless, ready to defend his Terran if and when it became necessary. He tried not to focus on the way Peter stared up at the ceiling, or the tears that fell from the corners of his eyes.