Rebuilding Trust
Yondu awakens to a tiger cub curled on his chest. He hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but fortunately Kraglin’s eyes are open and watching him. “Time’s it?”
“Early,” Kraglin says. “You only slept a few hours. Do you not need more?”
“No,” Yondu lies. If he’s going to fix the shuttle before they run into more trouble, he’s going to need as many hours of the day as he can get. “’M fine.
Kraglin doesn’t look like he believes Yondu’s words, so Yondu shakes Peter awake instead. “Hey, little cub,” he says. “Am I yer pillow now?”
Peter’s green eyes open, and then a rough tongue drags up Yondu’s cheek. Yondu wipes away baby spit, disgusted but touched. “Guess you forgive me, then.”
The cub transforms into a little boy, and Peter curls closer to him. “You saved Kraglin,” he whispers in Yondu’s ear, like it’s a secret between them. “No one’s ever helped me do that before.”
“An’ yer daddy?”
The boy frowns. “Father told me many times that it is the strongest who leads the clan. You are the strongest. I follow you.”
Flark. Yondu foresees a long talk when Peter gets older, and then stops to catch his breath. Because when did he start thinking about still being around when Peter was older? But the more he considers it – keeping Kraglin and Peter – the more the idea appeals. A beautiful cub and a beautiful… mate.
He rubs his forehead and groans. “Are you all right?” Kraglin asks from his left.
“Peachy,” Yondu replies, still a little dumbstruck by his train of thought. One day away from his crew, and he’s completely lost his mind. He keeps his hands busy by stroking the little boy’s hair out of his face. “Any of the snake thing left for breakfast?”
Kraglin nods and gestures towards the roasting spit. Yondu sets Peter down and carves off a chunk for both of them. “Okay, plan. I need to go over the shuttle. If I can rig up the communications system, we can get off this rock. So I’m gonna need a helper who can listen an’ pass me tools.”
“I can! I can!” Peter shouts, waving a little arm. “Me! Me!”
Kraglin laughs out loud, boisterous and noisy, and Yondu blinks at him. The older boy blushes. “It is hard to dampen his enthusiasm. You will find no better helper.”
“An’ you rest,” Yondu orders. When Kraglin begins to protest, Yondu cuts him off. “Ya can’t fix the ship, an’ we need someone who can hunt for food. I ain’t got time for both. Ya rest, and then ya hunt. Deal?”
“Yes, Ravager Admiral,” Kraglin teases, still grinning.
And of course the boy’s bright and attentive as well as beautiful. Oh, cock. Not the time to wake up. Yondu curses his luck and pushes himself to his feet. “None o’ that. It’s just Yondu for ya both.”
“Okay Yondu. Are you ready for help?”
“Ya bet, boy. Let’s fix this pod.”
The day passes slowly, with Yondu being helped and hindered by Peter in equal measure. He learns that Peter is five summers, soon to be six, and will talk whether or not anyone else is paying attention. Yondu tries to grunt at the appropriate time, then gives up and lets the chatter wash over him. It’s almost peaceful, right until Kraglin calls, “Yondu!”
It’s strained, but not afraid, and Yondu shoves Peter into the pod. “Ya stay here.”
“But…”
“I mean it, Peter.”
Peter pouts but obeys, and Yondu returns to where Kraglin’s resting. A stunning green woman in tight leathers stares at Kraglin. “You trespass here,” she says. It’s not a friendly tone. “What is your business?”
“My boys and I fell from the stars,” Yondu says, politely. “Don’ mean no harm. Tryin’ ta fix the ship so’s we can be on our way.”
“You’re green!”
Yondu doesn’t cringe, but resolves to murder Peter as soon as possible. “Peter,” he hisses. “Thought I told ya ta stay.”
But the woman ignores Yondu in favor of addressing Peter directly. “I am,” she says. “Is there something the matter with that?”
Peter shakes his head no. “You’re the prettiest I’ve ever seen,” he declares. “And your hair’s prettier than the flowers of the jaffa plant when it’s in full bloom. Can I keep you?”
The woman stares, blinks, and then a lovely grin transforms her face. “Maybe I will keep you instead,” she replies. “Thank you for the compliment, child.”
“It’s not a compliment, it’s true. I’m Peter.”
“I am Gamora,” she replies. “Are you in need of assistance?”
“Unless you got a lot o’ spare parts layin’ around so I can fix this pod, I think we could use some food and shelter.”
She thinks about it for a moment, then says, “I do not have such parts. But my sister might.”
Yondu whips his head around to stare at her so fast he gets a crick in his neck. “Whowhatnow?”
“She has many parts, but I will not take you if you’re aggressive.”
”Aggressive? Me? Honey, I’m gentle as a baby,” Yondu replies.
She makes a sound of disbelief, but is distracted by Peter trying to climb up her leg. Thankfully while still human. She picks him up easily. “Does the child not have clothes?”
“What’re those?” Peter asks.
Yondu gives up and groans. “Peter, hush. Ship ran into problems, we didn’t have a lot of time to grab gear and get out. Peter’s clothes were destroyed. Kraglin’s too.”
“I am sure we have other things to sell or trade. Come.”
Yondu turns to Kraglin, asks, “I don’ wantchu turning into a cat in fronta her, but can you walk as a man?”
“I must,” Kraglin replies. “I won’t let her leave with the two of you and not me.”
“I got spare pants in the pod, hold still.”
“I did not realize so many other species covered themselves,” Kraglin says, and Yondu sees the boy’s eyes flick over Gamora. He refuses to be jealous, and is immensely appeased when Kraglin says, “I do not see why Peter finds her beautiful. Her form is not nearly as pleasing as yours.”
“There’s lots of different kinds o’ wantin’, boy. I’ll be happy ta talk ‘bout it right after I shoot myself with my own arrow. In the meantime – watch your brother while I find ya some damn pants.”
“I understand wanting,” Kraglin replies, and Yondu walks into the pod door face-first. While he groans, Kraglin continues, “I simply do not understand why Peter would find her more appealing than you.”
“Ya really wanna do this NOW?”
Kraglin shrugs. “I had not realized you did not see my wanting before now.”
“Yer a kid!”
“I am a man by our standards,” Kraglin argues. “A man by your own, if the longing in your scent gives any indication.”
“Flarkin’ shit, boy,” Yondu says, flushing royal. He’s too old for this. “Ya ain’t even half my age, yer younger! And now ain’t the time ta talk.”
Yondu scrambles into the pod without finesse, finds his spare slacks, and throws them into Kraglin’s face. “Dress quietly. I’ll be with whasshername and Peter.”
He makes an equally graceless exit, and considers it a win.