Recovery
Much to Yondu’s surprise, the ‘conversation’ with Kraglin doesn’t happen the next day, or the day afterwards, or even in the weeks that follow. Yondu and Nebula discover it’s easier to rebuild one of the shuttles with a working communications system than to fix the pod. While they engineer a way off planet, Yondu’s world takes a dramatic shift; he finds that Gamora and Nebula become almost-friends, even though they are the assassin daughters of Thanos.
He quietly freaks out for about five minutes, but learns to put a bit of trust in two women who both adore Peter and are kind to Kraglin.
He enjoys the patient and slow attempt to earning Kraglin’s favor. The need for seduction is new to both of them, but Yondu delights in the small touches, smiles, and closeness between them. Kraglin’s mouth becomes an endless source of fascination for kisses. Kraglin’s shoulders and the back of his neck become a place Yondu rests his hands. Yondu’s never had time to put another person ahead of credits and duty.
Yondu learns for the first time how to fall in love.
And while he’s experiencing these revelations, Peter eats and grows, learning how to run and hide and fight using teeth and claws. Yondu teaches him that space is fascinating to explore, but also full of unforeseen dangers, and for a kid about to turn six, Peter picks up on the lessons well.
Peter also hits his first growth spurt when he shifts, gaining pounds and muscle mass to his cub form. Gamora finds this appealing as she plays with him, and she’s unexpectedly easy-going with the little boy. But it’s Nebula who surprises Yondu most of all. When not fixing the ship, Peter trails her every step, and “Nebbie” not only endures his endless chatter, but delights in it.
Kraglin spends time healing and then hunting. Yondu teaches Kraglin how to shoot a gun, which comes to him as naturally as his fangs and claws. Kraglin takes Yondu into the jungle so they can hunt, sharing food and organs with each other in a more traditional mating display. They sprawl naked in the grass together, bodies touching but not stepping past that invisible line of want, marking each other with scent and saliva.
And Yondu wonders, in small quiet moments, if he wants to go back to the stars anymore. Or whether he’d rather stay in the simplistic life they’ve made for themselves.
This is where Nebula finds him; sitting in the observation deck of the ship they’re repairing, staring out into the green jungle around them, tools loose in his hand. “If you thought any harder, pirate, I would see smoke from your ears.”
Yondu shifts on the bench, allowing her to sit next to him. Down at ground level, they watch one huge tiger tackle Gamora, who’s already being half-sat on by Peter’s fuzzy butt. Yondu can’t hear the laughter, but he can imagine it. “’M fine,” he says.
“Remember I will have to kill you if you do not help me finish fixing this craft.”
He knows she’s teasing; oddly enough, he and she have a similar sense of humor. “Ain’t givin’ up, just takin’ a break ta watch them train.”
“Training is too strict a word. They are playing. My sister enjoys them both, but is amazed at Kraglin’s natural talent for stalking.”
“He’s a sneaky l’il shit.” Yondu knows he sounds too fond, but can’t stop himself. “He’ll be great in a close-range brawl.”
“As if you’d let him have the chance to brawl before slaughtering any foe,” she mocks.
“Like you’d do for Peter, ey ‘Nebbie’?” he asks, making the finger quotes for extra obnoxiousness. “Gonna let that boy get his ass kicked, are ya?”
Nebula scowls and Yondu laughs at her. “Ain’t that the pot callin’ the kettle black?” he continues.
“Hmm,” she replies. “Perhaps they are the best of what we ourselves are not. Though you do surprise me. I would’ve thought you’d mate Kraglin long before now.”
Yondu chokes on air. “Whatchu sayin’ ta me, woman?”
“Only that if the pheromones got thicker in this ship, we’d all be choking on them. Have you not heard Peter questioning Kraglin about it?”
Flark. No… no, he hadn’t. “Kraglin’s young. Ain’t interested in discussin’ it withya.”
“Surely his innocence is an attraction, not a deterrent.” Nebula says, not knowing when to let a topic go. “I would’ve thought…”
“Stop thinkin’ ‘bout it,” Yondu growls. “He ain’t got nothin’ ta compare for bed play. I ain’t gonna hurt him and I ain’t gonna rush him neither.”
“And you’re enjoying the chase.”
He glares at her and she gives him a shockingly impish grin. “You are easy to read in some ways, you know. The idea of a relationship isn’t new only to Kraglin, is it?”
“Flark. I ‘member a time when folks was afraid o’ me,” Yondu sighs, and scrubs a hand across his face. “’Fore snuggly cubs used me as a pillow an’ when assassins wanted ta fight, not talk ‘bout feelings.”
Nebula laughs at his pain. “Man up, Udonta,” she says. “There was a time when my sister and I wanted to kill each other. Now, stuck on this planet with only each other, we have learned to bury such differences. We are stronger together than apart. As it is with you, your mate, and your cub.”
Then she gets up and kicks him in the leg. “Now get up and get back to work. I’m tired of indulging your laziness.”
“Laziness! Now ya see here…” Yondu shouts, but he gets up and follows her all the same.