Chapter 3
It wasn't often that Yondu let the boy stay here since he knew he'd have to get used to bunking in the crew's quarters. It was already hard enough that the crew was certain he played favorites. He didn't need to give them any more reason to question him. Still, for now, Yondu settled Peter on his bed, and then took the crown from under his coat. He took a heavy tome from under a stack of bits and bobs, and he tucked the flowers into the pages and pressed them there. They would never wilt once they were dried and no one would dare to find the crown there. No one needed to know he had it at all.
Yondu's bed was the best bed and Peter cuddled into the cozy sheets of the Captain's domain. He purred like a tiny content kitten, happily snuggled in the warmth of animal pelts and other blankets that littered the kind sized bed. The boy never stirred except once in the 'night' time of ship. Sleepy orbs fluttered open, dark lashes giving way to sleepy blues underneath. He knew where he was vaguely. "Mhmm...Y-Yondu?" The boy called out, peeking out from one of the blankets he had burrowed into.
Yondu, who had covered the rest of his shift, and passed off the evening to the night crew, had returned to his room late that evening. He was perched in the window, looking out at the expanse of stars they were drifting through. Jumping was one thing, but when you weren't in a hurry why rush to reach a location? He'd stripped off his jacket and was down to a sleeveless, skin tight shirt and his ratty cargos, boots still worn as though he might have to go somewhere in a hurry. He was spinning the balanced arrow around his thumb mindlessly.
"Right here kid."
Hearing his voice caused the boy to relax. He shifted, turning on his side to face where the voice came from. It was far too early for him to be awake right now but he was still curious. Sitting up some he rubbed his eyes, his hair a disheveled mess. "I-I...m'sorry." The boy squeaked sheepishly. He was in Yondu's bed. Not the first time but he felt a little guilty for taking up the Captain's space. He blushed a bit and rubbed at his cheek some. "D-Did Kraglin get my gift...?"
"Don't be sorry," The Captain grunted, watching him in the reflection cast by the faint glow of the lunar lamps he kept.
"I'd of moved you to the crew's bunks if I was worried bout yah in my bed," The elder stated. Yondu nodded his head, "He did indeed. Looked pretty smitten. I'd say it's safe to say he liked it."
The boy nodded hesitantly before turning his gaze around the room. He recognized the rusty red jacket hung up nearly in the corner and the red sharpened arrow that could be only tamed by the blue skinned man before him. The child cocked his head like a curious pup, confused as to why he was here in the first place but never asked out loud. Instead he grinned some at hearing Krag liked his gift. "I-I...that's really good t'hear. M'glad he liked it. Totally almost got mauled for it." There was a beat of silence before the boy swung his legs over the side of the bed, sitting down on the side of it. "Um...Yondu? Can I ask you something?"
The Captain chuckled to himself, letting the arrow roll lazily around his thumb and back into his palm. " What's on yer mind boy? " He turned then to face him, elbows on his knees and his arrow bobbing slowly between his index and middle fingers.
The boy fiddled nervously with one of the blankets ends, a small frown lining his lips as he thought back of the two of them sitting in the golden field. His lip quivered with uncertainty before he gave in to his own curiosity. "Earlier you said...you didn't want me to be like you." He looked up with question in his eyes. Not only observant but perceptive and with a memory of an elephant. "...Why? You went so silent when I asked why then...like you were afraid to say anything. Does it have to do with me? Is it why...you act so differently around me when we're alone?"
Yondu watched him, ever present frown pressed against his lips and his brows furrowed slightly. For a long moment he was silent, just watching him. " I'm far from a good man," he stated plainly. " Done things I'm not proud of, Son. Things I don't want you ever doin..." How do you tell a kid who'd been destined to die at the hands of his blood, that you found something in him that you hadn't any of the others. A frightened boy who'd just lost everything he had in the world... A boy who wanted so badly to live. Yondu didn't know why, but he had turned them around halfway to Ego and he hadn't looked back once.
"Like what? I-I know you're a pirate and-and I've seen the movies. I know pirates do bad things sometimes b-but..." Peter tugged on the blanket more some. "I don't believe you're a bad man. Not a good man sure but not bad either. You-...You like me." The boy bowed his head at the confession. "And nobody back home ever did but mom...so how can you be bad?" He whispered quietly. To him Yondu was now all he had. His rock in this sea of darkness. The Father figure he never had. To him Yondu could do no wrong.
He stood and took himself across the room to where Peter sat. "I did things I shouldn't have for the sake of money," he stated refusing to give up what that had been entirely. " I hurt people who didn' deserve to be hurt. Just cause the price was right," He frowned a bit more. " I do like you, boy. If I didn't I wouldn't keep yah around. That don't mean you need tah be like me."
Peter flinched a bit when Yondu came close, half expecting to be slapped or something close to that. But for all his time here not once had Yondu put a hand to him unless it was for training purposes. Still it was a reflex, something he did when he feared he has gone too far with speaking. Even as the elder spoke the boy refused to believe it. Instead he stayed silent and looked away. "Nevermind." He said after a moment "I spoke out of turn sir."
Yondu pursed his lips a little bit as he looked down at him. He reached out with his free hand and gently took him by the back of the head. "I aint no super hero, kid. But I'm tryin to fix what wrong I've done. Theres honor in that at least." He gave him a pat on the back of the head, "Go on back to bed. We'll be making trades tomorrow. "
Peter let his head be tugged up some. The boy looked up obediently, his eyes meeting Yondu's own with a quiet understanding at his words. Perhaps he was right. He shouldn't put Yondu on a pedestal just because he looked up to him. Even cool blue pirate captains in space made mistakes. With a soft whine at the pat, he nodded and crawled back into the bed. "C-C'mon. I'll feel bad if I hog this entire bed Yondu." The boy mumbled.
Yondu huffed a sigh, knowing that the boy was going to complain until he actually got to sleep a little himself. Yondu made a face but sat on the edge of the bed, with a short whistle the arrow returned to it's holster and he toed out of his boots. "Alright alright..." The Captain went around to the far side and settled himself in bed.
"Now. Go ta sleep we've gotta long day ahead of us tomorrow."
"Alright, alright." Peter mimicked back. The Terran child giggled at his favorite grumpy captain gave in to his whines and made his way with a grumble to the bed. He watched with never ending awe as the arrow went zipping through the air to its place in its holster all on its own. That would never get uncool. He waited for Yondu to get before wiggling his way against the elder males back, snuggling against his whether he liked it or not. It was cold in this stupid ship all the time and dammit, Yondu was warm.
"G'night Yondu." The boy murmured sleepily.
He'd of forced anyone else away. Hell he'd of kicked them onto the floor for cuddling up to him. Well maybe not Krag but he was a lot like Peter when it came down to it. One of the elite few who garnered the Captain's attention and care.
"Night, Peter," he stated back quietly tucking one arm up under his head against the pillow. As much as he would deny it, he slept easier knowing the boy was safe. At least for another night.
Peter was out like a light within minutes, bundled up in a tiny warm ball at Yondu's back and contently sleeping through the night. He'd never say it out loud but he always slept easier himself when he was closer to Yondu or Krag. In all the men who lived on this ship, those were two he trusted the most. Kraglin on the other hand had waited for the two to be asleep to peek in and 'aaaww' at the sight. To say he'd totally use this as blackmail in the future for extra credits was an understatement.