The Collector
"You LOST 'im?! Dammit!" Kraglin hissed on the other end. When Yondu didn't panic Kraglin did for him apparently. "Goddammit sir, I told you this was a bad idea! I-I got everything under control up here Cap'n but you need to find that kid. You both get back here in one piece... Kraglin out."
Yondu gritted his teeth. Now as not the time. He was already frustrated, and hurt and trying not to lash out at the people coming to see what the mess was about. "I GOT IT," He snapped and listened to him sign off the channel.
Static once again filled Yondu's ears until silence prevailed instead. In ten minutes after Krags call however, a new voice filled the blue Centaurian's ears. It was nobody from his crew. No, this voice was far too eloquent and reserved. His voice was an uncomfortable purr in the Captain's head.
"I believe you dropped something of yours Mister Udonta." Came the steady ancient voice on the other side of his comm link.
"I do hope you'll come. Then again...one man's trash is another's treasure as they say."
"If you seek the child you know where to find me." With that the low purr of a voice cut out.
Everything hurt, his jacket was mostly intact, but his shirt and undershirt were scorched through and he was bleeding where the burns were breaking open across his chest. A few colorful curses left him as he stormed along the carnage zone.
When the voice range in his ear, Yondu felt his stomach sink. He scrambled through the crowds heading in the only direction that could take him where he needed to be. This was the worst case scenario. No this was worse than that. Yondu held his hand against his chest, frowning heavily.
It took too long to get to the location, and he didn't knock. Yondu stumbled a bit as he entered the space.
There presented to Yondu like a gift was Peter Quill, unconscious but alive and laid perfectly on an elegant couch, a pillow propping his head up some and a bandage neatly wrapped around a bloody forehead. He stirred softly but never woke. A good sign he was only knocked out with a few cuts and bruises.
"You should be careful where you drop your things." Came a voice behind Yondu. "Not everyone is a good samaritan around these dark crevices." There sitting quietly on his own fancy couch was The Collector himself, sipping from what could only be assumed a very expensive tea cup.
"Do not fear. The young one is mostly intact. I assume you shielded him from further damages. He will wake soon enough." The mysterious being said nothing else, sipping his drink for a long time before those old ancient eyes finally drew upon the Captain. Calm but a dangerous level of silence as well.
"Most people knock." The old man mused. He then gestured slowly to the boy. "You will do well to keep him far tighter to your side. Or do you not know the valued weight you hold besides your hip? I mean not your toy." Taneleer purred.
"Take a seat Mister Udonta."
Yondu didn't want to be nice, but right now the cards weren't in his favor. Yondu's eyes trailed across Peter carefully. He was okay. He hadn't gotten hit to much beyond the shockwave. Yondu had taken the brunt of it. That was fine by him. His fingers were aching still from having him wrenched away.
"I assure you... I didn't do it on purpose," Yondu just wanted to get back to the ship and wash the blood away. When he was instructed to sit, he tried not to stumble. He was defeated right now. Threatening the man woudn't go over well.
"I know what he's worth, but that's not why I've got him..." He grunted and kicked his feet out trying to be comfortable.
"I know very well why you have him my boy." The older man mused with a fine grin on his too thin lips. "We all do." He was talking about the Elders. The group of beings that transcended that of the mortals. Celestials. Another slow sip. Patience was a test this man took in strides.
"You have no need to be on guard with me. I am not my brother. I am not his Father. I know why you're a year late on his delivery."
"I know what and who he is but I care not and you're very lucky that I don't." He mused against the rim of his drink before setting it down. Taneleer uncrossed his legs and stood with all the swaying ease of a water brushed painting.
"I have little care for what Ego wants and for all our sakes you will do well to keep that child out of his hands." Tivan paced slowly around the Captain of the Ravager's, sizing him up with a scanning eye. "Therefore, I'm giving him back to you. Free of charge. But be warned. If you do not wish the boy to land in one of my collection holds, you will do well not to lose him again. Am I very transparent Mister Udonta?"
"He must never know what power lies inside him nor where that power draws life from."
"Now go. Take your boy and heed my fair warning."
Yondu watched him with distrust in his eyes. Gods knew with his own history he could have ended up in one of those holds himself. Pursing his lips a little bit, the Captain rolled his shoulders back a little. " I am not gonna give him over to that asshole," Yondu wrinkled his nose, "Notta chance in hell." He wasn't going to give Peter over to end up the same way the others had.
"Not this time..."
Yondu stood slowly, "I'm not letting him be a part of any of that. Invested too much time in him." That was colder than needed. It was his defense mechanism. To act like he didn't care about the kid at all. His eyes averted from the odd man and he shuffled towards the boy.
"Come on Kid," The Captain murmured quietly, bending despite the ache in his body, to lift the boy up into his arms.
The Ravager took himself through to the door again, pausing briefly. "Thanks ..." It was almost impossible to hear but he left it at that. "Kraglin. Found him. Gonna be back shortly."
"That sentiment will get you killed one day." Tivan purred in return with a smirk on his lips. He watched the two leave, the small bundle clasped tightly in Yondu's grip. The ancient one simply smirked some and gave a small nod to the mumble of gratitude.
"Wouldn't be the first-time sentiment tried to kill me," Yondu mumbled to himself, expression somber as he headed back towards the ship.
"What an interesting duo they make." The Collector mused lowly. With that he filled another cup of tea.
Kraglin however had been pacing up and down the bridge with worry. Where were they? Why hadn't Yondu called back? He was about to send a search party but it just when he was about to snap at the men to go down there his comm went off with a familiar voice.
"Cap'n!" Krag sighed in relief and skidded over to the decks mic. "Sir is he okay? You okay?" He asked. "Get t'the ship I'll watch your location." Krag sighed in relief and rubbed a hand through his hair.
"It's alright," The Captain grunted at Kraglin, "he's a little banged up but he's okay." He didn't say anything on his own condition. Yondu knew he looked like hell. That also wasn't the first time either.
Peter groaned softly against Yondu's shoulder finally. He winced and stirred some, tired eyes opening with a flutter of dark lashes. "Mhmm...Y-Yondu...?" He whispered.
They were in the ship by the time Peter began to wake. "I gotcha kid," he murmured quietly. With one arm still around Peter, jacket now firmly closed over his damaged chest.
"All...All I remember if a big flash of light and a hot burst of wind." Peter whispered. "Did something explode?" The boy asked quietly. He winced again and felt over his head with one hand, flinching some at the sting. "Wh-Wha...? Why does my head hurt s'bad..."
Yondu was glad that the boy wouldn't be able to see the damage to his head from where he was. " They shot the fuel containers. Blew em up. Ripped yah right outta my grip," He frowned at that, trying to maneuver them with one hand up and out of the holes left in the head. "You knocked your head pretty good..."
"And are you okay...?" Peter asked quietly. He opened his eyes just enough to look up at Yondu. He looked pretty banged up and hurt. "You aren't hurt, are you?" There was concern in the boy's voice, utterly unaware of everything that had just happened.
"'M fine kid," he stated pointedly. He didn't want questions asked about it. All Peter needed to know was that there was an explosion. he was knocked down and hit his head. " When we get back you go get yourself somethin' to eat. I've gotta see to our wounded."
"I-...okay." Peter gave a shy nod before carefully laying his throbbing head back against Yondu's shoulder. "...L-Lets not blow up anything so close again okay? As cool as explosions are I think that was way too close." Peter mumbled, letting his eyes close with a flutter of dark lashes.