The result of another RP that wasn't even suppose to become a fic but just grew into it over the span of 5 hours.
-Stop it, you're hurting me! - Cried out Peter as he was dragged through the hallway by the tall man.
-Then stop your whining, brat! - Snapped Kraglin.
-But I'm reaaly hungery, and the Captain said you had to feed me- cried out Peter
Kraglin let go of Peter and crossed his arms,
-Ugh, fine! - He glared. -No one can do anything by themselves around here!-
Peter cringed as he tried to stay a little to the side of the bigger man. His arm was hurting, and he didn't want to be next to him, but he also hadn't eaten for almost two days.
-I'm s-sorry…- Mumbled the child
- It's fine.- Kraglin said, sternly, not even bothering to look at the child.
The Terran trailed after the tall man that was supposed to take care of him.
-Maybe if I behave, he'll like me?- Though he
When Kraglin and the boy enter the 'kitchen', he turned sharply to Peter.
-What would ya like? A sandwich or something?-
Startled, Peter fumbled with his answer.
-U-um..
-1….2..- He crossed his arms and tapped his foot.
-Sandwich please! - Squeeked Peter
Kraglin rolled his eyes and went into the icebox,
-Zelcian meat or Draian? Uh, ham or turkey?-
Having learned his lesson fast, the boy answered right away.
-Ham, please… sir-
Kraglin pulled out the 'ham' fridge as well as some cheese, and bread from the cabinet. He quickly put it together on a plate and handed it to the child.
-Here. And don't call me sir. Captain Yondu is sir.-
-What should I call you then- Asked Peter
-Just Kraglin. I have no real title.- He shrugged.
-Ok Mr. Kaglin-agreed Peter
-Now is food are you require?-
The kid nodded frantically
Kraglin smiled,
-Good. Hurry up and eat. I have to go back to Captain Yondu and help with some things.-
-What do I do?- Asked the boy
- You can just come with me. If you stay out of our way. Alright?-
-Alright, Mr. Kraglin- nodded the boy
-Well come on then.- Said Kraglin, exiting the kitchen, heading to the navigation room.
Peter obidiently trotted along. Unfortunately for the 6 year old he had little legs that could not match the older man's pace. Coupled with untied shoelaces it was no wonder that a minute into the hurried half jog he was attempting, little Quill ended up sprawled all over the floor, nose red and bloody from the impact.
Kraglin heard a 'thud' and turned and saw the boy on the ground, his nose bleeding. He sighed and knelt before him, pulling him up.
-Now look what you did!- He touch Peter's nose, but stopped when the boy grimaced. He wiped the boys blood off his fingers and took off his scrap of cloth scarf and held it to the boy's bloody nose. -Use this and hurry up.- He stood and continued walked.
Peter sniffed and tried to hold his tears in. Bunching up the cloth he shoved it in his nose and tried to run after the man He stumble a few times but stubbornly held his balance. Finally they arrived.
-Captain? I'm here, and so is the kid.- Called out Kraglin as he opened the door and walked in.
-What'd ju bring him here for, idjit?- Grunted the Centaurian as he sprawled on his chair. -I said feed him, not bring him in.
Rolling his eyes, Kraglin walked forward towards Yondu,
-Cause, I didn't know what else to do with him. Kinda wish I hadn't. He broke his damn nose.
Peter observed the happening as he tried to seem as small as possible in the corner by the door, frantically thinking of ways to not get hit again. While Mr. Kraglin hasn't done much to him yet, the rest of the crew was even less welcoming. There was one guy with blue hair that already bit him on the leg.
-Come on.- Kraglin motioned for Peter to stand beside him, before turning to Yondu, -I told him to behave, so can he stay, sir?-
The Ravager took a look at the cargo standing by his chair with what looked like a piece of Kraglin's scarf stuck in his bloody nose and skinned knees. He made a pretty pathetic picture, but the Centaurian didn't really care too much.
-Fine, - he said - Look after him yourself then
Kraglin nodded,
-Yes' sir, I will. So why did you have planned for today, Captain?- Kraglin asked, looking over the charts in front of him, while also glancing down at Peter every once and awhile.
As the two adults seem to dive deep into discussion about things Peter did not understand or know about, he decided to brave a look around. Sniffling, and pulling the hanky out of his nose, he stuck it in his pocket. His fingers lightly stroked the material. This was really the first nice thing anyone on this ship has done for him, and Peter was grateful. Sitting down on one of the free chairs, he leaned his head against the handrest and closed his eyes.
This was an extremely tiring day for the 6 year old, and all he really wanted was to curl up in his bed and go to sleep. Unfortunately from what he understood, his bed was very far away now. So he just settled in the uncomfortable chair and didn't notice falling asleep.
He did not anticipate being woken up by an explosion.
-Peter!? Where the hell are you!?- Yelled out Kraglin as he looked around for the kid. -Captain, what the fuck is goin' on!?-
The Centaurian picked himself up from the floor and ran to the console.
-Nova Corps! Seems like they finally decided to cash in all those files we took.-Grimaced the man as he yelled commands through the comm, and watched as crewmembers poured onto the deck.
Peter meanwhile was unceremoniously shoved away from the chair and into the floor, where a few men managed to trip over him and went down in a jumble of limbs and curses.
Kraglin ran over to Peter and pulled him up by his collar.
-Follow me, listen to orders and don't die!- He dragged Peter behind him by his hand as he went next to Yondu.
Peter just hiccuped as he held on to the warm hand of the older man, and tried not to fall down again. As soon as they were next to the Captain's chair, another hand shot out and holding him by the scruff of his shirt, hauled Peter's small body onto an uncomfortable lap.
-Now listen here, boy, we're gonna do a little something I call "We threaten, you obey", got it? - Growled Yondu as he held the kid with one and, and furiously clicked buttons with the other.
-N-no, I don't know what you want though, - Whimpered the kid, desperately wanting to go back to Mr. Kraglin.
A show of crooked silver teeth had him quiet and crying when a face appeared on the Visio Screen.
-Nova Prime, I'll cut straight to the chase- Was rumbled above him, and Peter felt a sharp nick at his throat. - You let us go, or I cut this kid's neck.
Kraglin was a bit surprised when Peter was yanked out of his grasp, but even more so when Yondu held a blade to the child's throat. He took a deep breath and tried not to look weak. He looked at the Visio Screen and at Prime, before his eyes trailed over to Yondu and Peter.
-Captain, what 'bout J'son? You can't hurt him…- He whisper only loud enough for Yondu to hear, and tried to make it look like he didn't say anything.
Yondu ignored the man's words, as he pressed the knife closer and watched as a rivulet of exotic red blood made its way down the kid's throat.
-I'm waiting Nova Prime.
-Yondu, stop.- Kraglin whispered more urgently, looking at them with wide eyes.
Nova Prime looked at the pirate captain, then the child as blood trailed down his neck.
-If we release you, no harm shall come to the child, correct?-
-I give you my word.- Graciously nodded the Centaurian, not letting up the pressure.
By that time Peter was crying in earnest, tears mixing with blood as the mixture ran down his face and throat, trickling over the knife.
Nova Prime huffed,
-Fine. I'll let you go this time, Udonta. I will give you an hour to get away.- She turned off the screen.
The moment the screen was off Kraglin turned and grabbed Peter from Yondu, taking out his scarf from Peter's pocket and gently held it to the cut along Peter's neck to stop the bleeding.
-Oh, don't get pissy on me, Obfonteri- Smirked the Captain as he watched his Second try and calm down the whimpering mess on the floor. - I ain't about to kill the cargo, and a few scars won't hurt him - With those words, Yondu turned away, shouting curses and commands to the rest of the crew.
Meanwhile Peter tried and couldn't stop crying as he buried himself in Kraglin's arms and wrapped his little hands around his neck tight as he could.
Kraglin glared at Yondu's back before returning his attention back to the sobbing child, -It's alright, shush. The Captain can be such an idiot. Don't worry, it'll get better. Trust me. He's not gonna kill ya. You'll be fine.-
Hiccups and sobs were his answer, as Peter refused to let go, wetting the man's shirt with his tears and snot. He was having a truly horrible day.
Just as the kid started to calm down, heavy steps followed by a voice interrupted the peace.
-Get him out of here, Second. I don't wanna see the brat until we dock at Spartoii.- Spit out Yondu as he kicked at Kraglin's stretched out leg.