Ok, been struggling with writers block, and am hoping this will cure it. Hope you all like it, and a Happy New Year. Also, would have put it into chapter 7 since that's my one shot chapter, but decided to make a new one. Xx
Day of Thanksgiving
Fatherhood: Part 8
The exploits of Yondu Udonta and the Ravagers were the stuff of legend in the Galaxy. A hard, brute mystery of this violent and dangerous crew that took all risks and always delivered the goods made them feared and respected.
This was what people expected, the reality of living aboard the Eclector, the behemoth of the Ravager ship, was a little bit different, as Yondu was sitting there on the Bridge looking over his latest contract, and heard the soft footsteps of his four-year-old son coming onto the deck, and managed to suppress the smile ghosting over his lips, as Kraglin looked up from his console.
"Hello Daddy", Peter said coming over to his father, with a big grin on his face and a canister in his hand.
As always with the Ravagers wearing darker colours, Peter was dressed in contrast with a bright green jumper, his blond-brown hair sticking up at every angle that no matter what Kraglin or Yondu ever did, always looked untamed and wild.
Now the age of four, he was continuing his lessons and becoming a very bright little boy, "full of chatter" which was a polite way of saying "he could never shut up".
However, he was going into the hanger bay, where the crew lapped up his devotion of the M-Ships and were happy to instruct him, since he constantly asked for them if they needed help, and they were always happy to give him basic things to do, even counting the stem bolts and clearing the gears.
Though Kraglin had voiced his concern that his son wasn't being used as a skivvy, Yondu had responded that there was few four-year-old who knew to count to a thousand and could understand the value of hard work.
It did unnerve both of them some days when their son said and acted older than his years on some days, this strange perception that he had that reminded them both of his biological father's DNA which they couldn't suppress no matter how they tried, even though today he just seemed his typical happy self, as he held the canister up to Yondu.
"Dad, I brought you the gift of coffee, because Iztel in the med bay with Proctom, as he's got a headache again", he stated, with Yondu still in Captain mode took it with a nod of thanks, as Peter still smiling just gave him that expectant look as something within the fierce Captain of the Ravagers caved immediately.
"You can help Yarovesky plot a star chart", He said simply, as Peter with a delighted squeal, raced up to the Ravager and scrambled into his lap while the Navigator pulled up two star charts and let Peter choose the correct one…and the one that was already programmed into the navigation array, but Peter didn't know that.
"If the mean nasty Nova, are doing scouting missions in the Leestan Nebula, then we should go through that one," He said pointing to the Dabla system, "We will be late by a few hours".
He said, as Yarovesky nodded his approval, which seemed to please the boy since he felt like he was doing important things, as he slid off the Ravager and looked back at his father. A second later while Yondu was drinking his coffee, his son had jumped into his own lap, and just looked up at Yondu, his green eyes glinting with a look Yondu knew too well.
"Dad, I was reading this book about Xander today, with Iztel and we were reading about the Day of Thankfulness".
From his console, Kraglin looked up, and threw his mate a look, as Yondu glanced down.
"Oh…what about it?" he said simply.
This was the only thing Peter needed his dad to say.
"Well there's a massive tree that people decorate, and there is presents and a big feast where people give thanks for everything, and presents and lots of dancing and everyone is happy". Peter took a breath. "Dad can we celebrate it".
Yondu just blinked, and if he were capable of laughing while sober, would have done at that moment, but manage to keep his face impassive at the thought of a party on the ship, but said smoothly
"No Peter, we're not celebrating the holiday, it's a waste of time". Peter looked crestfallen for a second, which allowed Yondu a moment of guilt. "But why?" The second word seemed to drift into a whine, which he didn't approve of.
"Because it's a waste of time, and it's for children. This means that only you would get a present".
The clear thought of being deluged with presents, since he knew his parents would never let him get spoiled made Peter grin for a second, as he understood what his dad was saying and the smile faded.
"So I won't get a present from the Ravagers?"
"You get enough presents Peter, and you're getting no more". Yondu said while taking a sip of his steaming cup of coffee, as Peter leaned back on his knees in thought for a moment.
"Well, what if the crew buy presents for each other, and they can all be happy". He said, "And I don't need presents….please Dad, can we do the Day of Thankfulness. It's really fun, and people dance and decorate a tree and eats loads of roast beasts".
Peter widened his arms out to show how big he wanted the "roasts beast" to be. Apparently not that big from Yondu's standards. "No Peter, we can't have this stupid day. We're Ravagers, and we've things to do".
Yondu had finally noticed that the Bridge was devoid of its usual chatter, and was starting to notice his son's lower lip beginning to wobble, as Kraglin piped up from his own chair.
"You can have a tree though and put up decorations in the Mess. Be good to get a bit of colour in it."
He shrugged as Peter, just beamed.
"Yea I tree, I can have a tree". With his message being completed and happy at the answer he practically skipped from the room, causing Yondu to shake his head in defeat.
"Fine, but it better be a small tree", he stated to anyone in the vicinity who would listen as he sent the order for the supply fun to include one small extra addition.
Yondu was wrong
It wasn't small.
To be contunied
