AARRRGGGHHH! Why can't I stop writing Disney AU's!

Revolving around the familial relationship between Peter and Yondu/Kraglin, this is yet another Hunchback of Notre Dame Au…. Yeah, I know :S

Please read, enjoy and review ?

…..

For ten years, Peter had had the same routine on his Father's planet.

Get up…. Eventually.

Grab something from the kitchen.

Check that his Father was still asleep, before going outside and exploring.

This day was different though.

As a 'special treat' for his eighteenth birthday, Ego had agreed to take Peter with him on a business trip.

This time, it was to Knowhere.

Peter had been excited at the prospect at first, but now that they were here, he was beginning to see that nothing had really changed… His Father had forbidden him from leaving the hotel room.

Once again, he was trapped.

This morning, Peter went through his usual routine, going to sit onto the windowsill and listen to his Walkman as he watched the people down below. Slowly, he pushed the window open and leant out, peering into a hole in the wall by the window.

Peeping, a small bird stared back at him, it's long tail flicking back and forth as it ruffled it's feathers up. "Good morning…" he whispered, "… Are you going to fly today? I've never seen anything like you fly before."

The bird cheeped, its eyes curiously following Peter as the young man glanced down onto the streets.

"You should go you know…" Peter sighed, "… you don't want to be cooped up inside forever."

"What are you doing?"

Peter yelped in surprise, quickly pulling himself inside as he span around. "Mantis!" he scolded, "Make some noise, please!"

Tilting her head to the side in confusion, Mantis frowned. "I did… I asked you what you were doing."

"I mean before you speak directly next to my ear…. A cough, a whistle, something!"

Mantis just stared at him, until he finally answered.

"I was trying to encourage a baby bird to fly… that's all."

Stepping closer, Mantis placed a soothing hand on his bare hand, and sighed wearily. "You are… sad. And angry."

Mantis had been brought to Ego's planet as a small toddler, when Peter had only been there a few weeks, under the guise of him needing a friend. She was weird and Peter had avoided her like the plague for the first few days…. But she grew on him.

Peter pulled his hand away and sighed, "Look out there, Mantis…" He gestured towards the streets and the buildings outside, "… How is it, that convicted criminals and smugglers have more freedom than us? They're allowed to walk around freely, and we're told to stay put like good little pets."

"Ego- "

"- Yes, I know what my Father said. But what's the point of watching something, if you never get to experience it. Father's stories are good…. but it's not the same."

"… Then why don't you go?"

Peter turned to her in shock, "I-I can't…. you saw how mad he got when I tried to steal his ship that one time. I can't go through that again."

"But… you're sad?"

"Yes…. But I'd rather be sad, than have Father that disappointed in me again."

Mantis thought to herself for a few moments, before straightening up and crossing her arms, "You should go." She stated, an uncharacteristic firmness in her voice, "I do not like it when you are sad. If you have a few hours of fun, you will not be sad anymore!"

There was silence for a few moments as Peter thought to himself. After a few minutes, he sighed. "I remember Momma used to tell me… she used to tell me that life isn't a spectator sport. If watching is all I'm going to do, then I'm going to watch my life pass by without me."

Mantis nodded in understanding, "She was very wise. You should listen to her."

"Yeah, you're forgetting about Ego…. He'll just say I need to focus on 'training my connection to the light', and that going outside wastes valuable time."

"… Does he mean you can't go out ever ever?"

"Never ever! And you heard him when we were travelling here…. He hates Knowhere. He'd be furious if I asked to go out."

"… Do you have to ask?"

"Mantis!"

After her question, Mantis's hands flew to her mouth in shock, as though she was surprised at her own boldness. "W-well I-I just thought y-you could sneak out… it's j-just one afternoon and then y-you can sneak back in. Ego is in the m-meeting for most o-of the day."

"What if I got caught? He might see me!"

Mantis glanced around frantically, before pointing at Peter's cap. "A disguise! You could wear a disguise!"

Noticing that Peter still seemed unsure, Mantis placed a hand on his clothed shoulder. "You don't want to be cooped up inside forever."

Thinking to himself for a moment, a smile crept onto Peter's face. "You're right!" he exclaimed, "I'll go… I'll get cleaned up and I'll quickly sneak out and- "

"- Good morning Peter." Interrupted Ego, from the doorway of the room, his cross crossed in front of him as he stared at the pair.

Peter stopped in his tracks, hands defensively moving to his Walkman as he heard Mantis whimper slightly behind him. "M-morning… Father."

Stepping further into the room, Ego smirked. "It seems as though you two were having an interesting conversation. Care to share?"

Both Mantis and Peter winced at this as Ego continued, "So, you were thinking of leaving Peter? Despite everything…. You were thinking of disobeying your Father."

"I-it's just that… I'm bored with staying inside all day! Especially since I've finally been allowed off your pla- "

"You make it sound as though you're a prisoner!"

Choosing not to confirm this allegation, Peter backed down. "I-I didn't mean to upset you Father."

Ego shook his head patronisingly and sighed, "You don't understand… the world is flawed. Full of flawed beings who aren't worth your time. Remember Peter, you and I are immortal…. Those people down below are merely specs in the universe."

Peter glanced over at Mantis (who looked slightly hurt at being called a spec), before nodding. "Yes Father… sorry."

There was a tense silence, before Ego nodded and turned to leave. "I'm glad we got that cleared up. I have some… business meetings to get to. Just remember that this is sanctuary Peter."

Silently, Peter waited until he heard the door to their room shut, before throwing his hands in the air, heading back towards the window as he shoved his headphones over his head. "Yeah…. Sanctuary."

Pressing the play button, he winced when he heard the familiar opening notes of 'I'm Free' by The Who begin.

"I'm free- I'm free,

And freedom tastes of reality,

I'm free-I'm free,

AN' I'm waiting for you to follow me.

If I told you what it takes

to reach the highest high,

You'd laugh and say 'nothing's that simple'

But you've been told many times before

Messiahs pointed to the door

And no one had the guts to leave the temple!

I'm free-I'm free

And freedom tastes of reality

I'm free-I'm free

And I'm waiting for you to follow me."

Staring out the window, Peter couldn't help but smirk.

"Well… Mom always said I should listen to what the music's saying."