Here we go, chapter two of Yondu week. Subject. Holiday.
Summery. The Udonta Family need a holiday, and by luck they are invited to spend a few days with their Warlord friend and his family. Five-year-old Peter is happy, but Yondu really needs to switch off and have some fun.
Title: Sun, Sea and Suspicious Parents
For the Ravagers, before Peter the concept of a holiday was a foreign concept. But since Yondu wasn't a hypocrite, occasionally a bastard apart from being a father, but never a hypocrite.
He wasn't going to deny his crew some time off, as long as they came back and if they didn't. As long as they sent back the Ravagers coat and a god damn explanation, then it was all good.
But even though they had snatches of time off with Peter even since he arrived in their lives four years earlier. They had never had a proper holiday until now.
In truth, after leaving Horuz in charge of the Elector and giving Yarovesky a temporary promotion to First Mate, Yondu couldn't help feeling unnerved when he left the Elector on his S-Ship since he didn't need his M-Ship. It was a simple family holiday, not a mission with the much needed crew.
Kraglin knowing the location, piloted the stars with ease with their son, all of five-year-old Peter Jason Udonta just bouncing in his seat. Kraglin as always had arranged everything. The clothes, the food would be there waiting for them. And all he had to do was relax.
Relaxing was a strange concept for Yondu, even when he was resting mentally, he was planning something. But at the same time, he knew he needed a break.
Peter was sitting on Kraglin's lap. "I'm going to go swimming in the sea and make sandcastles and swim some more" he babbled excitedly, to his parents
With the planet in range immediately Kraglin threw in the security codes which would change the moment they passed through the force field.
Even by his own standards, Yondu was impressed it was an impressively small planet, only a hundred miles, in diameter. But it was private which is what they all wanted for the next few days.
Wirth the landing pad, and the sea in sight, Peter jumped up excitedly as the S-Ship landed smoothed and raced for the exit door until Yondu pulled him back. "just calm down Peter, you still have to get your things".
Peter went to grab his bag while both Yondu and Kraglin shrugged off their red Ravager coats and instantly felt naked without them. With the red leathers hanging on the back of a chair, Kraglin turned to his mate.
"Yondu, just try to enjoy this the next few days, it was nice of them to invite us, and for Peter to have a friend," Kraglin said smoothly, and Yondu knew his mate was right. This was important, being normal even for a next few days where they didn't have to worry about anyone killing them was important.
"I'll try" he replied, and Kraglin just stroked his mates chin gently knowing he couldn't ask for more.
Grabbing the bags full of the clothes they would need for the next few days, the summer sun hit them all in the face as they stepped from the ship. Only a few feet away was the cabin they would all be staying in, Yondu could see Lizxona, Tyorells, and of course little Seroul on the wooden porch.
"You came, that's fantastic," Tyorells said greeting them warmly, while Lizxona and Yondu just held a polite handshake.
Of course, their sons had no issue and just rushed to each other for a hug before beginning to talk incessantly.
"We're going to build sandcastles, and walk and go swimming, and play games" little Seroul announced while Peter was just struck by the lush white sands and massive ocean with the crashing waves.
Peter knew how to swim, he had been taught in the massive pool in Lizxona mansion, but he had never seen water as vast at this and grew excited instantly.
"Can I go in the water now daddy?" he asked his parents while Kraglin just laughed, "Of course but you need to get changed first" he told his son.
"There's a swimming suit on the boy's bed. They're both bunking in together, it's that okā¦just in case you forgot to bring one" Tyorells supplied while Kraglin didn't even blink "And let me guess, it's slightly too small for Seroul" he stated to the Xandarian who only shrugged in response.
Kraglin had noticed this for a while, he had no qualms taking hand me downs from Seroul but had seen at times the clothes looked new and never been worn.
"I can't help it, come one, let's get our boys sorted". Tyorells said, taking Peter by the hand and to the boys shared bedroom, before adding casually "You're in the back bedroom Yondu if you want to change".
Yondu felt like a spare part standing on the porch, so did as it was stated. Kraglin had taken his clothes bag and thrown them on the bed, and in truth, the room clean and well organised for guests, and the air was stifling.
Yondu was self-conscious about anyone seeing the pouch on his chest, back when Peter was small it was essential. Now his son was grown, it had gone back to its original shape and just looked like a smooth outline on his skin.
Kraglin had dressed casually, anyways, but Yondu, in the end, he changed into light trousers and a t-shirt. He decided to go barefoot, he knew the Warlord, and his mate would have shoes for them, but he hated to ask for anything.
Walking towards the rest, Yondu glanced around the room and noticed even though it was sparse, there were a few familiar touches, soft cushions on sofas and a few images in frames of a younger Lizxona and Tyorells, some with a pretty woman, who he recognised as Seroul's mother.
Joining the rest on the porch, and holding his pad in his hand, the boys were now dressed in cut off wetsuits like outfits and new hats were on their heads. Kraglin was smearing cream on both their cheeks to protect them from the sun's rays while both of them just bounced in happiness.
With that, both boys headed off to the sand, for playing, while Kraglin and Tyorells joined them, both to keep an eye on their sons and just for a catch-up. Perhaps it was because they were Xandarians and parents, but they had formed a tight bond since the moment they had met and talked easily.
Yondu couldn't help but feel awkward at all of them, and just tried to relax, sunny skies and beaches just weren't his thing, and everyone knew it.
The fact that Yondu was blue was a marked difference, but no one seemed to care, but Yondu still had issues at having the Warlord for a friend, hell an acquaintance but friends he instantly had his guard up.
Lizxona was stretched out on a sun lounger and gestured for Yondu to join the seat next to him while pulling a cold beer from a container and passed it to the Captain.
Good, at least he wasn't about to indulge in stupid conversations.
Over the next few hours, Yondu just indulged in the novel on his pad, looking up a few times to see his son running in the surf with Seroul and chasing the waves, while his mate chatted avidly to Tyorells.
Yondu did notice the glances between Lizxona and his mate, but decided not to question it, hell it was none of his business anyway.
In the end, with the sun setting and two very exhausted boys, Tyorells called up at his mate.
" Lizxona, if you want to take Seroul for a shower, and get him dressed for bed while we make dinner", followed by Kraglin asking Yondu the same thing.
Lizxona had a look on his face of wishing to do anything else, but Yondu saw the smile on his lips, when his son bounced over to him, all sweaty, sandy and sea encrusted, followed by Peter.
With that the two leaders led their sons to the bathroom, leaving their wetsuits to dry. The boys were at the age where they didn't give a damn about nudity and happy showered together, laughing, kicking at the water and splashing each other.
Yondu couldn't help but notice the crisscross surgery scars covering Seroul's chest, but Lizxona didn't mention them, and Yondu didn't want to pry. With them clean, the two fathers picked up their sons and wrapping them in towels before taking them to get dressed.
The table was set, and the food was being served, by the time they finished both Tyorells and Kraglin had a look of smugness about them. Both of them never had the chance to cook, being so busy, but it was a skill they both had.
With everyone seated, they began to enjoy the meal, this time it was fresh fish recently caught in the nearby nets with a cream sauce and the boys who didn't know how hungry they were devoured it.
Due to the heat, and having a long day playing, the moment their plates were clean, both boys immediately begin to yawn, it didn't stop them protesting when their parents announced they were going to bed.
Thankfully even though all of them were pushovers at times, the adults weren't having it, since it really was exhausting doing nothing.
With the boys settled by Yondu and Tyorells, neither of their sons asked for stories, and while Peter cuddled his precious Fang, Yondu noticed that little Seroul had his own personal teddy, made by hand and well loved.
With that done, the parents went back to the porch, their mates had cleaned up and all that was left was drinking and having fun, which was only between Kraglin and Tyorells.
Lizxona was sitting out looking at the surf crashing waves, and since Yondu was in no mood to talk shit, was happy to sit next to him and just drink beer.
Several hours later, since they had sons and which meant that eventually, they had to call time on the drinking, since soon hey would have to be responsible adults all of them announced that they were turning in for the night.
Saying goodnight to each other, and now in their respective rooms, it was strange to Yondu, he was so used to the bullheads of the Elector and Kraglin didn't want to discuss anything with Yondu.
Even though the Captain tried to start a conversation while Kraglin changed. "It was good today", he finally said since this whole concept for him was strange, while Kraglin eventually nodded.
Sex was out of the question, but they crashed together anyway. With the lights off and the sounds of the lapping ocean, almost like a lullaby, Kraglin fell asleep almost instantly.
Yondu, he just stared at the ceiling for ages. He wasn't used to this, he was used to the hum of engines under bulkheads, of artificial air and sweat and grime. This, this was perfect, and it unnerved him.
In-between the adult bedrooms, he sensed movement and got to his feet almost on instinct.
Standing in the doorway, he saw Lizxona exiting the room where their sons were sleeping and his eyes just narrowed with suspicion.
Inching forward he heard the tail end of the conversation between the pair.
"See I told you both boys are fine, you just have to relax."
I can't bloody relax, you know I didn't want to come here" replied Lizxona.
"Yes, you told me that a million times but we're safe, Seroul is safe, and we've got the Captain of the Ravagers and his family with us, no one stupid enough to attack us here".
"You could have just come with them and left me where I wanted to be".
Oh, so you could start at the walls feeling sorry for yourself. She wouldn't want that, and neither do I. But for the love of God, you have to snap out of it you've bitched for ages you've been too busy to spend more time with our son. But when you have it, you spend the entire day looking like a miserable bastard".
"You knew what coming back here would do to me. you knew what it would be like."
But Seroul doesn't, Yondu and Kraglin don't. Do you realise how awkward this may be for them?".
Leaning against the wall, Yondu couldn't help but eavesdrop, since this wasn't about him or concerning him but he didn't care.
"So, what should I do". Countered Lizxona sarcastically.
"Be better, spend more time with us, we know Yondu is stoic, but Kraglin a friend and I need that in my life. Do you think being your mate is easy? Because it isn't.
For the first time in ages, I have a friend who doesn't care about anything or the shit we've had to deal with because he's never bloody asked"
Tyorells took a breath "We need that, and Seroul and I need that too. So, I'm asking you for the love of God, start being better".
There was a pause while Lizxona mumbled something that Yondu couldn't decipher before the Captain made his decision to leave the couple in peace.
Going back to his room, he saw that Kraglin was deep in sleep, and settled back into the bed, as usual, Kraglin snuggled in close to his mate and just exhaled deeply causing Yondu to look over.
Kraglin did everything for him, he ran their lives and made sure he needed everything. His family made his life better, and he was ruining it by acting like he didn't give a shit.
Whatever was going on is the Warlords life, he wasn't going to ask, but as for Yondu.
Brushing his hands through his mate's hair, Yondu whispered softly to Kraglin "Tomorrow, I'll do better, I promise you that".
All he got in reply, was a sigh from his mate, but the Xandarian cuddled Yondu chest, and for now, that was enough.
To be continued
So the Udonta Family is keeping secrets, and so is everyone else. These secrets can't stay buried forever. Can they?
