"It's no good," cried Mantis, shutting the door behind her and practically running to Gamora. "My powers just don't work against that parasite. Peter just continued to scream and shout abuse at me."
Gamora put her hand on Mantis' shoulder, comforting her briefly then moved to the door of the room Peter was in.
She held onto a cup of the hot drink she had made Peter, and entered the room.
Her breath became unsteady when she saw him. He was lying on the bed, his wrists and ankles tied to it. He had lashed out at Mantis the first time she had entered the room and so Gamora had had to restrict him.
He didn't look at her the same way he normally would. His eyes were dark and cold; there was little-to-no love left in them. Though he didn't react to Gamora the same way he did with Mantis. He was suddenly silent and still. Gamora prayed that this was because there was still an element of her Peter in him. It was either that or the parasite was calculating what the best way to manipulate her would be.
She cautiously moved to him, kneeling by the bed. He turned his head to her, his eyes meeting hers but she still couldn't see a trace of her Peter in them.
"You need to drink this," she said, her hand under his head lifting it up and pressing the cup to his lips.
He kept his mouth closed, and continued to stare at her. He shook his head and Gamora sighed.
"No," he growled.
"… Even something as vile as you needs sustenance," she said, she knew now that she was talking to the parasite and not Peter.
"Get me something cold then."
Gamora forced his mouth open and poured the liquid in, closing his mouth until he swallowed. He tried to spit out the remainder of it but Gamora clamped her hand over his mouth.
"I'm not going to let you win. You're not having this body."
"I've already got it," his voice came out muffled under her hand.
They fell silent, Gamora looking away from him when he wouldn't.
"This body was a little reluctant at first but now I'm right in there. Right in its brain. The hatred it harbours is beautiful."
"Peter does not hate."
"He does. He hates his father, he hates your father, he hates his home planet."
Gamora shook her head, slumping back on her heels.
"But you knew that," he smiled. "You don't know how he feels about you deep down, though-"
"Stop it," warned Gamora.
"He thinks you're stubborn, controlling-"
"Stop-"
"A murderer-"
"I said stop it!" screamed Gamora, standing up and kicking the cup over. "Stop it! Stop it!"
His smile grew and Gamora felt sick. The parasite had found the best way to hurt her.
"It's never easy hearing the truth."
Gamora shook her head, "That's not how Peter feels. I know you; I know what you do, you're putting words in his mouth."
"I'm just feeding on what's already here."
"Peter loves me."
"Oh," he laughed, "Oh, is that right?"
Gamora suddenly felt doubtful but nodded, "Yes… yes, he… he does."
Peter continued to smile and Gamora felt uneasy.
"Who could ever love someone like you? This bodys brain is full of information about you. I know everything. You worked for your father, slaughtering people for years all because he asked you to."
"He did not just ask, he threatened! I needed to protect my sister," Gamora defended. "What I did... it was evil, but I'm no longer that person... Peter loves me."
"That's what he tells you, but you don't know what's really going on in his head. You can't see what I see. He feels sick every time he kisses you, every time he has to hold your hand or comfort you-"
"I've read all about you. I know that this is what you do… you play mind games. You don't just feed on him but you try to manipulate those around your host, too. You're trying to make me resent Peter so I'll walk away and let you have his body but that's not happening."
Peter's smile slowly fell and he lurched forward, making Gamora jump.
"He hates you! He hates you! He's getting out of here and he's gonna kill you!"
Gamora walked backwards, feeling for the door.
"He hates you!" he spat.
