Chapter Three - Get a Room

Summary - In which Gunnie covers for Yondu, Stakar is impressed, Yondu eats too much, and Kraglin's a sweetheart.

Yondu's eyes flicked up from the report and the steaming cup of coffee under his nose. "Mornin' Gun."

Kraglin glanced at Yondu, raising an eyebrow, "That ain't tha same woman from yesterday."

Yondu smirked, "Gunnie's a shifter. I known her fer goin' on five years an' I only seen her in tha same skin a handful o' times. A-Chiltarian right?"

Gunnie smirked, her long blue hair was tied over her left ear, which flickered as she replied. "Yeah. It's'a easy one, tha organs are mostly in tha same place as mine."

Halfnut, who was attempting - and royally failing - at making himself toast, took one look at her and shivered, "Why'd ya pick that one Gunnie? Them 'Chilis is creepy wit' their big eyes."

Kraglin frowned, "Hey! I got a cousin who's half A-Chiltarian."

The younger man waved a piece of charcoal, that was at some point bread, in the air, "How tha fuck is that possible?"

Yondu rolled his eyes as he slurped his coffee, "Compatible species dumbass."

Halfnut turned fully, staring at Kraglin, "How's your lot compatible wit'," he pointed at Gunnie, "that?"

Kraglin looked at him boredly, "Ya see a degree in xeno biology hangin' on tha wall in any o' them shacks?" He deadpanned. Halfnut tipped his head curiously and Kraglin realised sarcasm was completely lost on him. He sighed, looking back down at the holopad in his hands. "I dunno. Just is."

Yondu snorted into his cup, "Shut up an' make yer breakfast 'Nut."

He saluted with the piece of burnt toast mockingly, "Yes sir, Yondu-du, sir."

The Centaurian glared, "Call me that again an' I'll cut tha other half o' yer brain out."

"Play nice wit' tha other kids, son." Gunnie said, slipping herself into the chair across from him with a steaming cup between her furry claws. She took a sip and looked at Yondu, who was scribbling intently on his holopad.

Gunnie raised her nose and sniffed.

Yondu froze.

She sniffed again.

The Centaurian snuck a look at her face.

Her tongue came out to lick at her eyeballs and she gave him a disapproving look, "Yondu."

An innocent look was thrown her way, "What?"

"A. Word." She growled.

He sighed, "Shit."

She stalked into the cargo bay, rounding on him as soon as he got down the stairs, "I ask one thing! One! An' ya go an' do exactly tha opposite!"

"Gunnie -"

She snarled, "I told you! Fuckin' on tha regular leads ta attachment! Attachment leads ta somement stronger, then they go an' fuckin' leave ya in tha universe all alone wit' nothin'!" Her face was shifting wildly, voice dipping into a weird register, "Feelin's git hurt!" She snarled, stomping a foot and shaking her head until her face returned to the one she'd had in the kitchen. "They always leave. Ya always outlive 'em. It ain't worth it." She said quietly.

Yondu gave her a pained look, "Is this about me or you Gun?"

She sighed heavily, rubbing her forehead, one ear flickering wildly, "I just dun want'cha ta make tha same mistakes I did son."

"Gunnie. I - I love ya, ya taught me e'erythin' I know but I ain't'chu. Me an' Krags got an understandin' ok? We're fuckin' 'cause we wanna - ain't no feelin's involved. He's still gon' git off at Redsand - 's a junker planet, he c'n find work an' git on wit' his life an' we c'n go on wit' ours."

She looked over at him seriously, "'S a mistake."

Yondu shrugged, "Maybe." He grinned, "But if it is, I sure as hell dun mind makin' it."

Gunnie snorted, "Dirty bastard."

He slipped an arm around her waist, squeezing affectionately. "You ok?"

She sniffed, leaning into him and smiling, "Grand, son. Just grand."

Gunnie was taking engine readings when her comm beeped, poking the communicator in her ear, she idly scratched behind it. "Gun here. Talk ta me."

"Gunnie." Tullk's voice crackled through the interference the engine's output caused. "Lass, I got tha Cap'n on comms. Yondu ain't answerin'."

Gunnie snarled.

Yondu had wandered off with Kraglin to 'show him around the ship'.

More like getting fucked on every surface available.

The horny little shit.

"A'righ' gimme a minute."

She climbed out of the bowels of the ship and along the quarters hallway. Nodding to Zane she climbed up the ladder and into the cockpit.

Tullk gave her a grin as she tossed herself into the co-pilot's seat. "Bring it up."

Stakar's stern face appeared and she grinned, "Mornin' Ca't'n."

"Where's Yondu, Gunnie?"

"Sleepin' sir. He took tha night watch."

Stakar looked surprised, "He did? He hates night shifts."

"He's been a mite responsible since we left sir, 'm sure ya'd be pleased."

Imma chew him up an' spit 'im inta tha void. Fucker. Makin' me cover fer his dumb ass! 'M gittin' too sentimental in ma ol' age.

"That's - surprising."

Out the corner of her eye Gunnie saw Tullk cover his laugh with a cough.

"We received the rest of the units from the elder yesterday, with his most heartfelt thanks. Honestly, I didn't think Yondu had it in him."

"Oh he's a real surprise a'right sir. Kid's a natural leader."

Which was true.

He was a walking fucking disaster of a being - but he was also good at his job.

"Listen. Your crew is a jump away from another job." He looked away from the screen briefly. "Marty? Transfer them the specs." A series of files appeared on the screen and Gunnie flicked through them. "Seeing as you're the closest I figured you could handle it."

"You got it Ca't'n. Seems simple enough."

"Alright. We'll push the rendezvous back by another two weeks. We're still awaiting Aleta's crew anyway. They got held up apparently."

Gunnie smirked. Aleta drove Stakar nuts with her 'we'll get there when we get there' attitude. "Aye'aye sir."

"Tell Yondu I want to see those reports by the end of ship cycle."

"I'll let 'im know sir."

"Starhawk out."

The screen went black and Gunnie sighed rubbing her head.

"Looks like tha' Kraglin boy'll be wit' us a bit longer eh lass?"

"Seems like."

Yondu stared at the holo projection on the galley table. "So - ya actually covered fer me?"

Gunnie sighed, "Yeah dun worry I covered fer yer dumb ass."

The Centaurian grunted, flicking a nav point onto a fuel stop, then flicking another to their destination. "Least we dun need more supplies."

Gunnie scribbled on her holo, "There's that."

"Ya'll mad at me Gun?"

She turned her head up to look at him, "I ain't mad son. Just - ya gotta take responsibility as a leader ya know?" She looked down again, "I know what it's like ta have somement 'at's new an' excitin' like what ya'll got wit' that boy Kraglin - just dun shirk yer responsibilities 'cause a it. Come back ta bite ya in tha ass tha' will."

"'M sorry Gun."

She snorted, "Dun piss on ma head an' tell me it's rainin' boy, no you ain't."

Yondu chuckled, "Ya righ', I ain't. Ya might wanna wipe yer control console in tha engine room 'fore ya next use it by tha way."

Gunnie couldn't narrow her eyes in her current shift but she sure as hell wanted to, "Ya fuckin' whore. Ya had yer filthy ass all over ma console?! I oughta kick ya out tha damn airlock."

"Oh come on Gun, ya woulda done tha same!"

She gave a filthy laugh, "Yeah yer right. Fact I did." A wistful look crossed her face, "That elder sure knew how'ta fuck a lady." Gunnie chuckled, "I s'pose 'm as bad as ya'll. I didn't clean it neither."

Predictably Yondu's face screwed up in disgust, "Jesus Christ Gunnie! I dun need ta hear tha'."

She grinned, "Stakar wants them reports by tha end o' tha day."

The Centaurian sighed, rubbing a hand across his face, "S'pose I should go finish 'em then."

"There's an idea." Gunnie replied dryly.

He waved away the projection and picked up the holopad. "Later Gun."

"Bye son."

Kraglin passed Yondu in the doorway.

"Hey Yondu."

The Centaurian gave him a rueful grin, waving the holo, "Reports ta file."

The Hraxian chuckled, "Down side ta bein' leader o' a mission I guess."

"Ain't wrong." He replied, heading off to his bunk.

"'Lo son." Gunnie said kindly.

"Hello ma'am."

"Jesus boy, 'm sure I told ya ta call me Gunnie at least three times now."

"Sorry Gunnie, just a respect thing we was taught as lil'ns."

She waved a clawed hand at the chair opposite her, "Sit'down Kraglin, ya'll give me a crick in ma neck."

He chuckled, sliding into the chair.

"So, I got's ta make dinner 'gain tonight 'cause these fuckers are useless at tha shit. Any ideas?"

Kraglin shrugged, "Told ya. I ain't much fer bein' good at tha'."

Gunnie sighed, leaning her elbows on the table. "Ya gotta be good at somement boy."

He shrugged again, "I make a'right 'tato chips I guess an' I c'n do protein cakes, 'cept e'eryone says they too sweet."

She grinned at him, "Well there ya go! Ya c'n make tha potatoes fer tonight an' whack tagether some o' them protein cakes fer breakfast tomorra. 'Cause if I smell another piece o' burnt toast Imma throw that boy Nuttie outta tha airlock."

Kraglin chuckled, "Yeah that stunk tha whole damm galley out." He looked down at his hands, rubbing across the callouses there. "Gunnie, can I ask ya a question?"

Her tongue came up to lick at her eyes, "Ya just did son." He shot her a look and she laughed, "G'wan then."

"Ya think I c'n make it on ma own?"

"Ya'll got a stubborn streak as wide as Yondu's, if ya put yer mind to it boy, ya c'n. Simple as that."

Kraglin smiled shyly, "Thanks Gun."

"We got anymore chips?" Yondu asked through his mouthful. "Ya ain't ever made 'em like this Gun. They's fuckin' incredible."

"Son, you eat anymore them 'tatoes yer gon' explode."

He shook his head, shoving in another mouthful and piling more on his plate, "Be worth it, these are amazin'."

"'Sides," Gunnie said with a smirk, "I didn't make 'em. Our Kraglin here did."

Yondu froze staring at the blushing Hraxian, "Ya made these?"

"Uh - yeah."

The Centaurian smirked, "An' ya said yer weren't good at nothin'. These are tha best goddamn chips I ever e't."

Kraglin's smile was blinding, "Thanks."

"Get a room." Halfnut muttered into his food.

Gunnie didn't miss a beat, shoveling a forkful of food into her mouth as she smacked him upside the head.

Yondu groaned as the hatch to his bunk clanged shut and a set of boots appeared in his line of vision.

"Kraglin if yer here fer a fuck, 'm tellin' ya right now it ain't happenin'." He belched loudly. "Got maself a stomach ache wit' all them chips."

The Hraxian chuckled as he descended the ladder, holding a glass of something clear and fizzy. "'S alright I ain't here fer tha'. I brought ya somement fer yer stomach. Mamma used ta give us this as kids durin' tha harvest festival, 'cause no matter how many times she said it, we's always ate way too much."

Yondu winced as he pushed himself up. He pulled his furs up over his bulging gut self-consciously and Kraglin handed him the glass. He gulped it down, making a face. The Hraxian laughed, "Yeah it don't taste so good but it'll fix ya right up."

The Centaurian hiccuped, groaning again as he rubbed his stomach. "When I joined tha Ravagers I was a skinny fucker. Too skinny. Stakar lemme have ma reign o' tha mess an' I whacked on weight faster than orloni fuckin' in breedin' season. Gunnie says I dunno when ta quit. Reckons most species would throw up wit' tha amount I eat."

"I sure would." Kraglin responded, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

Yondu lay back and closed his eyes, he felt comfortable enough around Kraglin to let his guard down a little bit. He smirked as he felt the Hraxian lay down with him.

He started as a hand came up to rest over his belly. He tried to suck it in, hissing when it hurt something fierce because he was too bloated. Yondu bit his lip, holding in a grateful moan, when the hand began to rub gently back and forth, quelling the ache.

"I still gotta hand in them reports." Yondu sighed heavily, not wanting to move.

"Don't worry." Came the soft reply. "I'll do it fer ya."

"A'righ'." The Centaurian breathed peacefully. "Thanks, Krags."