It had been two weeks since Yon-Rogg's request and still, Vers had not given him an answer. Shamefully, she had been avoiding him as much as possible. She feigned busyness when he asked her to accompany him to their local gym. She didn't seek him out for comfort after a string of nightmares. At Starforce Headquarters when the team had gathered for group training exercises, she did her best to avoid being alone or paired off with him in pairing tasks.
Her avoidance was made easier as Yon-Rogg was constantly being called away for various meetings with his fellow commanders and superiors. The team had begun to suspect that something big was in the works. Yon-Rogg never had as many meetings as this. Every time he returned, his mood was dark and irritable, the strain of some unknown burden visible in the creases on his face and dullness in his eyes.
It came as no surprise to the team when they received a message from him, instructing them to meet in the Hellion the next morning.
There was a new mission.
"I still can't believe Yon-Rogg made Korath his new second-in-command," Vers mumbled as she leant against the wall. She, Att-Lass and Bronn-Char were the first to arrive on the ship. "He is going to be insufferable to be around."
"I'm sure he feels the same way about you," Att-Lass said with a smile.
"I still want to know what Minn-Erva did to get kicked out. It must have been something bad," Bronn-Char pondered.
The news of Minn-Evra's departure from the team had come as a shock to everyone. Vers had never gotten along with her, or to be exact, Minn-Erva had never given them the chance to get along. It was a shame for Vers knew that had Minn-Erva been willing, the two of them could have become good friends. For whatever reason, Minn-Erva had never liked her. Despite the disdain between them, Vers would not hesitate to admit that Minn-Erva was a dedicated and skilled warrior, who was fiercely loyal to her team and the Kree. She had been on the team the longest and it felt strange not having her lurking around.
What could she have done to have gotten herself such a hefty punishment?
Minn-Erva wasn't one for breaking the rules. She did everything by the book to a nauseating degree. She never stepped a foot out of line, and although she sometimes challenged orders, she would never disobey them or keep picking at them until she got her way or infuriated her commander. She knew when to stand down - unlike others, some would say.
Someone clapping their hands loudly drew the trio's attention to the entrance ramp. Yon-Rogg and Korath were entering the Hellion. Like the rest of the team, they were dressed in Starforce standard robes, their armour waiting for them in their lockers onboard the ship.
"Alright, Team, listen up!" Yon-Rogg said loudly. The team gathered around the centre of the room, watching as Yon-Rogg activated a portable hologram projector in his hand. The room lit up in a blue hue, the image of another Starforce unit and its five members appearing. "Two weeks ago a team was sent on a mission to the planet D-42, known to the native populations as Sleath. Last night, we received a distress signal from them. Our mission is to retrieve the team and bring them home."
"Why were they on Sleath?" Vers asked.
"They were gathering intel on a new possible threat to the empire. D-42 was believed to be the threats destination," Yon-Rogg said, ending the hologram. "As of this moment, that's all I'm allowed to share with you. It's twenty-six hours to the nearest jump point to reach the planet. We'll take four-hour rotations on piloting, starting with Bronn-Char, Vers, myself, Att-Lass, and then Korath. Until it's your turn, you're at ease."
The team disbanded, each heading off to various parts of the ship. As Vers left she saw Yon-Rogg make a move towards her so she quickly announced that she was going to have a shower before catching a few winks (which she then had to explain meant she was going to sleep.) She threw Att-Lass a glance and he interpreted it swiftly enough, moving to distract Yon-Rogg so she could make her get away.
It was pointless. She was being a coward again. There was only so long she could avoid him in the confined spaces of the Hellion, it wasn't a very large ship. That didn't mean she wasn't going to try, if anything just out of spite. She knew why he had chosen the rotation set up that he had. Whoever was piloting was going to be alone, so when it was her turn she wouldn't be able to avoid him. And seeing as he was next on the rota they would have plenty of time to talk.
Well, he could just wait.
Unfortunately, the four hours till her shift sped by and she found herself twirling around in the pilot seat, watching the stars zoom by. To his credit, Yon-Rogg waited an hour into her shift before coming to see her. The door slid open with a hiss.
"You've been avoiding me."
"Have I?" Playing dumb had never been her strong point. "You've been busy with work and so have I."
"Don't lie to me, Vers," Yon-Rogg sighed.
"I'm not lying!" Vers snapped, more aggressively than she meant to. Yon-Rogg quirked an eyebrow at her outburst and she felt the fury that had swollen inside her deflate. She wasn't sure why she had gotten so angry all a sudden. His words had pricked her the wrong way. She took in a deep breath and slid further into her chair, startled by her own feelings. "Sorry. I've just... needed time to myself."
She knew it wasn't fair that she had been avoiding him. He deserved an answer.
"It's fine, Vers," Yon-Rogg said, his voice understanding and soft. He took the seat across from her, turning it to face her. "It's not a choice I expected you to make lightly."
The entire dilemma had been the only thing on her mind these past two weeks. She didn't want things to change but change was coming and there was nothing she could do to stop it. She could only delay it which she knew wasn't helping anyone. They were in limbo, balancing on two futures. Marriage or banishment... Starforce or dishonourable discharge... the people's respect or loathing... home and safety or the unknown and danger... a chance to make a difference in the galaxy or becoming a no one.
From a practical standpoint, the choice was obvious. But it still didn't feel right and it grated on her being forced to do something like this and for such a stupid reason. She strongly believed that if people got married they should both want to do it. That there should be love involved on both parties.
But that wasn't what was being asked of her right now, was it?
All he was asking for was a chance.
It was better to take it all one step at a time.
"You said you asked to court me because it was what you wanted... what did you mean?" When Yon-Rogg had spoken those words her heart had ached with hope and though she wanted him to mean it, she couldn't help but question his motives. "Is this about honouring your traditions and obeying your laws or making it easier for a friend?"
"Well, I won't deny that I want to be faithful to our ways. But I promise you, Vers, what is motivating me is the feelings that I have for you. I swear it."
"And what are those?" Vers asked, pushing him to make it clear.
Yon-Rogg frowned, trying to find the right words. Vers knew it wasn't an easy thing she was asking of him, for the Kree emotions were often suppressed. Control them, was all she ever heard in relation to them. With so much weight being placed on controlling one's emotions, it made it hard for many of them to express what they felt. But she needed to know what he felt for her - if there was anything there other than friendship. She needed to know.
"You're the part of me that I didn't know was missing. Without you, I'm lost, weak. You give me strength, strength that I hope I give you in return. I want to be with you in every way there is." Yon-Rogg said sincerely, his eyes never leaving hers. "I can't deny you, even though I should-" His look turned chiding, and Vers couldn't help the mischievous smile as she thought of all the times he had bent to her with barely any effort. "You're the person I trust the most. You're the brightness in my life."
Vers was first to look away. Yon-Rogg had said more than she could have ever hoped for. Putting aside the law that wished to compel them, one of the things Vers had loathed the most was that Yon-Rogg would be trapped with someone he did not love. She didn't want him to suffer like that. She didn't want the tight bond they shared to wither away, replaced with resentment and regret.
But if he felt the same way that she did... maybe... everything could work out alright.
"I have something for you." Vers went into her pocket and pulled something out. She held it delicately between her fingers, the light catching on it and sending a sparkle of rainbow lights flickering across the room. It was a Blood Carrier filled with blue blood. Her blood. "I think it's only fair that you carry some of my blood, seeing as I'm carrying some of yours."
Yon-Rogg swallowed, something intense flickering on his face. It was gone before Vers could read it. He reached out, leaning forward in his seat, but instead of taking the vial he wrapped his hand around hers, trapping the vial between their hands.
"Is this what you want? Truly?" Yon-Rogg asked quietly, his golden eyes searching hers.
"To give us a chance? Yes, it is," Vers said, a little smile on her face. "It might be something I've wanted for a long time."
There was a flicker of disbelief on his face before Yon-Rogg's eyes lit up, the beginnings of a smile forming on his lips. That brief disbelief was confusing to Vers. Surely, Yon-Rogg knew how appealing he was? Was it so hard to believe that she could have wanted to be with him?
"I said might, that doesn't mean it's fact," Vers said, giving him a teasing look. "Don't get too full of yourself."
"Oh really?" Yon-Rogg said, a whimsical element to his voice. "Then tell me, what do you feel for me?"
Vers pretended to ponder over it, humming aloud. She then sighed dramatically, shaking her head. "I think you'll have to earn that answer, Commander."
Yon-Rogg smirked, always one to rise to a challenge. He took the vial from her hand, placing it carefully on the console where it could not be damaged. He then knelt before Vers, one hand resting against her cheek. He moved forward, bringing their faces a breath away. He didn't kiss her, not right away. His eyes rose from her lips to her eyes, a silent request for permission. His breath was warm against her face.
Vers nodded and with a smirk, he closed the distance between their lips. It was sweeter and more pleasant than their first kiss. This time she wasn't caught off guard by it, nor were there terrible doubts about his intentions. He might not have said the words but she could feel them in every word he had spoken. He cared about her, deeply. It wasn't just friendship and the bond between mentor and student. He cared for her like she did for him.
Vers gasped when he pulled away, his lips still brushing against hers. His hands had found their way to her hips and were tugging at her, pulling her away from the seat and onto the floor. They were kneeling in front of each other, Vers having to tilt her head back to reach his lips again.
How many times had she wanted this to happen? To be able to kiss him and touch him like this? His kisses were as passionate and demanding as she imagined, each one sending shivers of pleasure through her body. His lips moved to the corner of her lips, to her cheek and down to her neck. Vers bit back a groan, her hands moving to his shoulders to steady herself. She heard him whisper her name against her neck. It made her ache with want. She grabbed him by the collar and brought his face back up to hers, allowing her to kiss him hard.
At that moment, she didn't care about anything else. All she wanted was to enjoy this and forget about all the worries and troubles that had been weighing her down.
The door slid open.
"Vers, you wouldn't happen to know anything about the vyloo that was mysteriously stuffed into Korath's locker by any-"
Vers and Yon-Rogg pulled away from each other, turning to find a jaw-slacked Bronn-Char standing by the door. He looked between the couple, eyes wide and a barely suppressed grin on his face. "Oh... Commander! I didn't know you where here. Fancy that, looks like Att-Lass owes me fifty credits. Well, I'll leave you two to it."
Bronn-Char gave them a quick salute before leaving, the door sliding shut behind him. There was silence for a few moments.
"Oh my god, that really just happened, didn't it?" Vers whispered, stunned but amused.
Yon-Rogg closed his eyes, seemingly not as amused as she was. He let out a sigh, resting his head against Vers chest.
"Did you put a vyloo in Korath's locker?"
"Would I ever do such a petty, childish thing?" Vers gasped, sounding offended by the very thought.
"Vers," Yon-Rogg gave her a stern look.
"I thought you were meant to be earning my confession? Scolding me isn't gonna cut it."
Yon-Rogg took in a deep breath, giving her a disproving look before rising to his feet. He offered her his hand, which she took, allowing him to pull her up. "You must have enjoyed that last punishment, seeing as you seem intent on getting another one."
"You can only punish me if you can prove it was me," Vers pointed out, throwing herself back into the pilot seat. She smiled wickedly. "I would wish you luck with that, but I don't."
Yon-Rogg narrowed his eyes, a cross expression on his face. She didn't buy it, she could see the twinkle of bemusement there. He could never stay angry at her.
It was three hours until they reached Sleath. Everyone had already geared up, putting on their Starforce armour and were now prepping their weapons.
Vers decided she had waited long enough to finally wear her armour again. She hadn't worn it since the Skrulls had captured her. When she put it on now, she would have a lot to prove. That uniform represented Starforce, the proud protectors of Kree and her people. Last time she had dawned it she had let her commander, her team, her empire and herself down. She wouldn't fail again.
Vers made her way to the locker room, smirking at the sight of all the vyloo feathers and scratch marks around the place. She avoided them as she made her way over to the silver locker and dialled in her code. The locker popped open, a small light inside switching on.
The smile on her face fell.
Her uniform was dangling from its hanger. But it wasn't silver, green and black... it was gold, red and blue.
(A/N) Looks like they forgot to change Vers costume back... tsk tsk. Also, Yon and Vers are officially trying to be a couple! xD I'm still trying to come up with courtship type rituals that Kree could do :/ For anyone wondering, a vyloo is a cute, fluffy little bird that are harmless unless provoked (apparently they are known to bite peoples noses off). They're seen in Guardians of the Galaxy 2.
Thanks everyone for the reviews! If you've got any questions, theories or whatnot, feel free to share them! I'll respond to them via the author's notes. Or you can drop me a message/ask on tumblr. Same username as my fanfic one (Fairyringsandwings) xx
VampirePrincess86: Thank for the review! If I add any flashbacks, I'll definitely make sure they're in italics ^_^ Fury miiiight be dead... or he might not be. Have to wait and see xD