Steve gave a soft possessive grow and had to rock a bit harder at that.

"None will hurt you again." He said with a snort. "I won't allow it." Reaching out he gently stroked over Yondu's head again. Fingers brushing against the smooth skin with a quiet trill before his other hand popped another few grubs into his mouth.

"I will get more grubs when. We run out. There are other species so I need not disturb the hive too much." He said with a smile.

"Ya ain't exactly my keeper then mermaid boy. Especially considering that most of the things that can and probably would hurt me would be definitely outside this planet" reasonably mentioned Yondu as he looked up.

Besides, the Centaurian had long since gotten used to taking care of himself without anyone's help and only minimal assistance from the rest of the crew.

Steve looked down at him haughtily and snorted lightly.

"Will not do. My mate is to be safe." He said and caressed his head. "I will follow when you leave- keep you safe always."

"Excuse me?" bristled up Yondu, jerking up from the perch to sit up and glare at the other male.

"I ain't a mate of yours, we haven't exchanged any kospah, and you sure as shit can't pump me full of pups. And I do not need anyone to keep me safe, I've doing fine on my own so far" he proclaimed

"Kospah?" He asked and cocked his head from one side to the other. "What is?" His eyes were calm. This man would be his no matter what. The vigor he showed just making Steve want him all the more.

"And I do not need pups." Steve finished with a stately nod of his head.

"Besides, would not be better to have someone you could always trust with your back? No matter the situation? Who only wants you to succeed?"

Yondu raised his hand to his lobe, fingering the dangly gold hoop studded through. A piece of jewelry that was to be exchanged during the marriage ceremony.

"I've done just fine without a mate this far, and don't exactly have any desired to get one either. And as for having supporters, well I already have one who's got my back. One's plenty enough to let in" he protested

"You will choose me." Steve promised and eyed the earrings. "You will see. I will turn your gaze and make your soul flame to be with me. I swear it on the tides themselves. By the time your fellows come you will ask me to leave with you."

"Nah, I really don't think I will. Besides, what th' fuck are you gonna do in space? There ain't gonna be a way to install a tank for ya you know" stated Yondu as he laid back down, pointedly turning his back to the other.

He... didn't exactly mind the idea to be honest. On some instinctual level, the Centaurian had recognized the courting attempts that had already been shown. The shelter, the provision of food, the satisfaction. Only the promise and show of protection remained, but Yondu was determined to not need any of that within his hopefully short vacation stay on the island.

Steve wasn't quite sure what else was needed- his size alone had drawn his previous mates to him. But what he wanted he was willing to work for, so he reached over and stroked over Yondu's back and head, refusing to let him have the last word before they slept and using it as a silent promise to him.

Settling into bed he reviewed what had to be done in the coming days and the things he should get for wooing.

Tensed shoulders relaxed under those smooth hands, easing up their harsh sting into a slope. Yondu eyes his own palms that rested in the middle of grasses and branches, absentmindedly pushing his fingers through the fibers. His nose inhaled the smell of woods, grass, musk and ocean salt.

He hummed in a low pitch, closing his eyes and letting his hands weave something, opening them a few minutes later to reveal a grass-woven strand. Searching around his nest, he fished out a dry strand of a more elastic stretchy flower and tied it up into a circle.

As he twirled the resulted bracelet, Yondu contemplated what to do with it, before turning his attention back to the arm that still dangled out of the hammock.

With a huff, he twisted around and pushed the grass onto Steve's wrist, and within seconds returned back to his spot, pointedly squeezing his eyes and soon falling asleep.

Steve let him do as he pleases. Listening to Yondu huff and grumble softly to himself. It was only once he felt the bracelet slip on and heard him turn over that he again lifted his head.

Looking at his wrist in the dim light he smiled. A gift from his chosen was a wonderful thing to receive and he had every intention of caring for it carefully.

He hadn't been lying to him before, two legged or finned he needed much less sleep than the other man. Instead he got out of the hammock, setting the bracelet carefully there so he wouldn't break it while swimming and went down to the beach.

Into the black water he went, his pupils expanding and overtaking his eyes so he could see in the dark. Feeling the electrical currents of the creatures around him. He had fins in a moment and disappeared into the black.

Crashing on an ocean covered planet was the last thing Yondu needed. However, out of that unexpected accident would come a relationship that would not only aid in his plans, but also present new dreams to strive for.

Having a starcraft crash his territory was not Steve had in mind for the afternoon. But swimming to explore it will be the life-turning point of his life.

Yondu's sleep was sound, and for the first time in a long time he was dreaming.

Dark and murky waters of the swamps and mangoostine forests of Centauri IV mixed with the white sand and exotic nature of the oceanic planet. The name of which he still didn't know.

Clear water, shimmering above his head, the sensations long forgotten of a fin that sent out feelers of emotions, caressing and holding on to the familiar others.

A long shadow swam over the Centaurian, shading him momentarily, before strong webbed hands came to wrap around his torso, pressing against his back.

Burst of bubbles and the loud, thundering whisper of mine.

With his powerful tail he moved through the water fast as light, dove to depths that other mers could only dream of to get pearls as hard as star metal from the pressure and rare volcanic rock that littered the deep sea.

He could feel her out there- questioning why he'd been on land. In trills and whistles he told her the story, of his beginning to court an off-worlder. From the shadows she loomed. Tail as taller than he was long and swimming right close against him so he could reach out and drag his hands across her sharp skin.

When she finally came to a stop before him and opened her mouth wider he knew what she was offering. Reaching in, he pulled from her a tooth the size of his palm now, rubbing her nose gently in thanks.

The trip back was uneventful. He fished, caught large and small- some he ate now, others he left for her and still others he kept to bring to his mate so he'd have a change from hare.

Climbing out onto shore he gathered everything up, grew legs and headed back, wanting to surprise him. Though the sun had risen long ago so it was possible that he had been awake and looking for Steve for ages.

Honestly, waking up to find himself alone stumped the Ravager for a moment. In two days the mer's constant presence had firmly dug a trench in his consciousness. So to open his eyes and see the empty hut was for the lack of better words... strange.

However, never one to mope or question such things as personal space, the Centaurian simply got up and proceeded about the morning.

The swiping and minor upkeep didn't take long, and he was easily able to follow Steve's footsteps towards the clear water spring to get some liquid for boiling.

Quick visit to the ship revealed no changes and no miraculous self-restorative powers in the metal hull. But it did gain him some spices from the back of the shelves in the kitchenette and a few of his nick knacks. Heck, the hut was too empty and impersonal for his taste. It was time to brighten it up some.

The sun was already high up when Yondu was seated in front of his temporary retreat, grinding up some nuts with a couple of flat stones. He was gonna add berries and hold it together with honey to make a portable delicious treat.

At the rate he was eating, the man suspected he was soon going to get up an appropriate weight and health conditions of his race.

Not that he was malnourished in any way, but the diet of space travel let a lot to be desired.

... Nobody brought him fresh hearts in there

Steve came back and smiled when he saw him, hiding everything except the fish and striding into the small clearing to meet him. Setting the fish aside he pulled him up and kissed him, arms wrapped around him tight.

"Forgive me. I did not mean to be so long." He said and smiled gently at him. "It seems you have had an industrious morning."

Yondu spotted the blond coming through the trees with arms full of fish and had a brief flash of interest and hunger at the sight of those scaly beauties. He could and would do miraculously delicious things with those.

The kiss and embrace came as a surprise, even though at that point he felt as if it really shouldn't have.

The blond was affectionate towards him to say the least. So when those lips settled on his, the man only let out a small frustrated groan before allowing them to linger an extra second.

"Yeah, got us more water and thought I'd make use of the nuts. Can't just keep eating them raw and tea is better with dessert" reasoned he, once the hands let go of his shoulders and instead settled on his back. Yondu's own were holding Steve's biceps, not quite pulling or pushing him.

"What is dessert?" He asked and cocked his head to the side like he always did when he didn't quite understand something.

"I brought you things." He said and motioned to the fish. "I will get broad leaves for them to be wrapped in to cook... and I have other things. Close your eyes." He said excitedly, fingers lovingly stroking across Yondu's cheek.

Since he was not given a chance to answer, the only thing left to do was sigh, throw the mer a glare and obey.

Yondu lowered his eyelids, allowing the ever-present darkness to settle over them.

The hands pulled away

Steve grinned and did a small excited leap as he moved back to the things he had hidden, coming back he laid them out before Yondu on a broad leaf from a palm.

"Open." he said, voice quiet and breathy and eager. Pearls over flowed from a pot nearly as big as the one that held all the honey, the glass carefully held in another pot, the remains of the oysters in a third - so they could be eaten later - and the tooth from his mount placed front and center.

It was more than a fine offering for a mer - but Yondu was no mer and Steve hoped he would approve.

His eyes opened to splendor. Yondu's breath caught in his throat when he saw what was laid out before him. The mercenary part of his brain screamed in ecstasy at the loot.

Pearls alone were enough to get him a new M-ship; the glass would go well with any jeweler and the oysters would not feel shamed at the finest restaurant.

But when he saw the tooth...

Yondu slid down to the ground, kneeling by the leaf and reverently traced the insanely large and sharp bone, fingers momentarily welling up with beads of blood where the sharp edges cut them.

Such gifts... offerings...

Yondu wasn't fool enough to mistake them for anything else. Courting gifts. To prove that he would be more then well provided for. Treasured if he read the pearls right. Sated, both sexually and domestically, from the oysters. A promise of honesty from the reflecting glass.

And most importantly... trusted to not only be protected but protect in return...

Ruby red eyes slid up towards the other male. Without looking away, Yondu took a pearl, a shard of glass, and popped an oyster into his mouth. He pressed the bloodied fingers of his other hand into the tooth, drawing a curbed symbol. The one of his tribe.

The mer's offer was accepted.

Steve cocked his head from side to side again, watching his reaction- taking careful gage of it.

"The glass can be shaped into weapons as well." He said blushing slightly. "It is very sharp - sharper than even the tooth but fragile. Best use for surgery or when you do not plan to see the blade again."

He swallowed a bit - more anxious now than when he'd had his first rut. He watched him eat one of the oysters and take both a pearl and a shard of glass. Seeing the symbol be drawn into the tooth his shoulders relaxed and a brilliant smile broke out across his face. Leaning down he kissed him slowly and deep, fingers carefully dragging his nails across his new Mate's head.

Yondu answered the kiss, letting his own eyes shut for a few moments as he sunk into the sensation. Pulling away, the man took another oyster and swallowed the slippery treat.

"I will need to see some actual fighting from ya one of these days. Scars and promises are all good, but I aimt about to mate to someone just for their wealth" he mentioned

Steve chuckled and laughed loud and deep, stroking over his head again and cradling the back.

"That is fair." He said with a smile. "I have asked my mouth to the shallow waters around this island if you would like to meet her before the sun lowers." He offered, pleased that the other man enjoyed the oysters and the other items and that he wasn't about to just trust that Steve could protect him and any offspring they adopted.