We only have one more until the end. This one lacks the humor or the other chapters but gives some backstory for Nebula. Enjoy!
Part 5- Aunt May
Every mother is both fearful and excited for the day their son brings a girl home. It was no different for her. Yes, she wasn't Peter's biological mother, but she'd raised him like he was her son. Loved him like he was her son. And felt in her bones, that he was her son.
So, when Peter had first started talking about Nebula, she'd heard a certain something in his tone. She knew what a crush sounded like. She hadn't put the name in connection with the woman at the funeral. Not until she'd officially met her. And by then it was too late. Peter's crush had evolved into so much more.
May had had her reservations at first. How could she not? It wasn't about the alien thing- it was a little about the alien thing- or the whole daughter or the man who'd caused the Snap- it was a little bit about that. Mainly, it was about her age.
Maybe it's old fashioned of her. But Nebula was an experienced woman, not just in years but in life. The things she'd seen and done far outweighed even her superhero nephew's involvement. She was afraid they'd be outmatched.
It was before they'd started dating when Peter brought her home for dinner the first time. They'd only been "friends" then, but May knew it was more than that. At least on Peter's end. The way he talked about her had been enough to know, but the way he looked at her had solidified the knowledge.
Nebula, on her end, had barely said two words the entire time they were eating. Answered in monosyllabic responses and seemed to look at everyone and everything with the same cold hard stare. May had actually been afraid that Nebula was all robot.
That is until Peter had gotten her talking about Morgan Stark's recent science fair. Nebula didn't smile but her whole face seemed to brighten, becoming human, while she recounted the event she had come to earth to attend.
After dinner, Peter had offered to do the dishes, wanting to give them time to bond.
Instead, they sat on the couch in awkward silence. She'd thought Nebula was staring off into space until she asked May a question.
"Are those Peter's biological parents?"
May realized she'd been looking at a small and badly upkept picture on a far shelf. She hadn't realized Nebula would be able to see it from where they sat.
May nodded and went to retrieve the picture. She brought it back and resumed her seat next to Nebula.
She ran her finger over the faded images before handing it to Nebula who took it like it was something fragile.
"That's Peter's mother and father."
Nebula stared at the picture for a long time.
"He does not share blood with you."
Anyone else May might have been offended with the disinterested clinical tone, but Peter had warned her that her tone very rarely conveyed her feelings. He'd also told her about Nebula's sister. They both knew that blood did not constitute family.
"Yes. My husband was Peter's uncle. His father's brother," she wasn't sure if the alien knew their common terms for most things.
"You were a good mother in their stead. Peter is a good man."
She received the statement with a bittersweet pride. May always raised Peter the way she thought was best and just hoped it coincided with what they would have done. But there had been countless moments where she'd prayed to find the words that they would have spoken.
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your birth parents? Did Thanos…"
"They were long dead before my father came to my world." Nebula paused and May watched her struggle to swallow down the first stirrings of her still potent pain. As she continued, the only evidence of her pain was the pained flicker in her eyes. "I do not remember how, just that one day they werer gone and I was alone. I was a street urchin for some time when my father came. He thought that because I had survived so long on my own that it meant I was strong. So, he chose me as his daughter and lamented that decision everyday after. But his pride prevented him from discarding me. The great Thanos would not have made a mistake."
Her hands shook with the admission and placed the frame on the coffee table in front of them.
"I spent many years and did many horrible things trying to earn his love. Peter is fortunate to have had someone who did not require the same."
May shuddered at the thought. Of a young innocent Peter as a recently orphaned child having to fight for a place in her heart and being treated as something less until such a thing was earned. She hadn't thought even Thanos could be so cruel.
May placed her hand on top of Nebula's mechanical one and squeezed it. Nebula didn't look at her, but lowered her head, ashamed of her feelings.
She wanted to say something to comfort her but knew it would be too much for the reticent Nebula. Instead, she rose and kissed her temple, pouring all the motherly love and affection she could into the action, before leaving her to compose herself. But couldn't stop herself from whispering, "Your father didn't make a mistake. He just didn't understand your strength."
She turned the corner into the kitchen to where Peter was leaning against the counter obviously listening.
His head was tipped forward and he looked deep in thought.
May playfully bumped his side as she slid next to him.
"You look like your uncle, when you do that."
Peter smiled. He'd loved Ben more than anything and felt his lose just as potently as she did every day.
"You should go inside. I'll make myself scarce so you guys can make out on the couch." She laughed at Peter's embarrassed flush and slipped into her room as he made his way over to the couch.
She left her door cracked, too tempted to see how they interacted when they thought they weren't being observed.
She was surprised how easily Peter settled next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. And how readily Nebula curled into his side and rested her head against him.
Watching them for another minute, snuggled quietly together, she moved away from the door finally giving them the privacy she'd promised. As soon as she turned away, she heard Nebula's happy chuckle and Peter's laugh.
She turned her television on with the volume up loud, when she'd heard sounds that were distinctly not laughter.