Things Never Left Unsaid
Chapter Eight
Little Peter Jason Udonta, was sitting in the Mess hall of the Starhawk,
Even though he was sitting at the Captain's table, Stakar and Aleta were not really engaging with him, not like his daddies, who always asked him about his day,
On this new Galleon, it was like the Elector, but things were all over the floor and Peter had almost tripped up more than once, and everything was dirty as if no one cleaned at all. Also, everyone just gave him funny looks as if they didn't know how to talk to him.
Stakar had introduced him to his crew, there was one called Martinex, who had crystals all over his body, and was sitting with the crew, but didn't seem to be eating. Peter felt shy around them and didn't know what to do.
This crew was different, and he didn't like it, there was no music in the Mess hall, or people having fun. Instead, they were drinking and shouting at each other, and all Peter did was hug Fang and wish to go home.
Peter hadn't had any lunch since he did know that most Ravagers only had two meals a day, but Peter had three, but no one told the cook that he was hungry, and his stomach growled, but he didn't want to tell the cook this.
The dinner was also too hot and spicy, but Peter ate it anyway, because he had to, but then realised that there would be no pudding. Peter could see the jars of jam and toys Iztel had packed on the side and wanted to go up there and get some jam, but he was scared that the big Ravagers he didn't know would shout at him.
There was no place for him to do his lessons either or a little mat where he could play with his toys, and he had had no nap that day, so Peter was really tired.
In the end, after everyone had eaten, Peter was relieved, but he didn't show it, he was a Ravager, and he had to be strong. For Aleta and Stakar who had agreed to this, from the moment they had watched the Udonta family fly away, they had been hit with the enormity of caring for a child.
But almost instantly, everyone and everything had demanded their attention. In the end, they were pleased that Peter was so quiet, as he accumulated himself to the Starhawk. They both came to the conclusion that he was tired, so at least they weren't useless at figuring that out!
Wordlessly, Aleta took his hand and led him from the room, and Peter just obeyed with no question as he was taken to his room. Peter didn't know what to expect, but as Stalker and Aleta took him to his room, he felt a terror of fear at how it looked.
For Peter, quarters were bright places, with things on the walls and shelves, and were happy places like his own room with his rug, toys and a soft bed. But this, this was basic Ravager quarters, there were a bed and a small table, but nothing else, and Peter wanted to cry, but didn't, and just gripped Fang until his knuckles were white.
Peter did notice that Aleta seemed not to know how to do things, as she rooted through the bag until she had pulled Peter's nightclothes, and she undressed him and gave him a wash. For Peter, this was so strange.
When he was in the quarters with his daddies, they made it fun, they stripped him off and chased him as he run around naked, and let him play with his toys before bedtime, and tickled him. But this, perhaps they didn't know how to deal with children, Peter guessed.
Peter had noticed that Aleta had a hard edge to her that he didn't like, it was similar to his daddy Yondu, but his daddy always relaxed, when he got to the quarters, but this wasn't home or anyone quarters.
Peter's tummy was still hurting, as Stalker with the face that didn't move right, pulled back the bed covers, and told him to get in the bed.
As Peter settled in, the sheets felt scratchy, not like his thick warm blanket at home, as he looked with his green eyes at Stakar, and just waited for his bedtime story, a bedtime story would make everything better.
Peter had seen his pad in the bag, with all his bedtime stories on it, but instead, they both stood over him, and for Peter, it just looked imposing, and he found himself gripping the scratchy sheets tighter.
"Ok get some sleep, goodnight Peter" Stalker said, and Peter just nodded in response as they stepped from the room and switched the light off, leaving the room in darkness.
For Peter this was the worst thing, perhaps they didn't know that there was always a light on, if it wasn't his night light, then his daddies left the light on and the door open, in case he got up in the night.
Peter couldn't help the tears coming into his eyes, even with his stomach still hurting, and now his head, He missed his home so much, and his daddies, and Iztel, Proctom and the rest, he didn't like this new crew they didn't know him, and they were not kind.
He wished his daddies were there so much, if he imagined it, Peter could see his daddy in the doorway, like he always did.
Peter knew his schedule so well, sometimes, after he was put to bed, and after a short while to make sure he "was settled", both of his parents left the quarters, but they returned later and Peter wads disturbed by them coming back in and the sounds of shoes being pulled off.
Most of the time, he heard one of them saying, "I'm just going to check on him", and the footsteps came in, and then one of them would adjust his blankets and would stoke his face and hair gently, to make sure he was settled. It usually was Yondu who did that as he bent down and kiss his son on the forehead, whispering in his air "I love you", something he knew his daddy didn't say often.
Peter shivered, and he thought of his life and his daddies, and he missed them so much, as the tears came to his eyes, and with his hurting head and stomach, just cried himself to sleep.
Several thousand of light-years away, the Elector was still on course, when two familiar footsteps walked into their quarters, and out of habit both men three off their coats and shoes. It had been a hell of a day, and both of them just wanted a shower and sleep, even sex was off the menu tonight. As Kraglin found himself walking to Peter's doorway and just looking at their son's empty bed, where he should have been in the universe was currently making any sense.
Leaning against the frame, Yondu came up and wrapped around him and just inhaled his mates' scent.
"Look Kraglin I know you're worried, but Starker will take care of him, you have to know that".
Kraglin just wasn't convinced, but closing his eyes and leaning his body against his mate, Kraglin sent his love out to his son, concerned that Peter was alright.
For little Peter Jason Udonta, he opened his eye, with the damp pillow, and whispered "Daddy", before the image of Kraglin which he saw in his mind, faded and Peter remembered that he was all alone in the darkness.
Sitting up, which caused his stomach to lurch, Peter realised he need the toilet desperately, grabbed Fang as he blearily tried to find the light switch, but couldn't and then turned for the bathroom.
Mentally his mind was still in his quarters on the Elector, as he turned right, took a few steps, and walked smack into the cold metal wall, causing his nose to suddenly gush with blood.
Peter imminently began crying from the pain and the shock, and he stumbled back, as the tears he was shedding combined with the blood and started to rush down his face so he could almost taste it.
Peter managed to get to his feet and recalling that if he was ever hurt to find an adult, as his parents had told him too. With Fang still in his hand, stumbled around the room until he finally found the door latch, and still sobbing pitifully, managed to get it open, and step out on the deck.
As he wasn't wearing shoes or socks, the metal felt cold against his skin, and there was no one around, to help as his sobs grew louder and he started to walk the deck to look for help.
Peter, was still walking the decks, which was still deserted, and still sobbing loudly, which was increasing the pain in his head, when his foot cut something sharp, and he looked down to see that he had cut his foot, on a jagged bit of metal.
This place was so dirty. Peter knew his feet were black from it, and he took a step, even with the pain and saw a small bloody footprint. His pain increased, and he began to sob louder "I want my daddies, I want my daddies" over and over again as if he would say it enough times his daddies would magically appear, but they didn't.
Climbing some steps, to see if there was someone, anyone to help him, Peter was so confused by this palace, this horrible dirty place where the people were so mean. Peter lost his footing, and fell down the steps, grazing his knees and elbows in the process.
Peter was now hurt all over from the pain and the blood from his face, foot and limbs, he almost didn't notice the moment when still needed in the toilet, he wet himself, with a big damp patch on his pyjamas.
Peter, sick with pain, and stress, climbed the steps again and went on his way. He knew going up meant the Bridge, and from there he could get help, even if Stakar and Aleta were man and didn't like him.
Momentary at a loss from where he was meant to be and still crying to the point he was dehydrated, Peter went over the edge of the deck, where he was not allowed to go, but all he saw was Decks and darkness, leaning over, he stumbled and for a moment lost his grip on Fang.
Peter screamed as the stuffed toy, fell through the air and into the darkness and Peter just sobbed louder, in pain, and shock. He had just got Fang back, and he had lost him again, crying harder, Peter went on his way, for Fang, for help, he was in so much pain, all over, and his head hurt so much.
When Peter swayed, suddenly on his feet, and his green eyes, suddenly burst open and blazed with a hard-blue light.
To be continued.
