I am finally done with translating this chapter.
Man that took me way too long.
But I can't help it; I am busy as hell right now.
Anyways, enjoy the fluff in here and I hope you like it :3

Chapter 4

No one could say how many days had passed since their conversation, but Yondu could clearly see that Peter was feeling a little better since then and that the ice between them had broken. Apparently the boy had needed it, to just let everything out and talk about all those terrible things that had happened to him. And he had been there for him, listening to him and comforting him and now that he was thinking about it, it was still so surreal to him, because he had never cared for anyone like that before. Not even Kraglin, though his first mate was almost like a son to him too.

Wait a minute...too?

What was he thinking? That Peter would be his son?

The thought was so ridiculous that he shook his head and tried to banish it from his head, but strangely enough, he didn't succeed in that. And what confused him even more, if not shocked him even more, was the fact that he was just trying to convince himself that this thought was ridiculous. In truth, he enjoyed that thought and yes, he could imagine being like a father to the boy. Of course he would never say that aloud...right?

If he was completely honest, he was not so sure about that.

However he turned it, it always came to the same result and at some point he had resigned and accepted the thought.

Was he doing a good job with this father thingy?

He didn't know it and somehow he doubted it on some days. Especially on days, when he trained with Peter. He was sure that he was still way too hard with the boy during their training sessions, because Peter had often come out of it with several bruises from some of their combat training sessions and this sight had strangely hurt him and yes, he had cursed himself for it, that he hadn't been more careful. Even if Peter had to learn how to defend himself, that was no reason to be so hard on him and fight with him, as if there wasn't a small child standing in front of him, but a grown man. But he couldn't help it. His time as a battle slave has also left scars in his soul and so it wasn't uncommon for him to fight like the gladiator he once was. Therefore, he also preferred to use his Yaka arrow whenever he was involved in a real fight. Not only was it faster, it was also much safer for him. He wasn't worried about the wounds he might get during a face-to-face fight. No. He was more worried that he could go crazy and become the monster that the Kree had made out of him back then and he certainly didn't want that. Most of all, he didn't want Peter to see him like that, so he tried to restrain himself during their fighting sessions, but that was far from easy.

He had to find another way to teach Peter how to fight and not go crazy. Well, going crazy were perhaps the wrong words, but there were those moments when he felt set back in his time as a battle slave and he didn't like it. He just wanted to leave that terrible time behind him and never wanted to be reminded of it ever again.

And so he sought advice from Kraglin, as he had often observed how well he got along with Peter. Often he saw the two fooling around together and yes, even if it scratched at his ego enormously, but he couldn't deny that he was a bit jealous of his first mate and that he knew how to handle the boy so well. But he hadn't yet found the courage to jump over his shadow and ask Kraglin straightforwardly for his secret. Not even when he was alone with him on the command bridge, which was always the best opportunity for such a question. But his pride was just too big and he had decided to find out for himself.

So, what did Kraglin and Peter do if they thought they were unobserved?

Yondu had often seen the two playfully fighting each other. Well, he couldn't call that fighting. They had wrestled together like two small children, which didn't surprise him when it came to Peter, since he was not even ten Terran years old. For Kraglin, that was different, since he was much older than ten Terran years and yes, Yondu couldn't deny that the sight had disturbed him slightly, when he first saw it. But by now he had gotten used to the sight and found it only intriguing how well his first mate knew how to handle the boy and how much fun he had and as much as Peter always laughed, the boy seemed to have a lot of fun as well. And there it was again: that slight hint of jealousy...

When he tried to play with the boy, he seemed to be doing everything wrong, which could be done wrong, because Peter had often looked at him, as if he had just met a terrible space-monster, whenever the Centaurian had tried to play with him. What was the problem? His appearance? The scars in his face? His whole manner? He didn't know it and since Peter never said anything, he continued to grope in the dark and that was getting onto his nerves.

He had to change that and he vowed that he would do that the next time he was alone with the boy!

And his chance came faster than he had expected it...

He had just come out of one of the showers and was moving towards the Captain's quarters, only with a towel around his hips. His day had been tough and long and he was looking forward to getting in bed for a few hours and doing nothing until he fell asleep at some point. Just put his feet up and relax. How long had he not done that? Yes, life as a Ravager Captain was anything but easy and stress-free, but Yondu didn't want to miss this life anymore. A life he owed to Stakar, but he didn't want to think about him now, because it would only rip open old wounds and he didn't need that now.

When he arrived in his quarters, he immediately locked his door, so he wouldn't be disturbed. He threw the towel into the next best corner and completely naked, he now stood in front of what you could call a closet and he chosed a pair of underpants, which didn't look as if half the galaxy had worn them already. On his next raid, he would make sure that he would steal some new underpants...

This thought made him grin widely and finally he found what he was looking for. The thing didn't look particularly chic, but he didn't care. It was comfortable and that was what counted. The underwear was also quickly followed by comfortable, dark red pants made of cloth, which had also seen better days already. Well, one more point on his list of things he would steal next time.

The comfortable trousers were followed by a no less comfortable white undershirt. How much he loved those things. That's why he had stolen half a shipload of them, because he was not the only one on the Eclector who liked to wear them. Of course he had secured himself the lion's share. After all, he was the Captain and, moreover, a dreaded space pirate and a dreaded space pirate was allowed to get the lion's share...

His grin widened and he shook his head and tried to banish those thoughts, but that was not so easy. Well, at least he had something to laugh about.

But even that passed quickly, when he heard a noise behind him. He paused in all his movements and listened and in fact the sound repeated itself. Slowly, very slowly, he turned around and his eyes went to the metal table not far from him to make sure his Yaka arrow was nearby. Just in case, of course. He didn't trust anyone except Kraglin and Tullk on this ship and he expected almost every day that anyone would attempt a mutiny. If that would be the case, he would be prepared and if he could get his hands on the Ravager who started said mutiny, he would kill him in front of his entire crew to set a point and show them all what it meant to mess with Yondu Udonta!

But judging by the noise, it didn't seem like anyone was here, trying to kill him. Nevertheless, he remained tense and his eyes searched the room, hoping he could find the one who was hiding here and he actually saw something peeping out from under his bed. A bare foot, too small to be an adult's foot and almost instantly Yondu's body relaxed again when he realized that he was not in mortal danger and that it was only Peter who had hidden himself under his bed. Apparently the boy had missed the moment to come out of his hiding place, sneaking up on him and frightening him.

Well, he could also turn the tables.

Again, this broad grin spread over his face and his eyes began to sparkle in anticipation, because this was his chance for a fresh start. He was not allowed to mess this up again!

So he acted as if he hadn't seen the little foot and turned back to his closet and closed it. Then he grabbed his clothes, which he had previously thrown carelessly onto the floor and he had to keep a chuckle to himself, as he saw out of the corner of his eye, how Peter quickly pulled his foot under the bed, as he bent down to his leather clothes and to pick up his coat from the ground. And he also ignored the soft giggle that came from under his bed.

He really had to work on Peter's ambush skills at some point...

Nevertheless, he tried to continue to ignore the boy, threw his clothes over the chair and a little later also put his boots next to it. And finally, he decided to pay his full attention to the little Terran.

He would show him how to really sneak up on somebody and surprise him...

Slowly, very slowly, he sauntered over to his bed and as he sat down on it, he grinned, as he heard that childlike giggle again. For a few moments it was so quiet in the room that you could hear a pin drop. But the silence was quickly broken by a surprised shriek, as Yondu decided to attack. With a quick motion, he reached under his bed, grabbed Peter's ankles and pulled the boy out of his hiding place and threw him onto his bed only seconds later. Before Peter managed to sit up or realize what had just happened, Yondu was already over him, grabbing his wrists and holding them over his head. He wore such a big grin on his lips that Peter shuddered, but when he looked into the Centaurian's red eyes, he could see that he was not in the least angry at him and that alone made him relax. More or less…

"Gotcha!" he grinned and also Peter couldn't help it and grinned back, albeit a little nervous.

If Yondu behaved like he did now, he liked him best...

"If ya have planned an ambush attack, then ya should urgently work on yer ambush skills, li'l one. I am sure half the ship has heard ya."

The boy giggled and tried to free himself from his grip, but it was like a vise and he knew that Yondu only did that to tease him a little more.

"That's not true!" he said, giggling.

"Are you saying that I'm lying?"

"Yes!"

"Watch what you say, Petey. This might backfire on ya."

And there it was again: that little hint of panic in the boy's eyes.

Great! He screwed it up again!

Or...maybe he could defuse the situation, because he was just remembering something he had found out during a training session with Peter a few weeks ago and what he liked to use since then to tease the boy a little bit. And if, when not now would be the perfect opportunity to do it again?

He still wore that broad grin on his lips, as he raised his hand and put it on the boy's belly, which then flinched and Peter looked at him as if he had just hit him. A sight that hurt him and that confused him, but he didn't show it. Apparently he was getting soft for real...

Even so, he was now fully focused on the boy and what he was about to do with him and when he started to wiggle his fingers slowly and teasingly on his belly, Peter's expression changed. Where there had been fear in his eyes, there was now an almost excited twinkle to be seen and Yondu felt how he was trying to fend off his fingers. It was still a mystery to him, what the boy found so damn funny, whenever he touched certain parts of his body only lightly, but he couldn't deny that it didn't fascinate him.

"See? Told ya: This might backfire on ya," he teased, and in response Peter put his bare feet against his chest and tried to push him away, but small and weak as he was, he couldn't do it.

"S-stop that!" he demanded and a soft giggle came over his lips and slowly some movement went into his body, as Yondu dug his fingers a little deeper into the fabric of his T-shirt.

"I don't think about it!"

Peter tried to growl and at the same time he narrowed his eyes, but instead of intimidating Yondu, he just made him laugh.

"Uhhh I'm shaking with fear now, Petey," he teased him with a broad grin.

Instead of a verbal answer, the boy raised his right leg slightly and wanted to kick his foot into his stomach, but Yondu saw the attack coming and quickly grabbed his leg with his free hand. He clicked his tongue as he looked at the Terran, who now grinned up at him.

"Hmm, not so bad, Petey. But, you know what?"

The boy shook his head and raised an eyebrow in question, as Yondu released him and straightened up instead, towering over him in a kneeling position and yes, the sight intimidated him.

"If you're already launching a surprise attack on me, then ya should also make sure it remains a surprise. Just like...that!"

It was a loud, startled scream that broke out of the boy's throat, which was soon followed by loud laughter, as Yondu's blue hands rushed forward, digging his fingers into the boy's body and tickling him. He attacked every little spot from which he knew that it would make the Terran laugh and soon Peter rolled across the bed, laughing loudly, trying to grab his hands and pushing them away, but he couldn't make it.

Meanwhile, Yondu had to be careful not to get hit by one of his feet, because the boy kicked his legs out wildly, as he got more and more lost in his laughing fit. And he himself couldn't get this stupid grin off of his face anymore, as the sound of the boy's laughter was so contagious to him. And when Peter almost fell off the bed, he could no longer resist his own laughter anymore and quickly grabbed the boy's shirt and pulled him back, preventing him from falling off the bed and onto the cold floor.

As soon as he lay back on the bed, Yondu wanted to "attack" him again, but the little Terran raised his hands in defense and shouted "Okay, okay, you win! I give up! ", which made him grin again and in fact he also dropped his hands, which he had already raised for the next tickle attack.

"You're lucky I'm in such a good mood today, kid. But one thing I'll tell ya: Next time, I don't know mercy anymore, so think twice about sneaking up on me again."

Peter was almost tempted to stick his tongue out at him for that, but at the last moment he kept himself from doing so, as he knew in what this would end for him. He giggled and sat up, brushing his short hair out of his face, before looking at Yondu expectantly.

The Centaurian only raised an eyebrow questioningly and didn't really know what the little Terran wanted from him.

"What?" he asked, but instead of a verbal answer, Peter giggled again and only seconds later Yondu opened his eyes in alarm, as the boy jumped forward; right into his arms. He wrapped his arms around his body and pressed his own body against him, and Yondu didn't know how to react at that moment, which the boy probably noticed, because he giggled again and pressed his face into his chest, snuggling up to him.

Yondu didn't know what to do and it was hard for him to understand the situation. It had been such a damn long time since anybody had hugged him, that he seemed to have forgotten the feeling long ago. But when he finally realized what was happening, his mouth twisted into a tiny smile and he gently put his arms around the kid and hugged him back gently. And he tried to ignore the warm feeling that spread in his chest; right where his heart was...

How long this moment lasted, neither of them could say. It could have been seconds, minutes, hours or even days. Yondu didn't care. He enjoyed the moment to the fullest.

When the moment was over and when Peter pulled away from him, he wanted to grumble, but the grin on the boy's face stopped him from doing so and yes, it baffled him a bit. Especially when Peter quickly jumped off the bed and ran to the door with a grin and unlocked and opened it.

"Now I was able to surprise you, didn't I, Yondu?" he said with another giggle and before the Ravager had any chance to answer, Peter had already stepped out of the door and ran away, laughing.

The pirate remained kneeling on his bed, totally perplexed.

He was staring at his now open door and it seemed to be hard to believe for him what had just happened. Peter might just wanted to tease him, but he had done so much more than that. He had unconsciously made Yondu happy. As happy as not for a long time. And with that gesture, he had shown him that he liked him.

The Ravager still felt that warm feeling inside his heart and damn! It felt so good!

And still there was that gentle smile on his lips.

Yes, apparently he didn't do that dad thingy as bad as he always thought he would...

Author's note:

I have to say, that the part where Yondu was standing in front of his wardrobe sounds so much funnier in german than in english.
I couldn't find the proper translation for the words I have used in german and I don't think there are even english words for it.

Well, I hope the translation is okay and not as terrible as I think it is. I think many people have no idea how hard this is, if english is NOT your mother language, to translate all of this stuff. And yet, hardly anyone ever tells me if my english has imporved or not -.-. But this is a topic for another time.

I hope you liked this chapter. I have no idea when I will upload the next one, since I am still very busy over here and I also work on some other stories, which I wanna finish first before I start translating the next chapter. And I have to say that sadly there is no much interest in this story of mine, which also takes away a lot of motivation. And this story is also on hiatus (but I keep translating the chapters that are already written, just saying. But I have no idea when I find the motivation to keep writing on it. This is the problem with longfics: I always lose interest in them at some point...)